The Grand Maneuver Page #6

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- It's the same every evening.

- "O, tyrant Love. When held by you... "

You're being childish.

Two weeks ago I asked you

to come to Paris and you refused.

- Now you want to leave for no reason.

- There is a reason.

He's coming back.

I would have preferred

not to ask you any questions.

But you force me to do so.

- What happened between you?

- Nothing.

Nothing to stop me

looking you in the eye.

- Nothing to stop you becoming my wife?

- Whenever you like.

But take me away. Let's leave tonight,

tomorrow, as soon as you can.

- We can't leave now.

- Why not?

- What are you thinking? The wedding.

- What wedding?

The police chief's daughter

is marrying tomorrow.

- What does it matter?

- I'm Alice's witness.

The police chief himself

has invited you to the reception.

- It's very important.

- Then I'll leave on my own.

You cannot simply fly in the face

of good manners.

In time, these people

will become our friends.

Think of the future.

Don't go to the door.

Do you think it's him?

- I cannot see him.

- You won't have to.

You've come to see Mime Riviere?

She won't see you.

If she tells me herself,

I will believe it.

- Is it your job to guard her door?

- Yes, and you will not enter.

Have you the right

to enter her house at all hours?

I have no right.

But no one, not even she,

can stop me loving her.

You love her? Without self-interest?

And she must sacrifice everything

to be a cavalry officer's mistress?

You'd rather she sacrificed

everything to your self-interest?

My self-interest includes

trying to make her happy.

I'm going to marry her.

You have nothing more to fear.

Good evening, sir.

That was quick work.

You've only just got back.

She's waited two weeks to see me, sir.

- She's brave.

- More than you think, sir.

We've decided to get married.

You're a smart one.

Couldn't you think of anything better?

Where is Lucie? She wouldn't listen.

She ran from me as if...

She almost threw herself under a cab,

if I hadn't been...

- But you were there.

- I love her.

And all you could think of

was to ask for her hand? You fool.

- I'm seeing her father tomorrow.

- Marriage. It's an epidemic.

You've no more heart

than a lump of glass.

They will say "Lieutenant Leroy,

future general, is marrying who?"

- "The photographer's daughter. "

- They'll only say it once.

I thought she was just a bit of fun.

- She's a young lady.

- How do you know?

- You've gone too far.

- I'll go further.

Better a photographer's daughter

than a kept woman.

- Who?

- Duverger's fancy woman.

You'll be sorry.

- This is serious.

- What's this?

- Separate them.

- You'll be my seconds.

- Be reasonable.

- We will fight.

As if I would fight you.

- Get me a brandy.

- Don't drink.

- You're usually so calm.

- This evening, I'm not.

- Well, calm down.

- And settle this right now.

- Felix is your best friend.

- Who started it?

- I did.

- So you must apologize.

Tomorrow morning at dawn.

Pistols. Go and tell him.

- We can settle this.

- I want no settlement.

- But if he apologizes?

- Let's find him.

- Felix, we both acted like schoolboys.

- Both of us?

- I'm not the only one at fault.

- Then you might as well leave.

- In that case...

- That's no apology.

I'm not going down on my knees.

I ordered brandy.

Apologize properly, la Verne.

One glass of brandy.

- Did you hear those two?

- Officers are forbidden to duel.

If they want to fight,

they won't ask permission.

Sir, I have the honor of presenting

my most sincere apologies.

I admit my wrongs...

I admit my wrongs...

And I humbly beg your forgiveness.

- I beg your forgiveness.

- "Humbly beg".

- We're not fighting over one word.

- If Mr. Leroy insists on that word...

He's stubborn, you must admit.

I admit my wrongs and I beg...

And I beg nothing at all.

You can go to the devil.

If you want a duel, I'm your man.

One duel or a dozen, no matter.

I'm risking my rank.

Now's your chance, you can all sign up.

Until tomorrow.

- Come, come, la Verne...

- Have you gone mad?

Perhaps I have.

- He could have gone to a tailor.

- Careful mending. Open 24-hours.

Here you are.

It's not perfectly finished,

but for getting you home,

it will do.

You've had enough to drink.

And to think I was counting the days.

- I came back too soon.

- But we're glad to see you.

You must be the only one.

Are you very sad?

Is she pretty?

Does she love you?

Is she married?

She's getting married.

Not to you?

Why? Why not?

You're leaving already?

I won't see you again?

I may come back.

When I need some advice.

"Signed:
Armand de la Verne. "

"Witnessed by:
Rose-Mousse... "

"Ciboulette... "

- "Nini la Rousse. "

- Your fiance is in good company.

Here, read it yourself

if you don't believe me.

- What does it prove?

- Nothing.

Any rogue can write filth

about a respectable woman.

- They wouldn't write that about us.

- You're the town's laughing stock.

Show it to your beloved,

and see what she has to say.

- No need.

- You wouldn't dare.

- I know the wretch didn't win his bet.

- He knows.

Do you think she'd tell you otherwise?

Silence. That's enough.

I knew you'd come back.

I didn't know myself.

- I was waiting for you.

- To tell me your good news?

To beg you to forget me.

I tried my best all evening

but here I am at your door.

- We must finish this, Armand.

- It's finished.

I'm leaving, on summer manoeuvres,

and when I come back...

- You will have forgotten about me.

- You'll be married.

Yes.

To someone you're not in love with.

He loves me.

What about me? I've waited for days

for a reply to my letters.

I ran to you the minute I got back.

What game is this? Why are you

punishing me? What have I done?

Nothing. But if I listen to you

any longer, all will be lost.

I'm afraid of you.

You know that I love you.

Yes, in your own way.

As far as you are able.

For a few weeks, a few days.

For my whole life.

How many women

have heard that promise?

No. I don't remember

ever saying that.

- Each one that heard it remembers.

- But I'm not lying to you.

You've said that, too.

Then what must I do?

Leave, I beg you,

and don't try to see me again.

And if I asked you...

If I asked you to be my wife?

Go home.

You don't know what you're saying.

Armand.

Please note that Mr. de la Verne,

having been shot at three times,

humbly begs his opponent's forgiveness.

- You should be ashamed.

- What's the matter? You got your duel.

When I'm dead, you make a fuss.

When I'm alive, you complain.

Make up your mind.

One of them fired three times.

On the third shot...

The other one fell.

- Who was it?

- We don't know.

If he's dead,

his name will be in the newspaper.

I'm sure I recognized

Mr. de la Verne and Mr. Leroy.

Listen to me.

- You didn't want me to kill you?

- You could have shot at me once.

- But I wouldn't have missed.

- I'd have preferred it that way.

Playing dead.

Idiot. Making a fool of me

in front of my fellow officers.

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