{plusabonuschaptercalledTHEPARISOPERAHOUSE}
ThePhantomoftheOperaPrologueINWHICHTHEAUTHOROFTHISSINGULARWORKINFORMSTHEREADERHOW
HEACQUIREDTHECERTAINTYTHATTHEOPERAGHOSTREALLYEXISTED
TheOperaghostreallyexisted。Hewasnot，aswaslongbelieved，acreatureoftheimaginationoftheartists，thesuperstitionofthemanagers，oraproductoftheabsurdandimpressionablebrainsoftheyoungladiesoftheballet，theirmothers，thebox-keepers，thecloak-roomattendantsortheconcierge。Yes，heexistedinfleshandblood，althoughheassumedthecompleteappearanceofarealphantom。thatistosay，ofaspectralshade。
WhenIbegantoransackthearchivesoftheNationalAcademyofMusicIwasatoncestruckbythesurprisingcoincidencesbetweenthephenomenaascribedtotheghostandthemostextraordinaryandfantastictragedythateverexcitedtheParisupperclasses。
andIsoonconceivedtheideathatthistragedymightreasonablybeexplainedbythephenomenainquestion。Theeventsdonotdatemorethanthirtyyearsback。anditwouldnotbedifficulttofindatthepresentday，inthefoyeroftheballet，oldmenofthehighestrespectability，menuponwhosewordonecouldabsolutelyrely，whowouldrememberasthoughtheyhappenedyesterdaythemysteriousanddramaticconditionsthatattendedthekidnappingofChristineDaae，thedisappearanceoftheVicomtedeChagnyandthedeathofhiselderbrother，CountPhilippe，whosebodywasfoundonthebankofthelakethatexistsinthelowercellarsoftheOperaontheRue-Scribeside。ButnoneofthosewitnesseshaduntilthatdaythoughtthattherewasanyreasonforconnectingthemoreorlesslegendaryfigureoftheOperaghostwiththatterriblestory。
Thetruthwasslowtoentermymind，puzzledbyaninquirythatateverymomentwascomplicatedbyeventswhich，atfirstsight，mightbelookeduponassuperhuman。andmorethanonceIwaswithinanaceofabandoningataskinwhichIwasexhaustingmyselfinthehopelesspursuitofavainimage。Atlast，Ireceivedtheproofthatmypresentimentshadnotdeceivedme，andIwasrewardedforallmyeffortsonthedaywhenIacquiredthecertaintythattheOperaghostwasmorethanamereshade。
Onthatday，IhadspentlonghoursoverTHEMEMOIRSOFAMANAGER，thelightandfrivolousworkofthetoo-skepticalMoncharmin，who，duringhistermattheOpera，understoodnothingofthemysteriousbehavioroftheghostandwhowasmakingallthefunofitthathecouldattheverymomentwhenhebecamethefirstvictimofthecuriousfinancialoperationthatwentoninsidethemagicenvelope。
Ihadjustleftthelibraryindespair，whenImetthedelightfulacting-managerofourNationalAcademy，whostoodchattingonalandingwithalivelyandwell-groomedlittleoldman，towhomheintroducedmegaily。Theacting-managerknewallaboutmyinvestigationsandhoweagerlyandunsuccessfullyIhadbeentryingtodiscoverthewhereaboutsoftheexaminingmagistrateinthefamousChagnycase，M。Faure。Nobodyknewwhathadbecomeofhim，aliveordead。
andherehewasbackfromCanada，wherehehadspentfifteenyears，andthefirstthinghehaddone，onhisreturntoParis，wastocometothesecretarialofficesattheOperaandaskforafreeseat。
ThelittleoldmanwasM。Faurehimself。
WespentagoodpartoftheeveningtogetherandhetoldmethewholeChagnycaseashehadunderstooditatthetime。Hewasboundtoconcludeinfavorofthemadnessoftheviscountandtheaccidentaldeathoftheelderbrother，forlackofevidencetothecontrary。
buthewasneverthelesspersuadedthataterribletragedyhadtakenplacebetweenthetwobrothersinconnectionwithChristineDaae。
HecouldnottellmewhatbecameofChristineortheviscount。
WhenImentionedtheghost，heonlylaughed。He，too，hadbeentoldofthecuriousmanifestationsthatseemedtopointtotheexistenceofanabnormalbeing，residinginoneofthemostmysteriouscornersoftheOpera，andheknewthestoryoftheenvelope。
buthehadneverseenanythinginitworthyofhisattentionasmagistrateinchargeoftheChagnycase，anditwasasmuchashehaddonetolistentotheevidenceofawitnesswhoappearedofhisownaccordanddeclaredthathehadoftenmettheghost。
ThiswitnesswasnoneotherthanthemanwhomallPariscalledthePersianandwhowaswell-knowntoeverysubscribertotheOpera。
Themagistratetookhimforavisionary。
IwasimmenselyinterestedbythisstoryofthePersian。Iwanted，iftherewerestilltime，tofindthisvaluableandeccentricwitness。
MyluckbegantoimproveandIdiscoveredhiminhislittleflatintheRuedeRivoli，wherehehadlivedeversinceandwherehediedfivemonthsaftermyvisit。Iwasatfirstinclinedtobesuspicious。
butwhenthePersianhadtoldme，withchild-likecandor，allthatheknewabouttheghostandhadhandedmetheproofsoftheghost’sexistence——includingthestrangecorrespondenceofChristineDaae——todoasIpleasedwith，Iwasnolongerabletodoubt。No，theghostwasnotamyth！
Ihave，Iknow，beentoldthatthiscorrespondencemayhavebeenforgedfromfirsttolastbyamanwhoseimaginationhadcertainlybeenfedonthemostseductivetales。butfortunatelyIdiscoveredsomeofChristine’swritingoutsidethefamousbundleoflettersand，onacomparisonbetweenthetwo，allmydoubtswereremoved。
IalsowentintothepasthistoryofthePersianandfoundthathewasanuprightman，incapableofinventingastorythatmighthavedefeatedtheendsofjustice。
This，moreover，wastheopinionofthemoreseriouspeoplewho，atonetimeorother，weremixedupintheChagnycase，whowerefriendsoftheChagnyfamily，towhomIshowedallmydocumentsandsetforthallmyinferences。Inthisconnection，IshouldliketoprintafewlineswhichIreceivedfromGeneralD——：
SIR：
Icannoturgeyoutoostronglytopublishtheresultsofyourinquiry。
Irememberperfectlythat，afewweeksbeforethedisappearanceofthatgreatsinger，ChristineDaae，andthetragedywhichthrewthewholeoftheFaubourgSaint-Germainintomourning，therewasagreatdealoftalk，inthefoyeroftheballet，onthesubjectoftheghost。andIbelievethatitonlyceasedtobediscussedinconsequenceofthelateraffairthatexcitedusallsogreatly。But，ifitbepossible——as，afterhearingyou，Ibelieve——toexplainthetragedythroughtheghost，thenI
begyousir，totalktousabouttheghostagain。
