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00:00But before we begin, dear listeners, let me warn you of two things.
00:06First, that this is a story without a hero.
00:08Second, that Vanity Fair is, its name indicates, a very vain, wicked, foolish place,
00:14full of all sorts of humbug and falseness and pretensions, as you will soon see for yourselves.
00:19As we bring our characters forward, I will ask Cleve not only to introduce them,
00:23but occasionally to step down from the platform and talk to you about them.
00:26If they're good and kindly, to love them and shake them by the hand.
00:28If they're wicked and heartless, to abuse them in the strongest terms which politeness admits of,
00:33and also to laugh at them confidentially in the listener's sleeve.
00:36For it was to combat and expose such as these, no doubt, that laughter was made.
00:46The Mall Chick, June 15, 1813. Madam.
00:49After her six years residence at the Pinkerton Academy for Young Ladies,
00:53I have the honour and happiness of presenting Miss Amelia Sedley to her parents
00:56as a young lady not unworthy to occupy a fitting position in their polished and refined service.
01:01Those virtues which characterise the young English gentlewoman,
01:04those accomplishments which become her birth and station,
01:06will not be found wanting in the person of Miss Sedley.
01:09Though in geography there is still much to be desired, in music and dancing,
01:12in orthography, in every variety of embroidery and needlework,
01:15she will be found to have realised her friend's fondest wishes.
01:18In leaving the Pinkerton Academy for Young Ladies, Miss Sedley carries with her
01:22the hearts of her companions and the affectionate regards of her mistress,
01:26who has the honour to subscribe herself, Madam, your most humble servant, Barbara Pinkerton.
01:30P.S. Miss Rebecca Shopp, an orphan, accompanies Miss Sedley.
01:35Goodbye. Goodbye, Miss.
01:36Goodbye, Miss Amelia.
01:37Right you are, darling.
01:38All ready to go, Miss Sedley.
01:39Goodbye, Miss Pinkerton.
01:40Oh, here, Amelia, here's a little something for the journey.
01:42It's some sandwiches.
01:43Oh, thank you.
01:44You may be hungry, you know.
01:45Oh, thank you.
01:46Thank you, Miss Pinkerton.
01:47Heaven bless you, my child.
01:48May you have all the happiness in life you deserve.
01:51Oh, thank you, Miss Pinkerton.
01:52And you too, Becky Shopp.
01:54Don't you bless me, you old viper.
01:56What did you say?
01:57A viper and a fiddlestick, that's what you are.
02:00You took me because I was useless.
02:01You treated me like a servant.
02:03For four years I've hated this place and now I'm leaving it and I'm glad.
02:07Goodbye.
02:14Rebecca, how could you say such things?
02:16Oh, I hate that place.
02:18I've never had a friend there of kind words except from you, Amelia.
02:21I hope I may never set eyes on it again.
02:23I wish it were on the bottom of the Thames, I do.
02:25And if Miss Pinkerton were there, I wouldn't kick her out.
02:27That I wouldn't.
02:28Rebecca.
02:29Oh, I should have liked to see her floating in the water, young and urban and all,
02:32with her train screaming after her and her nose like the beak of a quarry.
02:37Oh, for shame.
02:38Why, how can you?
02:39How dare you have such wicked revengeful thoughts?
02:41Revenge may be wicked, but it's natural and I'm no angel.
02:45And to say the truth, she certainly was not.
02:47And though it might have been true, as Becky Sharp frequently said,
02:50that the world had used her ill, let me remind you, dear listeners,
02:54that persons whom the world treats ill usually deserve the treat they get.
02:58The world's a looking glass, gives back to every man the reflection of his own face.
03:02Frown at it, it looks soully upon you.
03:05Laugh at it and with it, and it's a jolly kind companion.
03:08And so let all young persons take their choice.
03:11Now, to return to our heroine.
03:14Since Becky Sharp is, I'm ashamed to say, the heroine of this story,
03:17it must be admitted that she had not been fortunate in the choice of her parents.
03:20Her father was an artist with a great propensity for running into debt
03:24and a partiality for the tavern.
03:26It was from him, I believe, that she inherited her green eyes and her sandy hair.
03:30Her mother, a young woman of the French nation, was by profession an opera girl.
03:34From her, no doubt, she had her white hands and her delicate figure.
03:37The humble condition of her parents, Miss Sharp never alluded to.
03:40Indeed, as she advanced in life, her ancestors actually seemed to increase in rank and splendor.
03:45But we're running far ahead of our story.
03:49You seem better this afternoon.
03:51His name is George. George Osborne.
03:54He's the handsomest man you ever saw.
03:56Tall and slender, with a pale face and curly hair.
03:59Why, Becky, what's the matter?
04:01Becky, there are tears in your eyes.
04:04Oh, I'm sorry, Amelia. I hoped you wouldn't notice.
04:07Well, what is it, Rebecca?
04:09I was thinking of your happiness, Amelia.
04:11And then a poor little me, all alone in the world.
04:14An orphan without friends or kindred.
04:16Not alone, Rebecca.
