Lies We Tell (2023)

[bunniefuu]

- [wood creaks]

- [wind gusting]

- [wind continues gusting]

- [crows cawing]

[ominous music playing]

[birds chirping]

[ominous music continues]

[ominous music continues]

[Maud gasps]

[Maud] What makes a monster,

you may well wonder.

My father taught me that

only after our death

will we know what we are,

what we have chosen to be,

angel or demon,

creature of light or monster

clothed in human flesh.

He said I could choose,

that I had a choice.

He told me it's an easy journey

between this life and the next.

He told me he loved me.

He told me many lies.

[somber music playing]

Downstairs after upstairs,

Mrs. Rusk.

The gentlemen are

in the drawing room, miss.

The silver service, I think.

Not the china.

- The gentleman...

- Are waiting. Thank you, Rusk.

I'd like the silver service

instead, if you please.

[Mary] Miss Maud!

[somber music continues]

[Bryerly] I must, for a moment,

speak not of your father's

recent death but of his judgment.

Your uncle is hardly

a fit person

to have charge of

an impressionable young girl.

He's my nearest relation, sir.

Therefore eminently fit.

You've never met him, I think.

I look forward imminently

to that happy event.

Your Uncle Silas was a most

expensive, vicious young man.

A friend, was he not,

of your late father?

An acquaintance, rather.

Married beneath himself.

Though, to do him justice,

I believe he hadn't intended

to ruin her.

I fail to see why a youthful

msalliance

bears upon my uncle's

present fitness as guardian.

- [Bryerly] May I be blunt?

- Certainly.

Your trustees would be remiss

in our duties

should we fail to

take into account

and consider the implications

of the historic...

You proposed to be

blunt, doctor.

Suspicion of m*rder

committed by your uncle.

My uncle was exculpated

by the inquest.

That gambler took his own life.

Perhaps you'd care to view

the su1c1de room, captain,

in your new capacity as trustee.

Another time, possibly.

Thank you.

Miss Ruthyn, what I mean to say

is that your trustees

are amenable

if you would care to

mount a challenge.

You may remain trustees

of my property.

My person is none of your

concern but that of my uncle.

That is what you kindly offer,

to assume the additional burden

and the allowance which accompanies

it and have me elect you as guardian,

rather than my own

flesh and blood.

I will not challenge the will

or my father's choice

of guardian.

You will not, I'm sure, wish

to travel home in the dark.

[somber music playing]

You need some rest and

some feeding up.

Good day to you, doctor.

My father was what is

called an oddity.

- There's no shame in that.

- [Maud] I'm not ashamed.

The appointment of my uncle

was made not despite,

but because my father

was deeply, bitterly conscious

of his brother's disgrace.

A mild word for suspected

m*rder.

[somber music continues]

Goodbye, captain.

I trust you'll discharge

your duty

by casting an eye over

the place as you go riding past.

[horse chuffs]

[somber music continues]

You may go.

I'll serve myself this evening.

[door opens]

[Emily] Oh my goodness!

How exciting!

[group chattering indistinctly]

[door closes]

- [somber music playing]

- [footsteps thumping]

My dear cousin.

My dear cousin Maud.

I am so out of breath!

So delighted, but so fatigued

after our dreadful journey.

You can't imagine how I've

been longing to meet you.

My father's been shown

to his room.

My brother, about the

place somewhere.

The stables, I expect.

[chuckles]

What good friends we shall be.

Would you care to take

a turn about the garden?

Or perhaps you're too fatigued

after your dreadful journey.

[upbeat music playing]

[Emily chuckles]

[Emily panting]

What a barracks of

a place it is.

I shouldn't wonder

you're longing to get out of it.

I shall never leave Knowl.

I've put you in the room

next but one to mine.

[Emily sighs]

[gentle music playing]

[Emily] We had a lovely

walk today.

[Edward] Splendid.

Only one nag in the stables. Room for

a string of hunters, I should say.

[Silas] Don't rush

your fences, boy.

Uncle.

You are most welcome.

Dear child, I rejoice

to meet you.

Truly rejoice.

My daughter Emily has

made your acquaintance,

and I perceive already

the foundations of a

lasting friendship.

Pray, allow me to present

my son, your cousin Edward.

Where is your gallantry?

Kiss your cousin, sir.

You modern young women

are so correct,

and all the more alluring

for your modesty.

