第4章

Raoul，howthatlittlefairyoftheNorthhastrifledwithyou！

Wasitreally，wasitreallynecessarytohavesofreshandyoungaface，aforeheadsoshyandalwaysreadytocoveritselfwiththepinkblushofmodestyinordertopassinthelonelynight，inacarriageandpair，accompaniedbyamysteriouslover？

Surelythereshouldbesomelimittohypocrisyandlying！……

Shehadpassedwithoutansweringhiscry……Andhewasthinkingofdying。andhewastwentyyearsold！……

Hisvaletfoundhiminthemorningsittingonhisbed。Hehadnotundressedandtheservantfeared，atthesightofhisface，thatsomedisasterhadoccurred。Raoulsnatchedhislettersfromtheman’shands。

HehadrecognizedChristine’spaperandhand-writing。Shesaid：

DEAR：

GotothemaskedballattheOperaonthenightafterto-morrow。

Attwelveo’clock，beinthelittleroombehindthechimney-placeofthebigcrush-room。StandnearthedoorthatleadstotheRotunda。

Don’tmentionthisappointmenttoanyoneonearth。Wearawhitedominoandbecarefullymasked。Asyouloveme，donotletyourselfberecognized。CHRISTINE。

ChapterIXAttheMaskedBallTheenvelopewascoveredwithmudandunstamped。ItborethewordsTobehandedtoM。leVicomteRaouldeChagny，withtheaddressinpencil。Itmusthavebeenflungoutinthehopethatapasser-bywouldpickupthenoteanddeliverit，whichwaswhathappened。

ThenotehadbeenpickeduponthepavementofthePlacedel’Opera。

Raoulreaditoveragainwithfeveredeyes。Nomorewasneededtorevivehishope。ThesomberpicturewhichhehadforamomentimaginedofaChristineforgettingherdutytoherselfmadewayforhisoriginalconceptionofanunfortunate，innocentchild，thevictimofimprudenceandexaggeratedsensibility。Towhatextent，atthistime，wasshereallyavictim？Whoseprisonerwasshe？

Intowhatwhirlpoolhadshebeendragged？Heaskedhimselfthesequestionswithacruelanguish。buteventhispainseemedendurablebesidethefrenzyintowhichhewasthrownatthethoughtofalyinganddeceitfulChristine。Whathadhappened？Whatinfluencehadsheundergone？Whatmonsterhadcarriedheroffandbywhatmeans？……

Bywhatmeansindeedbutthatofmusic？HeknewChristine’sstory。

Afterherfather’sdeath，sheacquiredadistasteofeverythinginlife，includingherart。ShewentthroughtheCONSERVATOIRElikeapoorsoullesssinging-machine。And，suddenly，sheawokeasthoughthroughtheinterventionofagod。TheAngelofMusicappeareduponthescene！

ShesangMargaritainFAUSTandtriumphed！……

TheAngelofMusic！……ForthreemonthstheAngelofMusichadbeengivingChristinelessons……Ah，hewasapunctualsinging-master！……

AndnowhewastakingherfordrivesintheBois！……

Raoul’sfingersclutchedathisflesh，abovehisjealousheart。

Inhisinexperience，henowaskedhimselfwithterrorwhatgamethegirlwasplaying？Uptowhatpointcouldanopera-singermakeafoolofagood-naturedyoungman，quitenewtolove？Omisery！……

ThusdidRaoul’sthoughtsflyfromoneextremetotheother。

HenolongerknewwhethertopityChristineortocurseher。

andhepitiedandcursedherturnandturnabout。Atallevents，heboughtawhitedomino。

Thehouroftheappointmentcameatlast。Withhisfaceinamasktrimmedwithlong，thicklace，lookinglikeapierrotinhiswhitewrap，theviscountthoughthimselfveryridiculous。MenoftheworlddonotgototheOperaballinfancy-dress！Itwasabsurd。

Onethought，however，consoledtheviscount：hewouldcertainlyneverberecognized！

Thisballwasanexceptionalaffair，givensometimebeforeShrovetide，inhonoroftheanniversaryofthebirthofafamousdraftsman。

anditwasexpectedtobemuchgayer，noisier，moreBohemianthantheordinarymaskedball。Numbersofartistshadarrangedtogo，accompaniedbyawholecohortofmodelsandpupils，who，bymidnight，begantocreateatremendousdin。Raoulclimbedthegrandstaircaseatfiveminutestotwelve，didnotlingertolookatthemotleydressesdisplayedallthewayupthemarblesteps，oneoftherichestsettingsintheworld，allowednofacetiousmasktodrawhimintoawarofwits，repliedtonojestsandshookofftheboldfamiliarityofanumberofcoupleswhohadalreadybecomeatrifletoogay。

Crossingthebigcrush-roomandescapingfromamadwhirlofdancersinwhichhewascaughtforamoment，heatlastenteredtheroommentionedinChristine’sletter。Hefounditcrammed。forthissmallspacewasthepointwhereallthosewhoweregoingtosupperintheRotundacrossedthosewhowerereturningfromtakingaglassofchampagne。Thefun，here，waxedfastandfurious。

Raoulleanedagainstadoor-postandwaited。Hedidnotwaitlong。

Ablackdominopassedandgaveaquicksqueezetothetipsofhisfingers。Heunderstoodthatitwassheandfollowedher：

Isthatyou，Christine？heasked，betweenhisteeth。

Theblackdominoturnedroundpromptlyandraisedherfingertoherlips，nodoubttowarnhimnottomentionhernameagain。

Raoulcontinuedtofollowherinsilence。

Hewasafraidoflosingher，aftermeetingheragaininsuchstrangecircumstances。Hisgrudgeagainstherwasgone。Henolongerdoubtedthatshehadnothingtoreproachherselfwith，

howeverpeculiarandinexplicableherconductmightseem。Hewasreadytomakeanydisplayofclemency，forgivenessorcowardice。

Hewasinlove。And，nodoubt，hewouldsoonreceiveaverynaturalexplanationofhercuriousabsence。

Theblackdominoturnedbackfromtimetotimetoseeifthewhitedominowasstillfollowing。

AsRaouloncemorepassedthroughthegreatcrush-room，thistimeinthewakeofhisguide，hecouldnothelpnoticingagroupcrowdingroundapersonwhosedisguise，eccentricairandgruesomeappearancewerecausingasensation。Itwasamandressedallinscarlet，withahugehatandfeathersonthetopofawonderfuldeath’shead。

Fromhisshouldershunganimmensered-velvetcloak，whichtrailedalongthefloorlikeaking’strain。andonthiscloakwasembroidered，ingoldletters，whicheveryonereadandrepeatedaloud，Don’ttouchme！IamRedDeathstalkingabroad！

