A Woman's Vengeance

Oh. You are here, are you?

Emily, you promised...

- Now clear out. - Don't be hard on him, Henry.

You're the one who is hard on him.

You treat your brother like an irresponsible halfwit.

And then you are surprised when he behaves like one.

Goodbye, Henry.

I shan't forget what you've done for me.

You've been so unkind to him and the poor boy is in such difficulty.

Entirely through his own fault.

I sometimes think he's the only person in the world who still cares for me.

He was saying such sweet things to me before you came in.

As the cheque.

Henry!

- Oh how can you? - I'm sorry, my dear.

Now... Is this for the chemist?

You never say anything nice to me. Because you don't feel it.

- You hate me, really. - Now Emily, please.

No, you don't even hate me. That would be too much trouble.

You are just bored. Bored and disgusted because I'm ill.

- Because of this. - Must we go through this again?

You can't bear to be near me. It's why you won't come out with me.

My dear, I told you. I am too busy.

Too busy. You're never busier than Robert is.

Robert has offered to take me in his car.

But you can't go by car. It's much too tiring.

It isn't a question of being tired.

It's a question of being with someone who cares for you.

- You mean, who cares for your money. - Well, I don't care if he does!

At least he doesn't wish me dead which is what you do.

Emily!

Henry, surely you can't deny it. You do wish I were dead.

Oh, I certainly shall if you go on much longer like this.

- Oh, I'm sorry. - No, no. Come in and listen.

He's just said it in so many words. He wishes I were dead.

Where are you going?

He's forgotten Janet's birthday presents. Go after him will you.

Proust!

The complete set. And so beautifully bound.

Hello, General.

Look, father.

- Oh thank you, Henry. - I'm so happy you like it.

I can't make head or tail of it. Show me the thing Emily gave you.

Isn't it lovely?

They spoil me. I don't deserve it.

You deserve everything you get. That's a fact, Maurier.

Spending your life looking after a wretched old crock like me.

Father, please.

Sacrificing herself, when she ought to get married.

I'm not worth it.

I ought to be dead.

Making everybody's life a burden.

Now this girl of ours is going to leave us.

Don't worry about it, father. It will be alright.

Very pretty.

What news of Emily?

That's what I came to talk to you about.

Will you do us both a charity?

And come to lunch with us tomorrow?

I'd love to.

- But why is it a charity? - Blessed are the peacemakers, and...

We are in need of a peacemaker.

- What's it all about? - The usual thing.

- What, women? - Father, please.

In this case it happens to have been something else.

Alright, take me out, nurse. Time to go and feed the dogs.

I began it I'm afraid by objecting to her brother.

That made Emily object to me. Violently.

After which we both lost our tempers.

Utterly senseless of course, but then such is life unfortunately.

- It needn't be. - No, I suppose not.

If I were a little less impatient.

And Emily could be more understanding.

Then each of us would be somebody else and we'd live happily ever after.

Meanwhile.

Do you think that a woman who has been married for the best part of 20 years...

Would come to share her husband's tastes, wouldn't you?

- Why yes, of course. - Well.

The first time I showed Emily a modern painting she said it make her feel sick.

That was when we were engaged.

Now, the last time I showed her one, which was about three days ago.

It still made her feel sick.

That's what you call 'intellectual companionship'.

Luckily there is somebody who understands what I'm talking about.

I'm thinking of the first time I saw a modern painting.

When was that?

When was that?

Do you happen to remember a young woman who came back from India before the war?

Oh yes.

A very charming and beautiful young woman.

That's neither here nor there.

The point is that she was an ignorant little fool.

And you were very kind to her.

You opened a door and there were all the things she'd only heard about.

Painting, poetry, music.

It was like a revelation.

Like a conversion.

Dear Janet.

And.

I wish Emily could have a conversion.

But I'm afraid it is not very likely.

Well, I'll expect you tomorrow.

- You are not going already? - Ah, duty.

Duty. Stern daughter of the voice of God.

I have to drive to Windsor.

And get Emily's latest prescription made up.

That's typical of you, Henry.

You always joke about duty, but you go on doing it.

Do I? Well...

I must confess, I hadn't noticed it.

I must say goodbye.

- Where is your car? - At the gate.

- I'll come with you. - You'll do no such thing.

I will dream of it.

Et demain.

- Cadeau mystérieux. - What's that for?

For your thoughts.

They're worth more than that.

Alright. I will give you sixpence when you come for lunch tomorrow.

That's a bargain.

Goodbye.

- We go to the chemists first. - Yes, sir.

Why have you been so long?

I couldn't help it, darling.

I had to give Janet her presents. It's her birthday.

She must be awfully old, isn't she?

From your point of view she practically has one foot in the grave.

And from my point of view, she is a handsome young woman of thirty-five.

As a matter of fact, she used to be really beautiful ten years ago.

- I suppose you flirted with her. - Of course I did.

Do you still flirt with her?

Only in the most spiritual way.

Henry, I sometimes hate you.

Luckily, you have your own inimitable way of showing it.

I know you don't really love me, but I don't care.

I can love you enough for two.

If I didn't love you, I'd think you were horrible.

The same to you, my sweet. Many of them.

- Couldn't we have dinner together? - I can't. I'm dining at home tonight.

At home?

But that doesn't count.

Oh I see. My wife is to be abolished so I can take you to dinner, darling child.

I think you're hard.

Good. Then... I shan't have to ask you tomorrow night.

Henry, do you mean it?

He's got no right to treat Robert like that. No right at all.

But my dear, you must admit that Robert's a bit... Well, irresponsible.

At least Robert has got a good heart. Henry thinks of no-one but himself.

You're being unjust to him, Emily.

You haven't been married to him for eighteen years.

If that's how you feel, I'm surprised you haven't left him.

And see him trotting off with another woman?

- No thank you. - But if it would make him happy?

That's the best possible reason for not doing it.

Emily.

I don't know how you can be so unforgiving.

Why don't you let him go?

Do it for your own sake.

For my sake?

It isn't good for you to feel so bitter and revengeful.

- No wonder you're ill. - Rubbish.

But it's true. People die of those feelings.

Or else they live on them.

Shall I tell you the only reason I'm still alive?

Because Henry would be so happy if I died.

Do you really mean that, Emily?

Of course I do.

You're early, aren't you?

It's my afternoon out.

And by the way.

You don't mind if I'm a little bit late getting back this evening, do you?

My sister is giving a party.

Peas. I'm so bored with peas.

Well, I'll see if cook has something else instead.

Wait, nurse.

Emily, you are having lunch with us.

- No, no. I won't see him. - Nonsense.

He'll say he's sorry and you'll forgive and forget.

And then we have a nice little party to celebrate.

Oh, alright. Alright.

Send Maisey in to help me to dress.

And I'll go and tell Henry.

Thank you.

Oh that poor Mrs Maurier.

She's terribly ill isn't she.

Oh it isn't her health I'm thinking about. It's... Well, you know.

Miss Spence, I could tell you things that would make your hair stand on end.

- Sex. That's all they think about. - What do you mean?

Men. I wouldn't trust any of them.

And a Frenchman into the bargain.

Does Mrs Maurier suspect?

I mean, does she think there's another woman?

Oh, he's clever enough to keep things dark.

But I tell you, we wouldn't be surprised at anything.

Mrs Maurier and you seemed to have to have talked things over a great deal.

She knows I'm a friend.

Shall I tell you something, Miss Spence.

You know that brooch of hers? That diamond dragonfly?

Yes, I know the one you mean.

She's going to leave that to me in her will.