The Paradine Case Page #9

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- Very clever of Tony.

He's just

disarming the other side.

Had you no fear at the thought of

spending your life with a blind man?

- I thought it a splendid opportunity.

- Opportunity?

Yes, I thought...

I would be his eyes.

Did you find it difficult to care

for a blind man?

To take care of him.

- No.

- He was never unkind to you?

Sometimes.

But I understood.

It was terrible for him being like

that. It was easy to forgive him.

On the night of

your husband's death...

a quarrel took place

at your London home?

Yes.

Will you tell the jury, please,

the cause of that quarrel?

I'd spoken to my husband

about his valet LaTour.

I asked my husband to find

another place for him.

Why was that?

Answer the question.

I did not wish LaTour

to stay in the house.

Why didn't you wish LaTour

to stay in the house?

I preferred

he shouldn't be there.

- But why?

- I did not like his manner with me.

What did you dislike?

I thought it sometimes

too familiar.

Could you explain exactly

what you mean by that?

He took liberties.

Did he try

to make love to you?

Please answer.

Did he try

to make love to you?

Yes.

And you complained

to your husband?

I did.

Now, Mrs Paradine...

you've heard LaTour's version

of the quarrel on May 6th.

What actually did happen

when he came into the room?

My husband swore at him

and said...

- "You have insulted my wife."

- And what did LaTour say?

He broke down and said...

that if my husband would forgive him

it would never happen again.

Then LaTour's version

is completely untrue?

My lord, I object.

My learned friend is putting words...

- into the mouth of a witness.

- I was merely asking a question.

The form was objectionable.

I'm anxious not to intervene again.

Am I being clear?

Your lordship always makes his

meanings perfectly clear.

Then kindly attend

to my ruling...

and do not let me

have to repeat it.

I'll always note the ruling of a

learned judge...

however much I may

disagree with it.

Don't bandy words with me,

Mr Keane.

Kindly go on with your

examination of the witness.

Mrs Paradine...

after your husband's death

you sent in LaTour to tidy up?

Was anyone with you when

you sent LaTour into the room?

Dr Young.

Was Dr Young still with you when

LaTour came out of the room?

Yes.

Have you heard Dr Young's statement

that after he left you...

he found the glass

washed and dried?

I've heard that, yes.

Is it not true that the only person

who could've washed it is LaTour?

- My lord, I...

- All right, all right...

Could anyone else have

washed and dried it?

I know what you're trying

to make me say.

You want to make people think...

that Andre LaTour

killed my husband.

Silence.

I asked you whether anyone else

could have washed the glass.

Yes.

What do you mean by yes?

I did.

I warn you that you've made

a very serious admission.

Would you like to make some

explanation of it to the jury?

My lord, with

the utmost respect, I...

would like to request that I be given

time to consider this turn of events.

This piece of evidence is

entirely new to me.

Mr Keane, it's getting late and

we've had a very trying session.

Would it be convenient to you

if we adjourned now?

I would be greatly obliged

to your lordship.

We will adjourn until tomorrow

morning at 10.30.

- Aren't you staying to dinner Judy?

- No, I promised Father.

Goodnight, dear.

- Hello Tony.

- Hello.

What the devil are you looking

so sad about?

Nothing.

I was there today.

- Was Gay with you?

- Yes.

- Was that your idea?

- Yes.

I suppose you'll have your usual

expert comment to make on the case.

- Yes.

- That will most certainly be helpful.

Precisely what I need

at this moment.

- If she washed the wine glass...

- She didn't.

- I hope the jury agrees with you.

- She's covering for that dirty swine.

If she did wash the glass...

it's because she knew he killed him.

I could make her say so tonight.

Tony, you won't get angry if I ask

you something else, will you?

Will it make any difference

if I do?

Why do you keep on

about the quarrel?

That's what made her say

what she did.

If you really want to know,

if your father wants to know...

it's because I want to get

at the motive.

LaTour's motive.

He was in love with her.

He wanted to get rid

of her husband.

What about your motive?

What do you mean?

I know, and you know

and Gay knows...

why you think

LaTour's the murderer.

You wouldn't have handled it

that way otherwise.

You treated her as if you were

cross examining for the prosecution.

Tony it's true.

Someone had to say.

You've got to save this woman

for Gay's sake.

If you'll leave me alone,

perhaps I still can.

If you're left to your own devices,

I'll bet you one thing:

Mrs Paradine and your career will be

done for. If it weren't for Gay...

I wouldn't be sure that'd be

a bad thing either.

Goodnight.

My lord I've finished

with the witness.

- That's funny.

- What do you mean?

I'll tell you later.

Mrs Paradine, did you think

Andre LaTour very handsome?

Of course not. He is a servant. How

could I consider him in that way?

These attentions from LaTour

had gone on for some time?

Yes.

Why did you wait until that night

to tell your husband?

- I was ashamed.

- Why should you be ashamed?

- It wasn't your fault.

- Of course not.

Then why be ashamed?

Was it your modesty that held you

back? Remembering your past?

I protest at the insinuation.

There's been no evidence

about her past.

My lord, there was

no insinuation.

I merely tried to convey

that a lady of her...

to use her own words,

unattractive past, didn't need...

to avoid appealing to her husband

because of maidenly modesty.

I must ask you, Mr Keane,

not to interrupt counsel.

I will intervene if I see reason.

Proceed.

I ask you on your oath,

Mrs Paradine...

did you not complain about LaTour

because you were in love with him?

In love with him?

Yet I asked my husband

to send him away?

- Is that what you think?

- Did you not finally succeed...

in inducing this man,

who worshipped his master...

to betray him?

I deny that.

Now, Mrs Paradine

is it not true...

that when you realised

LaTour took no interest in women...

you resolved to overcome

that indifference?

No.

Weren't you in love with LaTour all

the time you lived at Hindley Hall?

No.

Weren't you madly in love with him

all the time you lived in London?

What you say is not true.

Is anything wrong,

Sir Joseph?

I'd like an opportunity to consider

what bearing this has on the case.

I've been informed that the witness

LaTour has done away with himself.

Andre.

- That does it.

- Oh, Tony.

My lord,

I submit that this...

has great bearing on the case. It's

obvious why he committed suicide.

- It bears out my...

- I don't think so.

The witness said he couldn't live,

knowing he'd betrayed his master.

I suggest both counsel

recover their equanimity...

and remember where they are.

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