Thenone，greatlydaring，didtrytotouchhim……butaskeletonhandshotoutofacrimsonsleeveandviolentlyseizedtherashone’swrist。andhe，feelingtheclutchoftheknucklebones，thefuriousgraspofDeath，utteredacryofpainandterror。

WhenRedDeathreleasedhimatlast，heranawaylikeaverymadman，pursuedbythejeersofthebystanders。

ItwasatthismomentthatRaoulpassedinfrontofthefunerealmasquerader，whohadjusthappenedtoturninhisdirection。

Andhenearlyexclaimed：

Thedeath’sheadofPerros-Guirec！

Hehadrecognizedhim！……Hewantedtodartforward，forgettingChristine。

buttheblackdomino，whoalsoseemedapreytosomestrangeexcitement，caughthimbythearmanddraggedhimfromthecrush-room，farfromthemadcrowdthroughwhichRedDeathwasstalking……

Theblackdominokeptonturningbackand，apparently，ontwooccasionssawsomethingthatstartledher，forshehurriedherpaceandRaoul’sasthoughtheywerebeingpursued。

Theywentuptwofloors。Here，thestairsandcorridorswerealmostdeserted。Theblackdominoopenedthedoorofaprivateboxandbeckonedtothewhitedominotofollowher。

ThenChristine，whomherecognizedbythesoundofhervoice，closedthedoorbehindthemandwarnedhim，inawhisper，toremainatthebackoftheboxandonnoaccounttoshowhimself。

Raoultookoffhismask。Christinekeptherson。And，whenRaoulwasabouttoaskhertoremoveit，hewassurprisedtoseeherputhereartothepartitionandlisteneagerlyforasoundoutside。

Thensheopenedthedoorajar，lookedoutintothecorridorand，inalowvoice，said：

Hemusthavegoneuphigher。Suddenlysheexclaimed：Heiscomingdownagain！

Shetriedtoclosethedoor，butRaoulpreventedher。forhehadseen，onthetopstepofthestaircasethatledtothefloorabove，AREDFOOT，followedbyanother……andslowly，majestically，thewholescarletdressofRedDeathmethiseyes。Andheoncemoresawthedeath’sheadofPerros-Guirec。

It’she！heexclaimed。Thistime，heshallnotescapeme！……

ButChristian{sic}hadslammedthedooratthemomentwhenRaoulwasonthepointofrushingout。Hetriedtopushheraside。

Whomdoyoumeanby`he’？sheasked，inachangedvoice。

Whoshallnotescapeyou？

Raoultriedtoovercomethegirl’sresistancebyforce，butsherepelledhimwithastrengthwhichhewouldnothavesuspectedinher。

Heunderstood，orthoughtheunderstood，andatoncelosthistemper。

Who？herepeatedangrily。Why，he，themanwhohidesbehindthathideousmaskofdeath！……TheevilgeniusofthechurchyardatPerros！……RedDeath！……Inaword，madam，yourfriend……

yourAngelofMusic！……ButIshallsnatchoffhismask，asIshallsnatchoffmyown。and，thistime，weshalllookeachotherintheface，heandI，withnoveilandnoliesbetweenus。

andIshallknowwhomyouloveandwholovesyou！

Heburstintoamadlaugh，whileChristinegaveadisconsolatemoanbehindhervelvetmask。Withatragicgesture，sheflungouthertwoarms，whichfixedabarrierofwhitefleshagainstthedoor。

Inthenameofourlove，Raoul，youshallnotpass！……

Hestopped。Whathadshesaid？……Inthenameoftheirlove？……

Neverbeforehadsheconfessedthatshelovedhim。Andyetshehadhadopportunitiesenough……Pooh，heronlyobjectwastogainafewseconds！……ShewishedtogivetheRedDeathtimetoescape……

And，inaccentsofchildishhatred，hesaid：

Youlie，madam，foryoudonotlovemeandyouhaveneverlovedme！

WhatapoorfellowImustbetoletyoumockandfloutmeasyouhavedone！Whydidyougivemeeveryreasonforhope，atPerros……

forhonesthope，madam，forIamanhonestmanandIbelievedyoutobeanhonestwoman，whenyouronlyintentionwastodeceiveme！

Alas，youhavedeceivedusall！Youhavetakenashamefuladvantageofthecandidaffectionofyourbenefactressherself，whocontinuestobelieveinyoursinceritywhileyougoabouttheOperaballwithRedDeath！……Idespiseyou！……

Andheburstintotears。Sheallowedhimtoinsulther。

Shethoughtofbutonething，tokeephimfromleavingthebox。

Youwillbegmypardon，oneday，forallthoseuglywords，Raoul，andwhenyoudoIshallforgiveyou！

Heshookhishead。No，no，youhavedrivenmemad！WhenIthinkthatIhadonlyoneobjectinlife：togivemynametoanoperawench！

Raoul！……Howcanyou？

Ishalldieofshame！

No，dear，live！saidChristine’sgraveandchangedvoice。

And……good-by。Good-by，Raoul……

Theboysteppedforward，staggeringashewent。Heriskedonemoresarcasm：

Oh，youmustletmecomeandapplaudyoufromtimetotime！

Ishallneversingagain，Raoul！……

Really？hereplied，stillmoresatirically。Soheistakingyouoffthestage：Icongratulateyou！……ButweshallmeetintheBois，oneoftheseevenings！

NotintheBoisnoranywhere，Raoul：youshallnotseemeagain……

Mayoneaskatleasttowhatdarknessyouarereturning？……Forwhathellareyouleaving，mysteriouslady……orforwhatparadise？

Icametotellyou，dear，butIcan’ttellyounow……youwouldnotbelieveme！Youhavelostfaithinme，Raoul。itisfinished！

Shespokeinsuchadespairingvoicethattheladbegantofeelremorseforhiscruelty。

Butlookhere！hecried。Can’tyoutellmewhatallthismeans！……Youarefree，thereisnoonetointerferewithyou……

YougoaboutParis……Youputonadominotocometotheball……Whydoyounotgohome？……Whathaveyoubeendoingthispastfortnight？……WhatisthistaleabouttheAngelofMusic，whichyouhavebeentellingMammaValerius？Someonemayhavetakenyouin，playeduponyourinnocence。Iwasawitnessofitmyself，atPerros……butyouknowwhattobelievenow！Youseemtomequitesensible，Christine。Youknowwhatyouaredoing……AndmeanwhileMammaValeriuslieswaitingforyouathomeandappealingtoyour`goodgenius！’……Explainyourself，Christine，Ibegofyou！

AnyonemighthavebeendeceivedasIwas。Whatisthisfarce？

Christinesimplytookoffhermaskandsaid：Dear，itisatragedy！

Raoulnowsawherfaceandcouldnotrestrainanexclamationofsurpriseandterror。Thefreshcomplexionofformerdayswasgone。

