This time, when Dirk picks up Laura and carries her to the bed, RD doesn't seem to strain his back. In fact, they're on their feet almost the whole time.
Jamison's first act as the future Master of Collinwood is to find someone to wake up. Naturally he makes a beeline for Laura's room.
Quentin converses with Charity about Laura. You may hear people say, Miss Trask, that Quentin Collins is a wicked man. I can’t believe that, Charity opines, but without a shred of remorse and indeed some satisfaction, Quentin continues, Oh, it's true, it's true. I have committed all of the sins that you just read about. Charity turns away from him, seemingly troubled but not just by Quentin’s admission. Do I shock you? he asks hopefully. No, she lies. Enjoying himself thoroughly, he piles it on: And more--many more. All of that can cost a man a great deal--spiritually, of course. Yes, of course, Charity agrees, feeling on firmer ground now. Quentin finishes, But through Jamison, I have a second chance. I want to devote my life to being brother, uncle, friend, everything to that boy. Charity smiles and comments, You aren’t wicked, not with the kind of concern that you show tonight. Quentin reminds her, It’s a “grave” (his word) night: That poor lady may be dead already. But Quentin whirls around in shock when he hears Laura laughing on the landing above him. As usual, Quentin, she laughs, you are wrong. The “poor lady” never felt better! She laughs uproariously at his consternation.
Quentin and Laura squabble. Quentin loses and snaps at Charity, then apologizes. But she's caught sight of Barnabas's portrait in the foyer and barely notices.
Laura tells Jamison, Someone in the house wants to hurt me. They can't do that, Jamison tells her. One day, very soon, I will be master of this house. [I guess he thinks his aunt Judith isn’t long for this world!] He promises Quentin that he'll speak to him later (uh-oh).
Barnabas is writing a letter to-- well, someone (turning down a dinner invitation, perhaps) when Charity knocks at the door. She says she feels ashamed of herself but her eyes are aglow. Barn says she's always welcome. She tells him about the fire. The school was completely gutted and my father’s life’s work destroyed--but I don’t care, because it gave me an excuse to come to you. You need no excuse to come to me, and you know it. Come whenever you feel you must, Barnabas says hospitably. I have never known anyone like you, Charity tells him. You have made me see the world as a warm, beautiful place. Barnabas, is there a mirror? The vampire is startled at this request, but Charity explains, I want to look into one, because in your world, I feel that I too am beautiful. You are, Barnabas assures her--you need no mirror to know that. Look at me and into my eyes--you will see, he says. She slowly turns and gazes up at him, adoration and longing in her eyes. (Perhaps because of Charity’s request, this ep. has two shots that are reflected in mirrors.)
Dirk comes to Laura's room and swears to do anything for her. Ask Ra for the scarab, she orders him. After some hesitation and some prodding by Laura, he says the magic words and the scarab appears. Jamison knocks on the door and comes in. Jamison is old enough to be none too pleased to see Dirk standing between his mother and her bed. I thought you would be alone, he says. Dirk was just helping me with something I needed, Laura says. You can go now, Dirk, Jamison orders in an adult tone of voice. Dirk turns brusquely and leaves. How could you speak to Dirk that way? Laura wonders, displeased. Jamison explains, Quentin says servants need to know their proper place. Angrily, Laura says, Quentin is the person who is trying to hurt me. Jamison laughs in disbelief, but Laura says, It’s true. You must believe it or Quentin will hurt me again. She kneels to look him in the eyes and tells him and says, You didn’t have a dream. It was a vision of me dying--because Quentin wanted me to die. Jamison is stunned.
Barnabas and Charity continue their visit. I’ll take you back to Collinwood, Barnabas offers. You can spend the night there. Must we go immediately? Charity asks, having a different conclusion in mind. No, Barnabas says, but soon. She muses, I don't understand it at all. I always thought I cared about Tim, but this is so... different... somehow. Is it? Barnabas asks politely, though he surely knows. It is as if I have no will of my own, Charity tells him. As if I wanted no will of my own. As if ... I had to do anything you wanted me to do. That was the only way that I could be happy. Oh Barnabas, please, make me happy! She turns to face him, lifting her chin to expose her pale and slender throat. His fangs are already bared. I will, he promises, then bites her very slowly, bringing the scene and Charity’s visit to a steamy conclusion.
Jamison tells Quentin that he hates him and orders his uncle to get out of his sight! Quentin is stunned. Laura arrives and orders Jamison to bed so that she and Quentin can argue in the drawing room about which is the more heartless. Really, it's a draw. Dirk arrives and Quentin makes snide remarks about him and Laura, then leaves. Dirk puts his arms around her just in case she needs “warming” again--right there in the drawing room with the doors wide open--but any further activities are put off by a knock at the door.
Barnabas brings Charity back, saying that he found her wandering in the woods, a little disoriented (and no wonder, after that steamy bite!). Barnabas gets his first good look at Laura--and he reacts as if seeing a ghost. For once he is too astonished for speech, even when Laura introduces herself. He swallows hard, covers it with a smile and says, Edward never told me you were as young and beautiful as you are. Edward wouldn’t, Laura replies sourly. She holds out her hand to Barnabas, but instead of bowing over it to bestow his usual gallant kiss, he simply gives it a quick squeeze. It’s late, Laura remarks. She wishes Barnabas and Charity a good night, then goes upstairs. What’s the matter? Charity asks. When Barnabas regains his voice, he says, It cannot be! I saw her, I heard her voice, I touched her hand--but that woman has been dead for over a hundred years!
[Perhaps because Barnabas bites Charity so slowly, the closing credits roll as slowly as they will ever roll.]
