Anne
Raymond
Cécile
THE NOVEL
That’s not the issue. Why have you invited Anne? And why has she accepted?
You’re not the type of man that Anne is interested in. She’s too intelligent, she has too much self-respect. And what about Elsa? Have you thought of her? Can you imagine the conversations Anne and Elsa would have? I can’t.
Cyril, we were so happy…
Me too. But have you just come all the way from Paris?
He’s gone to fetch you at the station with Elsa. And now…Now you’ve arrived,
I’m very pleased you’re here, I really am. I’ll wait for you downstairs; if you’d like a drink, the bar has everything.
She’s in her room. She came by car.
Lombard is funny, Anne. I’ve seen him be very amusing.
What you call types of intelligence quite simply amounts to normal intelligence at different ages.
Yes, yes, she’s – um – a charming girl, really nice.
I prefer just a drink in the morning because…
It was my fault.
Yes, there is.
You’re very nice, Cyril, you’ll be like a brother to me.
I had studying to do there, it wore me out.
I flunked it! I totally flunked it!
Anne, you can’t do this to me. You can’t make me work in this heat and in the holidays – they could do me so much good.
There are some things there’s no getting used to.
People maintain that a siesta is very restful but I don’t think that’s true…
Mind you, with Elsa being so sunburnt, that kind of siesta can’t be much fun for either of them.
I only said it as a joke. I’m sorry. I’m quite sure they’re very happy really.
You don’t realise how pleased with herself she is. She congratulates herself on the life she has had because she feels she ha done her duty and…
And what about her duty as a whore?
But it’s not meant to be clever. She got married just as everyone gets married, either because they want to or because it’s the done thing. She had a child. Do you know how children come about?
So, she brought the child up. She probably spared herself the anguish and upheaval of committing adultery. She has led the life of thousands of other women and she thinks that’s something to be proud of, you understand. She found herself in the position of being a young middle-class wife and mother and she did nothing to get out of that situation. She pats herself on the back for not having done this or that, rather than for actually having accomplished something.
You get lured into it. Later on you can say to yourself I’ve done my duty but only because you’ve done nothing at all. If, with her background, she had become a street-walker, then she would have deserved some credit.
You are the most handsome man I know!
After Elsa and Anne.
Anne’s not here.
You look magnificent! Oh Anne, what a dress!
You are a complete success.
Ah, I know where they are. I’ll be back.
Are you enjoying yourselves?
And what are you doing? Elsa has been looking everywhere for you for the last hour.’
When we’ve finished enjoying ourselves! But you don’t realise! It’s disgusting!
You take a red-haired girl to the seaside, to sun that she can’t cope with, and when she’s all peeling, you abandon her. It’s too easy! And what am I supposed to say to Elsa?
I’m…I’m going to tell her that my father has found another lady to go to bed with and that she should get lost, is that it?
No, not at all,
Anne wasn’t feeling well. Daddy has had to take her back. Shall we have something to drink?
She was feeling sick. It’s awful, her dress got all stained.
Nothing is final yet, Elsa. Come back with me.
So-so. I drank too much whisky last night.
That’s a very good idea.
That’s a very, very good idea.
Why?
You’re not old.
Don’t let’s exaggerate. All I did, was to kiss Cyril. That’s not going to land me in a clinic. I was kissing him. Anne thought…
What do I care?
Yes, it is serious.
I am not going round in circles in my room
No, I’m not!
I don’t give a damn about my exam! Do you understand? I don’t give a damn!
I know, I’m really a healthy, irresponsible young creature full of fun and silliness.
Happy, that’s saying a lot. Anne won’t let him believe otherwise. She’s very cunning.
You’ll never guess what she’s persuaded him to do…she’s going to marry him.
Yes, Raymond is getting married.
It musn’t be allowed to happen, Elsa. He is suffering already. It’s just not possible, you understand that, don’t you?
I’ve been waiting for you to come. You’re the only one who can contend with Anne. Only you have the necessary class.
Come on, it’s you he loves, Elsa. Don’t try to make me believe that you don’t know that.
She bamboozled him, you understand, with talk about the stability of marriage, and about family life and morality, and he had gotten taken in by her.
If the wedding goes ahead, the lives of all three of us will be ruined Elsa. My father must be protected, he’s just a big baby…a big baby…
Help me, Elsa. I say this for your sake, for my father’s sake and for the sake of the love you have for each other. And for the sake of anyone else you care to think of.
If you think it’s impossible, then just give up.
That’s the very word for it.
Elsa, go and see Cyril and ask him from me to put you up. He’ll sort it out with his mother. Tell him that I’ll come and see him tomorrow morning. We’ll all three of us discuss the situation then.
It’s your destiny you’re fighting for, Elsa!