04:18I shall always be your friend and love you as a sister. Indeed, I will.
04:21Ah, but to have a beautiful home, Amelia, as you have.
04:24And parents, kind, rich, affectionate parents who give you everything you ask for.
04:29And their love, which is more precious than all.
04:32I have no one. And I have but two frogs in the world.
04:35And then to have a brother, a dear brother.
04:38Oh, how you must love him.
04:40Oh, I do. I do, indeed.
04:41Tell me about your brother, Amelia.
04:43He's been away so long, I don't know him very well.
04:45He lives in India, you know.
04:47India? Oh, then he must be very rich.
04:49They say that all Indian neighbors are enormously rich.
04:52Oh, I believe he has a very large income.
04:54And is your sister-in-law a nice, pretty woman, dear Amelia?
04:57My sister-in-law? I have no sister-in-law.
05:00No sister-in-law?
05:01My brother Joseph is not married.
05:03Oh, indeed. Your brother Joseph is not married.
05:06Tell me about him, Amelia.
05:08Tell me how he looks. Tell me what his tastes are.
05:11Tell me the things he likes.
05:17Look at Joe. You can see the way Gabe's had her.
05:19Like a fish.
05:20Dear brother Joe.
05:21Looks to me as though she had him hooked.
05:23Amelia, your little friend is wasting no time.
05:25George, dear, don't talk like that about poor Becky.
05:28Bravo! Bravo!
05:30Thank you, Becky. That was charming.
05:32Congratulations, Miss Sharpe.
05:33Beautiful! Beautiful!
05:35Made me cry almost, upon the honor it did.
05:38Because you have a kind heart, Mr. Joseph.
05:40All the fiddlies have, I think.
05:42Wouldn't be surprised if it kept me awake all night trying to hum it in bed.
05:46Oh, Miss Sharpe.
05:48Oh, my dear Miss Sharpe, allow me one little teaspoonful of jelly
05:52to recruit you after your immense, your delightful exertion.
05:57Thank you, Mr. Joseph.
05:59Is that jelly from India?
06:00It is. Brought it myself.
06:02Brought it myself from Bogliwala.
06:04Then it must be good, Mr. Joseph.
06:06I'm sure everything must be good that comes from India.
06:11Dear listeners, and more especially dear ladies,
06:15I know what you were thinking about Becky Sharpe.
06:18And you were right.
06:19But before you blame her, remember that Miss Sharpe had no kind parent
06:22who arranged these delicate matters for her.
06:24And if she didn't get a husband for herself,
06:26there was no one else in the wide world who'd take that trouble off her hands.
06:28So, ladies, be charitable.
06:30And now we come to a great evening in the history of our heroine.
06:33The evening when Mr. Joseph Sedley was to pop the question.
06:37Present were Miss Rebecca Sharpe, Miss Amelia Sedley, her fiancé,
06:40Lieutenant George Osborne, her brother, Mr. Joseph Sedley,
06:43and a tall, silent gentleman of no particular importance
06:46called Captain William Dobbin.
06:48Everything seemed to smile that evening upon Becky's fortunes.
06:51She took Joseph's arm as a matter of course on going to dinner.
06:54She sat with Joseph in the box of his open carriage
06:56as they drew across Westminster Bridge towards Vauxhall Gardens.
06:59And it was with Joseph that she walked through the lamplit squares
07:02and heard the fiddlers play and watched the lady acrobats
07:05mount skyward on a slack rope ascending to the stars.
07:08Indeed, had it not been for a certain bowl of rack punch
07:11that was served that night for supper
07:13and of which Joseph partook immoderately.
07:16But let us draw a merciful veil over what happened then.
07:19Suffice to say that Joseph, in a very short time,
07:21drank up the whole contents of the bowl,
07:23the consequence of which was a liveliness at first astonishing
07:25and then positively painful.
07:28Before he was finally put to bed, he had sung a song for two policemen
07:31and publicly apostrophized Miss Becky Sharp
07:34as his diddle diddle darling.
07:36The next morning, overcome with remorse,
07:39he left London for Cheltenham.
07:41Two days later, Miss Sharp, still single and in tears,
07:44left the home of her kind friend to take up a position of governess
07:47in the home of Sir Pit Crawley Bart of Crawley Manor,
07:50Queen's Crawley, near Mudbury in Mudshire.
07:54My dearest, sweetest Amelia,
07:58with what mingle joy and sorrow do I take up the pen
08:01to write to my dearest friends.
08:03Yesterday I was at home in the sweet company of a sister
08:06whom I shall ever, ever cherish.
08:09Now I am friendless and alone.
08:11How is your dear fiancé, Lieutenant Osborne?
08:15We arrived here at Queen's Crawley this evening,
08:17Sir Pit Crawley and I, only he's not a bit like a baronet,
08:21or rather not what we silly girls at school imagined a baronet must be like.
08:25Fancy a stumpy, short, vulgar and very dirty old man in old clothes
08:29and shabby old gators who smoked a horrid pipe.
