第3章

Well，Christine，Ithinkthatsomebodyismakinggameofyou。

Shegaveacryandranaway。Heranafterher，but，inatoneoffierceanger，shecalledout：Leaveme！Leaveme！

Andshedisappeared。

Raoulreturnedtotheinnfeelingveryweary，verylow-spiritedandverysad。HewastoldthatChristinehadgonetoherbedroomsayingthatshewouldnotbedowntodinner。Raouldinedalone，inaverygloomymood。Thenhewenttohisroomandtriedtoread，wenttobedandtriedtosleep。Therewasnosoundinthenextroom。

Thehourspassedslowly。Itwasabouthalf-pastelevenwhenhedistinctlyheardsomeonemoving，withalight，stealthystep，intheroomnexttohis。ThenChristinehadnotgonetobed！

Withouttroublingforareason，Raouldressed，takingcarenottomakeasound，andwaited。Waitedforwhat？Howcouldhetell？

ButhisheartthumpedinhischestwhenheheardChristine’sdoorturnslowlyonitshinges。Wherecouldshebegoing，atthishour，wheneveryonewasfastasleepatPerros？Softlyopeningthedoor，hesawChristine’swhiteform，inthemoonlight，slippingalongthepassage。

Shewentdownthestairsandheleanedoverthebalusteraboveher。

Suddenlyheheardtwovoicesinrapidconversation。Hecaughtonesentence：Don’tlosethekey。

Itwasthelandlady’svoice。Thedoorfacingtheseawasopenedandlockedagain。Thenallwasstill。

Raoulranbacktohisroomandthrewbackthewindow。

Christine’swhiteformstoodonthedesertedquay。

ThefirstflooroftheSettingSunwasatnogreatheightandatreegrowingagainstthewallheldoutitsbranchestoRaoul’simpatientarmsandenabledhimtoclimbdownunknowntothelandlady。

Heramazement，therefore，wasallthegreaterwhen，thenextmorning，theyoungmanwasbroughtbacktoherhalffrozen，moredeadthanalive，andwhenshelearnedthathehadbeenfoundstretchedatfulllengthonthestepsofthehighaltarofthelittlechurch。

SheranatoncetotellChristine，whohurrieddownand，withthehelpofthelandlady，didherbesttorevivehim。

Hesoonopenedhiseyesandwasnotlonginrecoveringwhenhesawhisfriend’scharmingfaceleaningoverhim。

Afewweekslater，whenthetragedyattheOperacompelledtheinterventionofthepublicprosecutor，M。Mifroid，thecommissaryofpolice，examinedtheVicomtedeChagnytouchingtheeventsofthenightatPerros。Iquotethequestionsandanswersasgivenintheofficialreportpp。150etseq。：

Q。DidMlle。Daaenotseeyoucomedownfromyourroombythecuriousroadwhichyouselected？

R。No，monsieur，no，although，whenwalkingbehindher，Itooknopainstodeadenthesoundofmyfootsteps。Infact，Iwasanxiousthatsheshouldturnroundandseeme。IrealizedthatIhadnoexcuseforfollowingherandthatthiswayofspyingonherwasunworthyofme。ButsheseemednottohearmeandactedexactlyasthoughIwerenotthere。Shequietlyleftthequayandthensuddenlywalkedquicklyuptheroad。Thechurch-clockhadstruckaquartertotwelveandIthoughtthatthismusthavemadeherhurry，forshebeganalmosttorunandcontinuedhasteninguntilshecametothechurch。

Q。Wasthegateopen？

R。Yes，monsieur，andthissurprisedme，butdidnotseemtosurpriseMlle。Daae。

Q。Wastherenooneinthechurchyard？

R。Ididnotseeanyone。and，iftherehadbeen，Imusthaveseenhim。

Themoonwasshiningonthesnowandmadethenightquitelight。

Q。Wasitpossibleforanyonetohidebehindthetombstones？

R。No，monsieur。Theywerequitesmall，poortombstones，partlyhiddenunderthesnow，withtheircrossesjustabovetheleveloftheground。

Theonlyshadowswerethoseofthecrossesandourselves。

Thechurchstoodoutquitebrightly。Ineversawsoclearanight。

Itwasveryfineandverycoldandonecouldseeeverything。

Q。Areyouatallsuperstitious？

R。No，monsieur，IamapractisingCatholic，

Q。Inwhatconditionofmindwereyou？

R。Veryhealthyandpeaceful，Iassureyou。Mlle。Daae’scuriousactioningoingoutatthathourhadworriedmeatfirst。but，assoonasIsawhergotothechurchyard，Ithoughtthatshemeanttofulfilsomepiousdutyonherfather’sgraveandIconsideredthissonaturalthatIrecoveredallmycalmness。Iwasonlysurprisedthatshehadnotheardmewalkingbehindher，formyfootstepswerequiteaudibleonthehardsnow。ButshemusthavebeentakenupwithherintentionsandIresolvednottodisturbher。Shekneltdownbyherfather’sgrave，madethesignofthecrossandbegantopray。

Atthatmoment，itstruckmidnight。Atthelaststroke，IsawMlle。Daaelife{sic}hereyestotheskyandstretchoutherarmsasthoughinecstasy。Iwaswonderingwhatthereasoncouldbe，whenImyselfraisedmyheadandeverythingwithinmeseemeddrawntowardtheinvisible，WHICHWASPLAYINGTHEMOSTPERFECTMUSIC！

ChristineandIknewthatmusic。wehadhearditaschildren。

Butithadneverbeenexecutedwithsuchdivineart，evenbyM。Daae。

IrememberedallthatChristinehadtoldmeoftheAngelofMusic。

TheairwasTheResurrectionofLazarus，whicholdM。Daaeusedtoplaytousinhishoursofmelancholyandoffaith。

IfChristine’sAngelhadexisted，hecouldnothaveplayedbetter，thatnight，onthelatemusician’sviolin。Whenthemusicstopped，Iseemedtohearanoisefromtheskullsintheheapofbones。

itwasasthoughtheywerechucklingandIcouldnothelpshuddering。

Q。Diditnotoccurtoyouthatthemusicianmightbehidingbehindthatveryheapofbones？

R。Itwastheonethoughtthatdidoccurtome，monsieur，somuchsothatIomittedtofollowMlle。Daae，whenshestoodupandwalkedslowlytothegate。ShewassomuchabsorbedjustthenthatI

amnotsurprisedthatshedidnotseeme。

Q。Thenwhathappenedthatyouwerefoundinthemorninglyinghalf-deadonthestepsofthehighaltar？

