The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
-
Upload
roci-escudero -
Category
Documents
-
view
224 -
download
0
Transcript of The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
1/174
ThePhantomoftheOpera
by
GastonLeroux
Authorof"TheMysteryoftheYellowRoom"and"ThePerfumeoftheLadyinBlack"
Contents
Chapter
PROLOGUEIISITAGHOST?IITHENEWMARGARITAIIITHEMYSTERIOUSREASONIVBOXFIVE
VTHEENCHANTEDVIOLINVIAVISITTOBOXFIVEVIIFAUSTANDWHATFOLLOWEDVIIITHEMYSTERIOUSBROUGHAMIXATTHEMASKEDBALLXFORGETTHENAMEOFTHEMAN'SVOICEXIABOVETHETRAP-DOORSXIIAPOLLO'SLYREXIIIAMASTER-STROKEOFTHETRAP-DOORLOVERXIVTHESINGULARATTITUDEOFASAFETY-PINXVCHRISTINE!CHRISTINE!XVIMME.GIRY'SREVELATIONSXVIITHESAFETY-PINAGAIN
XVIIITHECOMMISSARY,THEVISCOUNTANDTHEPERSIANXIXTHEVISCOUNTANDTHEPERSIANXXINTHECELLARSOFTHEOPERAXXIINTERESTINGVICISSITUDESXXIIINTHETORTURECHAMBERXXIIITHETORTURESBEGINXXIVBARRELS!BARRELS!XXVTHESCORPIONORTHEGRASSHOPPER:WHICHXXVITHEENDOFTHEGHOST'SLOVESTORYEPILOGUE
{plusa"bonuschapter"called"THEPARISOPERAHOUSE"}
ThePhantomoftheOpera
Prologue
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
2/174
INWHICHTHEAUTHOROFTHISSINGULARWORKINFORMSTHEREADERHOWHEACQUIREDTHECERTAINTYTHATTHEOPERAGHOSTREALLYEXISTED
TheOperaghostreallyexisted.Hewasnot,aswaslongbelieved,acreatureoftheimaginationoftheartists,thesuperstitionofthemanagers,oraproductoftheabsurdandimpressionablebrainsoftheyoungladiesoftheballet,theirmothers,thebox-keepers,thecloak-roomattendantsortheconcierge.Yes,heexistedinfleshandblood,althoughheassumedthecompleteappearanceofarealphantom;thatistosay,ofaspectralshade.
WhenIbegantoransackthearchivesoftheNationalAcademyofMusicIwasatoncestruckbythesurprisingcoincidencesbetweenthephenomenaascribedtothe"ghost"andthemostextraordinaryandfantastictragedythateverexcitedtheParisupperclasses;andIsoonconceivedtheideathatthistragedymightreasonablybeexplainedbythephenomenainquestion.Theeventsdonotdatemorethanthirtyyearsback;anditwouldnotbedifficulttofindatthepresentday,inthefoyeroftheballet,oldmenofthehighestrespectability,menuponwhosewordonecouldabsolutelyrely,whowouldrememberasthoughtheyhappenedyesterdaythemysteriousanddramaticconditionsthatattendedthekidnappingofChristineDaae,thedisappearanceoftheVicomtedeChagnyandthedeathofhiselderbrother,CountPhilippe,whosebodywasfoundonthebankofthelakethatexistsinthelowercellarsof
theOperaontheRue-Scribeside.ButnoneofthosewitnesseshaduntilthatdaythoughtthattherewasanyreasonforconnectingthemoreorlesslegendaryfigureoftheOperaghostwiththatterriblestory.
Thetruthwasslowtoentermymind,puzzledbyaninquirythatateverymomentwascomplicatedbyeventswhich,atfirstsight,mightbelookeduponassuperhuman;andmorethanonceIwaswithinanaceofabandoningataskinwhichIwasexhaustingmyselfinthehopelesspursuitofavainimage.Atlast,Ireceivedtheproofthatmypresentimentshadnotdeceivedme,andIwasrewardedforallmyeffortsonthedaywhenIacquiredthecertaintythattheOperaghostwasmorethanamereshade.
Onthatday,IhadspentlonghoursoverTHEMEMOIRSOFAMANAGER,thelightandfrivolousworkofthetoo-skepticalMoncharmin,who,duringhistermattheOpera,understoodnothingofthemysteriousbehavioroftheghostandwhowasmakingallthefunofitthathecouldattheverymomentwhenhebecamethefirstvictimofthecuriousfinancialoperationthatwentoninsidethe"magicenvelope."
Ihadjustleftthelibraryindespair,whenImetthedelightfulacting-managerofourNationalAcademy,whostoodchattingonalandingwithalivelyandwell-groomedlittleoldman,towhomheintroducedmegaily.Theacting-managerknewallaboutmyinvestigationsandhoweagerlyandunsuccessfullyIhadbeentryingtodiscoverthe
whereaboutsoftheexaminingmagistrateinthefamousChagnycase,M.Faure.Nobodyknewwhathadbecomeofhim,aliveordead;andherehewasbackfromCanada,wherehehadspentfifteenyears,andthefirstthinghehaddone,onhisreturntoParis,wastocometothesecretarialofficesattheOperaandaskforafreeseat.ThelittleoldmanwasM.Faurehimself.
WespentagoodpartoftheeveningtogetherandhetoldmethewholeChagnycaseashehadunderstooditatthetime.Hewasboundtoconcludeinfavorofthemadnessoftheviscountandtheaccidental
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
3/174
deathoftheelderbrother,forlackofevidencetothecontrary;buthewasneverthelesspersuadedthataterribletragedyhadtakenplacebetweenthetwobrothersinconnectionwithChristineDaae.HecouldnottellmewhatbecameofChristineortheviscount.WhenImentionedtheghost,heonlylaughed.He,too,hadbeentoldofthecuriousmanifestationsthatseemedtopointtotheexistenceofanabnormalbeing,residinginoneofthemostmysteriouscornersoftheOpera,andheknewthestoryoftheenvelope;buthehadneverseenanythinginitworthyofhisattentionasmagistrateinchargeoftheChagnycase,anditwasasmuchashehaddonetolistentotheevidenceofawitnesswhoappearedofhisownaccordanddeclaredthathehadoftenmettheghost.ThiswitnesswasnoneotherthanthemanwhomallPariscalledthe"Persian"andwhowaswell-knowntoeverysubscribertotheOpera.Themagistratetookhimforavisionary.
IwasimmenselyinterestedbythisstoryofthePersian.Iwanted,iftherewerestilltime,tofindthisvaluableandeccentricwitness.MyluckbegantoimproveandIdiscoveredhiminhislittleflatintheRuedeRivoli,wherehehadlivedeversinceandwherehediedfivemonthsaftermyvisit.Iwasatfirstinclinedtobesuspicious;butwhenthePersianhadtoldme,withchild-likecandor,allthatheknewabouttheghostandhadhandedmetheproofsoftheghost'sexistence--includingthestrangecorrespondenceofChristineDaae--todoasIpleasedwith,Iwasnolongerabletodoubt.No,theghostwas
notamyth!
Ihave,Iknow,beentoldthatthiscorrespondencemayhavebeenforgedfromfirsttolastbyamanwhoseimaginationhadcertainlybeenfedonthemostseductivetales;butfortunatelyIdiscoveredsomeofChristine'swritingoutsidethefamousbundleoflettersand,onacomparisonbetweenthetwo,allmydoubtswereremoved.IalsowentintothepasthistoryofthePersianandfoundthathewasanuprightman,incapableofinventingastorythatmighthavedefeatedtheendsofjustice.
This,moreover,wastheopinionofthemoreseriouspeoplewho,atonetimeorother,weremixedupintheChagnycase,whowerefriendsof
theChagnyfamily,towhomIshowedallmydocumentsandsetforthallmyinferences.Inthisconnection,IshouldliketoprintafewlineswhichIreceivedfromGeneralD----:
SIR:
Icannoturgeyoutoostronglytopublishtheresultsofyourinquiry.Irememberperfectlythat,afewweeksbeforethedisappearanceofthatgreatsinger,ChristineDaae,andthetragedywhichthrewthewholeoftheFaubourgSaint-Germainintomourning,therewasagreatdealoftalk,inthefoyeroftheballet,onthesubjectofthe"ghost;"andIbelievethatitonlyceasedtobediscussedinconsequenceofthelateraffairthatexcitedusallsogreatly.But,ifitbepossible--as,
afterhearingyou,Ibelieve--toexplainthetragedythroughtheghost,thenIbegyousir,totalktousabouttheghostagain.
Mysteriousthoughtheghostmayatfirstappear,hewillalwaysbemoreeasilyexplainedthanthedismalstoryinwhichmalevolentpeoplehavetriedtopicturetwobrotherskillingeachotherwhohadworshipedeachotheralltheirlives.
Believeme,etc.
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
4/174
Lastly,withmybundleofpapersinhand,Ioncemorewentovertheghost'svastdomain,thehugebuildingwhichhehadmadehiskingdom.Allthatmyeyessaw,allthatmymindperceived,corroboratedthePersian'sdocumentsprecisely;andawonderfuldiscoverycrownedmylaborsinaverydefinitefashion.Itwillberememberedthat,later,whendigginginthesubstructureoftheOpera,beforeburyingthephonographicrecordsoftheartist'svoice,theworkmenlaidbareacorpse.Well,IwasatonceabletoprovethatthiscorpsewasthatoftheOperaghost.Imadetheacting-managerputthisprooftothetestwithhisownhand;anditisnowamatterofsupremeindifferencetomeifthepaperspretendthatthebodywasthatofavictimoftheCommune.
Thewretcheswhoweremassacred,undertheCommune,inthecellarsoftheOpera,werenotburiedonthisside;Iwilltellwheretheirskeletonscanbefoundinaspotnotveryfarfromthatimmensecryptwhichwasstockedduringthesiegewithallsortsofprovisions.IcameuponthistrackjustwhenIwaslookingfortheremainsoftheOperaghost,whichIshouldneverhavediscoveredbutfortheunheard-ofchancedescribedabove.
Butwewillreturntothecorpseandwhatoughttobedonewithit.Forthepresent,ImustconcludethisverynecessaryintroductionbythankingM.Mifroid(whowasthecommissaryofpolicecalledinforthefirstinvestigationsafterthedisappearanceofChristineDaae),M.
Remy,thelatesecretary,M.Mercier,thelateacting-manager,M.Gabriel,thelatechorus-master,andmoreparticularlyMme.laBaronnedeCastelot-Barbezac,whowasoncethe"littleMeg"ofthestory(andwhoisnotashamedofit),themostcharmingstarofouradmirablecorpsdeballet,theeldestdaughteroftheworthyMme.Giry,nowdeceased,whohadchargeoftheghost'sprivatebox.Allthesewereofthegreatestassistancetome;and,thankstothem,Ishallbeabletoreproducethosehoursofsheerloveandterror,intheirsmallestdetails,beforethereader'seyes.
AndIshouldbeungratefulindeedifIomitted,whilestandingonthethresholdofthisdreadfulandveraciousstory,tothankthepresentmanagementtheOpera,whichhassokindlyassistedmeinallmy
inquiries,andM.Messagerinparticular,togetherwithM.Gabion,theacting-manager,andthatmostamiableofmen,thearchitectintrustedwiththepreservationofthebuilding,whodidnothesitatetolendmetheworksofCharlesGarnier,althoughhewasalmostsurethatIwouldneverreturnthemtohim.Lastly,Imustpayapublictributetothegenerosityofmyfriendandformercollaborator,M.J.LeCroze,whoallowedmetodipintohissplendidtheatricallibraryandtoborrowtheraresteditionsofbooksbywhichhesetgreatstore.
GASTONLEROUX.
ChapterIIsittheGhost?
ItwastheeveningonwhichMM.DebienneandPoligny,themanagersoftheOpera,weregivingalastgalaperformancetomarktheirretirement.Suddenlythedressing-roomofLaSorelli,oneoftheprincipaldancers,wasinvadedbyhalf-a-dozenyoungladiesoftheballet,whohadcomeupfromthestageafter"dancing"Polyeucte.Theyrushedinamidgreatconfusion,somegivingventtoforcedandunnaturallaughter,otherstocriesofterror.Sorelli,whowishedto
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
5/174
bealoneforamomentto"runthrough"thespeechwhichshewastomaketotheresigningmanagers,lookedaroundangrilyatthemadandtumultuouscrowd.ItwaslittleJammes--thegirlwiththetip-tiltednose,theforget-me-noteyes,therose-redcheeksandthelily-whiteneckandshoulders--whogavetheexplanationinatremblingvoice:
"It'stheghost!"Andshelockedthedoor.
Sorelli'sdressing-roomwasfittedupwithofficial,commonplaceelegance.Apier-glass,asofa,adressing-tableandacupboardortwoprovidedthenecessaryfurniture.Onthewallshungafewengravings,relicsofthemother,whohadknownthegloriesoftheoldOperaintheRuelePeletier;portraitsofVestris,Gardel,Dupont,Bigottini.Buttheroomseemedapalacetothebratsofthecorpsdeballet,whowerelodgedincommondressing-roomswheretheyspenttheirtimesinging,quarreling,smackingthedressersandhair-dressersandbuyingoneanotherglassesofcassis,beer,orevenrhum,untilthecall-boy'sbellrang.
Sorelliwasverysuperstitious.SheshudderedwhensheheardlittleJammesspeakoftheghost,calledhera"sillylittlefool"andthen,asshewasthefirsttobelieveinghostsingeneral,andtheOperaghostinparticular,atonceaskedfordetails:
"Haveyouseenhim?"
"AsplainlyasIseeyounow!"saidlittleJammes,whoselegsweregivingwaybeneathher,andshedroppedwithamoanintoachair.
