Fosco Tells of Laura’s Death/The Funeral/London

Scene: "The Next Morning"

(Marian has a feeling that something is not right there is foreboding in the air. She goes downstairs. There are servants scurrying around in black. Count Fosco enters solemnly, carrying his doctor’s bag)

[FOSCO]
Miss Halcombe... mi dispiace... I’m so terribly sorry

There is no easy way to say this. Your sister, she is dead

She was walking in her sleep-

[MARIAN]
WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?!

[FOSCO]
She had sent her maid away, as was her custom, I understand

[MARIAN]
No! No!!

[FOSCO]
She walked to her window... and she fell from a great height, you see

[MARIAN]
No!!

[FOSCO]
It's a tragic accident. I am so deeply sorry

I am leaving for London today. If you need anything... anything at all... this is where you'll find me

(Maids enter and dress Marian for Laura’s funeral in the same way that Laura was dressed for the wedding)

Scene: "The Village Funeral"

(The scene shifts and we are back in Limmeridge, at the village church where Laura was married. The village is gathered for her funeral. We are in early April—a cool, bright springtime. A mound of earth where the coffin has been laid. A priest stands at the head of the grave, making the sign of the cross to end the service)

[PRIEST]
I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord; whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die

(Sir Percival Glyde is there in black, showing the convincing outward signs of grief. Mr. Fairlie is in his wheelchair. Marian takes her place among the mourners; she is still in deep shock. The mourners start to move off, each shaking Sir Percival Glyde’s hand. He accepts their condolences with grace. Marian watches with horror. Mr. Fairlie presents himself to Glyde)

[GLYDE]
How can the good Lord
Take my love away?
Far too young
Far too good
I have to face forever
All without my wife

There's no describing my sadness
She was the light of my life
And life is so unfair...
Such a cross to bear

Still, there's the will to contend with
All kinds of papers to sign
I can't believe she's gone
Yet we must go on

[MR. FAIRLIE]
How can you talk of business?
Good God, it's much too soon!

[GLYDE]
Of course. We'll wait a bit
That's appropriate

[MR. FAIRLIE]
(flustered)
I'm much too overcome now
My nerves are simply frayed
Why don't you come to me
In June?

(Glyde nods. Marian arrives at the front of the line. She refuses to shake Glyde’s hand)

[MR. FAIRLIE]
(shocked)
Marian

[GLYDE]
I hope you'll still think of me as your brother

(It is a charged moment and then Glyde exits with the others)

Scene: "Marian is Left Alone at the Grave"

[MARIAN]
I don't believe a word
Everything he utters is a lie!
I was powerless
Just a woman
Too weak to save you

I have no doubt he murdered you
Laura!
You were all I had
And I can't believe you're gone!

Where is Walter?
He's the only one
You and I can count upon
All for Laura
I will be strong
I will live to right this wrong!

(She exits with determination)

Scene: "Hartright in London"

(The scene shifts. We are in London, the Embankment next to the river Thames. It is twilight. A strange greenish light and swirls of fog; an eerie, desolate London peopled by the dispossessed. By the river there are huddles of homeless people, dressed in rags, some drinking from bottles of gin. It is early May, but still cold and frosty at night. Suddenly we see Walter Hartright. He is a very changed man: his clothes are shabby, he is unshaven—he is not down and out, but he is close to it. He walks aimlessly along the embankment. Some of the street people reach out to him)

[BEGGAR]
Spare me a penny, sir?

(Hartright stops, looks in his pocket, takes out a coin)

[HARTRIGHT]
This is my last one

[BEGGAR]
Then I won't deprive you

(He looks at it a moment. The beggar turns away)

[HARTRIGHT]
Please take it, it's yours

(He throws it to the beggar. The beggar takes it, looks at him. Another beggar addresses him)

[BEGGAR 2]
Here, take some comfort
To help you forget, sir

(She hands him a bottle of gin. He shakes his head)

[HARTRIGHT]
My thoughts and my memories
Are all I have left now

(He bows to the beggars, moves on, passing other people of the street.)