During this time,the retirement ceremony was taking place. The most important people in the social and artistic world of Paris had met in the entrance hall of the Opera after the performance. Sorelli waited for the arrival of the retiring managers with a prepared speech at the tip of her tongue. Behind her, the members of the corps de ballet, young and old, discussed the events of the day in wispers.
Everybody remarked that the retiring managers looked cheerful. They were smiling broadly as Sorelli spoke until everyone heard a sudden shout from that little devil, Jammes.
" The Opera ghost! " Jammes screamed in terror; and her finger pointed, among the crowd, to a face so ugly, so pale, with two deep black holes for eyes.
" The Opera ghost! The Opera ghost! "
Everybody laughed and pushed and pushed and wanted to offer the Opera ghost a drink, but he was gone. He slipped through the crowd. Some looked for him without success, while two old gentlemen tried to calm little Jammes, and little Giry stood screaming uncontrollably.
Sorelli was very angry that she had not been able to finish her speech. The managers kissed her, thanked her,and ran away as fast as the ghost himself. No one was surprised because there were two more floors above with crowds waiting to say goodbye to them. On the top floor there were personal friends and a wonderful supper.
Here they found the new managers, Monsieur Armand Moncharmin and Monsieur Firmin Richard. The retiring managers had already handed over the two tiny keys which opened all the doors thousands of doors of the opera house.
Some of the guests noticed, at the end of the table, that strange face with the hollow eyes.