R。Firstaskullrolledtomyfeet……thenanother……thenanother……ItwasasifIwerethemarkofthatghastlygameofbowls。AndIhadanideathatfalsestepmusthavedestroyedthebalanceofthestructurebehindwhichourmusicianwasconcealed。

ThissurmiseseemedtobeconfirmedwhenIsawashadowsuddenlyglidealongthesacristywall。Iranup。Theshadowhadalreadypushedopenthedoorandenteredthechurch。ButIwasquickerthantheshadowandcaughtholdofacornerofitscloak。Atthatmoment，wewerejustinfrontofthehighaltar。andthemoonbeamsfellstraightuponusthroughthestained-glasswindowsoftheapse。

AsIdidnotletgoofthecloak，theshadowturnedround。andI

sawaterribledeath’shead，whichdartedalookatmefromapairofscorchingeyes。IfeltasifIwerefacetofacewithSatan。

and，inthepresenceofthisunearthlyapparition，myheartgaveway，mycouragefailedme……andIremembernothingmoreuntilI

recoveredconsciousnessattheSettingSun。

ChapterVAVisittoBoxFiveWeleftM。FirminRichardandM。ArmandMoncharminatthemomentwhentheyweredecidingtolookintothatlittlematterofBoxFive。

Leavingbehindthemthebroadstaircasewhichleadsfromthelobbyoutsidethemanagers’officestothestageanditsdependencies，theycrossedthestage，wentoutbythesubscribers’doorandenteredthehousethroughthefirstlittlepassageontheleft。

ThentheymadetheirwaythroughthefrontrowsofstallsandlookedatBoxFiveonthegrandtier，Theycouldnotseeitwell，becauseitwashalfindarknessandbecausegreatcoverswereflungovertheredvelvetoftheledgesofalltheboxes。

Theywerealmostaloneinthehuge，gloomyhouse。andagreatsilencesurroundedthem。Itwasthetimewhenmostofthestage-handsgooutforadrink。Thestaffhadlefttheboardsforthemoment，leavingascenehalfset。Afewraysoflight，awan，sinisterlight，thatseemedtohavebeenstolenfromanexpiringluminary，fellthroughsomeopeningorotheruponanoldtowerthatraiseditspasteboardbattlementsonthestage。everything，inthisdeceptivelight，adoptedafantasticshape。Intheorchestrastalls，thedruggetcoveringthemlookedlikeanangrysea，whoseglaucouswaveshadbeensuddenlyrenderedstationarybyasecretorderfromthestormphantom，who，aseverybodyknows，iscalledAdamastor。

MM。MoncharminandRichardweretheshipwreckedmarinersamidthismotionlessturmoilofacalicosea。Theymadefortheleftboxes，plowingtheirwaylikesailorswholeavetheirshipandtrytostruggletotheshore。Theeightgreatpolishedcolumnsstoodupinthedusklikesomanyhugepilessupportingthethreatening，crumbling，big-belliedcliffswhoselayerswererepresentedbythecircular，parallel，wavinglinesofthebalconiesofthegrand，firstandsecondtiersofboxes。Atthetop，rightontopofthecliff，lostinM。Lenepveu’scopperceiling，figuresgrinnedandgrimaced，laughedandjeeredatMM。RichardandMoncharmin’sdistress。Andyetthesefigureswereusuallyveryserious。

TheirnameswereIsis，Amphitrite，Hebe，Pandora，Psyche，Thetis，Pomona，Daphne，Clytie，GalateaandArethusa。Yes，ArethusaherselfandPandora，whomweallknowbyherbox，lookeddownuponthetwonewmanagersoftheOpera，whoendedbyclutchingatsomepieceofwreckageandfromtherestaredsilentlyatBoxFiveonthegrandtier。

Ihavesaidthattheyweredistressed。Atleast，Ipresumeso。

M。Moncharmin，inanycase，admitsthathewasimpressed。Toquotehisownwords，inhisMemoirs：

ThismoonshineabouttheOperaghostinwhich，sincewefirsttookoverthedutiesofMM。PolignyandDebienne，wehadbeensonicelysteeped——Moncharmin’sstyleisnotalwaysirreproachable——

hadnodoubtendedbyblindingmyimaginativeandalsomyvisualfaculties。Itmaybethattheexceptionalsurroundingsinwhichwefoundourselves，inthemidstofanincrediblesilence，impressedustoanunusualextent。Itmaybethatwewerethesportofakindofhallucinationbroughtaboutbythesemi-darknessofthetheaterandthepartialgloomthatfilledBoxFive。Atanyrate，IsawandRichardalsosawashapeinthebox。Richardsaidnothing，norIeither。Butwespontaneouslyseizedeachother’shand。

Westoodlikethatforsomeminutes，withoutmoving，withoureyesfixedonthesamepoint。butthefigurehaddisappeared。

Thenwewentoutand，inthelobby，communicatedourimpressionstoeachotherandtalkedabout`theshape。’ThemisfortunewasthatmyshapewasnotintheleastlikeRichard’s。Ihadseenathinglikeadeath’sheadrestingontheledgeofthebox，whereasRichardsawtheshapeofanoldwomanwholookedlikeMme。Giry。Wesoondiscoveredthatwehadreallybeenthevictimsofanillusion，whereupon，withoutfurtherdelayandlaughinglikemadmen，werantoBoxFiveonthegrandtier，wentinsideandfoundnoshapeofanykind。

BoxFiveisjustlikealltheothergrandtierboxes。Thereisnothingtodistinguishitfromanyoftheothers。M。MoncharminandM。Richard，ostensiblyhighlyamusedandlaughingateachother，movedthefurnitureofthebox，liftedtheclothsandthechairsandparticularlyexaminedthearm-chairinwhichtheman’svoice

usedtosit。Buttheysawthatitwasarespectablearm-chair，withnomagicaboutit。Altogether，theboxwasthemostordinaryboxintheworld，withitsredhangings，itschairs，itscarpetanditsledgecoveredinredvelvet。After，feelingthecarpetinthemostseriousmannerpossible，anddiscoveringnothingmorehereoranywhereelse，theywentdowntothecorrespondingboxonthepittierbelow。

InBoxFiveonthepittier，whichisjustinsidethefirstexitfromthestallsontheleft，theyfoundnothingworthmentioningeither。

Thosepeopleareallmakingfoolsofus！FirminRichardendedbyexclaiming。ItwillbeFAUSTonSaturday：letusbothseetheperformancefromBoxFiveonthegrandtier！

