#marpletowardszero #poirotdeadmansmirror #enchantedapril
A number of people in London society are attracted to Milly's fortune, when they find the heiress is ailing. Starring: Rosalind Ayres, Lois Baxter, Gary Bond.
A number of people in London society are attracted to Milly's fortune, when they find the heiress is ailing. Starring: Rosalind Ayres, Lois Baxter, Gary Bond.
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Short filmTranscript
00:00To be continued...
00:30To be continued...
01:00Oh, careful. Aunt Maud may come in any minute.
01:07Oh, she hasn't changed, then.
01:09Did you imagine your two months' absence in America would make her grow fonder of you?
01:14No, that's not fair. She is fond of you.
01:16She read every single one of your columns from over there.
01:19But she still doesn't see a journalist as a fit husband for her niece.
01:22She holds to her plan to see me high, high up.
01:26It's what, as she says, she bred me for.
01:29She loves me, but she really would cut me off with nothing if I disobeyed her.
01:33Then we've gained nothing by my being away.
01:37And what were you up to in Boston?
01:40Boston?
01:41Aunt Maud has a new protégé.
01:44A marvellous young American girl.
01:46A multimillionaire-ess called Millie Thiel.
01:49Oh, Millie Thiel.
01:50Exactly.
01:51She came over here with a friend of Maud's.
01:53They're staying with us while they're in London.
01:56And the sweet child never stops talking of you.
01:59Oh, rubbish.
02:00Well, I did meet her out there, yes, but nothing...
02:01The only thing that saves you is her admission
02:03that you do seem to have talked a great deal to her about me.
02:08Which could, of course, have been simply a clever device on your part
02:11to put her off her guard.
02:13Well, you may judge of that yourself
02:15by my asking you to marry me tomorrow
02:18and to the devil with Aunt Maud.
02:19You know we agreed to wait.
02:21But I don't see what we gain by waiting.
02:23We gain time, my darling.
02:25Oh, time for what?
02:28Time for Aunt Maud to think me better matrimonial timber?
02:31For me suddenly to blossom into a man of power
02:34or a glittering aristocrat like Lord Mark?
02:37No.
02:39Is he still hanging about you?
02:41He's still Aunt Maud's preferred choice for me.
02:44He's coming to dinner this evening.
02:45Oh, is that why I've been invited?
02:47So that you can compare us to my disadvantage?
02:50Well, Millie Thiel will be here too, of course.
02:52So you can show off your power over her.
02:55Oh, you're the one with the power over me.
02:58You're all I've ever wanted.
03:00Kate, please, let's...
03:02Robert, my dear boy.
03:04I did enjoy your things.
03:06I don't think you've met Lord Mark.
03:08Charles, this is Robert Merton.
03:11How do you do?
03:12How do you do?
03:13Robert writes for the newspapers.
03:15Indeed.
03:16He's just returned from America.
03:17He made it sound frequently quite entertaining
03:19and socially almost possible.
03:23Well, it can be parts of it.
03:25Kate, my dear, you're looking exceedingly handsome.
03:28Come and tell me what I should be reading.
03:30I regard you as my incalibable guy.
03:33Come and sit down, Robert.
03:35And tell me all the things about America
03:37that you couldn't print in your newspapers.
03:38Tell me, for instance, about Millie Thiel.
03:47Oh, Miss Thiel was one of the adornments of the general scene over there.
03:51One couldn't help her meet her if one were anywhere near the centre of things.
03:54She's conquered London in just three or four short weeks.
03:57She's invited everywhere.
03:58Everyone wishes to meet her.
04:00And she and Kate have become the most passionate of friends.
04:03One would think they were sisters.
04:04Yes, Miss Croy told me that Millie Thiel was staying with you.
04:07That's why I invited you to dinner tonight.
04:08That, and the fact that I wish to greet you on your return, of course.
04:13She'll be delighted to see you again, I know.
04:15Oh, well, I'm not sure about that.
04:17I'm so glad we've been able to remain friends,
04:20in spite of our difference of view over Kate's future.
04:23Yes, I'm aware of your view.
04:25It's a magnificent one, I admit.
04:27She's my masterpiece, my great investment.
04:30She needs the grand style, needs it to set her off, and needs it personally.
04:36Personally?
04:37I've given her a taste for luxury, extravagance even.
04:41You could not supply them.
04:43Well, neither could Lord Mark come to that.
04:45He's as poor as a church mouse.
04:47He has, however, the name, the money I would supply.
04:52But not for me.
04:54No, my dear.
04:58Millie and Susan.
04:59Heavens, you do me good, the pair of you.
05:02Millie, let me look at you.
05:03I think you both know everyone.
05:05Yes.
05:06Lord Mark?
05:09Why, Mr. Merton, I declare...
05:12Miss Thiel, how very nice to see you again.
05:14Boston one month, New York the next, then London.
05:17You're a traveller, Mr. Merton.
05:19Well, you're hardly a stay-at-home yourself, Miss Thiel.
05:22I rattle about like a pebble in a box.
05:25Susie says I have wanderlust.
05:27Millie doesn't see why you can't see the whole world in a month.
05:31It does, however, get a little tiring.
05:33Come and sit down, my dear.
05:34Susan?
05:35Dinner won't be long.
05:38Have you thought over my invitation to Matcham, Miss Thiel?
05:40Oh, I'm sorry.
05:44What was that, Lord Mark?
05:52Secret, secret.
05:54I can't imagine how many mysteries two little things your age can have.
05:58You'd be astonished and a little appalled.
06:01Oh, I think not.
06:02But I can still remember enough of my salad days.
06:07As a matter of fact, I do have a secret, Kate.
06:12I can't come with you on our precious jaunt tomorrow.
06:14Oh, no.
