Novel

TABLE OF CONTENTS

"NORTHANGER ABBEY"

Jane Austen

Dramatised By

Andrew Davies

SHOOTING SCRIPT DATED

12th July 2006

INCLUDES PINK REVISIONS - 24th July 2006

NA Film Productions Ltd.

Clancy Barracks

Islandbridge

Dublin 8

Tel: +353 (0) 1 677 6472

Fax: +353 (0) 1 677 6473

Granada Drama & Comedy Dept.

16th Floor, LTVC

Upper Ground

London SEl 9LT

Tel: +44 20 7261 3603

Fax: +44 20 7261 3093

PINK REVISIONS - 24th July 2006

FADE IN:

1 INT. CHURCH. DAY. 1

We are looking at a very fat faced baby: her face fills the screen. Hear the PARSON:

PARSON
I baptise thee Catherine -

Quite a lot of water splashes on the baby's face. She yells lustily.

PARSON
- in the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Ghost

INFANT CATHERINE [(drowning him out)]
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!

JANE AUSTEN [(voice over)]
No one who had seen Catherine Morland in her infancy would have supposed her born to be an heroine.

And before the end of that sentence we have cut to:

2 EXT. CHURCHYARD PATH. DAY. 2

First we see MR and MRS MORLAND, MR MORLAND carrying baby CATHERINE whose bonnet is all crooked, followed by THREE BROTHERS, aged seven, five, and two - they are pulling the two year-old in a little toy cart. In on BABY CATHERINE as we cut to:

The family, ten years on: We start close on 10 year old Catherine, leapfrogging one of her older brothers - in the background behind her we see more little ones. The family now numbers ten in all.

Over all this:

JANE AUSTEN [(voice over)]
A family of ten will always be called a fine family, when there are heads and arms and legs enough for the number, but the Morlands were in general very plain, and Catherine, for many years of her life, as plain as any.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 2

In on Catherine and cut to:

3 EXT. MORLAND GARDEN. DAY. 3

Whack! As ten year old Catherine hits a "home run" in a game of rounders with her siblings, including nine year old Sally. The ball soaring up high above the trees...

SALLY
Oh, Catherine!

Catherine running round the bases, in slow motion - and as she runs, she merges into a taller, lanky thirteen year old, a spotty fifteen year old, and finally as she reaches home base, she is the Catherine we will spend the rest of the film with - a fresh, pretty girl of seventeen, glowing with energy and zest for life.

JANE AUSTEN [(over Catherine running)]
- greatly preferring cricket and baseball to dolls and books, but by the age of fifteen, appearances were mending... Catherine Morland was in training for a heroine.

And as she smiles up at her parents, who are out on the terrace at the back of the house.

MR MORLAND
You know our Catherine's turned out rather well - quite a good-looking girl - she is almost pretty today.

They smile down benignly at their daughter, who smiles back, breaks off playing with her siblings and wanders off by herself into the steamy inner landscape of the rite-of-passage movie - more literally, into the wilder part of the garden, long grass, proliferating undergrowth, bees buzzing, hormones surging....

MRS MORLAND
And she has grown very fond of reading of late - I wonder if it can be good for her, my dear, to read quite so many novels?

MR MORLAND
Why ever not? What pastime could be as innocent and harmless for a young girl as reading?

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 3

4 EXT. WILD GARDEN. DAY. 4

We discover Catherine lying half hidden in the long grass reading a steamy novel on a hot sununer's day. [It's 'The Romance of the Forest' by Mrs Radcliffe.]

CATHERINE [(reading)]
He was interrupted by a noise in the passage leading to the room. It approached. The door was unlocked. A man entered, forcibly dragging behind him a beautiful girl, her features bathed in tears and suffering the utmost distress...

and Catherine rolls over on to her back, spreads her arms wide, closes her eyes, and imagines:

5 INT. GOTHIC RUIN. DAY. (CATHERINE'S FANTASY) 5

The door swings open, and a MASKED MAN is dragging Catherine through the room. She's terrified, but sort of loving it, too. The Masked Man thrusts Catherine into the arms of La Motte.

MASKED MAN
Take her! Convey her where I shall never see her more!

La Motte looks down at Catherine, smiling lasciviously, while Catherine swoons in his arms. Pounding throbbing music, which stops abruptly on:

6 EXT. WILD GARDEN. DAY. 6

Catherine is woken from her dream by her sister HARRIET (7) and brother GEORGE (6).

HARRIET
Cathy! What are you doing?

Catherine opens her eyes. Harriet and George are standing looking down at her.

CATHERINE
Nothing. What d'you want, anyway?

HARRIET
Mr and Mrs Allen are here. Mother says you have to come straight away!

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 4

6a EXT. MORLAND HOUSE. DAY. 6a

Harriet runs towards the house with Catherine following on behind.

7 INT. MORLAND HOUSE. DRAWING ROOM. DAY. 7

Although a good-sized room, it seems very crowded. MR AND MRS ALLEN sit in the best chairs, enthroned, as it were, attended by MR AND MRS MORLAND and all the children. Mr and Mrs Allen are both in their fifties, and persons of consequence. He is sitting with his gouty foot up on a footstool, and a very small Morland is gently stroking his hugely bandaged foot in a reverent manner. Mrs Allen is a handsome jolly woman, very elaborately got up. Children are everywhere, sitting at her feet like dogs, draped along the tops of sofas like cats.

MRS ALLEN
- no, said Doctor Malleson, no other place will do so well for gouty constitution like Mr Allen's -

MR ALLEN
No other place will do so well squandering money.

MRS ALLEN
Fie, Mr Allen! You know you love to see me happy! And thinking of that, you see...?

MR MORLAND [(to Mrs Morland)]
Catherine is very young to go. But, under Mr and Mrs Allen's protection, I can see no great danger in it..?

MRS MORLAND
She's a good girl; I think we trust her.

Catherine comes in, a bit puffed.

MRS ALLEN
Why, Catherine, how you've grown! Quite the young lady, isn't she Mr Allen?

MR ALLEN
Quite.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 4A

MRS MORLAND
Mr and Mrs Allen come with an invitation, Catherine.

Hold on her delighted face, as we begin the voice-over:

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 5

JANE AUSTEN [(voice over)]
For when a young lady is to be a heroine, something must and will happen to throw adventure in her way.

And before she's finished we have cut to the carriage with MR AND MRS ALLEN and CATHERINE. MR ALLEN has his foot up on the seat opposite Catherine, and is dozing. MRS ALLEN gazes vacantly and benevolently. Catherine looks up from her book, gazes out of the window, and imagines:

8 EXT. COACH. COUNTRY ROAD. DAY.(CATHERINE'S FANTASY) 8

Three BRIGANDS with knives between their teeth, riding black horses, burst out of the forest and bear down on the coach. The COACHMAN is shot dead, one of the brigands wrestles the horses to a standstill. MR ALLEN leaps from the coach and despite his gouty foot engages two brigands in vigorous swordplay. But just as Mrs Allen emerges from the coach, screaming and flapping her hands, Mr Allen sustains a fatal wound. Mrs Allen faints.

The CHIEF BRIGAND, a handsome swarthy fellow, reaches into the carriage where Catherine cowers, and pulls her out, grinning. A gold cross on a chain glitters on Catherine's breast. With surprising delicacy, the Chief Brigand reaches for the cross, and lifts it in his fingers, looking deep into her eyes....

9 INT. COACH. COUNTRY ROAD. DAY. 9

Catherine fingering the cross on her chest as - MR ALLEN awakes with a snort. Looks out of the window.

MR ALLEN
Not long now.

MRS ALLEN is asleep now. Catherine smiles at herself.

10 EXT. BATH. NIGHT. 10

Light spilling from doorways, fashionable crowds filling the streets, street singers, flower sellers, as they get out of the coach in Pulteney street, Catherine gazing about her very eagerly.

MRS ALLEN
Pulteney Street is not quite the smartest address, but for myself I love to be at the centre of things!

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 6

CATHERINE
Oh, yes, so do I!

Two young men passing by notice her, one says something to the other -

YOUNG MAN
There's a little peach that's ripe for plucking.

and she blushes and feels shy - all that as they are going into the house.

11 INT. PULTENEY STREET LODGINGS. DRAWING ROOM. NIGHT. 11

CATHERINE sits looking out of the window at the passing crowds below.

CATHERINE
So many people! I wonder who they can be, and what their stories are!

MR ALLEN
Hardly worth knowing, I should say, if they choose to roam the streets when they could be sitting at home by a good fire.

He is doing just that.

MRS ALLEN
Oh! Mr Allen is so droll! He always says the opposite of what he means, for he loves good company, do you not, my dear?

MR ALLEN
None so much as yours, my dear.

CATHERINE
When shall we go into society, Mrs Allen? I suppose it is too late this evening?

MRS ALLEN
Oh, bless you child, we neither of us have a stitch to wear!

CATHERINE
But - I did bring my best frock and my pink muslin is not too bad I think -

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 7

MRS ALLEN
No, no, no! Would you have us laughed out of Bath?

MR ALLEN
Resign yourself, Catherine. Shops must be visited. Money must be spent. D'you think you could bear it?

CATHERINE [(smiling)]
Very easily, sir.

CUT TO:

12 EXT. SHOPPING STREET. BATH. DAY. 12

Perhaps with music over, CATHERINE and MRS ALLEN emerging carrying parcels. They are followed by a footman and a maid, carrying even more parcels. Carry music on over:

13 INT. PULTENEY STREET LODGINGS. CATHERINE'S BEDROOM. NIGHT. 13

CATHERINE sits at the looking glass, as the MAID puts the finishing touches to her hair. She looks very nice. MRS ALLEN has overdone it rather, particularly as regards her headdress.

MRS ALLEN
There! Did you ever see anything prettier, Mr Allen?

MR ALLEN
Other than yourself, do you mean, my dear?

MRS ALLEN
Oh - fie, Mr Allen! But Catherine now -

MR ALLEN
She looks just as she should. - Now might we make our way, do you think? I entertain high hopes of our arriving at the rooms by midnight.

MRS ALLEN
How he teases us, Catherine! Midnight, indeed!

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 8

14 EXT/INT. ASSEMBLY ROOMS. NIGHT. 14

Outside a tremendous traffic jam of carriages, ragged boys running to hold the horses, beggars and pickpockets, parties disgorging and crowding into the too-narrow entrance. CATHERINE and the ALLENS getting carried along in the throng.

Inside, it's even more of a crush, people pushing and shoving in various directions, but most heading towards the main room, from which we can hear the sound of music and the roar and twitter of animated conversation. People are shouting to each other:

MAN [(it could be John Thorpe)]
Sedley! Sedley! There you are! Seen anyone?

SEDLEY
Not a soul! There's no one here at all!

CATHERINE [(to Mrs Allen)]
But what could he mean...?

MR ALLEN [(summing up the situation)]
Card room, I think. I'll see you later, my love.

And off he goes.

MRS ALLEN
Oh, Mr Allen!

MRS ALLEN and CATHERINE look at each other. Nothing for it. They plunge into the crowd trying to make it through to the ballroom, MRS ALLEN first, CATHERINE following.

MRS ALLEN
I beg your pardon, sir - if I might just - this way, Catherine!

There is a good deal of frottage going on, rude men taking full advantage of the chance of rubbing up against the ladies in their flimsy dresses, Catherine intercepts one or two leers, and turns in outrage -

CATHERINE
Oh!

as a hand brushes her flank.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 9

RUDE MAN [(grinning)]
Pardon me, Miss.

But it's impossible to do anything - it's really quite a scary crush - lots of fat, sweating, faces and bodies.

And now they are in the ballroom, but it's not much better - still crowds, still people bumping into them, and they can see nothing of the dancers but the high feathers of some of the ladies bobbing up and down - a solid sea of broad black backs of the men and pale fleshy backs of the women blocking their view.

MRS ALLEN
Perhaps we should go through to the tea room.

And we cut to -

15 INT. ASSEMBLY ROOMS. TEA ROOM. NIGHT 15

As they push their way through.

MRS ALLEN
Quick - there are two places!

And she manages to beat another stout lady to two seats at the very end of a table occupied by a large party who all turn and give MRS ALLEN and CATHERINE very unwelcoming looks.

CATHERINE [(whispers)]
How uncomfortable it is not to know anybody.

MRS ALLEN
Yes, my dear - very uncomfortable indeed. But then you see one can't speak to people unless one has been introduced.

CATHERINE [(whispers)]
But who will introduce us?

MRS ALLEN
I'm sure I've no idea.

She seems quite complacent, smiling round. The large party are still staring.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 10

A swarthily handsome young man (a bit like an earthy version of Catherine's dream lover - we shall come to know him as John Thorpe) whispers something to his companion (his sister Isabella) and she laughs and tuts him - it was obviously something about Catherine or Mrs Allen.

CATHERINE [(whispers)]
Had we not better go away? There are no tea things for us - and I think we are unwelcome here.

It might be an idea here to see Henry Tilney clocking them from a distance, and sensing their predicament. He is good looking in a quiet English style, mid to late twenties.

MRS ALLEN
Yes, it is most disagreeable - I wish we had a large acquaintance here.

CATHERINE
I wish we had any.

As MRS ALLEN leads the way out into the corridor.

16 INT. ASSEMBLY ROOMS. CORRIDOR. NIGHT. 16

Where she bumps into a gentleman and cries out.

MRS ALLEN
Ooh! Have a care, sir!

It's Henry Tilney, did they but know it.

HENRY
A thousand apologies, ma'am.

MRS ALLEN
Catherine - do take this pin out of my sleeve - it was not your fault sir -

HENRY
Allow me, ma'am. There!

He hands the pin to Mrs Allen, and smiles at Catherine in a friendly way. She smiles back.

MRS ALLEN
Why, thank you kindly, sir. I am very much afraid it has torn a hole already -

HENRY
Nothing too disastrous, ma'am.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 11

CATHERINE
Really Mrs Allen - one would hardly notice.

She's got older brothers, and has slipped quite easily into an alliance with this nice chap. That's all it is, so far.

