“An impostor is abusing her good faith.”
“Is the Angel of Music an impostor?”
“She told you herself that there is no Angel of Music.”
“But then what is it, in Heaven’s name? You will be the death of me!”
“There is a terrible mystery around us, madame, around you, around Christine, a mystery much more to be feared than any number of ghosts or genii!”
Mamma Valérius turned a terrified face to Christine, who had already run to her adopted mother and was holding her in her arms.
“Don’t believe him, mummy, don’t believe him,” she repeated.
“Then tell me that you will never leave me again,” implored the widow.
Christine was silent and Raoul resumed.
“That is what you must promise, Christine. It is the only thing that can reassure your mother and me. We will undertake not to ask you a