1237 - Melanie lies moaning on the floor. When Gabriel goes in for the kill, Melanie screams piercingly, alerting Kendrick, who has just entered the house. Kendrick charges in and forces Gabriel to drop the knife. They fight briefly, but Gabriel manages to escape through the secret panel. Kendrick! cries Melanie.
The wound is only in your shoulder, he assures her--you're going to be fine. Julia and Morgan enter. She's OK, says Kendrick, it's only a shoulder wound. Gabriel! cries Julia. Yes, says Kendrick--Gabriel! He's been in the house all this time? asks Morgan. He came in after Julia left, explains Melanie, appeared from no where and said he was going to kill me. Where did he go? asks Julia. Back through the secret panel, replies Kendrick. Morgan, go after Gabriel, says Julia. All right, he says, but I doubt I'll have anymore luck than I have in the past--he knows every corridor in this house. Be armed, she advises. Morgan grabs one of the dueling pistols from the box and exits through the secret panel after his brother. I'm able to walk, Melanie assures Kendrick and Julia. I'll help you upstairs, volunteers her aunt, then tend to the wound. I want Kendrick to come upstairs, too, says Melanie. Julia thinks that over for a moment, and finally agrees.
Corridor behind the secret panel - Morgan, gun in hand, searches for Gabriel, but hears only his brother's laughter. Gabriel is that you? asks Morgan. Yes, his brother replies. Come out, let me see you, coaxes Morgan. No, more fun this way, says Gabriel--you amuse me, you think you're on my trail, but the fact is, I'm on yours--he giggles. Come out in the open, encourages Morgan. I will, dear brother, says Gabriel, as soon as I play out the game--you think I'm here?--well I'm not--I'm here!--and he laughs. I'll find you, vows Morgan--Gabriel, are you still here?--speak to me! The gun is abruptly knocked from his hand as Gabriel appears, promising, I'll kill you! They begin to fight, punching and lunging. Gabriel is forced to drop his knife, but only momentarily; he escapes again, knife again in hand. Morgan retrieves his gun.
Melanie's room - As Kendrick looks on, Julia binds Melanie's wound and slips her arm in a sling. Julia, I feel much better, says Melanie. You've been through a terrible ordeal, says Julia--I think you should lie down and rest. I don't think I'll be able to until Gabriel has been found, says Melanie--I also want to talk to Kendrick. As you wish, says Julia coldly. I'd like to see Kendrick alone, if you don't mind, says Melanie. Julia looks as if she does. Kendrick eyes her soberly.
All right, Mr. Young, says Julia in her schoolmarm voice, you may stay--but not too long. She leaves. Kendrick is amused. Melanie rises from her chair and gives Kendrick a big, wet kiss. What was that for? He asks. You saved my life tonight, she says, I don't know how I can thank you. There's no need to, he assures her. You're a remarkable man, she says, there's something so right about you--you've always been there when I needed you--you've given everything of yourself and demanded nothing in return. Because I love you so very much, he says, kissing her forehead. And you still want to marry me? she asks--despite all the madness and tragedy in this family? Nothing could change my mind, ever, he says, smiling. She grins--"Mr. Young, you've just been given your last chance to escape--it's too late for you now!"--she kisses him heartily. In all the excitement, he says, I almost forgot the reason I came tonight--I wondered if Carrie was able to help you. The joy fades from Melanie's face. What's the matter? he asks. Carrie was being very helpful until Julia entered the room, says Melanie. Always Julia, complains Kendrick, smacking his fist into his hand--what did you find out? My mother is alive, living someplace close by, says Melanie. Carrie was able to tell you that? he asks, pleased. Yes, she says, she had a vision in which she saw a woman leaning over a man's coffin--the coffin was my father's, the woman, my mother. Did she describe the woman? asks Kendrick. That was when Julia interrupted us, says Melanie, and took Carrie back to the cottage--I think Carrie saw my mother's face. Why didn't you go to the cottage and ask her? demands Kendrick. I did, says Melanie, but I think Julia got there before me, interceded and made Carrie lie to me--I know Carrie was lying, she was terribly frightened. I wonder what is this deep, dark secret no one wants you to find out? muses Kendrick. I have no idea, she replies. Well, he says, you will find out before this night is over. What are you going to do? she asks. See Carrie, he says, and if she knows the truth, she is going to tell me. He leaves. Melanie cradles her wounded arm and sits on her bed.