MRS ALLEN [(still a little miffed)]
I shall be sorry if it has, for this is a favourite gown, though it cost but nine shillings a yard.

HENRY
Nine shillings: exactly what I should have guessed!

CATHERINE thinks he's funny.

MRS ALLEN
Do you understand muslins, sir?

He can't resist having a bit of fun with her - sort of including Catherine in the joke.

HENRY
I understand them very well, ma'am - my sister has often trusted me in the choice of a gown. I bought one for her the other day. Five shillings a yard, and a true Indian muslin - what d'you think of that?

MRS ALLEN
Well! And I can never get Mr Allen to know one of my gowns from another! Tell me, sir - what do you think of Miss Morland's gown?

Henry turns his attention to Catherine, which makes her feel a bit trembly.

HENRY
Miss Morland's gown. Miss Morland's gown is very pretty.

But he can't resist going on with the muslin joke.

HENRY
But I don't think it will wash well. I am afraid it will fray.

But he has such a nice smile - it's like she doesn't quite get the joke, but she likes it, he's not taking the piss.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 12

CATHERINE
How can you be so...?

Strange, cheeky in a nice way, how can you talk as if you've known us for ages when you don't know us at all, and make it feel all right - that's what she's thinking.

HENRY
Presumptuous, indeed! - without so much as an introduction. You must allow me to make amends. Mrs Allen?

He offers his arm - Mrs Allen takes it - he leads them towards a stone bench on which two Regency beaux types are sitting quizzing the crowd - one with an eyeglass - Henry gives them a polite but firm glance which means get up you mannerless sods, and offer the seat to these ladies - and they do so, with a flourish.

CATHERINE
Thank you.

MRS ALLEN
Very kind, indeed.

HENRY
One moment.

He goes off.

MRS ALLEN
What a very - really I shouldn't have allowed you to speak to him, as a stranger - but he had such an understanding of muslin!

CATHERINE
I wonder where he has gone.

MRS ALLEN
Oh - here he comes again - and he has brought Mr King with him! The Master of Ceremonies himself!

Crowds are parting - MR KING is a person of great consequence here - did he have a special sash or anything I wonder? And perhaps Henry might be whispering "Mrs Allen and Miss Morland" to Mr King as they come, and Mr King nodding - he gets a lot of this.

MR KING
Mrs Allen; Miss Morland: allow me to present to you Mr Henry Tilney, just lately arrived in Bath.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 13

HENRY
Mrs Allen; Miss Morland: delighted to make your acquaintance.

And, as Mr King withdraws, beaming:

HENRY
Now we may talk to one another.

CATHERINE [(laughing )]
But we've already been talking!

HENRY
You mustn't let anyone hear you say such things, or we shall all be expelled from polite society! Let it be our secret. [(BEAT)]
And now, if your card is not already full, Miss Morland, might I request the pleasure of a dance with you?

It's the first time a man has asked her to dance. She suddenly feels very bashful.

CATHERINE
With me?

He smiles. At this stage he just thinks she's a charming unspoilt young girl - he'd like her to have a good time on her first evening in Bath. And she thinks of him as someone much older, like her grown-up brothers in the Navy. Catherine looks at Mrs Allen, who nods encouragingly.

CATHERINE [(shyly)]
Thank you.

17 INT. BALLROOM. NIGHT. 17

Catherine and Henry dancing. Catherine likes dancing, which she does with vigour and bounce, enjoying herself. Henry likes that. He's a good dancer too, and she's losing her shyness.

HENRY
Forgive me - I have been very remiss in the proper attentions of a partner.

CATHERINE
What are they?

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 14

HENRY
Oh, I ask you how long you have been in Bath, were you here before, have you been to the theatre and the concert, and so on...

CATHERINE
But wouldn't that be rather dull?

HENRY
Of course, but we must do our duty. Are you ready?

CATHERINE
Yes.

HENRY
How long have you been in Bath, madam?

CATHERINE [(laughing) ]
Not long at all.

HENRY
And were you never here before?

CATHERINE
Never, sir.

HENRY
Indeed! Have you been to the play?

CATHERINE
Not yet, sir.

HENRY
Astonishing. The concert?

CATHERINE
No.

HENRY
Amazing. Now tell me, are you altogether pleased with Bath?

CATHERINE
Yes, I like it very well.

HENRY
Excellent. Now I must give one smirk, and then we can be rational again.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 15

A LANGUID LAID-BACK FOP and his SAUNTERING SLACKER PARTNER, who are sauntering minimally through the dance in a supercool way, raise an eyebrow at Catherine's energy, and she has a moment of lost confidence, but Henry raises his game to match hers and sweeps her round boldly, a couple of OLDER MEN watching like their style:

OLDER MAN
Bravo, sir!

Amongst those watching: John and Isabella Thorpe. As Catherine bounces past, John Thorpe gives her a smouldering look.

CATHERINE [(to Henry)]
Do you know that gentleman?

HENRY
Not at all.

CATHERINE
I wonder why he keeps looking at us.

HENRY [(smiling)]
I imagine that he likes what he sees.

CATHERINE
What? Do you mean me?

HENRY
Why not?

Mrs Allen also watching - perhaps looking down from the gallery. Very happy to see Catherine partnered, tapping her foot in time to the music. We see Mr Allen looking down too, and speaking to Mr King.

The dance comes to an end, and let's say it was the last dance. People are moving off the dance floor.

HENRY
So what will you write in your journal tonight? "Friday, went to the Lower Rooms, wore my sprigged muslin dress with blue trimmings and looked very pretty though I say so myself - danced with one man and was stared at by another much more handsome..."

CATHERINE [(laughing, but flattered)] [(MORE)]

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 16

CATHERINE (cont'd)
No! Indeed I shall say no such thing!

HENRY
Then what will you say?

She's not sure what she'd say - certainly nothing she'd be able to tell him now.

CATHERINE
Perhaps I don't keep a journal at all.

But she can't resist looking over her shoulder to see if John Thorpe is still looking - and he is.

18 EXT. ASSEMBLY ROOMS. NIGHT. 18

People coming out and getting into carriages.

19 INT. CARRIAGE. NIGHT. 19

Catherine with Mr and Mrs Allen.

MRS ALLEN
A most agreeable young man - was he not, Catherine?

CATHERINE
Yes - he was very kind, and very amusing, I liked him very much -

MRS ALLEN
Well, Mr Allen!

CATHERINE
No - no, I didn't mean anything like that - he couldn't have thought of me like that - he is much too - he is quite grown up.

Mr Allen clears his throat in a significant way. No one is above suspicion.

MR ALLEN
Catherine, I feel I should warn you that Bath attracts all manner of scoundrels and adventurers, and one cannot be too careful when making new acquaintances -

MRS ALLEN
Mr Tilney a scoundrel? Mr Tilney an adventurer? He understands muslin, Mr Allen! He has a sister!

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 17

MR ALLEN
Well, upon inquiry I did discover that Mr Tilney is a young man of good family, and a clergyman to boot.

CATHERINE [(with some disappointment)]
A clergyman!

MR ALLEN
No doubt you'd prefer him to be a brigand. His father's a man of consequence, though: General Tilney, of Northanger Abbey.

CATHERINE
Northanger Abbey! Is it haunted?

MR ALLEN
No doubt, no doubt, these abbeys usually are.

CATHERINE'S eyes go very round.

20 INT. PULTENEY STREET LODGINGS. CATHERINE'S BEDROOM. NIGHT 20

Catherine is in bed writing in her journal. I don't think we need to see what she's writing, but it's about Henry - and she hesitates and then writes something like "and I like him very much" and then snaps the journal shut and blows out the candle and settles down.

21 EXT. GOTHIC RUIN. NIGHT. (CATHERINE'S DREAM) 21

CATHERINE, in her nightdress and a be-cloaked HENRY TILNEY are fleeing down a forest track. A MASKED HORSEMAN, their pursuer, appears out of the darkness behind them. He overtakes them and pull s his steed to a halt. His horse rears, its mouth foaming. The Horseman leaps from his saddle and draws and Henry draws too. They begin to duel. Catherine while doing her best not to faint is, of course, delighted by this.

22 INT. PULTENEY STREET LODGINGS. CATHERINE'S BEDROOM. DAY. 22

The MAID comes in and opens the curtains. CATHERINE wakes up and smiles. The novel lies, unfinished, beside her.

END OF PART 1

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 17A

23 EXT. STREET - BATH. DAY. 23

Catherine and Mrs Allen are out walking along a busy street.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 18

MRS THORPE [(out of vision)]
Mrs Allen?

Catherine turns. It's a beaming woman of about Mrs Allen's age, MRS THORPE. Mrs Allen struggles to recognise her.

MRS THORPE
And this must be Miss Morland. [(introducing herself)]
Mrs Thorpe. Your brother James told me to look out for you!

CATHERINE
You know James?

MRS THORPE
Indeed we do - he is up at Oxford with my son John!

CATHERINE
Oh, yes - he went to you at Christmas!

MRS THORPE
And I may say he endeared himself to us all! Here come my girls now. Isabella, my eldest, and Anne and Maria.

Isabella is "a smart looking female" and is very pretty. Anne and Maria are 15 and 16 and very giggly.

MRS THORPE
Isabella, this is Mrs Allen, and Miss Catherine Morland - James's sister!

MRS ALLEN [(just twigging)]
Mrs Thorpe! My old schoolfellow! -

ISABELLA
James's sister! How do you do, Miss Morland - I have so long wished to meet you! Your brother has spoken of you so affectionately.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 19

I don't think that Isabella should appear to be too silly and affected at this point - just rather eager and emotional - and clearly in love with James, and ready to be in love with his sister.

ISABELLA [(continuing; taking Catherine's hand and looking into her eyes)]
I am sure that we shall be the very best of friends.

24 INT. BOOKSHOP. DAY. 24

The shop is quite full - mostly young people, young girls in pairs with their heads together reading the choicer passages, ANNE AND MARIA THORPE among them..

MARIA
Ammmmm!

Two BOYS come by, and try to read over their shoulders, Anne and Maria snap the book shut, giggling in delighted embarrassment.

Isabella and Catherine have made their purchases, and are making their way out with their parcels.

ISABELLA
And you love Mrs Radcliffe's novels too! I knew you would! Oh, I wish I were you, just beginning to read Udolpho for the first time!

CATHERINE
Is it really very horrible?

ISABELLA
Oh, you can't imagine! But I wouldn't tell you for the world well perhaps just one incident to whet your appetite -

She draws Catherine close and whispers to her - this very much for the benefit of two more YOUNG MEN who are showing an interest.

CATHERINE
Oh! Can such things really happen?

ISABELLA
Well just think of Lord Byron!

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 20

CATHERINE
I have heard that he is very wicked, but I don't know exactly what he is supposed to have done.

Isabella whispers again and we see Catherine's eyes grow wide.

ISABELLA
And I have heard that he is here, in Bath! Shall we go to the Pump Room and see if we can see him? Perhaps your Mr Tilney will be there too!

CATHERINE
He's not my Mr Tilney Isabella, indeed you mustn't say he is!

ISABELLA
Isn't he? There's a certain person who would be very glad to hear that!

CATHERINE
Who do you mean?

ISABELLA
Never you mind! Oh, I do so hate it when strangers listen to one's private conversations!

This for the benefit of the two YOUNG MEN, and it correctly conveys the opposite meaning: that she welcomes their interest very much. And off they go to the Pump Room, with the two YOUNG MEN sauntering after them.

25 INT. PUMP ROOM. DAY. 25

Isabella and Catherine are looking at the Visitor's Book.

CATHERINE
No - his name's not there. I think he must be gone from Bath. And yet he never mentioned that his stay would be so short.

as they turn away, arm in arm.

ISABELLA
Perhaps it's just as well! My brother John says the whole family is very bad - the elder son's as bad as Lord Byron, John says!

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 21

To Isabella, it seems that being as bad as Lord Byron is not altogether a disadvantage.

CATHERINE
Surely he's mistaken - Mr Tilney couldn't have been kinder or more gentleman-like.

ISABELLA
Appearances often deceive, you know!

CATHERINE
But he is a clergyman!

ISABELLA
Oh, that signifies nothing these days!

The two young men from the bookshop have appeared again, nudging each other and eyeing up CATHERINE and ISABELLA. ISABELLA gives one of the young men a coquettish look, then turns her head away sharply.

ISABELLA
Insufferable! Come - let's walk outside.

26 EXT. BATH. DAY. 26

We see Isabella and Catherine coming out, and the two young men strolling after them, but deciding not to follow. The two young men stop, then saunter off in another direction.

ISABELLA
Are they following?

CATHERINE [(looking)]
No, they are going towards the churchyard.

ISABELLA
Good - we are rid of them! Now if we turn down here it will bring us into Milsom Street.

CATHERINE
But wouldn't we come upon them again if we did that?

ISABELLA
Oh, never mind that. Come, make haste!

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 22

Isabella is striding out ahead down a narrow alley. Oh well, thinks Catherine, trotting along behind. At the next junction - a busy street - we see the two young men turn into an alley on the other side of the road.

Isabella practically jumping up and down on the pavement. But they can't cross the road for the traffic.

ISABELLA
Oh, these odious gigs! How I detest them!

A bit of a blur as one of the gigs skids to a halt. JOHN THORPE and JAMES MORLAND.

JOHN THORPE
Damme, it's Isabella! Whoa there!

ISABELLA
Oh! Delightful! Mr Morland and my brother!

JOHN THORPE jumps down and starts haranguing an inn servant who runs forward to take the horse. Meanwhile JAMES comes up to the girls.

CATHERINE
James! I didn't know you were coming to Bath!

An affectionate embrace.

JAMES
Thorpe's idea - and when I remembered you were here - and you, Miss Thorpe - nothing would have kept me away. [(to Isabella)]
I am very happy to see you again.

ISABELLA
And I you.

Their looks speak volumes. Catherine gets it. Her brother and her new best friend are in love! And here comes John Thorpe.

JOHN THORPE
Miss Morland.

He takes Catherine's hand, bows over it, and presses it to his lips.

JAMES
My good friend John Thorpe.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006

JOHN THORPE
Enchantee. [(pause)]
Had the pleasure of seeing you dance the other evening.