06:15Why not?
06:16Well, I could tell you a lie, but I'd much rather tell you the truth.
06:21But I must ask you, please, for the promise of absolute silence.
06:24You have it?
06:25I have to go and see Sir Luke Strett.
06:28Harley Street?
06:29Oh, I've wondered about telling you.
06:31I didn't want you to be worried in case it turns out to be nothing.
06:34Oh, what in the world's the matter with you?
06:36I don't know.
06:38Maybe nothing.
06:39It's Susan's doing.
06:40She's arranged it all.
06:42Oh, I've been to see doctors in Boston and in New York, too.
06:46Such a lot of fuss.
06:47That's why I don't wish any fuss here.
06:50Remember, you have promised.
06:52But how, if you are ill, can your friends remain in ignorance?
06:56Yes.
06:56Well, if I am, it must, of course, finally come out.
07:00But I can go for a long time.
07:02That would be one of my advantages.
07:04I think I could die without it's being noticed.
07:07But me?
07:08What becomes of me?
07:11Well, you'd pity me awfully, but you'd help me very much.
07:16And I absolutely trust you.
07:19So there you are.
07:19And since there's probably not the slightest thing wrong with me anyway,
07:24it's just a very long way to apologize for letting you down tomorrow.
07:28Never mind.
07:29We can go the next day and bring Robert with us.
07:34Oh, but wouldn't you wish to be on your own with Robert?
07:37What on earth makes you say that?
07:39Well, it's just that he was always talking about you in America, right?
07:42Oh, I admit he's a dear, clever man, and it's very flattering.
07:46But I do wish he wouldn't go about talking like that.
07:48It's becoming rather a bore.
07:50He's taken to following me about, too.
07:53I wouldn't be in the least surprised if he didn't turn up in Venice when we all go next month.
07:58It's becoming very embarrassing.
08:00Oh, how exciting.
08:01Do you mean that you don't reciprocate his feelings?
08:04Not in the least.
08:06Oh.
08:07Oh, I admit he's an admirable object of a girl's affections.
08:10But unfortunately, one loves with one's heart, not one's head.
08:14Of course.
08:15Oh, here come the gentleman.
08:20You've been far too long, you terrible creatures.
08:24You've been the most unprecedented success, you know.
08:27You could have anything in England that you want.
08:30I think I have everything in England I want.
08:33Wonderful friends.
08:34Oh, I mean more than this.
08:39This is all very charming, but it doesn't really signify.
08:42You could conquer at the very highest level.
08:46You make me sound like a female Alexander the Great.
08:49You simply need looking after, taking in hand.
08:52Lord Mark appears to be making admirable time with my Millie.
08:56So I observe.
08:57But I thought it was your Kate he'd set his sights on.
09:00Oh, it is.
09:02But no doubt he's heard that Millie's fortune makes even mine seem small.
09:05So, he's reconnoitring the ground,
09:08seeing if there isn't perhaps some advantage to be gained there.
09:11He won't waste his time if there isn't.
09:13He'll turn his fire aimably back onto Kate again.
09:16But he must realise you know all this.
09:18Well, of course he does.
09:19He'd think me a fool if I didn't.
09:21Susan, my dear, London is a marketplace.
09:24We all work each other for all we're worth.
09:27And there are no hard feelings at the end of the day.
09:30Millie is ready to be in love with you.
09:32You must be nice to her.
09:34Rubbish.
09:35Anyway, I'm always nice to charming young ladies.
09:37No, I mean especially nice.
09:38You must pay her attentions and call on her to thank her
09:41for all she did for you when you were in America.
09:43I happen to be in love with you.
09:45It's because of her.
09:47Well, help us.
09:48How?
09:48If you are seen to be taken with Millie,
09:51it will give you an excuse to follow us to Venice when we go next month.
09:55Maud will think you're following Millie, not me.
09:58Except if Millie knows we're in love with each other.
09:59Don't tell her otherwise.
10:01What have you told her?
10:02You're mad about me, but I find you an embarrassment.
10:06Oh, thank you for that.
10:08And she believes you?
10:09Yes.
10:10She takes things from you exactly as I do.
10:13Exactly as you do.
10:14You're a pair.
10:16We should go well together.
10:17Nevertheless, knowing I'm in love with you, she's not going to...
10:20She doesn't want to console you.
10:21She's like that.
10:22Oh, I shall feel a complete brute.
10:23Not for long.
10:25You enjoy her more than you realise.
10:28She is always in the show.
10:30And you are prodigious.
10:32Of course I'm prodigious.
10:34Peanuts.
10:34I begin to see my way.
10:36Come to me here tomorrow morning when Aunt Maud will be at her gym.
10:42Now then, Miss Millie Thiel.
10:45You're a fine one, I must say.
10:48Coming all the way across the Atlantic to keep company with boring old physicians.
10:53What are we going to do with you, hmm?
10:55Do with me as you will.
10:57I leave myself entirely in your hands.
11:00I shall not harass you for details.
11:02Indeed, I'd much rather be spared them.
11:04Why do not propose to offer you details?
11:06Details are for sempstresses.
11:10You're not a sempstress, are you?
11:11Why no, Sir Luke.
11:13Good.
11:15Well, now, your Dr. Buttrick of Boston wrote to me a little about you before he sent you
11:20over to me.
11:22Have you really no relations at all?
11:24Not a parent, a sister, not even a cousin or an aunt?
11:27They've all died, leaving me only that ridiculous excess of money the world so gapes at.
11:34How about friends?
11:35Have you any here in London?
11:37Oh, yes.
11:38In the short time I've been here, I've been most fortunate.
11:42Some of the best friends in the world.
11:44Also, my dearest American friend, Mrs. Susan Stringham.
11:47She came over with me.
