The Asylum

Scene: "At the Gates of the Asylum"

(They  arrive at the asylum. Hartright knocks on the door. A nurse opens it.)

[NURSE]
Yes?  What's your business here?

[HARTRIGHT]
We are representatives of Sir Percival Glyde. We are here to see Anne Catherick

(She leads them into the vestibule. They can see patients milling about aimlessly. The nurse exits.)

[MARIAN]
I  feel so nervous...

(Hartright  looks at Marian)

[HARTRIGHT]
You've been so brave

[MARIAN]
There  is something I must say to you
Something I've held
Deep inside for so long

(She is about to tell him of her feelings, when the nurse re-enters. They drop each other's hand; the moment for Marian has passed)

[NURSE]
Only  one of you

(Marian steps forward. Hartright nods. Marian goes into the body of the hall. The nurse leads her through the patients and points out a woman who has her back turned to them.)

[NURSE]
Catherick. You can have five minutes. Not that you'll get much sense from her

(The nurse exits. Marian steps forward)

[MARIAN]
Anne? Anne Catherick?

(Very slowly the woman turns. It is not Anne Catherick)

[MARIAN]
Laura? Laura?!

[LAURA]
Marian! Marian!!

(The sisters embrace. Hartright enters)

(Hartright and Laura see each other. They move towards each other. Marian watches)

[HARTRIGHT]
...But how can this be?!

[LAURA]
They held me down and drugged me
They dressed me in Anne's clothing

[MARIAN]
I was sure I heard her screaming
But they told me I was dreaming!

[LAURA]
They brought me here that evening
Underneath the cloud of darkness
Though I told them who I was
There was no one who believed me

[MARIAN]
Then it was Anne they buried!
Claiming it was you

[LAURA]
What?

[HARTRIGHT]
There isn't time now
We must get out of here!
We have to stop Glyde
Before he gets away

(Hartright takes Laura’s hand and leads the way out. He sees the nurse. He takes out the money that he was given by the pawnbroker)

[HARTRIGHT]
I will redeem this pledge

(He pays the nurse off and leads the way out. Laura is distressed)

[LAURA]
I don't understand! What have they done to Anne?

[MARIAN]
Oh, Laura, I'm so sorry: Anne Catherick is dead!

[LAURA]
What?

[MARIAN]
I believe they killed her!

[HARTRIGHT]
And put you in this asylum in her place!

[LAURA]
Please, God, no!

[MARIAN]
Oh, Laura, I'm so sorry...

[LAURA]
Then her secret has gone with her to the grave!

[MARIAN]
You mustn't think about this now. We have to get you to safety!

[LAURA]
But we must know her secret!

[HARTRIGHT]
She's right. We have to go to Limmeridge!

[MARIAN]
Limmeridge?

[HARTRIGHT]
We are but three miles away. And your uncle knows more than he's admitting. It's time for him to tell the truth!

(They exit)