A Letter to Mlle. M. Giry, Paris - From Mme. C. D. Rousseau, England
My dear Meg,
I hope this letter finds you well. It has been only a few weeks since we have last spoken, and already I miss you terribly. Do not worry for me, as I am well and happy. Erik and I arrived safely at our destination and have just recently settled into a little cottage on the shore outside of the city.
I confess, leaving France has been more difficult than I anticipated. Not for the journey, which was surprisingly easy.While I still do not like traveling by rail, I confess that the distance would have been much worse by carriage. And I had Erik to keep me company.
It is the strangeness of being in a new place that I find rather daunting. Erik is no more comfortable amongst crowds here than he was in Paris, although so far, people have seemed generally accepting of his mask. He has even managed to secure a position as an architect with a man named Crawford who has a disfigurement of his own…a wooden leg. He lost it as a child to infection and is most understanding of Erik's desire for a normal life. Mr. Crawford was most impressed with Erik's designs, as I knew he would be. My husband's talent in all things artistic will never cease to amaze me.
And his grasp of the language is unparalleled. He even speaks it with a perfect accent, no doubt due to his extraordinary ear for music. While I am picking up the language well enough, I am afraid it is with a dreadful accent.
We are both slowly adjusting to this new life, and it is well that we should, for we will soon have a child to share in it. Yes, Meg, I am expecting. And I must confess that I knew this before we left Paris. I hope you will not think less of me, and understand why I did not tell you sooner.
Oh, how I wish you could be here with us now. You must write me soon and tell me that you are well. That you might be able to come and be 'Aunt' Meg.
I also hope that you will tell me that my childhood friend has not taken my departure very badly. I truly hate to think that I have hurt him.
I will wait eagerly for your reply.
Your friend,
Christine Daae Rousseau
xXx
A reply from Mlle. Giry to Mme Rousseau
Dear Christine,
I received your letter, and I found my jaw on the floor. I am so happy for you. Oh, how I wish I could be there. I imagine you will be quite as round as a pumpkin before long. I hope you are both well. And Erik, of course.
I would like nothing more than to be able to visit before your child arrives, but I can make no promises. Although I am sure Maman might by able to persuade Monsieur LeCleur to grant us both leave from the Theater. They are becoming quite friendly. It is strange to see Maman so happy again.
I almost hesitate to mention the subject of le vicomte. I confess that he did not take your absence well at all. I told him as little as possible, but he seemed to somehow sense the true reason for your leaving.
At first, I was concerned for what he might do. His heart was broken and his pride damaged, I think. But now I feel I can assure you that Raoul will cause no grief to you or to Erik.
We have spoken on several occasions, and Raoul seems everyday to become more content with himself. He has even been able to jest about the whole affair. If you can believe, he asked me just the other day if I thought he might have better luck with women if he were to get a mask and cloak!
As if he would need any help.
I am certain Erik will find that most humorous.
Please write again soon and tell me how your little family is faring! I am eager for any news.
Until then,
Meg
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