Привид Опери
Epilogue
Healsoinventedthoseautomata,dressedliketheSultanandresemblingtheSultaninallrespects,whichmadepeoplebelievethattheCommanderoftheFaithfulwasawakeatoneplace,when,inreality,hewasasleepelsewhere.
Ofcourse,hehadtoleavetheSultan’sserviceforthesamereasonsthatmadehimflyfromPersia:heknewtoomuch.Then,tiredofhisadventurous,formidableandmonstrouslife,helongedtobesomeone"likeeverybodyelse."Andhebecameacontractor,likeanyordinarycontractor,buildingordinaryhouseswithordinarybricks.HetenderedforpartofthefoundationsintheOpera.Hisestimatewasaccepted.Whenhefoundhimselfinthecellarsoftheenormousplayhouse,hisartistic,fantastic,wizardnatureresumedtheupperhand.Besides,washenotasuglyasever?Hedreamedofcreatingforhisownuseadwellingunknowntotherestoftheearth,wherehecouldhidefrommen’seyesforalltime.
Thereaderknowsandguessestherest.Itisallinkeepingwiththisincredibleandyetveraciousstory.Poor,unhappyErik!Shallwepityhim?Shallwecursehim?Heaskedonlytobe"someone,"likeeverybodyelse.Buthewastoougly!AndhehadtohidehisgeniusORUSEITTOPLAYTRICKSWITH,when,withanordinaryface,hewouldhavebeenoneofthemostdistinguishedofmankind!Hehadaheartthatcouldhaveheldtheempireoftheworld;and,intheend,hehadtocontenthimselfwithacellar.Ah,yes,wemustneedspitytheOperaghost.
Ihaveprayedoverhismortalremains,thatGodmightshowhimmercynotwithstandinghiscrimes
