Emma Thompson
Jane Austen
A series of traveling shots. A well-dressed, pompous-looking individual (JOHN DASHWOOD, 35) is making an urgent journey on horseback. He looks anxious.
Silence. Norland Park, a large country house built in the early part of the eighteenth century, lies in the moonlit parkland.
In the dim light shed by candles we see a bed in which a MAN (MR DASHWOOD, 52) lies his skin waxy, his breathing laboured. Around him two silhouettes move and murmur, their clothing susurrating in the deathly hush. DOCTORS. A WOMAN (MRS DASHWOOD, 50) sits by his side, holding his hand, her eyes never leaving his face.
We expect him at any moment, dearest.
MR DASHWOOD looks anguished.
Shh, hush, Henry.
They smile at each other. MRS DASHWOOD is just managing to conceal her fear and grief
But Marianne is sure to find her storybook hero.
As long as she loves him, whoever he is.
MRS DASHWOOD tries to laugh but it emerges as a sob. An older MANSERVANT (THOMAS) now enters, anxiety written on every feature.
Your son is arrived from London, sir.
MR DASHWOOD squeezes his wife's hand.
She nods quickly and he smiles at her with infinite tenderness.
MRS DASHWOOD makes a superhuman effort and smiles back. She allows THOMAS to help her out. She passes JOHN DASHWOOD as he enters, presses his hand, but cannot speak. JOHN takes her place by the bed.
Father...
MR DASHWOOD summons his last ounces of energy and starts to whisper with desperate intensity.
JOHN blinks. He cannot quite take it in.
Calm yourself, Father. This is not good for you.
But MR DASHWOOD continues with even greater determination.
JOHN looks torn between genuine distress and unexpected delight.
JOHN's face is a picture of conflicting emotions. Behind them is the ominous rustling of parchments.
Of course.
A brief moment of sincerity overcomes JOHN's natural hypocrisy.
I promise, Father, I promise.
MR DASHWOOD seems relieved. Suddenly his breathing changes. JOHN looks alarmed. He rises and we hear him going to find the DOCTOR.
Come! Come quickly!
But it is we who share the dying man's last words.