[The Phantom of the Opera] Boundary Bridge

Christine de Chany liked Madame Egmont very much, although her delicate and quiet was so different from her healthy and rosy.Perhaps her melancholy face was too touching, Christine thought.

The Egmonts' recent arrival in Paris was probably due to the husband's desire for pomp.The wife, on the other hand, seemed to lack interest in life.Christine discovered that she was good at art, but seemed reluctant to mention it.

In Christine's eyes, Mrs. Egmont is very beautiful.Her beauty is like those goddesses in ancient Greek sculptures, elegant and charming, only thinner.Her beautiful blond hair is always admired by the ladies of Paris, but what really attracts Christine is her eyes-a quiet, gentle and sad blue, with a flash of pain and wisdom .

In which pair of eyes have you seen the similarity?Just as Christine thought about it, her gentle and considerate husband had already knocked on the door, and he asked with a smile from the outside: "Are you ready, baby? Our salon is about to start."

Christine smiled.She put on her long gloves, pushed the cold silk to her elbows, and arranged the white flowers of lace.She straightened her brown curls in front of the mirror and whispered softly, "Raul, I'll be fine soon."

On her small and fair ears, the shiny pearl earrings flickered.Christine checked in the mirror again that her appearance was correct, turned around with a smile, and pushed open the door.Outside, her beloved husband, Raul Chaney, was waiting for her.Arm in arm, they will appear together at this salon held by the Viscount and his wife, entertaining all kinds of celebrities in Paris.

Parisian high society has recognized the fact that the young Vicomte de Chany's love for his wife is unshakable.Although the other party was only a singer at the Paris Opera House before marrying Charney, and her background was humble, the young couple in love had the confidence to overcome all kinds of resistance they encountered.Now, with the holding of Charny's salons again and again, the noble ladies of high society will not be so friendly to the Viscountess, nor will they be as cynical as they were at first.

People who love each other can always make things better, and unwavering courage is enough to overcome most of the world's problems.Every sign shows that the future of Shani couple will be very happy, and more and more happy.But when walking towards the living room with her husband's arm, a pair of painful eyes flashed unexpectedly before Christine's eyes.

That's... a sad ocean and cold emeralds.

Christine was taken aback by this sudden hallucination, she regained her composure, and the familiar smile of the Viscountess reappeared on her face.She turned her head slightly to make it easier for her husband to kiss her forehead.

She is very happy, isn't she?

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The salon is a very popular way of socializing in the upper class in this century.Ladies and gentlemen in Paris are keen to turn the living room into a social place, inviting all kinds of people to gather together and chat and laugh.Some salons prefer artist figures, such as dramatists and poets, painters, while others prefer to invite critics, philosophers or politicians.Due to Madame Chaney's well-known origin, her salon has always been a meeting place for the appreciation of beautiful music and art.And this beautiful salon hostess has also been praised by many people.

Right now is an ordinary salon in their lives, the theme is music.This time the party started at four or five o'clock in the afternoon, and now the sun was setting and the lights were flickering. The guests were drinking alcoholic beverages brought by the maids and talking loudly.There is wonderful music as the background, but it is never overwhelming.This is the elegance unique to Paris, contrived and elegant, which makes people intoxicated.

Christine would always sit next to Mrs. Egmont. She didn't know why she liked her so much, but subconsciously Mrs. Egmont did make her feel close, as if she saw an old person in her.And the other party's always excessively pale complexion made her feel pity.But Christine was too busy as the hostess of the salon, and Mrs. Charney had to walk around with drinks, chat with guests about music, silk and jewelry, and occasionally gossip.

Yes, those gossips, especially the peachy ones, are always favored by ladies and young ladies.When they covered their lips and whispered, the handkerchief fanned the thin fragrance, and their eyes revealed secret and subtle excitement, Christine always felt that life was mediocre and uneven.But she has learned to be decent and generous, and she doesn't have to spoil her and her husband's happy life for these trivial matters.So she sometimes smiles and endures, and occasionally finds an excuse to leave.Never participate, and never block.

Only the rumor about a couple made her angry physically and mentally, and she immediately spoke out to stop it.That was the Egmonts'.Christine was unwilling to talk about the Grand Duke Egmont.She knew the Grand Duke's flirtatiousness and frivolity from the first meeting.However, his wife, that respectable, lovely and pitiful woman—Mrs. Egmont, whose maiden name is Aurora, often made Christine feel involuntary pity and sympathetic pain.

Perhaps her sensitive subconscious also had an epiphany about the mediocre pain lurking in life, which is why Christine was so close to Mrs. Egmont. Really happy.No, she shouldn't have linked Mrs. Egmont's pain with the Grand Duke himself. This is already an insult to that woman.

