The Phantom of the Opera

e de Chagny, who was coming up-stairs. The count,

g off his hat. "Oh, Sorelli, what an even

ut do let us get by, my dear count," continues the brat, with a saucy curtsey.

came fussing past and stopp

ease forget about it for tonight-and above all don't let M. Debienne

that evening, Christine Daae had revealed her true self, for the first time, to the astonished and enthusiastic audience. Gounod had conducted the Funeral March of a Marionnette; Reyer, his beautiful overture to Siguar; Saint Saens, the Danse Macabre and a Reverie

sferred to the Opera and which was revived at the Opera Comique after it had been produced at the old Theatre Lyrique by Mme. Carvalho. Those who heard her say that her voice, in these passages, was seraphic; but

ll that time? Till then, Christine Daae had played a good Siebel to Carlotta's rather too splendidly material Margarita. And it had needed Carlotta's incomprehensible and inexcusable absence from this gala night for the little Daae, at a moment's warning, to show all that she could do in a part of the program reserved for the Spanish diva! Well, what the subscribers wanted to

lways forgive him for his successes in society. He had an excellent heart and an irreproachable conscience. On the death of old Count Philibert, he became the head of one of the oldest and most distinguished families in France, whose arms dated back to the fourteenth century. The Chagnys owned a great deal of property; and, when the old count, who was a widower, died, it was no easy task for Philippe to accept the management

n old aunt, the widow of a naval officer, who lived at Brest and gave young Raoul a taste for the sea. The lad entered the Borda training-ship, finished his course with honors and quietly made his trip round the world. Thanks to powerful influence, he had just been appointed a member of the official expedition on board the Requin, which was to be sent to

he was by his two sisters and his old aunt, he had retained from this purely feminine education manners that were almost candid and stamped with a charm that nothing had

d. Philippe himself had a character that was very well-balanced in work and pleasure alike; his demeanor was always faultless; and he was incapable of setting his brother a bad example. He took him with him wherever he went. He even introduced him to the foyer of the ballet. I know that the count was said to be "on terms" with Sorelli. But it could hardly be reckoned as a crime for this nobleman, a bachelor, with

f the Opera if Raoul had not been the first to ask him, repeatedly renewing h

applauding the Daae, turned to Ra

id Raoul, "that the

yourself," said the co

overed himself an

e said, "she never sa

ibers were slowly making their way through. Raoul tore his gloves without knowing what he was doing and Philippe had much too kind a heart to laugh at him for

blocked the passage which he was trying to enter. More than one chaffing phrase darted from little made-up lips, to which he did not reply; and at last he was able to pass, and dived into the semi-darkness of a corridor ringing with the name of "Daae! Daae!" The count was surprised to find that Raoul knew the way. He had never taken him to Christine's himself and came to the concl

evening, when the whole house seemed excited by her success and also by her fainting fit. For the girl had not yet come to; and the doctor of the theater had just arrived at the moment when

lemen had better clear the room?" asked R

e right," sa

that the young man was only acting as he did because he had the right to. The viscount, therefore, remained in the room watching Christine as she slowly returned to life, while even the joint managers, Debienn

er his breath: "Those youngsters with their s

but met her on the way, with her little troo

roan. She turned her head, saw Raoul and started. She looked at the doct

a voice not much above

ee and pressing a fervent kiss on the diva's hand, "I AM

the doctor and the maid; a

d very red

not to recognize me, I should like to say someth

mind?" And her voice shook

r, with his pleasantest smile. "Le

hristine suddenly, with st

ssed her hand o

alone. Please go away, all of you. Leave

e girl's evident agitation, he thought the best remedy was n

f to-night. She is

oubt taking place in the foyer of the ballet. Raoul thought that Daae might go to it and he waited in the silent solitude, even hiding i

oman laughed and said that she was quite well, but that he must not disturb her, for she wished to be left alone. And she passed on. One idea a

oor to catch her reply, prepared to knock. But his hand dropped. He had hear

, you must

ly sad and trembling, as though

like that? WHEN I

ed with its beating and Raoul's ears were deafened. Surely, if his heart continued to make such a noise, they would hear it inside, they would open the door and th

spoke again: "Ar

ou my soul and I am de

grave man's voice, "and I thank you. No emperor eve

time, he had learned what love meant, and hatred. He knew that he loved. He wanted to know whom he hated. To his great astonishment, the door opened and Christine Daae appeared, wrapped in furs, with her face hidden i

the door of the dressing-room, went in and shut the door. He

h his back against the closed door, in a

nd of his own breathing. He quite failed to see that t

!" he exclaimed. "If you don't answer,

, first turning the key in the door, lit the gas-jets. He went into the dressing-clos

said, aloud. "

n him the perfume of the woman he loved. He went out, not knowing what he was doing nor where he was going. At a given moment in his wayward progress, an icy draft struck h

ut, please?" he ask

f you, the door is o

cher, he asked mechan

kmen an

the third cellar, hanging between a farm-

back to make room for th