Adventures of Don Juan Page #6

by your general technique yesterday.

Very good.

Very good, yes.

It was quite good.

Well?

It seems to me

Your Grace is preparing for war.

- Does the idea frighten you?

- Frankly, it does.

I'm by nature a peaceful man,

Your Grace.

It's true I've done

some fighting in my time...

...but it's usually

for something worthwhile...

...like a beautiful woman.

To risk your skin for a piece

of extra ground, that's terrifying.

I take it then you do not look with favor

upon my proposals?

That, Your Grace, is an understatement.

In my opinion, your personal ambitions...

...can only lead our country

to complete disaster.

I wasn't aware

that I asked for your opinion.

May I remind you, my dear fellow,

that in a conflict, one must choose a side.

The middle ground

is frequently the most dangerous.

I've been in the middle so many times,

Your Grace, it doesn't disturb me.

I see you prefer to be witty

rather than wise.

Not at all.

I prefer to be on the side of the friends

of Spain, not her enemies.

Next time, I may cut deeper.

Next time...

Next time, I'll wear my old clothes.

Your Excellency.

- What's happened, Your Grace?

- Never mind, give me that.

- What news of the Count de Polan?

- He still refuses to speak.

Very well.

We shall wait no longer.

Take him to the torture chamber.

Yes, Your Grace.

We are pleased to have you with us,

Count D'Orsini.

We hope to see more of you

and your bride before your return to Italy.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

And I'm sure that the people of my country

will welcome this alliance.

And now,

we must not keep you any longer.

You are very kind, Your Majesty.

And I am deeply grateful for this reception.

Your Majesty, I had a difficult time

getting him here.

I had to force him.

- You may leave us, Sebastian.

- Yes, Your Majesty.

Would you care

to take a walk with me in the garden?

With Your Majesty's permission.

I believe congratulations are in order,

Don Juan.

A royal commission is a great honor.

You should be very proud.

I suppose I should, Your Majesty.

But I rejected the commission.

I don't understand.

It would have meant so much to you.

Yes, I suppose so.

But I've always looked upon the academy

as a school for the art of defense.

- Not aggression.

- Oh, I agree.

- I heard of the Duke's plan last evening.

- Surely not from him?

The palace has large keyholes.

My informer has small ears.

I detest this intrigue,

but Lorca has his spies so I must have mine.

Spies are not enough, Your Majesty.

I assure you, you need constant protection.

Someone you can trust

who will watch over you.

Don't you think

you make too much of my danger?

Well, when it concerns

Your Majesty's welfare...

...perhaps I am overcautious.

May I suggest you be equally cautious

concerning yourself?

If you have made an enemy of the Duke,

that is unwise.

Yes, I'm well aware of that, Your Majesty.

As a matter of fact,

it's already cost me my best jacket.

Hot-tempered, isn't he?

However, I'll make friends

and choose enemies to please myself...

...not the Duke de Lorca.

I wish there were more men in Spain

with the courage to defy His Grace.

I'm glad you came back.

So am I.

Look.

These materials

have just arrived from Holland.

- Aren't they lovely?

- Beautiful.

- You've been to Holland, haven't you?

- Briefly.

I always wanted to travel. I envy you.

Tell me, Don Juan,

don't you miss the life you once led?

Well, I meant

it must have been so interesting.

And you have changed so completely.

Yes, it's been quite a surprise to me too,

Your Majesty.

Perhaps it's because

I found something I always wanted.

Oh, yes. Yes, of course.

A purpose in life, your work.

My work's quite congenial,

but hardly that inspiring.

What is it then? Please be seated.

Tell me.

Shall I command you?

- lf you command me, then I must obey.

- I do command you.

It's not easy to tell.

Like most other men...

...there's always been

an imaginary woman in my life.

I endowed her with all the virtues.

I clothed her in perfection.

Naturally, I searched for her in vain.

I thought she could never exist

except in my mind.

Now I find she does.

Who is this woman?

You choose to keep her a secret?

Only because she doesn't know

how deeply I care for her.

Well, you never hesitate

to express your love to other women.

She's not like other women.

Well-spoken.

- What is she like?

- Beautiful.

But strangely unaware of her beauty.

Passionate, too,

but without any real knowledge of passion.

Unafraid of love because

I don't think she's ever known love.

But she's taught me virtue

and dignity and wisdom.

You seem to have chosen

a paragon among women.

Among women and among queens.

Have you forgotten

to whom you are speaking?

No. Some men shut their eyes and dream,

others open their eyes and hope.

All my life I have been stumbling around

as if in darkness. I am no longer.

Silence.

You have no right to speak to me that way.

I forbid you.

I would never have spoken

except by your command.

Then I was wrong to command you.

Wrong to think

that you could ever reform...

...or to believe that friendship and loyalty

could replace your desire for conquest.

- That's not true.

- You may go, seor.

Yes, Your Majesty.

So? Don Juan?

Again.

- Correct?

- Excellent.

Now me.

Arm extended.

- What was that?

- My new side step.

Let me see it.

Don't ever sidestep the wrong way.

Continue.

No, no, no. What are you trying to do,

club the man to death?

This, my friend, is a rapier, not an axe.

Now, watch.

All right, en garde.

Now, beat, extend and lunge.

Thus, you see?

Isn't he charming?

Serafino, can nothing be done

about these gaping, ogling visitors?

Of course, in the past nobody came

but an occasional old soldier. Now...

Now we have a whole flock

of chattering females.

Look at them up there,

looks like a hen roost.

Yes, this feminine interest is surprising.

Personally, I've had enough

feminine interest for the day.

If you don't mind.

That will be all. Class dismissed.

Really.

Juan, what is the matter with you today?

Why, nothing. Nothing at all.

It's just a little ironic.

A man gives up everything. A rich, full life.

First time he tries to be sincere,

what happens?

- Exactly what I'm trying to find out.

- Well, mind your own business. You too.

Excuse me, seor.

Has my brother finished with his lesson?

- Your brother, seorita?

- Yes.

Do you happen to recall his name?

- Of course, Carlos.

- Carlos?

Everyone is finished, seorita,

so no doubt Carlos is finished too.

Oh, I didn't understand.

- I call for him every day.

- Yes, I know.

Well, I don't like to have him

walk home alone.

He's so young and helpless.

Well, that's very sisterly of you.

Besides, it's quite a distance from here.

All the way to the Plaza Madrid.

The Plaza Madrid?

- The last house.

- Oh, yes.

- Yes, on the right.

- Oh, on the right?

Elena.

Are you here again?

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