ThereuponlittleGiry--thegirlwitheyesblackassloes,hairblackasink,aswarthycomplexionandapoorlittleskinstretchedoverpoorlittlebones--littleGiryadded:
"Ifthat'stheghost,he'sveryugly!"
"Oh,yes!"criedthechorusofballet-girls.
Andtheyallbegantotalktogether.Theghosthadappearedtothemintheshapeofagentlemanindress-clothes,whohadsuddenlystoodbeforetheminthepassage,withouttheirknowingwherehecamefrom.Heseemedtohavecomestraightthroughthewall.
"Pooh!"saidoneofthem,whohadmoreorlesskeptherhead."Youseetheghosteverywhere!"
Anditwastrue.Forseveralmonths,therehadbeennothingdiscussedattheOperabutthisghostindress-clotheswhostalkedaboutthebuilding,fromtoptobottom,likeashadow,whospoketonobody,towhomnobodydaredspeakandwhovanishedassoonashewasseen,nooneknowinghoworwhere.Asbecamearealghost,hemadenonoisein
walking.Peoplebeganbylaughingandmakingfunofthisspecterdressedlikeamanoffashionoranundertaker;buttheghostlegendsoonswelledtoenormousproportionsamongthecorpsdeballet.Allthegirlspretendedtohavemetthissupernaturalbeingmoreorlessoften.Andthosewholaughedtheloudestwerenotthemostatease.Whenhedidnotshowhimself,hebetrayedhispresenceorhispassingbyaccident,comicorserious,forwhichthegeneralsuperstitionheldhimresponsible.Hadanyonemetwithafall,orsufferedapracticaljokeatthehandsofoneoftheothergirls,orlostapowderpuff,itwasatoncethefaultoftheghost,oftheOperaghost.
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
6/174
Afterall,whohadseenhim?Youmeetsomanymenindress-clothesattheOperawhoarenotghosts.Butthisdress-suithadapeculiarityofitsown.Itcoveredaskeleton.Atleast,sotheballet-girlssaid.And,ofcourse,ithadadeath'shead.
Wasallthisserious?ThetruthisthattheideaoftheskeletoncamefromthedescriptionoftheghostgivenbyJosephBuquet,thechiefscene-shifter,whohadreallyseentheghost.Hehadrunupagainsttheghostonthelittlestaircase,bythefootlights,whichleadsto"thecellars."Hehadseenhimforasecond--fortheghosthadfled--andtoanyonewhocaredtolistentohimhesaid:
"Heisextraordinarilythinandhisdress-coathangsonaskeletonframe.Hiseyesaresodeepthatyoucanhardlyseethefixedpupils.Youjustseetwobigblackholes,asinadeadman'sskull.Hisskin,whichisstretchedacrosshisboneslikeadrumhead,isnotwhite,butanastyyellow.Hisnoseissolittleworthtalkingaboutthatyoucan'tseeitside-face;andTHEABSENCEofthatnoseisahorriblethingTOLOOKAT.Allthehairhehasisthreeorfourlongdarklocksonhisforeheadandbehindhisears."
Thischiefscene-shifterwasaserious,sober,steadyman,veryslowatimaginingthings.Hiswordswerereceivedwithinterestandamazement;
andsoontherewereotherpeopletosaythattheytoohadmetamanindress-clotheswithadeath'sheadonhisshoulders.SensiblemenwhohadwindofthestorybeganbysayingthatJosephBuquethadbeenthevictimofajokeplayedbyoneofhisassistants.Andthen,oneaftertheother,therecameaseriesofincidentssocuriousandsoinexplicablethattheveryshrewdestpeoplebegantofeeluneasy.
Forinstance,afiremanisabravefellow!Hefearsnothing,leastofallfire!Well,thefiremaninquestion,whohadgonetomakearoundofinspectioninthecellarsandwho,itseems,hadventuredalittlefartherthanusual,suddenlyreappearedonthestage,pale,scared,trembling,withhiseyesstartingoutofhishead,andpracticallyfaintedinthearmsoftheproudmotheroflittleJammes.[1]Andwhy?
Becausehehadseencomingtowardhim,ATTHELEVELOFHISHEAD,BUTWITHOUTABODYATTACHEDTOIT,AHEADOFFIRE!And,asIsaid,afiremanisnotafraidoffire.
Thefireman'snamewasPampin.
Thecorpsdeballetwasflungintoconsternation.Atfirstsight,thisfieryheadinnowaycorrespondedwithJosephBuquet'sdescriptionoftheghost.Buttheyoungladiessoonpersuadedthemselvesthattheghosthadseveralheads,whichhechangedaboutashepleased.And,ofcourse,theyatonceimaginedthattheywereinthegreatestdanger.Onceafiremandidnothesitatetofaint,leadersandfront-rowandback-rowgirlsalikehadplentyofexcusesforthefrightthatmade
themquickentheirpacewhenpassingsomedarkcornerorill-lightedcorridor.Sorelliherself,onthedayaftertheadventureofthefireman,placedahorseshoeonthetableinfrontofthestage-door-keeper'sbox,whicheveryonewhoenteredtheOperaotherwisethanasaspectatormusttouchbeforesettingfootonthefirsttreadofthestaircase.Thishorse-shoewasnotinventedbyme--anymorethananyotherpartofthisstory,alas!--andmaystillbeseenonthetableinthepassageoutsidethestage-door-keeper'sbox,whenyouentertheOperathroughthecourtknownastheCourdel'Administration.
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
7/174
Toreturntotheeveninginquestion.
"It'stheghost!"littleJammeshadcried.
Anagonizingsilencenowreignedinthedressing-room.Nothingwasheardbutthehardbreathingofthegirls.Atlast,Jammes,flingingherselfuponthefarthestcornerofthewall,witheverymarkofrealterroronherface,whispered:
"Listen!"
Everybodyseemedtoheararustlingoutsidethedoor.Therewasnosoundoffootsteps.Itwaslikelightsilkslidingoverthepanel.Thenitstopped.
Sorellitriedtoshowmorepluckthantheothers.Shewentuptothedoorand,inaquaveringvoice,asked:
"Who'sthere?"
Butnobodyanswered.Thenfeelingalleyesuponher,watchingherlastmovement,shemadeanefforttoshowcourage,andsaidveryloudly:
"Isthereanyonebehindthedoor?"
"Oh,yes,yes!Ofcoursethereis!"criedthatlittledriedplumofaMegGiry,heroicallyholdingSorellibackbyhergauzeskirt."Whateveryoudo,don'topenthedoor!Oh,Lord,don'topenthedoor!"
ButSorelli,armedwithadaggerthatneverlefther,turnedthekeyanddrewbackthedoor,whiletheballet-girlsretreatedtotheinnerdressing-roomandMegGirysighed:
"Mother!Mother!"
Sorellilookedintothepassagebravely.Itwasempty;agas-flame,in
itsglassprison,castaredandsuspiciouslightintothesurroundingdarkness,withoutsucceedingindispellingit.Andthedancerslammedthedooragain,withadeepsigh.
"No,"shesaid,"thereisnoonethere."
"Still,wesawhim!"Jammesdeclared,returningwithtimidlittlestepstoherplacebesideSorelli."Hemustbesomewhereprowlingabout.Ishan'tgobacktodress.Wehadbetterallgodowntothefoyertogether,atonce,forthe'speech,'andwewillcomeupagaintogether."
Andthechildreverentlytouchedthelittlecoralfinger-ringwhichshe
woreasacharmagainstbadluck,whileSorelli,stealthily,withthetipofherpinkrightthumb-nail,madeaSt.Andrew'scrossonthewoodenringwhichadornedthefourthfingerofherlefthand.Shesaidtothelittleballet-girls:
"Come,children,pullyourselvestogether!Idaresaynoonehaseverseentheghost."
"Yes,yes,wesawhim--wesawhimjustnow!"criedthegirls."Hehadhisdeath'sheadandhisdress-coat,justaswhenheappearedtoJoseph
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
8/174
Buquet!"
"AndGabrielsawhimtoo!"saidJammes."Onlyyesterday!Yesterdayafternoon--inbroadday-light----"
"Gabriel,thechorus-master?"
"Why,yes,didn'tyouknow?"
"Andhewaswearinghisdress-clothes,inbroaddaylight?"
"Who?Gabriel?"
"Why,no,theghost!"
"Certainly!Gabrieltoldmesohimself.That'swhatheknewhimby.Gabrielwasinthestage-manager'soffice.SuddenlythedooropenedandthePersianentered.YouknowthePersianhastheevileye----"
"Oh,yes!"answeredthelittleballet-girlsinchorus,wardingoffill-luckbypointingtheirforefingerandlittlefingerattheabsentPersian,whiletheirsecondandthirdfingerswerebentonthepalmandhelddownbythethumb.
"AndyouknowhowsuperstitiousGabrielis,"continuedJammes."However,heisalwayspolite.WhenhemeetsthePersian,hejustputshishandinhispocketandtoucheshiskeys.Well,themomentthePersianappearedinthedoorway,Gabrielgaveonejumpfromhischairtothelockofthecupboard,soastotouchiron!Indoingso,hetoreawholeskirtofhisovercoatonanail.Hurryingtogetoutoftheroom,hebangedhisforeheadagainstahat-pegandgavehimselfahugebump;then,suddenlysteppingback,heskinnedhisarmonthescreen,nearthepiano;hetriedtoleanonthepiano,butthelidfellonhishandsandcrushedhisfingers;herushedoutoftheofficelikeamadman,slippedonthestaircaseandcamedownthewholeofthefirstflightonhisback.Iwasjustpassingwithmother.Wepickedhimup.Hewascoveredwithbruisesandhisfacewasalloverblood.Wewere
frightenedoutofourlives,but,allatonce,hebegantothankProvidencethathehadgotoffsocheaply.Thenhetolduswhathadfrightenedhim.HehadseentheghostbehindthePersian,THEGHOSTWITHTHEDEATH'SHEADjustlikeJosephBuquet'sdescription!"
Jammeshadtoldherstoryeversoquickly,asthoughtheghostwereatherheels,andwasquiteoutofbreathatthefinish.Asilencefollowed,whileSorellipolishedhernailsingreatexcitement.ItwasbrokenbylittleGiry,whosaid:
"JosephBuquetwoulddobettertoholdhistongue."
"Whyshouldheholdhistongue?"askedsomebody.
"That'smother'sopinion,"repliedMeg,loweringhervoiceandlookingallaboutherasthoughfearinglestotherearsthanthosepresentmightoverhear.
"Andwhyisityourmother'sopinion?"
"Hush!Mothersaystheghostdoesn'tlikebeingtalkedabout."
"Andwhydoesyourmothersayso?"
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
9/174
"Because--because--nothing--"
Thisreticenceexasperatedthecuriosityoftheyoungladies,whocrowdedroundlittleGiry,begginghertoexplainherself.Theywerethere,sidebyside,leaningforwardsimultaneouslyinonemovementofentreatyandfear,communicatingtheirterrortooneanother,takingakeenpleasureinfeelingtheirbloodfreezeintheirveins.
"Isworenottotell!"gaspedMeg.
Buttheylefthernopeaceandpromisedtokeepthesecret,untilMeg,burningtosayallsheknew,began,withhereyesfixedonthedoor:
"Well,it'sbecauseoftheprivatebox."
"Whatprivatebox?"
"Theghost'sbox!"
"Hastheghostabox?Oh,dotellus,dotellus!"
"Notsoloud!"saidMeg."It'sBoxFive,youknow,theboxonthegrandtier,nexttothestage-box,ontheleft."
"Oh,nonsense!"
"Itellyouitis.Motherhaschargeofit.Butyouswearyouwon'tsayaword?"
"Ofcourse,ofcourse."
"Well,that'stheghost'sbox.Noonehashaditforoveramonth,excepttheghost,andordershavebeengivenatthebox-officethatitmustneverbesold."
"Anddoestheghostreallycomethere?"
"Yes."
"Thensomebodydoescome?"
"Why,no!Theghostcomes,butthereisnobodythere."
Thelittleballet-girlsexchangedglances.Iftheghostcametothebox,hemustbeseen,becauseheworeadress-coatandadeath'shead.ThiswaswhattheytriedtomakeMegunderstand,butshereplied:
"That'sjustit!Theghostisnotseen.Andhehasnodress-coatandnohead!Allthattalkabouthisdeath'sheadandhisheadoffireis
nonsense!There'snothinginit.Youonlyhearhimwhenheisinthebox.Motherhasneverseenhim,butshehasheardhim.Motherknows,becauseshegiveshimhisprogram."
Sorelliinterfered.
"Giry,child,you'regettingatus!"
ThereuponlittleGirybegantocry.
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
10/174
"Ioughttohaveheldmytongue--ifmotherevercametoknow!ButIwasquiteright,JosephBuquethadnobusinesstotalkofthingsthatdon'tconcernhim--itwillbringhimbadluck--motherwassayingsolastnight----"
Therewasasoundofhurriedandheavyfootstepsinthepassageandabreathlessvoicecried:
"Cecile!Cecile!Areyouthere?"
"It'smother'svoice,"saidJammes."What'sthematter?"
Sheopenedthedoor.Arespectablelady,builtonthelinesofaPomeraniangrenadier,burstintothedressing-roomanddroppedgroaningintoavacantarm-chair.Hereyesrolledmadlyinherbrick-dustcoloredface.
"Howawful!"shesaid."Howawful!"
"What?What?"
"JosephBuquet!"
"Whatabouthim?"
"JosephBuquetisdead!"
Theroombecamefilledwithexclamations,withastonishedoutcries,withscaredrequestsforexplanations.
"Yes,hewasfoundhanginginthethird-floorcellar!"
