It seemed to me that I had hardly closed my eyes in sleep before I was
awakened again by seeing Justine standing by my bedside with a tray of
very appetising food in her hand.
"Here are your rolls and coffee, mademoiselle," she said.
As she spoke she laid the little tray on a small table by the side of my
bed, evidently put there for the purpose; and taking a dressing-jacket
from the wardrobe, she made me put it on, and admonished me to eat my
breakfast quickly, as I must rise and attend prayers in the space of
three-quarters of an hour.
Here was hurry indeed. I munched my delicious rolls, and sipped my
coffee, and thought of the new life which was before me, and then I got
up with energy and washed and dressed. When I had completed my toilet I
went into the sitting-room, for although our rooms opened one into the
other, there were other doors on to an adjoining landing. Here I found
Hermione waiting for me.
"Where's Augusta?" I said.
"I don't know--surely she is dressed."
"I'll go to her room and find out," I said.
I went and knocked at the door. A heavy voice said "Come in," and I
entered. Augusta was now lying well wrapped up in the bedclothes. She
had not touched either her coffee or her rolls.
"Aren't you getting up?" I said. "The bell will ring in a moment for
prayers. We are expected to go down."
"I have a headache," said Augusta.
"Are you really ill, Augusta? I am sorry."
"I am not ill, but I have a headache. I had bad dreams last night."
"And you never got into bed at all."
"I fell asleep, and my dreams were troublesome. I can't get up yet.
No, I won't have any breakfast. I wish I hadn't come; I don't like this
place."