"What time is it ?" She looked at the watch, holding it up to the flame of the candle.
"Three o'clock! What is the matter, Elettra?
Why have you come ?" Elettra looked down, in real or pretended confusion.
"Excellency," she said in a humble tone, "my room is very cold and damp in this rainy weather.

For some nights I have slept on the sofa in the dressing-room.

I hope your Excellency will pardon me.

And I heard you cry out, just now.

Then, forgetting that I ought not to have been sleeping there, I got up and came." "Oh! Did I cry out?
Yes--I woke up suddenly.