Призрак Оперы

           Overcomeashewaswithdespair,Raoulwouldprobablyhaverefusedanyinvitationthatevening,ifthecounthadnot,asaninducement,toldhimthattheladyofhisthoughtshadbeenseen,thenightbefore,incompanyoftheothersexintheBois.Atfirst,theviscountrefusedtobelieve;buthereceivedsuchexactdetailsthatheceasedprotesting.Shehadbeenseen,itappeared,drivinginabrougham,withthewindowdown.Sheseemedtobeslowlytakingintheicynightair.Therewasagloriousmoonshining.Shewasrecognizedbeyondadoubt.Asforhercompanion,onlyhisshadowyoutlinewasdistinguishedleaningbackinthedark.ThecarriagewasgoingatawalkingpaceinalonelydrivebehindthegrandstandatLongchamp.

           Raouldressedinfrantichaste,preparedtoforgethisdistressbyflinginghimself,aspeoplesay,into"thevortexofpleasure."Alas,hewasaverysorryguestand,leavinghisbrotherearly,foundhimself,byteno’clockintheevening,inacab,behindtheLongchamprace-course.

           Itwasbitterlycold.Theroadseemeddesertedandverybrightunderthemoonlight.Hetoldthedrivertowaitforhimpatientlyatthecornerofanearturningand,hidinghimselfaswellashecould,stoodstampinghisfeettokeepwarm.Hehadbeenindulginginthishealthyexerciseforhalfanhourorso,whenacarriageturnedthecorneroftheroadandcamequietlyinhisdirection,atawalkingpace.

           Asitapproached,hesawthatawomanwasleaningherheadfromthewindow.And,suddenly,themoonshedapalegleamoverherfeatures.