第5章

Idon’tknowhowitwasthatCarlottadidnotcometothetheaterthatnightnorwhyIwascalledupontosinginherstead。butI

sangwitharaptureIhadneverknownbeforeandIfeltforamomentasifmysoulwereleavingmybody！

Oh，Christine，saidRaoul，myheartquiveredthatnightateveryaccentofyourvoice。IsawthetearsstreamdownyourcheeksandI

weptwithyou。Howcouldyousing，singlikethatwhilecrying？

Ifeltmyselffainting，saidChristine，Iclosedmyeyes。

WhenIopenedthem，youwerebymyside。Butthevoicewastherealso，Raoul！IwasafraidforyoursakeandagainIwouldnotrecognizeyouandbegantolaughwhenyouremindedmethatyouhadpickedupmyscarfinthesea！……Alas，thereisnodeceivingthevoice！……Thevoicerecognizedyouandthevoicewasjealous！……Itsaidthat，ifIdidnotloveyou，Iwouldnotavoidyou，buttreatyoulikeanyotheroldfriend。Itmademesceneuponscene。Atlast，Isaidtothevoice，`Thatwilldo！

IamgoingtoPerrosto-morrow，toprayonmyfather’sgrave，andI

shallaskM。RaouldeChagnytogowithme。’`Doasyouplease，’

repliedthevoice，`butIshallbeatPerrostoo，forIamwhereveryouare，Christine。and，ifyouarestillworthyofme，ifyouhavenotliedtome，IwillplayyouTheResurrectionofLazarus，onthestrokeofmidnight，onyourfather’stombandonyourfather’sviolin。’That，dear，washowIcametowriteyoutheetterthatbroughtyoutoPerros。HowcouldIhavebeensobeguiled？Howwasit，whenIsawthepersonal，theselfishpointofviewofthevoice，thatIdidnotsuspectsomeimpostor？

Alas，Iwasnolongermistressofmyself：Ihadbecomehisthing！

But，afterall，criedRaoul，yousooncametoknowthetruth！

Whydidyounotatonceridyourselfofthatabominablenightmare？

Knowthetruth，Raoul？Ridmyselfofthatnightmare？But，mypoorboy，IwasnotcaughtinthenightmareuntilthedaywhenIlearnedthetruth！……Pityme，Raoul，pityme！……YouremembertheterribleeveningwhenCarlottathoughtthatshehadbeenturnedintoatoadonthestageandwhenthehousewassuddenlyplungedindarknessthroughthechandeliercrashingtothefloor？

Therewerekilledandwoundedthatnightandthewholetheaterrangwithterrifiedscreams。Myfirstthoughtwasforyouandthevoice。

Iwasatonceeasy，whereyouwereconcerned，forIhadseenyouinyourbrother’sboxandIknewthatyouwerenotindanger。

ButthevoicehadtoldmethatitwouldbeattheperformanceandI

wasreallyafraidforit，justasifithadbeenanordinarypersonwhowascapableofdying。Ithoughttomyself，`Thechandeliermayhavecomedownuponthevoice。’Iwasthenonthestageandwasnearlyrunningintothehouse，tolookforthevoiceamongthekilledandwounded，whenIthoughtthat，ifthevoicewassafe，itwouldbesuretobeinmydressing-roomandIrushedtomyroom。

Thevoicewasnotthere。Ilockedmydoorand，withtearsinmyeyes，besoughtit，ifitwerestillalive，tomanifestitselftome。

Thevoicedidnotreply，butsuddenlyIheardalong，beautifulwailwhichIknewwell。ItistheplaintofLazaruswhen，atthesoundoftheRedeemer’svoice，hebeginstoopenhiseyesandseethelightofday。ItwasthemusicwhichyouandI，Raoul，heardatPerros。

Andthenthevoicebegantosingtheleadingphrase，Come！Andbelieveinme！Whosobelievesinmeshalllive！Walk！Whosohathbelievedinmeshallneverdie！……’Icannottellyoutheeffectwhichthatmusichaduponme。Itseemedtocommandme，personally，tocome，tostandupandcometoit。ItretreatedandIfollowed。`Come！Andbelieveinme！’Ibelievedinit，Icame……Icameand——

thiswastheextraordinarything——mydressing-room，asImoved，seemedtolengthenout……tolengthenout……Evidently，itmusthavebeenaneffectofmirrors……forIhadthemirrorinfrontofme……And，suddenly，Iwasoutsidetheroomwithoutknowinghow！

What！Withoutknowinghow？Christine，Christine，youmustreallystopdreaming！

Iwasnotdreaming，dear，Iwasoutsidemyroomwithoutknowinghow。You，whosawmedisappearfrommyroomoneevening，maybeabletoexplainit。butIcannot。Icanonlytellyouthat，suddenly，therewasnomirrorbeforemeandnodressing-room。

Iwasinadarkpassage，IwasfrightenedandIcriedout。

Itwasquitedark，butforafaintredglimmeratadistantcornerofthewall。Itriedout。Myvoicewastheonlysound，forthesingingandtheviolinhadstopped。And，suddenly，ahandwaslaidonmine……orratherastone-cold，bonythingthatseizedmywristanddidnotletgo。Icriedoutagain。

Anarmtookmeroundthewaistandsupportedme。Istruggledforalittlewhileandthengaveuptheattempt。IwasdraggedtowardthelittleredlightandthenIsawthatIwasinthehandsofamanwrappedinalargecloakandwearingamaskthathidhiswholeface。Imadeonelasteffort。mylimbsstiffened，mymouthopenedtoscream，butahandclosedit，ahandwhichI

feltonmylips，onmyskin……ahandthatsmeltofdeath。

ThenIfaintedaway。

WhenIopenedmyeyes，wewerestillsurroundedbydarkness。

Alantern，standingontheground，showedabubblingwell。

Thewatersplashingfromthewelldisappeared，almostatonce，undertheflooronwhichIwaslying，withmyheadonthekneeofthemanintheblackcloakandtheblackmask。Hewasbathingmytemplesandhishandssmeltofdeath。Itriedtopushthemawayandasked，`Whoareyou？Whereisthevoice？’Hisonlyanswerwasasigh。Suddenly，ahotbreathpassedovermyfaceandIperceivedawhiteshape，besidetheman’sblackshape，inthedarkness。Theblackshapeliftedmeontothewhiteshape，agladneighinggreetedmyastoundedearsandImurmured，`Cesar！’Theanimalquivered。Raoul，IwaslyinghalfbackonasaddleandIhadrecognizedthewhitehorseoutofthePROFETA，whichIhadsooftenfedwithsugarandsweets。Irememberedthat，oneevening，therewasarumorinthetheaterthatthehorsehaddisappearedandthatithadbeenstolenbytheOperaghost。

