Dragonwyk Page #2

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I want you to read with me.

"I will sing...

- "Of mercy and judgment."

- "of mercy and judgment.

"Unto thee, O Lord, will I sing.

I will walk with"...

"I will walk within my house

with a perfect heart."

- "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes."

"I hate the work of them that turn aside. "

"It sh... It shall not cleave to me.

A forward heart shall depart from me."

"I will not know a wicked person. "

- More coffee, Cousin Miranda?

- No, thank you.

- You, sir?

- No, thanks.

The music is very nice.

I understand they've opened

the dining terrace for public dancing.

It would be fun to watch.

I don't know what made me think you'd

be a much older man, Mr. Van Ryn.

You've mentioned my age

several times now, sir.

Does it affect your confidence in me?

Alexander the Great, when he was younger

than I, had conquered most of the world.

Maybe if he'd been older,

he'd have conquered all of it...

or maybe he'd have had the sense

not to try in the first place.

Aristotle was his teacher, Mr. Wells,

but I'm sure he put things less clearly than you.

- Tell me, young man. What are your politics?

- My politics?

Since Van Buren is a New Yorker, I imagine you

folks up along the Hudson are mostly for him.

Martin's an old friend of mine. Naturally

if he's nominated, my farmers will vote for him.

What do you mean, your farmers?

The tenant farmers on my land.

There are nearly 200 of them.

Never heard of tenant farmers.

Don't they own their own land?

No, it belongs to me.

It belonged to my father and his father...

back to the first patron

that took title in 1630.

I permit the farmers to work my land,

and they in return...

pay me a yearly tribute

and a share of their produce.

But they can buy the land

they've been working if they want to.

- No.

- Why not?

Because it belongs to me.

As a farmer, I'd rather own one half acre

of barren rock free and clear...

than work the richest land in the world

for someone else.

I daresay we don't understand

each other's viewpoint.

I daresay.

Cousin Nicholas, is that the new waltz dance

they're dancing down there?

It sounds very much like one.

It doesn't look improper at all.

Do you dance the waltz?

Miranda!

Yes, Cousin Miranda, I dance the waltz.

But never in a public place.

Oh.

Our politics may not jibe, young man,

but I like your manners.

Well, some good may come to you

out of this venture after all.

I'm glad you think so, sir.

Well, it's time for bed.

Don't forget your prayers, Miranda.

No, Pa. Good night.

Good night, Cousin Nicholas.

Good night.

- Cousin Miranda.

- Yes?

On occasion,

we dance the waltz at Dragonwyck.

Good night.

Agatha! There's Dragonwyck! I can see it!

- Dragonwyck? Where?

- Over there.

Excuse me.

Golly Moses!

Cousin Nicholas! Cousin Nicholas!

I saw it! I saw Dragonwyck!

What have you done with your bonnet?

How can you sit there so quietly?

I should think that seeing Dragonwyck

would be more thrilling to you than to anyone.

Nothing can be thrilling

that is shared with so many other people.

- Did you like what you saw?

- I'm afraid I've run out of words.

I've said "beautiful"

so often this afternoon.

Every now and then you say "golly."

I prefer "beautiful."

I'll try to remember.

Do you mind if I keep my bonnet off

just a minute?

The breeze feels so wonderful

against my face.

Tell me about Dragonwyck.

- How many rooms?

- I've never counted them.

- And lots of servants?

- I've never counted them either.

Golly... I mean, imagine.

The breeze must feel wonderful indeed

with a face as beautiful as yours against it.

Welcome home, Mynheer Van Ryn.

Thank you, Magda. This is Miss Wells.

- Magda's our housekeeper.

- How do you do?

- I assume Mrs. Van Ryn is at dinner?

- Yes, Mynheer.

And you'll be pleased

at how well she's looking.

Not that madam isn't always a picture.

See that Katrine comes to the dining hall.

Will you come this way?

Don't you think

I'd better go to my room first?

I must look hardly presentable.

To my wife, promptness at meals

is the highest human virtue.

You're back.

Yes, as you see, I'm back.

- I didn't know. I would have waited.

- And here is Cousin Miranda.

- Oh, welcome to Dragonwyck, child.

- Thank you.

Will you sit here, Cousin Miranda?

Thank you.

- Did you have a pleasant trip, Nicholas?

- Yes, very.

Miss Wells has had practically nothing

to eat today, Tompkins. Serve her at once.

At once, Mynheer.

I trust you'll be happy here.

It's most kind of you to let me come.

And my mother and father

wish to be remembered.

I'm sure they're most worthy people...

and I'm sure you'll be a good girl.

- Nicholas.

- Yes, my dear?

- You didn't forget the pastries, did you?

- Of course not, my dear.

Oh, those wonderful New York pastries.

- Nicholas.

- Yes?

Did you bring the napoleons,

the honey puffs and the mocha bonbons?

- All of them, my dear.

- I think I'll have the bonbons before going to bed.

Tompkins, serve the honey puffs after dinner,

but be sure they're well chilled.

Yes, madame. And shall we keep

the napoleons for tomorrow?

For my lunch.

After dinner, you'd best go find Katrine.

You might read her a story.

We can hardly ask our guest

to occupy herself with the child tonight.

- She must be tired.

- As you say.

Oh, there you are, pet.

Don't shuffle your feet when you walk...

and you're a naughty girl

to stay away so much.

I never can keep track of you.

- Have you had your dinner?

- Yes, Mama.

This is your cousin Miranda, Katrine.

Hello, Katrine.

It would be courteous to return

her greeting, don't you think?

Katrine and I are going to have

a lot of fun together. Aren't we?

Yes, Cousin Miranda.

May I go now, Mama?

Oh, I suppose so.

Who was she?

She was my great-grandmother, Azilde.

Azilde? That's a strange name.

She looks like... like a frightened child.

I don't know why

we keep her hanging there.

And that ugly, old harpsichord...

It's just an eyesore.

The servants have to be driven to dust it.

You'd think it was going to bite them.

She was from New Orleans.

She and my great-grandfather

were married there in 1743.

Yes, I imagine it was one

of those sudden, romantic adventures.

Tell me some more about them,

Cousin Nicholas.

Azilde and your great-grandfather...

Did they fall in love at first sight?

No Van Ryn does anything at first sight.

But she must have been happy to live here.

As it turned out, it didn't matter.

Soon after their son was born, she died.

She brought this harpsichord with her

from her home. She played it always.

If you listen to the servants,

they'll have you believe she still does.

Fortunately, we don't listen

to servants or to their superstitions.

Oh, no, of course not. I... I...

Isn't it rather late, Nicholas?

Perhaps we should...

I shall stay up for a while,

but if you wish to retire, my dear...

Yes, I... I think I will.

Well, good night then.

- Good night.

- Good night.

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