All language subtitles for Les Liasions Dangereuses Part One The Play

Well, my dear...
So you've left the convent for good?

Yes, Madame

And how are you adapting to the outside world?

Very well. I think.
I'm so excited to have my own bedroom and dressing room

I've advised her to watch and learn
and be quiet except when spoken to

She's very naturally still prone to confusion

Yesterday she was under the impression
that my shoemaker had come for dinner

No. it wasn't that. Maman. it was when he fell to his
knees and caught hold of my foot. it startled me

No doubt you thought he was attempting
to propose marriage

Never mind, my dear, you'll soon get used to 'it.
We must see what we can devise for your amusement

Oh, very well, show him up. Valmont is here

You receive him, do you?
- Yes. So do you

I thought perhaps that under the circumstances...

Under what circumstances?
I don't believe I have any grounds for self-reproach

On the contrary. As far as I mow.
you're virtually unique in that respect

And, of course, if I had,
he would no longer be calling on me

Monsieur le Vicomte de Valmont, my mild...

...whom you very probably don't remember.
except that he is conspicuously charming...

...never opens his mouth without first calculating
what damage he can do

Then why do you receive him, Maman?

Everyone receives him. He has a distinguished name,
a large fortune and a very pleasant manner

You'll soon find that society is riddled
with such inconsistencies

We're all aware of them. we all deplore them
and in the end we all accommodate to them

Besides which. people are quite rightly
afraid to provoke his malice

No one has the slightest respect for him.
but everyone is very nice to him

Madame
- Vicomte

What a pleasant surprise

How delightful to see you. Madame
- You remember my daughter. Cecile

Well indeed, but who could have foretold
she would flower so gracefully?

I wanted to call on you before leaving the city

Oh, I don't think we can allow that.
Why should you want to leave?

Paris in August, you know

And it's time I paid a visit to my old aunt.
I've neglected her disgracefully

I approve of your aunt.
She takes such an intelligent interest in the young

She's been able to maintain
a kind of youthfulness of her own

Will you please give Madame de Rosemonde
our warmest regards?

She's been good enough to invite us to stay at
the chateau, and I hope perhaps later in the season...

I shall make a point of 'it, Madame.
Please don't let me interrupt your game

I think I may have lost enough for this evening

Your daughter evidently finds
our conversation intriguing

I'm so sorry, I...
- I think it's time we took you home

I'm used to being asleep by nine at the convent
- So I should hope

Your aunt?
- That's right

Whatever for? I thought she'd already made arrangements
to leave you all her money

She has. But there are other considerations.
family obligations. that kind of thing

Do you know why I summoned you here this evening?

I'd hoped it was for the pleasure of my company

I need you: to carry out a heroic enterprise.
Something for your memoirs

I don't know when I shall ever find time
to write my memoirs

Then I'll write them

Do you remember when Gercourt left me?
- Yes

And ran off with that fat mistress of yours.
whose name escapes me?

Yes, yes

No one has ever done that to me before.
Or to you. I imagine

I was quite relieved to be rid of her. frankly
- No. you weren't

One of Gercourt's more crass and boring
topics of conversation...

...was what exactly he would look for in a wife,

what qualifies. when the moment came for him to.
as he put it. 'settle down'

He had this ludicrous theory that blondes
were inherently more modest and respectable...

...than any other spades of girl

And he was also unshakeably prejudiced
in favour of a convent education

And now he's found the ideal candidate

Cécile Volanges?
- Very good

And her sixty thousand a year.
that must have played some part in his calculations

I tell you, if she were an uncloistered brunette, she
could be worth twice that, and he wouldn't go near her

His priority, you see, is a guaranteed virtue

I wonder if I'm beginning to guess
what 'it is you're intending to propose

Gercourt is with his regiment in Corsica until October.
That should give you plenty of time

You mean to...?

She's a rosebud
- You think so?

And he'd get back from his honeymoon
to find himself the laughing-stock of Paris

Well...
- Yes. Love and revenge: two of your favourites

No. I can't
- What?

You know how much I hate to disobey you.
But really, I can't

Why not?
- It's too easy

It is. What is she, fifteen, she's never seen anything,
she doesn't know anything, she's bound to be curious

She'd be on her back
before you'd unwrapped the first bunch of flowers

Any one of a dozen men could manage 'it.
I have my reputation to think of

I think you underestimate her. She's very pretty,
and she does have a rather promising air of languor

You mean she falls asleep a lot?

Perhaps your Belleroche is the man for her
- Belleroche is an idealist

Oh. bad luck. I knew there was
something the matter with him

There is someone who's already fallen for her:
young Danceny. He goes round to sing duets with her

And you think he'd like to try a little close harmony?

Yes, but he's as timid and inexperienced as she is,
I don't think we could rely on him

No. I'm afraid it'll just have to be you
- I hate to disappoint you

I think you really are going to refuse me, aren't you?

I see I'm going to have to tell you everything
- Of course you are

Yes. Well. this trip to the country
to visit my more or less immortal aunt...

The fact of the matter is that it's the first step
in the most ambitious plan I have ever undertaken

Well, go on

You see, my aunt is not on her own just at the moment

She has a young friend staying with her,
Madame de Tourvel

Oh, yes
- She is my plan

You can't mean 'it

Why not? To seduce a woman famous for her shim morals,
religious fervour and the happiness of her marriage:

what could possibly be more prestigious?

I think there's something very degrading
about having a husband for a rival

It's humiliating if you fail
and commonplace if you succeed. Where is he, anyway?

He's presiding over some labyrinthine case in Burgundy.
which I'm reliably informed will drag on for months

I can't believe this.
Apart from anything else, she's sum a frump

Bodice up to her ears in case you might
catch a glimpse of a square inch of flesh...

You're right. clothes don't suit her

How long has she been married?
- Two years

Even if you succeed. you mow what?
- What?

All you'll get from her is what she gives her husband.
I don't think you can hope for any actual pleasure

They never let themselves go, those people

If you ever make her heart beat faster,
'won't be love, Ml be fear

I sometimes wonder about you, Vicomte

How could you make sum a fool of yourself
over a complete nonentity?

Take care, you're talking about the woman I...
- Yes?

...I've set my heart on. I haven't felt so strongly
about anything since you and I were together

And you're going to pass up
this wonderful opportunity for revenge?

