"Oh! I am not complaining. You were rich, you gave me jewels and fine clothes. I was only sixteen, I forgot your brutality and I remained with you. When you came back to France you told me that a certain regard must be paid to appearances, that we must lie, in short, and I agreed to pass as your daughter. And now, I ask"—she folded her arms on her breast—"I ask why you did not marry me?"
"Good heavens! because—"
"Because what? You cannot give me a good reason. Not a word of truth can ever be torn from you. I am convinced that back of all these lies there is some horrible infamy which you dare not acknowledge even to me."
"Carmen! no more of this, I implore you! What has gone wrong with you?"
"Everything. I simply wish to know, and am resolved to know, who you are—if not—"
"If not?"
"I have not quite decided. There are some things, bad as I am, which I will not stand, and I will make it the business of my life to discover what crimes you have committed, and I will denounce you!"
Laisangy started to his feet.
"Look at yourself in the mirror," cried Carmen, "and tell me if you do not look like a murderer!"