"Well, this songstress, who, by the way, comes from Russia, has promised to be here to-night," declared Gontram, triumphantly.
"Ah, really?" replied Carmen, breathing heavily, while her eyes shot forth threatening gleams.
"What ails you, mademoiselle?" asked Gontram uneasily, "have I hurt you in any way?"
"No; what makes you think so? But let us go to the parlor; my father is already looking for me, and you know he can't be long without me."
A curious laugh issued from the pale lips, and it seemed to Gontram as if she had accented the words "my father" in a peculiar way.
Just as Gontram and his companion re-entered the parlor, a short but unpleasant scene was being acted there. An accident had brought Signor Fagiano and Monsieur de Larsagny together. Hardly had the secretary caught a glimpse of the banker than he recoiled in affright and nearly fell to the ground. Larsagny sprang to his rescue, but Fagiano muttered an excuse and hastily left the parlor.
Carmen and her companion were witnesses of the meeting, and Gontram felt the young girl's arm tremble. Before he could ask for the cause of this, she laughed aloud and mockingly said:
"A good host has generally several surprises in petto for his guests; are you an exception to the general rule?"
Gontram was about to reply when the door was opened and the servant announced: