Corridor of Mirrors Page #5

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Far better than living above ground.

Still, I wouldn't live anywhere

else if you paid me.

Now you run up and change your clothes.

I'll get you a hot drink .. here.

Shall I bring your own shoes and socks?

The top right-hand drawer.

Heavens.

Any more of this hunting, shooting and

fishing business and I'll be an expert.

Imbecile woman.

What's the matter darling? Bad news?

Owen, I've got to go back to London.

It will only be for a few days,

but I've got to go back.

Disappointing .. even for a few days.

Perhaps it's because of you

that I've got to go back.

I can't explain it.

It wouldn't make sense.

Nothing you do say makes much sense.

You see .. I could never marry someone.

With the shadow of another

man that was beside me.

With a shadow? You're sure you were

right the other day when you said ..

"A thousand times and never in love".

It's always so difficult

to explain, isn't it?

Perhaps I should have said I

never .. loved anyone before.

So glad you were able to come.

Delighted!

My dear, what we've missed by

him hiding himself all these years.

It must have cost him thousands.

I hear that Sir is completely crackers.

All this for a woman he adores?

Did you hear that Caroline? He wants to

know if Paul did all this for the woman.

You ought to know, dear

Edgar. You made the dress.

Well, it's getting late and I

haven't seen it anywhere.

Don't worry, you will. Even if,

according to The Tatler ..

"Mifanwy Conway spends her first holiday

in Wales with the eligible Owen Rhys."

The distinguished explorer.

Somehow, I doubt if Paul

Mangin reads The Tatler.

Then, don't think dear Edgar,

that someone should tell him?

Hello Paul .. looking for someone?

Do I see my sister, Lucrezia Borgia?

Is that intended as a compliment?

Just as you like. She's as handsome as

you are Caroline, and just as dangerous.

And how do I live up to her reputation?

By poisoning a dozen lovers or so ..

Lead me to the bar,

I'll start at once.

I'm afraid you'll have to look

elsewhere for your first victim.

I knew you would come.

Good evening Miss Conway.

What a lovely costume, Mortimer.

Yes, I'm afraid I make more noise than

a fire-engine. Beg your pardon, Miss.

I would have one of those if I were you.

I never take it, sir.

[ man singing ]

"Black .. black .. black .. is the

color of my true love's hair."

"Her lips are something wondrous fair.

The purest eyes and the daintiest hands."

"I love the grass,

where long she stands."

"I go too troublesome,

to mourn, to weep."

"But satisfied, I now can sleep."

"I'll write her a letter

in a few little lines."

"I'll suffer death a thousand times."

Well, that's all I have to show you.

You've given them something

they'll never forget, Paul.

Until some bright, young thing comes

and shows them something more amazing.

But you'll remember, won't you?

Yes .. I'll remember.

It's getting rather cold.

Let's go inside.

Stop Paul. Stop!

Well .. it's all over.

Not for us.

Give me your hand.

Whatever for?

It's an engagement ring.

You don't like it?

How very amusing.

It's awfully .. cute.

It's just like hers. Don't you see?

Just like hers.

Oh for goodness sake Paul,

stop this nonsense.

This bringing of something of

the present back into the past.

Or the past back into the present.

Whichever way you put it.

You're becoming a bit of a bore.

Have you got a cigarette?

I'm absolutely panting for one.

Oh I'm forgetting. We

don't smoke, do we.

What's the matter with you?

Nothing.

It's just that I have the courage

to tell you the truth at last.

You set out to charm me, as you

put it .. well, you succeeded.

I was attracted to you. I like

dressing up. What woman doesn't?

I was in the mood, it was a novelty.

You played up to my

vanity .. yes of course.

It was my vanity which made me

take part in all this madness.

But when you showed me the picture of

this woman, and told me that I was her ..

Then things became a bit

too complicated Paul.

So I went away for a rest-cure.

Why did you come here tonight?

Curiosity .. that was all.

I don't believe it.

You came because you had

to .. because I was here.

You came because we can't

live apart from each other.

I'm sorry .. but really.

Just because you're dressed up as

a Borgia, doesn't make me Venetia.

Look. Ours was a very charming,

unique affair .. that was all.

I never intended anything serious.

I love someone else.

I'm going to marry him.

So, you laughed when I told you my

story .. You thought it was very funny.

She laughed too.

I should have known that four centuries

cannot change a woman's soul.

A pity Mifanwy that you inherited

not only her beautiful body.

But also her worthless heart.

Alright Paul .. I'm

Venetia .. heart and all.

Didn't you say she went off

with another man?

See? We've both completed

the full cycle of our destinies.

Not quite.

I didn't tell you the end of her story.

As I hoped yours might be different.

But it's not going to be

Mifanwy. It's not going to be.

You see, he loved her hair.

It was so dark and mysterious.

He strangled her with it.

Do I still make you laugh, Mifanwy?

Do I still make you laugh Mifanwy?

Venetia!

Mifanwy!

[ hysterical laughter ]

[ hysterical laughter ]

[ hysterical laughter ]

Oh darling, don't look so disappointed.

Aren't you glad to see me?

Why haven't you gone home?

Yes, I know. I'm completely plastered.

In fact .. I nearly passed right out.

Oh, don't let that little

society b*tch get you down.

I love you .. do you hear?

You've always treated me like dirt.

Well I am a tramp .. but I like it.

Don't look at her, look at me!

You've never said a kind word to me.

You despise me .. I suppose you

think I'm not good enough for you.

[ man singing ]

"Black, black is the color of

my true love's hair."

"Her lips are something wondrous fair."

Caroline!

Caroline!

Caroline!

Caroline!

Caroline!

Mortimer has come back. There

are two gentlemen with him.

Caroline Hart has been murdered.

Why did you do it, Mr Mangin?

Why did you do it, Mr Mangin?

Veronica, tell the men I shall be ready

in 5 minutes for them to take me away.

Yes, Mr Mangin.

Only five minutes, Miss.

Why have you come?

Let me tell them.

There's nothing to tell.

Yes there is .. about you

and me .. and Venetia.

That must never be told.

It would help to save you.

From what? The lunatic asylum?

Can you imagine me in a padded cell?

I, who've always surrounded

myself with beautiful things.

Jewels .. pictures .. the sound of

music .. the touch of a woman's hair.

Sorry, not quite the most

tactful thing to have mentioned.

Don't you want to live?

Do you love me, Mifanwy?

No ..

Then there's no need for

me to defend myself.

You see, before I was

searching for someone.

I know I must have seemed

mad and frightening to you.

Have you ever thought .. everyone, once

he is born, is searching for something.

Most people die without

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