Amortalpallorcoveredthosefeatures，whichhehadknownsocharmingandsogentle，andsorrowhadfurrowedthemwithpitilesslinesandtraceddarkandunspeakablysadshadowsunderhereyes。

Mydearest！Mydearest！hemoaned，holdingouthisarms。

Youpromisedtoforgiveme……

Perhaps！……Someday，perhaps！shesaid，resuminghermask。

andshewentaway，forbiddinghim，withagesture，tofollowher。

Hetriedtodisobeyher。butsheturnedroundandrepeatedhergestureoffarewellwithsuchauthoritythathedarednotmoveastep。

Hewatchedhertillshewasoutofsight。Thenhealsowentdownamongthecrowd，hardlyknowingwhathewasdoing，withthrobbingtemplesandanachingheart。and，ashecrossedthedancing-floor，heaskedifanybodyhadseenRedDeath。Yes，everyonehadseenRedDeath。

butRaoulcouldnotfindhim。and，attwoo’clockinthemorning，heturneddownthepassage，behindthescenes，thatledtoChristineDaae’sdressing-room。

Hisfootstepstookhimtothatroomwherehehadfirstknownsuffering。

Hetappedatthedoor。Therewasnoanswer。Heentered，ashehadenteredwhenhelookedeverywherefortheman’svoice。

Theroomwasempty。Agas-jetwasburning，turneddownlow。

Hesawsomewriting-paperonalittledesk。HethoughtofwritingtoChristine，butheheardstepsinthepassage。Hehadonlytimetohideintheinnerroom，whichwasseparatedfromthedressing-roombyacurtain。

Christineentered，tookoffhermaskwithawearymovementandflungitonthetable。Shesighedandletherprettyheadfallintohertwohands。Whatwasshethinkingof？OfRaoul？No，forRaoulheardhermurmur：PoorErik！

Atfirst，hethoughthemustbemistaken。Tobeginwith，hewaspersuadedthat，ifanyonewastobepitied，itwashe，Raoul。

Itwouldhavebeenquitenaturalifshehadsaid，PoorRaoul，

afterwhathadhappenedbetweenthem。But，shakingherhead，sherepeated：PoorErik！

WhathadthisEriktodowithChristine’ssighsandwhywasshepityingErikwhenRaoulwassounhappy？

Christinebegantowrite，deliberately，calmlyandsoplacidlythatRaoul，whowasstilltremblingfromtheeffectsofthetragedythatseparatedthem，waspainfullyimpressed。

Whatcoolness！hesaidtohimself。

Shewroteon，fillingtwo，three，foursheets。Suddenly，sheraisedherheadandhidthesheetsinherbodice……Sheseemedtobelistening……Raoulalsolistened……Whencecamethatstrangesound，thatdistantrhythm？……Afaintsingingseemedtoissuefromthewalls……yes，itwasasthoughthewallsthemselvesweresinging！……Thesongbecameplainer……thewordswerenowdistinguishable……heheardavoice，averybeautiful，verysoft，verycaptivatingvoice……but，forallitssoftness，itremainedamalevoice……Thevoicecamenearerandnearer……itcamethroughthewall……itapproached……andnowthevoicewasINTHEROOM，infrontofChristine。

Christineroseandaddressedthevoice，asthoughspeakingtosomeone：

HereIam，Erik，shesaid。Iamready。Butyouarelate。

Raoul，peepingfrombehindthecurtain，couldnotbelievehiseyes，whichshowedhimnothing。Christine’sfacelitup。Asmileofhappinessappeareduponherbloodlesslips，asmilelikethatofsickpeoplewhentheyreceivethefirsthopeofrecovery。

Thevoicewithoutabodywentonsinging。andcertainlyRaoulhadneverinhislifeheardanythingmoreabsolutelyandheroicallysweet，moregloriouslyinsidious，moredelicate，morepowerful，inshort，moreirresistiblytriumphant。HelistenedtoitinafeverandhenowbegantounderstandhowChristineDaaewasabletoappearoneevening，beforethestupefiedaudience，withaccentsofabeautyhithertounknown，ofasuperhumanexaltation，whiledoubtlessstillundertheinfluenceofthemysteriousandinvisiblemaster。

ThevoicewassingingtheWedding-nightSongfromRomeoandJuliet。

RaoulsawChristinestretchoutherarmstothevoiceasshehaddone，inPerroschurchyard，totheinvisibleviolinplayingTheResurrectionofLazarus。Andnothingcoulddescribethepassionwithwhichthevoicesang：

Fatelinkstheetomeforeverandaday！

ThestrainswentthroughRaoul’sheart。Strugglingagainstthecharmthatseemedtodeprivehimofallhiswillandallhisenergyandofalmostallhislucidityatthemomentwhenheneededthemmost，hesucceededindrawingbackthecurtainthathidhimandhewalkedtowhereChristinestood。Sheherselfwasmovingtothebackoftheroom，thewholewallofwhichwasoccupiedbyagreatmirrorthatreflectedherimage，butnothis，forhewasjustbehindherandentirelycoveredbyher。

Fatelinkstheetomeforeverandaday！

Christinewalkedtowardherimageintheglassandtheimagecametowardher。ThetwoChristines——therealoneandthereflection——

endedbytouching。andRaoulputouthisarmstoclaspthetwoinoneembrace。But，byasortofdazzlingmiraclethatsenthimstaggering，Raoulwassuddenlyflungback，whileanicyblastsweptoverhisface。hesaw，nottwo，butfour，eight，twentyChristinesspinningroundhim，laughingathimandfleeingsoswiftlythathecouldnottouchoneofthem。Atlast，everythingstoodstillagain。

andhesawhimselfintheglass。ButChristinehaddisappeared。

Herusheduptotheglass。Hestruckatthewalls。Nobody！

Andmeanwhiletheroomstillechoedwithadistantpassionatesinging：

Fatelinkstheetomeforeverandaday！

Whichway，whichwayhadChristinegone？……Whichwaywouldshereturn？……

Wouldshereturn？Alas，hadshenotdeclaredtohimthateverythingwasfinished？Andwasthevoicenotrepeating：

Fatelinkstheetomeforeverandaday！

Tome？Towhom？

Then，wornout，beaten，empty-brained，hesatdownonthechairwhichChristinehadjustleft。Likeher，helethisheadfallintohishands。Whenheraisedit，thetearswerestreamingdownhisyoungcheeks，real，heavytearslikethosewhichjealouschildrenshed，tearsthatweptforasorrowwhichwasinnowayfanciful，butwhichiscommontoalltheloversonearthandwhichheexpressedaloud：