Your servant, Cousin.

Cousin Edward.

Hmm.

Shall we?

[gentle music playing]

[dishes clatter]

Getting on a bit, aren't they?

I suppose so.

[Mr. Rusk] I'll serve.

Go on back down.

I hadn't thought about it.

You must, of course, consider

everything in this house

perfectly at your disposal.

Beg your pardon, Uncle?

Come.

It is not so very long,

your minority, is it?

May the Lord bless you and

make you all that I could wish.

Forgot your proprieties, Rusk.

[Mr. Rusk] Beg your pardon, sir?

Serve Miss Maud at once!

[Mr. Rusk] Yes, sir.

You think them very bad.

Not very.

You play pianoforte?

A little.

I must hear you.

By and by.

Who makes your dresses?

Mrs. Rusk, I think,

ordered this one.

Mary Quince and I planned it.

Mrs. Rusk, the housekeeper?

Mary Quince?

My maid servant.

There is something

a trifle whimsical about it.

Whimsical has not been

used in this house.

Your father had a taste

for being miserable.

I would rather enjoy this life

than contemplate

my mortification in the next.

You are an heiress

and ought not to appear

like a Jack Pudding.

[chuckles]

Pardon, mademoiselle.

I startled you.

I am Madame, the governess

de votre cousine.

Emily requires a governess?

You, mademoiselle, having,

of course, nothing to learn,

pas du tout, have

no need of one.

Not these three years past.

Is there something further

my cousin requires this evening?

Ah, no. I merely wished to introduce

myself to Mademoiselle Maud,

my most gracious hostess.

You have done so. Good night.

That is my father's desk.

As it was my father's

before him.

Evidently, neither was

much for paperwork.

Ha!

Piquet?

Faro? Loo?

I do not care to play, sir.

Now, we will see what we can do.

Hmm.

Ground rent.

Rent roll.

Leases.

Liquid assets.

Your trustees intend

to keep a tight rein

on the purse strings.

- They are ridiculous, aren't they?

- You needn't mind them.

Ah, putty in your

hands, are they?

I salute you. Guardianship

also just a formality, yes?

I suggest an alliance.

What do you say?

Perhaps you'd rather

stick to the conventions.

I believe, Uncle,

that legality rather than

convention constrains us.

Dear niece, I will

treasure that us.

Come.

My dear brother.

He told you of me?

Yes.

What?

That you are a man

of great talents,

great faults, and great wrongs.

Your talents have

not availed you.

Your faults, you repented

for long ago,

but the wrongs done to you

are still very sore.

[door opens]

[Emily] Cousin Maud.

Are you quite well?

You look tired.

It is not good,

all this time in the woods.

A walk in my own forest

with my uncle for company

is hardly likely to tire me.

Perhaps Madame perceives a

difficulty of which I'm unaware.

No. No. You and your guardian

are completely free

to fatigue yourselves together.

[Maud gasps]

[Emily] You'll have

some tea, Edward?

[chuckles]

You sinner, Edward. Now,

Maud, isn't he a sinner?

[somber music playing]

Case of turtle, I should think,

and get in some hock.

Do you care for hock, Niece?

Above all things, Uncle.

[Emily snorts]

My daughter makes a

noise like a pig.

Do you think your cousin's

table a farmyard, pig?

No, sir.

Then apologize to your cousin.

I beg your pardon, Maud.

And also some claret, Rusk.

Two cases?

Three?

As you wish.

Three cases of claret, Rusk.

[chuckles]

[birds chirping]

[Madame speaking French]

The sentiment quite overcomes

the defect in perspective.

[speaking French]

Emily, come.

Perhaps you might give

votre cousine

the benefit of your advice.

Oh, no, no, no. I won't

trouble you.

See, if you just adjust

the sight line here and here...

Goodness.

I'm sorry if I offended

you, Cousin.

- It doesn't matter in the least.

- [Madame] What do you see?

[Emily] The weather is

rather changeable here.

[indistinct chatter]

[door opens]

Touch of neuralgia.

My father was similarly

afflicted.

May I be of some service

to my beloved niece?

Emily's governess.

- Yes?

- You don't wish for me to obey her?

Only to be polite.

She's not my governess.

She's not responsible

for your conduct, certainly.

[Maud] I am to understand

that you are.

