Призрак Оперы
V The Enchanted Violin
Theyoungman,ashenowwas,hadcometoPerrosonthechanceoffindingthemandwentstraighttothehouseinwhichtheyusedtostay.Hefirstsawtheoldman;andthenChristineentered,carryingthetea-tray.SheflushedatthesightofRaoul,whowentuptoherandkissedher.Sheaskedhimafewquestions,performedherdutiesashostessprettily,tookupthetrayagainandlefttheroom.Thensheranintothegardenandtookrefugeonabench,apreytofeelingsthatstirredheryoungheartforthefirsttime.Raoulfollowedherandtheytalkedtilltheevening,veryshyly.Theywerequitechanged,cautiousastwodiplomatists,andtoldeachotherthingsthathadnothingtodowiththeirbuddingsentiments.Whentheytookleaveofeachotherbytheroadside,Raoul,pressingakissonChristine’stremblinghand,said:
"Mademoiselle,Ishallneverforgetyou!"
Andhewentawayregrettinghiswords,forheknewthatChristinecouldnotbethewifeoftheVicomtedeChagny.
AsforChristine,shetriednottothinkofhimanddevotedherselfwhollytoherart.Shemadewonderfulprogressandthosewhoheardherprophesiedthatshewouldbethegreatestsingerintheworld.Meanwhile,thefatherdied;and,suddenly,sheseemedtohavelost,withhim,hervoice,hersoulandhergenius.Sheretainedjust,butonlyjust,enoughofthistoentertheCONSERVATOIRE,whereshedidnotdistinguishherselfatall,attendingtheclasseswithoutenthusiasmandtakingaprizeonlytopleaseoldMammaValerius,withwhomshecontinuedtolive.
