The Letter Page #7

Who has the letter now?

Have you got it?

-Yes.

-Where is it?

It's not your letter or mine, Bob.

I've got to pay $ 10,000 for that letter,

and by heaven, I'm going to see it.

Let him see it.

What does it mean?

No, no. Wait.

What does it mean?

It means that I was in love

with Geoff Hammond.

-No!

-We'd been in love for years.

-I don't believe it.

-We used to meet constantly.

Once or twice a week.

Not a soul had the smallest suspicion.

Every time I met him, I hated myself.

And yet I lived for the moment

when I'd see him again.

It was horrible.

There was never an hour when I was at

peace, when I wasn't reproaching myself.

I was like a person who is sick with some

disease and doesn't want to get well.

Even my agony was a kind of joy.

Then there came a time about a year ago

when he began to change toward me.

I didn't know what was the matter.

I was frantic.

-I made scenes. I threw myself at his feet.

-Leslie.

Then I heard about that....

That native woman.

I couldn't believe it.

I wouldn't believe it!

At last I saw her.

Saw her walking in the village

with those hideous spangles...

...that chalky painted face...

...and those eyes like a cobra's eyes.

But I couldn't give him up.

I sent for him.

You read the letter.

We'd always been so careful

about writing before...

...but this time, I didn't care.

I hadn't seen him for 1 0 days.

He came to see me.

I told him I'd heard about his marriage.

He denied it. I was frantic.

I don't know what I said to him.

I hated him because

he made me despise myself.

I insulted him. I cursed him.

I was beside myself.

At last, he turned on me.

He told me he was sick and tired of me,

that it was true about that other woman...

...that she was the only one

that meant anything.

He was glad I knew because

now I'd leave him alone.

He got up, and I knew if he left,

I'd never see him again...

...so I seized the revolver and fired.

Heard a cry, and I knew I'd hit him.

He staggered toward the veranda...

...and I ran after him

and fired and fired and fired.

There's no excuse for me.

I don't deserve to live.

I'm sorry.

He's going to forgive you.

Yes.

He's going to forgive me.

Leslie?

Leslie?

Yes. Come in.

-They're waiting.

-I'm sorry, Dorothy.

It took me rather a long time to dress.

It's a lovely dress.

My dear, you look like a young girl.

-Just out of....

-Prison?

Leslie, darling, I never saw

anyone like you, ever.

-You remember the Camerons, don't you?

-Of course. Glad to see you.

Thank you very much.

Leslie, this is Lt. Greene.

He's been very impatient to meet you.

There's Janie, darling.

Please.

-Crosbie, old man, congratulations.

-Thanks.

Give me a whiskey and soda.

Leslie looks wonderful.

I never saw her looking better.

You must be relieved that this

awful business is over.

I don't know if you remember me.

Of course I do. How are you?

-I'm fine, thanks.

-How do you do, captain?

-I say, would you care to dance?

-I'd love to. Thank you.

I won't mention it again.

You must want to forget the whole subject.

But I can't get over the way

you gave your evidence.

Everything so exact,

down to the smallest detail, you know?

I'll never forget the night it happened.

I don't mind telling you I was upset.

My first case, you know.

Quite a beginning one.

Do you mind if we sit down?

No. No, of course not.

The most beautiful plantation in Sumatra.

Three thousand acres, young trees. Belongs

to a Malacca Chinese. He's forced to sell.

-Sounds good.

-Always wanted a fine plantation...

...one that I could work for myself

and for my family.

-This is the one.

-Where do you ship from?

It's near a good harbor,

five, six miles only.

I could ship my rubber for less money.

Ought to get ahead fast.

In five, ten years,

I can travel, do anything I please.

I'll visit you boys in Singapore.

Bob, how about a little fresh air?

Not now, Howard. Maybe later. I'm telling

these boys about my new plantation.

I didn't tell you about the bungalow.

Beautiful!

Large veranda, shade trees all around.

There are three bungalows.

Two smaller ones. The Chinese planter

had a funny idea. He had three wives...

...nice Malay girls, and he kept a house

for each wife, but none for himself.

-That is a plantation.

-I wouldn't mind a place like that.

For me, the one house will do.

We shall miss Singapore.

Our friends are here,

and we've had some fine times.

No English in that part of Sumatra,

only Dutch and natives.

It's going to be lonely,

but we'll get used to it.

There'll be the two of us.

But my wife's a good sport.

Always can count on her.

She's not afraid of anything.

We'll have each other.

That's the important thing, isn't it?

Would you excuse me, please?

--to Leslie when she first came out.

Remember?

Stop fussing.

That's my system, but it works.

Because there's always a little group

that insists on staying.

You look dead tired.

Need a good night's rest.

-Good night. Say good night to Leslie.

-Good night. Thanks.

-Sorry if I--

-It's all right. Good night.

-Good night, Bob.

-Good night, Howard.

We should make a fairly early start

in the morning, don't you think?

I sent for my large bag.

We can put some of your things in it

in case your bag is crowded.

In fact, I'll pack for you, if you want.

I know how you hate it.

Darling, you've done

something to this sleeve.

A cigarette burn. That's what it is.

And your new coat too. Never mind.

Your tailor can fix it, have it rewoven.

I won't pack it now.

We'll stop at the tailor's

tomorrow on our way home.

Robert.

It's no use, is it?

We can't go on, can we?

I don't know. I can't say.

You're so kind and generous.

You should have the sort of wife

you really deserve.

Through no fault of yours, I've failed you...

...wrecked your life.

I can't ask you to forgive me.

If you love a person...

...you can forgive anything.

So, what about you?

-Can you go on?

-I'll try. I'll really try.

-That isn't what I was asking.

-I'll do everything to make you happy.

That's not enough, unless....

Leslie, tell me.

Now. This minute.

Do you love me?

Yes, I do.

-No! I can't, I can't, I can't!

-Leslie, what is it?

Leslie, what is it?

With all my heart,

I still love the man I killed!

Oh, no!

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