X Forget The Name Of The Man's Voice

           ThedayafterChristinehadvanishedbeforehiseyesinasortofdazzlementthatstillmadehimdoubttheevidenceofhissenses,M.leVicomtedeChagnycalledtoinquireatMammaValerius’.Hecameuponacharmingpicture.Christineherselfwasseatedbythebedsideoftheoldlady,whowassittingupagainstthepillows,knitting.Thepinkandwhitehadreturnedtotheyounggirl’scheeks.Thedarkringsroundhereyeshaddisappeared.Raoulnolongerrecognizedthetragicfaceofthedaybefore.Iftheveilofmelancholyoverthoseadorablefeatureshadnotstillappearedtotheyoungmanasthelasttraceoftheweirddramainwhosetoilsthatmysteriouschildwasstruggling,hecouldhavebelievedthatChristinewasnotitsheroineatall.

           Sherose,withoutshowinganyemotion,andofferedhimherhand.ButRaoul’sstupefactionwassogreatthathestoodtheredumfounded,withoutagesture,withoutaword.

           "Well,M.deChagny,"exclaimedMammaValerius,"don’tyouknowourChristine?Hergoodgeniushassentherbacktous!"

           "Mamma!"thegirlbrokeinpromptly,whileadeepblushmantledtohereyes."Ithought,mamma,thattherewastobenomorequestionofthat!...YouknowthereisnosuchthingastheAngelofMusic!"

           "But,child,hegaveyoulessonsforthreemonths!"

           "Mamma,Ihavepromisedtoexplaineverythingtoyouoneofthesedays;andIhopetodosobutyouhavepromisedme,untilthatday,tobesilentandtoaskmenomorequestionswhatever!"

           "Providedthatyoupromisednevertoleavemeagain!Buthaveyoupromisedthat,Christine?"

           "Mamma,allthiscannotinterestM.deChagny.