Original subtitles

THE KISS

- I'm in military school. - I read the letter.

- More cake, Alma? - No, thank you, Aunt Lily.

I was about to tell you, Aunt Lily, that I...

Tell me what, Anton?

My superior suggested I finish my officer training in the cavalry.

How exciting. Would you like more cake, Anton?

Yes, please.

If admitted, he will have to pay for a horse, lodging, five uniforms

a sword and a servant.

So that's why you came? I realised it wasn't to look out for your own family.

When was it last, three years ago?

I'm the one who suggested we visit you, Aunt Lily.

Anton and I debated what to do.

Aunt Lily always cared so dearly for Anton.

It would be a loan, of course. I will pay you back with interest.

I considered taking more cleaning jobs, but they could never cover the costs

of a horse, lodging and five...

You already said that, Mother.

Anton's father might have pitched in, but he left us.

Not only did he abandon you

he also disgraced our whole family with that scandal.

If you give me this chance, Aunt Lily

to serve with the dragoons, the most esteemed regiment

I will restore our family's honour.

NÆSTVED BARRACKS 1914

Attack!

Hold.

Officer Mølgaard, get me four men.

Officer Hardenberg, Wessel, Trolle!

No, don't mind us. Your uniforms will be dirtied.

It's all right, sir. Come on, let's push.

Ready? One, two, three, push.

Good job.

- Thank you. - It's no trouble.

- To whom do I owe this honour? - Second Lieutenant Abildgaard.

Good day, sir.

Let's go!

Come in.

Second Lieutenant, invitation from Baron von Løvenskjold.

You're lucky, sir. Very few have been invited to the castle.

- Where is it? - West, off the main road.

The spire is taller than the church tower.

Ready my dress uniform, Corporal.

Yes, sir.

Second Lieutenant, where would you be going?

I've been invited to Løvenskjold Castle, Colonel.

Perhaps, but one of your dragoons is bleeding in the staples.

He affronted another dragoon by spreading rumours about his lady.

That's unacceptable, sir. I will punish him severely.

Our doctor is in Copenhagen. Find one in town to patch him up.

- Yes, sir. - A dishonourable man.

Come in, Lieutenant. We were worried about you.

Thank you.

There he is, finally!

Ladies and gentlemen, my saviour.

Forgive me. I had to attend to an urgent matter. Thank you for the invitation.

You're very welcome, Lieutenant. Please come in.

We just spoke about the assurance of having the army close by

the world being what it is.

Allow me to introduce my daughter.

- Edith, Lieutenant Abildgaard. - It's an honour.

Josef... Please take your seat.

I will introduce you to the other guests later.

- You're the hero who saved my uncle? - Well, I didn't...

- Who's asking? - Anna, Edith's cousin.

- Welcome. - Thank you.

What do you think of the place? The town, I mean. Not too provincial?

We don't have much time to take in the sights. The regiment keeps us busy.

Lieutenant, please allow me to ask

how much do you servicemen hear about the tense political situation in Europe?

The colonel informs us about the situation from a military perspective.

As I see it, Denmark is showing the great powers

that we can defend our neutrality.

- If there's war, we will go to war. - Yes, but...

Lieutenant, please eat. You must be starving.

You will need the energy for the dance later.

Yes, ma'am.

- Thank you for the dance, Lieutenant. - Thank you.

I'm sorry for not asking sooner. Would Miss Edith care to dance?

I'm sorry. I didn't know...

Excuse me.

Second Lieutenant Abildgaard!

- Yes, Colonel. - I punished the dragoon.

That scoundrel doesn't belong here. He has been arrested.

He deserves no less, Colonel.

Now then, how was your night at the castle?

- Good food? - Excellent, sir.

The best food I've ever had.

- And you behaved properly? - Of course, sir.

You were invited because you assisted the baron?

- I assume so, sir. - Well done.

- You bring honour to the regiment. - Thank you, sir.

I heard the baron's daughter is lame.

Yes, I noticed, sir.

He's the richest man here, owns a big piece of land up north.

I bought two splendid horses from him.

But I don't think he's very well, the baron.

All right, sir.

No cause for pity. It's a weakness. Dismissed.

Hello!

What a spectacle so early.

- Good morning. - 'Morning.

- What's the matter? - Can you deliver to Løvenskjold?

