Le Fantome de l'Opera
Chapter I
Persian comes too early
-Messieur le Vicomte , it's late now . You need go home.
-Yes , Madame Daae , but ... - Raoul hesitated.- May I speak to Christine ... privately ?
Madame Daae looked at him .
-You mean without me ?
-Yes ... only several minutes ... it's very important ... and tomorrow I would like to speak to you too ...
Madame Daae looked at Christine , then noded slowly .
-You may talk to Christine , messieur le Vicomte . But only several minutes .-She turned to Christine again .-I'm going to bed , my dear . And you,please, go to bed immediately after messieur le Vicomte's leave .
-Yes, mother .
Madame Daae kissed her daughter .
-Good night, my dear .
Then she left the room .
Raoul caught Christine's hand and kissed it .
-Oh , Christine , I'm so glad we can talk at last ! I certainly couldn't speak in your mother's presence because she knows nothing!Please sit down and tell me what's happened ? I still can't believe that he made you free! He , this monster ! Why did he do it ? Oh, Christine , I've spent such terrible day knowing you were there with him !Didn't he harm you some way ?
-No , he did not.-Christine's voice was colourless .
-But I see you are still shocked .
-Yes , maybe .But I'll be fine , don't worry .-She did not look at him .
-Poor Christine !-he kissed her hand again .-It was horrible !You know when I came to my senses I was laying near my own house door. I could not understand at first why I was there . Then I remembered everything ... How Persian and me were locked in his torture chamber , his promise to kill us if you would not become his wife ... How we were almost drown in that water which filled the chamber...and how you said him "yes" to save us ...It was last thing I heard before I fainted-you cryed "Yes , I'll be your wife , please don't kill them , don't ..." And then I awoke near my own door . Servants were bewildered when they saw me in such condition , Philippe was sure I've gone mad . And I think I really has... I knew that I was at home , out of danger ,and you...you stayed there , in that hell with a monster ! I rushed to the police immediately , but they did not believe me. My story about the Phantom was only fairy-tale for them ... They were sure that you simply ran away with your lover and left me ... Then I came to Persian . He was also at home . I told him we had to go there , underground again and free you , but he said it would be useless . "We can do nothing , messieur le Vicomte", he said."If we go there again , we 'll certainly finish our lives in that torture chamber . Erik will never let us go for the second time . He'll kill us and it will not help nademoiselle Daee." I fell into despair , Christine . I came here to speak to your mother and... you were here ! I...
"Oh, my God , why I'm not glad ?" Christine thought listening to him . "I'm at home with my beloved mother and here is Raoul ,my old friend who risked his life to help me . I must be happy . But I'm not happy at all . But why ? Why ?.."
-Christine !
She mentally shook herself and looked at him .
-Yes Raoul ? I'm sorry , I ...
-Oh , don't be sorry , I understand your condition .I asked why he decided to free you , but maybe it's too difficult for you to speak about it now ...
-I don't know why he decided to free me .-she answered softly.-He simply said he made mistake and that I was free and could go home ... He was so calm !..-she added suddenly.
Raoul stared at her .
-He was also calm when he said he would kill Persian and me if you would not say "yes" . He is Satan himself , Christine . He kills as simply as we breath .
Suddenly Christine felt she became angry ."You have no right to speak about maestro like this,Raoul!"she thought."You have no right!"
- But he let you go , after all this...-Raoul shook his head.-I can't understand ... I think he's mad .But anyway you are free now so let's forget about this monster and talk about us .
"Why are you speaking about him like this ?!" Christine mentally cried ."You know nothing about him , Raoul , nothing!He is a genius!"
-So let's talk about us .-Raoul repeated .
Christine looked at him surprised .
-About...us ? What do you mean ?
-I mean we can be together at last .
-To be..together ?..
-Of course .
-I'm sorry ,Raoul,but I don't understand ...
-You don't understand ?-Raoul looked bewildered .-Christine , you know that I love you ! You also know that I want to marry you ! We were going to go away together and become husband and wife , but that monster took you away ... But now you are free and we can ...
-But Raoul !-she interrupted .-I only asked you to bring me away from Paris , I didn't know you wanted ...
-You didn't know ? But I asked you to be my wife , didn't I ? That evening on the Opera roof , when you told me about that monster . That evening , when ... I kissed you .
-I remember , but I was sure you was not serious ...
-I was very serious ! And now I want you to go away with me and become my wife .
-But le comte Philippe , your brother ... What will he say ? He doesn't want you to marry opera singer ...
-Do you think I care ? Philippe is a snob , he can't understand ...
-But he is your brother .
-Christine , I don't want to speak about Philip now ! I can't forget nasty things he told about you !-Raoul took her hands and kissed them . - Nobody has right to insult you , even my brother . You are an angel . I love you . Be my wife , please . We will be so happy !
"So he really wants to marry me !" Christine thought."I don't want him to kiss my hands . I don't like it . But why ? He loves me and he ..."
-Marry me , Christine. Please , say "yes" .-Raoul smiled shyly .
"His voice is not beautiful . And his smile is so ... silly ! Oh , my God , what am I thinking about ?.."
-Christine ,-young man fell on his knees in front of her chair .-You see, my beautiful queen , your knight is on his knees .Really , I'm your knight . The saver of your scarf .-he laughed happily .- Do you remember our first meeting ? Ten years ago ... When I saw you , I was ...You were so beautiful . I was so happy when I saved your scarf and you said "thank you" with your beautiful voice . You were ten years old... And now you are even more beautiful .
"Oh, stop this !" she thought."You behave like a little boy . I don't want to hear about that scarf any more!" She was angry with Raoul and it scared her because she couldn't understand what made her angry . "He is my old friend , he risked his life to save me !" she repeated mentally again and again . But those strange thoughts didn't disappear .She looked at Raoul and everything in him suddenly became unpleasant for her . "Why he has fair hair? It is not beautiful .Dark hair is better for the man .And why he has moustache ? It only makes him funny .And why he is on his knees ? It looks silly ."
-Raoul , stand up , please .-she said quickly .-I don't want you to fall on yor knees .
He stood up and then sat down near her again .Even his pose in his arm-chair made her angry .His back was arched , pose was weak and it looked nasty . Christine closed her eyes for a moment and suddenly she mentally saw the other picture : tall man with dark curly hair sitting cross-armed on little chair in her room . The chair was too little for him , but even then he looked like a king on the throne .
And that man would never fall on his knees , Christine was sure of it.
-Christine ...
She opened her eyes ."Oh, please , Raoul , go away ." she thought."I know I mustn't think so about my friend who loves me , but I want you to go away , now !"
-Christine ...-Raoul's face was now close to hers and she moved back to make distance between them longer .-My love , does your silence mean "yes" ? You will be my wife , will not you ?
"Never !" she mentally said."I'll never be yor wife and not even because of your brother . There is some other reason , but I can't understand what exactly it is . Anyway you were only a friend for me , I was never going to become your wife." She spoke all this mentally , but she could not speak all this loudly to Raoul . She knew she had to say those words , but she did not know how to do it . She did not want to upset young man .