Yes, my dear brother has appointed

me to act in loco parentis,

but I shan't wield

my authority without cause.

Nor I when the authority

becomes mine.

How I will enjoy

introducing you to society,

and reintroducing myself.

You think I regret my seclusion?

I assure you, I do not.

To revisit the continent

with you by my side.

A climbing holiday, perhaps.

I was just your age when

your father and I first went.

When he first took you

mountaineering.

His youthful passion,

I understand.

I'm afraid I don't share it.

Well, not having tried it.

Naturally, one couldn't

consider such a thing

while in mourning...

or even half-mourning.

Hmm.

On that subject, might I inquire

as to whether Madame,

being a French woman

and therefore clever

with her needle,

might sew me a new dress in the

style which meets your approval?

Well, should you present

your request

with sufficient charm,

I may drop a hint,

a measure of docility.

I'm sure Madame might teach

you to wield your own needle,

a much better scheme.

[chuckles]

Don't be vexed.

- May I be of any service, Uncle?

- Oh, how gracious.

No, but I shan't trouble you

with small matters of business.

Anything else?

No.

Do shut the door.

[somber music playing]

[somber music continues]

[Maud] Does family history

interest you?

Oh, yes.

Indeed it does.

I had no idea.

[ominous music playing]

[door locks]

When they broke open the door,

they found him half out of bed,

his head hanging down,

and his throat cut

by his own hand.

How horrid.

[Maud] They scrubbed

and scrubbed.

Did your father not

tell you all this?

No.

Mine did.

Perhaps he didn't mind

discussing it.

There's no suspicion

attached to him.

It seems most unfair,

my father shunned but not yours.

My father's reputation

was ever unsullied.

However unfair and unmerited,

I'm afraid the same

cannot be said for yours.

You concede his ill reputation

unmerited.

Then why should my father

bear all the notoriety?

I'll mention to my uncle

you've been asking, shall I?

No. Don't.

- [shouts]

- [Maud and Emily scream]

- Am I supposed to find you amusing?

-[laughs]

Confess. I frightened you.

Confess.

Confess!

It makes no sense at all.

If the door was locked

from the inside,

then no suspicion could

attach to anyone.

[somber music playing]

[crows cawing]

[bell chiming]

There's no need to

skulk, my dear.

One of your trustees has come

to see how you're getting on.

May I present my niece's humble

cousins, Mr. Edward Ruthyn,

youngest scion of our name,

and my daughter, Miss

Emily Ruthyn.

I trust I find you

well, Miss Ruthyn.

Very well. Thank you.

Tea, Cousin?

She is very striking, isn't she?

No one can hardly wonder about

my brother already being

so fascinated by her.

Their acquaintance is

but recent, I understood.

Mm-hmm, my brother did not

trouble to extend his hospitality

even to his nearest and dearest,

I'm afraid,

but we have overcome

the deficit, as you see.

A hunting man, I understand.

I can give you a good run,

if you're so inclined.

My niece's foxes will be trembling

in their rank little dens.

[Silas and Emily chuckle]

A word with Miss Ruthyn,

if I may.

Miss Maud Ruthyn.

If I may give you some advice...

No, thank you.

You are, and I mean no

disrespect by this,

unschooled in the

ways of society.

I certainly hope so.

Your fortune is

considerably more extensive

than your experience.

Pray, excuse me if I take

a great liberty.

You are a prize, you know.

I do know.

If there's any service

I can render,

anything at all that I can do.

For my property,

I am to presume?

Indeed. Of course,

for your property.

Please consider myself

entirely at your disposal.

[sighs]

[door opens]

[door closes]

The good captain will find

an heiress tres convenient.

The good captain thinks

more of his wine, his horse,

and the folds in his cravat

than he does of me.

And so you may tell my uncle,

should he inquire.

- [somber music playing]

- [birds cawing]

[somber music continues]

Dearest Maud, well,

I imagine you have

a shrewd suspicion of the

object of this tete-a-tete.

I haven't the slightest conception.

Kindly move aside.

You know that it is

totally impossible

for a fellow such as myself

and a charming girl

such as yourself

to meet continually as we do

without a liking growing

on one side or another.

I suppose I needn't pretend

to be violently in love.

Please don't.

Sensible girl. Governor will see to it.

We needn't go into the particulars.

Please don't continue.

Beg pardon?