I do so every day at lunchtime. What flowers would you like?

Red roses. No, white roses. Those long-stemmed ones.

- Sure, and for whom are they? - Edith, the baron's daughter.

One, two, one, two...

Now lift the knees and jump.

One, two, three, four...

Elbows down to the sides.

Down to the sides.

- Is it the leg? - Yes, it's broken.

Officer Hardenberg, finish the job.

Letter for the second lieutenant.

Must have made a good impression.

Dear lieutenant, thank you for the beautiful flowers that I don't deserve.

Please come to tea whenever you wish.

You don't have to call in advance.

Unfortunately, I'm always here.

Welcome back, Lieutenant.

- The ladies will be here in a moment. - Thank you.

- Lieutenant, nice of you to come. - I'm sorry about yesterday.

- I had no idea that she... - Don't mention it.

Come on. Edith is waiting.

- Miss Edith. - So formal. Sit down, Lieutenant.

Would you like tea or coffee?

- Whatever you're drinking is fine. - Bring us both, Anna.

- Thank you for the beautiful flowers. - It was the least I could do.

- Please excuse my behaviour. - There's no need.

- Let me explain... - I'm sorry.

Would you allow me to finish?

Of course.

I sat down exactly where I could see everybody dance.

I'm so yearning to dance.

My father once took me to the Royal Theatre to see a real ballet.

It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

Let me show you. Do you see the lacquer box on the piano?

- Would you get it for me? - Yes.

Yes.

Thank you.

I collect all the pictures I can find of ballerinas.

This is my favourite picture, of Pavlova as the Dying Swan.

Don't tell the others I showed it to you.

Did you decide, Lieutenant, tea or coffee?

I will have coffee then, thank you.

- Any siblings, Lieutenant? - No.

Me neither, but I have Anna. She's a kind of sister to me, the best kind.

- For how long will you stay? - I live here.

Anna has lived with us since my... accident.

Tell me about yourself and life at the barracks.

In a few months, I will be through with my training as a lieutenant.

This final stretch feels like a constant test.

Apart from that, life at the barracks is quite dull

with amusing breaks here and there.

I'd love to be amused. Do tell.

One day, the colonel wanted to send a letter by train to Copenhagen.

It had to go out immediately, so the poor fellow mounts his horse -

and starts galloping out the barracks, straight for Copenhagen.

We had to telephone the...

- I heard laughter. - Baron von Løvenskjold.

The lieutenant is hilarious, Father. You should have heard him.

- Would you care to stay for dinner? - I have guard duty at the barracks.

Do you have more stories, Lieutenant?

Well, I would have to think about it first.

Then tell him I don't need him today!

- Maybe I should... - No, won't you please stay?

It's nothing. Please excuse me.

Just my masseur's daily stretching exercises.

As if that's all it takes. Useless torture.

My dearest child, Dr Faber would never subject you to...

All right. I will do it.

Anna, not the chair. The crutches.

I hope we will see you again soon, Lieutenant.

I have so much time to mull things over.

You know what they say at the barracks, Lieutenant.

Will there be war?

We're trained for war if necessary, but its necessity is a political decision.

The papers make us uneasy about amassing troops in Europe.

The politicians here, how would they handle a conflict?

Not to be rude, Baron von Løvenskjold

but the politicians, my superiors, will know what's best.

But that's what's so alarming, this political desire -

for confrontation and war, don't you agree?

The barracks don't deal with politics.

I'm sorry, Lieutenant.

- I'm rambling on about my worries. - I should leave.

Would you allow me to talk for just a moment

about a more personal matter?

- Of course. - It's about Edith.

Please promise me not to take offence at her crudeness.

If you knew what that girl has been through, always new treatments.

Progress comes only slowly

but we have to do whatever we can, whatever is in our power.

You should have seen her as a child.

She would run around all day.

She would ride across fields and meadows on her pony. She flew.

She flew like a little angel.

Until the accident.

Until it happened to her.

Why her of all people?

- I'm sorry, but I have... - Please don't think poorly of her.

If only you knew how happy she was when your flowers arrived.

You heard her just now. She laughed.

She laughed from the heart.

Please come back again tomorrow. Will you promise me?

Come for tea and stay for dinner.

- I look forward to it. - I do too.

Dear Mother, as you know, all cadets in the cavalry are out of rich families.