Ibelievedinthevoice，buthadneverbelievedintheghost。

Now，however，Ibegantowonder，withashiver，whetherIwastheghost’sprisoner。Icalleduponthevoicetohelpme，forI

shouldneverhaveimaginedthatthevoiceandtheghostwereone。

YouhaveheardabouttheOperaghost，haveyounot，Raoul？

Yes，buttellmewhathappenedwhenyouwereonthewhitehorseoftheProfeta？

Imadenomovementandletmyselfgo。Theblackshapeheldmeup，andImadenoefforttoescape。AcuriousfeelingofpeacefulnesscameovermeandIthoughtthatImustbeundertheinfluenceofsomecordial。Ihadthefullcommandofmysenses。andmyeyesbecameusedtothedarkness，whichwaslit，hereandthere，byfitfulgleams。

Icalculatedthatwewereinanarrowcirculargallery，probablyrunningallroundtheOpera，whichisimmense，underground。Ihadoncebeendownintothosecellars，buthadstoppedatthethirdfloor，thoughthereweretwolowerstill，largeenoughtoholdatown。

ButthefiguresofwhichIcaughtsighthadmademerunaway。

Therearedemonsdownthere，quiteblack，standinginfrontofboilers，andtheywieldshovelsandpitchforksandpokeupfiresandstirupflamesand，ifyoucometoonearthem，theyfrightenyoubysuddenlyopeningtheredmouthsoftheirfurnaces……Well，whileCesarwasquietlycarryingmeonhisback，Isawthoseblackdemonsinthedistance，lookingquitesmall，infrontoftheredfiresoftheirfurnaces：

theycameintosight，disappearedandcameintosightagain，aswewentonourwindingway。Atlast，theydisappearedaltogether。

TheshapewasstillholdingmeupandCesarwalkedon，unledandsure-footed。Icouldnottellyou，evenapproximately，howlongthisridelasted。Ionlyknowthatweseemedtoturnandturnandoftenwentdownaspiralstairintotheveryheartoftheearth。

Eventhen，itmaybethatmyheadwasturning，butIdon’tthinkso：

no，mymindwasquiteclear。Atlast，Cesarraisedhisnostrils，sniffedtheairandquickenedhispacealittle。IfeltamoistnessintheairandCesarstopped。Thedarknesshadlifted。Asortofblueylightsurroundedus。Wewereontheedgeofalake，whoseleadenwatersstretchedintothedistance，intothedarkness。

butthebluelightlitupthebankandIsawalittleboatfastenedtoanironringonthewharf！

Aboat！

Yes，butIknewthatallthatexistedandthattherewasnothingsupernaturalaboutthatundergroundlakeandboat。ButthinkoftheexceptionalconditionsinwhichIarriveduponthatshore！Idon’tknowwhethertheeffectsofthecordialhadwornoffwhentheman’sshapeliftedmeintotheboat，butmyterrorbeganalloveragain。

Mygruesomeescortmusthavenoticedit，forhesentCesarbackandIheardhishoofstramplingupastaircasewhilethemanjumpedintotheboat，untiedtheropethathelditandseizedtheoars。

Herowedwithaquick，powerfulstroke。andhiseyes，underthemask，neverleftme。WeslippedacrossthenoiselesswaterintheblueylightwhichItoldyouof。thenwewereinthedarkagainandwetouchedshore。AndIwasoncemoretakenupintheman’sarms。

Icriedaloud。Andthen，suddenly，Iwassilent，dazedbythelight……Yes，adazzlinglightinthemidstofwhichIhadbeenputdown。

Isprangtomyfeet。Iwasinthemiddleofadrawing-roomthatseemedtometobedecorated，adornedandfurnishedwithnothingbutflowers，flowersbothmagnificentandstupid，becauseofthesilkribbonsthattiedthemtobaskets，likethosewhichtheysellintheshopsontheboulevards。Theyweremuchtoocivilizedflowers，likethosewhichIusedtofindinmydressing-roomafterafirstnight。And，inthemidstofalltheseflowers，stoodtheblackshapeofthemaninthemask，witharmscrossed，andhesaid，`Don’tbeafraid，Christine。youareinnodanger。’

ITWASTHEVOICE！

Myangerequaledmyamazement。Irushedatthemaskandtriedtosnatchitaway，soastoseethefaceofthevoice。Themansaid，`Youareinnodanger，solongasyoudonottouchthemask。’

And，takingmegentlybythewrists，heforcedmeintoachairandthenwentdownonhiskneesbeforemeandsaidnothingmore！

Hishumilitygavemebacksomeofmycourage。andthelightrestoredmetotherealtiesoflife。Howeverextraordinarytheadventuremightbe，Iwasnowsurroundedbymortal，visible，tangiblethings。

Thefurniture，thehangings，thecandles，thevasesandtheveryflowersintheirbaskets，ofwhichIcouldalmosthavetoldwhencetheycameandwhattheycost，wereboundtoconfinemyimaginationtothelimitsofadrawing-roomquiteascommonplaceasanythat，atleast，hadtheexcuseofnotbeinginthecellarsoftheOpera。

Ihad，nodoubt，todowithaterrible，eccentricperson，who，insomemysteriousfashion，hadsucceededintakinguphisabodethere，undertheOperahouse，fivestoriesbelowtheleveloftheground。

Andthevoice，thevoicewhichIhadrecognizedunderthemask，wasonitskneesbeforeme，WASAMAN！AndIbegantocry……

Theman，stillkneeling，musthaveunderstoodthecauseofmytears，forhesaid，`Itistrue，Christine！……IamnotanAngel，noragenius，noraghost……IamErik！’

Christine’snarrativewasagaininterrupted。Anechobehindthemseemedtorepeatthewordafterher。

Erik！

Whatecho？……Theybothturnedroundandsawthatnighthadfallen。

Raoulmadeamovementasthoughtorise，butChristinekepthimbesideher。

Don’tgo，shesaid。IwantyoutoknoweverythingHERE！

Butwhyhere，Christine？Iamafraidofyourcatchingcold。

Wehavenothingtofearexceptthetrap-doors，dear，andherewearemilesawayfromthetrap-doors……andIamnotallowedtoseeyououtsidethetheater。Thisisnotthetimetoannoyhim。

Wemustnotarousehissuspicion。

Christine！Christine！Somethingtellsmethatwearewrongtowaittillto-morroweveningandthatweoughttoflyatonce。