11:48She's been worried.
11:52I've tried to spare her.
11:54Now, don't try to bear more things than you need.
11:57You've the right to be happy.
11:59You must accept happiness in whatever form it may come.
12:02Well, I'm free.
12:05Totally free.
12:07So, if it's a question of doing anything in the world that will help...
12:11Good.
12:12But I don't want you, for the moment, to do anything at all.
12:16We were thinking of going to Venice.
12:20We?
12:21My friends and I.
12:22Oh, the American one you mentioned.
12:24Mrs. Stringham?
12:25Oh, dear, yes.
12:27She'll stay with me, I hope, to the end.
12:31To the end of what?
12:34Well, of everything.
12:38Oh, well, then you're in luck.
12:39The end of everything is far off.
12:42Just you and she together?
12:43No, two other dear English friends, Kate Croy and Maude Lauder.
12:49You'll be four women together, then?
12:51No, not exactly.
12:54Kate has a friend who may also be there, or so I believe.
12:58He always follows her.
12:59You mean they're lovers?
13:02He is, but not she.
13:05She doesn't care for him.
13:07What's the matter with him?
13:08Nothing.
13:09He's very nice.
13:10And he's to be in Venice, hmm?
13:18So she fears.
13:20For if he is, he'll be constantly about with her.
13:23And since you're great friends, she'll be constantly about with you.
13:27Yes.
13:28Well, then you won't be four women alone.
13:30Now, the great thing is that you seize life.
13:36Enjoy it.
13:37Oh, I do.
13:39I will.
13:41Well, now go and sit in your carriage and send Mrs. Stringham into me.
13:44I wish to give my instructions as to how you're to be kept strictly to the life of pleasure.
13:49You're all right, you know.
13:57Well, keep me so.
14:00Oh, you'll get away from me, you'll see.
14:05Keep me?
14:08Keep me?
14:09Now, I'd be a fool to let a lovely creature like you go too easily, wouldn't I?
14:14The name of your lady friend's gentleman friend, the one who's out of luck with her, what is it?
14:22Robert Merton.
14:24Why?
14:25Well, he's going to need someone to console him, isn't he?
14:30Hmm?
14:31Hmm?
14:36Hmm.
14:37Hmm.
14:37Hmm.
14:37Hmm.
14:37Hmm.
14:37Hmm.
14:37Hmm.
14:37Hmm.
14:37Hmm.
14:37Hmm.
14:37Hmm.
14:37Hmm.
14:37Hmm.
14:38Hmm.
14:38Hmm.
14:38Hmm.
14:38Hmm.
14:38Hmm.
14:38Hmm.
14:38Hmm.
14:38Hmm.
14:39Hmm.
14:39Hmm.
14:40Hmm.
14:40Hmm.
14:40Hmm.
14:41Hmm.
14:41Hmm.
14:41Hmm.
14:42Hmm.
14:42Hmm.
14:43Oh, Mrs. Stringham.
14:55I wrote to you for Boston, Dr. Buttrick.
14:58Yes, yes.
14:59Do sit down, please.
15:03Well, now, Dr. Buttrick was right.
15:06Almost right.
15:09It is a disorder of the blood.
15:10Unfortunately, it is not the one he thought it was.
15:14Unfortunately?
15:15Well, with anemia, one may do something, even with pernicious anemia, with this, well.
15:23Oh, no.
15:26You can't give her up.
15:30I do not give her up.
15:31I shall give her things to take, drugs, medicines, but of the very first importance over all of
15:38these, which are temporary at best, is her state of mind.
15:43Her mind?
15:44Yes, you see, we know very little about the disease, but we do know that sometimes, in some
15:49very few cases, for no apparent reason, it relents.
15:53It relents, sometimes, for an interval, sometimes, very, very rarely, for good.
16:01Now, I have no way of proving this, and many of my colleagues would laugh at me, but I believe
16:07that happiness, the will to live, may have a function in it.
16:11To bring her joy, to make her happy, is the first ambition of all her friends, but how
16:16to make sure of it, how to guarantee it?
16:19She must love, my dear Mrs. Stringham, and she must know herself.
16:24To be loved.
16:29I've just left her.
16:30She's resting.
16:31When Sir Luke told her...
16:33He told her nothing.
16:34She's told me nothing, but in a way she's told me everything.
16:38Susie's with her.
16:41But if she's ill, that's all the more reason for my not buzzing about her.
16:44On the contrary.
16:45What?
16:46She's scared.
16:47She's got so much to lose.
16:49Yes, but what on earth good can I do her?
16:51You can console her for all that she must see swept away if she is stricken.
16:56I want to make things pleasant for her.
16:58I use for the purpose what I have.
17:01You're what I have that's most precious, so you're therefore what I use.
17:05What you're asking me to do is make up to a sick girl.
17:08No.
17:09That's the beauty of her.
17:10She won't show it.
17:12She won't taste, as it were, of drugs.
17:14She won't smell of medicines.
17:16She has a kind of intensity of pride that we're not allowed.
17:19Yes, and what of the intensity of my pride?
17:21Don't you see?
17:22It's not for ourselves now.
17:24Now it's for her, too.
17:26To help her and support her against what she may have to face.
17:29Well, I only hope one is helping her.
17:31Trust me.
17:33I know what I'm doing.
17:35Trust me.
17:39Don't I always.
17:48There is an alternative to balconies and corners of other people's drawing rooms, you know.
17:52I have got a perfectly decent address.
17:54It's time you were getting back there.
17:56Oh.
17:57Aunt Maud will return any minute.
17:59I'll walk you some of the way.
18:11Now what did he say?
18:15Oh, dear.
18:16Come along.
18:18Come along.
18:24There's very little he can do.
18:29There must be.
18:30No, there isn't.