08:33All the servants came out with surly looks to welcome us
08:36into the biggest old house I've ever seen,
08:38which is not rendered less gloomy, I promise you,
08:41by having the chisels always shut.
08:43At dinner, where we had nothing but watery mutton broth
08:46served in fine old sober dishes,
08:50I met my pupils, two sad, red-eyed little girls.
08:54After dinner, Sir Pit went off to the kitchen with Horrocks the butler
08:57to get tipsy, I believe,
08:59and we sat around the table by the light of a single candle
09:01while young Mr. Crawley read us a long, dismal sermon
09:05on behalf of the mission for the Chickasaw Indians.
09:08At ten we had prayers.
09:10In the main hall, all the servants and Sir Pit somewhat the worst...
09:13Oh, who is it? How dare you?
09:16Oh, oh, it's a pity.
09:22Writing letters, eh, Miss Becky?
09:24Yes, sir.
09:25By the light of my candles, eh?
09:27Yes, sir.
09:28No candles after eleven o'clock, Miss Becky.
09:31Yes, sir.
09:34Go to bed in the dark now, you pretty little Aussie.
09:38Unless you wish me to come for the candle every night,
09:42mind you be in bed at eleven.
09:44He he he he he he...
09:55Miss Amelia Sedley, Russell Square, London.
09:59I have not written to my beloved Amelia these many weeks past,
10:03for what interest could there be for her in the sayings and doings
10:06of Humdrum Hall, as I have christened Queen Crawley?
10:10Sir Pit is becoming more attentive every day,
10:12but what do you care about that?
10:14You, who are so soon to become the bride of your loving,
10:17brilliant young soldier, Lieutenant Osborne,
10:20and all for the past week, dearest Amelia,
10:22it is Humdrum Hall no longer.
10:25Miss Crawley has arrived, the Pit's sister.
10:28Miss Crawley with her fat horses, fat servants, fat spaniel,
10:31the great Miss Crawley, rich,
10:34with seventy thousand pounds in the five percent,
10:37whom, or I had better say which, her brother adores.
10:41She looks very appropriate to her dear soul,
10:42no wonder her brother is anxious about her.
10:44Becky Sharp!
10:46Yes, Miss Crawley?
10:47Come you, my child, and sit by me and amuse me
10:50while my hair is being curled.
10:52Yes, Miss Crawley.
10:53You know, Becky, you have more brains than you have than Messiah,
10:57now I tell you.
10:58Oh, Miss Crawley.
10:59Oh, yes, if merit had its reward, you ought to be a tit.
11:02I wish you could come to see me in London.
11:04To London?
11:05Why, my dear, in London we might even find you some law for a husband.
11:09A law, Miss Crawley?
11:10Why not?
11:11I adore all imprudent marriages.
11:13What I like best is for a nobleman to marry a milliner's daughter as Lord Flowerdale did.
11:17It makes all the women so angry.
11:19That's what I'm always telling Rodan.
11:22Rodan? Who's he?
11:23He's my favorite nephew. You'll see him.
11:25Captain Rodan Crawley of the King's Lagoon.
11:27He'll be here tomorrow.
11:29You know, I have quite set my heart on Rodan running away with someone.
11:33A rich someone or a poor someone?
11:34Why, you goose, Rodan is not a shilling but what I give him and what he'll get in my will.
11:38He's riddled with debts and the bailiff's after like dogs after a hare.
11:41When he marries, he must repair his fortune.
11:44Is he very clever, Miss Crawley?
11:45Clever, my love?
11:47Not an idea in the world beyond horses in his regiment and his hunting and his play
11:51that he must succeed.
11:52He's so delightfully wicked.
11:54He's adored in his regiment and the young men at the Cocoa Tree simply swear by him.
11:58You just wait till you see him, my dear.
12:01Six foot two and a pair of mustachios.
12:04Oh, those stars, those stars, Captain Crawley.
12:08I feel myself almost a spirit when I gaze upon them.
12:11Oh, oh, yes.
12:13So do I exactly, Miss Shaw.
12:17Oh, that's a beautiful wall, Sir Crane.
12:19God, yes.
12:20Go straight.
12:21Go straight.
12:22Oh, it's beautiful out here in the garden, isn't it, Captain?
12:25By God, it is.
12:26Capital.
12:27Capital.
12:28Don't mind my gloves.
12:29Oh, no, Captain, no.
12:31I love the smell of a cigar out of doors beyond everything in the world.
12:36Oh, it must be wonderful to be a man.
12:39Might I take a puff?
12:40A tiniest, tiniest puff?
12:42God, you've got spirit, Miss Shaw.
12:44More spirit than any woman I've ever met.
12:46And I've known some clippers.
12:48There you are.
12:49Steady now.
12:50Oh, no.
12:51You must hold it for me.
12:53Oh.
12:54Oh.
12:55Oh.
12:56Oh.
12:57Oh.
12:58Oh.
12:59Oh.
13:00Oh.
13:01Oh.
13:02Oh.
13:03Oh.
13:04That's not the way, my dear.
13:05Breathe in not out like this.
