They reached the stage. Raoul was leading the way, feeling that his heart no longer belonged to him. Count Philippe followed him with difficulty and smiled. The count was surprised to find that Raoul knew the way. He had never taken him to Christine’s himself and came to the conclusion that Raoul must have gone there alone while the count stayed talking in the foyer with Sorelli.
Postponing his usual visit to Sorelli for a few minutes, the count followed his brother down the passage that led to Daae’s dressing-room and saw that it had never been so crammed as on that evening, when the whole house seemed excited by her success. The doctor of the theater had just arrived at the moment when Raoul entered. Christine opened her eyes. The count and many more remained crowding in the doorway.
“Don’t you think, Doctor, that those gentlemen had better clear the room?” asked Raoul coolly. “There’s no breathing here.”
“You’re quite right,” said the doctor.
And he sent every one away, except Raoul and the maid, who looked at Raoul with eyes of the most undisguised astonishment. She had never seen him before and yet dared not question him; and the doctor imagined that the young man was only acting as he did because he had the right to. The viscount, therefore, remained in the room watching Christine as she slowly returned to life, while even the joint managers, Debienne and Poligny, who had come to offer their sympathy and congratulations, found themselves thrust into the passage among the crowd of dandies. The Comte de Chagny laughed.
He turned to go to Sorelli’s dressing-room, but met her on the way, with her little troop of trembling ballet-girls, as we have seen.
Meanwhile, Christine Daae uttered a deep sigh, which was answered by a groan. She turned her head, saw Raoul and started. She looked at the doctor, on whom she bestowed a smile, then at her maid, then at Raoul again.
“Monsieur,” she said, “who are you?”
“Mademoiselle,” replied the young man, kneeling on one knee and pressing a fervent kiss on the diva’s hand, “I am the little boy who went into the sea to rescue your scarf.”
Christine again looked at the doctor and the maid; and all three began to laugh.
Raoul turned very red and stood up.
“Mademoiselle,” he said, “since you are pleased not to recognize me, I should like to say something to you in private, something very important.”
“When I am better, do you mind?” And her voice shook.
“Yes, you must go,” said the doctor, with his pleasantest smile. “Leave me to attend to mademoiselle.”
“I am not ill now,” said Christine suddenly, with strange and unexpected energy.
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 he thought the best remedy was not to thwart her.
And he went away, saying to Raoul, outside:
“She is not herself tonight. She is usually so gentle.”
Then he said good night and Raoul was left alone. This part of the theater was now deserted. Raoul felt a terrible pain at his heart and he wanted to speak to Daae without delay.
Suddenly the dressing-room door opened and the maid came out, 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 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:
“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. 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!
The man’s voice spoke again: “Are you very tired?”
“Oh, tonight 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 he went to the 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.
Примечания
1
National Academy of Music – Национальная академия музыки (французский оперный театр в Париже)
2
acting-manager – администратор
3
examining magistrate – судебный следователь
4
Faure – Фор
5
Chagny – Шаньи
6
Christine Daae – Кристина Даэ
7
Rue de Rivoli – улица Риволи
8
chorus-master – хормейстер
9
Mme. la Baronne de Castelot-Barbezac – баронесса де Кастело-Барбезак
10
little Meg – крошка Мег
11
MM. Debienne and Poligny – господа Дебьенн и Полиньи
12
the dressing-room of La Sorelli – гримёрная Сорелли
13
death’s head – череп
14
Joseph Buquet – Жозеф Бюке
15
the chief scene-shifter – старший машинист сцены
16
Jammes – Жамм
17
dress-coat – фрак
18
in broad daylight – средь бела дня
19
the private box – частная ложа
20
the box on the grand tier – ложа первого яруса
21
landing – площадка
22
the foyer of the ballet – танцевальное фойе
23
Count Philibert – граф Филибер
24
Raoul – Рауль