Призрак Оперы
VII Faust And What Followed
Amongthemwasananonymousmissive,writteninredink,inahesitating,clumsyhand,whichran:
Ifyouappearto-night,youmustbepreparedforagreatmisfortuneatthemomentwhenyouopenyourmouthtosing...amisfortuneworsethandeath.
ThelettertookawayCarlotta’sappetiteforbreakfast.Shepushedbackherchocolate,satupinbedandthoughthard.Itwasnotthefirstletterofthekindwhichshehadreceived,butsheneverhadonecouchedinsuchthreateningterms.
Shethoughtherself,atthattime,thevictimofathousandjealousattemptsandwentaboutsayingthatshehadasecretenemywhohadsworntoruinher.Shepretendedthatawickedplotwasbeinghatchedagainsther,acabalwhichwouldcometoaheadoneofthosedays;butsheaddedthatshewasnotthewomantobeintimidated.
Thetruthisthat,iftherewasacabal,itwasledbyCarlottaherselfagainstpoorChristine,whohadnosuspicionofit.CarlottahadneverforgivenChristineforthetriumphwhichshehadachievedwhentakingherplaceatamoment’snotice.WhenCarlottaheardoftheastoundingreceptionbestoweduponherunderstudy,shewasatoncecuredofanincipientattackofbronchitisandabadfitofsulkingagainstthemanagementandlosttheslightestinclinationtoshirkherduties.Fromthattime,sheworkedwithallhermightto"smother"herrival,enlistingtheservicesofinfluentialfriendstopersuadethemanagersnottogiveChristineanopportunityforafreshtriumph.CertainnewspaperswhichhadbeguntoextolthetalentofChristinenowinterestedthemselvesonlyinthefameofCarlotta.
