Camille Page #7

I'll think what loons we look doing this.

Who knows the bee song?

All together now.

Please don't think us mad, monsieur.

Did you want to see someone?

- Mademoiselle Gautier?

- Yes.

I was told at the inn

that I'd find my son here.

- Your son?

- Armand Duval.

Yes, Armand Duval is very often here,

but he's in Paris today.

- Do you wish to come in?

- Thank you.

I'm sorry your son isn't here, monsieur.

Well, it's just as well.

I didn't look forward to seeing him with

any pleasure, under the circumstances.

As a matter of fact, I'm glad to be able

to talk to you directly and frankly.

You see, I know

what's been going on here.

You don't think me worthy of your son.

You're right, I'm not.

No. No woman is worthy

of a man's love...

...who's willing to let him ruin himself

for her, as you're doing.

I don't know what you've heard,

but it isn't true.

Armand has told me himself...

...that he wants to take his modest

fortune out of my hands at once.

The reason is obvious, isn't it?

Can you deny he wants the money

for you?

Whatever the reason, I hope

you won't let him have it, monsieur.

I wish I could believe you were sincere.

A few years ago,

I lived on bread and soup.

I can manage very well without

taking anything from Armand.

I still say what I came here to say.

This thing must end at once.

You might as well

save your breath, monsieur.

How long have you

known Armand, madame?

Three months and 12 days, monsieur.

Three months and 12 days. And how long

do you expect this thing to last?

You have never known love

to last, monsieur?

Never, when it was

unsanctified by marriage...

...unblessed by children or social ties.

I shall love Armand always, and I

believe he shall love me always too.

- Always, eh?

- Always.

Hasn't your own experience taught you

the human heart can't be trusted?

I think I know my own heart

better than you can, monsieur.

And I can trust it not to change.

No woman, unprotected as you are, can

afford to give the best years of her life...

...to a man who, when he leaves her,

will leave her with nothing...

...and who is certain to leave her

in the end.

I don't suppose you can understand

how any woman...

...unprotected, as you say I am,

can be lifted above self-interest...

...by a sentiment so delicate and pure

that she feels only humiliation...

...when you speak of such things.

I realize now that you

do love him unselfishly.

But even so, I say it can't go on.

- But it will go on!

- Armand is a young man...

...with his way to make,

with a career waiting for him.

And in his case, he can't serve

his best interests by being tied...

...to a woman he can't present

to his family or his friends.

- Armand is no different than other men.

- Oh, come, madame.

Be honest.

Haven't you found him different?

Haven't you found him

more sensitive, more loyal?

Or am I prejudiced

because I'm his father?

No. No, no. Armand is different.

And so you see, as long as Armand loves

you, he'll not enter rooms that you can't.

But a man can go back.

He can always go back.

Monsieur...

...suppose I told you I have a feeling

I shan't live very long?

Well, then I'd scold you for being fanciful

and a little foolish.

What you probably feel

is the melancholy of happiness...

...that mood that comes over

all of us when we realize...

...that even love can't remain

at flood tide forever.

- Without Armand, I'm doomed.

- With him, you're both doomed.

Without a profession of any sort,

what can he do?

Unless he sinks so low

he's willing to let some other man...

...foot the bills for his life with you.

You don't know Armand.

You wouldn't say that.

No one knows the man he might become

if he loses his self-respect.

But I think that's too high

a price to pay, even for love.

I want Armand to enjoy life,

not to be sacrificed to it.

You see, my son is as dear to me

as he possibly can be to you.

Yes, but you have others

who are dear to you.

I have only Armand.

You don't know how I've changed.

And he taught me that love is not

always selfish, nor goodness dull...

...nor men faithless. No, no. You can't

expect me to give up such love as his.

Think what's best for him.

Think what you'd want for him

if he were your own son.

Then think how you're killing

his right to a normal life.

Try to realize that everything

you're ashamed of in your own past...

...would only taint his future.

You tell me that you love him.

I believe you.

That's why I'm able to stand here,

a man who's getting old...

...and ask this great sacrifice of you...

...as humbly as I'd ask

a great favor of a queen.

I can give you nothing in return,

except my thanks and my respect.

Please give him up.

- What shall I do?

- Talk to him. Tell him he must leave you.

- I have talked.

- Leave him.

- He'd follow me.

- Tell him you don't love him.

He wouldn't believe me.

No.

I know only one way.

But I shan't tell you what it is.

I knew I was too happy.

What are you going to do?

Don't let yourself think of it.

I'll send him back to you tonight.

How can I ever repay you

for all you're doing for me?

Make no mistake, monsieur.

Whatever I do, it's nothing for you.

- It's all for Armand.

- I thank you just the same.

And I shall never forget

what I and my family owe you.

Goodbye, monsieur.

Don't reproach yourself.

You've done only what Armand's father

should have done.

Only, don't let him know it.

He might hate you.

And I don't want that to happen...

...because he shall need all the courage

and comfort you can give him...

...for a long time, I think.

God bless you, Marguerite Gautier.

Did the gentleman go?

But, madame, what's the matter?

I want you to take this letter

and give it to Baron de Varville yourself.

But I thought you were so happy

at last with Monsieur Duval.

I was.

I don't know what's in it...

...but I know the very thought

of this one makes you shudder.

Are you sure you want me to take it?

Yes, yes. Go now, Nanine.

And pray for me.

Pray for me that I'll have the strength

to go through with what I have to do.

Oh, your hands are like ice, child.

Tell Nanine what you're going to do.

Make my love hate me.

Make him hate me.

Oh, God help me.

Hello. I'm back.

Oh, I didn't hear you drive up.

Why are you all dressed up?

Not going to a ball, are you?

No. I wish I were. You don't know

of any balls I might be asked to, do you?

- Lf you're serious, I brought an invitation.

- Really?

From Olympe. A new gambling club

is opening. She suggests we go together.

Where did you see Olympe?

She dropped in the shop while I was

talking to Prudence about your affairs.

I didn't ask you to discuss my affairs

with Prudence.

And I did ask her not

to talk to you about them.

Marguerite, you're angry.

Do you realize that

we're almost quarreling?

Well, everybody quarrels.

It keeps people from getting bored.

Something happened today.

What was it? I want the truth.

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