18:33And yet, in some strange way that he can't or won't be clear about,
18:37it could possibly, conceivably be cheated.
18:42Happiness might do something.
18:44He said the great thing is for her to be happy.
18:47So she shall be.
18:49She shall be happy.
18:51No, but he means especially happy.
18:55What sort of happiness is that?
18:58Oh, you know.
19:00Oh, I see.
19:02But the point is, will it cure?
19:04Is it the absolutely specific remedy?
19:07Well, as two old sentimentalists, I should think we might know.
19:12Have you never, my dear, been in love?
19:15Naturally, but never by doctor's prescription.
19:18Still, it certainly is something to know that he thinks it's good for us.
19:23And did you tell him there was just such a possibility in the air?
19:27Did you tell him about Robert Merton?
19:30I didn't feel at liberty to do so.
19:32Oh, I saw well enough what you saw the other evening.
19:34But how, given his feeling for Kate, can Mr Merton ever care for Millie?
19:39By putting him in the way of it.
19:43For God's sake then, put him in the way.
19:46You have him one feels in your hand.
19:48You handle everyone.
19:50I don't handle Kate.
19:52Oh, she lets me think I do.
19:54But that girl is the deepest, cleverest, most subtle creature.
19:58Do you mean she cares for him?
20:00Oh, that's a total obstacle.
20:01Millie would do nothing to injure Kate.
20:03Kate thinks she cares, but she's mistaken.
20:05And no one knows it.
20:07You don't know it.
20:08That must be your line.
20:10Or rather, your line must be that you deny it utterly.
20:14Deny that she cares for him?
20:15Deny she so much as thinks of it, positively and absolutely.
20:19Deny that you have so much as heard of it.
20:21And leave the rest to me.
20:23Oh, Maud.
20:25You're such a staunch good friend.
20:28Oh, my dear.
20:29Don't elevate me to sainthood, after all.
20:31To occupy Robert with Millie removes him from Kate.
20:36I shall never be able, you know, to cry again.
20:41Not in Millie's presence.
20:44And she won't cry herself.
20:46Her pride will see to that.
20:48If our campaign succeeds, I hope she will have no occasion to cry.
20:52I shall open fire immediately by inviting Robert to dinner again tomorrow.
20:57I don't disagree.
20:58Return to her.
20:59You'll find her really fascinating.
21:02Don't neglect her.
21:04You're all looking after my manners most beautifully.
21:06As I say, I don't resist if I miss Theo charming.
21:10After all, I knew her before any of you.
21:11Very well, then.
21:13Shall you be joining us in Venice?
21:15You are invited.
21:17Oh, thank you.
21:18But there are all kinds of things to consider.
21:20No doubt.
21:21But there is above all the great thing.
21:23What's that, pray?
21:24Why the importance of not losing the great chance of your life?
21:26I'm treating you handsomely.
21:28I'm looking after it for you.
21:30I can smooth your path.
21:32She's charming.
21:33She's clever.
21:34She's good.
21:36And her fortune is immense.
21:40I ask you again.
21:42Shall you be there?
21:43I don't know.
21:44I'm perfectly all right.
21:45I'm just feeling a little lazy, that's all.
21:46But I'd willingly stay with you, my dear.
21:47No, I don't want anyone to stay.
21:48I want you all to go to San Marco, find your little lace shop and bring me some back.
21:50If you're sure, my dear.
21:51Millie's sure.
21:52Millie's sure.
21:53Very well.
21:54We'll be an hour.
21:55Take care.
22:05Thank you, my dear.
22:06Millie's sure.
22:07Very well.
22:08We'll be an hour.
22:09Take care.
22:10A gentleman, Signorina.
22:26Lord Mark.
22:27Show him in, Professor.
22:29It'll be an hour.
22:31Take care.
22:33A gentleman, Signorina.
22:36Lord Mark.
22:38Show him in, Professor.
22:39Show him in, Pasquale.
22:40Si, signorina.
22:54Miss Thiel.
22:55Lord Mark, how lovely to see you.
22:57You've missed the others by seconds.
22:59Oh, really?
23:00Well, Pasquale might be able to catch them and bring them back.
23:03I wouldn't wish to put anyone to the trouble.
23:05Or he could take the other gondola and you could go after them.
23:08Well, I'm very glad you didn't go with them.
23:10Else I'd have missed you too.
23:12Oh, I don't go about.
23:14No.
23:15No, I stay here in my great gilded shell.
23:20I like to feel that nothing can reach me in here.
23:24That normal laws are suspended.
23:27It protects me and I can go on forever.
23:30Well, there are those of us who could offer you a better protection than a Venetian palazzo.
23:35I know where they've gone to.
23:39Piazza San Marco.
23:40You could easily catch them up.
23:42I thought that I had your confidence.
23:46You have.
23:48Please, don't say anything to undermine it.
23:51Are you really not well?
23:53I mean, if so, then I...
23:54Don't.
23:55Please.
23:55Don't try to say anything that's impossible.
23:59It's monstrous that one cannot ask you as a friend what one wishes to know.
24:04What is it that you want to know?
24:07If I'm badly ill?
24:09Yes, I'm very badly ill.
24:15I'm sorry.
24:17I can hardly see you suffer and not say a word.
24:20You don't see me suffer.
24:22And you won't.
24:24I shan't be a public nuisance.
24:28Have you taken advice?
24:30I'm acting on it now.
24:32One can do more than live.
24:35Live?
24:35Oh, but that's immense for me.
24:39I shan't have missed everything.
24:42But why should you miss anything?
24:47Since you believe in advice,
24:49and for God's sake, take mine.
24:51I know what you want.
24:53I think I want not to be worried.
24:56You need to be adored.
24:58Nothing would worry you less.
