The Phantom of the Opera

by Gaston Leroux

“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.”

every great artist received a visit from the Angel at least once in his life.

“In the name of our love, Raoul, you shall not pass! . . .”

‘It is true, Christine! . . . I am not an Angel, nor a genius, nor a ghost. . . . I am Erik!’”

“No, of course not . . . Why, you love him! Your fear, your terror, all of that is just love and love of the most exquisite kind, the kind which people do not admit even to themselves,”

and said: “Oh, my betrothed of a day, if I did not love you, I would not give you my lips! Take them, for the first time and the last.” He kissed her lips;

Are people so unhappy when they love?” “Yes, Christine, when they love and are not sure of being loved.”

‘There! . . . Take it! . . . Take it for you . . . and him! . . . It shall be my wedding-present . . . a present from your poor, unhappy Erik. . . . I know you love the boy . . . don’t cry any more!