Призрак Оперы
XI Above The Trap-doors
Shemovedamongthemlikeapopularqueen,encouragingthemintheirlabors,sittingdownintheworkshops,givingwordsofadvicetotheworkmenwhosehandshesitatedtocutintotherichstuffsthatweretoclotheheroes.Therewereinhabitantsofthatcountrywhopractisedeverytrade.Therewerecobblers,thereweregoldsmiths.Allhadlearnedtoknowherandtoloveher,forshealwaysinterestedherselfinalltheirtroublesandalltheirlittlehobbies.
Sheknewunsuspectedcornersthatweresecretlyoccupiedbylittleoldcouples.SheknockedattheirdoorandintroducedRaoultothemasaPrinceCharmingwhohadaskedforherhand;andthetwoofthem,sittingonsomeworm-eaten"property,"wouldlistentothelegendsoftheOpera,evenas,intheirchildhood,theyhadlistenedtotheoldBretontales.ThoseoldpeoplerememberednothingoutsidetheOpera.Theyhadlivedthereforyearswithoutnumber.Pastmanagementshadforgottenthem;palacerevolutionshadtakennonoticeofthem;thehistoryofFrancehadrunitscourseunknowntothem;andnobodyrecollectedtheirexistence.
Thepreciousdaysspedinthisway;andRaoulandChristine,byaffectingexcessiveinterestinoutsidematters,stroveawkwardlytohidefromeachothertheonethoughtoftheirhearts.Onefactwascertain,thatChristine,whountilthenhadshownherselfthestrongerofthetwo,becamesuddenlyinexpressiblynervous.Whenontheirexpeditions,shewouldstartrunningwithoutreasonorelsesuddenlystop;andherhand,turningice-coldinamoment,wouldholdtheyoungmanback.Sometimeshereyesseemedtopursueimaginaryshadows.
