so shy and always ready to cover itself with the pink blush of modesty in order to pass in the lonely night, in a carriage and pair, accompanied by a mysterious lover? Surely there should be some limit to hypocrisy and lying! …
She had passed without answering his cry. … And he was thinking of dying; and he was twenty years old! …
His valet found him in the morning sitting on his bed. He had not undressed and the servant feared, at the sight of his face, that some disaster had occurred. Raoul snatched his letters from the man’s hands. He had recognized Christine’s paper and handwriting. She said:
Dear:
Go to the masked ball at the Opera on the night after tomorrow. At twelve o’clock, be in the little room behind the chimney-place of the big crush-room. Stand near the door that leads to the Rotunda. Don’t mention this appointment to anyone on earth. Wear a white domino and be carefully masked. As you love me, do not let yourself be recognized.