As calm succeeds a storm, so at Llangorren Court on the morning after
the ball there was quietude--up to a certain hour more than common. The
domestics justifying themselves by the extra services of the preceding
night, lie late. Outside is stirring only the gardener with an
assistant, at his usual work, and in the yard a stable help or two
looking after the needs of the horses. The more important functionaries
of this department--coachman and head-groom still slumber, dreaming of
champagne bottles brought back to the servants' hall three parts full
with but half demolished pheasants, and other fragmentary delicacies.
Inside the house things are on a parallel; there only a scullery and
kitchen maid astir. The higher class servitors availing themselves of
the licence allowed, are still abed, and it is ten as butler, cook, and
footman make their appearance, entering on their respective _roles_
yawningly, and with reluctance.
There are two lady's-maids in the establishment; the little French
demoiselle attached to Miss Linton, and an English damsel of more robust
build, whose special duties are to wait upon Miss Wynn. The former lies
late on all days, her mistress not requiring early manipulation; but the
maid "native and to the manner born," is wont to be up betimes. This
morning is an exception. After such a night of revelry, slumber holds
her enthralled, as in a trance; and she is abed late as any of the
others, sleeping like a dormouse.
As her dormitory window looks out upon the back yard, the stable clock,
a loud striker, at length awakes her. Not in time to count the strokes,
but a glance at the dial gives her the hour.
While dressing herself she is in a flutter, fearing rebuke. Not for
having slept so late, but because of having gone to sleep so early. The
dereliction of duty, about which she is so apprehensive, has reference
to a spell of slumber antecedent--taken upon a sofa in her young
mistress's dressing-room. There awaiting Miss Wynn to assist in
disrobing her after the ball, the maid dropped over and forgot
everything--only remembering who she was, and what her duties, when too
late to attend to them. Starting up from the sofa, and glancing at the
mantel timepiece, she saw, with astonishment, its hands pointing to
half-past 4 a.m!