The maid returned to the room; her lovely young mistress still sat reading by the fire.
"What shall I do for you in the morning, my lady?" she asked.
"See that I am not called too early; let me have some chocolate just after I awake, and see that the water of my bath is both warmed and perfumed."
Emily opened her eyes in wonder, but thought it better to say no more. She contented herself by thinking again that Lady Studleigh knew how to study her own comforts.
"Is there anything more I can do to-night, my lady?"
"Nothing more," was the reply, given with a smile that won the maid's heart forever and ever.
She hastened to the housekeeper's room to make her report.
"So beautiful, kind, and gracious; but so thorough lady—no nonsense, no freedom—a lady who looked as though she would keep the whole world in its place." And the servants crowded round her to listen and admire.
Lady Doris was impatient to be alone—impatient to lock the door between herself and all human kind, in order that she might give some little freedom to the emotions pent up in her heart.
She had controlled herself so well; she had won surprise, admiration, and wonder by simply refraining from expressing any of the three. Now no curious eyes were gazing at her, no curious ears were listening to what words in her triumph escaped her. She locked the door, then stood before the large mirror and steadfastly looked at herself.