Original subtitles

Subtitles: Lu�s Filipe Bernardes

# Who'lll be deceiving me? #

# Who will be leaving me? #

# Bel Ami... #

I was just saying to my friend

there's a handsome gentleman who'll stand us a grenadine.

You will stand us a drink, won't you?

Yes.

From that fountain.

Esp�ce de cochon!

Georges!

Don't you know me?

Charles Forestier of the 6th Hussars.

I knew you the minute I set eyes on you.

You old rogue!

You haven't changed, the same old Charles.

Come along and have a drink. I'm delighted to see you.

It's the first friendly face I've met in Paris. How are you?

Oh, not too well. I've got a bad cough I can't get rid of.

- What'll you have? - A Bock.

Two.

The doctor told me I should go to the south

but it's not so easy. I'm married and I've got a job I can't run out on.

What kind of a job?

I'm on the editorial staff of La Vie Fran�aise.

A full-fledged journalist, if you please.

A journalist? Sounds important.

Just a fancy word for a newspaperman.

What have you been up to since you left the army?

- You look prosperous enough. - I'm a rich man.

Got enough money to last me for the rest of my life.

- The devil you have. - Providing I don't live...

beyond tomorrow afternoon.

How do you like that?

'Is ignorance desirable in a Cabinet Minister?' by Charles Forestier.

- You see? - I'm very impressed.

You've come a long way from the time we stole...

eight sheep and two chickens from a band of blood-thirsty Arabs.

- Don't smear it. - I'm scared just to remember it.

- To the Arabs. - God bless their souls.

I got pretty sick of the army

but I can't say that Paris has been much better.

I seem to have been sent into the world merely to swell the crowd.

You didn't expect to open Paris like an oyster.

For the last six months I've had a job in the office

of the Northern Railway Company at 1500 francs a year.

That's not much.

Today is the 28th of June and here's my total capital.

Three francs and 40 centimes to carry me to the end of the month.

I can choose between two lunches and no dinner

or two dinners and no lunch.

I just did the most foolish thing imaginable.

I squandered the price of a breakfast on a toy that is quite inedible.

Punch and his stick,

What in the world prompted you to buy this?

It occurred to me that I have need of a stout stick...

like that of Punch to beat my way.

When I see the idiots with money in their pockets

I'm attempted to wring their necks

like we used to with the chickens on maneuvers.

That is a bad cough you've got.

I shouldn't have taken that cheroot.

How is it you couldn't get a better job

than that Turk's prison at the Northern Railway?

I've been offered a riding master's place at Pellerin.

You can't do that.

People in society won't receive you

after you've given their children riding lessons.

One grenadine.

You make yourself at home.

It's your friend who interests me.

I think I could make a fool of myself for his sake.

Glad to see you haven't changed, Georges.

It always used to annoy me the way women went for you.

Do you suppose it's that devilish look you've got?

Maybe. I've noticed that women take to men

who have the appearance of wickedness.

Haven't I seen you in the promenade of the Folies Berg�re?

It's possible.

My name's Rachel Michot. My friend and I are dancers.

We don't go on until eleven.

We're often in the promenade between nine and ten.

Perhaps we'll encounter your good-looking friend there.

And perhaps you will not.

Now swallow your stolen drink and be on your away.

Quickly.

You're very successful with women.

You must look after that. It might lead to something.

In Paris it's through them one gets on most quickly.

A stick like that of Punch.

What's that?

Oh, nothing, just an idea that occurred to me.

Look here. How would you like to try journalism?

There's a vacancy at La Vie Fran�aise.

One of our reporters just got himself killed in a duel.

- But you know I've never written anything. - You can always begin.

I can get you a job hunting information for me.

Make calls, inquiries. Shall I speak to the manager about it?

By all means.

Come and dine with me tomorrow. The boss, Monsieur Walter will be there.

With luck we might put it over.

I haven't any dress clothes.

In Paris you might as well go naked.

Here's a hundred francs.

You pay me when you can.

Wear your dress suit and dine with me tomorrow at 7:00.

17, Quai d'Anjou, I'll tell my wife to expect you.

- 17, Quai d"Anjou. - I have to run along.

I'll have another drink and read your article.

- Till tomorrow then. - Till tomorrow.

- Thanks, old man. - Long live the 6th Hussars.

- Good evening, Clotilde. - Good evening, Madeleine.

And you are Georges Duroy. Are you two already acquainted?

Monsieur Georges Duroy an old friend of Charles'.

Madame Clotilde de Marelle, my very dear friend.

Madame.

We met quite by chance at your door.

Fate perhaps had a hand in it.

That's Norbert de Varennes, the blind composer,

and his wife, Marie.

You may have heard him at the Notre Dame Cathedral.

He's the organist there.

He writes about music for La Vie Fran�aise,

- And who is that beside Charles? - Laroche-Mathieu.

He's a member of the Chamber of Deputies and political editor of the paper.

Everyone says he will be a Cabinet Minister.

And the gentleman with the cigar is Monsieur Walter?

You'll never see him without one.

Banker and publisher.

The woman knitting is his wife. She's always knitting.

The pretty girl at the window is their daughter Suzanne.

Madame Walter knits too fast. There's some trouble locked up in her.

Perhaps.

- Who's the artist? - Jacques Rival.

You've seen his caricatures. He's very witty. You'll like him.

Don't you think it is absurd, monsieur?

I'm not allowed to go to the theater except to the classics,

I'm forbidden to read the serials in Papa's newspapers,

I must skip crime stories.

I am allowed to paint in watercolors but not in oils...

and then, I can only paint roses.

Parents think they can keep their daughters sealed up like...

like a letter.

Were we brought into the world to imitate our grandmothers,

to feed canaries and fill in embroidery patterns?

After all, I'm 15 years old.

And this is the year 1880.

You must excuse my daughter, monsieur.

She chatters like that from the moment she gets up in the morning.

If I published a newspaper fit for my daughter to read

I'd be out of business in two weeks.

She's old enough in my opinion to read anything.

We censor our young people too much.

There's only one way to develop an immunity to the diseases of life

and that's to be exposed to them.

What a dangerous theory.

It's not only the young people who suffer from too much censorship.

Here am I, a widow with a four-year-old daughter.

What I would like to do more than anything

is to disguise myself as a housemaid on an outing

and dance at the Reine Blanche.

But not a single gentleman of my acquaintance

is willing to take me there.

You're perfectly right.

Monsieur de Varennes...

It's Monsieur Duroy who is speaking.

I believe I saw you and your wife

at the puppet theater in the Champs �lys�es yesterday.

Yes, I like that puppet show because one can still find Punch there.

I think there's a lesson to be learned from him.

What lesson is to be learned from Punch except bad manners?

He beats everyone who opposes him.

But his brutality is not his own. It is imposed on him.

And what I have thought is this.

Those who surrender themselves to evil are no longer free souls.

They are marionettes of the devil.

We are all no more than puppets unless we believe in God.

A profound observation.

