The Heiress Page #3

Miss Sloper...

...I have fallen in love with you.

You have?

- Ah, Catherine. Are you receiving?

- Yes, Father. I have a visitor.

Morning, my dear.

How do you do, Mr. Townsend?

- Morning, Dr. Sloper.

- Is your cousin here with you?

No. I'm on my own.

- I hope you don't mind.

- Delighted.

I have taken the liberty of calling

on a most attractive young lady.

- And her attractive father.

- Oh, we're not that attractive!

I'd like my sherry and biscuits.

Perhaps Mr. Townsend

might enjoy some with me.

I'd be honored.

Hmm. That's an excellent bay rum

you're using, Mr. Townsend.

I brought it with me from France.

Permit me to share it with you.

Thank you. Very kind.

But I can hardly let you do that.

Well, have you been out this morning,

my dear?

- Catherine?

- Oh!

Yes. I stopped by to see Mr. Rutini

after breakfast.

Oh, yes, about the lessons.

What did he say?

You need a very true ear

for the harp.

It seems that I

have not a very true ear.

Nonsense.

Your mother's ear was impeccable.

Yes, Father, I know.

She used to tune her own piano.

Miss Sloper has a great appreciation

for music.

That is a talent in itself.

Ah.

- Is cook's knee any better, Maria?

- It is a little easier, Doctor.

I'll be up to see her in a while.

Here. Give that to Mr. Townsend.

You're very kind, sir.

Most great doctors are too busy to

see the illness under their noses.

You're full of flattering

observations,

both for Catherine and myself.

That is the way you both strike me.

I told Miss Sloper, I'm very candid.

Oh, yes, he is. Very candid.

How long do you plan to remain

in our city, Mr. Townsend?

Oh, my stay is quite indefinite, sir.

Will you dine with us

one evening this week?

- I should be delighted.

- Shall we say Thursday, at six?

- Thank you, sir.

- Ah!

I was there quite a while.

Not as long as I should've liked.

- I think you'll find Paris changed.

- I hope not.

I should like it to be

exactly as it was.

Dr. Sloper went there

on his wedding trip.

In that case, Paris can never change

for you, Doctor.

How do you keep busy since your

return to New York, Mr. Townsend?

I'm looking for a position.

Your studies abroad

should open many avenues to you.

If I'd engaged in those studies,

Miss Penniman.

I was merely idling.

You see, I had a small inheritance

and... that was how I used it up.

What sort of position

should you prefer?

What am I fit for?

Very little, I'm afraid.

I have nothing but my good right arm,

as they say in the melodramas.

You're too modest. In addition to

that arm you have a very good mind.

I know from what I see

that you are extremely intelligent.

Oh, yes!

Thank you very much.

You advise me, then, not to despair?

I should be very sorry to admit

that a robust,

well-disposed man need ever despair.

If he doesn't succeed in one thing

he can try another.

Only,

he should choose with discretion.

Oh, yes. With discretion.

Were you kindly intending to propose

something for my advantage?

No. I've no particular proposal

to make.

But I hear the west is opening up.

Many young men are turning their eyes

in that direction.

I'm afraid I shouldn't be able

to manage that.

You see, I have ties here. My sister.

Oh, yes. Mrs. Montgomery, Austin.

Liz knows her.

They met at a charity bazaar.

She's widowed. Now that I'm back,

I'm staying with her.

- She's very dependent on me.

- Naturally.

Er, Mr. Townsend has

five little nephews and nieces.

He is helping to bring them up.

Yes, I give them lessons.

I'm a kind of tutor.

That's very proper.

Family feeling is very proper.

- But it's hardly a career.

- No. It won't make my fortune.

Ah. You mustn't be too much bent

on a fortune.

I'd looked forward

to an evening at home,

but the hospital commission

is session and I am to address them.

I understand, sir.

- Lavinia, I hope you'll excuse me.

- Of course.

Catherine, you will extend the

honors of the house to Mr. Townsend.

I'm very grateful for your interest,

sir.

Yes. Yes, indeed.

He doesn't like me.

- He doesn't like me at all.

- I don't see how you know.

- I feel. I'm very quick to feel.

- Perhaps you are mistaken.

You ask him and you'll see.

- Then, I would rather not ask him.

- Right.

- But you wouldn't contradict him.

- I'd never contradict him.

Austin,

isn't he a charming young man?

I never dreamed

he'd be so interested in Catherine.

- Nor did I.

- He's so agreeable. So elegant.

He may find it hard to maintain

elegance without working for it.

But he's looking for a position

earnestly.

I wonder if he's looking for it here,

Lavinia.

Wouldn't being husband to a

defenseless girl with a large fortune

suit him to perfection?

- How can you entertain suspicion?

- Suspicion? It's a diagnosis, dear.

You're not in your clinic now. Morris

would be a feather in any girl's cap.

You've only to use your eyes,

which are as good as mine.

Better.

Austin, you must help this along

and be thankful that it's come about.

Very well. When I'm being thankful,

I hope you will not forget

your duties as chaperone.

- Good night, my dear.

- Good night, Austin.

Have you any spirit of camphor?

I have one of my headaches.

- Headaches?

- I'm sorry.

They strike like a thief

in the night.

- Permit me to retire.

- Of course.

- Aunt!

- It's not like me to give in, dear,

but sometimes fortitude is folly.

Good night, dear.

- Good night, Mr. Townsend.

- Good night.

Poor Mrs. Penniman.

May I offer you your port

in the drawing room?

You see...

Yes?

Your Aunt, she's on my side. She

wouldn't let your father abuse me.

My father won't abuse you.

He doesn't know you well enough.

You know...

I would've liked you to say to me,

"My father doesn't think well of you,

what does it matter?"

But it would matter.

I could never say that.

We could do anything

for the one we love.

My dearest girl...

You must believe

how much I care for you.

You're everything

I've ever yearned for in a woman.

But I am...

I am so...

Oh, Catherine...

- Will you marry me?

- Yes.

You make me very happy.

- Do you love me?

- Yes.

Oh, Catherine...

I... love... you.

I'll cherish you forever.

Oh! We must speak to my father.

I will do it tonight.

You must do it tomorrow.

It's sweet of you

to want to do it first.

A young man generally does that.

Oh! Women have more tact.

They can persuade better.

You'll need all your powers

of persuasion.

Naturally, your father wants

a brilliant marriage for you.

- I'm a poor man.

- My father will not care about that.

He might.

He might fear that I am mercenary.

Mercenary? Oh, no!

He may say it.

Well, I shall simply say it isn't so.

You must make a great point of that,

Catherine.

Why?

Because it's from the fact

of your having money

that our difficulties may come.

Oh, Morris!

Are you very sure you love me?

Oh, my own dearest...

...do you doubt it?

Catherine.

Since your aunt has left us alone,

it's not proper

that I stay any longer.

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