midnight
The man opened his sunken eyes as the sleepy steward rose , gave his bedside chair to Ailsa , and replaced the ominous screen . `` I am here , Private Davis , '' she said cheerily , winking away the last tear drop . Then the man sighed deeply , rested his thin cheek against her hand , and lay very , very still . At midnight he died as he lay . She scarcely realised it at first . And when at length she did , she disengaged her chilled hand , closed his eyes , drew the covering over his face , and , stepping from behind the screen , motioned to the steward on duty . Descending the stairs , her pale , pensive glance rested on the locket flashing on its chain over the scarlet heart sewn on her breast .