-We'll go away together tomorrow .-Raoul said.-I'll speak to your mother in the morning . She'll go with us of course .
-But where will we go ?-Christine asked mechanically .
-To the seaside where we saw each other for the first time ! We will live there .It is so lovely place, we'll...
-The seaside ?.. But what about the opera ?-she interrupted .
He looked surprised .
-The opera ? What opera ? What are you speaking about ?
-There is no opera theatre there . And I need sing .
-To sing ? Why?.. But anyway you will be able to sing there...at home. You need not theatre for that .
-But I want to sing at the theatre, Raoul ! Maybe not here, at the Opera Garnier ,but some other theatre ...
-Christine , please ! You will be my wife so you mustn't be an actress any more . Actresses are fallen women as usual and you must not keep company with them .
-But singing , the opera are very important for me , Raoul . Don't you understand ? When I'm singing I'm in heaven , it is ...
-Christine , I dislike opera , especially now. The theatre , the scene , even singing reminds me of HIM . Opera is his kingdom so I hate the opera now . We need forget about that monster and begin our new life together . Memories of him are terrible , we must get rid of them .
"Memories of him are terrible."she mentally repeated ."Yes , it's true ... Memory of people killed by that fallen chandelier ...it was terrible , but that memory disappeared quickly and another memory came. She remembered cemetery in Perros, how she was crying over her father's grave and calm , cold voice of her maestro."Your father is dead, Christine , you must understand it, feel it , accept it . He's gone forever . He lives now only in your memories, but he'll never be with you again as it was when he was alive . You must stop live in the past . You must accept the fact he is dead and go on living." And then she remembered how they were going from Perros in his carriage that night . How she was crying with her head laying on his shoulder . He held her in his arms, his graceful hand with long powerful fingers was stroking her hair and his cold voice became soft . "Cry , my child,cry ; it will help you . The tears will finish and then you'll feel better."
And then Christine also remembered ...
"Oh,maestro, I adore singing! Singing , music are very special things ! When I'm singing I feel I have wings and can fly . When I was a child I loved to listen to other people's singing at first . And later I began to sing myself . My father loved it . He said I would be great singer . He wanted me to become second Jenny Lind (author's note-Jenny Lind was great Swedish opera singer of XIX century).Then he told me about little Lotte and the Angel of music ... I could not forget that tale . Almost every night I dreamed I became great singer and ... sang for angels in heaven ... But you are bored , maestro . I'm sorry , I know I'm speaking about silly things ..."
"Not at all , Christine . These things are not silly . I think music , opera is the most beautiful art on the Earth . Music has great power. Music can bring you to hell or to heaven even if you don't want it .And you Christine , you have talent . I said it before and I'll say it again : if you work hard , you will be great singer ."
"As Jenny Lind ? Oh,maestro, I can't believe it!"
"No . You are not Jenny Lind and you must be yourself , not her . You have your own talent , Christine , so use it ."
Those memories were not terrible ... Maestro was kind to her . He understood her . She could tell him everything . And Raoul doesn't understand , he can't understand .
-Christine ,-Raoul looked upset.-My love , what are you thinking about again ? Are you all right ?
-I'm fine ,Raoul , thank you .
-So you are agree to be my wife ?-it was question , but it did not sound like question at all.-We'll go away tomorrow , my love .-he repeated.- We'll go to the seaside ...
-But what will we do there ?-suddenly she felt she was afraid of something .
-There ? Well, we will live there .
-I see . But what will we do ?
-We will enjoy our love , Christine . We will walk in places where we walked when we were children . Evening walks near the sea ,moon and stars over our heads , silence around us ... And our love . Think of it , Christine . It will be wonderful ! And I'm ready to save your scarf again and again .-he laughed .-Oh, I'm so happy, Christine ! After all terrible events of last several days we are together ! Nothing can stop us now .
"But we are not children anymore !"She thought. "And I don't love you ."
-But Raoul,my singing ...
-Oh, Christine , please don't speak about it ! You will forget that monster and all this music . We will be happy together .-he repeated .
And suddenly she understood . It was clear for her now : Raoul did not listen to her . And the worst thing was the fact he did not WANT to listen to her . He had his own plan of their lives and he did not want somebody of something to change it . He doesn't want to know her wishes , her feelings if it could change his plan . Christine also understood that she never knew well what kind of person Raoul de Chagny really was . Now she knew more about him ... and she did not like it at all . She could not stop thinking of great difference between maestro and Raoul .
-It's late , Raoul.-she said trying to make her voice calm .-I...I would like to go to bed. We'll talk tomorrow .
-Certainly , my love . Tomorrow we will be together forever .
"Stop it ! We'll never be together !I don't love you and we even can't be friends because you can't understand me and don't want to do it !"she mentally cried ."Go away , I beg of you !"
Raoul took his hat . Then he came up to Christine again .
-Christine ...-he blushed.-will you ... kiss me ?
"No,no !Leave me alone !"
-No..I...-she hesitated.
-Oh, I see . I know how pure you are . I'm sorry, Christine .It will be after our wedding...
He kissed her hand .
-Good bye , my dearest love . Tomorrow you'll be my wife .
-Good bye , Raoul.
He went out . Christine closed the door, fell in the arm-chair covering her face with her hands and cryed .
"Oh, my God, what can I do now ?! Maestro...he certainly doesn't want to see me anymore ... What can I do ?!.."
She was sitting there crying bitterly when she suddenly heard somebody knocked at the door . Christine looked at the door in surprise and then crazy thought came into her mind . "Maestro ! He came ... he came to say he forgave me ..." . She began to tremble .
-Mademoiselle Daae ?-asked unseen visitor behind the door . That voice belonged to Persian .
Christine ran up to the door and opened it .
-Oh , mademoiselle , I'm glad to see you . It's very good that you opened the door yourself . It's late for visits now ...
-Oh , no , I'm very glad to see you , monsieur ...
She hesitated . She realized suddenly that she didn't know Persian's name . Raoul also didn't know it and maestro always called him "daroga" .
-My name is Nadir-Khan , mademoiselle .
-Excuse me , it is ... your first name ?..
-Yes, it is , mademoiselle .
-And...your surname ?
-Mademoiselle, you may call me Nadir-Khan , or Nadir . It's kind of tradition in Moslem countries , we don't like to call surnames .
-Oh , I see , monsieur...Nadir.
-How are you, mademoiselle ?
-I'm fine, thank you .-she said it automatically and without any assurance .
Persian's black eyes looked at her with doubt .
-Are you sure ? This teerible adventure in Erik's underground domain ...
-Have you ... seen maestro ?-she asked suddenly .
Persian looked surprised .
-Yes, I've seen him , mademoiselle .But if you are scared by ...
She didn't seem to hear him .
-Did he say something ... about me ?-she asked.