13:06Look.
13:07Oh.
13:08Oh, that's wonderful, Captain Crawley.
13:11Joe.
13:12Gad.
13:13It's the finest cigar I ever smoked in the world.
13:15Whoa.
13:20Captain Crawley, how dare you.
13:22I have eyes, Miss Shaw.
13:24I watched my father gaping at you, the old shore bacon.
13:27what the party is part of me i know he and others too
13:30you don't think i'm afraid of him captain probably don't suppose i can't
13:33defend my own i'm not all of course
13:35so i'm giving you a warning that's all look out you know
13:39you hit him
13:40hinted something up
13:41honorable
13:42uh... that uh... mister becker
13:44do you suppose i have no feeling of self-respect captain crawley
13:48because i'm poor and friendly
13:50and because rich people have no i say not only i i i don't think because i'm a
13:53governess i have not as much
13:55and and feeling
13:56and good grief
13:57and you can't afford to have no doubt that they are you know i think i can
14:00endure poverty but not shame neglect but not insult
14:06from you
14:07product
14:09uh...
14:09uh... let me start with let me go through the background
14:14please
14:16uh... that uh...
14:17from by jill
14:24and that's the thing that's probably can't see you today
14:27so much the better
14:28and you want to see you know
14:30you know i want to see you miss becky
14:34is tricky
14:35you've heard my sister say she wanted you in london with her
14:39well i won't have it
14:40i want to hear it queens crawling miss
14:43they want to hear this
14:44eighty poor home but me
14:47how could it matter to you whether i think it's good
14:49i think it does
14:50you must be
14:52here
14:53will you stay becky
14:55yes or no
14:57uh... but uh...
14:58to use lady crawling if you like
15:02stay be my wife
15:04you're a bit part
15:05birth being
15:06you're as good a lady as ever i see that
15:09police state
15:10yes or no
15:15say yes they keep me the old man but i couldn't
15:18i'm good for twenty year
15:20i'll be happy to see if i don't know
15:22you should do what you like
15:24and what you like to have it all your own way
15:26i'll make you a settlement
15:28i'll do everything regular
15:30it's impossible
15:31look here
15:32don't let me need to say that i can't do it
15:35what what do you mean you can't i love thank god i can't
15:39i'm already
15:40what
15:41what's going on
15:43on your knees what are you doing there don't tell me you're proposing to becky
15:47yes i do you have i think that that
15:50and told him to do with it
15:52and that might have been at my ear that you absolutely proposed to us at this
15:56yes i did and she refused to let you know
15:58yes i did
15:59travis shopper you waiting for the prince regent's divorce but you don't
16:03think i'll have a good enough for you
16:05calling how can you speak to me that way
16:07home
16:09or too much
16:11my heart is too
16:12will not let me speak to her alone
16:15uh...
16:19now my idea
16:24yes
16:25now tell me the truth
16:27you've never refused and have been locked in someone else in the case
16:31come on now tell me the reason
16:32part of the private reasons why did you refuse them
16:35i refused him because
16:37i refused him because
16:40yet one because
16:42i'm married already married
16:45all you
16:46my little rich
16:47how dare you not tell me
16:49goodness gracious what i think to do
16:51and who's to make my chocolate in the morning for the very true and that it
16:54took
16:56can you ever give me some blubbering you foolishly
16:59i'm not going to meet you
17:01not then tell me
17:02it won't do it don't drive me mad and i'm not into your nephew to my
17:07to captain rodent crawling on the clock yes last week madam by the record at
17:11montgomery
17:14all
17:15god
17:16nobody
17:17what you've seen in practice i'm grateful to people how they thought you'd
17:20get my money but you won't i'll check my will tomorrow not one penny do you hear
17:24not one penny for either of you and you tell him this for me my precious nephew
17:28your husband can i wash my hands of him do you hear i never want to see him again
17:31as long as i live and when you starve the two of you which you will in the
17:34off don't come to me because i won't raise a finger to help you do you hear
17:37not a finger now get out get out get out
17:41thus far dear listener our chronicle has been a milk and water one dealing with
17:45the face of modest people
17:47now suddenly our surprise story finds itself for a moment among very famous
17:51events and personages and hanging onto the skirts of history napoleon has
17:55escaped from elba once again his eagles are perched on the towers of notre dame
17:59and so for a while with your permission we take you traveling across the english
18:03channel from dover to austin and from austin to brussels
18:06never since the days of derries them was there such a brilliant train of camp
18:09followers has hung around the duke of wellington's army in the low countries
18:12that summer and led it dancing and feasting as it were
18:15up to the very brink of battle a certain ball
18:18which her noble duchess gave at brussels on the 15th of june
18:22is historical among the much coveted invitations that went out on that
18:26occasion there are three that are of special
18:28interest to us they bear the names of lieutenant and mrs george osborne you
18:32know them of course captain and mrs rodden crawley you know them too and
18:36captain william dobbin uh tall silent gentleman with large feet
18:40whom you've met before if you remember in voxel gardens and
18:43whom i described you then and described you now again as a gentleman of no
18:46particular importance since that night in voxel a year has
18:50passed many things have happened and much has changed so now dear listeners
18:52we're in brussels at the duchess of richmond's ball where
18:55amelia knowing nobody was a not a failure
