\"Thecasewasquiteclear。ItookholdofCarmen’sarm。’Sistermine，’
Isaidcivilly，’youmustcomewithme。’Sheshotaglanceofrecognitionatme，butshesaid，witharesignedlook：’Let’sbeoff。
Whereismymantilla？’Sheputitoverherheadsothatonlyoneofhergreateyeswastobeseen，andfollowedmytwomen，asquietasalamb。Whenwegottotheguardroomthesergeantsaiditwasaseriousjob，andhemustsendhertoprison。Iwastoldoffagaintotakeherthere。Iputherbetweentwodragoons，asacorporaldoesonsuchoccasions。Westartedoffforthetown。Thegipsyhadbegunbyholdinghertongue。Butwhenwegottothe/CalledelaSerpiente/——youknowit，andthatitearnsitsnamebyitsmanywindings——shebeganbydroppinghermantillaontohershoulders，soastoshowmehercoaxinglittleface，andturningroundtomeaswellasshecould，shesaid：
\"’/Oficialmio/，whereareyoutakingmeto？’
\"’Toprison，mypoorchild，’Ireplied，asgentlyasIcould，justasanykind—heartedsoldierisboundtospeaktoaprisoner，andespeciallytoawoman。
\"’Alack!Whatwillbecomeofme!SenorOficial，havepityonme!Youaresoyoung，sogood—looking。’Then，inalowertone，shesaid，’Letmegetaway，andI’llgiveyouabitofthe/barlachi/，thatwillmakeeverywomanfallinlovewithyou!’
\"The/barlachi/，sir，istheloadstone，withwhichthegipsiesdeclareonewhoknowshowtouseitcancastanynumberofspells。Ifyoucanmakeawomandrinkalittlescrapofit，powdered，inaglassofwhitewine，she’llneverbeabletoresistyou。Ianswered，asgravelyasIcould：
\"’Wearenotheretotalknonsense。You’llhavetogotoprison。
Thosearemyorders，andthere’snohelpforit!’
\"WemenfromtheBasquecountryhaveanaccentwhichallSpaniardseasilyrecognise；ontheotherhand，notoneofthemcaneverlearntosay/Bai，jaona/!*
*Yes，sir。
\"SoCarmeneasilyguessedIwasfromtheProvinces。Youknow，sir，thatthegipsies，whobelongtonoparticularcountry，andarealwaysmovingabout，speakeverylanguage，andmostofthemarequiteathomeinPortugal，inFrance，inourProvinces，inCatalonia，oranywhereelse。TheycanevenmakethemselvesunderstoodbyMoorsandEnglishpeople。CarmenknewBasquetolerablywell。
\"’/Lagunaenebihotsarena/，comradeofmyheart，’saidshesuddenly。
’Doyoubelongtoourcountry？’
\"Ourlanguageissobeautiful，sir，thatwhenwehearitinaforeigncountryitmakesusquiver。Iwish，\"addedthebanditinalowertone，\"Icouldhaveaconfessorfrommyowncountry。\"
Afterasilence，hebeganagain。
\"’IbelongtoElizondo，’IansweredinBasque，verymuchaffectedbythesoundofmyownlanguage。
\"’IcomefromEtchalar，’saidshe（that’sadistrictaboutfourhours’journeyfrommyhome）。’IwascarriedofftoSevillebythegipsies。IwasworkinginthefactorytoearnenoughmoneytotakemebacktoNavarre，tomypooroldmother，whohasnosupportintheworldbutme，besidesherlittle/barratcea/*withtwentycider—appletreesinit。Ah!ifIwereonlybackinmyowncountry，lookingupatthewhitemountains!Ihavebeeninsultedhere，becauseIdon’tbelongtothislandofroguesandsellersofrottenoranges；andthosehussiesareallbandedtogetheragainstme，becauseItoldthemthatnotalltheirSeville/jacques/，**andalltheirknives，wouldfrightenanhonestladfromourcountry，withhisbluecapandhis/maquila/!Goodcomrade，won’tyoudoanythingtohelpyourowncountrywoman？’
*Field，garden。
**Bravos，boasters。
\"Shewaslyingthen，sir，asshehasalwayslied。Idon’tknowthatthatgirleverspokeawordoftruthinherlife，butwhenshedidspeak，Ibelievedher——Icouldn’thelpmyself。ShemangledherBasquewords，andIbelievedshecamefromNavarre。Buthereyesandhermouthandherskinwereenoughtoproveshewasagipsy。Iwasmad，I
paidnomoreattentiontoanything，IthoughttomyselfthatiftheSpaniardshaddaredtospeakevilofmycountry，Iwouldhaveslashedtheirfacesjustasshehadslashedhercomrade’s。Inshort，Iwaslikeadrunkenman，Iwasbeginningtosayfoolishthings，andIwasveryneardoingthem。
\"’IfIweretogiveyouapushandyoutumbleddown，goodfellow—
countryman，’shebeganagaininBasque，’thosetwoCastilianrecruitswouldn’tbeabletokeepmeback。’
\"Faith，Iforgotmyorders，Iforgoteverything，andIsaidtoher，’Well，then，myfriend，girlofmycountry，tryit，andmayourLadyoftheMountainhelpyouthrough。’
\"JustatthatmomentwewerepassingoneofthemanynarrowlanesoneseesinSeville。AllatonceCarmenturnedandstruckmeinthechestwithherfist。Itumbledbackward，purposely。Withaboundshesprangoverme，andranoff，showingusapairoflegs!PeopletalkaboutapairofBasquelegs!butherswerefarbetter——asfleetastheywerewell—turned。Asforme，Ipickedmyselfupatonce，butIstuckoutmylance*crosswaysandbarredthestreet，sothatmycomradeswerecheckedattheveryfirstmomentofpursuit。ThenIstartedtorunmyself，andtheyafterme——buthowwerewetocatchher？Therewasnofearofthat，whatwithourspurs，ourswords，andourlances。
*AllSpanishcavalrysoldierscarrylances。
\"InlesstimethanIhavetakentotellyouthestorytheprisonerhaddisappeared。Andbesides，everygossipinthequartercoveredherflight，pokedscornatus，andpointedusinthewrongdirection。
Afteragooddealofmarchingandcountermarching，wehadtogobacktotheguard—roomwithoutareceiptfromthegovernorofthejail。
\"Toavoidpunishment，mymenmadeknownthatCarmenhadspokentomeinBasque；andtotellthetruth，itdidnotseemverynaturalthatablowfromsuchalittlecreatureshouldhavesoeasilyoverthrownastrongfellowlikeme。Thewholethinglookedsuspicious，or，atallevents，notover—clear。WhenIcameoffguardIlostmycorporal’sstripes，andwascondemnedtoamonth’simprisonment。ItwasthefirsttimeIhadbeenpunishedsinceIhadbeenintheservice。Farewell，now，tothesergeant’sstripes，onwhichIhadreckonedsosurely!
