Countess Dracula Page #2

What a brave and generous man he was.

Yes.

Does he look as you remember him?

Much the same.

Come with me. Come, quickly.

Will you live here now or return to Vienna?

I haven't decided yet. And you?

I feel already this is my home.

The first proper home of my life.

But the war is not yet over

and I may be recalled to duty.

But until that happens, I shall stay.

And if you leave,

I swear to you I shall take my horses.

- All of them?

- All of them. And follow you.

But I am unworthy of such a sacrifice.

Let me be the judge of that.

No. We have our reputations to think of.

- We've only just met.

- When can I see you again?

Sunday. We'll ride together on Sunday.

Two days? Lmpossible!

Tomorrow, then.

But late, when the others are asleep.

Come to the small door below the tower.

I will put a candle in the window.

That will mean all is well.

But now you must go.

Tell me, Nanny,

how do you find our little mistress?

Has she not exceeded

your wildest dreams?

In what way, Master Fabio?

In every way. A girl of barely 19 years

so mature of bearing, wit and manners.

Indeed.

You know, one thing puzzles me.

I always thought she resembled her father.

Now she's the image of her mother.

Or don't you share my feelings?

I think you grow old, Master Fabio,

and your memory's confused.

Then let that pass.

One never quarrels with a nurse.

Unless one wants a box on the ears.

Come on. Quietly.

Quietly.

It's impossible...

My darling.

I thought the day would never end.

Say you love me.

- Say it.

- Yes.

Yes, I love you.

Julie!

Countess?

Please don't let him see me like this.

Send him away, Julie!

Roll up, everybody! All the fun of the circus

in the marketplace tonight.

See the animals - lions, monkeys, camels.

The Indian fakir walking on nails.

The fattest woman in the world.

Join the gypsies dancing.

Roll up! All the fun of the circus

in the marketplace tonight!

Music.

Don't you want to see me young again?

So that you can make love

to young officers?

I'd rather have you as you are

than see you parading

like some jaded slut from the whorehouse.

- At least there's dignity in age.

- You are cruel.

- You have never loved me.

- Oh, yes, I've loved you.

But can't you see what'll happen?

You'll go insane.

Or the bailiffs will take you and hang you.

If that should happen then don't forget -

you'll be there next to me.

- Have you spoken to him?

- Yes, my dear. He was not offended.

I told him you left because

your mother was calling for you.

He hopes you'll go riding with him

today as arranged.

Riding with him?

But how can I?

How can I go riding with him?

Julie.

You will find me someone

and bring her here.

Yes, Countess.

But first, what news of the little one,

our real daughter?

I'm so anxious.

She should be here by now.

- But didn't Captain Dobi tell you?

- No.

The Danube flooded

where she would've crossed.

- My poor child.

- She is quite safe.

Now, Julie, do as I ask.

Countess.

Will the Countess have her fortune told?

Two days she's been gone

and no news of her.

I think the Countess knows

what's happened to her.

Yes, tell him how the old witch

used to treat her.

Tell him how she used

to burn her and hit her.

- Yes, that's right, she did.

- Quiet!

You stupid, ignorant people.

Show a bit of respect for the Countess.

- Why should we?

- For food and the warmth of this kitchen.

And her soldiers who protect you

from the Turks and the outlaws.

You ungrateful lot. You're the envy

of the village, you know that?

So be satisfied and keep your mouths shut.

I just want to see my Teri again.

My little girl.

I just want to see her again. Alive.

She'll turn up. They always do.

Probably hiding out

in the forest somewhere.

Anyway, how many other children

have you got?

- Seven.

- Well, what are you worrying about?

You won't know the difference!

I see a new love in your life.

He will lift away the black veil

of your widowhood

and you will be young in your heart again.

Thank you, my child.

Beautiful!

Oh, it's beautiful.

You'll forgive me for last night?

Julie explained everything.

How's your mother?

A little better.

But still confined to her room.

My father's death. My own homecoming.

She'll be better.

She'll be... very much better.

You're so beautiful.

Jump!

Just look at that!

What is it?

Nothing.

I just can't get used

to my good fortune, that's all.

Two weeks ago I was just

another young soldier -

and here I am, a man of some means,

with a most beautiful woman at my side.

I share your good fortune.

- But can you really love me?

- Of course I can.

Why do you ask such a silly question?

Because you're a young countess...

and I'm only the son of a soldier.

A very brave soldier. A general.

True. But I cannot trade on his reputation.

I have my own way to make.

And by your standards,

I have much to learn.

Then let me teach you.

What's your business

with those two villains?

I saw them not two hours ago,

creeping to the forest with a heavy load.

They're friends of Janco, the gamekeeper.

They take his provisions.

That's what you saw, my friend.

Was it? He must have a big appetite.

It somewhat dulls my senses

at this time of day.

Drink, Fabio. Drink to the Countess llona.

Well, if you insist. The Countess llona.

While we're about it, what's happened

to Countess Elisabeth?

Is she going to stay in her room forever?

She can't be very ill

or she'd have called her physician.

And I can't believe that

it's widowhood that detains her.

What are you worrying about, Fabio?

It's a better place without her, isn't it?

I'm so happy.

Then will you marry me?

Yes. Yes, of course, I will!

- I will speak to your mother.

- No.

- Leave her to me.

- Why? You fear she'll object?

Don't be silly, she adores you already.

But she's old and needs to be humored.

Do it quickly. Speak to her tomorrow.

Look!

By that tree.

- There's one.

- Where?

No, it's not. Come on.

Look, there's one!

I'll get it. Come on, slowcoach.

Help!

Married? You are insane.

Don't you realize that you get uglier

each time you get old?

And you can't go on killing forever.

Why not? With you and Julie to help me.

What about Fabio and the servants?

- You don't fear Fabio.

- He's not such a fool.

We're quite safe.

And I am happy.

You don't begrudge me that, do you?

- Where are you going?

- To meet your fianc.

We're signing the deeds of the inheritance,

so I'll have the pleasure

of his company tonight.

Tell him that the Countess Elisabeth

approves of the marriage

and has made you responsible

for the arrangements.

To hell with the Countess Elisabeth.

Don't be so angry.

I hadn't forgotten you. I promise.

- Not now, Dobi.

- When?

- Soon.

- Tonight?

If you wish.

I'll be here.

Any of you seen her before?

- Are there any gypsies round here?

- I've seen a few like her, with the circus.

In the marketplace last night.

Go on.

All right, I'm not arresting you.

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