That’s so isn’t it? It’s useful to have the baccalaureate.
Isn’t it? Yes.
Neither did I.
Elsa has exaggerated a lot. In fact I was going to tell her that…
It can’t be. My father…
Anne won’t want it. She claims that I’m not an adult. And if she says no, my father will say no too. I’m so tired, Cyril. All this emotion is wearing me out. Let’s sit down. Here comes Elsa.
Yes, there is. There is a way. You just haven’t any imagination.
It’s a question of psychology.
It’s not strictly speaking Anne’s fault.
Kiss me, quick, kiss me.
Love suits her.
If it hadn’t been for Anne, it wouldn’t have been at all inevitable.
Age does come into it.
At yoga. But I’m not playing, it’s a Hindu philosophy.
What about? You hate that kind of thing and so do I, that way of having things out that leads nowhere…
I’ve been very unpleasant, I’m going to apologize to Anne.
Yes, of course. And then if we don’t get on too well with Anne, I shall just get married a bit sooner, that’s all.
I’m really exaggerating, you know. Anne and I get on well, in fact. And with allowances on both sides…
You understand. I am well aware that Anne is always right. Her life is much more of a success than ours, much more meaningful…
In a month or two I’ll have taken Anne’s ideas completely on board, there’ll be no more silly arguments between us. It just needs a little patience.
We don’t have to disown it, but we do have to abandon it.
Don’t let’s waken them, let’s go.
Why do you say that? Isn’t she free to do as she pleases?
I don’t love him anymore.
If Anne could hear you now…
I’m not shocked. But you’ve got to face up to things. Elsa has a short memory, she likes Cyril, she’s lost to you. Especially after what you did to her. People don’t forgive things like that.
You wouldn’t succeed.
Of course not.
Be quiet, oh, do be quiet…
Anne, your elegance is causing quite a stir. There’s a man over there who can’t take his eyes off you.
Young Cecile here wouldn’t have come.
Yes, I have.
I don’t know much about what old trouts do, but I myself do fish.
There’s absolutely no doubt about it!
He’s my lover.
I’m feeling fine. I was a little tipsy last night, you know.
I find the way they behave mostly quite tedious, but they can be very funny.
You know, I spent ten years in a convent so it still fascinates me that these people have no morals.
Anne, do you think I’m intelligent?
Even if I were an idiot, you would give me the same answer.
That wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing.’
In the gutter.
Poor Webb!
Oh please, don’t cast my age up at me like that. I use that card as little as possible. I don’t think being young gives me a right to every privilege or excuse. I don’t attach any importance to it.
I don’t attach importance to anything, I don’t do a lot of thinking you know.
I’m not pleased with myself. I don’t like myself. I don’t set out to like myself. There are times when you force me to make my life complicated. I almost resent you for it.
What is that song Anne? It’s annoying me.
What did he say?
What was the upshot?
I don’t know, Elsa. It’s up to you. Don’t keep asking me what to do. Anyone would think I’m the one pushing you…
Go if you want to. Just, for heaven’s sake, don’t talk to me about it anymore!
Anne, Anne, don’t go. It’s all a mistake, it’s my fault, I can explain…
We need you, Anne!
Forgive me, I beg you…
You bastard!
She’s no doubt heading for Paris.
Perhaps we shall never see her again.
I understand fully: it’s not your fault. It was a moment of madness, as they say. But Anne will just have to forgive us, what I mean is, she’ll have to forgive you.
We’ll write to her, and ask her forgiveness.
I’ve news for you. Someone is coming to stay.
It’s Anne Larsen.
I told her to come if her season’s collections left her exhausted and, well, she’s coming
Why are you so skinny, my pet? You look like a little wildcat. I’d rather have a beautiful, blonde-haired daughter, quite buxom, with china-blue eyes and…
Maybe she wants to see your old father. You never know.
I didn’t think of that. I admit, it’s a horrifying thought. Cecile, my pet, what if we just went back to Paris?
My old accomplice. What would I do without you?
Anne wasn’t there, I hope she hasn’t fallen out of the train.
Really? But that’s wonderful! Would you mind just taking the bouquet up to her?
I spent a quarter of an hour on the station platform clutching this bunch of flowers with a silly smile on my face. Thank heavens you’re here! Do you know Elsa Mackenbourg?
At least you don’t bear grudges.
What a charming scene! Two little brown girls in the sun chatting away about bread-and-butter matters.
As severe as ever.
Why must she? I never had any qualifications myself and I live a life of luxury.
My daughter will always find a man to keep her.
What you’re saying doesn’t make much sense.
Apart from Cyril. And you’re the prettiest girl that I know.
Since they’re not down yet and have taken the liberty of making us wait, come and dance with your rheumaticky old father.
You’ll have to teach me to bebop.
