It ran around us, between us.

Erik was there, speaking to us! We made a movement as though to fling ourselves upon him.

But, already, swifter, more fleeting than the voice of the echo, Erik's voice had leaped back behind the wall! Soon we heard nothing more at all, for this is what happened: "Erik! Erik!" said Christine's voice.

"You tire me with your voice.
Don't go on, Erik! Isn't it very hot here ?" "Oh, yes," replied Erik's voice, "the heat is unendurable!" "But what does this mean?
...

The wall is really getting quite hot! ...
The wall is burning!" "I'll tell you, Christine, dear: it is because of the forest next door." "Well, what has that to do with it?
The forest ?" "WHY, DIDN'T YOU SEE THAT IT WAS AN AFRICAN FOREST ?" And the monster laughed so loudly and hideously that we could no longer distinguish Christine's supplicating cries! The Vicomte de Chagny shouted and banged against the walls like a madman.