\"Thefirstdaysinprisonwereverydreary。WhenIenlistedIhadfanciedIwassuretobecomeanofficer，atallevents。Twoofmycompatriots，LongaandMina，arecaptains—general，afterall。
Chapalangarrawasacolonel，andIhaveplayedtennisascoreoftimeswithhisbrother，whowasjustaneedyfellowlikemyself。’Now，’I
keptcryingtomyself，’allthetimeyouservedwithoutbeingpunishedhasbeenlost。Nowyouhaveabadmarkagainstyourname，andtogetyourselfbackintotheofficers’goodgracesyou’llhavetoworktentimesashardaswhenyoujoinedasarecruit。’AndwhyhaveIgotmyselfpunished？Forthesakeofagipsyhussy，whomadegameofme，andwhoatthismomentisbusythievinginsomecornerofthetown。
YetIcouldn’thelpthinkingabouther。Willyoubelieveit，sir，thosesilkstockingsofherswiththeholesinthem，ofwhichshehadgivenmesuchafullviewasshetooktoherheels，werealwaysbeforemyeyes？Iusedtolookthroughthebarredwindowsofthejailintothestreet，andamongallthewomenwhopassedInevercouldseeonetocomparewiththatminxofagirl——andthen，inspiteofmyself，I
usedtosmelltheacaciablossomshehadthrownatme，andwhich，dryasitwas，stillkeptitssweetscent。Iftherearesuchthingsaswitches，thatgirlcertainlywasone。
\"Onedaythejailercamein，andgavemeanAlcalaroll。*
*/AlcaladelosPanaderos/，avillagetwoleaguesfromSeville，wherethemostdeliciousrollsaremade。Theyaresaidtoowetheirqualitytothewateroftheplace，andgreatquantitiesofthemarebroughttoSevilleeveryday。
\"’Lookhere，’saidhe，’thisiswhatyourcousinhassentyou。’
\"Itooktheloaf，verymuchastonished，forIhadnocousininSeville。Itmaybeamistake，thoughtI，asIlookedattheroll，butitwassoappetizingandsmeltsogood，thatImadeupmymindtoeatit，withouttroublingmyheadastowhenceitcame，orforwhomitwasreallyintended。
\"WhenItriedtocutit，myknifestruckonsomethinghard。Ilooked，andfoundalittleEnglishfile，whichhadbeenslippedintothedoughbeforetherollhadbeenbaked。Therollalsocontainedagoldpieceoftwopiastres。ThenIhadnofurtherdoubt——itwasapresentfromCarmen。Topeopleofherblood，libertyiseverything，andtheywouldsetatownonfiretosavethemselvesonedayinprison。Thegirlwasartful，indeed，andarmedwiththatroll，Imighthavesnappedmyfingersatthejailers。Inonehour，withthatlittlefile，Icouldhavesawnthroughthethickestbar，andwiththegoldcoinIcouldhaveexchangedmysoldier’scloakforciviliangarbatthenearestshop。Youmayfancythatamanwhohasoftentakentheeagletsoutoftheirnestsinourcliffwouldhavefoundnodifficultyingettingdowntothestreetoutofawindowlessthanthirtyfeetaboveit。ButIdidn’tchoosetoescape。Istillhadasoldier’scodeofhonour，anddesertionappearedtomeinthelightofaheinouscrime。Yetthisproofofremembrancetouchedme。Whenamanisinprisonhelikestothinkhehasafriendoutsidewhotakesaninterestinhim。Thegoldcoindidratheroffendme；Ishouldhaveverymuchlikedtoreturnit；
butwherewasItofindmycreditor？Thatdidnotseemaveryeasytask。
\"AftertheceremonyofmydegradationIhadfanciedmysufferingswereover，butIhadanotherhumiliationbeforeme。ThatcamewhenIleftprison，andwastoldoffforduty，andputonsentry，asaprivatesoldier。Youcannotconceivewhataproudmanenduresatsuchamoment。IbelieveIwouldhavejustassoonbeenshotdead——thenI
shouldhavemarchedaloneattheheadofmyplatoon，atallevents；I
shouldhavefeltIwassomebody，withtheeyesofothersfixeduponme。
\"Iwaspostedassentryonthedoorofthecolonel’shouse。Thecolonelwasayoungman，rich，good—natured，fondofamusinghimself。
Alltheyoungofficerswerethere，andmanyciviliansaswell，besidesladies——actresses，asitwassaid。Formypart，itseemedtomeasifthewholetownhadagreedtomeetatthatdoor，inordertostareatme。Thenupdrovethecolonel’scarriage，withhisvaletonthebox。
AndwhoshouldIseegetoutofit，butthegipsygirl!Shewasdressedup，thistime，totheeyes，toggedoutingoldenribbons——aspangledgown，blueshoes，allspangledtoo，flowersandgoldlacealloverher。Inherhandshecarriedatambourine。Withherthereweretwoothergipsywomen，oneyoungandoneold。Theyalwayshaveoneoldwomanwhogoeswiththem，andthenanoldmanwithaguitar，agipsytoo，toplayalone，andalsofortheirdances。Youmustknowthesegipsygirlsareoftensentfortoprivatehouses，todancetheirspecialdance，the/Romalis/，andoften，too，forquiteotherpurposes。
\"Carmenrecognisedme，andweexchangedglances。Idon’tknowwhy，butatthatmomentIshouldhavelikedtohavebeenahundredfeetbeneaththeground。
\"’/Agurlaguna/，’*saidshe。’Oficialmio!Youkeepguardlikearecruit，’andbeforeIcouldfindawordinanswer，shewasinsidethehouse。
*Good—day，comrade!
