"My lady sleeps well," said the girl, with a smile, as she tripped away. It was some short time before she returned; she looked pale and scared, half-bewildered.
"I cannot understand it, Miss Brace," she said. "I have been rapping, making a great noise at my lady's door, but she does not hear, she does not answer!"
Mattie looked perplexed. The maid continued:
"It is very strange, but it seems to me the lights are all burning—there is a streak of light from under the door."
"Then Lady Doris must have sat up very late, and has forgotten to extinguish them; that is why she is sleeping so soundly this morning. I will go with you and we will try again."
Mattie and the maid went together. Just as Eugenie had said, the door was fastened inside, and underneath it was seen a broad clear stream of lamplight. Mattie knocked.
"Doris," she said, "you must wake up, dear. Earle is waiting. It will be time to start for church soon!"
But the words never reached the dead ears; the cold lips made no answer.
"Doris!" cried the foster-sister again; and again that strange silence was the only response.
"Let me try, Miss Brace," said Eugenie, and she rapped loud enough to have aroused the seven sleepers. Still there came no reply.