Suddenly Peggy stopped and turned towards the maid.
"Pauline," she said, "you naughty old thing! I do believe you suspect something."
"No, madame," Pauline answered quickly, and there was something almost sulky in her tone.
Peggy went up to her and put her bare white arm upon her shoulder, leaning upon her caressingly.
"You do," she said. "Oh, but I know you do! When you say 'No, madame,' like that, I always know that there's something wrong."
"I only think of you, chèrie," Pauline said, holding the little hand, which was like a thing of carved ivory.
Peggy gave a half-sigh and once more began to walk up and down the room.
"You old silly, I know well that you only think of me," she said; "but tell me, what is it?"
"What is what?"
Peggy smiled mischievously. "There again!" she said. "That's just the way you do when you want me to coax you. Pauline, be nice to me! Now, what is it? Tell me what you suspect. What about the boxes?"