Chapter Thirty-nine
Christine watched as Raoul vanished across the darkened square to rendezvous with Monsieur Philippe. When he left, he had told her to get some rest…told her she need not wait up for him.
Once she lost sight of him in the narrow streets leading off the little plaza, she quickly opened her trunk and pulled out a cream-colored silk dress.
She dressed hurriedly, pinning her hair into a loose bun and slipping the amethyst ring onto her finger.
Wrapping the shawl over her dress, she left the hotel.
Perhaps Erik would not give her the letters, but she would rather risk his anger than appeal to the Inspector.
The two men met in the little alley behind the Fantasie. It was a cramped cul-de-sac that smelled of rotten vegetables.
Philippe held out his hand to Raoul.
"Your young wife is a brave, beautiful lady, Monsieur de Chagny. It is a pity such women must be caught up in times like this."
As the two men walked down the alley towards a waiting car, they were both unaware of a second car parked in the shadows of a brothel.
Christine pulled the shawl closer around her body as she walked quickly down the narrow street behind La Belle Reve.
He must still care for me…he must still care enough to help us…
She looked up at his window. The blinds were drawn shut, but she saw an edging of pale yellow light in the room above the office.
Surely, Erik wouldn't want me to…to sell myself to that horrid Inspector…he would never ask me to do such a thing…
She climbed the steep stairs and knocked on the door. There was silence, then she heard the sound of a man's footsteps and the door was opened.
Erik's hand was pressed to his face as if he had only just put on his mask. His dark hair was strangely disheveled, almost lifeless.
But he wasn't expecting me to come…
She wanted nothing more than to let herself fall into his embrace, but she knew his arms were not open to her. And she must keep in mind the reason for her visit.
"Madame de Chagny…"
He paused, making sure that the mask was indeed secure on his face before holding open the door to admit her to the unlit office.
"What are you doing here…"
"Erik, please…you must help me."