Chapter Ten
Christine Meets the Angels
The Phantom continued to lead Christine down to his lair. When they
entered, the first thing that met Christine's eyes was William playing
his violin. Christine froze and listened to the music he played. William
saw Christine and stopped playing.
"You brought someone down here?" William asked shocked. The Phantom
smiled at him.
"Calm yourself William, she's our guest." The Phantom turned to
Christine. " Christine, I'd like you to meet my younger brother William
Dauphin, also known as the Angel of Dance." William bowed politely to
Christine.
" And I would like you to meet my older brother, Erik Dauphin." The
Phantom bowed to Christine. William then placed the violin back under
his chin and continued to play.
"I've never heard music like this before, It's so.so."
"Intoxicating?" asked the Phantom. She nodded. " Yes, it's something
William and I have been composing. We call it Don Juan." The Phantom
walked over to his organ, sat down and began to play along with William.
Christine watched in silence as the duet continued. The Phantom looked
up at her as he continued to play. " Listen Christine, there are no
words, but the music speaks."
"Yes, the Music of the Night," added William.
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Upstairs, not all was going well. Firmin was searching through the
safe. "Oh no! No! He's done it again!" snarled Firmin. Andre woke up
from his nap and removed the newspaper that he had placed over his head.
"What Richard?" asked Andre.
"The money! More of it has disappeared! I keep changing the
combination and the ghost keeps breaking them! Can this day become worse
than it already is?" Firmin put on his top hat, only to find out that it
had been filled up with water, " Apparently so," hissed Firmin. Andre
began to laugh.
"Did that cool you off Richard?" convulsed Andre. Firmin glared at
his partner. His temper now was beginning to take flame.
"Shut-up Andre!" snarled Firmin. He raised his hand above his head. "
I've had it up to here with this bastard's tricks and demands! I am not
going have him make a mockery of me! And I don't need you, Old Man, to
laugh at my expense!" roared the manager. Andre cringed in fear, then
looked at his friend sadly.
"You don't need to be so harsh Richard," whimpered Andre.
"I'm sorry Andre, I just can't put up with this menace." Raoul then
dashed into the office.
"Good news sirs! Someone has answered the newspaper ad! He knows
where the Phantom's lair is!" Raoul then stared at the dripping wet Firmin.
"Wonderful! I told you someone would answer the ad!" Firmin said to
his partner. Firmin then noticed that Raoul was now smirking at him. "
What are you looking at?" he snarled.
"Raoul, what is the name of this man?" asked Andre.
"Simon Buquet."
"Any relation to Joseph?"
"His brother."
"Where is he?"
"Pretty far, it will take him at least three days to get here."
Firmin smiled at Raoul.
"Well, then we'll wait three days. Get him here," said Firmin.
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Down in the lair, the Phantom was watching Christine sleep. He had a
large comfortable bed ready for her. William walked over.
"I told you that you were the Angel of Music." The Phantom placed his
hand on William's shoulder.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier. Let's leave Christine to
rest." The two brothers left Christine.
The next morning, Christine woke up to the sound of William's violin
music. She got up and walked over to a chair and watched William play,
she noticed that the Phantom was gone.
"William?" she asked. William was a little jumpy. He had never heard
his name spoken by a woman before.
"Yes Miss Daae?"
"Where is my angel--- I mean Erik?"
"Out tormenting the managers I suppose. He should be back in an hour."
William put his violin away and sat in the chair opposite of Christine.
"Christine, how long has Erik been teaching you?"
"About three months," answered Christine. " Why does he wear a
mask?" William frowned at the question.
"My brother feels that his face does not look normal, even though I
see nothing wrong with it. I usually tell him to remove it."
"Does he look like you?"
"In a way, yes. After all, we are brothers."
"I've always dreamed of meeting my Angel of Music. But it turns out
that he is just a normal man."
"Pardon me Miss Daae? Erik is no ordinary man! He is very magical!
And is extremely intelligent!"
"How is he magical?"
" He can do and create things you've never dreamed of. Remember the
mirror inside your room?" Christine nodded. " That is a two way
mirror, even though you couldn't see him, he could see you. Now look me
in the eye and tell me a normal man created that mirror." William then
got up. " Are you hungry?"
"A little."
"What's your favorite breakfast?"
"Ham and eggs with a cup of English tea."
"I'll be right back." William left the lair.
Twenty-five minutes later, he returned with Christine's breakfast. "
I'll get your tea in just a few minutes." William placed her breakfast
at a table. Christine took her seat and began to have her meal.
"How were you able to get this so quickly?" asked Christine. William
laughed.
"Well, it helps when you're friends with one of the theater's
cooks." William brought the tea over to Christine. " Did you sleep well
last night."
"It was very pleasant, thank you." The Phantom then entered.
"Good morning Erik," said William.
"Good morning William. How are you Christine?"
"I'm fine Angel---Erik," said Christine.
"I see William has gotten you your breakfast." The Phantom then
burst out laughing like a madman.