\"Thewholepartywasassembledinthe/patio/，andinspiteofthecrowdIcouldseenearlyeverythingthatwentonthroughthelattice。*
Icouldhearthecastanetsandthetambourine，thelaughterandapplause。SometimesIcaughtaglimpseofherheadassheboundedupwardwithhertambourine。ThenIcouldheartheofficerssayingmanythingstoherwhichbroughtthebloodtomyface。Astoheranswers，I
knewnothingofthem。Itwasonthatday，Ithink，thatIbegantoloveherinearnest——forthreeorfourtimesIwastemptedtorushintothe/patio/，anddrivemyswordintothebodiesofallthecoxcombswhoweremakinglovetoher。Mytorturelastedafullhour；
thenthegipsiescameout，andthecarriagetookthemaway。Asshepassedmeby，Carmenlookedatmewiththoseeyesyouknow，andsaidtomeverylow，’Comrade，peoplewhoarefondofgood/fritata/cometoeatitatLillasPastia’satTriana!’
*InmostofthehousesinSevillethereisaninnercourtsurroundedbyanarchedportico。Thisisusedasasitting—roominsummer。Overthecourtisstretchedapieceoftentcloth，whichiswateredduringthedayandremovedatnight。Thestreetdoorisalmostalwaysleftopen，andthepassageleadingtothecourt（/zaguan/）isclosedbyanironlatticeofveryelegantworkmanship。
\"Then，lightasakid，shesteppedintothecarriage，thecoachmanwhippeduphismules，andthewholemerrypartydeparted，whitherI
knownot。
\"YoumayfancythatthemomentIwasoffguardIwenttoTriana；butfirstofallIgotmyselfshavedandbrushedmyselfupasifIhadbeengoingonparade。ShewaslivingwithLillasPastia，anoldfried—
fishseller，agipsy，asblackasaMoor，towhosehouseagreatmanyciviliansresortedtoeat/fritata/，especially，Ithink，becauseCarmenhadtakenupherquartersthere。
\"’Lillas，’shesaid，assoonasshesawme。’I’mnotgoingtoworkanymoreto—day。To—morrowwillbeaday，too。*Come，fellow—
countryman，letusgoforawalk!’
*/Mananaseraotrodia。/——ASpanishproverb。
\"Shepulledhermantillaacrosshernose，andtherewewereinthestreet，withoutmyknowingintheleastwhitherIwasbound。
\"’Senorita，’saidI，’IthinkIhavetothankyouforapresentIhadwhileIwasinprison。I’veeatenthebread；thefilewilldoforsharpeningmylance，andIkeepitinremembranceofyou。Butasforthemoney，hereitis。’
\"’Why，he’skeptthemoney!’sheexclaimed，burstingoutlaughing。
’But，afterall，that’sallthebetter——forI’mdecidedlyhardup!
Whatmatter!Thedogthatrunsneverstarves!*Come，let’sspenditall!Youshalltreat。’
*/Chuquelsospirela，cocalterela。\"Thedogthatrunsfindsabone。\"——Gipsyproverb。
\"WehadturnedbacktowardSeville。Attheentranceofthe/CalledelaSerpiente/sheboughtadozenoranges，whichshemademeputintomyhandkerchief。Alittlefartheronsheboughtaroll，asausage，andabottleofmanzanilla。Then，lastofall，sheturnedintoaconfectioner’sshop。ThereshethrewthegoldcoinIhadreturnedtoheronthecounter，withanothershehadinherpocket，andsomesmallsilver，andthensheaskedmeforallthemoneyIhad。AllIpossessedwasonepesetaandafewcuartos，whichIhandedovertoher，verymuchashamedofnothavingmore。Ithoughtshewouldhavecarriedawaythewholeshop。Shetookeverythingthatwasbestanddearest，/yemas/，*/turon/，**preservedfruits——aslongasthemoneylasted。
Andallthese，too，Ihadtocarryinpaperbags。Perhapsyouknowthe/CalledelCandilejo/，wherethereisaheadofDonPedrotheAvenger。***Thatheadoughttohavegivenmepause。Westoppedatanoldhouseinthatstreet。Shepassedintotheentry，andknockedatadooronthegroundfloor。Itwasopenedbyagipsy，athorough—pacedservantofthedevil。CarmensaidafewwordstoherinRomany。Atfirsttheoldhaggrumbled。TosmoothherdownCarmengaveheracoupleoforangesandahandfulofsugar—plums，andletherhaveatasteofwine。Thenshehunghercloakonherback，andledhertothedoor，whichshefastenedwithawoodenbar。Assoonaswewerealoneshebegantolaughandcaperlikealunatic，singingout，’Youaremy/rom/，I’myour/romi/。’****
*Sugaredyolksofeggs。
**Asortofnougat。
***Thisking，DonPedro，whomwecall\"theCruel，\"andwhomQueenIsabella，theCatholic，nevercalledanythingbut\"theAvenger，\"
wasfondofwalkingaboutthestreetsofSevilleatnightinsearchofadventures，liketheCaliphHarounalRaschid。Onenight，inalonelystreet，hequarrelledwithamanwhowassingingaserenade。Therewasafight，andthekingkilledtheamorous/caballero/。Attheclashingoftheirswords，anoldwomanputherheadoutofthewindowandlightedupthescenewithatinylamp（candilejo）whichsheheldinherhand。MyreadersmustbeinformedthatKingDonPedro，thoughnimbleandmuscular，sufferedfromonestrangefaultinhisphysicalconformation。
Wheneverhewalkedhiskneescrackedloudly。Bythiscrackingtheoldwomaneasilyrecognisedhim。Thenextdaythe/veintiquatro/