CATHERINE [(a bit flustered)]
Oh - yes, I remember.

JOHN THORPE
Hope I shall have the pleasure of dancing with you myself before too long.

There's no doubt about it - this dashing young bloke seems to fancy her!

ISABELLA
We were just walking towards Edgar's Buildings.

JOHN THORPE [(emerging from his dream of lust)]
Were you? Then dammit, we'll walk along with you! Miss Morland?

He offers his arm to Catherine - Isabella is happy to take James's.

JOHN THORPE
What d'you think of the gig, Miss Morland?

He gives it a slap as they walk past it.

CATHERINE
Very smart.

JOHN THORPE
Neat one, ain't it? Well hung, town built, not had it a month.

Catherine's wide eyes - John Thorpe thinks he's on to a good thing - not many girls are so easily impressed.

JOHN THORPE
Yes, bought it off a friend of mine - fifty guineas. I might have got it for less I dare say; but damn it all, I hate haggling, and poor Freeman wanted cash, you see.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 24

CATHERINE
That was very good natured of you.

She's very much taken with John T, even though he does swear rather a lot.

JOHN THORPE
Are you fond of an open carriage, Miss Morland?

CATHERINE [(eagerly)]
Oh yes, very!

JOHN THORPE
Then why don't I drive you up Lansdown Hill one day this week?

CATHERINE
Thank you. You are very kind. But - would it be proper?

JOHN THORPE
Oh, dammit, this is Bath, you know, everything's more free and easy in Bath.

27 INT. ASSEMBLY ROOMS. BALLROOM. NIGHT. 27

CATHERINE dancing with John Thorpe, who is giving every evidence of finding her attractive - she's finding his smouldering looks a bit shy-making Isabella and James dancing in the same set, seem clearly in love with each other. Anne and Maria dancing with their teenage admirers. Anne's boy keeps going round the wrong way - Anne finds this embarrassing, and Maria gets the giggles. This annoys Anne even more and she gives Maria a surreptitious slap the next chance she gets. As they dance:

JOHN THORPE
Penny for your thoughts, Miss Morland.

CATHERINE
Oh, I was just - (she's blushing) Have you ever read Udolpho, Mr Thorpe?

JOHN THORPE
Udolpho! Oh, Lord! I never read novels - leave all that to Isabella. Except The Monk - I read that just the other day.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 25

CATHERINE
The Monk! Is it as shocking as everybody says?

JOHN THORPE
Yu can borrow it if you care to. Hot stuff, y'know.

CATHERINE [(bewildered but flattered)]
Thank you.

And the dance ends.

ISABELLA and JAMES join them, looking radiant.

ISABELLA
Isn't this altogether delightful, Catherine?

CATHERINE
Yes - oh!

For she has seen Henry Tilney coming towards them with a good-looking girl on his arm, who seems very fond of him. Catherine finds this a bit of a blow.

JOHN THORPE
Well - what say? Jig it again?

But Catherine can hardly hear. Who is Henry's mysterious girl friend?

HENRY
Miss Morland! Will you allow me to introduce my sister Eleanor?

CATHERINE
Your sister! Oh yes! I am very happy to meet you, Miss Tilney!

ELEANOR [(charmed by her eagerness)]
And I you.

Catherine's so happy, she beams round. James is smiling but John and Isabella Throne don't look so pleased.

INT. ASSEMBLY ROOMS. BALLROOM. NIGHT. LATER. 28

CATHERINE and ELEANOR are sitting out talking - Catherine eagerly confiding:

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006

CATHERINE
You can't imagine how surprised I was to see your brother again - I felt so sure of his being quite gone away.

ELEANOR
Ah yes - when he saw you before, he was here to engage lodgings for us - he only stayed the one night.

CATHERINE
Oh, I see! - He - your brother dances very well.

She can't help giving away how much she likes Henry. Eleanor smiles.

ELEANOR
Yes he does dance very well.

CATHERINE
And he is - very amusing.

ELEANOR
Yes, he is, when he cares to be.

Eleanor's expression changes. Catherine follows Eleanor's gaze - Henry is across the room, talking, or being talked to, by a handsome but rather scary looking man in his late forties.

CATHERINE
Do you know that gentleman talking to Mr Tilney?

ELEANOR
Yes, that's our father, General Tilney.

At that point General Tilney looks directly at Catherine. To Catherine it feels as if he's wondering whether to have her shot.

CATHERINE
He - looks as if he were - displeased with us.

ELEANOR
It is only his way.

It sounds like just a form of words - she didn't say it fondly or indulgently, but as one would excuse an inescapable unpleasant fact to an outsider.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 27

CATHERINE
And is your mother here in Bath with you as well?

ELEANOR
Our mother is dead.

Catherine can't think of anything to say for a second, but Eleanor rallies and goes on to cover this awkward moment:

ELEANOR
So this is your first time in Bath? How do you like it?

CATHERINE
Oh, very much indeed!

In the background, Henry and his father have separated, and gone off in different directions.

ELEANOR
There are some very pretty walks round about - Henry and I walk most mornings - should you like to join us one day?

CATHERINE
Oh, yes, more than anything in the world! I love long walks though I can't persuade my friend to join me - she thinks it a waste of time when there are so many other things to do in town.

Across the room, Isabella is in the centre of a laughing group, teasing or being teased by several young men at once. James is by her side, but his smile is a little strained.

ELEANOR
Yes, I can see that she might. In that case, shall we say tomorrow at twelve, unless it rains?

CATHERINE
Oh, yes, please!

ISABELLA calls to CATHERINE

ISABELLA
Catherine! You simply must hear this! Quickly - come here!

CATHERINE [(apologetic, to Eleanor)]
Excuse me.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 28

HENRY, coming back with three icecreams, thinks where's she gone? ELEANOR indicates by a glance. CATHERINE's in a group that includes JOHN THORPE. Henry gives rueful shrug and sits down by Eleanor.

29 INT. PULTENEY STREET LODGINGS. DRAWING ROOM. DAY. 29

Catherine waiting eagerly by the window seat.

CATHERINE
Oh dear - how I hate the sight of an umbrella! Do you think Miss Tilney will think it is too wet to walk outside?

MR ALLEN
Take heart - if I can venture out to take the waters, I dare say Mr Tilney and his sister will brave the storm.

MRS ALLEN
Oh, you men care nothing for rain and dirt - it is a different case altogether for ladies - take care my dear, and wear your greatcoat!

CATHERINE
Oh - look!

Our view out of the window as two sporty carriages draw up, and John Thorpe jumps out of one of them and runs into the house.

30 INT. PULTENEY STREET LODGINGS. STAIRS AND LANDING. DAY. 30

A SERVANT opens the door to John Thorpe who bounds up the stairs, followed more sedately by Isabella and James. Catherine meets them on the landing.

JOHN THORPE
Make haste, Miss Morland, put on your hat - no time to lose! We are going to drive to Blaize Castle! How de do Mrs Allen?

ISABELLA
My sweetest Catherine, isn't this delightful! Blaize Castle! Nothing could be more Romantic!

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 29

CATHERINE
Yes, I'm sure - but I am very sorry - I can't come with you - I am expecting Miss Tilney and her brother to call on me to take a country walk.

ISABELLA looks expressively at JOHN - Henry Tilney already perceived as John's rival.

JOHN THORPE
Not they! I saw 'em not five minutes ago - doesn't he drive a phaeton with a pair of chestnuts?

CATHERINE
I don't know, indeed.

JOHN THORPE
Saw him large as life, turnin' up the Lansdown Road, with a smart-lookin' girl by his side.

CATHERINE
But perhaps they mean to call later.

JOHN THORPE
No they don't. I heard Tilney hallooing to a man that they were going as far as Wick Rocks.

CATHERINE
I don't understand it at all. Miss Tilney promised.

ISABELLA
My dear one: In this false world people often make promises they have little intention of keeping. Remember we are your true friends - we keep our promises!

This seems to be for James's benefit as well as Catherine's.

CATHERINE
Yes. But what if they should come after all?

James does his big brother act.

JAMES
My dear little scatter-brained sister, haven't you just heard Thorpe tell us they're halfway to Wick Rocks?

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 30

CATHERINE
Then - perhaps I should come with you -

JAMES
Of course you should!

JOHN THORPE gives her one of his best looks.

JOHN THORPE
Please, Miss Morland.

CATHERINE
Do you think I should, Mrs Allen?

MRS ALLEN
Just as you please, my dear.

31 EXT. BATH. DAY. 31

John Thorpe driving Catherine; James driving Isabella. John drives with great panache. CATHERINE'S enjoying the thrilling ride.

JOHN THORPE
Goes very nice, don't she? Smooth as silk!

CATHERINE clings on as they whirl round a corner.

JOHN THORPE
Howde do, sir!

This to a startled Mr Allen, who nearly got knocked flying as he stood waiting to cross the road, and now stares after them.

JOHN THORPE
Pleasant old gentleman.

CATHERINE
Mr Allen? Oh, yes - and so good natured.

MR ALLEN is shaking his stick after them - they don't see that, though.

JOHN THORPE
And rich as Croesus, or so I hear.

CATHERINE
I believe Mr Allen is very rich.

JOHN THORPE
And no children at all?

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 31

CATHERINE
No, none.

JOHN THORPE
And you're pretty much of a favourite there, I gather.

CATHERINE
Mr and Mrs Allen are very kind to me, yes. Ever since I was a baby.

JOHN THORPE
Excellent. Excellent.

And as they whirl round the next corner, we see in a bit of a blur Henry and Eleanor Tilney, walking arm in arm.

CATHERINE
Oh, stop! Stop now! It's Miss Tilney and her brother! Please, please, stop, Mr Thorpe!

JOHN THORPE
No, no, can't be done! Hell to pay if I tried to stop him now!

CATHERINE
I'll get down! I will!

But the racing carriage makes this an impossibility.

JOHN THORPE
Too late now!

It really feels almost as if he is abducting her. He turns another corner and slows to a steadier pace. Catherine is really angry with him, now she can speak:

CATHERINE
How could you deceive me so? How could you say you saw them driving up the Lansdown Road? What will they think of me now?

JOHN THORPE
I shouldn't think they'll care tuppence.

CATHERINE [(daringly)]
I don't believe you saw them in a carriage at all! You deliberately deceived me.

John Thorpe has had about enough of this.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 32

JOHN THORPE
Well, what if I did? Where would you rather be, driving in a spanking gig to Blaize Castle, or trailing about in the dirt with some canting prig of a parson?

CATHERINE
Mr Tilney is not a canting prig! And you have made it seem as if I had broken my promise to them!

JOHN THORPE
Whoa there.

His horse seems quite ready to stop now. He turns to her.

JOHN THORPE
Look here, Miss Morland - perhaps I wasn't quite straight with you. But I had good reasons. Think of your brother's happiness, and Isabella's - they couldn't go off unchaperoned - and I was thinking of you too. I'm not altogether happy to see you with those Tilneys - the whole family has a very bad reputation. Something very strange about the mother's death.

CATHERINE
But - you can't mean...?

JOHN THORPE
Northanger Abbey holds some pretty horrid secrets, they say. We should all be careful when making new acquaintances - not everyone's as honest as you and me, eh?

He seems utterly open and guileless, and his smile is infectious.

CATHERINE
Yes, we should - but Mr Tilney and his sister have been so kind to me -

She genuinely doesn't know what to think.

JOHN THORPE
Miss Morland - truly sorry if I've caused you any distress - but you can set it all right tomorrow.

(MORE)

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 33

JOHN THORPE(cont'd)
Let's at least try to enjoy ourselves today, dammit! I've been looking forward to driving you out more than anything. Come. What d'ye say?

His eagerness to please her is winning, and his looks help her too. She smiles at him: he is a nice guy, after all, if a bit impulsive.

CATHERINE
Very well.

CUT TO:

32 EXT. COUNTRY ROAD. DAY. 32

The two carriages in the rain. Catherine looks and feels like a drowned rat, John Thorpe trying to ignore it:

JOHN THORPE
Just a drop of rain, brighten up in no time!

JAMES
Thorpe! We'd better go back - your sister thinks so too. We're not halfway to Blaize Castle!

JOHN THORPE [(angrily)]
Very well, if you say so! It's all one to me! [(tugging on the reins, turning the horse)]
If your brother hadn't got such a damned beast to drive, we'd have been at Blaize this half hour gone!

Catherine's face. It hasn't been the greatest outing of her life, and they are going to be jolly wet by the time they get back home.

33 INT. THORPE LODGINGS. ISABELLA'S ROOM. NIGHT. 33

Isabella's room. It's very steamy. Both the girls have been having a bath (the tub stands in the room) and are now as pink as prawns and looking very nice in their underclothes.

ISABELLA
Lord! What would the men think if they could see us now!

Catherine at the looking glass and Isabella combing her hair.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 34

CATHERINE How can I ever face the Tilneys again?

ISABELLA
You mustn't be cross with John, dearest one. Do you know he told me he liked you better than any girl he had ever seen? And he says you're the prettiest girl in Bath?

CATHERINE
I don't know why he should think that.

ISABELLA
No need for false modesty!

She might be lifting Catherine's hair to try out a topknot, exposing her pretty neck.

ISABELLA
Now - how far are you got on with Udolpho?

CATHERINE
Oh - I've just got to the black veil.

ISABELLA
The Black Veil! I wouldn't tell you what's behind it, not for the world! And when you have finished it, you shall read The Monk! that is my brother's favourite, you know!

CATHERINE
Oh yes he spoke of it - is it really very horrid?

ISABELLA
The most horrid, shocking thing in the world - Ambrosio the Monk begins very holy, but is drawn into vice by Matilda, and she gives him a magic branch by which he can pass through walls and he gets into Antonia's bedchamber but it is too shocking, I should blush to tell you, you must read it yourself...

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 35

34 INT. PULTENEY STREET LODGINGS. CATHERINE'S BEDROOM. NIGHT. 34

Catherine sitting up in bed reading The Monk by candlelight, her eyes like saucers. It is, as John Thorpe said, hot stuff.