18:58while mrs rodden's crawley's debut was on the contrary
19:02very brilliant may i have the pleasure of our dance i believe it was mrs
19:06crawley mrs crawley if you remember you promised me
19:09oh you dear dear men you're spoiling me every one of you
19:13and i'm going to disappoint you all
19:16later my dears later perhaps just now i must go and sit over there with my poor
19:20little amelia
19:22amelia my darling good evening rebecca my dear amelia what is the matter aren't
19:27you ashamed sitting here all by yourself
19:29such a delightful ball too don't you think everybody's here
19:31everybody that everybody knows i mean indeed there are only a few nobodies in
19:35the whole room amelia dear where is your husband what a
19:38wretch he is leaving you all alone i really must talk to him about so
19:42please please don't oh and that reminds me amelia
19:44darling there is something you really must talk to him about
19:46i yes my dear for heaven's sake stop him from gambling or he'll ruin himself
19:50he and rod are playing at cards every night and you know how poor george
19:53plays i didn't know indeed it's your fault as much as anybody how could you
19:56be why don't you prevent him you silly careless creature
19:59why don't you go out with george of an evening when he comes to us instead of
20:02moping at home aren't you lonely why yes oh i i hear that
20:08friend of your husband's captain william darpen keeps you company while
20:11george is out oh here you come now george you wretch
20:15where have you been here's emmy crying her eyes out for you
20:19i'm sorry amelia oh i know george you've come to fetch me for the quadrille
20:22george i'm not feeling very well i'd like to go home soon right after this
20:26dance amelia darling amelia you sit here quietly and feel better after a
20:30time we won't be long will we george george
20:32husband danced with rebecca four or five times that evening
20:35how many times amelia scarcely knew she sat quite unnoticed in her corner
20:41until captain william darvin made so bold as to bring her refreshments
20:45and sit beside her for a time he did not know what to say to her because of the
20:49tears which he saw filling her eyes at last george came back for rebecca
20:54and amelia let him come and go without saying a word
20:57went away with a bouquet and when he gave it to its owner
21:00there lay a note coiled in it like a snake among the flowers
21:04as rebecca took it she gave george a quick glance and then she made a curtsy
21:09and walked away on her husband's arm after
21:13she'd gone george looked around for amelia could
21:16not see her and then at that moment gentlemen
21:19gentlemen
21:22gentlemen words just reached us from the duke of wellington's head
21:27the enemy is advancing our left wing is already engaged
21:30all regiments
21:47the sun was rising as the regiment began to march
21:50among them the seventh of the line the gallant sight
21:53the band led the column and marched the grenadiers their captain at their head
21:56in the center with the colors born by the senior and junior ensigns
21:59and then george came marching at the head of his company looked up and smiled
22:02at amelia
22:07the battle of waterloo had been won and darkness down on the field and city
22:13on becky sharp who profiting by a rumor of an english defeat
22:17had just sold husband's horses for 500 pounds apiece
22:21and on amelia who was praying for george who was lying on his face dead with a
22:27bullet through his heart
22:38you are listening to arson wells in the campbell playhouse presentation of
22:42vanity fair starring helen hayes in the role of
22:45becky sharp
22:58now we resume our campbell playhouse presentation of vanity fair
23:02starring helen hayes and orson wells we now come to a part of our history which
23:06might be called how to live well on absolutely nothing a
23:09year for that is exactly what the characters of our story are doing at
23:13this moment those that aren't dead already
23:16amelia osborne with her little boy has been living for some years now in a
23:20cottage in camden hill on a tiny income augmented though of course she doesn't
23:24know this by the kindness of her dead husband's friend
23:27captain william darbin whom you have met as to our heroine and i know she's the
23:30one you really want to hear about i can only tell you this
23:33but by the time our story finds her again rebecca and her husband had
23:36established themselves in a small but very comfortable house
23:39on curzon street mayfair how she did it i cannot tell you
23:43but you saw expensive chariots at her door you beheld her carriage in the park
23:47surrounded by dandies of note and the little box in the third tier of the
23:50opera was crud with heads constantly changing
23:53there was it is true one head which for some months past had not changed
23:59and which was not the head of her husband rodan crawley
24:03there's a head which was to be seen quite frequently of an afternoon in the
24:06little house at curzon street it was a bald head which shone under the
24:09candles and it was fringed with red hair it had bushy eyebrows with
24:12little twinkling bloodshot eyes surrounded by a thousand wrinkles
24:16its jaw was underslung and when it laughed two white buck teeth protruded
24:20themselves and glistened savagely in the midst of
24:22the grin dear dear lord stain you will forgive me
24:26a poor man's wife must make herself useful you know
24:30i was in the kitchen making a point i know you were i saw you through the area
24:33ratings as i drove up you see everything downstairs a few things but
24:37not that my pretty lady you silly little fipster i heard you in the room
24:41overhead where i have no doubt you're putting a little rouge on
24:43and i heard the bedroom door open then you came downstairs is it a crime to try
