She was only at the beginning of them.
"Helene!" cried Mme.

Dauvray sharply.

"What are you doing ?" The maid instantly slid back into the room.
"Mademoiselle has not moved," she said.
Celia heard the women settle in their chairs about the table.
"Is madame ready ?" asked Helene; and then there was the sound of the snap of a switch.

In the salon darkness had come.
If only she had not been wearing her gloves, Celia thought, she might possibly have just been able to free her fingers and her supple hands from their bonds.

But as it was she was helpless.