My Forbidden Past

Goodbye. Till tomorrow.

No, I'm taking a boat

to South America tonight.

How long will you be gone?

A couple of months.

I got the university to send me.

Why didn't you tell me?

I wanted to cut it sharp

with a knife. But why?

You know why. I don't like hiding.

Why?

Come with me.

Just like that? Just like that.

The captain will marry us

on the boat.

Mark, it sounds so crazy

and wonderful but...

You won't say a word to anybody,

you'll go and pack and meet me

on the boat at eight o'clock.

Will I, Mark? Will you, Barbara?

Yes!

WOMAN:
Barbara, you're late.

I'm sorry, Aunt Eulah.

Come here for a moment, my dear.

We are having company for dinner.

I have invited Monsieur Duchaine.

Monsieur Duchaine is a fine man, my

dear, a great gentleman. Yes, Aunt Eulah.

It is proper

that money should be a large

consideration in your marriage.

You may wear your new dress.

Thank you, Aunt Eulah.

MAN:
Thank you, Robbie.

In a hurry, Cousin?

Paul!

Yes, Mother.

We're dining at home, you know.

Aren't you wearing your new dress,

Cousin dear?

Is it necessary to pack a suitcase

to go down to dinner?

I'm going away, Paul.

Oh, that's what the suitcase is for.

Is it that research fellow, Barbara, from the

university? How did you know? I thought nobody knew.

Well, you're my favourite cousin!

Is it by any chance the boat

that sails tonight at eight o'clock?

I'd better see you off, it's not au

fait for a young lady to go alone.

What's the matter? You're not

going to tell your mother?

Her heart.

As a matter of a fact she won't have an attack

immediately, not until your entire story comes out.

You don't intend, of course, to

come back to New Orleans. Why not?

You'd be a figure of some notoriety. People

would dig into your... shall we say, ancestry.

Well, Mother's old, she hadn't

many years to live anyhow.

I don't blame you for wanting

to live your own life.

You don't blame me?

You don't blame anyone as long

as it doesn't interfere with you.

I don't know whether you should

write Dear Mark or Dear Doctor.

"Darling". Of course,

that's much more simple and direct.

Very sweet.

Very commendable.

And you will always be here,

waiting.

Mother might ask questions if you whisper with

the servants. I'll see that it gets to the ship.

Promise, Paul.

I promise, Barbara.

You'll be lovely in your new dress,

Cousin dear!

Lower your gangplank!

Lower your gangplank!

Stand by your lines!

AUNT:
Nowadays, Mr Duchaine,

it's considered old-fashioned

to be proud of one's origins. Well, Madame,

I prefer to be considered old-fashioned.

I feel it's our duty to remember

our heritage and be proud of it.

SHIP'S HOOTER BLOWS

You know, Clay, whenever Barbara hears a ship's

whistle at eight o'clock, she spills her soup.

# The spirits creep

# The ghosties run

# The skeletons rattle and moan

# The goblins holler... #

Where's 39, Elisa Street?

# Takes magic to scare off

dead bones... # Thank you.

Buy a cute little skeleton for Halloween? Do I

look like a man who'd buy a skeleton? No, sir.

Why don't you look

where you're going? Why don't YOU!

# Goblins holler

on All Saints Eve... #

Is this number 39? Yes, sir.

Does a Barbara Beaurevel live here?

All the Beaurevels live here, sir.

Miss, Madame and the Mister. Thank you.

My dear man, I suggest that

you find yourself an attorney.

"Luther Toplady. Attorney at law. "

Well, Mr Luther Toplady, I don't

think you have any action against me.

I'm not even interested in you,

unless your name is Barbara.

Barbara? I've come all the way from California to see

her. Paul! Yes, Mother? I wish to see the gentleman.

Mr Toplady. From California. Your

business, please? Are you Barbara Beaurevel?

We are the only Beaurevels in New Orleans. I'm tracing

the relatives of a lady who died. A Mrs Crandall.

We have no Crandalls in our family.

This is a matter of a bequest.

I've traced a Barbara Beaurevel

to this address. Good day.

Mother, you might listen. All the diamonds in

Africa couldn't join Carrie Crandall to my family.

I'm sure you'll forgive me for asking

how you knew I meant Carrie Crandall?

I see that you have your hat... I came

3,000 miles to see Barbara Beaurevel and...

Barbara Beaurevel is dead!

Good day, Madam.

I'm afraid you don't understand our traditions. The

older I grow, the more I see, the less I understand.

Yes, I'm sure life is much more

simple in California. Aunt Eulah!

Isn't that... Goodbye, Mr Toplady!

Aunt Eulah... Barbara, do not come rushing

down the stairs, it's extremely unbecoming.

You saw the gentleman who just left this house? Yes.

You're not to see him again even if he asks for you.

He talked about your unsavoury relation. Paul!

Can't we even shake Barbara's skeleton in private?

There's some sordid bequest I said

you were dead. We don't need the money.

That's not funny, Paul. I agree. I'd like

permission to meet Cousin Philippe's boat. Alone?

It's just to meet a boat. You didn't see him

off when he left for South America. May I?

Clay wouldn't like it.

I'm not married to Clay!

He can't object if you accompany her. I shall

be happy to carry you to the boat, Cousin.

Paul is always charming! Tell Philippe he must

come to dinner! I'll see if the carriage is ready.

Paul!

Mmm?

The gangplank isn't down yet.

You know, when you're eager and excited,

you're wonderfully pretty! Am I, Paul?

I wish I had a nice dress. I could

do with some new shoes, myself.

Oh, dear, what a lucky fellow he is.

Who? My cousin Philippe, of course.

It's a pity you haven't got money,

I'd marry you myself.

Oh, that's a very interesting idea!

They're coming ashore!

You're the most attractive woman I've ever

seen. You should make something out of it.

I'm sure you'll make sure that I do!

Here he is, right in front of you.

Hello, Philippe!

How extremely nice of you to come!

Barbara insisted. Welcome home, Philippe. My dear

beautiful cousin! Aunt Eulah wants you to dinner.

How extremely kind of her.

Oh, you want to get

through customs quickly.

Paul, help Philippe. I imagine you'll

find something to do till I get back.

Mark!

Darling, it's been so long! Has it? Two months

can be a lifetime. I never knew that before.

How is your dear family(?) Oh, Corinne,

this is Miss Beaurevel. My wife.

How do you do?

How do you do? I believe you're the first

native of New Orleans my wife has met.

It's like eating the core of the

apple before taking the first bite.

I'm glad we married before coming here

if they're all as pretty as you are.

They're not, and besides,

they're most undependable,

wouldn't you say so, Miss Beaurevel? Would

you, Dr Lucas? Possibly only the great beauties.

Delighted to have seen you,

Miss Beaurevel. Goodbye.

Hello, Dean Casley. I didn't expect to

be met. I'm anxious to get your reports.

Barbara, you must be practical.

You're well out of it the man

has neither family nor money.

I admit he might be famous some day but let other

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