The Story Of Adele H. (L'Histoire d'Adèle H.)

"THE STORY OF ADELE H."

"The story of Adele H. is true.

It is about events that really happened...

and people that really existed. "

The year is 1863.

For 2 years now, the United States...

had been torn apart by a civil war.

Will Great Britain recognize...

the independence of the Southern Confederacy...

and join in war against the Yankees?

Since 1862, British troops have been stationed...

in the Canadian town of Halifax... the capital of Nova Scotia...

formerly the French Acadia.

Halifax, is gripped by a kindoffever.

The town's people are busy worrying...

smuggling goods, and hunting Yankeespies.

While at theport, the British authorities...

maintain a close check on European passengers...

disembarking from the Great Eastern...

the huge steamship also known as the "Floating City. "

- Good evening. Where are you from? - Liverpool.

- Have you any papers? - No, I don't.

- They let you embark in Liverpool? - Yes.

- They let you embark in Liverpool? - They let me.

If you had your papers in Liverpool, why haven't you got them now?

They were taken away from me when I got to New York.

Then we can't let you in.

They may be in New York, but this is Halifax.

We cannot let you in Halifax unless you've got papers.

I don't know the rules.

- I'm within my rights to search you. - Please don't.

If you explain to me what they're for, maybe I won't have to.

It will be up to my superior officer to decide whether they let you in or not.

I need them, sir!

- Right, miss, Hotel Hampstead. - Yes.

Very good.

- Give them to me. - No. Is there anymore?

Whoa, boy, whoa. Hampstead.

Is this the hotel?

This is it, miss.

No, I don't want to stay there.

Apart from the Halifax, there's only the Atlantic...

which is much too expensive.

There isn't another hotel fit for a young lady to stay in.

- You should go to a boarding house. - Oh, yes, please!

"Room And Board"

Good evening, Mrs. Saunders. I have a new lodger foryou, a nice young lady.

Thankyou, Mr. O'Brien.

- You can go in, miss. - Thank you.

- Let me take your case, miss. - Thank you.

- My name is Miss Lewly. - Come in, Miss Lewly.

My name is O'Brien. I'm always about if you want me.

- Thankyou very much. - Good night.

"A. Lenoir - Notary Public"

Good day, sir.

My husband is a doctor, Dr. Lenormand in Paris.

I've just arrived from France.

That's the reason I was sent to you.

I am very glad they did.

You know, I like France very much.

It will be a great pleasure for me to help you.

What exactly is troubling you?

I have a niece in France.

I'm very fond of her.

She's a rather romantic girl.

During a visit to England...

she fell in love with a British officer...

Lieutenant Pinson of the 16th Hussars.

There was even talk of marriage between them.

Our family was not absolutely opposed to it...

but because ofthe troubles in America...

Lieutenant Pinson had suddenly to embark with his regiment...

for Halifax.

And since then, we've had no news of him at all...

and my family wants me to find out what's happened to him.

I find it very upsetting...

because Lieutenant Pinson is of no interest to me.

Lieutenant Pinson is of no interest to me.

All I want is my niece's happiness.

Well, I think you know everything now.

So you want me to look for this lieutenant.

Lieutenant Pinson.

But in a discreet way.

Yes, everyone has been saying so...

even the other offiicers, that we have...

a far better selection here than the military library...

which is quite surprising, since we have far more difficulties...

with the customs than you do.

But anyway, I hope to have those 2 books...

in 1 week or 2 at the most.

Good, good. Thanks. Good-bye.

Good-bye, Lieutenant.

"Book Shop"

Good day, Madam. Can I help you?

- Yes, I'd like some paper. - Some note paper?

No. I need a ream.

I've a lot of writing to do.

I thought I recognized the officer who just left.

Wasn't it Lieutenant Pinson?

That's right, yes. He's a good customer of mine.

I had no idea he was in Halifax.

Oh, he's not been here for long...

but he's already got himself quite a reputation.

Well, that's what they say in town.

Really?

That's what they say in town.

And what else do they say?

Oh, well, as far as I'm concerned...

he's just another client.

But apparently he's been running up a few debts.

Anyway, he always pays cash here.

Pardon me, Madam-

Miss.

Miss. May he be a relation of yours?

Yes. He's my sister's brother-in-law.

But I seldom see him.

I'm not on good terms with my sister.

I understand, yes.

I'll take this one.

Miss, I also have a lending library by subscription.

Oh, really?

But I could always lend you some books...

- even if you don't subscribe. - Thank you.

Good-bye.

Good-bye, Miss.

Good evening, Mrs. Saunders.

Miss Lewly, would you share my supper?

My husband's helping out tonight...

as a waiter at the Officers' Club banquet.

Will the English officers be there?

Yes. After all, the banquet's in their honor.

They're celebrating the arrival of the 16th Hussars.

In that case, my cousin should be there.

Your cousin? You have a cousin in Halifax?

Yes. Lieutenant Pinson.

I call him cousin, but we're not really related.

We grew up together. He's the son of our village clergyman.

To tell you the truth, he's been in love with me...

since we were children. I never encouraged him.

We lost touch years ago.

But this could be an occasion to see him again.

Perhaps I could give you a letter for him, Mr. Saunders...

a letter to give him.

Yes, of course.

I'll go and write it now. Please wait a few minutes.

Albert, my love...

our separation has destroyed me.

Since you've left, I've thought of you every day.

I know you must be suffering as I am.

I've received none of your letters...

and I'm sure that mine never reached you.

But today I'm here, Albert.

I'm on the same side of the ocean as you are.

Everything will begin anew.

I know that soon your arms will be around me.

I'm in the same city as you, Albert. I'm waiting for you.

I love you.

Your Adele.

Oh, Miss, he must be a famous artist...

the one who made these pictures.

It was my brother.

Do congratulate him.

I don't know anybody who can get a likeness like that.

Honestly, you'd say you were alive.

Oh, what a lovely picture. Is that you?

No. No, it's my older sister.

Does she live in Europe?

She died a long time ago.

I'm sorry.

Leopoldine drowned a few months...

after our mother sketched this portrait.

She was 19. She had just married.

They were out taking a boat ride.

Her husband died with her.

Our father was away when it happened.

He learned the news by chance from a newspaper.

He nearly went mad with grief.

And you...

you must have been very unhappy.

Leopoldine was adored by the whole family.

How lovely she looks.

Her husband did all he could to save her.

And when he realized that she was lost...

he chose to drown with her.

These are her jewels.

I always keep them with me.

Oh, no. No. I could never wear them.

I understand you, Miss Adele.

You know, I always wanted brothers and sisters.

No, you don't understand me.

You don't know how lucky you were to be an only child.

This wind.

- I thought it would never end. - You must be tired.

Yes, quite right.

- I saw your cousin this morning. - You saw him?

- Yes. - How did he look?

Well, he was dressed up to the nines.

Yes, I never have seen anybody looking so elegant.

What was he talking about? Did you hear what he was saying?

He told funny stories. Really funny ones.