In Christine's view, this marriage is actually the most absurd thing she has ever seen in her life. No matter how many bizarre scandals she has witnessed after she entered the high society, it is not worth the vigor and silence of this one.Mrs. Egmont is so elegant and quiet, while her husband is obviously rough and shallow.It is true that they are all first-class beautiful people on the outside, but the completely different texture of the soul has been reflected on the outside, making Christine couldn't help frowning when he saw the couple at first sight .

Egmont's own shallowness was in any way a detriment to his wife's charm - Christine wondered why she was the only one who thought so.Even Lauel, her dearest Lauer, thought only of Madame Egmont as highbrow, but her husband was not so bad.Raul has always had a good heart, but sometimes he doesn't see things clearly enough.thought Christine.

She smiled again, thinking of the rumors she had heard about the couple: Lady Egmont was the daughter of the Duke, but her parents were dead, and the only way to keep her title was to marry the Grand Duke.What's more, she was always in poor health, coughing up blood from time to time, and also had heart and throat problems.Grand Duke Egmont still wanted to marry her as his childhood sweetheart.

It was followed by some Xu Xu's malicious speculations, saying that Mrs. Egmont's face might not survive this winter.At that time, the position of grand duke's wife will be vacant, and I don't know which delicate lover will be able to take the position.Christine ignored all of this.

She just had a worried and concerned face, sat down next to the woman with a melancholy and peaceful face, and asked, "Airora? My dear, are you okay?"

Mrs. Egmont shook her head slightly. She had an open book in her hand.Christine looked over curiously and found that it was "Andersen's Fairy Tales", which made her a little surprised.Because the other party is really a rare woman who is elegant, intelligent, and has extraordinary knowledge, who would read fairy tales at such a moment.She looked again, and recognized the words that belonged to the chapter on The Little Mermaid.

"It's beautiful." She admired.

"Beautiful as it is," replied Mrs. Egmont.

The words stopped again, and Christine didn't know why things happened like this.It was clear that she had admiration for that lady, and she, who seemed lonely and silent, was willing to respond to her one or two times, but the conversation between the two of them always stopped after a few words, leaving an embarrassing silence.

Christine wanted to try to find some other topics. She really wanted to talk more with the other party, or even just stay by her side without doing anything, as long as she could give her some relief.She really didn't know where such absurd ideas came from, but she always felt in her heart that it was like compensating someone.She was about to say something more, but Mrs. Egmont added her own words in a rare way.

"K," she said tenderly, calling her nickname, almost flattering Christine, "that would be beautiful."

Her slender and fair fingers slowly brushed the cursive words on the yellowed paper: "I mean, if the death of a thing is beautiful, it must be because the thing itself is beautiful. Ugly things , its death is not worth mentioning. And those things that have turned from beauty to ugliness, if they want to have a beautiful death, or to retain beauty in the form of death, it is also a kind of happiness, right?"

"Ah..." Christine was speechless.She felt a little creepy, but at the same time, there was a strong will to care, as if worrying about her pessimistic attitude.The kind-hearted and young Viscountess blushed before she replied:

"But, isn't there still hope?" she said, and then she had a flash of inspiration, "Hope, as long as there is life, there must be hope. Then who knows that ugliness cannot be turned into beauty, and who knows that beauty cannot be returned to beauty? Death is called death." Desperate."

She saw Mrs. Egmont shake her head slightly.

"No, no," she whispered. "There's no hope. I've seen it. There's no hope."

Christine was about to say something more, but by this time Mrs. Egmont had raised her head, and her beautiful, melancholy blue eyes were fixed on her.Christine seemed to be stared into the soul by this gaze, and couldn't move.

She suddenly felt sad, as if something in herself was crumbling, peeling or cracking, and she had to choose the ending of life and death in the silence—but it was just an illusion, surrounded by endless laughter and music.Mrs. Egmont was still reading that Hans Christian Andersen quietly, as if she had never spoken those words to her.

Christine's brain was buzzing, and Mrs. Egmont's words seemed to be saying goodbye, but not so much.During the short time they spent together, she had already convinced the other party's steadfast character, knowing the pain and hopelessness of life, she still refused to give up.Even though she thinks that death is the last resort for beauty to maintain self-respect, she is also proud that the pain and mediocrity of the world will never invade her soul.But why did she feel so sad about it?Who did she think of because of this, and who did she think of?

She really couldn't linger in this corner, because her beloved husband had called her name several times.When Christine got up, her feet were a little weak and her head was drowsy, but she still smiled. After saying goodbye to Mrs. Egmont politely, she walked towards her husband like an elegant lark, and heard him ask her: "Why?" Did you have a good chat? Madame Guerre has been looking for you for a long time."

"Mrs. Egmont's conversation is better than usual, but I am even more confused." Christine said with a smile, and then asked: "Raul, what is the salon?"

