The Paradine Case Page #4

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- I know.

But Italy seems

much more colourful.

Might go back to Venice.

Get in a gondola.

Darling.

- What's the matter? What's amusing?

- Nothing.

I can't imagine anything better than

being in a gondola again with you.

- What is it then?

- It's just that you're so...

so transparent.

And for such a devious kind of

barrister, too.

You're pretty devious yourself.

Come on, tell the jury

what's on your mind.

All right. Mrs Paradine is

"strangely attractive".

And isn't Italy colourful?

Idiotic nonsense!

I thought you might be pleased

I can be jealous.

It isn't that. How can you think

I could be interested...?

Of course you're not interested.

I hope you're not so old you can't

admire an attractive woman.

But I want you to know something.

Lots of men find me attractive too.

Is that so? Who, for instance?

- Well, there's Tommy, for instance.

- Tommy?

Tommy Hawfield.

It's getting late.

Time we were in the gondola.

That's enough for today.

Are they treating you well?

- Yes, they're very kind.

- Do you want any books?

- No, they have a good library.

- Good, good.

Soon, I'd like to talk to you

about yourself.

Before you met Colonel Paradine.

- Will that be necessary?

- It's annoying...

Prosecution try to tear down

the defendant's character.

I wouldn't like them to have

the advantage on me.

My past is no affair of anyone

but my husband and myself.

And my husband is dead.

The defendant's background

is important to the defence.

And how far back will this

inquisition go?

As much as I dislike it,

I must advise you to tell me...

anything you think might be...

embarrassing.

I must say, it's essential

I have your co-operation.

Forgive me if I'm being difficult.

I shall try. It won't shock you,

I assume...

to learn that I am a woman...

who has seen a great deal of life.

Please don't mistake my persistance

for any lack of sympathy.

When I was still at school in Naples

it began.

I was 16, or so I said.

Actually I was younger.

- Tragic.

- Yes, perhaps.

But I didn't think so then.

I ran away with a man.

Istambul, Athens, Cairo.

He was much older, of course? Rich.

He took advantage of your youth.

He was married, respected.

I took advantage of him.

Then, as suddenly as it began,

it ended.

He wearied of me, and me of him.

What difference does it make?

There were others?

Of course.

We cannot hide these things.

You said so.

Let's drag them out.

Let them hang me for the past.

No. You mustn't feel that. We won't

let them make anything of it.

Poor Dickie. He would've hated

all this.

He gave me his name, his fine name.

He depended on me to protect it.

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