All This, and Heaven Too Page #13

An investigating judge

doesn't lead to anything.

He only follows

where the evidence leads.

In this case, possibly to the Conciergerie

to the cell of a Mademoiselle D.

I believe you know her very well,

monsieur.

She can have no possible connection

with this affair.

No possible connection.

Leave her out of it.

You ask me questions, questions.

But you won't tell me anything.

The prosecutor would like more concerning

your relations with the deceased.

From the testimony of the servants,

letters and other papers of the duchess...

...it appears that for a long time,

you've been guilty of wrongs toward her.

You did not have the regard

and deference you should have.

You tried to take away from her...

...the affections of her husband

and children.

No, that is not true, monsieur.

When I came into the household,

things were already on a bad footing.

There was already little affection

between mother and children.

There were causes of dissension

between the duke and duchess...

...which it was not in my power to end.

If later the duchess said

I was the cause of her unhappiness...

...it only goes to show

the workings of a mind...

...so tortured by the most horrible

and unreasonable of jealousies.

If you had known her, lived in the house

with her, you would understand.

Whatever your interpretation of the

relations between yourself and the duke?

You are referring to scandals

which were not true.

- True enough to result in your dismissal.

- In my leaving.

But not to giving up influence over members

of that household as you should have.

How many times

have you seen the duke since then?

- Three times.

- Alone?

No, he always came with the children.

What has become of the children?

Only answer the questions.

- Did you see him on August the 17th?

- He came with all four of the children.

Did you see him alone on that occasion?

- For a few minutes.

- Why?

- To console each other in your separation?

- No.

We discussed a letter of recommendation

which the duchess had promised me.

I do not understand this line

of questioning.

Have you not learned

that there are grave indications...

...accusing the duke

of having killed his wife?

No.

No.

That is impossible.

He...

He who could never bear to see

one of his children suffer.

I don't believe it.

Tell me it isn't true. I beg you. Tell me.

He couldn't. He was so gentle.

I wish I could take you into a certain room,

mademoiselle.

There you would see, written in blood...

...the record of a struggle

a woman put up for her life.

Handprints from wall to wall,

bell pull to bell pull, from door to door...

...as she struggled helplessly

to escape the blows...

...of the assassin who struck her down.

Listen to me, he could never have done

this dreadful thing.

If he should have had part in it,

it is I who am guilty...

...because I asked too much.

I was wrong, wrong. I see it all now.

And now it's too late.

He must have gone to the duchess

demanding that letter of recommendation.

She must have refused him and then...

There, you see. I am guilty.

Write it down in your records there, guilty.

I, I alone, never him.

Mademoiselle Henriette

Deluzy-Desportes...

...you are to be held in the murder

of the duchess.

- Take her out.

- Please. Please believe me.

It is I alone who am guilty.

- Come this way.

- No.

Sometimes it is difficult to tell

from the sound of a mob...

...whether the people are inciting

a revolution or having a good time.

But on this occasion,

I'm afraid it is clear.

We can't afford to delay longer,

Your Majesty.

I hesitate to say it,

but there's already much dissatisfaction.

And now comes this scandalous crime

casting a blood over the whole peerage.

The Duc de Praslin and this woman

must be brought to judgment quickly.

- Poor Theo.

- Shield him will cost the throne of France.

Yes, the people demand their blood.

- Can you get a conviction?

- You must.

There are difficulties, Your Majesty.

In order to convict,

we must establish a motive.

If I may say, it lies in the sinful relation

between the duke and the governess.

Yes, but where can we turn

for conclusive evidence?

To scandalous newspaper articles?

To the gossip of servants?

To the letters of a wife

who never accused her husband?

What is necessary, what we must have

is an admission from the accused...

...both of them, or one of them,

of their guilty love.

Then you must get this admission

in any way you can.

Baron Pasquier, as chancellor of France

and president of the House of Peers...

...it will be your duty to question

the duke and this woman.

If he is found guilty, you will bind her over

to be tried in public court.

I've prepared this order

for the arrest of the Duc de Praslin.

It only needs Your Majesty's signature.

He was my friend.

"And in view of Article 29

of the Constitutional Charter...

...requiring that no peer be arrested

except by authority of the chamber...

...we have ordered the following:

Article 1,

the Court of Peers shall be convened.

Article 2, the court will proceed

to the investigation...

...and judgment of the crime imputed

to Theobald Duc de Swazer of Praslin.

Done at the Palace 'd'eu,

August 19th, 1847.

Signed, Louis-Philippe."

So be it.

It has been decided to imprison you here

rather than risk transporting you to a prison.

People are enraged at an act...

...so foully committed

against a noble and religious woman.

It would be unsafe through the streets.

I appreciate your solicitude for my safety.

I implore you now for an open

and full confession.

Did you commit the crime

of which you are accused?

Who can say what a crime is?

You dare to affirm

that you're not guilty?

Since you've come

with the conviction of my guilt...

...nothing I might say

would change your opinion.

Your family and friends

would like to believe...

...that you were driven into such

a barbarous act by a passion you regret.

Were you not urged by the evil advice

of someone else?

I received no advice from anyone.

One doesn't give advice in such matters.

Monsieur, we are prepared to deal with you

as liberally as we can.

Only say that you were forced to do it,

and perhaps you will save yourself.

Certainly, you will save the throne

and all of us.

What is one woman's life

compared to these?

You make me ashamed that I know you.

Then I have no alternative but to hand

you over to the king's prosecutor.

What were your relations

with Henriette Deluzy?

She was once governess to my children.

And to you, monsieur?

She was my children's governess.

She brought them peace and order...

...where once there had been fright

and confusion.

She gave them the love

that had been denied them.

But to you, yourself?

Once, she saved my son's life.

Did you know that?

How queerly we reward

those who have been faithful.

You persist in speaking only

of the children.

We demand an honest answer

to a plain question.

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