Original subtitles

[soft dramatic intro music]

[sighs] My sweet Non, I miss you so...

[piano music] I do not know if your father will let you read this letter.

I do not even know if you've learned how to read.

I know so little about you, and yet I think of you constantly.

I love you so much.

I've not forgotten my promise to you...

I'm doing all I can to find a way for us to be together.

He won't.

[oriental style music]

[music becomes more suspenseful]

[music fades]

[birds chirping]

[soft and slow orchestral music]

I miss it so!

-What, mother? -The circus. More than him.

Your father's death was a tragedy, but I miss the circus more.

It takes power to hold on to a trapeze.

And the day I lost my balance jumping from the trapeze onto the horse...

it haunts me! [sighs]

That day I knew it was finished.

It was over for me.

I did not have the strength in me anymore... to go on.

[Lucienne in distance] ...acting like a queen, waiting for you to fix her breakfast.

And me... look at me. [sighs]

In this kitchen!

Cooking and washing... What about her?

[Lucienne] She doesn't lift a finger around here.

What gives her the right? Who does she think she is?

[Lucas] Mother, please. Not so loud, she might hear you.

Oh.

So, I won't even be allowed to say what I feel in my own house.

That woman upstairs, my son, she will be your downfall.

She will ruin you.

Mark my words.

She is no good for you-- [door opens loudly]

-[Margaretha] Morning. -[Lucas] Morning Margaretha.

-Coffee? -No, no, no. Thanks.

I have an early lesson.

[Lucas] Oh, who's coming in so early?

I'll see you in the evening.

And I'll be paying today.

I insist on buying dinner.

[door slams]

[soft orchestral music]

You are in love with her.

But she is just using you.

The neighbors ask me about her all the time: "Who is this woman?"

And what do you tell them, mother?

I tell them Margaretha is my son's woman.

I can't tell them that she's just a foreigner

who won't even sleep with you, can I?

I don't need that kind of love.

You need a woman. Someone to make you feel like a man.

[coughing in the background]

Shh.

[gentle violin music]

[people moan softly]

[music fades]

[Maximilian] Where is your aunt, Mademoiselle?

-We are going to miss it. -I wouldn't mind missing it.

What a ridiculous idea to go watch an execution. [gasps softly]

And this is too early in the morning.

Aunt.

Lydia.

You look gorgeous.

It takes a while for me now to look gorgeous, unlike my niece.

Horses are ready.

Let's go.

[whispers]

[horses neighing]

Hey Ludder.

[horses neighing] Come!

[horse neighs in background] [Margaretha] Hello, Lucas.

-Hello Mademoiselle, you're so early! -I like to come here,

early in the morning, when it's quiet and there's no people around.

Here, catch!

-Oh, can I? -[giggles] Of course.

[Margaretha] You're so good with horses.

[Lucas] I spend all my days with them. I understand them.

And do you ride well too?

-I've never rode outside. -Would you like to try?

-[Margaretha giggles] -Is it allowed?

Why not? [smacks a kiss] Hmm?

[horses galloping]

[Lucas] Whoa.

[Margaretha pants] What is that?

[Margaretha and horse pant]

[confuse background chattering]

Are you alright, Mademoiselle?

I'm fine. [background chatter]

How can one's life get to end so horribly?

[pastor speaks in background]

It's not interesting at all.

[captain shouts] Ready! [guns load]

Aim!

[convict] Please, Lord, no!

Life means nothing.

[convict cries] Please, Lord, no!

Fire! [gunshots]

[horses neigh loudly]

[Lydia screams] No!

Don't leave me.

-[gasps] -Mademoiselle...

[turbulent music]

[Lydia pants and moans]

[galloping intensifies]

[Margaretha spurs the horse and pants]

[Lydia screams] [water splashes]

[panting]

Madame! Are you alright? Can you hear me?

-Are you alright Madame? -[Lydia coughs and pants]

-[Margaretha] Wake up -[Lydia coughs]

-Are you alright? -[Lydia pants]

Madame...

Come, get up.

[Lucas] Mademoiselle!

Try to stand up. Come on, you can make it! [pants]

[water splashes]

[Lucas] Mademoiselle!

[door opens]

[Lydia] My dear.

[Lydia] I'm glad to see they've laundered your clothes.

Yes, Madame. Thank you.

On the way here, Margaretha shared her story with me. It was so touching.

Sit down, please, dear.

[sighs] I have a terrible headache. Zlatka?

So, what are you up to now?

I am teaching horseback riding for the ladies at Monsieur Malle's.

-Monsieur Malle? -Mm-hmm.

How long have you been working for him?

About a year now.

Ah! [whispers] I think I could help you, dear.

You've done already so much for me, Madame.