24:47to look my best when you come here perhaps not
24:50surely it's the least i can do after what came to me this morning
24:54oh how can i ever thank you my lord you mean there is
24:58i won't miss them my dear they give you pleasure
25:02where's your husband my dear oh out at some club gambling again i expect
25:06he's out so much he leaves me so much alone so uh
25:10convened of him isn't it my dear i've been thinking becky about what you
25:14asked me last night do you still wish it my lord you know i do little devil you
25:19you're really bent on becoming a fine lady and you'll pester my poor old life
25:22out to get you society for what you won't be able to hold
25:26your own there you silly little fool you've got no money it's not half so
25:30nice as here you'll be bored there oh no my lord i am my wife is as gay as
25:35lady mcbeth and my daughter's as cheerful as regan and goneril
25:38well see for yourself you'll be invite next week only i warn you look out and
25:42hold your own and beware of the women
25:51and i refuse to have that woman in the house my lady stain i ask you once more
25:55will you have the goodness to go to that desk and write an invitation to mr and
25:58mrs rotten crawley i will not be present i will leave this i wish you
26:03would i'd be free of your blasted tragedy heirs
26:06who are you to give orders here you've got no money got no brains
26:10doesn't anyone in this house doesn't wish you were dead i wish i was that's
26:13beside the point tell me are you going to send that
26:15invitation to my young friend mrs crawley strike me if you like but you
26:18shall not make me receive that woman lady stain i am a gentleman and never
26:22lay my hand upon a woman save in a way of kindness
26:25i only wish to correct little faults in your character you mustn't give
26:28yourself airs for all you know this carnated simple
26:31good humored mrs crawley is quite innocent even more innocent than
26:35yourself perhaps remember my dear this temple of virtue
26:39belongs to me and if i invite all new gator all bedlam here
26:42by heaven they shall be welcome
26:50fine joe beck you're fit to be commander in chief
26:53or archbishop of canterbury by joe what are you talking about rodney you've done
26:58it beck how do you feel now the daughter of a
27:01painting master and an opera girl invited out to one of the greatest
27:05house in england gad becky you're a wonder
27:12i say beck you're looking wonderful tonight oh thank you
27:16pink always was your color and i say beck where'd you get those
27:19gad they look like diamonds what uh yes they're diamonds well i'm dashed if i
27:25can see where where do you suppose i got them you old
27:28goose i hired them from mr polonius on carpenter
27:34square you don't suppose that all the diamonds
27:37that go to the court belong to the wearers do you
27:41rod and you have to smoke that filthy cigar in here oh filthy aim
27:44i remember when you liked him well enough that was when i was on my
27:48promotion goosey now go on get that uh gad beck you're
27:52wonderful i'll make our fortune yet you old boobie
27:57all right joe i believe you will
28:06it's not my intention dear listener to describe to you here the brilliant and
28:09fashionable entertainment that was given in the marquis of stain's splendid house
28:13on that fateful evening further details if you wish them may be
28:17found in the society glitz of the period what famous persons were present what
28:22they wore what they ate and what they did to
28:25amuse themselves this i promise you whatever account of that evening's
28:29reception you happen to read you'll be struck by one thing that among
28:33all the grand names that were present that night and half london was there and
28:37half the embassies and celebrities of europe one name occurred
28:40again and again a name unknown until this evening to that
28:44particular class of society the name of mrs rotten crawley
28:50the marquis of stain was a slave followed her everywhere and scarcely
28:53spoke to anyone in the room besides she passed by lady stunnington with a
28:57look of scorn she patronized lady gaunt and lady tapeworm
29:01at supper time she was placed at the grand exclusive table
29:04with his royal highness she was served on gold plate and when the hour of
29:07departure came a crowd of young men followed a cheering
29:10to her carriage thereby quite separating her from her escort colonel
29:13rotten crawley so completely separating her indeed
29:16that it was not until late the following afternoon that she had news of him
29:19dear becky i hope you slept well don't be frightened if i don't bring you in
29:24your chocolate this morning last night as i was coming home i was
29:28nabbed by moss of kesseter street you remember the same bailiff that had
29:32me this time two years ago it's nathan's got a warrant against me
29:36150 with costs 170 please send me my wallet and some clothes
29:41i mean pumps and a white tie i have 70 in it
29:44and as soon as you get this drive to nathan's offer him 75 down and ask him
29:49to renew god bless you beck yours in haste
29:52rodden p.s make haste and come back dear
30:01rodden my poor darling monster you may fancy my fate when i read your poor
30:06dear old ill-spelt letter ill as i was i
30:10instantly called for the carriage and as soon as i was dressed
30:13so i couldn't drink a drop of chocolate i assure you i couldn't without my own
30:17darling monster to bring it to me i drove like the wind to nathan i saw
30:22him i wept i cried i fell at his odious knees
30:25nothing would mollify the horrid man he would have all the money he said or
30:29keep my poor darling monster in prison when i got home i found the lord there
30:34and down on my knees i went again he pished and shod in a fury and said