ChapterVIIFaustandWhatFollowedOntheSaturdaymorning，onreachingtheiroffice，thejointmanagersfoundaletterfromO。G。wordedintheseterms：

MYDEARMANAGERS：

Soitistobewarbetweenus？

Ifyoustillcareforpeace，hereismyultimatum。Itconsistsofthefourfollowingconditions：

1。Youmustgivemebackmyprivatebox。andIwishittobeatmyfreedisposalfromhenceforward。

2。ThepartofMargaritashallbesungthiseveningbyChristineDaae。

NevermindaboutCarlotta。shewillbeill。

3。IabsolutelyinsistuponthegoodandloyalservicesofMme。Giry，mybox-keeper，whomyouwillreinstateinherfunctionsforthwith。

4。LetmeknowbyaletterhandedtoMme。Giry，whowillseethatitreachesme，thatyouaccept，asyourpredecessorsdid，theconditionsinmymemorandum-bookrelatingtomymonthlyallowance。

Iwillinformyoulaterhowyouaretopayittome。

Ifyourefuse，youwillgiveFAUSTto-nightinahousewithacurseuponit。

Takemyadviceandbewarnedintime。O。G。

Lookhere，I’mgettingsickofhim，sickofhim！shoutedRichard，bringinghisfistsdownonhisofficetable。

Justthen，Mercier，theacting-manager，entered。

Lachcnelwouldliketoseeoneofyougentlemen，hesaid。

Hesaysthathisbusinessisurgentandheseemsquiteupset。

Who’sLachcnel？askedRichard。

He’syourstud-groom。

Whatdoyoumean？Mystud-groom？

Yes，sir，explainedMercier，thereareseveralgroomsattheOperaandM。Lachcnelisattheheadofthem。

Andwhatdoesthisgroomdo？

Hehasthechiefmanagementofthestable。

Whatstable？

Why，yours，sir，thestableoftheOpera。

IsthereastableattheOpera？Uponmyword，Ididn’tknow。

Whereisit？

Inthecellars，ontheRotundaside。It’saveryimportantdepartment。

wehavetwelvehorses。

Twelvehorses！Andwhatfor，inHeaven’sname？

Why，wewanttrainedhorsesfortheprocessionsintheJuive，TheProfetaandsoon。horses`usedtotheboards。’Itisthegrooms’

businesstoteachthem。M。Lachcnelisverycleveratit。HeusedtomanageFranconi’sstables。

Verywell……butwhatdoeshewant。

Idon’tknow。Ineversawhiminsuchastate。

Hecancomein。

M。Lachenelcamein，carryingariding-whip，withwhichhestruckhisrightbootinanirritablemanner。

Goodmorning，M。Lachenel，saidRichard，somewhatimpressed。

Towhatdoweowethehonorofyourvisit？

Mr。Manager，Ihavecometoaskyoutogetridofthewholestable。

What，youwanttogetridofourhorses？

I’mnottalkingofthehorses，butofthestablemen。

Howmanystablemenhaveyou，M。Lachenel？

Sixstablemen！That’satleasttwotoomany。

Theseare`places，’Mercierinterposed，createdandforceduponusbytheunder-secretaryforfinearts。Theyarefilledbyprotegeesofthegovernmentand，ifImayventureto……

Idon’tcareahangforthegovernment！roaredRichard。

Wedon’tneedmorethanfourstablemenfortwelvehorses。

Eleven，saidtheheadriding-master，correctinghim。

Twelve，repeatedRichard。

Eleven，repeatedLachenel。

Oh，theacting-managertoldmethatyouhadtwelvehorses！

Ididhavetwelve，butIhaveonlyelevensinceCesarwasstolen。

AndM。Lachenelgavehimselfagreatsmackonthebootwithhiswhip。

HasCesarbeenstolen？criedtheacting-manager。Cesar，thewhitehorseintheProfeta？

TherearenottwoCesars，saidthestud-groomdryly。IwastenyearsatFranconi’sandIhaveseenplentyofhorsesinmytime。

Well，therearenottwoCesars。Andhe’sbeenstolen。

How？

Idon’tknow。Nobodyknows。That’swhyIhavecometoaskyoutosackthewholestable。

Whatdoyourstablemensay？

Allsortsofnonsense。Someofthemaccusethesupers。

Otherspretendthatit’stheacting-manager’sdoorkeeper……

Mydoorkeeper？I’llanswerforhimasIwouldformyself！

protestedMercier。

But，afterall，M。Lachenel，criedRichard，youmusthavesomeidea。

Yes，Ihave，M。Lacheneldeclared。IhaveanideaandI’lltellyouwhatitis。There’snodoubtaboutitinmymind。

Hewalkeduptothetwomanagersandwhispered。It’stheghostwhodidthetrick！

Richardgaveajump。

What，youtoo！Youtoo！

Howdoyoumean，Itoo？Isn’titnatural，afterwhatIsaw？

Whatdidyousee？

Isaw，asclearlyasInowseeyou，ablackshadowridingawhitehorsethatwasaslikeCesarastwopeas！

Anddidyourunafterthem？

IdidandIshouted，buttheyweretoofastformeanddisappearedinthedarknessoftheundergroundgallery。

M。Richardrose。Thatwilldo，M。Lachenel。Youcango……

WewilllodgeacomplaintagainstTHEGHOST。

Andsackmystable？

Oh，ofcourse！Goodmorning。

M。Lachenelbowedandwithdrew。Richardfoamedatthemouth。

Settlethatidiot’saccountatonce，please。

Heisafriendofthegovernmentrepresentative’s！Mercierventuredtosay。

AndhetakeshisvermouthatTortoni’swithLagrene，SchollandPertuiset，thelion-hunter，addedMoncharmin。Weshallhavethewholepressagainstus！He’lltellthestoryoftheghost。andeverybodywillbelaughingatourexpense！Wemayaswellbedeadasridiculous！

Allright，saynomoreaboutit。

Atthatmomentthedooropened。ItmusthavebeendesertedbyitsusualCerberus，forMme。Giryenteredwithoutceremony，holdingaletterinherhand，andsaidhurriedly：

Ibegyourpardon，excuseme，gentlemen，butIhadaletterthismorningfromtheOperaghost。Hetoldmetocometoyou，thatyouhadsomethingto……

Shedidnotcompletethesentence。ShesawFirminRichard’sface。

anditwasaterriblesight。Heseemedreadytoburst。Hesaidnothing，hecouldnotspeak。Butsuddenlyheacted。First，hisleftarmseizeduponthequaintpersonofMme。Giryandmadeherdescribesounexpectedasemicirclethatsheutteredadespairingcry。

