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。’