And as soon as her dinner tray had been taken away she turned out the lights and went to sleep.
She had told the maid that she wanted to be called at half past seven with her breakfast and she was certain, as they served a martinet like her uncle, that they would be punctual.
*
She slept peacefully until about seven o’clock.
Then, excited at the thought of going to the country with Mrs. Whicker and frightened in case anything should prevent it at the last minute, she got up and started to dress.
She had packed and was ready for her breakfast by half past seven and she then decided that there was little point in waiting any longer.
She asked one of the footmen in the hall to find a Hackney carriage for her and then the butler asked her,
“Your friends are not calling for you, Miss Lol
