The Leper (Trędowata)

THE LEPER

Miss Stefania... Good morning!

Why are you out so early?

I'll see you back to Slodkowice.

It would be too great an honour, my lord. I'll get there on my own.

You can ride. I'll follow like a page.

Or let us both ride.

Are you running away?

You are the first girl to be so plainly alarmed by me.

You presume too much.

I often presume far more...

...but without arousing such fear.

You think it is fear? What pride you have! You arouse my -

- Loathing? - Yes!

Thank you for at least being frank.

So much spirit in one so young.

Jacenty... pass the asparagus, please.

It is not done to take second helpings.

The first should suffice.

Jacenty, I asked for the asparagus.

Lucia...

Will you not stay the night after all?

It would upset my aunt.

But if Miss Stefania wishes it...

I shall stay as her tennis partner.

I would be your instructor. I guarantee excellent progress.

I'll take my tea in my boudoir.

- Lucia, time for revision. - I've already done it!

"No sooner did I see you,

"Than my heart was on fire..."

Bravo! Bravo, Lucia!

You were not so keen and diligent with Clara.

Go on upstairs!

Thank you for being such agreeable company at table.

Oh well!

"She slapped my spirit in the face and left."

"My spirit she slapped in the face and left."

...is how it goes.

Wait a minute. I know more.

"Rzecznicki shouts hurrah! Fantazy wants to go.

"But the game remains unplayed."

People in Love

Will you not stay after all, Waldi?

You can make it up with aunt Idalia.

I do hope I'm forgiven for having taken more asparagus!

She is not concerned about asparagus, but the Barskis.

We really should visit them.

And propose to the daughter?

Not necessarily...

...but at least develop a closer relationship.

Tell me, grandpa...

...is this conversation your own idea,

or has there been a family meeting, with grandma behind it?

It is a matter of our interests.

Yes.

Of mating the right male of one family...

...with the right female of another.

Those, alas, are the rules...

in our...

...circle of society.

They brought you, too, into the world.

I seem to hear a hint of bitterness in those words.

If so, it is not about your birth.

As for Lady Melania Barska...

...everyone considers you betrothed.

Everyone but me!

I have not given my word.

Waldemar!

I apologise.

I find everyone trying my patience today, even Miss Rudecka.

You pester her too much. She is a good child.

I would not wish to see her...

...suffer any wrong from you.

Another pearl in the precious treasury of our code of behaviour:

our Don Juanism!

After all, I must behave, dear grandpa... according to tradition!

Out of my sight!

At once I'll obey.

Out of my heart!

My heart will obey.

Out of my memory?

No! That is an order...

...that neither your memory,

nor mine will ever obey.

Out of my memory?

No! That is an order...

...that neither your memory

nor mine will ever obey.

As shadows grow longer

when cast from afar,

further the circle

of mourning extends.

So is my figure:

the further it goes,

the thicker the shroud

that your memory covers.

So is my figure:

the further it goes,

the thicker the shroud

that your memory covers.

In every place,

at every time,

we shared a tear,

we shared a laugh.

Always, forever,

I'll stand with you,

for I left a piece

of my soul that belongs to you.

Always, forever,

I'll stand with you,

for I left a piece

of my soul... that belongs to you.

Waldi!

Waldi!

Mama, Grandpa!

Waldi is here!

All week I was in two minds.

I was unsure.

Hesitant to come, but also anxious to be here.

You would prefer I had not come.

On the contrary!

You should be here because your grandfather missed you.

You wanted it for grandpa.

'Wanted' isn't the right word.

Expected.

Another let-down.

And I had such hopes.

In your company it is safest to say nothing.

Please, excuse me.

You are angry with me.

One can only be angry with those on whom one is not dependent.

You are not dependent on me...

...dear Miss Stefania.

Please do not refer to me like that.

How then?

I do not like Rudecka sitting next to Waldemar.

People will talk.

You exaggerate, Idalia. You wanted Lucia to sit with us.

And there wouldn't be room for the dog up there.

You do not seem to enjoy my company.

But the dog is too big to sit up here.

So why did you bring him?

Lucia, sit down or you will fall out.

- I won't fall! - Lucia, sit down or you will fall out!

- Mama, I will not fall. - Go easy on her.

I do not care for this jaunt to Glebowice.

We have not been to Glebowice for ages.

Waldemar wanted to please us.

For Lucia it is a nice day out.

And Miss Stefania has never seen the château.

Right... Miss Stefania!

Miss Stefania is being allowed too many liberties.

She is well brought up and knows her place.

It is very easily forgotten when...

privileges are granted...

above her state.

Miss Stefania, look! This avenue leads to Glebowice.

Look! Marvellous, isn't it?

I must have a castle just like it!

And a park! And terraces!

It's surely my destiny.

I so love it! Pomp and opulence!

- I like it so much! - Lucia!

Lucia, come here.

Mama is calling me.

Run along. I will see the terraces on my own.

I was looking for you.

You were?

Why did you not send a servant?

I looked first in the gardens, then in the house.

I got lost and ended up here.

What can I do for you?

I was looking for you.

I was just... looking for you.

I've seen the same portrait in the Count's study.

Yes, it's my grandmother, Gabriela,

his wife.

She died young.

She was not allowed to marry the one she loved.

Nor was grandfather.

It was a tragedy he has never got over.

They should have fought for their happiness.

You do not realise how mighty is the will of the family.

No power on Earth could force me...

...to marry someone I did not love.

Nor could it force me.

Out of my sight! At once I'll obey.

Out of my heart! My heart will obey.

Out of my memory? No! That is an order...

...that neither your memory nor mine will ever obey.

As shadows grow longer when cast from afar,

further the circle of mourning extends.

So is my figure: the further it goes...

...the thicker the shroud that your memory covers.

In every place, at every hour,

we shared a tear, we shared a laugh.

Always, forever, I'll stand with you.

For I left a piece of my soul that belongs to you.

We have seen nothing of Waldemar for so long.

Well, the weather is awful.