Itellyouthat，ifhedoesnothearmesingtomorrow，itwillcausehiminfinitepain。

Itisdifficultnottocausehimpainandyettoescapefromhimforgood。

Youarerightinthat，Raoul，forcertainlyhewilldieofmyflight。

Andsheaddedinadullvoice，Butthenitcountsbothways……

forweriskhiskillingus。

Doesheloveyousomuch？

Hewouldcommitmurderforme。

Butonecanfindoutwherehelives。Onecangoinsearchofhim。

NowthatweknowthatErikisnotaghost，onecanspeaktohimandforcehimtoanswer！

Christineshookherhead。

No，no！ThereisnothingtobedonewithErikexcepttorunaway！

Thenwhy，whenyouwereabletorunaway，didyougobacktohim？

BecauseIhadto。AndyouwillunderstandthatwhenItellyouhowIlefthim。

Oh，Ihatehim！criedRaoul。Andyou，Christine，tellme，doyouhatehimtoo？

No，saidChristinesimply。

No，ofcoursenot……Why，youlovehim！Yourfear，yourterror，allofthatisjustloveandloveofthemostexquisitekind，thekindwhichpeopledonotadmiteventothemselves，saidRaoulbitterly。

Thekindthatgivesyouathrill，whenyouthinkofit……Pictureit：amanwholivesinapalaceunderground！

Andhegavealeer。

Thenyouwantmetogobackthere？saidtheyounggirlcruelly。

Takecare，Raoul。Ihavetoldyou：Ishouldneverreturn！

Therewasanappallingsilencebetweenthethreeofthem：

thetwowhospokeandtheshadowthatlistened，behindthem。

Beforeansweringthat，saidRaoul，atlast，speakingveryslowly，Ishouldliketoknowwithwhatfeelingheinspiresyou，sinceyoudonothatehim。

Withhorror！shesaid。Thatistheterriblethingaboutit。

HefillsmewithhorrorandIdonothatehim。HowcanI

hatehim，Raoul？ThinkofErikatmyfeet，inthehouseonthelake，underground。Heaccuseshimself，hecurseshimself，heimploresmyforgiveness！……Heconfesseshischeat。

Helovesme！Helaysatmyfeetanimmenseandtragiclove……Hehascarriedmeoffforlove！……Hehasimprisonedmewithhim，underground，forlove！……Butherespectsme：hecrawls，hemoans，heweeps！……And，whenIstoodup，Raoul，andtoldhimthatIcouldonlydespisehimifhedidnot，thenandthere，givememyliberty……heofferedit……heofferedtoshowmethemysteriousroad……Only……onlyherosetoo……andI

wasmadetorememberthat，thoughhewasnotanangel，noraghost，noragenius，heremainedthevoice……forhesang。AndIlistened……andstayed！……Thatnight，wedidnotexchangeanotherword。

Hesangmetosleep。

WhenIwokeup，Iwasalone，lyingonasofainasimplyfurnishedlittlebedroom，withanordinarymahoganybedstead，litbyalampstandingonthemarbletopofanoldLouis-Philippechestofdrawers。

IsoondiscoveredthatIwasaprisonerandthattheonlyoutletfrommyroomledtoaverycomfortablebath-room。Onreturningtothebedroom，Isawonthechestofdrawersanote，inredink，whichsaid，`MydearChristine，youneedhavenoconcernastoyourfate。

Youhavenobetternormorerespectfulfriendintheworldthanmyself。

Youarealone，atpresent，inthishomewhichisyours。Iamgoingoutshoppingtofetchyouallthethingsthatyoucanneed。’

IfeltsurethatIhadfallenintothehandsofamadman。

Iranroundmylittleapartment，lookingforawayofescapewhichI

couldnotfind。Iupbraidedmyselfformyabsurdsuperstition，whichhadcausedmetofallintothetrap。Ifeltinclinedtolaughandtocryatthegametime。

ThiswasthestateofmindinwhichErikfoundme。Aftergivingthreetapsonthewall，hewalkedinquietlythroughadoorwhichI

hadnotnoticedandwhichheleftopen。Hehadhisarmsfullofboxesandparcelsandarrangedthemonthebed，inaleisurelyfashion，whileIoverwhelmedhimwithabuseandcalleduponhimtotakeoffhismask，ifitcoveredthefaceofanhonestman。

Herepliedserenely，`YoushallneverseeErik’sface。’Andhereproachedmewithnothavingfinisheddressingatthattimeofday：

hewasgoodenoughtotellmethatitwastwoo’clockintheafternoon。

Hesaidhewouldgivemehalfanhourand，whilehespoke，woundupmywatchandsetitforme。Afterwhich，heaskedmetocometothedining-room，whereanicelunchwaswaitingforus。

Iwasveryangry，slammedthedoorinhisfaceandwenttothebath-room……WhenIcameoutagain，feelinggreatlyrefreshed，Eriksaidthathelovedme，butthathewouldnevertellmesoexceptwhenIallowedhimandthattherestofthetimewouldbedevotedtomusic。`Whatdoyoumeanbytherestofthetime？’

Iasked。`Fivedays，’hesaid，withdecision。IaskedhimifI

shouldthenbefreeandhesaid，`Youwillbefree，Christine，for，whenthosefivedaysarepast，youwillhavelearnednottoseeme。

andthen，fromtimetotime，youwillcometoseeyourpoorErik！’

Hepointedtoachairoppositehim，atasmalltable，andIsatdown，feelinggreatlyperturbed。However，Iateafewprawnsandthewingofachickenanddrankhalfaglassoftokay，whichhehadhimself，hetoldme，broughtfromtheKonigsbergcellars。Erikdidnoteatordrink。IaskedhimwhathisnationalitywasandifthatnameofErikdidnotpointtohisScandinavianorigin。HesaidthathehadnonameandnocountryandthathehadtakenthenameofErikbyaccident。

Afterlunch，heroseandgavemethetipsofhisfingers，sayinghewouldliketoshowmeoverhisflat。butIsnatchedawaymyhandandgaveacry。WhatIhadtouchedwascoldand，atthesametime，bony。andIrememberedthathishandssmeltofdeath。

`Oh，forgiveme！’hemoaned。Andheopenedadoorbeforeme。

`Thisismybedroom，ifyoucaretoseeit。Itisrathercurious。’