Don't tell me we're going to discuss the question of God and souls with soup.

That subject doesn't usually come up until the dessert.

By that time no one knows what he's talking about.

But I believe I'm quite as religious as you are, Norbert.

I pray every morning for the stock market to go up.

Why do you think that Punch has been so popular for a period of centuries?

It is because he's a scoundrel.

The human race adores a scoundrel

and always crucifies its heroes

- What is your opinion of Punch, monsieur? - I have respect for him.

I do not think it is easy to be a successful scoundrel.

You're right. It takes talent.

But what strikes me most about Punch is his amorous inclination.

Disgusting.

I find it delightful. Please go on, monsieur.

You've arrived at a subject which interests me.

Love is a subject which always interests women.

Perhaps because in discussing it one passes so readily

from the general to the particular.

Then I shall make a caricature of you as Punch

since you admire him so much.

Thank you, Monsieur.

Your wife tells me you have something very important to talk to me about, Charles.

Does it concern the paper?

It does, but I imagine it can wait until dinner is over.

Nonsense, we are all from the paper, with the exception of Monsieur Duroy.

But he will not be offended by a little shop talk.

It concerns Monsieur Duroy.

You'll forgive me, Georges, if I speak before everyone.

Of course.

We all remember Paul Marambot, was killed in a duel.

I would rather have lost 20.000 francs.

Duelists are no better than murderers and they ought to be punished as such.

We need someone to replace Marambot and I'd like to engage my friend.

Are you a journalist, monsieur?

Charles had the idea to make me one.

Georges has just returned from Africa, where he served in all three Provinces.

He has an original turn of mind

and I had the idea that he could do a series of articles on Algeria...

while the subject is being debated in the Chamber.

Recollections of a chasseur d'Afrique.

I think I shall like to read that.

Bring me an article tomorrow at three and we'll decide the matter.

Charles!

Georges, what on earth are you doing here?

Waiting for you to come out. I didn't want to go up...

for fear of disturbing you.

I need your help.

Are you checking up on your competitors already?

I'm giving myself an overnight course on journalism.

I see.

You mean you haven't been able to write your article.

I've been at it all night. I haven't slept a wink.

I made all sorts of notes but I can't seem to put them into shape.

I tore up all my attempts.

I'm in a bit of a hurry this morning.

Just take ten minutes to get me started.

I've got to make a good impression on Monsieur Walter

or I'm afraid the whole thing will be off.

As far as I can see, you have some pretty good ideas here.

I can't seem to organize them properly.

Why don't you see my wife?

She'll be able to help you just as well as I can.

Your wife?

I've trained her for this kind of work.

I can't call on her at this time of the morning.

She's up preparing my study or arranging some notes for me.

You're not going to make me climb those stairs again, I hope.

I'll tell her that you forced me, positively forced me to come to see her.

Bring the article for me at La Vie Fran�aise at three without fail.

Don't worry about that.

And that, monsieur, is how one writes an article.

Sign it, if you please.

I haven't the words to thank you.

Nonsense.

I made the sauce, but you provided the materials.

Excellent materials.

But sign it.

Georges Duroy.

I hope you're not suffocated.

I simply can't work without smoking.

- What is it you want to say? - You won't be offended?

Is it so awful?

When I saw you last night

I couldn't help thinking what a lucky devil Charles is, she's beautiful.

No woman could be offended by such a confession.

Now I can't help thinking what a lucky devil Charles is, she's clever.

Tell me. What did you think of my friend, Clotilde de Marelle?

She's so young. One could never imagine her to be a widow.

She was married to a man much older than herself.

You have no idea how original and intelligent she is.

You must go and call on her one of these days.

She wanted so much to go to the Reine Blanche.

Do you think I dare take her there?

Not the Reine Blanche.

- Oh, Bernard, how nice to see you. - Madeleine.

I must introduce an old friend of Charles', Monsieur Georges Duroy.

Our best and closest friend, the Count de Vaudrec.

Monsieur.

Well, thank you again.

# Though many women adore him #

# So many women, they bore him #

# I'm just a woman who's for him #

# If only he loved only me #

# Who am I dreaming of # # Each time I dream of love #

# My bel ami #

# Who clinks his glass with mine #

# Each time we're drinking wine #

# My bel ami #

# Whose arms romance with me #

# Each time they dance with me #

# It's plain to see #

# Whose love is deep, # # whose love is strong #

# Whose love will keep, # # But not for long #

# Who'll be deceiving me, # # who will be leaving me #

# Bel ami #

I've had such fun.

You spend many such evenings.

At carnival time I want to dress up not as a housemaid again

but as a young man in a full dress suit.

You have no idea what a charming young man I can be.

Haven't I?

I'm glad to see that La Vie Fran�aise has other uses

than spreading the news.

I heard Monsieur Walter talking about you the other day.

What did he say?

He says that you're real fine for the paper.

He thinks you'll get on.

I find journalism very much to my taste.

What I'm still to discover is how one makes money at it.

Who is the Count de Vaudrec?

He is Madeleine Forestier's oldest friend.

Oh...

I don't think so.

He dines with her and Charles twice every week.

He's very rich. His name is amongst the noblest in France.

Madeleine is very clever.

I wish I were clever.

You're clever enough to be beautiful

and I know no cleverness to match that.

She's clean, clever, and intriguing as no one else is.

She'd be a treasure for anyone who wants to get on.

She has a curious habit of moving her wedding ring

up and down on her finger, as if she didn't consider it very permanent.

Charles frightens me sometimes with that cough of his.

Will she marry again do you suppose, if anything happens to him?

Oh, I suspect that she has someone in her eye.

- A deputy, perhaps. - Not Laroche-Mathieu?

Everyone says he will be a Cabinet Minister.

Madeleine is very ambitious.

She's far too good for that mediocrity.

Are you in love with Madeleine?

Certainly not.

Are you in love with anyone?

Yes.

Liar!

I've had too much champagne.

- Is she asleep, Louise? - Like an angel, madame.

What do you think of my daughter? Isn't she an angel?

She's as adorable as her mother and more intelligent.

How do you know that?

The soldier she has in her arms is wearing the uniform of the 6th Hussars.

My old regiment.

What a wicked man you are.

I think I shall call you Bel Ami.

It's a name I shall do my best to deserve.

I've just taken a charming apartment near the Cathedral of Notre Dame.

Will you take coffee with me there tomorrow afternoon?

No.

Good.

Will you take coffee with me tomorrow afternoon?

No.

Tomorrow afternoon.

# The lark sings in the morning #

# The robin sings in the day #

# The nightingale sings in the moonlight #

# But my heart sings night and day #

He wrote it for me, mummy. It's for my birthday.

I love you so much.

Two grenadines.

Good evening, monsieur.

- Do you know that woman? - No, I never saw her in my life.

They can be awfully bold sometimes, these women.

Cognac!

He cut me dead, the swine!

He knew who you are enough to have a drink with me last Thursday night.