"It'stheghost!"littleGiryblurted,asthoughinspiteofherself;butsheatoncecorrectedherself,withherhandspressedtohermouth:"No,no!--I,didn'tsayit!--Ididn'tsayit!----"
Allaroundher,herpanic-strickencompanionsrepeatedundertheir
breaths:
"Yes--itmustbetheghost!"
Sorelliwasverypale.
"Ishallneverbeabletorecitemyspeech,"shesaid.
MaJammesgaveheropinion,whilesheemptiedaglassofliqueurthathappenedtobestandingonatable;theghostmusthavesomethingtodowithit.
ThetruthisthatnooneeverknewhowJosephBuquetmethisdeath.
Theverdictattheinquestwas"naturalsuicide."InhisMemoirsofManager,M.Moncharmin,oneofthejointmanagerswhosucceededMM.DebienneandPoligny,describestheincidentasfollows:
"AgrievousaccidentspoiledthelittlepartywhichMM.DebienneandPolignygavetocelebratetheirretirement.Iwasinthemanager'soffice,whenMercier,theacting-manager,suddenlycamedartingin.Heseemedhalfmadandtoldmethatthebodyofascene-shifterhadbeenfoundhanginginthethirdcellarunderthestage,betweenafarm-houseandascenefromtheRoideLahore.Ishouted:
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
11/174
"'Comeandcuthimdown!'
"BythetimeIhadrusheddownthestaircaseandtheJacob'sladder,themanwasnolongerhangingfromhisrope!"
SothisisaneventwhichM.Moncharminthinksnatural.Amanhangsattheendofarope;theygotocuthimdown;theropehasdisappeared.Oh,M.Moncharminfoundaverysimpleexplanation!Listentohim:
"Itwasjustaftertheballet;andleadersanddancing-girlslostnotimeintakingtheirprecautionsagainsttheevileye."
Thereyouare!PicturethecorpsdeballetscuttlingdowntheJacob'sladderanddividingthesuicide'sropeamongthemselvesinlesstimethanittakestowrite!When,ontheotherhand,Ithinkoftheexactspotwherethebodywasdiscovered--thethirdcellarunderneaththestage!--imaginethatSOMEBODYmusthavebeeninterestedinseeingthattheropedisappearedafterithadeffecteditspurpose;andtimewillshowifIamwrong.
ThehorridnewssoonspreadallovertheOpera,whereJosephBuquetwasverypopular.Thedressing-roomsemptiedandtheballet-girls,crowdingaroundSorelliliketimidsheeparoundtheirshepherdess,made
forthefoyerthroughtheill-litpassagesandstaircases,trottingasfastastheirlittlepinklegscouldcarrythem.
[1]Ihavetheanecdote,whichisquiteauthentic,fromM.PedroGailhardhimself,thelatemanageroftheOpera.
ChapterIITheNewMargarita
Onthefirstlanding,SorelliranagainsttheComtedeChagny,whowascomingup-stairs.Thecount,whowasgenerallysocalm,seemedgreatlyexcited.
"Iwasjustgoingtoyou,"hesaid,takingoffhishat."Oh,Sorelli,whatanevening!AndChristineDaae:whatatriumph!"
"Impossible!"saidMegGiry."Sixmonthsago,sheusedtosinglikeaCROCK!Butdoletusgetby,mydearcount,"continuesthebrat,withasaucycurtsey."Wearegoingtoinquireafterapoormanwhowasfoundhangingbytheneck."
Justthentheacting-managercamefussingpastandstoppedwhenhe
heardthisremark.
"What!"heexclaimedroughly."Haveyougirlsheardalready?Well,pleaseforgetaboutitfortonight--andabovealldon'tletM.DebienneandM.Polignyhear;itwouldupsetthemtoomuchontheirlastday."
Theyallwentontothefoyeroftheballet,whichwasalreadyfullofpeople.TheComtedeChagnywasright;nogalaperformanceeverequalledthisone.Allthegreatcomposersofthedayhadconductedtheirownworksinturns.FaureandKrausshadsung;and,onthat
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
12/174
evening,ChristineDaaehadrevealedhertrueself,forthefirsttime,totheastonishedandenthusiasticaudience.GounodhadconductedtheFuneralMarchofaMarionnette;Reyer,hisbeautifuloverturetoSiguar;SaintSaens,theDanseMacabreandaReverieOrientale;Massenet,anunpublishedHungarianmarch;Guiraud,hisCarnaval;Delibes,theValseLentefromSylviaandthePizzicatifromCoppelia.Mlle.KrausshadsungthebolerointheVespriSiciliani;andMlle.DeniseBlochthedrinkingsonginLucreziaBorgia.
ButtherealtriumphwasreservedforChristineDaae,whohadbegunbysingingafewpassagesfromRomeoandJuliet.ItwasthefirsttimethattheyoungartistsanginthisworkofGounod,whichhadnotbeentransferredtotheOperaandwhichwasrevivedattheOperaComiqueafterithadbeenproducedattheoldTheatreLyriquebyMme.Carvalho.Thosewhoheardhersaythathervoice,inthesepassages,wasseraphic;butthiswasnothingtothesuperhumannotesthatshegaveforthintheprisonsceneandthefinaltrioinFAUST,whichshesangintheplaceofLaCarlotta,whowasill.Noonehadeverheardorseenanythinglikeit.
DaaerevealedanewMargaritathatnight,aMargaritaofasplendor,aradiancehithertounsuspected.Thewholehousewentmad,risingtoitsfeet,shouting,cheering,clapping,whileChristinesobbedandfaintedinthearmsofherfellow-singersandhadtobecarriedtoher
dressing-room.Afewsubscribers,however,protested.Whyhadsogreatatreasurebeenkeptfromthemallthattime?Tillthen,ChristineDaaehadplayedagoodSiebeltoCarlotta'srathertoosplendidlymaterialMargarita.AndithadneededCarlotta'sincomprehensibleandinexcusableabsencefromthisgalanightforthelittleDaae,atamoment'swarning,toshowallthatshecoulddoinapartoftheprogramreservedfortheSpanishdiva!Well,whatthesubscriberswantedtoknowwas,whyhadDebienneandPolignyappliedtoDaae,whenCarlottawastakenill?Didtheyknowofherhiddengenius?And,iftheyknewofit,whyhadtheykeptithidden?Andwhyhadshekeptithidden?Oddlyenough,shewasnotknowntohaveaprofessorofsingingatthatmoment.Shehadoftensaidshemeanttopractisealoneforthefuture.Thewholethingwasamystery.
TheComtedeChagny,standingupinhisbox,listenedtoallthisfrenzyandtookpartinitbyloudlyapplauding.PhilippeGeorgesMarieComtedeChagnywasjustforty-oneyearsofage.Hewasagreataristocratandagood-lookingman,abovemiddleheightandwithattractivefeatures,inspiteofhishardforeheadandhisrathercoldeyes.Hewasexquisitelypolitetothewomenandalittlehaughtytothemen,whodidnotalwaysforgivehimforhissuccessesinsociety.Hehadanexcellentheartandanirreproachableconscience.OnthedeathofoldCountPhilibert,hebecametheheadofoneoftheoldestandmostdistinguishedfamiliesinFrance,whosearmsdatedbacktothefourteenthcentury.TheChagnysownedagreatdealofproperty;and,whentheoldcount,whowasawidower,died,itwasnoeasytaskfor
Philippetoacceptthemanagementofsolargeanestate.Histwosistersandhisbrother,Raoul,wouldnothearofadivisionandwaivedtheirclaimtotheirshares,leavingthemselvesentirelyinPhilippe'shands,asthoughtherightofprimogeniturehadneverceasedtoexist.Whenthetwosistersmarried,onthesameday,theyreceivedtheirportionfromtheirbrother,notasathingrightfullybelongingtothem,butasadowryforwhichtheythankedhim.
TheComtessedeChagny,needeMoerogisdeLaMartyniere,haddiedingivingbirthtoRaoul,whowasborntwentyyearsafterhiselder
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
13/174
brother.Atthetimeoftheoldcount'sdeath,Raoulwastwelveyearsofage.Philippebusiedhimselfactivelywiththeyoungster'seducation.Hewasadmirablyassistedinthisworkfirstbyhissistersandafterwardbyanoldaunt,thewidowofanavalofficer,wholivedatBrestandgaveyoungRaoulatasteforthesea.TheladenteredtheBordatraining-ship,finishedhiscoursewithhonorsandquietlymadehistriproundtheworld.Thankstopowerfulinfluence,hehadjustbeenappointedamemberoftheofficialexpeditiononboardtheRequin,whichwastobesenttotheArcticCircleinsearchofthesurvivorsoftheD'Artoi'sexpedition,ofwhomnothinghadbeenheardforthreeyears.Meanwhile,hewasenjoyingalongfurloughwhichwouldnotbeoverforsixmonths;andalreadythedowagersoftheFaubourgSaint-Germainwerepityingthehandsomeandapparentlydelicatestriplingforthehardworkinstoreforhim.
Theshynessofthesailor-lad--Iwasalmostsayinghisinnocence--wasremarkable.Heseemedtohavebutjustleftthewomen'sapron-strings.Asamatteroffact,pettedashewasbyhistwosistersandhisoldaunt,hehadretainedfromthispurelyfeminineeducationmannersthatwerealmostcandidandstampedwithacharmthatnothinghadyetbeenabletosully.Hewasalittleovertwenty-oneyearsofageandlookedeighteen.Hehadasmall,fairmustache,beautifulblueeyesandacomplexionlikeagirl's.
PhilippespoiledRaoul.Tobeginwith,hewasveryproudofhimandpleasedtoforeseeagloriouscareerforhisjuniorinthenavyinwhichoneoftheirancestors,thefamousChagnydeLaRoche,hadheldtherankofadmiral.Hetookadvantageoftheyoungman'sleaveofabsencetoshowhimParis,withallitsluxuriousandartisticdelights.Thecountconsideredthat,atRaoul'sage,itisnotgoodtobetoogood.Philippehimselfhadacharacterthatwasverywell-balancedinworkandpleasurealike;hisdemeanorwasalwaysfaultless;andhewasincapableofsettinghisbrotherabadexample.Hetookhimwithhimwhereverhewent.Heevenintroducedhimtothefoyeroftheballet.Iknowthatthecountwassaidtobe"onterms"withSorelli.Butitcouldhardlybereckonedasacrimeforthisnobleman,abachelor,withplentyofleisure,especiallysincehis
sistersweresettled,tocomeandspendanhourortwoafterdinnerinthecompanyofadancer,who,thoughnotsovery,verywitty,hadthefinesteyesthateverwereseen!And,besides,thereareplaceswhereatrueParisian,whenhehastherankoftheComtedeChagny,isboundtoshowhimself;andatthattimethefoyeroftheballetattheOperawasoneofthoseplaces.
Lastly,PhilippewouldperhapsnothavetakenhisbrotherbehindthescenesoftheOperaifRaoulhadnotbeenthefirsttoaskhim,repeatedlyrenewinghisrequestwithagentleobstinacywhichthecountrememberedatalaterdate.
Onthatevening,Philippe,afterapplaudingtheDaae,turnedtoRaoul
andsawthathewasquitepale.
"Don'tyousee,"saidRaoul,"thatthewoman'sfainting?"
"Youlooklikefaintingyourself,"saidthecount."What'sthematter?"
ButRaoulhadrecoveredhimselfandwasstandingup.
"Let'sgoandsee,"hesaid,"sheneversanglikethatbefore."
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
14/174
Thecountgavehisbrotheracurioussmilingglanceandseemedquitepleased.Theyweresoonatthedoorleadingfromthehousetothestage.Numbersofsubscriberswereslowlymakingtheirwaythrough.RaoultorehisgloveswithoutknowingwhathewasdoingandPhilippehadmuchtookindahearttolaughathimforhisimpatience.ButhenowunderstoodwhyRaoulwasabsent-mindedwhenspokentoandwhyhealwaystriedtoturneveryconversationtothesubjectoftheOpera.
Theyreachedthestageandpushedthroughthecrowdofgentlemen,scene-shifters,supersandchorus-girls,Raoulleadingtheway,feelingthathisheartnolongerbelongedtohim,hisfacesetwithpassion,whileCountPhilippefollowedhimwithdifficultyandcontinuedtosmile.Atthebackofthestage,Raoulhadtostopbeforetheinrushofthelittletroopofballet-girlswhoblockedthepassagewhichhewastryingtoenter.Morethanonechaffingphrasedartedfromlittlemade-uplips,towhichhedidnotreply;andatlasthewasabletopass,anddivedintothesemi-darknessofacorridorringingwiththenameof"Daae!Daae!"ThecountwassurprisedtofindthatRaoulknewtheway.HehadnevertakenhimtoChristine'shimselfandcametotheconclusionthatRaoulmusthavegonetherealonewhilethecountstayedtalkinginthefoyerwithSorelli,whooftenaskedhimtowaituntilitwashertimeto"goon"andsometimeshandedhimthelittlegaitersinwhichsherandownfromherdressing-roomtopreservethespotlessnessofhersatindancing-shoesandherflesh-coloredtights.Sorellihad
anexcuse;shehadlosthermother.
PostponinghisusualvisittoSorelliforafewminutes,thecountfollowedhisbrotherdownthepassagethatledtoDaae'sdressing-roomandsawthatithadneverbeensocrammedasonthatevening,whenthewholehouseseemedexcitedbyhersuccessandalsobyherfaintingfit.Forthegirlhadnotyetcometo;andthedoctorofthetheaterhadjustarrivedatthemomentwhenRaoulenteredathisheels.Christine,therefore,receivedthefirstaidoftheone,whileopeninghereyesinthearmsoftheother.Thecountandmanymoreremainedcrowdinginthedoorway.