Hismanners，hiswords，hisattitudegavemeconfidenceandIwentinwithouthesitation。IfeltasifIwereenteringtheroomofadeadperson。Thewallswereallhungwithblack，but，insteadofthewhitetrimmingsthatusuallysetoffthatfunerealupholstery，therewasanenormousstaveofmusicwiththenotesoftheDIESIRAE，manytimesrepeated。Inthemiddleoftheroomwasacanopy，fromwhichhungcurtainsofredbrocadedstuff，and，underthecanopy，anopencoffin。`ThatiswhereIsleep，’saidErik。`Onehastogetusedtoeverythinginlife，eventoeternity。’ThesightupsetmesomuchthatIturnedawaymyhead。

ThenIsawthekeyboardofanorganwhichfilledonewholesideofthewalls。Onthedeskwasamusic-bookcoveredwithrednotes。

Iaskedleavetolookatitandread，`DonJuanTriumphant。’

`Yes，’hesaid，`Icomposesometimes。’Ibeganthatworktwentyyearsago。

WhenIhavefinished，Ishalltakeitawaywithmeinthatcoffinandneverwakeupagain。’`Youmustworkatitasseldomasyoucan，’

Isaid。Hereplied，`Isometimesworkatitforfourteendaysandnightstogether，duringwhichIliveonmusiconly，andthenIrestforyearsatatime。’`WillyouplaymesomethingoutofyourDonJuanTriumphant？’Iasked，thinkingtopleasehim。

`Youmustneveraskmethat，’hesaid，inagloomyvoice。

`IwillplayyouMozart，ifyoulike，whichwillonlymakeyouweep。

butmyDonJuan，Christine，burns。andyetheisnotstruckbyfirefromHeaven。’Thereuponwereturnedtothedrawing-room。Inoticedthattherewasnomirrorinthewholeapartment。Iwasgoingtoremarkuponthis，butErikhadalreadysatdowntothepiano。

Hesaid，`Yousee，Christine，thereissomemusicthatissoterriblethatitconsumesallthosewhoapproachit。Fortunately，youhavenotcometothatmusicyet，foryouwouldloseallyourprettycoloringandnobodywouldknowyouwhenyoureturnedtoParis。

LetussingsomethingfromtheOpera，ChristineDaae。’

Hespoketheselastwordsasthoughhewereflinginganinsultatme。

Whatdidyoudo？

Ihadnotimetothinkaboutthemeaningheputintohiswords。

WeatoncebegantheduetinOthelloandalreadythecatastrophewasuponus。IsangDesdemonawithadespair，aterrorwhichI

hadneverdisplayedbefore。Asforhim，hisvoicethunderedforthhisrevengefulsoulateverynote。Love，jealousy，hatred，burstoutaroundusinharrowingcries。Erik’sblackmaskmademethinkofthenaturalmaskoftheMoorofVenice。HewasOthellohimself。Suddenly，Ifeltaneedtoseebeneaththemask。

IwantedtoknowtheFACEofthevoice，and，withamovementwhichIwasutterlyunabletocontrol，swiftlymyfingerstoreawaythemask。Oh，horror，horror，horror！

Christinestopped，atthethoughtofthevisionthathadscaredher，whiletheechoesofthenight，whichhadrepeatedthenameofErik，nowthricemoanedthecry：

Horror！……Horror！……Horror！

RaoulandChristine，claspingeachotherclosely，raisedtheireyestothestarsthatshoneinaclearandpeacefulsky。Raoulsaid：

Strange，Christine，thatthiscalm，softnightshouldbesofullofplaintivesounds。Onewouldthinkthatitwassorrowingwithus。

Whenyouknowthesecret，Raoul，yourcars，likemine，willbefulloflamentations。

ShetookRaoul’sprotectinghandsinhersand，withalongshiver，continued：

Yes，ifIlivedtobeahundred，Ishouldalwayshearthesuperhumancryofgriefandragewhichheutteredwhentheterriblesightappearedbeforemyeyes……Raoul，youhaveseendeath’sheads，whentheyhavebeendriedandwitheredbythecenturies，and，perhaps，ifyouwerenotthevictimofanightmare，yousawHISdeath’sheadatPerros。

AndthenyousawRedDeathstalkingaboutatthelastmaskedball。

Butallthosedeath’sheadsweremotionlessandtheirdumbhorrorwasnotalive。Butimagine，ifyoucan，RedDeath’smasksuddenlycomingtolifeinordertoexpress，withthefourblackholesofitseyes，itsnose，anditsmouth，theextremeanger，themightyfuryofademon。

ANDNOTARAYOFLIGHTFROMTHESOCKETS，for，asIlearnedlater，youcannotseehisblazingeyesexceptinthedark。

Ifellbackagainstthewallandhecameuptome，grindinghisteeth，and，asIfelluponmyknees，hehissedmad，incoherentwordsandcursesatme。Leaningoverme，hecried，`Look！Youwanttosee！See！Feastyoureyes，glutyoursoulonmycursedugliness！

LookatErik’sface！Nowyouknowthefaceofthevoice！Youwerenotcontenttohearme，eh？YouwantedtoknowwhatIlookedlike！

Oh，youwomenaresoinquisitive！Well，areyousatisfied？

I’maverygood-lookingfellow，eh？……Whenawomanhasseenme，asyouhave，shebelongstome。Shelovesmeforever。IamakindofDonJuan，youknow！’And，drawinghimselfuptohisfullheight，withhishandonhiship，waggingthehideousthingthatwashisheadonhisshoulders，heroared，`Lookatme！IAMDON

JUANTRIUMPHANT！’And，whenIturnedawaymyheadandbeggedformercy，hedrewittohim，brutally，twistinghisdeadfingersintomyhair。

Enough！Enough！criedRaoul。Iwillkillhim。InHeaven’sname，Christine，tellmewherethedining-roomonthelakeis！

Imustkillhim！

Oh，bequiet，Raoul，ifyouwanttoknow！

Yes，Iwanttoknowhowandwhyyouwentback。Imustknow！……

But，inanycase，Iwillkillhim！

Oh，Raoul，listen，listen！……Hedraggedmebymyhairandthen……andthen……Oh，itistoohorrible！

Well，what？Outwithit！exclaimedRaoulfiercely。

Outwithit，quick！

Thenhehissedatme。`Ah，Ifrightenyou，doI？……Idaresay！……PerhapsyouthinkthatIhaveanothermask，eh，andthatthis……this……myheadisamask？Well，’heroared，`tearitoffasyoudidtheother！Come！Comealong！Iinsist！

