It was no more than that at the moment, but it was quite definite as that.
"Keep your hands so, please, mademoiselle," said Adele; "your fingers loose." And the next moment Celia winced and had to bite her lip to prevent a cry.

The thin cord was wound twice about her wrists, drawn cruelly tight and then cunningly knotted.

For one second Celia was thankful for her gloves; the next, more than ever she regretted that she wore them.
It would have been difficult enough for her to free her hands now, even without them.

And upon that a worse thing befell her.
"I beg mademoiselle's pardon if I hurt her," said Adele.
And she tied the girl's thumbs and little fingers.

To slacken the knots she must have the use of her fingers, even though her gloves made them fumble.