CATHERINE (V.O.)
"The Friar pronounced the magic words and a thick smoke arose over the magic mirror. At length he beheld Antonia's lovely form. She was undressing to bathe herself and the amorous monk had full opportunity to observe the voluptuous contours and admirable symmetry of her person as she drew off her last garment. At this moment a tame linnet flew towards her, nestled its head between her breasts and nibbled them in wanton play. Ambrosio could bear no more, the blood boiled in his veins and a raging fire rushed through his limbs.. 'I must possess her!' he cried.

35 INT. PULTENEY STREET LODGINGS. CATHERINE'S BEDROOM. NIGHT. (LATER) 35

Moonlight slants in. Catherine tossing and turning.

CATHERINE (V.O.) [(dreamy)]
"No, no Ambrosio; I shall no longer be able to combat my passions! I am convinced with every moment, that I have but one alternative; I must enjoy you, or die!

.....and the scene dissolves into:

36 OMITTED 36

37 INT. PULTENEY STREET. CATHERINE'S BEDROOM. NIGHT. 37

But a dreamy version of it, lots of steam as Catherine lies in the bathtub, rather fearing that Ambrosio has got his magic beady eye on her too. Behind her the pattern of the wallpaper begins to waver and swirl before her eyes. One of the swirling patterns curls into a branch and then thrusts out of the wall, growing into a large bough that stretches across the room.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 35A

Henry Tilney appears, ducking under the branch. He is dressed as for Sunday service, carrying a prayer book and smiling pleasantly.

Catherine, open-mouthed, submerges herself under the water, as much as she can.

HENRY (putting his prayer book down on the bough)
Nothing to be ashamed of, Miss Morland: it is all God's creation. Come.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 36

He holds out his hand, and as if mesmerised, she steps out of the bath to take it.

37a INT. CATHERINE'S BEDROOM. DAY. 37a

Catherine wakes abruptly, her eyes wide open. Rather shocked at herself.

END OF PART 2

38 INT. THEATRE. NIGHT. 38

The prima donna on stage singing her heart out. Catherine in a box with Mr and Mrs Allen, John and Isabella Thorpe, and James, feeling very cast down. In a box opposite, we can see Henry Tilney and his father. GENERAL TILNEY puts his opera glasses up and stares across at Catherine, his expression stern and awful. Henry follows his gaze and meets Catherine's eyes - and inclines his head, briefly, formally, without smiling - just as John Thorpe leans close to Catherine - Henry turns his head away, back to the stage.

JOHN THORPE [(1oud whisper)]
Damn fine looking woman - but she's nothing to you, you know!

His whisper is so loud that people hear and turn round. Oh God, thinks Catherine. In on her face as we hear the final chords of the opera and the applause

39 INT. THEATRE. FRONT OF HOUSE. NIGHT. 39

As the applause dies down, people making their way out - quite a crush in the foyer, or corridor at the back of the boxes - and Catherine's party come face to face with Henry Tilney!

Henry gives a rather formal little bow again - Eleanor looks uneasy.

HENRY
Miss Morland; Mrs Allen; Mr Allen.

But Catherine can't bear it:

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 36A

CATHERINE
Oh Mr Tilney - you must have thought me so rude - but they told me you had gone out in a phaeton - and then when I saw you I begged Mr Thorpe to stop, but he only went faster - if he had only slowed down I would have jumped out and run back to you please believe me - I would ten thousand times rather have been with you!

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 37

"Is there a Henry in the world who could be insensible to such a declaration?"

CATHERINE
Are you and Miss Tilney really very angry with me?

HENRY
I must confess, I felt a little slighted - but my sister was quite sure it was some misunderstanding - Eleanor, you were right, as usual - Miss Morland is not to blame - she was abducted by force!

CATHERINE
No, not exactly - but truly I did try to make him stop -

ELEANOR
Don't tease her, Henry. You were quite cast down when you thought Miss Morland preferred the company of others to your own.

HENRY
Perhaps she still does.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 38

CATHERINE [(warmly)]
No, indeed! - that is -

She can't make her mind up who she likes best, is the truth.

HENRY
Then may I renew our invitation - shall we say the day after tomorrow for our walk?

CATHERINE
Oh, yes!

We cut to GENERAL TILNEY and JOHN THORPE who stand apart from the rest of the party. General Tilney is clearly asking Thorpe what he knows of Catherine, since his son seems interested in her.

JOHN THORPE
Miss Catherine Morland, a very amiable girl, and very rich too - ward of a Mr Allen, who's made a fortune in trade, and no one to spend it on but her - she'll bring a deal of money to her marriage, and when the old fellow pops off, she'll be one of the richest women in the country.

GENERAL TILNEY
Obliged to you, sir.

JOHN THORPE
Thorpe, sir, John Thorpe. Delighted to have been... right.

And suddenly GENERAL TILNEY and JOHN THORPE are upon the rest of the party.

GENERAL TILNEY
Mr Thorpe, perhaps you'd introduce me to the young lady.

JOHN THORPE
Miss Morland, this is General Tilney.

CATHERINE curtseys.

GENERAL TILNEY
Charming. And did I overhear a country walk proposed/

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 38A

CATHERINE
Yes, sir, the day after tomorrow.

GENERAL TILNEY
Then perhaps you would do us the honour of spending the rest of the day with us, after your walk? If Mr and Mrs Allen could be persuaded to spare you?

THORPE is very much cut out of all this, and stands about rather egg on face. HENRY and ELEANOR exchange a glance this is not their dad's usual style.

CATHERINE
I'm sure they'd be happy to spare me, sir, and I would have great pleasure in coming.

GENERAL TILNEY
Excellent. I look forward to making your better acquaintance, Miss Morland.

He walks off grandly. All eyes on Catherine.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 39

MRS ALLEN
Well!

40 EXT. COUNTRYSIDE. DAY. 40

A dramatic landscape - hilly - does Beechen Cliff still look as good as it did? Henry, Eleanor and Catherine, who is most enthusiastic.

ELEANOR
What do you think, Catherine?

CATHERINE
I think it's - the most beautiful view I've ever seen! It reminds me of the South of France - the hilly landscape of Languedoc, you know!

ELEANOR
Yes, you're quite right - I'd never thought of that. Have you travelled much in France?

CATHERINE
No - not at all - I've never been there! But I've seen pictures and it's just as Mrs Radcliffe describes it in Udolpho! [(faltering a little)]
But I suppose you don't read novels.

HENRY
I read Udolpho straight through in two days, with my hair standing on end the whole time -

ELEANOR
When he had faithfully promised to read it aloud to me! He ran away with it, my own property, and wouldn't let me have it back till he had finished the last page - what do you think of that? Isn't it shocking?

Catherine is amused - and puzzled - she is still rather in awe of Henry, finds it hard to see him as a figure of fun.

CATHERINE
I didn't think gentlemen cared for novels.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 40

HENRY
Well, here's one who does - I often think there's more life, and truth, and feeling in one good novel than in a hundred dull sermons.

He is speaking with real energy and conviction - Catherine is struck.

CATHERINE
You really believe that?

ELEANOR has stopped to tie her shoelace.

ELEANOR
Go on - don't wait for me.

HENRY
Why should you think I don't believe it?

CATHERINE
Because I think you like to tease me - and because the real world is different from the world in stories.

HENRY
Is it?

CATHERINE
Of course it is! I love to read Mrs Radcliffe, but I don't think the real world's full of murders and abductions, and ghosts with clanking chains, and - and - seductions and everything.

She ends on a tone of some confusion.

CATHERINE
Not in Fullerton, anyway.

HENRY
Perhaps not quite so many murders and abductions. But broken hearts? Betrayals? Long-held grudges? Schemes of revenge? Fear, and hatred, and despair? Are they not part of all our lives? Even in Fullerton?

CATHERINE
I don't know. I - would like to think not.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 41

HENRY
Then I hope your experience of life will be the exception that proves the rule.

She glances at him - he seems to be referring to some bad experiences of his own.

And now, suddenly, a horseman appears: he rides past HENRY and CATHERINE, and dismounts to speak to ELEANOR. CATHERINE's a bit alarmed by the suddenness of it. The HORSEMAN turns to HENRY.

HORSEMAN
Forgive me, Tilney, for interrupting your walk - I've no time to lose.

HENRY
Of course - we were expecting you.

The HORSEMAN makes a minimal bow to CATHERINE.

HORSEMAN
Ma' am.

Then he turns to ELEANOR. It's all very emotionally charged.

Henry offers his arm to Catherine.

HENRY
Come; let's walk on a little.

Catherine can't resist looking back.

HENRY
That gentleman is a close acquaintance of ours - a very good friend - who is obliged to leave the country at short notice - he was able to make his farewells to me last evening, but was no doubt anxious to say goodbye to my sister too before he left.

CATHERINE
I see.

No archness or anything about that, she just wants to ease what is clearly an awkward moment. After a hesitation:

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 42

HENRY
There is no reason why the matter should come up - but my sister and I would be grateful if you didn't mention to my father that we saw that gentleman today.

CATHERINE
No, of course.

HENRY
Thank you.

They walk on. In the background, ELEANOR and the HORSEMAN, talking earnestly.

41 INT. PULTENEY STREET LODGINGS. CATHERINE'S BEDROOM. DAY. 41

Isabella's face fills the screen.

ISABELLA
Can you guess? Yes - your brother has made me the happiest girl on earth!

CATHERINE
You mean - you and James -

ISABELLA
Are in love! He confessed as much to me this afternoon, and you know my nature - I could never trifle with a man's affections - in short I told him that his love was returned - oh, Catherine!

They hug each other.

ISABELLA [(continuing; shyly)]
He's waiting downstairs.

42 INT. PULTENEY STREET LODGINGS. STAIRS AND HALL. DAY. 42

Catherine runs to James and he takes her hands and smiles affectionately at her.

JAMES
I know I needn't ask you whether you approve, Catherine.

CATHERINE
No, indeed! - though I am surprised! - it has all happened so quickly!

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 43

JAMES
Not so; I believe I have been in love with your friend since the first time I set eyes on her.

ISABELLA
And I! The very first day he came to us last Christmas - the very first moment! - I remember I wore my yellow gown, with my hair done up with braids!

JAMES
I am come to say goodbye, Cathy - I am going straight to Fullerton to seek our parents' consent.

JOHN THORPE comes in.

JOHN THORPE
Ah, Morland, there you are! Miss Morland, sadly I must take my leave too, for the present - just for the present - I'll go with James to Fullerton, and then to town to help him choose a ring.

He moves closer to her.

JOHN THORPE
Perhaps I'll look out for one myself. Do you think I should?

He takes her hand and is reluctant to let it go, as James and Isabella move together.

JOHN THORPE
A famous good thing, this marrying scheme, what do you think of it?

CATHERINE
I think it's a very good thing too!

JOHN THORPE
I'm very glad to hear you say so! Did you ever hear the old song, going to one wedding brings on another? [(in a softer, more intimate tone)]
Perhaps you and I might try the truth of that.

Catherine's startled face. John Thorpe takes her hand and kisses it.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 44

JOHN THORPE
I'll think of you, you know, when I'm in town! Come, Morland, we must tear ourselves away!

43 EXT. BATH. DAY. 43

Catherine and Isabella watching the coach going off, James and John Thorpe waving. Isabella shedding a becoming tear.

ISABELLA
There! Go, go! - perhaps, for ever!

CATHERINE
Isabella, whatever do you mean?

ISABELLA
Your mother and father - what will they say?

CATHERINE
I'm sure they'll be very happy for James!

ISABELLA
But my fortune will be so small - how could they consent to it? Your brother, who might marry anybody!

This puzzles Catherine.

CATHERINE
I shouldn't have thought the difference in fortune would be anything to signify.

ISABELLA
Oh, my sweet Catherine, in your generous heart I know it wouldn't matter at all, but I mustn't expect everyone to think the same. I only wish our situations were reversed. Even if I had the command of millions, even if I were mistress of the whole world, your brother would still be my only choice!

Gosh, thinks Catherine.

END OF PART 3

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 45

44 INT. ASSEMBLY ROOMS. CORRIDOR. NIGHT. 44

Mrs Allen, Mrs Thorpe, Catherine and Isabella coming in together - the usual crush, the usual leering lads about town, nudging and telling each other Here come a couple of tasty ones. Isabella well aware of this and enjoying it, out of the corner of her eye.

ISABELLA
Now Catherine you know I'm only here for your sake, you know my heart is forty miles away!

CATHERINE [(who is having some trouble squeezing through the frotteurs)]
I know - it's very good of you to come and keep me company!

45 INT. ASSEMBLY ROOMS. BALLROOM. NIGHT. LATER. 45

Just a few moments later - but they've found seats and while Catherine is attending to Isabella, Isabella is flashing signals round the room as she speaks - she can't help it, really:

ISABELLA
And as for dancing, don't mention it, I beg you - that is quite out of the question. I dare say Charles Hodge will plague me to death about it - but I shall cut him off very short, I can tell you. I wonder where he is.

She is rather hoping he will turn up and start the plaguing. But here come the Tilneys. The General, Henry and Eleanor, and a little behind them, Captain Frederick Tilney, a very handsome rakish looking officer in uniform. Catherine starts up, nervous of the General but happy to see Henry and Eleanor. The General takes her hand and bows low over it - a quick glance between Henry and Eleanor they still can't get over it, their father's attentiveness to this sweet but ordinary girl.

GENERAL TILNEY
Miss Morland: delightful. You will excuse me now...

He hands her to Henry, as it were, who takes her hand smiling.

GENERAL TILNEY
Excellent.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 46

And he strolls away to the card room, or wherever. While that was going on, it would be nice if we could find a moment in which Captain Tilney clocks Isabella, and she him. She thinks gosh, wow, and he thinks, not bad, I'll have her before the week's out, if I can be bothered, that is.

HENRY
Miss Morland: allow me to introduce my brother, Captain Tilney.

CAPTAIN TILNEY
Charmed.