Persian hesitated . Erik ordered him to tell Christine about his leave only tomorrow , so...
-No, mademoiselle , he did not speak about you .
Christine came up to the window . There , on little table her favourite doll Little Lotte was sitting . Christine looked at her and memories came again . That night when they returned from Perros ... maestro was sitting on little chair with Lotte in his arms . He was stroking doll's golden locks and ... And now he doesn't want to see Christine anymore . She surely deserves it , but ...
-Mademoiselle ,-she heard Persian's voice again .-Have you seen le Vicomte ?
-Le Vicomte ?-she repeated ,-Yes , he was here .
-So may I congratulate you , mademoiselle ?
-Conratulate ?- her voice was lifeless.-Why ?
-Because of your engagement of course .
-My engagement ?..
-Oh, yes, your engagement to le Vicomte .
-We are not engaged , monsieur Nadir ...
-But...you were going to marry him ,mademoiselle, weren't you ?
Christine looked at him and shook her head .
-No, monsieur, I was not going to marry Raoul ...le Vicomte de Chagny .
Persian felt he understood nothing .
-But you love the young man, mademoiselle ... I know his elder brother messieur le Comte de Chagny doesn't want ...
-His brother has nothing to do with it . I don't love le Vicomte ... I've never loved him . He is sure that I love him and that...I will be his wife , but I can't ... I don't want it ! Raoul doesn't understand me and I don't understand him !-she suddenly stoped.-Oh, I'm sorry, monsieur Nadir .
Persian didn't know what to say or do . Christine hold her doll tight . She seemed to be very far from that room .
-He said Lotte looked like me and that is the reason why my father bought her for me ...-she said suddenly.-Then he told me the story of Lotte's costume . Girls wore such costumes at Jenny Lind's time-it was another reason for my father to buy Lotte ...
Persian kept silence but Christine didn't care .
-He said I could go ...-her voice was weak.-He said I was free... He said he made mistake...Oh, he really made mistake when he made me his pupil ! I'm only silly girl , I don't deserve such a gift ! I asked if I would see him again but he didn't answer...It's my fault , I destroyed everything , I behaved like silly child...and he doesn't want to see me anymore !
Persian was so shocked that he couldn't speak .
Christine put the doll on the table and Persian saw some other thing in her hands . At first he didn't understand what it was but then he recognized the object-it was black male glove and that glove belonged to Erik . Christine looked at it as if it was a treasure .
-He threw it near the secret door behind the mirror.-she said with lifeless voice . He threw it because it was torn . He didn't need it any more and he threw it ... It was torn , it was useless...like me... He gave me so much , but I'm silly , talentless girl ... He understood I was useless and he didn't want to see me any more ... He forgave me when I unmasked him there in his house during my first visit... He also forgave me when I told Raoul about him...But now he didn't forgive me...He is out of patience with me. He threw me as this glove because I don't deserve, I... -her blue eyes were full of tears.
-Oh ,yes , it's his tradition-to throw things and people when they become useless for him.-Persian whispered .
Christine looked at him.
-Excuse me,what did you say ?
-Nothing , mademoiselle, absolutely nothing .
She forgot about his presence again . She stroked the torn glove and her eyes looked somewhere without any expression .
-It's all I have now.-she whispered.-It's only material memory . I don't know how to live... My life is useless. I am useless...
Persian could not hear it any more.
-Mademoiselle Daae..I didn't tell you the truth.
-What truth,monsieur ?-she asked weakly.
-Erik spoke about you.
She turned to him.
-Maestro...spoke...about me?...
-Yes,mademoiselle.
-And...what did he say ?
-He gave me this letter for you .-he shew her the letter.
-Letter...for me ?...there was such expression in her eyes now as if she suddenly saw an angel in hell .
-Yes,mademoiselle . He ordered to give you yhis letter tomorrow morning. But I'll give you it now.
-Now ? But if maestro ordered...tomorrow morning... so let's wait.
-No,mademoiselle .You must read it now.
-But he ordered...
-Let it be my fault,mademoiselle, but read it now,please.
-But why now,monsieur Nadir?
-It will be better for you .
-What do you mean ?
Persian laughed bitterly .
-I mean,madenoiselle,that Erik is cold,selfish egoist.
Christine looked surprised.
-Why do you...I thought you were his friend.
-His friend ? No,mademoiselle,Erik has never had friends.If you have a friend you need have good feeling for him...You need love your friend. And Erik doesn't love anybody except himself...and maybe you,mademoiselle Christine . He has never needed any friends . For him he himself is the lord and the rest of people are his servants .
Christine remembered maestro sitting on her little chair again. The lord... Yes,he was the lord,the king and she wanted to fall on her knees in front of him.
-He will never leave his pedestal,his throne,where he put himself.-Persian continuoed.-How do you,Christians, call this? ...Pride, am I right? In your religion it is one of...mortal sins?
-Yes, it is...-Christine answered automatically.
Persian paused.
-I'm doing it not for Erik,mademoiselle.-he said at last.-He can live without you. But you can't live without him...-he hesitated.-You said you unmasked him. So you have seen his face?
-Yes...Yes,I saw maestro's face,many times.
-And it was really...I mean...You know that it is hideously disfigured,don't you?
-Yes,certainly I know...But why you are asking about it?
-I thought you maybe do not know how terrible his face is...
-Terrible? I don't know...When I saw it for the first time I was scared to death ,but then...Now I even can't explain why I was so scared that time...
Persian suddeny remembered Erik's words full of hate:"...that damned creature who left me..." He was absolutely sure that "damned creauture" was not Christine Daae-Erik's other words made it clear. It was somebody else. But who?...No,he will never know all Phantom's secrets...But he must help this poor girl...He sighed.
-Mademoiselle Christine,you need read this letter now, believe me. Erik doesn't know or maybe doesn't want to know that you love him.
Christine's eyes widened. Persian thought she was going to cry. But she kept silence.
-I can't understand many things in Erik,mademoiselle,but there is something I think I can understand.Erik is so preoccupied by himself....Even now he is thinking more about what happened to him,than what happened to you.Erik is a monster,mademoiselle. Cruel,selfish,merciless. And very clever,this makes him even more dangerous.But I see that he somehow can give you something le Vicomte never could...Poor young man believes you love him and I myself also believed it..till this evening.And now I see that Erik's torn glove is more important for you than le Vicomte's body and soul...I know all you need is be with Erik.And you can't live without him. So please,mademoiselle,read this letter now.Here it is.
Slowly,fearfully she took the letter as if it was made of glass.Then she came up to the window and began to read. Persian understood that she did not see or hear him anymore.
-Good by,mademoiselle Daae.-he said with a low voice and then he soundlessly left the house.
"Christine,
I wrote this letter because I had to say(and explain) several things.When you read this letter I will be far from Opera House and from Paris. To be honest I anyway was going to left Paris soon (I have some deals) and now it is really right time for it. I'm not sure I'll come back ever,but anyway it will be right if we never meet again. I know that our meetings and my tutelage were useful for you,but I also know that all this was very difficult for you because of my personality,my views and my actions.Our final meeting and things happened during it were nasty. I made big mistake perorming that ugly play and trying make you to become my wife. It was silly. Try to forget it,though it is not so easy.
