A Woman's Vengeance Page #5

What is life without illusions?

Nasty, solitary, brutish and short.

And women's legs are

shorter even than life.

Let's see you without

that hideous mackintosh.

What a charming brooch.

Henry gave it to me.

Well, we really have to run.

We've to be in London tonight. A then

we take the boat train in the morning.

Goodbye, General.

- Goodbye, my dear fellow.

Goodnight.

- Goodnight, Mr Maurier.

I'm glad poor Mrs Maurier wasn't here

to see what has happened to her brooch.

Your brooch, really.

I was a fool to think I'd ever get it.

You don't get diamonds

from a friendship.

He told me he'd known the

girl for several months.

That means, that even while

poor Emily was alive ..

Pigs. That's what they are.

Every one of them.

I tell you they've got no shame.

No decent feeling.

And now, when she's

scarcely cold in her grave.

It must have been a great relief to him.

You mean when she died?

Being that he wanted to marry the girl.

Who tells you he didn't

have to marry her?

I'd be ready to bet on it.

Then it was lucky for him when

poor Emily died when she did.

Just at the right time.

Just at the right time.

Miss Spence, you don't suppose ..?

Suppose what?

Why wouldn't he let me

give her medicine?

Why, youre not suggesting ..?

That's ridiculous.

That stuff he brought

back from the chemists.

Stuff for killing weeds.

I happened to look at the label.

I know what was in it.

So .. that's why he made all

that fuss about those redcurrants.

Just to give himself an alibi.

- You're not serious, are you?

I certainly am!

- You're mad. It's unthinkable.

After all, I've known him for years.

- You've known a Mr Maurier.

The one who talks so nicely about

pictures and all that sort of thing.

But you've never known the one

who can't keep his hands off girls.

He'll do anything, I tell you. Anything.

So why did it happen

on the day I was out?

What difference does that make?

- What difference?

I've seen these cases. I recognise

the symptoms immediately.

So what does he do?

He chooses a day when he

knows I won't be back until late.

Until it's all over in fact.

And then he goes out himself.

On the tiles most likely,

with that girl of his.

No. He wouldn't do that.

- Oh, yes he would.

And when he comes home he turns on me

and says I killed her with redcurrants.

Currants, indeed.

After all, Dr Libbard thought it

might have been the currants.

Yes, and why? Because the

other one keeps harping on it.

And so I have to take the blame. I'm the

scapegoat. I'm the one to be crucified.

Well. I tell you I'm not going

to put up with it any longer.

And I'm not thinking only of myself.

It's a matter of principle.

I want to see justice done. I want

the whole world to know the truth.

You talk as though you knew it yourself.

I do.

I'm as certain of it now as I shall be

after they've had the post-mortem.

The post-mortem?

- Yes. You know what that is, don't you?

Do you mean to speak

to Dr Libbard about it?

Dr Libbard? No, of course not.

He wouldn't want to admit

he'd made a mistake. No.

I know who to go to.

I know what I have to do.

It's horrible.

Digging up somebody after they're dead.

Just because there is

some spiteful gossip.

That beastly nurse of yours. I can't

understand why you keep her.

My dear, don't be unreasonable.

You know quite well I wanted to send

her away but Henry wouldn't hear of it.

Nor would Dr Libbard.

Sending her away would

mean we took it seriously.

The last impression we want to give.

We were having such a

wonderful time in Paris.

Then to be called back

for this nonsense.

And the painters still in the house.

That horrible smell everywhere.

Darling, how dreadfully unkind of me.

I'd forgot to ask you how you've been.

Is everything going as it should?

Well, I still feel sick in the

morning, if that's what you mean.

And Libbard is pleased with you, is he?

He seems to be.

It must be a strange ..

Wonderful feeling.

You mean, to be going to have baby?

If you ask my opinion,

I think it's awful.

It will be alright when the

baby is actually there, but ..

Right now, I tell you I'd rather

have the measles again.

At least it doesn't last so long.

Will you nurse the baby yourself?

I don't know. I hadn't thought about it.

I would, if I had one. I wouldn't

feel it were really mine if I didn't.

When do you expect Henry?

He ought to be back pretty soon.

How was he when he

went off this morning?

Rather worried, I suppose?

No. He was too angry to be worried.

It makes him furious the

way they're treating him.

Then you do not agree with Dr Libbard's

diagnosis as to the cause of death?

Yes, and no.

I am of the opinion that Dr Libbard ..

Was perfectly correct in stating

that death was due to heart failure.

Where I differ from him

is in regard to the cause.

And what was the cause,

in your opinion, Dr Dawson?

Arsenic, sir.

But that is impossible.

- No interruptions, please.

You'll be given an opportunity of

speaking later on, Mr Maurier.

Please go on, Dr Dawson.

The organs were removed and examined.

Both Richard's and Marsh's

tests were used.

The presence of poison in considerable

quantities was clearly established.

Were the quantities sufficient to ..

Constitute a fatal dose?

Unquestionably.

Do you know Mr Maurier by sight?

- Yes, sir.

Do you think you could

give him this note?

It is rather important.

Alright, sir. I'll manage somehow.

- Thank you.

Much obliged, sir.

It was one of your duties, was it not ..

To bring Mrs Maurier's

medicine to her after meals?

It was.

Did you bring it to her .. after lunch?

On the day that she died?

No. I did not.

I'll wait until she finishes.

As the next one is called,

I'll slip in and give him it.

Take the Testament in your right hand.

Will you repeat the oath.

I swear by almighty God that the

evidence I shall give the court ..

Shall be the truth, the whole truth,

and nothing but the truth.

So help me, God.

So I took the coffee things out into the

garden and put them down on the table.

And what then?

Mrs Maurier says to me:

"My medicine, Clara. Run and fetch it."

And did you go?

No, sir.

- Why not?

Because Mr Maurier says:

"Don't bother, Clara. I've got to

go in and get a cigar anyway."

Thank you. You may step down.

Adjournment.

The court will adjourn until

2:
30 tomorrow afternoon.

It's too terrible.

Yes, it's terrible because

it's impossible.

And yet it's happened.

It's all my fault.

I oughtn't to have let you love me.

I knew we shouldn't have done it.

But I cared for you so much.

Darling, if they do anything

to you, I shall kill myself.

Don't talk nonsense.

Why did you do it, Henry?

Why did you do it?

You all seem to take it for granted

that I murdered my wife.

Do I look like the sort of man who

goes about .. slaughtering people?

To ring her neck and

let the devil take her?

I suppose they imagine I'm so insanely

in love with you, I would do anything.

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