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1232 - Julia gently strokes Morgan's face, encouraging him, wake up. He opens his eyes and looks at her. Morgan? she asks. Julia? he says. Thank heavens your're yourself again, she says. Myself? he asks. I'll explain later, she says. He climbs off the bed--how did I get here? It's a long story, she says, and I'd better start with the last thing that happened. Julia! he says delightedly, I've survived the room--I'm alive and well and I've broken the curse! No, she says, a moment ago, the spirit of Brutus Collins appeared here and he said the curse is not ended--it will go on and lead to more tragedy than ever before!
I don't understand, says Morgan--Brutus' original letter stated that if I went into the room and survived, that everything would be all... No, interrupts Julia, I'm aware of all that, but I just learned something we never knew before--it wasn't James Forsythe that put on the curse, but Brutus Collins. Morgan is shocked. The man was obviously half mad, says Julia, and despised by everyone in his family except his sister--and when she turned against him, he became completely mad, and that's when he put on the curse. Then it was a Collins who did it, says Morgan. Yes, says Julia, and Brutus who killed his wife, Amanda, and Forsythe. But why? asks Morgan.
Brutus and James were business partners, she explains--Brutus was cheating Forsythe; the latter found out about it and told Brutus that he knew--Brutus killed him to protect himself. But why would he kill his own wife? wonders Morgan. Forsythe and Amanda were lovers, says Julia. How did you find all these things out? he asks. You told me, she says--what's the last thing you remember when you went into the locked room? I remember discovering a secret door in the room, he says, and I opened it to discover another room. And you found a flight of stairs, she says, that led to a room that had old ledgers in it--and two corpses. Yes, but how did you know that? he asks. The two corpses were Amanda and James Forsythe, she says, and somehow, when you were there, Forsythe's spirit possessed you. You mean I came out of that room as James Forsythe? he asks. Yes, she says--we were afraid you'd never be yourself again. How long was I like that? he asks. Over a week, she says--at first you seemed quite harmless, but then you began to change, and you started to become violent--earlier this evening, we held a seance, hoping to exorcise the spirit from your body. And you succeeded, says Morgan. No, she says, the ghost of Brutus Collins managed to get Forsythe's spirit back to his tomb. I want to learn the rest downstairs, says Morgan--I'm going to find Catherine at once.
Daphne gazes out the Old House window for a few moments, then leaves the house and paces in front of her doorway. She hears someone coming--Josette, who asks where Bramwell is. I don't know, says Daphne, turning her back, he's been gone most of the evening. Are you feeling all right? Josette asks. Yes of course, says Daphne. You haven't been happy here, have you? the older woman asks. Whatever made you say that? asks Daphne. I know it's true, Josette says, there was a quality about you when you first came here--a spirited, zestful quality--I don't see it anymore, and I know why. There's really nothing wrong, says Daphne, holding Josette's hand--you've been awfully kind and considerate toward me--nothing that won't work itself out in time--she excuses herself to get some fresh air. Josette gazes sadly after her, then looks at a letter in her hand, addressed to Bramwell.
Morgan comes downstairs to the drawing room and asks Julia, who is doing needlepoint, where might Catherine be? Haven't you found her? asks Julia. No, I've looked all over the house, he says impatiently. Julia, looking circumspect, says, I have no idea where Catherine might be. Do you know something you aren't telling me? he asks--what else happened while I was possessed? Nothing, says Julia. How many times did Bramwell come to this house? he asks. Now you really must not get upset by that, says Julia, going over to the liquor cabinet. How often did Bramwell come to this house--I can't believe he stayed away the entire time I was possessed, says Morgan--how often was he here? A few times, admits Julia. More like every day, guesses Morgan angrily. Don't start imagining things, says Julia. I'm not doing that, he says, I'm just angry, and would like to know why my wife isn't here where she belongs. (Like a possession, for God's sake--being possessed didn't improve Morgan one bit.)
11:05 - Bramwell's letter sits on the mantel. He comes home, looking dejected. Where have you been all evening? asks Josette. Out walking and thinking, he says. She hands him the letter, which he anxiously opens. This is wonderful! he exults, this could be the news I've been waiting for--I'm to meet Daniel Cabot at midnight -he's the one who will have news of my ship! Josette looks at him. Aren't you excited? he asks. Even if the news is good, she says, will it change anything?--will it make life anymore bearable for Daphne? Bramwell looks guilty.