You need also leave Paris for some time. Then,if you still have interest in opera, you may return and sing here-m-r Richard and m-r Moncharmin will take you back with pleasure. You'll never see me again but if you sings at the Opera I'll help you with your career-managers will do what I want,so don't worry about it.
I don't know if you are going to marry le Vicomte de Chagny but anyway ,if you still want to sing,don't let him forbid you to sing.
I hope you will be happy and wish you all the best.Try to forget about me.
Farewell."
When she was reading this,she could hear his voice,his calm,dry voice pronouncing those phrases from the letter.there was no signature and she suddenly thought that it simly could not be there. She never knew his surname-it seemed to be forbidden question.And certainly she never called him by name,she called him "maestro". So absence of signature was logical in such situation.
Suddenly memories filled her mind...
"Christine,I love you! My wish is to be your husband. Oh,please,don't answer "no"! We can be together,we can be happy,forever! I adore you. I never knew anything could be so... You are my dream,my beautiful dream and I don't want to wake up!I'm your slave,I'll anything you want-only say you love me! And let me be your protector. I'll save you! That monster will not be able to harm you!"
It were Raoul's words,he said it on the Opera roof that evening...when she told him about her mentor...Raoul's voice was so young,ecstatic.But then she remembered another voice-calm and cold,sometimes ironical.
"And,as I said,there is also the second reason,Christine Daae. I love you. What are you going to say? "No,please,don't!" or something like this? But you can't forbid me anything. You can't forbid me to love you. And I love you. I know that nobody said you such words and you thought it must be not so. The man falls on his knees in front of his lady and tell her about his great love with trembling voice. It's beautiful,but I am not hero of sentimental novel.So I'm saying only three simple words-I love you,Christine Daae.That's all I wanted to say."
And Raoul's voice again:
"Free her!Kill me but free her!She can't stay here,in this underground hell with you!She can't live here with a murderer!Take mercy on her!"
And Erik's voice:
"Daroga,please,tell your young friend le Vicomte de Chagny that I dislike cheap melodramas and I also doubt that messieur le Vicomte is good for Romeo's role."
Raoul:
"You must remember that if not human law,God will punish you!Let Christine go! We love each other,can't you understand?!"
Erik:
"Daroga,please explain to your friend that God has nothing to do with it. I don't think that God has interest in such little case. And to be honest I don't believe in God,so all this means nothing for me."
Raoul:
"You will be my wife so you mustn't be an actress anymore.Actesses are fallen women as usual and you mustn't keep company with them. ...Christine,I dislike opera,eapecially now. ...Opera is his kingdom so I hate the opera now."
Erik:
"I think music,opera is the most beautiful art on the Earth.Music has great power.Music can bring you to hell or to heaven even if you don't want it.And you,Christine,you have talent. ...if you work hard you will be great singer. You was born to be a singer."
Raoul:
"...We will enjoy our love,Christine. ...And I'm ready to save your scarf again and again. ...You will forget that monster and all this music."
Erik:
"I'm sure your father bought this doll because it looks like you. And also... You see Christine,the costume of this little lady reminds me... Such costumes were actual forty years ago when Jenny Lind's star was shining brightly. Little Lotte...Certainly when he told you that legend he thought about you. You were Little Lotte for him. You were his life,Christine. And he would like you to go on living and be happy even now when he is not with you anymore."
Christine felt she was crying.She could not explain what exactly was with her,but the pain inside her was terrible.Memories did not stop. She remembered one of the evening walks in Bois de Boulogne.
"-Stand still,Christine and listen."
"-Listen to what maestro?"
"-The music of the night."
"-Music of the night? What is it,maestro?"
"-Listen. The night birds are singing their songs. The wind moves the leaves.Sometimes some little animal runs somewhere in the grass. And all this together sounds like music. As if night were singing.Listen to this melody,Christine."
"-I'm trying,maestro. Sometimes I can hear it-it's beautiful.But sometimes I can't."
"-I can hear it all the time."
"-I have an ear for music,but your gift is special,maestro."
"-Yes,it is. But now keep silence,Christine.You know I'm composing new sonata. This "night melody" often helps me with my work.Keep silence."
She remembered he was standing there,absolutely moveless with his eyes closed (she could not see if they were closed because of his mask,but she was somehow sure they were) listening to the night. And he seemed to be so far from Bois de Boulogne and from the Earth...The next day he played the part of his new sonata for her and she realized that there in Bois she saw the birth of Music. Bois de Boulogne...They walked there many times in the evenings...
"-These two parts are very interesting and also very important for any soprano,Christine. Two best works of maestro Gounod based on two great literature compositions...You have never read "Faust",have you?"
"-You mean libretto,maestro?"
"-Certainly no.I know you've read it.I mean Goethe's play."
"-I'm sorry,maestro,I haven't read it.It's so long...and difficult."
"-You must read.It would be better to read it in German,but you do not know this language, so read the translation.Swedish or French.I have both of them. We'll see which one will be better for you to read at first."
"-But can I understand it,maestro? There is much philosophy in it and I..."
"-You can understand. It will take you much time of course,but you'll understand.And Shakespeare's play. You've certainly read it."
"-Oh,yes,I have."
"-...What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.
So Romeo would,were he not Romeo called,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes,
Without that title.Romeo,doff thy name..."
He really was a great actor.Christine was listening to him feeling as if they were brought to Verona of Shakespeare's times, to Capulet's chateaux...
"-...How silver-sweet sound lovers' tongues by night,
Like softest music for attending ears!..."
His deep hypnotic voice intoxicated her and when he finished she was still standing moveless as if she was sleeping with opened eyes. But suddenly some sound in behind them brought her to her senses and scared her.She instinctively rushed to him.His tall dark figure was dangerous but also it was protective. He embraced her lightly,stroking her hair.
"-Don't be afraid,my girl,it was only some night animal or bird."
Then he released her.
"-I'm sorry,maestro.I had not to..."
"-It is all right,Christine. You simply was scared."
Suddenly reality returned to her. She was in her house with the letter in her hands. The letter which Persian gave her too early. She looked at it again.
"...anyway it will be right if we never meet again....You'll never see me again...Try to forget about me." Christine felt how cold fear filled her heart and her mind.
"...You'll never see me again...You'll never see me again...never see me again..." Calm dry voice was pronoincing those words in her ears as is if her maestro was here.
She remembered her last night dream..her nightmare, where she asked him not to leave her but he disappeared in the darkness..."...we never meet again..."
-No! Please,no!!-Christine droped the letter and rushed to the door. On her way she pushed the little table where Little Lotte was sitting. The doll fell on the floor.It was laying there broken to pieces but Christine did not even see it. She opened the door with trembling hands and rushed into darkness.