"Don'tyouthink,Doctor,thatthosegentlemenhadbetterclearthe
room?"askedRaoulcoolly."There'snobreathinghere."
"You'requiteright,"saidthedoctor.
Andhesenteveryoneaway,exceptRaoulandthemaid,wholookedatRaoulwitheyesofthemostundisguisedastonishment.Shehadneverseenhimbeforeandyetdarednotquestionhim;andthedoctorimaginedthattheyoungmanwasonlyactingashedidbecausehehadtherightto.Theviscount,therefore,remainedintheroomwatchingChristineassheslowlyreturnedtolife,whileeventhejointmanagers,DebienneandPoligny,whohadcometooffertheirsympathyandcongratulations,foundthemselvesthrustintothepassageamongthecrowdofdandies.TheComtedeChagny,whowasoneofthosestandingoutside,laughed:
"Oh,therogue,therogue!"Andheadded,underhisbreath:"Thoseyoungsterswiththeirschool-girlairs!Sohe'saChagnyafterall!"
HeturnedtogotoSorelli'sdressing-room,butmetherontheway,withherlittletroopoftremblingballet-girls,aswehaveseen.
Meanwhile,ChristineDaaeutteredadeepsigh,whichwasansweredbyagroan.Sheturnedherhead,sawRaoulandstarted.Shelookedatthedoctor,onwhomshebestowedasmile,thenathermaid,thenatRaoul
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
15/174
again.
"Monsieur,"shesaid,inavoicenotmuchaboveawhisper,"whoareyou?"
"Mademoiselle,"repliedtheyoungman,kneelingononekneeandpressingaferventkissonthediva'shand,"IAMTHELITTLEBOYWHOWENTINTOTHESEATORESCUEYOURSCARF."
Christineagainlookedatthedoctorandthemaid;andallthreebegantolaugh.
Raoulturnedveryredandstoodup.
"Mademoiselle,"hesaid,"sinceyouarepleasednottorecognizeme,Ishouldliketosaysomethingtoyouinprivate,somethingveryimportant."
"WhenIambetter,doyoumind?"Andhervoiceshook."Youhavebeenverygood."
"Yes,youmustgo,"saidthedoctor,withhispleasantestsmile."Leavemetoattendtomademoiselle."
"Iamnotillnow,"saidChristinesuddenly,withstrangeandunexpectedenergy.
Sheroseandpassedherhandoverhereyelids.
"Thankyou,Doctor.Ishouldliketobealone.Pleasegoaway,allofyou.Leaveme.Ifeelveryrestlessthisevening."
Thedoctortriedtomakeashortprotest,but,perceivingthegirl'sevidentagitation,hethoughtthebestremedywasnottothwarther.Andhewentaway,sayingtoRaoul,outside:
"Sheisnotherselfto-night.Sheisusuallysogentle."
ThenhesaidgoodnightandRaoulwasleftalone.Thewholeofthispartofthetheaterwasnowdeserted.Thefarewellceremonywasnodoubttakingplaceinthefoyeroftheballet.RaoulthoughtthatDaaemightgotoitandhewaitedinthesilentsolitude,evenhidinginthefavoringshadowofadoorway.HefeltaterriblepainathisheartanditwasofthisthathewantedtospeaktoDaaewithoutdelay.
Suddenlythedressing-roomdooropenedandthemaidcameoutbyherself,carryingbundles.Hestoppedherandaskedhowhermistresswas.Thewomanlaughedandsaidthatshewasquitewell,butthathemustnotdisturbher,forshewishedtobeleftalone.Andshepassedon.OneideaalonefilledRaoul'sburningbrain:ofcourse,Daae
wishedtobeleftaloneFORHIM!Hadhenottoldherthathewantedtospeaktoherprivately?
Hardlybreathing,hewentuptothedressing-roomand,withhiseartothedoortocatchherreply,preparedtoknock.Buthishanddropped.HehadheardAMAN'SVOICEinthedressing-room,saying,inacuriouslymasterfultone:
"Christine,youmustloveme!"
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
16/174
AndChristine'svoice,infinitelysadandtrembling,asthoughaccompaniedbytears,replied:
"Howcanyoutalklikethat?WHENISINGONLYFORYOU!"
Raoulleanedagainstthepaneltoeasehispain.Hisheart,whichhadseemedgoneforever,returnedtohisbreastandwasthrobbingloudly.ThewholepassageechoedwithitsbeatingandRaoul'searsweredeafened.Surely,ifhisheartcontinuedtomakesuchanoise,theywouldhearitinside,theywouldopenthedoorandtheyoungmanwouldbeturnedawayindisgrace.WhatapositionforaChagny!Tobecaughtlisteningbehindadoor!Hetookhisheartinhistwohandstomakeitstop.
Theman'svoicespokeagain:"Areyouverytired?"
"Oh,to-nightIgaveyoumysoulandIamdead!"Christinereplied.
"Yoursoulisabeautifulthing,child,"repliedthegraveman'svoice,"andIthankyou.Noemperoreverreceivedsofairagift.THEANGELSWEPTTONIGHT."
Raoulheardnothingafterthat.Nevertheless,hedidnotgoaway,but,asthoughhefearedlestheshouldbecaught,hereturnedtohisdark
corner,determinedtowaitforthemantoleavetheroom.Atoneandthesametime,hehadlearnedwhatlovemeant,andhatred.Heknewthatheloved.Hewantedtoknowwhomhehated.Tohisgreatastonishment,thedooropenedandChristineDaaeappeared,wrappedinfurs,withherfacehiddeninalaceveil,alone.Sheclosedthedoorbehindher,butRaoulobservedthatshedidnotlockit.Shepassedhim.Hedidnotevenfollowherwithhiseyes,forhiseyeswerefixedonthedoor,whichdidnotopenagain.
Whenthepassagewasoncemoredeserted,hecrossedit,openedthedoorofthedressing-room,wentinandshutthedoor.Hefoundhimselfinabsolutedarkness.Thegashadbeenturnedout.
"Thereissomeonehere!"saidRaoul,withhisbackagainstthecloseddoor,inaquiveringvoice."Whatareyouhidingfor?"
Allwasdarknessandsilence.Raoulheardonlythesoundofhisownbreathing.Hequitefailedtoseethattheindiscretionofhisconductwasexceedingallbounds.
"Youshan'tleavethisuntilIletyou!"heexclaimed."Ifyoudon'tanswer,youareacoward!ButI'llexposeyou!"
Andhestruckamatch.Theblazelituptheroom.Therewasnooneintheroom!Raoul,firstturningthekeyinthedoor,litthegas-jets.Hewentintothedressing-closet,openedthecupboards,huntedabout,
feltthewallswithhismoisthands.Nothing!
"Lookhere!"hesaid,aloud."AmIgoingmad?"
Hestoodfortenminuteslisteningtothegasflaringinthesilenceoftheemptyroom;loverthoughhewas,hedidnoteventhinkofstealingaribbonthatwouldhavegivenhimtheperfumeofthewomanheloved.Hewentout,notknowingwhathewasdoingnorwherehewasgoing.Atagivenmomentinhiswaywardprogress,anicydraftstruckhimintheface.Hefoundhimselfatthebottomofastaircase,downwhich,
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
17/174
behindhim,aprocessionofworkmenwerecarryingasortofstretcher,coveredwithawhitesheet.
"Whichisthewayout,please?"heaskedofoneofthemen.
"Straightinfrontofyou,thedoorisopen.Butletuspass."
Pointingtothestretcher,heaskedmechanically:"What'sthat?"
Theworkmenanswered:
"'That'isJosephBuquet,whowasfoundinthethirdcellar,hangingbetweenafarm-houseandascenefromtheROIDELAHORE."
Hetookoffhishat,fellbacktomakeroomfortheprocessionandwentout.
ChapterIIITheMysteriousReason
Duringthistime,thefarewellceremonywastakingplace.Ihavealreadysaidthatthismagnificentfunctionwasbeinggivenonthe
occasionoftheretirementofM.DebienneandM.Poligny,whohaddeterminedto"diegame,"aswesaynowadays.Theyhadbeenassistedintherealizationoftheirideal,thoughmelancholy,programbyallthatcountedinthesocialandartisticworldofParis.Allthesepeoplemet,aftertheperformance,inthefoyeroftheballet,whereSorelliwaitedforthearrivaloftheretiringmanagerswithaglassofchampagneinherhandandalittlepreparedspeechatthetipofhertongue.Behindher,themembersoftheCorpsdeBallet,youngandold,discussedtheeventsofthedayinwhispersorexchangeddiscreetsignalswiththeirfriends,anoisycrowdofwhomsurroundedthesupper-tablesarrangedalongtheslantingfloor.
Afewofthedancershadalreadychangedintoordinarydress;butmost
ofthemworetheirskirtsofgossamergauze;andallhadthoughtittherightthingtoputonaspecialfacefortheoccasion:all,thatis,exceptlittleJammes,whosefifteensummers--happyage!--seemedalreadytohaveforgottentheghostandthedeathofJosephBuquet.Sheneverceasedtolaughandchatter,tohopaboutandplaypracticaljokes,untilMm.DebienneandPolignyappearedonthestepsofthefoyer,whenshewasseverelycalledtoorderbytheimpatientSorelli.
Everybodyremarkedthattheretiringmanagerslookedcheerful,asistheParisway.NonewilleverbeatrueParisianwhohasnotlearnedtowearamaskofgaietyoverhissorrowsandoneofsadness,boredomorindifferenceoverhisinwardjoy.Youknowthatoneofyourfriendsisintrouble;donottrytoconsolehim:hewilltellyouthatheis
alreadycomforted;but,shouldhehavemetwithgoodfortune,becarefulhowyoucongratulatehim:hethinksitsonaturalthatheissurprisedthatyoushouldspeakofit.InParis,ourlivesareonemaskedball;andthefoyeroftheballetisthelastplaceinwhichtwomenso"knowing"asM.DebienneandM.Polignywouldhavemadethemistakeofbetrayingtheirgrief,howevergenuineitmightbe.AndtheywerealreadysmilingrathertoobroadlyuponSorelli,whohadbeguntoreciteherspeech,whenanexclamationfromthatlittlemadcapofaJammesbrokethesmileofthemanagerssobrutallythattheexpressionofdistressanddismaythatlaybeneathitbecameapparent
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
18/174
toalleyes:
"TheOperaghost!"
Jammesyelledthesewordsinatoneofunspeakableterror;andherfingerpointed,amongthecrowdofdandies,toafacesopallid,solugubriousandsougly,withtwosuchdeepblackcavitiesunderthestraddlingeyebrows,thatthedeath'sheadinquestionimmediatelyscoredahugesuccess.
"TheOperaghost!TheOperaghost!"EverybodylaughedandpushedhisneighborandwantedtooffertheOperaghostadrink,buthewasgone.Hehadslippedthroughthecrowd;andtheothersvainlyhuntedforhim,whiletwooldgentlementriedtocalmlittleJammesandwhilelittleGirystoodscreaminglikeapeacock.
Sorelliwasfurious;shehadnotbeenabletofinishherspeech;themanagers,hadkissedher,thankedherandrunawayasfastastheghosthimself.Noonewassurprisedatthis,foritwasknownthattheyweretogothroughthesameceremonyonthefloorabove,inthefoyerofthesingers,andthatfinallytheywerethemselvestoreceivetheirpersonalfriends,forthelasttime,inthegreatlobbyoutsidethemanagers'office,wherearegularsupperwouldbeserved.
Heretheyfoundthenewmanagers,M.ArmandMoncharminandM.FirminRichard,whomtheyhardlyknew;nevertheless,theywerelavishinprotestationsoffriendshipandreceivedathousandflatteringcomplimentsinreply,sothatthoseoftheguestswhohadfearedthattheyhadarathertediouseveninginstoreforthematonceputonbrighterfaces.Thesupperwasalmostgayandaparticularlycleverspeechoftherepresentativeofthegovernment,minglingthegloriesofthepastwiththesuccessesofthefuture,causedthegreatestcordialitytoprevail.
Theretiringmanagershadalreadyhandedovertotheirsuccessorsthetwotinymaster-keyswhichopenedallthedoors--thousandsofdoors--oftheOperahouse.Andthoselittlekeys,theobjectofgeneral
curiosity,werebeingpassedfromhandtohand,whentheattentionofsomeoftheguestswasdivertedbytheirdiscovery,attheendofthetable,ofthatstrange,wanandfantasticface,withtheholloweyes,whichhadalreadyappearedinthefoyeroftheballetandbeengreetedbylittleJammes'exclamation:
"TheOperaghost!"
Theresattheghost,asnaturalascouldbe,exceptthatheneitheratenordrank.Thosewhobeganbylookingathimwithasmileendedbyturningawaytheirheads,forthesightofhimatonceprovokedthemostfunerealthoughts.Noonerepeatedthejokeofthefoyer,nooneexclaimed:
"There'stheOperaghost!"
Hehimselfdidnotspeakawordandhisveryneighborscouldnothavestatedatwhatprecisemomenthehadsatdownbetweenthem;buteveryonefeltthatifthedeaddidevercomeandsitatthetableoftheliving,theycouldnotcutamoreghastlyfigure.ThefriendsofFirminRichardandArmandMoncharminthoughtthatthisleanandskinnyguestwasanacquaintanceofDebienne'sorPoligny's,whileDebienne'sandPoligny'sfriendsbelievedthatthecadaverousindividualbelonged
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
19/174
toFirminRichardandArmandMoncharmin'sparty.
