第2章

TheysaidthissofunnilythatwebegantolaughandtoaskiftherewerethievesattheOpera。Theyrepliedthattherewassomethingworse，whichwastheGHOST。Webegantolaughagain，feelingsurethattheywereindulginginsomejokethatwasintendedtocrownourlittleentertainment。Then，attheirrequest，webecame`serious，’

resolvingtohumorthemandtoenterintothespiritofthegame。

Theytoldusthattheyneverwouldhavespokentousoftheghost，iftheyhadnotreceivedformalordersfromtheghosthimselftoaskustobepleasanttohimandtograntanyrequestthathemightmake。However，intheirreliefatleavingadomainwherethattyrannicalshadeheldsway，theyhadhesitateduntilthelastmomenttotellusthiscuriousstory，whichourskepticalmindswerecertainlynotpreparedtoentertain。ButtheannouncementofthedeathofJosephBuquethadservedthemasabrutalreminderthat，whenevertheyhaddisregardedtheghost’swishes，somefantasticordisastrouseventhadbroughtthemtoasenseoftheirdependence。

Duringtheseunexpectedutterancesmadeinatoneofthemostsecretandimportantconfidence，IlookedatRichard。Richard，inhisstudentdays，hadacquiredagreatreputationforpracticaljoking，andheseemedtorelishthedishwhichwasbeingserveduptohiminhisturn。Hedidnotmissamorselofit，thoughtheseasoningwasalittlegruesomebecauseofthedeathofBuquet。Henoddedhisheadsadly，whiletheothersspoke，andhisfeaturesassumedtheairofamanwhobitterlyregrettedhavingtakenovertheOpera，nowthatheknewthattherewasaghostmixedupinthebusiness。

Icouldthinkofnothingbetterthantogivehimaservileimitationofthisattitudeofdespair。However，inspiteofallourefforts，wecouldnot，atthefinish，helpburstingoutlaughinginthefacesofMM。DebienneandPoligny，who，seeinguspassstraightfromthegloomieststateofmindtooneofthemostinsolentmerriment，actedasthoughtheythoughtthatwehadgonemad。

Thejokebecamealittletedious。andRichardaskedhalf-seriouslyandhalfinjest：

`But，afterall，whatdoesthisghostofyourswant？’

M。Polignywenttohisdeskandreturnedwithacopyofthememorandum-book。Thememorandum-bookbeginswiththewell-knownwordssayingthat`themanagementoftheOperashallgivetotheperformanceoftheNationalAcademyofMusicthesplendorthatbecomesthefirstlyricstageinFrance’andendswithClause98，whichsaysthattheprivilegecanbewithdrawnifthemanagerinfringestheconditionsstipulatedinthememorandum-book。

Thisisfollowedbytheconditions，whicharefourinnumber。

ThecopyproducedbyM。Polignywaswritteninblackinkandexactlysimilartothatinourpossession，exceptthat，attheend，itcontainedaparagraphinredinkandinaqueer，laboredhandwriting，asthoughithadbeenproducedbydippingtheheadsofmatchesintotheink，thewritingofachildthathasnevergotbeyondthedown-strokesandhasnotlearnedtojoinitsletters。Thisparagraphran，wordforword，asfollows：

`5。Orifthemanager，inanymonth，delayformorethanafortnightthepaymentoftheallowancewhichheshallmaketotheOperaghost，anallowanceoftwentythousandfrancsamonth，saytwohundredandfortythousandfrancsayear。’

M。Polignypointedwithahesitatingfingertothislastclause，whichwecertainlydidnotexpect。

`Isthisall？Doeshenotwantanythingelse？’askedRichard，withthegreatestcoolness。

`Yes，hedoes，’repliedPoligny。

Andheturnedoverthepagesofthememorandum-bookuntilhecametotheclausespecifyingthedaysonwhichcertainprivateboxesweretobereservedforthefreeuseofthepresidentoftherepublic，theministersandsoon。Attheendofthisclause，alinehadbeenadded，alsoinredink：

`BoxFiveonthegrandtiershallbeplacedatthedisposaloftheOperaghostforeveryperformance。’

Whenwesawthis，therewasnothingelseforustodobuttorisefromourchairs，shakeourtwopredecessorswarmlybythehandandcongratulatethemonthinkingofthischarminglittlejoke，whichprovedthattheoldFrenchsenseofhumorwasneverlikelytobecomeextinct。RichardaddedthathenowunderstoodwhyMM。

DebienneandPolignywereretiringfromthemanagementoftheNationalAcademyofMusic。Businesswasimpossiblewithsounreasonableaghost。

`Certainly，twohundredandfortythousandfrancsarenotbepickedupfortheasking，’saidM。Poligny，withoutmovingamuscleofhisface。

`AndhaveyouconsideredwhatthelossoverBoxFivemeanttous？

Wedidnotsellitonce。andnotonlythat，butwehadtoreturnthesubscription：why，it’sawful！Wereallycan’tworktokeepghosts！

Weprefertogoaway！’

`Yes，’echoedM。Debienne，`weprefertogoaway。Letusgo。’

Andhestoodup。Richardsaid：`But，afterallall，itseemstomethatyouweremuchtookindtotheghost。IfIhadsuchatroublesomeghostasthat，Ishouldnothesitatetohavehimarrested。’

`Buthow？Where？’theycried，inchorus。`Wehaveneverseenhim！’

`Butwhenhecomestohisbox？’

’WEHAVENEVERSEENHIMINHISBOX。’

`Thensellit。’

`SelltheOperaghost’sbox！Well，gentlemen，tryit。’

Thereuponweallfourlefttheoffice。RichardandIhad`neverlaughedsomuchinourlives。’

ChapterIVBoxFiveArmandMoncharminwrotesuchvoluminousMemoirsduringthefairlylongperiodofhisco-managementthatwemaywellaskifheeverfoundtimetoattendtotheaffairsoftheOperaotherwisethanbytellingwhatwentonthere。M。Moncharmindidnotknowanoteofmusic，buthecalledtheministerofeducationandfineartsbyhisChristianname，haddabbledalittleinsocietyjournalismandenjoyedaconsiderableprivateincome。Lastly，hewasacharmingfellowandshowedthathewasnotlackinginintelligence，for，assoonashemadeuphismindtobeasleepingpartnerintheOpera，heselectedthebestpossibleactivemanagerandwentstraighttoFirminRichard。

FirminRichardwasaverydistinguishedcomposer，whohadpublishedanumberofsuccessfulpiecesofallkindsandwholikednearlyeveryformofmusicandeverysortofmusician。Clearly，therefore，itwasthedutyofeverysortofmusiciantolikeM。FirminRichard。

Theonlythingstobesaidagainsthimwerethathewasrathermasterfulinhiswaysandendowedwithaveryhastytemper。

