Dragonwyk Page #3

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I think I have some new music that will please

you more than Van Beethoven, Cousin Miranda.

- You can sing as I play.

- Oh, no, really I can't.

Of course you can.

The lyrics are printed on the sheet.

"I dreamt that I dwelled in marble halls...

"with vassals and serfs at my side.

"And of all who assembled

within those walls...

"that I was the hope and the pride.

"I had riches too great to count...

"could boast of a high ancestral name...

"but I also dreamt,

which pleased me most...

"that you love me still the same.

That you love me still the same."

You read the words with

an extraordinary understanding.

I've never seen them before.

Then perhaps there is someone at home

whom you've promised to love still the same?

Oh, no.

It is getting late.

I'm sure you've had an exhausting day.

I shall have Magda show you to your room.

- Thank you.

- Good night then.

Good night, Cousin Nicholas.

Since we are not really cousins...

I can see no reason why we should

continue to call ourselves so.

Good night, Miranda.

Good night.

- Have you had a pleasant evening, miss?

- Oh, yes.

This is a lovely room, isn't it?

- Yes, it is.

- An unusual room.

- It's unusually beautiful.

- That isn't what I mean, miss.

I do have such a time

making myself understood.

It's what she brought to this room

and what'll never leave it.

Was she very young?

About as young as you.

She must have been very proud

to be mistress of Dragonwyck.

He never loved her.

He never wanted her at all.

He wanted their son.

He kept her from him.

He forbade her to sing and play.

He broke her heart and drove her...

She prayed for disaster

to come to the Van Ryns...

and she swore that when it came,

she'd always be here to sing and play.

She killed herself in this room...

at this harpsichord.

That's just kitchen gossip.

Oh, you mustn't take me seriously, miss.

No one ever does.

May I take you to your room now?

Thank you.

Of course, I've never heard

Azilde play myself.

They say in the kitchen I never shall.

Even when she plays...

I should say if she plays...

you won't either because

you've got no Van Ryn blood.

But he'll hear her. And Katrine.

Is this my room?

Yes, miss.

Will there be anything else

you need, miss?

Oh, no, thank you.

- Well, good night then.

- Good night, Magda.

Miss Wells, why have you come here?

Do you think Katrine

is in need of a companion?

Why, that would be

for her father and mother to decide.

Don't you think Katrine

is in need of a father and a mother?

That was a silly question, wasn't it?

- Do you like it here?

- Of course I do.

Of course you do.

You like being waited on.

I could see tonight it was the first time.

You like peaches out of season...

you like the feel of silk sheets

against your young body...

and one day

you'll wish with all your heart...

you'd never come to Dragonwyck.

I keep getting my S's backwards.

It's very simple,

once you get the hang of it.

Up and then a hook

and then a swing to the left...

and there you are.

Mm-hmm. That's right.

Papa's kind of like a teacher to you,

isn't he?

He's been very kind and helpful to me.

What's he like?

Your father?

Yes. Is he nice?

But of course he is.

Don't you think so?

Does he like me?

Katrine, what a strange thing to say.

Your father and mother

both love you very much.

Did they tell you that?

Why, it's... it's understood.

They love you

just the way you love them.

But I don't love them.

That must be the de Greniers!

They've come for the kermis tomorrow.

They're staying overnight.

The count's

such a funny-looking little man.

It isn't polite to stare, Kat...

Did you say count?

So that's what a count looks like.

So do barons and dukes. Tomorrow

the house will be packed with them.

Papa always has a Fourth of July ball

for the river families...

after the farmers have their kermis.

- A ball!

- You'll have a wonderful time.

And you can wear the ball dress

Papa had sent from New York.

But I won't know anyone

to talk to or to dance with.

Oh, everyone will want

to dance with you, Miranda.

Golly, I hope so.

This is where I hide every year to watch.

Sometimes after Papa leaves...

I go and stand near the carousel.

Perhaps you shouldn't have come, Katrine.

It's wrong to disobey.

Oh, you're just saying that

because you're supposed to.

- Is there anything wrong about the kermis?

- No.

- Could watching it make me a bad girl?

- I suppose not.

Then it's wrong to forbid me to come.

That sounds pretty logical to me.

- Hello, Dr. Turner.

- Hello, Katrine.

- Oh, this is Miranda.

- Wells.

- How do you do, Miss Wells?

- How do you do?

Papa sent for her all the way

from Connecticut to be my companion.

She's a kind of a very distant cousin,

but she's nice.

I had no idea the Van Ryns

ever honored Connecticut.

We're not really cousins, but Mr. Van Ryn

was kind enough to invite me to Dragonwyck.

- Whereabouts in Connecticut?

- Near Greenwich.

- But that's all farm country.

- Sheep and potatoes mostly.

You seem so startled, Doctor. Haven't you

ever met anyone who came off a farm?

Not anyone who came off a farm

to live at Dragonwyck.

This seems like an odd place

for you girls to watch the kermis.

- You'd have more fun over there.

- But we're really not supposed to be here.

We're hiding so Papa doesn't see us.

Katrine had her heart set on it.

You know how children are about such things.

You wanted to see the kermis

even more than I did!

Don't worry. I'll keep your secret.

Papa will never know from me

about... either of you.

May I have the honor

of seeing you again, Miss Wells?

- Why, yes, if you like.

- I would like. And soon.

- If you're sure it won't be too unpleasant for you.

- Unpleasant?

Well, you see, the patron and I

don't get along very well.

In fact, the first thing I've ever known us

to agree on is bringing you here.

I think that was a fine idea.

Well, happy Independence Day.

Good-bye.

Oh, I like him so much.

I wish he could be my doctor, too,

instead of just the farmers'.

Why doesn't he like your father?

Because Papa doesn't like him either.

Why not?

Papa never says why not.

Oh, here they come!

What brings you to our kermis,

Dr. Turner?

Are you expecting an epidemic

of minor injuries?

You never can tell, Mr. Van Ryn.

This chair came from Holland

with the first patron.

It represents, among other things...

over 200 years of extreme discomfort.

The patron is ready.

The first man will come forward,

bringing with him rent and tribute.

Klaas Bleecker, Hill Farm.

winter wheat and...

- You've brought nothing with you, Klaas.

- No.

- Perhaps your crops were poor.

- My crops were all right.

Take your hat off

when you speak to the patron!

I'm a free American citizen!

I take my hat off to no man!

What you do with your hat is your own concern.

Are you ready to pay your rent?

No. Nor will you ever again get

so much as a grain of wheat from me.

It is your purpose, then,

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