A Good Woman Page #4

There aren't any women like you.

At least, not among the women

I've met, and I've met my share.

I was married - I didn't take to it.

People change. You might

feel differently.

When I think of it, I think

of a room...

where you can't open a window.

Where there is no window.

Every day you wake up

and the room is smaller.

You don't notice, not at first.

It happens slowly.

In inches.

Then one morning,

you open your eyes...

and the room is so small...

you can't move.

You can't take a breath.

You have to get out.

You can't think of anything else.

Or anyone else.

You married the wrong man,

that's all.

He married the wrong woman.

It's late.

It's time for bed.

Sleep.

"...Perchance to dream".

That's the bard, you know.

I'm a bit of a reader myself.

So you said. Goodnight, Tuppy.

I hate the taste of tobacco.

Well - that's it then.

I quit. On the spot.

What else can I tell you?

I'm a very rich man, you know.

You're a very nice man.

Go to bed.

You know, I'm glad I quit.

Filthy habit, really.

Goodnight.

Is there going to be a lion tamer,

or is it just the usual clowns?

Robert was afraid it might rain.

I just wanted a few people for dinner

but he said you are only 21 once.

I know plenty of women who, of their

own accord, turn 35 year after year.

I'm sure you can be 21 as many times.

I think it's silly to lie about your age.

- You have no redeeming vices.

- I hope not.

Happy Birthday.

The invitation said no gifts.

That's why I brought it now.

It's too expensive. I know you

don't mean anything by it, but...

it wouldn't look right.

Gold looks right with everything.

Just wear it. No-one has to know.

I'd know.

I do mean something by it.

- Please...

- It's a gift of friendship, Maggie.

You'll hurt me deeply if you refuse.

Now look what you've made me do.

A little sincerity can be a very

dangerous thing.

Any more could be fatal.

Just take the damn thing before

I die and ruin your terrace.

It's very pretty. Thank you.

Where's Robert? Off sending

another telegram?

Signora, the florist is waiting

for his money.

I'll have to get it from

Mr Windemere.

Can he come back later?

Has Robert a cheque-book

in his office?

- Can you sign on the account?

- Ah, yes, of course.

Tell him to wait.

I'll see you tonight.

People don't always behave

the way we expect.

Just the opposite. The truth is I

don't want to see you hurt.

What are you talking about?

You may need a friend

one of these days.

When you do, I'm here.

Will you remember that?

Yes, of course.

I came as quickly as I could.

We're all so distressed over it.

But you mustn't take it personally.

Mrs Erlynne is one of

those women...

that attract men like a

bee to a flame.

- A moth.

- Bee to a moth.

There must be some

other explanation.

I have an idea - shall

we go for a walk?

When there's marriage without love,

there'll be love without marriage.

But Robert and I married

for love...

Of course. And so did I.

But before the year was over...

Benito was lifting all kinds

of petticoats.

I had to dismiss my best maid.

No, no, I remember.

I passed her on to

my cousin.

Her husband was so

short-sighted, I thought.

But he navigated by scent,

it seems.

So unfortunate.

Believe me, darling,

it happens to us all.

Undying love is like the

ghost in your villa.

Everybody talks about it...

but try and find one person

who has seen it.

- Can I ask you a favour?

- Anything at all.

About, Mrs Erlynne...

Very clever woman.

She threw me out last night.

Knows what a fool I am.

Knows it as well as I do myself.

She's meeting me here

for tea, though.

It's a great thing to come across a

woman who thoroughly understands me.

Would you mind not bringing

her to our party tonight?

That's the favour?

Meg feels it might make

things awkward.

So it's true, then?

I don't believe it.

You don't seem the type.

Though I will say Mrs Erlynne's damn

fascinating. Hard to resist, but...

You're not serious, are you?

I warn you, you'll have to

fight me for her.

And I'm a man in love.

What are you talking about?

This ways, Mrs Erlynne.

- Thanks.

- You're welcome.

- Come with me.

- Where are you taking me?

- Let go of my arm.

- I have to talk to you.

I'm meeting Lord Augustos.

You must leave Amalfi at once.

And go where? You've paid my

rent here for the season.

I'll pay it somewhere else. I want

you on the first plane out tomorrow.

- I don't understand.

- People are talking.

About us.

I don't see the humour.

Bury a real secret and

a false one pops up in its place?

There's a certain irony,

you have to admit.

I'm not ready to leave.

I'm enjoying myself here.

I'm begging you.

Think of Meg. If she knew that

you were her mother...

it would destroy her.

Meg, of the magnificent

Windemeres?

Family scandal is unhealthy

for aspiring politicians.

I'm not the only pragmatist

in this room.

Pragmatist? Twenty years,

and not a word.

You turn up when she marries

a man with money.

You call that pragmatism?

I can think of other words.

Are you trying to hurt

my feelings?

Do you have any? That can't

be purchased, I mean.

How much - to get you

on the first flight out?

I feel every time he's

kissed me it's filthy.

A lie, every minute we've

been together.

How could he?

Every man is born truthful

and every man dies a liar.

Now, whatever you do, you

mustn't make a scene.

It's too unpleasant.

And you waste your energy.

No, of course not. I wouldn't.

Crying is the refuge

of plain women.

Pretty women go shopping.

Be on that plane.

I'll send the cash.

Did I hear you correctly?

That Meg Windemere is

your daughter?

My daughter?

Robert's wife?

How dare you.

She must be twenty at least.

Her mother?

Do I look as old as all that?

Of course not.

I must have nodded off.

You were dozing.

Go back to sleep.

Come on.

No business tonight.

We can talk another day.

- Good to see you.

- Lovely party.

More champagne.

Welcome.

Have a great party.

- Good evening, Mr Dumby.

- Oh, good evening, Mrs Stutfield.

Last party of the season,

I suppose.

- It's been delightful, hasn't it?

- Quite delightful.

Good evening. Here it is,

the last party of the season.

I suppose so. It's been a very dull

season, though, hasn't it?

Dull. Yes, terribly dull.

- Evening, Cecil.

- Hello, Dumby.

I suppose this'll be the last

party of the season.

Surely not. Probably

be two more at least.

I had the oddest dream today.

A bit of it has just

come back to me...

So what are we drinking?

- Where's the birthday girl?

- Transforming herself.

Sausages and women.

If you want to enjoy the

experience...

never watch the

preparation of either.

- Is that new?

- Just out of the box. Do you like it?

You might be a little cold.

I'll get you a wrap.

And spoil the lines? Didn't your friend

teach you about Italian fashion?

My friend?

I saw the cheques. Don't even...

Lady Plymdale, so good of

you to come.

Do you want another glass of

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