"Oh, you really don't have to plan so carefully, you still arranged games to liven up the atmosphere." Her husband said casually, "Now the ladies are tasting the new fan brought by Miss Mann. It is said that the fan is from the East. Made of high-quality silk. When they have had enough chatting, maybe some desserts will be used. But there may be other activities at the moment.”

Christine nodded.She and Raul kissed each other, and said goodbye to each other with a smile, and went on to work and look after the kitchen.

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Sure enough, there was a new idea behind the salon, which was proposed by the most lively and funny Mrs. Tulu.At that time, she shook her feather fan and said with a smile: "Since everyone gathered here for music, and Mrs. Shani entertained them so carefully, why did they just taste the skills of a few musicians instead of playing and singing one or two in person?" ?”

Her words were meant to be a joke about Christine's previous status as a singer, but the malice was not serious.The interesting idea aroused applause from everyone, and Mrs. Tulu proposed many rules, such as playing and singing in turns and not rejecting it, even if they don’t know how to play, they have to perform and play.In addition, only the six-stringed instrument is allowed, starting from the chief and passing down.

As the hostess, Christine naturally couldn't refuse. Even though it reminded her of those years that had been deliberately forgotten, Mrs. Shaney still took the six-stringed instrument handed by the servant with a generous smile, and played and sang a song.At the beginning, the sounds were a little unfamiliar, but later on, the youth of the former famous Miss Paris Daye was revealed.

"That's all I ask of you..."

After she finished singing, she and her husband Raul looked at each other and smiled very sweetly.This song was the song of love between the two at that time, and it once echoed on the snow-falling roof of the Paris Opera House.Christine's face was flushed, and she suddenly caught the details that she had neglected in her memory at that time, and she couldn't help but be surprised.

"It's the next one." Mrs. Tolu cheered and said happily.

Christine then handed over the banjo, and the violin has been passed down all the way.Naturally, among the latecomers, there are also masters who are proficient in this way, but most of them have mediocre skills, and everyone's level is uneven, which leads to a lot of fun, and the atmosphere is immediately lively.The guests took turns holding the banjo, singing, talking and laughing, as well as smoky red wine and coffee, the salon at Shani's was harmonious and harmonious.

I don't know how long it took, but the atmosphere has been heated up.It was Mrs Egmont's turn.Her husband wasn't with her, he was out having fun, and no one cared about that.They looked at Mrs. Egmont with expectant eyes, and Christine was also a little nervous, wondering what Mrs. Egmont's playing would be like?She had a hunch that this must be the sound of nature.

Unfortunately, her premonition came to nothing.

"I'm really sorry." Mrs. Egmont put down the book in her hand and smiled weakly, "I can't sing this."

Seeing that everyone was disappointed and booing, she didn't panic, she just said quietly: "I really don't have the strength to play with my fingers, and I have some heart problems. If I use a little strength to speak and sing, I may cough up blood. I haven't sung anything since I was a child." Song, let’s not disturb everyone’s interest.”

Although the guests in the salon were a little out of proportion when they were playing around, they always understood that it was not easy to force their words here.However, Mrs. Tulu still refused to let him go. She said: "If you can't sing, then at least read a poem for everyone."

This time Mrs. Egmont agreed.

"I love what I don't have, you're so far away," she said.

No one knew what she was reading, but no one asked.They always felt that there was something wrong with her, immersed in spiritual dreams.And Mrs. Tulu has no interest in her.They continued to pass the six-stringed instrument to play and sing for fun.

Most of the good musicians played beautiful tunes before, but now this one is ingenious and sings a cheerful and vulgar little tune.The atmosphere was enthusiastic for a while, and everyone clapped and sang along.In the midst of such joy, Christine was rarely distracted.She was still thinking about Mrs. Egmont's poem, what was the meaning in it?She shook her head, almost feeling like she was possessed.

The shadow of the lamp is shaking again, and the aroma of red wine makes people dizzy.Those noisy and cheerful songs are not as good as one ten-thousandth of what she has listened to.Christine's eyes widened in surprise, but before her mind could work, she was already clutching her mouth and nose and retching.

"What's the matter?" The music stopped suddenly, and Raul hurried over to support her, his blue eyes were full of worry, "Honey, Ke? Are you feeling unwell?"

Christine frowned and nodded, feeling the uneasiness that had been suppressed for a while was surging like a tide.She couldn't hold it anymore, she just wanted to leave here immediately.

"Then I'll accompany you to rest first?" Raul asked thoughtfully.After Christine nodded in agreement, he first ordered someone to fetch the nearest doctor, and then sincerely apologized to the full house.Then, Viscount Shani supported his precious wife and left the living room with a gloomy expression.

