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  • Ibaptisethee, Catherine,

  • in the name ofthe Father, and the Son...

  • (Baby cries) -..and the Holy Ghost...

  • No-one who had ever seen Catherine Morland in her infancy

  • would have supposed her born to be a heroine.

  • Her situation in life,

  • the character of her father and mother,

  • and her own person and disposition,

  • were all equally against her.

  • A family of ten children, of course,

  • will always be called a fine family,

  • where there are heads and arms and legs enough for the number.

  • But the Morlands were, in general, very plain,

  • and Catherine, for many years of her life, as plain as any.

  • Neither was it very wonderful

  • that Catherine, who had, by nature, nothing heroic about her,

  • should prefer cricket and baseball to dolls and books.

  • But by the age of 1 5, appearances were mending.

  • Catherine Morland was in training for a heroine.

  • Y es!.

  • Whoo!. Whoo!.

  • You know, our Catherine has turned out rather well.

  • - Come on, Catherine, let's carry on. - No, later. Later.

  • She's quite a good-looking girl.

  • Well, she is almost pretty today.

  • MRS MORLAND:. And she has grown very fond of reading of late.

  • I wonder if it can be good for her, my dear, to read quite so many novels?.

  • Why ever not?.

  • What could be a more innocent or harmless pastime for a young girl than reading?.

  • (Catherine reads) "He was interrupted by a noise in the passage leading to the room.

  • It approached. The door was unlocked. A man entered, dragging behind him a beautiful girl,

  • her features bathed in tears and suffering the utmost distress. "

  • T ake her!. Convey her where I shall never see her more!.

  • Cathy!.

  • What are you doing?.

  • Nothing.

  • What do you want, anyway?.

  • Mr and Mrs Allen are here. Mother says you have to come straight away.

  • (Sighs)

  • No, said Dr Malleson, no other place will do so well for a gouty constitution like Mr Allen's.

  • No other place will do so well for...

  • Ooh!

  • ..for squandering money.

  • Oh, fie, Mr Allen!

  • You know you love to see me happy.

  • - And thinking of that... - Catherine is young to go.

  • But with Mr and Mrs Allen for protection, I see no danger in it.

  • She's a good girl. I think we can trust her.

  • Why, Catherine, how you've grown!

  • Quite the young lady, isn't she, Mr Allen?.

  • Mr and Mrs Allen come with an invitation, Catherine.

  • MRS ALLEN: We would like you to accompany us to Bath for a time.

  • NARRATOR: For when a young lady is to be a heroine,

  • something must and will happen to throw adventure in her way.

  • (Snores)

  • (Reads) "A tumult of emotions stirred in the bosom of Adeline. Fear gripped her heart,

  • that, at any moment, ruffians would fly upon the carriage

  • and return her to the ignominy of her captive state. "

  • Ya!

  • Whoa!

  • My God, Mrs Allen!

  • Ohh!

  • (Clash of steel)

  • Argh!

  • Aaaargh!

  • (Laughs)

  • DRlVER: Whoa! Steady there!

  • - Come on! - Not long now.

  • Come on!

  • Pulteney Street is not quite the smartest address,

  • but, for myself, I love to be at the centre of things.

  • So do l!

  • There's a little peach that's ripe for plucking.

  • So many people!

  • I wonder who they can be, and what their stories are.

  • Hardly worth knowing, I should say, if they choose to roam the streets

  • when they could be sitting at home by a good fire.

  • Oh! Mr Allen is so droll.

  • He always says the opposite of what he means, for he loves good company.

  • When shall we go into society, Mrs Allen?.

  • I suppose it is too late this evening?.

  • Bless you, my child, we neither of us have a stitch to wear.

  • I did bring my best frock, and my pink muslin is not too bad, I think.

  • No, no, no!

  • Would you have us laughed out of Bath?.

  • Resign yourself, Catherine.

  • Shops must be visited. Money must be spent.

  • Do you think you could bear it?.

  • Very easily, sir.

  • - That's it. - My lady.

  • And more.

  • That's the last, madam.

  • There.

  • MRS ALLEN: Did you ever see anything prettier, Mr Allen?.

  • Other than yourself, do you mean, my dear?.

  • Oh, fie, Mr Allen!

  • - But Catherine... - Ah, she looks just as she should.

  • Now...might we make our way, do you think?.

  • I entertain high hopes of our arriving at the rooms by midnight.

  • How he teases us, Catherine.

  • Midnight, indeed!

  • Whoa! Whoa, whoa! Whoa, there!

  • - Stay. - Good evening, sir.

  • This way. Mind how you go now, sir.

  • (Groans)

  • DOORMAN: This way, ladies.

  • Heidi! Good to see you!

  • Sedley!

  • Sedley! There you are! Is there anyone here?.

  • Not a soul, John! There's no-one here at all!

  • What could he mean?.

  • If I might just... Thank you.

  • Excuse me.

  • Card room, I think.

  • - Mr Allen! - See you later, my love.

  • Come this way, Catherine.

  • Oh!

  • (Sniggers) Pardon me, miss.

  • Excuse me.

  • Perhaps we should go through to the tea room.

  • Mmm.

  • Quick - there are two places!

  • (Conversation dies)

  • (Murmuring)

  • How uncomfortable it is not to know anybody.

  • Yes, my dear, very uncomfortable indeed.

  • But then, you see, one can't speak to people unless one has been introduced.

  • - But who will introduce us?. - I'm sure I've no idea.

  • I don't know. Mother and daughter, I'd guess.

  • Had we not better go away?.

  • There are no tea things for us, and I think we are unwelcome here.

  • Yes, it's most disagreeable.

  • I wish we had a large acquaintance here.

  • I wish we had any.

  • (Laughs)

  • Mrs Allen.

  • - Ooh! Have a care, sir! - A thousand apologies, ma'am.

  • Catherine, do take this pin out of my sleeve. It was not your fault, sir.

  • Allow me, ma'am.

  • Thank you kindly, sir.

  • Though I'm afraid it's torn a hole already.

  • There. Nothing too disastrous, ma'am.

  • I shall be sorry if it has, for it's a favourite gown.

  • - Really, Mrs Allen, one would hardly notice. - Though it cost but nine shillings a yard.

  • Nine shillings?.

  • - That is exactly what I should have guessed. - Do you understand muslins, sir?.

  • I understand them very well.

  • My sister has often entrusted me in the choice of a gown.

  • I bought one for her only the other day.

  • Five shillings a yard, and a true lndian muslin. What do you make of that?.

  • Well!

  • And I can never get Mr Allen to tell one of my gowns from another.

  • But tell me, sir, what do you think of Miss Morland's gown?.

  • Miss Morland's gown...

  • Miss Morland's gown is very pretty.

  • Though I don't think it will wash well.

  • I am afraid it will fray.

  • How can you be so...?.

  • Presumptuous?. Indeed. Without so much as an introduction.

  • You must allow me to make amends, Mrs Allen.

  • Gentlemen.

  • - Thank you. - Very kind indeed.

