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

(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)

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-

What are you saying?!

She had sent her maid away
As was her custom, i understand

No! No!

She walked to her window and she
Fell from a great height, you see

No!

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)

(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)

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)

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

How can you talk of business?
Good God, it's much too soon!

Of course we'll wait a bit
That's appropriate

(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)

(shocked) marian

I hope you'll still think of
Me as your brother

(It is a charged moment and then
Glyde exit's with the others)

Scene: "Marian is Left Alone at the Grave"

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 exit's with determination)

(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)

Spare me a penny, sir?

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

This is my last one

Then I won't deprive you

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

Please take it, it's yours

(He throws it to the beggar
The beggar takes it
Looks at him another beggar addresses him)

Here, take some comfort
To help you forget, sir

(She hands him a bottle of
Gin he shakes his head)

My thoughts and my memories
Are all I have left now

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