Next，hisrightfootimprinteditssoleontheblacktaffetaofaskirtwhichcertainlyhadneverbeforeundergoneasimilaroutrageinasimilarplace。ThethinghappenedsoquicklythatMme。Giry，wheninthepassage，wasstillquitebewilderedandseemednottounderstand。But，suddenly，sheunderstood。andtheOperarangwithherindignantyells，herviolentprotestsandthreats。

Aboutthesametime，Carlotta，whohadasmallhouseofherownintheRueduFaubourgSt。Honore，rangforhermaid，whobroughtherletterstoherbed。Amongthemwasananonymousmissive，writteninredink，inahesitating，clumsyhand，whichran：

Ifyouappearto-night，youmustbepreparedforagreatmisfortuneatthemomentwhenyouopenyourmouthtosing……amisfortuneworsethandeath。

ThelettertookawayCarlotta’sappetiteforbreakfast。

Shepushedbackherchocolate，satupinbedandthoughthard。

Itwasnotthefirstletterofthekindwhichshehadreceived，butsheneverhadonecouchedinsuchthreateningterms。

Shethoughtherself，atthattime，thevictimofathousandjealousattemptsandwentaboutsayingthatshehadasecretenemywhohadsworntoruinher。Shepretendedthatawickedplotwasbeinghatchedagainsther，acabalwhichwouldcometoaheadoneofthosedays。

butsheaddedthatshewasnotthewomantobeintimidated。

Thetruthisthat，iftherewasacabal，itwasledbyCarlottaherselfagainstpoorChristine，whohadnosuspicionofit。

CarlottahadneverforgivenChristineforthetriumphwhichshehadachievedwhentakingherplaceatamoment’snotice。WhenCarlottaheardoftheastoundingreceptionbestoweduponherunderstudy，shewasatoncecuredofanincipientattackofbronchitisandabadfitofsulkingagainstthemanagementandlosttheslightestinclinationtoshirkherduties。Fromthattime，sheworkedwithallhermighttosmotherherrival，enlistingtheservicesofinfluentialfriendstopersuadethemanagersnottogiveChristineanopportunityforafreshtriumph。CertainnewspaperswhichhadbeguntoextolthetalentofChristinenowinterestedthemselvesonlyinthefameofCarlotta。Lastly，inthetheateritself，thecelebrated，butheartlessandsoullessdivamadethemostscandalousremarksaboutChristineandtriedtocauseherendlessminorunpleasantnesses。

WhenCarlottahadfinishedthinkingoverthethreatcontainedinthestrangeletter，shegotup。

Weshallsee，shesaid，addingafewoathsinhernativeSpanishwithaverydeterminedair。

Thefirstthingshesaw，whenlookingoutofherwindow，wasahearse。

Shewasverysuperstitious。andthehearseandtheletterconvincedherthatshewasrunningthemostseriousdangersthatevening。

Shecollectedallhersupporters，toldthemthatshewasthreatenedatthatevening’sperformancewithaplotorganizedbyChristineDaaeanddeclaredthattheymustplayatrickuponthatchitbyfillingthehousewithher，Carlotta’s，admirers。Shehadnolackofthem，hadshe？Sherelieduponthemtoholdthemselvespreparedforanyeventualityandtosilencetheadversaries，if，asshefeared，theycreatedadisturbance。

M。Richard’sprivatesecretarycalledtoaskafterthediva’shealthandreturnedwiththeassurancethatshewasperfectlywellandthat，wereshedying，shewouldsingthepartofMargaritathatevening。

Thesecretaryurgedher，inhischief’sname，tocommitnoimprudence，tostayathomealldayandtobecarefulofdrafts。andCarlottacouldnothelp，afterhehadgone，comparingthisunusualandunexpectedadvicewiththethreatscontainedintheletter。

Itwasfiveo’clockwhenthepostbroughtasecondanonymousletterinthesamehandasthefirst。Itwasshortandsaidsimply：

Youhaveabadcold。Ifyouarewise，youwillseethatitismadnesstotrytosingto-night。

Carlottasneered，shruggedherhandsomeshouldersandsangtwoorthreenotestoreassureherself。

Herfriendswerefaithfultotheirpromise。TheywereallattheOperathatnight，butlookedroundinvainforthefierceconspiratorswhomtheywereinstructedtosuppress。TheonlyunusualthingwasthepresenceofM。RichardandM。MoncharmininBoxFive。

Carlotta’sfriendsthoughtthat，perhaps，themanagershadwind，ontheirside，oftheproposeddisturbanceandthattheyhaddeterminedtobeinthehouse，soastostopitthenandthere。

butthiswasunjustifiablesupposition，asthereaderknows。

M。RichardandM。Moncharminwerethinkingofnothingbuttheirghost。

Vain！InvaindoIcall，throughmyvigilweary，OncreationanditsLord！Neverreplywillbreakthesilencedreary！Nosign！

Nosingleword！

Thefamousbaritone，CarolusFonta，hadhardlyfinishedDoctorFaust’sfirstappealtothepowersofdarkness，whenM。FirminRichard，whowassittingintheghost’sownchair，thefrontchairontheright，leanedovertohispartnerandaskedhimchaffingly：

Well，hastheghostwhisperedawordinyourearyet？

Wait，don’tbeinsuchahurry，repliedM。ArmandMoncharmin，inthesamegaytone。Theperformancehasonlybegunandyouknowthattheghostdoesnotusuallycomeuntilthemiddleofthefirstact。

Thefirstactpassedwithoutincident，whichdidnotsurpriseCarlotta’sfriends，becauseMargaritadoesnotsinginthisact。

Asforthemanagers，theylookedateachother，whenthecurtainfell。

That’sone！saidMoncharmin。

Yes，theghostislate，saidFirminRichard。

It’snotabadhouse，saidMoncharmin，for`ahousewithacurseonit。’

M。Richardsmiledandpointedtoafat，rathervulgarwoman，dressedinblack，sittinginastallinthemiddleoftheauditoriumwithamaninabroadclothfrock-coatoneithersideofher。

Whoonearthare`those？’askedMoncharmin。

`Those，’mydearfellow，aremyconcierge，herhusbandandherbrother。

Didyougivethemtheirtickets？’

Idid……MyconciergehadneverbeentotheOpera——thisis，thefirsttime——and，assheisnowgoingtocomeeverynight，Iwantedhertohaveagoodseat，beforespendinghertimeshowingotherpeopletotheirs。

