Chap 4
Mme Giry sat thinking in the chair. She knew Christine had been gone all night and practice for Il Muto was not the reason. Mme Giry took care of everyone in the opera house. Her emotional distance had much to do with the man whose secret she protected daily, but her efforts were always greatly rewarded. He had paved the way for her success. Without him she would not have been able to provide for Meg and herself, would not be ballet mistress.
Upon arrival at the opera house Christine had been a shattered doll of a child. Antoinette had brought her into her own living quarters in effort to reach her but she slipped further and further away. The only thing keeping her alive was her absolute dogged belief the angel of music would be sent to her by her father. Gustave Daae was a talented musician who cared for his daughter deeply and recognized the beauty of her voice early on. Before he died he had made provisions that she was to be taken into the renowned Opera Populaire. In his delirium at the end he hoped only to give her something, some kind of hope.
Antoinette in desperation turned to Erik with a plan. She asked that he pose as 'the Angel of Music' for this child. It was only to be a one time occurrence to bring her back to the world, restore her faith but Erik felt strongly for this child in her grief, and loneliness. He had listened in to many voice lessons by renowned teachers within the busy walls of the Opera house through the years and knew from Antoinette she had a promising voice. He decided to be her Angel of Music and protect her as any guardian angel would. She instantly came out of the fog and thrived, cherishing her secret 'angel'.
Antoinette decided whatever had happened would remain between them, and went to fetch Meg, taking the notes with her to send. One was for the new patron Raoul she noticed…he could be a problem. She was sure she could work things out, smooth things over with the new managers. She had not started out well with them, notenjoying their leering appreciation of her daughters. She softened though thinking of how beautiful they both were and with her constant extra attention-- they did stand out as dancers, one could not help but notice them above the rest.
Carlotta would not stand for this however she thought. Her hold at the opera house was mostly due to her husband Piangi's influence and with the threat of Christine, and her enormous response, even he could not ensure her position as diva. She would not allow Christine an inch while she still reigned.