Mysteriousthoughtheghostmayatfirstappear，hewillalwaysbemoreeasilyexplainedthanthedismalstoryinwhichmalevolentpeoplehavetriedtopicturetwobrotherskillingeachotherwhohadworshipedeachotheralltheirlives。
Believeme，etc。
Lastly，withmybundleofpapersinhand，Ioncemorewentovertheghost’svastdomain，thehugebuildingwhichhehadmadehiskingdom。Allthatmyeyessaw，allthatmymindperceived，corroboratedthePersian’sdocumentsprecisely。andawonderfuldiscoverycrownedmylaborsinaverydefinitefashion。Itwillberememberedthat，later，whendigginginthesubstructureoftheOpera，beforeburyingthephonographicrecordsoftheartist’svoice，theworkmenlaidbareacorpse。Well，IwasatonceabletoprovethatthiscorpsewasthatoftheOperaghost。Imadetheacting-managerputthisprooftothetestwithhisownhand。
anditisnowamatterofsupremeindifferencetomeifthepaperspretendthatthebodywasthatofavictimoftheCommune。
Thewretcheswhoweremassacred，undertheCommune，inthecellarsoftheOpera，werenotburiedonthisside。Iwilltellwheretheirskeletonscanbefoundinaspotnotveryfarfromthatimmensecryptwhichwasstockedduringthesiegewithallsortsofprovisions。
IcameuponthistrackjustwhenIwaslookingfortheremainsoftheOperaghost，whichIshouldneverhavediscoveredbutfortheunheard-ofchancedescribedabove。
Butwewillreturntothecorpseandwhatoughttobedonewithit。
Forthepresent，ImustconcludethisverynecessaryintroductionbythankingM。MifroidwhowasthecommissaryofpolicecalledinforthefirstinvestigationsafterthedisappearanceofChristineDaae，M。Remy，thelatesecretary，M。Mercier，thelateacting-manager，M。Gabriel，thelatechorus-master，andmoreparticularlyMme。laBaronnedeCastelot-Barbezac，whowasoncethelittleMeg
ofthestoryandwhoisnotashamedofit，themostcharmingstarofouradmirablecorpsdeballet，theeldestdaughteroftheworthyMme。Giry，nowdeceased，whohadchargeoftheghost’sprivatebox。
Allthesewereofthegreatestassistancetome。and，thankstothem，Ishallbeabletoreproducethosehoursofsheerloveandterror，intheirsmallestdetails，beforethereader’seyes。
AndIshouldbeungratefulindeedifIomitted，whilestandingonthethresholdofthisdreadfulandveraciousstory，tothankthepresentmanagementtheOpera，whichhassokindlyassistedmeinallmyinquiries，andM。Messagerinparticular，togetherwithM。Gabion，theacting-manager，andthatmostamiableofmen，thearchitectintrustedwiththepreservationofthebuilding，whodidnothesitatetolendmetheworksofCharlesGarnier，althoughhewasalmostsurethatIwouldneverreturnthemtohim。
Lastly，Imustpayapublictributetothegenerosityofmyfriendandformercollaborator，M。J。LeCroze，whoallowedmetodipintohissplendidtheatricallibraryandtoborrowtheraresteditionsofbooksbywhichhesetgreatstore。
GASTONLEROUX。
ChapterIIsittheGhost？
ItwastheeveningonwhichMM。DebienneandPoligny，themanagersoftheOpera，weregivingalastgalaperformancetomarktheirretirement。
Suddenlythedressing-roomofLaSorelli，oneoftheprincipaldancers，wasinvadedbyhalf-a-dozenyoungladiesoftheballet，whohadcomeupfromthestageafterdancingPolyeucte。Theyrushedinamidgreatconfusion，somegivingventtoforcedandunnaturallaughter，otherstocriesofterror。Sorelli，whowishedtobealoneforamomenttorunthroughthespeechwhichshewastomaketotheresigningmanagers，lookedaroundangrilyatthemadandtumultuouscrowd。
ItwaslittleJammes——thegirlwiththetip-tiltednose，theforget-me-noteyes，therose-redcheeksandthelily-whiteneckandshoulders——whogavetheexplanationinatremblingvoice：
It’stheghost！Andshelockedthedoor。
Sorelli’sdressing-roomwasfittedupwithofficial，commonplaceelegance。
Apier-glass，asofa，adressing-tableandacupboardortwoprovidedthenecessaryfurniture。Onthewallshungafewengravings，relicsofthemother，whohadknownthegloriesoftheoldOperaintheRuelePeletier。portraitsofVestris，Gardel，Dupont，Bigottini。
Buttheroomseemedapalacetothebratsofthecorpsdeballet，whowerelodgedincommondressing-roomswheretheyspenttheirtimesinging，quarreling，smackingthedressersandhair-dressersandbuyingoneanotherglassesofcassis，beer，orevenrhum，untilthecall-boy’sbellrang。
Sorelliwasverysuperstitious。SheshudderedwhensheheardlittleJammesspeakoftheghost，calledherasillylittlefool
andthen，asshewasthefirsttobelieveinghostsingeneral，andtheOperaghostinparticular，atonceaskedfordetails：
Haveyouseenhim？
AsplainlyasIseeyounow！saidlittleJammes，whoselegsweregivingwaybeneathher，andshedroppedwithamoanintoachair。
ThereuponlittleGiry——thegirlwitheyesblackassloes，hairblackasink，aswarthycomplexionandapoorlittleskinstretchedoverpoorlittlebones——littleGiryadded：
Ifthat’stheghost，he’sveryugly！
Oh，yes！criedthechorusofballet-girls。
Andtheyallbegantotalktogether。Theghosthadappearedtothemintheshapeofagentlemanindress-clothes，whohadsuddenlystoodbeforetheminthepassage，withouttheirknowingwherehecamefrom。
Heseemedtohavecomestraightthroughthewall。
Pooh！saidoneofthem，whohadmoreorlesskeptherhead。
Youseetheghosteverywhere！
Anditwastrue。Forseveralmonths，therehadbeennothingdiscussedattheOperabutthisghostindress-clotheswhostalkedaboutthebuilding，fromtoptobottom，likeashadow，whospoketonobody，towhomnobodydaredspeakandwhovanishedassoonashewasseen，nooneknowinghoworwhere。Asbecamearealghost，hemadenonoiseinwalking。Peoplebeganbylaughingandmakingfunofthisspecterdressedlikeamanoffashionoranundertaker。buttheghostlegendsoonswelledtoenormousproportionsamongthecorpsdeballet。
Allthegirlspretendedtohavemetthissupernaturalbeingmoreorlessoften。Andthosewholaughedtheloudestwerenotthemostatease。Whenhedidnotshowhimself，hebetrayedhispresenceorhispassingbyaccident，comicorserious，forwhichthegeneralsuperstitionheldhimresponsible。Hadanyonemetwithafall，orsufferedapracticaljokeatthehandsofoneoftheothergirls，orlostapowderpuff，itwasatoncethefaultoftheghost，oftheOperaghost。
