"Answer my questions, and then you shall have quiet."
"Carmen, you are bothering yourself and me unnecessarily. I give you the assurance—"
"As if your assurances had the slightest value for me," interrupted Carmen.
Larsagny smiled in a sickly fashion.
"Carmen, you are childish," he said. "I should think you ought to have known enough of me by this time to—"
"To be able to hate you thoroughly. You have cheated me of my youth and innocence."
"Carmen, for God's sake, not so loud! Suppose some one heard you?" cried the banker, anxiously.
"What do I care? You are a baron, live in Florence, and have a good housekeeper, whose only joy is her eighteen-year-old daughter. One night the mother is away. The baron uses the opportunity to take advantage of the young girl. When the mother returns the next day and learns the truth, she becomes so frightened that she falls dead on the spot. The unhappy girl tries to throw herself into the river, but is prevented from doing so, and finally becomes the mistress of the villain."
"Carmen!"
"Yes, yes, I know I am no better than you. Monsieur de Larsagny, tell me why you do not make me your wife?"