As she stepped out from behind the curtains, she was dressed only in a light nightgown, and held a large book in one hand.
Cynthia jumped at her entrance. "Praise the Lord!" she cried as she tried to calm herself. "You scared me, miss."
Sympathedic pain washed over the young woman's face. "I'm so sorry, Cynthia!" she said, putting down her book on the writing desk and coming to her side. She placed a hand on Cynthia's arm. "I did not mean to give you such a fright!"
"What were you doing, miss?" Cynthia asked, fanning herself.
"Reading