inchargecametomakehisreporttotheking。\"Sir，aduelwasfoughtlastnightinsuchastreet——oneofthecombatantsisdead。\"\"Haveyoufoundthemurderer？\"\"Yes，sir。\"\"Whyhashenotbeenpunishedalready？\"\"Sir，Iawaityourorders!\"\"Carryoutthelaw。\"Nowthekinghadjustpublishedadecreethateveryduellistwastohavehisheadcutoff，andthatheadwastobesetuponthesceneofthefight。The/veintiquatro/gotoutofthedifficultylikeacleverman。Hehadtheheadsawedoffastatueoftheking，andsetthatupinanicheinthemiddleofthestreetinwhichthemurderhadtakenplace。ThekingandalltheSevilliansthoughtthisaverygoodjoke。Thestreettookitsnamefromthelampheldbytheoldwoman，theonlywitnessoftheincident。Theaboveisthepopulartradition。Zunigatellsthestorysomewhatdifferently。Howeverthatmaybe，astreetcalled/CalledelCandilejo/stillexistsinSeville，andinthatstreetthereisabustwhichissaidtobeaportraitofDonPedro。Thisbust，unfortunately，isamodernproduction。Duringtheseventeenthcenturytheoldonehadbecomeverymuchdefaced，andthemunicipalityhaditreplacedbythatnowtobeseen。
****/Rom/，husband。/Romi/，wife。
\"ThereIstoodinthemiddleoftheroom，ladenwithallherpurchases，andnotknowingwhereIwastoputthemdown。Shetumbledthemallontothefloor，andthrewherarmsroundmyneck，saying：
\"’Ipaymydebts，Ipaymydebts!That’sthelawofthe/Cales/。’*
*/Calo/，feminine/calli/，plural/cales/。Literally\"black，\"thenamethegipsiesapplytothemselvesintheirownlanguage。
\"Ah，sir，thatday!thatday!WhenIthinkofitIforgetwhatto—morrowmustbringme!\"
Foramomentthebanditheldhispeace，then，whenhehadrelightedhiscigar，hebeganafresh。
\"Wespentthewholedaytogether，eating，drinking，andsoforth。Whenshehadstuffedherselfwithsugar—plums，likeanychildofsixyearsold，shethrustthembyhandfulsintotheoldwoman’swater—jar。
’That’llmakesherbetforher，’shesaid。Shesmashedthe/yemas/bythrowingthemagainstthewalls。’They’llkeepthefliesfrombotheringus。’Therewasnoprankorwildfrolicshedidn’tindulgein。ItoldherIshouldhavelikedtoseeherdance，onlytherewerenocastanetstobehad。Instantlysheseizedtheoldwoman’sonlyearthenwareplate，smasheditup，andthereshewasdancingthe/Romalis/，andmakingthebitsofbrokencrockeryrattleaswellasiftheyhadbeenebonyandivorycastanets。Thatgirlwasgoodcompany，I
cantellyou!Eveningfell，andIheardthedrumsbeatingtattoo。
\"’Imustgetbacktoquartersforroll—call，’Isaid。
\"’Toquarters!’sheanswered，withalookofscorn。’Areyouanegroslave，toletyourselfbedrivenwitharamrodlikethat!Youareassillyasacanarybird。Yourdresssuitsyournature。*Pshaw!you’venomoreheartthanachicken。’
*Spanishdragoonswearayellowuniform。
\"Istayedon，makingupmymindtotheinevitableguard—room。Thenextmorningthefirstsuggestionofpartingcamefromher。
\"’Harkye，Joseito，’shesaid。’HaveIpaidyou？Byourlaw，Iowedyounothing，becauseyou’rea/payllo/。Butyou’reagood—lookingfellow，andItookafancytoyou。Nowwe’requits。Good—day!’
\"IaskedherwhenIshouldseeheragain。
\"’Whenyou’relessofasimpleton，’sheretorted，withalaugh。Then，inamoreserioustone，’Doyouknow，myson，IreallybelieveIloveyoualittle；butthatcan’tlast!Thedogandthewolfcan’tagreeforlong。Perhapsifyouturnedgipsy，Imightcaretobeyour/romi/。
Butthat’sallnonsense，suchthingsaren’tpossible。Pshaw!myboy。
Believeme，you’rewelloutofit。You’vecomeacrossthedevil——heisn’talwaysblack——andyou’venothadyourneckwrung。Iwearawoollensuit，butI’mnosheep。*Goandburnacandletoyour/majari/，**shedeservesitwell。Come，good—byoncemore。Don’tthinkanymoreabout/LaCarmencita/，orshe’llendbymakingyoumarryawidowwithwoodenlegs。’***
*/Medicasvriardadejorpoy，busnesinobraco/。——Agipsyproverb。
**TheSaint，theHolyVirgin。
***Thegallows，whichisthewidowofthelastmanhangeduponit。
\"Asshespoke，shedrewbackthebarthatclosedthedoor，andoncewewereoutinthestreetshewrappedhermantillaabouther，andturnedonherheel。
\"Shespokethetruth。Ishouldhavedonefarbetternevertothinkofheragain。Butafterthatdayinthe/CalledelCandilejo/Icouldn’tthinkofanythingelse。AlldaylongIusedtowalkabout，hopingI
mightmeether。Isoughtnewsofherfromtheoldhag，andfromthefried—fishseller。Theybothtoldmeshehadgoneawayto/Laloro/，whichistheirnameforPortugal。TheyprobablysaiditbyCarmen’sorders，butIsoonfoundouttheywerelying。Someweeksaftermydayinthe/CalledelCandilejo/Iwasondutyatoneofthetowngates。A
littlewayfromthegatetherewasabreachinthewall。Themasonswereworkingatitinthedaytime，andatnightasentinelwaspostedonit，topreventsmugglersfromgettingin。AllthroughonedayIsawLillasPastiagoingbackwardandforwardneartheguard—room，andtalkingtosomeofmycomrades。Theyallknewhimwell，andhisfried—
fishandfrittersevenbetter。Hecameuptome，andaskedifIhadanynewsofCarmen。
\"’No，’saidI。
\"’Well，’saidhe，’you’llsoonhearofher，oldfellow。’
\"Hewasnotmistaken。ThatnightIwaspostedtoguardthebreachinthewall。AssoonasthesergeanthaddisappearedIsawawomancomingtowardme。MyhearttoldmeitwasCarmen。StillIshouted：
\"’Keepoff!Nobodycanpasshere!’
\"’Now，don’tbespiteful，’shesaid，makingherselfknowntome。
\"’What!youhere，Carmen？’
\"’Yes，/mipayllo/。Letussayfewwords，butwiseones。Wouldyouliketoearnadouro？Somepeoplewillbecomingwithbundles。Letthemalone。’
\"’No，’saidI，’Imustnotallowthemthrough。Thesearemyorders。’
\"’Orders!orders!Youdidn’tthinkaboutordersinthe/CalledelCandilejo/!’
\"’Ah!’Icried，quitemaddenedbytheverythoughtofthatnight。’Itwaswellworthwhiletoforgetmyordersforthat!ButIwon’thaveanysmuggler’smoney!’
