Chapter 3: Mysterious Angel
Anna walked down the stairs dressed in a midnight blue, satin dress, with satin white gloves. Her hair was decorated with a sapphire stoned hair pin. Erik walked down dressed in his fancy black attire, there he presented his arm to his daughter.
" Do you think you will meet someone?" Anna asked
" No, I don't attend too," Erik replied
He helped her into the covered carriage and she looked at Erik as he got in.
" Papa, why do you insist on wearing that mask?" Anna asked
" Because it is my own life," Erik replied
Anna smiled and looked out into the darkness as the carriage took off. She pulled her shawl tightly around her as they traveled to the ball. Erik looked at his daughter as she looked out and wondered what was going through her mind. He knew he did not want to come to this ball due to the past. Erik pulled his cloak closer as he closed his eyes to clear his mind.
They arrived to the beautiful estate, Anna smiled seeing it seemed to reach for miles. The carriage door opened and she was helped out.
" It's like a castle, the gardens Papa look how beautiful!" she exclaimed
Erik got down and slipped his hat on and breathed deep. His mind raced as they walked together to the white castle. Erik handed their invitation and the butler announced their arrival. Everyone turned and looked at them as they walked into the ball room, Anna smiled as if they were welcoming faces. Erik escorted her into the ball room and all resumed, but there were faces which stared at him. Anna walked around without Erik's guarding hold on her, she wished to be sociable. Erik walked around without a lady on his arm, he did not care if none came to him, it was his job only to watch Anna.
" Who is he?" several of the young girls asked
" My father," Anna said, " A great man, he does business in the east."
" Why does he wear a mask?" another asked
" Only to be more mysterious to those around him," Anna said with a smile
She looked at Erik as he walked around and the young girls giggled.
" He is mysterious, now tell us where are you from?" they asked
" I'm from a palace by the sea, my father rules it well. We have servants that serve us with joyous faces. And the palace is warm because the king is such a tender master." Anna said
As the girls chattered, listening ears from afar caught some of their conversation.
" Who is that young girl?" a young woman asked
" Mademoiselle Sanxay, the Comte Sanxay's only daughter," another woman said
" She does not look like him," the young woman said
She excused herself and walked over to the girls who chattered.
" Excuse me," she said, " but I could not help, but to over hear your conversation about the Comte Sanxay. Who is his daughter?" the young woman asked
" That is I," Anna replied
" Could you point out your father to me?" she asked
" He's over there, he's the one with a mask," Anna replied
The young woman looked up and saw Erik standing there.
" Yes, I see him…its been so long, but yes," she said
She excused herself and glided through crowd of beautiful dressed guest and approached Erik.
" It's been four years," she said
Erik turned and looked and bowed.
" You daughter, is nothing like you Monsieur," she said with a curtsy
" Madame," he said
" I was hoping you would come," she replied
Erik stared at his past before his eyes, she was dressed in a beautiful gold dress, with golden roses sewn across her bust and around her waist. Her golden gloves brought out the sparkle in her eyes. The eternal youth that remained planted in her delicate skin.
" It has," Erik said, " Your hopes are slightly worthless."
" I don't see why you say such things," she replied
" Wealth has poisoned your mind Madame, and it seeps into mine," Erik said
" Poisoned my mind, I'm sorry Erik, but it is you who has poisoned my thoughts and dreams for so long," she replied
Erik looked over and saw Anna peeping over the youths' shoulders like a dog waiting for its master to call it.
" Christine, you are far to naive for a man of my status," Erik said
" Status Erik?" Christine questioned
" Falling into wealth Madame, that is why you invited me, these foolish parties are for wealthy people. We both know that you were not searching for me, but to find comfort in other bored women who long for freedom," Erik said
" Have you come to mock me Erik?" she asked
" If I have come to mock you, I would have done so already, I am just pointing out camouflage in a new surrounding," Erik said
He kissed her hand and went off and Christine looked at him. She smiled softly and went off to tend to her guest, but still watched Erik. It was then she noticed Erik was testing the water as he spoke to the young women. She looked at him as he danced across the floor with both women and his daughter.