WhoisthisErik？hesaid。

ChapterXForgettheNameoftheMan’sVoiceThedayafterChristinehadvanishedbeforehiseyesinasortofdazzlementthatstillmadehimdoubttheevidenceofhissenses，M。leVicomtedeChagnycalledtoinquireatMammaValerius’。

Hecameuponacharmingpicture。Christineherselfwasseatedbythebedsideoftheoldlady，whowassittingupagainstthepillows，knitting。Thepinkandwhitehadreturnedtotheyounggirl’scheeks。Thedarkringsroundhereyeshaddisappeared。

Raoulnolongerrecognizedthetragicfaceofthedaybefore。

Iftheveilofmelancholyoverthoseadorablefeatureshadnotstillappearedtotheyoungmanasthelasttraceoftheweirddramainwhosetoilsthatmysteriouschildwasstruggling，hecouldhavebelievedthatChristinewasnotitsheroineatall。

Sherose，withoutshowinganyemotion，andofferedhimherhand。

ButRaoul’sstupefactionwassogreatthathestoodtheredumfounded，withoutagesture，withoutaword。

Well，M。deChagny，exclaimedMammaValerius，don’tyouknowourChristine？Hergoodgeniushassentherbacktous！

Mamma！thegirlbrokeinpromptly，whileadeepblushmantledtohereyes。Ithought，mamma，thattherewastobenomorequestionofthat！……YouknowthereisnosuchthingastheAngelofMusic！

But，child，hegaveyoulessonsforthreemonths！

Mamma，Ihavepromisedtoexplaineverythingtoyouoneofthesedays。

andIhopetodosobutyouhavepromisedme，untilthatday，tobesilentandtoaskmenomorequestionswhatever！

Providedthatyoupromisednevertoleavemeagain！Buthaveyoupromisedthat，Christine？

Mamma，allthiscannotinterestM。deChagny。

Onthecontrary，mademoiselle，saidtheyoungman，inavoicewhichhetriedtomakefirmandbrave，butwhichstilltrembled，anythingthatconcernsyouinterestsmetoanextentwhichperhapsyouwillonedayunderstand。Idonotdenythatmysurpriseequalsmypleasureatfindingyouwithyouradoptedmotherandthat，afterwhathappenedbetweenusyesterday，afterwhatyousaidandwhatIwasabletoguess，Ihardlyexpectedtoseeyouheresosoon。

Ishouldbethefirsttodelightatyourreturn，ifyouwerenotsobentonpreservingasecrecythatmaybefataltoyou……andI

havebeenyourfriendtoolongnottobealarmed，withMme。Valerius，atadisastrousadventurewhichwillremaindangeroussolongaswehavenotunraveleditsthreadsandofwhichyouwillcertainlyendbybeingthevictim，Christine。

Atthesewords，MammaValeriustossedaboutinherbed。

Whatdoesthismean？shecried。IsChristineindanger？

Yes，madame，saidRaoulcourageously，notwithstandingthesignswhichChristinemadetohim。

MyGod！exclaimedthegood，simpleoldwoman，gaspingforbreath。

Youmusttellmeeverything，Christine！Whydidyoutrytoreassureme？

Andwhatdangerisit，M。deChagny？

Animpostorisabusinghergoodfaith。

IstheAngelofMusicanimpostor？

ShetoldyouherselfthatthereisnoAngelofMusic。

Butthenwhatisit，inHeaven’sname？Youwillbethedeathofme！

Thereisaterriblemysteryaroundus，madame，aroundyou，aroundChristine，amysterymuchmoretobefearedthananynumberofghostsorgenii！

MammaValeriusturnedaterrifiedfacetoChristine，whohadalreadyruntoheradoptedmotherandwasholdingherinherarms。

Don’tbelievehim，mummy，don’tbelievehim，sherepeated。

Thentellmethatyouwillneverleavemeagain，imploredthewidow。

ChristinewassilentandRaoulresumed。

Thatiswhatyoumustpromise，Christine。Itistheonlythingthatcanreassureyourmotherandme。Wewillundertakenottoaskyouasinglequestionaboutthepast，ifyoupromiseustoremainunderourprotectioninfuture。

ThatisanundertakingwhichIhavenotaskedofyouandapromisewhichIrefusetomakeyou！saidtheyounggirlhaughtily。

Iammistressofmyownactions，M。deChagny：youhavenorighttocontrolthem，andIwillbegyoutodesisthenceforth。

AstowhatIhavedoneduringthelastfortnight，thereisonlyonemanintheworldwhohastherighttodemandanaccountofme：myhusband！

Well，IhavenohusbandandInevermeantomarry！

ShethrewoutherhandstoemphasizeherwordsandRaoulturnedpale，notonlybecauseofthewordswhichhehadheard，butbecausehehadcaughtsightofaplaingoldringonChristine’sfinger。

Youhavenohusbandandyetyouwearawedding-ring。

Hetriedtoseizeherhand，butsheswiftlydrewitback。

That’sapresent！shesaid，blushingoncemoreandvainlystrivingtohideherembarrassment。

Christine！Asyouhavenohusband，thatringcanonlyhavebeengivenbyonewhohopestomakeyouhiswife！Whydeceiveusfurther？

Whytorturemestillmore？Thatringisapromise。andthatpromisehasbeenaccepted！

That’swhatIsaid！exclaimedtheoldlady。

Andwhatdidsheanswer，madame？

WhatIchose，saidChristine，driventoexasperation。

Don’tyouthink，monsieur，thatthiscross-examinationhaslastedlongenough？AsfarasIamconcerned……

Raoulwasafraidtoletherfinishherspeech。Heinterruptedher：

IbegyourpardonforspeakingasIdid，mademoiselle。Youknowthegoodintentionsthatmakememeddle，justnow，inmatterswhich，younodoubtthink，havenothingtodowithme。ButallowmetotellyouwhatIhaveseen——andIhaveseenmorethanyoususpect，Christine——orwhatIthoughtIsaw，for，totellyouthetruth，Ihavesometimesbeeninclinedtodoubttheevidenceofmyeyes。

Well，whatdidyousee，sir，orthinkyousaw？

IsawyourecstasyATTHESOUNDOFTHEVOICE，Christine：thevoicethatcamefromthewallorthenextroomtoyours……yes，YOURECSTASY！Andthatiswhatmakesmealarmedonyourbehalf。

Youareunderaverydangerousspell。Andyetitseemsthatyouareawareoftheimposture，becauseyousayto-dayTHATTHERE