Am I to suppose you've

formed an attachment for me?

Mm-hmm.

A sincere attachment?

Most sincere.

You do me too much honor, sir.

- Dash it!

- [gasps]

If you require some love-making,

then I'm your...

Have the goodness

to let me pass.

[somber music playing]

[knocking on door]

[Silas] You will excuse

the intrusion.

I have hitherto spoken

to you as a friend,

but I have not forgotten,

if you have,

that my authority as guardian

gives me the right to question

your conduct.

Have I been rightly informed

that you contemptuously

rejected the hand of my son?

I rejected it certainly

with no more contempt

than the question was put to me.

He is unpolished, I concede,

but under your tutelage,

he will improve.

Really, my dear, think

of the advantages.

Marry Edward. Remain at Knowl.

What could be better than

taking your own blood to wed?

Better, surely,

not to marry a man

for whom I have no regard.

Your fancy lies elsewhere,

does it?

Not, I trust, in the direction

of a certain captain

who makes nothing

by his profession

and everything by

his trusteeship.

No, sir.

Wise girl.

[sighs]

[somber music playing]

You have something of the look

of your poor mother.

I'm afraid I don't remember her.

No? Delicate girl.

Sad.

My son's impetuousness

has taken you by surprise.

You were quite right

to take time to reflect.

I require no further...

I yield, my dear. I shall

not press you.

You shall have time,

your own time, to think.

I will accept no answer now.

[door closes]

[discordant piano music]

- [metronome ticking]

- [Mary moans]

[Edward panting]

[Mary moans]

[door clicks]

[Silas] Hurry up. You're

letting the cold in.

[door closes]

[somber music playing]

[Silas] A tribute to

your beaux yeux, my dear.

Your phlegmatic cousin

prefers business to romance.

Will find the arrival

of bailiffs

more compelling than your posy.

It is quite impossible.

I shall speak to my trustees.

This matter, to my regret,

does not concern you or your

property but rather my own.

There will be no bailiffs

at Knowl.

Your creditors have caught

wind of the fee

compensating you for

my guardianship.

Mm.

Ready money is not something

I have frequently been

troubled with.

Perhaps I might communicate

with my trustees

about releasing some funds.

What unwanted generosity.

If you'd care to, Uncle.

[door creaks]

[footsteps approaching]

I'm on tenterhooks.

Tell me, how do you propose

to inveigle your trustees

into settling my paltry affairs?

I propose to tell them

it's a small price to pay

for securing your departure

from Knowl

and that of my cousins.

[sighs]

And if I decline your

so generous offer?

Then I regret very much that the

bailiffs will indeed arrive at Knowl.

And I will make sure

they understand what is mine

and therefore untouchable

and what is yours and

therefore fair game.

[somber music playing]

[birds chirping]

I don't mind waiting a bit.

I'm in no rush to have

a wife on my back.

Oh, very obliging of you.

I'm no hand at play-acting.

I assure you I never had

the least expectation

of a preux chevalier

charging up to carry me off.

Surely you want someone,

someone of your own,

someone to come after you.

I mean, I needn't

trouble you much.

I was just in the midst of

declining your son's proposal,

which he has been

so obliging as to repeat.

Well, shall I carry on

or may we take it as read?

Dear young lady, I

have watched you,

indeed we have all watched you,

without one word of

discouragement,

permit my son's most

marked attentions to you.

There have been no attentions

to speak of.

I have sought no attentions.

You know as well as I withheld

words are powerful allurements.

Allurements are not something

I've ever been accused

of wielding.

However, to be on the

safe side, Uncle,

I will henceforth extend nothing

but coldness and discouragement

towards my cousin, your son.

You are excused.

Pray, excuse me.

[Silas] There is

something you should know.

[somber music playing]

We once made a bargain,

my brother and I.

He paid to clean up your mess

when that gamester took

the coward's way out

- and put an end to himself.

- Ah.

You play too deep, all of you.

That is true, at least.

And he lost more than

he could pay.

Less true. False, actually.

The loss was mine.

But then you won again what

you'd lost and more besides.

No. I lost everything I had

and more besides.

Your father staked me.

The money I had to lose was his.

The whole of his fortune. The

whole of this house, certainly.

That can't possibly be true.

Well, luckily, that other

eventuality transpired.

[ominous music playing]

I don't understand.

I think you do.