ThefirstfewdayswhichthepartnersspentattheOperaweregivenovertothedelightoffindingthemselvestheheadofsomagnificentanenterprise。andtheyhadforgottenallaboutthatcurious，fantasticstoryoftheghost，whenanincidentoccurredthatprovedtothemthatthejoke——ifjokeitwere——wasnotover。

M。FirminRichardreachedhisofficethatmorningateleveno’clock。Hissecretary，M。Remy，showedhimhalfadozenletterswhichhehadnotopenedbecausetheyweremarkedprivate。

OneofthelettershadatonceattractedRichard’sattentionnotonlybecausetheenvelopewasaddressedinredink，butbecauseheseemedtohaveseenthewritingbefore。Hesoonrememberdthatitwastheredhandwritinginwhichthememorandum-bookhadbeensocuriouslycompleted。Herecognizedtheclumsychildishhand。

Heopenedtheletterandread：

DEARMR。MANAGER：

Iamsorrytohavetotroubleyouatatimewhenyoumustbesoverybusy，renewingimportantengagements，signingfreshonesandgenerallydisplayingyourexcellenttaste。IknowwhatyouhavedoneforCarlotta，SorelliandlittleJammesandforafewotherswhoseadmirablequalitiesoftalentorgeniusyouhavesuspected。

Ofcourse，whenIusethesewords，IdonotmeantoapplythemtoLaCarlotta，whosingslikeasquirtandwhooughtnevertohavebeenallowedtoleavetheAmbassadeursandtheCafeJacquin。

nortoLaSorelli，whooweshersuccessmainlytothecoach-builders。

nortolittleJammes，whodanceslikeacalfinafield。AndIamnotspeakingofChristineDaaeeither，thoughhergeniusiscertain，whereasyourjealousypreventsherfromcreatinganyimportantpart。

Whenallissaid，youarefreetoconductyourlittlebusinessasyouthinkbest，areyounot？

Allthesame，IshouldliketotakeadvantageofthefactthatyouhavenotyetturnedChristineDaaeoutofdoorsbyhearingherthiseveninginthepartofSiebel，asthatofMargaritahasbeenforbiddenhersincehertriumphoftheotherevening。andIwillaskyounottodisposeofmyboxto-daynorontheFOLLOWINGDAYS，forIcannotendthisletterwithouttellingyouhowdisagreeablysurprisedIhavebeenonceortwice，tohear，onarrivingattheOpera，thatmyboxhadbeensold，atthebox-office，byyourorders。

Ididnotprotest，first，becauseIdislikescandal，and，second，becauseIthoughtthatyourpredecessors，MM。DebienneandPoligny，whowerealwayscharmingtome，hadneglected，beforeleaving，tomentionmylittlefadstoyou。Ihavenowreceivedareplyfromthosegentlementomyletteraskingforanexplanation，andthisreplyprovesthatyouknowallaboutmyMemorandum-Bookand，consequently，thatyouaretreatingmewithoutrageouscontempt。

IFYOUWISHTOLIVEINPEACE，YOUMUSTNOTBEGINBYTAKINGAWAY

MYPRIVATEBOX。

Believemetobe，dearMr。Manager，withoutprejudicetotheselittleobservations，YourMostHumbleandObedientServant，OPERAGHOST。

Theletterwasaccompaniedbyacuttingfromtheagony-columnoftheRevueTheatrale，whichran：

O。G——ThereisnoexcuseforR。andM。Wetoldthemandleftyourmemorandum-bookintheirhands。Kindregards。

M。FirminRichardhadhardlyfinishedreadingthisletterwhenM。ArmandMoncharminentered，carryingoneexactlysimilar。

Theylookedateachotherandburstoutlaughing。

Theyarekeepingupthejoke，saidM。Richard，butIdon’tcallitfunny。

Whatdoesitallmean？askedM。Moncharmin。Dotheyimaginethat，becausetheyhavebeenmanagersoftheOpera，wearegoingtoletthemhaveaboxforanindefiniteperiod？

Iamnotinthemoodtoletmyselfbelaughedatlong，

saidFirminRichard。

It’sharmlessenough，observedArmandMoncharmin。Whatisittheyreallywant？Aboxforto-night？

M。FirminRichardtoldhissecretarytosendBoxFiveonthegrandtiertoMm。DebienneandPoligny，ifitwasnotsold。Itwasnot。

Itwassentofftothem。DebiennelivedatthecorneroftheRueScribeandtheBoulevarddesCapucines。Poligny，intheRueAuber。

O。Ghost’stwolettershadbeenpostedattheBoulevarddesCapucinespost-office，asMoncharminremarkedafterexaminingtheenvelopes。

Yousee！saidRichard。

Theyshruggedtheirshouldersandregrettedthattwomenofthatageshouldamusethemselveswithsuchchildishtricks。

Theymighthavebeencivil，forallthat！saidMoncharmin。

DidyounoticehowtheytreatuswithregardtoCarlotta，SorelliandLittleJammes？

Why，mydearfellow，thesetwoaremadwithjealousy！Tothinkthattheywenttotheexpenseof，anadvertisementintheRevueTheatrale！

Havetheynothingbettertodo？

Bytheway，saidMoncharmin，theyseemtobegreatlyinterestedinthatlittleChristineDaae！

YouknowaswellasIdothatshehasthereputationofbeingquitegood，saidRichard。

Reputationsareeasilyobtained，repliedMoncharmin。Haven’tI

areputationforknowingallaboutmusic？AndIdon’tknowonekeyfromanother。

Don’tbeafraid：youneverhadthatreputation，Richarddeclared。

Thereuponheorderedtheartiststobeshownin，who，forthelasttwohours，hadbeenwalkingupanddownoutsidethedoorbehindwhichfameandfortune——ordismissal——awaitedthem。

Thewholedaywasspentindiscussing，negotiating，signingorcancellingcontracts。andthetwooverworkedmanagerswenttobedearly，withoutsomuchascastingaglanceatBoxFivetoseewhetherM。DebienneandM。Polignywereenjoyingtheperformance。

Nextmorning，themanagersreceivedacardofthanksfromtheghost：

DEAR，MR。MANAGER：

Thanks。Charmingevening。Daaeexquisite。Choruseswantwakingup。

Carlottaasplendidcommonplaceinstrument。Willwriteyousoonforthe240，000francs，or233，424fr。70c。，tobecorrect。

Mm。DebienneandPolignyhavesentmethe6，575fr。30c。

representingthefirsttendaysofmyallowanceforthecurrentyear。

theirprivilegesfinishedontheeveningofthetenthinst。

Kindregards。O。G。

Ontheotherhand，therewasaletterfromMm。DebienneandPoligny：

GENTLEMEN：

Wearemuchobligedforyourkindthoughtofus，butyouwilleasilyunderstandthattheprospectofagainhearingFaust，pleasantthoughitistoex-managersoftheOpera，cannotmakeusforgetthatwehavenorighttooccupyBoxFiveonthegrandtier，whichistheexclusivepropertyofHIMofwhomwespoketoyouwhenwewentthroughthememorandum-bookwithyouforthelasttime。