ISNOANGELOFMUSIC！Inthatcase，Christine，whydidyoufollowhimthattime？Whydidyoustandup，withradiantfeatures，asthoughyouwerereallyhearingangels？……Ah，itisaverydangerousvoice，Christine，forImyself，whenIheardit，wassomuchfascinatedbyitthatyouvanishedbeforemyeyeswithoutmyseeingwhichwayyoupassed！Christine，Christine，inthenameofHeaven，inthenameofyourfatherwhoisinHeavennowandwholovedyousodearlyandwholovedmetoo，Christine，tellus，tellyourbenefactressandme，towhomdoesthatvoicebelong？Ifyoudo，wewillsaveyouinspiteofyourself。Come，Christine，thenameoftheman！Thenameofthemanwhohadtheaudacitytoputaringonyourfinger！

M。deChagny，thegirldeclaredcoldly，youshallneverknow！

Thereupon，seeingthehostilitywithwhichherwardhadaddressedtheviscount，MammaValeriussuddenlytookChristine’spart。

And，ifshedoeslovethatman，MonsieurleVicomte，eventhenitisnobusinessofyours！

Alas，madame，Raoulhumblyreplied，unabletorestrainhistears，alas，IbelievethatChristinereallydoeslovehim！……Butitisnotonlythatwhichdrivesmetodespair。forwhatIamnotcertainof，madame，isthatthemanwhomChristinelovesisworthyofherlove！

Itisformetobethejudgeofthat，monsieur！saidChristine，lookingRaoulangrilyintheface。

Whenaman，continuedRaoul，adoptssuchromanticmethodstoenticeayounggirl’saffections……

Themanmustbeeitheravillain，orthegirlafool：isthatit？

Christine！

Raoul，whydoyoucondemnamanwhomyouhaveneverseen，whomnooneknowsandaboutwhomyouyourselfknownothing？

Yes，Christine……Yes……Iatleastknowthenamethatyouthoughttokeepfrommeforever……ThenameofyourAngelofMusic，mademoiselle，isErik！

Christineatoncebetrayedherself。Sheturnedaswhiteasasheetandstammered：Whotoldyou？

Youyourself！

Howdoyoumean？

Bypityinghimtheothernight，thenightofthemaskedball。

Whenyouwenttoyourdressing-room，didyounotsay，`PoorErik？’

Well，Christine，therewasapoorRaoulwhooverheardyou。

Thisisthesecondtimethatyouhavelistenedbehindthedoor，M。deChagny！

Iwasnotbehindthedoor……Iwasinthedressing-room，intheinnerroom，mademoiselle。

Oh，unhappyman！moanedthegirl，showingeverysignofunspeakableterror。Unhappyman！Doyouwanttobekilled？

Perhaps。

RaoulutteredthisperhapswithsomuchloveanddespairinhisvoicethatChristinecouldnotkeepbackasob。Shetookhishandsandlookedathimwithallthepureaffectionofwhichshewascapable：

Raoul，shesaid，forgetTHEMAN’SVOICEanddonotevenrememberitsname……YoumustnevertrytofathomthemysteryofTHE

MAN’SVOICE。

Isthemysterysoveryterrible？

Thereisnomoreawfulmysteryonthisearth。Sweartomethatyouwillmakenoattempttofindout，sheinsisted。Sweartomethatyouwillnevercometomydressing-room，unlessIsendforyou。

Thenyoupromisetosendformesometimes，Christine？

Ipromise。

When？

To-morrow。

ThenIsweartodoasyouask。

Hekissedherhandsandwentaway，cursingErikandresolvingtobepatient。

ChapterXIAbovetheTrap-DoorsThenextday，hesawherattheOpera。Shewasstillwearingtheplaingoldring。Shewasgentleandkindtohim。Shetalkedtohimoftheplanswhichhewasforming，ofhisfuture，ofhiscareer。

HetoldherthatthedateofthePolarexpeditionhadbeenputforwardandthathewouldleaveFranceinthreeweeks，oramonthatlatest。

Shesuggested，almostgaily，thathemustlookuponthevoyagewithdelight，asastagetowardhiscomingfame。Andwhenherepliedthatfamewithoutlovewasnoattractioninhiseyes，shetreatedhimasachildwhosesorrowswereonlyshort-lived。

Howcanyouspeaksolightlyofsuchseriousthings？heasked。

Perhapsweshallneverseeeachotheragain！Imaydieduringthatexpedition。

OrI，shesaidsimply。

Shenolongersmiledorjested。Sheseemedtobethinkingofsomenewthingthathadenteredhermindforthefirsttime。

Hereyeswereallaglowwithit。

Whatareyouthinkingof，Christine？

Iamthinkingthatweshallnotseeeachotheragain……

Anddoesthatmakeyousoradiant？

Andthat，inamonth，weshallhavetosaygood-byforever！

Unless，Christine，wepledgeourfaithandwaitforeachotherforever。

Sheputherhandonhismouth。

Hush，Raoul！……Youknowthereisnoquestionofthat……

Andweshallneverbemarried：thatisunderstood！

Sheseemedsuddenlyalmostunabletocontainanoverpoweringgaiety。

Sheclappedherhandswithchildishglee。Raoulstaredatherinamazement。

But……but，shecontinued，holdingouthertwohandstoRaoul，orrathergivingthemtohim，asthoughshehadsuddenlyresolvedtomakehimapresentofthem，butifwecannotbemarried，wecan……wecanbeengaged！Nobodywillknowbutourselves，Raoul。

Therehavebeenplentyofsecretmarriages：whynotasecretengagement？……Weareengaged，dear，foramonth！Inamonth，youwillgoaway，andIcanbehappyatthethoughtofthatmonthallmylifelong！

Shewasenchantedwithherinspiration。Thenshebecameseriousagain。

This，shesaid，ISAHAPPINESSTHATWILLHARMNOONE。

Raouljumpedattheidea。HebowedtoChristineandsaid：

Mademoiselle，Ihavethehonortoaskforyourhand。

Why，youhavebothofthemalready，mydearbetrothed！……

Oh，Raoul，howhappyweshallbe！……Wemustplayatbeingengagedalldaylong。

Itwastheprettiestgameintheworldandtheyenjoyeditlikethechildrenthattheywere。Oh，thewonderfulspeechestheymadetoeachotherandtheeternalvowstheyexchanged！Theyplayedatheartsasotherchildrenmightplayatball。only，asitwasreallytheirtwoheartsthattheyflungtoandfro，theyhadtobevery，veryhandytocatchthem，eachtime，withouthurtingthem。

Oneday，aboutaweekafterthegamebegan，Raoul’sheartwasbadlyhurtandhestoppedplayingandutteredthesewildwords：

Ishan’tgototheNorthPole！

Christine，who，inherinnocence，hadnotdreamedofsuchapossibility，suddenlydiscoveredthedangerofthegameandreproachedherselfbitterly。

ShedidnotsayawordinreplytoRaoul’sremarkandwentstraighthome。

Thishappenedintheafternoon，inthesinger’sdressing-room，wheretheymeteverydayandwheretheyamusedthemselvesbydiningonthreebiscuits，twoglassesofportandabunchofviolets。

