Привид Опери
XXIII The Tortures Begin
Erikwasthere,speakingtous!Wemadeamovementasthoughtoflingourselvesuponhim.But,already,swifter,morefleetingthanthevoiceoftheecho,Erik’svoicehadleapedbackbehindthewall!
Soonweheardnothingmoreatall,forthisiswhathappened:
"Erik!Erik!"saidChristine’svoice."Youtiremewithyourvoice.Don’tgoon,Erik!Isn’titveryhothere?"
"Oh,yes,"repliedErik’svoice,"theheatisunendurable!"
"Butwhatdoesthismean?...Thewallisreallygettingquitehot!...Thewallisburning!"
"I’lltellyou,Christine,dear:itisbecauseoftheforestnextdoor."
"Well,whathasthattodowithit?Theforest?"
"WHY,DIDN’TYOUSEETHATITWASANAFRICANFOREST?"
AndthemonsterlaughedsoloudlyandhideouslythatwecouldnolongerdistinguishChristine’ssupplicatingcries!TheVicomtedeChagnyshoutedandbangedagainstthewallslikeamadman.Icouldnotrestrainhim.Butweheardnothingexceptthemonster’slaughter,andthemonsterhimselfcanhaveheardnothingelse.Andthentherewasthesoundofabodyfallingonthefloorandbeingdraggedalongandadoorslammedandthennothing,nothingmorearoundussavethescorchingsilenceofthesouthintheheartofatropicalforest!