Afterall，whohadseenhim？Youmeetsomanymenindress-clothesattheOperawhoarenotghosts。Butthisdress-suithadapeculiarityofitsown。Itcoveredaskeleton。Atleast，sotheballet-girlssaid。And，ofcourse，ithadadeath’shead。
Wasallthisserious？ThetruthisthattheideaoftheskeletoncamefromthedescriptionoftheghostgivenbyJosephBuquet，thechiefscene-shifter，whohadreallyseentheghost。Hehadrunupagainsttheghostonthelittlestaircase，bythefootlights，whichleadstothecellars。Hehadseenhimforasecond——
fortheghosthadfled——andtoanyonewhocaredtolistentohimhesaid：
Heisextraordinarilythinandhisdress-coathangsonaskeletonframe。
Hiseyesaresodeepthatyoucanhardlyseethefixedpupils。
Youjustseetwobigblackholes，asinadeadman’sskull。
Hisskin，whichisstretchedacrosshisboneslikeadrumhead，isnotwhite，butanastyyellow。Hisnoseissolittleworthtalkingaboutthatyoucan’tseeitside-face。andTHEABSENCE
ofthatnoseisahorriblethingTOLOOKAT。Allthehairhehasisthreeorfourlongdarklocksonhisforeheadandbehindhisears。
Thischiefscene-shifterwasaserious，sober，steadyman，veryslowatimaginingthings。Hiswordswerereceivedwithinterestandamazement。andsoontherewereotherpeopletosaythattheytoohadmetamanindress-clotheswithadeath’sheadonhisshoulders。
SensiblemenwhohadwindofthestorybeganbysayingthatJosephBuquethadbeenthevictimofajokeplayedbyoneofhisassistants。
Andthen，oneaftertheother，therecameaseriesofincidentssocuriousandsoinexplicablethattheveryshrewdestpeoplebegantofeeluneasy。
Forinstance，afiremanisabravefellow！Hefearsnothing，leastofallfire！Well，thefiremaninquestion，whohadgonetomakearoundofinspectioninthecellarsandwho，itseems，hadventuredalittlefartherthanusual，suddenlyreappearedonthestage，pale，scared，trembling，withhiseyesstartingoutofhishead，andpracticallyfaintedinthearmsoftheproudmotheroflittleJammes。[1]Andwhy？Becausehehadseencomingtowardhim，ATTHELEVELOFHISHEAD，BUTWITHOUTABODYATTACHEDTOIT，AHEADOFFIRE！And，asIsaid，afiremanisnotafraidoffire——
[1]Ihavetheanecdote，whichisquiteauthentic，fromM。PedroGailhardhimself，thelatemanageroftheOpera。
Thefireman’snamewasPampin。
Thecorpsdeballetwasflungintoconsternation。Atfirstsight，thisfieryheadinnowaycorrespondedwithJosephBuquet’sdescriptionoftheghost。Buttheyoungladiessoonpersuadedthemselvesthattheghosthadseveralheads，whichhechangedaboutashepleased。And，ofcourse，theyatonceimaginedthattheywereinthegreatestdanger。Onceafiremandidnothesitatetofaint，leadersandfront-rowandback-rowgirlsalikehadplentyofexcusesforthefrightthatmadethemquickentheirpacewhenpassingsomedarkcornerorill-lightedcorridor。Sorelliherself，onthedayaftertheadventureofthefireman，placedahorseshoeonthetableinfrontofthestage-door-keeper’sbox，whicheveryonewhoenteredtheOperaotherwisethanasaspectatormusttouchbeforesettingfootonthefirsttreadofthestaircase。
Thishorse-shoewasnotinventedbyme——anymorethananyotherpartofthisstory，alas！——andmaystillbeseenonthetableinthepassageoutsidethestage-door-keeper’sbox，whenyouentertheOperathroughthecourtknownastheCourdel’Administration。
Toreturntotheeveninginquestion。
It’stheghost！littleJammeshadcried。
Anagonizingsilencenowreignedinthedressing-room。Nothingwasheardbutthehardbreathingofthegirls。Atlast，Jammes，flingingherselfuponthefarthestcornerofthewall，witheverymarkofrealterroronherface，whispered：
Listen！
Everybodyseemedtoheararustlingoutsidethedoor。Therewasnosoundoffootsteps。Itwaslikelightsilkslidingoverthepanel。
Thenitstopped。
Sorellitriedtoshowmorepluckthantheothers。Shewentuptothedoorand，inaquaveringvoice，asked：
Who’sthere？
Butnobodyanswered。Thenfeelingalleyesuponher，watchingherlastmovement，shemadeanefforttoshowcourage，andsaidveryloudly：
Isthereanyonebehindthedoor？
Oh，yes，yes！Ofcoursethereis！criedthatlittledriedplumofaMegGiry，heroicallyholdingSorellibackbyhergauzeskirt。
Whateveryoudo，don’topenthedoor！Oh，Lord，don’topenthedoor！
ButSorelli，armedwithadaggerthatneverlefther，turnedthekeyanddrewbackthedoor，whiletheballet-girlsretreatedtotheinnerdressing-roomandMegGirysighed：
Mother！Mother！
Sorellilookedintothepassagebravely。Itwasempty。
agas-flame，initsglassprison，castaredandsuspiciouslightintothesurroundingdarkness，withoutsucceedingindispellingit。
Andthedancerslammedthedooragain，withadeepsigh。
No，shesaid，thereisnoonethere。
Still，wesawhim！Jammesdeclared，returningwithtimidlittlestepstoherplacebesideSorelli。Hemustbesomewhereprowlingabout。
Ishan’tgobacktodress。Wehadbetterallgodowntothefoyertogether，atonce，forthe`speech，’andwewillcomeupagaintogether。
Andthechildreverentlytouchedthelittlecoralfinger-ringwhichsheworeasacharmagainstbadluck，whileSorelli，stealthily，withthetipofherpinkrightthumb-nail，madeaSt。Andrew’scrossonthewoodenringwhichadornedthefourthfingerofherlefthand。
Shesaidtothelittleballet-girls：
Come，children，pullyourselvestogether！Idaresaynoonehaseverseentheghost。
Yes，yes，wesawhim——wesawhimjustnow！criedthegirls。
Hehadhisdeath’sheadandhisdress-coat，justaswhenheappearedtoJosephBuquet！
AndGabrielsawhimtoo！saidJammes。Onlyyesterday！
Yesterdayafternoon——inbroadday-light——
Gabriel，thechorus-master？
Why，yes，didn’tyouknow？
Andhewaswearinghisdress-clothes，inbroaddaylight？
Who？Gabriel？
Why，no，theghost！
Certainly！Gabrieltoldmesohimself。That’swhatheknewhimby。
Gabrielwasinthestage-manager’soffice。SuddenlythedooropenedandthePersianentered。YouknowthePersianhastheevileye——
Oh，yes！answeredthelittleballet-girlsinchorus，wardingoffill-luckbypointingtheirforefingerandlittlefingerattheabsentPersian，whiletheirsecondandthirdfingerswerebentonthepalmandhelddownbythethumb。
