I lay watching the window awhile as the dark gave place to dusk.

It would be an hour yet before the sun should rise; and a maid came to light my fire and bring me my tea and my bath-water.

But I was too excited to sleep, so I got up and dressed myself in the half light, and when I was ready I put on my outdoor things and went down the stairs.

I met only a young maid sweeping the stairs with her brush and dustpan, and she looked at me as though she thought the joy had driven me mad.
"I shall be back to breakfast, Katty," I said.

"It is a beautiful frosty morning for a walk." "You're not going to walk in the dark, Miss Bawn ?" she said, and stood staring after me over the banisters when I answered her that the sun would soon be up.
I liked the frosty keenness of the air, and this morning my heart was very light.