"I wish I hadn't fallen in love with him," she wailed to Miss Toat, when that businesslike lady arrived at the shop. "He treats me so badly."
"What can you expect, my dear? As a married man he should remain true to his wife. The mere fact that he pretended to love you when he should not, shows the kind of profligate he is."
"But Madame Coralie is so old," said Badoura, with a flush, which made her look very pretty. "She won't live for ever, and then--"
"Then you hope to marry Eddy Vail. My dear girl, I wouldn't count too much on that if I were you. Mr. Vail will do what suits him best."
"I shall make him marry me," said Badoura, fiercely.
"Can you?" asked Perry Toat, sceptically. "Yes. I know something."
"What is it?"
"I shan't tell you. Eddy Vail has no hold over me, as I have always kept myself to myself, so far as he is concerned. It is only because I am in love that I make such a fool of myself. But I know!" And she nodded.
"Come, tell me," coaxed Perry Toat, seeing in a flash how she could bring the girl to betray whatever she knew about Mr. Vail.
"I shan't. You are a detective, and I'm afraid of you. If I did right I should tell Madame Coralie how you come here as a spy."