The Phantom of the Opera

uire at Mamma Valerius'. He came upon a charming picture. Christine herself was seated by the bedside of the old lady, who was sitting up against the pillows, knitting.

e young man as the last trace of the weird drama in whose toils that mysterious chi

er hand. But Raoul's stupefaction was so great that he s

lerius, "don't you know our Christine? H

her eyes. "I thought, mamma, that there was to be no more question

ave you lessons f

se days; and I hope to do so but you have promised me, until th

ver to leave me again! But hav

can not interes

at finding you with your adopted mother and that, after what happened between us yesterday, after what you said and what I was able to guess, I hardly expected to see you here so soon. I should be the first to delight at your return, if you were not so bent on preserving a se

mma Valerius tosse

n?" she cried. "Is

geously, notwithstanding the si

breath. "You must tell me everything, Christine! Why did y

is abusing he

l of Music a

elf that there is

n Heaven's name? You wi

round you, around Christine, a mystery much more

Christine, who had already run to her adop

mummy, don't believe

will never leave me aga

silent and R

ssure your mother and me. We will undertake not to ask you a single question

own actions, M. de Chagny: you have no right to control them, and I will beg you to desist henceforth. As to what I have done during the last fortn

ale, not only because of the words which he had heard, but becaus

nd and yet you wea

er hand, but she sw

lushing once more and vainly st

one who hopes to make you his wife! Why deceive us further? Why torture

said!" exclaime

id she answ

"Don't you think, monsieur, that this cross-examinatio

t her finish her speec

ch, you no doubt think, have nothing to do with me. But allow me to tell you what I have seen-and I have seen more than you suspec

you see, sir, or

e, Christine, why did you follow him that time? Why did you stand up, with radiant features, as though you were really hearing angels? ... Ah, it is a very dangerous voice, Christine, for I myself, when I heard it, was so much fascinated by it that you vanished before my eyes without my seeing which way you passed! Christine, Christine, in the name

irl declared coldly,

her ward had addressed the viscount, Mamm

n, Monsieur le Vicomte, even t

ristine really does love him! ... But it is not only that which drives me to despair; for wh

that, monsieur!" said Christine,

dopts such romantic methods to en

r a villain, or the gi

isti

ou have never seen, whom no one knows a

e that you thought to keep from me for ever ... The

lf. She turned as white as a she

yours

o you

When you went to your dressing-room, did you not say, 'Poor Eri

hat you have listened behi

I was in the dressing-room, i

wing every sign of unspeakable terror.

rha

ice that Christine could not keep back a sob. She took his hands and

do not even remember its name... You must never

tery so ver

u will make no attempt to find out," she insisted. "Swear to me th

to send for me som

romi

he

morr

ear to do

ent away, cursing Erik an