Chapter Twenty-eight - Christine, I Know The Truth

It was later evening when Christine and the Vicomte returned to the Opera Populaire.

When Meg caught a glimpse of them in the foyer, she knew that something terrible had happened to them. This had been no simple elopement.

Christine was like a ghost, her face was white with purple-gray shadows beneath her large eyes. The Vicomte's shirt was torn in several places, the sleeve cut away to reveal a bandage. He kept his other arm around Christine.

Messieurs Firmin and Andre met them at the foot of the staircase. From her vantage point in the gallery, Meg could not hear what Raoul said to them, but he seemed to be entrusting Christine to their care.

Giving Christine a kiss on her forehead, the Vicomte left Christine in the care of the managers.

Monsieur Andre caught sight of Meg in the gallery

"Mademoiselle Giry, come here," he called and motioned for her to join them.

When she had hurried down the marble steps to them, Monsieur Firmin gently nudged Christine towards her.

"Mademoiselle Giry," Andre said, "would you please take Mademoiselle Daae to your rooms and stay with her until your mother comes. Do not let her out of your sight until then, do you understand. We have strict orders from the Vicomte that she is not to be left alone for a moment."

Meg nodded and took her friend's hand.

"Come, Christine…everything is all right."

Back in the dormitory, Meg helped Christine change out of her damp black dress and gave her friend her own blue dressing gown.

She knew that whatever had befallen the couple, Erik had been involved. Raoul had been wounded….and Erik? Was he hurt, too? Or…no, she couldn't let herself think that he had been harmed.

"Christine, you must tell me," she said, sitting beside Christine on the edge of the bed, "where did you go? What happened to…you?"

"Meg, I can't explain! You wouldn't understand. Please, don't ask me…"

Meg took both of her hands and shook her head.

"Christine, I know the truth about your Angel."

"I went to see my father, Meg. Today is the anniversary of his death, you know. But he followed me. Then Raoul came…they fought. I thought they would both die…but…"

The tears had begun to flow and, as Meg gave her a small cotton handkerchief, she was afraid of her own next question.

"Christine…did Raoul kill him?"

Christine shook her head, but there was a long pause before she spoke again.

"I couldn't let him hurt my teacher," she said at last.

Meg choked back a sigh of relief. He was still alive, then…

"After, when it was over," Christine went on in the lowest of whispers, "Raoul took me to a little church near the cemetery. The priest's housekeeper tended to his wounded arm. I wouldn't have known what to do. And, Meg…you must not say a word…not even to your mother…"

Meg squeezed the other young woman's hand and nodded for her to continue.

"Raoul and I are married now."