Phoebe returned to her cold and comfortless breakfast, and had but
just finished it when a second bell rang. This time it was her mistress,
and she hurried to answer it.

The countess was already in her dressing-gown and slippers, seated
before her toilet-table, and holding a watch in her hand.

"Oh, Phoebe," she exclaimed, "how could you have disobeyed me so! It
is after ten o'clock!"

"My lady, I will tell you the truth. You were so restless last night
that you could not sleep, and I was so anxious for fear you were going
to be ill, that indeed I could not. And so I lay awake listening at you
till after four o'clock this morning, when I dropped off out of sheer
exhaustion, and so I overslept myself until half-past nine; and then my
lady, I thought, as you had had such a bad night, and as it was too late
for you to keep your appointment with yourself, and as you were sleeping
so finely, I had better not wake you. I beg your pardon, my lady, if I
did wrong, and I hope no harm has been done."

"Not much harm, Phoebe; but something that should have been finished
by this time is yet to begin--that is all. In future, Phoebe, try to
obey me."

"Indeed I will, my lady."

"And now do my hair as quickly as possible."

Phoebe's nimble fingers soon accomplished their task.