Yet despite my humble past, it finally seems that they have accepted me.

I hope you are well, and not overly anxious about the events of the world.

It will be all right. I will protect you, Mother.

What I'm about to tell you will make you proud.

The other day, the colonel praised me highly

said my discipline had brought honour to the regiment.

I have also been accepted with open arms by a rich, aristocratic family.

Upon completing my duties, I spend most of my spare time with the family

who treat me as one of their own.

- Checkmate. - Huh?

You might want to tell Aunt Lily

she can rest assured that her nephew will bring the family honour.

It really is the second lieutenant. Want to play pool?

Sure.

- You came here from the castle? - Yes, I did.

At dinner, remember to start with the cutlery farthest from the plate.

Does that baron serve good wine?

Oh right, how would you know?

That's very insulting for a fellow officer to say.

- Can't I tell a joke? - Am I not in charge of my spare time?

Anton, officers stand together, wherever we are, especially right now.

- Do you want the cripple or the money? - Of course I don't.

- It has to be his beautiful niece. - She is a sight to behold.

Right.

- Second Lieutenant Abildgaard! - Hold.

- Yes, Colonel. - Why did your squadron arrive last?

I put you in charge, for Pete's sake!

- I'm sorry, Colonel. - No excuses.

I will not accept disorderly platoons.

From now on, the second lieutenant's squadron will ride last.

Dismissed.

This is Cléo Mérode. The e's are stressed: Cléo Mérode.

Cléo Mérode.

She's of a Belgian royal family. She was eleven when she started dancing.

- Isn't she beautiful? - Yes, very.

A lot of artists have painted her. She had an affair with King Leopold II.

Very romantic, don't you think?

Did Anna tell you she's getting married soon?

- Getting married? - Yes. Her fiancé lives in Copenhagen.

He studies law. Unfortunately, they don't see each other much.

- When? - When she can leave, once I'm stronger.

This one is Saharet. She's not a real ballerina.

More of a vaudeville dancer. She danced on Broadway.

- Did you lose your appetite? - I must have eaten too much cake.

- A game of cards after dinner? - I must return to the barracks.

We have a drill in the morning.

Don't let the colonel be so harsh.

If only you knew all that you've done for Edith.

You've brought the light back to her eyes. I'm forever grateful to you.

Can I trust that we will see you again tomorrow for tea

and dinner?

- Definitely. - Good. Edith will be happy to hear.

- Thank you for a pleasant evening. - Thank you.

- Mølgaard, any plans tonight? - We're going to Copenhagen.

- Would you mind if I came along? - Tired of the baron's niece?

Honestly? Yes, that's right.

- Don't go after his crippled daughter. - I saw her once, the daughter.

She hobbled on her crutches.

I wouldn't be with a cripple if you paid me. No thank you.

I would be selling myself.

Worse than that, you would be the laughing stock of the regiment.

- What's going on here? - Where have you been?

There are rumours all over town. Franz Ferdinand was shot.

- Franz Ferdinand? - The Austrian-Hungarian archduke.

- Where? - In Sarajevo.

- Does that mean war? - The colonel says it's getting tense.

- What are you doing out so late, Anna? - Why didn't you come for dinner?

I had an important errand in Copenhagen. Is everything all right?

Please understand that Edith is a very sensitive girl.

She thinks you didn't come because of something she said.

- No, not at all. - You need to come tomorrow.

Do you understand?

Yes, of course.

Right.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Yes.

To see me like this...

You should have woken me. It's impolite to watch a person sleep.

- This is for you. - Thank you. It's kind of you.

This is my favourite place, where I can be at peace.

Father doesn't like it. "It's deep. No more accidents," he says.

Nonsense. I'm not a child.

Sit down.

Did you hear the terrible news about Franz Ferdinand's murder?

- Yes, I heard. - Thank God his children weren't there.

- I hear you've been to Copenhagen. - Yes, I'm sorry I couldn't come.

I inspected a horse for the colonel. I need to be on good terms with him.

What did this horse cost, if you don't mind me asking?

I hate when people lie to me.

If you won't see me, don't come. The least you can do is be honest.

I don't want your daily pity. People see my crutches and forget to breathe.

"That poor girl!" they think. I'm not to be pitied.

Give me a cigarette.

- Good to see you again, Lieutenant. - Baron von Løvenskjold.

