Привид Опери
XXV The Scorpion Or The Grasshopper: Which
Hequestionedthehandsofthewatchwithhisfinger-tips,goingbythepositionoftheringofthewatch...Judgingbythespacebetweenthehands,hethoughtitmightbejusteleveno’clock!
Butperhapsitwasnottheeleveno’clockofwhichwestoodindread.Perhapswehadstilltwelvehoursbeforeus!
Suddenly,Iexclaimed:"Hush!"
Iseemedtohearfootstepsinthenextroom.Someonetappedagainstthewall.ChristineDaae’svoicesaid:
"Raoul!Raoul!"Wewerenowalltalkingatonce,oneithersideofthewall.Christinesobbed;shewasnotsurethatshewouldfindM.deChagnyalive.Themonsterhadbeenterrible,itseemed,haddonenothingbutrave,waitingforhertogivehimthe"yes"whichsherefused.Andyetshehadpromisedhimthat"yes,"ifhewouldtakehertothetorture-chamber.Buthehadobstinatelydeclined,andhadutteredhideousthreatsagainstallthemembersofthehumanrace!Atlast,afterhoursandhoursofthathell,hehadthatmomentgoneout,leavingheralonetoreflectforthelasttime.
"Hoursandhours?Whatisthetimenow?Whatisthetime,Christine?"
"Itiseleveno’clock!Eleveno’clock,allbutfiveminutes!"
"Butwhicheleveno’clock?"
"Theeleveno’clockthatistodecidelifeordeath!...Hetoldmesojustbeforehewent...Heisterrible...Heisquitemad:hetoreoffhismaskandhisyelloweyesshotflames!...Hedidnothingbutlaugh!...
