Привид Опери

           Morethanonechaffingphrasedartedfromlittlemade-uplips,towhichhedidnotreply;andatlasthewasabletopass,anddivedintothesemi-darknessofacorridorringingwiththenameof"Daae!Daae!"ThecountwassurprisedtofindthatRaoulknewtheway.HehadnevertakenhimtoChristine’shimselfandcametotheconclusionthatRaoulmusthavegonetherealonewhilethecountstayedtalkinginthefoyerwithSorelli,whooftenaskedhimtowaituntilitwashertimeto"goon"andsometimeshandedhimthelittlegaitersinwhichsherandownfromherdressing-roomtopreservethespotlessnessofhersatindancing-shoesandherflesh-coloredtights.Sorellihadanexcuse;shehadlosthermother.

           PostponinghisusualvisittoSorelliforafewminutes,thecountfollowedhisbrotherdownthepassagethatledtoDaae’sdressing-roomandsawthatithadneverbeensocrammedasonthatevening,whenthewholehouseseemedexcitedbyhersuccessandalsobyherfaintingfit.Forthegirlhadnotyetcometo;andthedoctorofthetheaterhadjustarrivedatthemomentwhenRaoulenteredathisheels.Christine,therefore,receivedthefirstaidoftheone,whileopeninghereyesinthearmsoftheother.Thecountandmanymoreremainedcrowdinginthedoorway.

           "Don’tyouthink,Doctor,thatthosegentlemenhadbettercleartheroom?"askedRaoulcoolly."There’snobreathinghere."

           "You’requiteright,"saidthedoctor.

           Andhesenteveryoneaway,exceptRaoulandthemaid,wholookedatRaoulwitheyesofthemostundisguisedastonishment.