MoncharminaskedwhathemeantandRichardansweredthathehadpersuadedhisconcierge，inwhomhehadthegreatestconfidence，tocomeandtakeMme。Giry’splace。Yes，hewouldliketoseeif，withthatwomaninsteadoftheoldlunatic，BoxFivewouldcontinuetoastonishthenatives？

Bytheway，saidMoncharmin，youknowthatMotherGiryisgoingtolodgeacomplaintagainstyou。

Withwhom？Theghost？

Theghost！Moncharminhadalmostforgottenhim。However，thatmysteriouspersondidnothingtobringhimselftothememoryofthemanagers。

andtheywerejustsayingsotoeachotherforthesecondtime，whenthedooroftheboxsuddenlyopenedtoadmitthestartledstage-manager。

What’sthematter？theybothasked，amazedatseeinghimthereatsuchatime。

Itseemsthere’saplotgotupbyChristineDaae’sfriendsagainstCarlotta。Carlotta’sfurious。

Whatonearth……？saidRichard，knittinghisbrows。

ButthecurtainroseonthekermesssceneandRichardmadeasigntothestage-managertogoaway。Whenthetwowerealoneagain，MoncharminleanedovertoRichard：

ThenDaaehasfriends？heasked。

Yes，shehas。

Whom？

Richardglancedacrossataboxonthegrandtiercontainingnoonebuttwomen。

TheComtedeChagny？

Yes，hespoketomeinherfavorwithsuchwarmththat，ifI

hadnotknownhimtobeSorelli’sfriend……

Really？Really？saidMoncharmin。Andwhoisthatpaleyoungmanbesidehim？

That’shisbrother，theviscount。

Heoughttobeinhisbed。Helooksill。

Thestagerangwithgaysong：

Redorwhiteliquor，Coarseorfine！

Whatcanitmatter，Sowehavewine？

Students，citizens，soldiers，girlsandmatronswhirledlight-heartedlybeforetheinnwiththefigureofBacchusforasign。Siebelmadeherentrance。ChristineDaaelookedcharminginherboy’sclothes。

andCarlotta’spartisansexpectedtohearhergreetedwithanovationwhichwouldhaveenlightenedthemastotheintentionsofherfriends。

Butnothinghappened。

Ontheotherhand，whenMargaritacrossedthestageandsangtheonlytwolinesallottedherinthissecondact：

No，mylord，notaladyamI，noryetabeauty，Anddonotneedanarmtohelpmeonmyway，

Carlottawasreceivedwithenthusiasticapplause。Itwassounexpectedandsouncalledforthatthosewhoknewnothingabouttherumorslookedatoneanotherandaskedwhatwashappening。

Andthisactalsowasfinishedwithoutincident。

Theneverybodysaid：Ofcourse，itwillbeduringthenextact。

Some，whoseemedtobebetterinformedthantherest，declaredthattherowwouldbeginwiththeballadoftheKINGOFTHULEandrushedtothesubscribers’entrancetowarnCarlotta。Themanagerslefttheboxduringtheentr’actetofindoutmoreaboutthecabalofwhichthestage-managerhadspoken。buttheysoonreturnedtotheirseats，shruggingtheirshouldersandtreatingthewholeaffairassilly。

Thefirstthingtheysaw，onenteringthebox，wasaboxofEnglishsweetsonthelittleshelfoftheledge。Whohadputitthere？

Theyaskedthebox-keepers，butnoneofthemknew。Thentheywentbacktotheshelfand，nexttotheboxofsweets，foundanoperaglass。

Theylookedateachother。Theyhadnoinclinationtolaugh。

AllthatMme。Giryhadtoldthemreturnedtotheirmemory……andthen……andthen……theyseemedtofeelacurioussortofdraftaroundthem……Theysatdowninsilence。

ThescenerepresentedMargarita’sgarden：

Gentleflow’rsinthedew，Bemessagefromme……

Asshesangthesefirsttwolines，withherbunchofrosesandlilacsinherhand，Christine，raisingherhead，sawtheVicomtedeChagnyinhisbox。and，fromthatmoment，hervoiceseemedlesssure，lesscrystal-clearthanusual。Somethingseemedtodeadenanddullhersinging……

Whataqueergirlsheis！saidoneofCarlotta’sfriendsinthestalls，almostaloud。Theotherdayshewasdivine。

andto-nightshe’ssimplybleating。Shehasnoexperience，notraining。

Gentleflow’rs，lieyethereAndtellherfromme……

Theviscountputhisheadunderhishandsandwept。Thecount，behindhim，viciouslygnawedhismustache，shruggedhisshouldersandfrowned。

Forhim，usuallysocoldandcorrect，tobetrayhisinnerfeelingslikethat，byoutwardsigns，thecountmustbeveryangry。Hewas。

Hehadseenhisbrotherreturnfromarapidandmysteriousjourneyinanalarmingstateofhealth。TheexplanationthatfollowedwasunsatisfactoryandthecountaskedChristineDaaeforanappointment。

Shehadtheaudacitytoreplythatshecouldnotseeeitherhimorhisbrother……

WouldshebutdeigntohearmeAndwithonesmiletocheerme……

Thelittlebaggage！growledthecount。

Andhewonderedwhatshewanted。Whatshewashopingfor……Shewasavirtuousgirl，shewassaidtohavenofriend，noprotectorofanysort……ThatangelfromtheNorthmustbeveryartful！

Raoul，behindthecurtainofhishandsthatveiledhisboyishtears，thoughtonlyoftheletterwhichhereceivedonhisreturntoParis，whereChristine，fleeingfromPerroslikeathiefinthenight，hadarrivedbeforehim：

MYDEARLITTLEPLAYFELLOW：

Youmusthavethecouragenottoseemeagain，nottospeakofmeagain。Ifyoulovemejustalittle，dothisforme，formewhowillneverforgetyou，mydearRaoul。Mylifedependsuponit。

Yourlifedependsuponit。YOURLITTLECHRISTINE。

Thundersofapplause。Carlottamadeherentrance。

IwishIcouldbutknowwhowasheThataddressedme，Ifhewasnoble，or，atleast，whathisnameis……

WhenMargaritahadfinishedsingingtheballadoftheKINGOFTHULE，shewasloudlycheeredandagainwhenshecametotheendofthejewelsong：