And the Thursday before that...

and the Thursday before that.

He can have all the fancy ladies he likes.

But he could at least bow to me.

I'll teach him manners, the lout!

Good evening, Georges.

Good evening. Are you quite well?

What have you grown deaf since Thursday?

So, you're dumb then.

Perhaps the young lady's bitten your tongue off.

What do you mean by speaking to me? Get out or I'll have you locked up.

So that's it, is it, you lout?

The least you could do is nod to me.

There's no reason because you're with somebody else...

you had to cut me today.

If you'd only just nodded when I met you just now...

I would have left you alone.

But you wanted to do the grand.

Well, I'll pay you out so you won't take an evening when you meet me.

Stop her! She stole my sweetheart!

When we first met you said it was not chance...

but fate that had brought us together

I know now that it was a fatality as inescapable as daybreak...

and as mysterious as the rising of the moon.

You wanted my heart through the door of my eyes...

and I gladly made a place for you there.

Now it seems as natural for me to love you as to breathe.

What have I to reproach you with?

That you have made me love you more than you love me?

But in love there is always one who loves more than the other.

One cannot tear love from the heart as one extracts a tooth.

I love you so much that your cruelty is dearer to me

than the love of others.

I love you so much that there is nothing you could do

that I would not be willing to forgive.

Tonight my emotions overcame me.

Of that I ask forgiveness.

Hereafter I shall hide from you the terrible jealousy

that kindles in my heart.

If I must weep, I shall hold a curtain between you and my tears.

I shall make you a thousand secret sacrifices.

including the sacrifice of my self love.

It is not difficult to make the gift of love.

But there is a greater gift. The gift of pride.

I give you my pride, dear Bel Ami,

together with my love, which will never change.

I think you can talk to old man Walter for a raise starting tomorrow,

since you will have to take over some of my duties.

- Don't tell me you're leaving, at last. - Tomorrow.

I'm going to Cannes. Doctor's imperative orders.

It's about time you took care of yourself.

I should have been off a month ago.

What fools we are.

We squander our lives as though we were immortal.

What kind of talk do you call that?

It would be odd, wouldn't it, if when I brought you here...

I were training my successor.

Nonsense. All you need is a little sunshine and you'll be as fit as ever.

Perhaps.

Just when I'm leaving Paris you decide to visit me.

You prefer Clotilde and find time to visit her.

Or perhaps you've quarreled with her, is that it?

Last night Clotilde was angry with me,

but you know Clotilde. Today we're friends again.

I've come to visit you it's because it's better so.

What do you mean by that?

I'm in love with you. Only a little, but I don't want to be head over heels.

You could have come all the same. No man is in love with me long.

- Why not? - Because it's useless.

I'll let you understand that at once.

A man in love is not only idiotic but dangerous.

He's like a mad dog which may have a fit of biting.

I cease all relations with people who are in love with me...

or pretend to be.

- Until their illness is over. - But can we command our feelings?

Look at me.

I assure you that it is absolutely useless for you to persist in this sentiment.

Now that the operation is over, will you agree to be friends?

Good friends and nothing more?

I agree.

If I had found a woman like you, how gladly I would have married her.

- Can you reach that suitcase for me? - Of course.

I shall play the part of a friend at once.

- May I speak plainly? - Please do.

Go and see Mme. Walter and do your best to please her.

I know that you still hold an inferior position on the paper

and that you're not paid enough money for your needs.

Be attentive to Mme. Walter. It will help you to get on.

- How clever you are. - I want to prove I can be your friend.

Can I tell you an idea I've had...

an original idea for the paper?

Yes, of course.

I thought I might write a daily column made up of gossip and rumor.

- Yes? - I could call it 'Echoes".

Echoes? I like that.

I should hint at things.

Without stating them plainly, insinuate what can neither be proved or disproved.

Make indiscreet revelations. Contradict in such a way as to confirm.

But this is superb!

Everyone must be thought of, all classes, all professions.

Paris and the Provinces, the Army and the Art world,

the University and the Law Course.

People are so full of menace that they're always ready to believe gossip.

Reputations could be strengthened or weakened,

created or destroyed and La Vie Fran�aise...

could become a power to be feared and courted.

It will be necessary to be far-seeing, cunning,

to judge what is good to announce and good to hide.

One could influence the stock market, the selection of Cabinet Ministers...

But Monsieur Walter will be mad about your idea.

- Do you think so? - It's magnificent.

I wish I could help you with your Echoes.

I wish you could.

Remember our agreement. We're friends now.

If you have need of me for no matter what...

- ...do not hesitate. - Thank you, I won't forget.

If I can be of use, you have only to send a letter or telegram.

...and I will obey. Good-bye, Madeleine.

Good-bye, Bel Ami.

We've all picked up Clotilde's nickname for you.

Why, Bernard, how nice of you to come and bid me good-bye.

Madeleine.

You remember Monsieur Duroy.

Monsieur.

I'll take these pears.

Charles Duroy...

begs Mme. Walter

to accept a few pears which he received this morning...

from Normandy.

It was so good of you to send us the delicious pears from Normandy,

They came from a famous orchard quite close to my old home.

Sometimes my daughter's actions are a little bewildering.

Georges, you've come at the right moment.

We are discussing a subject on which we need your expert opinion.

Comparison has been made between the measurements of the Venus de Milo

and what is considered ideal in the female form today.

I confess a preference for the living woman.

Bravo.

When you are my age you may prefer the statue.

I was sure that Bel Ami would be our champion.

On behalf of French womanhood, I thank you, monsieur.

A woman possesses an obvious advantage over a statue.

She turns herself in the direction you desire,

while with a statue you have to walk around her

to get the right point of view and that is tiring.

Bravo!

On behalf of French womanhood, I withdraw my thanks.

I still prefer a statue. A statue at least will never deceive you.

Human society could hardly exist without deception.

But you are too severe. In my opinion there are good women.

Where?

There may be, in some corner,

young, pretty and good women whose existence...

the world doesn't even suspect.

No woman is worth what she costs.

Even if she costs nothing.

Is there no one here to defend us?

Monsieur.

You need no defense, madame.

But I shall not remain and hear your virtue and your charm reduced.

- If you'll excuse me, madame. - So soon?

I'm afraid so.

Whenever Monsieur Duroy appears,

the conversation takes an unwholesome turn.

I find myself welcome at many gatherings

for no better reason that that my arrival

is the signal for Monsieur Laroche-Mathieu's departure.

We are waiting, Monsieur, for your devastating reply.

No doubt he'll think of it in the cab.

You are wicked, monsieur, to make him so.

But it is always he who invariably provokes it.

Besides, I disapprove of hypocrisy in other people.

I've been admiring your paintings, Monsieur Walter.

Now is the time to buy. The painters are all dying of hunger.

They have not a sou.

Not one sou!

I must get home. My daughter will be angry with me.

May I escort you to your door?

I should be delighted.

Suzanne!

I saw a young girl run up the stairs and now a young lady comes down.