It's the lieutenant's first time at the lake.

Is it really? It's a wonderful sight, don't you think?

Edith, aren't you cold here by the water?

Minna can take you if you want to dress for dinner.

Good. Thank you.

What terrible news about Franz Ferdinand's murder.

It's like a powder keg that can set the room ablaze.

Oh right, you don't talk politics.

Lieutenant,

I'm in a precarious position.

Might you perhaps do me a favour?

Yes, of course.

The doctor will come here this evening from Copenhagen.

He has treated Edith for two years,

and says she's improving modestly.

We have tried a lot of doctors, but all of them gave up

except for Dr Faber.

A most interesting man.

It's as if he blames himself if he's unable to cure someone.

You won't believe this, Lieutenant.

He promised one of his patients, a woman who was becoming blind

that he could cure her.

When the woman actually did turn blind,

he resorted to marrying her.

Because he blamed himself?

You see,

I fear one cannot truly trust him

to tell the truth about Edith.

I can understand that, but how can I help you?

I imagine that if someone else asked him, very casually

how things were going with Edith's paralysis

and if he believes she might ever be cured of it...

Let's say you asked him.

I don't think he would lie to you.

Might you perhaps do me this favour?

- Of course. That's nothing. - Please understand me.

My lungs cannot be cured,

so I have to know what will happen to Edith.

Who will look after her in the future, in every respect?

Do you understand?

Absolutely.

You're a most unusually kind person, Lieutenant.

Dr Faber, let me introduce Lieutenant Abildgaard. He came by for tea.

Good evening, Lieutenant. I'm starving. I haven't eaten all day.

Josef, one beer, please.

I know you're curious about my examination, but I need to eat first.

Everybody talks about Sarajevo. It's a declaration of war. Thank you.

The lieutenant and I recently discussed...

Mr Løvenskjold, did Edith see another doctor?

- No, how could you think that? - She wouldn't cooperate today.

She told me the usual exercises don't work, that it's useless.

- Has her condition worsened? - Quite the opposite. Improved slightly.

- She has improved? - Well, she's slowly improving.

But you do think she's recovering? Could one hasten her recovery?

Everything takes time, my friend.

Don't let your worries affect Edith. She needs calm.

You need calm too, Mr Løvenskjold. Do you take your medicine?

Are you leaving already?

Yes, I have another appointment in Copenhagen. I will walk to the station.

I should go too. Might I accompany you, Doctor?

I will retire then.

Mr Løvenskjold would want me to stay, but I simply cannot take his grilling.

Let me hold your briefcase. It must be hard to be so helpless.

Worse than that. He feels responsible.

- For the accident? - He gave her a horse at 18.

She rode it and fell. The horse fell on her, and she broke her back.

How frightful, mostly for her, but for him as well, as her father.

What terrible guilt he must have felt.

He's a pleasant man. I have never met a kinder person,

considering the fact that he's a baron.

- Excuse me? - He's a baron.

- How long have you been here? - Since February.

Baron von Løvenskjold was raised a poor boy named Lund Andersen.

- Here you go. - Thank you.

His father dies. He moves to Copenhagen with his mother, where he trades in art.

People notice his talents, buy his services

and he quickly becomes a wealthy young man.

One day, he's on a train where he overhears a conversation

about a young baroness at Løvenskjold Castle.

She had a falling out with her family and chose to bequeath the castle

and all within its property to her maid.

- She must have been very delighted. - Yes.

So Lund Andersen knows of the castle from his time as an art dealer.

He knows that the castle contains a lot of very expensive art.

He rushes over there, finds the maid all alone in her despair and grief.

She doesn't know what to do.

She doesn't know what either castle or art is worth, yet they're her problem.

Within a few days, Lund Andersen gains her trust.

They see a notary and a lawyer, and he explains how it all works.

He then convinces her to sell the castle to him at a fourth of its actual value.

- How underhanded. - Yes, and now to the intriguing part.

In that final hour, when the two are to part ways

the maid is filled with gratitude for Lund Andersen.

He took care of her problems. She holds his hand and looks into his eyes.

In that moment, Lund Andersen feels so much shame and guilt.

He's consumed by pity for this little girl, so without thinking

he asks for her hand, and they marry three days later.

Isn't that amazing? They live happily, and they have Edith.