SeeClause98，finalparagraph。

Accept，gentlemen，etc。

Oh，thosefellowsarebeginningtoannoyme！shoutedFirminRichard，snatchinguptheletter。

AndthateveningBoxFivewassold。

Thenextmorning，Mm。RichardandMoncharmin，onreachingtheiroffice，foundaninspector’sreportrelatingtoanincidentthathadhappened，thenightbefore，inBoxFive。Igivetheessentialpartofthereport：

Iwasobligedtocallinamunicipalguardtwice，thisevening，toclearBoxFiveonthegrandtier，onceatthebeginningandonceinthemiddleofthesecondact。Theoccupants，whoarrivedasthecurtainroseonthesecondact，createdaregularscandalbytheirlaughterandtheirridiculousobservations。TherewerecriesofHush！allaroundthemandthewholehousewasbeginningtoprotest，whenthebox-keepercametofetchme。IenteredtheboxandsaidwhatIthoughtnecessary。Thepeopledidnotseemtometobeintheirrightmind。andtheymadestupidremarks。

Isaidthat，ifthenoisewasrepeated，Ishouldbecompelledtoclearthebox。ThemomentIleft，Iheardthelaughingagain，withfreshprotestsfromthehouse。Ireturnedwithamunicipalguard，whoturnedthemout。Theyprotested，stilllaughing，sayingtheywouldnotgounlesstheyhadtheirmoneyback。Atlast，theybecamequietandIallowedthemtoentertheboxagain。

Thelaughteratoncerecommenced。and，thistime，Ihadthemturnedoutdefinitely。

Sendfortheinspector，saidRichardtohissecretary，whohadalreadyreadthereportandmarkeditwithbluepencil。

M。Remy，thesecretary，hadforeseentheorderandcalledtheinspectoratonce。

Telluswhathappened，saidRichardbluntly。

Theinspectorbegantosplutterandreferredtothereport。

Well，butwhatwerethosepeoplelaughingat？askedMoncharmin。

Theymusthavebeendining，sir，andseemedmoreinclinedtolarkaboutthantolistentogoodmusic。Themomenttheyenteredthebox，theycameoutagainandcalledthebox-keeper，whoaskedthemwhattheywanted。Theysaid，`Lookinthebox：there’snoonethere，isthere？’`No，’saidthewoman。`Well，’saidthey，`whenwewentin，weheardavoicesayingTHATTHEBOXWASTAKEN！’

M。MoncharmincouldnothelpsmilingashelookedatM。Richard。

butM。Richarddidnotsmile。Hehimselfhaddonetoomuchinthatwayinhistimenottorecognize，intheinspector’sstory，allthemarksofoneofthosepracticaljokeswhichbeginbyamusingandendbyenragingthevictims。Theinspector，tocurryfavorwithM。Moncharmin，whowassmiling，thoughtitbesttogiveasmiletoo。Amostunfortunatesmile！M。Richardglaredathissubordinate，whothenceforthmadeithisbusinesstodisplayafaceofutterconsternation。

However，whenthepeoplearrived，roaredRichard，therewasnooneinthebox，wasthere？

Notasoul，sir，notasoul！Norintheboxontheright，norintheboxontheleft：notasoul，sir，Iswear！Thebox-keepertolditmeoftenenough，whichprovesthatitwasallajoke。

Oh，youagree，doyou？saidRichard。Youagree！It’sajoke！

Andyouthinkitfunny，nodoubt？

Ithinkitinverybadtaste，sir。

Andwhatdidthebox-keepersay？

Oh，shejustsaidthatitwastheOperaghost。That’sallshesaid！

Andtheinspectorgrinned。Buthesoonfoundthathehadmadeamistakeingrinning，forthewordshadnosoonerlefthismouththanM。Richard，fromgloomy，becamefurious。

Sendforthebox-keeper！heshouted。Sendforher！Thisminute！

Thisminute！Andbringherintomehere！Andturnallthosepeopleout！

Theinspectortriedtoprotest，butRichardclosedhismouthwithanangryordertoholdhistongue。Then，whenthewretchedman’slipsseemedshutforever，themanagercommandedhimtoopenthemoncemore。

Whoisthis`Operaghost？’hesnarled。

Buttheinspectorwasbythistimeincapableofspeakingaword。

Hemanagedtoconvey，byadespairinggesture，thatheknewnothingaboutit，orratherthathedidnotwishtoknow。

Haveyoueverseenhim，haveyouseentheOperaghost？

Theinspector，bymeansofavigorousshakeofthehead，deniedeverhavingseentheghostinquestion。

Verywell！saidM。Richardcoldly。

Theinspector’seyesstartedoutofhishead，asthoughtoaskwhythemanagerhadutteredthatominousVerywell！

BecauseI’mgoingtosettletheaccountofanyonewhohasnotseenhim！explainedthemanager。Asheseemstobeeverywhere，Ican’thavepeopletellingmethattheyseehimnowhere。

IlikepeopletoworkformewhenIemploythem！

Havingsaidthis，M。Richardpaidnoattentiontotheinspectoranddiscussedvariousmattersofbusinesswithhisacting-manager，whohadenteredtheroommeanwhile。Theinspectorthoughthecouldgoandwasgently——oh，sogently！——sidlingtowardthedoor，whenM。Richardnailedthemantothefloorwithathundering：

Staywhereyouare！

M。Remyhadsentforthebox-keepertotheRuedeProvence，closetotheOpera，whereshewasengagedasaporteress。

Shesoonmadeherappearance。

What’syourname？

Mme。Giry。Youknowmewellenough，sir。I’mthemotheroflittleGiry，littleMeg，what！

Thiswassaidinsoroughandsolemnatonethat，foramoment，M。Richardwasimpressed。HelookedatMme。Giry，inherfadedshawl，herwornshoes，heroldtaffetadressanddingybonnet。Itwasquiteevidentfromthemanager’sattitude，thatheeitherdidnotknoworcouldnotrememberhavingmetMme。Giry，norevenlittleGiry，norevenlittleMeg！ButMme。Giry’spridewassogreatthatthecelebratedbox-keeperimaginedthateverybodyknewher。

Neverheardofher！themanagerdeclared。Butthat’snoreason，Mme。Giry，whyIshouldn’taskyouwhathappenedlastnighttomakeyouandtheinspectorcallinamunicipalguardIwasjustwantingtoseeyou，sir，andtalktoyouaboutit，sothatyoumightn’thavethesameunpleasantnessasM。DebienneandM。Poligny。Theywouldn’tlistentomeeither，atfirst。

I’mnotaskingyouaboutallthat。I’maskingwhathappenedlastnight。

Mme。Giryturnedpurplewithindignation。Neverhadshebeenspokentolikethat。Sheroseasthoughtogo，gatheringupthefoldsofherskirtandwavingthefeathersofherdingybonnetwithdignity，but，changinghermind，shesatdownagainandsaid，inahaughtyvoice：