"What's so funny?" William and Christine asked in unison.
"The managers! They were so easy to scare today!" howled the Phantom.
" I even got the patron! Raoul de Chagny!" William began to laugh as well.
"I was wondering when you were going to get that pest!" William snickered.
"You didn't hurt him, did you?" asked Christine.
"Well, that depends on your point of view. Do you consider throwing a
noose around his neck hurting him?" William was now in uncontrollable
laughter.
"You didn't!" guffawed William. Christine did not find this amusing at all.
"You find this funny?"
"I find it hilarious," giggled William.
"Well I don't!" shouted Christine. She then stormed off to her room.
William turned to his elder.
"What's wrong with her?"
"They appear to be old companions," answered the Phantom. William
nodded. He took out his violin and began to play again. The Phantom
walked into Christine's room.
"Christine, I hope I haven't offended you, but keep in mind that I
did not harm the Vicompt."
The Phantom sat down next to Christine. " But if you had seen his face
you would have laughed as well." Christine got up and moved to another
part of the room.
"It doesn't matter if you hurt him or not. But if you torment him,
you're tormenting me as well. I love Raoul, I've loved him since I was a
little girl." The Phantom got up and walked over to Christine.
"Well, if it hurts you that much, I promise not to disturb the
Vicompt." Christine forced a smile.
"Thank you Erik," she said softly. William walked into the room.
The two looked at him.
"I'm sorry to intrude. I just came to tell you that I'm leaving for
Meg's lesson," said William. He began to turn around.
"Don't forget the red roses and your crimson robe," said Christine.
William spun around and stared at her.
"What did you say?" asked William shocked. Christine returned to her
bed and sat down. " How did you know that?" The Phantom motioned for
his brother to leave. The young brother left the room.
"Is he going to be angry at Meg for telling me?" asked Christine.
"No, William is a calm person. He will show no hostility towards your
friend Meg." Christine sighed in relief. " Do you want to continue
your lesson, or do you not feel comfortable right now?"
"I'll continue if you want me to," said Christine. The Phantom made
his way to his organ and Christine followed. The Phantom removed his
gloves so that he could play better.
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Upstairs, William made his way to Meg's room. He looked through the
peephole. He noticed that the other ballet girls were with her. " And
the next thing I heard was that Christine had disappeared," said Meg.
" I'll bet anything that the Phantom made off with her," said Lori.
Meg shook her head.
" No, the Vicompt heard everything. She chose to leave with the
intruder," explained Meg.
" Do you thinks she's dead?" asked Tonya.
" Good lord! I hope not!" cried Mary.
" How could you say such a thing Tonya?" asked Lisa. William got out his
violin and played and few notes. All the girls looked up.
" Oh, I'm sorry. Would you mind leaving?" asked Meg. The four ballet
girls left without question. When she was sure that they were gone, Meg
looked up. " Yes Angel? What is it?" asked Meg.
" My dear Meg Giry!" laughed William. " Don't tell me you do not
remember your lessons!" Meg let out a shocked gasp. " Oh! I'm sorry
Angel! Ever since Christine's disappearance, I haven't been able to
think of anything else."
William got in a comfortable position. " It's alright Meg. I
understand."
" Angel? May I ask you a question?"
" What about?"
" Well, I know that angels can see everything. Can you tell me if
Christine is alright or not?" asked Meg. William pondered for a
moment.
" Fear not Meg. Christine is unharmed and is in good hands," said
William. Meg got down on her knees and bowed her head.
" Thank you Angel!" cried Meg. William placed the violin under his chin.
" And now Meg, it is time for your lesson. Please get in position."
Meg took her spot in the middle of the room. William began to play and
Meg started to dance. " That's it Meg, watch your footing." Meg
continued to dance beautifully. " Very good Meg! Very good!" Raoul
then burst into the room. William stopped his fiddling and Meg stopped dancing.
" What is the meaning of this Raoul? How dare you intrude like this!"
snarled Meg. William was annoyed as well.
" Who was talking to you and playing that music?" asked Raoul.
" That is none of your business!"
" I've heard a voice like that before! It was just before Christine
disappeared! I demand that you tell me who it was!"
" You've got a lot of nerve to talk to me like that Monsieur de Chagny!"
William agreed. He didn't like the way Raoul was talking to his pupil at all.
" I will not leave until you have answered my question! Christine is in
great danger! You should at least be trying to help!" roared the patron.
" Be gone patron! And don't you dare speak to Meg like that again!"
thundered William. The patron shriveled up. Meg glared at him.
" You may leave Raoul. Or face my angel's wrath," said Meg. The patron
got up and scowled at her.
" I'll speak to you later about this!" hissed Raoul. He stormed out of
the room.
" Are you alright Meg?" asked William.
" Yes, of course I am," answered Meg.
" Then we shall continue our lesson." William placed the violin back
under his chin and continued to play. Meg started to dance again. The
rest of the lesson went on without any interruptions.
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