Intheevening，shedidnotsing。andhedidnotreceivehisusualletter，thoughtheyhadarrangedtowritetoeachotherdailyduringthatmonth。Thenextmorning，heranofftoMammaValerius，whotoldhimthatChristinehadgoneawayfortwodays。Shehadleftatfiveo’clockthedaybefore。

Raoulwasdistracted。HehatedMammaValeriusforgivinghimsuchnewsasthatwithsuchstupefyingcalmness。Hetriedtosoundher，buttheoldladyobviouslyknewnothing。

Christinereturnedonthefollowingday。Shereturnedintriumph。

Sherenewedherextraordinarysuccessofthegalaperformance。

Sincetheadventureofthetoad，Carlottahadnotbeenabletoappearonthestage。Theterrorofafreshco-ackfilledherheartanddeprivedherofallherpowerofsinging。andthetheaterthathadwitnessedherincomprehensibledisgracehadbecomeodioustoher。Shecontrivedtocancelhercontract。Daaewasofferedthevacantplaceforthetime。ShereceivedthundersofapplauseintheJuive。

Theviscount，who，ofcourse，waspresent，wastheonlyonetosufferonhearingthethousandechoesofthisfreshtriumph。

forChristinestillworeherplaingoldring。Adistantvoicewhisperedintheyoungman’sear：

Sheiswearingtheringagainto-night。andyoudidnotgiveittoher。Shegavehersoulagaintonightanddidnotgiveittoyou……Ifshewillnottellyouwhatshehasbeendoingthepasttwodays……youmustgoandaskErik！

Heranbehindthescenesandplacedhimselfinherway。Shesawhimforhereyeswerelookingforhim。Shesaid：

Quick！Quick！……Come！

Andshedraggedhimtoherdressing-room。

Raoulatoncethrewhimselfonhiskneesbeforeher。Hesworetoherthathewouldgoandheentreatedherneveragaintowithholdasinglehouroftheidealhappinesswhichshehadpromisedhim。

Shelethertearsflow。Theykissedlikeadespairingbrotherandsisterwhohavebeensmittenwithacommonlossandwhomeettomournadeadparent。

Suddenly，shesnatchedherselffromtheyoungman’ssoftandtimidembrace，seemedtolistentosomething，and，withaquickgesture，pointedtothedoor。Whenhewasonthethreshold，shesaid，insolowavoicethattheviscountguessedratherthanheardherwords：

To-morrow，mydearbetrothed！Andbehappy，Raoul：Isangforyouto-night！

Hereturnedthenextday。Butthosetwodaysofabsencehadbrokenthecharmoftheirdelightfulmake-believe。Theylookedateachother，inthedressing-room，withtheirsadeyes，withoutexchangingaword。

Raoulhadtorestrainhimselfnottocryout：

Iamjealous！Iamjealous！Iamjealous！

Butsheheardhimallthesame。Thenshesaid：

Comeforawalk，dear。Theairwilldoyougood。

Raoulthoughtthatshewouldproposeastrollinthecountry，farfromthatbuildingwhichhedetestedasaprisonwhosejailerhecouldfeelwalkingwithinthewalls……thejailerErik……

Butshetookhimtothestageandmadehimsitonthewoodencurbofawell，inthedoubtfulpeaceandcoolnessofafirstscenesetfortheevening’sperformance。

Onanotherday，shewanderedwithhim，handin，hand，alongthedesertedpathsofagardenwhosecreepershadbeencutoutbyadecorator’sskilfulhands。Itwasasthoughtherealsky，therealflowers，therealearthwereforbiddenherforalltimeandshecondemnedtobreathenootherairthanthatofthetheater。Anoccasionalfiremanpassed，watchingovertheirmelancholyidyllfromafar。

Andshewoulddraghimupabovetheclouds，inthemagnificentdisorderofthegrid，whereshelovedtomakehimgiddybyrunninginfrontofhimalongthefrailbridges，amongthethousandsofropesfastenedtothepulleys，thewindlasses，therollers，inthemidstofaregularforestofyardsandmasts。Ifhehesitated，shesaid，withanadorablepoutofherlips：

You，asailor！

Andthentheyreturnedtoterrafirma，thatistosay，tosomepassagethatledthemtothelittlegirls’dancing-school，wherebratsbetweensixandtenwerepractisingtheirsteps，inthehopeofbecominggreatdancersoneday，coveredwithdiamonds……

Meanwhile，Christinegavethemsweetsinstead。

Shetookhimtothewardrobeandproperty-rooms，tookhimalloverherempire，whichwasartificial，butimmense，coveringseventeenstoriesfromtheground-floortotheroofandinhabitedbyanarmyofsubjects。Shemovedamongthemlikeapopularqueen，encouragingthemintheirlabors，sittingdownintheworkshops，givingwordsofadvicetotheworkmenwhosehandshesitatedtocutintotherichstuffsthatweretoclotheheroes。Therewereinhabitantsofthatcountrywhopractisedeverytrade。Therewerecobblers，thereweregoldsmiths。Allhadlearnedtoknowherandtoloveher，forshealwaysinterestedherselfinalltheirtroublesandalltheirlittlehobbies。

Sheknewunsuspectedcornersthatweresecretlyoccupiedbylittleoldcouples。SheknockedattheirdoorandintroducedRaoultothemasaPrinceCharmingwhohadaskedforherhand。andthetwoofthem，sittingonsomeworm-eatenproperty，wouldlistentothelegendsoftheOpera，evenas，intheirchildhood，theyhadlistenedtotheoldBretontales。ThoseoldpeoplerememberednothingoutsidetheOpera。

Theyhadlivedthereforyearswithoutnumber。Pastmanagementshadforgottenthem。palacerevolutionshadtakennonoticeofthem。

thehistoryofFrancehadrunitscourseunknowntothem。andnobodyrecollectedtheirexistence。

Thepreciousdaysspedinthisway。andRaoulandChristine，byaffectingexcessiveinterestinoutsidematters，stroveawkwardlytohidefromeachothertheonethoughtoftheirhearts。Onefactwascertain，thatChristine，whountilthenhadshownherselfthestrongerofthetwo，becamesuddenlyinexpressiblynervous。

Whenontheirexpeditions，shewouldstartrunningwithoutreasonorelsesuddenlystop。andherhand，turningice-coldinamoment，wouldholdtheyoungmanback。Sometimeshereyesseemedtopursueimaginaryshadows。Shecried，Thisway，andThisway，

andThisway，laughingabreathlesslaughthatoftenendedintears。ThenRaoultriedtospeak，toquestionher，inspiteofhispromises。But，evenbeforehehadwordedhisquestion，sheansweredfeverishly：

