Chapter Three

A Stone is Thrown Into the Water

It had actually been Raoul himself who had brought Christine the answer to her wish that Jane should both stay with the Chagny family and be able to study music. He had dropped it into her lap at breakfast the very morning after her conversation with Jane and her subsequent ponderings on the subject.

Christine had just come down for breakfast as Raoul was finishing his coffee. He let her have a good bit of her breakfast before looking up from his perusal of the Times and saying "Dear, how would you feel about moving back to Paris?".

"Paris?" Christine had said, looking up in surprise. In all the years they had been married, the subject had never before come up. "Why?" she asked, though with no sign of displeasure. Raoul put down his coffee cup.

"A business opportunity has come up and it's a good one. I think it could be very profitable in the long term. But it would mean moving back to Paris to manage it in person while it gets itself going. As I say. I think it could be quite profitable. But it will require some intensive work to get it started; six months at the very least."

Christine smiled. When she had first been rediscovered by Raoul ten years ago, she would never have imagined the young, handsome, rather impetuous vicompt deChagny as a businessman. Yet, it had happened. And therein, her husband had discovered his true passion, thanks in large part to the circumstances surrounding their marriage.

Despite the suddenness of the death of Raoul's elder brother Philippe on the same night when he and Christine had fled from Paris in secret, the elder Chagny had had the foresight, if one could call it that, to make a new will, disinheriting Raoul from the title of Compt deChagny and any estates beyond those he already possessed as vicompt, in the event that Raoul insisted upon marrying an opera singer. No one knew why Philippe had done this. Perhaps he had thought that Raoul truly had gone mad, and feared harm when once again confronting his younger brother about his wild engagement. Or perhaps he had come to believe Raoul's tales of his fantastic rival. Whatever the reason, the result had been that Raoul had been forced to venture into business in order to ensure the maintenance of the comfort to which he and Christine had become accustomed. The income from his own holdings would not have been enough and would eventually have dwindled, and he no longer had his naval career, as he had deserted the expedition in which he was supposed to take part in order to flee with Christine.

Raoul had gone into business with an Englishman they had met in Stockholm, where they had first gone after leaving Paris. The little Englishman had owned a shipping firm which was floundering. But with the help of Raoul's money and surprising aptitude for commerce, the little firm had grown into a force to be reckoned with. The money that Raoul had invested to help the firm get back on its feet had been all that Raoul had had, that of the Chagny estate which he owned as vicompt. Fortunately, the investment had more than paid off. Consequently, they had been able to move to an estate on the outskirts of London.

The truth was that, in the years since they had moved into that little estate, Christine had missed Paris from time to time. Certainly Sweden had been peaceful and safe and had held dear memories of her childhood. And England was beautiful. But neither Stockholm nor London had anything like the artistic life to which she had grown accustomed in Paris and the English were so reserved. They were also the most pronounced snobs she had ever known. In Paris, though intermarriage was rare, men in trade, aristocrats and artists of both sexes had mingled freely in the foyer of the ballet at the Opera as well as at balls and parties. But the English insisted upon maintaining a fast boundary between their aristocracy and, well, everyone else, whether they owned a flowerstand or a goldmine; or, in the case of herself and Raoul, a large and prosperous shipping firm. Consequently, she and Raoul hovered uneasily upon the edge of London society, partially and grudgingly accepted because of Raoul's title and wealth. And because they did not know either that his beautiful wife had been an opera singer or of the scandal which had driven them from Paris, something to which they were both careful never to refer. But they were mainly largely kept at arm's length because Raoul was in business rather than living solely on income from family holdings. The result was that the Chagny family were somewhat isolated and Christine did find it a trifle lonely on occasion, which was why she was so grateful for Jane's presence in the house. She certainly had not managed to make any friends among the fashion and status conscious society women she met when they went to parties. acquaintances, yes. But no one whom she really trusted; whom she could talk openly with.

For this reason, over the years, the thought of returning to Paris had occurred to her on more than one occasion. But Christine had never actually raised the subject and neither had Raoul until now. True, they both new that they would find it easier socially. But Paris had so many memories, painful memories for both of them, for all of them. Christine knew that their returning to Paris too soon would be excruciating for Erik, and for Raoul as well though for different reasons. But now that Raoul had brought up the subject, Christine sensed that the time was right to return. She sensed from Erik's letters that he would be able to receive her now as a friend, without it causing him the kind of agony that it once would have. Raoul too had obviously healed enough to be able to contemplate the idea without pain, for she saw none in his face. As for Christine herself, certainly the memories were still painful. They always would be. There was no way they could ever not be. What had happened had been a tragedy. But she had also long since made peace with the past. It could not be changed. Even if it could, she knew that the only difference would be that she would act with more kindness, discretion and compassion. But ultimately, her feelings and therefore her choice would still be the same. Erik understood that and he had long since forgiven her, which had greatly helped her make peace with all that had happened and with herself. She also, now, saw another possibility in returning to Paris, one that was an answer sent from heaven to her recent dilemma.

