"Is Madame Coralie to be seen?" she asked Badoura, who came forward in her quaint Turkish dress to receive her.
"I will inquire, miss," said Badoura, looking at her closely. "Oh! it is Miss Branwin, is it not?"
"Yes, and I wish particularly to see Madame Coralie."
"Will you please wait here, miss?" said Badoura, and, leaving Audrey near the door of the empty shop--it was too early for the usual customers--she walked towards an alcove on the left.
Audrey saw the girl pass through the pink silk curtains into the alcove, and heard a faint murmur of voices. Deeming that all was fair in the dangerous and anxious search which she was undertaking she drew near, and distinctly heard Madame Coralie gasp with dismay.
"Tell Miss Branwin that I cannot see her," said Madame Coralie, sharply.
Audrey at once stepped forward and swept aside the pink curtain. "But you must, Madame," she said quietly.
The woman waved Badoura to leave the alcove, and beckoned Miss Branwin to enter, making some remark in muffled tones as she did so. Suddenly, as she rose quickly to her feet, a tack caught the yashmak, and it was ripped off. Audrey saw Madame Coralie's side face, and gave a cry of surprise and terror.
"Mother!" she cried, then sank her voice with fear. "Mother! Oh, mother!"