Призрак Оперы

           "

           WhenMargaritahadfinishedsingingtheballadoftheKINGOFTHULE,shewasloudlycheeredandagainwhenshecametotheendofthejewelsong:

           "Ah,thejoyofpastcompare

           Thesejewelsbrighttowear!..."

           Thenceforth,certainofherself,certainofherfriendsinthehouse,certainofhervoiceandhersuccess,fearingnothing,Carlottaflungherselfintoherpartwithoutrestraintofmodesty...ShewasnolongerMargarita,shewasCarmen.Shewasapplaudedallthemore;andherdebutwithFaustseemedabouttobringheranewsuccess,whensuddenly...aterriblethinghappened.

           Fausthadkneltononeknee:

           "Letmegazeontheformbelowme,

           Whilefromyonderetherblue

           Lookhowthestarofeve,brightandtender,

           lingerso’erme,

           Tolovethybeautytoo!"

           AndMargaritareplied:

           "Oh,howstrange!

           Likeaspelldoestheeveningbindme!

           Andadeeplanguidcharm

           Ifeelwithoutalarm

           Withitsmelodyenwindme

           Andallmyheartsubdue."

           Atthatmoment,atthatidenticalmoment,theterriblethinghappened...Carlottacroakedlikeatoad:

           "Co-ack!"

           TherewasconsternationonCarlotta’sfaceandconsternationonthefacesofalltheaudience.Thetwomanagersintheirboxcouldnotsuppressanexclamationofhorror.Everyonefeltthatthethingwasnotnatural,thattherewaswitchcraftbehindit.Thattoadsmeltofbrimstone.Poor,wretched,despairing,crushedCarlotta!

           Theuproarinthehousewasindescribable.IfthethinghadhappenedtoanyonebutCarlotta,shewouldhavebeenhooted.