\"’Well，ifyouwon’thavemoney，shallwegoanddinetogetheratoldDorotea’s？’
\"’No，’saidI，halfchokedbytheeffortitcostme。’No，Ican’t。’
\"’Verygood!Ifyoumakesomanydifficulties，IknowtowhomIcango。I’llaskyourofficerifhe’llcomewithmetoDorotea’s。Helooksgood—natured，andhe’llpostasentrywho’llonlyseewhathehadbettersee。Good—bye，canary—bird!Ishallhaveagoodlaughthedaytheordercomesouttohangyou!’
\"Iwasweakenoughtocallherback，andIpromisedtoletthewholeofgipsydompassin，ifthatwerenecessary，sothatIsecuredtheonlyrewardIlongedfor。Sheinstantlysworeshewouldkeepherwordfaithfullytheverynextday，andranofftosummonherfriends，whowerecloseby。Therewerefiveofthem，ofwhomPastiawasone，allwellloadedwithEnglishgoods。Carmenkeptwatchforthem。Shewastowarnthemwithhercastanetstheinstantshecaughtsightofthepatrol。Buttherewasnonecessityforthat。Thesmugglersfinishedtheirjobinamoment。
\"ThenextdayIwenttothe/CalledelCandilejo/。Carmenkeptmewaiting，andwhenshecame，shewasinratherabadtemper。
\"’Idon’tlikepeoplewhohavetobepressed，’shesaid。’Youdidmeamuchgreaterservicethefirsttime，withoutknowingyou’dgainanythingbyit。Yesterdayyoubargainedwithme。Idon’tknowwhyI’vecome，forIdon’tcareforyouanymore。Here，beoffwithyou。Here’sadouroforyourtrouble。’
\"Iverynearlythrewthecoinatherhead，andIhadtomakeaviolentefforttopreventmyselffromactuallybeatingher。AfterwehadwrangledforanhourIwentoffinafury。ForsometimeIwanderedaboutthetown，walkinghitherandthitherlikeamadman。AtlastI
wentintoachurch，andgettingintothedarkestcornerIcouldfind，Icriedhottears。AllatonceIheardavoice。
\"’Adragoonintears。I’llmakeaphilterofthem!’
\"Ilookedup。TherewasCarmeninfrontofme。
\"’Well，/mipayllo/，areyoustillangrywithme？’shesaid。’Imustcareforyouinspiteofmyself，forsinceyouleftmeIdon’tknowwhathasbeenthematterwithme。Lookyou，itisIwhoaskyoutocometothe/CalledelCandilejo/，now!’
\"Sowemadeitup：butCarmen’stemperwasliketheweatherinourcountry。Thestormisneversoclose，inourmountains，aswhenthesunisatitsbrightest。ShehadpromisedtomeetmeagainatDorotea’s，butshedidn’tcome。
\"AndDoroteabegantellingmeagainthatshehadgoneofftoPortugalaboutsomegipsybusiness。
\"AsexperiencehadalreadytaughtmehowmuchofthatIwastobelieve，IwentaboutlookingforCarmenwhereverIthoughtshemightbe，andtwentytimesineverydayIwalkedthroughthe/CalledelCandilejo/。OneeveningIwaswithDorotea，whomIhadalmosttamedbygivingheraglassofanisettenowandthen，whenCarmenwalkedin，followedbyayoungman，alieutenantinourregiment。
\"’Getawayatonce，’shesaidtomeinBasque。Istoodthere，dumfounded，myheartfullofrage。
\"’Whatareyoudoinghere？’saidthelieutenanttome。’Takeyourselfoff——getoutofthis。’
\"Icouldn’tmoveastep。Ifeltparalyzed。Theofficergrewangry，andseeingIdidnotgoout，andhadnoteventakenoffmyforagecap，hecaughtmebythecollarandshookmeroughly。Idon’tknowwhatIsaidtohim。Hedrewhissword，andIunsheathedmine。Theoldwomancaughtholdofmyarm，andthelieutenantgavemeawoundontheforehead，ofwhichIstillbearthescar。Imadeastepbackward，andwithonejerkofmyelbowIthrewoldDoroteadown。Then，asthelieutenantstillpressedme，Iturnedthepointofmyswordagainsthisbodyandheranuponit。ThenCarmenputoutthelampandtoldDorotea，inherownlanguage，totaketoflight。Ifledintothestreetmyself，andbeganrunningalong，Iknewnotwhither。Itseemedtomethatsomeonewasfollowingme。WhenIcametomyselfIdiscoveredthatCarmenhadneverleftme。
\"’Greatstupidofacanary—bird!’shesaid，’younevermakeanythingbutblunders。And，indeed，youknowItoldyouIshouldbringyoubadluck。Butcome，there’sacureforeverythingwhenyouhaveaFlemingfromRome*foryourlove。Beginbyrollingthishandkerchiefroundyourhead，andthrowmeoverthatbeltofyours。Waitformeinthisalley——I’llbebackintwominutes。
*/FlamencodeRoma/，aslangtermforthegipsies。RomadoesnotstandfortheEternalCity，butforthenationofthe/romi/，orthemarriedfolk——anameappliedbythegipsiestothemselves。ThefirstgipsiesseeninSpainprobablycamefromtheLowCountries，hencetheirnameof/Flemings/。
\"Shedisappeared，andsooncamebackbringingmeastripedcloakwhichshehadgonetofetch，Iknewnotwhence。Shemademetakeoffmyuniform，andputonthecloakovermyshirt。Thusdressed，andwiththewoundonmyheadboundroundwiththehandkerchief，IwastolerablylikeaValencianpeasant，manyofwhomcometoSevilletoselladrinktheymakeoutof’/chufas/。’*ThenshetookmetoahouseverymuchlikeDorotea’s，atthebottomofalittlelane。Heresheandanothergipsywomanwashedanddressedmywounds，betterthananyarmysurgeoncouldhavedone，gavemesomething，Iknownotwhat，todrink，andfinallymademeliedownonamattress，onwhichIwenttosleep。
*Abulbousroot，outofwhichratherapleasantbeverageismanufactured。
