The Razor's Edge Page #11

"Mignonne, allons voir si Ia rose..."

- Mignonne?

-"My sweet, let us see if the rose..."

If you're suggesting I was her lover,

you're mistaken.

It would be no affair of mine. And without

wishing to say anything offensive,

I must add that, from what I've heard

of her proclivities,

I should say that

you were not her type.

I'm prepared to take that

as a compliment.

Nevertheless, it is evident that you

would not address a perfect stranger

as, "My sweet."

That line, Monsieur le Commissaire,

is the first of a celebrated poem

by Ronsard,

with whose works I am certain

a man of your education

and culture must be familiar.

Ronsard.

Ronsard.

Oh! Ronsard!

[ French ]

Of course, I studied

Ronsard at school.

But with all the work I have to do, I must

confess that line has escaped my memory.

As a matter of fact, I assigned this book

for her years ago, in Chicago.

- Hello, Mr. Maugham.

- Why, Larry!

I didn't know you were here.

I thought you were living in St-Henri.

Yeah, they sent for me.

Have they told you?

- Oh, it's dreadful.

- I've just seen her at the morgue.

- I had to identify her for the police.

- Pardon, Monsieur Maugham.

- You know this individual?

- I do.

He's an American citizen.

His name is Laurence Darrell.

And what do you know of

Monsieur Laurence Darrell?

He's a student. A young man

of impeccable character.

Ah! impeccable, eh?

And how long have you known

this young man of impeccable character?

- Approximately 10 years.

- Ah.

Have any arrangements

been made to bury her?

Well, if you are prepared to undertake

the expense of the funeral yourself,

you will receive

the necessary authorization.

- Pardon, monsieur.

-[ French ]

I have here a card of an undertaker,

a personal friend of mine,

who will arrange

the matter for you.

On terms, and with dispatch.

You are a marvel of efficiency,

Monsieur Ie Commissaire.

You atter me beaucoup,

Monsieur Maugham.

- May I see where she lived?

- You have not seen that room before?

- No, I have not.

- Well, en ce cas, monsieur, suivez-moi.

[ Speaking French ]

Par igi, messieurs.

Look.

- Who are these people?

- That's her husband. That's her baby.

- Where are they now?

- Dead, monsieur. A long time ago.

May those be buried with her?

- In that frame, monsieur?

- Yes.

As you wish, monsieur.

This is the ode of Keats that I read

to her when she was a very little girl.

I remember you mentioned it that night in

the car, on the way from the Rue de Lappe.

It's something I've always

remembered her by.

"The day is gone,

and all its sweets are gone!

"Sweet voice, sweet lips.

Soft hand, and softer breast.

"Warm breath, light whisper,

tender semi-tone.

"Bright eyes, accomplish'd shape

and lang'rous waist!

"Faded the flower

and all its budded charms.

"Faded the sight of beauty

from my eyes.

"Faded the shape of beauty

from my arms.

"Faded the voice, warmth,

whiteness, paradise.

Vanish'd unseasonably

at shut of eve."

My advice is that you go

and have a good dinner.

I have a card here of one of

the best restaurants in Toulon.

It will assure you

of the patron's attention.

A bottle of wine will do you both good

after this harrowing experience.

I've got to get on to Nice this afternoon.

Elliott Templeton's had a relapse.

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.

Do Gray and Isabel know?

Yes. I only hope

they'll arrive in time...

I wish you'd come with me.

I'd like to, but I was never

one of Uncle Elliott's favorites

if you remember.

[ Speaking French ]

[ Door Closes ]

- Thank you. Good afternoon, Joseph.

- Good afternoon, sir.

Good afternoon.

I'll let Mr. Templeton know

that you're here, sir.

- How is he?

- Very weak, sir.

The doctors say there's no hope.

May I speak to you on

a very delicate matter, sir?

Of course.

The time is growing short,

and Mr. Templeton

should receive the last sacraments.

I hesitate

to mention it to him.

- Sir, but perhaps...

- I shall be glad to suggest it.

Thank you, sir.

"La cloche dans le ciel

qu'on voit doucement tinte.

Un oiseau sur Varbre

qu'on voit chante sa plainte."

I hear voices.

See who it is.

-[ Knocking On Door]

- Entrez.

Mr. Maugham and Mr. Darrell.

Ah, my dear fellow,

how very nice to see you.

And Larry!

Well, th... This is a surprise.

- Sit down. Sit down.

- Yes.

- Mr. Maugham said you were sick.

- Did he?

Well, I am sick.

But you don't look it.

You look extremely well.

Well, really now,

young Mr. Larry Darrell,

that's the most sensible thing

I've ever heard you say.

Of course, he's right.

It's only a temporary indisposition.

I've got the grand duke lunching with me

on Sunday, and I've told my doctor

he must put me to rights

by then at all costs.

Too bad this should have

happened just now.

It's a particularly brilliant season.

Are you going to

Edna Novemali's party?

[Chuckling ]

Oh, of course not!

- Has she asked you?

- She's asked everybody in Europe.

She's giving a great do.

Fancy dress.

Fancy dress.

She hasn't asked me.

It's a deliberate insult.

Oh, don't be ridiculous. Why should she

want to insult you? It's just an oversight.

I'm not a man

that people overlook.

Perhaps she doesn't know

you're in the South of France.

Don't be ridiculous, Larry. Everybody

knows I'm in the South of France.

It's going to be

the best party of the season.

If I was on my death bed,

I'd go to it!

Never mind, old boy.

It may rain the night of the party.

- That'll ruin it!

-[ Giggling 1

I never thought of that!

I'll pray for rain

as I've never prayed before.

The old witch.

She'd never have got anywhere

if it hadn't have been for me.

Now she doesn't invite me

to the greatest party of her career!

[Sobs] Fireworks, my dear fellow!

There are gonna be fireworks!

Oh, it's so unkind!

[Sniffing, Sobbing ]

I hate them. I hate them all!

They've eaten my food

and drunk my wine.

I've run their errands for them.

I've made their parties for them.

What have I got out of it?

Nothing.

Now, that I'm old and sick,

they have no use for me.

[Whimpering]

They don't care whether I live or die!

Not one of them!

Oh, it's so cruel!

I wish I'd never left America!

[ Crying 1

[ Softly]

Excuse me.

I'm afraid you're very ill, Elliott.

Much iller than you think.

I was wondering

if you'd like to see a priest.

Do you mean to say

I'm going to die?

Oh, I hope not. But it's as well to be

on the safe side.

I understand.

Don't be upset,

my dear fellow.

Noblesse oblige, you know?

[ Chuckling ]

You... You ridiculous creature, Elliott.

Will you call the bishop and tell him

I'd appreciate if he'd send Father Charles?

- He's a friend of mine.

- I'll go and do that now.

Thank you.

- May I borrow your car for a few moments?

- Of course.

I thought I'd run over

to Princess Novemali's house.

Her secretary's an old Scotch girl

I've known for years,

and I think I can do something

about that invitation.

She's a spiteful woman, Edna.

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