Привид Опери

           Shehadneverseenhimbeforeandyetdarednotquestionhim;andthedoctorimaginedthattheyoungmanwasonlyactingashedidbecausehehadtherightto.Theviscount,therefore,remainedintheroomwatchingChristineassheslowlyreturnedtolife,whileeventhejointmanagers,DebienneandPoligny,whohadcometooffertheirsympathyandcongratulations,foundthemselvesthrustintothepassageamongthecrowdofdandies.TheComtedeChagny,whowasoneofthosestandingoutside,laughed:

           "Oh,therogue,therogue!"Andheadded,underhisbreath:"Thoseyoungsterswiththeirschool-girlairs!Sohe’saChagnyafterall!"

           HeturnedtogotoSorelli’sdressing-room,butmetherontheway,withherlittletroopoftremblingballet-girls,aswehaveseen.

           Meanwhile,ChristineDaaeutteredadeepsigh,whichwasansweredbyagroan.Sheturnedherhead,sawRaoulandstarted.Shelookedatthedoctor,onwhomshebestowedasmile,thenathermaid,thenatRaoulagain.

           "Monsieur,"shesaid,inavoicenotmuchaboveawhisper,"whoareyou?"

           "Mademoiselle,"repliedtheyoungman,kneelingononekneeandpressingaferventkissonthediva’shand,"IAMTHELITTLEBOYWHOWENTINTOTHESEATORESCUEYOURSCARF."

           Christineagainlookedatthedoctorandthemaid;andallthreebegantolaugh.

           Raoulturnedveryredandstoodup.

           "Mademoiselle,"hesaid,"sinceyouarepleasednottorecognizeme,Ishouldliketosaysomethingtoyouinprivate,somethingveryimportant."

           "WhenIambetter,doyoumind?"Andhervoiceshook."Youhavebeenverygood.