RODERICK (V.O.)
Her ladyship and I lived, for a while, pretty separate when in London. She preferred quiet, or, to say the truth, I preferred it, being a great friend to a modest, tranquil behavior in woman and a taste for the domestic pleasures.
Several cuts of the Countess, caring for the infant, Patrick.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Besides, she was a mother, and had great comfort in the dressing, educating, and dandling of our little Patrick for whose sake it was fit that she should give up the pleasures and frivolities of the world; so she left that part of the duty of every family of distinction to be performed by me.
Roderick arriving with a party of friends, escorting a beautiful woman.
Countess crying and having an argument with Roderick. Live dialogue under voice over.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Her ladyship's conversations with me were characterized by a stupid despair, or a silly blundering attempt at forced cheerfulness, still more disagreeable; hence, our intercourse was but trifling, and my temptations to carry her into the world or to remain in her society of necessity exceedingly small.
A drunken Roderick rudely demands his lady to entertain their guests. She rushes from the room in tears. Dialogue starts scene, goes under for voice over, then ends scene.
RODERICK (V.O.)
She would try my temper, at home, too, in a thousand ways. When requested by me to entertain the company with conversation, wit, and learning, of which she was a mistress; or music, of which she was an accomplished performer, she would, as often as not, begin to cry, and leave the room. My company from this, of course, fancied I was a tyrant over her; whereas, I was only a severe and careful guardian of a silly, bad-tempered and weak-minded lady.
Roderick strolling arm-in-arm with his Countess.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Despite the utter distaste with which I now regarded Lady Cosgrove, and, although I took no particular pains to disguise my feelings in general, yet she was of such a mean spirit that she pursued me with her regard, and would kindle up at the smallest kind word I spoke to her.
Roderick and accountant. Her ladyship is signing various documents, and orders for payment.
RODERICK (V.O.)
And, in these fits of love, she was the most easy creature in the world to be persuaded, and would have signed away her whole property, had it been possible. And, I must confess, it was with very little attention on my part that I could bring her into good humor, and, up to the very last day of our being together, would be reconciled to me, and fondle me, if I addressed her a single kind word. Such is female inconsistency.
Roderick and the Countess fighting about her refusal to sign some papers. Live dialogue under voice over.
RODERICK (V.O.)
She was luckily very fond of her youngest son, and through him I had a wholesome and effectual hold on her; for if in any of her tantrums or fits of haughtiness, she pretended to have the upper-hand, to assert her authority against mine, to refuse to sign such papers as I might think necessary for the distribution of our large and complicated property.
Roderick picks up baby Patrick.
RODERICK (V.O.)
I would have Master Patrick carried off to Chiswick for a couple of days; and I warrant me his lady-mother could hold out no longer and would agree to anything I proposed.
The Countess rushes to the window to see the child being put into a carriage.
Another quarrel.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Lady Cosgrove and I did not quarrel more than fashionable people do, and, for the first three years, I never struck my wife but when I was in liquor.
Roderick throws a knife at young Brookside. The knife digs into an expensive antique chest, just missing the young Brookside's head.
RODERICK (V.O.)
When I flung the carving-knife at Brookside, I was drunk, as everybody present can testify, but as for having any systematic scheme against the poor lad, I can declare solemnly that, beyond merely hating him, I am guilty of no evil towards him.
The Countess discovers Roderick making love to the child's nurse.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Do what one would to please her, my lady would never be happy or in good humor. And soon she added a mean, detestable jealousy to all her other faults, and would weep and wring her hands, and threaten to commit suicide, and I know not what.
She screams and shouts something about suicide.
Her son, Brookside, comes running in and consoles her.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Her death would have been no comfort to me, as I leave any person of common prudence to imagine; for that scoundrel of a young Brookside who was about to become my greatest plague and annoyance, would have inherited every penny of the property.
Roderick, bored and distracted, sits before a stack of bills and papers, with his accountant.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Humble people envy us great men, and fancy that our lives are all pleasure. But the troubles of poverty, the rascality of agents, the quibbles of lawyers are endless. My life at this period seemed to consist of nothing but drafts of letters and money-brokers relative to the raising of money, and the insuring of Lady Cosgrove's life, and innumerable correspondence with upholsterers, decorators, cooks, horsekeepers, bailiffs, and stewards.
Various cuts.
Birthday fete for Patrick who is now five years old.
Gaily colored tents, ponies, a puppet show, expensive presents.
RODERICK (V.O.)
My own dear boy, Patrick, was now five years old, and was the most polite and engaging child ever seen; it was a pleasure to treat him with kindness and distinction; the little fellow was the pink of fashion, beauty, and good breeding. In fact, he could not have been otherwise, with the care both his parents bestowed upon him, and the attentions which were lavished upon him in every way.
Brookside and Roderick.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Whereas, young Brookside had grown to be a very nasty and disrespectful fellow indeed. In my company, he preserved the most rigid silence, and a haughty, scornful demeanor, which was so much the more disagreeable because there was nothing in his behavior I could actually take hold of to find fault with, although his whole conduct was insolent and supercilious to the highest degree.
Brookside sitting alone reading a book.
RODERICK (V.O.)
In addition to this, the lad was fond of spending the chief part of his time occupied with the musty old books, which he took out of the library, and which I hate to see a young man of spirit pouring over.
Brookside and the Countess.
RODERICK (V.O.)
The insubordination of that boy was dreadful. He used to quote passages of "Hamlet" to his mother, which made her very angry.