noon
This brisk little affair of the dismissal was all settled before breakfast : order to march given , policeman called , mutineer expelled ; `` chambre d'enfans '' fumigated and cleansed , windows thrown open , and every trace of the accomplished Mrs. Sweeny -- even to the fine essence and spiritual fragrance which gave token so subtle and so fatal of the head and front of her offending -- was annihilated from the Rue Fossette : all this , I say , was done between the moment of Madame Beck 's issuing like Aurora from her chamber , and that in which she coolly sat down to pour out her first cup of coffee . About noon , I was summoned to dress Madame . -LRB- It appeared my place was to be a hybrid between gouvernante and lady 's - maid . -RRB- Till noon , she haunted the house in her wrapping-gown , shawl , and soundless slippers . How would the lady-chief of an English school approve this custom ? The dressing of her hair puzzled me ; she had plenty of it : auburn , unmixed with grey : though she was forty years old . Seeing my embarrassment , she said , `` You have not been a femme-de-chambre in your own country ? ''