“At the end of a month I would have been helpless without her.  She was a treasure, a pearl, a phenomenon.

“She could dress my hair with infinite taste; she could trim a hat better than most milliners, and she could even make my dresses.

“I was astonished at her accomplishments.  I had never before been waited on in such a manner.

“She dressed me rapidly and with a surprisingly light touch.  I never felt her fingers on my skin, and nothing is so disagreeable to me as contact with a servant’s hand.  I soon became excessively lazy; it was so pleasant to be dressed from head to foot, and from lingerie to gloves, by this tall, timid girl, always blushing a little, and never saying a word.  After my bath she would rub and massage me while I dozed a little on my couch; I almost considered her more of a friend than a servant.

“One morning the janitor asked, mysteriously, to speak to me.  I was surprised, and told him to come in.  He was a good, faithful man, an old soldier, one of my husband’s former orderlies.

“He seemed to be embarrassed by what he had to say to me.  At last he managed to mumble: 

“‘Madame, the superintendent of police is downstairs.’

“I asked quickly: 

“‘What does he wish?’

“‘He wishes to search the house.’

“Of course the police are useful, but I hate them.  I do not think that it is a noble profession.  I answered, angered and hurt: 

“‘Why this search?  For what reason?  He shall not come in.’

“The janitor continued: 

“‘He says that there is a criminal hidden in the house.’

“This time I was frightened and I told him to bring the inspector to me, so that I might get some explanation.  He was a man with good manners and decorated with the Legion of Honor.  He begged my pardon for disturbing me, and then informed me that I had, among my domestics, a convict.

“I was shocked; and I answered that I could guarantee every servant in the house, and I began to enumerate them.

“‘The janitor, Pierre Courtin, an old soldier.’

“‘It’s not he.’

“’A stable-boy, son of farmers whom I know, and a groom whom you have just seen.’

“‘It’s not he.’

“‘Then, monsieur, you see that you must be mistaken.’

“’Excuse me, madame, but I am positive that I am not making a mistake.

“As the conviction of a notable criminal is at stake, would you be so kind as to send for all your servants?”

“At first I refused, but I finally gave in, and sent downstairs for everybody, men and women.

“The inspector glanced at them and then declared: 

“‘This isn’t all.’

“’Excuse me, monsieur, there is no one left but my maid, a young girl whom you could not possibly mistake for a convict.’

“He asked: 

“‘May I also see her?’

“‘Certainly.’