If I have to
- You don't have to

I won't tell anyone about
this bizarre aberration of yours

I think you'll have to wait at least until
I've had her before I can allow you to insult her

And I can't agree with your theory about pleasure

You see, I have no intention
of breaking down her prejudices

I want her to believe in God and virtue and the sanctity
of marriage, and still not be able to stop herself

I want passion. in other words: not the sort that
we're used to. which is as cold as it's superficial

I don't get much pleasure from that any more

No. I want the excitement of watching her betray
everything that's most important to her

Surely you understand that.
I thought betrayal was your favourite word

No. no. cruelty.
I always think that has a nobler ring to it

You are terrible,
you're a hundred times worse than I'll ever be

Since we started this little mission of ours.
you've made so many more converts than I have.

You make me feel like an amateur

And so you are:
really, you might just as well be in love

Well, if love is not being able to think of anything
else all day or dream of anyone else all night,

perhaps I am: that's why I must have her.
to rescue myself from this ridiculous position

Love is something you use. not something you fall into
like a quicksand. don't you remember?

It's like medicine. you use it as a lubricant to nature

How is Belleroche?

Well. he is in love

I thought it might be time to end it last week:
I tried to pick a quarrel.

But he looked so woebegone that I relented.
and we spent the best night we have ever had

Since then, of course,
he's been more assiduous than ever

But I'm keeping him at arm's length
because I'm so pleased with him

He hasn't learned that excess is something you reserve
for people you're about to leave

So you're not about to leave him?

No. I told you. at the moment I'm very pleased with him

And is he currently your only lover?

Yes

I think you should take another.
I think it most unhealthy. this exclusivity

You're not jealous, are you?

Well, of course I am.
Belleroche is completely undeserving

I thought he was one of your closest friends
- Exactly, so I know what I'm talking about

No. I think you should organise an infidelity.
With me. for example

But we decided it was far more important to preserve our
friendship and be able to trust each other implicitly

Are you sure that wasn't just a device
to heighten our pleasure?

You refuse to grant me a simple favour,
and then you expect to be indulged

It's only because 'it is so simple.
“wouldn't feel like a conquest

I have to follow my destiny,
I have to be true to my profession

Oh well. in that case... come back when you have
succeeded with Madame de Tourvel

Yes?
- And I will offer you... a reward

MY love!

But I shall require proof

Certainly
- Written proof

Ah!
- Not negotiable

And I'm sure you'll find someone to help you
with the little Volanges

She's so lovely. If my morals were less austere,
I'd take 'it on myself

You are an astonishing woman
- Thank you

I'm only sorry you haven't sufficient confidence in me
to give me my reward in advance

Goodnight, Vicomte

So he grasped what was going on, did he?

Oh yes. sir.
I was watching him and he was watching you

I just hope he was better at understanding
what was happening than he was at shadowing me

I sat down for a rest on the way
and he was trampling about behind some bush,

making so much noise
I had a good mind to give him a legful of small shot

Except then I suppose he'd have had
even more trouble keeping up

He knew what you were doing:
and after you'd gone he talked to the family

I must say the family was very well chosen
- Thank you. sir

Solidly respectable. gratifyingly tearful.
and no suspiciously pretty girls. Well done

I do my best for you. sir

And not even unduly expensive

Fifty-six livres to save an entire family from ruin.
that seems a genuine bargain

These days. my lord. you can find half a dozen
like that. any village in the country

Really? I must say. it's no longer a mystery to me...

...why people fall so easily
into the habit of charitable enterprises

All that humble gratitude. it was most affecting
- Certainly brought a tear to my eye. sir

How are you getting on with the maid?
- Julie? Tell you the truth. it's been a bit boring

if I wasn't so anxious to keep your lordship abreast.
I think I'd only have bothered the once

I'm not sure she doesn't feel the same, but, you know,
what else is there to do in the country?

Yes, it wasn't so much
the details of your intimacy I was after,

it was whether she's agreed to bring me
Madame de Tourvel's letters.

And do you think she'll keep her mouth shut?

She won't steal the letters, sir
- She won't?

You know better than me, sir, it's easy enough
making them do what they want to do

It's trying to get them to do what
you want them to do. that's what gives you a headache

And them, as often as not

As for keeping her mouth shut,
I haven't asked her to keep her mouth shut...

...because that's the one thing most likely
to give her the idea of opening it

You may well be right. But look. Madame de Tourvel
has told me that someone has warned her about me.

Whim means some officious friend
has written to her about me. I need to know who

I shouldn't worry about all that, if I was you, sir

if she's interested enough to have you followed.
I'd say it was only a matter of time

Do you think so?

Anyway. apparently she keeps her letters in her pockets

I wish I could pick pockets.
Why don't our parents ever teach us anything useful?

Where do you and Julie meet?
- Oh, in my room, sir

And is she coming round tonight?
- Afraid so

Then I think I may have to burst in on you.
See if blackmail will succeed better than bribery

About two o'clock suit you? I don't want to
embarrass you. will that give you enough time?

Ample, sir
- Good

Then you won't have to pay her, sir, will you?

Oh, I think if she delivers,
we can afford to be generous, don't you?

Its your money, sir
- Don't worry, I shan't overlook your contribution

Well. that's very decent of you. sir
- Off you go. See you at two

Right. sir. I'll be sure to arrange her
so she can't say she's there to borrow a clothes brush

Here he is. I said he'd be here
- Ladies!

Madame de Tourvel has some mystery to reveal to us
- To you, Madame, to you

Oh, then perhaps I should go for a walk

No. no. it concerns you as well.
I mean. it particularly concerns you

In fad, I must begin by asking you some questions

Very well. Just let me help my aunt to her chair

Now...

Where did you go this morning. Monsieur?

Well. as I think you mow.
I was up early to go out hunting

And did you succeed in making a kill this time?

No. I've had the most wretched luck
ever since I arrived here. Also I'm a terrible shot

But on this occasion. Monsieur le Vicomte.
what exactly was it you were hunting?

I'm sorry. I don't quite follow...

You may as well own up. Monsieur.
I mow where you were this morning

I think it's time someone explained to me
what's going on

Georges, my footman,
just happened to be in the village earlier today...

I hope you haven't been listening to servants' gossip

I can see Monsieur de Valmont is determined
not to tell you. so I shall have to

There's a family in the village, the man has been ill,
he found himself not able to pay his taxes this year

So this morning the bailiff arrived
to seize their few sticks of furniture

Whereupon your nephew,

whose valet had been making enquiries in the village
to see if anyone was suffering from particular hardship.

Arrived. paid off the family's debts.

And added a generous contribution
to help them bad! on their feet again

Is this hue, my dear?

