Author´s note: We´ve reached chapter 40. Wow... I wouldn´t have thought the story´d become that long. It´s great to have so many lovely readers and reviewers. HPROXMYSOX: I´m glad you caught up with the rest of us and liked the last chapter (I´m sorry your mum didn´tlet you go to HP.). Carlotta is always goodfor a bit of comic relief. But honestly I wouldn´t be too pleased about playing the Devil-in-the-box either. Would you?

40) Have mercy on her!

Erik was watching the stage with big interest, not unlike a boy throwing a pebble into a puddle to find out what would happen. He liked a little commotion almost as much as Carlotta liked her tantrums. Seeing the woman´s face turn bright red he couldn´t help chuckling. Her fiery temperament and arrogance made her the ideal victim for him. He was aware that it was quite a mean way of entertaining himself, but in times like this he couldn´t afford being picky.

"You really think it´s funny?", a female voice suddenly asked. Before Erik could do anything Mme.Giry had already entered the box. Quickly he drew the curtains to block them from view. If there was one thing that would certainly ruin the ballet teacher´s reputation even more, it was being seen with the Opera Ghost in his private box.

Turning around deliberately slowly he said: "Yes. But you didn´t come here just to get this answer, did you?". She shook her head in an annoyed way. "Of course I didn´t.", she exclaimed. Her voice dropping to a whisper she went on: "I want to know what exactly you did to Meg, monsieur. Yesterday after the lesson she dissolved into tears and told me your relationship was over. Then she crawled into her bed and cried for hours, unable to fall asleep. I couldn´t allow her to go to the rehearsals; she´s utterly exhausted…".

Erik was lost for words. Meg had said that it was over? She had told her mother about it? This was surely not a good sign. Yet he didn´t want to discuss his fears and worries with Mme.Giry. After all, it was obvious on whose side she´d be and he didn´t need more accusations than he already got from his own conscience. "I´m afraid this is none of your business, madame.", he retorted.

The moment he looked at her he knew he wouldn´t get away that easily. The way she held her cane in a strong grip showed that behind the calm façade she was furious. He found himself shrinking away from her till his lower back hit the balustrade and he couldn´t go any further. "My daughter´s happiness is my business. What did you do to her?", she asked in a dangerously sounding whisper.

"Nothing!", he protested, his fingers gripping the balustrade and holding onto it for support. Feeling the injury on his palm he winced slightly. "We just… had an argument. I didn´t hurt her, I swear it." "And why do you prefer Christine all of a sudden? Why did you only make Meg the understudy for the Princess?" The ballet teacher gave a bitter laugh. "You think you didn´t hurt her? She´s devastated! In her opinion you not only don´t love her anymore, but also think her a bad dancer. Wasn´t it enough for you to humiliate her in one aspect?"

This made Erik even more confused. "But you just told Carlotta Meg was content with her part.", he muttered. "I had to say that or she´d have believed I approved of her childish way of dealing with disappointment.", she explained shortly. "Why couldn´t you give Meg the bigger role? We both know she´s a great dancer." Erik sighed. He had expected the conversation to take such a turn. "Of course she´s a great dancer, one of the best who´ve ever been on this opera´s stage. But…"

"But what? Is there any particular reason for you to let Christine play the Princess?" Mme.Giry sounded suspicious. First Erik invited the girl to stay in his house, then they were seen embracing and now she was given the leading role. All these clues led to an alarming conclusion. In a very untypical gesture for her she seized his upper arm, looked him firmly into the eyes and asked: "Monsieur… Erik, is there anything more than friendship between Christine and you?".

He couldn´t fight the impression that he was cornered. Even though he had nothing to hide, he reacted in the only way he knew: with a mixture of arrogance and barely suppressed aggression. "There is nothing between Christine and me.", he hissed, feeling anger well up in the pit of his stomach. "And if there was something, it would be none of your concern. I used to be with your daughter, not with you. Tell Meg that if she wants to talk to me, she shouldn´t send her mother. It´s not a sign of maturity. And now… Let go of me!" He almost shouted the last words.

The ballet teacher was so surprised by his abrupt change from justification to accusation that she didn´t comply immediately, but kept staring at Erik. Feeling even more trapped than before he reacted as quickly and foolishly as possible. He freed his arm from her grip and pushed her aside roughly. Unfortunately his wish to get out had made him underestimate his strength and forget that he was dealing with a fragile woman.

Instead of merely going out of the way Mme.Giry tumbled to the floor, her head knocking against the leg of a chair. For a moment Erik could do nothing but stare at the blood trickling down her temple. Her eyes were closed, yet at least she was breathing evenly. How could this have happened? He was aware that he had made his situation ten times worse by hurting the mother of the girl her loved. Maybe she could have helped him if she had understood his point of view.

Now he had to help her. After a few seconds´ consideration he dragged the still unconscious woman onto a seat, so that she could be seen from stage. Then he pulled back the curtains. Fervently hoping this slight movement was enough to make one or two of the remaining persons notice her he opened the trapdoor leading out of the box and vanished.