It was another dreary day that matched both Christine's and Raoul's mood. Much to the couples displeasure the Doweger Comtess had decended on their home without prior notice and caused a rawkus that neither could have prepared for.
Christine tried to play the role of devoted and dilligent society wife, as well as an effective lady of the household, but under Raoul's mother's scrutiny even the smallest mistake was criticised.
One of the many problems Christine faced was that her mother-in-law had arrived the day after Erik had interloped into her bedroom and admitted her had fooled her into believing she had been the orchestrator of their final exchange below the opera house, whereas in reality he had continued to manipulate her into believing she had chosen him.
After she had discovered the truth about the events of that night, and he knelt before her begging forgiveness, she had been uncharacteristically angry. She didn't rise to temper often, instead she would sulk and withdraw, and it had always diffused the situation in the past. However, from her perspective Erik's actions had been so incomprehensible that she couldn't begin to empathise with his behaviour.
As she had lay in her bed she had thiught about that interaction, and guilt began to grow in the pit of her stomach. Upon reflection his behaviour made sense - to Erik anyway - as he had admitted he had never felt love or had the "joys of the flesh". She too was innocent, but she had experienced familial love as well as the tenderness and affection of a lover, something Erik hadn't. The more she thought about it the more she came to accept that Erik's behaviour made sense to him and as long as he was remorseful for how she treated him she could look past it. After all, it was for God not man to pass judgement.
The lack of time between Erik's departure and the Dowager s arrival had meant she had little time to consider whether she would meet Erik as he requested. In his letter he had asked her to learn the song he had gifted, or at the very least bring it with her to their meeting. With Raoul's overnearing and interfering mother lurking around her home Christine didn't have time to learn the sing, but if she were to meet Erik she could certainly bring it with her.
The worst part was that Raoul's mother had arrived while he was at his club and without her son present the Dowager Comtess had no qualms about chastising Christine. Her first attack was on her poor household management, focusing on how at least one spare room should always be kept up for house guests. The second was how she needed to keep a closer reign on her servants and their appearance; Christine saw nothing wrong with her servants behaviour or attitude, however the Dowager had taken great offense to a housemaid's bonnet being slightly askew and had openly reprimanded the girl in Christine's presence. The third was about the furnishings and the quality of the china, all which were apparently "too English". Her gut instinct had been to interceed and stamp her authority, reminding her mother-in-law that she was mistress of the house, but her current mental state made such behaviour unattainable. She was exhausted; partially due to the constant criticism and partially as a result of her constant consideration as to whether to meet with Erik
As Christine had listened to the older woman continue to complain about her inepitude as both a wife and Vicomtess Christine had excused herself to claiming she had left her hankerchief in her room. Knowing she didn't have much time before the vulture would send a maidto find her - and reprimand her for leaving a house guest alone - Christine hurriedly d her dressing table draw and took out Erik's letter and latest gifted composition. She scanned the contents to check the location of their proposed rendezvous; she would be damned if she spent another day alone in the house with that woman.
She was about to leave and return to her unwanted house guest when she saw a looked out across.the Park she was certa man she was certain she recognised walk away from her house. She opened the window and leaned forward in an attempt to get a better look, being careful not to tip her weight too far. There was something about the man she couldnt place; sje told tell from his attire he was likely to be an acquaintance of Raoul's, but he wasn't one she recalled meeting.
As she watched the man walk away she saw his cane slip causing him stumble forward and fall to his knees. The sudden movement had caused his hat to fall to the floor. Once he had retrieved the item he looked around anxiously to check if anyone had born witness to clumsiness, but satisfied he was alone he replaced his hat.
Little did Gilles André know, Christine de Chagny had not only seen him, but recognised him.