AndyouknowhowsuperstitiousGabrielis，continuedJammes。
However，heisalwayspolite。WhenhemeetsthePersian，hejustputshishandinhispocketandtoucheshiskeys。Well，themomentthePersianappearedinthedoorway，Gabrielgaveonejumpfromhischairtothelockofthecupboard，soastotouchiron！
Indoingso，hetoreawholeskirtofhisovercoatonanail。
Hurryingtogetoutoftheroom，hebangedhisforeheadagainstahat-pegandgavehimselfahugebump。then，suddenlysteppingback，heskinnedhisarmonthescreen，nearthepiano。hetriedtoleanonthepiano，butthelidfellonhishandsandcrushedhisfingers。
herushedoutoftheofficelikeamadman，slippedonthestaircaseandcamedownthewholeofthefirstflightonhisback。
Iwasjustpassingwithmother。Wepickedhimup。Hewascoveredwithbruisesandhisfacewasalloverblood。Wewerefrightenedoutofourlives，but，allatonce，hebegantothankProvidencethathehadgotoffsocheaply。Thenhetolduswhathadfrightenedhim。
HehadseentheghostbehindthePersian，THEGHOSTWITHTHEDEATH’S
HEADjustlikeJosephBuquet’sdescription！
Jammeshadtoldherstoryeversoquickly，asthoughtheghostwereatherheels，andwasquiteoutofbreathatthefinish。
Asilencefollowed，whileSorellipolishedhernailsingreatexcitement。
ItwasbrokenbylittleGiry，whosaid：
JosephBuquetwoulddobettertoholdhistongue。
Whyshouldheholdhistongue？askedsomebody。
That’smother’sopinion，repliedMeg，loweringhervoiceandlookingallaboutherasthoughfearinglestotherearsthanthosepresentmightoverhear。
Andwhyisityourmother’sopinion？
Hush！Mothersaystheghostdoesn’tlikebeingtalkedabout。
Andwhydoesyourmothersayso？
Because——because——nothing——
Thisreticenceexasperatedthecuriosityoftheyoungladies，whocrowdedroundlittleGiry，begginghertoexplainherself。
Theywerethere，sidebyside，leaningforwardsimultaneouslyinonemovementofentreatyandfear，communicatingtheirterrortooneanother，takingakeenpleasureinfeelingtheirbloodfreezeintheirveins。
Isworenottotell！gaspedMeg。
Buttheylefthernopeaceandpromisedtokeepthesecret，untilMeg，burningtosayallsheknew，began，withhereyesfixedonthedoor：
Well，it’sbecauseoftheprivatebox。
Whatprivatebox？
Theghost’sbox！
Hastheghostabox？Oh，dotellus，dotellus！
Notsoloud！saidMeg。It’sBoxFive，youknow，theboxonthegrandtier，nexttothestage-box，ontheleft。
Oh，nonsense！
Itellyouitis。Motherhaschargeofit。Butyouswearyouwon’tsayaword？
Ofcourse，ofcourse。
Well，that’stheghost’sbox。Noonehashaditforoveramonth，excepttheghost，andordershavebeengivenatthebox-officethatitmustneverbesold。
Anddoestheghostreallycomethere？
Yes。
Thensomebodydoescome？
Why，no！Theghostcomes，butthereisnobodythere。
Thelittleballet-girlsexchangedglances。Iftheghostcametothebox，hemustbeseen，becauseheworeadress-coatandadeath’shead。
ThiswaswhattheytriedtomakeMegunderstand，butshereplied：
That’sjustit！Theghostisnotseen。Andhehasnodress-coatandnohead！Allthattalkabouthisdeath’sheadandhisheadoffireisnonsense！There’snothinginit。Youonlyhearhimwhenheisinthebox。Motherhasneverseenhim，butshehasheardhim。
Motherknows，becauseshegiveshimhisprogram。
Sorelliinterfered。
Giry，child，you’regettingatus！
ThereuponlittleGirybegantocry。
Ioughttohaveheldmytongue——ifmotherevercametoknow！
ButIwasquiteright，JosephBuquethadnobusinesstotalkofthingsthatdon’tconcernhim——itwillbringhimbadluck——
motherwassayingsolastnight——
Therewasasoundofhurriedandheavyfootstepsinthepassageandabreathlessvoicecried：
Cecile！Cecile！Areyouthere？
It’smother’svoice，saidJammes。What’sthematter？
Sheopenedthedoor。Arespectablelady，builtonthelinesofaPomeraniangrenadier，burstintothedressing-roomanddroppedgroaningintoavacantarm-chair。Hereyesrolledmadlyinherbrick-dustcoloredface。
Howawful！shesaid。Howawful！
What？What？
JosephBuquetWhatabouthim？
JosephBuquetisdead！
Theroombecamefilledwithexclamations，withastonishedoutcries，withscaredrequestsforexplanations。
Yes，hewasfoundhanginginthethird-floorcellar！
It’stheghost！littleGiryblurted，asthoughinspiteofherself。
butsheatoncecorrectedherself，withherhandspressedtohermouth：
No，no！——I，didn’tsayit！——Ididn’tsayit！——
Allaroundher，herpanic-strickencompanionsrepeatedundertheirbreaths：
Yes——itmustbetheghost！
Sorelliwasverypale。
Ishallneverbeabletorecitemyspeech，shesaid。
MaJammesgaveheropinion，whilesheemptiedaglassofliqueurthathappenedtobestandingonatable。theghostmusthavesomethingtodowithit。
ThetruthisthatnooneeverknewhowJosephBuquetmethisdeath。
Theverdictattheinquestwasnaturalsuicide。InhisMemoirsofManager，M。Moncharmin，oneofthejointmanagerswhosucceededMM。
DebienneandPoligny，describestheincidentasfollows：
AgrievousaccidentspoiledthelittlepartywhichMM。
DebienneandPolignygavetocelebratetheirretirement。Iwasinthemanager’soffice，whenMercier，theacting-manager，suddenlycamedartingin。Heseemedhalfmadandtoldmethatthebodyofascene-shifterhadbeenfoundhanginginthethirdcellarunderthestage，betweenafarm-houseandascenefromtheRoideLahore。
Ishouted：
`Comeandcuthimdown！’
BythetimeIhadrusheddownthestaircaseandtheJacob’sladder，themanwasnolongerhangingfromhisrope！
SothisisaneventwhichM。Moncharminthinksnatural。Amanhangsattheendofarope。theygotocuthimdown。theropehasdisappeared。Oh，M。Moncharminfoundaverysimpleexplanation！
Listentohim：
Itwasjustaftertheballet。andleadersanddancing-girlslostnotimeintakingtheirprecautionsagainsttheevileye。
Thereyouare！PicturethecorpsdeballetscuttlingdowntheJacob’sladderanddividingthesuicide’sropeamongthemselvesinlesstimethanittakestowrite！When，ontheotherhand，Ithinkoftheexactspotwherethebodywasdiscovered——
thethirdcellarunderneaththestage！——imaginethatSOMEBODY
musthavebeeninterestedinseeingthattheropedisappearedafterithadeffecteditspurpose。andtimewillshowifIamwrong。
