Призрак Оперы
XXI Interesting Vicissitudes
Thelakewasperfectlycalm,andamoonbeamthatpassedthroughtheairholeintheRueScribeshowedmeabsolutelynothingonitssurface,whichwassmoothandblackasink.Ishookmyearstogetridofapossiblehumming;butIsoonhadtoacceptthefactthattherewasnohummingintheearssoharmoniousasthesingingwhisperthatfollowedandnowattractedme.
HadIbeeninclinedtosuperstition,IshouldhavecertainlythoughtthatIhadtodowithsomesirenwhosebusinessitwastoconfoundthetravelerwhoshouldventureonthewatersofthehouseonthelake.Fortunately,Icomefromacountrywherewearetoofondoffantasticthingsnottoknowthemthroughandthrough;andIhadnodoubtbutthatIwasfacetofacewithsomenewinventionofErik’s.Butthisinventionwassoperfectthat,asIleanedoutoftheboat,Iwasimpelledlessbyadesiretodiscoveritstrickthantoenjoyitscharm;andIleanedout,leanedoutuntilIalmostoverturnedtheboat.
Suddenly,twomonstrousarmsissuedfromthebosomofthewatersandseizedmebytheneck,draggingmedowntothedepthswithirresistibleforce.Ishouldcertainlyhavebeenlost,ifIhadnothadtimetogiveacrybywhichErikknewme.Foritwashe;and,insteadofdrowningme,aswascertainlyhisfirstintention,heswamwithmeandlaidmegentlyonthebank:
"Howimprudentyouare!"hesaid,ashestoodbeforeme,drippingwithwater.
