Призрак Оперы

           Whyhadhenotputthemoutforgood?Thereweresomemen’seyesthatdilatedinthedarknessandshonelikestarsorlikecats’eyes.CertainlyAlbinos,whoseemedtohaverabbits’eyesbyday,hadcats’eyesatnight:everybodyknewthat!...Yes,yes,hehadundoubtedlyfiredatErik.Whyhadhenotkilledhim?Themonsterhadfledupthegutter-spoutlikeacatoraconvictwho—everybodyknewthatalso—wouldscaletheveryskies,withthehelpofagutter-spout...NodoubtErikwasatthattimecontemplatingsomedecisivestepagainstRaoul,buthehadbeenwoundedandhadescapedtoturnagainstpoorChristineinstead.

           SuchwerethecruelthoughtsthathauntedRaoulasherantothesinger’sdressing-room.

           "Christine!Christine!"

           Bittertearsscorchedtheboy’seyelidsashesawscatteredoverthefurnituretheclotheswhichhisbeautifulbridewastohavewornatthehouroftheirflight.Oh,whyhadsherefusedtoleaveearlier?

           Whyhadshetoyedwiththethreateningcatastrophe?Whytoyedwiththemonster’sheart?Why,inafinalaccessofpity,hadsheinsistedonflinging,asalastsoptothatdemon’ssoul,herdivinesong:

           "Holyangel,inHeavenblessed,

           Myspiritlongswiththeetorest!"

           Raoul,histhroatfilledwithsobs,oathsandinsults,fumbledawkwardlyatthegreatmirrorthathadopenedonenight,beforehiseyes,toletChristinepasstothemurkydwellingbelow.Hepushed,pressed,gropedabout,buttheglassapparentlyobeyednoonebutErik...