Yes, a dazzling light in the midst of which I had been put down.

I sprang to my feet.

I was in the middle of a drawing-room that seemed to me to be decorated, adorned and furnished with nothing but flowers, flowers both magnificent and stupid, because of the silk ribbons that tied them to baskets, like those which they sell in the shops on the boulevards.

They were much too civilized flowers, like those which I used to find in my dressing-room after a first night.

And, in the midst of all these flowers, stood the black shape of the man in the mask, with arms crossed, and he said, 'Don't be afraid, Christine; you are in no danger.' IT WAS THE VOICE! "My anger equaled my amazement.