Chapter I
Persian comes too early
-Messieur le Vicomte , it's late now . You need go home.
-Yes , Madame Daae , but ... - Raoul hesitated.- May I speak to Christine ... privately ?
Madame Daae looked at him .
-You mean without me ?
-Yes ... only several minutes ... it's very important ... and tomorrow I would like to speak to you too ...
Madame Daae looked at Christine , then noded slowly .
-You may talk to Christine , messieur le Vicomte . But only several minutes .-She turned to Christine again .-I'm going to bed , my dear . And you,please, go to bed immediately after messieur le Vicomte's leave .
-Yes, mother .
Madame Daae kissed her daughter .
-Good night, my dear .
Then she left the room .
Raoul caught Christine's hand and kissed it .
-Oh , Christine , I'm so glad we can talk at last ! I certainly couldn't speak in your mother's presence because she knows nothing!Please sit down and tell me what's happened ? I still can't believe that he made you free! He , this monster ! Why did he do it ? Oh, Christine , I've spent such terrible day knowing you were there with him !Didn't he harm you some way ?
-No , he did not.-Christine's voice was colourless .
-But I see you are still shocked .
-Yes , maybe .But I'll be fine , don't worry .-She did not look at him .
-Poor Christine !-he kissed her hand again .-It was horrible !You know when I came to my senses I was laying near my own house door. I could not understand at first why I was there . Then I remembered everything ... How Persian and me were locked in his torture chamber , his promise to kill us if you would not become his wife ... How we were almost drown in that water which filled the chamber...and how you said him "yes" to save us ...It was last thing I heard before I fainted-you cryed "Yes , I'll be your wife , please don't kill them , don't ..." And then I awoke near my own door . Servants were bewildered when they saw me in such condition , Philippe was sure I've gone mad . And I think I really has... I knew that I was at home , out of danger ,and you...you stayed there , in that hell with a monster ! I rushed to the police immediately , but they did not believe me. My story about the Phantom was only fairy-tale for them ... They were sure that you simply ran away with your lover and left me ... Then I came to Persian . He was also at home . I told him we had to go there , underground again and free you , but he said it would be useless . "We can do nothing , messieur le Vicomte", he said."If we go there again , we 'll certainly finish our lives in that torture chamber . Erik will never let us go for the second time . He'll kill us and it will not help nademoiselle Daee." I fell into despair , Christine . I came here to speak to your mother and... you were here ! I...
"Oh, my God , why I'm not glad ?" Christine thought listening to him . "I'm at home with my beloved mother and here is Raoul ,my old friend who risked his life to help me . I must be happy . But I'm not happy at all . But why ? Why ?.."
-Christine !
She mentally shook herself and looked at him .
-Yes Raoul ? I'm sorry , I ...
-Oh , don't be sorry , I understand your condition .I asked why he decided to free you , but maybe it's too difficult for you to speak about it now ...
-I don't know why he decided to free me .-she answered softly.-He simply said he made mistake and that I was free and could go home ... He was so calm !..-she added suddenly.
Raoul stared at her .
-He was also calm when he said he would kill Persian and me if you would not say "yes" . He is Satan himself , Christine . He kills as simply as we breath .
Suddenly Christine felt she became angry ."You have no right to speak about maestro like this,Raoul!"she thought."You have no right!"
- But he let you go , after all this...-Raoul shook his head.-I can't understand ... I think he's mad .But anyway you are free now so let's forget about this monster and talk about us .
"Why are you speaking about him like this ?!" Christine mentally cried ."You know nothing about him , Raoul , nothing!He is a genius!"
-So let's talk about us .-Raoul repeated .
Christine looked at him surprised .
-About...us ? What do you mean ?
-I mean we can be together at last .
-To be..together ?..
-Of course .
-I'm sorry ,Raoul,but I don't understand ...
-You don't understand ?-Raoul looked bewildered .-Christine , you know that I love you ! You also know that I want to marry you ! We were going to go away together and become husband and wife , but that monster took you away ... But now you are free and we can ...
-But Raoul !-she interrupted .-I only asked you to bring me away from Paris , I didn't know you wanted ...
-You didn't know ? But I asked you to be my wife , didn't I ? That evening on the Opera roof , when you told me about that monster . That evening , when ... I kissed you .
-I remember , but I was sure you was not serious ...
-I was very serious ! And now I want you to go away with me and become my wife .
-But le comte Philippe , your brother ... What will he say ? He doesn't want you to marry opera singer ...
-Do you think I care ? Philippe is a snob , he can't understand ...
-But he is your brother .
-Christine , I don't want to speak about Philip now ! I can't forget nasty things he told about you !-Raoul took her hands and kissed them . - Nobody has right to insult you , even my brother . You are an angel . I love you . Be my wife , please . We will be so happy !
"So he really wants to marry me !" Christine thought."I don't want him to kiss my hands . I don't like it . But why ? He loves me and he ..."
-Marry me , Christine. Please , say "yes" .-Raoul smiled shyly .
"His voice is not beautiful . And his smile is so ... silly ! Oh , my God , what am I thinking about ?.."
-Christine ,-young man fell on his knees in front of her chair .-You see, my beautiful queen , your knight is on his knees .Really , I'm your knight . The saver of your scarf .-he laughed happily .- Do you remember our first meeting ? Ten years ago ... When I saw you , I was ...You were so beautiful . I was so happy when I saved your scarf and you said "thank you" with your beautiful voice . You were ten years old... And now you are even more beautiful .
"Oh, stop this !" she thought."You behave like a little boy . I don't want to hear about that scarf any more!" She was angry with Raoul and it scared her because she couldn't understand what made her angry . "He is my old friend , he risked his life to save me !" she repeated mentally again and again . But those strange thoughts didn't disappear .She looked at Raoul and everything in him suddenly became unpleasant for her . "Why he has fair hair? It is not beautiful .Dark hair is better for the man .And why he has moustache ? It only makes him funny .And why he is on his knees ? It looks silly ."
-Raoul , stand up , please .-she said quickly .-I don't want you to fall on yor knees .
He stood up and then sat down near her again .Even his pose in his arm-chair made her angry .His back was arched , pose was weak and it looked nasty . Christine closed her eyes for a moment and suddenly she mentally saw the other picture : tall man with dark curly hair sitting cross-armed on little chair in her room . The chair was too little for him , but even then he looked like a king on the throne .
And that man would never fall on his knees , Christine was sure of it.
-Christine ...
She opened her eyes ."Oh, please , Raoul , go away ." she thought."I know I mustn't think so about my friend who loves me , but I want you to go away , now !"
-Christine ...-Raoul's face was now close to hers and she moved back to make distance between them longer .-My love , does your silence mean "yes" ? You will be my wife , will not you ?
"Never !" she mentally said."I'll never be yor wife and not even because of your brother . There is some other reason , but I can't understand what exactly it is . Anyway you were only a friend for me , I was never going to become your wife." She spoke all this mentally , but she could not speak all this loudly to Raoul . She knew she had to say those words , but she did not know how to do it . She did not want to upset young man .