It's nothing less than magic.

I suppose she's a little too big for spanking.

It's past my sixteenth birthday, Monsieur Bel Ami.

Do you approve of me?

My daughter finds you irresistible, monsieur.

Now look at me.

I want to see if you still care for me.

I have a letter here that I want you to read.

Read it.

He never gives up, does he, your Gaston Riveau.

It's not myself I'm thinking of.

Monsieur Riveau is wealthy.

He's one of the most respected citizens of Lyons.

He's a good man, devoted and honorable.

If I marry him,

whatever may happen to me, Laurine's future will be assured.

Well, then...

Ought I to marry him?

By all means.

You know very well I have no intention of marrying him.

Well then, there's no problem.

Don't you understand it's you I want to marry?

You cannot deny that you love me.

Marriage and love are two entirely different subjects.

I don't think so.

A true marriage is the daily bread of the heart.

There's no greater happiness.

There's no money in happiness.

If one desires money and success too much it can poison his life.

Give me your cigarette case.

Have you never thought that one day you'll grow old?

You will stretch out your arms for love, consolation,

but no one will come.

And with no children.

Wouldn�t you like children of your own, like little Laurine, who is so fond of you?

What is it then that you want in life?

Shall I tell you?

I should like to know.

When you marry you'll want it to be in the Church of the Madeleine.

With all the wealth and fame of Paris in attendance.

You'll want to look from the church across the Place de la Concord

to the Chamber of Deputies where your future lies.

You cannot possibly understand what Paris means

to those who grew up as I did in the Provinces.

We looked toward Paris as the souls in Purgatory looked toward Paradise.

It's a war in which I'm engaged.

One man against a great city.

I must conquer Paris or be conquered.

Perhaps you could fight even better with me beside you.

Perhaps.

Fits perfectly.

I had it made to the exact measurement.

I can take the measure of your cigarette case...

and put my photograph in it...

so that when we are not together you will be reminded of me.

But by what arithmetic am I to measure you?

Who will tell me the dimensions of the heart?

I could be happy with you, Clotilde. I know that.

Well then?

Number 18, monsieur.

My heart tells me that you're right.

But I haven't listened to my heart for a long time.

Do listen to it now, Bel Ami.

I am writing you this letter

because you told me that I could count on you always.

Will you come and help me during the last moments of my husband,

who is dying.

I can only ask such a service of you, as Charles has no relatives.

You were his comrade. He opened the door of the paper to you.

Come. I beseech you.

I have no one else to ask.

I came just as quickly as I could.

How is he?

The priest is with him now.

He's so far gone?

You'll scarcely recognize him.

I can hear all the bugle calls from the encampment.

You can see the warships in the bay.

Look through my glasses there. You can make out the squadron.

There's the Colbert, the Suffren...

the Admiral Duperey, and the Redoubtable.

It's beautiful, isn't it?

And over there is Africa.

Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

They're always passing here.

Do you remember how we rode and sang, Georges?

You and I and this old accordion?

The sun will be shining...

The glow of springtime will be in the sky,

carriages will be passing in the street...

and breezes will blow the curtain.

But I, Charles Forestier,

will be here no more.

Just as though I'd never existed.

You're not so bad as all that.

I can see death so near I want to reach out my arms and push it back.

Madeleine!

How clear the night is.

It's almost as bright as day.

Over there in Africa, when we were soldiers together,

Charles risked his life every day, and no harm came to him.

I think a cigarette might help me.

- Would it be wrong to smoke? - I don't think so.

I must ask you to listen to me for a moment.

Try to understand what I want to tell you

and do not be indignant of my speaking

of such a matter at such a moment

for you may have made some decision about your future

before I had an opportunity to see you in Paris.

I think you must be aware of the feeling I have for you.

When we wrote my first article together,

when we talked about my Echoes,

I had the vision of a life that brought work and sentiment together

in a rare and happy collaboration.

I dared to hope that such a prospect might be pleasing to you also.

It is not a proposal I am making to you.

The time and place would render that odious.

I only wish you to know that you can make me happy with a word.

My heart and myself are yours.

Have I offended you?

No.

I do not wish you to go away without an answer.

But I'm not prepared to say yes or no.

I too have felt that our collaboration could be a happy one.

But it's necessary that you should understand what sort of woman I am.

Marriage for me is like a charming partnership.

I must be free, perfectly free...

as to my ways, my acts, my comings and goings.

I must be an equal, an ally, not an inferior...

or an obedient and submissive wife.

My notions are not those of everyone.

And I shall not change them.

You must consider all this carefully.

I do not wish you to change.

It is as you are that I've come to love you.

You're quite sure that you're free to make me this proposal?

You have no other attachments?

I have no attachments.

We think that love is given to us.

It is not.

It is sold to us at the cost of the most cruel tortures.

Do you remember saying to me

that Madeleine would be a treasure for anyone who wanted to get on?

You said that yourself the first night we went to the Reine Blanche.

When will you be married?

We shall go next week to Rouen where my father lives

and be married in a registry office

Madeleine didn't want a church wedding.

There will be no witnesses except my father

and Madeleine's friend, the Count de Vaudrec.

# The lark sings in the morning #

# The robin sings in the day #

# The nightingale sings in the moonlight #

# But my heart sings night and day #

# The lark sings in the morning #

# The robin sings in the day #

# The nightingale sings in the moonlight #

# But my heart sings night and day #

I'm glad you're home early.

I've had some important news from Morocco.

I got it from Laroche-Mathieu at Mme. Walter's tea.

We must work out an important article at once.

I think I know your news. It'll be more than an article...

it'll be a campaign against the Ministry.

And we'll end by making that idiot Laroche-Mathieu Minister of Foreign Affairs.

And that idiot Laroche-Mathieu will end by making our fortune.

Nevertheless I'd be glad if our efforts were for someone less stupid.

Your ears should have been burning this afternoon.

- Mme. Walter is quite flippant with you. - Nonsense.

I tell you, it's true. She spoke of you with wild enthusiasm.

She'd like to find a husband like you for her daughter.

From my observation, the daughter would be quite willing.

Her daughter's father would be quite unwilling.

Can you imagine old Walter accepting me as a suitor?

Oh, she's aiming very high.

Nothing less than a count or a marquis for Suzanne.

Or at the very least a baron.

The title would present no great difficulty.

How so?

- There are ways of acquiring a title. - Sure there are.

For example, the noblest names in France are available

to anyone if the family's died out.

All that is necessary is a visit to the Keeper of the Seals

and an advertisement from the official journal.

Any protest must be made in writing within one year from this date.

In case someone born with the title is hidden away somewhere,

he has one year in which to make himself known or enter his objection.

After that it's too late.

Have you been considering something of this sort?

The time has not come for that yet.

So she fancied me, Mme. Walter.

If it were anyone else, I should be quite alarmed.

But fortunately, with Mme. Walter, such things are of no moment.

How of no moment?

Mme. Walter has never had even the slightest whisper about her.