-[Margaretha] Sympathy is so rare these days. -[Lydia laughs softly]

I think that I can offer more than sympathy.

-[giggles softly] -[Lydia] Zlatka, bring my jewelry box.

I have an idea.

Come closer, dear.

Come.

You will move in here.

You will have free room and board,

and I will pay you a salary to be my personal riding teacher.

What do you say?

It's so unexpected...

-I have to think about it. -There is nothing to think about.

[Lydia] We shall bring your things here tomorrow.

[sighs] A small token...

of gratitude, for saving my life.

[sighs repeatedly]

It's too much, I cannot accept, I'm sorry.

[Lydia] This is nothing.

My driver will take you wherever you need now.

[soft piano music]

[car engine running]

-[driver] Mademoiselle. -Thank you so much.

Sonaïve,oh my God.

[Maximilian] Well done, my dear.

For a moment I almost believed you were sincerely grateful. [chuckles]

What do you want with her?

[Lydia] I want her. [laughs ominously]

But don't worry, you'll stay with me too.

And besides, we'll have our dear Maximilian

to get the better of his rider from Monsieur Malle.

Do you have a plan?

Not yet, but she has taken the bait.

[tense orchestral music]

[Margaretha] Oh wow!

Mademoiselle.

I've never been in an automobile before. Am I saying it right?

-You're saying it absolutely perfectly. -[Margaretha giggles]

[both giggle]

-I enjoyed it so much! -I'm very happy you enjoyed it.

-[Margaretha] Thank you. -Well, have a nice day, and I'll see you again soon.

[Gabriel] Margaretha.

-[Margaretha] Good afternoon. -[lady] Good afternoon, Mademoiselle.

-[Margaretha] Thank you so much, Gabriel. -My pleasure.

So, how's the lady you saved?

A little bit bruised, that's all. But she's going to be fine.

[Gabriel] Ah, monsieur Malle!

-Margaretha is back with us. -Yeah.

[panting lightly] You had us worried, and I don't like it.

Disappearing, just like that...

I'm so sorry Mr. Malle, I just wanted to take the boy for a ride,

-and this woman fell, and I just wanted-- -[Mr. Malle] I know, I know.

Lucas told me all about it. You came... in an automobile.

That woman you said, who is she?

Her name is, huh, her.

Madame Kireevskaya. Did she promise you anything?

-[Monsieur Malle] Did she invite you into her house? -Yes.

-She did. -You're an honest woman, Margaretha.

I have always appreciated that, and I still do.

I'm sorry, I don't understand. What are you trying to say?

It's not that simple. In a word, I'll give you a choice.

Either you continue your relationship with Madame Kireevskaya,

or you work for me. You can't do both.

Why not?

My clients are respectable people.

I have their daughters training here.

But Kireevskaya, on the other hand,

is not welcome in any respectable house.

She is rich,

and that's the only thing that is keeping her out of prison.

I swear Margaretha, this is true.

[sighs]

I have to think about it.

Well, it's your choice.

But it will ruin your reputation.

And our friendship.

I'm sorry to say that.

[lawyer] Nice doll. I think your daughter will be happy.

I didn't put any notes to no one in the box.

Mr. MacLeod doesn't allow any letters from me.

I know this, and I appreciate your honesty, Madame.

But this is inhumane.

And I would be happy to violate this prohibition.

Thank you.

Well, here it is. Everything I thought you need.

I will be back in a few minutes.

-He really is a nice man. -Yes.

Do you think he can hire a lawyer in Amsterdam for me?

I have the money now.

Oh.

So...

you've decided to accept Kireevskaya's money, after all.

I need it, Gabriel.

-Really. -No, I understand.

You'll be performing at the ball, won't you?

For the opening ceremony of the stables.

I will.

I could ask Malle to, huh...

to land you 2,000 Francs against your salary,

and mine, of course.

-You would do that? -Well, he knows your situation.

He'd be happy to know that you've refused that dirty money.

[indistinct chattering]

[shouts] Monsieur Hubert!

-Mademoiselle. -Hello.

Could you please give this to the Countess now?

Of course. Is there a message?

-No. -No message?

No message.

[accordion playing]

[car engine]

[sings]

[tense and dramatic music]

[coins tinkle]

[dramatic music continues]

Look at me! Why?

-I hope the horse is clean. -They are Monsieur Ridoh.

Oh, they are?

How dare you talk back to me? [shouts] Get out!

Blowing off steam.

[chuckles]

[Maximilian] Lydia.

What brings you here?

Oh, I just came to see how things are going.

Only three students in such a school.

Huh? If my people talked less and worked more, business would be flourishing.

[giggles] You are a very good lover, Maximilian.

But you are a very bad businessman.

