But flattery was wasted upon Audrey.
“You may become one as it is,” she answered earnestly, “and without me. I want to know what you would give me for my share?”
The dry-faced woman looked at her steadily.
“I must first be convinced,” she said drily, “that it is yours to sell.”
Audrey almost gasped.
“What do you mean?” she said breathlessly. “You know it is mine; you know I bought it, paid for it, and that I am the head—not a very active or clever head, but still the head.”
The cold eyes watched her intently as the reply came:—
“The business was bought and paid for by Madame Rocada. Now you say you are not Madame Rocada. You tell everybody so.”
“Everybody has known that from the beginning,” retorted Audrey. “It is true I signed the lease as Rocada—I’m sorry I did even that—but it was with no intention of deceiving any one. It was known that it was only a trade name, and it makes no difference.”
“I’m not so sure of that,” answered Laure. “I have an idea that it does make a difference, and that your having signed the lease in a name not your own may make it invalid.”