30:39he would see whether he could lend me the money
30:41at last he went away promising that he would send it to me in the morning when
30:44i will bring it to my poor old monster with a kiss from his affectionate becky
30:48i am writing in bed oh when rodden read all this letter he
30:53turned so red and looked so savage that his
30:56companions in the jail easily perceived that bad news had
30:59reached him then he had an interview with his jailor
31:02what was said at that interview what promises were made what
31:06untakings given i cannot tell you what i can tell you is that a little before
31:10nine that evening rodden crawley left the jail
31:13he ran across the streets and the great squares of vanity fair
31:17at length came up breathless in front of his own house
31:21the drawing room windows were ablaze with light
31:24he stood there for some time the light from the rooms on his pale face
31:28took out his door key and let himself into the house went silently up the
31:32stairs
31:35nobody was stirring all the servants been sent away
31:45brava brava i'm glad you're pleased my lord it is beautiful becky like you
31:53beautiful and undesirable
31:57oh
32:00rodden hey come back how you do crawley what is this man doing here
32:06rodden i'm innocent before god i'm innocent my lord
32:10say i'm innocent you innocent black trap set by the two of you
32:17fine pair you innocent why every trinket you have on your body
32:22made for by me i've given you thousands of pounds which
32:25this fella has spent and for which he is he's sold you're not innocent my
32:30kid i don't think you can frighten me as you
32:33have the other you lie you can't let me pass
32:35get out
32:41rodden come here yes rodden take off those things
32:45yes of course throw them down
32:50rodden what are you going to do i want to see if that man has lied about the
32:52money as he has about me has he given you any no
32:57that is give me your keys where are they they're on the desk
33:04oh rodden rodden so it's the truth you've been hiding these these notes
33:10this money for months for years rodden i was afraid look at this
33:14one thousand pounds did he give you this yes
33:17i'll send it back to him tonight for the rest i'll pay a few of our debts
33:22rodden i'm innocent
33:28i tell you i'm innocent
33:43one month to a day following the markers of stains party
33:47colonel rodden crawley left london to take a post in the colonies
33:52his wife left london some weeks later for the continent
33:56she was in paris that in the following year in rome she was in berlin two years
33:59later she received the news of her husband's
34:01death the last of the modest allowance which he had regularly sent her for his
34:05colonial appointment that summer she was seen in vienna and
34:08after that she was heard of no more and now dear listeners we near the end
34:14of our chronicle one more sight of our friends and we're
34:18done a happy ending and our story is over but before that
34:21we must go traveling once more together this time with colonel william dobbin
34:24and his party to the little comfortable ducal town of pumpernickel
34:29in southern germany we have arrived with carriage and courier the elbrinz hotel
34:33the best in town and the whole party is dining downstairs
34:35everybody remarks at the majesty of mr joseph saidley
34:38recently returned from india now somewhat portly and red of face and the
34:42knowing way in which he sips or rather sucks his wine as to colonel
34:47william dobbin himself you remember him surely if you've met him before in our
34:50story a gentleman with the long legs a pale face very large hands
34:55and feet which at first seem rather ridiculous but his thoughts are just his
34:59brains fairly good his heart honest and pure
35:02his life warm and humble and he's loved amelia for 15 years
35:07after dinner amelia the boy and colonel william dobbin go to the opera
35:11brother joseph being less musical proceeds to the casino
35:14where a roulette game is progress the play games are crowded women are
35:17playing some of the masks and behind the masks the eyes twinkle some blue
35:23some brown some green
35:41what was that will you do me a little favor mrs
35:45what is it sit down beside me please mrs and give me good luck oh really well now
35:51and bless my soul i am very fortunate as a matter of fact
35:54i'm sure to give you good fortune
36:06do you play much i put down a nap or two now and then
36:10i understand you don't play to win no more do i i play to forget but i
36:17cannot i cannot forget all time
36:22everybody changes everybody forgets nobody has any heart
36:27but you you have not changed much joseph said what are you talking about
36:34i should have known you anywhere there are things a woman never forgets
36:37i say who is it who are you can't you guess
36:42without my mask perhaps have you forgotten me joseph
36:46god heavens miss sharp rebecca
36:58that evening from his window in the hotel colonel dobbin witnessed the
37:01arrival of mrs becky and her meager luggage
37:05he saw amelia come out to greet her colonel dobbin saw where his duty lay
37:12yes how nice it is to see you or rather colonel i believe it is now
37:16i think you remember mrs crawley i'm bound to tell you it is not as your
37:20friend that i am come here right now we keep it settled down amelia
37:23do you intend to have mrs crawley in your house dear poor rebecca
37:27after all her suffering all her friends forced to her
37:30her husband wicked deceitful wretch having deserted her and taken child away
37:35the woman never had it i will not have this sort of thing in my house i say
37:37dobbin i will not have it and i your friend do hear what colonel dobbin has
37:42to say against me i will not hear it blasted
37:46now we are two women you can speak now sir i assure you amelia