She's so perfect I sometimes want to throw her out of the window.

All angels become women again sooner or later.

But you've put an idea into my head,

I might learn something from someone about old Walter's schemes.

We have more important things to talk about than Mme. Walter.

Forestier!

Oh, I beg your pardon, Duroy, it's you I want to speak to.

It's stupid of me, but I'm always mixing you up

with poor old Charles Forestier.

It's because your articles are so funnily like his, I suppose.

Put that gentleman here, will you?

There are all sorts of fools and envious people in this world.

Yes, I see that I was right. The resemblance is remarkable.

Lend me a piece of your chalk, Jacques.

Certain individuals here thought it funny at some time past

to call me Forestier.

I begin to find it very stupid.

However, I have a peaceful nature

and I wish to prevent matters from going to painful extremes.

It's true that I'm no longer member of the 6th Hussars

but I think you'll find I've not lost my skill with firearms.

I wish it to be known that I will slap the face

of the first person who makes the mistake of calling me Forestier again.

It is for Monsieur Laroche-Mathieu to decide...

whether his little joke is worth risking a bullet for.

You will need yellow crayon, Jacques, for your next caricature of Laroche-Mathieu.

How have you been during the centuries past since our last meeting?

Quite well. And you, Bel Ami?

You will allow me to call him Bel Ami still?

I will allow whatever you please.

Then perhaps you will permit him to escort me to my carriage.

- Good-bye, Madeleine. Thank you. - Good-bye, Clotilde.

How do you like your new life?

Not much, one way or the other.

We are, as you see, a magnificent success.

We've overthrown the Cabinet,

We've made Laroche-Mathieu Minister of Foreign Affairs,

I'm a journalistic celebrity,

and my wife presides over the most distinguished political salon in Paris.

It's turned out to be a practical partnership.

Nothing more?

Nothing more.

Wait.

Remember this?

Why should you want me to see Madeleine's picture in this cigarette case?

Look under Madeleine's picture.

You see how it is?

- You haven't changed then? - Not for a moment.

And you?

As if I could ever stop loving you.

You'll visit us again?

My carriage doesn't seem to have come, monsieur.

That is my good fortune.

I shall have a moment with you.

Why do you look at me so strangely?

I want always to remember this time, this place.

The trees, the darkening street...

this moment, like an island in the great stream of time.

What on earth are you talking about?

- Can't you guess? - No.

What is it that makes this moment so important?

I've arrived at a great decision.

If you will look the other way, I'll tell you what it is.

Regardless of convention or what you may think of me,

I shall declare myself.

To me?

To you.

- You must be mad. - I'm sure of it.

But I'm glad I've spoken. I've wanted to say this for a very long time,

I dared not, they say you're so strict, so proper.

I'm afraid that I shall remember this moment also.

- Then you're not offended? - No.

You understand my feeling?

- I understand it. - And you return it?

You do not deny it?

- When shall I see you? - I dare not see you.

- I must see you. - It's impossible.

Meet me tomorrow afternoon in the Parc Monceau.

We encounter each other as if by chance in a public garden.

What could be more proper?

I shall be at the Cathedral of Notre Dame tomorrow afternoon at half past three.

I have lighted a fire in an old soot-filled chimney.

Madame de Varennes.

You are surprised to see me here,

but do not be alarmed. I'm not a reformed character.

- You're quite sure of that. - May I ask you something?

I've been puzzled about you ever since I first saw you with your husband.

You are so not like other women.

What are other women like, monsieur?

Usually women strike me as being incredibly stupid.

They can be caught by a look, a smile,

a compliment, anything that touches their vanity.

It is impossible not to despise them.

But you are different.

I understood at once that you were not to be taken in by such devices.

Why should you wish to take me in at all?

I could not help you to gain money or position.

You do me an injustice.

Wait.

Why do you smile?

Because you're ridiculous.

Is it ridiculous to wonder why a woman like you

should marry a man who cannot even see that she is beautiful?

I confess it seems unnatural to me.

What made you waste your beauty on a man who is blind?

How is one to explain such a thing to a man like you?

Try.

I admire his mind and I love his soul.

There's a quality in him you could never comprehend.

What is that quality?

A kind of grace.

It comes from being gentle and good.

And faith that endures in spite of men and of experience.

If he should die, surely you would find someone else to adore.

One moment more.

What do you think of me, really?

I think you're contemptible.

- Shall I tell you what I think of you? - It has no interest for me.

I think you're probably the only really good woman I've ever known.

I'm sorry for you, monsieur.

There are millions of others.

Bel Ami.

- I'll do that. - Yes, sir.

You've hardly spoken a word to me. How can you be so cold, so cruel?

Have you forgotten our understanding?

We were carried away by our emotion.

We've been guilty of an unpardonable betrayal.

But we made a solemn agreement to atone for it

by burying our feelings in our heart.

But I must at least see you, I cannot live unless...

We meet socially two or three times a week,

We see each other then, do we not?

Does that satisfy you?

We agreed that anything more would be neither honorable nor discreet.

But I have been discreet. I am sure that no one can suspect...

You call it discreet to summons me at all hours

to hasty meetings on street corners, and shops and public gardens...

But it is only to see you for a moment.

Is it discreet to write me letters full of pet names,

to wait for me in a cab with the blinds drawn at the door of my office

to lie and wait for me outside my house?

You're right.

- A kind of madness. - And now this telegram.

'Must see you today. Most important.'

'Meet me at 2 o'clock. Caf� Riche Can render you a great service.'

'Yours till death.'

I've been waiting for you to tell me what it is that's so important.

But it is quite true. I came to tell you some news...

to put you in the way of gaining 50,000 francs or even more.

How so?

I caught by chance yesterday evening

some words between my husband and Laroche-Mathieu.

They agreed not to let you into the secret.

What secret?

They are going to take possession of Morocco.

Nonsense.

I've been writing a series of articles for Laroche-Mathieu

designed to create exactly the opposite impression.

They are humbugging you in order that their plan might not be known.

What is their plan?

They are using your articles to depress the stock market,

but secretly and little by little,

they have been buying up the whole of the Morocco loan.

Now the expedition is to take place,

and as soon as we are there, the government will guarantee the debt.

They will gain 50 or 60 millions.

What scoundrels! I do the dirty work and they leave me out of it.

Monsieur Walter is not a man, he is a cash box.

- You could profit by this. - You can still buy some of the loan.

- It's only at 72 francs. - I haven't any money.

If you loved me, you would let me lend you some.

- I can't do that. - But we can divide it.

I will invest 20,000 francs and you shall stand in for half.

I will do it entirely with my own money. Walter will know nothing about it.

If it succeeds, you will gain 70,000 francs.

If not, you will owe me 10,000, but you can pay when you please.

I don't like such arrangements.

But it is you who carried out the editorial campaign,

which has made the scheme possible.

It would be foolish not to profit from it.

You have rendered them services worth a great deal more than that.