Julia stops Kendrick, who is about to leave the house. Melanie informed me of your marriage plans, says Julia And you are of course against them, he states. Yes I was, she admits, and for the very best reasons--however, Melanie chose not to heed my warnings, so I suppose I should offer you congratulations. Kendrick returns her smile. Well, thank you very much, he says--I never thought I would live to hear you say that. I wish you both all the best wishes, she adds. Thank you again, he says. May I ask why Melanie wanted to see you alone? she asks. No, he says, you may not ask me, but if you want to ask Melanie, that's quit all right with me. If the subject had to do with who her real parents are, begins Julia. Miss Collins! says Kendrick, the subject never came up--good night. He leaves. Julia looks desperate.
We see a suit of armor bearing a long, wicked-looking sword, in a corner of one of Collinwood's myriad corridors. Gabriel stands near it; hearing footsteps, he hides. Realizing Morgan is heading his way, he attacks him. They grapple, fighting. When Morgan loses the gun, he violently pushes his brother away. Gabriel topples backwards and is impaled on the knight's sword.
The bloody sword protrudes from his chest as he surveys the world in lifeless, open-mouthed horror.
Morgan exits the secret panel, causing Julia to leap from the couch with a cry of fear. You didn't find Gabriel? she asks. Yes, I found him, he says--or rather, he found me--Gabriel is dead. You killed him? she asks. It was quite accidental, says Morgan--where's Quentin?--I'm going to need his help in getting the body. He returned a moment ago, he's in the study, says Julia--where is the body? Upstairs, he says, in one of the secret corridors--but I wouldn't advise you to go look at it--it's not a pleasant sight. He leaves the room. Julia, sickened, sits on the sofa.
Stokes cottage - Kendrick knocks. Carrie, in nightclothes, exits the bedroom. May I come in? asks Kendrick. I don't know if you should, she says. He enters anyway--I think you know why I'm here, he says. I think I do, she says--but I can't tell you anymore than I told Melanie. Why not? he asks. Because I don't know anymore, she says. Do you realize how much this means to Melanie? he asks. Yes, she says, I'd do anything in the world for Melanie, but I just can't help her with this!--I'm sorry! Melanie said you had a vision, he says, you saw a woman, and said she was her mother. Yes, says Carrie, but the vision wasn't clear--I couldn't see the woman's face. But just before you were interrupted by Julia, says Kendrick, you told her the image WAS clear! No, says Carrie, not clear enough for me to see. What are you frightened of? demands Kendrick of the trembling girl. Nothing, she says. Is it Julia Collins? he asks. Why should I be afraid of her? asks Carrie. Because she threatened you the other evening if you said anything at all to Melanie, he says. No, that isn't true! says Carrie, face shaking. Then you didn't see her, says Kendrick. No, she didn't come here, says Carrie. But your father said she did! says Kendrick. That's impossible, says Carrie, Father wasn't here when she... She sees the smile on his face and knows she's been tricked. Then she was here, Carrie, he says. Please go, Mr. Young, she begs. Not until you tell me the truth! he says. Please, I don't want to get into trouble, pleads Carrie. What possible trouble could you get into? He asks. I don't know, says Carrie, but I'm afraid if I get Julia angry, she'll make my life miserable! I guarantee you that nothing will happen to you, he says--trust me, trust Melanie!--tell me--why did Julia come to visit you? She made me promise to lie to Melanie, confesses Carrie. Then Melanie was right, says Kendrick, excited, the vision WAS clear enough to see the woman's face. Yes, says Carrie. And you know who Melanie's real mother is, says Kendrick. Yes, I know, says Carrie. Look at me, he says, you must tell me who this woman is, now. What are you going to do? she asks. Never mind, he says, just know that if you tell me this, you will be doing Melanie the biggest favor of her life--for Melanie's sake, please, tell me!
Carrie looks at him, unsure, miserable at having to make this decision.
Kendrick shakes his head--Carrie, he asks, are you absolutely certain? Yes, says Carrie, she's the woman I saw in my vision. He shakes his head--it's almost impossible to believe, he says. Now you know why Julia always tried to keep it from Melanie, says Carrie. Yes, he agrees, but there's a lot more I don't know--he rises--you've done the right thing--thank you. Where are you going? she asks. I have a few words to say to Melanie's mother, he says. He leaves the cottage door open. Melanie closes it, not as sure as Kendrick that she's done the right thing.