I don't know what you're talking about, says Bramwell. Yes you do, says his mother, and it's time you faced up to it. Faced up to what? he demands. You're just like your father, she says, he could talk about anything but his own emotional crises. We'll have to discuss this later, insists Bramwell, I'm going to the village. No! says Josette, we're going to speak now--if you aren't able to realize the mistake you made, it is up to me to point it out to you. What mistake are you talking about? he asks. Your marriage to Daphne, she says--you do know it was a mistake, don't you? No I don't know, he says, turning away. Look at me, she says, do you love her?--do you really love her? I think I do, he says. You don't THINK you love a person, Bramwell, she says, you know. All right then I know, he says. That makes you rather unique, doesn't it? she asks.
I don't know what you mean, he says. No man can divide his love between two women--you're still in love with Catherine and you know it, she says. My feelings for her will pass, he says. You don't believe that anymore than I do, she says--if a man makes a mistake and hurts only himself, that's one thing--but in this situation, Daphne is the one being truly hurt--can't you see that? Bramwell, ashamed, asks, has Daphne been talking to you? She hasn't had to, says Josette, it's obvious enough just looking at her. Where is she now? he asks. She went out for some air, says Josette. I do have deep feelings for her, he admits. Why can't you show them? asks Josette. I don't know, he says--I want to be close to her, I want our marriage to have some meaning, but for some reason, I haven't even been able to try. Some reason other than Catherine? asks Josette. Possibly, he says evasively. (Oh, just the matter of your unborn grandchild, Josette.) Do you know what it is? she asks. No I don't, he says--but at least I'll begin to make an effort, I promise you that. Don't promise me, promise yourself, begs Josette (she's a good mama), she's a fine woman, and devoted to you--it would take so little to make her happy. If this is what I think it is, he says, holding up the letter, everything will be different after tonight, believe me--and he leaves. Josette gazes after him, probably thinking, he believes money will change everything, thus proving he missed her point entirely.
Daphne comes to Collinwood and hesitates before knocking. She remembers Bramwell's words to Catherine--"It is you I love, and always will love!--nothing can ever change that" Daphne knocks, Morgan answers the door. Realizing he's back to himself, she asks, are you recovered? Yes, completely, he says. I'm happy to hear that, she says--we were all terribly concerned about you. I'm sure Bramwell wasn't very concerned, says Morgan. She looks down--I'd like to talk to Catherine, she says--is she in? No, says Morgan, I'd like to talk to Catherine myself. It's getting late, where is she? asks Daphne. I think you know the answer to that, says Morgan. Daphne looks at him.
Morgan walks into the drawing room and pours himself a drink. Explain what you meant by that, demands Daphne. I think it's quite obvious what I meant, he says. I don't think it's obvious at all, says Daphne--I don't know where Catherine is. Do you know where Bramwell is? he asks. No, she says. Do you think it's possible they might be together? he queries. Is that something you know or just suspect? she asks resentfully. He sips his drink and says, it's a very real possibility--you see, the week I was possessed, your husband took advantage of me--he saw Catherine every day!--that doesn't seem to surprise you very much--or maybe you didn't know anything about it. No, I didn't KNOW anything, she says. Then why aren't you defending your husband? he asks. I don't think it's necessary! she says, if you're implying that Catherine and Bramwell have been unfaithful, I don't believe it! You don't or won't? he demands. I think the things you said are shocking, accuses Daphne--do you really believe Catherine could be unfaithful to you? Morgan thinks that over--you're right, he says, I must never think anything like that--I'm sorry--but I'm no less angry at Bramwell--he must not see her anymore, because if he does, I'm going to kill him. Julia comes in--that isn't the answer, she chastises--I told you not to get upset about this. I can't help it, he says. If Catherine and Bramwell have been seeing each other, says Julia, you must believe it's out of friendship. That isn't the point, says Morgan. I want you to know something about Catherine, too, says Julia, before you see her--when you were possessed, she was with you all the time, even when you became dangerous, she wanted to be near YOU! Where is she now? he asks--why isn't she here? One of the servants just told me she's gone to the Stokes cottage, says Julia. What is she doing there? she asks. Carrie was here when we held the seance, explains Julia--at the height of the seance, Morgan ran from the room and Carrie fainted--I suppose Catherine went there to care for her. I'm going there to get her, he insists. Morgan, says Daphne, tell Catherine--she raises her hand to her forehead, looking as if she's going to faint. Julia and Morgan call her name--what's wrong? I suddenly felt very dizzy, says Daphne. You'll be better when we take you back to the Old House, says Julia. I'll be all right, Daphne assures her. You'll be better off in bed, advises Julia. No, says Daphne, I want to stay here--I've got to talk to Catherine. It can wait until morning, says Julia. Daphne agrees--I feel a bit weak. Julia and Morgan lead Daphne out of the house.
Josette sits at a table in the Old House drawing room, playing solitaire. She rises, impatient, and hears the front door. It's Julia with Daphne, who explains that the young woman got dizzy at Collinwood. They help Daphne to sit on the sofa, where she pretty much passes out.
