Chapter 4: The Horse Ride and the Visit from the Angel of Music
Soon, Augustine was ready for them to ride. Raphael got on first before extending his hand to Meg. With the help of the stable boy, she was sitting sidesaddle in front of Raphael. As soon as Meg was settled in front of Raphael, he heeled Augustine into a gallop. Meg felt the pounding of his heart in the rhythm of Augustine's pounding hooves. They followed the path in front them, following its every twist and turn. Meg had never felt so glad to be away from the Opera Populaire and alone with the boy she was growing fond of.
They stopped in front of a large oak tree. Meg remembered the tree from her youth. Raphael dismounted Augustine first before helping Meg down. They walked in silence for a moment, Raphael holding onto Augustine's reins in one hand and Meg's in the other. Not long after walking, Raphael let go of Augustine's reins. Meg looked at him, confused.
"Why in God's name did you do that?" Meg asked him.
"So that you and I can be alone. Besides, she won't stray far," Raphael reassured her. Suddenly, he kissed her on the lips and put his hands around her middle. Meg had no idea what was going on, but she decided to go along with it. Raphael gently laid her down on the snow-covered ground at the oak's trunk and stared into Meg's big blue eyes.
"Raphael, my father is very strict. You know that," Meg told him.
"Your point being. . ." Raphael said. Meg sighed heavily.
"Raphael, I'm not ready to do this yet. I think I want to go back to the Opera House," Meg said, getting up. Raphael gave her a hurt look.
"Good idea," came Raoul's voice from behind them. Meg turned her head and saw that he was riding his old horse, Caesar, bareback. Raoul went to Meg's side and guided her back towards Caesar. Raoul then helped her mount and got on behind her. As they cantered away, Raphael went to get Augustine. Meg had tears streaming down her cheeks.
"That boy is trouble, Meg. Don't go near him," Raoul was now lecturing Meg in her mother's dressing room at the Opera House. Older Meg and come and gotten Raphael as soon as Raoul and younger Meg arrived at the Opera Populaire, Raphael riding right behind them. Madame Giry had returned, so that meant ballet the next day.
"I don't know what to do with you. I could say no ballet for a month, but I won't do that because I know how much it means to you, just like your mother meant the world to me. Meg, I forbid you to see that boy. If I find you with him, I will tell Madame Giry to excuse you from the ballet class. You are to stay in here until ballet class tomorrow. Good night," with that, Raoul exited the room and locked the door. Meg undressed and got into bed, crying all the time. She was thinking about her one love, Raphael and not being able to see him. Her heart was torn two ways: she wanted to be with Raphael, but she also wanted to be in the ballet recital that was coming up. She also wanted to hear her Angel sing. She hadn't heard him for some time, now. As Meg closed her eyes, she heard angelic singing.
"Insolent boy! This slave of fashion, basking in your glory. . ." the phantom sang from high above her.
"Not today, Angel. I'm being punished," Meg said, not opening her eyes. She heard the mirror slide open and the phantom come close to her.
"Are you allowed to see me?" he asked gently.
"My father doesn't know that I'm talking to you," Meg told him.
"Ah, I see. Come to my labyrinth and be with me forever," he whispered in her ear.
"I can't. I have a lover. . .at least, I think I do," Meg said, turning over on her side. She felt the phantom sit next to her.
"You know what, I don't know your name," Meg said.
"Erik. My name is Erik," the phantom told her.
"I like that name. . .Erik,"
"Thank you. You better get some sleep, little Lottie," Erik said. Meg suddenly sat up in bed.
"How did you know that that was my pet name?" Meg inquired.
"I've heard your father call you that. He used to call your mother little Lottie as well when she was still alive," Erik's voice had a sad tone in it when he mentioned Christine. She had died when Meg had turned sixteen.
After a few more minutes with the phantom, or Erik as he liked to be called, Meg felt her eyes grow heavy. She rested her head on Erik's knees and fell asleep. Erik stroked her hair for a moment before leaving. Before he did, he drew a rose out of a vase sitting nearby and tied his black hair ribbon around it. He then slipped the rose into Meg's hand, being aware of the thorns. Smiling at Meg's sleeping figure, he went back through the mirror, being careful not to wake Meg.