Well, I... it's simply... yes

My dear boy, come and let me give you a hug

It's so like you to make a secret
of something like this

We must visit this family in the morning. my dear.
to see if we can help in any other way

Yes, I'd like that

Do sit down. aunt
- No. I must try to find Monsieur le Curé

I shan't be long, but I do want to tell him about this
before he leaves, he'll be so pleased

I can't understand how someone whose instincts
are so generous could lead such a dissolute life

I think you have an exaggerated idea
both of my generosity and of my depravity

If I knew who it was who had given you sum a dire
amount of me, I might be able to defend myself

Since I don't, let me make a confession

I'm afraid the key to the paradox
lies in a certain weakness of character

I don't see how so thoughtful an act of charity
could be described as weak

This appalling reputation of mine. you see.
there is some justification for it

I have spent my life surrounded by immoral people

I've allowed myself to be influenced by them
and sometimes even prided myself in outshining them

Whereas. in this case. I've simply fallen under
a quite opposite kind of influence:

Yours

You mean you wouldn't have done it"?
- Not without your example. no

it was by way of an innocent tribute to your goodness

You see how weak I am?
I promised myself I was never going to tell you

It's just... looking at you...
- Monsieur

You needn't worry. I have no illicit intentions.
I wouldn't dream of insulting you. But I do love you

I adore you. Please, help me

What is 'it?

Will you leave me now?

I shouldn't have said anything,
I know I shouldn't, I'm sorry

But really, you have nothing to fear,
nothing at all

Tell me what to do, show me how to behave,
I'll do anything you say

I thought the least I could hope for
was that you would respect me

But I do, of course I do

Then forget all this. don't say another word.
You've offended me deeply. it's unforgivable

I thought you might at least give me credit
for being honest

On the contrary, this confirms
everything I've been told about you

I'm beginning to think
you may well have planned the whole exercise

When I came to visit my aunt.
I had no idea you were here

Not that it would have disturbed me
in the slightest if I had

You see, up until then, I'd only ever experienced desire

Love. never
- That's enough

No. no. you made an accusation.
you must give me the opportunity to defend myself

Now. you were there when my aunt
asked me to stay a little longer.

Which at that time I only agreed in deference to her.

Although I was already
by no means unaware of your beauty

Monsieur

No. the point is.
this has nothing to do with your beauty

As I got to know you better. I realised
that beauty is the least of your qualities

I became fascinated by your goodness. I was drawn in
by it. I didn't understand what was happening to me

it was only when I began to feel actual physical pain
every time you left the room...

...that it finally dawned on me:
I was in love. for the first time in my life

I knew it was hopeless. of course. but that didn't
matter to me. because it wasn't like it always had been

“wasn't that I wanted to have you:
all I wanted was to deserve you

I really will have to leave you. Monsieur. You seem
determined to persist with a line of argument...

...you know very well I ought not to listen to
and don't want to hear

No, no, please sit down, sit down.
I've already told you, I'll do anything you'll say

There's only one thing I would like you to do for me
- What? What is it?

But I don't see how I can ask you

I'm not even sure if I want to put myself
in the position of being beholden to you

Oh, please, no, I insist, if you are good enough
to give me an opportunity to do something you want,

anything, it's I who will be beholden to you

Very well then, I would like you to leave this house

I don't see why that should be necessary

Let's just say you've spent your life
making it necessary

Very well, of course, whatever you say.
I couldn't possibly refuse you

Will you allow me to give my aunt. say.
twenty-four hours' notice?

Well, yes, naturally

I shall find something in my mail tomorrow
whim obliges me to return at once to Paris

Thank you, I'd be very grateful

Perhaps I may be so bold as to ask a favour in return

I think it would only be just for you to let me mow
which of your friends has blackened my name

You mow very well that's impossible. Monsieur

if friends of mine have warned me against you.
they've done so purely in my own interest.

And I could hardly reward them with betrayal. could I?

I must say. you devalue your generous offer
if you want to use it as a bargaining point

Very well. I withdraw the request

I hope you won't think I'm bargaining
if I ask you to let me write to you...

...and hope that you might do me the kindness
of answering my letters

I'm not sure a correspondence with you is something
a woman of honour could permit herself

So you're determined to refuse all my suggestions.
however respectable?

I didn't say that
- I really don't see how you could possibly be harmed...

...by conceding me this very minor but.
as far as I'm concerned. vitally important consolation

I would welcome the chance to prove to you that what
motivates me in this is not hatred or resentment. but...

But what?

For God's sake, Monsieur, please, leave me alone!

I only want to say what I hardly thought
it would be possible for me to say to you

Goodbye

I'll write soon

I thought the Dutch were supposed to be famous
for their capacity for alcohol

Three bottles of burgundy and a bottle of cognac
would finish anybody

Did he drink that mum?
- You were pouring

I hope you're not missing him

Don't be silly. I just don't think it was necessary
for you to bundle him into your carriage

A man in that condition.
I thought it best to send him back to his house

This is his house
- Is it? I thought this was your house

He owns 'it, I just live in 'it.
And he's so rarely in France. Seems a shame

Well, I'm sure my coachman will use his imagination

I'm sure. since you're perfectly aware of the position
and have no doubt given him explicit instructions.

He won't have to

Explicit instructions?
- Yes

I must say, Emilie, I do think
it's the height of bad manners...

...to be talking about some foreigner
while you're here with me

I think some punishment is in order. Tum over

All right

Do you have pen, ink and writing paper?

Yes. over there. in the bureau. Why?
- Don't move

'My dear Madame de Tourvel...'

'I have just come...'

'...to my desk...'

Hold still

'...in the middle of a stormy night...'

'...during which I have been tossed...'

'...from exaltation to exhaustion and bad! again'

'The position in which I find myself
reminds me more than ever of the power of love'

'Please excuse me while I take steps to calm
what I can only describe as a mounting excitement'

Shall we finish this later?

It sounds to me as though
you made a serious tactical error

Shouldn't you have taken Madame de Tourvel
there and then on the chaise-longue?

I was expecting my aunt and the Curé
to appear at any moment

Well. it would have been the most interesting thing
to have happened to them for years

No, 'wasn't at all the right moment: I want her
to surrender, but not until she's put up a fight

She seems to be: she's succeeded
in getting rid of you altogether

But I got her to agree to let me write to her

Well, in the unlikely event
of her defences being pierced by your eloquence,

you're not going to be there
to take advantage of 'it, are you?

And by the following day may" be bad! in full repair

Naturally. writing to someone is a poor substitute.
but since I really had no choice in the matter...