Very well, but it is understood that if we lose

I will pay you the 10,000 francs.

Eat your dessert before it is completely cold.

And I shall tell you about a dream I had of you last night.

I was travelling in a train at night through a mysterious forest.

It was a very long train, but I seemed to be the only passenger.

We stopped at a deserted station surrounded by dark trees.

I hurried to close my suitcase...

and stepped down to the platform looking about for you...

because I knew that you would be there to meet me.

I can't get that swine Laroche-Mathieu out of my mind.

I could skin him alive for his treachery.

I dreamed that we were taking a journey together across the desert.

We were riding on two camels

and we'd taken some sandwiches, and a piece of paper...

and some wine in a bottle.

But it annoyed me because we were too far off from each other...

on our separate camels.

And I wanted to get down.

I'd want to get down too.

You brought away one of Madeleine's hairs.

No, it isn't Madeleine's.

It's too dark.

Very likely one of the maid's.

You've been with a woman who's wound her hair round all your coat buttons.

Don't be ridiculous.

She loves you.

And she wanted you to take away something belonging to her.

You're being very silly.

You threw me over to marry Madeleine

and now you're not even faithful to her.

I tell you, I don't know anything about it.

You can have a ring made out of her hair if you like.

And all the others. I'm sure you know enough of them.

Wait.

' I love you so much that your cruelty is dearer to me than the love of others. '

' I love you so much that there is nothing you could do

that I would not be willing to forgive.'

' Hereafter I shall hide from you a terrible jealousy that kindles in my heart. '

' If I must weep, I shall hold a curtain between you and my tears. '

' I shall make you a thousand secret sacrifices...

including the sacrifice of my self love. '

' I give you my pride, dear Bel Ami,

together with my love, which will never change. '

I suppose you meant those words at the time you wrote them.

What a brute you are.

Well, that Minister of yours, Laroche-Mathieu,

has certainly let us down nicely.

He is no more my Minister than he is yours.

He doesn't pay court to me.

Nor to me either.

If I had to make a choice among your admirers,

I'd still prefer that old fossil de Vaudrec.

What has become of the Count? I haven't seen him for weeks.

That old fossil de Vaudrec,

died an hour ago.

De Vaudrec?

He had a heart attack last night.

He sent for me this morning.

I've just come from his death bed.

Having no direct heirs,

I leave the whole of my fortune

consisting of stock to the amount of 600,000 francs,

and landed property worth about 500,000 francs,

to Madame Claire Madeleine Duroy without any charge or condition.

It is of course understood, monsieur,

that under the law your wife cannot accept this legacy without your consent.

I must ask time to reflect.

Just what was the Count de Vaudrec to you?

He knew me from my childhood, and my parents before me.

He was like a father to me.

You seem more affected by his death than by that of your husband.

Charles was ill for a very long time. In his case I was prepared.

But de Vaudrec died so suddenly.

Still when a man leaves the whole of his fortune to a woman

it cannot be ignored.

It... well, it requires some explanation.

He left his fortune to me because he had no close relatives to leave it to.

He was very fond of me.

There was nothing more.

Never.

I'm prepared to believe you.

But when this legacy is announced do you suppose anyone else will?

All the world will gossip about it and laugh at me...

I cannot accept such a situation.

Well then, let us not accept it.

It will be a million less in our pockets.

That is all.

Perhaps you're right.

- I have the solution. - Yes?

We'll say that he divided the money between us,

leaving half to the husband and half to the wife.

I don't see how that can be done since the will is formal.

Very simple.

You will sign half the inheritance to me by deed of gift.

In that way we stop all scandal.

The will is there, signed by de Vaudrec.

Well, have we any need to show it, to paste it on the walls?

We'll simple say that the Count de Vaudrec

left his fortune between us, that is all!

Very well, if that is what you wish.

We inherit from a friend who leaves his fortune equally to us

in order to show that his feeling was purely platonic.

If de Vaudrec had thought of it, that is what he would have done.

No doubt. If I were you, I should go to the notary at once.

- Do you think so? - By all means.

Behold the millionaire.

Have you the invitation?

' Monsieur and Madame Walter...

beg you to honor them with your company

on December 30th between nine and twelve p.m.

to view the painting by Karl Markovitch,

The Temptation of Saint Anthony, illuminated by electric lights. '

Electric lights!

Just the same, it was a clever idea to invest in it.

All the critics have judged it to be the masterpiece of the century.

Everybody knows Walter paid 400,000 francs for it.

You'll see all the titled hypocrites using that excuse

to enter the home of the new Croesus.

And to see his daughter who is the heiress of forty million.

And pretty besides.

To become one of the kings of the Earth one has only to marry that little puppet.

Suzanne has already had two offers.

One from a marquis and one from a count.

The place will be infested tonight with counts and marquises.

I don't understand why you're so bitter.

You haven't set foot in the Walter house for two months.

Mme. Walter has complained to me about it most critically.

It isn't Mme. Walter who keeps me away.

Monsieur Walter and that pet dog of his, Laroche-Mathieu,

have played us a sordid trick.

They must have cleaned up 50 million between them.

What do we get out of it? Not a red cent.

Why make Mme. Walter suffer? No reason to be cruel to her.

The best of reasons. She bores me.

We are so happy that you were able to come.

You will find the painting of Saint Anthony

in the small drawing room beyond the conservatory

I hope you will be able to stay for the dance.

I congratulate you, Virginia

I don't believe I have ever seen so many celebrities together all at once.

I must speak to Laroche-Mathieu.

His defense of the African campaign.

Who is the young man with Suzanne?

The Marquis de Cazolles.

An impoverished aristocrat fishing for 40 millions.

Here you are at last, Bel Ami.

I'm very angry with you. Why do we never see you anymore?

- I'm very busy. - But it is wicked of you to neglect us.

We adore you, Mama, and I.

When you are not here I am bored to death.

Come along and I'll take you to see our painting of Saint Anthony.

It's way at the end of the conservatory.

Yes.

You know when he stood there, my mother did the most fantastic thing...

She kissed his hand.

The painting seems to have cast a spell on her.

She says that no one can understand the saint's struggle

with temptation as she can.

Can you imagine that from my mother, who never had a temptation in her life?

She adores the painting.

She spends hours here alone.

Sitting and looking at it.

You're not listening to me at all.

Your thoughts are miles away from here. What is it you're thinking of?

I've just decided to embark on a daring and dangerous adventure.

May I come along?

Yes.

If you have the courage.

It will take a great deal of courage.

- I have a surprise for you. - What is it?

- Guess. - I shall make no such effort.

The day after tomorrow is the 1st of January.

Yes.

- It is the time for New Year's gifts. - Yes.

Here's one for you from Laroche-Mathieu.

He gave it to me tonight at the reception.

The Cross of the Legion of Honor.

It's a big thing at your age.

I should have preferred 10 millions. That didn't cost him much.

You're incredible.

Nothing satisfies you anymore.

He's only paying his debt. He still owes me a great deal...

