(The PHANTOM emerges from behind the cross)
PHANTOM (very soft and enticing)
Wandering child . . .
so lost . . .
so helpless . . .
yearning for my guidance . . .
(Bewildered, CHRISTINE looks up, and murmurs breathlessly):
CHRISTINE
Angel . . . or father . . .
friend . . . or Phantom . . . ?
Who is it there, staring . . . ?
PHANTOM (more and more hypnotic)
Have you forgotten your Angel . . .?
CHRISTINE
Angel . . . oh, speak . . .
What endless longings echo in this whisper . . .!
(RAOUL appears in the shadows and watches for a moment transfixed)
PHANTOM (now drawing CHRISTINE towards him)
Too long you've wandered in winter . . .
RAOUL (to himself a murmur)
Once again she is his . . .
PHANTOM
Far from my far-reaching gaze . . .
RAOUL
Once again she returns . . .
CHRISTINE (increasingly mesmerized)
Wildly my mind beats against you . . .
PHANTOM
You resist . . .
PHANTOM/CHRISTINE
Yet your/the soul obeys . . .
RAOUL
. . . to the arms of her angel . . .
angel or demon . . .
still he calls her . . .
luring her back, from the grave . . .
angel or dark seducer . . .?
Who are you, strange angel . . .?
PHANTOM
Angel of Music!
You denied me, turning from true beauty . . .
Angel of Music!
Do not shun me . . .
Come to your strange Angel . . .
CHRISTINE
Angel of Music!
I denied you, turning from true beauty . . .
Angel of Music!
My protector . . .
Come to me, strange Angel . . .
(CHRISTINE moves towards the figure of the PHANTOM)
PHANTOM (beckoning her)
I am your Angel of Music . . .
Come to me: Angel of Music . . .
RAOUL (suddenly calling out)
Angel of darkness!
Cease this torment!
(Inexorably the PHANTOM continues to beckon CHRISTINE)
PHANTOM
I am your Angel of Music . . .
Come to me: Angel of Music . . .
RAOUL (in desperation)
Christine! Christine listen to me!
Whatever you may believe, this man . . .
this thing . . . is not your father!
(to the PHANTOM)
Let her go! For God's sake, let her go! Christine !
(Coming out of her trance CHRISTINE turns and mouths the words):
CHRISTINE
Raoul . . .