25:00I mean as I shall do it.
25:02Oh, you are an expert on the arts of adoration, aren't you?
25:07Well, it's true all the same, you know.
25:09And I don't give a straw for your trying to freeze me up.
25:13You need somebody.
25:15You need somebody of your own.
25:17Do you know,
25:18I don't think either of us is behaving very well at the moment.
25:22You ain't talking to me in this fashion,
25:24and I am listening.
25:25I don't accept that.
25:27You've older and much better friends here than I.
25:30It's them you should be seeing.
25:34Do you mean Kate Croy?
25:36Well, one isn't exactly turning you out into the cold world.
25:39Oh, I'm to marry Kate Croy, is that it?
25:44Mrs. Louder wants it.
25:45You know she does.
25:47It's ever so kind of you to see such opportunities for me,
25:51but what is the use of my tackling Miss Croy?
25:55Oh, I know that if I were a man,
25:58I should simply adore her.
26:00I do as it is.
26:01Plenty of people adore her.
26:03Oh, but no one who could possibly compare with you
26:06once you've stopped being silly about me.
26:09Then you really don't know.
26:13I know that a particular person is in love with her, yes.
26:17Yes, and that she is in love with a particular person.
26:20Oh, I beg your pardon.
26:22You are wholly mistaken.
26:24But it's not true.
26:25Absolutely not.
26:29Are you very, very sure?
26:32As sure as one can be.
26:34I have it on the best authority.
26:37Are Mrs. Louder's?
26:37Better than that, though I have it from her, too.
26:41Do you mean you have it from Kate herself?
26:44Yes.
26:45That she is thinking of no one?
26:47Of no one at all.
26:49She's given me her word.
26:50Oh.
26:52Her word.
26:53Do you mean she took her oaths to you?
26:57We are very intimate.
26:59She naturally tells me things.
27:01We do not swear oaths to one another.
27:04So entirely without prompting, she volunteered the declaration you quote.
27:09She left me in no doubt whatever of her being entirely free.
27:15And thereby of your being free in regard to him.
27:20I'm feeling very tired.
27:26I would love you to stay longer if you care to wait.
27:29Oh, thank you.
27:31I am rather pressed for time.
27:32It was just a flying visit.
27:35Signorina.
27:35Oh, thank you.
27:39Show him in.
27:42Mr. Robert Merton.
27:44Oh.
27:45Won't you get a wait and meet him?
27:48No.
27:49Who was it that said an aristocrat is just bad manners organized?
28:00I think it was probably you, Mr. Merton.
28:03Oh, how lovely to see you.
28:05How splendid to see you, Miss Thiel.
28:07The others have all gone to San Marco, so we're quite unchaperoned.
28:10Oh, I seem to recall a distinct shortage of chaperones at our meetings in America.
28:15And to the best of my recollection, we escaped permanent injury.
28:19So we did.
28:20We are evidently very mature young people.
28:24Which hotel are you staying at?
28:25Oh, I'm not staying at an hotel.
28:27I've taken a tiny apartment on the Grand Canal.
28:30All history and balding plush.
28:33Like the landlady.
28:36Sounds divine.
28:37Susie and I must come to tea there one day.
28:42Oh, why aren't you San Marco-ing with the others?
28:45Oh, pure idleness.
28:48Why do you ask?
28:49Oh, I just hoped you weren't feeling off colour or anything.
28:53Oh, heavens no.
28:55I bloom in this Venetian air.
28:57I'm almost disgracefully robust.
29:01You will always find me so.
29:04Yes.
29:05Well, I'm sure I shall.
29:07Oh, to have you to myself for once.
29:19Oh, dear.
29:22Oh, dear.
29:22She's worse, you know.
29:28Well, I'm sure she was so much better.
29:31She's getting visibly more frail.
29:33But I thought she was a lot.
29:34Well, I've worked up wonderfully since you've been here.
29:36You've been beautifully attentive to her.
29:38Oh, it's not difficult.
29:39I mean, I like her as I would like a sweet and clever sister who's in trouble.
29:44Well, it's working beautifully for us.
29:47Aunt Maud is convinced now that I am out of the question and that you're absorbed with Millie.
29:52Yes, but where does it get us?
29:54Everywhere.
29:55Oh, I see our way perfectly now.
29:57Well, when Maud and I go back to London in a day or two, you must stay here with Millie.
30:04What?
30:05All alone?
30:06You're old enough.
30:08With plenty of Mrs Stringham.
30:09Yes, but what am I supposed to do?
30:11To do Millie good.
30:12To be sweet to her.
30:13To be charming and fond to her.
30:17And?
30:18And leave the rest to Millie.
30:21I'm not afraid.
30:22Kate, let's stop it all and go away together now.
30:29We've gone too far.
30:31Do you want to kill Millie?
30:33Besides, we've told too many lies.
30:35I, my dear, have told none.
30:37Thank you very much.
30:38I'm sorry.
30:39I'm sorry.
30:39I'm sorry.
30:40Just...
30:41It just seems all the time the job gets bigger, you expect more of me.
30:46I can never expect anything of you.
30:48Oh, my dear, what do you want?
30:50Do you swear you love me?
30:51It's only for that, you know, that I'm letting you do what God knows what to me.
31:00I've taken more pains with you than I thought I would ever take for any human being.
31:06Then come to me here.
31:08It's why I took this place, you must have realised, that we can arrange it.
31:13If I come, you will stay behind.
31:19And?
31:20No.
31:20If you want things named, you must name them yourself.
31:30Since she's to die, I'm to marry her.
31:36So that after her death has taken place,
31:39I shall have her money.
31:42And we shall be free.
31:48I'm to propose marriage, then, on the spot.
31:50Oh, you must decide the approach, if you haven't completely washed your hands of me.