The maid, Lund Andersen's wife, dies of cancer years later

and Lund Andersen changes his name to Løvenskjold and buys his titles.

Then when the accident happens

Løvenskjold becomes hysterical

and possessed with the urge to care for little Edith.

He pays fortunes to bring in doctors from across the world to cure her.

They came and went. I was the only one who stayed.

- Can I ask one more thing, Doctor? - Sure.

Do you think Edith can be cured of her paralysis?

As it looks, the answer is no, but never give up hope.

My father died of diabetes, and two years later it was curable.

So Edith's current treatment doesn't work?

Psychologically speaking, it does. My worry is for Løvenskjold.

- So Edith can't be cured? - Can or can't, one or the other.

I read about a case of paralysis in a French medical journal.

A man hadn't moved for two years, but after four months of therapy

from Professor Viennot, he walked stairs.

- What treatment was that? - Sunlight exposure in the Alps.

As well as a mechanical apparatus and gymnastics.

It's unlikely to work for Edith, but I did ask him for more details.

But, Doctor, what do you think?

I don't think or promise anything. Thank you for your company.

Thank you.

Mr Løvenskjold? I thought you retired to bed?

I couldn't sleep. What did he tell you?

I must know what the doctor said.

- Did you ask him? - Yes, of course.

He made no promises.

So there is no hope.

- He didn't say that. - What then did he say?

I have to know. Did he tell you there was hope?

He was rather positive. Of course. Everything will be all right.

He said that?

What exactly did he say?

You should go home, Mr Løvenskjold.

I need to know exactly what he said.

He said...

He might know of a treatment that could help Edith.

He said he recently read about a French professor

who has cured a man who was paralysed for years.

How?

Through treatment with light and some other things.

- What other things? - Some kind of mechanical instruments.

The man walks stairs unaided.

- Is that really possible? - Yes, completely unaided.

But you should go home.

- How long is the treatment? - Four months.

Four months? That's no time.

Considering the fact that we've waited for eight years.

Drive me home right now. Thank you so much.

Drive! Thank you so very much.

Come in. Can't I have a little peace on my only day off?

Sir, the baron's chauffeur awaits you.

My dear friend Anton, please come to the castle.

The chauffeur will drive you. Your dearest friend, Edith.

- I will be there in a few minutes. - Yes, sir.

Lieutenant. What wonderful news.

Uncle awakened us and told us everything.

- Everything? - Edith wanted to celebrate.

Josef, tell Edith we're ready to leave!

Imagine what this new treatment will mean for me personally.

Finally, I can go away.

Lieutenant, I'm so happy you could come with us today.

I sent a telegram to Dr Faber. He will come and explain everything tonight.

Anton?

Look. I got rid of the boots. They don't work anyway.

Baron von Løvenskjold?

- Would you like to sit here? - Yes.

Anton, please sit with me.

To the Baron and his daughter's health.

Cheers!

- Dance with the bride. - No, I can't.

Yes, for me. You know how much I love to watch people dance.

Might I have this dance with your lovely wife?

We've exercised stamina all day. We have never trained so hard before.

We had to keep our elbows down to the sides.

- Why? - Because the arms flap.

The colonel says, if we flap our arms, the enemy will notice us

so we tuck the arms and lift the knees.

- Like chickens? - Yes.

You owe me an explanation.

I can't understand this.

Medically speaking, Viennot's patient suffered an illness in the spinal cord.

Edith has damage to the central nervous system, so the method is unapplicable

and now I have to explain the truth because you couldn't hold your tongue.

I had to tell Løvenskjold something. He was unrelenting.

You pitied him.

It's that damn pity, isn't it?

Let me tell you, I've seen this many times among relatives to patients.

There are two kinds of pity.

One is soft-hearted, intended to free oneself of bad feelings

caused by the suffering and doesn't reach beyond the self.

The other is the only one that counts.

It's unsentimental, aiding.

Only by seeing beyond your own needs, can you truly help another person.

Back to the issue at hand. I will tell them what's actually going on.

Wait! Dr Faber, don't tell them the treatment doesn't work.

Somebody has to tell them the truth.

She had such a wonderful day. You should have seen her, full of hope.

So you want us to lie to her? Is that it?

You already do. You told me her current treatment doesn't work,

but it still gives her hope.