ThehorridnewssoonspreadallovertheOpera，whereJosephBuquetwasverypopular。Thedressing-roomsemptiedandtheballet-girls，crowdingaroundSorelliliketimidsheeparoundtheirshepherdess，madeforthefoyerthroughtheill-litpassagesandstaircases，trottingasfastastheirlittlepinklegscouldcarrythem。
ChapterIITheNewMargaritaOnthefirstlanding，SorelliranagainsttheComtedeChagny，whowascomingup-stairs。Thecount，whowasgenerallysocalm，seemedgreatlyexcited。
Iwasjustgoingtoyou，hesaid，takingoffhishat。Oh，Sorelli，whatanevening！AndChristineDaae：whatatriumph！
Impossible！saidMegGiry。Sixmonthsago，sheusedtosinglikeaCROCK！Butdoletusgetby，mydearcount，continuesthebrat，withasaucycurtsey。Wearegoingtoinquireafterapoormanwhowasfoundhangingbytheneck。
Justthentheacting-managercamefussingpastandstoppedwhenheheardthisremark。
What！heexclaimedroughly。Haveyougirlsheardalready？
Well，pleaseforgetaboutitfortonight——andabovealldon’tletM。DebienneandM。Polignyhear。itwouldupsetthemtoomuchontheirlastday。
Theyallwentontothefoyeroftheballet，whichwasalreadyfullofpeople。TheComtedeChagnywasright。nogalaperformanceeverequalledthisone。Allthegreatcomposersofthedayhadconductedtheirownworksinturns。FaureandKrausshadsung。and，onthatevening，ChristineDaaehadrevealedhertrueself，forthefirsttime，totheastonishedandenthusiasticaudience。GounodhadconductedtheFuneralMarchofaMarionnette。Reyer，hisbeautifuloverturetoSiguar。SaintSaens，theDanseMacabreandaReverieOrientale。
Massenet，anunpublishedHungarianmarch。Guiraud，hisCarnaval。
Delibes，theValseLentefromSylviaandthePizzicatifromCoppelia。
Mlle。KrausshadsungthebolerointheVespriSiciliani。
andMlle。DeniseBlochthedrinkingsonginLucreziaBorgia。
ButtherealtriumphwasreservedforChristineDaae，whohadbegunbysingingafewpassagesfromRomeoandJuliet。ItwasthefirsttimethattheyoungartistsanginthisworkofGounod，whichhadnotbeentransferredtotheOperaandwhichwasrevivedattheOperaComiqueafterithadbeenproducedattheoldTheatreLyriquebyMme。Carvalho。Thosewhoheardhersaythathervoice，inthesepassages，wasseraphic。butthiswasnothingtothesuperhumannotesthatshegaveforthintheprisonsceneandthefinaltrioinFAUST，whichshesangintheplaceofLaCarlotta，whowasill。
Noonehadeverheardorseenanythinglikeit。
DaaerevealedanewMargaritathatnight，aMargaritaofasplendor，aradiancehithertounsuspected。Thewholehousewentmad，risingtoitsfeet，shouting，cheering，clapping，whileChristinesobbedandfaintedinthearmsofherfellow-singersandhadtobecarriedtoherdressing-room。Afewsubscribers，however，protested。
Whyhadsogreatatreasurebeenkeptfromthemallthattime？
Tillthen，ChristineDaaehadplayedagoodSiebeltoCarlotta’srathertoosplendidlymaterialMargarita。AndithadneededCarlotta’sincomprehensibleandinexcusableabsencefromthisgalanightforthelittleDaae，atamoment’swarning，toshowallthatshecoulddoinapartoftheprogramreservedfortheSpanishdiva！
Well，whatthesubscriberswantedtoknowwas，whyhadDebienneandPolignyappliedtoDaae，whenCarlottawastakenill？Didtheyknowofherhiddengenius？And，iftheyknewofit，whyhadtheykeptithidden？Andwhyhadshekeptithidden？Oddlyenough，shewasnotknowntohaveaprofessorofsingingatthatmoment。
Shehadoftensaidshemeanttopractisealoneforthefuture。
Thewholethingwasamystery。
TheComtedeChagny，standingupinhisbox，listenedtoallthisfrenzyandtookpartinitbyloudlyapplauding。PhilippeGeorgesMarieComtedeChagnywasjustforty-oneyearsofage。
Hewasagreataristocratandagood-lookingman，abovemiddleheightandwithattractivefeatures，inspiteofhishardforeheadandhisrathercoldeyes。Hewasexquisitelypolitetothewomenandalittlehaughtytothemen，whodidnotalwaysforgivehimforhissuccessesinsociety。Hehadanexcellentheartandanirreproachableconscience。OnthedeathofoldCountPhilibert，hebecametheheadofoneoftheoldestandmostdistinguishedfamiliesinFrance，whosearmsdatedbacktothefourteenthcentury。
TheChagnysownedagreatdealofproperty。and，whentheoldcount，whowasawidower，died，itwasnoeasytaskforPhilippetoacceptthemanagementofsolargeanestate。Histwosistersandhisbrother，Raoul，wouldnothearofadivisionandwaivedtheirclaimtotheirshares，leavingthemselvesentirelyinPhilippe’shands，asthoughtherightofprimogeniturehadneverceasedtoexist。
Whenthetwosistersmarried，onthesameday，theyreceivedtheirportionfromtheirbrother，notasathingrightfullybelongingtothem，butasadowryforwhichtheythankedhim。
TheComtessedeChagny，needeMoerogisdeLaMartyniere，haddiedingivingbirthtoRaoul，whowasborntwentyyearsafterhiselderbrother。
Atthetimeoftheoldcount’sdeath，Raoulwastwelveyearsofage。
Philippebusiedhimselfactivelywiththeyoungster’seducation。
Hewasadmirablyassistedinthisworkfirstbyhissistersandafterwardbyanoldaunt，thewidowofanavalofficer，wholivedatBrestandgaveyoungRaoulatasteforthesea。
TheladenteredtheBordatraining-ship，finishedhiscoursewithhonorsandquietlymadehistriproundtheworld。Thankstopowerfulinfluence，hehadjustbeenappointedamemberoftheofficialexpeditiononboardtheRequin，whichwastobesenttotheArcticCircleinsearchofthesurvivorsoftheD’Artoi’sexpedition，ofwhomnothinghadbeenheardforthreeyears。Meanwhile，hewasenjoyingalongfurloughwhichwouldnotbeoverforsixmonths。
andalreadythedowagersoftheFaubourgSaint-Germainwerepityingthehandsomeandapparentlydelicatestriplingforthehardworkinstoreforhim。
Theshynessofthesailor-lad——Iwasalmostsayinghisinnocence——
wasremarkable。Heseemedtohavebutjustleftthewomen’sapron-strings。Asamatteroffact，pettedashewasbyhistwosistersandhisoldaunt，hehadretainedfromthispurelyfeminineeducationmnnnersthatwerealmostcandidandstampedwithacharmthatnothinghadyetbeenabletosully。Hewasalittleovertwenty-oneyearsofageandlookedeighteen。Hehadasmall，fairmustache，beautifulblueeyesandacomplexionlikeagirl’s。
