"Many thanks," she said, "for having come. I hardly dared expect you."
"Why did you doubt me? Did you suppose that I could be deaf to such a mark of confidence?"
Carmen smiled sadly.
"Yes," she said, "I do feel entire confidence in you, a confidence that is most real."
She seated herself and motioned him to a chair, and with her large eyes fixed on her companion, was silent for a minute. At last she said, abruptly:
"Monsieur Goutran, do you love me?"
At this most unexpected question, Goutran started.
"Yes," he answered, gravely. "I love you, and I feel a devotion for you which is, perhaps, better than love."
Carmen's long lashes rested on her burning cheeks.