Melanie's bedroom - Poor Gabriel, says Melanie, tears running down her face, after Julia tells her of Gabriel's death. Morgan said he died almost instantly, says Julia, touching Melanie's hair. I suppose perhaps he's better off, says Melanie, sniffing, he's at peace now. Yes, which is more than we are, says Julia--how is your shoulder? Fine, says Melanie. I'll go downstairs and let you get some rest, says Julia. I want to thank you for taking such good care of me, says Melanie--and want you to know I'm terribly sorry for the way I spoke to you this morning--I know the family is devoted to me, and I didn't mean to be ungrateful. I didn't think you were being ungrateful, says Julia--I don't blame you for wanting to know something about your background, it's only natural--if I seem impatient sometimes when you try to talk about it, it's because I've always thought of you as one of us--a Collins--and want you to feel that way, too. That's what Papa used to tell me, all the time, says Melanie. Justin wanted you so very much, says Julia, you were his pride and joy, Melanie. He was such a good man! says Melanie sadly, I miss him so.
Let's not talk about him, advises Julia, putting an arm around her, or we'll both start to cry. She helps Melanie back into bed--lie down and rest, she urges.
Morgan broods by the fire and gazes out the window. Did you attend to everything? asks Julia, joining him. Yes, we took the body and put it in the cellar, he says--who's going to tell Mother? I will, says Julia--she's asleep now, I'll tell her in the morning. They hear the front door slam-- Kendrick. Julia, face angry, meets him in the foyer and coldly reminds him, you're not a member of the family yet--it is customary to knock before entering. Kendrick apologizes--in my excitement, I forgot, he confesses. What excitement? she asks. I suggest you and I have a talk, he says. About what? she demands nastily. May we be alone? he asks. I want to know what you're talking about, she says. Melanie, he tells her--and her mother--I think you know what I mean, Miss Collins. Julia, licking her lips nervously, asks Morgan, leave us alone for just a few minutes. Morgan heads toward the kitchen.
"I know, Miss Collins," he says--"I know the truth now."
Melanie awakens when Kendrick knocks, and gets up to answer the door. He's grinning. Did you see Carrie? she asks. Yes, he says--she admitted that Julia made her lie. Then she really does know? asks Melanie, excited. Yes, she does, he says--and I know, too--I persuaded her to tell me. You know who my mother is? asks Melanie, thrilled. I not only know, he says, I've already spoken to her. She is close by! cries Melanie. Closer than you would think possible, says Kendrick. Tell me! cries Melanie, who is she? Wouldn't you rather see for yourself? he asks--she's coming here, she'll be here any minute. She's coming here to my bedroom? asks Melanie--oh, Kendrick, I'm going to know, at last I'm going to know! She hugs him. There's a knock at the door. Melanie clings to him. I can't move, she says--could you get the door, please? Yes, he agrees.
He turns the knob and opens the door. Melanie, seeing her mother, gasps with delight, her eyes wide.
NOTES: What a way to leave us, huh? Who will we see? I know many have guessed, but in the next episode, all will be revealed. I guessed this myself many years ago, since there were quite a few clues.
I have to give Kendrick all the credit in the world--not only did he convince/trick Carrie into revealing the identity of Melanie's mother, he also spoke to Julia, to Melanie's mother and then went to tell the great news to Melanie herself. What a great fella!
Gabriel is dead, a grisly death, to be sure. Did you sense as soon as you saw that suit of armor with the deadly sword that SOMEONE was going to end up dying by it? Fortunately, the only dead victim of Brutus' attempts to murder the whole family was Gabriel himself. I felt badly for Morgan. I wonder if Quentin was supposed to be the brother who killed Gabe, given Quentin's promise to kill him, but Selby had already had his appendix attack and couldn't do it?
Despite Julia's last-ditch efforts, she wasn't able to stop Melanie from learning the truth. When we do, we understand why she fought to keep it secret, but it was still wrong, especially since she had the nerve to tell Melanie that she understood why she wanted to know her background--yet still wouldn't give it up! Also, I felt Julia was mean to Kendrick after she gave him and Melanie her blessing for their marriage.
Love, Robin