Page 18 - Phantom of the Opera

"Christine, you must love me!" And Christine's sad voice
Chapter 2 Box Five
replying, "How can you talk like that? When I sing only for you!"
Raoul's heart beat so loudly that he was sure they would hear
During this time, the retirement ceremony was taking place. The
it inside. They would open the door and he would be sent away!
most important people in the social and artistic world of Paris
What a position for a Chagny! To be caught listening behind a
had met in the entrance hall of the Opera after the" performance.
door! He put his hands on his heart to make it stop.
Sorelli waited for the arrival of the retiring managers with a
The man's voice spoke again. "Are you very tired?"
prepared speech at the tip of her tongue. Behind her, the
"Tonight I gave you my soul, and I am dead!" Christine
members of the corps de ballet, young and old, discussed the events
replied.
of the day in whispers.
"Your soul is a beautiful thing, child," replied the man, "and I
Everybody remarked that the retiring managers looked
thank you. No king ever received such a wonderful gift. The
cheerful. They were smiling broadly as Sorelli spoke — until
angels in Heaven cried tonight."
everyone heard a sudden shout from that little devil, Jammes.
Raoul heard nothing after that, but he did not go away. He
"The Opera ghost! "Jammes screamed in terror; and her finger
decided to wait until the man left. To his great surprise, the door
pointed, among the crowd, to a face so ugly, so pale, with two
opened and Christine Daae appeared, alone. She closed the door
deep black holes for eyes.
behind her, but she did not lock it. Raoul did not even watch her
"The Opera ghost! The Opera ghost!"
go. His eyes were on the door, but it did not open again.
Everybody laughed and pushed and wanted to offer the Opera
Raoul let himself in and closed the door. The dressing room
ghost a drink, but he was gone. He slipped through the crowd.
was dark. "There is someone here!" said Raoul. "What are you
Some looked for him without success, while two old gentlemen
hiding for? You will not leave this room until I let you! If you
tried to calm little Jammes, and little Giry stood screaming
don't answer, you are a coward. And I will tell everyone!"
uncontrollably.
Raoul lit a match, and the flame lit up the room. There was no
Sorelli was very angry that she had not been able to finish her
one! "Am I going mad?" he asked, aloud.
speech. The managers kissed her, thanked her, and ran away as
He went out, not knowing what he was doing or where he
fast as the ghost himself. No one was surprised because there
was going. He found himself at the bottom of some stairs and
were two more floors above with crowds waiting to say goodbye
some workmen were coming down behind him, carrying a long
to them. On the top floor there were personal friends and a
board, covered with a white sheet.
wonderful supper.
"Which is the way out?" he asked one of the men.
Here they found the new managers, Monsieur Armand
"Straight in front of you. But let us pass."
Moncharmin and Monsieur Firmin Richard. The retiring
Pointing to the white sheet, he asked, "What's that?"
managers had already handed over the two tiny keys which
A workman answered, "That is Joseph Buquet, who was found
opened all the doors — thousands of doors — of the opera house.
in the third cellar, hanging."
Some of the guests noticed, at the end of the table, that strange
Raoul took off his hat and let the workmen pass.
face with the hollow eyes.
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