That is a foul implication.

I imply nothing.

I tell you plainly,

your father took the steps

required to preserve his fortune.

What steps? The door

was locked from the inside.

Which your father promised me we

could rely upon at the inquest,

and, happily, he proved correct.

You lie. You're a liar.

I speak truth, unaccustomed

as you are to hearing it.

Uncle...

if m*rder was committed

at Knowl...

it was not by my father's hand.

He was always the

better climber.

The taint of suspicion was

to be mine, mine alone,

as one day so would be Knowl.

That was the bargain.

[Silas] Mm.

I'm afraid I didn't bank on him, at

his age, acquiring a wife and heir.

He did what he could for you.

He made me your ward to

prove to the world

his great confidence

in your innocence and honor.

Oh, yes.

How grateful I am to my

honorable brother,

guardianship of you.

The trust with which he placed

you wholly within my power

restores my reputation...

though sadly not my expected

inheritance.

[somber music continues]

[knocking on door]

[door opens]

[Mary] Excuse me, miss.

[ominous music playing]

If mademoiselle has

any petite commissions,

Madame will be charmed

to undertake them.

No, thank you.

Ah, Monsieur Ruthyn prefers that

Madame attend to mademoiselle's

petite d'affaires.

That won't at all be necessary.

Monsieur thinks otherwise.

You mustn't trouble

yourself to go out.

Jet buttons.

I require a set of jet buttons.

Keep your pennies.

Your uncle graciously provides.

Thank you, Uncle.

- [Madame] Tea?

- [Silas] Brandy.

[peaceful piano music]

[ominous music playing]

Unhand me, Uncle!

You're hurting me!

You, says one man

of experience to another,

- buy a pig in a poke.

- Unhand me, I say!

I realize she isn't exactly

what you like.

- Waist none too small. Bosom, negligible.

-[Maud] You forget yourself, sir.

- Still, child-bearing hips.

- Pater!

Fine eyes, and a pretty

little foot and ankle.

[Maud shrieks]

- [knocking on door]

- Come in.

Oh, don't.

It's so lovely.

We could be sisters.

It is enough that

we are cousins.

[door opens]

What is it?

[door locks]

Edward?

I'll accept your apology

in the morning.

Now get out.

No.

[Maud] No!

Get out of my room! Get out!

- Get out!

- [Edward] Quiet!

- [Maud] No!

- Shh!

[Maud screaming]

[Edward panting]

[Maud whimpers]

[Maud shrieks]

[Edward shouts]

It will be best not to resist

or pretend to resist.

- [Maud shrieks]

- [Edward groans]

No, no, no, no!

No!

[whimpering] Edward. Edward.

Edward, look at me!

Don't do this!

Don't do...

[whimpering]

[shrieks]

[Edward grunting]

[Edward gasps]

[Maud sobbing]

[Edward panting]

[door opens]

[door closes]

[somber music playing]

[birds chirping]

[door opens]

[dishes clattering]

Coffee please, Rusk.

I trust you slept well, Uncle.

Moderately well, Niece,

and yourself?

Immoderately poorly,

as I'm sure you're aware,

but then I'm hardly

alone in that.

But I must thank you all

for your kind concern.

[door opens, closes]

I do think you've been

a little cruel, my dear.

If there has been an

excess of gallantry,

you only have yourself to blame.

My charms, I make no doubt,

are near as numberless

as the quantity of pounds

lodged in my bank account.

I cannot conceive why

you are so intractable.

I should rather consider

myself lucky

your son deigns to r*pe me?

My decision is unalterable.

I will not marry your son.

Well, I'm afraid no

respectable man

will take a soiled article

to his bed and board.

I find myself not much disposed

towards marriage, Uncle.

What is it you want in

that little heart of yours?

Do you think it so

little, my heart?

You're mistaken.

[somber music playing]

[somber music continues]

[inaudible dialogue]

[somber music continues]

Saute, please, with peas

a la francaise.

Yes, miss.

[bolt creaking]

Fierce rusty, them bolts.

- See to them then.

- Yes, miss.

The carriage, please, Rusk.

No, miss.

I require the carriage,

please, Rusk.

If necessary, I'll

drive it myself.

I'm sorry, miss.

The master said no, miss.

[Maud] I am your mistress.

[grunts]

- Get down.

- No.

- You'll hurt yourself.