...at least I've found a way to keep the thing alive

Perhaps

I mow you're incurably sceptical. but for me.
with a woman. this is by far the best stage

It's what men talk about all the time
but hardly ever experience,

the real intoxication: when you know she loves you.
but you're still not quite certain of victory

You know she loves you, then?

Oh, yes. I left my man there to keep an eye on things
and a hand on the maid...

...who's been most co-operative
since I caught them in bed together

And he tells me that when my first letter arrived,

she took it to her room and sat there
turning it over for hours. sighing and weeping

So it seems a reasonable enough conclusion

And the maid helped us to another discovery
which might interest you

Can you guess who it was
that's been writing to my beauty...

...warning her to steer clear
of the world's vilest pervert. namely me?

Your damned cousin. the Volanges bitch

It's all very well for you to laugh,
she's set me bad! at least a month

It's not that

She wanted me away from Madame de Tourvel:
well. now that I am. I intend to make her suffer

Your plan to ruin her daughter: is there anything
I can do to help? I'm entirely at your disposal

Well, my dear Vicomte, as a matter of fad
your presence here today forms part of my plan

I'm expecting Danceny at any moment.

and I need you to help me to stiffen his resolve,
if that's the phrase

And then I've arranged a little scene
which I hope you may find entertaining

Yes, I think you will

Is that all you're going to say?
- Yes, I think so

Has Danceny not been a great success?

No. he's been disastrous.
Like most intellectuals. he is intensely stupid

He really is the most incompetent boy.
Charming. but hopeless

You'd better bring me up to date
- Well. I've become extremely thick with little Cécile

We go to my box at the Opera
and we chatter away all evening

I really am quite jealous of whoever's in store for her

She has a certain innate duplicity
which is going to stand her in very good stead

She has no character and no morals.
she's altogether delicious

But what's happened?
- She and Danceny are head over heels in love

it started when she asked me
if it would be wrong for her to write to him

At first I said yes. and later I said no.
It would be all right...

...as long as she showed me
both sides of the correspondence

Then I arranged a meeting.
but Danceny was so paralysed with chivalry...

...he didn't lay a finger on her

All his energies go into writing her poems
of great ingenuity and minimum impact

I tried to ginger things up by telling her
it was Gercourt that her mother intended her to marry

She was shocked enough to discover
he was a geriatric of thirty-six.

But by the time I'd finished describing him...

...she couldn't have hated him more
if they'd been married for ten years

Then. the first major setback:
she told her confessor and he took a very strong line

So she severed relations with Danceny and then
spent all her time praying to be able to forget him.

A pleasantly self-contradictory exercise.
He remained abject throughout

The only thing I could do was to organise a rendezvous
for them to say goodbye to one another...

...and hope for the best.
And after all that, what do I find?

Danceny has managed to hold her hand
for five seconds...

...and when asked to let go.
to Cecile's extreme annoyance. he does

You really have to put some backbone into him

Afterwards the little one said to me.
'Oh. Madame. I wish you were Danceny'

And, do you know, just for a minute, I wished I was

I often wonder how you managed to invent yourself

I had no choice. did I. I'm a woman

Women are obliged to be far more skilful than men...

...because who ever wastes time
cultivating inessential skills?

You think you put as much ingenuity into winning us
as we put into losing

Well. that's debatable. I suppose.
but from then on. you hold every ace in the pack

You can ruin us whenever the fancy takes you

All we can achieve by denouncing you
is to enhance your prestige

We can't even get rid of you when we want to

We are compelled to unstitch, painstakingly,
what you would just wt through

We either have to devise some way of making you want
to leave us. so you'll feel too guilty to harm us...

...or find a reliable means of blackmail

Otherwise you can destroy our reputation and our life
with a few well-chosen words

So of course I had to invent...

...not only myself. but ways of escape
no one else has ever thought of. not even I...

"because I had to be fast enough on my feet
to know how to improvise

And I've succeeded. because I always mew
I was born to dominate your sex and avenge my own

Yes, but what I asked was how

When I came out into society. I'd already realised
that the role I was condemned to,

namely to keep quiet and do as I was told. gave me
the perfect opportunity to listen and pay attention...

...not to what people told me,
whim was naturally of no interest,

but to whatever it was they were trying to hide

I practised detachment

I learned how to smile pleasantly while. under
the table. I stuck a fork into the back of my hand

I became not merely impenetrable.
but a virtuoso of deceit

Needless to say. at that stage nobody told me anything:
and it wasn't pleasure I was after. it was knowledge

But when. in the interests of furthering that knowledge.
I told my confessor I had done 'everything'...

...his reaction was so appalled.
I began to get a sense of how extreme pleasure might be

No sooner had I made this discovery
than my mother announced my marriage:

so I was able to contain my curiosity
and arrived in Monsieur de Merteuil's arms a virgin

All in all. Merteuil gave me little cause for complaint

And the minute I began to find him
something of a nuisance. he very tactfully died

I used my year of mourning to complete my studies

I consulted the strictest moralists
to learn how to appear:

philosophers to find out what to think:
and novelists to see what I could get away with

And finally I was well placed to perfect my techniques
- Describe them

Only flirt with those you intend to refuse:
then you acquire a reputation for invincibility...

...whilst slipping safely away
with the lover of your choice

A poor choice is less dangerous than an obvious choice

Never write letters. Get them to write letters

Always be sure they think they are the only one

Win or die

These principles are infallible. are they?

When I want a man. I have him:
when he wants to tell. he finds he can't

That's the whole story
- And was that our story?

I wanted you before we'd even met.
My self-esteem demanded 'it

Then, when you began to pursue me...

...I wanted you so badly

It's the only one of my notions
that has ever got the better of me

Single combat
- Thank you

Vicomte
- My dear young man. How good to see you again

I'm sorry to be late, Madame
- Very nearly too late

As you know, Mademoiselle de Volanges...

It gives me sum pleasure
to hear her name spoken, Madame

Yes. yes. quite. As I was saying.
Mademoiselle de Volanges has done me the honour...

...of making me her confidante and counsellor
in this matter which concerns you both

She could hardly have chosen more wisely
- Yes. well. be that as it may...

I felt very strongly that in this situation.
which is exceedingly delicate.

You too might find it beneficial to be able to confide
in someone sympathetic. a person of experience

And the Vicomte de Valmont, who is known to you
as well as being an old friend of mine...

...and a man of unswerving discretion.
seems to me to be an ideal choice

And should you agree. he has very kindly consented
to devote himself to your interests

Well...

Perhaps it is my reputation which is causing you
to hesitate: in which case. may I reassure you...