Nothing……Iswearitisnothing。

Once，whentheywerepassingbeforeanopentrapdooronthestage，Raoulstoppedoverthedarkcavity。

Youhaveshownmeovertheupperpartofyourempire，Christine，buttherearestrangestoriestoldofthelowerpart。Shallwegodown？

Shecaughthiminherarms，asthoughshefearedtoseehimdisappeardowntheblackhole，and，inatremblingvoice，whispered：

Never！……Iwillnothaveyougothere！……Besides，it’snotmine……EVERYTHINGTHATISUNDERGROUNDBELONGSTOHIM！

Raoullookedherintheeyesandsaidroughly：

Sohelivesdownthere，doeshe？

Ineversaidso……Whotoldyouathinglikethat？Comeaway！

Isometimeswonderifyouarequitesane，Raoul……Youalwaystakethingsinsuchanimpossibleway……Comealong！Come！

Andsheliterallydraggedhimaway，forhewasobstinateandwantedtoremainbythetrap-door。thatholeattractedhim。

Suddenly，thetrap-doorwasclosedandsoquicklythattheydidnotevenseethehandthatworkedit。andtheyremainedquitedazed。

PerhapsHEwasthere，Raoulsaid，atlast。

Sheshruggedhershoulders，butdidnotseemeasy。

No，no，itwasthe`trap-door-shutters。’Theymustdosomething，youknow……Theyopenandshutthetrap-doorswithoutanyparticularreason……It’slikethe`door-shutters：’

theymustspendtheirtimesomehow。

ButsupposeitwereHE，Christine？

No，no！Hehasshuthimselfup，heisworking。

Oh，really！He’sworking，ishe？

Yes，hecan’topenandshutthetrap-doorsandworkatthesametime。

Sheshivered。

Whatisheworkingat？

Oh，somethingterrible！……Butit’sallthebetterforus……Whenhe’sworkingatthat，heseesnothing。hedoesnoteat，drink，orbreathefordaysandnightsatatime……hebecomesalivingdeadmanandhasnotimetoamusehimselfwiththetrap-doors。

Sheshiveredagain。Shewasstillholdinghiminherarms。

Thenshesighedandsaid，inherturn：

SupposeitwereHE！

Areyouafraidofhim？

No，no，ofcoursenot，shesaid。

Forallthat，onthenextdayandthefollowingdays，Christinewascarefultoavoidthetrap-doors。Heragitationonlyincreasedasthehourspassed。Atlast，oneafternoon，shearrivedverylate，withherfacesodesperatelypaleandhereyessodesperatelyred，thatRaoulresolvedtogotoalllengths，includingthatwhichheforeshadowedwhenheblurtedoutthathewouldnotgoontheNorthPoleexpeditionunlessshefirsttoldhimthesecretoftheman’svoice。

Hush！Hush，inHeaven’snameISupposeHEheardyou，youunfortunateRaoul！

AndChristine’seyesstaredwildlyateverythingaroundher。

Iwillremoveyoufromhispower，Christine，Iswearit。

Andyoushallnotthinkofhimanymore。

Isitpossible？

Sheallowedherselfthisdoubt，whichwasanencouragernent，whiledraggingtheyoungmanuptothetopmostfloorofthetheater，far，veryfarfromthetrap-doors。

Ishallhideyouinsomeunknowncorneroftheworld，whereHE

cannotcometolookforyou。Youwillbesafe。andthenIshallgoaway……asyouhaveswornnevertomarry。

ChristineseizedRaoul’shandsandsqueezedthemwithincrediblerapture。

But，suddenlybecomingalarmedagain，sheturnedawayherhead。

Higher！wasallshesaid。Higherstill！

Andshedraggedhimuptowardthesummit。

Hehadadifficultyinfollowingher。Theyweresoonundertheveryroof，inthemazeoftimber-work。Theyslippedthroughthebuttresses，therafters，thejoists。theyranfrombeamtobeamastheymighthaverunfromtreetotreeinaforest。

And，despitethecarewhichshetooktolookbehindherateverymoment，shefailedtoseeashadowwhichfollowedherlikeherownshadow，whichstoppedwhenshestopped，whichstartedagainwhenshedidandwhichmadenomorenoisethanawell-conductedshadowshould。

AsforRaoul，hesawnothingeither。for，whenhehadChristineinfrontofhim，nothinginterestedhimthathappenedbehind。

ChapterXIIApollo’sLyreOnthisway，theyreachedtheroof。Christinetrippedoveritaslightlyasaswallow。Theireyesswepttheemptyspacebetweenthethreedomesandthetriangularpediment。ShebreathedfreelyoverParis，thewholevalleyofwhichwasseenatworkbelow。

ShecalledRaoultocomequiteclosetoherandtheywalkedsidebysidealongthezincstreets，intheleadenavenues。theylookedattheirtwinshapesinthehugetanks，fullofstagnantwater，where，inthehotweather，thelittleboysoftheballet，ascoreorso，learntoswimanddive。

Theshadowhadfollowedbehindthemclingingtotheirsteps。

andthetwochildrenlittlesuspecteditspresencewhentheyatlastsatdown，trustingly，underthemightyprotectionofApollo，who，withagreatbronzegesture，liftedhishugelyretotheheartofacrimsonsky。

Itwasagorgeousspringevening。Clouds，whichhadjustreceivedtheirgossamerrobeofgoldandpurplefromthesettingsun，driftedslowlyby。andChristinesaidtoRaoul：

Soonweshallgofartherandfasterthantheclouds，totheendoftheworld，andthenyouwillleaveme，Raoul。But，if，whenthemomentcomesAPOLLO’foryoutotakemeaway，Irefusetogowithyou——

wellyoumustcarrymeoffbyforce！

Areyouafraidthatyouwillchangeyourmind，Christine？

Idon’tknow，shesaid，shakingherheadinanoddfashion。

Heisademon！Andsheshiveredandnestledinhisarmswithamoan。

Iamafraidnowofgoingbacktolivewithhim……intheground！

Whatcompelsyoutogoback，Christine？

IfIdonotgobacktohim，terriblemisfortunesmayhappen！……

ButIcan’tdoit，Ican’tdoit！……Iknowoneoughttobesorryforpeoplewholiveunderground……Butheistoohorrible！

Andyetthetimeisathand。Ihaveonlyadayleft。and，ifI

donotgo，hewillcomeandfetchmewithhisvoice。Andhewilldragmewithhim，underground，andgoonhiskneesbeforeme，withhisdeath’shead。Andhewilltellmethathelovesme！

Andhewillcry！Oh，thosetears，Raoul，thosetearsinthetwoblackeye-socketsofthedeath’shead！Icannotseethosetearsflowagain！