31:55And you see, it's a little hard to propose to a dying girl.
31:57Only with you.
31:58She's not like a dying girl.
32:00I might stay and do nothing.
32:03Oh, to stay would be to do everything.
32:06That's how Millie will take it.
32:08Oh, is it your idea she may propose, in the manner of a princess?
32:11She loves you, as I do.
32:14Who knows what she will do?
32:16It would have to happen that way.
32:18Not for me.
32:20On your honour, then, you'll stay.
32:23If, on your honour, you'll come to me before you leave.
32:30If you won't, I'll leave tomorrow.
32:34Very well.
32:37On your honour, you'll come?
32:40On my honour.
32:43It really is a shame.
32:45Here we are, all enjoying ourselves,
32:47and all the time he has to keep a voracious editor in London satisfied.
32:51I should think he must have exhausted Venice as a topic by now.
32:59Do you know,
33:01I think I'll be unforgivably lazy and have dinner up here after all.
33:05Oh, what a nice idea.
33:07Kate is at the opera, so there's only more than I, anyway.
33:11I don't think Mr. Merton can quite have exhausted Venice.
33:16I hear rumours that he intends to stay on after the others have gone.
33:20Really?
33:22For how long?
33:24Oh, quite a long time, I think.
33:28You really think he wants to stay?
33:30Why on earth should he do so otherwise?
33:32Where will they be by now?
33:50What?
33:51Oh, they'll be well on their way.
33:55Strange how quiet it is without them, yet they were only two.
33:58Well, Aunt Maud is a crowd in herself.
34:01Yes, she is.
34:03If you had gone, we should have been very quiet.
34:07Are you awaiting orders from Fleet Street?
34:11No, no, no.
34:12Actually, I decided to take some holidays that were due to me.
34:16Oh, I see.
34:17How nice.
34:18I, um...
34:20You see, it's almost impossible to write anything at all extended in London.
34:24No piece.
34:26And, um...
34:27No, no, no.
34:28Since I've had a book on my mind for some time now,
34:30I thought I'd take this opportunity.
34:33Then you'll do your book here?
34:34I hope to.
34:35Have you begun it?
34:36Well, only just.
34:38Since you came?
34:39Well, I tried to break ground on it a few days ago, yes.
34:42Oh, dear.
34:43I'm afraid we've made an awful mess of your time.
34:45Of course you have.
34:46That's why I'm hanging on.
34:48To repair the damage.
34:50Well, then you mustn't mind me.
34:52You'll want the best part of your days.
34:54Well, I'll make do with the worst part.
34:57The best will be for you.
35:03Your rooms, um...
35:05Are they conducive to writing?
35:07Well, I think anything in Venice would be, don't you?
35:11Well...
35:11We depend on you, as Susie and I,
35:13not to forget that we're coming to tea there.
35:15I remember.
35:17But will it be safe?
35:18To break your habit of not leaving the house?
35:21Safe?
35:24Do you suppose me to be so awfully ill?
35:29I'll believe whatever you tell me.
35:32Well, then.
35:33I'm splendid.
35:34I don't need you to tell me that.
35:37I mean that I'm capable of life.
35:39I mean that I want so much to live life.
35:44However you behave yourself?
35:47Whatever I do.
35:48If I want to live, I can.
35:50Then that I believe.
35:52I will.
35:54I will.
35:55You must.
35:58Well, then.
35:59If you say that,
36:01why mayn't we pay you our visit?
36:03Will it help you to live life?
36:04Every little helps.
36:09Please.
36:15You can come whenever you like.
36:18Oh.
36:19I can see I'm being a terrible bore about it all
36:24and will probably drive you away
36:25if I take you up on it
36:26so it's no better.
36:27No, no, really.
36:29No, no.
36:30Susie and I want you not to go
36:31so I promise we won't go upsetting you in your den.
36:34Now, about your book.
36:37My book?
36:37I'm not writing a book.
36:42You're not?
36:42No, I don't know upon my honour
36:44what I'm doing.
36:46Well, if it's not for your book...
36:49What am I staying for?
36:52I mean, with all your London work,
36:55all your commitments,
36:56isn't it rather empty for you?
36:59Oh.
37:00I ask too many questions.
37:03You stay because you've got to.
37:06Isn't it enough, after all,
37:07to stay for you?
37:13That's not for me to say.
37:16Then it's for me.
37:19And I say it.
37:20What do you say, Mr. Martin?
37:22Oh.
37:24Some great nonsense about why he's staying.
37:27You're to take no notice of him, Susie.
37:31He's becoming a Venetian charmer.
37:34Now, you must stay and be fascinated by him
37:37while I go and get my diary.
37:42Her diary?
37:45Her drugs.
37:47Her medicine.
37:49It's time.
37:52Somebody once said she would never taste of them.
37:55She doesn't.
37:55You're being quite wonderful, you know.
37:58Oh, I'm not, Mrs. Stringham.
38:00If only you knew, I'm not.
38:01I do know.
38:02At least I think I do.
38:03And you still are.
38:06You could be even more wonderful.
38:10I must go on tiptoe.
38:13She's like precious crystal
38:15hanging by a spider's thread.
38:18Too much vibration,
38:20and
38:20I bring it crashing down.
38:25Well, there's no boredom in the job.
38:26That's one thing.
38:28No new days like the one before.
38:30I should like that.
38:32Boredom frightens me.
38:33It's a waste of life.
38:34Yes.
38:35And then usually one can see
38:36what one has done with one's day.
38:38You know, there it is,
38:38the fruit of one's labour
38:40in a neat little block of print.
38:42Sometimes with your name on it.
38:45Yes, I see.
38:47Do you think you could get me
38:48a job on your newspaper?
38:50And what could you write about?