...that a man's own mistakes are not necessarily a guide
to his faculty for objective judgment

No, of course not, I certainly wouldn't
have the impudence, no, it's...

The fact is. this is not a conventional intrigue
with the aim of...

...that's to say. my love and respect...

We're not dealing, you mean,
with a frivolous coquette or a bored wife?

Precisely

A person like Mademoiselle de Volanges
must be treated with the utmost consideration

And my own position has certain weaknesses.
of which I'm only too bitterly aware

Her great fortune. for example.
compared to my own precarious condition

Naturally. there would be no excuse
for trying to manoeuvre her into such a pass...

...that she would be forced to marry you.
that would be quite wrong

You do understand how I feel
- Of course he does, what did I tell you?

I'm quite happy with things as they are.
as long as she consents to see me...

...to continue with the music lessons
- Ah. the music lessons

In any case, I have absolutely no wish
to press my attentions on you...

No, please...

...but do rest assured that I would be honoured
to be at your disposal

The honour. Monsieur. is entirely mine.
and any contact with you would be a privilege...

I'm sorry to interrupt you. Chevalier.
but I'm afraid you must leave

Madame de Volanges has just been announced.
You see now why I was so concerned at your late arrival

Perhaps this would be a good opportunity
for me to pay my respects...

I really think at this juncture. Monsieur Danceny.
It would be prudent for you not to be found here

That is if you wish me to be
of any effective assistance in the future

Of course...

My man will show you to a side exit

I have to go to Versailles tomorrow.
I don't suppose you'd care to accompany me?

I'd like that very mum
- Good, I'll send a carriage for you at nine

So this is the scene you have planned for me?
- If you'd care to go behind the screen

I think you might have consulted me before offering my
services as general factotum to that exasperating boy

I don't find lovers' complaints
remotely entertaining outside of the Opera

I was sure that if anyone could help him...

Help? He doesn't need help, he needs hindrances

if he has to climb over enough of them.
he might inadvertently fall on top of her

I'll see what I can do: now. Vicomte. the screen

Are you sure I shouldn't confront her?
Give her some reason for those rude letters?

Your note said it was urgent

It's been days now, I haven't been able
to think about anything else

I couldn't decide what to do for the best

Finally I saw there was no escaping the fact
it was my plain duty to tell you

Please sit down

As you mow. in recent weeks. Cecile has been
kind enough to accept my friendship...

...and, I believe, bestow on me her own
- Yes, of course, she's devoted to you

This is what makes this duty
doubly difficult to perform

This has something to do with Cecile?
- I may be wrong: I pray Heaven I am

Go on

I have reason to believe that a...
how can I describe 'it...

...a dangerous liaison has sprung up
between your daughter and the Chevalier Danceny

No. that's completely absurd. Cécile is still a child

She understands nothing of these things:
and Danceny is an entirely respectable young man

if you were to be right. no one would be happier than I

Naturally. they've never been together unchaperoned.
generally by me and often by you

Precisely. that's when I first formed the impression
that something was passing between them

The way they looked at each other...

I'm sure that's merely their feeling for the music

Perhaps so. But there was one other thing.
Tell me. does Cecile have a great many correspondents?

She writes, I suppose, an average number of letters.
Relatives, friends from the convent... Why?

I went into her room at the beginning of this week

I simply knocked and entered
without waiting for a reply.

And she was stuffing a letter
into the left-hand drawer of her bureau,

in which. I couldn't help noticing.
there appeared to be a large number of similar letters

I'm most grateful to you. I shall see myself out

I hope you don't think me interfering
- Not at all

And do I hope that if, God forbid,
you do discover anything compromising,

you won't tell Cécile it was I who was responsible

I would hate to forfeit her trust,
and if there is to be a period of difficulty,

I would like to think that my advice
might be of some use to her

Of course

Would you think 'it impertinent
if I were to make another suggestion?

No. no
- if my recollection is correct...

...I overheard you saying to the Vicomte de Valmont
that his aunt had invited you to stay at her chateau

She has, yes, repeatedly

A spell in the country might be the very thing
until this all blows over

if what you tell me has any truth in it.
I may very well send her back to the convent

Wouldn't 'it be better to threaten that as a punishment
if there's any resumption of relations?

Perhaps. I can't believe you're right about this
- Let's hope not

Isn't the Vicomte staying there at the moment?

I understand he's returned to Paris

I expect I've imagined the whole thing
and tomorrow we'll be able to laugh at my stupidity

In whim case I hope you'll be able to forgive me

My dear. I shall always be more than grateful
for your concern

Stop it

So. you understand I've returned to Paris?
- You asked for hindrances

You are a genuinely wicked woman
- And you wanted a chance to make my cousin suffer

I can't resist you
- I've made 'it easy for you

But all this is most inconvenient:
the Comtesse de Beaulieu has invited me to stay

Well. you'll have to put her off

The Comtesse has promised me
extensive use of her gardens

It seems her husband's fingers
are not as green as they once were

Maybe not. But from what I hear,
all his friends are gardeners

Is that so?

You want your revenge: I want my revenge.
There really is only one place you can go

Bad! to Auntie, eh?
- Bad! to Auntie

Where you can also pursue that other matter.
You have some evidence to procure. have you not?

Don't you think it would be a generous gesture.
show a proper confidence in my abilities. I mean...

...to take that evidence for granted, and...?
- I need it in writing, Vicomte

And now you must leave me
- Must I? Why?

Because I'm hungry
- Yes, I've something of an appetite myself

Then go home and eat

In writing!

You'll be pleased to hear, my dear,
that Armand is on his feet again and bad! at work

Who?

Monsieur Armand. you remember.
whose family you helped so generously

Oh, yes

We've been keeping an eye on things
while you've been away

I must say he never ceases in singing your praises

When my nephew was last staying here.
we discovered quite by chance...

...that he had been down to the village and -

Are you feeling all right, Madame?

I'm sorry to interrupt. Aunt. it seemed to me all of a
sudden that Madame de Tourvel doesn't look at all well

I'm... no. I'm quite all right

You do look dreadfully pale, my dear
- I'm all right

Perhaps you need a little air.
Do you feel constricted in any way?

No, really

I feel sure Madame de Volanges is right, as usual.
A tum around the grounds, perhaps

Yes. yes. a little walk in the garden.
It's not too cool. I think

Well, perhaps

Come along. my dear. we'll all accompany you
- I'll be quite happy on my own

You'll have to excuse me. ladies. but I think you're
absolutely right to insist on chaperoning Madame

Fresh air will do you the world of good
- The meal was somewhat heavy, perhaps

I don't believe that can be the cause,
Solange is an excellent cook

Come bad! for 'it

I don't want to arouse suspicion.
Mademoiselle. so I must be brief...

