Привид Опери
XII Apollo's Lyre
’IfeltsurethatIhadfallenintothehandsofamadman.Iranroundmylittleapartment,lookingforawayofescapewhichIcouldnotfind.Iupbraidedmyselfformyabsurdsuperstition,whichhadcausedmetofallintothetrap.Ifeltinclinedtolaughandtocryatthesametime.
"ThiswasthestateofmindinwhichErikfoundme.Aftergivingthreetapsonthewall,hewalkedinquietlythroughadoorwhichIhadnotnoticedandwhichheleftopen.Hehadhisarmsfullofboxesandparcelsandarrangedthemonthebed,inaleisurelyfashion,whileIoverwhelmedhimwithabuseandcalleduponhimtotakeoffhismask,ifitcoveredthefaceofanhonestman.Herepliedserenely,’YoushallneverseeErik’sface.’Andhereproachedmewithnothavingfinisheddressingatthattimeofday:hewasgoodenoughtotellmethatitwastwoo’clockintheafternoon.Hesaidhewouldgivemehalfanhourand,whilehespoke,woundupmywatchandsetitforme.Afterwhich,heaskedmetocometothedining-room,whereanicelunchwaswaitingforus.
"Iwasveryangry,slammedthedoorinhisfaceandwenttothebath-room...WhenIcameoutagain,feelinggreatlyrefreshed,Eriksaidthathelovedme,butthathewouldnevertellmesoexceptwhenIallowedhimandthattherestofthetimewouldbedevotedtomusic.’Whatdoyoumeanbytherestofthetime?’Iasked.’Fivedays,’hesaid,withdecision.
