The next morning, Christine was awakened by a knock at the door and she slowly walked to the door and opened them. It was Madame Giry, who was now very eager to talk to Christine about the past night, for though she knew that Christine was in safe hands, yet she was a little anxious whether Erik would really do something to her. Madame Giry came into the room and immediately got down to business, saying:
"I know you were downstairs with Erik, I know you spent the whole night with him, and even though you were there safe, I still need to know what happened there. I need to know if something bad or terrible happened, so please, my dear, tell me everything, absolutely everything."
Christine was astonished, because she could never have imagined that Madame Giry would know and above all, in what way, from where. She was not really in the mood to say anything at the moment, but since she knew how persistent Madame Giry could be, she began to tell her:
"You have nothing to worry about, because the evening and the night were wonderful. And Erik, yes, I know his real name, was very attentive and gentle with me. He didn't hurt me, really. I never
thought it was so incredibly beautiful down there in his place. I loved it there, so much that
I didn't even want to come back to this world."
So far, so good, but something in Christine's story aroused Madame Giry's suspicions, because she
felt and understood that something had happened between Christine and Erik, only what and then Erik's mask - did Christine really see his face?! It was this question that made Madame Giry the most nervous and she asked further:
"Yes, it's really there, I've been there and I know what it looks like. But I'm interested in something else - did you see his face? Because nobody has ever seen it except me. I'm the only person who knows how Erik's face looks."
This again brought surprise to Christine's face, because now she knew that she was not the only one who had seen the ugly side of Erik's face. Knowing she couldn't avoid the answer, Christine replied:
"Yes, I saw it. I saw his face and I didn't think it was that horrible, and before you ask, no, I wasn't scared. So it's all right. You can be calm. Don't worry about it."
Madame Giry was surprised to hear this, because she had never thought that Erik would dare
to show his face to anyone, let alone to Christine, his pupil. Watching Christine, Madame Giry
noticed that she was unusually happy, for she had never been so before, except for her
yesterday's debut, and it made Madame Giry wonder what else could have happened down there
and suddenly she seemed to realise it. Could this really have happened to Christine and Erik? Or
had Erik seduced her so much that they...? No, it can't be, no! Erik is not like that and never was. No matter what, he wouldn't do that to Christine, but then maybe there's only one
explanation, and to be sure, I have to ask her! - Madame Giry thought and
she said:
"My dear, looking at you and seeing how happy you are, it is clear that down there still
something has happened. Between you and Erik. I would like to know, because as I said, I need to know everything."
Christine knew that she wouldn't keep it from her, so she said:
"Yes, you're right, there really was something going on, but not what you think, no. When I saw
his face, he pushed me away in anger and I fell to the floor, which of course scared me, but not enough to make me run away. When I saw his face, I studied it and then, getting to my feet
and came to him, I stroked it, for I did not want him to think that I thought his face so ugly and disgusting, because it wasn't. His face is not horrible and ugly, it is very normal and beautiful, really. You might not like what follows, because then I went up to him and kissed him. Yes, madam, we kissed and it was so nice and unforgettable. I'll never forget it. Never. And then he brought me back and before I went into the room, I told him I loved him and that was that. I know you're going to say that's not right and that it shouldn't have happened, but it did. Now you know everything."
Madame Giry felt relieved, in one sense at least, that nothing "like that" had happened between them, but she was not too happy about the kiss and this declaration of love, because she knew very well that it would not lead to anything good, and that the two would not be able to be together. She said:
"It's a great relief, but I have to tell you, Christine, that it won't end well. I know what Erik can do when he's angry, and even more so when someone tries to hurt someone who is very dear to him, in this case you. I will not say that I am happy for you, because that would be a lie, but I am not saying that I am not happy. That is not the case, but I would advise you to think things through and think it over, because in my opinion you would be better off with Viscount de Chagny than with Erik. Erik can't offer you anything, whereas Viscount de Chagny can. Think, Christine, about everything I have said to you, even though the decision is yours. And Christine, I promise that your secret will be safe with me. I will not tell anyone!"
With that, Madame Giry went to the door and looked back at the seated Christine before leaving,
who was now deep in thought, and left. Christine knew that Madame Giry was right,
but she couldn't be with Raoul because she didn't love him and she couldn't be with a man she didn't love and let alone marry. Yes, Raoul was her childhood friend, they were been through a lot together and he was even with her at her father's funeral, but all she could offer to Raoul was friendship. Christine was also grateful to Madame Giry for being there for her in mother's place for all the 16 years she was here at the opera and grateful that she would keep quiet and say nothing to anyone about Erik, about her singing lessons and, above all, her love for her Angel of Music.

Meanwhile, Firmin, André, Raoul and Carlotta had received letters from the Phantom of the Opera in which he made it clear that he wanted Christine to play the Countess tonight, not the page, so that his Fifth Box to be free and to be paid his salary, but above all that Raoul should not disturb Christine at the moment, because she needs to rest. Of course, no one wanted to listen to some ghost who scares and tyrannises the opera staff and makes up his own rules. It was decided that Carlotta would play Countess, and Christine the page, and so rehearsals began. Christine, of course, was not happy about it, but she just did what she had to do and didn't mind, but she knew that Erik would certainly be watching the opera, because she had heard about the letters, and that made her happy, but she could not imagine what would happen in the evening. So the evening came and the performance could begin. Before the beginning of the show, Erik exchanged Carlotta's voice spray for one of the same colour and took away her ability to sing for a while and when it was time to go on stage, Carlotta was sprayed on her tongue. The performance started, but at some point a door opened above all the balconies and Erik appeared and said:
"As I can see, you have not heeded my instructions. Did I not tell you that the Fifth Box has
be reserved for me?"
Christine looked at him happily and said quietly:
"It is him!"
Carlotta heard this and said offensively:
"You must be silent in your role, toad."
Erik heard this and said:
"A toad, madam? You can be a toad yourself!"
Christine smiled, but said nothing more and Erik left. The show could go on. Carlotta started to sing, at first everything was fine, but after a while she couldn't sing anymore and it scared her. Then she tried again, but again she failed and this time she was really scared, but in the meantime everyone in the hall was laughing at her failure. It was decided to do another scene from the opera - a ballet scene with the sheeps. While the changes were taking place, it was decided that Christine would play the Countess and this was announced to the audience. Madame Giry took
Christine to her dressing room and helped her to change and put on her make-up. While the
changes were made to Christine's appearance to that of the Countess, Madame Giry said:
"Did you see what happened? Do you understand now what I am talking about? I will say no more, because as I said, the decision is yours."
Christine understood very well what she was talking about, but everything inside Christine was against it. Yes, she had seen what had happened and now knew what her beloved Erik was capable of, but it didn't change her decision and she stuck to her guns. Christine said:
"Yes, I saw. We all saw it and I understand what you're saying, but it won't change my decision. I'm sticking to mine."
Madame Giry had already expected this, so she said nothing more. When Christine was ready, she,
accompanied by Madame Giry, she went back to the stage, not even suspecting that something was about to happen that would probably make her change her mind about her life and Erik...