PhilippespoiledRaoul。Tobeginwith，hewasveryproudofhimandpleasedtoforeseeagloriouscareerforhisjuniorinthenavyinwhichoneoftheirancestors，thefamousChagnydeLaRoche，hadheldtherankofadmiral。Hetookadvantageoftheyoungman’sleaveofabsencetoshowhimParis，withallitsluxuriousandartisticdelights。Thecountconsideredthat，atRaoul’sage，itisnotgoodtobetoogood。Philippehimselfhadacharacterthatwasverywell-balancedinworkandpleasurealike。
hisdemeanorwasalwaysfaultless。andhewasincapableofsettinghisbrotherabadexample。Hetookhimwithhimwhereverhewent。
Heevenintroducedhimtothefoyeroftheballet。IknowthatthecountwassaidtobeontermswithSorelli。Butitcouldhardlybereckonedasacrimeforthisnobleman，abachelor，withplentyofleisure，especiallysincehissistersweresettled，tocomeandspendanhourortwoafterdinnerinthecompanyofadancer，who，thoughnotsovery，verywitty，hadthefinesteyesthateverwereseen！And，besides，thereareplaceswhereatrueParisian，whenhehastherankoftheComtedeChagny，isboundtoshowhimself。andatthattimethefoyeroftheballetattheOperawasoneofthoseplaces。
Lastly，PhilippewouldperhapsnothavetakenhisbrotherbehindthescenesoftheOperaifRaoulhadnotbeenthefirsttoaskhim，repeatedlyrenewinghisrequestwithagentleobstinacywhichthecountrememberedatalaterdate。
Onthatevening，Philippe，afterapplaudingtheDaae，turnedtoRaoulandsawthathewasquitepale。
Don’tyousee，saidRaoul，thatthewoman’sfainting？
Youlooklikefaintingyourself，saidthecount。What’sthematter？
ButRaoulhadrecoveredhimselfandwasstandingup。
Let’sgoandsee，hesaid，sheneversanglikethatbefore。
Thecountgavehisbrotheracurioussmilingglanceandseemedquitepleased。
Theyweresoonatthedoorleadingfromthehousetothestage。
Numbersofsubscriberswereslowlymakingtheirwaythrough。
RaoultorehisgloveswithoutknowingwhathewasdoingandPhilippehadmuchtookindahearttolaughathimforhisimpatience。
ButhenowunderstoodwhyRaoulwasabsent-mindedwhenspokentoandwhyhealwaystriedtoturneveryconversationtothesubjectoftheOpera。
Theyreachedthestageandpushedthroughthecrowdofgentlemen，scene-shifters，supersandchorus-girls，Raoulleadingtheway，feelingthathisheartnolongerbelongedtohim，hisfacesetwithpassion，whileCountPhilippefollowedhimwithdifficultyandcontinuedtosmile。Atthebackofthestage，Raoulhadtostopbeforetheinrushofthelittletroopofballet-girlswhoblockedthepassagewhichhewastryingtoenter。Morethanonechaffingphrasedartedfromlittlemade-uplips，towhichhedidnotreply。
andatlasthewasabletopass，anddivedintothesemi-darknessofacorridorringingwiththenameofDaae！Daae！ThecountwassurprisedtofindthatRaoulknewtheway。HehadnevertakenhimtoChristine’shimselfandcametotheconclusionthatRaoulmusthavegonetherealonewhilethecountstayedtalkinginthefoyerwithSorelli，whooftenaskedhimtowaituntilitwashertimetogoonandsometimeshandedhimthelittlegaitersinwhichsherandownfromherdressing-roomtopreservethespotlessnessofhersatindancing-shoesandherflesh-coloredtights。Sorellihadanexcuse。
shehadlosthermother。
PostponinghisusualvisittoSorelliforafewminutes，thecountfollowedhisbrotherdownthepassagethatledtoDaae’sdressing-roomandsawthatithadneverbeensocrammedasonthatevening，whenthewholehouseseemedexcitedbyhersuccessandalsobyherfaintingfit。Forthegirlhadnotyetcometo。andthedoctorofthetheaterhadjustarrivedatthemomentwhenRaoulenteredathisheels。Christine，therefore，receivedthefirstaidoftheone，whileopeninghereyesinthearmsoftheother。
Thecountandmanymoreremainedcrowdinginthedoorway。
Don’tyouthink，Doctor，thatthosegentlemenhadbettercleartheroom？askedRaoulcoolly。There’snobreathinghere。
You’requiteright，saidthedoctor。
Andhesenteveryoneaway，exceptRaoulandthemaid，wholookedatRaoulwitheyesofthemostundisguisedastonishment。
Shehadneverseenhimbeforeandyetdarednotquestionhim。
andthedoctorimaginedthattheyoungmanwasonlyactingashedidbecausehehadtherightto。Theviscount，therefore，remainedintheroomwatchingChristineassheslowlyreturnedtolife，whileeventhejointmanagers，DebienneandPoligny，whohadcometooffertheirsympathyandcongratulations，foundthemselvesthrustintothepassageamongthecrowdofdandies。TheComtedeChagny，whowasoneofthosestandingoutside，laughed：
Oh，therogue，therogue！Andheadded，underhisbreath：
Thoseyoungsterswiththeirschool-girlairs！Sohe’saChagnyafterall！
HeturnedtogotoSorelli’sdressing-room，butmetherontheway，withherlittletroopoftremblingballet-girls，aswehaveseen。
Meanwhile，ChristineDaaeutteredadeepsigh，whichwasansweredbyagroan。Sheturnedherhead，sawRaoulandstarted。Shelookedatthedoctor，onwhomshebestowedasmile，thenathermaid，thenatRaoulagain。
Monsieur，shesaid，inavoicenotmuchaboveawhisper，whoareyou？
Mademoiselle，repliedtheyoungman，kneelingononekneeandpressingaferventkissonthediva’shand，IAMTHELITTLE
BOYWHOWENTINTOTHESEATORESCUEYOURSCARF。
Christineagainlookedatthedoctorandthemaid。andallthreebegantolaugh。
Raoulturnedveryredandstoodup。
Mademoiselle，hesaid，sinceyouarepleasednottorecognizeme，Ishouldliketosaysomethingtoyouinprivate，somethingveryimportant。
WhenIambetter，doyoumind？Andhervoiceshook。Youhavebeenverygood。
Yes，youmustgo，saidthedoctor，withhispleasantestsmile。
Leavemetoattendtomademoiselle。
Iamnotillnow，saidChristinesuddenly，withstrangeandunexpectedenergy。
Sheroseandpassedherhandoverhereyelids。
Thankyou，Doctor。Ishouldliketobealone。Pleasegoaway，allofyou。Leaveme。Ifeelveryrestlessthisevening。
Thedoctortriedtomakeashortprotest，but，perceivingthegirl’sevidentagitation，hethoughtthebestremedywasnottothwarther。
Andhewentaway，sayingtoRaoul，outside：
Sheisnotherselfto-night。Sheisusuallysogentle。