Maybe we could wait a few days. It would help Edith.

Let her start the treatment in Switzerland. Don't make her lose hope.

After four months in the Alps, they would have worse questions.

What then? Do we spin more lies?

Then let me tell her the truth.

I will tell her I exaggerated everything and asked you not to say anything.

Lieutenant, you must know there is an incredible risk

once you choose to tell Edith the truth.

I take full responsibility.

Well, you have had a positive effect on Edith, no doubt

and without any personal gain, which is commendable.

Promise that you will keep your word.

You have my word as a man of the military.

All right, good. That's how we will handle it.

Goodnight.

Why do you always bring me flowers?

Sit down, Anton. I have much to tell you.

Josef says tea will be served on the platform. You can tell me over there.

Dr Faber came last night to talk about everything.

We're going to a resort in the Swiss Alps called Engadine.

Why wait? I will show you how much progress I can make with the treatment.

This winter, I will ski down the mountains.

When will you come?

- Excuse me? - To visit me, visit us.

- At the resort in Switzerland? - Yes, where else would it be?

Did I not explain how harshly the army treats its servicemen?

Getting even a single day off is almost impossible.

A week is out of the question.

Father knows people who might arrange it.

Edith, I can't and I won't ask for leave from the cavalry

and no one should ask for me. I will not ask favours.

I know your intentions are good, but let's not argue.

- So you don't want to come? - That's not what I said.

I explained to you why it can't happen.

- Not even if my father asked you? - No.

Not if I asked you? If I asked you with all my heart?

- For the sake of our friendship. - Edith, stop it.

Thank you, Josef. We don't need it.

- Is this all I mean to you? - What's going on?

You're afraid your friends will spread rumours, so you hide behind excuses.

If you don't want to come, we're done.

But please tell me, why do you even visit us here?

I think you imagine the army as very glamourous, but it's not like that.

It's sad, grey, dull, exercises and pack drills.

One step out of line, and you're nothing.

- When I'm here, I mean something. - To whom?

I hope you're happy to see me.

That you're happy to not sit alone in a big house, day after day

and wither away. Do you follow me?

- So it's only out of pity. - No, I didn't say that.

I can't take this, especially from you.

I don't need a friend who only sees me as a cripple.

Look. Had the scissors been sharpened, I wouldn't have had to endure this pity.

- Edith! - Let go!

- Edith, get up. - Let go of me!

I don't want your pity! I don't want to live anymore!

Edith...

Go away!

Anton!

Edith begs you to see her in her room, just for a moment.

I don't know what happened, but don't leave her like this.

- But this isn't... - Outbursts are normal for her.

No one regrets them more than she does afterwards.

Go up to her, just for a brief moment.

Promise you will be good to her. She's ashamed of what happened.

Come and sit. You don't have to stay for long.

I shouldn't have stayed out in the sun. It made me dizzy.

Promise that you will forget all of it.

Of course.

- Are you angry with me? - No, not at all.

- You will come visit me as usual? - Of course.

On one condition.

What condition?

Don't ask me if I'm angry with you, because I'm not.

You should have seen yourself yesterday, so full of joy.

During our outing. I thought about it all night.

- You thought of me all night? - I did.

You need to rest. Everything will be all right.

- I'm sorry about your uniform. - Right. A naughty girl spilled on it.

- The naughty girl is good again. - Very good.

- You're not angry with her? - We talked about that.

All is forgotten as long as she's patient, happy, stays out of the sun

takes long trips and heeds the doctor's advice.

Now, she must go to sleep.

Sleep, sleep, sleep.

Did you forget what you give a good girl to sleep?

A good girl always gets a goodnight kiss.

As you wish.

Excuse me, I have to leave.

Wait. Not like this. Come here.

Did you not know? Did you not feel it?

Even so...

She awakened us night after night, asking if we thought you might love her.

She wanted me to ask you directly, then she took it back.

"He could never love a cripple," she said.

Since you were the one to tell her father about the new treatment

she took it as a sign of your love.

When he awakened her that night, they cried together and thanked God

that the dreadful times were finally over.

Once Edith was cured and like everybody else, you would come, and you...

- Second Lieutenant Abildgaard! - Yes, sir!

- What's going on? - I'm sorry, sir.

- You've failed your squadron. - I know, sir. It won't happen again.

