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。
HisDonJuanTriumphantforIhadnotadoubtbutthathehadrushedtohismasterpiecetoforgetthehorrorofthemomentseemedtomeatfirstonelong，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，theroadtobetakenhehadresolvednottogobytrain，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。