  • One moment.

  • What a very...

  • Really, I shouldn't have allowed you to speak to him, as a stranger.

  • But he had such an understanding of muslin.

  • I wonder where he's gone.

  • Here he comes again. And he has brought Mr King with him.

  • The Master of Ceremonies himself!

  • Mrs Allen.

  • Miss Morland.

  • Allow me to present to you Mr Henry T:ilney,

  • just lately arrived in Bath.

  • Mrs Allen, Miss Morland.

  • Delighted to make your acquaintance.

  • Mr King.

  • Now we may talk to one another.

  • But we've already been talking.

  • You mustn't allow anyone to hear you say such things,

  • or we shall all be expelled from polite society.

  • Let it be our secret.

  • And now, if your card is not already full, Miss Morland,

  • might I request the pleasure of the next dance with you?.

  • With me?.

  • Thank you.

  • (Courtly dance)

  • Forgive me, I have been very remiss in the proper attentions of a partner.

  • What are they?.

  • Oh, I ask you how long you have been in Bath,

  • have you been to the theatre, and the concert, and so on.

  • Wouldn't that be rather dull?.

  • Of course.

  • But we must do our duty. Are you ready?.

  • Yes.

  • How long have you been in Bath, madam?.

  • Not long at all, sir.

  • - And were you never here before?. - Never, sir.

  • Indeed! And have you been to the play?.

  • Not yet, sir.

  • Astonishing. The concert?.

  • (Laughs) No.

  • Amazing. Now tell me...

  • Are you altogether pleased with Bath, madam?.

  • Yes.

  • I like it very well.

  • Excellent.

  • Now I must give you one smirk, and then we can be rational again.

  • (Laughs)

  • Do you know that gentleman?.

  • Not at all.

  • I wonder why he keeps looking at us.

  • I imagine he likes what he sees.

  • What?.

  • Do you mean me?.

  • Why not?.

  • (Music finishes)

  • So, tell me, what will you write in your journal tonight?.

  • "Friday, went to the Lower Rooms,

  • wore my sprigged muslin dress with blue trimmings,

  • and looked very pretty, though I say so myself."

  • - The next dance! Lord Byron's... - "Danced with one man,

  • was stared at by another much more handsome."

  • Indeed I shall say no such thing.

  • Then what shall you say?.

  • Perhaps I don't keep a journal at all.

  • DRlVER: Come on!

  • A most agreeable young man. Was he not, Catherine?.

  • Yes.

  • He was very kind, and very amusing.

  • I liked him very much.

  • Well, Mr Allen?.

  • No, l...

  • I didn't mean anything like that.

  • He can't have thought of me like that, he is much too...

  • He is quite grown-up.

  • (Clears throat) Catherine, I feel I should warn you

  • that Bath attracts all manner of scoundrels and adventurers,

  • and one cannot be too careful when making new acquaintances.

  • Mr T:ilney, a scoundrel?.

  • Mr T:ilney, an adventurer?.

  • He understands muslin, Mr Allen.

  • He has a sister.

  • Well, upon inquiries,

  • I did discover that Mr T:ilney is a young man of very good family, and a clergyman to boot.

  • A clergyman?.

  • No doubt you'd prefer him to be a brigand?.

  • His father's a man of consequence, though.

  • General T:ilney,

  • of Northanger Abbey.

  • Northanger Abbey?.

  • Is it haunted?.

  • No doubt, no doubt.

  • These abbeys usually are.

  • (Horse neighs)

  • Whoa!

  • (Thunder rumbles)

  • ..wearing the same old things that one wouldn't have thought of.

  • Mrs Allen?.

  • And this must be Miss Morland.

  • Mrs Thorpe. Your brother James told me to look out for you.

  • - You know James?. - lndeed. He is up at Oxford with my son, John.

  • Mrs Thorpe! My old schoolfellow!

  • Yes, he went to you at Christmas.

  • And I may say he endeared himself to us all.

  • Ah, here come my girls now.

  • Isabella, my eldest, and Maria and Anne.

  • Isabella, this is Mrs Allen, and Miss Catherine Morland.

  • James's sister.

  • James's sister!

  • How do you do, Miss Morland?.

  • I have so long wished to meet you.

  • Your brother has spoken of you so affectionately.

  • I am sure that we will be the very best of friends.

  • I am so pleased you love Mrs Radcliffe's novels, too.

  • I wish I were you, just beginning to read Udolpho for the first time.

  • Is it really very horrid?.

  • You can't even imagine.

  • But I wouldn't tell you for the world.

  • Well, perhaps one incident to whet your appetite.

  • (Gasps)

  • Can such things really happen?.

  • Well, just think of Lord Byron.

  • I have heard that he is very wicked.

  • But I don't know exactly what he is supposed to have done.

  • Oh!

  • And I have heard that he is here, in Bath.

  • Shall we go to the Pump Room and see if we can see him?.

  • Perhaps your Mr T:ilney will be there, too.

  • He's not my Mr T:ilney, lsabella.

  • Indeed, you mustn't say he is!

  • Isn't he?.

  • Well, there's a certain person who will be very glad to hear that.

  • Who do you mean?.

  • Never you mind.

  • (Whispering)

  • ISABELLA: Oh.

  • I do so hate it when strangers listen to one's private conversations.

  • No, his name's not there.

  • I think he must be gone from Bath.

  • And yet he never mentioned his stay would be so short.

  • Perhaps it's just as well.

  • My brother John says the whole family is very bad.

  • The eldest son as bad as Lord Byron, John says.

  • Surely he's mistaken. Mr T:ilney couldn't have been kinder or more gentleman-like.

  • Appearances often deceive, you know.

  • But he is a clergyman.

  • That signifies nothing these days.

  • (Men laugh)

  • Insufferable!

  • Come, let's walk outside.

  • Nice. Both girls.

  • STREET-SELLER: Nosegays! Buttonholes!

  • Posies! Buttonholes!

  • Are they following?.

  • No, they are going towards the churchyard.

  • Good. We are rid of them.

  • Now, if we turn down there, it will bring us to Milsom Street.

  • But shouldn't we come upon them again if we did that?.

  • Oh, never mind that.

  • Come, make haste.

  • Posies!

  • (Drivers gee on horses)

  • Oh, these odious carriages! How I detest them!

  • Make way! Make way!

  • - lsabella! - Oh, how delightful!

  • Mr Morland and my brother John!

  • James!

  • I didn't know you were coming to Bath.

  • Thorpe's idea.

  • When I remembered you were here, and you, Miss Thorpe, nothing would have kept me away.

  • I am very happy to see you again.

  • And l, you.

  • - Miss Morland. - My good friend John Thorpe.

  • Enchanté.

  • I had the pleasure of seeing you dance the other evening.

  • Yes, I remember.

  • I hope I may have the pleasure of dancing with you myself before too long.

  • - We were walking towards Edgar's Buildings. - Were you?.

  • Damn it, we'll walk with you! Miss Morland?.

  • - Are you fond of an open carriage?. - Oh, yes, very.

