Erik bowed his head and said:

“I have not come here⁠ ⁠… to talk about Count Philippe⁠ ⁠… but to tell you that⁠ ⁠… I am going⁠ ⁠… to die.⁠ ⁠…”

“Where are Raoul de Chagny and Christine Daaé?”

“I am going to die.⁠ ⁠…”

“Raoul de Chagny and Christine Daaé?”

“Of love⁠ ⁠… daroga⁠ ⁠… I am dying⁠ ⁠… of love.⁠ ⁠… That is how it is.⁠ ⁠… I loved her so!⁠ ⁠… And I love her still⁠ ⁠… daroga⁠ ⁠… and I am dying of love for her, I⁠ ⁠… I tell you!⁠ ⁠… If you knew how beautiful she was⁠ ⁠… when she let me kiss her⁠ ⁠… alive.⁠ ⁠… It was the first⁠ ⁠… time, daroga, the first⁠ ⁠… time I ever kissed a woman.⁠ ⁠… Yes, alive.⁠ ⁠… I kissed her alive⁠ ⁠… and she looked as beautiful as if she had been dead!⁠ ⁠…”

The Persian shook Erik by the arm:

“Will you tell me if she is alive or dead.”