But I would like to help you, as your friend.

[laughs] How?

-By investing more money on me? -[laughs] No, no.

-I'll help you to move closer to Vincent. -Are you joking?

[Maximilian] There's only one owner in Vincent,

and it's Malle. There's no way to compete with him

Look. He sent me invitations to his ball.

"To my dear colleague, Maximilian Ridoh."

-[sighs] He's mocking me. -[Lydia] No, no, no. No!

No, no, let me see.

Have you found her?

Of course I have.

She lives in an apartment onCours des Carbonieres.

With Gabriel Astruc and his mother.

You still can't forget that Dutch girl, can you?

She had the nerve to reject me. Nobody gets away with this.

If you want, I can find ways to make her suffer.

-You know what I want? -Hmm?

I want her to come to me by herself.

And then... Then, we'll see.

[Maximilian laughs] [whispers] Oh, God.

I'm so excited Monsieur Malle invited me to dance at his party!

Think dancing is such a great thing?

Do you really?

I can't believe you of all people say that! You were a star of the circus.

That I was.

And look at me now! This kitchen has become my life.

The life of a star is fleeting.

When you are famous and rich it is hard to remember.

No one is better than the other.

You forget that the crowds are cheering and that they're not falling at your feet.

[Margaretha] I would not change just because I became a star.

It's not a choice, Margaretha.

You get accustomed to the crowd cheering you and loving you. And before you even realize it

you think you are better. But no.

It's all an illusion.

No, it's not.

You did something.

You're judging me for wanting more than I have?

Well, you know what I've got?

I've got nothing.

I don't just want more. I need more.

How will I get back to my daughter?

With riding lessons? [giggles sarcastically]

You held the audience in your hands.

You made a good living.

Well...

I'll drink to that.

[Lucienne] Here.

Drink to my past, and I will drink to your future.

More wine?

[gentle orchestral music]

-[Lucas] Mademoiselle, Monsieur Astruc, good evening. -[Margaretha] Good evening.

You're late. Monsieur Malle was asking about you.

[Gabriel] Yes, I'm so sorry, we were choosing a costume for Margaretha.

-[both giggle] -It looks very good.

Yes, I've heard you're replacing the dancer who got sick. It's very exciting.

Don't worry, monsieur Malle said he's looking forward to it.

He said: "Today is a special day and we should all have a very good time!"

[Gabriel] Actually where is he? I'd like to have a word with him.

[Lucas] Probably-- He's over there, with the guests.

And he asked me to make sure no one gets lost and bring them here. So, if you'll excuse me.

-Right. Thanks very much Lucas. -See you later.

Looks like it's going to be a lovely evening.

I hope so!

[lively classical music] [indistinct background chatter]

-This is what you call thebeau monde? -Yes, indeed.

[Gabriel] The rich and the powerful. The damned and the beautiful.

The upper class at its best.

They're damned? But we're not damned, are we?

No, we're not. Especially not you, Margaretha.

And I have some great news.

I talked to Malle and he promised to lend you the money you need,

by the end of season.

-Oh my God, Gabriel, this is wonderful! -I know.

I don't know how to thank you.

But I haven't done anything. Malle is the one lending you the money, not me.

[whispers]

Margaretha, please don't do that.

My devotion is true love to you, Margaretha, and once you understand that, then...

well, maybe something might be possible between us.

[giggles] Aw. Don't be silly, you lovely prince.

Now, come and dance with me.

-Good evening Madame, Monsieur. -[both] Good evening.

-[Hubert] Maximilian Ridoh. -Monsieur Malle invited us.

Welcome. It's at the front of the stables.

-Could you show us the way, please? -Certainly.

Oh! You were with my dear Margaretha the day I almost died.

-Weren't you? -Yes, it was me, Madame. Now, if you please.

[gentle classical music]

Good evening, my savior.

-[Lydia giggles] -Madame, what are you doing here?

My friend Maximilian has been invited to the ball.

You remember Maximilian, don't you?

What? Are you afraid of me?

Oh no! You shouldn't be. I just wanted to thank you.

And I don't need anything. Excuse me.

[Lydia] Of course. Good luck! And remember, I'm a friend.

[car engine on]

[ominous music]

Why is it running? Isn't it bad for the engine?

Sometimes, when it's cold, it has a little difficulty in starting.

You know, my friend, I would love to have a drink.

Is there any way you can show me to the ball?

[Lucas] Huh, yes, of course.

Can I come back and sit in the car after that?

My friend, you can come back here and sit anytime you like.

Follow me.

[host] And now, a special treat.

Margaretha Zelle will perform an authentic Javanese dance.

[oriental music starts]

[oriental music continues]

You mix the powder with the chemicals, and you let it settle,

and then you get out of there.