  • Well, would you permit me to drive you up Lansdown Hill one day this week?.

  • Thank you. You are very kind.

  • But...would it be proper?.

  • Oh, damn it, this is Bath.

  • You know?. Everything's more free and easy in Bath.

  • (Courtly dance)

  • Penny for your thoughts, Miss Morland?.

  • I was just... Have you ever read Udolpho, Mr Thorpe?.

  • Udolpho?. Lord!

  • No, I never read novels. I leave all that to lsabella.

  • - I read The Monk the other day, though. - The Monk!

  • Is it as shocking as everybody says?.

  • You can borrow it, if you care to.

  • Hot stuff, you know.

  • (Music finishes)

  • (Murmur of conversation)

  • - lsn't this altogether delightful, Catherine?. - Yes!

  • What say?. Jig it again?.

  • MASTER OF CEREMONlES: Take your partners for the next dance!

  • A Prodigal Fellow!

  • Miss Morland.

  • Allow me to introduce...

  • Eleanor.

  • My sister.

  • Your sister!

  • Oh...

  • Yes, I am very happy to meet you, Miss T:ilney.

  • And l, you.

  • Henry has told me so much about you.

  • You can't imagine how surprised I was to see your brother again.

  • I felt so sure of his being quite gone from Bath.

  • Yes, when he saw you, he was here to engage lodgings for us. He only stayed the one night.

  • Oh, I see.

  • He, your brother, dances very well.

  • - Yes. - And he is very amusing.

  • Yes, he is, when he cares to be.

  • Do you know that gentleman talking to Mr T:ilney?.

  • That's our father,

  • General Tilney.

  • He looks as if he were displeased with us.

  • It is only his way.

  • And is your mother here with you in Bath as well?.

  • Our mother is dead.

  • So this is your first time in Bath?.

  • Do you like it?.

  • Very much indeed.

  • There are some very pretty walks round about.

  • Henry and I walk most mornings.

  • Should you care to join us one day?.

  • Yes.

  • More than anything in the world. I love long walks.

  • Though I can't persuade my friend to join me.

  • She thinks it a waste of time when there are so many other things to do in town.

  • I can see that she might.

  • (Laughs)

  • She says the most appalling things.

  • In that case, shall we say tomorrow at 1 2, unless it rains?.

  • Yes.

  • Catherine. You simply must hear this.

  • Come, quickly!

  • Excuse me.

  • Of course.

  • Make haste, Miss Morland! Put on your hat, there's no time to lose!

  • - We are going to Blaize Castle! - Mr Thorpe!

  • - How do you do, Mrs Allen?. ISABELLA: My sweetest Catherine.

  • Isn't this delightful?. Blaize Castle, nothing could be more romantic.

  • Yes, I'm sure, but I am very sorry, I can't come with you.

  • I am expecting Miss T:ilney and her brother to call on me to take a country walk.

  • Not they! I saw them five minutes ago. Doesn't he drive a phaeton with a pair of chestnuts?.

  • I don't know, indeed.

  • I saw him large as life, on the Lansdown Road, with a smart-looking girl by his side.

  • But perhaps they mean to call later.

  • No, they don't.

  • I heard T:ilney hallooing to a man they were going as far as Wick Rocks.

  • I don't understand it at all.

  • Miss T:ilney promised.

  • In this false world, people often make promises they have little intention of keeping.

  • Remember, we are your true friends.

  • - We keep our promises. - Yes.

  • But what if they should come after all?.

  • My dear scatter-brained sister, haven't you just heard him say they're halfway to Wick Rocks?.

  • Then...

  • perhaps I should come with you.

  • Please, Miss Morland.

  • Goes very nice, doesn't she?. Smooth as silk!

  • How do you do, sir?.

  • Scoundrel!

  • (Laughs)

  • Pleasant old gentleman.

  • Mr Allen?. Yes, and so good natured.

  • - And rich as Croesus, or so I hear. - I believe Mr Allen is very rich.

  • - And no children at all?. - No, none.

  • - But you're quite a favourite, though, I gather?. - Mr and Mrs Allen are very kind to me, yes.

  • - Ever since I was a baby. - Excellent. Excellent!

  • Oh, Miss Tilney!

  • Stop! Stop now! It's Miss T:ilney and her brother!

  • - There'll be hell to pay if I tried to stop him now! - Please stop, Mr Thorpe!

  • - I'll get down! I will! - It's not possible!

  • Oh!

  • Whoa, there!

  • How could you deceive me so?.

  • Well, what if I did?. Where would you rather be?. In a spanking gig driving to Blaize Castle

  • or trailing about in the dirt with some canting prig of a parson?.

  • Mr T:ilney is not a canting prig!

  • You have made it seem as if I had broken my promise to them.

  • Whoa, there.

  • Look here!

  • Miss Morland...

  • I might not have been completely straight with you, but I had good reason.

  • You think of your brother's happiness, and lsabella's.

  • They couldn't go off unchaperoned.

  • And I was thinking of you, too.

  • I'm not altogether happy to see you with the T:ilneys.

  • The whole family has a terrible reputation.

  • Something very strange about the mother's death.

  • But you can't mean...?.

  • We must be careful making new acquaintances. We're not all as honest as you and l, eh?.

  • But Mr T:ilney and his sister have been so kind to me.

  • Truly sorry, Miss Morland, if I have caused you any distress.

  • But you can set it all right tomorrow.

  • Let's at least try and enjoy ourselves today.

  • Damn it, I've been looking forward to driving you out more than anything. What do you say?.

  • - Very well. - Whoa!

  • - Everything all right, Thorpe?. - Absolutely.

  • Walk on.

  • (Sheepdogs bark)

  • - Go on! - Walk on.

  • - I say, sir, can you move your sheep, please?. - Oh, go on!

  • SHEPHERD: Hi, hi, hi!

  • It's just a spot of rain, it will clear up in no time.

  • We'd better go back. Your sister thinks so, too. We're not halfway to Blaize Castle.

  • Very well, as you wish!

  • It's all one to me!

  • If your brother hadn't such a damned beast to drive, we'd have been there this half hour gone.

  • Will you move your sheep?. I need to turn.

  • I'll take my bloody time!

  • Come on, girl!

  • (Patter of rain outside)

  • (Sighs)

  • Lord! What would the men think if they could see us now?.

  • How can I ever face the T:ilneys again?.

  • You mustn't be cross with John, dearest one.

  • Do you know, he told me he liked you better than any girl he had ever seen.

  • And he thinks you're the prettiest girl in Bath.

  • - I don't know why he should think that. - No need for false modesty!

  • Now, how far have you got on with Udolpho?.

  • - I've just got to the black veil. - The black veil!

  • I won't tell you what's behind it, not for the world.

  • When you have finished it, you will read The Monk, my brother's favourite.

  • Oh, yes, he spoke of it. Is it really very horrid?.

  • It is the most horrid, shocking thing

  • in all the world.

  • Ambrosio the Monk begins very holy, but is drawn into vice by Matilda.

