eight o'clock
The countess smiled faintly and kept silence . But -- she kept her resolution also . The last words that night spoken after she was in bed , and when she was about to dismiss her maid , were these : `` Phoebe , mind that you are not to say one word to any human being of the subject of our conversation to-night . But you are to call me at eight o'clock , have my breakfast brought to me here at half-past eight , and the carriage at the door at nine . Do you hear ? '' `` Yes , my lady , '' answered the girl , who immediately went to the small room adjoining her mistress ' chamber , where she usually sat by day and slept by night . The countess could only sleep in perfect darkness ; so when Phoebe had put out all the lights she took advantage of that darkness to leave her door open , so that she could listen if her mistress was restless or wakeful .