-We'll go away together tomorrow .-Raoul said.-I'll speak to your mother in the morning . She'll go with us of course .
-But where will we go ?-Christine asked mechanically .
-To the seaside where we saw each other for the first time ! We will live there .It is so lovely place, we'll...
-The seaside ?.. But what about the opera ?-she interrupted .
He looked surprised .
-The opera ? What opera ? What are you speaking about ?
-There is no opera theatre there . And I need sing .
-To sing ? Why?.. But anyway you will be able to sing there...at home. You need not theatre for that .
-But I want to sing at the theatre, Raoul ! Maybe not here, at the Opera Garnier ,but some other theatre ...
-Christine , please ! You will be my wife so you mustn't be an actress any more . Actresses are fallen women as usual and you must not keep company with them .
-But singing , the opera are very important for me , Raoul . Don't you understand ? When I'm singing I'm in heaven , it is ...
-Christine , I dislike opera , especially now. The theatre , the scene , even singing reminds me of HIM . Opera is his kingdom so I hate the opera now . We need forget about that monster and begin our new life together . Memories of him are terrible , we must get rid of them .
"Memories of him are terrible."she mentally repeated ."Yes , it's true ... Memory of people killed by that fallen chandelier ...it was terrible , but that memory disappeared quickly and another memory came. She remembered cemetery in Perros, how she was crying over her father's grave and calm , cold voice of her maestro."Your father is dead, Christine , you must understand it, feel it , accept it . He's gone forever . He lives now only in your memories, but he'll never be with you again as it was when he was alive . You must stop live in the past . You must accept the fact he is dead and go on living." And then she remembered how they were going from Perros in his carriage that night . How she was crying with her head laying on his shoulder . He held her in his arms, his graceful hand with long powerful fingers was stroking her hair and his cold voice became soft . "Cry , my child,cry ; it will help you . The tears will finish and then you'll feel better."
And then Christine also remembered ...
"Oh,maestro, I adore singing! Singing , music are very special things ! When I'm singing I feel I have wings and can fly . When I was a child I loved to listen to other people's singing at first . And later I began to sing myself . My father loved it . He said I would be great singer . He wanted me to become second Jenny Lind (author's note-Jenny Lind was great Swedish opera singer of XIX century).Then he told me about little Lotte and the Angel of music ... I could not forget that tale . Almost every night I dreamed I became great singer and ... sang for angels in heaven ... But you are bored , maestro . I'm sorry , I know I'm speaking about silly things ..."
"Not at all , Christine . These things are not silly . I think music , opera is the most beautiful art on the Earth . Music has great power. Music can bring you to hell or to heaven even if you don't want it .And you Christine , you have talent . I said it before and I'll say it again : if you work hard , you will be great singer ."
"As Jenny Lind ? Oh,maestro, I can't believe it!"
"No . You are not Jenny Lind and you must be yourself , not her . You have your own talent , Christine , so use it ."
Those memories were not terrible ... Maestro was kind to her . He understood her . She could tell him everything . And Raoul doesn't understand , he can't understand .
-Christine ,-Raoul looked upset.-My love , what are you thinking about again ? Are you all right ?
-I'm fine ,Raoul , thank you .
-So you are agree to be my wife ?-it was question , but it did not sound like question at all.-We'll go away tomorrow , my love .-he repeated.- We'll go to the seaside ...
-But what will we do there ?-suddenly she felt she was afraid of something .
-There ? Well, we will live there .
-I see . But what will we do ?
-We will enjoy our love , Christine . We will walk in places where we walked when we were children . Evening walks near the sea ,moon and stars over our heads , silence around us ... And our love . Think of it , Christine . It will be wonderful ! And I'm ready to save your scarf again and again .-he laughed .-Oh, I'm so happy, Christine ! After all terrible events of last several days we are together ! Nothing can stop us now .
"But we are not children anymore !"She thought. "And I don't love you ."
-But Raoul,my singing ...
-Oh, Christine , please don't speak about it ! You will forget that monster and all this music . We will be happy together .-he repeated .
And suddenly she understood . It was clear for her now : Raoul did not listen to her . And the worst thing was the fact he did not WANT to listen to her . He had his own plan of their lives and he did not want somebody of something to change it . He doesn't want to know her wishes , her feelings if it could change his plan . Christine also understood that she never knew well what kind of person Raoul de Chagny really was . Now she knew more about him ... and she did not like it at all . She could not stop thinking of great difference between maestro and Raoul .
-It's late , Raoul.-she said trying to make her voice calm .-I...I would like to go to bed. We'll talk tomorrow .
-Certainly , my love . Tomorrow we will be together forever .
"Stop it ! We'll never be together !I don't love you and we even can't be friends because you can't understand me and don't want to do it !"she mentally cried ."Go away , I beg of you !"
Raoul took his hat . Then he came up to Christine again .
-Christine ...-he blushed.-will you ... kiss me ?
"No,no !Leave me alone !"
-No..I...-she hesitated.
-Oh, I see . I know how pure you are . I'm sorry, Christine .It will be after our wedding...
He kissed her hand .
-Good bye , my dearest love . Tomorrow you'll be my wife .
-Good bye , Raoul.
He went out . Christine closed the door, fell in the arm-chair covering her face with her hands and cryed .
"Oh, my God, what can I do now ?! Maestro...he certainly doesn't want to see me anymore ... What can I do ?!.."
She was sitting there crying bitterly when she suddenly heard somebody knocked at the door . Christine looked at the door in surprise and then crazy thought came into her mind . "Maestro ! He came ... he came to say he forgave me ..." . She began to tremble .
-Mademoiselle Daae ?-asked unseen visitor behind the door . That voice belonged to Persian .
Christine ran up to the door and opened it .
-Oh , mademoiselle , I'm glad to see you . It's very good that you opened the door yourself . It's late for visits now ...
-Oh , no , I'm very glad to see you , monsieur ...
She hesitated . She realized suddenly that she didn't know Persian's name . Raoul also didn't know it and maestro always called him "daroga" .
-My name is Nadir-Khan , mademoiselle .
-Excuse me , it is ... your first name ?..
-Yes, it is , mademoiselle .
-And...your surname ?
-Mademoiselle, you may call me Nadir-Khan , or Nadir . It's kind of tradition in Moslem countries , we don't like to call surnames .
-Oh , I see , monsieur...Nadir.
-How are you, mademoiselle ?
-I'm fine, thank you .-she said it automatically and without any assurance .
Persian's black eyes looked at her with doubt .
-Are you sure ? This teerible adventure in Erik's underground domain ...
-Have you ... seen maestro ?-she asked suddenly .
Persian looked surprised .
-Yes, I've seen him , mademoiselle .But if you are scared by ...
She didn't seem to hear him .
-Did he say something ... about me ?-she asked.
