Привид Опери
VII Faust And What Followed
Thecount,behindhim,viciouslygnawedhismustache,shruggedhisshouldersandfrowned.Forhim,usuallysocoldandcorrect,tobetrayhisinnerfeelingslikethat,byoutwardsigns,thecountmustbeveryangry.Hewas.Hehadseenhisbrotherreturnfromarapidandmysteriousjourneyinanalarmingstateofhealth.TheexplanationthatfollowedwasunsatisfactoryandthecountaskedChristineDaaeforanappointment.Shehadtheaudacitytoreplythatshecouldnotseeeitherhimorhisbrother...
"Wouldshebutdeigntohearme
Andwithonesmiletocheerme..."
"Thelittlebaggage!"growledthecount.
Andhewonderedwhatshewanted.Whatshewashopingfor...Shewasavirtuousgirl,shewassaidtohavenofriend,noprotectorofanysort...ThatangelfromtheNorthmustbeveryartful!
Raoul,behindthecurtainofhishandsthatveiledhisboyishtears,thoughtonlyoftheletterwhichhereceivedonhisreturntoParis,whereChristine,fleeingfromPerroslikeathiefinthenight,hadarrivedbeforehim:
MYDEARLITTLEPLAYFELLOW:
Youmusthavethecouragenottoseemeagain,nottospeakofmeagain.Ifyoulovemejustalittle,dothisforme,formewhowillneverforgetyou,mydearRaoul.Mylifedependsuponit.Yourlifedependsuponit.YOURLITTLECHRISTINE.
Thundersofapplause.Carlottamadeherentrance.
"IwishIcouldbutknowwhowashe
Thataddressedme,
Ifhewasnoble,or,atleast,whathisnameis...
