Cousin Bette Page #3

or a baron...

who wouldn't have to beg

were it not for his title,

no matter how he got it.

You were born to yours, Count.

I was made baron.

Napoleon made me a baron.

The wars made me rich.

Hmm. What of it?

Wars can't last forever.

Monsieur, would you mind...

that is, would you object

if I were to pursue...

- My daughter.

- Yes, Monsieur.

BARON:
This brandy is

twice the age of my daughter,

and yet it is considered

a young brandy.

It would be, yes, young.

Hmm. You could say

that I've forced it open.

- Hmm.

- Prematurely.

Ah.

Do you feel equal to undertaking

a statue nine feet high?

- Yes, Monsieur.

- Good.

Hortense has great faith

in your ability.

She's asked me to obtain

a commission for you,

and perhaps I can.

The Imperial Guard

have subscribed a large sum...

for a statue

of my Uncle de Forzheim.

I hardly know what to say.

For my daughter's sake...

I'll stick my neck out.

Thank you. Thank you, sir.

You have just seen

Cousin Bette's sweetheart,

who is now mine!

BETTE:
Your note said

you were desperate.

JENNY:
Oh, I am, I am.

Something's happened,

and there's nothing to be done.

BETTE:
What is it?

JENNY:
I've become old.

Ah.

- Twenty-four.

- A wretched age.

I may as well be dead.

Look. I've brought

your new slippers.

Don't try to console me.

Now... you were 24 yesterday,

and it didn't bother you then.

Today...

While I was walking in the park,

I came upon a hideous old woman,

face swollen and scratched.

She stank of stale wine

and sweat.

In her filthy tresses,

she had placed a beauty patch.

One red camellia.

- I knew at once who she was.

- You knew her?

She was known as Carribine.

When I was a young girl,

she was the most famous

courtesan in Paris.

Everyone envied her dazzling

shoulders, her milky skin...

She had a neck so smooth, it

might've been turned on a lathe.

Her trademark was

a beauty patch... a red camellia.

"'Carribine?"' I said.

"'No. Carribine is no more."'

"'She has left me."'

What will happen to me

when I'm no longer beautiful?

I'm not sure.

It's never been a concern.

I wish I were you.

No one's ever

wished that before.

Poor Carribine.

HORTENSE:
Are you in love

with my cousin?

Bette? She's an angel.

Oh, yes. I don't know

what I'd do without her.

She's nanny, older sister,

and mother all rolled into one.

WENCESLAS:
That she is.

I suppose I should tell her

about your visits.

- Of course. She'd understand.

- She certainly would.

She wants nothing more

than to see me happy.

[Dogs barking]

MAN:
Down!

[Bell chiming]

[CIock chiming]

WENCESLAS:
Just imagine it,

Mademoiselle.

Leda lies on the ground.

It is the moment she succumbs.

BETTE:
Wenceslas?

It's time for lunch.

WENCESLAS:

The bird is close upon her,

and if my sculptor's art

can make bronze tremble,

then I shall depict the bird

trembling with desire...

...poised over her.

Wonderful!

Wenceslas...

Is that Cousin Bette?

WENCESLAS:
It's not.

Oh... oh... what time is it?

I have to go, my darling.

Well?

Well, what?

It's 1:
00.

We always have lunch at 12:00.

You weren't in your room.

Where have you been?

- Walking.

- That's ridiculous.

- Why were you walking?

- I was restless.

Muddled, really. I thought

a walk would do me good.

- Work does you good.

- I work night and day.

You call those little red

wax figures and sketches work?

If you lock me in a cupboard,

what good art I'll make then.

If fine works could be

manufactured like nails,

blacksmiths would make them.

Well, sarcasm won't

buy the groceries,

let alone pay what you owe me.

Mademoiselle, I hardly need be

reminded of the debt I owe you.

My God!

You've snatched me from death

only to make me your slave!

I'd rather be dead.

- Where are you going?

- I have... to...

Speak up.

- I'm going away.

- No. Please!

Wenceslas... forgive me.

Do you know what it's like...

to be shut up in a Ionely room

night after night,

with only the sound of the rain

on the windows...

to lull you to sleep?

Now I have you.

I can blow out my candle

when I go to bed...

and see you in my mind...

...imagine your wild hair,

your eyes...

Your beautiful hands.

It's all right. I'm here.

I'm still here.

MAN:
And in the campaign

of 1805...

I led the Grenadiers

from Vienna to Austerlitz.

Through six feet of snow.

BROTHER:
Cutlets?!

MAN:
And these were my reward.

From the emperor himself.

Father, I've spoken twice to the

cook about the price of cutlets.

We can't afford them. We must

discuss our financial situation.

Not at dinner, Victorin.

You're giving me indigestion.

- May I be excused?

- You may not.

Hortense, your uncle is your

most ardent admirer at present.

Hortense has still

to be married, then?

Time enough for that.

That's what you say, you bad

seed that refused to blossom.

[AII laughing]

Oh, don't worry.

Monsieur Steinbach's in.

He hasn't been out

even once today.

[Coin clatters]

- Don't squirm.

- [Giggles]

If you'd just pay attention to

fashion, you wouldn't be plain.

Ah, and most important...

I think the cousin of

the legendary Adeline Hulot...

If you want to be my friend,

don't mention her name.

I only meant to say

she was beautiful.

Do you understand me?

Sorry, I didn't know.

Of course you didn't know.

How could you know?

You don't know how

I was sacrificed to Adeline.

They slapped me

and caressed her.

I went dressed like a drudge,

she like a lady.

I dug the garden,

peeled the vegetables.

She never lifted a finger

except to tie her ribbons.

You've made me look ridiculous!

JENNY:
Let's not fight.

I need my strength.

I have to spend two hours

with Crevel tonight.

Where did you get that?

The baron.

But it was purchased

by Cesar Crevel.

Yes. He must have

given it to you.

Oh, how you mix up

these old men of yours!

Crevel gave me this.

But it can't be.

They say the young artist

is devilishly handsome,

and he lives with a hag.

A dragon who won't let him

out of her sight.

Hag?

The baron is backing him since

he is nearly his son-in-law.

- Oh...

- Are you all right?

Oh, water. Water.

My head is on fire!

[Gasping]

I'll see them... all of them...

...fallen in the dust.

Fallen lower than I am.

Give me your hands.

You're frightening me.

Are we not both...

daughters of the soil...

...and blood of the Voges?

We are.

Do you trust me...

as you would a sister?

Yes.

And will you help me...

...as you would a sister?

- Yes.

- Then you will be the ax.

And I'll be the hand

that wields you.

Elizabeth.

For whom are you making

the lovely box?

You gave me a fright.

Oh, Stidmann asked me

to throw it together.

Look.

These flowers are hortensia.

What of it?

Why have you never made

anything for me?

Would it have been so difficult

to design a little box for me?

[Wenceslas laughs]

- And you say you love me.

- I do love you, Bette.

Then marry me.

No one has ever told me so

plainly before how hideous I am.

Oh, no. I'm just shocked by...

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