her up behind me, and we travelled all the rest of the night without saying a word to each other. When daylight came we stopped at a lonely inn, not far from a hermitage. There I said to Carmen:
“‘Listen—I forget everything, I won’t mention anything to you. But swear one thing to me—that you’ll come with me to America, and live there quietly!’
“‘No,’ said she, in a sulky voice, ‘I won’t go to America—I am very well here.’
“‘That’s because you’re near Lucas. But be very sure that even if he gets well now, he won’t make old bones. And, indeed, why should I quarrel with him? I’m tired of killing all your lovers; I’ll kill you this time.’
“She looked at me steadily with her wild eyes, and then she said:
“‘I’ve always thought you would kill me. The very first time I saw