- Come on! Go! Go!

Let me lift you down.

Get your hands off

me. Step back.

[grunts]

Mary Quince, I need you

to post a letter.

Miss, I can't lose my place.

No. They will lose their places.

I'm sorry I asked.

I won't again.

[birds cawing]

[somber music playing]

Ilbury.

Ilbury!

Ilbury!

Ilbury!

Captain!

Captain, wait!

[somber music continues]

Mama, will you be my host

Mama, say you love me most

Mama, watch me as I creep

Mama, sing me back to sleep

Don't

Cut

Me

Off

Very sorry, miss.

Doctor.

Miss Ruthyn, do come in.

How would you say you've

been feeling, Miss Ruthyn?

A tad confined, I would say.

Thank you, Dr. Bryerly.

And yourself?

Concerned, dear, that

you've been unwell.

I've not been unwell.

You've been misinformed.

We shall soon have you put right.

Do not agitate yourself.

I'm not at all agitated.

You're to remain

perfectly quiet.

Your nerves appear to be

more shaken than you know.

I'm fortunate then to have at least

one of my trustees to look after me.

You may relieve yourself of that worry.

I have today spoken to my fellow trustee,

as the consent of both

of us is required

to secure the funds

to ward off the bailiffs.

Be so good as to explain

yourself.

The timber requires thinning.

No such things!

[yelps]

Doctor, a word.

Leave it with me.

Whatever he's paying you,

I will match it. Double it.

You have three years

until your majority.

In that time, you will

be brought to understand,

indeed agree with,

your uncle's point of view.

And Captain Ilbury,

does he share your opinion,

or more accurately,

your doubtless fat fee?

Do not agitate yourself so.

- You will do...

- We may take it then that he does.

[Bryerly] You're hysterical and will

find yourself committed for treatment!

[Maud] I am perfectly

sane and you know it.

In certain nervous states,

intemperance of language

indicates

a likely progression

to v*olence of action,

to self-destruction even.

The treatment generally

involves a degree of restraint,

more or less disagreeable

depending on the patient.

Hmm.

Say it's a hardened case.

Even the most hardened cases

respond to cold water treatment.

The simplest thing in the world,

a sort of shower bath.

Tiled room, efficient drain,

a chair, leather restraints.

Iron has a tendency to rust.

Water t*nk overhead

fitted to a powerful pump.

Thirty minutes

for the most obdurate cases.

Something between 10 and 13

tons of water in that time.

Tons?

Ten tons of cold water sh**t

down on the head of the girl?

I beg your pardon. The patient.

No, you are correct.

Irregular vibrations

of the nerves

are the almost exclusive

liability of the fairer sex

due to the peculiarities

of the female constitution.

One can hardly imagine what

it's like for the poor girl.

There is a viewing platform if

you'd care for a visitor's ticket.

Please. I cannot stop him.

[door creaks]

Couldn't sleep.

Nor I.

We are en rapport, it seems.

Might I suggest some Cowper?

Or perhaps Radcliffe would

be more to your taste.

You know, less bucolic.

I'll leave the candle, will I?

[retching]

[ominous music playing]

Let's get you back to bed, miss.

[Maud] No. Just lace

me up tightly.

[knocking on door]

[door opens]

I can see you're a great deal

under the weather today.

A period of seclusion,

nourishing food, rest,

and no reading

or drawing.

Your uncle wonders

whether you keep a diary.

I'm afraid I do not. Would

you recommend I commence?

Stand.

Thank you. I prefer to sit.

Stand, or I will have

Mr. and Mrs. Rusk

lift you to your feet.

[ominous music continues]

[sniffing]

You'll be the better

for the treatment.

[gasps]

You're an intelligent girl.

Indeed, as I recall from

our meeting not long ago,

you take inordinate pride

in your intelligence.

Perhaps I overestimated

my abilities.

Perhaps when you offered

to overturn my father's will.

- I did no such thing.

- Did you not?

Well, perhaps, Ilbury will recollect.

Shall we send for him?

Ilbury? Ilbury will do as he's told.

You may expect no help in that regard.

Bonjour, doctor. Do you

require some assistance?

Mr. Ruthyn would not

wish to add to any trauma

mademoiselle might be imagining.

[door closes]

All this difficulty,

so unnecessary.

You make your situation

worse than it need be.

Submit.

