The maid opened the door of a charming boudoir and allowed Gontram to enter. With his hat in his hand the painter stood still in the centre of the room. The door was now opened, and Carmen, simply attired in black silk, entered. She was pale, but extremely handsome, and Gontram looked admiringly at her.
"Thank you," she said, offering her hand to the painter. "I hardly dared to hope you would come."
"You sent for me, and I have come," replied Gontram.
"Please sit down and listen to me."
Gontram took a seat next to Carmen.
"Monsieur Gontram, do you love me?" she suddenly asked.
Gontram trembled.
"Mademoiselle Carmen," he earnestly said, "I will answer your question candidly. Yes, I love you, love you warmly and tenderly, and if I have hesitated to tell you so, it was because I did not think myself worthy of you. I—"
"Oh, keep still—keep still!"