The girl took off her mistress's jewels and put them away in a drawer of the dressing table. This done, she began to unhook her dress.
Virginia shivered. She did not feel well; her face was flushed and her head ached. She thought that, possibly, she had taken cold. In a tone of mild reproach she said:
"The bath was a little cold this morning, Josephine."
The maid looked distressed. Such a calamity was unheard of—hardly to be believed. Apologetically she exclaimed:
"Je suis vraiment désolée, Madame. It not happen again—I see to that."
Virginia smiled languidly:
"I'm not complaining, Josephine—"
"No, Madame is very good and kind."
"There's no reason why I shouldn't be."
"Merci, Madame," said the girl with a courtesy.