Le grand Meaulnes Page #2

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- Mr. De Galais.

My dear Florentin,

welcome to Quarry House.

I expected you earlier.

A businessman can't always

do what he wants.

And there was all that fog.

I lost my way.

I understand. Of course.

Simonet!

Come on, Simonet.

Not helping these girls...

Excuse me.

You're not Simonet.

But that's all right.

Give them a hand. It looks heavy.

Our gift is a surprise.

Be careful.

It's not a surprise anymore,

but it's still a gift.

Where were you? Help them.

Take this with the gifts.

- I'll do it.

- This way!

You have a partner?

For the wedding,

for the dance?

If we wait for Frantz to rehearse,

we can't honour him

when he arrives.

The other way now!

Remember?

Shake one finger,

shake the other one.

Well?

Sorry, I'm taken.

Fine.

You're not Simonet,

but a friend of my grandson's?

Augustin Meaulnes, sir.

I think he mentioned a name like that.

Frantz is ruining us, you know.

But you know him.

He loves a party.

What better occasion than this?

And more gifts!

This marriage is a real surprise.

I never even met the fiance.

Her father's some big- time weaver.

It was love at first sight.

Look how lovely it is!

The newlyweds!

But not the real ones!

You know the fiance?

Not even his friends!

Love is so secretive.

Out you go! Take turns.

My turn to be the bride!

Not all at once.

A beauty, isn't she?

My granddaughter. Frantz's sister.

Very beautiful.

Her mother was Tuscan.

Her father - my son -

was a local boy from Sologne.

They died when she was seven,

in a fire at the Florence Opera House.

Frantz must have mentioned it.

Italy, the opera...

the piano.

The bridal veil!

Parading the veil is a tradition here.

For good luck.

Straight from Paris, like the headdress.

A big Paris house, Delphine...

Delphine something- or- other.

Have you seen a tall girl

dressed in pink?

I don't know.

- The bride isn't a local girl.

- So I heard.

Have you met her family?

They must be coming with her.

I brought a cuckoo clock

or their kitchen.

Young man,

don't you have a costume?

...the fabulous tale

of Prince Hermatanzor,

who for seven years and seven months

has been searching

for the gentle Princess Fabia,

who will die in seven days

and seven hours

if he doesn't bring her

the potion of long life.

When the Prince reaches the cave,

a dragon with a tongue six feet long

tries to stop him.

Its nostrils spew coloured fumes,

like a volcano.

Grandfather says you're

a close friend of Frantz's.

But I know all of Frantz's friends.

All the others.

- I can't stay for the wedding.

- He'll be disappointed.

You're right.

I lied. I've never met Frantz.

I don't know him.

- I come from far away.

- Which is where you'd have met.

His favourite place to go.

Do you like music?

I like what you're playing.

Otherwise...

Not knowing Frantz is no problem.

You can quickly make friends

with a stranger.

You'll see, he's handsome and mad.

Very handsome, very mad.

His bride will change him.

Is that a good thing?

Changing people you love?

True.

Changing what we love

means losing what we loved.

I would never try...

if I loved someone like Frantz.

Does this traveler have a name?

My name is Meaulnes.

And you?

That's no question to ask a lady.

- Mademoiselle de Galais.

- Augustin Meaulnes.

Yvonne de Galais.

Yes.

As pretty as I hoped it would be.

Didn't you get anything?

I'll find you something.

Here.

Wonderful.

This will go with the vest.

I love watches. My Paris neighbour

is Gougeon, the watchmaker.

He knows my weakness.

Take it.

Take it.

I have so many more.

You look like an ogre.

I haven't eaten in two days.

What have you been doing till now?

Looking for you.

I must see you again.

Allow me to come again?

Who would stop you?

Would you like me to?

Would you like me to?

I'll be waiting for you, Augustin.

They're coming!

They're entering the lane.

Why don't they get out?

What's going on?

Well, children?

- She never showed up.

- That can't be!

- It's a mix- up.

- She sent a letter.

Please, leave me alone!

Stay with him.

You're his friend.

Go on.

Your sister is against it.

Your grandfather is against it.

And I'm against it, too.

I waited two deadly hours.

Then they brought me an awful letter.

"Frantz, my love,

"This marriage is impossible.

"We come from very different worlds.

"I lied to you...

"about who I am,

my family, my fortune and all.

"Even about my name.

"Adieu. You will never find me."

We could have talked it over.

Just what she didn't want.

Why? But why?

Because she loves you.

She wrote it.

Her pistol was this letter.

To end this dream

she thought impossible.

How wonderfully we met!

Her laugh made me lower

the carriage window.

I saw the sweetest, most natural face.

It was the very image of life,

unaffected and forthright.

Thank you.

Thank you all.

There will be other occasions.

That's right.

Take your gifts back.

What a waste!

We didn't even see the bride.

You've listened with brotherly patience.

We're made of the same stuff.

Ready to attempt

what others call an adventure...

which terrifies them.

If you agree to be my friend,

some good will have come

of this dreadful day.

I'll find the young woman.

I'll bring her back to you.

It's tremendous to restore my hope.

I promise you.

Hurry up, before

all the carriages are gone.

The tall young man there! Hurry!

You must help me.

Help you do what?

Will you help me?

You must.

Then I'll help you.

Over the next weeks,

You sure it's this way?

You said, Quarry.

We're going there.

There should be a lane with a turret.

I've never been in love.

I mean, not really in love.

Except maybe

one of Uncle Florentin's girls.

The third one. Marthe.

I kissed her.

Is this where you bring me?

Can't you read?

The Sand Quarry.

But the chteau, the turret...

You wanted a quarry.

Can't you read?

But this isn't it. You mentioned

a pond where you used to bathe.

Don't shout.

The pond is just behind.

The girls would undress here,

and we'd watch through the holes.

You're just a bunch of snot- nosed kids.

I was sure you couldn't know it.

It's too good for you.

Maybe, but I don't talk nonsense.

Maybe you made it all up.

Just to show off.

The nameless girl. The lost country.

The ghost chteau.

And the vest?

Have you forgotten?

Slowly, as his confident,

I became imbued

with his adventure.

I felt as much the hero as he.

But we found nothing.

Meaulnes was in despair, unlike me.

They're coming!

Never could I have imagined

what I long considered

my friend's betrayal.

She looks like your mother.

- It is your mother.

- Yes, it is.

- I meant to tell you- -

- It's not vacation.

I'm leaving, Franois.

We're going in circles here.

I have a lead in Paris.

The De Galais town house.

I told my mother it was to study.

You know the real reason.

You alone.

I'll write when I know something.

You didn't come say goodbye!

It's better this way.

And I'd rather have you with me.

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