Go upstairs and see if she’s ready. It will be midnight at this rate by the time we get to Cannes.
Anne, you are amazing!
What is it? What are you doing here?
What is disgusting?
Apologize!
Sleep well, did you?
My little kitten, I knew you’d be pleased.
Come here, kitten.
What’s this you’re telling me? What were they doing?
Poor little thing. After all, Cyril’s a nice boy isn’t he?
You’re probably right. Yes, after all, you ought to do some work, Cecile. You don’t want to have to redo your philosophy do you?
That’s what I like about young people, their enthusiasm, their conversation…
Anne, come and look at this grasshopper, she’s so thin. If this is the effect work has on her, she really must stop.
Are you missing that boy?
Still, you’re not well. Anne, do you see her? She’s like a chicken that has been gutted and put in the sun to roast.
So our dear Cyril could hold out no longer. Shall we forgive him Anne? Basically, he’s a nice boy.
But what’s he doing? He’s sailing round the inlet. Ah! He’s not alone…
Good Heavens, it’s Elsa! What’s she doing there?
That girl is extraordinary! She must have got that poor boy in her clutches and got herself adopted by the old lady.
I say, she’s got terribly attractive-looking, has Elsa.
You seem to be taking that better then before…
Don’t imagine that some cheeky young devil could take a woman away from me if I didn’t consent to it.
Do you want us to have a talk?
That’s true. You must be nice to Anne, you must be patient.
You are…umm…happy aren’t you?
That’s not anything we want to consider. You’re not Snow White. Could you bear to leave me so soon? We would only have had two years together.
Yes, of course.
You mustn’t exaggerate, I admit that the kind of life you’ve led with me was perhaps not suitable for your age, nor…um…for mine either, but it wasn’t a foolish or unhappy life, it really wasn’t. Basically we haven’t been too…umm…miserable, we really haven’t, or out of kilter, these last two years. We don’t have to disown our way of life just like that, merely because Anne looks at things rather differently.
So it seems.
The trollop, the trollop!
That’s not the point. Do you like it, seeing Cyril in her arms?
And I don’t love Elsa either, but it does something to me, even so. After all, I’ve – er – lived with her! That makes it much worse…
What? If Anne could hear me? Obviously she wouldn’t understand or she’d be shocked, that’s only natural. But what about you? You’re my daughter, aren’t you? Don’t you understand me anymore? Are you shocked too?
If I wanted to…
Of course not.
I’ve news for you, old chap, Anne and I are getting married on the fifth of October.
Isn’t she just?
Is she asleep?
Anne, I love you, I love only you. Do you believe me?
Give me your hand.
What’s going on? Has Anne…? Cecile, tell me, Cecile…
Do you think she has abandoned us for long?
Paris…
You must hold this against me terribly. I don’t know what got into me…on the way back through the wood with Elsa, she…the fact is I kissed her and Anne must have arrived at that very moment and…
What’s to be done?
What a brilliant idea!
Hello
Yes, yes. Where is that? Yes.
She has had an accident. It happened on the Route de l’Esterel. It took them some time to discover her address. They phoned Paris and were given her number here.
The accident happened at the most dangerous spot. There have been a lot of accidents at that particular spot, it seems. The car fell fifty metres. It would have been a miracle if she had escaped.
This is like the house of Sleeping Beauty! How brown you are, Cecile! I’m so pleased to see you.
I decided to drive here and now I’m exhausted.
This is a gorgeous villa. Where is the master of the house?
Elsa Mackenbourg? He’s brought Elsa Mackenbourg here?
I should have let you know in advance, but I was in such a hurry to get away, I was so tired…
Now what?
Did you buy me flowers? That’s too kind of you.
We must have met somewhere. My room is lovely. It’s extremely kind of you to have invited me here, Raymond. I was very tired.
Even so, you must admit that he’s inadequate, and even his humour…
What you call types of intelligence quite simply amounts to normal intelligence at different ages.
I think Elsa is very sweet.
Cecile, are you not eating?
You need to gain three kilos to be presentable. Your cheeks are hollow and your ribs are showing. Go and get yourself some bread and butter.
Alas, there’s only one little girl. I’m the same age as you, my dear Raymond.
Cecile, why do you get up so early here? In Paris you would lie in bed till noon.
And what about that exam of yours?
You absolutely must pass it in October.
You had some private means to begin with.
She has got to study during these holidays.
It’s my duty to do ‘this’ to you, even in this heat, as you say. I know you – you’ll only hold it against me for a couple of days and you’ll pass your exam.
Please.
I detest that kind of remark. At your age it’s worse than stupid, it’s tiresome.
Your idea of love is a rather simplistic one. Love isn’t a series of isolated sensations…
It’s something different. It’s about constant tenderness, gentleness, missing a person…Things you wouldn’t understand.