Ah，thejoyofpastcompareThesejewelsbrighttowear！……

Thenceforth，certainofherself，certainofherfriendsinthehouse，certainofhervoiceandhersuccess，fearingnothing，Carlottaflungherselfintoherpartwithoutrestraintofmodesty……ShewasnolongerMargarita，shewasCarmen。Shewasapplaudedallthemore。

andherdebutwithFaustseemedabouttobringheranewsuccess，whensuddenly……aterriblethinghappened。

Fausthadkneltononeknee：

Letmegazeontheformbelowme，WhilefromyonderetherblueLookhowthestarofeve，brightandtender，lingerso’erme，Tolovethybeautytoo！

AndMargaritareplied：

Oh，howstrange！

Likeaspelldoestheeveningbindme！

AndadeeplanguidcharmIfeelwithoutalarmWithitsmelodyenwindmeAndallmyheartsubdue。

Atthatmoment，atthatidenticalmoment，theterriblethinghappened……Carlottacroakedlikeatoad：

Co-ack！

TherewasconsternationonCarlotta’sfaceandconsternationonthefacesofalltheaudience。Thetwomanagersintheirboxcouldnotsuppressanexclamationofhorror。Everyonefeltthatthethingwasnotnatural，thattherewaswitchcraftbehindit。Thattoadsmeltofbrimstone。Poor，wretched，despairing，crushedCarlotta！

Theuproarinthehousewasindescribable。IfthethinghadhappenedtoanyonebutCarlotta，shewouldhavebeenhooted。

Buteverybodyknewhowperfectaninstrumenthervoicewas。

andtherewasnodisplayofanger，butonlyofhorroranddismay，thesortofdismaywhichmenwouldhavefeltiftheyhadwitnessedthecatastrophethatbrokethearmsoftheVenusdeMilo……Andeventhentheywouldhaveseen……andunderstood……

Butherethattoadwasincomprehensible！Somuchsothat，aftersomesecondsspentinaskingherselfifshehadreallyheardthatnote，thatsound，thatinfernalnoiseissuefromherthroat，shetriedtopersuadeherselfthatitwasnotso，thatshewasthevictimofanillusion，anillusionoftheear，andnotofanactoftreacheryonthepartofhervoice……

Meanwhile，inBoxFive，MoncharminandRichardhadturnedverypale。

Thisextraordinaryandinexplicableincidentfilledthemwithadreadwhichwasthemoremysteriousinasmuchasforsomelittlewhile，theyhad，fallenwithinthedirectinfluenceoftheghost。Theyhadfelthisbreath。Moncharmin’shairstoodonend。Richardwipedtheperspirationfromhisforehead。Yes，theghostwasthere，aroundthem，behindthem，besidethem。theyfelthispresencewithoutseeinghim，theyheardhisbreath，close，close，closetothem！……Theyweresurethattherewerethreepeopleinthebox……Theytrembled……Theythoughtofrunningaway……Theydarednot……

Theydarednotmakeamovementorexchangeawordthatwouldhavetoldtheghostthattheyknewthathewasthere！……Whatwasgoingtohappen？

Thishappened。

Co-ack！Theirjointexclamationofhorrorwasheardalloverthehouse。

THEYFELTTHATTHEYWERESMARTINGUNDERTHEGHOST’SATTACKS。

Leaningovertheledgeoftheirbox，theystaredatCarlottaasthoughtheydidnotrecognizeher。Thatinfernalgirlmusthavegiventhesignalforsomecatastrophe。Ah，theywerewaitingforthecatastrophe！Theghosthadtoldthemitwouldcome！

Thehousehadacurseuponit！Thetwomanagersgaspedandpantedundertheweightofthecatastrophe。Richard’sstifledvoicewasheardcallingtoCarlotta：

Well，goon！

No，Carlottadidnotgoon……Bravely，heroically，shestartedafreshonthefatallineattheendofwhichthetoadhadappeared。

Anawfulsilencesucceededtheuproar。Carlotta’svoicealoneoncemorefilledtheresoundinghouse：

Ifeelwithoutalarm……

Theaudiencealsofelt，butnotwithoutalarm……

Ifeelwithoutalarm……

Ifeelwithoutalarm——co-ack！

Withitsmelodyenwindme——co-ack！

Andallmyheartsub——co-ack！

Thetoadalsohadstartedafresh！

Thehousebrokeintoawildtumult。Thetwomanagerscollapsedintheirchairsanddarednoteventurnround。theyhadnotthestrength。theghostwaschucklingbehindtheirbacks！

And，atlast，theydistinctlyheardhisvoiceintheirrightears，theimpossiblevoice，themouthlessvoice，saying：

SHEISSINGINGTO-NIGHTTOBRINGTHECHANDELIERDOWN！

Withoneaccord，theyraisedtheireyestotheceilingandutteredaterriblecry。Thechandelier，theimmensemassofthechandelierwasslippingdown，comingtowardthem，atthecallofthatfiendishvoice。

Releasedfromitshook，itplungedfromtheceilingandcamesmashingintothemiddleofthestalls，amidathousandshoutsofterror。

Awildrushforthedoorsfollowed。

Thepapersofthedaystatethattherewerenumberswoundedandonekilled。ThechandelierhadcrasheddownupontheheadofthewretchedwomanwhohadcometotheOperaforthefirsttimeinherlife，theonewhomM。RichardhadappointedtosucceedMme。Giry，theghost’sbox-keeper，inherIfunctions！Shediedonthespotand，thenextmorning，anewspaperappearedwiththisheading：

TWOHUNDREDKILOSONTHEHEADOFACONCIERGE

Thatwashersoleepitaph！

ChapterVIIITheMysteriousBroughamThattragiceveningwasbadforeverybody。Carlottafellill。

AsforChristineDaae，shedisappearedaftertheperformance。

AfortnightelapsedduringwhichshewasseenneitherattheOperanoroutside。

Raoul，ofcourse，wasthefirsttobeastonishedattheprimadonna’sabsence。HewrotetoheratMme。Valerius’flatandreceivednoreply。Hisgriefincreasedandheendedbybeingseriouslyalarmedatneverseeinghernameontheprogram。FAUSTwasplayedwithouther。

Oneafternoonhewenttothemanagers’officetoaskthereasonofChristine’sdisappearance。Hefoundthembothlookingextremelyworried。Theirownfriendsdidnotrecognizethem：

theyhadlostalltheirgaietyandspirits。Theywereseencrossingthestagewithhangingheads，care-wornbrows，palecheeks，asthoughpursuedbysomeabominablethoughtorapreytosomepersistentsportoffate。