He's not, particularly. He takes a long stare round the room - effectively dismissing Catherine as unworthy of his notice and we catch her reaction ("Well! What a rude man") and Henry's (annoyance with his brother, tender concern for Catherine) Captain Tilney noting the pretty girls, most of whom become rather excited under his experienced gaze. In the background, ELEANOR goes over to Mrs Allen (I think we can assume that Catherine has introduced them on a previous occasion) and greets her warmly. Henry leads Catherine to a seat.

HENRY
Don't let my brother's ill manners offend you. That's how he is, I'm afraid. He was ill-mannered as a baby.

Catherine laughing.

CATHERINE
I'm surprised at you being so disrespectful to your older brother - and anyway - how could you know what he was like as a baby, when he was a baby you were not yet born!

HENRY
True enough. [(after a tiny pause)]
My mother told me of it.

The conversation has suddenly acquired deep resonances. The way Henry speaks of his mother indicates that he misses her very much, and he's willing to share that with Catherine. So it's quite a moment, but not the time or place to follow it up.

HENRY
I hope you're not already engaged for the next dance?

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 47

CATHERINE [(happily)]
No, indeed.

HENRY
My rival having left Bath.

His tone is light and playful again, but Catherine blushes all over.

CATHERINE
Indeed he is not your - you mustn't tease me. [(after a moment)]
Do you know him well? Mr John Thorpe?

HENRY
Not at all.

CATHERINE
That's strange - he seems to know a great deal about your family.

HENRY
And none of it to our credit?

Catherine a bit confused and embarrassed. He has guessed right, of course.

HENRY
Well, I've always found that ignorance and prejudice are no bar to forming the strongest of opinions.

A touch of hardness there. At this stage we'd like to keep it open that perhaps the rumours about Northanger and the Tilneys are right - certainly Frederick looks like the rake he is reputed to be.

CATHERINE
You think him ignorant and prejudiced? I know he doesn't always tell the truth - but he has been very kind and attentive to me...you think he isn't to be trusted?

Most of that speech to herself, as it were, but then failing to solve the mystery of Thorpe, she turns to Henry for help.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 48

HENRY
Dear Miss Morland - hasn't it occurred to you that I might not be the best person to consult on the subject of Mr Thorpe?

She stares at him. The band strikes up. He stands and offers his arm to her.

CAPTAIN TILNEY
Good God, Henry. You're not going to stand up in that maul, are you?

HENRY
I certainly am.

CAPTAIN TILNEY
Well, that being so....do you think your friend would care to dance with me?

CATHERINE
Oh, no! I am sorry! But I know for certain that she's quite determined not to dance tonight.

CAPTAIN TILNEY
That so? Pity.

He doesn't believe a word of it, and is still looking at Isabella, smiling.

CATHERINE [(as they join the dance)]
That was very kind of your brother to ask if Isabella would dance. I suppose he thought she might feel neglected - but I know she has a very particular reason not to dance.

Henry smiles.

CATHERINE
Why are you smiling?

HENRY
Look there.

Captain Tilney and Isabella have joined the dance, Isabella very animated and eager, looks across, sort of shrugs her pretty shoulders at Catherine as if to say "I can't help it".

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 49

46 INT. CARRIAGE. NIGHT. 46

Isabella and Catherine.

ISABELLA
I don't wonder at your surprise - I refused him as long as I possibly could, but he wouldn't take no for an answer! He's the eldest son, you know, the heir to Northanger Abbey - not that that weighs anything with me - I am in love with the best man in the whole world!

Catherine squeezes her hand.

ISABELLA
....did you think him handsome?

CATHERINE
Who?

ISABELLA
Captain Tilney, silly!

CATHERINE
Oh - yes - very handsome. But - didn't your brother say he was very bad - as bad as Lord Byron?

ISABELLA
Oh, John will say anything that comes into his head. I never take any notice of him!

CATHERINE
But then - how is one to know what to believe?

ISABELLA
One thing you can be certain of - my affection, for you and for your dear, dear brother!

47 INT. GOTHIC RUIN. NIGHT. (CATHERINE'S DREAM) 47

Catherine is running in her nightie up staircases and along corridors - we can hear James shouting off:

JAMES [(off screen)]
Catherine! Catherine! For God's sake help me!

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 50

A quick shot of James in a dungeon desperately rattling the bars - back to Catherine's flying feet, up another Gothic staircase, and along a very long corridor with a door looming up at the end, and she drags it open, and there is a big iron bed with Isabella lying on it, tied to the bedstead in her nightie, her mouth gagged, her eyes rolling, and Captain Tilney standing by the bedside about to do who knows what to Isabella, turns to face Catherine with a wicked smile.

48 INT. THORPE LODGINGS. ISABELLA'S BEDROOM. DAY. 48

Start on Catherine's face. Eager, happy.

CATHERINE
You have heard from James? And my parents have consented?

ISABELLA
Yes - your father has been very good.

But her tone doesn't quite confirm this.

ISABELLA
James is to have a living worth four hundred pound a year as soon as he is old enough to take it, but that won't be for two years - so we must wait that long before we marry. It seems it wasn't possible for your father to do anything for us immediately.

MRS THORPE [(anxiously placating)]
I'm sure Mr Morland has behaved vastly handsome - if he finds he can do more by and by, I dare say he will - and Isabella's wishes are so moderate!

It might be nice if this scene takes place in Isabella's room, lots of frocks hung up, Isabella herself much more flashily attired than Catherine.

ISABELLA
For myself, it's nothing - I never think of myself - but poor James - four hundred is hardly enough for the common necessaries of life! But I suppose everybody has a right to do what they like with their own money.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 51

She's really very disappointed - she thinks Mr Morland is rich, and she can't see why he should be so stingy. But she has gone too far for Catherine.

CATHERINE
I am very sure that my father has promised as much as he can afford.

Isabella casts an alarmed glance at her mother.

ISABELLA
But Mr Allen, I was sure, would do something for James - perhaps he did not approve of his choice of bride.

CATHERINE [(genuinely surprised)]
Why should Mr Allen do anything for James, or for any of us? It was very kind of Mr and Mrs Allen to bring me to Bath - but none of us has any - expectations from Mr Allen.

This is a big shock for Isabella. But she has a very fast think, and decides she had better hide her true feelings for the moment.

ISABELLA
My sweet Catherine, you know I care nothing for money - if we could only be married now, I would be happy to live on fifty pounds a year! But that's the sting - that's why you find me so cast down - the two years we must wait before dear Morland can have the living! Oh, dearest Catherine, how shall I endure it?

Catherine wants to believe her, and just about manages it.

49 EXT. COUNTRYSIDE. DAY. 49

Catherine and Eleanor Tilney walking. Henry is strolling ahead, out of earshot, swishing at grasses with his stick. He has a nice bum, muscular shoulders, it's a good back view.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 52

ELEANOR
I can well understand how she feels - two years is a long time but at least she can marry the man she loves - not everyone is so fortunate!

CATHERINE
No, I suppose not. How sad that is!

ELEANOR
Yes, it is.

Their eyes meet and Catherine sees how it is with Eleanor

ELEANOR
But how many couples marry for love?

CATHERINE
I believe my mother and father love each other even more than they love us - and they love us very much! When I was a little girl I thought it was like that for everyone - it was only when I started to read novels that I learnt that it was not.

ELEANOR
I shouldn't have thought one would have to read novels to find that out - I think you have had quite a dangerous upbringing.

CATHERINE
Dangerous? How?

ELEANOR
It's as Henry says - you've been brought up to think that everyone else is as pure in heart as you are.

CATHERINE
I don't think I'm very pure in heart.

ELEANOR
Really? Why?

Henry's bum.

CATHERINE
Oh.....I have the most terrible dreams sometimes.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 53

She starts to giggle. Henry turns.

HENRY
What's the joke?

ELEANOR
Nothing to concern you.

50 INT. MILSOM STREET LODGINGS. DAY. 50

Henry, Catherine and Eleanor entering the Tilney lodgings.

CATHERINE
Oh, I love our walks - I think I should like to stay in Bath for ever, and go walking with you every day!

Henry and Eleanor glance at each other.

HENRY
Unfortunately, that won't be possible.

CATHERINE
Oh.

They are going in now.

Again they look at each other - who's going to tell her?

ELEANOR [(to Catherine)]
Our father told us just this morning that he's determined on quitting Bath by the end of the week.

CATHERINE
Oh.

Now they are in. The door opens and General Tilney comes in very abruptly, scaring Catherine - and he always makes his own offspring ill-at-ease.

GENERAL TILNEY
Ah! Miss Morland! Capital! Excellent! Can you, Miss Morland, be prevailed on to quit this scene of public triumph and oblige us with your company at Northanger Abbey?

CATHERINE
Northanger Abbey!

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 54

She's thrilled to bits - and quite overawed.

GENERAL TILNEY
Well, Miss Morland, what d'ye say?

CATHERINE [(rather breathlessly)]
I am - very honoured, sir - and if Mr and Mrs Allen agree I should be delighted to accept.

She smiles happily at Eleanor and Henry. And then sees General Tilney's expression of savage satisfaction, like a wolf who's just eaten two little pigs and is looking forward to the third. We hear ominous music, and a crash of thunder as we dissolve to

51 EXT. GOTHIC RUIN. NIGHT. CATHERINE'S IMAGINATION. 51

Catherine in just a white nightie is being hustled along in the pouring rain, the sky lit up by flashes of lightning, by two ruffians across the drawbridge and through the great portcullis where General Tilney awaits her with the same expression of savage satisfaction.

52 INT. PUMP ROOMS. DAY. 52

Catherine and Isabella seated - people walking up and down.

ISABELLA
Northanger Abbey! Aren't you frightened to go there on your own?

CATHERINE
I confess I am, a little.

ISABELLA
Well I am sure it will be very thrilling for you - but I hope you will not forget me, dearest Catherine - or our dearest John!

CATHERINE [(rather puzzled)]
No, indeed.

ISABELLA
No need to be coy - I heard from him today - that you and he are as good as engaged!

Catherine's gobsmacked.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 55

CATHERINE
Indeed we are not.

ISABELLA
Useless to dissemble, my dear, your secret's out - he says in his letter here - not half an hour before he left Bath, you gave him the most positive encouragement! He says he as good as made you an offer.

CATHERINE
No, no - there must be some mistake! Your brother must have misunderstood me, and I certainly had no idea he thought he was making me an offer - please undeceive him, and beg his pardon.

ISABELLA
Oh! [(pause)]
Well, I dare say we should all be allowed a little harmless flirtation -

CATHERINE
But there was no flirtation, not on my side!

ISABELLA
And if no one were allowed to change their minds, where would we all be? And perhaps it is for the best, after all!

She is of course thinking about the money.

CATHERINE
Isabella, please understand me, once and for all -

ISABELLA
Ssh! Here he comes!

CATHERINE
Who?

ISABELLA
Tilney, of course! Oh, I wouldn't have this happen for the world - look away - perhaps he hasn't seen us!

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 56

But Captain Tilney comes directly towards them, nods to Catherine and sits down on the other side of Isabella. He speaks to her in an urgent sexy way, low but quite audible to Catherine.

CAPTAIN TILNEY
What! Always to be watched, in person or by proxy!

ISABELLA
Nonsense - my spirit, you know, is pretty independent!

CAPTAIN TILNEY
I wish your heart were independent - that would be enough for me.

ISABELLA
My heart, indeed! What can you have to do with hearts? None of you men have any hearts.

CAPTAIN TILNEY
But we have eyes, and they give us torment enough.

Catherine is shocked at Isabella's faithlessness, this is really pretty hot flirting. What can she do? It's embarrassing as well. She gets up.

CATHERINE
I think Mrs Allen and your mother are expecting us - will you come, Isabella?

ISABELLA
You go - tell them I'll follow - and if I shouldn't see you - write and tell me all your news from Northanger!

Catherine goes off, in some confusion of mind, and we go with her. At the end of the room, she looks back, and Isabella and Captain Tilney have got up and are sneaking off somewhere for all the world like a pair of lovers looking for somewhere to enjoy a bit of nookie. Catherine's perturbed face.

53 EXT PULTENEY STREET LODGINGS. DAY. 53

General Tilney's magnificent coach and four more than fills the screen - postilions, the lot.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 57

54 INT. PULTENEY STREET LODGINGS. DRAWING ROOM. DAY. 54

Up in the first floor:

MRS ALLEN
Catherine my dear, quickly, they are here!

Looking out we can see that behind the splendid coach is Henry Tilney's open curricle.

MRS ALLEN
Oh, how grand! A chaise and four! You never aspired to that, Mr Allen!

MR ALLEN
No, indeed. Well, Catherine - we shall miss you...

CATHERINE
Thank you for all your kindness it has been such a happy time

MRS ALLEN
There there, my dear...

MR ALLEN
I should be sharp about it, these great folks don't like to be kept waiting!

55 EXT. PULTENEY STREET LODGINGS. DAY. 55

Indeed they don't. Outside, General Tilney is consulting his watch.

GENERAL TILNEY
Four minutes late already coming from Milsom Street...

ELEANOR
I'm sure Miss Morland won't keep you waiting father - here she comes now...

and he is out of the coach to greet her, extreme courtesy masking his fury

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 58

GENERAL TILNEY
Miss Morland, a thousand pardons for our late arrival - my eldest son must bear the blame - he stays on in Bath, and there was some necessary business - now, my dear Miss Morland, I have a proposal - as it is a fine day, how should you like to take the curricle with my son Henry - you will enjoy the air, and be better able to see the country - but it is entirely up to you.

Eleanor is smiling and nodding from the chaise. Henry is smiling from the curricle, and springs down to offer her a hand.

CATHERINE
Thank you - I should like that very much!

56 EXT. COUNTRY ROAD. DAY. 56

We are with Catherine and Henry in the curricle. The chaise goes on ahead.

CATHERINE
Did your father say that Captain Tilney stays on in Bath?

HENRY
Yes.

CATHERINE
Oh.

HENRY
You're disappointed? You were - hoping for his company at Northanger, perhaps?

There might be room for a tiny bit of insecurity on Henry's part here. His elder brother is a renowned fanny magnet.

CATHERINE
No! No! Not at all! That is - I should have had no objection to his company.....

