"But I want to see Audrey."
"You can do so when she walks in Kensington Gardens as usual," replied Madame Coralie, sharply; "but if you come here people will talk, and the quieter this business is kept the better it will be for everyone."
"But if papa talks"--began Audrey, only to be cut short.
"Papa won't talk," said Madame Coralie, in a hard, dry voice. "He will have quite enough to occupy his mind in marrying Miss Rosy Pearl--that is, if he ever does marry the creature."
"Madame"--Ralph started forward--"what do you mean?"
"Never mind; go away at once." Madame unlocked the door. "It is too late to chatter, and Miss Branwin looks quite worn out."
Shawe admitted the truth of this speech, and after a farewell embrace, at which Madame Coralie looked benignly, he took his leave. When the door was once more closed, Audrey followed her aunt up the stairs to the still-room, wherein the four assistants were working.
"You can all go to bed now," said Madame Coralie, with a glance at the clock on the mantelpiece. "Zobeide"--she used her fingers at this point--"you can go to bed. Badoura, Miss Branwin is staying here for the night. We spoke, when she saw me the other day, about treating her for the figure, as she is much too thin. She only made up her mind to come to-night. See that the bedroom opposite--No. 10--is made ready, Badoura."
"Yes, Madame," said Badoura; and, whatever she may have thought of the young lady's unexpected decision to remain for the night, she certainly showed no astonishment in her face as she disappeared. The other three girls departed swiftly, evidently glad to get to bed, as they were tired with their work. Audrey and her aunt were left alone, and the girl would have spoken.
"No," said Madame Coralie, quickly, raising her hand, "don't speak, or you will faint. You are highly strung, my dear, and this position is too much for you. Get a night's rest, and we can talk in the morning."