"Who can be blessed with her?" Mrs. Tulu chuckled, and rolled her eyes casually, "Okay, let's continue playing."

So the sound of playing, singing, talking and laughing sounded again, more enthusiastic than before.Mrs. Egmont's corner was still silent, and no one took the initiative to speak to her.But her handsome husband did come back, and sat beside her with a carefree face, telling cheap jokes.

Mrs. Egmont smiled quietly, and closed the book again.

The lively talking, laughing and singing in the living room lasted for a long time, and everyone was already drunk.His face was burning a little red, and his words and demeanor were more cheerful and unrestrained, from the heart.At this time, the atmosphere had reached its peak, but suddenly there was a burst of cheers and laughter from outside the living room.That is the garden of Shani's house.The guests were feeling surprised when a maid came in with a smile.

"The Viscount ordered me to come and confess to everyone." She was full of genuine joy, "He can't come here for a while. Because his wife, Viscountess Charney, was diagnosed with pregnancy by the doctor just now. The Viscount is very happy now, No matter what, he is reluctant to leave his wife!"

The living room was surprised for a while, and then there were loud cheers and congratulations.Everyone expressed their understanding of the Viscount's departure and congratulated his wife on her pregnancy.They had a great time at first, and now they want to celebrate even more lively.Egmont coaxed glibly, and many little girls were so taken by him that they all came over to laugh.Mrs. Egmont pressed her forehead wearily.

"What's the matter with you, Elora?" Egmont left those little girls behind and turned around to ask, with a bit of genuine concern in his words.

Mrs. Egmont shook her head with a weary smile.

At this time, there was a sudden change in the table, a black-clothed guest at the last table suddenly got up, snatched the six-stringed zither that was passed one by one before, and everyone was shocked.No one has ever seen this guest in black, but he did appear here.

He was wearing a rough and shabby black cloak. The material was not too bad, but it was very ugly.The body is bent strangely, and the bent fingers are unnaturally sallow and tense.He has a very mediocre face, even a little humble and wretched, which makes people think it is a rat crawling out of the underground sewer.This face is a bit stiff and frightening, but the lips are still flexible, and they twist when they open and close.

Mrs. Egmont was also drawn to look, but felt a dull light in the muddy brown eyeballs of the strange man in black.The opponent's short body trembled slightly.This strange man in black, who had never made a sound before and was ignored by everyone, held the six-stringed violin he snatched in his arms, and slid his fingers gently over it, cherishing it very much.There was a groan in the mouth.

It must be the song of angels and demons.

The Man in Black has a hoarse voice, but that doesn't detract from the strange charm of his songs.He sang the same slang song that the previous man had sung, rough and joyful, with a little change and a little desolation, accompanied by the sound of the banjo, echoing in the living room of Shani's house.Everyone involuntarily held their breath and listened to this weird man's playing and singing.There was clearly water in his cloudy eyeballs, but in the end it was accompanied by this strange, joyful and desolate song that fell one by one.

When he put down the banjo, the last gleam of light disappeared from the black man's face.

And the living room finally woke up from his strange magic, and began to whisper praises and emotions.

The strange man in black handed the six-stringed violin to its owner, who was supposed to be its turn, and silently returned to his last seat and sat down without saying a word.But this time no one dared to belittle him anymore, they all wanted to strike up a conversation but didn't know what to say.The drawing-room fell silent for a moment and then cheered again, for in a party there was only such a thing as eternal.

Amidst the singing and laughing, Grand Duke Egmont still asked his wife with concern: "Are you not feeling well? What's the matter?"

Mrs. Egmont shook her head in silence.From the bottom of her clear blue eyes, a very large and full teardrop suddenly fell out, and fell on the prosperous and luxurious Persian carpet.And there was only one drop of tears.After shedding this tear, Mrs. Egmont and her husband never spoke a word no matter how concerned they were.

She just raised her head and glanced at the strange man in black.And the other party seemed to have a tacit understanding, and they also turned their eyes to each other.In an instant, the two seemed to have talked for a century, and it seemed that there was no dialogue at all.They each lowered their heads, returned to their own world, and became silent again.

The garden outside was still full of noisy jubilation, and the news of Mrs. Shaney's pregnancy was still spreading.And the salon party inside also turned into a sea of ​​joy.Everyone talked and sang loudly.

Only love is deeply buried.

The author has something to say: *Background: Movie/musical, a year after Kristen and Lauer were married.

Neither Erora nor Erik has ever met a witch in this world.

*Andersen (1805-1875), "The Daughter of the Sea" is his early and middle period work (1837).Andersen became famous very early, and the story of The Phantom of the Opera happened in 1870, so it was possible that Arola held a copy of "Andersen's Fairy Tales" at that time. (Specifically refers to the small collections compiled and published by people at that time, not the version we see today.)