Lieutenant Hardenberg has taken over command of your platoon.

Understood, sir.

I don't know what's going on with you, Abildgaard, but get your life in order.

- Focus on your service from now on. - Yes, sir.

Dismissed.

Excuse me. Dr Faber?

Yes. That's fourth floor on the right.

Thank you.

Good day. Is the doctor here?

He will be in later. Come inside and wait.

Thank you.

Is anybody here?

Hello. I'm here to see the doctor.

My husband needs food and rest. Come back tomorrow.

I'm sorry. I need to consult him about a patient of his.

It's always about his patients. He was called in last night.

He will fall ill if he doesn't rest. Write a letter or find another doctor.

Klara, thank you for keeping the lieutenant company.

- I told him to come back tomorrow. - Not to worry. He won't stay for long.

We will dine together. Let us see what's for dinner.

You might have a glass of wine while I lend an ear to our young guest.

- What happened? - It's Edith.

She declared her love for me.

She only wants to be cured for my sake. It's absurd.

- Dr Faber, you have to talk to her. - About what?

Loving me like that, it's not right.

You want me to tell her she can't feel the way she feels?

- You must talk sense into her. - That's why you came?

Listen to me. You said you would take full responsibility for Edith.

Don't you know it would be cowardly to leave her now?

And aside from cowardliness, it would be murder, based on her past.

You know that.

Let me tell you something. I speak from experience.

The crippled and outcast stepchildren of God

love with so much more deepfelt despair than the rest of us.

Because they feel they need to earn the love of others.

All we have to do is love them as they are.

Can I ask you...

what are your feelings toward Edith?

Well, you know my feelings.

I feel pity.

Compassion.

I feel great compassion.

Perhaps this great compassion that you speak of -

might have led you to more profound feelings for her?

Perhaps something reminiscent of love?

Yet Edith's physical deficiencies cause a resistance in you.

Perhaps her bodily inhibition prevents you from reciprocating

her feelings toward you.

Maybe you're afraid of what friends and family would do

that you would be ridiculed.

Right. She's leaving in four days. Four days aren't a lot.

You just have to visit her every day. Be her friend and be kind to her.

If this beastly war comes, you will be occupied elsewhere anyway.

What a lovely idea you had, Anton.

- We could ride into town. - That's probably a bad idea.

Cars might frighten the horse. Let's do another round trip.

Yes.

- You're all packed? - Almost.

- Aren't you excited? - Yes.

Are you?

Of course. I'm excited for you.

Shouldn't you be going?

- No. - You seem like it.

- Edith... - Do I make you nervous?

No, but I have a lot to think about.

If you had heard all the talk at the barracks about war or no war...

- They talked about new uniforms today. - I don't care about uniforms.

Don't take on for nothing. I'm trying to tell you about my other duties.

The situation is quite tense. I almost didn't get time off today.

If it's so tough to get time off, why don't you stay away?

If the lieutenant is so vital to the barracks...

Why do you take on so?

You speak about other duties.

- Am I a duty to you? - No.

We have two and a half days together before you leave. Let's enjoy them.

Two and a half days? You're counting.

In two and a half days, you will be rid of us.

You bought a calendar and marked the date.

I can't take this. Behave like this, and I won't come tomorrow.

Then don't come.

Second Lieutenant, you have a visitor.

The colonel is out and has lent you his office.

Sir?

I'm sorry to come here unannounced, Lieutenant.

- Why did you? - I don't know what to do.

She doesn't listen any longer.

She's so frightfully distraught.

It's not her intention.

- What did she do? - She says she will not leave.

She won't hear of it.

She says the new treatment is only a plot for us to be rid of her.

Help her.

I beg of you, help her.

You're the only one who can, not Dr Faber. Have mercy on her.

She will destroy herself, take her own life.

For the love of God, help her.

Of course, I will do all that I can to help Edith. Tell me what to do.

- What to do? - Yes.

She opened her heart to you, and now she feels ashamed.

Because you don't want her, do you?

She thinks you're disgusted by her.

Why will you not give her even the slightest hope?

I've tried to calm her. I told her that...

You told her nothing.

You never told her the one thing that would make her happy.

You can have anything you desire.

Anything.

I won't live for much longer. You can have everything.

The castle, the estate, my entire fortune.

All I wish is

that someone will look after my little girl when I'm not here anymore.