  • She gives him a magic branch so he can pass through walls...

  • (Whispers)..and into Antonia's bed chamber.

  • (Gasps)

  • But it is too shocking. I should blush to tell you. You must read it yourself.

  • (Thunder)

  • (Reads) "The Friar pronounced the magic words and a thick smoke arose over the magic mirror.

  • At length, he beheld Antonia 's lovely form.

  • She was undressing to bathe herself

  • and the amorous monk had full opportunity to observe

  • the voluptuous contours and admirable symmetry of her person

  • as she drew off her last garment.

  • At this moment, a tame linnet flew towards her,

  • nestled its head between her breasts and nibbled them in wanton play.

  • Ambrosio could bear no more.

  • The blood boiled in his veins and a raging fire rushed through his limbs.

  • 'l must possess her,' he cried. "

  • No, no, Ambrosio.

  • I shall no longer be able to combat my passions.

  • I am convinced with every moment, that I have but one alternative...

  • I must enjoy you, or die!

  • ! MOZART: Der Holle Rache from The Magic Flute

  • Damn fine-looking woman.

  • But she's nothing to you, you know.

  • (Applause)

  • Miss Morland, Mrs Allen, Mr Allen.

  • Mr T:ilney, you must have thought me so rude, but they told me you had gone out.

  • When I saw you, I begged Mr Thorpe to stop, but he only went faster.

  • If only he had slowed down, I would have jumped out and run back to you.

  • Please believe me, I would ten thousand times rather have been with you!

  • Are you and Miss T:ilney very angry with me?.

  • I must confess, I felt a little slighted.

  • But my sister was quite sure there was some misunderstanding.

  • Eleanor, you were right, as usual.

  • Miss Morland is not to blame. She was abducted by force!

  • No, not exactly, but truly I did try to make him stop.

  • Don't tease her. You were cast down when you thought she preferred the company of others.

  • Perhaps she still does.

  • No, indeed!

  • That is...

  • Then may I renew our invitation?.

  • Shall we say the day after tomorrow for our walk?.

  • Yes.

  • THORPE: Miss Catherine Morland, a very amiable girl, and very rich, too.

  • Ward of a Mr Allen, who made a fortune in trade.

  • And with no-one to spend it on but her,

  • she'll bring a deal of money to her marriage.

  • When the old man pops off, she'll be one of the richest women in the country.

  • Obliged to you, sir.

  • Thorpe, John Thorpe.

  • Delighted to have been...

  • Yes, it was beautifully sung.

  • Mr Thorpe, perhaps you'd introduce me to the young lady.

  • Miss Morland, this is General T:ilney.

  • Charming.

  • And did I overhear a country walk proposed?.

  • Yes, sir, the day after tomorrow.

  • Perhaps you would do us the honour of spending the rest of the day with us,

  • after your walk?.

  • If Mr and Mrs Allen can be persuaded to spare you?.

  • I'm sure they'd be happy to spare me, sir, and I'd have great pleasure in coming.

  • Excellent.

  • I shall look forward to making your better acquaintance, Miss Morland.

  • Ooh!

  • ELEANOR: What do you think, Catherine?. - It's wonderful.

  • It reminds me of the South of France. The Languedoc, you know?.

  • ELEANOR: Yes!

  • Have you travelled much in France?.

  • No.

  • Not at all, I've never been there.

  • But I've seen pictures. And it's just as Mrs Radcliffe describes it in Udolpho.

  • Ah! Mrs Radcliffe.

  • CATHERlNE: But I suppose you don't read novels?.

  • HENRY: I read Udolpho straight through in two days,

  • with my hair standing up on end the whole time.

  • I often think there's more life,

  • and truth,

  • and feeling in a good novel than in a hundred dull sermons.

  • Do you really believe that?.

  • Oh, go on, don't wait for me.

  • Why should you think I don't believe it?.

  • Because I think you like to tease me.

  • And because the real world is different from the world in stories.

  • Is it?.

  • Of course it is!

  • I love to read Mrs Radcliffe,

  • but I don't think the real world's full of murders and abductions

  • and ghosts with clanking chains

  • and seductions and everything.

  • Well, not in Fullerton, anyway.

  • Perhaps not quite so many murders and abductions.

  • But broken hearts?. Betrayals?.

  • Long-held grudges?. Schemes of revenge?.

  • Fear?.

  • And hatred?. And despair?.

  • Are they not part of all of our lives?. Even in Fullerton?.

  • I don't know.

  • I would like to think not.

  • Well, then, I hope your experience of life is the exception that proves the rule.

  • T:ilney!

  • Forgive me, T:ilney, for interrupting your walk. I've no time to lose.

  • Of course. You were expected.

  • Ma'am.

  • Come, let's walk on a little.

  • That gentleman is a close acquaintance of ours, a very good friend.

  • He is obliged to leave the country at short notice.

  • He was able to make his farewells to me last evening,

  • but was no doubt anxious to say goodbye to my sister, too, before he left.

  • I see.

  • There is no reason why the matter should come up.

  • But my sister and I would be very grateful if you did not mention to my father

  • that we saw that gentleman here today.

  • No, of course.

  • Thank you.

  • CATHERlNE: The Monk reeled from the unholy sight.

  • "Receive this talisman, " she replied.

  • "While you bear this, every door will fly open and walls will melt away.

  • It will procure you access tomorrow night to Antonia 's bed chamber."

  • M iss Morland.

  • Nothing to be ashamed of.

  • It's all God's creation.

  • Come.

  • Catherine!

  • MRS ALLEN: Catherine!

  • I absolutely knew the second you came to the house. I could tell.

  • And the way you spoke to my mother, I could just... It was almost like fate.

  • (Knock on door)

  • Catherine?.

  • No, no, sit down.

  • Can you guess?.

  • Your brother has made me the happiest girl on Earth!

  • You mean, you and James...

  • Are in love!

  • He confessed as much to me this afternoon.

  • And you know my nature, I could never trifle with a man's affections.

  • In short, I told him his love was returned.

  • (Laughs delightedly)

  • Catherine!

  • He's waiting downstairs.

  • I know I needn't ask whether you approve, Catherine.

  • No, indeed!

  • Though I am surprised. It has all happened so quickly.

  • Not so. I believe I have been in love with your friend since the first time I set eyes on her.

  • And l.

  • The very first day he came to us last Christmas, the very first moment!

  • I remember I wore this yellow gown.

  • - My hair was up in braids. - I am come to say goodbye, Catherine.

  • I am going straight to Fullerton to seek our parents' consent.

  • Ah, Morland, there you are.

  • Miss Morland,

  • I, too, must take my leave for the present, just for the present.

  • I'm going to accompany James to Fullerton, and then onto town to help him choose a ring.

  • Perhaps I might look for one for myself while I'm there. Do you think I should?.

  • A famous good thing, this marrying scheme. What do you think of it?.

  • I think it's a very good thing, too.

  • I'm so pleased to hear you say that.

  • Did you ever hear the old song, "going to one wedding brings on another"?.

