The Heiress

- Good morning.

- Good morning.

- Here's the dress for Miss Sloper.

- Thank you.

Miss Cathy, it's your new dress!

Will you take it out of the box,

Maria, and hang it up?

Yes, Miss.

Well, that's all, I think.

- I'll be at the Harrisons'.

- Yes, Doctor.

I may not get to the clinic today

at all.

- Good morning, Lavinia.

- Good morning, Austin.

- Catherine's starting another?

- She embroiders beautifully.

I hope she doesn't let it become

a life's work.

Austin, yesterday

I had the most exciting experience!

- Oh?

- I met two people from Poughkeepsie.

Birth certificate. They had been

members of my husband's congregation.

When I told them I was stopping

with my brother,

Dr. Sloper, 16 Washington Square,

they were so impressed.

It's just made my visit!

Lavinia, would you care

to spend the winter here?

The winter? Oh, gladly!

Good. I thought if you stayed on,

you might help Catherine.

Help her? But help her how, Austin?

For instance,

Elizabeth's party this evening,

you could persuade Catherine

to join in with the young people.

Enjoy herself.

- But of course she'll do that.

- I hope so.

Ah.

Six pounds. That'll be 30 cents.

- Could you please cut off the head?

- Yes, Miss. Kitty, kitty, kitty.

- There you are.

- Thank you.

Yes, ma'am. Fresh fish!

- Morning, Father.

- Morning, Catherine.

I bought a fine fish

for the chowder you like.

That's very thoughtful.

Next time,

let the man carry it in for you.

- Oh. Yes, Father.

- Coming!

It's a lovely morning. Why don't you

invite your Aunt Lavinia or a friend

to take luncheon with you,

perhaps go to a park concert?

I can't. I have some embroidery

I'd like to attend to.

Ah, yes.

Well, I'll see you this evening.

Yes, Father. Goodbye.

- Catherine?

- Come in, Aunt Penniman.

Ooh, you must hurry, dear.

You were a long time

at that hospital committee.

- Too long.

- Didn't you like it?

Some ladies on the committee

are so foolish, they're useless.

They think it ill-bred to know

anything about food or the kitchen.

Such airs and graces.

When I was young,

we took pride in our housewifery.

My, the meals I used to set before

the Reverend Penniman, rest his soul!

- Then, you have deceived me, Aunt.

- How so?

You led me to believe

that you and he lived on love alone.

A witticism like that would be

of interest to people this evening.

It's a very good way to get started.

What I mean is, don't go off

by yourself tonight, will you?

Stay with all of us

and enjoy the party.

You have been talking to Father.

Well, yes, dear. In a way I have.

- Your father...

- Father would like me to be composed

- and to join in the conversation.

- Yes.

- I can't, Aunt Lavinia.

- Perhaps you don't try sufficiently.

Oh, I do! I do!

I would do anything to please him.

There's nothing

that means more to me.

I have sat here in my room

and made notes of the things I should

say and how I should say them.

But when I am in company, it seems

that no one wants to listen to me.

Now, Catherine.

If you will stay by me this evening,

you will see that what I say is not

always of the greatest importance

but, dear,

that doesn't keep me from talking.

Yes, Aunt.

Now, I'll finish dressing

and meet you downstairs.

Father!

Come in, Catherine.

Good evening, Father.

Do I disturb you?

You are not a disturbing woman,

my dear.

Do you like my dress?

Is it possible this

magnificent person is my daughter?

But you are sumptuous, opulent.

You look as if

you have 80,000 a year.

- I thought you'd like the color.

- Yes.

- It's cherry red.

- So it is.

I believe my mother used to wear it.

In her hair ribbons, Austin.

Ah, yes.

But, Catherine, your mother was fair.

She dominated the color.

Well, I must dress.

I'll try not to keep you waiting.

Oh, I must pack our silver punch cups

for Aunt Elizabeth.

Is it proper for me to go

to Sister Elizabeth's party?

- Of course, why not?

- After all, I'm still in mourning.

Lavinia, I know you bear your sorrow

with equal fortitude,

whatever the surroundings.

That's right. After all, I'm just as

grief-stricken no matter where I am.

You were wonderful!

Your Aunt Penniman

has made a conquest.

Yes.

- Having a nice time, Catherine?

- Delightful, Aunt Elizabeth.

- So's Jefferson.

- Oh!

Austin, who's sick, who's dead?

Who've you been cutting up?

When your gout's troubling you,

you're more respectful to me.

- Are you making that announcement?

- Yes, dear.

- Go on! Go on!

- Alright! Alright!

If he doesn't do it now

he'll make it from under a table.

My good neighbors and dear friends,

I am about to lose the loveliest,

the most beautiful daughter...

...very dearest girl,

to a most wonderful young man,

to Arthur Townsend.

I am at once

a sad and a very lucky father.

I'd like you all to toast my loss

and my gain.

- To the happy couple.

- To the happy couple.

Oh, Momma!

Don't look so happy. I'll be home

for all my meals. Uncle Austin.

Marian, my dear,

great happiness to both of you.

Thank you, sir.

Cathy, isn't it wonderful?

Isn't this a lovely party?

Come along, Arthur, let's dance!

- Excuse us.

- Excuse us.

Oh, er, Quintus.

- You're not dancing?

- No, ma'am.

You remember Catherine Sloper,

my niece?

Yes, indeed.

May I have the pleasure, Catherine?

Thank you, Quintus.

Excuse me, Father.

- Permit me, Catherine.

- Oh, thank you, Father.

Do you suppose there's another Arthur

somewhere in this great city of ours?

- Catherine will find a husband.

- You think so?

She has the prospect

of 30,000 a year.

I see that you appreciate her.

I don't mean it's her only merit.

But you always allude to her

as an marriageable girl.

My allusions are as kind as yours,

Liz.

Do you suppose Jefferson

has left any French brandy?

Let's see.

May I get you some claret cup?

Oh, yes. Thank you.

She's gone to the best schools

in the city,

she's had the finest training

I could get her, music and dancing.

She's sat with me evenings on end.

I've tried to make conversation,

give her some social adeptness.

I've given her freedom wherever

I could. The result is what you see.

An entirely mediocre and defenseless

creature with not a shred of poise.

Austin, you're so intolerant.

You expect so much.

You remember her mother, Liz?

Her mother who had so much

grace and gaiety.

This is her child.

Austin, no child could compete with

this image you have of her mother.

You've idealized that poor dead woman

beyond all recognition.

You are not entitled to say that.

Only I know what I lost

when she died.

What I got in her place...

Catherine, what are you doing here?

I'm waiting for Quintus Seabury.

Well, don't wait here, dear.

Make him look for you.

Dancing was the one thing we

disagreed about, the Reverend and I.

Do you suppose

he's watching over me tonight?

That depends on where he is, Aunt.

- Good evening, Mrs. Penniman.

- Good evening.

Catherine, may I present

Mr. Morris Townsend?

How you doing, Miss Sloper?

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