Shewrungherhandsinanguish，whileRaoulpressedhertohisheart。

No，no，youshallneveragainhearhimtellyouthathelovesyou！

Youshallnotseehistears！Letusfly，Christine，letusflyatonce！

Andhetriedtodragheraway，thenandthere。Butshestoppedhim。

No，no，shesaid，shakingherheadsadly。Notnow！……Itwouldbetoocruel……lethimhearmesingto-morrowevening……andthenwewillgoaway。Youmustcomeandfetchmeinmydressing-roomatmidnightexactly。Hewillthenbewaitingformeinthedining-roombythelake……weshallbefreeandyoushalltakemeaway……

Youmustpromisemethat，Raoul，evenifIrefuse。forIfeelthat，ifIgobackthistime，Ishallperhapsneverreturn。

Andshegaveasightowhichitseemedtoherthatanothersigh，behindher，replied。

Didn’tyouhear？

Herteethchattered。

No，saidRaoul，Iheardnothing。

Itistooterrible，sheconfessed，tobealwaystremblinglikethis！……Andyetwerunnodangerhere。weareathome，inthesky，intheopenair，inthelight。Thesunisflaming。

andnight-birdscannotbeartolookatthesun。Ihaveneverseenhimbydaylight……itmustbeawful！……Oh，thefirsttimeI

sawhim！……Ithoughtthathewasgoingtodie。

Why？askedRaoul，reallyfrightenedattheaspectwhichthisstrangeconfidencewastaking。

BECAUSEIHADSEENHIM！

Thistime，RaoulandChristineturnedroundatthesametime：

Thereissomeoneinpain，saidRaoul。Perhapssomeonehasbeenhurt。Didyouhear？

Ican’tsay，Christineconfessed。Evenwhenheisnotthere，myearsarefullofhissighs。Still，ifyouheard……

Theystoodupandlookedaroundthem。Theywerequitealoneontheimmenseleadroof。TheysatdownagainandRaoulsaid：

Tellmehowyousawhimfirst。

Ihadheardhimforthreemonthswithoutseeinghim。ThefirsttimeI

heardit，Ithought，asyoudid，thatthatadorablevoicewassinginginanotherroom。Iwentoutandlookedeverywhere。but，asyouknow，Raoul，mydressing-roomisverymuchbyitself。andIcouldnotfindthevoiceoutsidemyroom，whereasitwentonsteadilyinside。

Anditnotonlysang，butitspoketomeandansweredmyquestions，likearealman’svoice，withthisdifference，thatitwasasbeautifulasthevoiceofanangel。IhadnevergottheAngelofMusicwhommypoorfatherhadpromisedtosendmeassoonashewasdead。

IreallythinkthatMammaValeriuswasalittlebittoblame。

Itoldheraboutit。andsheatoncesaid，`ItmustbetheAngel。

atanyrate，youcandonoharmbyaskinghim。’Ididso。

andtheman’svoicerepliedthat，yes，itwastheAngel’svoice，thevoicewhichIwasexpectingandwhichmyfatherhadpromisedme。

Fromthattimeonward，thevoiceandIbecamegreatfriends。

Itaskedleavetogivemelessonseveryday。Iagreedandneverfailedtokeeptheappointmentwhichitgavemeinmydressing-room。Youhavenoidea，thoughyouhaveheardthevoice，ofwhatthoselessonswerelike。

No，Ihavenoidea，saidRaoul。Whatwasyouraccompaniment？

WewereaccompaniedbyamusicwhichIdonotknow：itwasbehindthewallandwonderfullyaccurate。Thevoiceseemedtounderstandmineexactly，toknowpreciselywheremyfatherhadleftoffteachingme。Inafewweeks’time，IhardlyknewmyselfwhenIsang。

Iwasevenfrightened。Iseemedtodreadasortofwitchcraftbehindit。butMammaValeriusreassuredme。ShesaidthatsheknewIwasmuchtoosimpleagirltogivethedevilaholdonme……Myprogress，bythevoice’sownorder，waskeptasecretbetweenthevoice，MammaValeriusandmyself。Itwasacuriousthing，but，outsidethedressing-room，Isangwithmyordinary，every-dayvoiceandnobodynoticedanything。Ididallthatthevoiceasked。Itsaid，`Waitandsee：weshallastonishParis！’

AndIwaitedandlivedoninasortofecstaticdream。ItwasthenthatIsawyouforthefirsttimeoneevening，inthehouse。

IwassogladthatIneverthoughtofconcealingmydelightwhenI

reachedmydressing-room。Unfortunately，thevoicewastherebeforemeandsoonnoticed，bymyair，thatsomethinghadhappened。

ItaskedwhatwasthematterandIsawnoreasonforkeepingourstorysecretorconcealingtheplacewhichyoufilledinmyheart。

Thenthevoicewassilent。Icalledtoit，butitdidnotreply。

Ibeggedandentreated，butinvain。Iwasterrifiedlestithadgoneforgood。IwishtoHeavenithad，dear！……Thatnight，Iwenthomeinadesperatecondition。ItoldMammaValerius，whosaid，`Why，ofcourse，thevoiceisjealous！’Andthat，dear，firstrevealedtomethatIlovedyou。

ChristinestoppedandlaidherheadonRaoul’sshoulder。Theysatlikethatforamoment，insilence，andtheydidnotsee，didnotperceivethemovement，atafewstepsfromthem，ofthecreepingshadowoftwogreatblackwings，ashadowthatcamealongtheroofsonear，sonearthemthatitcouldhavestifledthembyclosingoverthem。

Thenextday，Christinecontinued，withasigh，Iwentbacktomydressing-roominaverypensiveframeofmind。Thevoicewasthere，spoketomewithgreatsadnessandtoldmeplainlythat，ifImustbestowmyheartonearth，therewasnothingforthevoicetodobuttogobacktoHeaven。AnditsaidthiswithsuchanaccentofHUMANsorrowthatIoughtthenandtheretohavesuspectedandbeguntobelievethatIwasthevictimofmydeludedsenses。

Butmyfaithinthevoice，withwhichthememoryofmyfatherwassocloselyintermingled，remainedundisturbed。IfearednothingsomuchasthatImightneverhearitagain。Ihadthoughtaboutmyloveforyouandrealizedalltheuselessdangerofit。

andIdidnotevenknowifyourememberedme。Whateverhappened，yourpositioninsocietyforbademetocontemplatethepossibilityofevermarryingyou。andIsworetothevoicethatyouwerenomorethanabrothertomenoreverwouldbeandthatmyheartwasincapableofanyearthlylove。Andthat，dear，waswhyIrefusedtorecognizeorseeyouwhenImetyouonthestageorinthepassages。

Meanwhile，thehoursduringwhichthevoicetaughtmewerespentinadivinefrenzy，until，atlast，thevoicesaidtome，`Youcannow，ChristineDaae，givetomenalittleofthemusicofHeaven。’