I’lltellyouwhathappened。Theghostwasannoyedagain！

Thereupon，asM。Richardwasonthepointofburstingout，M。Moncharmininterferedandconductedtheinterrogatory，whenceitappearedthatMme。Girythoughtitquitenaturalthatavoiceshouldbeheardtosaythataboxwastaken，whentherewasnobodyinthebox。

Shewasunabletoexplainthisphenomenon，whichwasnotnewtoher，exceptbytheinterventionoftheghost。Nobodycouldseetheghostinhisbox，buteverybodycouldhearhim。Shehadoftenheardhim。

andtheycouldbelieveher，forshealwaysspokethetruth。

TheycouldaskM。DebienneandM。Poligny，andanybodywhoknewher。

andalsoM。IsidoreSaack，whohadhadalegbrokenbytheghost！

Indeed！saidMoncharmin，interruptingher。DidtheghostbreakpoorIsidoreSaack’sleg？

Mme。Giryopenedhereyeswithastonishmentatsuchignorance。

However，sheconsentedtoenlightenthosetwopoorinnocents。

ThethinghadhappenedinM。DebienneandM。Poligny’stime，alsoinBoxFiveandalsoduringaperformanceofFAUST。Mme。Girycoughed，clearedherthroat——itsoundedasthoughshewerepreparingtosingthewholeofGounod’sscore——andbegan：

Itwaslikethis，sir。Thatnight，M。Manieraandhislady，thejewelersintheRueMogador，weresittinginthefrontofthebox，withtheirgreatfriend，M。IsidoreSaack，sittingbehindMme。Maniera。

Mephistopheleswassinging——Mme。Giryhereburstintosongherself——

`Catarina，whileyouplayatsleeping，’andthenM。Manieraheardavoiceinhisrightear(hiswifewasonhisleft)saying，`Ha，ha！

Julie’snotplayingatsleeping！’HiswifehappenedtobecalledJulie。So。M。Manieraturnstotherighttoseewhowastalkingtohimlikethat。Nobodythere！Herubshisearandaskshimself，ifhe’sdreaming。ThenMephistopheleswentonwithhisserenade……But，perhapsI’mboringyougentlemen？

No，no，goon。

Youaretoogood，gentlemen，withasmirk。Well，then，Mephistopheleswentonwithhisserenade——Mme。Giry，burstintosongagain——`Saint，unclosethyportalsholyandaccordthebliss，toamortalbendinglowly，ofapardon-kiss。’AndthenM。Manieraagainhearsthevoiceinhisrightear，saying，thistime，`Ha，ha！

Juliewouldn’tmindaccordingakisstoIsidore！’Thenheturnsroundagain，but，thistime，totheleft。andwhatdoyouthinkhesees？Isidore，whohadtakenhislady’shandandwascoveringitwithkissesthroughthelittleroundplaceintheglove——

likethis，gentlemen——rapturouslykissingthebitofpalmleftbareinthemiddleofherthreadgloves。Thentheyhadalivelytimebetweenthem！Bang！Bang！M。Maniera，whowasbigandstrong，likeyou，M。Richard，gavetwoblowstoM。IsidoreSaack，whowassmallandweaklikeM。Moncharmin，savinghispresence。

Therewasagreatuproar。Peopleinthehouseshouted，`Thatwilldo！

Stopthem！He’llkillhim！’Then，atlast，M。IsidoreSaackmanagedtorunaway。

Thentheghosthadnotbrokenhisleg？askedM。Moncharmin，alittlevexedthathisfigurehadmadesolittleimpressiononMme。Giry。

Hedidbreakitforhim，sir，repliedMme。Giryhaughtily。

Hebrokeitforhimonthegrandstaircase，whichherandowntoofast，sir，anditwillbelongbeforethepoorgentlemanwillbeabletogoupitagain！

DidtheghosttellyouwhathesaidinM。Maniera’srightear？

askedM。Moncharmin，withagravitywhichhethoughtexceedinglyhumorous。

No，sir，itwasM。Manierahimself。So——

Butyouhavespokentotheghost，mygoodlady？

AsI’mspeakingtoyounow，mygoodsir！Mme。Giryreplied。

And，whentheghostspeakstoyou，whatdoeshesay？

Well，hetellsmetobringhimafootstool！

Thistime，Richardburstoutlaughing，asdidMoncharminandRemy，thesecretary。Onlytheinspector，warnedbyexperience，wascarefulnottolaugh，whileMme。Giryventuredtoadoptanattitudethatwaspositivelythreatening。

Insteadoflaughing，shecriedindignantly，you’ddobettertodoasM。Polignydid，whofoundoutforhimself。

Foundoutaboutwhat？askedMoncharmin，whohadneverbeensomuchamusedinhislife。

Abouttheghost，ofcourse！……Lookhere……

Shesuddenlycalmedherself，feelingthatthiswasasolemnmomentinherlife：

LOOKHERE，sherepeated。TheywereplayingLaJuive。M。Polignythoughthewouldwatchtheperformancefromtheghost’sbox……Well，whenLeopoldcries，`Letusfly！’——youknow——andEleazerstopsthemandsays，`Whithergoye？’……well，M。Poligny——

Iwaswatchinghimfromthebackofthenextbox，whichwasempty——

M。Polignygotupandwalkedoutquitestiffly，likeastatue，andbeforeIhadtimetoaskhim，`Whithergoye？’likeEleazer，hewasdownthestaircase，butwithoutbreakinghisleg。

Still，thatdoesn’tletusknowhowtheOperaghostcametoaskyouforafootstool，insistedM。Moncharmin。

Well，fromthatevening，noonetriedtotaketheghost’sprivateboxfromhim。Themanagergaveordersthathewastohaveitateachperformance。And，wheneverhecame，heaskedmeforafootstool。

Tut，tut！Aghostaskingforafootstool！Thenthisghostofyoursisawoman？

No，theghostisaman。

Howdoyouknow？

Hehasaman’svoice，oh，suchalovelyman’svoice！Thisiswhathappens：Whenhecomestotheopera，it’susuallyinthemiddleofthefirstact。HegivesthreelittletapsonthedoorofBoxFive。

ThefirsttimeIheardthosethreetaps，whenIknewtherewasnooneinthebox，youcanthinkhowpuzzledIwas！Iopenedthedoor，listened，looked。nobody！AndthenIheardavoicesay，`Mme。Jules’mypoorhusband’snamewasJules——`afootstool，please。’

Savingyourpresence，gentlemen，itmademefeelall-overishlike。

Butthevoicewenton，`Don’tbefrightened，Mme。Jules，I’mtheOperaghost！’AndthevoicewassosoftandkindthatIhardlyfeltfrightened。THEVOICEWASSITTINGINTHECORNERCHAIR，ONTHERIGHT，INTHEFRONTROW。

