The Constant Nymph Page #9

...you'll force him to make

a bolt for it. You'll see.

You don't want them to bolt, do you?

That's my nightmare.

I'm so afraid of that.

-I couldn't stand it.

-Poor little Florence.

Come on, get your chin up.

You always had your own way.

You won everything you wanted

all along the line.

Now, if you have to be

a loser, well--

Don't worry, I won't lose.

I think I'll toddle off.

...advertising your name

on the sandwich boards everywhere!

My dear sir.

I'm just going to get forty winks

before the show.

It isn't a show and don't you

fall asleep tonight, either.

Don't you think you

ought to get forty winks?

My lambkin, I don't even want

twenty winks. I'm wide awake.

Florence, darling, sorry I'm late.

Blame it on Fritzie.

So, you are the culprit, Mr. Fritz.

How's Toni?

She was fine when I left her.

I'm going to telephone her now.

My dress, Toni sent it.

You like it?

-Very pretty.

-Thank you.

-Tea, Mr. Fritz?

-No, thank you. I have to go.

We'll be seeing you tonight, Fritzie?

-Yes, of course.

Tea, Lewis?

-No, thank you, darling.

Later on, I might have a brandy and soda.

-Oh, I'll get it for you.

He said later!

I'm sorry.

Well-- I might just as well

have it now.

Here's Thorpe.

Bring the bottle of brandy

and some soda, will you, Thorpe?

I forgot to tell Lewis

about the flowers.

You know, I'm very jealous.

-Who's been sending you flowers?

-Lewis.

Come on, let me see the card.

-Lewis, I forgot...

-What did you forget?

-Madame, I can explain, I--

-It was really my fault.

We were at the florist's and--

Oh, Fritzie, you spoiled it all...

-What has he spoiled?

-Well, Florence, you see, I--

I bought some flowers for Lewis

to give to you and then,

Fritzie forgot to tell Lewis--

Yes, of course! I did ask Fritz

if he'd be kind enough to--

Lewis...

Thorpe, please put this flowers

in Mr. Dodd's studio. - Yes, madam.

Oh, darling, you're not cross,

are you?

Of course not. Why discuss it?

Although I don't think

it's important enough to lie about.

You know, I'm a thoughtless brute.

I should have done something

like that on my own.

I'm sorry, darling, it's the nature

of the beast, I'm afraid.

I have no regrets. Anyway,

you have Tessa to think for you.

Florence, truthfully, it was only an idea

I thought and it went wrong.

-Well, see you tonight, Fritzie.

-Yes...

Did Mr. Fritz think of the words

"patient Florence"?

Oh, darling, you are patient.

And you're altogether too nice

to be upset, today of all days.

-You won't recognize the music, Fritzie.

-Has it been changed?

Got a little heart in it now.

And you're familiar with Lewis' heart.

I appreciate it,

if that's what you mean.

But I suppose I always have.

-Good night, Lewis.

-Good night. See you tonight.

Come take the weight

off your feet.

What do you think

it is with Florence?

I don't know.

She's quite unaccountable.

-What do you think it is?

-I don't know!

Today I told her I'd go away

somewhere alone after the concert.

I see, that could easily be it.

Was she very angry?

No, on the contrary,

she was very quiet.

I feel sorry for her.

But we shouldn't be talking about

this private thing, should we?

I suddenly feel ashamed.

-I felt ashamed for so long.

-Don't say that, I don't want to hear.

-Then, you know what I mean?

-No, I don't want to know.

Are you disturbed about me?

Of course I am!

-Little Tessa...

-Such a "little Tessa",

such an insignificant

nuisance little Tessa.

I think I've known it always.

And yet, why didn't I know?

Lewis, whatever you think you know,

you must forget it now.

-I love you, Tessa.

-No.

I know I always have.

Once a long time ago,

when I kept a diary...

-...I wrote something down.

-Did you?

"One day Lewis will look at me

and everything will be all right."

And I didn't look.

There were other things to see,

that was all.

Please don't talk about it.

It's too late now.

No, it isn't.

You're coming away with me.

-Why did you marry Florence?

-I don't know. Now.

You couldn't have thought

anything about me.

Tessa, I always have, really.

Then it was unfair to both of us

for you to marry her.

You were so mad to get her

that you forgot all about me!

Oh, if only you had waited a bit.

It was something I didn't realize.

Can you understand that?

How can I not understand you?

You've been in my mind all the time.

You've never really been away from me.

I promised myself to you

such a long time ago.

My darling.

No! There's Florence.

She's my cousin,

I've been living in her house.

She's been very kind.

Anyway, you belong to her.

But if it weren't for that,

I'd rather go away with you...

...than anything else in the world.

But I can't do this.

They'd say we've been carrying on

behind Florence's back,

I'd be a traitor. I can't.

One must do as one thinks right,

mustn't one?

I said my say.

Non giusto.

-Oh, Robert-o.

Scuzi, signore, but, all the servants

go to the concert but me.

Poor souls! Well,

if you must hear it,

there's a wireless radio

down in my study,

-You can switch it on down there.

-Grazie, signore.

All right, Robert-o.

Florence!

Are we going to be late as usual?

It's half past.

Very beautiful, my dear.

Thank you, father.

-I don't know about Lewis.

-Oh, Lewis, well, uh--

-Go along, father.

-Well, hurry. That's a good girl.

I couldn't face this thing without

a bite and a glass of something.

-I'll be down.

-Well, hurry. That's a good girl.

You look lovely, my dear.

-No white tie, dear?

-No, I'm not conducting tonight.

I prefer to wear this.

-I see you packed.

-Yes.

-Take me with you.

-Oh, Florence,

Don't you think

it's much wiser for us--?

I'm sorry about this afternoon, but

I thought you sent me some flowers.

Oh, darling, I can understand so well

how you felt.

Can you understand how I feel

now that you're going away?

Lewis, I'd do anything in the world

that you ask me to.

Go anywhere, be or do

anything.

Florence, I can't let you

say things like these.

I mean, you can't put yourself

in this position.

-After all, that's-- I'm the one--

-Oh, I don't care, I mean it.

I'm honest, we're married

and I love you.

If I haven't completely understood you

it's not my fault because I've tried.

And all the time I had the feeling

I was succeeding bit by bit.

This is humiliating, really.

-For you?

-No, of course not. For you!

You're attractive and young.

You deserve so much more

than I can ever be to you.

You're giving me up?

Oh, please, you can't

put it that way.

All right.

It's you don't want me anymore.

Give me another chance.

I'm begging you.

Look at me.

Don't tell me

what's in your mind just now.

I don't think I could stand it.

I'm sure I couldn't.

You're going away for a while,

I'll wait for you.

You might miss me.

I hope you will, a little.

Will you do me a favor

while I'm gone?

-Anything.

-It's about Tessa.

-What is Tessa to do with us?

-You were speaking of understanding.

If you could just try

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