Josette comes downstairs with smelling salts. Daphne's fever has gotten worse, says Julia, running the salts under Daphne's nose. Daphne awakens, complaining, I feel so warm. Let's get you upstairs, suggests Julia, holding her hand. Where's Bramwell? asks Daphne anxiously. He had to go into the village, says Josette. Let's go upstairs, says Julia. No, I want to wait here for Bramwell, insists Daphne. You're too ill to sit here and wait, objects Julia. He's never coming back to me, is he? Daphne asks Josette, alarmed. Taking her other hand, Josette says, of course he is, my dear. Oh, Josette, how I wish I could believe that! murmurs Daphne. You must believe it, says Josette, because it's true--let us get you to your feet. They help her up. Julia, says Josette, send for Dr. Fletcher. Yes, says Julia--do you have some alcohol? Yes, says Josette, I know what to do. They support Daphne between them, but Josette alone helps her upstairs. Julia leaves.
Morgan opens the case of pistols and takes one out, examining it. When Julia enters, he puts the gun back. Have you been with Daphne all this time? he asks. Almost all, she says--the doctor should be there about now--I'm worried about her, have you seen Catherine? Yes, he says, she's upstairs. Did you tell her about Daphne? she asks. No, I didn't think it was anything serious, he says, but if you think it is, I'll go tell her. Let's wait until we hear what the doctor says, suggests Julia. You know, says Morgan, I believe I know what is it--I believe Daphne knows where Bramwell's feelings really lie--she knows why he married her--and she's unable to live up to that. He places his hands on the pistol case--"The man should be shot!" (Sounds like he might be making secret plans to do just that, doesn't it?)
Old House - Daphne, wearing a pretty white nightgown, comes downstairs. Josette, shocked to see her out of bed, asks, what are you doing? I want to be here, insists Daphne, to greet Bramwell when he comes home. But you know what the doctor said, protests Josette--you need complete rest--you must stay in bed. When is he coming home? asks Daphne. Soon, promises Josette, very soon. She helps the ill young woman slowly back upstairs.
Collinwood - Morgan pours himself another drink.
Josette leads a nearly fainting Daphne back to bed, the same one in which Bramwell recuperated from being shot. Why did Bramwell go into the village? asks Daphne. He had to meet a man, at midnight, says Josette, covering her with blankets, something to do with his ship. He's been so worried about his ship, says Daphne. I know, says Josette--now lie back and try to rest. You bring him here as soon as he comes home? asks Daphne. The very moment he arrives, says Josette. Thank you, says Daphne. Josette looks at the door, miserable. Why do you look so sad? asks Daphne. I'm not sad at all, says Josette, tears in her voice. Bramwell comes home--Daphne! he calls excitedly--I have wonderful news! Daphne sits up in bed--Josette, she says, let me be alone with Bramwell. Whatever you say, says Josette. Bramwell comes running in, looking like a little boy on Christmas day. He races to Daphne's bedside--it's happened, he exclaims--my ship has come in and we're rich! I'm so happy for you! she says, her face lighting up. Everything is going to be so different now, he promises, holding her hand, kneeling beside her--I know I haven't been a very good husband, but I've done a lot of thinking on my way back here, and everything will be different--we'll travel, you'll have everything you wanted in life. Daphne looks at his joyous face--I always wanted to hear you talk like that, she says. You don't seem very excited, he notes. I am, she assures him.
Something is wrong, he says--you're pale and have a fever. It's nothing, she assures him, holding his hand, the doctor was here and he said I'd be all right in a few days--hold me, Bramwell, please, hold me in your arms. He does, tightly--nothing must ever happen to you, he insists--nothing.
Downstairs, Josette wrings the hell out of a handkerchief. Bramwell comes downstairs--what happened to Daphne? he asks. It came so suddenly, she says. What did the doctor say? he asks. She turns away, unable to reply. Again, he demands, "TELL ME WHAT THE DOCTOR SAID!"
She's dying, Bramwell, says Josette sadly--Daphne's dying.
NOTES: Oh, hell, does Daphne perhaps have the plague? I guess not, since they didn't say so. Is she really going to die? That would be so terrible now that Bramwell has decided to be a devoted husband, but it would be true to the irony we see on DS. Look what they did to Angelique at the end of 1840. Bramwell now has the bucks and even the resolve to become a good husband--but is it too late? Will Young-Ingenue-Mysterious-Soap-Opera-Disease claim Daphne's life?
Morgan seems back to his nasty self.. Did he have to say all those cruel things to Daphne? I think he was left with some residue of that room. They never showed his reunion with Catherine, an oversight, I think. She must have been very happy to see him back to himself after dealing with Forsythe for a week.