Theresultwasthatnorequestwasmadeforanexplanation;nounpleasantremark;nojokeinbadtaste,whichmighthaveoffendedthisvisitorfromthetomb.Afewofthosepresentwhoknewthestoryoftheghostandthedescriptionofhimgivenbythechiefscene-shifter--theydidnotknowofJosephBuquet'sdeath--thought,intheirownminds,thatthemanattheendofthetablemighteasilyhavepassedforhim;andyet,accordingtothestory,theghosthadnonoseandthepersoninquestionhad.ButM.Moncharmindeclares,inhisMemoirs,thattheguest'snosewastransparent:"long,thinandtransparent"arehisexactwords.I,formypart,willaddthatthismightverywellapplytoafalsenose.M.Moncharminmayhavetakenfortransparencywhatwasonlyshininess.Everybodyknowsthatorthopaedicscienceprovidesbeautifulfalsenosesforthosewhohavelosttheirnosesnaturallyorastheresultofanoperation.
Didtheghostreallytakeaseatatthemanagers'supper-tablethatnight,uninvited?AndcanwebesurethatthefigurewasthatoftheOperaghosthimself?Whowouldventuretoassertasmuch?Imentiontheincident,notbecauseIwishforasecondtomakethereaderbelieve--oreventotrytomakehimbelieve--thattheghostwascapableofsuchasublimepieceofimpudence;butbecause,afterall,thethingisimpossible.
M.ArmandMoncharmin,inchapterelevenofhisMemoirs,says:
"WhenIthinkofthisfirstevening,IcannotseparatethesecretconfidedtousbyMM.DebienneandPolignyintheirofficefromthepresenceatoursupperofthatGHOSTLYpersonwhomnoneofusknew."
Whathappenedwasthis:Mm.DebienneandPoligny,sittingatthecenterofthetable,hadnotseenthemanwiththedeath'shead.Suddenlyhebegantospeak.
"Theballet-girlsareright,"hesaid."ThedeathofthatpoorBuquetisperhapsnotsonaturalaspeoplethink."
DebienneandPolignygaveastart.
"IsBuquetdead?"theycried.
"Yes,"repliedtheman,ortheshadowofaman,quietly."Hewasfound,thisevening,hanginginthethirdcellar,betweenafarm-houseandascenefromtheRoideLahore."
Thetwomanagers,orratherex-managers,atonceroseandstaredstrangelyatthespeaker.Theyweremoreexcitedthantheyneedhavebeen,thatistosay,moreexcitedthananyoneneedbebytheannouncementofthesuicideofachiefscene-shifter.Theylookedat
eachother.They,hadbothturnedwhiterthanthetable-cloth.Atlast,DebiennemadeasigntoMm.RichardandMoncharmin;Polignymutteredafewwordsofexcusetotheguests;andallfourwentintothemanagers'office.IleaveM.Moncharmintocompletethestory.InhisMemoirs,hesays:
"Mm.DebienneandPolignyseemedtogrowmoreandmoreexcited,andtheyappearedtohavesomethingverydifficulttotellus.First,theyaskedusifweknewtheman,sittingattheendofthetable,whohadtoldthemofthedeathofJosephBuquet;and,whenweansweredinthe
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
20/174
negative,theylookedstillmoreconcerned.Theytookthemaster-keysfromourhands,staredatthemforamomentandadvisedustohavenewlocksmade,withthegreatestsecrecy,fortherooms,closetsandpressesthatwemightwishtohavehermeticallyclosed.TheysaidthissofunnilythatwebegantolaughandtoaskiftherewerethievesattheOpera.Theyrepliedthattherewassomethingworse,whichwastheGHOST.Webegantolaughagain,feelingsurethattheywereindulginginsomejokethatwasintendedtocrownourlittleentertainment.Then,attheirrequest,webecame'serious,'resolvingtohumorthemandtoenterintothespiritofthegame.Theytoldusthattheyneverwouldhavespokentousoftheghost,iftheyhadnotreceivedformalordersfromtheghosthimselftoaskustobepleasanttohimandtograntanyrequestthathemightmake.However,intheirreliefatleavingadomainwherethattyrannicalshadeheldsway,theyhadhesitateduntilthelastmomenttotellusthiscuriousstory,whichourskepticalmindswerecertainlynotpreparedtoentertain.ButtheannouncementofthedeathofJosephBuquethadservedthemasabrutalreminderthat,whenevertheyhaddisregardedtheghost'swishes,somefantasticordisastrouseventhadbroughtthemtoasenseoftheirdependence.
"Duringtheseunexpectedutterancesmadeinatoneofthemostsecretandimportantconfidence,IlookedatRichard.Richard,inhisstudentdays,hadacquiredagreatreputationforpracticaljoking,andhe
seemedtorelishthedishwhichwasbeingserveduptohiminhisturn.Hedidnotmissamorselofit,thoughtheseasoningwasalittlegruesomebecauseofthedeathofBuquet.Henoddedhisheadsadly,whiletheothersspoke,andhisfeaturesassumedtheairofamanwhobitterlyregrettedhavingtakenovertheOpera,nowthatheknewthattherewasaghostmixedupinthebusiness.Icouldthinkofnothingbetterthantogivehimaservileimitationofthisattitudeofdespair.However,inspiteofallourefforts,wecouldnot,atthefinish,helpburstingoutlaughinginthefacesofMM.DebienneandPoligny,who,seeinguspassstraightfromthegloomieststateofmindtooneofthemostinsolentmerriment,actedasthoughtheythoughtthatwehadgonemad.
"Thejokebecamealittletedious;andRichardaskedhalf-seriouslyandhalfinjest:
"'But,afterall,whatdoesthisghostofyourswant?'
"M.Polignywenttohisdeskandreturnedwithacopyofthememorandum-book.Thememorandum-bookbeginswiththewell-knownwordssayingthat'themanagementoftheOperashallgivetotheperformanceoftheNationalAcademyofMusicthesplendorthatbecomesthefirstlyricstageinFrance'andendswithClause98,whichsaysthattheprivilegecanbewithdrawnifthemanagerinfringestheconditionsstipulatedinthememorandum-book.Thisisfollowedbytheconditions,whicharefourinnumber.
"ThecopyproducedbyM.Polignywaswritteninblackinkandexactlysimilartothatinourpossession,exceptthat,attheend,itcontainedaparagraphinredinkandinaqueer,laboredhandwriting,asthoughithadbeenproducedbydippingtheheadsofmatchesintotheink,thewritingofachildthathasnevergotbeyondthedown-strokesandhasnotlearnedtojoinitsletters.Thisparagraphran,wordforword,asfollows:
"'5.Orifthemanager,inanymonth,delayformorethanafortnight
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
21/174
thepaymentoftheallowancewhichheshallmaketotheOperaghost,anallowanceoftwentythousandfrancsamonth,saytwohundredandfortythousandfrancsayear.'
"M.Polignypointedwithahesitatingfingertothislastclause,whichwecertainlydidnotexpect.
"'Isthisall?Doeshenotwantanythingelse?'askedRichard,withthegreatestcoolness.
"'Yes,hedoes,'repliedPoligny.
"Andheturnedoverthepagesofthememorandum-bookuntilhecametotheclausespecifyingthedaysonwhichcertainprivateboxesweretobereservedforthefreeuseofthepresidentoftherepublic,theministersandsoon.Attheendofthisclause,alinehadbeenadded,alsoinredink:
"'BoxFiveonthegrandtiershallbeplacedatthedisposaloftheOperaghostforeveryperformance.'
"Whenwesawthis,therewasnothingelseforustodobuttorisefromourchairs,shakeourtwopredecessorswarmlybythehandandcongratulatethemonthinkingofthischarminglittlejoke,which
provedthattheoldFrenchsenseofhumorwasneverlikelytobecomeextinct.RichardaddedthathenowunderstoodwhyMM.DebienneandPolignywereretiringfromthemanagementoftheNationalAcademyofMusic.Businesswasimpossiblewithsounreasonableaghost.
"'Certainly,twohundredandfortythousandfrancsarenotbepickedupfortheasking,'saidM.Poligny,withoutmovingamuscleofhisface.'AndhaveyouconsideredwhatthelossoverBoxFivemeanttous?Wedidnotsellitonce;andnotonlythat,butwehadtoreturnthesubscription:why,it'sawful!Wereallycan'tworktokeepghosts!Weprefertogoaway!'
"'Yes,'echoedM.Debienne,'weprefertogoaway.Letusgo.'"
"Andhestoodup.Richardsaid:'But,afterallall,itseemstomethatyouweremuchtookindtotheghost.IfIhadsuchatroublesomeghostasthat,Ishouldnothesitatetohavehimarrested.'
"'Buthow?Where?'theycried,inchorus.'Wehaveneverseenhim!'
"'Butwhenhecomestohisbox?'
"'WEHAVENEVERSEENHIMINHISBOX.'
"'Thensellit.'
"'SelltheOperaghost'sbox!Well,gentlemen,tryit.'
"Thereuponweallfourlefttheoffice.RichardandIhad'neverlaughedsomuchinourlives.'"
ChapterIVBoxFive
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
22/174
ArmandMoncharminwrotesuchvoluminousMemoirsduringthefairlylongperiodofhisco-managementthatwemaywellaskifheeverfoundtimetoattendtotheaffairsoftheOperaotherwisethanbytellingwhatwentonthere.M.Moncharmindidnotknowanoteofmusic,buthecalledtheministerofeducationandfineartsbyhisChristianname,haddabbledalittleinsocietyjournalismandenjoyedaconsiderableprivateincome.Lastly,hewasacharmingfellowandshowedthathewasnotlackinginintelligence,for,assoonashemadeuphismindtobeasleepingpartnerintheOpera,heselectedthebestpossibleactivemanagerandwentstraighttoFirminRichard.
FirminRichardwasaverydistinguishedcomposer,whohadpublishedanumberofsuccessfulpiecesofallkindsandwholikednearlyeveryformofmusicandeverysortofmusician.Clearly,therefore,itwasthedutyofeverysortofmusiciantolikeM.FirminRichard.Theonlythingstobesaidagainsthimwerethathewasrathermasterfulinhiswaysandendowedwithaveryhastytemper.
ThefirstfewdayswhichthepartnersspentattheOperaweregivenovertothedelightoffindingthemselvestheheadofsomagnificentanenterprise;andtheyhadforgottenallaboutthatcurious,fantasticstoryoftheghost,whenanincidentoccurredthatprovedtothemthatthejoke--ifjokeitwere--wasnotover.M.FirminRichardreachedhisofficethatmorningateleveno'clock.Hissecretary,M.Remy,showed
himhalfadozenletterswhichhehadnotopenedbecausetheyweremarked"private."OneofthelettershadatonceattractedRichard'sattentionnotonlybecausetheenvelopewasaddressedinredink,butbecauseheseemedtohaveseenthewritingbefore.Hesoonrememberedthatitwastheredhandwritinginwhichthememorandum-bookhadbeensocuriouslycompleted.Herecognizedtheclumsychildishhand.Heopenedtheletterandread:
DEARMR.MANAGER:
Iamsorrytohavetotroubleyouatatimewhenyoumustbesoverybusy,renewingimportantengagements,signingfreshonesandgenerallydisplayingyourexcellenttaste.Iknowwhatyouhavedonefor
Carlotta,SorelliandlittleJammesandforafewotherswhoseadmirablequalitiesoftalentorgeniusyouhavesuspected.
Ofcourse,whenIusethesewords,IdonotmeantoapplythemtoLaCarlotta,whosingslikeasquirtandwhooughtnevertohavebeenallowedtoleavetheAmbassadeursandtheCafeJacquin;nortoLaSorelli,whooweshersuccessmainlytothecoach-builders;nortolittleJammes,whodanceslikeacalfinafield.AndIamnotspeakingofChristineDaaeeither,thoughhergeniusiscertain,whereasyourjealousypreventsherfromcreatinganyimportantpart.Whenallissaid,youarefreetoconductyourlittlebusinessasyouthinkbest,areyounot?
Allthesame,IshouldliketotakeadvantageofthefactthatyouhavenotyetturnedChristineDaaeoutofdoorsbyhearingherthiseveninginthepartofSiebel,asthatofMargaritahasbeenforbiddenhersincehertriumphoftheotherevening;andIwillaskyounottodisposeofmyboxto-daynorontheFOLLOWINGDAYS,forIcannotendthisletterwithouttellingyouhowdisagreeablysurprisedIhavebeenonceortwice,tohear,onarrivingattheOpera,thatmyboxhadbeensold,atthebox-office,byyourorders.
Ididnotprotest,first,becauseIdislikescandal,and,second,
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
23/174
becauseIthoughtthatyourpredecessors,MM.DebienneandPoligny,whowerealwayscharmingtome,hadneglected,beforeleaving,tomentionmylittlefadstoyou.Ihavenowreceivedareplyfromthosegentlementomyletteraskingforanexplanation,andthisreplyprovesthatyouknowallaboutmyMemorandum-Bookand,consequently,thatyouaretreatingmewithoutrageouscontempt.IFYOUWISHTOLIVEINPEACE,YOUMUSTNOTBEGINBYTAKINGAWAYMYPRIVATEBOX.
Believemetobe,dearMr.Manager,withoutprejudicetotheselittleobservations,
YourMostHumbleandObedientServant,OPERAGHOST.
Theletterwasaccompaniedbyacuttingfromtheagony-columnoftheRevueTheatrale,whichran:
O.G.--ThereisnoexcuseforR.andM.Wetoldthemandleftyourmemorandum-bookintheirhands.Kindregards.
M.FirminRichardhadhardlyfinishedreadingthisletterwhenM.ArmandMoncharminentered,carryingoneexactlysimilar.Theylookedateachotherandburstoutlaughing.
"Theyarekeepingupthejoke,"saidM.Richard,"butIdon'tcallitfunny."
"Whatdoesitallmean?"askedM.Moncharmin."Dotheyimaginethat,becausetheyhavebeenmanagersoftheOpera,wearegoingtoletthemhaveaboxforanindefiniteperiod?"
