The Charge of the Light Brigade Page #3

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Let me tell him in my own way.

After all, it's my responsibility.

When he knows how we really feel,

he can't think that we're in the wrong.

Wrong? It's only wrong

if we don't tell him.

Let's face the truth. We're in love

with one another, we always will be.

Elsa.

You will return to the ballroom at once.

-May I say, Sir--

-I'm not interested in what you have to say.

There is no excuse

for a man who is so disloyal...

...as to trifle with the affections

of his brother's fiance.

I forbid you to see or speak

to my daughter again.

I am not being disloyal, Sir.

Elsa and I love each other.

Love? Cheap infatuation.

You deserve a good thrashing.

Perry, please go.

As I doubt that you have the courage

to inform your brother of this treachery...

...rest assured that I shall tell him.

My brother knows me too well

to accuse me of treachery, Sir.

Elsa, I'll see you again

before you leave for Chukoti.

One moment, Captain Vickers.

Even though you've been seconded

for the political service...

...you still retain your army rank.

-Well, Sir?

-Therefore, you will do as I say.

If not, I shall have you recalled to England

for gross insubordination.

Very well, Sir.

Elsa, I am at an absolute loss

to understand your attitude.

Father, I love him.

You really believe you love?

I see.

Now I understand the strangeness

of your behavior for some time past.

But you must remember...

...that you loved Geoffrey

when you accepted him.

He's been away a long time.

Now that he is back, you must realize that

that love is still there...

...and this is merely

a passing infatuation.

I wish you were right, Father.

I fought and fought against it,

but I love him.

Elsa, my dear, I've taken care of you

ever since your mother died.

Let me know what is best for you.

Geoffrey is a splendid fellow,

loves you with all his heart.

You can't wantonly hurt him.

Oh, I don't wish to hurt Geoffrey.

Of course you don't, my darling.

There, now, dry your eyes.

And let's forget this little incident.

And promise,

when you meet him tonight...

...you'll treat him as though

nothing has happened.

I'll try, Father.

That's a dear. Now come.

Will Your Highness excuse me?

Why, of course.

Some beautiful lady is waiting, no doubt.

Yes, no doubt. Excuse me, Sir.

My good friend, the gallant Captain

Vickers, once saved my life.

And as you know,

in my country, Sir Charles...

...friendship can be claimed

by friendly actions alone.

Yes, in this treacherous life, it's difficult

to know which is friend and which is foe.

But in the end, one finds out,

and the wise man acts accordingly.

-Yes.

-Yes.

Are you staying long in Calcutta,

Your Highness?

A few days, I fancy.

Unless of course, say...

Unless what, Your Highness?

I sometimes think, Sir Charles...

...that a great government

resembles a beautiful woman...

...who, intoxicated with

her own beauty...

...is apt to withdraw from a sincere suitor

the favors she's always granted.

And when she finds her suitor

console himself with another beauty...

...regrets her coldness.

Interesting. And what does she do then?

She claims the privilege of any

beautiful woman and changes her mind...

...before she's lost her suitor forever.

Do you not agree?

The only great government l'm

acquainted with is singularly masculine.

It makes up its mind.

And once having reached a decision,

adheres to it.

I'm afraid we're losing ourselves

in a flight of fantasy.

Yes, perhaps, yes.

-Oh, Geoff.

-Perry, have you seen Elsa?

-Lady Warrenton, my brother, Geoffrey.

-How do you do?

You're the fianc

of that exquisite child, am I right?

-You are right.

-Capital, I congratulate you.

Keep an eye on this attractive

brother of yours.

I saw Miss Campbell

and him dancing tonight.

The look in his eye

was anything but diplomatic.

Benjy.

Mr. Vickers, never marry a man

with an Indian liver.

Lady Warrenton, I won't.

Benjy!

Thank heavens.

There's something I want to talk to you--

Oh, there's Elsa now,

wait a minute, old boy.

Elsa, darling,

I'm sorry I missed so many dances.

You know how

these diplomatic affairs are.

-Shall we dance now?

-I'd love to.

-Do you mind, Sir?

-Not at all.

Look around you.

Why?

Here in this one room, you can see

everything that makes the world go round.

Riches, intrigue and all the seeds

of mutiny, war and hatred.

-You know what it all means to me?

-What?

Nothing. Just nothing.

You're the only thing that's real here.

All I know is that I'm holding you

in my arms again.

And that you're so lovely.

Oh, Geoffrey.

Elsa, I love you.

-Hello, lad. Glad you came in and waited.

-I had to.

Might have missed you.

I'm off again tomorrow.

-Going with the Campbells to Chukoti?

-No, worse luck.

I'm going up on the Arabian frontier

to buy a pack of horses.

We need plenty of them, good ones.

-Sounds like trouble on the Balkans.

-That's what I thought too.

I tried to sound out old Macefield

about it, but he closed up.

However, it must be that.

He told me to hurry.

And will I, you can imagine why.

Geoffrey, I--

I never thanked you

for all you've done for me.

Oh, nonsense, old lad.

You've been a success. I'm proud of you.

But something's happened.

I know you'll understand.

Well, what?

I've fallen in love with Elsa.

I'm sorry, old lad. How rotten for you.

Yes, but Geoff, Elsa's in love with me.

-I don't think you know what you're saying.

-I do.

We tried not to. Honestly, we did, Geoff.

I see.

Might I ask what you

intend doing about it?

Has Elsa told you that she loves you?

That she promised to marry you?

Yes, but not in so many words.

I don't believe it, you're lying.

This is splendid. After sniveling to me

about how grateful he is...

...my brother tells me

he's stolen the affections...

-...of the one person I love most.

-But, Geoffrey--

Not content with that,

you've got the effrontery to lie.

-You can't believe that--

-And lie and lie.

Listen, you better get out.

Take your dirty intrigues somewhere else,

but get out of my sight and stay out.

Very well.

But let me tell you this.

I've always looked up to you,

worshipped you as a kind of god.

I find you are rather a little man.

As far as I'm concerned,

you and old Campbell...

...and the whole blasted army

can go to blazes.

-Oh, good morning, Sir.

-Oh, Geoffrey. Early visit, huh?

I just had my orders and I'm setting out.

I thought I'd come along and say goodbye.

-Just to me?

-Well, should we say, the family?

Elsa's still in her room but I'll call her.

Tell memsahib she's wanted in the study

immediately. Captain Vickers is here.

-You have a very difficult job ahead of you.

-Yes, I think so.

-But I'm sure you're equal to it.

-Thank you, Sir.

-So goodbye.

-Goodbye, Sir.

Come back to us safely and soon.

Thank you.

Oh, Geoffrey, what's this I hear?

Are you leaving us so soon?

Yes, I'm afraid so.

I suppose this is what's known

as the luck of the army.

They show you a brief glimpse of paradise,

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