CHAPTER RATING: PG

When she had the address, Winifred told Johnathan that she would be missing the day's lesson and borrowed a horse, buggy and driver. Normally, Winifred would wait to do something so important, but she was so excited that she could hardly contain herself. It took a mere half hour to reach the de Chagny home. It was a large, elegant place, but not massive. When Winifred was escorted inside, she got the impression from the interior that the owners probably had the world at their disposal but were prudent in their usage of it. She was told to wait in a cozy sitting room while the Countess de Chagny was summoned.

Then she entered. She was absolutely beautiful. Barely older than Winifred, Miss Daae seemed to be the essence of goodness, elegance and light. Or maybe Winifred was just a little star-struck.

Winifred stood in greeting. "Miss- Countess de Chagny. It's an honor to meet you."

Miss Daae smiled. "I could say the same, had the maid not failed to tell me your name."

"Winifred Deschanel," she said, and curtsied nervously.

Miss Daae laughed- almost giggled, flattered. "No need for formalities, Miss Deschanel. Have a seat."

As the two sat down, a maid peeked in and said, "Madame, would you like me to take Angelo off your hands now?"

It wasn't until then that Winifred noticed a toddler holding Miss Daae's hand.

"Yes, thank you," Miss Daae replied, kissed her child, and said, "Go to Henrietta."

The little boy then stumbled his way over to the maid and Winifred and Miss Daae were left alone.

"Now," Miss Daae sighed, "do you have some business you wish to speak with me about?"

"No. Um, I suppose." Winifred braced herself for the stupidity that was about to come from her mouth. "I was...told you could help me in finding the Phantom of the Opera."

Miss Daae visibly tensed. "Who are you?" she asked in a low tone, narrowing her eyes.

Winifred was suddenly frightened. "What do you mean?"

"Are you from the paper? It was over three years ago! Don't you people know how to let things lie?" She was standing now, either furious or panicked.

"No!" Winifred said. "I mean, I'm not from the paper. I was told that the Phantom could..." she braced herself again for her stupidity, "...give me singing lessons."

Miss Daae relaxed, but now looked confused. "Who told you this?"

"Carlotta...Bello. She's a friend of a friend."

"La Carlotta?" Miss Daae rolled her eyes, but then looked ashamed. "I apologize. That was uncalled for. But...why have you decided that you must have lessons from the Phantom?"

"Because-" Winifred dropped her voice because, no matter where she was, she felt as though her father could hear this conversation- "I'm doing this without my father's permission. I don't have any money to pay a normal teacher."

"Oh. But I still-"

"Please, please, please," Winifred begged. "I'll do anything so that I can sing. I'll die if I'm not in the opera. Please."

"But you don't understand." Miss Daae's eyes were wide with panic. "He's- He might be dangerous."

"Dangerous?"

"Yes." Miss Daae looked down at her hands. "He- while he was my teacher, he fell in love with me. I loved him too, I just..." she gave a shuddering sigh, "I could never love him that way. When Raoul- the Viscount- proposed to me, the Phantom went absolutely mad with jealousy."

"He burned down the theatre," Winifred said, connecting Miss Daae's words with Carlotta's.

"Yes, among other things. He also nearly killed Raoul, but let us free at the last moment."

"So...he's not dangerous anymore."

Miss Daae looked at Winifred again. "I don't know. I haven't seen him since the theatre was burned down."

"What?" Now Winifred was angry. "So you don't know where he is?"

"I think I do. But I'm not sure. I can tell you who does know, though. And she'll also be a better judge of whether you should see him than I am."

"Who?" Winifred asked eagerly.

"Madame Giry. She lives in the dorms of the Parnell Operahouse. Do you know where that is?"

"Yes. Madame Giry, was it?"

"Yes."

"Thank you so very much, Madame. You won't regret telling me this."

The two stood and Miss Daae took Winifred's hand and squeezed it. "Just remember. He could be very dangerous. I've given you fair waning. It is off my head."

"Thank you." In her excitement, Winifred kissed Miss Daae's hand in gratitude. "Good-bye."

"Good-bye."