37:51this is not a pleasant duty but a lady who was separated from her husband
37:55who travels not under her own name who frequents public gaming tables i swear
37:59it was the first time in my life is not the fit companion for mrs osmond and her
38:03son i may add there are people in this town
38:05who know you mrs crawley and who profess to know things regarding
38:08your conduct about which i don't even wish to speak
38:11before mrs osmond may i remind you colonel dobbin
38:13that rebecca is my oldest friend she was not always your friend amelia
38:17i remember a night in brussels to allude to that
38:22oh it was cruel of you is that all you have to say against me colonel dobbin
38:26yes that is all a very modest and convenient sort of accusation colonel
38:31dobbin an accusation that remains unspoken
38:35what is it that i'm accused of is it of being poor
38:38faken or wretched that you accuse me oh my poor rebecca
38:42no let me go amelia now at once it is better so
38:45it is only to suppose that i have not met you and i am no worse
38:49today than i was yesterday it is only to suppose that the night is over and the
38:53poor wanderer is on her way scorned for being miserable and
38:57insulted because i am alone let me go i see my stay here interferes
39:02with the plans of this gentleman indeed it does madam
39:05if i have any authority in this house authority none
39:08rebecca you stay with me i won't desert you because you've been persecuted or
39:12insulted or because because colonel dobbin chooses to do so
39:16come away dear if he will not go we will amelia
39:21amelia will you stay a moment and speak to me he wishes to speak to you away
39:25from me amelia on my oath madam it is not about you that i'm going to speak
39:29oh come back amelia i guess you better
39:34well i was confused when i spoke just now and i misused the word authority you
39:40did at least amelia i have claims to be heard
39:43it's very generous isn't it to remind me of our obligations to you
39:46the claims i mean are those left to me by george's father yes
39:50and you insulted his memory you did just now
39:53you know you did and i'll never forgive you
39:56never do you mean that amelia yes i do amelia i have loved you and watched
40:01over you for 15 years for 15 years in vain i know now what your
40:07heart is capable of it can cling faithfully to a recollection
40:11and cheshire fancy but it can't feel such an attachment as
40:14mine deserves to mate with goodbye amelia i have watched your
40:19struggle let it end we are both weary of it
40:23am i to understand then that you're going away
40:26away will you yes amelia i am going away forever
40:30yes amelia forever oh no you're not becky you haven't been listening at key
40:35holes oh yes indeed i have all my life now then amelia you come here and
40:38listen to me while i tell you the truth for a change it's time somebody did
40:42you little idiot you're no more fit to live in the world by yourself than a
40:46baby in arms you must marry or you and your precious
40:50boy will go to ruin you must have a husband you fool and
40:53one of the best gentlemen i've ever seen has offered you his hand and you've
40:56rejected him and tonight you've lost him you silly
40:58heartless ungrateful little creature but i've tried rebecca
41:01i've tried to love him indeed i have but i couldn't
41:06i couldn't forget forget forget whom him rebecca my darling
41:13my poor dead george you couldn't forget him
41:18oh don't make me laugh that selfish humbug that lowbred cockney
41:25dandy that padded boobie with neither faith nor
41:28manners nor heart and was no more to be compared with your
41:31friend with the big feet than you are to queen elizabeth why the man was weary of
41:34you and would have jilted you but the darbin forced him to keep his word he
41:37told me so he never cared for you he used to sneer
41:41about you to me time after time and he made love to me the week after he
41:43married you it's false is it look here look at this
41:48note you've seen it before or you should have
41:50it was in that bouquet he gave me at the duchess of richmond ball go on read it
41:54open it you know his handwriting he wrote that
41:58to me wanted me to run away with him he gave
42:00it to me right under your nose you little fool
42:04that night before he went out to get choked and it served him right
42:14three days later they were married goodbye colonel god bless you honest
42:20william farewell dear amelia so there you are
42:24you have your happy ending dear listener and with that we're almost done
42:29and joseph said they did not return to england with darvin and amelia
42:32the heir of the continent he declared was necessary for his health
42:36so also apparently was the presence of mrs rebecca crawley
42:40who was seen in his company during the next few years in various watering
42:43places of northern europe he died suddenly one day at extra
42:47chapelle leaving his entire property including a
42:50substantial life insurance he had recently taken out to his friend and
42:53invaluable attendant during sickness rebecca crawley or lady
42:59crawley as she now calls herself she's returned to england and chiefly
43:03hangs about bath and shelton and where many excellent people consider
43:06to be a most injured woman she has her enemies
43:10who has not her life is her answer to them
43:14she busies herself in works of piety she goes to church
43:18and never without a footman her name is on all the charity lists
43:22the destitute orange girl the neglected washer woman
43:26the distressed muffin man find in her a fast and generous friend
43:32and so farewell dear listener vanitas vanitatum
43:38who of us is happy in this world which of us has his desire
43:42or having it as satisfied come let's shut up the box and the puppets
43:50for our play is