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。