Yourhands！Yourhands！Givemeyourhands！’Andheseizedmyhandsanddugthemintohisawfulface。Hetorehisfleshwithmynails，torehisterribledeadfleshwithmynails！……`Know，’

heshouted，whilehisthroatthrobbedandpantedlikeafurnace，`knowthatIambuiltupofdeathfromheadtofootandthatitisacorpsethatlovesyouandadoresyouandwillnever，neverleaveyou！……Look，Iamnotlaughingnow，Iamcrying，cryingforyou，Christine，whohavetornoffmymaskandwhothereforecanneverleavemeagain！……Aslongasyouthoughtmehandsome，youcouldhavecomeback，Iknowyouwouldhavecomeback……but，nowthatyouknowmyhideousness，youwouldrunawayforgood……SoIshallkeepyouhere！……Whydidyouwanttoseeme？

Oh，madChristine，whowantedtoseeme！……Whenmyownfatherneversawmeandwhenmymother，soasnottoseeme，mademeapresentofmyfirstmask！’

Hehadletgoofmeatlastandwasdragginghimselfaboutonthefloor，utteringterriblesobs。Andthenhecrawledawaylikeasnake，wentintohisroom，closedthedoorandleftmealonetomyreflections。

PresentlyIheardthesoundoftheorgan。andthenIbegantounderstandErik’scontemptuousphrasewhenhespokeaboutOperamusic。

WhatInowheardwasutterlydifferentfromwhatIhadhearduptothen。

HisDonJuanTriumphant(forIhadnotadoubtbutthathehadrushedtohismasterpiecetoforgetthehorrorofthemoment)seemedtomeatfirstonelong，awful，magnificentsob。But，littlebylittle，itexpressedeveryemotion，everysufferingofwhichmankindiscapable。

Itintoxicatedme。andIopenedthedoorthatseparatedus。

Erikrose，asIentered，BUTDAREDNOTTURNINMYDIRECTION。

`Erik，’Icried，`showmeyourfacewithoutfear！Iswearthatyouarethemostunhappyandsublimeofmen。and，ifeveragainIshiverwhenIlookatyou，itwillbebecauseIamthinkingofthesplendorofyourgenius！’ThenErikturnedround，forhebelievedme，andI

alsohadfaithinmyself。Hefellatmyfeet，withwordsoflove……

withwordsofloveinhisdeadmouth……andthemusichadceased……

HekissedthehemofmydressanddidnotseethatIclosedmyeyes。

WhatmorecanItellyou，dear？Younowknowthetragedy。

Itwentonforafortnight——afortnightduringwhichIliedtohim。

Mylieswereashideousasthemonsterwhoinspiredthem。

buttheywerethepriceofmyliberty。Iburnedhismask。

andImanagedsowellthat，evenwhenhewasnotsinging，hetriedtocatchmyeye，likeadogsittingbyitsmaster。

Hewasmyfaithfulslaveandpaidmeendlesslittleattentions。

Gradually，Igavehimsuchconfidencethatheventuredtotakemewalkingonthebanksofthelakeandtorowmeintheboatonitsleadenwaters。towardtheendofmycaptivityheletmeoutthroughthegatesthatclosedtheundergroundpassagesintheRueScribe。

HereacarriageawaitedusandtookustotheBois。Thenightwhenwemetyouwasnearlyfataltome，forheisterriblyjealousofyouandIhadtotellhimthatyouweresoongoingaway……Then，atlast，afterafortnightofthathorriblecaptivity，duringwhichI

wasfilledwithpity，enthusiasm，despairandhorrorbyturns，hebelievedmewhenIsaid，`IWILLCOMEBACK！’

Andyouwentback，Christine，groanedRaoul。

Yes，dear，andImusttellyouthatitwasnothisfrightfulthreatswhensettingmefreethathelpedmetokeepmyword，buttheharrowingsobwhichhegaveonthethresholdofthetomb……ThatsobattachedmetotheunfortunatemanmorethanImyselfsuspectedwhensayinggood-bytohim。PoorErik！PoorErik！

Christine，saidRaoul，rising，youtellmethatyouloveme。

butyouhadrecoveredyourlibertyhardlyafewhoursbeforeyoureturnedtoErik！Rememberthemaskedball！

Yes。anddoyourememberthosehourswhichIpassedwithyou，Raoul……tothegreatdangerofbothofus？

Idoubtedyourloveforme，duringthosehours。

Doyoudoubtitstill，Raoul？……ThenknowthateachofmyvisitstoErikincreasedmyhorrorofhim。foreachofthosevisits，insteadofcalminghim，asIhoped，madehimmadwithlove！

AndIamsofrightened，sofrightened！……

Youarefrightened……butdoyouloveme？IfErikweregood-looking，wouldyouloveme，Christine？

Sheroseinherturn，puthertwotremblingarmsroundtheyoungman’sneckandsaid：

Oh，mybetrothedofaday，ifIdidnotloveyou，Iwouldnotgiveyoumylips！Takethem，forthefirsttimeandthelast。

Hekissedherlips。butthenightthatsurroundedthemwasrentasunder，theyfledasattheapproachofastormandtheireyes，filledwithdreadofErik，showedthem，beforetheydisappeared，highupabovethem，animmensenight-birdthatstaredatthemwithitsblazingeyesandseemedtoclingtothestringofApollo’slyre。

ChapterXIIIAMaster-StrokeoftheTrap-DoorLoverRaoulandChristineran，eagertoescapefromtheroofandtheblazingeyesthatshowedonlyinthedark。andtheydidnotstopbeforetheycametotheeighthflooronthewaydown。

TherewasnoperformanceattheOperathatnightandthepassageswereempty。Suddenly，aqueer-lookingformstoodbeforethemandblockedtheroad：

No，notthisway！

Andtheformpointedtoanotherpassagebywhichtheyweretoreachthewings。Raoulwantedtostopandaskforanexplanation。

Buttheform，whichworeasortoflongfrock-coatandapointedcap，said：

Quick！Goawayquickly！

ChristinewasalreadydraggingRaoul，compellinghimtostartrunningagain。

Butwhoishe？Whoisthatman？heasked。

Christinereplied：It’sthePersian。

What’shedoinghere？

Nobodyknows。HeisalwaysintheOpera。

Youaremakingmerunaway，forthefirsttimeinmylife。

IfwereallysawErik，whatIoughttohavedonewastonailhimtoApollo’slyre，justaswenailtheowlstothewallsofourBretonfarms。andtherewouldhavebeennomorequestionofhim。

MydearRaoul，youwouldfirsthavehadtoclimbuptoApollo’slyre：

thatisnoeasymatter。

Theblazingeyeswerethere！

Oh，youaregettinglikemenow，seeinghimeverywhere！

WhatItookforblazingeyeswasprobablyacoupleofstarsshiningthroughthestringsofthelyre。