She's got all confused, but she has relieved any anxiety Henry might have felt.

HENRY
Then what is it? Come.

CATHERINE [PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 59]
I am anxious about your brother and Miss Thorpe. I think - he cannot know she is engaged to my brother.

HENRY
I suppose he thinks he has a chance with her.

CATHERINE
But doesn't he see how wrong it is of him? And what pain it must give to my brother?

HENRY
If she stands true to your brother, he will feel no pain. No man objects to another man's admiration of the woman he loves. Only the woman herself can make it a torment.

He might well be speaking from experience.

CATHERINE
Yes - I understand. Then - I am afraid that Isabella hasn't behaved quite rightly either. Oh, poor James!

HENRY
I don't think you should distress yourself too much. Your brother will be returning to Bath very soon; my brother will be leaving, to rejoin his regiment. And that'll be the end of it. The mess room will drink to Isabella Thorpe for a fortnight, and Mr and Mrs James Morland will live happy ever after. Now. Look there.

And Northanger Abbey comes into view.

CATHERINE
Is that Northanger? It's exactly as I imagined! Just like what one reads about!

And we hear their continued dialogue as the little curricle goes away from us, under the huge frowning walls of the gothic pile.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 60

HENRY
And are you prepared to encounter all its horrors?

CATHERINE
Horrors? Is Northanger haunted, then?

HENRY
Oh, that's the least of it...dungeons, sliding panels, skeletons, strange unearthly cries in the night that seem to pierce your very soul-

CATHERINE
Vampires? Oh, don't say vampires! I think I could bear the rest, but not vampires!

Back with them in closeup.

HENRY
Miss Morland, I do believe you're teasing me now. But if I were to say there is a kind of vampirism - no. Let's just say that all houses have their secrets, and Northanger is no exception.

Catherine's eyes widen. She doesn't understand, of course, that the kind of vampirism Henry refers to is the way his father drains the life out of his children, the way the General dominated his wife until she faded away - and Henry is clearly in earnest.

HENRY
Come: let me help you down.

And with some trepidation, Catherine allows herself to be led over the cobbles and through the great arched doorway.

57 INT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. HALL. DUSK. 57

...where the scary figure of the General stands silhouetted, waiting to receive her.

END OF PART 4

58 INT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. CATHERINE'S BEDROOM. DUSK. 58

Catherine stares around at the huge furniture - the vast four-poster bed, the towering wardrobe....

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 61

ELEANOR
I hope you will be comfortable - oh, good, I see they have brought your boxes up - do, please, I beg you, make as little alteration to your dress as possible - my father is most particular about meal times. I'm sorry to have to ask you.

CATHERINE
No, no...that's quite all right...

She's too awed and excited and thrilled to be at Northanger to take much in, actually.

ELEANOR
I'll see you in a few minutes then.

She goes. Catherine looking round, taking off her outdoor clothes... and then her eye lights on a huge old chest with a tarnished silver lock, and on the lid "a mysterious cipher" also in silver, but so broken as to be unintelligible. She draws in her breath. This looks just the sort of thing to contain horrors, as in the stories - a chord of music might reinforce the thought. She goes over to it, timid but brave, and traces the initials with her fingers. Then she tries the hasp. It's not locked, but it's very stiff - she can't move it. Then she does, and sets herself to open the great heavy lid.

Knock knock loud on the door - she drops the lid and turns white-faced to face whatever horror is in store.

The door opens and a maid stands there.

MAID
If you please, Miss Tilney says do you need any help, Miss?

CATHERINE
No - no - thank you.

The maid bobs and goes. Catherine pulls her travelling dress off quickly, rummages in her box for her dinner dress - yes, that one looks all right. She scrambles into it - Jane Austen says she's got one arm into her gown when she looks back at the chest thinks, I'm near enough dressed now, I've got to see what's in there....

She braces herself, heaves at the lid - it's coming, it's coming -

A knock. Catherine gasps and lets the lid fall shut - turns to the door. It's Eleanor.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 62

ELEANOR
Are you nearly ready, Catherine?

CATHERINE [(rather wildly)]
Yes! Yes, um... I was just....

She hauls the sleeve over her shoulder, and tries a smile.

59 INT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. HALL. DUSK. 59

GENERAL TILNEY fuming, looking at his watch, as Catherine and Eleanor come down, a little breathless and hurried. HENRY gives Catherine a reassuring smile.

GENERAL TILNEY
Miss Morland: delightful.

Then, raising his voice, he says very fiercely to no one in particular:

GENERAL TILNEY
Dinner to be on the table directly!

And then he offers his arm to Catherine in a courtly and elegant manner, controlled savagery again. She feels pretty scared. Servants open the double doors, and her eyes widen and her heart sinks a bit at the view of the dining table which looks about as long as a cricket pitch, laden with silver.

CUT TO:

60 INT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. DINING ROOM. NIGHT. 60

A footman is serving soup to Catherine. There is a daunting array of spoons to choose from. Eleanor, without making it obvious, touches the appropriate spoon from her own array of cutlery. Catherine smiles nervously, picks up her own spoon, and is just about to taste the soup when the General startles her with:

GENERAL TILNEY
I hope you find our simple style of living to your taste, Miss Morland. No doubt you have been used to better sized apartments at Mr Allen's?

CATHERINE
No, indeed, sir - Mr Allen's dining parlour is only half the size of this room!

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 63

GENERAL TILNEY
Well, now, I suppose I care as little as any man for such things, but a tolerably large eating room is one of the necessaries of life - hm?

Is it just his manner, or is there a note of savage interrogation there?

CATHERINE [(bravely)]
Tolerably large, indeed, sir - but I don't think I've ever been in so large a dining room as this one.

GENERAL TILNEY
You have not?

GENERAL TILNEY is sitting at the head of the table. Catherine sits on one side, Henry and Eleanor on the other side. The foot of the table is empty, of course. But now as she looks to that empty place, she gets a subliminal glimpse of a ghostly female figure with no face!

It's as if Catherine's polite and honest answer has disturbed him - but he recovers with:

GENERAL TILNEY
Well, no doubt the rooms in Mr Allen's house are exactly of the true size for rational happiness.

CATHERINE risks another look. The ghostly figure has gone.

But something has given him cause for furious thought, and he says no more, addressing himself to his soup in silence (apart from soup noises). Henry and Eleanor exchange glances. Clink, slurp. The huge hands of the clock jerk on another second. And then, from outside, the distant rumble of thunder.

61 INT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. HALL / STAIRCASE. NIGHT. 61

Catherine follows a servant upstairs - the servant holding a light. Outside the storm has come closer - rain lashes the tall windows, the thunder is nearer, lightning briefly floods the stairwell with light. On Catherine's rather apprehensive face. As she looks up, the ghostly FIGURE appears on the landing, and vanishes through a doorway. CATHERINE'S face again.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 64

62 INT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. CATHERINE'S BEDROOM. NIGHT. 62

Catherine in her nightie. The storm still raging outside. She is looking towards the chest.

Catherine, holding the candle, approaches the chest. Puts the candle down by it. Very bravely and determinedly, but trembling, she applies all her strength to lifting the lid and with a creak it opens - inside, some crumpled shroud like sheets - she moves them aside, and there is some sort of ancient manuscript, brown with age, crumpled, old fashioned handwriting - she lifts it up to read it.

With a sudden crash, the storm blows the window open, and the candle goes out! Catherine gasps in terror, scuttles to the bed, and pulls the covers over her head.

63 INT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. CATHERINE'S BEDROOM. NIGHT.(LATER) 63

The storm rages on outside. Catherine tosses and turns. Into her dream.

64 EXT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. NIGHT. 64

Lightening forks through the night-sky.

65 INT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. HALL / STAIRCASE. NIGHT. 65 (CATHERINE'S DREAM)

Wind and rain lash against the windows, blowing the curtains, as the General mounts the stairs, his eyes blazing, carrying the bloodsoaked corpse of his poor wife.

66 INT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. CATHERINE'S BEDROOM. DAY. 66

Catherine wakes suddenly as the housemaid is folding back the window shutters and flooding the room with light. The scraps of manuscript are scattered all over the floor.

HOUSEMAID
Why, whatever are these old things?

CATHERINE
No - no - leave them please -

The HOUSEMAID goes suit yourself and leaves. Catherine scrambles out of bed and hastily gathers up the scraps.

CATHERINE
Shirts... stockings..cravats...

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 65

She looks at others. Nothing more thrilling there.

CATHERINE
Laundry lists.

At which point Eleanor arrives.

ELEANOR
Will you come for a walk?

Catherine feels a complete idiot.

67 EXT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. GARDEN WALK. DAY.

Eleanor and Catherine walking in a secluded path.

ELEANOR
This was my mother's favourite place - I used to walk so often here with her, though I never loved it then as I have loved it since.

CATHERINE
Her death must have been a great affliction.

ELEANOR
A great and increasing one.

CATHERINE
What - what was she like? Did she look like you?

ELEANOR
I wish I could show you her portrait. It hangs in her private chamber.

CATHERINE
I suppose you were with her to the last?

ELEANOR
No - I was away from home. Her illness was sudden and short, and before I arrived it was all over.

Clearly still a painful memory for her. But for Catherine it provokes the most "horrid suggestions".

CATHERINE
So - you didn't see - her...

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 66

ELEANOR
Her body? No. I wish I could have done - perhaps it would have made it easier to think of her at peace.

CATHERINE
Yes. - I should like to see her room, if you are willing to show me.

ELEANOR
We never go there - it is my father's wish.

CATHERINE
But to see her picture...?

ELEANOR HESITATES.

ELEANOR
Yes - why should you not see it?

68 INT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. HALL / STAIRCASE. DAY. 68

A sense of foreboding as Eleanor leads her up a rather dingy staircase, with dark and forbidding paintings on the walls - and a glass case with an eagle with a bleeding dove clasped in its talons. They emerge on to a landing, and Eleanor goes to open a door, when:

GENERAL TILNEY [(suddenly)]
What do you do there?

ELEANOR
I was going to show Miss Morland

GENERAL TILNEY
There is nothing to interest Miss Morland in this part of the house. I am surprised at you, Eleanor.

He stands between them and the door. Catherine stares at him. Eleanor lowers her gaze, and leads the way down. General Tilney's face. Start to hear Catherine's voice over:

CATHERINE
My dearest Isabella - I long to hear your news - I hope everything is well with you and with James?

(MORE)

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 67

CATHERINE (cont'd)

And that your brother is not too much offended with me - please assure him that if I caused him any grief then I am very sorry for it.

69 INT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. CATHERINE'S BEDROOM. DAY. 69

Catherine writing the letter.

CATHERINE [(voice over)]
Northanger Abbey is all that I expected it to be, and Eleanor and her brother very kind, though strangely subdued in the presence of their father, who....oh, Isabella, I fear that this house holds a terrible secret, relating to the death of Mrs Tilney...

Eleanor calls, off.

ELEANOR
Catherine!

CATHERINE [(voice over as we see her folding up the letter quickly]
I cannot write more now, send me your news, your loving friend Catherine. [(aloud)]
Here I am!

70 INT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. DINING ROOM. DAY. 70

Breakfast. Catherine, Henry, Eleanor, General Tilney.

GENERAL TILNEY
This is a sad day, Miss Morland.

She's a bit startled: what can he mean?

GENERAL TILNEY
A sad day for me, that is - I have to go up to town for several days on business. I trust you'll be able to entertain our guest properly while I am gone, Henry?

HENRY [(smiling)]
Nothing would give me greater pleasure, sir.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 68

71 EXT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. DAY. 71

The General getting into his carriage - the three young people waving him off. As the carriage goes away, they turn to each other with something like relief and delight - music will help here, as we go into a montage of them enjoying themselves without the constraint of the General's presence:

72 EXT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. DAY. 72

Henry's up a tree throwing apples down (or whatever is in season) Catherine and Eleanor spreading skirts to catch them, making it into a kind of game.

73 EXT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. DAY. 73

The three of them walking up a hill, laughing, very animated, Catherine's doing most of the talking, Henry's delighted smile.

74 EXT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. DAY. 74

Archery: he's showing her how to hold the bow - fingers touch - she turns to ask him something and their faces are an inch away from each other - biology kicks in, but Eleanor is in the background, smiling - for a few moments neither of them can look away, they are in love and in lust - then Catherine manages to turn her head, draws back the bowstring, the arrow flies and lands on target.

75 INT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. DINING ROOM. NIGHT. 75

The dining table stands bare. AN INTIMATE SUPPER for three - no servants in view, in front of the fire - come in on them laughing.

HENRY
I thought tomorrow I might show you Woodston, if you'd like to see it. It's nothing to Northanger, of course - just a country vicarage - but I'm very fond of it.

76 EXT. WOODSTON. DAY. 76

CATHERINE and HENRY canter across a ridge and a house and church come into view.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 69

HENRY
There.

CATHERINE
Is that your home? It's lovely.

HENRY
I'm very glad you think so.

77 EXT. COUNTRYSIDE. DAY. 77

As they're ambling back, it comes on to rain.

CATHERINE
Come on - I'll race you back!

It's a chance for Catherine to indulge her tomboyish side.

Catch Catherine's vigour and enjoyment and determination to do well. Henry gets ahead, and his horse throws up clods of mud, spattering Catherine.

CATHERINE
Oh! Not fair!

He reins in a bit, to look back, and she sees her chance, and comes thundering past him, so that he in turn gets spattered. And they end up laughing.

78 EXT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. ENTRANCE. DAY. 78

Henry dismounts and helps her get down, and grooms run forward to take the horses. ELEANOR comes out to meet them.

ELEANOR [(laughing)]
The state of the pair of you! I'll go and tell Richards to draw your bath, Catherine.

She walks off towards the house. Henry smiles at Catherine's mud-spattered cheeks and gently wipes the worst bits off with his thumb. She looks up at him, her eyeswide, smiling.

79 INT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. HALL. DAY 79

Catherine coming into the house the back way. Eleanor calls.

ELEANOR [(continuing; from upstairs)]
Catherine! It's ready!

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 70

Catherine walks along a ground floor corridor towards a flight of stairs. Hears the sound of water.