"Iamnotinthemoodtoletmyselfbelaughedatlong,"saidFirminRichard.
"It'sharmlessenough,"observedArmandMoncharmin."Whatisittheyreallywant?Aboxforto-night?"
M.FirminRichardtoldhissecretarytosendBoxFiveonthegrandtiertoMm.DebienneandPoligny,ifitwasnotsold.Itwasnot.Itwassentofftothem.DebiennelivedatthecorneroftheRueScribeandtheBoulevarddesCapucines;Poligny,intheRueAuber.O.Ghost'stwolettershadbeenpostedattheBoulevarddesCapucinespost-office,asMoncharminremarkedafterexaminingtheenvelopes.
"Yousee!"saidRichard.
Theyshruggedtheirshouldersandregrettedthattwomenofthatageshouldamusethemselveswithsuchchildishtricks.
"Theymighthavebeencivil,forallthat!"saidMoncharmin."Didyou
noticehowtheytreatuswithregardtoCarlotta,SorelliandLittleJammes?"
"Why,mydearfellow,thesetwoaremadwithjealousy!Tothinkthattheywenttotheexpenseof,anadvertisementintheRevueTheatrale!Havetheynothingbettertodo?"
"Bytheway,"saidMoncharmin,"theyseemtobegreatlyinterestedinthatlittleChristineDaae!"
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
24/174
"YouknowaswellasIdothatshehasthereputationofbeingquitegood,"saidRichard.
"Reputationsareeasilyobtained,"repliedMoncharmin."Haven'tIareputationforknowingallaboutmusic?AndIdon'tknowonekeyfromanother."
"Don'tbeafraid:youneverhadthatreputation,"Richarddeclared.
Thereuponheorderedtheartiststobeshownin,who,forthelasttwohours,hadbeenwalkingupanddownoutsidethedoorbehindwhichfameandfortune--ordismissal--awaitedthem.
Thewholedaywasspentindiscussing,negotiating,signingorcancellingcontracts;andthetwooverworkedmanagerswenttobedearly,withoutsomuchascastingaglanceatBoxFivetoseewhetherM.DebienneandM.Polignywereenjoyingtheperformance.
Nextmorning,themanagersreceivedacardofthanksfromtheghost:
DEAR,MR.MANAGER:
Thanks.Charmingevening.Daaeexquisite.Choruseswantwakingup.Carlottaasplendidcommonplaceinstrument.Willwriteyousoonfor
the240,000francs,or233,424fr.70c.,tobecorrect.Mm.DebienneandPolignyhavesentmethe6,575fr.30c.representingthefirsttendaysofmyallowanceforthecurrentyear;theirprivilegesfinishedontheeveningofthetenthinst.
Kindregards.O.G.
Ontheotherhand,therewasaletterfromMm.DebienneandPoligny:
GENTLEMEN:
Wearemuchobligedforyourkindthoughtofus,butyouwilleasilyunderstandthattheprospectofagainhearingFaust,pleasantthoughit
istoex-managersoftheOpera,cannotmakeusforgetthatwehavenorighttooccupyBoxFiveonthegrandtier,whichistheexclusivepropertyofHIMofwhomwespoketoyouwhenwewentthroughthememorandum-bookwithyouforthelasttime.SeeClause98,finalparagraph.
Accept,gentlemen,etc.
"Oh,thosefellowsarebeginningtoannoyme!"shoutedFirminRichard,snatchinguptheletter.
AndthateveningBoxFivewassold.
Thenextmorning,Mm.RichardandMoncharmin,onreachingtheiroffice,foundaninspector'sreportrelatingtoanincidentthathadhappened,thenightbefore,inBoxFive.Igivetheessentialpartofthereport:
Iwasobligedtocallinamunicipalguardtwice,thisevening,toclearBoxFiveonthegrandtier,onceatthebeginningandonceinthemiddleofthesecondact.Theoccupants,whoarrivedasthecurtainroseonthesecondact,createdaregularscandalbytheirlaughterandtheirridiculousobservations.Therewerecriesof"Hush!"allaroundthemandthewholehousewasbeginningtoprotest,whenthebox-keeper
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
25/174
cametofetchme.IenteredtheboxandsaidwhatIthoughtnecessary.Thepeopledidnotseemtometobeintheirrightmind;andtheymadestupidremarks.Isaidthat,ifthenoisewasrepeated,Ishouldbecompelledtoclearthebox.ThemomentIleft,Iheardthelaughingagain,withfreshprotestsfromthehouse.Ireturnedwithamunicipalguard,whoturnedthemout.Theyprotested,stilllaughing,sayingtheywouldnotgounlesstheyhadtheirmoneyback.Atlast,theybecamequietandIallowedthemtoentertheboxagain.Thelaughteratoncerecommenced;and,thistime,Ihadthemturnedoutdefinitely.
"Sendfortheinspector,"saidRichardtohissecretary,whohadalreadyreadthereportandmarkeditwithbluepencil.
M.Remy,thesecretary,hadforeseentheorderandcalledtheinspectoratonce.
"Telluswhathappened,"saidRichardbluntly.
Theinspectorbegantosplutterandreferredtothereport.
"Well,butwhatwerethosepeoplelaughingat?"askedMoncharmin.
"Theymusthavebeendining,sir,andseemedmoreinclinedtolarkaboutthantolistentogoodmusic.Themomenttheyenteredthebox,
theycameoutagainandcalledthebox-keeper,whoaskedthemwhattheywanted.Theysaid,'Lookinthebox:there'snoonethere,isthere?''No,'saidthewoman.'Well,'saidthey,'whenwewentin,weheardavoicesayingTHATTHEBOXWASTAKEN!'"
M.MoncharmincouldnothelpsmilingashelookedatM.Richard;butM.Richarddidnotsmile.Hehimselfhaddonetoomuchinthatwayinhistimenottorecognize,intheinspector'sstory,allthemarksofoneofthosepracticaljokeswhichbeginbyamusingandendbyenragingthevictims.Theinspector,tocurryfavorwithM.Moncharmin,whowassmiling,thoughtitbesttogiveasmiletoo.Amostunfortunatesmile!M.Richardglaredathissubordinate,whothenceforthmadeithisbusinesstodisplayafaceofutterconsternation.
"However,whenthepeoplearrived,"roaredRichard,"therewasnooneinthebox,wasthere?"
"Notasoul,sir,notasoul!Norintheboxontheright,norintheboxontheleft:notasoul,sir,Iswear!Thebox-keepertolditmeoftenenough,whichprovesthatitwasallajoke."
"Oh,youagree,doyou?"saidRichard."Youagree!It'sajoke!Andyouthinkitfunny,nodoubt?"
"Ithinkitinverybadtaste,sir."
"Andwhatdidthebox-keepersay?"
"Oh,shejustsaidthatitwastheOperaghost.That'sallshesaid!"
Andtheinspectorgrinned.Buthesoonfoundthathehadmadeamistakeingrinning,forthewordshadnosoonerlefthismouththanM.Richard,fromgloomy,becamefurious.
"Sendforthebox-keeper!"heshouted."Sendforher!Thisminute!Thisminute!Andbringherintomehere!Andturnallthosepeople
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
26/174
out!"
Theinspectortriedtoprotest,butRichardclosedhismouthwithanangryordertoholdhistongue.Then,whenthewretchedman'slipsseemedshutforever,themanagercommandedhimtoopenthemoncemore.
"Whoisthis'Operaghost?'"hesnarled.
Buttheinspectorwasbythistimeincapableofspeakingaword.Hemanagedtoconvey,byadespairinggesture,thatheknewnothingaboutit,orratherthathedidnotwishtoknow.
"Haveyoueverseenhim,haveyouseentheOperaghost?"
Theinspector,bymeansofavigorousshakeofthehead,deniedeverhavingseentheghostinquestion.
"Verywell!"saidM.Richardcoldly.
Theinspector'seyesstartedoutofhishead,asthoughtoaskwhythemanagerhadutteredthatominous"Verywell!"
"BecauseI'mgoingtosettletheaccountofanyonewhohasnotseenhim!"explainedthemanager."Asheseemstobeeverywhere,Ican't
havepeopletellingmethattheyseehimnowhere.IlikepeopletoworkformewhenIemploythem!"
Havingsaidthis,M.Richardpaidnoattentiontotheinspectoranddiscussedvariousmattersofbusinesswithhisacting-manager,whohadenteredtheroommeanwhile.Theinspectorthoughthecouldgoandwasgently--oh,sogently!--sidlingtowardthedoor,whenM.Richardnailedthemantothefloorwithathundering:
"Staywhereyouare!"
M.Remyhadsentforthebox-keepertotheRuedeProvence,closetotheOpera,whereshewasengagedasaporteress.Shesoonmadeher
appearance.
"What'syourname?"
"Mme.Giry.Youknowmewellenough,sir;I'mthemotheroflittleGiry,littleMeg,what!"
Thiswassaidinsoroughandsolemnatonethat,foramoment,M.Richardwasimpressed.HelookedatMme.Giry,inherfadedshawl,herwornshoes,heroldtaffetadressanddingybonnet.Itwasquiteevidentfromthemanager'sattitude,thatheeitherdidnotknoworcouldnotrememberhavingmetMme.Giry,norevenlittleGiry,noreven"littleMeg!"ButMme.Giry'spridewassogreatthatthecelebrated
box-keeperimaginedthateverybodyknewher.
"Neverheardofher!"themanagerdeclared."Butthat'snoreason,Mme.Giry,whyIshouldn'taskyouwhathappenedlastnighttomakeyouandtheinspectorcallinamunicipalguard."
"Iwasjustwantingtoseeyou,sir,andtalktoyouaboutit,sothatyoumightn'thavethesameunpleasantnessasM.DebienneandM.Poligny.Theywouldn'tlistentomeeither,atfirst."
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
27/174
"I'mnotaskingyouaboutallthat.I'maskingwhathappenedlastnight."
Mme.Giryturnedpurplewithindignation.Neverhadshebeenspokentolikethat.Sheroseasthoughtogo,gatheringupthefoldsofherskirtandwavingthefeathersofherdingybonnetwithdignity,but,changinghermind,shesatdownagainandsaid,inahaughtyvoice:
"I'lltellyouwhathappened.Theghostwasannoyedagain!"
Thereupon,asM.Richardwasonthepointofburstingout,M.Moncharmininterferedandconductedtheinterrogatory,whenceitappearedthatMme.Girythoughtitquitenaturalthatavoiceshouldbeheardtosaythataboxwastaken,whentherewasnobodyinthebox.Shewasunabletoexplainthisphenomenon,whichwasnotnewtoher,exceptbytheinterventionoftheghost.Nobodycouldseetheghostinhisbox,buteverybodycouldhearhim.Shehadoftenheardhim;andtheycouldbelieveher,forshealwaysspokethetruth.TheycouldaskM.DebienneandM.Poligny,andanybodywhoknewher;andalsoM.IsidoreSaack,whohadhadalegbrokenbytheghost!
"Indeed!"saidMoncharmin,interruptingher."DidtheghostbreakpoorIsidoreSaack'sleg?"
Mme.Giryopenedhereyeswithastonishmentatsuchignorance.However,sheconsentedtoenlightenthosetwopoorinnocents.ThethinghadhappenedinM.DebienneandM.Poligny'stime,alsoinBoxFiveandalsoduringaperformanceofFAUST.Mme.Girycoughed,clearedherthroat--itsoundedasthoughshewerepreparingtosingthewholeofGounod'sscore--andbegan:
"Itwaslikethis,sir.Thatnight,M.Manieraandhislady,thejewelersintheRueMogador,weresittinginthefrontofthebox,withtheirgreatfriend,M.IsidoreSaack,sittingbehindMme.Maniera.Mephistopheleswassinging"--Mme.Giryhereburstintosongherself--"'Catarina,whileyouplayatsleeping,'andthenM.Manieraheardavoiceinhisrightear(hiswifewasonhisleft)saying,'Ha,
ha!Julie'snotplayingatsleeping!'HiswifehappenedtobecalledJulie.So.M.Manieraturnstotherighttoseewhowastalkingtohimlikethat.Nobodythere!Herubshisearandaskshimself,ifhe'sdreaming.ThenMephistopheleswentonwithhisserenade...But,perhapsI'mboringyougentlemen?"
"No,no,goon."
"Youaretoogood,gentlemen,"withasmirk."Well,then,Mephistopheleswentonwithhisserenade"--Mme.Giry,burstintosongagain--"'Saint,unclosethyportalsholyandaccordthebliss,toamortalbendinglowly,ofapardon-kiss.'AndthenM.Manieraagainhearsthevoiceinhisrightear,saying,thistime,'Ha,ha!Julie
wouldn'tmindaccordingakisstoIsidore!'Thenheturnsroundagain,but,thistime,totheleft;andwhatdoyouthinkhesees?Isidore,whohadtakenhislady'shandandwascoveringitwithkissesthroughthelittleroundplaceintheglove--likethis,gentlemen"--rapturouslykissingthebitofpalmleftbareinthemiddleofherthreadgloves."Thentheyhadalivelytimebetweenthem!Bang!Bang!M.Maniera,whowasbigandstrong,likeyou,M.Richard,gavetwoblowstoM.IsidoreSaack,whowassmallandweaklikeM.Moncharmin,savinghispresence.Therewasagreatuproar.Peopleinthehouseshouted,'Thatwilldo!Stopthem!He'llkillhim!'Then,atlast,M.Isidore
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
28/174
Saackmanagedtorunaway."
"Thentheghosthadnotbrokenhisleg?"askedM.Moncharmin,alittlevexedthathisfigurehadmadesolittleimpressiononMme.Giry.
