Her long fast and the excitement she had experienced, with so many lonely hours of suspense after it, began to tell on her and make her sleepy. It was eleven o'clock; she heard the servants going round to fasten doors and turn off the gas, and finally they passed her landing on their way to bed. It was getting very cold, and giving up all hope of being called by her mistress, she closed the window and, with an old table-cover for covering, coiled herself up on the sofa and went to sleep. When she woke it was with a start; her face had grown very cold, and she felt a warm hand touching her cheek. The hand was quickly withdrawn when she woke, and looking round Fan saw someone seated by her, and although there was only the starlight from the window in the dim room, she knew that it was her mistress. She raised herself to a sitting position on the sofa, but without speaking. All her bitter, resentful feelings had suddenly rushed back to her heart. “Well, you have condescended to wake at last,” said Miss Starbrow. “Do you know that it is nearly one o'clock in the morning?” “No,” returned Fan. “No! well then, I say yes. It is nearly one o'clock. Do you intend to keep me here waiting your pleasure all night, I wonder!” “I don't want you to come here. I had no place to sleep because you locked me out of your room.” “And for an excellent reason,” said the other sharply. “How could I admit you into my room after the outrageous scene I witnessed downstairs! You seem to think that you can behave just how you like in my house, and that it will make no difference.” Fan was silent. “Oh, very well, Miss Fan, if you have nothing to say for yourself!” “What do you want me to say?” “Say! I wonder at the question. I want you to tell me the truth, of course. That is, if you can. How did it all happen--you must tell me everything just as it occurred, without concealment or prevarication.” Fan related the facts simply and clearly; she remembered every word the Captain had spoken only too well. “I wish I knew whether you have told me the simple truth or not,” said Miss Starbrow. “May God strike me dead if I'm not telling the truth!” said Fan. “There, that will do. A young lady is supposed to be able to answer a question with a simple yes or no, without swearing about it like a bargee on the Regent's Canal.” “Then why don't you believe me when I say yes and no, and--and why didn't you ask me before you struck me?” “I shouldn't have struck you if I had not thought you were a little to blame. It is not likely. You ought to know that after all my kindness to you--but I dare say that is all forgotten. I declare I have been treated most shamefully!” And here she dropped her face into her hands and began crying. But the girl felt no softening of the heart; that strange fire was still burning in her, and she could only think of the cruel words, the unjust blow.