Pauses and looks right. A bit of corridor, an open door...

and Henry, standing naked, washing himself - and doesn't he look gorgeous, with the light playing on his rippling muscles. She can't not look. It's bit of a revelation: he's not just a witty, charming, considerate gentleman. He's a hunk.

And then he turns and sees her - he's rather startled - but for a moment neither of them can move, staring into each other's eyes - then Catherine remembers herself, and runs off blushing towards the stairs.

80 INT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. HALL / STAIRCASE. DAY. 80

At the top of the stairs she and we think we see a flash of the ghostly figure again, leading her on...And she finds herself standing outside Mrs Tilney's door. Dare she go in? But then Eleanor calls, off

ELEANOR
Catherine! Are you coming?

And Catherine goes obediently.

81 EXT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. DAY. (THE NEXT DAY) 81

Catherine and Henry walking, Eleanor there too, though this time keeping a tactful distance.

CATHERINE
I have been so happy here, these last two days!

HENRY [(smiling)]
But not before?

CATHERINE
Oh yes! - that's to say - I know it's wrong of me, but although he has been so kind to me, I do feel easier now the General is away from home.

HENRY [(wryly)]
He has that effect on most people. He's not blessed with the happiest of tempers, I'm afraid.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 71

CATHERINE
When we were just coming to Northanger Abbey, you said that it held secrets.

HENRY
Did I? And have you discovered any dreadful revelations yet?

CATHERINE
No, but I would like to know what you meant.

HENRY
I think that will have to remain a secret - a secret once explained loses all its charm, and all its danger too. Why don't you imagine the worst thing you can, and write your own Gothic romance about it? Northanger Abbey would be a very good title, don't you think?

CATHERINE
Now you're mocking me. But I can't help feeling that this house isn't a happy one.

HENRY
Not since our mother died - and even before that... I envy you your happy childhood. My brother Frederick is well enough I think, sowing his wild oats, but soon he'll have to make an advantageous marriage. My sister is not happy.

CATHERINE
I am very sorry for it.

HENRY
The man you saw on our country walk? He is a good friend of mine, a very dear friend, but he is more than that to my sister. He is very much in love with her, and she with him, but our father has refused to sanction the match - Edward is only a second son: Eleanor must marry the heir to a great estate.

We can see Eleanor's sad face now.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 72

CATHERINE
And - and you?

He turns to her.

HENRY
If I'm to retain my father's favour, I must marry a fortune too.

CATHERINE
And shall you?

HENRY
I always hoped I would be lucky: that the girl I fell in love with would come with a fortune attached.

CATHERINE
And - if she should not?

HENRY
Then that would be a stern test of my character.

A deep glance between them.

HENRY
Come.

And music starts again as they walk back towards the house Eleanor turning and smiling now as she joins them, and the music continues as we dissolve to:

82 INT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. DINING ROOM. NIGHT. 82

Henry, Eleanor, Catherine, laughing together at the dinner table, free from constraint, Eleanor tenderly noting the tenderness with which Henry looks at Catherine.

HENRY
I have to go over to Woodston again tomorrow.

CATHERINE
Can we come?

HENRY
Not this time, I'm afraid. Parish business. You'll have to entertain yourselves.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 73

83 EXT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. DAY. 83

Henry riding off, looking good on his white horse. Catherine and Eleanor waving him off from the steps.

84 INT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. HALL / STAIRCASE. DAY. 84

Catherine hurries rather furtively through a long gallery, and through doors leading to the sinister staircase.

She turns the corner by the stuffed eagle and approaches the fateful door. The key is in the lock! It turns! She turns the handle, and the door opens with a creak. She steps inside.

85 INT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. MRS TILNEY'S ROOM. DAY. 85

Light slants in filtered through curtains. Some of the furniture is covered. There is a huge dark wardrobe on one wall.

Catherine glances at it with some foreboding, sure that it contains something dreadful. And 4 then turns to the portrait. Mrs Tilney is indeed beautiful but her face is drawn and sad.

CATHERINE [(softly)]
Poor lady.

CATHERINE might look at the dressing table. A mirror and hairbrushes on it. On the floor, a pair of shoes. So little, so empty.

Catherine turns to the wardrobe again. She is going to have to face the horrors inside. Maybe the overlapping whispers again, less distinct, as she goes shakily towards it. Just as it looms towards her, she hears brisk footsteps, turns, and it's Henry, in riding boots, standing on the landing, equally surprised to see her.

CATHERINE
Oh, good God!

She's had a real fright, thinking it was the General again. Recovering slightly:

CATHERINE
How did you come up that staircase?

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 74

HENRY [(puzzled)]
It's the nearest way from the stables to my room. I left the key behind - to my study at Woodston.

CATHERINE
Oh.

HENRY
Might I ask how you come to be here all alone?

CATHERINE
I - wanted to see your mother's room. Eleanor was going to show me, but your father - prevented us.

HENRY
And so you thought you'd come and see for yourself.

CATHERINE
Yes.

HENRY
I suppose Eleanor has talked to you about our mother.

CATHERINE
Yes - that is, not much - but what she did say was very - her dying so suddenly, and none of you being at home - and your father, I thought, had perhaps not been very fond of her.

Henry winces a little at this last bit. It's true.

HENRY
And from these circumstances you infer some - negligence? -

But her face shows she thinks worse than that.

HENRY
Or something even worse?

Her face confirms it. In the next speech Henry, without being nasty about it, is less gentle than he usually is with Catherine, more distant.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 75

HENRY
Then let me reassure you. My mother's illness was sudden - and Eleanor was from home, but I was present throughout, and so was my brother Frederick.

CATHERINE
Oh.

HENRY
Our mother had every possible attention - our physician was satisfied that nothing more could be done for her - it was very distressing, as you may imagine.

CATHERINE
Yes, of course.

But she can't leave it alone.

CATHERINE
- But your father? Was he distressed?

She asks that in quite a challenging way. Henry considers a moment before answering.

HENRY
For a time, greatly so. She had had to bear a great deal from him - but when she was dead, he felt her loss.

CATHERINE
I am very glad of it - it would have been very shocking if he had - if he had -

HENRY
If he had what? If I understand you rightly, you've been suspecting my father of a crime so dreadful -

Catherine has the awful feeling that she has completely ruined things with Henry. So almost in desperation:

CATHERINE
But you said yourself the house held secrets!

HENRY
And so you decided that my father must be a murderer? [(MORE)]

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 76

HENRY (cont'd)
When to you, at least, he has shown nothing but kindness? Catherine, how could you? What a fevered imagination you must have - perhaps, after all it's possible to read too many novels!

That last sentence has not only anger but a touch of contempt in it. He turns on his heel and walks out. She hears his footsteps bang along the corridor, a door open and slam shut, and she bursts into tears.

86 EXT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. DAY. 86

Henry galloping off - perhaps out of her life for ever.

87 EXT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. DAY. 87

The garden walk again. Catherine alone on a seat, trying to stop crying. She is thinking, oh, how could I, I've made such an idiot of myself, he's going to hate me now, oh God I hope he doesn't tell Eleanor. And here comes Eleanor now, carrying a letter.

ELEANOR
Look, Catherine - oh, whatever is the matter?

CATHERINE [(shaking her head)]
I can't tell you - please don't make me - I have done something so wickedly foolish - and your brother knows of it - and now he will hate me for it, and so will you, when he tells you...

ELEANOR
Dear Catherine, I'm quite sure that nothing you could do would make me hate you, or Henry either.

CATHERINE
Perhaps, but I saw his face, and I know - he will never respect me again - and it is all my own fault.

ELEANOR
Come - perhaps it's not as bad as you think - look, here is a letter for you...

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 77

CATHERINE
Thank you - it will be from Isabella - oh, no, it is my brother's writing!

She opens it eagerly, but her face falls as she reads.

CATHERINE
Oh, no - no - I can't believe it!

ELEANOR
Not bad news, I hope?

CATHERINE [(reads aloud )]
Dear Catherine, I think it my duty to tell you that everything is at an end between Miss Thorpe and me.

Eleanor's reaction, back to Catherine as she stares at the letter. James continues the voiceover, and as he speaks we go back in memory to

88 INT. ASSEMBLY ROOMS. NIGHT. (CATHERINE'S MEMORY) 88

JAMES [(voice over)]
I shall not enter into particulars - they would only pain you more - you will soon hear enough to know where the blame lies...

Shots of Isabella dancing with Captain Tilney, he the accomplished seducer, she the easy prey...

89 INT. PUMP ROOMS. BATH. DAY. (CATHERINE'S IMAGINATION) 89

Catherine's view of Isabella and Captain Tilney exiting for nooky, as it were....but this time with James looking worriedly after them.

JAMES [(continuing the voiceover)]
She has made me miserable for ever - her duplicity hurts me more than all; till the very last, she declared herself as much attached as ever...

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 78

89a INT. ASSEMBLY ROOMS. NIGHT. LATER. (CATHERINE'S MEMORY ) 89a *

Isabella with James laughing and slapping his arm with her fan, while at the same time looking over at a sardonically smiling Captain Tilney. *

JAMES
I am ashamed to think how long I bore it. Dear Catherine, I hope your visit at Northanger may be over before Captain Tilney makes his engagement known....

CUT TO:

90 EXT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. GARDEN WALK. DAY. 90

ELEANOR's startled face.

ELEANOR
Captain Tilney? Frederick?

CATHERINE
Yes! It's just what I feared! poor, poor James! He did love so much!

ELEANOR
But Frederick! And they are engaged! No, I can't believe that!

CATHERINE
There it is in black and white. (she reads the last line) "Dearest Catherine, beware how you give your heart."

and looks up into Eleanor's eyes.

ELEANOR
I am very sorry for your brother - sorry that anyone you love should be unhappy - but my surprise would be greater at Frederick's marrying her, than at any other part of the story.

CATHERINE
Why do you say that?

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 78A

ELEANOR
What are Miss Thorpe's connections? What is her fortune? Are they a wealthy family?

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 79

CATHERINE
No, not very. I don't believe Isabella has any fortune at all. You think your father will forbid the match?

ELEANOR
I doubt if the matter will reach his ears at all.

CATHERINE
Why? Whatever do you mean?

ELEANOR
Catherine, your friend has dealt badly with your brother, but I fear she is far out of her depth with mine.

CUT TO:

91 INT/EXT. BATH. NIGHT. 91

A redlight district. Young rakes chatting up whores - up an alley we can actually see a couple having it off against a wall - a dishevelled Regency beau staggers down the middle of the street - two or three chaps come laughing out of a tavern or brothel - as a closed carriage rolls up, and out step Captain Tilney and an excited laughing Isabella:

ISABELLA
Oh, Captain Tilney! Frederick! For shame!

as they hurry, almost run, into the house.

92 INT. LODGING HOUSE. BATH. NIGHT. 92

It is Captain Tilney's view as he stands at the window in his shirt and breeches, smoking a cigar.

On the bed, Isabella, very much disarrayed, no longer a virgin, and not at all sure what her situation is vis a vis Frederick. (She did enjoy her initiation, though.)

ISABELLA [(tentatively)]
And - and we are engaged?

CAPTAIN TILNEY
Make yourself decent, Miss Thorpe; I must return you to your friends before you're missed. The regiment leaves for Chatham to embark tomorrow morning.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 80

Isabella's face as it sinks in (if I may so put it)

Start to hear Isabella's voice over:

ISABELLA
My dearest Catherine, thank God we leave this vile place tomorrow...

93 INT. THORPE LODGINGS. ISABELLA'S BEDROOM. DAY. 93

Isabella writing in her room - her mother supervising two servants packing....

MRS THORPE
No, no, no, in this one!

ISABELLA [(voice over)]
Since you went away, I have had no pleasure in it, and everybody one cares for is gone. I am quite uneasy about your dear brother....

94 INT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. HALL. DAY. 94

Eleanor listens as Catherine reads the letter.

ISABELLA [(voice over)]
...not having heard from him since he went back to Oxford, and am fearful of some misunderstanding!

Catherine's shocked reaction.

CATHERINE
Oh!

ISABELLA [(voice over)]
You will write to him and set everything right - he is the only man I ever did or could love, and I know you will convince him of it.

CATHERINE
I most certainly shan't!

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 81

95 INT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. CATHERINE'S BEDROOM. DAY. 95

Catherine and Eleanor.

ELEANOR [(with a touch of irony)]
So Frederick is safe from her. I can't say I'm surprised.

CATHERINE
Aren't you? I am, very!

ELEANOR
And shall you write to your brother as she requests so charmingly?

CATHERINE
No, indeed! I wish I had never known her!

ELEANOR
It will soon be as if you never had.

CATHERINE
There is one thing I can't understand - what has Captain Tilney been about all this time. Why should he pay her such attentions, and then fly off himself?

A pause. Eleanor doesn't want to tell Catherine.

ELEANOR
He - has his vanity, as well as Miss Thorpe, and he is accustomed to - having his way. Though I'm surprised he should have stooped to such an easy conquest.

Catherine's eyes are like saucers, as she gets the implication.

CATHERINE
Really? Then - I am sorry for Isabella.

ELEANOR
I am sure she will be over it soon enough.

(MORE)

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 82

ELEANOR (cont'd)
- I - hope I don't need to tell you that his younger brother has a very different character. Henry has the best and truest heart in the world.

END OF PART 5

95a EXT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. NIGHT. 95a *

Wide shot of a carriage driven fast over the gravel. It pulls up outside the entrance. *

95b INT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. HALL. NIGHT. 95b *

General Tilney, in a fury, marches in through the front door. Footsteps and crashing doors as he makes his way across the hallway. *

GENERAL TILNEY
Damned little adventuress! *

96 INT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. CATHERINE'S BEDROOM. NIGHT. 96

Catherine getting undressed, with the candle on the chest of drawers. She looks over at the not-so-sinister chest, and smiles at her own foolishness. Goes over to the dressing table, sits down, and her own reflection looks back at her.

CATHERINE
The best and truest heart in the world.

