The Heiress Page #5

Oh, I took too long. I wanted

to make the tray especially nice.

It was not your fault, my dear.

We have concluded our talk.

Concluded?

Did Mrs. Montgomery

tell you something bad, Father?

- No, Catherine.

- I did not impress her favorably.

Good heavens!

Don't hold yourself so cheaply.

I was embarrassed.

I won't be another time.

- You had better go to your room.

- Yes.

Father, tell him about me.

You know me so well.

It will not be immodest in you

to praise me a little.

How is it possible to protect

such a willing victim?

You will kill her

if you deny her this marriage.

You forget I'm a doctor.

People don't die of such things.

Be very careful, Austin.

He may take good care of Catherine

and her money and make her happy.

- He will. I know he will.

- But she's been taken in.

She's in love.

Mr. Townsend

is in the front parlor, sir.

Good morning, Mr. Townsend.

How do you do, sir? You expected me?

Yes, I did. You are admirably prompt.

I could hardly be late

for so important an occasion.

Yes. Catherine told me yesterday

what has been going on between you.

- Will you sit down?

- Thank you.

I've been walking all morning.

Sir, I find New York

as lovely as any city in Europe

this time of year.

Yes. You must allow me to say,

Mr. Townsend,

that it would've been becoming of you

to give me notice of your intentions

before they had gone so far.

It was only the other day that

Catherine made your acquaintance.

We have not been slow

to arrive at an understanding.

My interest in Miss Sloper

began the first time I saw her.

Did it not even precede

your first meeting?

I certainly had already heard

she was a delightful girl.

A delightful girl,

that's what you think her?

Otherwise I shouldn't be here.

My dear young man,

as Catherine's father,

I hope I have a just appreciation

of her many good qualities.

But I don't mind telling you I've

never thought of her in that light.

I don't know what I might think

of her if I were her father.

I speak from my own point of view.

You speak very well. Please sit down.

Did you really expect that I would

throw my daughter into your arms?

No, I had an idea you didn't like me.

- What gave you that idea?

- The fact that I'm poor.

Well, that has a harsh sound

but it's about the truth.

You have no profession, means.

Please sit.

No visible resources or prospects.

And so you are in a category from

which not to choose a son-in-law.

Particularly not for my daughter who

is a weak woman with a large fortune.

I don't think she is weak.

Even if she were not,

you are still penniless.

Yes, that is my weakness

and therefore you mean I'm mercenary.

- I don't say that. You say that.

- But that's what you mean.

There are many poor men,

Mr. Townsend,

but they do not proclaim

that they're not thieves,

especially when no one

has accused them.

I simply said

you are in the wrong category.

But your daughter doesn't marry

a category. She marries a man,

a man she's good enough

to say she loves.

A man who offers nothing in return.

Is it possible to offer more than

affection and lifelong devotion?

Lifelong devotion

is measured after the fact.

It's usual to offer

a few material securities.

What are yours? A handsome face

and figure and a good manner.

All are excellent as far as they go

but they don't go far enough.

- You think I'm an idler?

- It doesn't matter what I think.

I just don't think of you

as a son-in-law.

- You think I'd squander her money?

- Ah, I plead guilty to that.

Because I spent my own, I suppose.

It was just because it was my own

that I spent it. I've made no debts.

When it was gone, I stopped.

I don't owe a penny in the world.

Allow me to ask.

What are you living on now?

The remnants of my property.

You left your gloves here yesterday.

Thank you.

Doctor, don't you care

to gratify your daughter?

Do you enjoy the idea

of making her miserable?

I'm resigned to her thinking me

a tyrant for a few months.

- A few months?

- For a lifetime, then.

She may as well be miserable that way

as with you.

- You are not polite, sir.

- You push me to it.

- You argue too much.

- I have a great deal at stake.

I know and you have lost it.

It is over.

I wouldn't be too sure of that, sir.

You are impertinent.

Dr. Sloper, if it were not

for my feeling for Catherine,

I should not have put up with

the indignities you've offered.

You have only to leave my house to

escape them. Good day, Mr. Townsend.

- Good day.

- Morris, wait!

Morris! You promised me, Morris.

You promised you would be respectful

when you saw my father.

- Catherine.

- What is the matter, Father?

Catherine, you are without dignity.

Why are you angry? Why are you and

Morris quarrelling? Tell me, please.

- I will tell you when we are alone.

- Your father does not approve of me.

- You want me to give him up?

- Yes, I do.

Why? What has he done?

What did Mrs. Montgomery tell you?

My sister, have you spoken with her?

She paid my a visit this morning

on my invitation.

You see how painful this is for me,

Father.

Surely you would want me

to know your reasons.

- He's a selfish idler.

- My sister never said that.

- No, I say it.

- Father, I know he loves me.

I know that he does not.

In heaven's name, Father,

what makes you so sure?

My poor child, I can't tell you.

You must just take my word for it.

Father, I can't.

I can't.

I love him.

I have promised to marry him,

to stay by him no matter what comes.

So, he forearmed himself

by getting a promise like that?

- You are beneath contempt.

- Don't abuse him, Father.

I think we shall marry quite soon.

That is no further concern of mine.

- I'm sorry.

- Dr. Sloper.

We cannot marry

without your approval.

It would bring unhappiness

to all of us.

- Do you mean that, sir?

- Yes.

Then, will you put it off,

Mr. Townsend, for six months?

I would like Catherine

to go to Europe with me.

- Europe?

- I would like you very much to go.

- Why, Father?

- He thinks you will forget me.

I shall still love him

when I come back.

You're very sure of your love but,

Catherine, do you dare to test him?

- You underestimate him.

- I don't think so.

Catherine, go to Europe.

Go to Europe with your father.

That way, sir.

I'll be right back.

Good morning, Doctor.

Good morning, ma'am. Catherine.

I came because I felt sure you would

not deny me the opportunity

of wishing you both a safe journey.

- Thank you very much.

- Morris, I'm glad you came.

I've brought Miss Sloper

a small gift, sir.

It is not usual for young ladies

in my daughter's situation

to receive gifts from gentlemen.

Yes, Doctor, I know,

but this is a very humble gift.

- It's only a little hand warmer.

- Father, I would like to have it.

Just put live charcoals in it,

Catherine.

- I give it to you with all my love.

- Morris!

I will be thinking of you, Catherine.

Good day, ma'am. Bon voyage, Doctor.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes