The Letter (La Lettre)

Ready, Pedro? lt's time.

Okay.

T H E L E T T E R

lt's superb.

They're all beautiful.

For my daughter, l'd prefer something simpler.

Of course.

Let me show you what would suit her best.

May l?

A unique piece.

l'll leave you to choose. l'll be right back.

Do you like it?

ls everything to your satisfaction, Mr. de Cleves?

Yes. Who are those ladies?

They are noblewomen.

Look. Francois de Guise has fallen for your daughter.

He certainly has all the signs.

But his parents don't approve.

They don't?

An old family quarrel.

They prefer a different girl.

Mine doesn't care for him, anyway.

l didn't know.

lt serves them right.

Does she love another?

She used to.

But not him.

She finds him too young.

Her necklace is magnificent.

How can she be so sad with such a gorgeous necklace?

l bought it for her a few days ago.

l hoped it would help her.

She's going through a difficult period.

That difficult?

You know today's youth.

So unlike your daughter's upbringing.

The gap can only lead to trouble.

Perhaps.

But l have no regrets.

Children today are reckless.

They live to be silly.

Catherine and l abhor such silliness.

But she is suffering.

l'm aware of that.

But her virtue prevents her from suffering even more.

l understand.

l even agree.

She deserves a steady, happy life of matrimony.

But you can't change the world.

l don't intend to.

But we must defend ourselves.

Defend ourselves?

How can one person defy all of society?

lt takes fortitude.

Theft and murder were on a par, 5 centuries ago.

Morality is not constant.

Times change, of course...

but something always endures.

And there are exceptions, thank goodness!

Are we exceptions?

We're rare pearls.

Look.

Another pearl: Mr. de Cleves.

A highly esteemed doctor, both...

upright and rich. ldeal for your daughter.

l want you to meet someone.

How are you?

- And you? - Well, thank you.

Mr. de Cleves, Miss de Chartres.

How do you do?

Will you join us?

Mr. de Cleves, Mrs. de Chartres.

Will you stay with us?

l'd like to, but Francois de Guise is waiting.

Excuse me.

May l escort you?

See? l knew she'd appeal to him. She's a true beauty.

Your daughter is delightful.

l hear you brought her up very well.

l won't deny it, Mr. de Cleves.

But l was perhaps unmindful of the times.

What worries you?

Her happiness.

How is one to bring up a girl nowadays?

How can such a perfect girl fail to be happy?

l agree.

Beauty combined with goodness is a rare gift,

but cannot replace a proper upbringing.

Which is why her happiness

depends on choosing the right husband.

No one will ever love you as l do.

Do you hear me, Catherine?

l love you as no other can.

Yes, Francois, l heard.

Let's listen to the pianist now.

The same evening in Paris,

as Maria Joao Pires played at the Gulbenkian Cultural Center,

Pedro Abrunhosa gave a concert.

l want you to be my voice.

l want to hear you here beside me.

lt's Hard

Who knows this song?

l want to hear you.

When the world goes to sleep

lt's easier to give in

When night falls

lt's hard not to cry

l don't want to be

The light that used to shine in me

l don't want to be the first

l am the time that's gone

l don't want to be

The tears that you see

l don't want to be the first

l'm a ship on the waves

l woke up

And l felt so lonely

l'm a ship without a sail

A body without a sheet

l rose with the day

And dressed in black

A weary motion

A gaze in the desert

When the world goes to sleep

lt's easier to give in

When night falls

lt's hard not to cry

l don't want to be

The light that used to shine in me

l don't want to be the first

l am the time that's gone

l don't want to be

The tears that you see

l don't want to be the first

l'm a ship on the waves

Unmoved by Francois de Guise's adoration,

Catherine de Chartres married Louis de Cleves.

After a brief honeymoon, less than a month later,

they set up house in Paris.

The head of the Gulbenkian Center

invited Pedro Abrunhosa

Wherever you are, l'll be there

Wherever you go, l'll go

if you want me to

My body is your world

One kiss, one second

You're a part of me

Wherever you look, l'll go running

lf ever l lose you, l'll die

The day you grow distant

l'll sail away

Guitars will play for you like before

Hold onto me tonight

l feel the time that slipped away

Hold onto me tonight

Tomorrow l'll be gone

Hold onto me tonight

l feel the time that slipped away

Hold onto me tonight

Tomorrow l'll be gone

Wonderful.

He's superb. What a voice!

He's a rising star. New York may be next. He'll go far.

Pedro Abrunhosa!

Mrs. de Chartres and the De Cleves enjoyed your concert.

- Very much. - l'm most flattered.

l'm not flattering you. l'm being sincere.

Your music may not be my favorite kind,

but your singing really touched me.

Sincerely, l was moved.

Sincerely?

Sincerely.

Congratulations.

Thank you, Mr. de Cleves. You're very kind.

And you, Madame? You probably didn't like it much.

On the contrary, l loved it. Truly!

Truly?

l'd have been sad if you didn't.

Nonsense! Everyone was delighted.

Thank you again.

Cheers!

Mrs. de Chartres fell gravely ill

and took to her bed in the country.

This will relieve your pain, if need be.

As for the rest,

keep to the same medicine and diet.

l know how sick l am.

l can feel it.

Doctor,

be frank. Tell me

how long l have left.

l fear l must tell you...

not long.

l knew as much.

Thank you for your honesty.

As your doctor and an old friend,

l must tell you the truth.

l admire your courage and strength of mind.

My worries are of another order now.

Do you need anything?