Running footsteps and another crashing door. Now we can hear the General shouting again, but it's mostly noise, we might half-catch. *

GENERAL TILNEY [(off, but thunderously loud)]
Eleanor! Eleanor, I say!

and *

GENERAL TILNEY (O.S.) *
Yes, now, now I say, this minute, do I make myself clear? *

Catherine stands transfixed. What can be the matter? Some terrible emergency?

Another crashing door, and footsteps on the stairs and then a pause, then a very timid knock on the door. Catherine pulls a shawl round her shoulders and opens it.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 82A

Eleanor stands there, trembling, in a state, not like we've seen her before.

CATHERINE
Eleanor - whatever can the matter be? Come - sit down - you are not well...

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 83

And Eleanor, in her shock, lets Catherine lead her to a chair and drape her own shawl round her, before she rallies distractedly:

ELEANOR
My dear Catherine, you must not - I am well - this kindness distracts me - I am come to you on an errand - oh, God - how shall I tell you?

CATHERINE
It's not - it's not concerning - Henry?

ELEANOR
No, no, not Henry - it is my father himself.

She braces herself, then:

ELEANOR
My father has recollected an engagement that takes our whole family away on Monday. We are going to Lord Longtown's, near Hereford, for a fortnight. Explanation and apology are impossible.

CATHERINE
My dear Eleanor - don't be so distressed. I am not offended, I can be ready to leave on Monday.

ELEANOR
No - that won't be possible.

Catherine stares at her.

ELEANOR
Oh, Catherine, how can I tell you? My father insists on your leaving immediately - as soon as you can make yourself ready. The carriage will take you to meet the public stage-coach. No servant will accompany you.

CATHERINE
I am to travel all night? Alone? Have I - offended the General?

ELEANOR
I have never seen him more angry.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 84

CATHERINE
Your brother must have been so angry with me that he told his father what I did - what I suspected. I deserve to be sent home in disgrace.

ELEANOR
You are wrong - I know my father's reasons and they do him no credit. And to turn you out of the house in the middle of the night - truly, I fear for your safety -

CATHERINE
Oh, the journey is nothing

ELEANOR
But have you enough money to pay your way?

CATHERINE
Oh. I never thought of that.

ELEANOR
Well, there at least I can help you. Oh Catherine. I am so sorry.

CATHERINE
I deserve it. I deserve it all.

97 INT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. HALL. NIGHT. 97

General Tilney looks down from the top of the stairs, his face like thunder as Catherine and Eleanor bid each other an awkward farewell. Eleanor, catching sight of her father, backs away and Catherine goes towards the door.

98 EXT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. NIGHT. 98

The carriage waiting, Catherine goes to it. She glances up at the scary facade of the Abbey. All closed against her. She gets in.

The carriage goes off.

99 INT. CARRIAGE. NIGHT. / EXT. ROAD. NIGHT. 99

The carriage hurtling along, as if the driver is taking it to Hell. Inside. Catherine's white sad little face.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 85

EXT. CROSSROADS. NIGHT. 100

CATHERINE waiting for the public coach with various down on their luck types, some of whom eyeing her predatorially, but she is too miserable to notice.

DISSOLVE TO:

101 INT. PUBLIC STAGE COACH. NIGHT. 10

Catherine's face, she's squashed into a corner of the coach. A fat man with things on his nose is drinking from a bottle. A woman holds a goose on her lap, stroking it lasciviously. A man with terrible teeth leans across and kindly offers her a bite of his sausage. She declines.

102 EXT. MORLAND HOUSE. DAY. 102

The local horse and trap with Catherine's luggage and Catherine herself comes up the drive. WALTER (13), and LUCY (11) are sitting whittling sticks to make catapults. They are the first of the Morlands to see Catherine.

WALTER
It's Cathy.

GEORGE (6) and HARRIET come running. CHARLIE (4) lags behind.

GEORGE & HARRIET
Cathy! Cathy! Look, Mother, Cathy's come home!

Her parents come out and Catherine runs to them and hugs them and they hug her. Little Morlands are clinging to her legs as she tries to walk with her parents and SALLY into the house, with her dad's arm round her.

103 INT. MORLAND HOUSE. CATHERINE'S BEDROOM. DAY. 103

Catherine is unpacking. She takes out her rather well-thumbed volume of Udolpho and throws it on the fire.

104 INT. MORLAND HOUSE. DRAWING ROOM. DAY. 104

The Allens are visiting. Mr Allen and Mr Morland with their heads together, talking in low tones - we are with them first.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 86

MR ALLEN
These great men can be very strange and sudden in their behaviour.

Now we're with the ladies, Mrs Morland, Mrs Allen, and Catherine, who has George, Harriet and Charlie attached, and some others waiting for her attention.

MRS MORLAND
Well, we must live and learn; and the next new friends you make I hope will be better worth keeping than the ones you made at Bath.

CATHERINE
No friend can be better worth keeping than Eleanor! And - and Mr Tilney is not to blame.

MRS ALLEN
Such a pleasant agreeable young man I thought him! He found us a chair, you know - and he understands muslin ever so well!

MRS MORLAND
That's greatly to his credit, I'm sure - but has he written? Has he offered any kind of explanation?

This is a painful point for Catherine, she's been hoping against hope to hear from him.

CATHERINE
No.

MRS MORLAND
Well, I dare say there's no harm done in the end. You did very well to manage that journey all on your own, Catherine, you always used to be such a shatterbrained little creature - I'm quite proud of you.

CATHERINE
Indeed I am not proud of myself.

A SISTER
Come and play with us, Cathy. We've been waiting ever so long.

They drag her off, and cut to:

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 87

105 EXT. MORLAND GARDEN. DAY. 105

Whack! As Catherine sends the ball soaring high above the trees, working off all her frustration.

LUCY
Oh, Cathy!

as Cathy pounds round the bases - she's happy to take refuge back in a tomboyish girlhood.

106 INT. MORLAND HOUSE. THE CHILDREN'S BEDROOM. NIGHT. 106

Catherine (fully dressed) with some of the young Morlands, all in their night things, in their bedroom - sort of bedtime story time.

HARRIET
What was the Abbey like? Was it very scary? Were there ghosts?

CATHERINE
It was very big and strange, with lots of empty rooms and secret passages - and I did think there might be ghosts, ] but there weren't any ghosts really. People who read too many stories imagine all sorts of horrid things about ghosts and murders - and it is very wrong of them to do so, and it can get you into serious trouble, so let me not hear of any of any of you being so silly. What else would you like to hear about?

LUCY
What games did you play?

CATHERINE
Oh, we played I Spy, and charades, and we went horseriding and got ourselves very muddy indeed...

She goes into a bit of a daze, remembering with a blush her privileged view of Henry naked. She blushes, as it were, and goes on hastily:

CATHERINE
and Mr Tilney showed me how to shoot with a bow and arrow....

(MORE)

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 88

CATHERINE (cont'd) [(It might be an idea to go into subliminal flashbacks of the riding, the bath scene, and the archery)]

GEORGE
I can do that!

SALLY [(who is beginning to get the hang of things)]
Was Mr Tilney very handsome, Cathy?

CATHERINE
Yes, I think so. Very handsome, and very kind, and - everything he should be.

And tears start to her eyes as she thinks how she has lost her chance of him. Sally gets it, and tactfully doesn't say any more, but a smaller sister says:

HARRIET
Do you love Mr Tilney, Cathy?

Catherine has had as much as she can take. She gets up and starts to go

CATHERINE
No, of course not, don't talk such nonsense, now into your beds, all of you.

She blows out the candle in the nightlight and goes off down the corridor.

GEORGE [(calling after her)]
What did you do to make them send you home, Cathy? Did you do something very naughty?

107 INT. MORLAND HOUSE. CATHERINE'S BEDROOM. NIGHT. 107

As the eldest daughter, she has a room of her own, and she is glad to shut the door behind her, so they can't see her tears. The door opens and her mother comes in.

MRS MORLAND
Cathy? What is it?

She holds her arms out and Catherine goes into them.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 89

CATHERINE
Oh, I did love him! I do love him! - and now I shall never see him again - and it is all my own fault!

108 INT. MORLAND HOUSE. CATHERINE'S BEDROOM. DAY. 108

CATHERINE wakes up. Looks round her girl's room.

109 EXT. MORLAND HOUSE. DAY. 109

CATHERINE is sitting in the garden hearing George and Charlie read from their rag book.

GEORGE
Ten men ran to the fen to get Ben.

CATHERINE
Very good. Go on.

Harriet and Lucy running towards the house.

HARRIET
Cathy! It's a man! On a white horse!

And indeed here is Henry, trotting up the drive. Walter tries hard not to look impressed. Henry dismounts, and a groom takes the horse, which is surrounded by children patting it, and more kids lead him towards the house.

Catherine stands up and they look at each other. It is a very fraught moment. Her voice is a bit trembly as she says:

CATHERINE
Go and tell Mamma that Mr Tilney is here.

Two of the girls look at each other.

HARRIET & LUCY [(In unison]
Ammmmm! Mr Tilney!

and they run towards the house, followed by the others. Catherine and Henry turn and begin speaking almost at once.

CATHERINE
I am so ashamed of what I said what I thought - however badly you think of me I deserve it -

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 90

HENRY
No - no - it is I who should apologise - nothing you said or thought could justify the way you have been treated -

CATHERINE
But you were angry with me, and rightly so -

HENRY
I was angry with you - but that is long past. Your imagination might be overactive - but your instinct was true. My mother did suffer grievously, and at my father's hands. There are more ways of breaking a woman's spirit than starving her or locking her in an attic. You remember - I spoke of a kind of vampirism?

CATHERINE
Yes.

HENRY
Perhaps it was stupid of me to express it so - but we did watch him drain the life out of her with his coldness and cruelty. He married her for her money, you see - she thought it was for love. It was a long time before she knew his heart was cold. No vampires, no blood: the worst crimes are the crimes of the heart.

CATHERINE
But it was stupid of me, and wicked too, to imagine such terrible things as I did. I am determined never to read another page of Mrs Radcliffe!

Her girlish earnestness makes him smile.

HENRY
Now that would be too hard.

CATHERINE
Then - you have truly forgiven me?

HENRY
Oh, Catherine, I came here to ask if you could forgive me.

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 91

Harriet, George and Charlie come running out again

HARRIET
Cathy! Mamma says will you bring Mr Tilney to the drawing room!

110 INT. MORLAND HOUSE. DRAWING ROOM. DAY. 110

Very quiet. Catherine looking at Henry with all the eager expectancy of love. Henry is a little ill-at-ease, not quite sure of his welcome. Mrs Morland prepared to be friendly. Little Morlands are present, all very round-eyed.

HENRY
Mrs Morland - after what has happened, I have little right to expect a welcome at Fullerton..

MRS MORLAND
You had no part in what happened, Mr Tilney. And Catherine is as you see her - no harm done.

Catherine's look tells Henry all he needs to know.

MRS MORLAND [(continuing; over the look, as it were)]
Any friends of our children are welcome here: shall we agree to say no more about it?

HENRY
You are very good.

A silence.

HENRY
Ah - are Mr and Mrs Allen now at Fullerton?

MRS MORLAND
They are, sir.

HENRY
I should like to pay my respects - perhaps Miss Morland would show me the way?

LUCY
But you can see their house from the window!

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 92

MRS MORLAND
Hush, Lucy. I'm sure Catherine will be happy to show you, Mr Tilney.

Happy? She's grinning from ear to ear.

111 EXT. FULLERTON. DAY. 111

Let's say the way leads through an orchard. Get a picture of them first, from behind, at a distance, and move in on them gradually. But the body language shows they're very happy to be together:

CATHERINE
He thought I was a rich heiress?

HENRY
It was Thorpe who misled him at first, Thorpe, who hoped to marry you himself. He thought you were Mr Allen's heiress, and exaggerated Mr Allen's wealth to my father. You were guilty only of not being as rich as you were supposed to be. For that he turned you out of the house.

CATHERINE
I thought you must have been so angry with me you told him - what you knew - that would have justified any discourtesy.

HENRY
No, the discourtesy was all his. [(a pause)]
I have broken with my father, Catherine - we may never speak to each other again.

CATHERINE
What did he say to you?

HENRY
Let me instead tell you what I said to him. I told that I felt myself bound to you by honour, by affection, and a love so strong that nothing he could do would deter me from -

He hesitates. Catherine can't bear it.

CATHERINE
From what?

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 93

HENRY
- Before I go on, I should tell you there's a pretty good chance he'll disinherit me - I fear I shall never be a rich man, Catherine...

CATHERINE [(her eyes shining)]
Please go on with what you were going to say.

HENRY
Will you marry me, Catherine? Will you make me the happiest man on earth?

CATHERINE
Yes! Yes, I will! Oh, yes!

She turns to him, they move together, again she can't wait, it's her exuberance, she puts her arms around his neck and kisses him all over his face, he's kissing her too, we pull back and out and hear:

JANE AUSTEN [(over)]
To begin perfect happiness at the respective ages of twenty six and eighteen is to do pretty well....

112 EXT. CHURCH STEPS. DAY. 112

Catherine and Henry standing in the entrance of the church - Catherine is holding a baby in christening robes, and Henry has a two-year old sitting on his shoulders. Mr and Mrs. Morland and a selection of Morlands emerging from the church, and so is James, and Mr and Mrs Allen....and Eleanor and her Edward, arm in arm and very happy.

JANE AUSTEN [(over)]
- and the marriage of Eleanor Tilney gave great satisfaction to all her acquaintance; her beloved's unexpected accession to title and fortune removed all his difficulties....

Some move that brings the two happy couples together, before we go to:

PINK REVISIONS - 24th JULY 2006 94

113 EXT. NORTHANGER ABBEY. DAY. 113

The General stands alone, brooding, his brows knotted, Northanger Abbey in the background. The empty fields stretch in front of him. The empty sky. We hear the sound of the wind in the trees, and rooks cawing.

JANE AUSTEN [(over)]
I leave it to be settled whether the tendency of this story be to recommend parental tyranny, or reward filial disobedience.

A distant rumble of thunder. GENERAL TILNEY turns abruptly, and walks back to his lonely castle.

Fade out.