WasthereanyoneintheboxontherightofBoxFive？

askedMoncharmin。

No。BoxSeven，andBoxThree，theoneontheleft，werebothempty。

Thecurtainhadonlyjustgoneup。

Andwhatdidyoudo？

Well，Ibroughtthefootstool。Ofcourse，itwasn’tforhimselfhewantedit，butforhislady！ButIneverheardhernorsawher。

Eh？What？Sonowtheghostismarried！TheeyesofthetwomanagerstraveledfromMme。Girytotheinspector，who，standingbehindthebox-keeper，waswavinghisarmstoattracttheirattention。

Hetappedhisforeheadwithadistressfulforefinger，toconveyhisopinionthatthewidowJulesGirywasmostcertainlymad，apieceofpantomimewhichconfirmedM。Richardinhisdeterminationtogetridofaninspectorwhokeptalunaticinhisservice。

Meanwhile，theworthyladywentonaboutherghost，nowpaintinghisgenerosity：

Attheendoftheperformance，healwaysgivesmetwofrancs，sometimesfive，sometimeseventen，whenhehasbeenmanydayswithoutcoming。Only，sincepeoplehavebeguntoannoyhimagain，hegivesmenothingatall。

Excuseme，mygoodwoman，saidMoncharmin，whileMme。Girytossedthefeathersinherdingyhatatthispersistentfamiliarity，excuseme，howdoestheghostmanagetogiveyouyourtwofrancs？

Why，heleavesthemonthelittleshelfinthebox，ofcourse。

Ifindthemwiththeprogram，whichIalwaysgivehim。Someevenings，Ifindflowersinthebox，arosethatmusthavedroppedfromhislady’sbodice……forhebringsaladywithhimsometimes。oneday，theyleftafanbehindthem。

Oh，theghostleftafan，didhe？Andwhatdidyoudowithit？

Well，Ibroughtitbacktotheboxnextnight。

Heretheinspector’svoicewasraised。

You’vebrokentherules。Ishallhavetofineyou，Mme。Giry。

Holdyourtongue，youfool！mutteredM。FirminRichard。

Youbroughtbackthefan。Andthen？

Well，then，theytookitawaywiththem，sir。itwasnotthereattheendoftheperformance。andinitsplacetheyleftmeaboxofEnglishsweets，whichI’mveryfondof。That’soneoftheghost’sprettythoughts。

Thatwilldo，Mme。Giry。Youcango。

WhenMme。Giryhadbowedherselfout，withthedignitythatneverdesertedher，themanagertoldtheinspectorthattheyhaddecidedtodispensewiththatoldmadwoman’sservices。and，whenhehadgoneinhisturn，theyinstructedtheacting-managertomakeuptheinspector’saccounts。Leftalone，themanagerstoldeachotheroftheideawhichtheybothhadinmind，whichwasthattheyshouldlookintothatlittlematterofBoxFivethemselves。

ChapterVTheEnchantedViolinChristineDaae，owingtointriguestowhichIwillreturnlater，didnotimmediatelycontinuehertriumphattheOpera。Afterthefamousgalanight，shesangonceattheDuchessdeZurich’s。

butthiswasthelastoccasiononwhichshewasheardinprivate。

Sherefused，withoutplausibleexcuse，toappearatacharityconcerttowhichshehadpromisedherassistance。Sheactedthroughoutasthoughshewerenolongerthemistressofherowndestinyandasthoughshefearedafreshtriumph。

SheknewthattheComtedeChagny，topleasehisbrother，haddonehisbestonherbehalfwithM。Richard。andshewrotetothankhimandalsotoaskhimtoceasespeakinginherfavor。Herreasonforthiscuriousattitudewasneverknown。Somepretendedthatitwasduetooverweeningpride。othersspokeofherheavenlymodesty。

Butpeopleonthestagearenotsomodestasallthat。andIthinkthatIshallnotbefarfromthetruthifIascribeheractionsimplytofear。Yes，IbelievethatChristineDaaewasfrightenedbywhathadhappenedtoher。IhavealetterofChristine’s(itformspartofthePersian’scollection)，relatingtothisperiod，whichsuggestsafeelingofabsolutedismay：

Idon’tknowmyselfwhenIsing，writesthepoorchild。

Sheshowedherselfnowhere。andtheVicomtedeChagnytriedinvaintomeether。Hewrotetoher，askingtocalluponher，butdespairedofreceivingareplywhen，onemorning，shesenthimthefollowingnote：

MONSIEUR：

Ihavenotforgottenthelittleboywhowentintotheseatorescuemyscarf。IfeelthatImustwritetoyouto-day，whenIamgoingtoPerros，infulfilmentofasacredduty。

To-morrowistheanniversaryofthedeathofmypoorfather，whomyouknewandwhowasveryfondofyou。Heisburiedthere，withhisviolin，inthegraveyardofthelittlechurch，atthebottomoftheslopewhereweusedtoplayaschildren，besidetheroadwhere，whenwewerealittlebigger，wesaidgood-byforthelasttime。

TheVicomtedeChagnyhurriedlyconsultedarailwayguide，dressedasquicklyashecould，wroteafewlinesforhisvalettotaketohisbrotherandjumpedintoacabwhichbroughthimtotheGareMontparnassejustintimetomissthemorningtrain。

Hespentadismaldayintownanddidnotrecoverhisspiritsuntiltheevening，whenhewasseatedinhiscompartmentintheBrittanyexpress。HereadChristine’snoteoverandoveragain，smellingitsperfume，recallingthesweetpicturesofhischildhood，andspenttherestofthattediousnightjourneyinfeverishdreamsthatbeganandendedwithChristineDaae。DaywasbreakingwhenhealightedatLannion。HehurriedtothediligenceforPerros-Guirec。

Hewastheonlypassenger。Hequestionedthedriverandlearnedthat，ontheeveningofthepreviousday，ayoungladywholookedlikeaParisianhadgonetoPerrosandputupattheinnknownastheSettingSun。

Thenearerhedrewtoher，themorefondlyherememberedthestoryofthelittleSwedishsinger。Mostofthedetailsarestillunknowntothepublic。

Therewasonce，inalittlemarket-townnotfarfromUpsala，apeasantwholivedtherewithhisfamily，diggingtheearthduringtheweekandsinginginthechoironSundays。Thispeasanthadalittledaughtertowhomhetaughtthemusicalalphabetbeforesheknewhowtoread。

Daae’sfatherwasagreatmusician，perhapswithoutknowingit。

NotafiddlerthroughoutthelengthandbreadthofScandinaviaplayedashedid。Hisreputationwaswidespreadandhewasalwaysinvitedtosetthecouplesdancingatweddingsandotherfestivals。

