The Haunting of Morella

And the ghostly winds whispered but one sound upon my tortured ears.../i>

Morella... evermore Edgar Allan Poe

Morella Locke! You have been found guilty of witchcraft, blasphemy and murder.

Therefore it is the judgement to this club union to be sentenced to death...

as proscribed by law.

Do you have anything to say before this assembly?

Gideon Locke!

Yes, my husband, I speak to you!

Mark well our daughter, I shall live on within her!

One day she and I will live as one!

To welcome you to the gates of hell!

Look into her eyes! She has the power to control men's minds.

This is barbaric! No one has been executed for witchcraft in the county for 40 years!

She has lived as a witch! And she shall die as a witch!

Proceed!

Now shall her eyes be put out.

So even after her death she may cast no more evil spells.

She shall stay there for a fortnight.

A warning to all who will follow in her wicked ways!

Come, Gideon.

No. Do not torment yourself further, my friend.

I will take care of interring her remains.

No!

No. I shall build a tomb on the very spot where she died.

May Morella live in peace. For eternity.

Edgar Allan Poe's The Haunting of Morella

Seventeen years later

- Yes Sir? - I have an appointment with Gideon Locke.

Yes, you're expected. If you follow me please, Mr Chapman.

Forgive me Sir, I...

...sometimes forget my appearance.

It's an honour fo finally meet you, Sir!

Your message stated that you have an important transaction with me?

Actually, Sir, this concerns your daughter Lenora.

I see.

As you probably know, a trust fund was set up by your late wife's family -

prior to the birth of your daughter.

According to the specifications set down, Lenora is to come into that inheritance on her 18th birthday.

I understand the event will take place in three days.

Yes, on the 24th.

I have some papers that require her signature at that time.

I'd like Lenora to look them over beforehand.

May I ask your age, Mr Chapman?

My age? 27.

Now, if I may see Lenora?

I'm sorry, I absolutely forbid it.

- But Sir, I... - Young man, you will leave this house immediately!

All further transactions will be conducted by letter. Is that understood?

Sir, if I have offended you in any way...

- Quintis! - Yes?

This young man is leaving now. You will see him out.

Yes, Sir.

I have left the papers requiring Lenora's signature on the table. Good day, Sir!

The portrait!

Lenora?

No, Sir. Mr Locke's late wife.

Morella.

He's a handsome young man!

Yes.

I wonder what he wanted?

You can daydream about him later.

Come. Let us get back to our lessons on Spain.

Uh, geography.

What's the point of learning about the world when I'm never allowed to leave these grounds?

Some day you may travel and see all the places we read about.

Some day? Not if father has any say in things!

If you make faces like that, no young man will ever come to call!

Here.

I was saving this for your birthday.

But you can have it now for a smile!

For me! What is it?

You'll have to open it to find out.

It's beautiful! Thank you, Miss Deveraux!

How does it look?

Lovely.

King's knight takes bishop.

I must confess, Gideon, your powers of concentration never cease to amaze me!

- It's as if you could still see! - Yes, it is my curse!

- Your laudeanum, Mr Locke! - Laudeanum?

Yes, Mr Locke's having difficulties sleeping.

I see.

Now, if you have no further need for me tonight I'll be in my room, Mr Locke.

- Good night. - Doctor.

Time for all proper young ladies to be in their beds. Lenora?

Can't I practice a little longer?

You've practiced enough for one evening. Say goodnight to your father and doctor Gault.

Good night, father. I hope you enjoyed my playing, it was a piece I composed especially for you!

It was beautiful! Good night, my dear.

- Dr Gault. - Sleep well, Lenora.

- By your leave. - Miss Deveraux.

I must say, Miss Deveraux has become an accomplished woman.

Yes, she's more than a governess to Lenora.

Over the years I have grown quite dependent upon her.

In some strange ways she reminds me of...

Morella?

After all these years I still can not bring myself to utter that name.

June 14.

While visiting Northampton I have encountered the most extraordinary woman.

Her name is Morella Winthrop.

I know nothing of her family or background.

Yet I feel an immediate rapport with her.

November 21.

My new bride Morella has recently become fascinated with certain mystical writings -

- centering on life after death. Indeed she has a developed a morbid preoccupation with death.

Possibly due to her own increasing ill health.

