That Hamilton Woman Page #7

- Molta fortunata, signora.

- Bravissimo, signora.

By gad, you're impudent. What would

you have done if the bluff had failed?

I would have fainted and upset the table.

Now let us go.

We can't go. We must give them a chance

to retrieve their losses.

Would they give you a chance? No, come along.

I'll order the carriage and we'll drive home

by the sea. The air in here is unbearable.

Arrividerci, signori. Bon soir, monsieur.

In a minute.

Emma, there's a matter of some importance

that I must speak to you about.

Yes, William.

Ten days ago,

a dispatch came from the Admiralty,

instructing Nelson in very definite terms

to report in London at once.

What is all this to do with me?

Well, if Nelson ignores this final order,

there can be only one result.

Dismissal from the Navy

and the end of his career.

ls it worth it, Emma?

His future is in your hands, you know that.

Very well. If we must go back, we must go back.

I'll tell him tonight.

When do you wish us to leave?

We are not going to leave, Emma.

My instructions from the Admiralty say

that Nelson is to return alone.

Oh, I understand.

The Admiralty is anxious to save him from me.

And what am I expected to do?

It will be convenient, my dear. The Turkish

envoy has invited you to winter in Cairo.

Tell Nelson that you love Egypt

and that you have accepted the invitation.

You can be wonderfully convincing

when you try Emma

The moment you leave for Egypt he will have

no alternative but to obey orders and return

I know I'm asking you to do a very difficult

and painful duty.

Thank you, William.

Well, we both have our duty, haven't we?

Good luck with yours, my dear.

Well, I lost everything. I feel better for it.

What is the matter, my dear?

William has just been talking to me.

Telling me of the repeated dispatches

from the Admiralty.

He also wanted me to put on

a little performance for you.

Act One. Emma Hamilton expresses a sudden

desire to see the Sphinx and the pyramids.

Act Two. Lord Nelson pleads,

Emma Hamilton remains adamant.

Act Three. Emma Hamilton departs for Egypt.

And Lord Nelson returns to London

a sadder and wiser man.

Poor William, he was so serious about it all. I'm

convinced he was only thinking of your career.

He'd been puzzling through all sorts of stories.

What hadn't occurred to him was the truth.

How silly. How utterly silly.

To think that we should need lies, you and l.

Oh, my darling.

What is the truth?

Should I have put on that comedy for you?

- It might have helped perhaps.

- Oh, no.

I cannot put it off any longer.

I must go back this time.

They want me to go alone.

Oh, of course, you must go.

And, of course, I must go to Egypt.

I don't want to be a burden to you, my darling.

My darling.

And, of course, I will enjoy seeing the pyramids

and the Sphinx and the Nile.

Your Nile.

Oh, my darling.

Why do we always meet just to say goodbye?

? At home I left a lovely maiden

? With rosy cheeks and eyes of ocean blue

? And though my heart is sad and heavy laden

? To leave a lass I love so fond and true

(Bell rings)

What are those bells?

Have you forgotten what night this is?

The last of 1799.

Eight bells for the old year

and eight for the new.

Happy New Year, darling.

apby New Yea r

The dawn of a new century.

1 800.

How strange it sounds.

What a century it's been.

Marlborough rode to war

and Washington crossed the Delaware.

Louis XVl and Marie Antoinette.

The last of the Stuarts.

Peter The Great.

Voltaire.

Clive Of lndia.

Bonaparte.

Nelson.

Now I've kissed you through two centuries.

1 800.

The beginning of a new life for me.

A life without you.

How beautiful was the old century.

When I was with you.

Emma, say that you could never leave me.

I can never leave you.

Say that you hate the blasted pyramids.

I hate the pyramids.

That you never want to see the Sphinx.

I never want to see the Sphinx.

We'll go back to London together.

I would have died if you'd left me here.

I am Lady Nelson.

Everything has been prepared

for Your Ladyship.

Your rooms have been reserved

by the Admiralty.

Thank you. Kindly show me to my rooms.

You will find our bed linen in the green trunk.

We prefer our own sheets.

- Very good, Your Ladyship.

- Breakfast precisely at 6:45.

India tea with lemon, one four-minute egg,

two slices of thinly buttered toast.

I shall instruct the head waiter, Your Ladyship.

I dislike waiters in the rooms.

Would you arrange for a chambermaid?

As you wish...

Here, here. Go and drink a health

to Lord Nelson my son.

Thank you, sir. I will and be proud to.

I am deeply honoured to have you with us

on this great occasion, sir.

You are the guest of the British Admiralty,

Mr Nelson.

Good, then charge up a glass of port

to the British Admiralty.

And let's have it right away.

Anything for you, my dear?

No, thank you. One small glass of light port

for Mr Nelson and a warming pan for his bed.

Very good, Your Ladyship.

Wonderful! Wonderful! Lap of luxury.

No morning service and no chickens to feed.

Let's have breakfast in bed with two eggs, eh?

I've arranged everything, Father.

It's unwise to break good habits even in London.

You must remember Dr Ponsonby's words

of advice.

Dr Ponsonby's advice.

Did Dr Ponsonby's son ever sink

the French fleet?

- We're going to enjoy ourselves.

(Knock on door)

Your Ladyship, Lord Spencer is here

and wishes to be received.

Very well.

Good morning, Lady Nelson.

The Admiralty appreciates

your prompt response to its request.

I hope your accommodation is comfortable.

Quite, Lord Spencer, thank you.

- Pray, be seated.

- Thank you.

I assume that the Admiralty desires

my presence

to discuss the arrangements for my husband's

reception. When does he arrive?

He's already arrived, Lady Nelson.

What?

It was Lord Nelson's special wish

that his arrival should not be made public.

Did he include his wife in the term ''public''?

I don't recall the exact phraseology of the letter.

However, the Admiralty thought it advisable to

accede to his request.

So he arrived at Great Yarmouth yesterday

I was not aware

that Great Yarmouth is a naval port.

He travelled on the mail packet from Hamburg.

lsn't that peculiar?

I should have supposed that a victorious admiral

would arrive on his flagship.

Flagship? Oh, er...

It is not customary as you know

for ladies to travel on battleships

See.

I wondered why the Admiralty had decided

not to give my husband an official reception.

Now I understand and fully agree.

The programme for Lord Nelson's stay

in London will be a simple one.

He should be able to leave for his home

in Norfolk the day after tomorrow,

even tomorrow night.

Do I understand that my husband will be forced

to resign from the Navy?

Oh, no, no, no, no, Lady Nelson.

Hardly as drastic as that.

Extended leave for the benefit of his health

will be suggested.

A matter of different words.

That's what you mean, isn't it? I'm glad.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes