"Ah! what did you say?" Esperance aroused himself and looked around. "Yes, I wish to go home." He took a step to the carriage.
"If you will wait a moment, sir, the footman will go for your hat."
His hat! Esperance did not know that his head was uncovered. He was amazed at himself, he felt a certain sense of shame.
"No," he replied, "I will go for it myself."
He went back to Goutran's apartment. As he passed through the vestibule he heard a sarcastic laugh. He was of course mistaken, for only Goutran, with Carmen, were coming down the stairs—Monsieur de Laisangy, Comte Velleni, and his Secretary Fagiano.
"You have behaved like a hero, Count!" cried Carmen, as soon as she saw him.
Her father at this moment had a violent attack of coughing. Through it all he said:
"You have done well, sir."
Signor Fagiano said in clear, distinct tones:
"The Vicomte is a worthy son of his father!"