I can not look into her eyes without the sensation of plummeting into some dreary and unfathomable abyss.

September 24. Morella has almost died during childbirth.

Our newborn daughter Lenora appears healthy in all respects and has the same dark eyes as her mother.

Dr Gault has confided to me that Morella may only have a few months more to live.

While I was away on business Morella plunged into her occult studies with a renewed passion.

Accompanied by some unknown disciple, she deciphered a ritual she believed will grant immortality.

The first step necessitated the slaughter of a serving girl from our household.

Morella bled her in order to bathe in virgin blood.

Thus was she prepared to invoke the powers of darkness.

The final act of this ghastly initiation took place at a graveyard.

Fortunately I arrived home sooner than expected and discovered the slain body of the serving girl.

With several townspeople I set out to find Morella.

We arrived moments before she could conclude the horrible ceremony.

Justice was swift and severe.

May God have mercy on us all!

I didn't hear you come in.

In this household one learns to walk quietly!

Mmm, it feels good!

You've had a tiring day. Perhaps some wine?

No, not now.

What's wrong?

Nothing's wrong. I just prefer to be alone tonight, that's all.

You know I have to prepare Lenora's lessons for the week.

I understand.

And tomorrow night?

There's not a living soul I'd rather spend the evening with than you!

Arise, my love!

Arise from your slumber, my love!

The autumnal equinox is here. And a fresh young body awaits you.

Now Morella...

...come forth!

Come forth!

Lenora.

Miss Deveraux?

Come to me, Lenora!

What are you doing up at this hour?

Father, what happened? How did I get here?

What do you mean? You don't remember?

Well, I was dreaming, and I heard somebody calling my name from far away!

I followed the voice...

It was her.

Was I walking in my sleep?

Yes, yes, that must be it.

I guess I was just upset from reading your diary.

My diary? Where did you find my diary?

- In my room where you left it! - I did no such thing!

Someone in this house must have taken it.

Why didn't you tell me about her before?

- I would have understood! - The hour is late.

We will discuss it in the morning.

- What are these? - Legal documents concerning your inheritance.

A lawyer brought them for your signature.

Perhaps I can visit the village and have him explain this to me?

That won't be necessary. Dr Gault read them to me and they are completly in order.

Father, I am almost 18 years old. Don't you think it is time I started making decisions for myself?

Lenora, you must realize by now why we never visit the village.

There is still great resentment there towards our family.

Because of mother? That was 17 years ago!

You will do as you are told!

Besides, we have everything we need here.

Well, maybe you have.

In two days I will be financially independent. I can travel whereever I want then.

- How dare you speak to me that way? - Well, maybe it's time I started!

Mr Chapman?

Yes? How can I help you?

I'm Coel Deveraux and employed as governess in the Locke household.

Pleasure to meet, you, Miss Deveraux. Please be seated.

I understand you drew up the documents involving Lenora Locke's inheritance?

Actually, my father did.

Indeed!

Then Lenora has a number of questions. Some of the legal terms are rather complicated.

You may tell Miss Locke I'm available at her convenience.

Then Lenora would like you to call on her this afternoon.

I'm afraid Mr Locke made it quite clear my visits were not welcome.

Mr Chapman, you must understand Gideon Locke has not been a rational man...

...since the tragic death of his wife. He still treats Lenora as if she were a child.

Lenora suggests a meeting away from the mansion grounds.

I see. Where would such a meeting take place?

I'll be giving Lenora her lessons near the lake. At the northeast edge of our property.

You may find us there this afternoon.

Now I must go.

Until this afternoon, Mr Chapman.

Mr Chapman! I'm pleased that you could join us.

Allow me to introduce Miss Lenora Locke.

- It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Locke. - Thank you!

I think we have studied enough Latin for one day. I know you and Mr Chapman have much to talk about.

Yes.

It's a beautiful day. You two should take a walk while you discuss your legal matters.

There's a lovely path that winds along the brook there.

You won't be coming with us?

No thank you. I'll just stay here if you don't mind.

- Would you care to go for a walk, Miss Locke? - I'd love to.

So you see, the summation of all that legal wording is that you become a rather well-to-do young lady, Miss Locke.

Have you made any immediate plans? - Yes, I'd love to travel.

I'd like to actually visit the places I've only read about.