  • Perhaps you and I might try the truth of that?.

  • I shall think of you, when I'm in town!

  • Come on, James, we must tear ourselves away!

  • Go.

  • Go, perhaps, forever.

  • Isabella! Whatever do you mean?.

  • Your mother and father, what will they say?.

  • I'm sure they'll be very happy for James.

  • But my fortune will be so small. How could they consent to it?.

  • Your brother, who might marry anybody.

  • I wouldn't think the difference in fortune would be anything to signify.

  • Oh! My sweetest Catherine, in your generous heart, I'm sure it would not matter at all.

  • But I mustn't expect everyone to think the same.

  • I only wish our situations were reversed.

  • If I had the command of millions,

  • if I were mistress of the whole world...

  • ..your brother would still be my only choice.

  • Now, Catherine, you know I'm only here for your sake.

  • You know my heart is 40 miles away.

  • And as for dancing, don't mention it, I beg you.

  • It is quite out of the question.

  • I dare say Charles Hodge will plague me to death about it.

  • But I shall cut him very short, I can tell you.

  • I wonder where he is.

  • - It's General T:ilney. - I do believe he's coming to talk to you.

  • Miss Morland.

  • Delightful.

  • You will excuse me now.

  • Excellent.

  • Miss Morland,

  • allow me to introduce my brother, Captain T:ilney.

  • Charmed.

  • Don't let my brother's ill manners offend you. That's how he is, I'm afraid.

  • He was ill-mannered as a baby.

  • I'm surprised at you being so disrespectful to your older brother.

  • How could you know what he was like as a baby?.

  • When he was a baby, you were not yet born.

  • True enough.

  • My mother told me of it.

  • I hope you're not already engaged for the next dance?.

  • No, indeed.

  • - My rival having left Bath. - lndeed he is not...

  • You mustn't tease me.

  • So do you not know Mr Thorpe at all?.

  • No, not at all.

  • That's strange. He seems to know a great deal about your family.

  • And none of it to our credit?.

  • Well, I have always found

  • that ignorance and prejudice hold no bar to forming the strongest of opinions.

  • You think him ignorant and prejudiced?.

  • I know he doesn't always tell the truth, but he has been very kind to me.

  • You think he isn't to be trusted?.

  • Dear Miss Morland,

  • has it not occurred to you that I might not be the best person

  • to consult on the matter of Mr Thorpe?.

  • MASTER OF CEREMONlES: My lords, ladies and gentlemen,

  • the next dance will be On A Summer's Day.

  • Good God, Henry. You're not going to stand up in that maul, are you?.

  • I certainly am.

  • That being so...

  • ..do you think your friend might dance with me?.

  • No! I am sorry. I know for certain that she has a very particular reason not to dance tonight.

  • Is that so?.

  • Pity.

  • (Music starts)

  • - Why are you smiling?. - Look there.

  • I don't wonder at your surprise.

  • I refused him for as long as I possibly could, but he would not take no for an answer.

  • He's the eldest son, you know, the heir to Northanger Abbey.

  • Not that that weighs anything with me.

  • I am in love with the best man in the whole world.

  • Did you think him handsome?.

  • - Who?. - Captain T:ilney, silly!

  • Oh.

  • Yes, very handsome.

  • (Snores)

  • But didn't your brother say he was very bad?.

  • As bad as Lord Byron?.

  • Oh, John will say anything that comes into his head.

  • I hardly ever take any notice of him!

  • But then, how is one to know what to believe?.

  • One thing you can be certain of - my affection.

  • For you and your dear, dear brother.

  • (Thunder crashes)

  • Catherine! Catherine, help me, for God's sake!

  • (Town crier's bell)

  • You have heard from James?.

  • And my parents have consented?.

  • Yes, your father has been very good.

  • James is to have a living worth £400 a year

  • as soon as he is old enough to take it.

  • But that won't be for another two years, so we must wait that long before we marry.

  • It seems it wasn't possible for your father to do anything for us immediately.

  • I'm sure Mr Morland has behaved vastly handsome.

  • If he finds he can do more, by and by, I dare say he will.

  • And lsabella's wishes are so moderate.

  • ISABELLA: For myself, it's nothing.

  • I never think of myself.

  • But poor James!

  • £400 a year is hardly enough for the common necessaries of life!

  • But I suppose everybody has the right to do what they like with their own money.

  • I am very sure that my father has promised as much as he can afford.

  • But Mr Allen, I was sure, would do something for James.

  • Perhaps he does not approve of his choice of bride.

  • Why should Mr Allen do anything for James?.

  • Or for any of us?.

  • It was very kind of Mr and Mrs Allen to bring me to Bath,

  • but none of us has any expectations from Mr Allen.

  • My dear, sweet Catherine,

  • you know I care nothing for money.

  • If we could only be married tomorrow, I would be happy to live on £50 a year.

  • But that's the sting.

  • That's why you find me so cast down.

  • The two years we must wait before dear Morland can have the living!

  • Catherine...

  • How will I endure it?.

  • I can well understand how she feels.

  • Two years is a long time.

  • But at least she can marry the man she loves. Not everyone is so fortunate.

  • No, I suppose not.

  • How sad that is.

  • Yes, it is.

  • But how many couples marry for love?.

  • I believe my mother and father love each other even more than they love us,

  • and they love us very much.

  • When I was a little girl, I used to think it was like that for everyone.

  • It was only when I started to read novels that I realised it was not.

  • I shouldn't have thought one would have to read novels to find that out.

  • I think you have had quite a dangerous upbringing.

  • - Dangerous?. How?. - Well, it's as Henry says.

  • You've been brought up to believe that everyone is as pure in heart as you.

  • I don't think I'm very pure in heart.

  • Really?. Why?.

  • I have the most terrible dreams sometimes.

  • (Both giggle) - What's the joke?.

  • Nothing to concern you.

  • I love our walks.

  • I think I should like to stay in Bath forever and go walking with you every day!

  • Unfortunately, that won't be possible.

  • Oh?.

  • Our father told us this morning he's determined on quitting Bath by the end of the week.

  • Oh.

  • GENERAL TlLNEY: Miss Morland!

  • Capital!

  • Excellent.

  • Can you, Miss Morland, be prevailed on

  • to quit this scene of public triumph

  • and oblige us with your company at Northanger Abbey?.

  • Northanger Abbey?.

  • Well, Miss Morland...

  • ..what do you say?.

  • I am very honoured, sir.

  • If Mr and Mrs Allen agree,

  • I should be delighted to accept.

  • Northanger Abbey!

  • Aren't you frightened to go there on your own?.

  • I confess I am, a little.

  • Well, I dare say, it will be very thrilling for you.

  • But I do hope you don't forget me, Catherine.

  • Or our dearest John.

  • No, indeed.

  • No need to be coy.

  • I heard from him today that you and he are as good as engaged.

  • Indeed we are not!

  • Useless to dissemble, my dear. Your secret's out.

  • He says in his letter, not half an hour before he left Bath, you gave him positive encouragement.

