“Nothing, Miss,” said the maid; “only I think something must of happened.”

“Nothing, only something’s happened,” mimicked Folly.  “Well, what’s happened?”

“It’s Mr. Lewis’s governor, Miss, please.  He’s here, and he says he just must see you.”

“So you let him in, did you?  At half-past ten in the morning?  How much did he give you?”

“Oh, nothing at all, Miss.”  Marie paused.  “He’s that charming he didn’t have to give me anything.”

“H—­m—­m!” said Folly.  “Well, go ask him what he wants.”

“He won’t say, Miss.  He’s that troubled he just keeps his eyes on the floor, an’ says as he has something private he must tell you.  Perhaps Mr. Lewis has broke his leg.  I’m sure I don’t know.”

“Come on, Buggins,” said Miss Delaires to the masseuse.  “Don’t you hear?  There’s a gentleman waiting to see me.”

Buggins shook her head.

“The hour ut is not finish,” she said calmly.  “Five minutes yet.”  And for five long minutes Folly had to wait.  Then the masseuse went swiftly into action.  Off came the mask and the long, moist bandages.  As the bandages uncoiled, Marie rolled them up tightly and placed them, one after the other, on the glass shelves of a metal sterilizer.  Buggins rolled up her white sleeves, and entered forthwith on the major rite.

First she massaged Folly’s full, round neck; then her swift, deep fingers, passed down one arm and felt out every muscle, every joint, to the tips of Folly’s fingers.  Back up the arm again, across the bosom, and down the other arm.  Back to the neck once more, and then down and around the body to the very last joint of Folly’s very last and very little toe.

Folly let go a great sigh, sprang from the table, and stood erect, young and alive in every fiber, in the center of the blue and white bath-rug.  The film of cold cream was quite gone.  But the masseuse was not yet content.  She caught up a soft, scented towel and passed it deftly over arms, body, and legs, not forgetting the last little toe.  When she finished, she was on her knees.  She looked up and nodded to Folly’s inquiring glance.

Folly gave a little laugh of pure delight, and stretched.  She held her doubled fists high above her head.  Her whole body glowed in an even, unblemished pink.  Verily, it seemed to breathe; it breathed with the breath of flowers.  And no wonder!

When she had finished stretching, Marie was holding ready a gown of silk,—­dark blue, with a foam of lace at the throat and on the broad half-sleeves,—­and Buggins had placed lamb’s-wool slippers just before her feet.  But Folly was too full of animal to be even so softly imprisoned just yet.  With a chuckle of mischief, she gave them each a quick push and darted across the room and out by the door.