Привид Опери

           Icanonlytellyouthat,suddenly,therewasnomirrorbeforemeandnodressing-room.Iwasinadarkpassage,IwasfrightenedandIcriedout.Itwasquitedark,butforafaintredglimmeratadistantcornerofthewall.Itriedout.Myvoicewastheonlysound,forthesingingandtheviolinhadstopped.And,suddenly,ahandwaslaidonmine...orratherastone-cold,bonythingthatseizedmywristanddidnotletgo.Icriedoutagain.Anarmtookmeroundthewaistandsupportedme.Istruggledforalittlewhileandthengaveuptheattempt.IwasdraggedtowardthelittleredlightandthenIsawthatIwasinthehandsofamanwrappedinalargecloakandwearingamaskthathidhiswholeface.Imadeonelasteffort;mylimbsstiffened,mymouthopenedtoscream,butahandclosedit,ahandwhichIfeltonmylips,onmyskin...ahandthatsmeltofdeath.ThenIfaintedaway.

           "WhenIopenedmyeyes,wewerestillsurroundedbydarkness.Alantern,standingontheground,showedabubblingwell.Thewatersplashingfromthewelldisappeared,almostatonce,undertheflooronwhichIwaslying,withmyheadonthekneeofthemanintheblackcloakandtheblackmask.Hewasbathingmytemplesandhishandssmeltofdeath.Itriedtopushthemawayandasked,’Whoareyou?Whereisthevoice?’Hisonlyanswerwasasigh.Suddenly,ahotbreathpassedovermyfaceandIperceivedawhiteshape,besidetheman’sblackshape,inthedarkness.Theblackshapeliftedmeontothewhiteshape,agladneighinggreetedmyastoundedearsandImurmured,’Cesar!’Theanimalquivered.