Midnight
How grievous to think of the blooming , life-like creature that she was so lately , now so suddenly cut down ! Hour after hour went by , bringing no change for the better . Day had faded into twilight , and twilight became night . Midnight had come , and Marian was still sitting , as she had done for more than an hour , holding up the faint head ; for Caroline could no longer breathe in a recumbent posture , and sat partly supported on pillows , partly resting on Marian 's shoulder . Her eyes were shut , and she seemed unconscious ; it might be that she slept , but the features were full of suffering , and Marian could feel each of her breaths , gasping and convulsive . Her mother hung over her , feeling her pulse , sometimes sitting , sometimes standing , or walking to the foot of the bed to speak to Mr. Lyddell , or to the apothecary , in the restless misery of despair . Mr. Lyddell came in and out , unable to bear the sight , yet unable to stay away .