...and I must ask you to pay dose attention
to what I tell you

As you've no doubt guessed. the letter I gave you
is from our friend. the Chevalier Danceny

Yes, I thought so, Monsieur

And as I'm sure you're also aware. the handing over
of letters is a far from easy matter to accomplish

I can't very well create a diversion every day
- And Maman has taken away all my paper and pens

Right. now listen carefully: there are two large
cupboards in the antechamber next to your bedroom

In the left-hand cupboard you will find
a supply of paper. pens and ink

Oh, thank you, Monsieur

I suggest you return the Chevalier's letters to me,
once you've read them, for safe keeping

Must I?
- It would be wise

Now, this key resembles the key to your bedroom,

which I happen to know is kept in your mother's room.
on the mantelpiece. tied with a blue ribbon

Take 'it, mm the blue ribbon to 'it
and put 'it in the place of your bedroom key,

which you will then bring to me.
I'll be able to get a copy wt within two hours

I'll return you the original
and you can put it back in your mother's room

That way I can collect your letters
and deliver Danceny's without any further complications

Oh, and on the shelf below the writing paper,
you'll find a feather and a small bottle of oil...

...so that you can oil the lock and hinges
on your bedroom door

Are you sure, Monsieur? I'm not sure that would be right

How else are we going to manage this?
Your mother never lets you out of her sight

You really must bust me, my dear

Well, I know Monsieur Danceny
has every confidence in you

Believe me, Mademoiselle,
Where's one thing I can't abide, it's deceitfulness

It's only my very warm friendship with Danceny
which would ever make me consider such methods

And now I suggest you rejoin your mama and the others
before they send out a search party

Yes, Monsieur. Thank you, Monsieur

MY Pleasure

I bust you're feeling better, Madame

If I had felt ill. Monsieur.
It would not be difficult to guess who was responsible

You can't mean me. Do you?

You promised to leave here
- And so I did

Then how can you be insensitive enough
to return uninvited and without warning?

I find myself obliged to attend
to some urgent business in the area...

...in which. moreover. my aunt is crucially involved
- I only hope it can be dealt with promptly

Why are you so angry with me?

I'm not angry. Although. since you gave me
a solemn undertaking not to offend me when you wrote.

And then in your very first letter
spoke of nothing but the disorders of love.

I'm certainly entitled to be

I was away almost three weeks
and wrote to you only three times

Since I was quite unable to think of anything but you.
some might say I showed heroic restraint

Not in so far as you persisted in writing about
your love. despite my pleas for you not to do so

It's hue: I couldn't find the strength to obey you

You claim to think there's some connection
between what you call love and happiness:

I can't believe that there is

In these circumstances. I agree with you.
When the love is unrequited...

As it must be. You mow it's impossible for me
to reciprocate your feelings.

And even if I did. it could only cause me suffering.
without making you any the happier

But what else could I have written to you about,
other than my love? What else is there?

I believe I've done everything you've asked of me
- You've done nothing of the sort

I left here when you told me to
- And you came bad!

I've offered you my friendship. Monsieur. It's the only
thing I can give you: why can't you accept it?

I could pretend to: but that would be dishonest
- You're not answering my question

The man I used to be
would have been content with friendship...

...and then set about trying to turn it
to his advantage. But I've changed now

And I can't conceal from you
that I love you. tenderly. passionately...

...but above all. respectfully

So how am I to demote myself
to the tepid position of friend?

Besides, you're no longer even pretending
to show friendship

What do you mean?
- Well. is this friendly?

You can hardly expect me to stay here
and listen to the expression of sentiments...

...you know very well I can only find insulting

I think you're misunderstanding me: I know you can
bestow on me nothing more than your friendship...

...for which. by the way. I am profoundly grateful

In the same way, I can feel for you
nothing less than love

We both mow this is the true position:
can't we simply acknowledge it?

I don't see why recognition of the truth
should lose me your friendship

Openness and honesty scarcely deserve to be punished,
don't you agree?

You are adept. Monsieur.
at framing questions which preclude the answer no

Your honesty or otherwise is not an issue.
The point is, surely,

that I was weak enough to be persuaded to grant you
a favour you should never have obtained:

and furthermore I did so under certain conditions.
not a single one of which you have observed

Naturally. I feel you've exploited my good faith

What can I say to reassure you?

How can you be afraid of me when, because I love you,
your happiness is far more important to me than my own?

You've made me a better person:
you mustn't now undo your handiwork

I've no wish to: but I must ask whether
you're going to leave the room or let me pass

But why?
- Because I find this conversation distressing

I can't seem to make you understand what I mean,

and I've no wish to hear
what you invariably get round to saying

Very well, I shall leave you in possession of the field
- Thank you

But look: I shall expedite my business. as you ask

But we are to be living under the same roof,
at least for a few days

Could we not contrive to tolerate 'it
when fate throws us together?

Surely we don't have to try to avoid each other?

Of course not.
Providing you adhere to my few simple rules

I shall obey you in this as in everything

I wish you knew me well enough
to recognise how much you've changed me

My friends in Paris remarked on Rat once

I've become the soul of consideration. charitable.
conscientious. more celibate than a monk

More celibate?
- Well, you know the stories one hears in Paris

It's all due to your influence,
I have you to thank fork

And now, good evening

Monsieur...?
- What?

Nothing

Nothing to worry about

Have you... have you brought a letter?

No. Oh, no

Then what...?

You mustn't do that.
What are you going to tell your mother when she arrives?

How will you explain the fad that I have your key?

If I tell her I'm here at your invitation,
I have a feeling she'll believe me

What do you want?

Well, I don't know, what do you mink?

No, please, don't. Please
- All right

I just want you to give me a kiss

A kiss?
- That's all

And then you'll go?
- Then I'll go

Promise?
- Whatever you say

All right

All right?
- Very nice

No, I mean, will you go now?
- Oh, I don't think so

But you promised
- I promised to go when you gave me a kiss

You didn't give me a kiss. I gave you a kiss.
Not the same thing at all

And if I give you a kiss...?
- That's what I said

You really promise?

Let's make ourselves more comfortable, shall we?

Do you?

Please don't do that

I'll take it away. After the kiss

Promise?

Yes, yes
- Swear?

