The House Of The Seven Gables Page #7

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Deacon Foster called earlier this

morning sir, before you had awakened.

He seemed quite disturbed.

Everyone is disturbed. We

live in disturbing times.

Yes, sir.

You may go, Weed.

I must have that money.

Now, now. Calm yourself.

No, no I can't. It's your continued

"evasions" if I may use such a word ..

That cause my agitation.

When I brought this money,

you said it was a safe investment.

That I could have it back

the moment I needed it.

You knew it wasn't mine,

that I'd have to return it.

Well, now the time has come.

My dear man, there is always an

element of risk in these transactions.

A storm may delay the ship for

weeks. It may even be captured.

A ship? Captured?

Perhaps you'll finally tell me

what this money is invested in?

We're not engaged in something illegal?

Are you suddenly concerned

over moral values, Deacon?

You did not ask me that question when I

told you there was a profit to be made.

Yes, it is illegal.

Your money went to help finance

a slave-runner from Africa.

A slave-runner? .. Abolitionist

money financing a slave-runner?

Oh what curses will follow me!

Oh help me Jaffrey, help me put it back

before they find out .. lend it to me.

You idiot! You think I would have come

to you for money had I any of my own?

But you're so wealthy.

I have been at times,

but now I am penniless.

You could mortgage this house.

I already did so, six months ago.

Well, what am I to do?

Well now, brace yourself

man, brace yourself.

What's going to happen? Look at me,

I've weathered worse storms than this.

Yet here I am, still un-battered.

I'm ruined.

How can I face those good

people .. I'd sooner kill myself.

You have my word sir ..

the word of a Pyncheon.

And there is every reason to hope.

You are a resourceful man, Jaffrey.

If you want to, you can help me.

I will Arnold .. go home and keep your

mouth shut until you hear from me.

Weed!

Yes sir?

I'm going to the house at Seven

Gables. I'll be back shortly.

Yes sir.

Good morning Mrs Foster,

is the Deacon at home?

No.

We've been looking for him

all over town. Where is he?

You'll find him over at

Judge Pyncheon's.

There's a smell of a

mackerel about this.

I wish to see Mr Pyncheon.

But cousin Clifford is .. I mean ..

Never mind what you mean ..

If you don't announce me,

I shall announce myself.

You look well Jaffrey.

Overfed, but well.

I haven't come here to discuss

my health. I know.

You want the house, don't you Jaffrey?

Well, you can have it .. and

everything that goes with it.

If you will just sign this paper.

Now, why should I do that?

You'll have the house,

I'll gain my freedom.

Sign a confession that I accused

you falsely at the trial?

It doesn't read in that way .. it merely

states that perhaps you were in error.

That's all Jaffrey.

You made a mistake.

Now you wish to rectify it.

You are mad aren't you.

I advise you to turn the house

over to me immediately ..

Before I am forced to have you

committed you to an institution.

The authorities are deeply concerned at

your odd behavior since your release.

[ door knocks ]

I must see Judge Pyncheon. Where is he?

In the library.

Oh, just a moment ..

The money Jaffrey,

I must have it at once.

If we have business to discuss

we'll do it in my office.

No Jaffrey, I can't wait. They been

out to my house looking for me.

They follow me. They suspect ..

I don't know what you're

talking about Arnold.

Will you please wait outside for me.

No, I won't. You got me into this.

You never said what you

would do with the money.

You promised to let me

have it back in time.

Here they are! Jaffrey, here they are!

They're coming here! Jaffrey! They're

coming here! How can I face them?

Think of my family, my children!

Think of their disgrace when

they hear of my betrayal!

Oh Jaffrey, please!

I had made up my mind

before I came here.

You got me into this.

You are going to take the blame.

[ gunshot ]

Murderer.

You don't know what you

are saying Hepzibah.

Well don't stand there

staring at me that way.

Murderer!

You know it isn't true. You

know I didn't do anything.

I heard a shot I tell you.

Let us in!

See who it is Phoebe.

You know who it is.

Don't let them in.

Clifford, they'll kill me if they find

out what I did with their money.

Hid me .. the secret staircase ..

There is no secret staircase.

But you lie! The plans! Holgrave

told me of the plans.

There's no plans, no Holgrave ..

His name is "Matthew Maule".

Matthew Maule?

It's Mr Wainwright, Mr Hawkins,

Reverend Smith and Matthew ..

Ask them in.

No!

No .. no, don't let them in! They are

fanatics! They'll murder me.

Here .. I'll do anything you

want .. anything you say.

There .. you're free now .. you can have

the house .. and all the money in it.

No .. no, no ..

Oh Matthew, quickly .. hurry ..

No, no, no. Don't let them in!

Keep away from me! Keep away from me!

I now pronounce you man and wife.

Congratulations.

Thank you, sir.

Congratulations.

Thank you, sir.

Don't dawdle, you'll miss the train.

Come o, your things are at the station.

Matthew .. Matthew, we must go.

Where's that red carpet-bag?

It's over here.

Clifford .. Hepzibah ..

You know, I've always thought

of you two, just this way.

Time will never leave its mark upon you.

I will always see you two s you were ..

In the very beginning ..

Don't worry, everything will be alright.

Goodbye Mr Barton, goodbye.

Never forget to write sometime ..

T-G

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