The Heiress Page #4

Yes, Morris.

I'll be back in the morning

to call on your father.

- At what time?

- At 11:
00 sharp.

I will tell him.

Please, Morris, promise me this.

When you speak with Father, you will

be very gentle, very respectful.

Of course. There's something

you must promise me.

If your father's against me, you will

be faithful no matter what comes.

Yes, Morris, no matter what comes.

You know, you're your own mistress.

You're of age.

Oh, I love you.

- I've always loved you.

- My dear girl!

- Oh, Father!

- Have you waited up for me?

- Yes, I have something to tell you.

- Have you?

- Yes!

- Well...

Let us go into the back parlor

and hear it.

Now, my dear, do you suppose

that we might both sit down?

- Well, now...

- I'm engaged to be married.

You do right to tell me.

And whom have you honored

with your choice?

Mr. Morris Townsend.

- You have gone fast.

- Yes, I think we have.

Mr. Townsend ought to have waited

and told me.

He means to tell you

tomorrow morning at 11:00.

It's not quite the same thing,

my dear.

You shouldn't be pleading for him.

He should plead for you.

Yes, Father, but I think

he is a little afraid of you.

- Is he?

- He fears that you do not like him.

Well, I hardly know him, Catherine.

But our liking each other

isn't important.

The only thing that is important

is that he loves you.

He does. He loves me and I love him.

It is a great wonder to me

that Morris has come into my life.

Oh, Father, don't you think he is the

most beautiful man you've ever seen?

Well, he's very good-looking,

my dear.

You wouldn't let a consideration

like that sway you unduly.

Oh, no! But that is what

is so wonderful to me,

that he should have everything,

everything a woman could want,

and he wants me.

- I'll see him tomorrow.

- I knew you would!

And you are so good that you will be

fair and honest with him.

I shall be as fair and honest

with him as he is with you.

Thank you, Father,

that is all we shall need.

Aunt Penniman.

Aunt Penniman.

- Oh, Catherine.

- He proposed to me.

Does your father know?

- Yes.

- What did he say?

- He will see Morris in the morning.

- Eureka!

- How is your headache now, Aunt?

- Headache?

Shhh!

Good morning, my dear.

This is my brother, Dr. Sloper,

Mrs. Montgomery.

Mrs. Montgomery

has been good to come.

- I'm very grateful to you, ma'am.

- I'm glad to come.

- She left a busy household.

- I should have gone to you,

but this is my morning at the clinic.

I dared not take the time off.

Oh, I quite understand, Doctor.

- Elizabeth...

- Certainly. Excuse me.

- Certainly.

- I should like to see my sister.

Will you come into the study

where we may talk?

Yes, sir.

You understand my situation,

Mrs. Montgomery.

Your brother

wishes to marry my daughter.

So I want you to tell me

something about his character.

What sort of a gentleman is he?

Well, Doctor,

he's intelligent, charming.

- He's a wonderful companion.

- Yes, I know that.

But is he reliable?

Is he trustworthy? Is he responsible?

If you mean, is he financially

secure, he is not, Doctor.

- But I'm sure you must know that.

- Yes, he told me that himself.

That is another thing about Morris,

he's honest.

Is he? Is he, then, honest

in his feeling for my daughter?

I don't know that, Doctor.

I never could say what goes on

in people's hearts. Could you?

Well, I have to try.

He told me that he'd used up

a small inheritance.

- Did he handle it well?

- Probably you would not think so.

But from his own point of view,

he did a great deal with it.

He saw Europe.

He met many interesting people.

He enlarged his capacities.

- Did he help you, ma'am?

- No.

- Shouldn't he have?

- I don't think so.

You are a widow and have children.

I think so.

Oh, but if I'd needed it,

I know he would have helped me.

Are you sure?

You want me to complain about him,

sir, but I have no complaint.

I brought him up

as if he were my child

and I have accepted

the good and bad in him

just as I accept them in my children.

I have made you angry, madam.

I apologize.

I think, Doctor,

you expect too much of people.

If you do,

you'll always be disappointed.

I want you to meet my daughter.

- Would you excuse me?

- Certainly.

Catherine. Catherine.

Yes, Father.

Will you come into the study?

Yes, Father.

- Is this she?

- No, that is a picture of my wife.

- Oh, she's very beautiful.

- Yes, she was. Very beautiful.

Oh.

Catherine, this is Mrs. Montgomery,

Mr. Townsend's sister.

Miss Sloper.

- How do you do?

- I am very happy to meet you.

Thank you. Isn't Morris coming?

His appointment is for 11:00,

Catherine.

Oh, yes.

- Are your children well?

- Quite well, thank you.

I hope Morris will bring you

to see me and my family very soon.

Yes.

My brother tells me you have an aunt

visiting you, Miss Sloper.

Yes.

It is delightful to have someone

to whom one can show New York.

Oh, yes, it is.

Does she like our city?

Yes.

Catherine, perhaps you will offer

Mrs. Montgomery a glass of Madeira.

Oh, yes, indeed. Excuse me, ma'am.

- She... She is very shy.

- Yes, she is.

Perhaps she is less shy with Morris.

You said they've just fallen in love.

You were right about Catherine.

Were you right about your brother?

Well, I can only suppose

that Morris is more mature

in his feelings than I thought.

This time he has not sought out

superficial charms.

Perhaps he's considered

the gentle character underneath.

- Are you being honest?

- I think I am.

Well, I believe her money

is the prime attraction.

- What money?

- She's an heiress.

- Didn't your brother tell you that?

- No, he did not.

She has 10,000 a year

from her mother.

And, on my death,

she will have twice as much more.

- She... She will be immensely rich.

- Yes, she will, of course.

If she marries a man I don't approve,

I shall leave my part to the clinic.

- Yes, but she has the 10,000 now.

- Yes, she has.

That is still a great deal of money,

Doctor.

It is and consider

how he has behaved with money.

He gratified his every wish.

Did he help you with the children?

No!

He enlarged his capacities in Europe.

He left his gloves here last night,

the finest chamois. Look at yours.

Will he help you

with this fortune he hopes to marry?

I would stake my life he would not!

You must follow your own dictates,

Doctor.

Tell me she's not a victim of

his selfishness. Tell me I'm wrong.

I must go now.

- Good day, Doctor.

- Good day, ma'am.

Oh, has Mrs. Montgomery left?

I wanted Lavinia to meet her.

- Yes, Liz, she has left.

- Did you like her?

- Very much.

- Oh, good.

Catherine has just asked Elizabeth if

Marian might be her maid of honor.

Catherine is radiant.

I've never seen her this way before.

She must get over it.

He is worthless.

- What?

- The man's a fortune hunter.

All he's interested in is her money.

Are you going to tell that

to Catherine?

- No.

- But, Austin...

Catherine, Mrs. Montgomery has left.

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