I swear. Now put your arms around me

See. I told you I'd take my hand away

My dear, I really can't help you
unless you tell me what's troubling you

I can't. I just can't

I thought we'd agreed
not to keep any secrets from one another

I'm so unhappy

Everything has gone wrong
since the day Maman found Danceny's letters

Yes. that was very stupid of you.
How could you have let that happen?

Someone must have told her. She went straight to
my bureau and opened the drawer I was keeping them in

Whoever could have done such a thing?
- It must have been my chambermaid

Or your confessor, perhaps?
- Oh, no, surely not

You can't always trust those people. my dear

That's terrible

But today. what is the matter today?

You'll be angry with me

Are you sure you don't want me to be angry with you?
Come along

I don't know how to speak the words
- Perhaps I am beginning to get angry

Last night...
- Yes?

So that we could exchange letters
to and from Danceny without arousing suspicion.

I gave Monsieur de Valmont the key to my bedroom
- Yes?

And last night he used 'it

I thought he'd just come to deliver a letter.
But he hadn't

And by the time I realised
what he had come for. it was...

...'it was too late to stop him

You mean to tell me you're upset because...

Monsieur de Valmont has taught you
something you've undoubtedly been dying to learn

What?

And am I to understand that what generally
brings a girl to her senses has deprived you of yours?

I thought you'd be horrified
- Tell me: you resisted him, did you?

Of course I did... as much as I could

But he forced you?

No. it wasn't that exactly.
but I found it almost impossible to defend myself

Why was that? Did he tie you up?

No, no...

But he has a way of putting things,
you just can't think of an answer

Not even no?
- I kept saying no, all the time

But somehow that wasn't what I was doing.
And in the end...

Yes?

I told him he could come bad! tonight

I'm so ashamed

You'll find the shame is like the pain:
you only feel it once

And this morning it was terrible

As soon as I saw Maman I couldn't help 'it,
I burst into tears

I'm surprised you missed the opportunity
to bring the whole thing to a rousing climax...

...by confessing all. You wouldn't be
worrying about tonight if you'd done that

You'd be packing your bags for the convent

What am I going to do?

You really want my advice?
- Please

Allow Monsieur de Valmont to continue your instruction

Convince your mother you have forgotten Danceny.
and raise no objection to the marriage

With Monsieur de Gercourt?

When it comes to marriage
one man is as good as the next

And even the least accommodating
is less trouble than a mother

But what about Danceny?

He seems patient enough: and once you're married,
you should be able to see him without undue difficulty

I thought you once told me. I'm sure you did.
one evening at the Opera.

That once I was married
I would have to be faithful to my husband

Your mind must have been wandering,
you must have been listening to the opera

So are you saying I'm going to have to do that
with three different men?

I'm saying, you stupid little girl.

That provided you take a few elementary precautions
you can do 'it, or not,

with as many men as you like. as often as you like.
In as many different ways as you like

Our sex has few enough advantages,
you may as well make the most of those you have

Now here comes your mother, so remember what I've said
and, above all, no more snivelling

Yes, Madame

How are you feeling now, my dear?

Oh, much better, thank you, Maman

You look so tired. I think you should go to bed
- No, really, I've...

I think you should do as your mother suggests.
We can arrange for something to be brought to your room

I'm sure it would do you good

Well. Perhaps you're right, Madame

I'll come up and see you later

You have sum a very good influence on her

I like to think so.
But what do you suppose is the matter?

Didn't she tell you?

No, we merely spoke about
how she was enjoying the country

That makes me even more certain
of the cause of her unhappiness

She's pining for that young man.
I'm afraid it's beginning to affect her health

Do you think so?

This morning. I simply asked her how she'd slept.
and she threw herself into my arms and cried and cried

My dear. I'd be grateful if you would allow me
to discuss this with you seriously

I've been brooding about 'it all day,
and now I really feel I need your advice

My dear friend, please, I'd be proud to think
I could be of any help to you

Well. I've been reconsidering

I really think perhaps I should break off
Cecile's engagement to Monsieur le Comte de Gercourt

He is no doubt a better match than Danceny.
but the family. after all. is not decisively superior

Danceny is not rich. of course: but I dare say
Cécile is rich enough for both of them

And the most important thing
is that they love each other. Don't you agree?

You think I'm wrong?

I have every confidence
that your eventual decision will be the right one

if I were able to take a more objective view
of the situation. it would only be because...

...in this case. I am not affected by the altogether
praiseworthy emotion of maternal love

Please go on, I do rely on your judgment

Well. it seems to me a question of distinguishing
what is correct from what is pleasurable

To say this young man is entitled to your daughter
just because of his passion for her...

...is a little like saying
a thief is entitled to your money

I'm not at all sure how appropriate an emotion love is.
particularly within marriage

I believe friendship. trust and mutual respect
are infinitely more important

And you don't approve of Danceny?

There's no denying that. as suitors.
there can be no comparison between them

I know money isn't everything:
but will sixty thousand a year really be sufficient...

...to maintain the kind of establishment Cecile
will be obliged to run. even as Madame Danceny?

Of course, I wouldn't dream of suggesting
in any way...

...that Danceny has allowed himself
to be influenced by financial considerations

But...?
- Precisely

Still. as I say. this is only an opinion.
Naturally. it's your decision

Yes

Perhaps you ought not to take it
on the strength of a single outburst...

...which might have any number of, well,
medical explanations, for example

Perhaps you're right

In any event. I hope we can discuss it further
when we're all back in Paris

Mesdames

if you'll excuse me. Monsieur.
I must go and make arrangements for some supper...

...to be taken up to my daughter

Oh, is she indisposed?
- For the moment

The young have such miraculous powers of recuperation.
I'm sure she'll soon be back in the saddle

Tell her I hope so, at least

Thank you, Monsieur

You see. she can hardly bear
to be in the same room with me

But I gather you've had your revenge. Well done
- So you know?

The little one could hardly wait to tell me

A favourable report, I bust?

On the contrary, Vicomte,
if I hadn't spoken to her sharply...

...I think on your next visit
you'd have found her door bolted as well as locked

You surprise me. I was malicious enough to use
no more strength than could easily be resisted

Still. for some reason she seems to think
it was rather an underhand approach

I'd been postponing it. to tell you the truth

But when I heard you were expected today. I wanted
to be able to afford you some amusement at least

I'm beginning to have my doubts about you, Vicomte.
Do you really deserve your reputation?

You see. the real reason I consented to spend a night
at this lugubrious address...

...was that I was hoping to be shown
some tear-stained bk of paper

But I can only assume from what you've been saying
that no such document exists

No

Probably just as well, no doubt you're exhausted
after last night's exertions

I think you mow me better than that

Well. I am beginning to wonder. Can you account
for this extraordinary dilatoriness?