You need two doctors

to commit me.

Do you know what the medical

profession prescribes

as a sure-fire cure

for hysteria?

Sexual congress.

In holy wedlock, naturally.

I decline to marry my r*pist.

Consider the alternative.

Leather restraints,

a tiled room,

and 13 tons of water

bucketing down on my head.

At weekly intervals.

Bryerly alone can't do it.

Even Bryerly and Ilbury

and you can't do it.

But one doesn't need

a panel of doctors,

far less a magistrate,

to secure urgent treatment

for a troubled young family member

in a benevolent institution.

Solely the signature

of one doctor.

Our kind friend Dr.

Bryerly, say.

I am sorry to see you suffer so.

But you will be better

away from here.

The law is not on your side.

The law being made and

enforced by men.

I concede your point.

But if I contest your treatment,

bridle my tongue, and

appeal most humbly

to the kind gentleman

of the law,

as a girl...

will they believe you or me?

I'll wager me, and then I will

be made a ward of the court

and you will be removed.

Of what do you think

to accuse me?

Approval of the match

my impetuous son

has been rather too

determined to make?

I cannot be held responsible for any

action of his, however reprehensible.

And yet, Uncle, I feel

the weight of previous suspicion

will count against you,

outcast as you are.

Shall we roll the dice and see?

I might just add, should anything

transpire with regards to me,

I really don't think your

reputation would handle it.

Your son is to go away.

You as well.

Hmm.

25,000 pounds would

hardly do it.

Say 50.

Done.

How is it you conceive yourself

able to appeal to magistrates

when you are under the

care of a physician

who won't allow anything

to disturb your fragile state?

50,000 pounds to be paid

at once by my trustees.

At my majority, I will guarantee

you and my dear cousins

the means to live comfortably

elsewhere.

50,000 pounds to be paid at once

will secure you respite from

any further marital proposals.

Edward shall go.

I prefer to remain at Knowl.

In my father's house,

there are many mansions.

You and I needn't set

eyes on one another.

[Silas chuckles]

Une detente, then?

Detente.

[somber music playing]

[knocking on door]

[Mr. Rusk] The carriage

will be around directly, sir.

[Bryerly] I should wait

until after dinner.

A sudden journey, unless

fortified, can be perilous.

[Mr. Rusk] The master has

called the carriage, sir.

Dinner downstairs this

evening, miss.

Your uncle presents

his compliments

and requests that Miss Maud

join the family.

- That's plenty, Mary Quince.

- Mrs. Rusk will do for you tonight.

I'm to go for bits and pieces

for your cousins.

No, you're wanted here.

Mrs. Rusk can go

for their bits and pieces.

Well, the master

wouldn't trust her for it.

Mr. Ruthyn, I mean.

Heaps of things they'll need.

- They'll be so long away.

- Both my cousins?

- So says Mr. Ruthyn.

- [sighs]

- How we will miss them.

- [snickers]

As much as it pains me

to see my son and heir

depart the ancestral halls,

I will have to bear the

grief of parting.

Your cousin is made of

sterner stuff than you, sir.

It therefore becomes necessary

that your importunity should

trouble her no longer.

I don't follow, sir.

Your stupidity never ceases

to reproach me

for the callow mistake

I made in my youth.

And since I do not choose

my son's going to be accompanied

by any sordid gossip,

my daughter shall accompany him.

A spell at a French convent

will do wonders for you.

Et moi?

Mm, Madame, it seems,

after all these years,

we can dispense with

your services.

Indeed, monsieur.

I would be pleased to continue

my care of Mademoiselle Emily.

Self-sacrifice was ever

your strong suit, Madame,

but I shan't be required

to task it further.

She's my charge. I shall

accompany her.

No.

Monsieur.

[chuckling]

[in Irish accent] Silas.

I beg your pardon?

You'll not part me

from our daughter.

My dear Madame,

I fear you're not quite

yourself this evening.

Emily, don't let him do this.

Don't.

Emily, look at me please.

Emily, please, my darling. My own girl.

My own... Please.

- [Emily] Don't touch me. Don't.

- Please, please, please.

- All right! Enough!

- Please!

You are, of course, perfectly

free to accompany your mother.

No, thank you, sir.

Emily.

- No, no.

- Now, now.

Come on. You're quite worn out.

I suggest you retire

and rest up...

before you go.

