Призрак Оперы

           Thewallsofthisstrangeroomgavethepatientnothingtolayholdof,because,apartfromthesoliddecorativeobject,theyweresimplyfurnishedwithmirrors,thickenoughtowithstandanyonslaughtofthevictim,whowasflungintothechamberempty-handedandbarefoot.

           Therewasnofurniture.Theceilingwascapableofbeinglitup.Aningenioussystemofelectricheating,whichhassincebeenimitated,allowedthetemperatureofthewallsandroomtobeincreasedatwill.

           Iamgivingallthesedetailsofaperfectlynaturalinvention,producing,withafewpaintedbranches,thesupernaturalillusionofanequatorialforestblazingunderthetropicalsun,sothatnoonemaydoubtthepresentbalanceofmybrainorfeelentitledtosaythatIammadorlyingorthatItakehimforafool.

           InowreturntothefactswhereIleftthem.Whentheceilinglitupandtheforestbecamevisiblearoundus,theviscount’sstupefactionwasimmense.Thatimpenetrableforest,withitsinnumerabletrunksandbranches,threwhimintoaterriblestateofconsternation.Hepassedhishandsoverhisforehead,asthoughtodriveawayadream;hiseyesblinked;and,foramoment,heforgottolisten.

           Ihavealreadysaidthatthesightoftheforestdidnotsurprisemeatall;andthereforeIlistenedforthetwoofustowhatwashappeningnextdoor.Lastly,myattentionwasespeciallyattracted,notsomuchtothescene,astothemirrorsthatproducedit.Thesemirrorswerebrokeninparts.