The Heiress Page #2

Mr. Townsend's Arthur's cousin,

and he's just returned from Europe.

- How do you do, sir?

- Would you dance, Miss Sloper?

I believe she has a waltz left.

Excuse me, dear. There is Mr. Abeel.

May I?

Yes.

Which one will it be?

Oh! Yes...

Erm... the fifth?

The fifth? Thank you.

Two Rs in Morris...

Miss Sloper, I consider

that you're doing me a great honor.

You see, I'm rather choosy, too.

Catherine... Sloper.

Catherine Sloper.

Catherine Sloper, Catherine Sloper.

You know, we don't have to wait

until the fifth.

- No?

- No.

Miss Sloper,

we must make an arrangement.

I will not kick you

if you will not kick me.

Oh, dear! I'm so clumsy.

No, I'm wearing Arthur's boots

and he's a very bad dancer.

Oh!

Now, one, two, three, point.

One, two, three, point.

- Don't look at your feet.

- Where shall I look?

- Look at me.

- Oh.

No.

Very good.

When we were boys,

Arthur was called Porridge Head.

Shall we sit down?

While I've been in Europe,

he's become

a promising young businessman.

And now, Miss Sloper,

I think it's time you said something.

Erm...

Are you going to remain

in New York now, Mr. Townsend?

What a delightful question.

Well, I haven't been at all sure

what I was going to do.

But right now, I've decided.

Yes, Miss Sloper,

I am going to remain in New York now.

Are you warm?

- Let me get you some claret cup.

- Oh, no!

Are you a member

of the Temperance League?

- Er, yes, I believe I am.

- Oh.

Well, I'm not.

Will you excuse me for a moment?

Oh, Mr. Abeel,

I can't keep this up any longer!

I must rest.

Catherine, dear,

your old aunty is exhausted.

Finish this delightful polka, dear.

- Mr. Abeel is an accomplished dancer.

- Well, I...

It would be a pleasure,

Miss Sloper.

Mr. Townsend,

are you looking for my niece?

Yes. She must have been ambushed.

- Will you console me?

- She'll be back in a moment.

This is the sixth dance in a row.

Now, he just can't keep it up.

You know, I can dance most of these

young whippersnappers off their feet.

Lavinia.

Austin, may I present

Mr. Morris Townsend?

- Mr. Townsend, my brother, Dr. Sloper.

- I've looked forward to meeting you.

- I'm honored.

- Thank you.

- Have you had a nice time?

- I've had a most wonderful evening.

And we had difficulty persuading her

to come.

The gentlemen here all owe you

a vote of thanks, Doctor.

I'll be ready very soon.

Will you tell Catherine?

- It's the best part of the evening.

- It really is, Austin.

Ah, but you're used to those

gay nights at the parsonage.

I, alas, must be an early riser.

- Good night, Mr. Townsend.

- Good night, sir.

Oh, Catherine, I have bad news.

We're leaving.

Yes, Aunt.

- Where is Mr. Abeel?

- He's having a nosebleed.

Oh, dear!

- Good night, Mr. Townsend.

- Good night, Mrs. Penniman.

I wish to apologize, sir.

You should, Miss Sloper.

Had Mr. Abeel kept his health,

I should've invited him out

with sabers.

Well, I...

I must get my wrap.

- I, er, I've just met your father.

- Yes, I saw.

He left before I could ask him

when I might call.

His office hours are in the morning.

Are you not well, Mr. Townsend?

I'm in the best of health.

I wish to call on you.

Oh!

Oh.

- Good morning, Mr. Townsend.

- Good morning.

- Miss Sloper's not at home, sir.

- She isn't?

Why, Mr. Townsend!

- Good morning, Miss Penniman.

- Do come in.

I stopped by because Miss Sloper

told me she'd be home this morning.

- Is she really out?

- Oh, yes.

She has taken flight

at your third visit this week.

- I wonder why.

- Ooh, I cannot betray a confidence.

- You must ask her that.

- When?

Well...

- I know she won't be long.

- Thank you, ma'am.

The parsonage

was a veritable beehive

with our spelling matches,

taffy pulls.

Oh, and in the winter, the sleigh

rides over the Poughkeepsie hills...

Mrs. Penniman, do you suppose

Catherine, I mean, Miss Sloper...

- You may let yourself go with me.

- Yes, thank you, but...

- She will be home!

- Yes, but when?

Mr. Townsend, you remind me

so of the Reverend Penniman.

The same ardency,

the same passionate nature.

How I wish I might've known him.

Tell me about the doctor, ma'am.

What sort of...

- Oh, Catherine, is that you?

- Yes, Aunt.

- You have a visitor, young lady.

- Good morning.

It is a beautiful morning

for me now, Miss Sloper.

I was afraid you might not come back.

I would have to come back some time.

I live here.

I know you do, Miss Sloper.

That is why I'm here.

Mr. Townsend wondered if his flowers

had been delivered in good condition.

Yes, thank you. They were very fresh.

- I mailed you a note this morning.

- I shall treasure it, Miss Sloper.

Although I did not send the flowers

in order to be thanked.

- I sent them to give you pleasure.

- Thank you.

Oh, I brought that song

I told you I found in Paris.

Pardon me, ma'am, I'll get it.

- I will leave you alone.

- What will I talk about?

You will not have to do the talking.

He has come a-courting!

- Courting me?

- Well, certainly not me.

Now, you must be very gracious

to him!

Oh, Mr. Townsend, you must excuse me.

I have numerous duties which call me.

- I trust we shall see you again.

- I'm your servant, ma'am.

- You haven't forgotten this evening?

- No, Aunt.

Our girl is off to another one

of her endless parties.

It makes me very unhappy

to hear that.

Why?

That you're so sought after.

It makes my way harder.

I am not going to a party.

My father and I are dining

with Mr. And Mrs. Holme, that's all.

That's what I like you for.

You're so honest.

Tell me something.

Did you go out this morning

because you thought I might call?

Yes.

Do you not like to see me?

Yes, I like to see you, Mr. Townsend,

but you've called so frequently

this week...

- You're tired of me.

- Oh, no!

You consider my behavior improper.

I-I do not know.

I am puzzled.

Good. I like that.

If you're puzzled,

you're thinking of me.

- Is that the song?

- Yes.

- Will you play it for me?

- I do not play.

May I?

I assure you, I shan't harm it.

Can you hear me way over there?

You know, on my tenth visit,

you might even sit here.

Mr. Townsend, you are very bold.

- Do you know what it means?

- No.

The joys... of love...

...they last... but a short time.

The pains... of love...

last all your life.

All... your life.

It's a lovely song.

You know,

I think of you constantly.

I'm not very good

at this kind of conversation.

Neither am I.

I'm afraid that is our trouble.

I am not a glib man, Miss Sloper.

I think you talk very well.

Not when I need it most.

Oh, with Miss Penniman,

or in my room at home

I can think of the most delightful

things to say.

- Can you understand that?

- Yes, I can.

But here with you,

I sound like a fool.

I don't think so.

You don't?

Well, if ever you do think so,

if ever I sound high-blown or false,

put it down to that, will you?

- I will try.

- And... take pity on my situation.

What situation?

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