twelve o'clock
Those who can imagine the kind of expression there would be upon the face of a hunted thief , who , finding himself encompassed and brought to bay by his pursuers , looks wildly around in a vain search for some way of escape , may be able to form some conception of the terror-stricken way in which she listened to every sound that penetrated into the stillness of the dimly lighted room . And ever and again , when her wandering glance reverted to the frail atom of humanity nestling by her side , her brows contracted and her eyes filled with bitter tears , as she weakly reached out her trembling hand to adjust its coverings , faintly murmuring , with quivering lips and a bursting heart , some words of endearment and pity . And then -- alarmed by the footsteps of some chance passerby , or by the closing of the door of a neighbouring house , and fearing that it was the sound she had been waiting for and dreading through all those weary hours , she would turn in terror to Mary Linden , sitting in the chair at the bedside , sewing by the light of the shaded lamp , and take hold of her arm as if seeking protection from some impending danger . It was after twelve o'clock when Easton came home . Ruth recognized his footsteps before he reached the house , and her heart seemed to stop beating when she heard the clang of the gate , as it closed after he had passed through . It had been Mary 's intention to withdraw before he came into the room , but the sick woman clung to her in such evident fear , and entreated her so earnestly not to go away , that she remained . It was with a feeling of keen disappointment that Easton noticed how Ruth shrank away from him , for he had expected and hoped , that after this , they would be good friends once more ; but he tried to think that it was because she was ill , and when she would not let him touch the child lest he should awaken it , he agreed without question .