The Haunting of Morella Page #3

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then you felt as if it weren't you doing it?

- I don't understand.

- No, neither do I.

Last night I discovered

my mother's crypt.

And then it was like somebody else

was speaking and acting for me.

I don't remember everything that happened.

It was almost like a dream.

Maybe that's all it was?

Now, that's what Miss Deveraux said.

Yet I still can't help but feeling -

- that there's someone inside of me.

- Someone waiting for me to let go!

- Lenora, you've had a bad dream.

You're upset by it, there's nothing

uncommon about that!

You're right.

See Guy, I just don't want to

believe that I'm ...

Come on, I know of a place!

- Who lives here?

- No one. It's been deserted for years.

Someone's been here recently. I'd say this

has become quite a popular meeting place.

Well, it used to be the quarters of our caretaker.

I remember he was terribly young and handsome.

Then father let him go.

I never understood why.

I'll see if I can start a fire.

- Guy!

- Yes?

I hope you weren't paying much

attention to what I said earlier.

About the caretaker?

No. All that nonsense about

another person.

- Sometimes my imagination gets carried away.

- That's not uncommon.

Sometimes I imagine what it would feel like

having your hands touching my body.

Lenora, perhaps we ...

I wanna feel what it's like

having you inside me.

Excuse me, Sir.

- Miles Archer wishes to speak with you.

- I know no one of that name?

A young blacksmith from the village.

He's very insistent.

Very well.

- Mr Locke?

- I am Gideon Locke. How may I help you?

Well, this concerns a young woman

on your household staff, Sir.

What is it, you wish to marry her?

Well, yes Sir, but you misunderstand me.

I am concerned about her whereabouts.

Word has reached me that she

did not return here last night.

You say she's employed

in my household?

Yes, Sir, her name is Ilsa Carrell.

She's your servant girl.

May I have your permission to search

the grounds? She might be hurt somewhere.

Sir?

I ...

I beg your pardon, Sir.

I, I sometimes fall into reveries. Yes,

yes of course you may search.

Thank you. Sorry to disturb you.

Good day.

I understood you were giving Miss

Lenora her lessons today?

Yes. Who was that that just

left, Quintis?

A young man from the village. I contacted

him when Ilsa didn't return to her quarters

last night.

Servant girls have run away before.

Yes, usually with their young men. She didn't

happen to mention anything about going anywhere?

Why, no. The last time I spoke with

her she didn't say a word.

What are you doing in my room?

I followed you to the old graveyard.

A few minutes later I saw Ilsa arrive.

What were you two doing there together?

I don't like your questions, Diane.

And I especially don't

like being followed by anyone.

I need to talk to you.

Not here.

Tonight.

At the lake, at half past 10.

I'll be there.

Lenora?

Yes, father dear?

Where have you been?

It's very late.

And how does a blind man tell the time?

By the chimes of the clock, you know that.

I also know that you're a helpless man.

Living in constant fear.

- Lenora, you must understand ...

- Were you afraid that I'd become like her?

Her madness, as you call it,

began when she married.

Were you afraid that I'd be the

same as I became a woman?

I did what I could to protect you.

You were afraid that she

and I would be as one.

My God!

That voice ...

You sought to be rid of me but

I shall live within her.

Sleep well, Gideon.

Morella.

Lenora!

Quintin!

Yes, Miss Lenora?

Quintin!

Quintin, get me out of here!

Quintin!

Quintin, help me!

No, don't go, help me!

Get out!

Lenora Locke! You have been found guilty

of witchcraft and blasphemy!

For these and other crimes you are

hereby sentenced to death.

- As proscribed by law.

- No!

No!

Father!

Forgive me, I sometimes

forget my appearance.

Lenora, darling! I was saving this for your

birthday. But you can have it now for a smile.

What is it?

You'll have to open it to find out.

- Welcome to hell!

- No!

No. No.

Ilsa!

Ilsa, wait!

Ilsa?

Come here!

One more feeding, my love,

and you'll be fully resurrected!

Quintis indicated that it

was urgent that I see you.

I understand Miss Deveraux arranged a

meeting between yourself and Lenora?

- Sir, I asure you ...

- You need not deny it for her sake, young man.

I may be blind, but

others see for me.

Very well, Sir. I wish to ask for

the hand of your daughter in marriage.

Very honourable.

Then you would be agreeable to taking her

out of this place immediately?

- Yes, but a few days ago ...

- A few days ago I was concerned for her mind.

Now I am concerned for her soul.

I'm sorry, I don't understand.

Morella was the most beautiful, the most

fascinating creature I had ever known.

After we were married,

madness came.

Household staff vanished

for no apparent reason.

Eventually I discovered that she had

been performing human sacrifices.

There was a trial.

- And she was executed for witchcraft.

- I've heard stories when I was young.

Before she died she swor she would

return. And in the body of Lenora.

For 17 years I have lived in

dread of that prophecy.

Now it has come to pass.

- But you don't seriously believe ...

- That Morella could rise from the dead?

Last night Lenora spoke with me here in this room.

But it was Morella's words that came from those lips.

Call me mad if you will. But my wife has

returned to take possession of my daughter.

- Where is Lenora now?

- She left the house this morning and has not returned.

Quintis is out looking for her but the

estate is large. She could be anywhere.

- I'll find her.

- Yes.

Yes, there is still a chance she could respond to you.

Take her to the village. Find

Reverend Ward and Dr Gault.

There may still be a way

of exercising Morella's spirit!

- I'll speak to Dr Gault personally.

- Thank you.

You're the only person I can call upon.

Miss Deveraux and nurse

Summers have both disappeared.

Disappeared?

Just like those poor

others 17 years ago!

- Lenora, are you alright?

- Is something wrong? Tell me!

This is difficult to say. I suspect

your father may be mentally deranged.

- No, he's sometimes ...

- Lenora, he's raving about exorcism -

- and your mother coming back from the dead.

I'm going to get Dr Gault.

- Well, then I should be with him!

- No, I believe you'll be safer away from the house.

At least until the doctor completes his examination.

Alright. But let me find Miss Deveraux

first. We'll be waiting for you when you

return from the village.

Where?

By the old cemetary. It's on the way.

Lenora!

Now, there's every indication

that this is indeed Ilsa Carrell.

Or what's left of her.

A servant girl reported missing.

Who could have done such a thing?

I don't know.

It's this incision along

the jugular vein that worries me.

I have only seen one other case like this.

Yes?

I was about to say that was 17 years ago.

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