AndChristinewentdownanotherfloor，withRaoulfollowingher。

Asyouhavequitemadeupyourmindtogo，Christine，Iassureyouitwouldbebettertogoatonce。Whywaitforto-morrow？Hemayhaveheardusto-night。

No，no，heisworking，Itellyou，athisDonJuanTriumphantandnotthinkingofus。

You’resosureofthatyoukeeponlookingbehindyou！

Cometomydressing-room。

Hadn’twebettermeetoutsidetheOpera？

Never，tillwegoawayforgood！Itwouldbringusbadluck，ifIdidnotkeepmyword。Ipromisedhimtoseeyouonlyhere。

It’sagoodthingformethatheallowedyoueventhat。Doyouknow，

saidRaoulbitterly，thatitwasverypluckyofyoutoletusplayatbeingengaged？

Why，mydear，heknowsallaboutit！Hesaid，`Itrustyou，Christine。M。deChagnyisinlovewithyouandisgoingabroad。

Beforehegoes，IwanthimtobeashappyasIam。’Arepeoplesounhappywhentheylove？

Yes，Christine，whentheyloveandarenotsureofbeingloved。

TheycametoChristine’sdressing-room。

Whydoyouthinkthatyouaresaferinthisroomthanonthestage？

askedRaoul。Youheardhimthroughthewallshere，thereforehecancertainlyhearus。

No。Hegavemehiswordnottobebehindthewallsofmydressing-roomagainandIbelieveErik’sword。Thisroomandmybedroomonthelakeareforme，exclusively，andnottobeapproachedbyhim。

Howcanyouhavegonefromthisroomintothatdarkpassage，Christine？Supposewetrytorepeatyourmovements。shallwe？

Itisdangerous，dear，fortheglassmightcarrymeoffagain。

and，insteadofrunningaway，IshouldbeobligedtogototheendofthesecretpassagetothelakeandtherecallErik。

Wouldhehearyou？

ErikwillhearmewhereverIcallhim。Hetoldmeso。Heisaverycuriousgenius。Youmustnotthink，Raoul，thatheissimplyamanwhoamuseshimselfbylivingunderground。Hedoesthingsthatnoothermancoulddo。heknowsthingswhichnobodyintheworldknows。

Takecare，Christine，youaremakingaghostofhimagain！

No，heisnotaghost。heisamanofHeavenandearth，thatisall。

AmanofHeavenandearth……thatisal！……Anicewaytospeakofhim！……Andareyoustillresolvedtorunawayfromhim？

Yes，to-morrow。

To-morrow，youwillhavenoresolveleft！

Then，Raoul，youmustrunawaywithmeinspiteofmyself。

isthatunderstood？

Ishallbehereattwelveto-morrownight。Ishallkeepmypromise，whateverhappens。Yousaythat，afterlisteningtotheperformance，heistowaitforyouinthedining-roomonthelake？

Yes。

Andhowareyoutoreachhim，ifyoudon’tknowhowtogooutbytheglass？

Why，bygoingstraighttotheedgeofthelake。

Christineopenedabox，tookoutanenormouskeyandshowedittoRaoul。

What’sthat？heasked。

ThekeyofthegatetotheundergroundpassageintheRueScribe。

Iunderstand，Christine。Itleadsstraighttothelake。

Giveittome，Christine，willyou？

Never！shesaid。Thatwouldbetreacherous！

SuddenlyChristinechangedcolor。Amortalpalloroverspreadherfeatures。

Ohheavens！shecried。Erik！Erik！Havepityonme！

Holdyourtongue！saidRaoul。Youtoldmehecouldhearyou！

Butthesinger’sattitudebecamemoreandmoreinexplicable。

Shewrungherfingers，repeating，withadistraughtair。

Oh，Heaven！Oh，Heaven！

Butwhatisit？Whatisit？Raoulimplored。

Thering……thegoldringhegaveme。

Oh，soErikgaveyouthatring！

Youknowhedid，Raoul！Butwhatyoudon’tknowisthat，whenhegaveittome，hesaid，`Igiveyoubackyourliberty，Christine，onconditionthatthisringisalwaysonyourfinger。

Aslongasyoukeepit，youwillbeprotectedagainstalldangerandErikwillremainyourfriend。Butwoetoyouifyoueverpartwithit，forErikwillhavehisrevenge！’……Mydear，mydear，theringisgone！……Woetousboth！

Theybothlookedforthering，butcouldnotfindit。

Christinerefusedtobepacified。

ItwaswhileIgaveyouthatkiss，upabove，underApollo’slyre，

shesaid。Theringmusthaveslippedfrommyfingeranddroppedintothestreet！Wecanneverfindit。Andwhatmisfortunesareinstoreforusnow！Oh，torunaway！

Letusrunawayatonce，Raoulinsisted，oncemore。

Shehesitated。Hethoughtthatshewasgoingtosayyes……Thenherbrightpupilsbecamedimmedandshesaid：

No！To-morrow！

Andshelefthimhurriedly，stillwringingandrubbingherfingers，asthoughshehopedtobringtheringbacklikethat。

Raoulwenthome，greatlyperturbedatallthathehadheard。

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TheySatLikethatforaMomentinSilenceIfIdon’tsaveherfromthehandsofthathumbug，hesaid，aloud，ashewenttobed，sheislost。ButIshallsaveher。

HeputouthislampandfeltaneedtoinsultErikinthedark。

Thriceover，heshouted：

Humbug！……Humbug！……Humbug！

But，suddenly，heraisedhimselfonhiselbow。Acoldsweatpouredfromhistemples。Twoeyes，likeblazingcoals，hadappearedatthefootofhisbed。Theystaredathimfixedly，terribly，inthedarknessofthenight。

Raoulwasnocoward。andyethetrembled。Heputoutagroping，hesitatinghandtowardthetablebyhisbedside。Hefoundthematchesandlithiscandle。Theeyesdisappeared。

Stilluneasyinhismind，hethoughttohimself：

ShetoldmethatHISeyesonlyshowedinthedark。Hiseyeshavedisappearedinthelight，butHEmaybetherestill。

Andherose，huntedabout，wentroundtheroom。Helookedunderhisbed，likeachild。Thenhethoughthimselfabsurd，gotintobedagainandblewoutthecandle。Theeyesreappeared。

Hesatupandstaredbackatthemwithallthecouragehepossessed。

Thenhecried：

Isthatyou，Erik？Man，genius，orghost，isityou？

Hereflected：Ifit’she，he’sonthebalcony！

Thenherantothechestofdrawersandgropedforhisrevolver。

Heopenedthebalconywindow，lookedout，sawnothinganddosedthewindowagain。Hewentbacktobed，shivering，forthenightwascold，andputtherevolveronthetablewithinhisreach。

