Призрак Оперы

           Thishappenedintheafternoon,inthesinger’sdressing-room,wheretheymeteverydayandwheretheyamusedthemselvesbydiningonthreebiscuits,twoglassesofportandabunchofviolets.Intheevening,shedidnotsing;andhedidnotreceivehisusualletter,thoughtheyhadarrangedtowritetoeachotherdailyduringthatmonth.Thenextmorning,heranofftoMammaValerius,whotoldhimthatChristinehadgoneawayfortwodays.Shehadleftatfiveo’clockthedaybefore.

           Raoulwasdistracted.HehatedMammaValeriusforgivinghimsuchnewsasthatwithsuchstupefyingcalmness.Hetriedtosoundher,buttheoldladyobviouslyknewnothing.

           Christinereturnedonthefollowingday.Shereturnedintriumph.Sherenewedherextraordinarysuccessofthegalaperformance.Sincetheadventureofthe"toad,"Carlottahadnotbeenabletoappearonthestage.Theterrorofafresh"co-ack"filledherheartanddeprivedherofallherpowerofsinging;andthetheaterthathadwitnessedherincomprehensibledisgracehadbecomeodioustoher.Shecontrivedtocancelhercontract.Daaewasofferedthevacantplaceforthetime.ShereceivedthundersofapplauseintheJuive.

           Theviscount,who,ofcourse,waspresent,wastheonlyonetosufferonhearingthethousandechoesofthisfreshtriumph;forChristinestillworeherplaingoldring.Adistantvoicewhisperedintheyoungman’sear:

           "Sheiswearingtheringagainto-night;andyoudidnotgiveittoher.Shegavehersoulagaintonightanddidnotgiveittoyou...Ifshewillnottellyouwhatshehasbeendoingthepasttwodays...