"But are you not going to dress?" asked the woman in surprise.
"What for? I am not going out until four o'clock."
"Yes, but you will not care to go to the dining-room in your peignoir?"
"No, I will breakfast here in my boudoir."
"With Monsieur de Laisangy?"
"Yes. You look astonished. I do not like such airs. Arrange that small table, and wait upon us yourself."
"Very good, Mademoiselle."
As the woman left the room, she said to herself:
"They are certainly very queer people, but it is none of my business if a young lady chooses to breakfast half dressed with her father!"
In less than fifteen minutes the banker knocked at the door of the boudoir. He took his daughter's hand and pressed a paternal kiss upon it. As they were alone, Carmen withdrew her hand, and said quickly: