Lies We Tell

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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.

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.

Miss Maud!

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 mésalliance

bears upon my uncle's present fitness as guardian.

- 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 murder committed by your uncle.

My uncle was exculpated by the inquest.

That gambler took his own life.

Perhaps you'd care to view the suicide 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.

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. - 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 murder.

Goodbye, captain.

I trust you'll discharge your duty

by casting an eye over the place as you go riding past.

You may go.

I'll serve myself this evening.

Oh my goodness! How exciting!

- -

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.

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.

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.

We had a lovely walk today.

Splendid.

Only one nag in the stables. Room for a string of hunters, I should say.

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?

Getting on a bit, aren't they?

I suppose so.

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.

Beg your pardon, sir?

Serve Miss Maud at once!

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.

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.

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.

You'll have some tea, Edward?