Persian hesitated . Erik ordered him to tell Christine about his leave only tomorrow , so...
-No, mademoiselle , he did not speak about you .
Christine came up to the window . There , on little table her favourite doll Little Lotte was sitting . Christine looked at her and memories came again . That night when they returned from Perros ... maestro was sitting on little chair with Lotte in his arms . He was stroking doll's golden locks and ... And now he doesn't want to see Christine anymore . She surely deserves it , but ...
-Mademoiselle ,-she heard Persian's voice again .-Have you seen le Vicomte ?
-Le Vicomte ?-she repeated ,-Yes , he was here .
-So may I congratulate you , mademoiselle ?
-Conratulate ?- her voice was lifeless.-Why ?
-Because of your engagement of course .
-My engagement ?..
-Oh, yes, your engagement to le Vicomte .
-We are not engaged , monsieur Nadir ...
-But...you were going to marry him ,mademoiselle, weren't you ?
Christine looked at him and shook her head .
-No, monsieur, I was not going to marry Raoul ...le Vicomte de Chagny .
Persian felt he understood nothing .
-But you love the young man, mademoiselle ... I know his elder brother messieur le Comte de Chagny doesn't want ...
-His brother has nothing to do with it . I don't love le Vicomte ... I've never loved him . He is sure that I love him and that...I will be his wife , but I can't ... I don't want it ! Raoul doesn't understand me and I don't understand him !-she suddenly stoped.-Oh, I'm sorry, monsieur Nadir .
Persian didn't know what to say or do . Christine hold her doll tight . She seemed to be very far from that room .
-He said Lotte looked like me and that is the reason why my father bought her for me ...-she said suddenly.-Then he told me the story of Lotte's costume . Girls wore such costumes at Jenny Lind's time-it was another reason for my father to buy Lotte ...
Persian kept silence but Christine didn't care .
-He said I could go ...-her voice was weak.-He said I was free... He said he made mistake...Oh, he really made mistake when he made me his pupil ! I'm only silly girl , I don't deserve such a gift ! I asked if I would see him again but he didn't answer...It's my fault , I destroyed everything , I behaved like silly child...and he doesn't want to see me anymore !
Persian was so shocked that he couldn't speak .
Christine put the doll on the table and Persian saw some other thing in her hands . At first he didn't understand what it was but then he recognized the object-it was black male glove and that glove belonged to Erik . Christine looked at it as if it was a treasure .
-He threw it near the secret door behind the mirror.-she said with lifeless voice . He threw it because it was torn . He didn't need it any more and he threw it ... It was torn , it was useless...like me... He gave me so much , but I'm silly , talentless girl ... He understood I was useless and he didn't want to see me any more ... He forgave me when I unmasked him there in his house during my first visit... He also forgave me when I told Raoul about him...But now he didn't forgive me...He is out of patience with me. He threw me as this glove because I don't deserve, I... -her blue eyes were full of tears.
-Oh ,yes , it's his tradition-to throw things and people when they become useless for him.-Persian whispered .
Christine looked at him.
-Excuse me,what did you say ?
-Nothing , mademoiselle, absolutely nothing .
She forgot about his presence again . She stroked the torn glove and her eyes looked somewhere without any expression .
-It's all I have now.-she whispered.-It's only material memory . I don't know how to live... My life is useless. I am useless...
Persian could not hear it any more.
-Mademoiselle Daae..I didn't tell you the truth.
-What truth,monsieur ?-she asked weakly.
-Erik spoke about you.
She turned to him.
-Maestro...spoke...about me?...
-Yes,mademoiselle.
-And...what did he say ?
-He gave me this letter for you .-he shew her the letter.
-Letter...for me ?...there was such expression in her eyes now as if she suddenly saw an angel in hell .
-Yes,mademoiselle . He ordered to give you yhis letter tomorrow morning. But I'll give you it now.
-Now ? But if maestro ordered...tomorrow morning... so let's wait.
-No,mademoiselle .You must read it now.
-But he ordered...
-Let it be my fault,mademoiselle, but read it now,please.
-But why now,monsieur Nadir?
-It will be better for you .
-What do you mean ?
Persian laughed bitterly .
-I mean,madenoiselle,that Erik is cold,selfish egoist.
Christine looked surprised.
-Why do you...I thought you were his friend.
-His friend ? No,mademoiselle,Erik has never had friends.If you have a friend you need have good feeling for him...You need love your friend. And Erik doesn't love anybody except himself...and maybe you,mademoiselle Christine . He has never needed any friends . For him he himself is the lord and the rest of people are his servants .
Christine remembered maestro sitting on her little chair again. The lord... Yes,he was the lord,the king and she wanted to fall on her knees in front of him.
-He will never leave his pedestal,his throne,where he put himself.-Persian continuoed.-How do you,Christians, call this? ...Pride, am I right? In your religion it is one of...mortal sins?
-Yes, it is...-Christine answered automatically.
Persian paused.
-I'm doing it not for Erik,mademoiselle.-he said at last.-He can live without you. But you can't live without him...-he hesitated.-You said you unmasked him. So you have seen his face?
-Yes...Yes,I saw maestro's face,many times.
-And it was really...I mean...You know that it is hideously disfigured,don't you?
-Yes,certainly I know...But why you are asking about it?
-I thought you maybe do not know how terrible his face is...
-Terrible? I don't know...When I saw it for the first time I was scared to death ,but then...Now I even can't explain why I was so scared that time...
Persian suddeny remembered Erik's words full of hate:"...that damned creature who left me..." He was absolutely sure that "damned creauture" was not Christine Daae-Erik's other words made it clear. It was somebody else. But who?...No,he will never know all Phantom's secrets...But he must help this poor girl...He sighed.
-Mademoiselle Christine,you need read this letter now, believe me. Erik doesn't know or maybe doesn't want to know that you love him.
Christine's eyes widened. Persian thought she was going to cry. But she kept silence.
-I can't understand many things in Erik,mademoiselle,but there is something I think I can understand.Erik is so preoccupied by himself....Even now he is thinking more about what happened to him,than what happened to you.Erik is a monster,mademoiselle. Cruel,selfish,merciless. And very clever,this makes him even more dangerous.But I see that he somehow can give you something le Vicomte never could...Poor young man believes you love him and I myself also believed it..till this evening.And now I see that Erik's torn glove is more important for you than le Vicomte's body and soul...I know all you need is be with Erik.And you can't live without him. So please,mademoiselle,read this letter now.Here it is.
Slowly,fearfully she took the letter as if it was made of glass.Then she came up to the window and began to read. Persian understood that she did not see or hear him anymore.
-Good by,mademoiselle Daae.-he said with a low voice and then he soundlessly left the house.
"Christine,
I wrote this letter because I had to say(and explain) several things.When you read this letter I will be far from Opera House and from Paris. To be honest I anyway was going to left Paris soon (I have some deals) and now it is really right time for it. I'm not sure I'll come back ever,but anyway it will be right if we never meet again. I know that our meetings and my tutelage were useful for you,but I also know that all this was very difficult for you because of my personality,my views and my actions.Our final meeting and things happened during it were nasty. I made big mistake perorming that ugly play and trying make you to become my wife. It was silly. Try to forget it,though it is not so easy.
