"Whatever you choose, only take care that you do not disobey me!"
In fact, the banker cared little upon this point. He had obtained what he wanted. His fête would be made brilliant by Carmen's presence. He did not retire, however, and the girl saw that he had something else to say.
"What more do you want?" she asked, impatiently.
"My dear child," began Laisangy, with some pomposity, "you have, doubtless, ere this discovered that matters of finance are composed of a thousand details more important than those of diplomacy."
"I have certainly learned that swindling is a troublesome business," she said through her teeth, and with intense disdain.
Laisangy pretended not to hear this.
"To-night," he said, with perfect sang froid, "we leave the Tuileries."
He had counted on the effect of these words. Carmen shrugged her shoulders, which certainly was not respectful to the Emperor.
"And I am greatly disturbed," continued the banker. "It may be necessary for me to leave for an hour. I shall pretend indisposition, which may be attributed to the heat, and while I am supposed to be recovering in my own room, I can go out and attend to my affairs."
"You may be obliged to go out, then?"