"Hedidbreakitforhim,sir,"repliedMme.Giryhaughtily."Hebrokeitforhimonthegrandstaircase,whichherandowntoofast,sir,anditwillbelongbeforethepoorgentlemanwillbeabletogoupitagain!"
"DidtheghosttellyouwhathesaidinM.Maniera'srightear?"askedM.Moncharmin,withagravitywhichhethoughtexceedinglyhumorous.
"No,sir,itwasM.Manierahimself.So----"
"Butyouhavespokentotheghost,mygoodlady?"
"AsI'mspeakingtoyounow,mygoodsir!"Mme.Giryreplied.
"And,whentheghostspeakstoyou,whatdoeshesay?"
"Well,hetellsmetobringhimafootstool!"
Thistime,Richardburstoutlaughing,asdidMoncharminandRemy,the
secretary.Onlytheinspector,warnedbyexperience,wascarefulnottolaugh,whileMme.Giryventuredtoadoptanattitudethatwaspositivelythreatening.
"Insteadoflaughing,"shecriedindignantly,"you'ddobettertodoasM.Polignydid,whofoundoutforhimself."
"Foundoutaboutwhat?"askedMoncharmin,whohadneverbeensomuchamusedinhislife.
"Abouttheghost,ofcourse!...Lookhere..."
Shesuddenlycalmedherself,feelingthatthiswasasolemnmomentin
herlife:
"LOOKHERE,"sherepeated."TheywereplayingLaJuive.M.Polignythoughthewouldwatchtheperformancefromtheghost'sbox...Well,whenLeopoldcries,'Letusfly!'--youknow--andEleazerstopsthemandsays,'Whithergoye?'...well,M.Poligny--Iwaswatchinghimfromthebackofthenextbox,whichwasempty--M.Polignygotupandwalkedoutquitestiffly,likeastatue,andbeforeIhadtimetoaskhim,'Whithergoye?'likeEleazer,hewasdownthestaircase,butwithoutbreakinghisleg.
"Still,thatdoesn'tletusknowhowtheOperaghostcametoaskyouforafootstool,"insistedM.Moncharmin.
"Well,fromthatevening,noonetriedtotaketheghost'sprivateboxfromhim.Themanagergaveordersthathewastohaveitateachperformance.And,wheneverhecame,heaskedmeforafootstool."
"Tut,tut!Aghostaskingforafootstool!Thenthisghostofyoursisawoman?"
"No,theghostisaman."
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
29/174
"Howdoyouknow?"
"Hehasaman'svoice,oh,suchalovelyman'svoice!Thisiswhathappens:Whenhecomestotheopera,it'susuallyinthemiddleofthefirstact.HegivesthreelittletapsonthedoorofBoxFive.ThefirsttimeIheardthosethreetaps,whenIknewtherewasnooneinthebox,youcanthinkhowpuzzledIwas!Iopenedthedoor,listened,looked;nobody!AndthenIheardavoicesay,'Mme.Jules'mypoorhusband'snamewasJules--'afootstool,please.'Savingyourpresence,gentlemen,itmademefeelall-overishlike.Butthevoicewenton,'Don'tbefrightened,Mme.Jules,I'mtheOperaghost!'AndthevoicewassosoftandkindthatIhardlyfeltfrightened.THEVOICEWASSITTINGINTHECORNERCHAIR,ONTHERIGHT,INTHEFRONTROW."
"WasthereanyoneintheboxontherightofBoxFive?"askedMoncharmin.
"No;BoxSeven,andBoxThree,theoneontheleft,werebothempty.Thecurtainhadonlyjustgoneup."
"Andwhatdidyoudo?"
"Well,Ibroughtthefootstool.Ofcourse,itwasn'tforhimselfhewantedit,butforhislady!ButIneverheardhernorsawher."
"Eh?What?Sonowtheghostismarried!"TheeyesofthetwomanagerstraveledfromMme.Girytotheinspector,who,standingbehindthebox-keeper,waswavinghisarmstoattracttheirattention.Hetappedhisforeheadwithadistressfulforefinger,toconveyhisopinionthatthewidowJulesGirywasmostcertainlymad,apieceofpantomimewhichconfirmedM.Richardinhisdeterminationtogetridofaninspectorwhokeptalunaticinhisservice.Meanwhile,theworthyladywentonaboutherghost,nowpaintinghisgenerosity:
"Attheendoftheperformance,healwaysgivesmetwofrancs,sometimesfive,sometimeseventen,whenhehasbeenmanydayswithoutcoming.Only,sincepeoplehavebeguntoannoyhimagain,hegivesme
nothingatall.
"Excuseme,mygoodwoman,"saidMoncharmin,whileMme.Girytossedthefeathersinherdingyhatatthispersistentfamiliarity,"excuseme,howdoestheghostmanagetogiveyouyourtwofrancs?"
"Why,heleavesthemonthelittleshelfinthebox,ofcourse.Ifindthemwiththeprogram,whichIalwaysgivehim.Someevenings,Ifindflowersinthebox,arosethatmusthavedroppedfromhislady'sbodice...forhebringsaladywithhimsometimes;oneday,theyleftafanbehindthem."
"Oh,theghostleftafan,didhe?Andwhatdidyoudowithit?"
"Well,Ibroughtitbacktotheboxnextnight."
Heretheinspector'svoicewasraised.
"You'vebrokentherules;Ishallhavetofineyou,Mme.Giry."
"Holdyourtongue,youfool!"mutteredM.FirminRichard.
"Youbroughtbackthefan.Andthen?"
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
30/174
"Well,then,theytookitawaywiththem,sir;itwasnotthereattheendoftheperformance;andinitsplacetheyleftmeaboxofEnglishsweets,whichI'mveryfondof.That'soneoftheghost'sprettythoughts."
"Thatwilldo,Mme.Giry.Youcango."
WhenMme.Giryhadbowedherselfout,withthedignitythatneverdesertedher,themanagertoldtheinspectorthattheyhaddecidedtodispensewiththatoldmadwoman'sservices;and,whenhehadgoneinhisturn,theyinstructedtheacting-managertomakeuptheinspector'saccounts.Leftalone,themanagerstoldeachotheroftheideawhichtheybothhadinmind,whichwasthattheyshouldlookintothatlittlematterofBoxFivethemselves.
ChapterVTheEnchantedViolin
ChristineDaae,owingtointriguestowhichIwillreturnlater,didnotimmediatelycontinuehertriumphattheOpera.Afterthefamousgalanight,shesangonceattheDuchessdeZurich's;butthiswasthe
lastoccasiononwhichshewasheardinprivate.Sherefused,withoutplausibleexcuse,toappearatacharityconcerttowhichshehadpromisedherassistance.Sheactedthroughoutasthoughshewerenolongerthemistressofherowndestinyandasthoughshefearedafreshtriumph.
SheknewthattheComtedeChagny,topleasehisbrother,haddonehisbestonherbehalfwithM.Richard;andshewrotetothankhimandalsotoaskhimtoceasespeakinginherfavor.Herreasonforthiscuriousattitudewasneverknown.Somepretendedthatitwasduetooverweeningpride;othersspokeofherheavenlymodesty.Butpeopleonthestagearenotsomodestasallthat;andIthinkthatIshallnotbefarfromthetruthifIascribeheractionsimplytofear.Yes,I
believethatChristineDaaewasfrightenedbywhathadhappenedtoher.IhavealetterofChristine's(itformspartofthePersian'scollection),relatingtothisperiod,whichsuggestsafeelingofabsolutedismay:
"Idon'tknowmyselfwhenIsing,"writesthepoorchild.
Sheshowedherselfnowhere;andtheVicomtedeChagnytriedinvaintomeether.Hewrotetoher,askingtocalluponher,butdespairedofreceivingareplywhen,onemorning,shesenthimthefollowingnote:
MONSIEUR:
Ihavenotforgottenthelittleboywhowentintotheseatorescuemyscarf.IfeelthatImustwritetoyouto-day,whenIamgoingtoPerros,infulfilmentofasacredduty.To-morrowistheanniversaryofthedeathofmypoorfather,whomyouknewandwhowasveryfondofyou.Heisburiedthere,withhisviolin,inthegraveyardofthelittlechurch,atthebottomoftheslopewhereweusedtoplayaschildren,besidetheroadwhere,whenwewerealittlebigger,wesaidgood-byforthelasttime.
TheVicomtedeChagnyhurriedlyconsultedarailwayguide,dressedas
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
31/174
quicklyashecould,wroteafewlinesforhisvalettotaketohisbrotherandjumpedintoacabwhichbroughthimtotheGareMontparnassejustintimetomissthemorningtrain.Hespentadismaldayintownanddidnotrecoverhisspiritsuntiltheevening,whenhewasseatedinhiscompartmentintheBrittanyexpress.HereadChristine'snoteoverandoveragain,smellingitsperfume,recallingthesweetpicturesofhischildhood,andspenttherestofthattediousnightjourneyinfeverishdreamsthatbeganandendedwithChristineDaae.DaywasbreakingwhenhealightedatLannion.HehurriedtothediligenceforPerros-Guirec.Hewastheonlypassenger.Hequestionedthedriverandlearnedthat,ontheeveningofthepreviousday,ayoungladywholookedlikeaParisianhadgonetoPerrosandputupattheinnknownastheSettingSun.
Thenearerhedrewtoher,themorefondlyherememberedthestoryofthelittleSwedishsinger.Mostofthedetailsarestillunknowntothepublic.
Therewasonce,inalittlemarket-townnotfarfromUpsala,apeasantwholivedtherewithhisfamily,diggingtheearthduringtheweekandsinginginthechoironSundays.Thispeasanthadalittledaughtertowhomhetaughtthemusicalalphabetbeforesheknewhowtoread.Daae'sfatherwasagreatmusician,perhapswithoutknowingit.NotafiddlerthroughoutthelengthandbreadthofScandinaviaplayedashe
did.Hisreputationwaswidespreadandhewasalwaysinvitedtosetthecouplesdancingatweddingsandotherfestivals.HiswifediedwhenChristinewasenteringuponhersixthyear.Thenthefather,whocaredonlyforhisdaughterandhismusic,soldhispatchofgroundandwenttoUpsalainsearchoffameandfortune.Hefoundnothingbutpoverty.
Hereturnedtothecountry,wanderingfromfairtofair,strumminghisScandinavianmelodies,whilehischild,whoneverlefthisside,listenedtohiminecstasyorsangtohisplaying.Oneday,atLjimbyFair,ProfessorValeriusheardthemandtookthemtoGothenburg.Hemaintainedthatthefatherwasthefirstviolinistintheworldandthatthedaughterhadthemakingofagreatartist.Hereducationand
instructionwereprovidedfor.Shemaderapidprogressandcharmedeverybodywithherprettiness,hergraceofmannerandhergenuineeagernesstoplease.
WhenValeriusandhiswifewenttosettleinFrance,theytookDaaeandChristinewiththem."Mamma"ValeriustreatedChristineasherdaughter.AsforDaae,hebegantopineawaywithhomesickness.HeneverwentoutofdoorsinParis,butlivedinasortofdreamwhichhekeptupwithhisviolin.Forhoursatatime,heremainedlockedupinhisbedroomwithhisdaughter,fiddlingandsinging,very,verysoftly.SometimesMammaValeriuswouldcomeandlistenbehindthedoor,wipeawayatearandgodown-stairsagainontiptoe,sighingforherScandinavianskies.
Daaeseemednottorecoverhisstrengthuntilthesummer,whenthewholefamilywenttostayatPerros-Guirec,inafar-awaycornerofBrittany,wheretheseawasofthesamecolorasinhisowncountry.Oftenhewouldplayhissaddesttunesonthebeachandpretendthattheseastoppeditsroaringtolistentothem.AndthenheinducedMammaValeriustoindulgeaqueerwhimofhis.Atthetimeofthe"pardons,"orBretonpilgrimages,thevillagefestivalanddances,hewentoffwithhisfiddle,asintheolddays,andwasallowedtotakehisdaughterwithhimforaweek.Theygavethesmallesthamletsmusicto
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
32/174
lastthemforayearandsleptatnightinabarn,refusingabedattheinn,lyingclosetogetheronthestraw,aswhentheyweresopoorinSweden.Atthesametime,theywereveryneatlydressed,madenocollection,refusedthehalfpenceofferedthem;andthepeoplearoundcouldnotunderstandtheconductofthisrusticfiddler,whotrampedtheroadswiththatprettychildwhosanglikeanangelfromHeaven.Theyfollowedthemfromvillagetovillage.
Oneday,alittleboy,whowasoutwithhisgoverness,madehertakealongerwalkthanheintended,forhecouldnottearhimselffromthelittlegirlwhosepure,sweetvoiceseemedtobindhimtoher.TheycametotheshoreofaninletwhichisstillcalledTrestraou,butwhichnow,Ibelieve,harborsacasinoorsomethingofthesort.Atthattime,therewasnothingbutskyandseaandastretchofgoldenbeach.Only,therewasalsoahighwind,whichblewChristine'sscarfouttosea.Christinegaveacryandputoutherarms,butthescarfwasalreadyfaronthewaves.Thensheheardavoicesay:
"It'sallright,I'llgoandfetchyourscarfoutofthesea."
Andshesawalittleboyrunningfast,inspiteoftheoutcriesandtheindignantprotestsofaworthyladyinblack.Thelittleboyranintothesea,dressedashewas,andbroughtherbackherscarf.Boyandscarfwerebothsoakedthrough.Theladyinblackmadeagreatfuss,
butChristinelaughedmerrilyandkissedthelittleboy,whowasnoneotherthantheVicomteRaouldeChagny,stayingatLannionwithhisaunt.
