XV Christine! Christine!

           Raoul’sfirstthought,afterChristineDaae’sfantasticdisappearance,wastoaccuseErik.HenolongerdoubtedthealmostsupernaturalpowersoftheAngelofMusic,inthisdomainoftheOperainwhichhehadsetuphisempire.AndRaoulrushedonthestage,inamadfitofloveanddespair.

           "Christine!Christine!"hemoaned,callingtoherashefeltthatshemustbecallingtohimfromthedepthsofthatdarkpittowhichthemonsterhadcarriedher."Christine!Christine!"

           Andheseemedtohearthegirl’sscreamsthroughthefrailboardsthatseparatedhimfromher.Hebentforward,helistened,...hewanderedoverthestagelikeamadman.Ah,todescend,todescendintothatpitofdarknesseveryentrancetowhichwasclosedtohim,...forthestairsthatledbelowthestagewereforbiddentooneandallthatnight!

           "Christine!Christine!..."

           Peoplepushedhimaside,laughing.Theymadefunofhim.Theythoughtthepoorlover’sbrainwasgone!

           Bywhatmadroad,throughwhatpassagesofmysteryanddarknessknowntohimalonehadErikdraggedthatpure-souledchildtotheawfulhaunt,withtheLouis-Philipperoom,openingoutonthelake?

           "Christine!Christine!...Whydon’tyouanswer?...Areyoualive?..."

           HideousthoughtsflashedthroughRaoul’scongestedbrain.Ofcourse,Erikmusthavediscoveredtheirsecret,musthaveknownthatChristinehadplayedhimfalse.Whatavengeancewouldbehis!

           AndRaoulthoughtagainoftheyellowstarsthathadcome,thenightbefore,androamedoverhisbalcony.