HiswifediedwhenChristinewasenteringuponhersixthyear。

Thenthefather，whocaredonlyforhisdaughterandhismusic，soldhispatchofgroundandwenttoUpsalainsearchoffameandfortune。

Hefoundnothingbutpoverty。

Hereturnedtothecountry，wanderingfromfairtofair，strumminghisScandinavianmelodies，whilehischild，whoneverlefthisside，listenedtohiminesctasyorsangtohisplaying。

Oneday，atLjimbyFair，ProfessorValeriusheardthemandtookthemtoGothenburg。Hemaintainedthatthefatherwasthefirstviolinistintheworldandthatthedaughterhadthemakingofagreatartist。Hereducationandinstructionwereprovidedfor。

Shemaderapidprogressandcharmedeverybodywithherprettiness，hergraceofmannerandhergenuineeagernesstoplease。

WhenValeriusandhiswifewenttosettleinFrance，theytookDaaeandChristinewiththem。MammaValeriustreatedChristineasherdaughter。AsforDaae，hebegantopineawaywithhomesickness。

HeneverwentoutofdoorsinParis，butlivedinasortofdreamwhichhekeptupwithhisviolin。Forhoursatatime，heremainedlockedupinhisbedroomwithhisdaughter，fiddlingandsinging，very，verysoftly。SometimesMammaValeriuswouldcomeandlistenbehindthedoor，wipeawayatearandgodown-stairsagainontiptoe，sighingforherScandinavianskies。

Daaeseemednottorecoverhisstrengthuntilthesummer，whenthewholefamilywenttostayatPerros-Guirec，inafar-awaycornerofBrittany，wheretheseawasofthesamecolorasinhisowncountry。Oftenhewouldplayhissaddesttunesonthebeachandpretendthattheseastoppeditsroaringtolistentothem。

AndthenheinducedMammaValeriustoindulgeaqueerwhimofhis。

Atthetimeofthepardons，orBretonpilgrimages，thevillagefestivalanddances，hewentoffwithhisfiddle，asintheolddays，andwasallowedtotakehisdaughterwithhimforaweek。

Theygavethesmallesthamletsmusictolastthemforayearandsleptatnightinabarn，refusingabedattheinn，lyingclosetogetheronthestraw，aswhentheyweresopoorinSweden。

Atthesametime，theywereveryneatlydressed，madenocollection，refusedthehalfpenceofferedthem。andthepeoplearoundcouldnotunderstandtheconductofthisrusticfiddler，whotrampedtheroadswiththatprettychildwhosanglikeanangelfromHeaven。

Theyfollowedthemfromvillagetovillage。

Oneday，alittleboy，whowasoutwithhisgoverness，madehertakealongerwalkthanheintended，forhecouldnottearhimselffromthelittlegirlwhosepure，sweetvoiceseemedtobindhimtoher。

TheycametotheshoreofaninletwhichisstillcalledTrestraou，butwhichnow，Ibelieve，harborsacasinoorsomethingofthesort。

Atthattime，therewasnothingbutskyandseaandastretchofgoldenbeach。Only，therewasalsoahighwind，whichblewChristine’sscarfouttosea。Christinegaveacryandputoutherarms，butthescarfwasalreadyfaronthewaves。Thensheheardavoicesay：

It’sallright，I’llgoandfetchyourscarfoutofthesea。

Andshesawalittleboyrunningfast，inspiteoftheoutcriesandtheindignantprotestsofaworthyladyinblack。Thelittleboyranintothesea，dressedashewas，andbroughtherbackherscarf。

Boyandscarfwerebothsoakedthrough。Theladyinblackmadeagreatfuss，butChristinelaughedmerrilyandkissedthelittleboy，whowasnoneotherthantheVicomteRaouldeChagny，stayingatLannionwithhisaunt。

Duringtheseason，theysaweachotherandplayedtogetheralmosteveryday。Attheaunt’srequest，secondedbyProfessorValerius，Daaeconsentedtogivetheyoungviscountsomeviolinlessons。

Inthisway，RaoullearnedtolovethesameairsthathadcharmedChristine’schildhood。Theyalsobothhadthesamecalmanddreamylittlecastofmind。Theydelightedinstories，inoldBretonlegends。

andtheirfavoritesportwastogoandaskforthematthecottage-doors，likebeggars：

Ma’am……or，Kindgentleman……haveyoualittlestorytotellus，please？

Anditseldomhappenedthattheydidnothaveonegiventhem。

fornearlyeveryoldBretongrandamehas，atleastonceinherlife，seenthekorrigansdancebymoonlightontheheather。

Buttheirgreattreatwas，inthetwilight，inthegreatsilenceoftheevening，afterthesunhadsetinthesea，whenDaaecameandsatdownbythemontheroadsideand，inalowvoice，asthoughfearinglestheshouldfrightentheghostswhomheevoked，toldthemthelegendsofthelandoftheNorth。And，themomenthestopped，thechildrenwouldaskformore。

Therewasonestorythatbegan：

Akingsatinalittleboatononeofthosedeep，stilllakesthatopenlikeabrighteyeinthemidstoftheNorwegianmountains……

Andanother：

LittleLottethoughtofeverythingandnothing。Herhairwasgoldenasthesun’sraysandhersoulasclearandblueashereyes。

Shewheedledhermother，waskindtoherdoll，tookgreatcareofherfrockandherlittleredshoesandherfiddle，butmostofallloved，whenshewenttosleep，toheartheAngelofMusic。

Whiletheoldmantoldthisstory，RaoullookedatChristine’sblueeyesandgoldenhair。andChristinethoughtthatLottewasveryluckytoheartheAngelofMusicwhenshewenttosleep。

TheAngelofMusicplayedapartinallDaddyDaae’stales。

andhemaintainedthateverygreatmusician，everygreatartistreceivedavisitfromtheAngelatleastonceinhislife。

SometimestheAngelleansovertheircradle，ashappenedtoLotte，andthatishowtherearelittleprodigieswhoplaythefiddleatsixbetterthanmenatfifty，which，youmustadmit，isverywonderful。Sometimes，theAngelcomesmuchlater，becausethechildrenarenaughtyandwon’tlearntheirlessonsorpractisetheirscales。And，sometimes，hedoesnotcomeatall，becausethechildrenhaveabadheartorabadconscience。

NooneeverseestheAngel。butheisheardbythosewhoaremeanttohearhim。Heoftencomeswhentheyleastexpecthim，whentheyaresadanddisheartened。Thentheirearssuddenlyperceivecelestialharmonies，adivinevoice，whichtheyrememberalltheirlives。

PersonswhoarevisitedbytheAngelquiverwithathrillunknowntotherestofmankind。Andtheycannottouchaninstrument，oropentheirmouthstosing，withoutproducingsoundsthatputallotherhumansoundstoshame。ThenpeoplewhodonotknowthattheAngelhasvisitedthosepersonssaythattheyhavegenius。