38:53I could write a lot better
38:54than you about some things.
38:55Like what, for instance?
38:57An American girl's impression
38:59of English men.
39:00Oh, well, if you're going to cheat.
39:02Don't you want to hear
39:03what I think of English men?
39:04On the contrary,
39:05I'd very much like to hear.
39:06Well,
39:07one of their traits
39:08is that they're far too anxious
39:10to know what other people
39:11think of them.
39:12Oh, well, if you're just
39:13going to sit there
39:14pulling my leg, I'm...
39:15Oh, don't go.
39:16I'm sorry.
39:16No, no, I have to in any case.
39:19But I'll come back this evening,
39:22if you'll have me.
39:24For dinner as usual?
39:26If I may.
39:28Oh, I think you may.
39:43Lord Mark.
39:48Miss Thiel.
39:50How is Kate?
39:52Kate is well enough,
39:53to the best of my knowledge.
39:55To the...
39:55Then you haven't seen her?
39:58Yes, I have seen her.
39:59Indeed, I had the honour
40:00to propose to her.
40:02Well, then.
40:03She declined.
40:06Declined?
40:09She is secretly engaged
40:10to Robert Merton.
40:13And has been for a long time.
40:19Lord Mark,
40:20what do you hope to gain
40:22by saying things like that?
40:26Can't you see what he's up to?
40:27Can't you see what
40:30they're both up to?
40:33It really is too awful
40:35to spread calumnies like that.
40:38I'm sorry if something
40:40has made you bitter.
40:42Miss Thiel,
40:42I know this to be true.
40:45How?
40:47From Kate?
40:48Kate wouldn't lie like that,
40:50even if you pressed
40:51your proposal to the point
40:52where she was desperate enough
40:53to say anything
40:54to put you off.
40:56Your loyalty to your friends
40:57is one of the best things
40:58about you, my dear.
41:00Don't pay too high a price
41:02for it.
41:05I think I can see
41:06what has happened.
41:09You know that Mr. Merton
41:10is a friend of Kate's.
41:11You also know
41:12he's a friend of mine.
41:14You've been unlucky
41:16with both of us.
41:17Somehow you feel
41:18Mr. Merton is always
41:19in your way.
41:21You blame him.
41:22You wonder.
41:24You suspect
41:25and then you fabricate.
41:27You may protect
41:32your illusions
41:33as you like, my dear.
41:34Last time the authority
41:35you quoted
41:35convinced me.
41:37This time
41:37no.
41:43Lord Mark,
41:44I'm
41:44sure you meant
41:46this kindly
41:47and I'm touched
41:49that you should have
41:50come so far
41:50to tell me.
41:51please don't
41:54be angry
41:55but I can't
41:56regard it seriously.
41:58Will you take
41:59some tea?
42:00No, thank you.
42:02I've said
42:02what I came to say.
42:05Goodbye.
42:06Susie!
42:16Susie!
42:22Lily?
42:28When Robert Merton
42:29calls this evening
42:30I'm not at home.
42:35For seven days now
42:36she's laying
42:37with her face
42:37to the wall.
42:39I was so frightened
42:40you'd gone.
42:42I shan't go.
42:43Not while
42:44she really dying.
42:47Sir Luke Strett
42:49has come over.
42:50He will stay
42:51with her now.
42:53She was trying
42:54so hard
42:56fighting
42:57to hold on
42:58to her youth
42:59to the world
43:00to happiness
43:02to see her
43:05cut down
43:06like that.
43:06I want you
43:07to understand.
43:08I do understand.
43:09I have always
43:10understood.
43:12What?
43:13I helped it
43:14to happen.
43:16You did?
43:17I wasn't worried.
43:18I was so confident
43:20you see
43:20that my Millie
43:22would win you
43:22and that it would
43:23be Kate
43:23who would lose.
43:25Oh, Millie
43:25did want you
43:26so much.
43:28Was so happy
43:29when you were near
43:30that for the last
43:31few weeks
43:31I really thought
43:33that...
43:33What have I
43:34done to her?
43:35Not just you.
43:38Maud,
43:39Kate,
43:40Lord Mark,
43:40myself,
43:41all of us.
43:43It's as if we
43:43had all worked
43:44Millie for our own ends.
43:45Oh, if there were
43:46anything I could do.
43:47There is one thing,
43:49the only thing.
43:50What's that?
43:51You could tell Millie
43:53it isn't true.
43:55A lie again
43:57on top of all
43:57the other lies.
43:58Does it matter now?
43:59Oh, she wouldn't.
44:00Believe me.
44:01Even if she didn't,
44:02it would make her
44:03so happy to think
44:04you'd bother to come
44:05and do that for her.
44:07Lie about it
44:08for her.
44:08If I told Millie
44:10I were free,
44:12it would have to be
44:13because I meant it.
44:15Besides,
44:16she wouldn't see me.
44:18If I could persuade her,
44:19will you do it?
44:30Millie.
44:32I'm sorry.
44:33I had a chill.
44:34I couldn't receive.
44:35Millie.
44:38Do sit down,
44:39my dear.
44:46Millie,
44:46there's something
44:47I must say.
44:48I should think
44:49you'll be glad
44:49to get back to London.
44:51I'm not thinking
44:52of going.
44:53At least it will
44:53be a relief to you
44:54to find some mail company
44:56for a change.
44:57You poor thing,
44:58you've been quite surrounded
44:59by a circle of petticoats.
45:01I haven't complained.
45:03No,
45:03you haven't.
45:05Not that we haven't
45:06given you cause to
45:07the way we've all
45:07manipulated you.
45:09Manipulated?
45:10We ladies
45:11can't help it.
