Blanche Ingram:
[as she and Rochester emerge from the house into the garden:]
It is a beautiful place, your Thornfield.
Edward Rochester:
As a dungeon, it serves its purpose.
Blanche Ingram:
Dungeon? Why, it's a paradise!
[Rochester grunts. Blanche goes on:]
Blanche Ingram:
Though of course, if one lived here, one would really have to have a house in London, wouldn't one?
Edward Rochester:
[dry:]
Unquestionably. And a little apartment in Paris, perhaps a villa on the Mediterranean.
Blanche Ingram:
How delightful that would be! But Thornfield would always be there, as a retreat from the world. A green haven of peace and... and love.
Edward Rochester:
Love? Who's talking of love? All a fellow needs is a bit of distraction. A houseful of beautiful women every now and then to keep him from brooding on his woes -
[chuckling:]
Edward Rochester:
peering too closely into the mysteries of his heart.
Blanche Ingram:
That is, if he has a heart. And sometimes I wonder, Edward, if you really do have one.
Edward Rochester:
[unperturbed:]
Have I ever done or said anything to make you believe that I have? If so, I assure you it was quite unintentional.
Blanche Ingram:
Are you never serious?
Edward Rochester:
Never more than at this moment, except perhaps when I'm eating my dinner.
Blanche Ingram:
Really, Edward, you can be revoltingly coarse sometimes.
Edward Rochester:
[not as a question:]
Can I ever be anything else.
Blanche Ingram:
Can you?
[She lays a hand on his arm and draws him around to look at her]
Blanche Ingram:
Would I have come to Thornfield if you couldn't?
Edward Rochester:
Ha, that's a very nice point, Blanche. Would you, or would you not? We'll begin by considering the significant facts of the case. Mr. Rochester is revoltingly coarse, and as ugly as sin...
Blanche Ingram:
[interrupting:]
Edward! I...
Edward Rochester:
[light and cheerful, all through:]
Allow me, my dear Blanche - I repeat, as ugly as sin. Secondly, he flirts sometimes, but is careful never to talk about love or marriage. However - this is the third point - Lady Ingram is somewhat impoverished,
[she gives him a sharp look]
Edward Rochester:
whereas the revolting Mr. Rochester has an assured income of eight thousand a year. Now in view of all this, what is the attitude that Miss Blanche may be expected to take? From my experience of the world, I'd surmise that she would ignore the coarseness, et cetera, until such time as Mr. R is safely...
Blanche Ingram:
How dare you!
Edward Rochester:
[laughing outright]
Now now now, no horseplay!
Blanche Ingram:
I've never been so grossly insulted in all my...
Edward Rochester:
[quite cheerful]
Insulted? My dear Blanche, I merely paid you the enormous compliment of being completely honest!
Blanche Ingram:
Mr. Rochester, you are a boor and a cur!
[He watches as she stalks off. Fade to black. Fade up: the Ingram party is riding away from Thornfield]