Got it?

Go.

[music intensifies]

And now I know what I will do when she comes running back to me.

Sometimes you scare me, Lydia.

I like humiliation. It excites me terribly.

[horse neighs loudly]

[screams in pain]

[menacing music] [chemicals sizzle]

Bravo!

What is that lady doing here? She shouldn't be here, Monsieur Malle.

[crowd still applauding]

[fire bursts loudly]

She's full of lust carnal.

-Madame Kireevskaya, what brings you here? -[Lydia sighs]

This lady is with me.

-I am Maximilian Ridoh. -I am sorry, Monsieur Ridoh, but this is private property,

-and I have to ask the lady to leave.

-What? -Oh no. Don't Maximilian.

We are leaving. And thank you, you were a wonderful host. Goodbye.

[fire crackling]

-[Lucas] Hello? Who's there? -[Hubert] Oh, you're back!

[male voice moans]

-Someone is in there. -Oh!

-[Hubert] I don't hear anything. -Listen.

[soft moaning]

There it is again!

Kill him.

[music builds] [Lucas grunts]

[Lydia] Take him to the stables.

Maximilian, help him!

Come on!

[Indian music]

[Indian music continues]

[music fades]

I never knew you were such a dancer.

Amazing dancer.

You should have seen them staring at you.

Fire!

[horses]

[tense music]

[unknown] Get the horses.

He's in the back stable.

The building!

Sh sh sh [horses panic]

Gabriel!

[Gabriel] Yes.

To the right, there's too much fire that way.

Take them right now.

To the back pasture, take them to the back pasture.

[tense music continues]

Go on!

Come, come. Take all these horses.

Go! Faster!

[screaming]

[Margaretha] No!

[somber music]

What is it?

Doctor.

I need a doctor.

Let's go and gets some water and wash that acid off.

[choking]

[unintelligible]

Just get in the car.

Let's go.

Sit down in the car Maximillian.

Gabriel,

Monsieur Moyet,

what did the doctor say?

He never regained consciousness before he...

[somber music]

[sobbing]

[somber music continues]

I think you ride me better than you ride your precious horses.

You enjoy humiliating me, don't you?

It's a way for me to have power over you.

I don't want power.

I just do what you want me to.

Everyone does what I want,

except that foolish girl.

I would have given her everything,

my love, my friendship, my money.

I burnt the stables to the ground,

she'll be back in no time, I can assure you.

[church bell]

[general chatter]

Someone is here for you.

You have two minutes, no more, hurry!

Madam Kireevskaya asked me to say good morning.

She's inviting you over too.

I can't leave now,

if I leave now I loose my job.

I understand.

Working in a wash house must be really tough.

Hands blistered,

eyes burnt with bleach.

Oh dear,

you will turn into an old lady in no time.

It puts food on the table.

Yeah,

too bad.

Madam Kireevskaya had something really interesting to offer you.

I think I know what she wants.

And yet,

give it a thought.

We're out of coffee but I found some chicory.

It's nice.

Oh,

they found your purse at the stables.

I think it's all there.

I haven't found a job yet, but I was able to borrow

a little money, not a lot,

but enough to pay the lawyers for the weekend

to get a little food.

We don't want you to starve

before seeing your daughter do we.

I can't live off of you.

I don't want a story either.

[somber music]

What do you have in mind?

I've got to pull myself together.

[unintelligible]

Hello Mademoiselle.

-This way please. -Thank you.

[Margaretha] Hello madam.

Oh, Margaretha.

It's marvelous to see you.

A second.

Oh,

poor thing.

You look so pale.

Tea and sweets will be served in a second.

You're so kind to me.

I owe you an apology.

Bertha,

don't be nervous.

People are talking

nonsense about me.

It's envy, nothing more.

Come, come and sit.

If you're still interested

in hiring me as a riding teacher,

I would be

-glad to... -Oh yes.

Yes, but,

it was before I saw you dancing.

You are so beautiful,

so wonderful, there's so much passion

and emotions.

Well, my friends

will pay good money for that to see you.

I'm afraid I don't follow you.

-What? -Are you asking me to perform?

Yes.

Don't say no.

I need to think about it.

Margaretha, you need to think about your daughter.

You need money to get her back, right?

Oh, you can rehearse right here.

We will discuss the details tomorrow, and now,

Bertha please?

You need to go to the cinema

to see Isadora Dunken dance.

Thank you dear.

This is for the ticket.

-I don't know what to say. -You can show me gratitude

when you're famous. Now, will you excuse me.

I have some business to do.

I understand.

-Thank you. -Bye, thank you so much.

-Good bye. -Bye.

[gentle music] [cinema reel]

[gentle music increases]

[Indian music]