Christine’s narrative was again interrupted. An echo behind them seemed to repeat the word after her.

“Erik!”

What echo?⁠ ⁠… They both turned round and saw that night had fallen. Raoul made a movement as though to rise, but Christine kept him beside her.

“Don’t go,” she said. “I want you to know everything here !”

“But why here, Christine? I am afraid of your catching cold.”

“We have nothing to fear except the trapdoors, dear, and here we are miles away from the trapdoors⁠ ⁠… and I am not allowed to see you outside the theater. This is not the time to annoy him. We must not arouse his suspicion.”