Призрак Оперы

           Intheirdailyintercourse,theyshowedthemselvesveryimpatient,exceptwithMme.Giry,whohadbeenreinstatedinherfunctions.AndtheirreceptionoftheVicomtedeChagny,whenhecametoaskaboutChristine,wasanythingbutcordial.Theymerelytoldhimthatshewastakingaholiday.Heaskedhowlongtheholidaywasfor,andtheyrepliedcurtlythatitwasforanunlimitedperiod,asMlle.Daaehadrequestedleaveofabsenceforreasonsofhealth.

           "Thensheisill!"hecried."Whatisthematterwithher?"

           "Wedon’tknow."

           "Didn’tyousendthedoctoroftheOperatoseeher?"

           "No,shedidnotaskforhim;and,aswetrusther,wetookherword."

           Raoulleftthebuildingapreytothegloomiestthoughts.Heresolved,comewhatmight,togoandinquireofMammaValerius.HerememberedthestrongphrasesinChristine’sletter,forbiddinghimtomakeanyattempttoseeher.ButwhathehadseenatPerros,whathehadheardbehindthedressing-roomdoor,hisconversationwithChristineattheedgeofthemoormadehimsuspectsomemachinationwhich,devilishthoughitmightbe,wasnonethelesshuman.