Madeleine Page #3

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- I will soon.

- No, this won't do.

It has been soon before.

Promise.

I promise.

What will you say?

Please, not now, Emile, it's so late.

What will you say?

I will say... "Papa... "

Yes?

"... for some time now I've been acquainted

with a French... gentleman. "

And?

"And er... we've...

we've fallen in love with each other...

and... and er... "

"We wish to be married. "

"... we... wish to be married, Papa. "

What's the matter?

I've been having headaches all day.

It's the snow, I think. It oppresses me.

Poor Mimi.

I think I should try and sleep.

Do you want me to leave?

It would be best, Emile.

The pain makes me stupid.

Good night, Emile.

You will write and let me know

when you have spoken to your father?

Yes.

Good.

(Children laugh and shout)

Has the post been yet?

- Yes.

- Good.

- Mr. L'Angelier!

- In a moment.

Mr. L'Angelier!

Mimi.

What has brought you here?

Put your arms around me.

Emile... we're going to be married.

So you have told your father.

No, but I've come here to ask you

to take me away.

I do not understand.

Last night I made you a promise

I cannot keep.

I cannot tell Papa.

Why not?

Emile, we've kept our love a secret all this time

for fear of even a whisper reaching him.

If he should hear of our engagement now,

he would separate us forever.

Take me away, Emile.

Take me away before it is too late.

Where?

Well... you had work offered you in London.

We could be happy there.

Happy.

Do you think we can be happy on what I earn?

If you love me, yes.

No, this is not what I desire.

If we marry, we marry into your life,

not mine.

You will keep your word

and speak to your father.

Emile, I cannot.

Why?

Because of what I am?

- Of this?

- Please, Emile.

You have broken your word.

For months now, I have waited on street

pavements like any common servant,

suffered the indignity of being admitted

by the back door night after night.

And all this time you've been deceiving me.

I was born a gentleman.

If your friend Mr. Minnoch can be accepted

by your family, so can I.

Will you marry me, Emile?

In such circumstances, no.

What are you doing?

Emile, I wonder if you know

what you've done to me.

I... I thought we loved each other.

I wanted to leave my family

and go away with you.

But until now I've never really known you.

But nothing has changed.

But it has, Emile.

I must ask you to return my letters to me

and not to try and see me again.

Wait. You shall not go like this.

I'm going home.

# Waltz

She's in very good looks this evening,

my dear.

- Oh, you think so?

- Indeed.

Many eyes are upon her.

One pair in particular.

- That would make us very happy.

- I'm sure.

But isn't that a foregone conclusion?

Oh, we hope so.

My dear, we are being too discreet.

How vigorous, you are, dear James.

You dance as well as anybody in the room.

I still have the use of my legs, my love.

Ah, the pipes!

# Lively jig

Ladies and gentlemen, pray take

your partners for a Caledonian reel.

- Ah.

- This was to be ours, Miss Madeleine.

- Unless you're fatigued.

- She is not. She has been dancing with me.

Come, ladies.

We'll find a better point of vantage.

Come, Bessie.

I hear we shall be congratulating

you both soon.

Or am I being premature?

You are, ma'am.

I'm sorry.

That was an embarrassing question.

Mrs. Grant is famous for them.

Nevertheless,

I wish I'd been able to answer differently.

- Would it have given you happiness?

- More than anything in the world.

Come along, William.

- Mr. Minnoch?

- Yes, Miss Madeleine?

Before we start,

I wish to say something to you.

I'm all attention.

If Mrs. Grant or anyone else

should ask you that question again...

you may answer differently.

(Bagpipes strike up)

(Pipers play a Caledonian reel)

MAN:
Heyah!

And you will keep Saturday?

- Yes, indeed.

- We will ask a few people.

- Good night, ma'am.

- Good night, my boy.

Good night, sir.

I have not seen you alone all evening.

And now I'm going.

Is that what being engaged entails?

My family were so excited.

Come round tomorrow.

I will see they leave us alone.

Madeleine, my dear Madeleine.

I trust you will never regret this.

I do not regret things.

Even what you do impetuously?

I accepted you tonight in an impulse,

it is true.

But I felt I was guided to do so.

By providence?

- Mm-hm.

- And Mrs. Grant's wig.

What is it?

We shall laugh together, you and I?

Of course.

Madeleine... will you wear this?

Till we choose you one.

It will be clumsy on your hand.

But I should like to think of it there.

I will wear it. I like it.

It is solid.

Is... Is this your crest?

A crossbow.

Ah.

I thought it was an anchor.

Thank you, William.

- Good night, Madeleine.

- Good night, William.

I will call in the morning.

Sleep very well.

And don't fret.

We shall be happy.

(Door opens)

MOTHER:
Madeleine.

Oh, Madeleine. Oh.

We are so pleased for you.

I'm glad, Mama. I feel quite light-headed.

And there is so much to discuss.

- Bessie will be bridesmaid.

- Oh, Mama.

And Janet too. And where will it be?

Oh, Madeleine, you have a ring.

Yes, it is his. He gave it to me.

It isn't very pretty, is it?

Look, Papa.

Emile.

I wish to speak to you.

Come outside.

Emile, have you brought my letters?

I wish to speak to you!

It is impossible. Please go.

(Rattles railings with cane)

- You'll wake everyone up.

- That is precisely my intention.

What have you to say?

Come to the door.

I cannot, Emile.

(Janet stirs in her sleep)

Please say what you have to say.

- Open the door.

- No.

Open it!

- (Rattles door)

- Wait.

Thank you.

In here.

How dare you!

What is it you wish to say?

You were dancing very

light-heartedly tonight, Mimi.

Where are my letters, Emile?

What is Mr. Minnoch to you?

He's a friend of Papa's. I told you before.

Mimi, if Mr. Minnoch entertained

deeper feelings for you...

he wouldn't like to know

that you are betrothed to another.

You and I are not betrothed!

You say that we were more than that.

You've written it many times.

That is done with.

I wonder if your father would agree

with you.

He must never know.

But he must, Mimi.

If not from you, then from your letters.

No.

It is my duty.

No, Emile, not my letters.

You made yourself my wife, Madeleine.

I cannot tell Papa.

I cannot.

- Then I will.

- No, Emile. I implore you.

- He must know the truth.

- He will destroy me. He will put me away.

Please, Emile, do not go to Papa.

I will do anything.

Anything you say.

I will tell him, but not my letters,

I beg you, Emile.

I beg you.

(Gasps)

(Madeleine sobs)

Mimi.

(Continues sobbing)

Mimi...

(Shop bell rings)

- Hello, sonny.

- It's on the paper.

Hm, just a minute.

What is this required for, my lad?

- I don't know, sir.

- Where do you come from?

Miss Madeleine Smith, Blythswood Square.

Will you go back and inform the lady

that I cannot supply prussic acid,

without knowing why it is required?

- You mean, you won't give it to me?

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