Привид Опери
XXVI The End Of The Ghost's Love Story
Christinecametohim,laidherhandonhisforeheadandwentawayagain.AndthePersianrememberedthat,asshewent,shedidnotgiveaglanceatM.deChagny,who,itistrue,wassleepingpeacefully;andshesatdownagaininherchairbythechimney-corner,silentasasisterofcharitywhohadtakenavowofsilence.
Erikreturnedwithsomelittlebottleswhichheplacedonthemantelpiece.And,againinawhisper,soasnottowakeM.deChagny,hesaidtothePersian,aftersittingdownandfeelinghispulse:
"Youarenowsaved,bothofyou.AndsoonIshalltakeyouuptothesurfaceoftheearth,TOPLEASEMYWIFE."
Thereuponherose,withoutanyfurtherexplanation,anddisappearedoncemore.
ThePersiannowlookedatChristine’squietprofileunderthelamp.Shewasreadingatinybook,withgiltedges,likeareligiousbook.ThereareeditionsofTHEIMITATIONthatlooklikethat.ThePersianstillhadinhisearsthenaturaltoneinwhichtheotherhadsaid,"topleasemywife."Verygently,hecalledheragain;butChristinewaswrappedupinherbookanddidnothearhim.
Erikreturned,mixedthedarogaadraftandadvisedhimnottospeakto"hiswife"againnortoanyone,BECAUSEITMIGHTBEVERYDANGEROUSTOEVERYBODY’SHEALTH.
Eventually,thePersianfellasleep,likeM.deChagny,anddidnotwakeuntilhewasinhisownroom,nursedbyhisfaithfulDarius,whotoldhimthat,onthenightbefore,hewasfoundproppedagainstthedoorofhisflat,wherehehadbeenbroughtbyastranger,whorangthebellbeforegoingaway.