LittleChristineaskedherfatherifhehadheardtheAngelofMusic。

ButDaddyDaaeshookhisheadsadly。andthenhiseyeslitup，ashesaid：

Youwillhearhimoneday，mychild！WhenIaminHeaven，Iwillsendhimtoyou！

Daddywasbeginningtocoughatthattime。

Threeyearslater，RaoulandChristinemetagainatPerros。

ProfessorValeriuswasdead，buthiswidowremainedinFrancewithDaddyDaaeandhisdaughter，whocontinuedtoplaytheviolinandsing，wrappingintheirdreamofharmonytheirkindpatroness，whoseemedhenceforthtoliveonmusicalone。Theyoungman，ashenowwas，hadcometoPerrosonthechanceoffindingthemandwentstraighttothehouseinwhichtheyusedtostay。

Hefirstsawtheoldman。andthenChristineentered，carryingthetea-tray。SheflushedatthesightofRaoul，whowentuptoherandkissedher。Sheaskedhimafewquestions，performedherdutiesashostessprettily，tookupthetrayagainandlefttheroom。

Thensheranintothegardenandtookrefugeonabench，apreytofeelingsthatstirredheryoungheartforthefirsttime。

Raoulfollowedherandtheytalkedtilltheevening，veryshyly。

Theywerequitechanged，cautiousastwodiplomatists，andtoldeachotherthingsthathadnothingtodowiththeirbuddingsentiments。

Whentheytookleaveofeachotherbytheroadside，Raoul，pressingakissonChristine’stremblinghand，said：

Mademoiselle，Ishallneverforgetyou！

Andhewentawayregrettinghiswords，forheknewthatChristinecouldnotbethewifeoftheVicomtedeChagny。

AsforChristine，shetriednottothinkofhimanddevotedherselfwhollytoherart。Shemadewonderfulprogressandthosewhoheardherprophesiedthatshewouldbethegreatestsingerintheworld。

Meanwhile，thefatherdied。and，suddenly，sheseemedtohavelost，withhim，hervoice，hersoulandhergenius。Sheretainedjust，butonlyjust，enoughofthistoentertheCONSERVATOIRE，whereshedidnotdistinguishherselfatall，attendingtheclasseswithoutenthusiasmandtakingaprizeonlytopleaseoldMammaValerius，withwhomshecontinuedtolive。

ThefirsttimethatRaoulsawChristineattheOpera，hewascharmedbythegirl’sbeautyandbythesweetimagesofthepastwhichitevoked，butwasrathersurprisedatthenegativesideofherart。

Hereturnedtolistentoher。Hefollowedherinthewings。HewaitedforherbehindaJacob’sladder。Hetriedtoattractherattention。

Morethanonce，hewalkedafterhertothedoorofherbox，butshedidnotseehim。Sheseemed，forthatmatter，toseenobody。

Shewasallindifference。Raoulsuffered，forshewasverybeautifulandhewasshyanddarednotconfesshislove，eventohimself。

Andthencamethelightning-flashofthegalaperformance：

theheavenstornasunderandanangel’svoicehearduponearthforthedelightofmankindandtheuttercaptureofhisheart。

Andthen……andthentherewasthatman’svoicebehindthedoor——Youmustloveme！——andnooneintheroom……

Whydidshelaughwhenheremindedheroftheincidentofthescarf？

Whydidshenotrecognizehim？Andwhyhadshewrittentohim？……

Perroswasreachedatlast。Raoulwalkedintothesmokysitting-roomoftheSettingSunandatoncesawChristinestandingbeforehim，smilingandshowingnoastonishment。

Soyouhavecome，shesaid。IfeltthatIshouldfindyouhere，whenIcamebackfrommass。Someonetoldmeso，atthechurch。

Who？askedRaoul，takingherlittlehandinhis。

Why，mypoorfather，whoisdead。

Therewasasilence。andthenRaoulasked：

DidyourfathertellyouthatIloveyou，Christine，andthatI

cannotlivewithoutyou？

Christineblushedtotheeyesandturnedawayherhead。

Inatremblingvoice，shesaid：

Me？Youaredreaming，myfriend！

Andsheburstoutlaughing，toputherselfincountenance。

Don’tlaugh，Christine。Iamquiteserious，Raoulanswered。

Andsherepliedgravely：Ididnotmakeyoucometotellmesuchthingsasthat。

You`mademecome，’Christine。youknewthatyourletterwouldnotleavemeindignantandthatIshouldhastentoPerros。

Howcanyouhavethoughtthat，ifyoudidnotthinkIlovedyou？

Ithoughtyouwouldrememberourgameshere，aschildren，inwhichmyfathersooftenjoined。Ireallydon’tknowwhatIthought……PerhapsIwaswrongtowritetoyou……ThisanniversaryandyoursuddenappearanceinmyroomattheOpera，theotherevening，remindedmeofthetimelongpastandmademewritetoyouasthelittlegirlthatIthenwas……

TherewassomethinginChristine’sattitudethatseemedtoRaoulnotnatural。Hedidnotfeelanyhostilityinher。farfromit：

thedistressedaffectionshininginhereyestoldhimthat。

Butwhywasthisaffectiondistressed？Thatwaswhathewishedtoknowandwhatwasirritatinghim。

Whenyousawmeinyourdressing-room，wasthatthefirsttimeyounoticedme，Christine？

Shewasincapableoflying。

No，shesaid，Ihadseenyouseveraltimesinyourbrother’sbox。

Andalsoonthestage。

Ithoughtso！saidRaoul，compressinghislips。Butthenwhy，whenyousawmeinyourroom，atyourfeet，remindingyouthatI

hadrescuedyourscarffromthesea，whydidyouanswerasthoughyoudidnotknowmeandalsowhydidyoulaugh？

ThetoneofthesequestionswassoroughthatChristinestaredatRaoulwithoutreplying。Theyoungmanhimselfwasaghastatthesuddenquarrelwhichhehaddaredtoraiseattheverymomentwhenhehadresolvedtospeakwordsofgentleness，loveandsubmissiontoChristine。Ahusband，aloverwithallrights，wouldtalknodifferentlytoawife，amistresswhohadoffendedhim。

Buthehadgonetoofarandsawnootherwayoutoftheridiculouspositionthantobehaveodiously。

Youdon’tanswer！hesaidangrilyandunhappily。Well，Iwillanswerforyou。Itwasbecausetherewassomeoneintheroomwhowasinyourway，Christine，someonethatyoudidnotwishtoknowthatyoucouldbeinterestedinanyoneelse！

Ifanyonewasinmyway，myfriend，Christinebrokeincoldly，ifanyonewasinmyway，thatevening，itwasyourself，sinceI

toldyoutoleavetheroom！

Yes，sothatyoumightremainwiththeother！

Whatareyousaying，monsieur？askedthegirlexcitedly。

Andtowhatotherdoyourefer？

Tothemantowhomyousaid，`Isingonlyforyou！……to-nightIgaveyoumysoulandIamdead！’

