My Forbidden Past Page #4

you why. You said you understood.

I only understood that it had to be everything and

nothing. That's why I asked you to marry me on the boat.

And I wanted to.

But you didn't meet me.

I suppose you just forgot.

I told you why I couldn't

in the letter. What letter?

The one you got when you sailed. I told you that we'd

be married when you got back. There was no letter.

It was Paul.

Now it's Paul who didn't write the

letter? He didn't let it get to you.

Mark, I DID write to you.

All right, suppose I believe you?

Then it's all right. You mean you,

Corinne and I can live together?

She doesn't mean anything to you.

She's my wife. Get a divorce.

What kind of people are we?

We know what kind she is. Why worry?

YOU wouldn't. She'd leave you for

the first rich man she could find!

You read people just like books, don't you?

Please don't spoil our only chance of happiness.

Happiness doesn't grow like that.

There's no use trying to explain

anything to you like an adult

so let's forget it,

let's leave it alone.

Mark...

Kiss me once before you go.

Where have you been, darling?

I wanted to dance with you.

PAPPY SINGS A LULLABY

PAPPY CONTINUES TO SING

You sent for me,

my beautiful cousin?

Tell me about the letter, Paul.

You realise, of course,

that I did it for your own good.

You're always doing things

for other people, aren't you, Paul?

Certainly. Now you can marry anybody you

please, and I don't have to marry at all!

You intend to continue living on MY money? It's all

in the family, isn't it? Yes, Carrie Crandall's family.

Vulgar language doesn't become you,

Cousin.

What's the matter, Barbara?

You can't still be in love with

that germ detective! I loathe him.

Well, that's excellent. Just between cousins, I happen

to find his wife vaguely attractive. How vaguely?

Not too vaguely.

You seemed fairly successful

with her tonight.

That was accomplished

by schoolboy lesson number one.

She seemed quite willing. Yes.

But you didn't send for me to discuss the

lush Corinne's morals... or did you? Paul...

Are you still trying to get 50,000 dollars to

start a brokerage business? I don't need it now.

You're getting no more of my money.

Barbara, don't be ridiculous!

Although you might get the money

if... If what?

I want you to make Mrs Lucas

fall in love with you.

When do I get the money?

25,000 dollars tomorrow,

the rest the day she meets you in

an... Assignation is the word. Yes.

That scientist fellow must have torn

your pride to shreds this evening.

You know, Barbara, we're only cousins and yet

we're so very much alike, but you're beautiful.

You're being paid to use your charm

on Mrs Lucas.

Fire and blood, they always go together. Let me

see his age. Four years old. In his prime, sir.

Five years. How high does he stand?

15 hands. 14 three, I'd say.

He's Arabian. Could carry a giant. He's

light-boned. He wouldn't carry my wife.

If it's size you want... Leave him

for trial, take the rest away.

Hello, Cousin,

do you think a certain young matron

will be properly entranced by the

sight of a Beaurevel on a spirited Arab?

A preliminary rendezvous

has been arranged.

I'm not interested in details. In that

case, perhaps I should drop the whole matter.

Is that what you want? No.

Then there are certain other expenses to

be met. I found a delightful old boathouse

on the Bayou St Jean.

You may have even used it yourself. It will take a

certain amount of money to make it properly enticing.

You already have 25,000 dollars. I won't touch

that. I'm treating it as a sentimental trust. Paul...

perhaps we HAD better drop...

AUNT EULAH:
Barbara!

Wish me well, Cousin.

I was afraid you wouldn't come. I was afraid YOU

wouldn't. My dear lady, there's far too much at stake.

The most beautiful women in New Orleans

were at our party, you outshone them all.

What's the matter? That was my first party and

my last. Good, then I'll have you all to myself!

I don't think you understand.

I'm not going to see you any more.

You've heard gossip about me.

Whatever you've heard happened long before I met

you. It has nothing to do with you. What gossip?

Never mind. What are you trying to say?

Meeting you at the ball was so important to me.

I know it's not your problem,

it's mine. And mine alone...

And I'm not unaware of your charm.

The Beaurevel luck.

You also know I'm a married woman.

The Beaurevel luck! Exactly, you're

a Beaurevel with money, position...

I dare not see you again.

Have you considered MY feelings?

I want to stop it

before there are any feelings.

I see. Oh, how charming!

Corinne, you're right,

we won't see one another again.

Oh, no!

Well, what I mean is,

maybe we shouldn't be too hasty.

Maybe it won't be as difficult as I

thought. No, it won't be difficult at all.

Every year, our budget becomes larger. Because

every year there are more students, more teachers.

I suppose progress is costly. By the way,

how's Lucas making out? Fine a good man.

I'm delighted to hear that. I was

a little worried. About what?

It's nothing of any consequence. Lucas's

background is perhaps not the most desirable,

but it's of no consequence.

What about Dr Lucas's background? It's ridiculously

inadequate for the importance of the position he holds.

He worked as a common labourer on the docks one

time. Yes, so he could study medicine at night.

I'm glad to see you so vigorously

defend one of your faculty,

however Lucas's contract is up soon and you

might want to find someone more suitable.

But Dr Lucas has a brilliant future. Some day you'll

be proud we had him on our Faculty. I hope you're right.

I hope I'm not disturbing you.

Close the door quietly, please,

I don't want any little gusts

of air.

You made me miss!

I'm extremely sorry. Not at all.

A mathematical experiment?

No, it's a gambling game.

I paid my way through college

with it. Sit down, please.

But that's your chair. It's my only chair

but you're trustee of the university.

I happen to have a friend...

You're a lucky man.

This friend has noticed

that Miss Beaurevel seems to take rather a dangerous

interest in you, if I may be blunt. Oh, do be blunt.

Well, there you are.

Where?

A Creole would understand.

I come from upstate New York.

Coffee, Mr Duchaine? No, thank you.

I'm in a position to secure for you a full

professorship at any of several Northern universities.

May we be blunt again, Mr Duchaine?

By all means.

You're bribing me to relieve Miss

Beaurevel of my dangerous presence.

I'd much rather you didn't put it that

way. I know. We Northerners are so crass.

So how much would you pay me

in addition to the job?

You leave me at a loss, Lucas.

I come from a very old

and honourable family in New York

and my honour is necessarily

expensive. Would, er...

5,000 dollars be too much

for your mythical friend?

5,000 dollars is a lot of money.

Let's be business-like, Mr Duchaine.

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