- Do you mind if I make a suggestion? - What is it?

I have an idea that Laroche-Mathieu is very much taken with you.

- Nonsense. - Call it what you like...

but I think we ought to take advantage of his interest

so that he doesn't fool us again.

What do you suggest?

Encourage him. Do him no favors, mind you,

but lead him on so that he confides his schemes in you.

That way we're to be sure he won't play any more tricks on us.

And have you no fear of me?

Would you trust me so far?

I trust you.

I did not know you were acting against the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

He'll not be that much longer.

What a man should destroy a great career in such a way?

What a waste.

And my wife, how did she receive you?

She denied any wrongdoing...

and stated that the rendezvous was made at your suggestion.

- What a fantastic idea. - Yes, it is fantastic.

Let her try to tell that to the Divorce Court.

I shall be at your disposal, monsieur, whenever you have need of me.

You're even cleverer and more dangerous than I had supposed.

And when you have your freedom, whom will you marry?

A princess, perhaps? Or a banker's daughter?

Not Suzanne Walter?

You will be disappointed there.

Her father needs a better name than Georges Duroy to match his millions.

But I remember now.

You told me once how one attains a title.

Good evening, Your Excellency,

perhaps you and my wife would join me in a nightcap.

And to think that you wore on your coat the Cross of Honor that I gave you.

You were paying a debt,

but you made a mistake of not paying it in full...

so I collected in my own way.

What do you propose to do?

My application for divorce will be filed tomorrow morning...

naming the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Tonight I shall write an article for the La Vie Fran�aise

which will turn out the Cabinet and tumble you forever

from your political pedestal.

You will discover that I am not without resources.

Do not overestimate the extent of your ruin.

Your stolen money will not help you. You're done for, permanently.

There's still Monsieur Walter. Do you suppose...

Monsieur Walter is a realist.

He wastes no time on lost causes.

He will ask and receive your resignation from La Vie Fran�aise tomorrow.

There's no doubt of that.

But you will fight the case, as we are innocent.

I shall not fight it.

I shall not allow your name or mine

to be subjected publicly to his degrading accusations.

I applaud your discretion.

I shall offer myself as a candidate in the October elections.

From your obscurity you will be able to follow my career.

I should get on.

Yes, you will get on.

You are an unmitigated cad.

But one day you will make a mistake.

Scoundrels like you end by falling into their own traps.

Good-bye, Madeleine.

Good-bye...

Bel Ami.

I should like to be announced.

Monsieur Duroy.

Why have you become so formal all of a sudden?

You are after all quite at home here.

You are not accustomed to having yourself announced.

I didn't come here tonight just to eat your delicious brandied cherries.

My visit has a formal purpose.

You sound very dramatic.

This is perhaps the most important moment of my life.

I want to read to you a notice I had inserted

in the official newspaper six months ago.

Apparently it escaped your attention at the time.

' Monsieur Georges Duroy is about to apply to the Keeper of the Seals

for permission to add to his name that of de Cantel,

and will henceforth be known as Georges Duroy de Cantel.

Any protest must be made in writing to the Keeper of the Seals

within one year from this date. '

Georges Duroy de Cantel.

I like that. That's very clever of you.

De Cantel is one of the oldest and noblest names in France.

I've been told that the family has completely died out

and since no protest has yet been entered,

one may assume that in six months more the name will be legally mine.

With that name you are to make a brilliant marriage.

It will enable me in any case to follow the impulse of my heart.

The name I can now offer is nobler and more ancient

than that of the Marquis de Cazolles.

And in six months it will be just as much mine as that is his.

The Marquis de Cazolles. What has he to do with it?

When it belongs to your grandchildren,

no one will ever dream of questioning their right to it.

My grandchildren?

It's true, Father.

I love Bel Ami and I want to marry him.

He's free to marry me.

You wanted a noble name and he's acquired that too.

You're always singing his praises.

Why should you want to stand in the way of our happiness?

All this is common sense, monsieur.

It was you who made her refuse the Marquis de Cazolles.

You think her dowry worth trying for.

I've been sincerely in love with Suzanne for a long time.

She knows that.

If you refuse, I swear I shall never marry anyone else.

I am sorry, monsieur.

Deeply sorry.

It is you who are responsible for this.

You were always luring me...

flattering him, cajoling him...

it was Bel Ami here, Bel Ami there, from morning till night.

This is the return for it.

I know how great a shock this is to you.

But on second thought you will realize that I'll make you an excellent son-in-law.

I'll be more than a son-in-law.

I'll be a collaborator.

Between us we'll build La Vie Fran�aise into an empire.

Come here, my child.

Is this what you need to make you happy?

Yes, Father.

I had a different dream for you.

But who knows?

Perhaps you shall not regret it.

With men of his stem one never knows what may happen.

Then you consent?

I might have made a better choice as regards position,

but not as regards intelligence and prospects.

He will be a deputy and a minister.

- I consent. - Oh...

I ought to talk to your mother.

I'll tell you where to find her. In front of the painting of Saint Anthony.

She spends all her time there now. It's a mania with her.

Monsieur Walter has given his consent.

It is all suddenly so clear to me.

Clotilde...

Madeleine...

and now Suzanne.

You're distressed now,

but in time you'll become accustomed to the idea.

You'll give us your blessing.

I hate you.

I did not know it was possible to hate anyone as much I hate you.

You are Monsieur, Poyau, Mayor of Canteleu?

Yes, madame.

You are familiar with the name of de Cantel?

This whole region once belonged to the de Cantel family.

But that was long ago.

There is no one of that family alive today?

The last of them was reduced to living in the forest with the woodcutters.

- Where is he now? - He disappeared four years ago.

It's thought he went to Africa.

No one here knows whether he's alive or dead.

If he should return, give him this.

Someone is stealing his name from him.

He still has a few months in which to protest.

After that it will be too late.

Thank you, monsieur.

Madame.

Why do you do this for a man who is a stranger to you?

To prevent, if possible, a still greater wrong.

What a brilliant writer Gautier was. Listen to this.

'A woman is merely a kind of intelligent toy

which will pick itself up if you should let it fall.'

I'm not in the mood for clever quotations from Gautier.

I suppose not, but you must be reasonable.

Reasonable? When you've known it for years I've been in love with you...

waiting for you, hoping.

What is the most difficult thing to get in this world?

The thing we pay most dearly for,

snatch from each other, fight for,

the thing we only obtain by force of genius,

or by luck, by meanness, by privation,

by wild efforts, resolution, energy, audacity or work?

It's money.

Yet there is a way of getting it, straightforwardly and promptly.

without any fatigue, without difficulty and without genius.

Quite simply, naturally, quickly and honorably,

and that way is by marriage.

I despise that brutal, cynical form of marriage.

I cannot afford to despise it.

The victory in this world is to the strong.

One must be strong, one must be above all prejudices.

Strong. You call that strength.

Egotism is everything.

Egotism as regards ambition and fortune

is better than egotism as regards woman and love.