" He's a man of mystery still," Christine thought
Anna watched Erik speak with several women, none which she could say she approved of. She sighed and danced on with young suitors and Erik's gaze fell upon her.
" Your father, he watches you like a hawk," a suitor said
" Always, but he is worried for my sake," Anna said
As the ball went on Erik did not find one woman which he dared to pursue beyond their meeting, that was until near the end. Erik stood there as he spoke to one and then when the butler announced her presence he caught her beauty as it glided into the ball room. Erik set his champagne down and excused himself to once more slid into his mysterious personality. He watched the blonde glide across the floor with several guest and then greet the hostess. Erik watched her every move and Anna caught her father on the prowl.
" Who is she?" Anna asked
" I don't know," Erik replied
" Do you like her Papa?" Anna asked
" She's familiar to me, but I do not remember her," Erik said, " she intrigues me."
Anna smiled and walked off and approached the young woman. Erik watched Anna carefully as the young woman looked over at Erik. Anna looked at Erik as he remained intrigued by the young blonde. Both young women approached him with such grace and Anna looked at Erik.
" She wishes to dance with you Papa, will you honor her request?" Anna asked
Erik stood up straight and presented his arm to the young woman and they were joined by others. Anna smiled and watched Erik and the young woman dance. Erik's eyes never left his young companion's. His hands were so delicate as he held her in their waltz.
" Monsieur, have we met before?" she asked
" Perhaps once have past each other," Erik replied
She looked at him and smiled.
" Perhaps in the past we have, were you a composer perhaps?" she asked
" I once was," Erik replied
" In an opera house?" she questioned
" Some called me a mad man, but yes in an opera house," Erik answered
They waltz and Anna joined with another suitor, she did not take her eyes off Erik and his companion. She smiled and then the music stopped and Erik bowed as his companion curtsied.
" Bravo Monsieur," she said
" Tell me more about yourself," Erik said
They walked on the veranda, sipping champagne and speaking of a past which connected them both. Anna watched as other guest continued to dance and be marry.
" A ballerina?" Erik asked
" Yes, I was young perhaps for becoming a star, but fate changed all that," she said, " my mother and I were members of an opera house that was known for its wonderful operas."
" Which ones, I can tell you if I have seen them?" Erik inquired
" Hannibal, Il Muto," she softly replied
Erik looked at her and then stood up, she stared at him seeing his face.
" I must go, it is late," Erik said, " It was wonderful to meet you."
Erik sat his glass down on the veranda and walked off in silence. She stared at him and then went after him.
" Please, I did not mean to offend you," she said
" You have done nothing wrong," Erik said, " Please, I have drank to much and must return home."
" Will I see you again?" she asked
Anna ran after Erik as he gathered his things and he looked at both young women. " Come Anna, we are to leave," Erik said
" But Papa," Anna protested
" Come Anna," Erik's strict voice spoke
She lowered her head and got into the carriage and Erik as well. He looked at the young woman as she watched them leave in such a hurry.
" Il Muto," Erik whispered, " Hannibal…why didn't I see it?"
" Papa, what angered you?" Anna asked
" We should have never come to this party," Erik replied
Anna leaned back and lowered her head and the rest of the ride was quiet. Erik did not speak of the incident as they entered the estate.
" I'm going to bed Papa, good night," Anna said
She kissed his cheek and went off to bed. Erik watched her and he undid his ascot and coat. He walked upstairs and tossed his vest, coat, and ascot on the bed as he undid his shirt. He removed his mask and set it in a wooden box and washed his face, from the make up which covered his flaws. He removed the black haired wig and place it neatly on the bust statue's head. Erik sat down and looked forward as he thought.
" Tis only a dream that she spoke to me, but so real that she touched me," Erik whispered, " and I only ran from the daughter of a woman who gave me this very home."