CHAPTER 4
Meg boarded the train, waiving goodbye to Mrs. Andre. She had told her friend that she had to go home, saying her mother was ill; which, of course, was untrue. But how could she stay after what had happened?
As she looked at the train station receding in view, she thought of the visit she'd been paid the night before, and shuddered.
"Meg!" exclaimed Christine when she saw her childhood friend.
"Christine? Oh, Christine it is you! I was just…I'm so glad to see you!" The two embraced.
"I thought you were in Le Harve." Though overjoyed to see her, Christine was confused as to why Meg would return so much earlier than was planned.
"I missed home, and --"
"You must have sensed I was here! I have so much to tell you! And you must tell me of your trip to Le Harve."
"Yes…"said Meg.
"Come, let us find someplace to talk."
He stepped behind a tree quickly to avoid the glance of the man so odious to him. His eyes burned seeing him, much as they had in the cemetery, when She had saved his life; and as they had behind Her mirror, when Raoul was in the dressing room. Well, Monsieur Vicomte, thought he, where is she? Your bride is not always at your side?
"Say you need me with you here, beside you--"
"Where is your wife!"
Meg wished now that she hadn't told her friend of her strange meeting in Le Harve, and of the rumour she had heard while there of a recluse who lived in a great house, but was never seen; the possibility of a connection (slim though she thought it to be) hadn't occurred to her until she had come home. Now Christine was telling her of returning that night to the Opera…
"Christine, you're saying you went back there? Why?" Why had she revisited that place of dismal horror?
"Oh Meg, I can't explain, but…something was pulling me back there. I almost thought…" Christine stopped.
"Thought what?"
"Nothing. Meg, what am I to do? Especially about Raoul," she added quietly.
"You love Raoul, don't you?" When Meg saw Christine hesitate, she prompted: "Don't you?"
"Of course I do." Christine looked down at the floor.
"Then what is the matter? Why don't you set the date for the wedding? Do you want to marry him?"
"Oh, Meg!" Christine lifted her eyes, and Meg saw in them such sadness, such uncertainty. Two tears rolled down Christine's cheeks, and Meg took her friend in her arms and let her cry, worried deeply for her. She could see how unhappy Christine was, yet what could be done? What was the root? What was it that so troubled her mind?
He followed the Vicomte everywhere he went, waiting to catch a glimpse of Her. He told himself that was all that he wanted. To see her just once more.
Two days passed, in which time he saw Her not once. He found as the more time went by, the angrier he became with this detestable coxcomb. It enraged him to be disappointed day after day, and to keep seeing de Chagne only intensified the emotion. He knew not whether to direct his anger at Meg or the Vicomte. He had been certain that Miss Giry was telling him the truth; therefore he would level his anger at de Chagne. He would make him pay…
"-- Why would I make her pay for the sins which are yours!"