Erik drowned out the gunpowder with water from the underground lake and very nearly drowned Raoul and the Persian as well. Christine implored him to rescue them and so he hauled out the two very waterlogged beings who had dared to invade his secret domain. When he had dropped off the Persian at his door after ringing the doorbell and deposited Raoul in the Communard's dungeon, he returned to his house on the lake and found Christine there waiting for him.
Timid and trembling, Erik came forward and shyly, awkwardly kissed her on the forehead. She took his hand, with tears running down her cheeks, and he was suddenly overwhelmed with the knowledge that she, the angel, would let him, the corpse, the wretched Opera ghost kiss her, and he fell down at her feet and kissed them. She tenderly took his hand.
"Poor, unhappy Erik!" she whispered gently.
Erik stood up, sobbing, and their tears mingled as she kissed him on the forehead. He was choking and had to take off his mask but she did not pull away from the sight of his hideous face.
"Oh...Christine..." he said in between sobs, "you...have given...me all...the happiness...in the world!"
She took Erik, who was so overcome he could not speak, in her arms and kissed him again, and said softly "I'll always be here to love you, dear Erik."