Thefallofthechandelierhadinvolvedtheminnolittleresponsibility。

butitwasdifficulttomakethemspeakaboutit。Theinquesthadendedinaverdictofaccidentaldeath，causedbythewearandtearofthechainsbywhichthechandelierwashungfromtheceiling。

butitwasthedutyofboththeoldandthenewmanagerstohavediscoveredthiswearandtearandtohaveremedieditintime。

AndIfeelboundtosaythatMM。RichardandMoncharminatthistimeappearedsochanged，soabsent-minded，somysterious，soincomprehensiblethatmanyofthesubscribersthoughtthatsomeeventevenmorehorriblethanthefallofthechandeliermusthaveaffectedtheirstateofmind。

Intheirdailyintercourse，theyshowedthemselvesveryimpatient，exceptwithMme。Giry，whohadbeenreinstatedinherfunctions。

AndtheirreceptionoftheVicomtedeChagny，whenhecametoaskaboutChristine，wasanythingbutcordial。Theymerelytoldhimthatshewastakingaholiday。Heaskedhowlongtheholidaywasfor，andtheyrepliedcurtlythatitwasforanunlimitedperiod，asMlle。Daaehadrequestedleaveofabsenceforreasonsofhealth。

Thensheisill！hecried。Whatisthematterwithher？

Wedon’tknow。

Didn’tyousendthedoctoroftheOperatoseeher？

No，shedidnotaskforhim。and，aswetrusther，wetookherword。

Raoulleftthebuildingapreytothegloomiestthoughts。Heresolved，comewhatmight，togoandinquireofMammaValerius。HerememberedthestrongphrasesinChristine’sletter，forbiddinghimtomakeanyattempttoseeher。ButwhathehadseenatPerros，whathehadheardbehindthedressing-roomdoor，hisconversationwithChristineattheedgeofthemoormadehimsuspectsomemachinationwhich，devilishthoughitmightbe，wasnonethelesshuman。Thegirl’shighlystrungimagination，heraffectionateandcredulousmind，theprimitiveeducationwhichhadsurroundedherchildhoodwithacircleoflegends，theconstantbroodingoverherdeadfatherand，aboveall，thestateofsublimeecstasyintowhichmusicthrewherfromthemomentthatthisartwasmademanifesttoherincertainexceptionalconditions，asinthechurchyardatPerros。allthisseemedtohimtoconstituteamoralgroundonlytoofavorableforthemalevolentdesignsofsomemysteriousandunscrupulousperson。

OfwhomwasChristineDaaethevictim？ThiswastheveryreasonablequestionwhichRaoulputtohimselfashehurriedofftoMammaValerius。

HetrembledasherangatalittleflatintheRueNotre-Dame-des-Victoires。

ThedoorwasopenedbythemaidwhomhehadseencomingoutofChristine’sdressing-roomoneevening。HeaskedifhecouldspeaktoMme。Valerius。

Hewastoldthatshewasillinbedandwasnotreceivingvisitors。

Takeinmycard，please，hesaid。

Themaidsoonreturnedandshowedhimintoasmallandscantilyfurnisheddrawing-room，inwhichportraitsofProfessorValeriusandoldDaaehungonoppositewalls。

MadamebegsMonsieurleVicomtetoexcuseher，saidtheservant。

Shecanonlyseehiminherbedroom，becauseshecannolongerstandonherpoorlegs。

Fiveminuteslater，Raoulwasusheredintoanill-litroomwhereheatoncerecognizedthegood，kindfaceofChristine’sbenefactressinthesemi-darknessofanalcove。MammaValerius’hairwasnowquitewhite，buthereyeshadgrownnoolder。never，onthecontrary，hadtheirexpressionbeensobright，sopure，sochild-like。

M。deChagny！shecriedgaily，puttingoutbothherhandstohervisitor。

Ah，it’sHeaventhatsendsyouhere！……WecantalkofHER。

Thislastsentencesoundedverygloomilyintheyoungman’sears。

Heatonceasked：

Madame……whereisChristine？

Andtheoldladyrepliedcalmly：

Sheiswithhergoodgenius！

Whatgoodgenius？exclaimedpoorRaoul。

Why，theAngelofMusic！

Theviscountdroppedintoachair。Really？ChristinewaswiththeAngelofMusic？AndtherelayMammaValeriusinbed，smilingtohimandputtingherfingertoherlips，towarnhimtobesilent！

Andsheadded：

Youmustnottellanybody！

Youcanrelyonme，saidRaoul。

Hehardlyknewwhathewassaying，forhisideasaboutChristine，alreadygreatlyconfused，werebecomingmoreandmoreentangled。

anditseemedasifeverythingwasbeginningtoturnaroundhim，aroundtheroom，aroundthatextraordinarygoodladywiththewhitehairandforget-me-noteyes。

Iknow！IknowIcan！shesaid，withahappylaugh。Butwhydon’tyoucomenearme，asyouusedtodowhenyouwerealittleboy？

Givemeyourhands，aswhenyoubroughtmethestoryoflittleLotte，whichDaddyDaaehadtoldyou。Iamveryfondofyou，M。Raoul，youknow。AndsoisChristinetoo！

Sheisfondofme！sighedtheyoungman。HefoundadifficultyincollectinghisthoughtsandbringingthemtobearonMammaValerius’

goodgenius，ontheAngelofMusicofwhomChristinehadspokentohimsostrangely，onthedeath’sheadwhichhehadseeninasortofnightmareonthehighaltaratPerrosandalsoontheOperaghost，whosefamehadcometohisearsoneeveningwhenhewasstandingbehindthescenes，withinhearingofagroupofscene-shifterswhowererepeatingtheghastlydescriptionwhichthehangedman，JosephBuquet，hadgivenoftheghostbeforehismysteriousdeath。

Heaskedinalowvoice：WhatmakesyouthinkthatChristineisfondofme，madame？

Sheusedtospeakofyoueveryday。

Really？……Andwhatdidshetellyou？

Shetoldmethatyouhadmadeheraproposal！

Andthegoodoldladybeganlaughingwholeheartedly。Raoulsprangfromhischair，flushingtothetemples，sufferingagonies。

What’sthis？Whereareyougoing？Sitdownagainatonce，willyou？……DoyouthinkIwillletyougolikethat？……Ifyou’reangrywithmeforlaughing，Ibegyourpardon……Afterall，whathashappenedisn’tyourfault……Didn’tyouknow？……DidyouthinkthatChristinewasfree？……

