{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。