You need also leave Paris for some time. Then,if you still have interest in opera, you may return and sing here-m-r Richard and m-r Moncharmin will take you back with pleasure. You'll never see me again but if you sings at the Opera I'll help you with your career-managers will do what I want,so don't worry about it.
I don't know if you are going to marry le Vicomte de Chagny but anyway ,if you still want to sing,don't let him forbid you to sing.
I hope you will be happy and wish you all the best.Try to forget about me.
Farewell."
When she was reading this,she could hear his voice,his calm,dry voice pronouncing those phrases from the letter.there was no signature and she suddenly thought that it simly could not be there. She never knew his surname-it seemed to be forbidden question.And certainly she never called him by name,she called him "maestro". So absence of signature was logical in such situation.
Suddenly memories filled her mind...
"Christine,I love you! My wish is to be your husband. Oh,please,don't answer "no"! We can be together,we can be happy,forever! I adore you. I never knew anything could be so... You are my dream,my beautiful dream and I don't want to wake up!I'm your slave,I'll anything you want-only say you love me! And let me be your protector. I'll save you! That monster will not be able to harm you!"
It were Raoul's words,he said it on the Opera roof that evening...when she told him about her mentor...Raoul's voice was so young,ecstatic.But then she remembered another voice-calm and cold,sometimes ironical.
"And,as I said,there is also the second reason,Christine Daae. I love you. What are you going to say? "No,please,don't!" or something like this? But you can't forbid me anything. You can't forbid me to love you. And I love you. I know that nobody said you such words and you thought it must be not so. The man falls on his knees in front of his lady and tell her about his great love with trembling voice. It's beautiful,but I am not hero of sentimental novel.So I'm saying only three simple words-I love you,Christine Daae.That's all I wanted to say."
And Raoul's voice again:
"Free her!Kill me but free her!She can't stay here,in this underground hell with you!She can't live here with a murderer!Take mercy on her!"
And Erik's voice:
"Daroga,please,tell your young friend le Vicomte de Chagny that I dislike cheap melodramas and I also doubt that messieur le Vicomte is good for Romeo's role."
Raoul:
"You must remember that if not human law,God will punish you!Let Christine go! We love each other,can't you understand?!"
Erik:
"Daroga,please explain to your friend that God has nothing to do with it. I don't think that God has interest in such little case. And to be honest I don't believe in God,so all this means nothing for me."
Raoul:
"You will be my wife so you mustn't be an actress anymore.Actesses are fallen women as usual and you mustn't keep company with them. ...Christine,I dislike opera,eapecially now. ...Opera is his kingdom so I hate the opera now."
Erik:
"I think music,opera is the most beautiful art on the Earth.Music has great power.Music can bring you to hell or to heaven even if you don't want it.And you,Christine,you have talent. ...if you work hard you will be great singer. You was born to be a singer."
Raoul:
"...We will enjoy our love,Christine. ...And I'm ready to save your scarf again and again. ...You will forget that monster and all this music."
Erik:
"I'm sure your father bought this doll because it looks like you. And also... You see Christine,the costume of this little lady reminds me... Such costumes were actual forty years ago when Jenny Lind's star was shining brightly. Little Lotte...Certainly when he told you that legend he thought about you. You were Little Lotte for him. You were his life,Christine. And he would like you to go on living and be happy even now when he is not with you anymore."
Christine felt she was crying.She could not explain what exactly was with her,but the pain inside her was terrible.Memories did not stop. She remembered one of the evening walks in Bois de Boulogne.
"-Stand still,Christine and listen."
"-Listen to what maestro?"
"-The music of the night."
"-Music of the night? What is it,maestro?"
"-Listen. The night birds are singing their songs. The wind moves the leaves.Sometimes some little animal runs somewhere in the grass. And all this together sounds like music. As if night were singing.Listen to this melody,Christine."
"-I'm trying,maestro. Sometimes I can hear it-it's beautiful.But sometimes I can't."
"-I can hear it all the time."
"-I have an ear for music,but your gift is special,maestro."
"-Yes,it is. But now keep silence,Christine.You know I'm composing new sonata. This "night melody" often helps me with my work.Keep silence."
She remembered he was standing there,absolutely moveless with his eyes closed (she could not see if they were closed because of his mask,but she was somehow sure they were) listening to the night. And he seemed to be so far from Bois de Boulogne and from the Earth...The next day he played the part of his new sonata for her and she realized that there in Bois she saw the birth of Music. Bois de Boulogne...They walked there many times in the evenings...
"-These two parts are very interesting and also very important for any soprano,Christine. Two best works of maestro Gounod based on two great literature compositions...You have never read "Faust",have you?"
"-You mean libretto,maestro?"
"-Certainly no.I know you've read it.I mean Goethe's play."
"-I'm sorry,maestro,I haven't read it.It's so long...and difficult."
"-You must read.It would be better to read it in German,but you do not know this language, so read the translation.Swedish or French.I have both of them. We'll see which one will be better for you to read at first."
"-But can I understand it,maestro? There is much philosophy in it and I..."
"-You can understand. It will take you much time of course,but you'll understand.And Shakespeare's play. You've certainly read it."
"-Oh,yes,I have."
"-...What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.
So Romeo would,were he not Romeo called,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes,
Without that title.Romeo,doff thy name..."
He really was a great actor.Christine was listening to him feeling as if they were brought to Verona of Shakespeare's times, to Capulet's chateaux...
"-...How silver-sweet sound lovers' tongues by night,
Like softest music for attending ears!..."
His deep hypnotic voice intoxicated her and when he finished she was still standing moveless as if she was sleeping with opened eyes. But suddenly some sound in behind them brought her to her senses and scared her.She instinctively rushed to him.His tall dark figure was dangerous but also it was protective. He embraced her lightly,stroking her hair.
"-Don't be afraid,my girl,it was only some night animal or bird."
Then he released her.
"-I'm sorry,maestro.I had not to..."
"-It is all right,Christine. You simply was scared."
Suddenly reality returned to her. She was in her house with the letter in her hands. The letter which Persian gave her too early. She looked at it again.
"...anyway it will be right if we never meet again....You'll never see me again...Try to forget about me." Christine felt how cold fear filled her heart and her mind.
"...You'll never see me again...You'll never see me again...never see me again..." Calm dry voice was pronoincing those words in her ears as is if her maestro was here.
She remembered her last night dream..her nightmare, where she asked him not to leave her but he disappeared in the darkness..."...we never meet again..."
-No! Please,no!!-Christine droped the letter and rushed to the door. On her way she pushed the little table where Little Lotte was sitting. The doll fell on the floor.It was laying there broken to pieces but Christine did not even see it. She opened the door with trembling hands and rushed into darkness.