ChristineseizedRaoul’sarmandclutcheditwithastrengthwhichnoonewouldhavesuspectedinsofrailacreature。

Thenyouwerelisteningbehindthedoor？

Yes，becauseIloveyoueverything……AndIheardeverything……

Youheardwhat？

Andtheyounggirl，becomingstrangelycalm，releasedRaoul’sarm。

Hesaidtoyou，`Christine，youmustloveme！’

Atthesewords，adeathlypallorspreadoverChristine’sface，darkringsformedroundhereyes，shestaggeredandseemedonthepointofswooning。Raouldartedforward，witharmsoutstretched，butChristinehadovercomeherpassingfaintnessandsaid，inalowvoice：

Goon！Goon！Tellmeallyouheard！

Atanutterlosstounderstand，Raoulanswered：Iheardhimreply，whenyousaidyouhadgivenhimyoursoul，`Yoursoulisabeautifulthing，child，andIthankyou。

Noemperoreverreceivedsofairagift。Theangelswepttonight。’

Christinecarriedherhandtoherheart，apreytoindescribableemotion。Hereyesstaredbeforeherlikeamadwoman’s。Raoulwasterror-stricken。ButsuddenlyChristine’seyesmoistenedandtwogreattearstrickled，liketwopearls，downherivorycheeks。

Christine！

Raoul！

Theyoungmantriedtotakeherinhisarms，butsheescapedandfledingreatdisorder。

WhileChristineremainedlockedinherroom，Raoulwasathiswit’sendwhattodo。Herefusedtobreakfast。Hewasterriblyconcernedandbitterlygrievedtoseethehours，whichhehadhopedtofindsosweet，slippastwithoutthepresenceoftheyoungSwedishgirl。

Whydidshenotcometoroamwithhimthroughthecountrywheretheyhadsomanymemoriesincommon？Heheardthatshehadhadamasssaid，thatmorning，forthereposeofherfather’ssoulandspentalongtimeprayinginthelittlechurchandonthefiddler’stomb。

Then，assheseemedtohavenothingmoretodoatPerrosand，infact，wasdoingnothingthere，whydidshenotgobacktoParisatonce？

Raoulwalkedaway，dejectedly，tothegraveyardinwhichthechurchstoodandwasindeedaloneamongthetombs，readingtheinscriptions。

but，whenheturnedbehindtheapse，hewassuddenlystruckbythedazzlingnoteoftheflowersthatstraggledoverthewhiteground。

Theyweremarvelousredrosesthathadblossomedinthemorning，inthesnow，givingaglimpseoflifeamongthedead，fordeathwasallaroundhim。Italso，liketheflowers，issuedfromtheground，whichhadflungbackanumberofitscorpses。Skeletonsandskullsbythehundredwereheapedagainstthewallofthechurch，heldinpositionbyawirethatleftthewholegruesomestackvisible。

Deadmen’sbones，arrangedinrows，likebricks，toformthefirstcourseuponwhichthewallsofthesacristyhadbeenbuilt。

Thedoorofthesacristyopenedinthemiddleofthatbonystructure，asisoftenseeninoldBretonchurches。

RaoulsaidaprayerforDaaeandthen，painfullyimpressedbyallthoseeternalsmilesonthemouthsofskulls，heclimbedtheslopeandsatdownontheedgeoftheheathoverlookingthesea。

Thewindfellwiththeevening。Raoulwassurroundedbyicydarkness，buthedidnotfeelthecold。Itwashere，heremembered，thatheusedtocomewithlittleChristinetoseetheKorrigansdanceattherisingofthemoon。Hehadneverseenany，thoughhiseyesweregood，whereasChristine，whowasalittleshortsighted，pretendedthatshehadseenmany。Hesmiledatthethoughtandthensuddenlygaveastart。Avoicebehindhimsaid：

DoyouthinktheKorriganswillcomethisevening？

ItwasChristine。Hetriedtospeak。Sheputherglovedhandonhismouth。

Listen，Raoul。Ihavedecidedtotellyousomethingserious，veryserious……DoyourememberthelegendoftheAngelofMusic？

Idoindeed，hesaid。Ibelieveitwasherethatyourfatherfirsttoldittous。

Anditwasherethathesaid，`WhenIaminHeaven，mychild，Iwillsendhimtoyou。’Well，Raoul，myfatherisinHeaven，andIhavebeenvisitedbytheAngelofMusic。

Ihavenodoubtofit，repliedtheyoungmangravely，foritseemedtohimthathisfriend，inobediencetoapiousthought，wasconnectingthememoryofherfatherwiththebrilliancyofherlasttriumph。

ChristineappearedastonishedattheVicomtedeChagny’scoolness：

Howdoyouunderstandit？sheasked，bringingherpalefacesoclosetohisthathemighthavethoughtthatChristinewasgoingtogivehimakiss。butsheonlywantedtoreadhiseyesinspiteofthedark。

Iunderstand，hesaid，thatnohumanbeingcansingasyousangtheothereveningwithouttheinterventionofsomemiracle。

Noprofessoronearthcanteachyousuchaccentsasthose。

YouhaveheardtheAngelofMusic，Christine。

Yes，shesaidsolemnly，INMYDRESSING-ROOM。Thatiswherehecomestogivememylessonsdaily。

Inyourdressing-room？heechoedstupidly。

Yes，thatiswhereIhaveheardhim。andIhavenotbeentheonlyonetohearhim。

Whoelseheardhim，Christine？

You，myfriend。

I？IheardtheAngelofMusic？

Yes，theotherevening，itwashewhowastalkingwhenyouwerelisteningbehindthedoor。Itwashewhosaid，`Youmustloveme。’

ButIthenthoughtthatIwastheonlyonetohearhisvoice。

Imaginemyastonishmentwhenyoutoldme，thismorning，thatyoucouldhearhimtoo，

Raoulburstoutlaughing。Thefirstraysofthemooncameandshroudedthetwoyoungpeopleintheirlight。ChristineturnedonRaoulwithahostileair。Hereyes，usuallysogentle，flashedfire。

Whatareyoulaughingat？YOUthinkyouheardaman’svoice，Isuppose？

Well！……repliedtheyoungman，whoseideasbegantogrowconfusedinthefaceofChristine’sdeterminedattitude。

It’syou，Raoul，whosaythat？You，anoldplayfellowofmyown！

Afriendofmyfather’s！Butyouhavechangedsincethosedays。

Whatareyouthinkingof？Iamanhonestgirl，M。leVicomtedeChagny，andIdon’tlockmyselfupinmydressing-roomwithmen’svoices。

Ifyouhadopenedthedoor，youwouldhaveseenthattherewasnobodyintheroom！

That’strue！Ididopenthedoor，whenyouweregone，andIfoundnooneintheroom。

Soyousee！……Well？

Theviscountsummonedupallhiscourage。