  • He says he as good as made you an offer.

  • No!

  • No, there must be some mistake.

  • Your brother must have misunderstood me, and...

  • I certainly had no idea he thought he was making me an offer.

  • Please, undeceive him, and beg his pardon.

  • Oh.

  • Well, I dare say we should all be allowed a little harmless flirtation.

  • But there was no flirtation, not on my side.

  • And if no-one were allowed to change their minds, where would we all be?.

  • Perhaps it's for the best, after all.

  • Isabella, please understand me, once and for all...

  • Sh! Here he comes!

  • - Who?. - T:ilney, of course!

  • Oh, I wouldn't have this happen for the world.

  • Look away, perhaps he's not seen us.

  • What, always to be watched?.

  • In person or...

  • ..by proxy?.

  • Nonsense.

  • My spirit, you know, is pretty independent.

  • I wish your heart were independent. That would be enough for me.

  • My heart?.

  • What can you have to do with hearts?.

  • None of you men have hearts.

  • But we have eyes.

  • And they give us torment enough.

  • I think Mrs Allen and your mother are expecting us.

  • Will you come, lsabella?.

  • You go.

  • And tell them I'll follow.

  • And if I shouldn't see you, write and tell me all your news from Northanger.

  • Do take a care, sir!

  • Whoa, there!

  • Whoa!

  • Come along now. Four minutes late already coming from Milsom Street.

  • I'm sure Miss Morland won't keep you waiting, Father.

  • Oh, Catherine, my dear, quickly, they are here!

  • How grand!

  • A chaise and four!

  • You never aspired to that, Mr Allen!

  • No, indeed.

  • Well, Catherine, we shall miss you.

  • Thank you for all your kindness.

  • It has been such a happy time.

  • There, there, my dear.

  • I should be sharp about it.

  • These great folks don't like to be kept waiting.

  • Miss Morland, a thousand pardons for our late arrival.

  • My eldest son must bear the blame. He stays on in Bath.

  • Now, my dear Miss Morland, I have a proposal.

  • As it is a fine day,

  • how should you like to travel in the curricle with my son, Henry?.

  • You will enjoy the air and be better able to see the country.

  • It is, of course, entirely up to you.

  • I should like that very much.

  • Did your father say that Captain T:ilney stays on in Bath?.

  • - Yes. - Oh.

  • You're disappointed?. You were hoping for my brother's company at Northanger, perhaps?.

  • No!

  • No, not at all!

  • That is, I should have no objection to his company...

  • Then what is it?. Come.

  • I am anxious about your brother and Miss Thorpe.

  • I think he cannot know that she is engaged to my brother.

  • I suppose he thinks he has a chance with her.

  • But doesn't he realise how wrong it is of him and what pain it must give to my brother?.

  • I don't think you should distress yourself too much, Miss Morland.

  • Your brother shall be returning to Bath very soon.

  • And my brother should be leaving to rejoin his regiment.

  • And that will be the end of that.

  • Now, look there.

  • It's exactly as I imagined.

  • It'sjust like what one reads about.

  • Are you prepared to encounter all of its horrors?.

  • Horrors?.

  • Is Northanger haunted, then?.

  • Oh, that's just the least of it.

  • Dungeons and sliding panels,

  • skeletons, strange unearthly cries in the night that pierce your very soul.

  • And vampires?.

  • Don't say vampires!

  • I could bear anything, but not vampires.

  • Miss Morland, I do believe you're teasing me now.

  • But if I were to say there is a kind of vampirism...

  • No, let's just say that all houses have their secrets, and Northanger is no exception.

  • - Let me help you down. - Thank you.

  • Miss Morland, welcome to Northanger Abbey.

  • I hope you will be comfortable.

  • Do, please, I beg you, make as little alteration to your dress as possible.

  • My father is most particular about meal times.

  • I'm sorry to have to ask you.

  • No...

  • No, that's quite all right.

  • I'll see you in a few minutes, then.

  • (Doors creak and groan)

  • If you please,

  • Miss T:ilney says, do you need any help, miss?.

  • Oh, no.

  • No, thank you.

  • Are you ready?.

  • So sorry.

  • Miss Morland. Charming.

  • Dinner should be on the table directly!

  • (General clears throat)

  • GENERAL TlLNEY: I hope you find our simple style of living to your taste, Miss Morland.

  • No doubt you have been used to better-sized apartments at Mr Allen's?.

  • No, indeed, sir.

  • Mr Allen's dining parlour is only half the size of this room.

  • Well now, I suppose I care as little as any man for such things,

  • but a tolerably-large eating room is one of the necessaries of life.

  • Hmm?.

  • Tolerably large, indeed, sir.

  • But I don't think I've ever been in so large a dining room as this one.

  • You have not?.

  • Well, no doubt the rooms in Mr Allen's are...

  • exactly the true size...

  • ..for rational happiness.

  • (Rumble of thunder)

  • (Thunder crashes)

  • (Creaking)

  • (Thunderclap)

  • (Thunderclap)

  • Oh!

  • Oh, why...

  • What... Whatever are these old things?.

  • No!

  • No, leave them, please.

  • Shirts,

  • stockings,

  • cravats.

  • Laundry lists.

  • This was my mother's favourite place.

  • I used to walk so often here with her.

  • Though I never loved it then as I have loved it since.

  • Her death must have been a great affliction.

  • A great and increasing one.

  • What was she like?. Did she look like you?.

  • I wish I could show you her portrait.

  • It hangs in her private chamber.

  • I suppose you were with her to the last?.

  • No.

  • I was away from home when she died.

  • Her illness was sudden and short, and before I arrived, it was all over.

  • So you didn't see her body?.

  • No.

  • I wish I could have done.

  • Perhaps it would help me to think of her at peace.

  • Yes.

  • I should like to see her room, if you are willing to show me.

  • We never go there. It is my father's wish.

  • But to see her picture?.

  • Yes.

  • Why should you not see it?.

  • What do you do there?.

  • I was going to show Miss Morland Mother's...

  • There is nothing to interest Miss Morland in this part of the house.

  • I am surprised at you, Eleanor.

  • CATHERlNE: My dearest lsabella,

  • I long to hear your news.

  • I hope everything is well with you and James

  • and that your brother is not too much offended with me.

  • Northanger Abbey is all that I expected it to be, and Eleanor and her brother very kind.

  • Oh, lsabella, I fear that this house holds a terrible secret

  • relating to the death of Mrs Tilney.

  • ELEANOR: Catherine?.

  • Here I am!

  • CATHERlNE: I cannot write more now.

  • Send me your news, your loving friend, Catherine.

  • This is a sad day, Miss Morland.

  • A sad day for me, that is.

  • I have to go up to town for several days on business.

  • I trust you'll be able to entertain our guest properly while I am gone?.

  • Nothing would give me greater pleasure, sir.

  • Come along!

  • (Laughs)

  • What are you giggling about?.

  • One for me, Henry!

  • This is the last one.

  • (Laughter)

  • Ooh! Ah!