I know you're a good person. I know you would be kind to her.

Sir, again, I will do all that I can,

but what you're suggesting I cannot do.

People would think I wanted her wealth.

Edith would always suspect that I took her for the money. I can't do that.

I'm sorry I inconvenienced you.

Sir, don't go back and tell Edith that I...

It would be terrible for her.

And it wouldn't be true.

It wouldn't be true if she thought I didn't cherish her -

that I didn't have warm feelings towards her.

The most important thing is that she's cured.

And then, once she's cured...

What then?

When she's cured...

of course, I will come of my own volition.

Of your own volition.

You will propose to her?

Can I tell her?

Yes, tell her.

She will surely leave at once and be cured for you.

I always knew that God had sent you to me.

Would you like to dine with us?

Yes, thank you. Of course.

- Edith, please don't. - I can do it.

Edith, stop it.

Edith.

There.

One more.

Let's go talk to him.

We met the florist.

He says he heard you're engaged to the Baron's daughter.

The cripple.

He's lying, isn't he?

Answer, Anton.

It isn't true, is it?

It's nonsense.

So it's not true?

No.

He must be drunk.

I told you that idiot was lying. I will teach him not to defame our regiment.

It's ridiculous.

Please allow me a few minutes of your time, Colonel.

You want to talk now, in the middle of the night?

I know that I have behaved dishonourably and disgraced the regiment.

I will shoulder the consequences.

What's all this about?

I lied to my fellow officers about my engagement

to Løvenskjold's daughter. I embarrassed them.

I have failed and brought shame to a young, innocent girl who loves me.

She loves me more than anyone.

And because of me, a stranger who told the truth was called a liar.

I'm a coward, Colonel.

I'm a man without self-respect or honour.

- So what are you going to do? - You, sir, know what needs to be done.

I'm here to take my leave, Colonel.

I politely ask the colonel to make sure these matters are...

Shut up! Stop whining.

I will shut up the officers and stop the rumours.

We must avoid a scandal.

The cripple is absolutely irrelevant. What do we care?

First, give me your pistol. I don't want any mischief tonight.

Come on.

Listen to me. You must disappear, leave the country.

Tomorrow morning, you will be on the first train to Copenhagen.

I will message my good friend Colonel Lecomte in Paris.

Hopefully, you can do some good under his command.

- The cavalry will keep its honour, sir? - No need to worry.

What about Edith?

Your future is with the cavalry as a lieutenant

not with some crippled woman.

Please wait a moment.

Please put me through to Løvenskjold Castle.

Please just wait!

Thank you.

Hello?

- What's going on? - There's war in Europe.

Denmark isn't involved, but the troops are preparing for the worst.

Excuse me! I need to make an urgent call.

- Put me through to Løvenskjold Castle. - Only official calls.

This is a very important official call. Put me through!

One moment, please.

The recipient is registered as private. I'm sorry.

I'm going to miss you so much, Anna.

No, you won't.

You will have your husband, and I will have mine,

but we still have each other.

Our children can play together.

We could have a double wedding.

- We could go up the aisle together. - What a wonderful suggestion.

You should probably ask Anton first.

I will ask him when he comes later today.

I'm so excited to see him.

- I love you, Edith. - I love you, Anna.

I will make tea for us.

- Why did you lie to me? - Excuse me?

The young lieutenant denies his engagement to her.

Easy. Keep it down.

They call me a liar and want to avenge him.

- He denies any involvement with her! - It must be a mistake.

Then why did he leave the barracks this morning?

Edith?

It's nothing.

- Mrs Faber, is your husband here? - Not until this afternoon.

Is it you, Lieutenant? Come in.

Thank you.

Please ask him to take the first train to Løvenskjold Castle.

Why?

Please tell him to ask Edith for my forgiveness.

I will marry her whether the treatment works or not.

- You're a good person. - I can't go there myself.

- He must tell her that... - That you love her and will marry her.

I have to leave.

- What time is it? - Half past four.

Anton will be here any minute.

Stupid me. I forgot the book I wanted to show him. It's on my nightstand.

- Let me get it. - Thank you.

Anna.

You're the best friend I have.

Løvenskjold Castle, please.

It's time.

Time to go.

Go on.

Be careful.

God be with you!

What are you doing? Stop!

Don't do it! No!