Призрак Оперы

           Thenhecontinued,but,ashespoke,hewasovercomebyallhisformeremotionandbegantotremblelikealeaf:

           "Yes,shewaswaitingforme...waitingformeerectandalive,areal,livingbride...asshehopedtobesaved...And,whenI...cameforward,moretimidthan...alittlechild,shedidnotrunaway...no,no...shestayed...shewaitedforme...Ievenbelieve...daroga...thatsheputoutherforehead...alittle...oh,notmuch...justalittle...likealivingbride...And...and...I...kissedher!...I!...I!...I!...Andshedidnotdie!...Oh,howgooditis,daroga,tokisssomebodyontheforehead!...Youcan’ttell!...ButI!I!...Mymother,daroga,mypoor,unhappymotherwouldnever...letmekissher...Sheusedtorunaway...andthrowmemymask!...Noranyotherwoman...ever,ever!...Ah,youcanunderstand,myhappinesswassogreat,Icried.AndIfellatherfeet,crying...andIkissedherfeet...herlittlefeet...crying.You’recrying,too,daroga...andshecriedalso...theangelcried!..."EriksobbedaloudandthePersianhimselfcouldnotretainhistearsinthepresenceofthatmaskedman,who,withhisshouldersshakingandhishandsclutchedathischest,wasmoaningwithpainandlovebyturns.

           "Yes,daroga...Ifelthertearsflowonmyforehead...onmine,mine!...Theyweresoft...theyweresweet!...Theytrickledundermymask...theymingledwithmytearsinmyeyes...yes...theyflowedbetweenmylips...Listen,daroga,listentowhatIdid...Itoreoffmymasksoasnottoloseoneofhertears...