"For example, the Duchess of Ferrara!" said a young man to a friend, in a low voice. He had caught her words as he passed, and hazarded this allusion, somewhat too broad, perhaps, to the visit paid by the Duchess to Titian, when she was painted in the costume of mother Eve. He undoubtedly supposed that the young lady would not understand his remark, and yet it was plain that she with difficulty restrained a laugh.
She led Goutran to the picture gallery. "I am told," she said, "that you have two great surprises for your guests, to-night."
"Oh! no; only one. You have heard of Jane Zeld, that marvelous bird who has come to us from Finland, Lapland, or some other place—we will call it Russia?"
"But I was told that she had refused to sing in Paris at present—declined even to go to Compiègne."
"Yes, but for you," and Goutran bowed low, "I have obtained what was refused to an Emperor!"
He pressed Carmen's arm against his own, as he spoke.
The girl turned and looked him full in the face for a moment. "Take me to my father," she said.
Was it fancy, or did she emphasize the two words, "my father," in an odd sort of way?
As in silence he obeyed her request, which though brief, was by no means stern, a singular scene was taking place.