  • I thought I might show you Woodston tomorrow, if you'd like to.

  • It's nothing to Northanger, of course, just a country vicarage.

  • But I'm very fond of it.

  • I'd love to.

  • Look.

  • Is that your home?.

  • - It's lovely. - I'm very glad you think so.

  • (Thunder rumbles)

  • I fear we may be about to get a little damp.

  • Come on, I'll race you back.

  • Come on! Come on!

  • (Door opens)

  • Look at the state of the pair of you!

  • I'll go and get Richards to draw your bath, Catherine.

  • When we were coming to Northanger Abbey, you said that the house held secrets.

  • Did l?. And have you discovered any dreadful revelations yet?.

  • No, but I'd like to know what you meant.

  • I think that shall have to remain a secret.

  • A secret once explained loses all of its charms, and all of its danger, too.

  • Why don't you imagine the worst thing you can, and write your own Gothic romance about it?.

  • "Northanger Abbey" would make a very good title, don't you think?.

  • Now you're mocking me.

  • But I can't help feeling that this house is not a happy one.

  • Not since our mother died.

  • And even before then.

  • I envy you your happy childhood.

  • My brother Frederick is well enough, I think, sowing his wild oats,

  • but soon he shall have to make an advantageous match.

  • My sister is not happy.

  • Remember the man we met on our country walk?.

  • He is a good friend of mine, but he is a lot more than that to my sister.

  • But our father has refused to sanction the match.

  • Edward is only a second son.

  • And Eleanor must marry the heir to a rich estate.

  • And... And you?.

  • Well, if I'm to retain my father's favour, I must marry a fortune, too.

  • And shall you?.

  • I always hoped I'd be lucky,

  • that the girl I fell in love with would come with a fortune attached.

  • And...if she should not?.

  • Then that would be a very...

  • stern test of my character.

  • Perhaps we'd better head back. I want to set off for Woodston before nightfall.

  • See you tomorrow for dinner!

  • Oh!

  • Might I ask how you come to be here all alone?.

  • I wanted to see your mother's room.

  • Eleanor was going to show me, but your father prevented us.

  • And so you thought you'd come and see it for yourself?.

  • Yes.

  • I suppose Eleanor has talked to you about our mother?.

  • Yes.

  • But that is not very much.

  • What she did say was...

  • Her dying so suddenly, and none of you being at home,

  • I thought...

  • perhaps your father had not been very fond of her.

  • And from these circumstances you infer...

  • ..some negligence?.

  • Or something even worse?.

  • Then let me reassure you, Catherine.

  • My mother's illness was sudden,

  • and Eleanor was from home,

  • but I was here throughout.

  • And so was my brother Frederick.

  • Our mother received every possible attention.

  • Our physician was satisfied that nothing more could be done for her.

  • The matter was deeply distressing,

  • - as you may imagine. - Yes, of course.

  • But your father, was he distressed?.

  • For a time, greatly so.

  • She had had to bear a great deal from him but...

  • ..when she was dead, he felt her loss.

  • I am very glad of it.

  • It would have been very shocking if he had...

  • - if he had... - If he had what?.

  • If I understand you rightly, you have been suspecting my father of a crime so dreadful...

  • You said yourself the house was full of secrets!

  • And so you decided that my father must be a murderer...

  • ..when to you, at least,

  • he has shown nothing but kindness?.

  • Catherine...

  • how could you?.

  • What sort of a fevered imagination must you have?.

  • Perhaps, after all, it is possible to read too many novels.

  • (Catherine sobs)

  • Look, Catherine.

  • Oh, whatever is the matter?.

  • I can't tell you.

  • Please don't make me.

  • I have been so wickedly foolish and your brother knows of it.

  • And now he will hate me for it, and so will you when he tells you.

  • Oh, my dear Catherine, I'm quite sure that nothing you could do could make me hate you,

  • or Henry either.

  • I saw his face. I know.

  • He will never, ever respect me again.

  • Come, come. Perhaps it's not as bad as you think.

  • Look, here is a letter for you.

  • It will be from lsabella.

  • Oh.

  • No, it is my brother's handwriting.

  • JAMES: Dear Catherine, I think it my duty to tell you

  • that everything is at an end between Miss Thorpe and me.

  • No!

  • I shall not enter into particulars. They would only pain you more.

  • You will soon hear enough to know where the blame lies.

  • I am ashamed to think how long I bore it.

  • Dear Catherine, I hope your visit at Northanger may be over

  • before Captain Tilney makes his engagement known.

  • Captain T:ilney?.

  • Frederick?.

  • Yes.

  • It's just what I feared!

  • - Oh, poor, poor James. He loved her so much. - But Frederick!

  • And they are engaged?.

  • - Yes. - No, I can't believe that.

  • Look here.

  • "Dearest Catherine, beware how you give your heart."

  • Dear Catherine, I am sorry for your brother,

  • sorry that anyone you love should be unhappy.

  • But my surprise would be greater at Frederick's marrying her than at any other part of the story.

  • Why do you say that?.

  • What are Miss Thorpe's connections?.

  • What is her fortune?. Are they a wealthy family?.

  • No, not very.

  • I don't believe lsabella has any fortune at all.

  • You think your father will forbid the match?.

  • I doubt if the matter will reach his ears at all.

  • Why?. Whatever do you mean?.

  • Catherine, your friend has dealt very badly with your brother.

  • But I fear she is far out of her depth with mine.

  • OFFlCER: Look at the size of these! (Laughs)

  • Come on!

  • (Women's laughter outside)

  • And...are we engaged?.

  • Make yourself decent, Miss Thorpe.

  • I must return you to your friends before you're missed.

  • ISABELLA: My dearest Catherine,

  • thank God we leave this vile place tomorrow.

  • Since you went away, I have had no pleasure in it, and everybody one cares for is gone.

  • I am quite uneasy about your dear brother

  • and am fearful of some... misunderstanding.

  • You will write to him and set everything right?.

  • He is the only man I ever did or could love, and I know you will convince him of it.

  • CATHERlNE: I most certainly shan 't!

  • So, Frederick is safe from her.

  • I can't say I'm surprised.

  • Aren't you?. I am, very!

  • I wish I had never known her.

  • It will soon be as if you never had.

  • There is one thing I can't understand.

  • What has Captain T:ilney been about all this time?.

  • Why should he pay her such attentions and then fly off himself?.

  • He has his vanity, as well as Miss Thorpe.

  • And he is accustomed to...

  • ..having his way.

  • Though I am surprised he should have stooped to such an easy conquest.

  • Really?.

  • Then I am sorry for lsabella.

  • I am sure she will be over it soon enough.

  • I hope I don't need to tell you that his brother has a very different character.

  • Henry has the best and truest heart in the world.

  • (Growls)

  • Damned little adventuress!

  • Eleanor!

  • Eleanor!

  • Now!

  • I said now!

  • Eleanor, whatever can the matter be?.

  • Come.

  • Sit down. You are not well?.

  • My dear Catherine, I am well.