\"Probablythewomanhadmixedoneofthesoporificdrugsofwhichtheyknowthesecretinmydrink，forIdidnotwakeuptillverylatethenextday。Iwasratherfeverish，andhadaviolentheadache。ItwassometimebeforethememoryoftheterriblesceneinwhichIhadtakenpartonthepreviousnightcamebacktome。Afterhavingdressedmywound，Carmenandherfriend，squattingontheirheelsbesidemymattress，exchangedafewwordsof’/chipecalli/，’whichappearedtometobesomethinginthenatureofamedicalconsultation。ThentheybothofthemassuredmethatIshouldsoonbecured，butthatImustgetoutofSevilleattheearliestpossiblemoment，forthat，ifIwascaughtthere，Ishouldmostundoubtedlybeshot。
\"’Myboy，’saidCarmentome，’you’llhavetodosomething。Nowthatthekingwon’tgiveyoueitherriceorhaddock*you’llhavetothinkofearningyourlivelihood。You’retoostupidforstealing/apastesas/。**Butyouarebraveandactive。Ifyouhavethepluck，takeyourselfofftothecoastandturnsmuggler。Haven’tIpromisedtogetyouhanged？That’sbetterthanbeingshot，andbesides，ifyousetaboutitproperly，you’lllivelikeaprinceaslongasthe/minons/***andthecoast—guarddon’tlaytheirhandsonyourcollar。’
*TheordinaryfoodofaSpanishsoldier。
**/Ustilarapastesas/，tostealcleverly，topurloinwithoutviolence。
***Asortofvolunteercorps。
\"Inthisattractiveguisedidthisfiendofagirldescribethenewcareershewassuggestingtome，——theonlyone，indeed，remaining，nowIhadincurredthepenaltyofdeath。ShallIconfessit，sir？Shepersuadedmewithoutmuchdifficulty。Thiswildanddangerouslife，itseemedtome，wouldbindherandmemorecloselytogether。Infuture，Ithought，Ishouldbeabletomakesureofherlove。
\"IhadoftenheardtalkofcertainsmugglerswhotravelledaboutAndalusia，eachridingagoodhorse，withhismistressbehindhimandhisblunderbussinhisfist。AlreadyIsawmyselftrottingupanddowntheworld，withaprettygipsybehindme。WhenImentionedthatnotiontoher，shelaughedtillshehadtoholdhersides，andvowedtherewasnothingintheworldsodelightfulasanightspentcampingintheopenair，wheneach/rom/retiredwithhis/romi/beneaththeirlittletent，madeofthreehoopswithablanketthrownacrossthem。
\"’IfItaketothemountains，’saidItoher，’Ishallbesureofyou。There’llbenolieutenanttheretogoshareswithme。’
\"’Ha!ha!you’rejealous!’sheretorted，’somuchtheworseforyou。
Howcanyoubesuchafoolasthat？Don’tyouseeImustloveyou，becauseIhaveneveraskedyouformoney？’
\"WhenshesaidthatsorttothingIcouldhavestrangledher。
\"Toshortenthestory，sir，Carmenprocuredmecivilianclothes，disguisedinwhichIgotoutofSevillewithoutbeingrecognised。I
wenttoJerez，withaletterfromPastiatoadealerinanisettewhosehousewasthesmugglers’meeting—place。Iwasintroducedtothem，andtheirleader，surnamed/ElDancaire/，enrolledmeinhisgang。WestartedforGaucin，whereIfoundCarmen，whohadtoldmeshewouldmeetmethere。Inalltheseexpeditionssheactedasspyforourgang，andshewasthebestthateverwasseen。ShehadnowjustreturnedfromGibraltar，andhadalreadyarrangedwiththecaptainofashipforacargoofEnglishgoodswhichweweretoreceiveonthecoast。WewenttomeetitnearEstepona。Wehidpartinthemountains，andladenwiththerest，weproceededtoRonda。Carmenhadgonetherebeforeus。
Itwassheagainwhowarneduswhenwehadbetterenterthetown。Thisfirstjourney，andseveralsubsequentones，turnedoutwell。Ifoundthesmuggler’slifepleasanterthanasoldier’s：IcouldgivepresentstoCarmen，Ihadmoney，andIhadamistress。Ifeltlittleornoremorse，for，asthegipsiessay，’Thehappymanneverlongstoscratchhisitch。’Weweremadewelcomeeverywhere，mycomradestreatedmewell，andevenshowedmeacertainrespect。ThereasonofthiswasthatIhadkilledmyman，andthatsomeofthemhadnoexploitofthatdescriptionontheirconscience。ButwhatIvaluedmostinmynewlifewasthatIoftensawCarmen。Sheshowedmemoreaffectionthanever；nevertheless，shewouldneveradmit，beforemycomrades，thatshewasmymistress，andshehadevenmademeswearallsortsofoathsthatIwouldnotsayanythingabouthertothem。Iwassoweakinthatcreature’shands，thatIobeyedallherwhims。Andbesides，thiswasthefirsttimeshehadrevealedherselfaspossessinganyofthereserveofawell—conductedwoman，andIwassimpleenoughtobelieveshehadreallycastoffherformerhabits。
\"Ourgang，whichconsistedofeightortenmen，washardlyevertogetherexceptatdecisivemoments，andwewereusuallyscatteredbytwosandthreesaboutthetownsandvillages。Eachoneofuspretendedtohavesometrade。Onewasatinker，anotherwasagroom；Iwassupposedtopeddlehaberdashery，butIhardlyevershowedmyselfinlargeplaces，onaccountofmyunluckybusinessatSeville。Oneday，orratheronenight，weweretomeetbelowVeger。/ElDancaire/andI
gottherebeforetheothers。
\"’Weshallsoonhaveanewcomrade，’saidhe。’Carmenhasjustmanagedoneofherbesttricks。Shehascontrivedtheescapeofher/rom/，whowasinthe/presidio/atTarifa。’
\"Iwasalreadybeginningtounderstandthegipsylanguage，whichnearlyallmycomradesspoke，andthisword/rom/startledme。
\"What!herhusband？Isshemarried，then？’saidItothecaptain。
\"’Yes!’hereplied，’marriedtoGarcia/elTuerto/*——ascunningagipsyassheisherself。Thepoorfellowhasbeenatthegalleys。
Carmenhaswheedledthesurgeonofthe/presidio/tosuchgoodpurposethatshehasmanagedtogether/rom/outofprison。Faith!thatgirl’sworthherweightingold。Fortwoyearsshehasbeentryingtocontrivehisescape，butshecoulddonothinguntiltheauthoritiestookitintotheirheadstochangethesurgeon。Shesoonmanagedtocometoanunderstandingwiththisnewone。’