But it’s true. She has fulfilled her duties as a wife and mother, as the saying goes…
I dislike coarseness, even when it is meant to be clever.
I’m probably less well informed than you, but I do have some idea.
Your ideas may be fashionable, but they’re worthless.
This grey is a complete success.
You’re a nice little girl, even though at times you can be tiresome.
We’re going home. Tell her I was tired and that your father has taken me back. When you’ve finished enjoying yourselves you can go back in my car.
Come here.
Don’t be nasty. I am very sorry on Elsa’s account. But you are tactful enough to sort this out in the best possible way. Tomorrow we’ll explain. Did I hurt you badly?
I’d like to ask you something.
Your father and I would like to get married.
I was rather frightened of you.
I was afraid that you were frightened of me.
Does it not seem ridiculous to you, tow old people getting married like this?
I am not expecting to see you ever again.
You ought to know that indulging in that kind of pastime usually lands a girl in a clinic.
I don’t want you to see him again. Don’t protest. You’re seventeen, I’m to a certain extent responsible for you now and I am not going to allow you to ruin your life. In any case, you have work to do, and that will take up your afternoons.
I thought nothing at all. But I do think it would be a good idea if she were to stop seeing him for a while and do some work on her philosophy.
Cecile is also a nice little girl. That’s why I’d be heartbroken if anything were to happen to her. And considering the complete freedom that she has here, and the fact that she’s constantly in that boy’s company and that they have nothing much to do, something happening to her seems inevitable to me. Does it not to you?
Come on, now. You’re going to swap being a wild creature of the woods for being a good scholar, just for a month. That’s not so serious, is it?
You’re not looking well. I feel bad about making you work.
It certainly doesn’t seem to agree with her. However, she really needs to apply herself to her work instead of going round in circles in her room.
Cecile, dear, make an effort. Work a little and eat a lot. That exam is important..
Don’t make life complicated for yourself. You used to be so happy and always on the go, you’re usually so scatter-brained, and now you’re becoming sad and cerebral. That’s just not you.
Come and have lunch.
You are incredible.
Isn’t it what? Is it useful to have the baccalaureate?
Look at me. Do you resent me for this?
My poor little girl. My poor little Cecile. It’s my fault in a way. Perhaps I shouldn’t have been so strict. Do you believe me when I say that I didn’t wish to cause you distress?
What do you think you’re playing at?
You are very conscientious. And what has become of this great essay on Pascal that you’ve talked to us about so much?
It’s your own business if you don’t work and if you play the fool in front of the mirror. But if you then take delight in lying to your father and me, that’s more serious. I must say, your sudden burst of intellectual activity did surprise me…
Raymond, would you ask the waiter to bring a straw? You really do need one with freshly squeezed orange juice.
Do you really think I’m more beautiful than Elsa?
That’s always nice to hear. But you’re drinking too much, yet again. Give me your glass. You’re not too upset at seeing Cyril over there, are you? Anyway, he’s clearly not enjoying himself.
You are thoroughly drunk! It’s just as well that it’s time to go home.
She’s sleeping like a baby. She behaved herself quite well, relatively speaking. Except for the reference to old trout, which was a bit direct.
Don’t keep saying that, it frightens me.
I thought you might be in need of some coffee…you’re not feeling too bad, I hope.
You’re the same every time we take you anywhere…But I must say I found you entertaining. It was a long evening.
Cecile, do you enjoy being with those sorts of people, the Webbs and the Dupuis?
Don’t you ever realize how monotonous their conversation is and – how can I put it? – how lumbering it is? All those stories of contracts, girls, parties, do they never bore you?
Even after two years. Yet it’s got nothing to do with being rational or moral, it’s a question of one’s sensitivity and having a sixth sense.
But of course I do! Why do you ask?
It’s just a question of age. It would be highly regrettable if I were not a little more self-assured than you. You would be able to influence me!
It would be a catastrophe.
Do you know how men of Webb’s type finish up?
The time comes when they are no longer attractive or ‘on form’ as the saying goes. They can’t drink anymore and they are still thinking about women. The only thing is, they now have to pay for them and accept a host of little compromises to escape their loneliness. They are sad dupes. That’s when they opt to become sentimental and demanding…I’ve seen a lot of them turn into wrecks in that way.
You hadn’t thought of that. You don’t think much about the future, do you? That’s youth’s privilege.
What do you attach importance to? To being left alone? To being independent?
I find you rather irritating, you and your father.
You don’t ever think about anything…you’re not good at much…you don’t know…
Does that make you pleased with yourselves?
I don’t know. Stay in bed and rest yourself. I’m going to pursue my research into the family’s intellect elsewhere.
You don’t need anyone. Neither of you does.
Forgive you for what?
My poor little girl!