[Madame sobs]

[Silas sighs]

Must I really go?

[chuckles] Must I repeat myself?

And Maud?

Remains at Knowl with me,

unless you would find

a period abroad productive.

I shall, of course,

remain at Knowl.

[knocking on door]

[Mrs. Rusk] Miss?

Spiced claret.

Master says I'm to undress you.

And I say you are not.

My silence was a condition

of my employment,

and yet you blame

me and not him?

You chose not to trust me

with your secret.

But I couldn't tell you.

But I thought you knew.

You did know.

I thank you for your service.

[somber music playing]

Madame.

[wind howls]

[knocking on door]

[rattling]

[ominous music playing]

- [knocking on door]

- [Emily] Maud?

Such distress. Surely you're content

you've banished my brother and me.

I would like to give

you a memento.

A family piece, if you'd

care to choose something.

If you wish.

Here.

Lie back.

[clattering]

[door opens]

[Silas] Put her out.

[Edward] I thought you might

do the honors, sir.

Feet first. She jumped.

An irrevocable impulse

of the unbalanced mind,

as the good doctor will confirm.

There's no need to

reproach yourself.

- We gave her every chance.

- [Edward] Pater, I...

[Silas] Don't be such a girl!

[Edward] Pater, it's Emily.

[panting]

[gasps]

- [door bangs]

- [Maud shrieks]

[glass shatters]

[lantern creaking]

Darling Maud.

Shall we go out together

in a blaze of glory?

I have an idea.

You go out and I'll stay here.

Glory needn't come into it.

So, tell me, Uncle.

Is Edward also Madame's?

Edward was got in wedlock.

Only my daughter is a bastard,

and I would think that you

in your delicate situation

might show touch more sympathy.

The kind you showed

me, for example?

[gentle music playing]

I would have loved you.

You do love me.

We're the same, you and I.

[Maud gasps]

Then why should my

life be forfeit?

- [Kn*fe squelches]

- [gasps]

And not yours?

[gasping]

I gave you every chance.

[Silas yelps]

[Edward] Father!

- [tense music playing]

- [Kn*fe clatters]

[Edward] Maud!

[tense music continues]

[Maud] Captain Ilbury!

Captain!

Captain!

Captain!

What's happened?

What's happened?

- Oh, captain.

- It's all right. It's all right.

What's happened? What

has happened?

My father is dead.

m*rder*d.

m*rder*d by Madame.

[somber music playing

Come, come. Come inside. It's all right.

It's all right, Maud.

Come inside. It's all right.

[Maud sobbing]

We didn't know where to turn.

My poor cousin is

quite distraught.

You'd only to say the word.

I would've come to you.

Madame is also dead.

A double tragedy.

They were lovers or

had been once, I think.

You will correct me, Cousin, if

I misapprehended the situation.

The prospect of Emily

being schooled abroad

and no longer requiring

a governess

put an intolerable strain

on Madame's faculties.

An insanity, even.

She can hardly be blamed

for stabbing my uncle to death.

Did I get that right, Cousin?

Indeed, I'm not altogether sure

of my uncle's state of mind.

Devastated, he was,

at the prospect

that you had also expressed

an intent to leave Knowl.

A scheme by which you must

no means abandon, going abroad.

America.

Australia, I thought?

Australia.

You would then be unprotected.

- My sister would be...

- Ever the dearest companion I have known.

I will so miss her

when she's away at school.

I, of course, cannot

leave Knowl.

You would then be

entirely alone.

[gentle music playing]

You may rely on me.

[Maud] The direful

knowledge of good and evil

comes with age.

I wonder how I lived through

that terrible ordeal.

It can only have been

the hand of providence.

[indistinct chatter]

[gentle music continues]

[Maud] Behold, the day cometh

that shall burn like a furnace,

and all the proud and

everyone that doth wickedness

shall be stubble.

- [Ilbury] Hallelujah! [chuckles]

- [Emily] Oh, what joy!

[Maud] I was a peculiarly

innocent girl,

my father always said.

He told me many lies

and one truth.

Angels and demons, monsters

and spirits,

do walk among us, clothed

in human flesh.

I tell many lies and one truth.

Lies to the liars,

and truth to the one

who comes after me.

Angels and monsters

do walk among us.

The trick is to tell

which is which.

[gentle music continues]

[somber piano music playing]