During that week's stage rehearsal Christine was to be a slave girl in the production of Hannibal. The run through of the play was going well until the conductor was interrupted by Monsieur LaFevre and his companions.
Christine couldn't believe her eyes when she saw Raoul walk to the front of the stage. Monsieur LaFevre had introduced the new owners of the Opera house, Monsieurs Firmin and Andre, two men that had recently struck gold with the business of scrap metal; the new managers then introduced their patron, the Vicomte Raoul De Chagny. Christine couldn't help but noticed that Raoul had grown into a handsome man. She whispered to Meg that he had been her childhood sweetheart during the two vacations she took with her father to the house by the sea.
"He called me Little Lotte." Christine said with a dreamy look on her face.
Meg agreed that the Vicomte was a good-looking man. Christine saw Raoul head her way and she leaned forward expecting to be recognized by him. He passed by her without even glimpsing her way. Christine felt heartbroken. Meg tried to cheer her up by saying the he did not see her.
The rehearsal continued after Raoul left. After the victory song for Hannibal, Carlotta burst into a tantrum and threatened to quit the play. The new managers were worried that they would be left without a star, so they groveled to the diva. As it was expected Carlotta's pride fell for the low tactic and they convinced her to sing for them the ballad from that evening's opera.
"Think of me… think of me fondly, when we've said goodbye. " Carlotta sang her overly dramaticized lyrics. She painfully took her time with every syllable she uttered.
Suddenly a backdrop falls on the soprano plummeting her to the floor. The crowd of dancers and actors let out gasps of surprise. Everyone looks up, many of them, Meg included, whisper that it was the Phantom of the Opera.
After been aided to her feet Carlotta stomps out of the theater vowing to never return. The new managers are fearful that they shall refund a full house since they have no singer. Unexpectedly, Madame Giry suggests to the managers that Christine can sing the opera. Christine looks at her stunned.
"She has been taking lessons from a great teacher." Madame Giry insists to the managers.
"Who?" Monsieur Andre asks.
"I don't know his name Monsieur." Christine confesses.
Madame Giry persists in her claims that Christine can sing. The managers agree to listen to her. She starts out a little low on notes, she is very nervous, but soon she finds herself singing as she had always dreamed. Surrounded by the warmth of her angel's faith, Christine wins her chance to be the prima Donna of the Opera house.
It all happened so fast, that Christine wasn't sure if it was all a dream. She sang and was carried away to a new wonderful land of dreams as the audience applauded her.
Later, after the opera was over and crowds of people fill the halls of the building in celebration, Christine goes to the chapel to light a candle for her father. She does not notice Meg's entrance until she is by her side. Her friend tells Christine that she was perfect and that she wished she knew who her tutor is. Feeling that she has hid her secret long enough Christine acknowledges the existence of her angel, and her belief that he is the spirit of her father. Meg is unsure how to react to Christine's confession. She tries to set her friend's mind clear by telling her that stories such as hers are not real. But Christine refuses to accept that, arguing that she feels the presence of her angel always, everywhere, even stronger when she sings.
Alarmed by Christine's words Meg takes her to the main singer's dressing room to change clothes. Madame Giry is in the room waiting for Christine. The woman congratulates the young girl and hands her a red rose with a black ribbon fixed to it.
"He is pleased with you." Madame Giry says to Christine.
The girl is then left alone. She goes and sits by the mirror in the room. The rose in her hand is gift from her angel. She wonders, as she caresses the ribbon, why it is possible that Madame Giry can see him while she wasn't able to. Christine wonders and silently begs for her angel's appearance.
But the person that disrupted her thoughts by walking in the door was not her angel, it was Raoul.
"Little Lotte let her mind wander . . ." He started.
Christine smiled at Raoul. He remembered her after all.
". . . Little Lotte thought: Am I fonder of dolls . . ." Raoul continued. ". . . or of goblins, of shoes . . ."
"Or of riddles, of frocks . . ." Christie joined in happy to learn that he remembered their game.
"I did love those picnics in the attic." Raoul said bending down to kiss her cheek.
"And Father playing the violin." Christine added.
"Do you remember those stories you father once told us?"
"Yes. But, what I loved best is when I'm asleep in my bed, and the Angel of Music sings songs in my head!" She said with a broad smile.
"Ah, you and your angel!" Raoul joked
Christine was not sure if Raoul was serious. How could he mock her angel?
"Raoul, my father is dead." Christine told him. "And when he lay dying, he told me that once in heaven, he would send the Angel of Music to protect me."
"I am sorry to hear that Christine." Raoul sincerely said.
"Well I have been visited by the Angel of Music." Christine informed him trying to make him believe her.
"No doubt of it." He said to amuse her. "But now we'll go to supper!"
"No, Raoul, the Angel of Music is very strict."
"Then I shan't keep you up late." Raoul laughed, mocking the angel once more.
"No, Raoul…"Christine tried.
"You must change. I'll be back in two minutes Little Lotte." He said as he closed the door behind him leaving Christine to debate whether she should go with him to supper and risk the angel's wrath. Still not fully aware of reality, with the memory of her success lifting her spirits, Christine changed her clothes deciding to go with Raoul.