ThenhesaidgoodnightandRaoulwasleftalone。Thewholeofthispartofthetheaterwasnowdeserted。Thefarewellceremonywasnodoubttakingplaceinthefoyeroftheballet。RaoulthoughtthatDaaemightgotoitandhewaitedinthesilentsolitude，evenhidinginthefavoringshadowofadoorway。HefeltaterriblepainathisheartanditwasofthisthathewantedtospeaktoDaaewithoutdelay。
Suddenlythedressing-roomdooropenedandthemaidcameoutbyherself，carryingbundles。Hestoppedherandaskedhowhermistresswas。
Thewomanlaughedandsaidthatshewasquitewell，butthathemustnotdisturbher，forshewishedtobeleftalone。Andshepassedon。OneideaalonefilledRaoul’sburningbrain：ofcourse，DaaewishedtobeleftaloneFORHIM！Hadhenottoldherthathewantedtospeaktoherprivately？
Hardlybreathing，hewentuptothedressing-roomand，withhiseartothedoortocatchherreply，preparedtoknock。Buthishanddropped。HehadheardAMAN’SVOICEinthedressing-room，saying，inacuriouslymasterfultone：
Christine，youmustloveme！
AndChristine’svoice，infinitelysadandtrembling，asthoughaccompaniedbytears，replied：
Howcanyoutalklikethat？WHENISINGONLYFORYOU！
Raoulleanedagainstthepaneltoeasehispain。Hisheart，whichhadseemedgoneforever，returnedtohisbreastandwasthrobbingloudly。ThewholepassageechoedwithitsbeatingandRaoul’searsweredeafened。Surely，ifhisheartcontinuedtomakesuchanoise，theywouldhearitinside，theywouldopenthedoorandtheyoungmanwouldbeturnedawayindisgrace。WhatapositionforaChagny！
Tobecaughtlisteningbehindadoor！Hetookhisheartinhistwohandstomakeitstop。
Theman’svoicespokeagain：Areyouverytired？
Oh，to-nightIgaveyoumysoulandIamdead！Christinereplied。
Yoursoulisabeautifulthing，child，repliedthegraveman’svoice，andIthankyou。Noemperoreverreceivedsofairagift。
THEANGELSWEPTTONIGHT。
Raoulheardnothingafterthat。Nevertheless，hedidnotgoaway，but，asthoughhefearedlestheshouldbecaught，hereturnedtohisdarkcorner，determinedtowaitforthemantoleavetheroom。
Atoneandthesametime，hehadlearnedwhatlovemeant，andhatred。
Heknewthatheloved。Hewantedtoknowwhomhehated。Tohisgreatastonishment，thedooropenedandChristineDaaeappeared，wrappedinfurs，withherfacehiddeninalaceveil，alone。Sheclosedthedoorbehindher，butRaoulobservedthatshedidnotlockit。
Shepassedhim。Hedidnotevenfollowherwithhiseyes，forhiseyeswerefixedonthedoor，whichdidnotopenagain。
Whenthepassagewasoncemoredeserted，hecrossedit，openedthedoorofthedressing-room，wentinandshutthedoor。
Hefoundhimselfinabsolutedarkness。Thegashadbeenturnedout。
Thereissomeonehere！saidRaoul，withhisbackagainstthecloseddoor，inaquiveringvoice。Whatareyouhidingfor？
Allwasdarknessandsilence。Raoulheardonlythesoundofhisownbreathing。Hequitefailedtoseethattheindiscretionofhisconductwasexceedingallbounds。
Youshan’tleavethisuntilIletyou！heexclaimed。Ifyoudon’tanswer，youareacoward！ButI’llexposeyou！
Andhestruckamatch。Theblazelituptheroom。Therewasnooneintheroom！Raoul，firstturningthekeyinthedoor，litthegas-jets。Hewentintothedressing-closet，openedthecupboards，huntedabout，feltthewallswithhismoisthands。Nothing！
Lookhere！hesaid，aloud。AmIgoingmad？
Hestoodfortenminuteslisteningtothegasflaringinthesilenceoftheemptyroom。loverthoughhewas，hedidnoteventhinkofstealingaribbonthatwouldhavegivenhimtheperfumeofthewomanheloved。
Hewentout，notknowingwhathewasdoingnorwherehewasgoing。
Atagivenmomentinhiswaywardprogress，anicydraftstruckhimintheface。Hefoundhimselfatthebottomofastaircase，downwhich，behindhim，aprocessionofworkmenwerecarryingasortofstretcher，coveredwithawhitesheet。
Whichisthewayout，please？heaskedofoneofthemen。
Straightinfrontofyou，thedoorisopen。Butletuspass。
Pointingtothestretcher，heaskedmechanically：What’sthat？
Theworkmenanswered：
`That’isJosephBuquet，whowasfoundinthethirdcellar，hangingbetweenafarm-houseandascenefromtheROIDELAHORE。
Hetookoffhishat，fellbacktomakeroomfortheprocessionandwentout。
ChapterIIITheMysteriousReasonDuringthistime，thefarewellceremonywastakingplace。
IhavealreadysaidthatthismagnificentfunctionwasbeinggivenontheoccasionoftheretirementofM。DebienneandM。Poligny，whohaddeterminedtodiegame，aswesaynowadays。Theyhadbeenassistedintherealizationoftheirideal，thoughmelancholy，programbyallthatcountedinthesocialandartisticworldofParis。
Allthesepeoplemet，aftertheperformance，inthefoyeroftheballet，whereSorelliwaitedforthearrivaloftheretiringmanagerswithaglassofchampagneinherhandandalittlepreparedspeechatthetipofhertongue。Behindher，themembersoftheCorpsdeBallet，youngandold，discussedtheeventsofthedayinwhispersorexchangeddiscreetsignalswiththeirfriends，anoisycrowdofwhomsurroundedthesupper-tablesarrangedalongtheslantingfloor。
Afewofthedancershadalreadychangedintoordinarydress。butmostofthemworetheirskirtsofgossamergauze。andallhadthoughtittherightthingtoputonaspecialfacefortheoccasion：all，thatis，exceptlittleJammes，whosefifteensummers——happyage！——seemedalreadytohaveforgottentheghostandthedeathofJosephBuquet。Sheneverceasedtolaughandchatter，tohopaboutandplaypracticaljokes，untilMm。DebienneandPolignyappearedonthestepsofthefoyer，whenshewasseverelycalledtoorderbytheimpatientSorelli。
Everybodyremarkedthattheretiringmanagerslookedcheerful，asistheParisway。NonewilleverbeatrueParisianwhohasnotlearnedtowearamaskofgaietyoverhissorrowsandoneofsadness，boredomorindifferenceoverhisinwardjoy。Youknowthatoneofyourfriendsisintrouble。donottrytoconsolehim：
hewilltellyouthatheisalreadycomforted。but，shouldhehavemetwithgoodfortune，becarefulhowyoucongratulatehim：hethinksitsonaturalthatheissurprisedthatyoushouldspeakofit。