Theeyeswerestillthere，atthefootofthebed。Weretheybetweenthebedandthewindow-paneorbehindthepane，thatistosay，onthebalcony？ThatwaswhatRaoulwantedtoknow。

Healsowantedtoknowifthoseeyesbelongedtoahumanbeing……Hewantedtoknoweverything。Then，patiently，calmly，heseizedhisrevolverandtookaim。Heaimedalittleabovethetwoeyes。

Surely，iftheywereeyesandifabovethosetwoeyestherewasaforeheadandifRaoulwasnottooclumsy……

Theshotmadeaterribledinamidthesilenceoftheslumberinghouse。

And，whilefootstepscamehurryingalongthepassages，Raoulsatupwithoutstretchedarm，readytofireagain，ifneedbe。

Thistime，thetwoeyeshaddisappeared。

Servantsappeared，carryinglights。CountPhilippe，terriblyanxious：

Whatisit？

IthinkIhavebeendreaming，repliedtheyoungman。Ifiredattwostarsthatkeptmefromsleeping。

You’reraving！Areyouill？ForGod’ssake，tellme，Raoul：

whathappened？

Andthecountseizedholdoftherevolver。

No，no，I’mnotraving……Besides，weshallsoonsee……

Hegotoutofbed，putonadressing-gownandslippers，tookalightfromthehandsofaservantand，openingthewindow，steppedoutonthebalcony。

Thecountsawthatthewindowhadbeenpiercedbyabulletataman’sheight。Raoulwasleaningoverthebalconywithhiscandle：

Aha！hesaid。Blood！……Blood！……Here，there，moreblood！……That’sagoodthing！Aghostwhobleedsislessdangerous！

hegrinned。

Raoul！Raoul！Raoul！

Thecountwasshakinghimasthoughheweretryingtowakenasleep-walker。

But，mydearbrother，I’mnotasleep！Raoulprotestedimpatiently。

Youcanseethebloodforyourself。IthoughtIhadbeendreamingandfiringattwostars。ItwasErik’seyes……andhereishisblood！……Afterall，perhapsIwaswrongtoshoot。andChristineisquitecapableofneverforgivingme……AllthiswouldnothavehappenedifIhaddrawnthecurtainsbeforegoingtobed。

Raoul，haveyousuddenlygonemad？Wakeup！

What，still？YouwoulddobettertohelpmefindErik……for，afterall，aghostwhobleedscanalwaysbefound。

Thecount’svaletsaid：

Thatisso，sir。thereisbloodonthebalcony。

Theotherman-servantbroughtalamp，bythelightofwhichtheyexaminedthebalconycarefully。Themarksofbloodfollowedtherailtilltheyreachedagutter-spout。thentheywentupthegutter-spout。

Mydearfellow，saidCountPhilippe，youhavefiredatacat。

Themisfortuneis，saidRaoul，withagrin，thatit’squitepossible。WithErik，youneverknow。IsitErik？

Isitthecat？Isittheghost？No，withErik，youcan’ttell！

Raoulwentonmakingthisstrangesortofremarkswhichcorrespondedsointimatelyandlogicallywiththepreoccupationofhisbrainandwhich，atthesametime，tendedtopersuademanypeoplethathismindwasunhinged。Thecounthimselfwasseizedwiththisidea。and，later，theexaminingmagistrate，onreceivingthereportofthecommissaryofpolice，cametothesameconclusion。

WhoisErik？askedthecount，pressinghisbrother’shand。

Heismyrival。And，ifhe’snotdead，it’sapity。

HedismissedtheservantswithawaveofthehandandthetwoChagnyswereleftalone。Butthemenwerenotoutofearshotbeforethecount’svaletheardRaoulsay，distinctlyandemphatically：

IshallcarryoffChristineDaaeto-night。

ThisphrasewasafterwardrepeatedtoM。Faure，theexamining-magistrate。

Butnooneeverknewexactlywhatpassedbetweenthetwobrothersatthisinterview。Theservantsdeclaredthatthiswasnottheirfirstquarrel。Theirvoicespenetratedthewall。

anditwasalwaysanactresscalledChristineDaaethatwasinquestion。

Atbreakfast——theearlymorningbreakfast，whichthecounttookinhisstudy——Philippesentforhisbrother。Raoularrivedsilentandgloomy。Thescenewasaveryshortone。PhilippehandedhisbrotheracopyoftheEpoqueandsaid：

Readthat！

Theviscountread：

ThelatestnewsintheFaubourgisthatthereisapromiseofmarriagebetweenMlle。ChristineDaae，theopera-singer，andM。leVicomteRaouldeChagny。Ifthegossipsaretobecredited，CountPhilippehasswornthat，forthefirsttimeonrecord，theChagnysshallnotkeeptheirpromise。But，asloveisall-powerful，attheOperaas——

andevenmorethan——elsewhere，wewonderhowCountPhilippeintendstopreventtheviscount，hisbrother，fromleadingthenewMargaritatothealtar。Thetwobrothersaresaidtoadoreeachother。

butthecountiscuriouslymistakenifheimaginesthatbrotherlylovewilltriumphoverlovepureandsimple。

Yousee，Raoul，saidthecount，youaremakingusridiculous！

Thatlittlegirlhasturnedyourheadwithherghost-stories。

TheviscounthadevidentlyrepeatedChristine’snarrativetohisbrother，duringthenight。Allthathenowsaidwas：

Good-by，Philippe。

Haveyouquitemadeupyourmind？Youaregoingto-night？Withher？

Noreply。

Surelyyouwillnotdoanythingsofoolish？ISHALLknowhowtopreventyou！

Good-by，Philippe，saidtheviscountagainandlefttheroom。

Thisscenewasdescribedtotheexamining-magistratebythecounthimself，whodidnotseeRaoulagainuntilthatevening，attheOpera，afewminutesbeforeChristine’sdisappearance。

Raoul，infact，devotedthewholedaytohispreparationsfortheflight。Thehorses，thecarriage，thecoachman，theprovisions，theluggage，themoneyrequiredforthejourney，theroadtobetaken(hehadresolvednottogobytrain，soastothrowtheghostoffthescent)：allthishadtobesettledandprovidedfor。

anditoccupiedhimuntilnineo’clockatnight。

Atnineo’clock，asortoftraveling-barouchewiththecurtainsofitswindowsclose-down，tookitsplaceintherankontheRotundaside。