  • God, how shall I tell you?.

  • It's not concerning Henry?.

  • No, no, not Henry.

  • It is my father himself.

  • My father has recollected an engagement that takes our whole family away on Monday.

  • Explanation and apology are impossible.

  • My dear Eleanor...

  • Don't be so distressed. I am not offended, I can be ready to leave on Monday.

  • No, that won't be possible.

  • Oh, God.

  • My father insists on your leaving immediately.

  • As soon as you can make yourself ready.

  • The carriage will take you to meet the public stagecoach.

  • No servant will accompany you.

  • I am to travel all night?.

  • Alone?.

  • Have I offended the General?.

  • I have never seen him more angry.

  • Your brother must have been so angry with me, he told your father what I did...

  • ..what I suspected.

  • I deserve to be sent home in disgrace.

  • You are wrong.

  • I know my father's reasons and they do him no credit.

  • To turn you out in the middle of the night! Truly, I fear for your safety.

  • The journey is nothing.

  • But have you enough money to pay your way?.

  • Oh.

  • I never thought of that.

  • Well, there at least I can help you.

  • Oh, Catherine. I am so sorry.

  • I deserve it.

  • I deserve it all.

  • ELEANOR: (Whispers) Catherine, I implore you, please take it...

  • Bye, Catherine.

  • (Dog barks)

  • (Man shouts in distance)

  • DRlVER: Newbury! Newbury coach.

  • Come on, get that luggage off!

  • (Women cackle)

  • It's Cathy!

  • Hello! How are you?.

  • Mother, Catherine's back! She's back!

  • These great men can be very strange and sudden in their behaviour.

  • Well, we must live and learn.

  • And the next new friends you make I hope will be better worth keeping

  • than the ones you made at Bath.

  • No friend can be better worth keeping than Eleanor.

  • And Mr T:ilney is not to blame.

  • Such a pleasant, agreeable young man I thought him.

  • He found us a chair, you know.

  • And he understands muslin ever so well.

  • That's greatly to his credit, I'm sure.

  • But has he written?.

  • Has he offered any kind of explanation?.

  • No.

  • Well...

  • I dare say there's no harm done in the end.

  • You did very well to manage that journey all on your own, Catherine.

  • You always used to be such a scatter-brained little creature.

  • I'm quite proud of you.

  • Indeed, I am not proud of myself.

  • What was the Abbey like?. Was it very scary?.

  • Were there ghosts?.

  • It was very big and strange,

  • with lots of empty rooms and secret passages.

  • And I did think there might be ghosts. But there weren't any ghosts, really.

  • People who read too many stories imagine all sorts of horrid things about ghosts and murders.

  • It is very wrong of them to do so, and it can get you into serious trouble.

  • So let me not hear of any of you being so silly.

  • Now, what else would you like to hear about?.

  • What games did you play?.

  • Um...

  • We played I Spy

  • and charades.

  • We went horse-riding and got ourselves very muddy indeed.

  • Was Mr T:ilney very handsome, Cathy?.

  • Yes, I think so.

  • Very handsome and very kind and everything he should be.

  • Do you love Mr T:ilney, Cathy?.

  • No, of course not.

  • Don't talk such nonsense.

  • Now...into your beds, all of you.

  • That's it.

  • Night-night, Cathy.

  • GlRL: Night, Cathy!

  • What did you do to make them send you home, Cathy?.

  • Did you do something very naughty?.

  • Come on, back into your bed.

  • MRS MORLAND: Cathy?.

  • What is it?.

  • I did love him!

  • I do love him!

  • Now I shall never see him again and it is all my own fault.

  • Ten...

  • ..men ran to the fen

  • - to get Ben! - Very good.

  • - Cathy! - Cathy! Cathy!

  • It's a man on a white horse!

  • Go and tell Mama that Mr T:ilney is here.

  • BOTH: Mr T:ilney!

  • Now!

  • Go on, boys. In you go, quickly.

  • It's Mr T:ilney! He's here!

  • I am so ashamed of what I said, what I thought...

  • No, it is I who should apologise.

  • There's nothing you have said that can justify the way you were treated.

  • But you were angry with me, and rightly so.

  • I was angry with you, but that is long past.

  • Your imagination may be overactive.

  • But your instinct was true.

  • Our mother did suffer grievously, and at the hands of our father.

  • Do you remember I spoke to you of a kind of vampirism?.

  • Yes.

  • Perhaps it was stupid to express it so, but we did watch him drain the life out of her

  • with his coldness and his cruelty.

  • He married her for her money, you see. She thought it was for love.

  • It was a long time until she knew his heart was cold.

  • No vampires, no blood.

  • The worst crimes are the crimes of the heart.

  • But it was stupid and wicked of me to think such things as I did.

  • Cathy!

  • Mama says, will you bring Mr T:ilney to the drawing room?.

  • Come on.

  • Mrs Morland,

  • after what has happened, I have little right to expect a welcome at Fullerton.

  • You had no part in what happened, Mr T:ilney.

  • And Catherine is as you see her - no harm done.

  • Any friends of our children are welcome here.

  • Shall we agree to say no more about it?.

  • You are very good.

  • Er...

  • Are Mr and Mrs Allen now at Fullerton?.

  • They are, sir.

  • I should like to pay my respects.

  • Perhaps Miss Morland might show me the way?.

  • But you can see their house from the window!

  • Hush, Lucy.

  • I'm sure Catherine will be happy to show you, Mr T:ilney.

  • He thought I was rich?.

  • It was Thorpe who misled him at first, Thorpe, who hoped to marry you himself.

  • He thought you were Mr Allen's heiress, and he exaggerated Mr Allen's wealth to my father.

  • You were only guilty of not being as rich as you were supposed to be.

  • For that, he turned you out of the house.

  • I thought you were so angry with me you told him what you knew,

  • which would have justified any discourtesy.

  • No, the discourtesy was all his.

  • I have broken with my father, Catherine.

  • I may never speak to him again.

  • - What did he say to you?. - Let me instead tell you what I said to him.

  • I told him that I felt myself bound to you,

  • by honour,

  • by affection,

  • and by a love so strong

  • that nothing he could do could deter me from...

  • - From what?. - Before I go on, I should say,

  • there's a pretty good chance he'll disinherit me.

  • I fear I may never be a rich man, Catherine.

  • Please, go on with what you were going to say.

  • Will you marry me, Catherine?.

  • Yes!

  • Yes, I will!

  • Yes!

  • NARRATOR: To begin perfect happiness at the respective ages of 26 and 1 8

  • is to do pretty well.

  • Catherine and Henry were married.

  • And in due course, the joys of wedding gave way to the blessings of a christening.

  • The bells rang and everyone smiled.

  • No-one more so than Eleanor

  • whose beloved's unexpected accession to title and fortune

  • finally allowed them to marry.

  • I leave it to be settled

  • whether the tendency of this story

  • be to recommend parental tyranny

  • or reward filial disobedience.

  • (Thunder rumbles)

Ibaptisethee, Catherine,

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