Призрак Оперы
XII Apollo's Lyre
Iburnedhismask;andImanagedsowellthat,evenwhenhewasnotsinging,hetriedtocatchmyeye,likeadogsittingbyitsmaster.Hewasmyfaithfulslaveandpaidmeendlesslittleattentions.Gradually,Igavehimsuchconfidencethatheventuredtotakemewalkingonthebanksofthelakeandtorowmeintheboatonitsleadenwaters;towardtheendofmycaptivityheletmeoutthroughthegatesthatclosedtheundergroundpassagesintheRueScribe.HereacarriageawaitedusandtookustotheBois.Thenightwhenwemetyouwasnearlyfataltome,forheisterriblyjealousofyouandIhadtotellhimthatyouweresoongoingaway...Then,atlast,afterafortnightofthathorriblecaptivity,duringwhichIwasfilledwithpity,enthusiasm,despairandhorrorbyturns,hebelievedmewhenIsaid,’IWILLCOMEBACK!’"
"Andyouwentback,Christine,"groanedRaoul.
"Yes,dear,andImusttellyouthatitwasnothisfrightfulthreatswhensettingmefreethathelpedmetokeepmyword,buttheharrowingsobwhichhegaveonthethresholdofthetomb....ThatsobattachedmetotheunfortunatemanmorethanImyselfsuspectedwhensayinggood-bytohim.PoorErik!PoorErik!"
"Christine,"saidRaoul,rising,"youtellmethatyouloveme;butyouhadrecoveredyourlibertyhardlyafewhoursbeforeyoureturnedtoErik!Rememberthemaskedball!"
"Yes;anddoyourememberthosehourswhichIpassedwithyou,Raoul...tothegreatdangerofbothofus?"
"Idoubtedyourloveforme,duringthosehours."
"Doyoudoubtitstill,Raoul?..