InParis，ourlivesareonemaskedball。andthefoyeroftheballetisthelastplaceinwhichtwomensoknowingasM。DebienneandM。Polignywouldhavemadethemistakeofbetrayingtheirgrief，howevergenuineitmightbe。AndtheywerealreadysmilingrathertoobroadlyuponSorelli，whohadbeguntoreciteherspeech，whenanexclamationfromthatlittlemadcapofaJammesbrokethesmileofthemanagerssobrutallythattheexpressionofdistressanddismaythatlaybeneathitbecameapparenttoalleyes：
TheOperaghost！
Jammesyelledthesewordsinatoneofunspeakableterror。andherfingerpointed，amongthecrowdofdandies，toafacesopallid，solugubriousandsougly，withtwosuchdeepblackcavitiesunderthestraddlingeyebrows，thatthedeath’sheadinquestionimmediatelyscoredahugesuccess。
TheOperaghost！TheOperaghost！EverybodylaughedandpushedhisneighborandwantedtooffertheOperaghostadrink，buthewasgone。Hehadslippedthroughthecrowd。andtheothersvainlyhuntedforhim，whiletwooldgentlementriedtocalmlittleJammesandwhilelittleGirystoodscreaminglikeapeacock。
Sorelliwasfurious。shehadnotbeenabletofinishherspeech。
themanagers，hadkissedher，thankedherandrunawayasfastastheghosthimself。Noonewassurprisedatthis，foritwasknownthattheyweretogothroughthesameceremonyonthefloorabove，inthefoyerofthesingers，andthatfinallytheywerethemselvestoreceivetheirpersonalfriends，forthelasttime，inthegreatlobbyoutsidethemanagers’office，wherearegularsupperwouldbeserved。
Heretheyfoundthenewmanagers，M。ArmandMoncharminandM。FirminRichard，whomtheyhardlyknew。nevertheless，theywerelavishinprotestationsoffriendshipandreceivedathousandflatteringcomplimentsinreply，sothatthoseoftheguestswhohadfearedthattheyhadarathertediouseveninginstoreforthematonceputonbrighterfaces。Thesupperwasalmostgayandaparticularlycleverspeechoftherepresentativeofthegovernment，minglingthegloriesofthepastwiththesuccessesofthefuture，causedthegreatestcordialitytoprevail。
Theretiringmanagershadalreadyhandedovertotheirsuccessorsthetwotinymaster-keyswhichopenedallthedoors——thousandsofdoors——
oftheOperahouse。Andthoselittlekeys，theobjectofgeneralcuriosity，werebeingpassedfromhandtohand，whentheattentionofsomeoftheguestswasdivertedbytheirdiscovery，attheendofthetable，ofthatstrange，wanandfantasticface，withtheholloweyes，whichhadalreadyappearedinthefoyeroftheballetandbeengreetedbylittleJammes’exclamation：
TheOperaghost！
Theresattheghost，asnaturalascouldbe，exceptthatheneitheratenordrank。Thosewhobeganbylookingathimwithasmileendedbyturningawaytheirheads，forthesightofhimatonceprovokedthemostfunerealthoughts。Noonerepeatedthejokeofthefoyer，nooneexclaimed：
There’stheOperaghost！
Hehimselfdidnotspeakawordandhisveryneighborscouldnothavestatedatwhatprecisemomenthehadsatdownbetweenthem。
buteveryonefeltthatifthedeaddidevercomeandsitatthetableoftheliving，theycouldnotcutamoreghastlyfigure。
ThefriendsofFirminRichardandArmandMoncharminthoughtthatthisleanandskinnyguestwasanacquaintanceofDebienne’sorPoligny’s，whileDebienne’sandPoligny’sfriendsbelievedthatthecadaverousindividualbelongedtoFirminRichardandArmandMoncharmin’sparty。
Theresultwasthatnorequestwasmadeforanexplanation。
nounpleasantremark。nojokeinbadtaste，whichmighthaveoffendedthisvisitorfromthetomb。Afewofthosepresentwhoknewthestoryoftheghostandthedescriptionofhimgivenbythechiefscene-shifter——
theydidnotknowofJosephBuquet’sdeath——thought，intheirownminds，thatthemanattheendofthetablemighteasilyhavepassedforhim。
andyet，accordingtothestory，theghosthadnonoseandthepersoninquestionhad。ButM。Moncharmindeclares，inhisMemoirs，thattheguest’snosewastransparent：long，thinandtransparent
arehisexactwords。I，formypart，willaddthatthismightverywellapplytoafalsenose。M。Moncharminmayhavetakenfortransparcncywhatwasonlyshininess。Everybodyknowsthatorthopaedicscienceprovidesbeautifulfalsenosesforthosewhohavelosttheirnosesnaturallyorastheresultofanoperation。
Didtheghostreallytakeaseatatthemanagers’supper-tablethatnight，uninvited？AndcanwebesurethatthefigurewasthatoftheOperaghosthimself？Whowouldventuretoassertasmuch？Imentiontheincident，notbecauseIwishforasecondtomakethereaderbelieve——oreventotrytomakehimbelieve——
thattheghostwascapableofsuchasublimepieceofimpudence。
butbecause，afterall，thethingisimpossible。
M。ArmandMoncharmin，inchapterelevenofhisMemoirs，says：
WhenIthinkofthisfirstevening，IcannotseparatethesecretconfidedtousbyMM。DebienneandPolignyintheirofficefromthepresenceatoursupperofthatGHOSTLYpersonwhomnoneofusknew。
Whathappenedwasthis：Mm。DebienneandPoligny，sittingatthecenterofthetable，hadnotseenthemanwiththedeath’shead。
Suddenlyhebegantospeak。
Theballet-girlsareright，hesaid。ThedeathofthatpoorBuquetisperhapsnotsonaturalaspeoplethink。
DebienneandPolignygaveastart。
IsBuquetdead？theycried。
Yes，repliedtheman，ortheshadowofaman，quietly。Hewasfound，thisevening，hanginginthethirdcellar，betweenafarm-houseandascenefromtheRoideLahore。
Thetwomanagers，orratherex-managers，atonceroseandstaredstrangelyatthespeaker。Theyweremoreexcitedthantheyneedhavebeen，thatistosay，moreexcitedthananyoneneedbebytheannouncementofthesuicideofachiefscene-shifter。Theylookedateachother。They，hadbothturnedwhiterthanthetable-cloth。
Atlast，DebiennemadeasigntoMm。RichardandMoncharmin。
Polignymutteredafewwordsofexcusetotheguests。andallfourwentintothemanagers’office。IleaveM。Mencharmintocompletethestory。InhisMemoirs，hesays：
Mm。DebienneandPolignyseemedtogrowmoreandmoreexcited，andtheyappearedtohavesomethingverydifficulttotellus。
First，theyaskedusifweknewtheman，sittingattheendofthetable，whohadtoldthemofthedeathofJosephBuquet。and，whenweansweredinthenegative，theylookedstillmoreconcerned。Theytookthemaster-keysfromourhands，staredatthemforamomentandadvisedustohavenewlocksmade，withthegreatestsecrecy，fortherooms，closetsandpressesthatwemightwishtohavehermeticallyclosed。