Raoul watched his wife's face closely as she reflected while finishing her tea. She reflected thus for several minutes once he had finished explaining his reason for suggesting that they might return to Paris. He knew that she was contemplating the reasons why, hitherto, they had not considered such a move and whether or not the time was yet right, or ever would be, to do so. She looked thoughtful, but not distressed by the suggestion. He was relieved to see that the memories which Paris held were no longer so painful or frightening that she could not even consider such an action. Finally, Christine put down her now empty teacup and looked up at him.

"I should not mind moving back to Paris. Believe it or not, in spite of everything, I've missed Paris sometimes." Raoul looked surprised.

"I've missed the musical life" Christine continued " and the fact that the French are so much less reserved than these English, so much less afraid of former singers." Raoul nodded in understanding.

"I shall ask Jane" Christine went on "if she would be willing to come with us."

"Jane?" Raoul asked.

"Yes. I do very much hope she will be willing to come with us. She has been a good teacher to Joseph-Philippe and a good friend to me. I should miss her greatly if she had to be left behind. And besides." Christine now smiled brightly "She must attend the Conservatoire."

"What?" Raoul asked, not expecting that one at all.

"Yes. You haven't heard her play or better yet sing; but she has a great gift. It would be a crime to see her waste away as a governess all her life and never have a chance to display that gift to the world."

"Christine my dear," Raoul interrupted "We most certainly are not paying for her to attend the Conservatoire."

"Of course not you silly goose!" Christine retorted, laughing at how daft her husband could be some times. "Don't you recall that the Conservatoire has scholarships for students with great talent who cannot afford to pay?"

Raoul had forgotten about that.

"I'm absolutely certain that Jane would qualify for one. If I did, then she most certainly will." Christine went on. "Then, if she would be willing, she can stay with us while she studies."

Raoul looked dubious. "For free?"

"Oh! Raoul!" Christine exclaimed, half angry, half pleading. "Please allow it? It will be so much easier for her to study and do really well if she does not have to work as well. She will be required to put in hours of practice and, if I know her, she will want to. And if she has to work as well she will be exhausted in no time at all, and then she won't do well. Surely we can afford it? She eats like a bird!"

"Alright." Raoul said, softening at his wife's logic, pleading and humour. He had always found it nearly impossible to refuse her anything when confronted with her beautiful smile.

"Oh! Thank you Raoul!" Christine exclaimed, going around the table and throwing her arms around her husband's neck. "It will mean a great deal to me and to Jane too."

"Then," Raoul asked, slightly bemused at all of this, "shall I tell the fellow in Paris that I am interested in taking up this opportunity?"

Christine reflected for a moment. She then answered in the affirmative. She had been momentarily worried that Jane would not be willing to come. But she felt reasonably certain that she would. She had seen Jane's eyes light up at the thought of seriously being able to study music and she felt certain that the young governess would not be able to resist such a chance.

She broached the subject of the impending move with Jane that evening over late tea, and was surprised at how eager the younger woman was to accept her offer to accompany the family.

"I've read a great deal about Paris and I've always wanted to see it for myself." The younger woman said. "It sounds so beautiful."

Christine smiled. "It is." She replied. "Do you think you will miss England?" she asked.

"No, I think not." Jane answered. "Perhaps I shall miss it's natural beauties; but..." she trailed off.

"Will you not miss your family and friends?"

Jane smiled ruefully. "I haven't any." She replied. "I parted company with my Uncle many years ago and I have no other family or friends living."

"Oh!" Christine exclaimed. "I'm so sorry. Do forgive me."

"For what?" Jane asked. "It is a simple truth; and it means that I have no encumbrance upon me which would hamper my coming with you to Paris. I'm very grateful to your husband too for permitting me to remain with you. You, the Master and dear Joseph-Philippe are the most amicable people I have yet known and you I would miss were I not able to go with you."

Christine smiled again. "I'm glad to hear it. I should have missed you as well. I regard you not only as a governess but as a friend." Jane blushed. "I can speak freely with you in a way which I have not been able to with any other since last I was in Paris myself. But you shall not stay on as governess." Christine added, boldly coming around to her true purpose at last.

Jane looked up in surprise. "But I thought..."

"Oh you shall come to Paris with us if you wish, don't be alarmed." Christine returned quickly, quelling Jane's sudden alarm. "But not as our governess, as our guest."

"What?" Jane asked in astonishment.

"Yes." Christine answered. "You shall be our guest because you must attend the Conservatoire. I have absolutely no doubt that you would be accepted."

This time, Jane looked up in shock, though Christine could see the light of longing in her eyes beneath the shock. "But," the young governess exclaimed, "I could not possibly... I've had but little proper training and I certainly could never pay the tuition for such an institution."

"You don't have to." Christine answered. "They have scholarships for such students as yourself and many of their students come with varying amounts of prior training. All you need do is pass the audition, which I have no doubt you will be easily able to do, probably with honours."

Jane was silent for a time. "Do you truly believe I would be able to do it?" she asked at last.

"Yes." Christine replied simply. Jane knew that the vicomptess was not given to empty flattery. "Will you at least audition?" Christine asked.

"Yes." Jane replied, excited at the prospect.