Lugubrious or not. I haven't experienced
a moment's boredom in all the weeks I've spent here

I appreciate you may have excellent reasons
for your impatience.

But you mustn't try to deprive me
of my simple pleasures

I've explained to you before how much I enjoy watching
the battle between love and virtue

What concerns me is that you appear to enjoy watching it
more than you used to enjoy winning it

All in good time
- The century is drawing to is dose, Vicomte

It's true that she's resisted me for more than
two months now: and that's very nearly a record

But I really don't want to hurry things

We go for walks together almost every day: a little
further every time down the path that has no turning

She's accepted my love: I've accepted her friendship

We're both aware how little there is to choose
between them. Her eyes are closing

Every step she tries to take away from the inevitable
conclusion brings her a little nearer to it

Hopes and fears, passion and suspense: even if you were
in the theatre, what more could you ask?

An audience?
- But you: you're my audience

And when Gercourt is married
and Madame de Tourvel eventually collapses,

we shall tell everyone, shall we not?

And the story will spread much faster
than the plot of the latest play.

And I've no doubt it will be much better received

I hope you're right, Vicomte,
I wish I could share your confidence

I'm only sorry our agreement does not relate to
the task you set me rather than the task I set myself

I am grateful. of course: but that would have been
almost insultingly simple

One does not applaud the tenor for clearing his throat

You're right, how could one possibly compare them

Where is she?

I'm so delighted you could manage to visit us. my dear.
even if only for such a little while

I wish I could stay longer. Madame.
but my husband's estate...

Do you know, I was thinking yesterday:

it's more than five years since you were last here.
with your dear husband

Sum a kind and sum a vigorous man:
who could have imagined...

Yes, Madame, here's no denying
that life is frighteningly unpredictable

Much the same as your room. you see: but here.
you'll be able to make as much noise as you like

And the mattress is a little harder

Is that good?
- Yes, that's very good

Come on

The first thing you must learn
is that there is no necessity whatsoever for haste

Now. as with every other science. the first principle
is to make sure you call everything by its proper name

I don't see why we have to talk at all

Without the correct polite vocabulary.
how can you indicate what you would like me to do.

Or make me an offer of something
I might find agreeable?

Surely you just say...
- If I do my work adequately, I would like to think...

...you'll be able to surprise Monsieur de Gercourt
on your wedding night

Would he be pleased?

Well, of course, he'll merely assume
your mama has done her duty and fully briefed you

Maman couldn't possibly talk about anything of the sort

I can't think why. She was, after all, at one time,
one of the most notorious young women in Paris

Maman?
- Certainly

More noted for her enthusiasm than her ability,
if I remember rightly, but none the less renowned

There was a famous occasion,
oh, before you were born, this would have been,

when she went to stay with the Comtesse de Beaulieu...

...who tactfully gave her a room between your father's
and that of a Monsieur de Vressac...

...who was her acknowledged lover at the time

Yet in spite of these careful arrangements. your mama
contrived to spend the night with a third party

I can't believe that: it's just gossip
- No. no. I assure you it's true

How do you know?

This third party was myself

Well. we can return to this subject later.
During the intervals

You asked me if Monsieur de Gercourt
would be pleased with your abilities:

and the answer is even if he isn't. I don't believe
it would be difficult to find others who would

Education is never a waste

Now. I think we might begin with one or two Latin terms

You're alone, Madame

The others have all decided on an early night

Mademoiselle de Volanges in particular
seems to be quite exhausted

I must admit to being rather tired myself

Let me help
- No, I'm sure the servants will...

I'm glad to have found you,
I very much missed our walk today

Yes...

I fear with the weather as it is.
we can look forward to very few more of them

This heavy rain is surely exceptional

But in a week I shall have concluded my business
- I see

I may, however, be unable to bring myself to leave
- Oh please, you must

Are you still so anxious to get rid of me?

You mow the answer to that:
I must rely on your integrity and generosity

I want to be able to be grateful to you

Forgive me if I say I don't want your gratitude

Gratitude I can get from strangers:
what I want from you is something altogether deeper

I know God is punishing me for my pride. I was
so certain nothing like this could ever happen to me

Nothing like what?
- I can't...

Do you mean love? ls love what you mean?

Don't ask me. you promised not to speak of it

But I must know. I need this consolation at least

I can't... don't you see?... it's impossible...

Of course I understand, I don't want you to say
anything, but I must know. I must know if you love me

Don't speak, you don't have to speak

I just want you to look at me

Just look. That's all I ask

Yes

For God's sake, you must leave me

if you don't want to kill me.
you must help. it's killing me!

Julie... Julie!

Fetch Madame.
Madame de Tourvel has been taken ill

She seemed to be having trouble breathing

Oh, my dear, whatever is 'it?
- It's all right, I'm all right now

I'll leave her in your capable hands, Aunt.
Send Julie for me if I can be of any further assistance

We must send for a doctor. my dear

No. no please. I don't need a doctor.
I'm perfectly all right now

We mustn't take any chances
- No. I just...

I must talk to you for a moment

Come and sit by me. I can't speak very loud.
What I have to say is too difficult

I have to leave this house first thing in the morning

I'm most desperately in love

To leave here is the last thing in the world
I want to do...

...but I'd rather die than have to live with the guilt

I don't mind if I die:
to live without him is going to be no life at all

But that's what I have to do

Can you understand what I'm saying?

Of course. My dear girl,
none of this is any surprise to me

The only thing which might surprise one
is how little the world changes

Of course you must leave
if you feel it's the right thing to do

And what should I do then? What's your advice?

If I remember rightly.
In such matters all advice is useless

You can't speak to the patient in the grip of a fever.
We must talk again when you're closer to recovery

I've never been so unhappy

I'm sorry to say this. but those who are
most worthy of love are never made happy by it

You're too young to have understood that
- But why, why should that be?

Do you still think men love the way we do? No

Men enjoy the happiness they feel:
we can only enjoy the happiness we give

They're not capable of devoting themselves
exclusively to one person

So to hope to be made happy by love
is a certain cause of grief

I'm devoted to my nephew,
but what is true of most men is doubly so of him

And yet... he could have... just now...

He took pity on me. I saw it happen.
I saw his decision not to take advantage of me

If he has released you, my dear mild,

it's because your example over the last few weeks
has genuinely affected and improved him

If he's let you go, you must go
- I will. I will

There... And even if you had given way,
God knows how hard you've struggled against it

There now...