You call it strength...

but strong men do not descend to such measures.

You are not strong, you are sly, cunning.

You weave plots, invent schemes.

You are no better than a thief, a sleek thief.

I'm not sure that I like your saying that.

Yes, a thief. You deceive everyone, you take advantage of everyone,

you filch money and enjoyment wherever you can.

What is that but stealing?

- Be quiet. - I will not be quiet any longer.

Do you think I don't know how you robbed Madeleine of half her inheritance?

Do you suppose I don't know how you wove a net about Suzanne

to steal her father's fortune?

And now even your name is stolen.

Be quiet I tell you.

You've behaved toward me like a cad ever since I've known you.

Now you want to make out that I'm not to tell you so.

What have you stolen from me but my life, my whole life?

Will you be quiet.

I'll shout it from the windows, from the rooftops.

Let all Paris know it!

Thief, thief, thief!

Someone steals my name.

And because a year passes before I see the newspaper

in which he warns me that he intends robbing me,

I cannot make this scoundrel give my name up again.

That is the case exactly.

Where can I find this thief who calls himself with the name de Cantel?

Francis, the King, to Gaston de Cantel,

1515.

A de Cantel would rather fight a battle...

than tell of it.

Where can I find him?

You'll find him at the office of La Vie Fran�aise.

on the Boulevard Poissoni�re.

One moment, monsieur.

I thought of a gentleman who'd be happy to take you there.

Twenty-three...

twenty-four...

twenty-five...

Ah, we have a distinguished visitor.

Twenty-six...

The ex-Minister... Twenty-seven...

...of Foreign Affairs.

Twenty-eight.

- twenty-nine... - Do you call yourself Duroy de Cantel?

Thirty... That is my name, monsieur.

My name is Philippe de Cantel.

Cowards find brave men to do their work for them.

I understand what you mean, monsieur.

You think there is a de Cantel too many. I think so, too.

- Will you act for me, Jacques? - Of course.

I have the honor to represent the veritable Monsieur de Cantel.

- I shall call on you within the hour. - Very good, monsieur.

Where can he have sprung from, this de Cantel?

They told me there were none of them left.

My lip is bleeding. He's a regular buffalo.

- You'll choose the sword, I suppose. - No, not the sword.

But this fellow looks as if he lived by hunting.

He'll be accustomed to firearms.

My enemies will try to make a scandal of this...

with my wedding only two weeks off.

I must kill this unfortunate young man, that is very evident.

It's the only way to make my position good.

I shall put a stop to everything by that.

All stories, all gossip, everything.

With a sword I might do no more than wound him.

But with a pistol... I'm a good shot, you know.

I'll put the bullet right there.

There are a lot of necessary organs there.

Could be the case of peritonitis.

Who do you want to take with you?

- Potin? - You can count on me.

I count on your discretion, gentlemen.

Do not let this simple matter go beyond these walls.

Come along, Potin.

Someone marked this paper and sent it to him.

You must tell me what's wrong.

Why have you brought me here?

I'm afraid we shall have rain before morning.

The cabman must think we're insane.

Nothing surprises a Parisian cab driver.

I don't understand you at all.

I hardly expected to see you again after our last meeting.

Then suddenly you get me out of bed in the middle of the night

and bring me to the Bois de V�sinet.

I think I hate trees.

All this vegetation lives by devouring us.

What a morbid idea.

I made my will this afternoon.

But why?

What has happened to you?

I've provided for my old father, he doesn't need much.

I left everything else to you and little Laurine.

What is it that threatens you?

Are you in some danger?

...ten.

I had the idea in any case that I might die.

But why? Why?

Twenty-five.

What is it, Bel Ami?

Please tell me.

I made an admission to myself tonight.

An admission that I thought I ought to make to you also

since it concerns you.

That's why I got you up in the middle of the night

and brought you to the Bois de V�sinet.

What sort of admission?

There are two people in the world that I love.

You and little Laurine.

That last time we met...

if you could put that out of your mind and remember this instead...

But what is all this talk of dying?

There's no need to be alarmed. Quite the contrary.

It's only that one never knows what may happen in a duel with pistols.

A duel.

I do not share your anxiety, madame,

and I shall not go to the Bois de V�sinet to make myself ridiculous.

Have no fears for Bel Ami, I've seen him shoot,

He'll come out of this affair with his skin and his honor intact.

Suzanne's interference would only embarrass him.

Now I am going to bed and I recommend that you do the same.

But it is a duel with pistols...

and both men will shoot to kill.

I have such a dreadful presentiment.

If you could get him to give up this young man's name.

If you would agree to marry him without it,

then he could withdraw with honor.

He need only say that he was misinformed,

that he was given to understand that the name had died out.

I never cared about the name. It was only for Father's sake.

Later on, when this is forgotten,

he can surely find another title that will please your father.

You make me ashamed.

You love him so much even though he's to marry me.

There are not many who would think more of his safety

than of their own pride.

Mother, if Father won't come with us I'll get Conte de Cazolles.

We must go at once.

Hurry, or you'll be too late.

But do not say who sent you.

You are not to fire until the signal has been given.

The signal for firing will be the dropping of the handkerchief.

You may fire immediately upon this signal if you wish.

It is permitted furtherer, to advance ten paces...

to the point indicated by the walking stick before firing.

If one of you is wounded,

he is allowed one minute to fire on his antagonist

from the moment he is hit.

But if he has fallen on the ground,

he will be allowed two minutes.

His adversary must stand and receive his fire.

Is everything clear?

Potin, will you bring the pieces.

Monsieur...

The principals are not to address each other directly.

Would you be so kind, Jacques, as to offer my adversary a cigar?

A good cigar puts the nerves in order

and I do not wish to take an unfair advantage.

Monsieur?

I have no nerves.

I suspected as much.

Nevertheless I'm distressed to see my adversary

exposed to this wretched rain.

Is he quite sure that he will not accept one of our umbrellas?

Monsieur?

I'm used to shooting in foul weather.

In that case, perhaps I might be permitted to retain my umbrella?

I should not like to quit the field of honor with a bad case of sniffles.

Monsieur?

I have no objection.

The pieces were obtained at Gastine Renette's.

He loaded them himself...

and sealed the box in the presence of witnesses.

Potin...

you might suggest to Monsieur Laroche-Mathieu

that he observe the encounter from behind one of these beautiful trees.

He presents an incredibly tempting target.

You will take your positions, gentlemen.

Are you ready, gentlemen?

Ready.

Ready.

I'm not done for yet.

One minute and thirty seconds remaining.

One minute!

Thirty seconds.

Fire!

Fire!

One moment.

Bel Ami...

It was I who brought the newspaper to him.

Do you understand, Bel Ami?

I brought it to him.

You see, Jacques...

It's nothing.

Just a scratch.

I've been scratched.

By an old cat.

Clotilde...

I could have been happy with Clotilde.

We are all no more than puppets unless we believe.

Subtitles: Lu�s Filipe Bernardes

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