My Cousin Rachel

In the old days when I was a child

They used to hang our murderers at the Four-Turnings crossroads.

This is what one moment of passion can bring on a man Philip.

As long as I can remember old tom was never anything but dull and honest.

But whatever the cause

One day there came a moment of uncontrollable anger.

And when it was over

This is what he had earned for himself.

For this is the price for murder.

That was 15 years ago.

But I should have remembered his words.

Death...

Is the price for murder.

My entire life has been spent on the Cornish coast of England.

There for more than a hundred years

There stood the solid comfortable home

In which I grew up from infancy

In the care of my cousin Ambrose

What is it?

Open it.

Happy birthday dear boy.

My parents died when I was but a few months old.

From then on as long as he lived

Abrose was not only my kinsman and guardian

But father brother friend everything in the world to me.

And just two years ago

On the stormiest night that I can remember

Distant bells began to toll for him.

And now they tell me if I spend another winter in this blasted rain

I'll end up a cripple in a bath chair.

So I must go in search of the sun I suppose.

Where will you go?

Italy perhaps.

Somewhere around the mediterranean.

Well uh you'll want me toNgo with you won't you?

I'd want you of course

But I don't think...

Think both of us should be away from here at the same time.

You don't think you'll need someone to

Help you in and out of carriages and all that sort of thing?

Good heavens no. I'm not exactly an invalid yet.

The real trouble is...

I'm too much of a fool about my home. I...

I hate to leave it even for a week.

Well this must be for months.

And so today the Four-Turnings crossroads

Is an even uglier place to me.

But it was there that I bade him farewell

For the last time.

This is far enough.

You don't want to be late getting back.

Goodbye dear boy.

Goodbye Ambrose.

Goodbye Louise.

Goodbye.

Better keep an eye on this one don't you think?

She's coming along pretty fast now.

ever mind about me.

What we want to know is

Who's going to keep an eye on you?

What did I tell you?

Drive on.

Goodbye children. I'll see you in the spring.

Goodbye Ambrose.

Goodbye Ambrose. God bless you.

But when winter had passed

And we were well into spring again

And still there was no sign of his returning

I came to be troubled by strange and formless fears

Wholly without reason but persistent and nagging.

And in some ways... ominous.

Good morning.

ick!

What news from our tourist now?

Still in Florence.

Can't seem to tear himself away from some people he's met there.

Oh who are they?

Have you ever heard of a family from these parts named Corren?

One of them once married to a member of our family?

Oh yes I remember the Correns. Why?

He writes that he's met one of them in Florence.

A countess Tangeletti half English half Italian a widow.

How old is she?

He doesn't say but middle aged I suppose

Married and widowed and so on.

She's been showing them the gardens in Florence.

When's he coming home?

Didn't even mention it this time.

Is it really true sir?

It is.

What is it dear?

Where's your father?

Here I am. What's the trouble?

Another letter.

I want you to hear it yourself.

My dearest boy all is not well with me.

- Keeps silent though she watches me all the time.

I have written to you several times.

There is no one here I can trust.

Unless I can get out myself to post the letters

They may not reach you.

Since my illness this has been more difficult than ever.

As for the doctors

I have no belief in any of them.

They are all liars.

And the new one recommended by our friend Rainaldi

I'm sure is a complete cutthroat.

But then he would be coming from that quarter.

However they've taken on a dangerous proposition in me

And I will beat them yet. Ambrose

Look at the writing.

I can't believe it.

ot believe what?

It's not the letter of a man in his right senses.

That's not it.

There've been hints before in exactly the same tone.

There is nothing the matter with Ambrose's mind.

You may not know this

But Ambrose's father died of a tumor on the brain.

It was never a matter much discussed in the family

And i've no idea whether these things are hereditary or not

or do the doctors seem to know.

The only other possibility I can think of

And one I would infinitely prefer

Is that Ambrose was drunk when he wrote this letter.

I've never seen Ambrose drunk in my life.

or I.

I was merely trying to choose the better of two evils.

Well whatever the truth we'll know it soon.

I'm leaving for Florence first thing tomorrow morning.

Pull up a minute please.

Isn't that the post bag?

Yes sir?

Let me see the letters please.

Yes sir.

Thank you. Thank you sir.

Drive on.

Villa Sengeletti?

Si.

Signor Ashley. Is here?

o no Signor...

Then Signora Ashley?

Excuse me.

Do you understand English?

Yes Signor.

Would you be good enough to announce me to Mr. Ambrose Ashley.

Excuse Signore but you are Mr. Ashley's son?

o his cousin.

Is he here or not?

I'm very sorry Signore but he's not.

He's dead.

Since three weeks now.

Would you care for a glass of wine Signore?

o. Thank you.

How did he die?

From the fever Signore.

I mean was it quick... or... or slow.

The illness was long and slow.

But the end was quick.

He fell asleep truly.

You saw it?

Yes Signore.

It was very early in the morning

And Sr. Rainaldi sent me for the doctor.

But it was too late.

I myself helped the Contessa to light the candles.

And when the nuns are gone I went back to look at him again.

The violence had all gone now

And on his face it was a look of peace.

What do you mean by violence?

During the fever Signore

There were many times I had to hold him down in bed

When the attacks come on.

And when the pain went

He would be dazed and heavy his mind wondering

That was the way it was.

The whole winter. A strong man. As helpless at last... as a child.

And uh Mrs. Ashley is she still here?

o Signore. She moved out the day after the funeral.

Sr. Rainaldi thought it best.

Mr. Ashley's things?

She packed them all up and...

What about this?

She must have overlooked it Signore.

I see.

And if there's no objection. I'll take it along for myself.

Of course.

And this... Signore Rainaldi.

You say he was of great help and comfort to Mrs. Ashley during her...

Ordeal.

He never left the villa during that entire week.

He was their true friend as well as lawyer.

Where can I find him now?

In the Via Derona Signore. Is the first house on the left after the fountain.

Thank you.

Is this Signor Rainaldi's...

o thank you.

Avanti!

Mr. Ashley?

Yes.

Philip Ashley a kinsman of Ambrose.

I can see the resemblance.

Will you have a chair sir?

I've just come from the Villa Sangaletti Mr. Rainaldi.

I know. You have Ambrose's stick.

You have no objection I trust?

How could i?

It would have been sent to you anyway.

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