Привид Опери
VIII The Mysterious Brougham
Thegirl’shighlystrungimagination,heraffectionateandcredulousmind,theprimitiveeducationwhichhadsurroundedherchildhoodwithacircleoflegends,theconstantbroodingoverherdeadfatherand,aboveall,thestateofsublimeecstasyintowhichmusicthrewherfromthemomentthatthisartwasmademanifesttoherincertainexceptionalconditions,asinthechurchyardatPerros;allthisseemedtohimtoconstituteamoralgroundonlytoofavorableforthemalevolentdesignsofsomemysteriousandunscrupulousperson.OfwhomwasChristineDaaethevictim?ThiswastheveryreasonablequestionwhichRaoulputtohimselfashehurriedofftoMammaValerius.
HetrembledasherangatalittleflatintheRueNotre-Dame-des-Victoires.ThedoorwasopenedbythemaidwhomhehadseencomingoutofChristine’sdressing-roomoneevening.HeaskedifhecouldspeaktoMme.Valerius.Hewastoldthatshewasillinbedandwasnotreceivingvisitors.
"Takeinmycard,please,"hesaid.
Themaidsoonreturnedandshowedhimintoasmallandscantilyfurnisheddrawing-room,inwhichportraitsofProfessorValeriusandoldDaaehungonoppositewalls.
"MadamebegsMonsieurleVicomtetoexcuseher,"saidtheservant."Shecanonlyseehiminherbedroom,becauseshecannolongerstandonherpoorlegs."
Fiveminuteslater,Raoulwasusheredintoanill-litroomwhereheatoncerecognizedthegood,kindfaceofChristine’sbenefactressinthesemi-darknessofanalcove.