Itwasdrawnbytwopowerfulhorsesdrivenbyacoachmanwhosefacewasalmostconcealedinthelongfoldsofamuffler。

Infrontofthistraveling-carriagewerethreebroughams，belongingrespectivelytoCarlotta，whohadsuddenlyreturnedtoParis，toSorelliand，attheheadoftherank，toComtePhilippedeChagny。

Nooneleftthebarouche。Thecoachmanremainedonhisbox，andthethreeothercoachmenremainedontheirs。

AshadowinalongblackcloakandasoftblackfelthatpassedalongthepavementbetweentheRotundaandthecarriages，examinedthebarouchecarefully，wentuptothehorsesandthecoachmanandthenmovedawaywithoutsayingaword，ThemagistrateafterwardbelievedthatthisshadowwasthatoftheVicomteRaouldeChagny。butIdonotagree，seeingthatthatevening，aseveryevening，theVicomtedeChagnywaswearingatallhat，whichhat，besides，wassubsequentlyfound。

Iammoreinclinedtothinkthattheshadowwasthatoftheghost，whoknewallaboutthewholeaffair，asthereaderwillsoonperceive。

TheyweregivingFAUST，asithappened，beforeasplendidhouse。

TheFaubourgwasmagnificentlyrepresented。andtheparagraphinthatmorning’sEPOQUEhadalreadyproduceditseffect，foralleyeswereturnedtotheboxinwhichCountPhilippesatalone，apparentlyinaveryindifferentandcarelessframeofmind。

Thefeminineelementinthebrilliantaudienceseemedcuriouslypuzzled。

andtheviscount’sabsencegaverisetoanyamountofwhisperingbehindthefans。ChristineDaaemetwitharathercoldreception。

Thatspecialaudiencecouldnotforgiveherforaimingsohigh。

Thesingernoticedthisunfavorableattitudeofaportionofthehouseandwasconfusedbyit。

TheregularfrequentersoftheOpera，whopretendedtoknowthetruthabouttheviscount’slove-story，exchangedsignificantsmilesatcertainpassagesinMargarita’spart。andtheymadeashowofturningandlookingatPhilippedeChagny’sboxwhenChristinesang：

IwishIcouldbutknowwhowasheThataddressedme，Ifhewasnoble，or，atleast，whathisnameis。

Thecountsatwithhischinonhishandandseemedtopaynoattentiontothesemanifestations。Hekepthiseyesfixedonthestage。

buthisthoughtsappearedtobefaraway。

Christinelostherself-assurancemoreandmore。Shetrembled。

Shefeltonthevergeofabreakdown……CarolusFontawonderedifshewasill，ifshecouldkeepthestageuntiltheendoftheGardenAct。Inthefrontofthehouse，peoplerememberedthecatastrophethathadbefallenCarlottaattheendofthatactandthehistoricco-ackwhichhadmomentarilyinterruptedhercareerinParis。

Justthen，Carlottamadeherentranceinaboxfacingthestage，asensationalentrance。PoorChristineraisedhereyesuponthisfreshsubjectofexcitement。Sherecognizedherrival。Shethoughtshesawasneeronherlips。Thatsavedher。Sheforgoteverything，inordertotriumphoncemore。

Fromthatmomenttheprimadonnasangwithallherheartandsoul。

Shetriedtosurpassallthatshehaddonetillthen。andshesucceeded。

Inthelastactwhenshebegantheinvocationtotheangels，shemadeallthemembersoftheaudiencefeelasthoughtheytoohadwings。

Inthecenteroftheamphitheateramanstoodupandremainedstanding，facingthesinger。ItwasRaoul。

Holyangel，inHeavenblessed……

AndChristine，herarmsoutstretched，herthroatfilledwithmusic，thegloryofherhairfallingoverherbareshoulders，utteredthedivinecry：

Myspiritlongswiththeetorest！

Itwasatthatmomentthatthestagewassuddenlyplungedindarkness。

Ithappenedsoquicklythatthespectatorshardlyhadtimetoutterasoundofstupefaction，forthegasatoncelitupthestageagain。

ButChristineDaaewasnolongerthere！

Whathadbecomeofher？Whatwasthatmiracle？Allexchangedglanceswithoutunderstanding，andtheexcitementatoncereacheditsheight。Norwasthetensionanylessgreatonthestageitself。

MenrushedfromthewingstothespotwhereChristinehadbeensingingthatveryinstant。Theperformancewasinterruptedamidthegreatestdisorder。

WherehadChristinegone？Whatwitchcrafthadsnatchedher，awaybeforetheeyesofthousandsofenthusiasticonlookersandfromthearmsofCarolusFontahimself？Itwasasthoughtheangelshadreallycarriedheruptorest。

Raoul，stillstandingupintheamphitheater，hadutteredacry。

CountPhilippehadsprungtohisfeetinhisbox。Peoplelookedatthestage，atthecount，atRaoul，andwonderedifthiscuriouseventwasconnectedinanywaywiththeparagraphinthatmorning’spaper。ButRaoulhurriedlylefthisseat，thecountdisappearedfromhisboxand，whilethecurtainwaslowered，thesubscribersrushedtothedoorthatledbehindthescenes。

Therestoftheaudiencewaitedamidanindescribablehubbub。

Everyonespokeatonce。Everyonetriedtosuggestanexplanationoftheextraordinaryincident。

Atlast，thecurtainroseslowlyandCarolusFontasteppedtotheconductor’sdeskand，inasadandseriousvoice，said：

Ladiesandgentlemen，anunprecedentedeventhastakenplaceandthrownusintoastateofthegreatestalarm。Oursister-artist，ChristineDaae，hasdisappearedbeforeoureyesandnobodycantellushow！

ChapterXIVTheSingularAttitudeofaSafety-PinBehindthecurtain，therewasanindescribablecrowd。

Artists，scene-shifters，dancers，supers，choristers，subscriberswereallaskingquestions，shoutingandhustlingoneanother。

Whatbecameofher？

She’srunaway。

WiththeVicomtedeChagny，ofcourse！

No，withthecount！

Ah，here’sCarlotta！Carlottadidthetrick！

No，itwastheghost！Andafewlaughed，especiallyasacarefulexaminationofthetrap-doorsandboardshadputtheideaofanaccidentoutofthequestion。

Amidthisnoisythrong，threemenstoodtalkinginalowvoiceandwithdespairinggestures。TheywereGabriel，thechorus-master。

Mercier，theacting-manager。andRemy，thesecretary。Theyretiredtoacornerofthelobbybywhichthestagecommunicateswiththewidepassageleadingtothefoyeroftheballet。