*One—eyedman。
\"Youmayimaginehowpleasantthisnewswasforme。IsoonsawGarcia/elTuerto/。Hewastheveryugliestbrutethatwasevernursedingipsydom。Hisskinwasblack，hissoulwasblacker，andhewasaltogetherthemostthorough—pacedruffianIevercameacrossinmylife。Carmenarrivedwithhim，andwhenshecalledhimher/rom/inmypresence，youshouldhaveseentheeyesshemadeatme，andthefacesshepulledwheneverGarciaturnedhisheadaway。
\"Iwasdisgusted，andneverspokeawordtoherallnight。Thenextmorningwehadmadeupourpacks，andhadalreadystarted，whenwebecameawarethatwehadadozenhorsemenonourheels。ThebraggartAndalusians，whohadbeenboastingtheywouldmurdereveryonewhocamenearthem，cutapitifulfigureatonce。Therewasageneralrout。/ElDancaire/，Garcia，agood—lookingfellowfromEcija，whowascalled/ElRemendado/，andCarmenherself，kepttheirwitsaboutthem。
Therestforsookthemulesandtooktothegorges，wherethehorsescouldnotfollowthem。Therewasnohopeofsavingthemules，sowehastilyunstrappedthebestpartofourbooty，andtakingitonourshoulders，wetriedtoescapethroughtherocksdownthesteepestoftheslopes。Wethrewourpacksdowninfrontofusandfollowedthemasbestwecould，slippingalongonourheels。Meanwhiletheenemyfiredatus。ItwasthefirsttimeIhadeverheardbulletswhistlingaroundmeandIdidn’tminditverymuch。Whenthere’sawomanlookingon，there’snoparticularmeritinsnappingone’sfingersatdeath。Weallescapedexceptthepoor/Remendado/，whoreceivedabulletwoundintheloins。Ithrewawaymypackandtriedtolifthimup。
\"’Idiot!’shoutedGarcia，’whatdowewantwithoffal!Finishhimoff，anddon’tlosethecottonstockings!’
\"’Drophim!’criedCarmen。
\"IwassoexhaustedthatIwasobligedtolayhimdownforamomentunderarock。Garciacameup，andfiredhisblunderbussfullintohisface。’He’dbeacleverfellowwhorecognisedhimnow!’saidhe，ashelookedattheface，cuttopiecesbyadozenslugs。
\"There，sir；that’sthedelightfulsortoflifeI’veled!Thatnightwefoundourselvesinathicket，wornoutwithfatigue，withnothingtoeat，andruinedbythelossofourmules。WhatdoyouthinkthatdevilGarciadid？Hepulledapackofcardsoutofhispocketandbeganplayinggameswith/ElDancaire/bythelightofafiretheykindled。MeanwhileIwaslyingdown，staringatthestars，thinkingof/ElRemendado/，andtellingmyselfIwouldjustasliefbeinhisplace。Carmenwassquattingdownnearme，andeverynowandthenshewouldrattlehercastanetsandhumatune。Then，drawingclosetome，asifshewouldhavewhisperedinmyear，shekissedmetwoorthreetimesoveralmostagainstmywill。
\"’Youareadevil，’saidItoher。
\"’Yes，’shereplied。
\"Afterafewhours’rest，shedepartedtoGaucin，andthenextmorningalittlegoatherdbroughtussomefood。Westayedthereallthatday，andintheeveningwemovedclosetoGaucin。WewereexpectingnewsfromCarmen，butnonecame。Afterdaylightbrokewesawamuleteerattendingawell—dressedwomanwithaparasol，andalittlegirlwhoseemedtobeherservant。SaidGarcia，’TheregotwomulesandtwowomenwhomSt。Nicholashassentus。Iwouldratherhavehadfourmules，butnomatter。I’lldothebestIcanwiththese。’
\"Hetookhisblunderbuss，andwentdownthepathway，hidinghimselfamongthebrushwood。
\"Wefollowedhim，/ElDancaire/andIkeepingalittlewaybehind。Assoonasthewomansawus，insteadofbeingfrightened——andourdresswouldhavebeenenoughtofrightenanyone——sheburstintoafitofloudlaughter。’Ah!the/lillipendi/!Theytakemeforan/erani/!’*
*\"Theidiots，theytakemeforasmartlady!\"
\"ItwasCarmen，butsowelldisguisedthatifshehadspokenanyotherlanguageIshouldneverhaverecognisedher。Shesprangoffhermule，andtalkedsometimeinanundertonewith/ElDancaire/andGarcia。
Thenshesaidtome：
\"’Canary—bird，weshallmeetagainbeforeyou’rehanged。I’mofftoGibraltarongipsybusiness——you’llsoonhavenewsofme。’
\"Weparted，aftershehadtoldusofaplacewhereweshouldfindshelterforsomedays。Thatgirlwastheprovidenceofourgang。Wesoonreceivedsomemoneysentbyher，andapieceofnewswhichwasstillmoreusefultous——totheeffectthatonacertaindaytwoEnglishlordswouldtravelfromGibraltartoGranadabyaroadshementioned。Thiswasawordtothewise。Theyhadplentyofgoodguineas。Garciawouldhavekilledthem，but/ElDancaire/andI
objected。Allwetookfromthem，besidestheirshirts，whichwegreatlyneeded，wastheirmoneyandtheirwatches。
\"Sir，amanmayturnrogueinsheerthoughtlessness。Youloseyourheadoveraprettygirl，youfightanothermanabouther，thereisacatastrophe，youhavetotaketothemountains，andyouturnfromasmugglerintoarobberbeforeyouhavetimetothinkaboutit。AfterthismatteroftheEnglishlords，weconcludedthattheneighbourhoodofGibraltarwouldnotbehealthyforus，andweplungedintothe/SierradeRonda/。YouoncementionedJose—Mariatome。Well，itwasthereImadeacquaintancewithhim。Healwaystookhismistresswithhimonhisexpeditions。Shewasaprettygirl，quiet，modest，well—