IsChristineengagedtobemarried？thewretchedRaoulasked，inachokingvoice。

Whyno！Whyno！……YouknowaswellasIdothatChristinecouldn’tmarry，evenifshewantedto！

ButIdon’tknowanythingaboutit！……Andwhycan’tChristinemarry？

BecauseoftheAngelofMusic，ofcourse！……

Idon’tfollow……

Yes，heforbidsherto！……

Heforbidsher！……TheAngelofMusicforbidshertomarry！

Oh，heforbidsher……withoutforbiddingher。It’slikethis：

hetellsherthat，ifshegotmarried，shewouldneverhearhimagain。That’sall！……Andthathewouldgoawayforever！……So，youunderstand，shecan’tlettheAngelofMusicgo。

It’squitenatural。

Yes，yes，echoedRaoulsubmissively，it’squitenatural。

Besides，IthoughtChristinehadtoldyouallthat，whenshemetyouatPerros，whereshewentwithhergoodgenius。

Oh，shewenttoPerroswithhergoodgenius，didshe？

Thatistosay，hearrangedtomeetherdownthere，inPerroschurchyard，atDaae’sgrave。HepromisedtoplayherTheResurrectionofLazarusonherfather’sviolin！

RaouldeChagnyroseand，withaveryauthoritativeair，pronouncedtheseperemptorywords：

Madame，youwillhavethegoodnesstotellmewherethatgeniuslives。

Theoldladydidnotseemsurprisedatthisindiscreetcommand。

Sheraisedhereyesandsaid：

InHeaven！

Suchsimplicitybaffledhim。HedidnotknowwhattosayinthepresenceofthiscandidandperfectfaithinageniuswhocamedownnightlyfromHeaventohauntthedressing-roomsattheOpera。

Henowrealizedthepossiblestateofmindofagirlbroughtupbetweenasuperstitiousfiddlerandavisionaryoldladyandheshudderedwhenhethoughtoftheconsequencesofitall。

IsChristinestillagoodgirl？heaskedsuddenly，inspiteofhimself。

Iswearit，asIhopetobesaved！exclaimedtheoldwoman，who，thistime，seemedtobeincensed。

And，ifyoudoubtit，sir，Idon’tknowwhatyouareherefor！

Raoultoreathisgloves。

Howlonghassheknownthis`genius？’

Aboutthreemonths……Yes，it’squitethreemonthssincehebegantogiveherlessons。

Theviscountthrewuphisarmswithagestureofdespair。

Thegeniusgivesherlessons！……Andwhere，pray？

Nowthatshehasgoneawaywithhim，Ican’tsay。but，uptoafortnightago，itwasinChristine’sdressing-room。Itwouldbeimpossibleinthislittleflat。Thewholehousewouldhearthem。Whereas，attheOpera，ateighto’clockinthemorning，thereisnooneabout，doyousee！

Yes，Isee！Isee！criedtheviscount。

AndhehurriedlytookleaveofMme。Valerius，whoaskedherselfiftheyoungnoblemanwasnotalittleoffhishead。

Hewalkedhometohisbrother’shouseinapitifulstate。

Hecouldhavestruckhimself，bangedhisheadagainstthewalls！

Tothinkthathehadbelievedinherinnocence，inherpurity！

TheAngelofMusic！Heknewhimnow！Hesawhim！Itwasbeyondadoubtsomeunspeakabletenor，agood-lookingjackanapes，whomouthedandsimperedashesang！Hethoughthimselfasabsurdandaswretchedascouldbe。Oh，whatamiserable，little，insignificant，sillyyoungmanwasM。leVicomtedeChagny！thoughtRaoul，furiously。Andshe，whataboldanddamnableslycreature！

HisbrotherwaswaitingforhimandRaoulfellintohisarms，likeachild。Thecountconsoledhim，withoutaskingforexplanations。

andRaoulwouldcertainlyhavelonghesitatedbeforetellinghimthestoryoftheAngelofMusic。Hisbrothersuggestedtakinghimouttodinner。Overcomeashewaswithdespair，Raoulwouldprobablyhaverefusedanyinvitationthatevening，ifthecounthadnot，asaninducement，toldhimthattheladyofhisthoughtshadbeenseen，thenightbefore，incompanyoftheothersexintheBois。

Atfirst，theviscountrefusedtobelieve。buthereceivedsuchexactdetailsthatheceasedprotesting。Shehadbeenseen，itappeared，drivinginabrougham，withthewindowdown。Sheseemedtobeslowlytakingintheicynightair。Therewasagloriousmoonshining。

Shewasrecognizedbeyondadoubt。Asforhercompanion，onlyhisshadowyoutlinewasdistinguishedleaningbackinthedark。

ThecarriagewasgoingatawalkingpaceinalonelydrivebehindthegrandstandatLongchamp。

Raouldressedinfrantichaste，preparedtoforgethisdistressbyflinginghimself，aspeoplesay，intothevortexofpleasure。

Alas，hewasaverysorryguestand，leavinghisbrotherearly，foundhimself，byteno’clockintheevening，inacab，behindtheLongchamprace-course。

Itwasbitterlycold。Theroadseemeddesertedandverybrightunderthemoonlight。Hetoldthedrivertowaitforhimpatientlyatthecornerofanearturningand，hidinghimselfaswellashecould，stoodstampinghisfeettokeepwarm。Hehadbeenindulginginthishealthyexerciseforhalfanhourorso，whenacarriageturnedthecorneroftheroadandcamequietlyinhisdirection，atawalkingpace。

Asitapproached，hesawthatawomanwasleaningherheadfromthewindow。And，suddenly，themoonshedapalegleamoverherfeatures。

Christine！

Thesacrednameofhislovehadsprungfromhisheartandhislips。

Hecouldnotkeepitback……Hewouldhavegivenanythingtowithdrawit，forthatname，proclaimedinthestillnessofthenight，hadactedasthoughitwerethepreconcertedsignalforafuriousrushonthepartofthewholeturn-out，whichdashedpasthimbeforehecouldputintoexecutionhisplanofleapingatthehorses’heads。Thecarriagewindowhadbeenclosedandthegirl’sfacehaddisappeared。Andthebrougham，behindwhichhewasnowrunning，wasnomorethanablackspotonthewhiteroad。

Hecalledoutagain：Christine！

Noreply。Andhestoppedinthemidstofthesilence。

Withalack-lustereye，hestareddownthatcold，desolateroadandintothepale，deadnight。Nothingwascolderthanhisheart，nothinghalfsodead：hehadlovedanangelandnowhedespisedawoman！