Duringtheseason,theysaweachotherandplayedtogetheralmosteveryday.Attheaunt'srequest,secondedbyProfessorValerius,Daaeconsentedtogivetheyoungviscountsomeviolinlessons.Inthisway,RaoullearnedtolovethesameairsthathadcharmedChristine'schildhood.Theyalsobothhadthesamecalmanddreamylittlecastofmind.Theydelightedinstories,inoldBretonlegends;andtheirfavoritesportwastogoandaskforthematthecottage-doors,likebeggars:
"Ma'am..."or,"Kindgentleman...haveyoualittlestorytotellus,please?"
Anditseldomhappenedthattheydidnothaveone"given"them;fornearlyeveryoldBretongrandamehas,atleastonceinherlife,seenthe"korrigans"dancebymoonlightontheheather.
Buttheirgreattreatwas,inthetwilight,inthegreatsilenceoftheevening,afterthesunhadsetinthesea,whenDaaecameandsatdownbythemontheroadsideand,inalowvoice,asthoughfearinglestheshouldfrightentheghostswhomheevoked,toldthemthelegendsofthelandoftheNorth.And,themomenthestopped,thechildrenwouldaskformore.
Therewasonestorythatbegan:
"Akingsatinalittleboatononeofthosedeep,stilllakesthatopenlikeabrighteyeinthemidstoftheNorwegianmountains..."
Andanother:
"LittleLottethoughtofeverythingandnothing.Herhairwasgoldenasthesun'sraysandhersoulasclearandblueashereyes.She
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
33/174
wheedledhermother,waskindtoherdoll,tookgreatcareofherfrockandherlittleredshoesandherfiddle,butmostofallloved,whenshewenttosleep,toheartheAngelofMusic."
Whiletheoldmantoldthisstory,RaoullookedatChristine'sblueeyesandgoldenhair;andChristinethoughtthatLottewasveryluckytoheartheAngelofMusicwhenshewenttosleep.TheAngelofMusicplayedapartinallDaddyDaae'stales;andhemaintainedthateverygreatmusician,everygreatartistreceivedavisitfromtheAngelatleastonceinhislife.SometimestheAngelleansovertheircradle,ashappenedtoLotte,andthatishowtherearelittleprodigieswhoplaythefiddleatsixbetterthanmenatfifty,which,youmustadmit,isverywonderful.Sometimes,theAngelcomesmuchlater,becausethechildrenarenaughtyandwon'tlearntheirlessonsorpractisetheirscales.And,sometimes,hedoesnotcomeatall,becausethechildrenhaveabadheartorabadconscience.
NooneeverseestheAngel;butheisheardbythosewhoaremeanttohearhim.Heoftencomeswhentheyleastexpecthim,whentheyaresadanddisheartened.Thentheirearssuddenlyperceivecelestialharmonies,adivinevoice,whichtheyrememberalltheirlives.PersonswhoarevisitedbytheAngelquiverwithathrillunknowntotherestofmankind.Andtheycannottouchaninstrument,oropentheirmouthstosing,withoutproducingsoundsthatputallotherhuman
soundstoshame.ThenpeoplewhodonotknowthattheAngelhasvisitedthosepersonssaythattheyhavegenius.
LittleChristineaskedherfatherifhehadheardtheAngelofMusic.ButDaddyDaaeshookhisheadsadly;andthenhiseyeslitup,ashesaid:
"Youwillhearhimoneday,mychild!WhenIaminHeaven,Iwillsendhimtoyou!"
Daddywasbeginningtocoughatthattime.
Threeyearslater,RaoulandChristinemetagainatPerros.Professor
Valeriuswasdead,buthiswidowremainedinFrancewithDaddyDaaeandhisdaughter,whocontinuedtoplaytheviolinandsing,wrappingintheirdreamofharmonytheirkindpatroness,whoseemedhenceforthtoliveonmusicalone.Theyoungman,ashenowwas,hadcometoPerrosonthechanceoffindingthemandwentstraighttothehouseinwhichtheyusedtostay.Hefirstsawtheoldman;andthenChristineentered,carryingthetea-tray.SheflushedatthesightofRaoul,whowentuptoherandkissedher.Sheaskedhimafewquestions,performedherdutiesashostessprettily,tookupthetrayagainandlefttheroom.Thensheranintothegardenandtookrefugeonabench,apreytofeelingsthatstirredheryoungheartforthefirsttime.Raoulfollowedherandtheytalkedtilltheevening,veryshyly.Theywerequitechanged,cautiousastwodiplomatists,andtoldeach
otherthingsthathadnothingtodowiththeirbuddingsentiments.Whentheytookleaveofeachotherbytheroadside,Raoul,pressingakissonChristine'stremblinghand,said:
"Mademoiselle,Ishallneverforgetyou!"
Andhewentawayregrettinghiswords,forheknewthatChristinecouldnotbethewifeoftheVicomtedeChagny.
AsforChristine,shetriednottothinkofhimanddevotedherself
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
34/174
whollytoherart.Shemadewonderfulprogressandthosewhoheardherprophesiedthatshewouldbethegreatestsingerintheworld.Meanwhile,thefatherdied;and,suddenly,sheseemedtohavelost,withhim,hervoice,hersoulandhergenius.Sheretainedjust,butonlyjust,enoughofthistoentertheCONSERVATOIRE,whereshedidnotdistinguishherselfatall,attendingtheclasseswithoutenthusiasmandtakingaprizeonlytopleaseoldMammaValerius,withwhomshecontinuedtolive.
ThefirsttimethatRaoulsawChristineattheOpera,hewascharmedbythegirl'sbeautyandbythesweetimagesofthepastwhichitevoked,butwasrathersurprisedatthenegativesideofherart.Hereturnedtolistentoher.Hefollowedherinthewings.HewaitedforherbehindaJacob'sladder.Hetriedtoattractherattention.Morethanonce,hewalkedafterhertothedoorofherbox,butshedidnotseehim.Sheseemed,forthatmatter,toseenobody.Shewasallindifference.Raoulsuffered,forshewasverybeautifulandhewasshyanddarednotconfesshislove,eventohimself.Andthencamethelightning-flashofthegalaperformance:theheavenstornasunderandanangel'svoicehearduponearthforthedelightofmankindandtheuttercaptureofhisheart.
Andthen...andthentherewasthatman'svoicebehindthedoor--"Youmustloveme!"--andnooneintheroom...
Whydidshelaughwhenheremindedheroftheincidentofthescarf?Whydidshenotrecognizehim?Andwhyhadshewrittentohim?...
Perroswasreachedatlast.Raoulwalkedintothesmokysitting-roomoftheSettingSunandatoncesawChristinestandingbeforehim,smilingandshowingnoastonishment.
"Soyouhavecome,"shesaid."IfeltthatIshouldfindyouhere,whenIcamebackfrommass.Someonetoldmeso,atthechurch."
"Who?"askedRaoul,takingherlittlehandinhis.
"Why,mypoorfather,whoisdead."
Therewasasilence;andthenRaoulasked:
"DidyourfathertellyouthatIloveyou,Christine,andthatIcannotlivewithoutyou?"
Christineblushedtotheeyesandturnedawayherhead.Inatremblingvoice,shesaid:
"Me?Youaredreaming,myfriend!"
Andsheburstoutlaughing,toputherselfincountenance.
"Don'tlaugh,Christine;Iamquiteserious,"Raoulanswered.
Andsherepliedgravely:"Ididnotmakeyoucometotellmesuchthingsasthat."
"You'mademecome,'Christine;youknewthatyourletterwouldnotleavemeindignantandthatIshouldhastentoPerros.Howcanyouhavethoughtthat,ifyoudidnotthinkIlovedyou?"
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
35/174
"Ithoughtyouwouldrememberourgameshere,aschildren,inwhichmyfathersooftenjoined.Ireallydon'tknowwhatIthought...PerhapsIwaswrongtowritetoyou...ThisanniversaryandyoursuddenappearanceinmyroomattheOpera,theotherevening,remindedmeofthetimelongpastandmademewritetoyouasthelittlegirlthatIthenwas..."
TherewassomethinginChristine'sattitudethatseemedtoRaoulnotnatural.Hedidnotfeelanyhostilityinher;farfromit:thedistressedaffectionshininginhereyestoldhimthat.Butwhywasthisaffectiondistressed?Thatwaswhathewishedtoknowandwhatwasirritatinghim.
"Whenyousawmeinyourdressing-room,wasthatthefirsttimeyounoticedme,Christine?"
Shewasincapableoflying.
"No,"shesaid,"Ihadseenyouseveraltimesinyourbrother'sbox.Andalsoonthestage."
"Ithoughtso!"saidRaoul,compressinghislips."Butthenwhy,whenyousawmeinyourroom,atyourfeet,remindingyouthatIhadrescuedyourscarffromthesea,whydidyouanswerasthoughyoudidnotknow
meandalsowhydidyoulaugh?"
ThetoneofthesequestionswassoroughthatChristinestaredatRaoulwithoutreplying.Theyoungmanhimselfwasaghastatthesuddenquarrelwhichhehaddaredtoraiseattheverymomentwhenhehadresolvedtospeakwordsofgentleness,loveandsubmissiontoChristine.Ahusband,aloverwithallrights,wouldtalknodifferentlytoawife,amistresswhohadoffendedhim.Buthehadgonetoofarandsawnootherwayoutoftheridiculouspositionthantobehaveodiously.
"Youdon'tanswer!"hesaidangrilyandunhappily."Well,Iwillanswerforyou.Itwasbecausetherewassomeoneintheroomwhowas
inyourway,Christine,someonethatyoudidnotwishtoknowthatyoucouldbeinterestedinanyoneelse!"
"Ifanyonewasinmyway,myfriend,"Christinebrokeincoldly,"ifanyonewasinmyway,thatevening,itwasyourself,sinceItoldyoutoleavetheroom!"
"Yes,sothatyoumightremainwiththeother!"
"Whatareyousaying,monsieur?"askedthegirlexcitedly."Andtowhatotherdoyourefer?"
"Tothemantowhomyousaid,'Isingonlyforyou!...to-nightIgave
youmysoulandIamdead!'"
ChristineseizedRaoul'sarmandclutcheditwithastrengthwhichnoonewouldhavesuspectedinsofrailacreature.
"Thenyouwerelisteningbehindthedoor?"
"Yes,becauseIloveyoueverything...AndIheardeverything..."
"Youheardwhat?"
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
36/174
Andtheyounggirl,becomingstrangelycalm,releasedRaoul'sarm.
"Hesaidtoyou,'Christine,youmustloveme!'"
Atthesewords,adeathlypallorspreadoverChristine'sface,darkringsformedroundhereyes,shestaggeredandseemedonthepointofswooning.Raouldartedforward,witharmsoutstretched,butChristinehadovercomeherpassingfaintnessandsaid,inalowvoice:
"Goon!Goon!Tellmeallyouheard!"
Atanutterlosstounderstand,Raoulanswered:"Iheardhimreply,whenyousaidyouhadgivenhimyoursoul,'Yoursoulisabeautifulthing,child,andIthankyou.Noemperoreverreceivedsofairagift.Theangelswepttonight.'"
Christinecarriedherhandtoherheart,apreytoindescribableemotion.Hereyesstaredbeforeherlikeamadwoman's.Raoulwasterror-stricken.ButsuddenlyChristine'seyesmoistenedandtwogreattearstrickled,liketwopearls,downherivorycheeks.
"Christine!"
"Raoul!"
Theyoungmantriedtotakeherinhisarms,butsheescapedandfledingreatdisorder.
WhileChristineremainedlockedinherroom,Raoulwasathiswit'sendwhattodo.Herefusedtobreakfast.Hewasterriblyconcernedandbitterlygrievedtoseethehours,whichhehadhopedtofindsosweet,slippastwithoutthepresenceoftheyoungSwedishgirl.Whydidshenotcometoroamwithhimthroughthecountrywheretheyhadsomanymemoriesincommon?Heheardthatshehadhadamasssaid,thatmorning,forthereposeofherfather'ssoulandspentalongtimeprayinginthelittlechurchandonthefiddler'stomb.Then,asshe
seemedtohavenothingmoretodoatPerrosand,infact,wasdoingnothingthere,whydidshenotgobacktoParisatonce?
Raoulwalkedaway,dejectedly,tothegraveyardinwhichthechurchstoodandwasindeedaloneamongthetombs,readingtheinscriptions;but,whenheturnedbehindtheapse,hewassuddenlystruckbythedazzlingnoteoftheflowersthatstraggledoverthewhiteground.Theyweremarvelousredrosesthathadblossomedinthemorning,inthesnow,givingaglimpseoflifeamongthedead,fordeathwasallaroundhim.Italso,liketheflowers,issuedfromtheground,whichhadflungbackanumberofitscorpses.Skeletonsandskullsbythehundredwereheapedagainstthewallofthechurch,heldinpositionbyawirethatleftthewholegruesomestackvisible.Deadmen'sbones,
arrangedinrows,likebricks,toformthefirstcourseuponwhichthewallsofthesacristyhadbeenbuilt.Thedoorofthesacristyopenedinthemiddleofthatbonystructure,asisoftenseeninoldBretonchurches.
RaoulsaidaprayerforDaaeandthen,painfullyimpressedbyallthoseeternalsmilesonthemouthsofskulls,heclimbedtheslopeandsatdownontheedgeoftheheathoverlookingthesea.Thewindfellwiththeevening.Raoulwassurroundedbyicydarkness,buthedidnotfeelthecold.Itwashere,heremembered,thatheusedtocomewithlittle
-
8/2/2019 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux 2
37/174
ChristinetoseetheKorrigansdanceattherisingofthemoon.Hehadneverseenany,thoughhiseyesweregood,whereasChristine,whowasalittleshortsighted,pretendedthatshehadseenmany.Hesmiledatthethoughtandthensuddenlygaveastart.Avoice