mannered，youneverheardavulgarwordfromher，andshewasquitedevotedtohim。He，onhisside，ledheraveryunhappylife。Hewasalwaysrunningafterotherwomen，heill—treatedher，andthensometimeshewouldtakeitintohisheadtobejealous。Onedayheslashedherwithaknife。Well，sheonlydotedonhimthemore!That’sthewaywithwomen，andespeciallywithAndalusians。Thisgirlwasproudofthescaronherarm，andwoulddisplayitasthoughitwerethemostbeautifulthingintheworld。AndthenJose—Mariawastheworstofcomradesinthebargain。Inoneexpeditionwemadewithhim，hemanagedsothathekeptalltheprofits，andwehadallthetroubleandtheblows。ButImustgobacktomystory。WehadnosignatallfromCarmen。/ElDancaire/said：’OneofuswillhavetogotoGibraltartogetnewsofher。Shemusthaveplannedsomebusiness。I’dgoatonce，onlyI’mtoowellknownatGibraltar。’/ElTuerto/said：
\"’I’mwellknowntheretoo。I’veplayedsomanytricksonthecrayfish*——andasI’veonlyoneeye，itisnotovereasyformetodisguisemyself。’
*NameappliedbytheSpanishpopulacetotheBritishsoldiers，onaccountofthecolouroftheiruniform。
\"’ThenIsupposeImustgo，’saidI，delightedattheveryideaofseeingCarmenagain。’Well，howamItosetaboutit？’
\"Theothersanswered：
\"’Youmusteithergobysea，oryoumustgetthroughbySanRocco，whicheveryoulikethebest；onceyouareinGibraltar，inquireintheportwhereachocolate—sellercalled/LaRollona/lives。Whenyou’vefoundher，she’lltellyoueverythingthat’shappening。’
\"ItwassettledthatwewerealltostartfortheSierra，thatIwastoleavemytwocompanionsthere，andtakemywaytoGibraltar，inthecharacterofafruit—seller。AtRondaoneofourmenprocuredmeapassport；atGaucinIwasprovidedwithadonkey。Iloadeditwithorangesandmelons，andstartedforth。WhenIreachedGibraltarI
foundthatmanypeopleknew/LaRollona/，butthatshewaseitherdeadorhadgone/adfinibusterroe/，*and，tomymind，herdisappearanceexplainedthefailureofourcorrespondencewithCarmen。Istabledmydonkey，andbegantomoveaboutthetown，carryingmyorangesasthoughtosellthem，butinrealitylookingtoseewhetherIcouldnotcomeacrossanyfaceIknew。Theplaceisfullofragamuffinsfromeverycountryintheworld，anditreallyisliketheTowerofBabel，foryoucan’tgotenpacesalongastreetwithouthearingasmanylanguages。Ididseesomegipsies，butIhardlydaredconfideinthem。
Iwastakingstockofthem，andtheyweretakingstockofme。Wehadmutuallyguessedeachothertoberogues，buttheimportantthingforuswastoknowwhetherwebelongedtothesamegang。Afterhavingspenttwodaysinfruitlesswanderings，andhavingfoundoutnothingeitherasto/LaRollona/orastoCarmen，IwasthinkingIwouldgobacktomycomradesassoonasIhadmadeafewpurchases，when，towardsunset，asIwaswalkingalongastreet，Iheardawoman’svoicefromawindowsay，’Orange—seller!’
*Tothegalleys，orelsetoallthedevilsinhell。
\"Ilookedup，andonabalconyIsawCarmenlookingout，besideascarlet—coatedofficerwithgoldepaulettes，curlyhair，andalltheappearanceofarich/milord/。Asforher，shewasmagnificentlydressed，ashawlhungonhershoulders，she’dagoldcombinherhair，everythingsheworewasofsilk；andthecunninglittlewretch，notabitaltered，waslaughingtillsheheldhersides。
\"TheEnglishmanshoutedtomeinmangledSpanishtocomeupstairs，astheladywantedsomeoranges，andCarmensaidtomeinBasque：
\"’Comeup，anddon’tlookastonishedatanything!’
\"Indeed，nothingthatshedidoughtevertohaveastonishedme。I
don’tknowwhetherIwasmosthappyorwretchedatseeingheragain。
AtthedoorofthehousetherewasatallEnglishservantwithapowderedhead，whousheredmeintoasplendiddrawing—room。InstantlyCarmensaidtomeinBasque，’Youdon’tknowonewordofSpanish，andyoudon’tknowme。’ThenturningtotheEnglishman，sheadded：
\"’Itoldyouso。IsawatoncehewasaBasque。Nowyou’llhearwhataqueerlanguagehespeaks。Doesn’thelooksilly？He’slikeacatthat’sbeencaughtinthelarder!’
\"’Andyou，’saidItoherinmyownlanguage，’youlooklikeanimpudentjade——andI’veagoodmindtoscaryourfacehereandnow，beforeyourspark。’
\"’Myspark!’saidshe。’Why，you’veguessedthatallalone!Areyoujealousofthisidiot？You’reevensillierthanyouwerebeforeoureveninginthe/CalledelCandilejo/!Don’tyousee，fool，thatatthismomentI’mdoinggipsybusiness，anddoingitinthemostbrilliantmanner？Thishousebelongstome——theguineasofthatcrayfishwillbelongtome!Ileadhimbythenose，andI’llleadhimtoaplacethathe’llnevergetoutof!’
\"’AndifIcatchyoudoinganygipsybusinessinthisstyleagain，I’llseetoitthatyouneverdoanyagain!’saidI。
\"’Ah!uponmyword!Areyoumy/rom/，praythatyougivemeorders？
If/ElTuerto/ispleased，whathaveyoutodowithit？Oughtn’tyoutobeveryhappythatyouaretheonlymanwhocancallhimselfmy/minchorro/？’*
*My\"lover，\"orrathermy\"fancy。\"
\"’Whatdoeshesay？’inquiredtheEnglishman。
\"’Hesayshe’sthirsty，andwouldlikeadrink，’answeredCarmen，andshethrewherselfbackuponasofa，screamingwithlaughteratherowntranslation。
\"Whenthatgirlbeginstolaugh，sir，itwashopelessforanybodytotryandtalksense。Everybodylaughedwithher。ThebigEnglishmanbegantolaughtoo，liketheidiothewas，andorderedtheservanttobringmesomethingtodrink。
\"WhileIwasdrinkingshesaidtome：
\"’Doyouseethatringhehasonhisfinger？IfyoulikeI’llgiveittoyou。’
\"AndIanswered：
\"’Iwouldgiveoneofmyfingerstohaveyour/milord/outonthemountains，andeachofuswitha/maquila/inhisfist。’
\"’/Maquila/，whatdoesthatmean？’askedtheEnglishman。