Christine slept restlessly and woke up before sunrise. The old feeling of the presence of the Angel of Music had disappeared, and it frightened her. She felt, for the first time in years, alone.

After a while, the general ring announced the beginning of the day. As an old habit, she got dressed and went downstairs to have breakfast with her fellow ballerinas. Everyone stared at her nervously, some whispering, some stopped. Christine thought that maybe the terrible night she had was marked upon her face. Madame Giry approached her and said:

- My dear, you do not eat here anymore. I will take your breakfast upstairs.

- What? – Christine replied in shock – why?

- You are now the leading lady of the opera house. You have your own room, and your own tray of breakfast.

- But I do not want it! I am still a ballerina!

- Orders from the managers, dear. Go upstairs. – her tone was harsh and authoritative. Christine had no other choice but obeying.

When she arrived at her room, a note was on her bed. It read: "You are free, Little Lotte. For now."