Wilczyca Page #2

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I told you to go ahead

and keep a lookout.

That's what I'm doing, your honor.

Don't answer back.

Get going.

Ride ahead and let me know

if anything's amiss.

Nightmare, begone, for God's sake!

- Who's there? What is it?

- It's me.

- What happened?

- Open up, sir!

Why are we stopping?

We're at the Tartar crossroads,

your honor.

Are their lordships behind us?

I don't know.

There's a thick mist, sir.

Put your ear to the ground,

and see if you hear them.

Instead of smoking you'd

better look after the horses.

I've put blankets on them.

They're all right.

Well?

Not a sound.

Damnation!

Get on your horse and go back!

Tell his lordship we're

waiting at the Tartar crossroads.

Wait!

Did you look in the inn?

I didn't go inside.

Why not?

I was afraid...

someone was standing outside.

Silber, of course.

The innkeeper.

What, a Jew without his cap?

Numbskull!

Hurry up and find the master!

This place doesn't feel right,

your honor.

Old wives, tales!

It's the graves.

They're all around.

Now, three years ago,

I remember...

...I was out alone, at night...

I lost my way coming back

from town.

Satan brought me to this spot.

The Father, the Son

and the Holy Spirit!

I stood here in front

of the inn...

It was freezing cold, like tonight.

Quiet!

Who is it?

- Did you see?

- Yes, sir!

Heaven help us!

Be gone evil spirit!

Quiet!

It's only a trick of the mist.

There was no one here.

Nobody, your honor?

And the horses?

Quiet, quiet! Cool down!

What's going on here?

Have you gone deaf?

What happened?

I didn't expect you from

that direction!

You gave me a fright.

Where's the count?

I'm here.

We lost our way.

Something startled the horses.

Ours were startled too,

but what was it?

Just imagine a wolf

crossed our path.

- A wolf...

- That's right!

The ugly brute!

The horses nearly threw us!

Let's go to the inn.

I can hardly stay in the saddle.

- Someone's outside.

- I know, the groom told us.

What does it matter

if anyone's there or not?

I'll go first and see.

Get in and let's be off.

Horrible!

Put down the lantern,

I can't bear to look.

He's cold. The hussars

must have been here.

Perhaps they questioned

him about me.

A pity. He was a decent Jew.

Mr Wosinski...

Please, give this letter

to her ladyship in person.

- Sir, let me come with you.

- No,

I'm sorry my friend, but I can't.

Take my horse.

I won't confide this letter

to anyone else.

We're going abroad.

Who'll look after my household?

Take good care of it.

My honor is in your hands.

I give you my word.

And I thank you.

God be with you.

Good bye, Onufry...

Look after your master.

What will I do in foreign parts?

They'll kill me!

Rely on the Lord.

Time to go.

God be with you, Wosinski.

Hot water, quickly!

Plenty of it.

Were the hussars here?

They were.

- Well?

- They asked about his lordship.

- Did they search the place?

- What?

- Did they look through the rooms?

- No.

They said there's been

a plot against the emperor.

Ask Dr Goldberg to come

and see me.

I must be sick.

Was it the night air?

Can the master take food?

Not at present.

Give him a teaspoonful

every two hours.

Wake him up if he's asleep.

Why has the master been

taken bad?

It's the damp.

He has marsh fever.

Will he be sick for long?

Long enough. Why do you ask?

Her ladyship said

she wanted to see him.

She'll have to wait.

Say Mr Wosinski won't be

up for some time.

And that he needs quiet.

Who's that?

For God's sake, who's there?

Leave the candlestick

and go to bed.

Wait.

Come closer.

- Where's the dog?

- She wanted to go out, so I let her.

Why aren't you in bed yet?

The Frenchwoman told me to

polish the silver.

- Was Mlle Ruttier here?

- No, she wasn't.

I locked the door downstairs.

She doesn't like it here.

What's that?

What's that?

A wolf.

It'll be a long winter.

Well, go to bed.

Jesus Christ!

Hush, hush...

So I found you at last.

You came here then.

Why did you choose this place?

Because I like it.

And you?

From today I do. Most decidedly.

They were trapped on my

father's estates...

...and presented to his

Imperial Majesty.

You might say they are

my countrymen.

I can see they don't like you.

They're afraid of me.

It's you who's afraid.

Look out, the footman.

What are you doing?

I'll take you home

and bandage your hand.

Why did you leave without

a word?

Welcome to my home,

Otto.

Come in.

Mr Wosinski...

I see you have recovered

after your mysterious journey.

I have a letter

for you from your husband.

Do you have to shout so?

Put the letter down.

Good bye.

I thought you'd never come.

I've been here over an hour.

Welcome Matthew.

Heaven sent you.

I'm in a bad way. I've been sick.

Will you drink something?

I was afraid I wouldn't

get here.

There are soldiers

and gendarmes everywhere.

I had to pay 20 Talar for a pass.

Listen, Casper,

I've brought the rent for

the estate.

Why the hurry?

I haven't asked you for it.

I'd like to give you back

the lease as well.

Why, for heaven's sake?

I won't stay there a moment

longer... not a moment.

Have you lost your senses?

Have some wine.

Listen, Casper...

A few days ago I woke up

at night and heard...

...the dogs whimper...

I was sleeping above your

former alcove...

Quiet, quiet now.

That's all I remember.

I must have fainted.

The watchman found me...

And what was he doing there?

He came to tell me a wolf

had been seen nearby.

A big she-wolf? Was that it?

Later I saw her myself.

Wait, wait a moment...

Listen to me. Hear me out.

The day before there'd been

a battle nearby.

But Rymwid's manor is

a real stronghold.

With loyal men who'd been

in the insurrection.

- They even had a cannon.

- Spare me the tale of the battle.

But it's all part of the story.

Why?

Dear God...

The whole place was laid waste.

The cemetery was ploughed

up by grenades.

I tell you, bones were thrown

beyond the wall.

Skulls and everything

else mixed up.

Fresh bodies

and rotting carcasses.

Did you see Mary's grave?

It was only a hole and

mounds of earth.

I wonder,

- can she have got away?

- Nonsense.

No, Casper. It's not nonsense.

There was no trouble while she

had the stake in her heart.

But when the grave was

disturbed...

- The stake must have come out...

- Impossible.

Take my word for it!

Listen...

Since then I've felt her

presence in the house.

I hear her steps in the garden,

in the alcove.

I hear her laughter.

What's that?

Take a look.

The countess?

No, that's impossible.

Julia...

I recognized her right away,

right away...

But that daguerreotype always

stood on your desk.

A speaking likeness.

Whose?

Are you drunk?

Of Mary, your wife.

Why did you bring it?

It's yours, after all.

A keepsake.

Maybe she's looking for it.

Casper,

pay for a mass to be said

for her soul.

Do it, believe me,

or you'll regret it.

I know what she was like.

But your only hope now

is in the Lord.

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