She rose and passed her hand over her eyelids.
"Thank you, Doctor. I should like to be alone. Please go away, all of
you. Leave me. I feel very restless this evening."
The doctor tried to make a short protest, but, perceiving the girl's
evident agitation, he thought the best remedy was not to thwart her.
And he went away, saying to Raoul, outside: "She is not herself to-night. She is usually so gentle."
Then he said good night and Raoul was left alone. The whole of this
part of the theater was now deserted. The farewell ceremony was no
doubt taking place in the foyer of the ballet. Raoul thought that Daae
might go to it and he waited in the silent solitude, even hiding in the
favoring shadow of a doorway. He felt a terrible pain at his heart and
it was of this that he wanted to speak to Daae without delay.
Suddenly the dressing-room door opened and the maid came out by
herself, carrying bundles. He stopped her and asked how her mistress
was. The woman laughed and said that she was quite well, but that he
must not disturb her, for she wished to be left alone. And she passed
on. One idea alone filled Raoul's burning brain: of course, Daae
wished to be left alone FOR HIM! Had he not told her that he wanted to
speak to her privately?
Hardly breathing, he went up to the dressing-room and, with his ear to
the door to catch her reply, prepared to knock. But his hand dropped.
He had heard A MAN'S VOICE in the dressing-room, saying, in a curiously
masterful tone: "Christine, you must love me!"
And Christine's voice, infinitely sad and trembling, as though
accompanied by tears, replied: "How can you talk like that? WHEN I SING ONLY FOR YOU!"
Raoul leaned against the panel to ease his pain. His heart, which had
seemed gone for ever, returned to his breast and was throbbing loudly.
The whole passage echoed with its beating and Raoul's ears were
deafened. Surely, if his heart continued to make such a noise, they
would hear it inside, they would open the door and the young man would
be turned away in disgrace. What a position for a Chagny! To be
caught listening behind a door! He took his heart in his two hands to
make it stop.
The man's voice spoke again: "Are you very tired?"
"Oh, to-night I gave you my soul and I am dead!" Christine replied.
"Your soul is a beautiful thing, child," replied the grave man's voice,
"and I thank you. No emperor ever received so fair a gift. THE ANGELS
WEPT TONIGHT."
Raoul heard nothing after that. Nevertheless, he did not go away, but,
as though he feared lest he should be caught, he returned to his dark
corner, determined to wait for the man to leave the room. At one and
the same time, he had learned what love meant, and hatred. He knew
that he loved. He wanted to know whom he hated. To his great
astonishment, the door opened and Christine Daae appeared, wrapped in
furs, with her face hidden in a lace veil, alone. She closed the door
behind her, but Raoul observed that she did not lock it. She passed
him. He did not even follow her with his eyes, for his eyes were fixed
on the door, which did not open again.