"No, to-night—now. What I have to say admits of no delay," and he strode resolutely at her side, while she, her face betraying displeasure at the encounter, unwillingly went forth into the corridor.
"Well," I heard her exclaim in impatience, "what is it you have to say to me? I thought when we parted it was agreed we were not to meet again."
"You hoped so, you mean," he answered hardly. "Come into one of these rooms, where we may be alone. Someone may overhear if we remain standing in this passage."
"Is what you want to say so strictly confidential, then?"
"Yes," he answered, "it is." Then, with every sign of reluctance and impatience, she opened a door behind them, and they passed into what appeared to be her own petit salon.
Again the fire of jealousy consumed me, and without thought of the consequences of my act, I went straightway to the door, and entering, faced them.
As I entered, Ernest turned quickly, then stood rigid and amazed.
"Carmela!" he gasped. "How came you here—to this place?"
"How I came here matters not," I answered, in a hard tone. "It is sufficient for you to know that I have entered here to demand an explanation from you and this woman—your accomplice."
"What do you mean?" cried his companion, in her broken English. "What do you mean by accomplice?"