"Don't waste your breath on me, my dear," advised Madame, coolly. "I am only a shop-keeper, who is honest enough to tell the truth. It's against my own interest, I admit; but why should I give expensive treatment to a woman who can do me no credit?"
"I can pay for the treatment--there is no reason why I shouldn't have it."
"Oh! you can pay, can you? How can I be sure of that?" sneered the other.
"There is no question of being sure," replied Lady Branwin, with dignity, "for my husband, Sir Joseph, is wealthy, as you know. You have only to name your price to have it."
This made an impression on Madame Coralie, who was nothing if not greedy. "My price has gone up since you called last."
"I don't care what the price is."
"Your husband may," snapped Madame Coralie, venomously. "However, that is his affair. I should like to know what you expect me to do?" and she ran her eyes superciliously over her stout customer.
"I want my complexion attended to, and my size reduced, and my--"
"That will do to begin with," interrupted the other, rudely. "That will do to go on with. You will have to stay for a few nights. To-night I am free, and you can have the empty bedroom at the back, on the ground floor. Then I can see what is to be done with you. But I'm afraid," added Madame, with a shrug, "that you are too far gone."
"I'll stay to-night with pleasure--you will do what I want, won't you?" and she looked very directly at the shop-woman.