45:13And when there's
45:13one man we all
45:14like
45:16and he's in
45:17close proximity,
45:19well,
45:20there are so many
45:21iron little feminine
45:22fists pulling the strings,
45:23I wonder he doesn't
45:24get palsy.
45:25They get a kind
45:26of hunted,
45:28haunted look.
45:29You've got it now.
45:31As if all the guilt
45:32in the world
45:33were on your shoulders.
45:34I do feel guilty.
45:36Don't.
45:38I've had my time,
45:41my adventure.
45:43I have loved
45:44with passion.
45:47Oh, my dear,
45:48you'll never know
45:50how sweet a passion.
45:51these long
45:53golden days
45:55have dropped
45:55slowly down on us
45:57and piled up
45:58in great
45:58drifts of happiness.
46:00I shan't have
46:02missed everything.
46:04I shan't have
46:05missed anything.
46:07Millie.
46:09I must tell you.
46:11Don't.
46:13You don't have
46:14to say anything.
46:16It's you I love,
46:18not what you did
46:19or why you did it.
46:20Can't men
46:21make that distinction?
46:23And if what I have
46:25can make you happy...
46:26Oh, it's not
46:26what you have.
46:28At any rate,
46:28it will make Kate happy.
46:30And Kate will make you happy.
46:31Oh, to hell with
46:32what makes me happy
46:33or Kate...
46:34It's you.
46:37It's your life.
46:42I've enjoyed my life
46:43more than I would
46:44have thought possible.
46:46I could have
46:47gone on to be
46:48ninety and still
46:49not had the sweetness
46:50of it.
46:52It's not
46:53years, really,
46:54that make up a life.
46:55It's certain days,
46:58moments,
46:58instants even.
47:01It doesn't have to end.
47:04Everything ends
47:05sometimes.
47:05But not yet.
47:07No one can choose.
47:08Oh, Millie,
47:09you talk as if...
47:10Don't...
47:11Don't be sad for me.
47:15There's no terror in it
47:16if one at last
47:18accepts.
47:19once.
47:24Was it very terrible?
47:27Yes, it was.
47:29I'd rather it hadn't been
47:30summer.
47:31I know what you mean.
47:34Mrs. Stringham wrote.
47:36She said you were
47:36magnificent.
47:37Oh, it was Millie
47:38that was magnificent.
47:39I know that.
47:41I don't think you do, Kate.
47:43She was my friend.
47:45And Lord Mark?
47:46What do you mean?
47:47It was his visit
47:48that killed her.
47:49He told her that you
47:50and I were secretly
47:51engaged.
47:53How did he know?
47:54He didn't know.
47:55He surmised.
47:56When did you see him?
47:57On what date?
47:57What makes you so sure
47:58I did see him?
47:59When, Kate?
48:00Robert, darling,
48:01I did not murder Millie
48:02by firing Lord Mark
48:03at her.
48:03I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
48:05It's a measure of how
48:06desperate this whole
48:06thing has been.
48:09You see, I've had
48:10these from her.
48:12My London address.
48:13From Millie?
48:14One from Millie,
48:15written just before
48:16she died.
48:18And the other
48:18from her trustees.
48:19I had them both
48:20from her legal people.
48:21You haven't opened them.
48:22Oh, I have a fair idea
48:23what's in both of them.
48:25My own feeling
48:26is to return them
48:27both unopened
48:27to her trustees.
48:29Unopened?
48:29But since you are,
48:30as it were,
48:32an equal partner
48:33in our venture,
48:34I thought it only fair...
48:35You mean you leave
48:36it to me?
48:43Oh, she loved you.
48:51How she loved you.
48:56Robert?
48:56My dear,
49:11have you got any notion
49:12of what she's left you?
49:14If Millie were to leave me
49:15a remembrance,
49:16it would inevitably
49:16not be meagre.
49:17Meagre?
49:18No, please.
49:19Please don't tell me.
49:20No intention
49:21of touching a penny of it.
49:22Robert, her letter.
49:26I think you're afraid.
49:28You're afraid
49:29to know the full extent
49:30of her love for you.
49:33And you're afraid,
49:36oh, my poor Robert,
49:38to be in love with her.
49:41I never was in love with her.
49:43While she was alive, no.
49:45Your change came
49:47when you last saw her.
49:50She died then
49:52that you might understand.
49:54And you did.
49:56And I do now.
50:00She did it for us.
50:04That's what kind
50:05of stupendous person she was.
50:08And you love her.
50:12Your highest flights
50:14have always been beyond me.
50:17All I know
50:17is that I cannot live
50:18with myself
50:19if I take that money.
50:20And if I ask you
50:21to take it?
50:22Then I cannot live with you.
50:24I'll make it over to you
50:25every penny if you like,
50:27but I...
50:27I won't share it with you.
50:33I can have the money
50:34or I can have you.
50:37But I can't have both.
50:38That's right.
50:40Answer me one question first.
50:42Ask it.
50:42Your word of honour
50:44that you're not in love
50:45with her memory.
50:47Oh, Kate.
50:48Oh, don't speak of it
50:49as if you couldn't be.
50:50I could in your place.
50:53And for you
50:53it would be enough.
50:56Her memory
50:57is your love.
50:59You want no other.
51:01I'll marry you
51:07without the money
51:08in an hour.
51:11We'll be as we were before.
51:15Robert, dearest,
51:17we can never be
51:18as we were before.
51:19I'll be as we were before.
51:20I'll be as we were before.
51:21I'll be as we were before.
51:22I'll be as we were before.
51:23I'll be as we were before.
51:24I'll be as we were before.
51:25I'll be as we were before.
51:26I'll be as we were before.
51:27I'll be as we were before.
51:28I'll be as we were before.
51:29I'll be as we were before.
51:30ORGAN PLAYS
52:00ORGAN PLAYS
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