All language subtitles for Rolande met de bles (1972)

1918, armistice.
The Belgian army, led by King Albert

and Queen Elisabeth,
is received triumphantly in Brussels.

Among them is the Brabant squire
Renier Joskin de Lamarache,

the only surviving son of Coleta
van Bierk and a father who died young.

He was born in 1889, studied law
and married in 1913.

During the war he joins an aircraft unit
and at the end of 1917

he's lying half-blind
in a hospital in Paris.

There he's nursed by a Parisian woman
called Rolande.

While the world is recovering,

Renier Joskin devotes himself
to the gardens and outhouses

of his estate at Horlebecq.

Shortly after his mobilization in 1915
his son Ogier was born there.

His wife died in childbirth.

But Renier's industriousness
comes to an end in 1921 .

The period from 5th February 1921
to 18th January 1922,

the last year in the life of
Renier Joskin de Lamarache,

could be reconstructed
thanks to 40 letters

that he wrote
to the aforementioned Rolande.

Brussels, 5th February 1921 .

Rolande. Is it you?

It's me. Is that the only
impression I make on you?

I've waited for so long
and suddenly you are there.

You are beautiful.

Flatterer. Would you have known
me without the flower I was wearing

when we first met?
- It's nice of you to remember.

Diane, this is Mr de Lamarache.

This is Diane Clarence, my best friend.

Sir.
- And this is Mr Clarence.

Pleased to meet you, Mr de Lamarache.
- He's handling my divorce.

Did you get my letter?
- Yes.

Rolande, I'm overwhelmed.

Am I to believe that
your passionate letters were sincere?

I feel rather guilty, Renier.
- What could you be guilty of?

I should have replied.

You thought ...
- I didn't think anything.

Even though you didn't write,
I didn't believe you were indifferent.

You will think ill of me for only coming
when I need you.

I'm only too pleased to be of service,

but I hope
that's not the only reason you are here.

Reasons! We're better off
leaving those to the philosophers.

Why do you address me so formally?
It wasn't like that in hospital.

That was in hospital.

The injured
needed a smile and tenderness.

There was no one else to provide this.
We helped them to dream.

She was informal
so as to put them in good spirits.

You met each other at the hospital.

Yes. Lost among all the horrors,
I had the good fortune to meet an angel.

Sorry, but the train won't wait.
Not even for angels.

The train? What train?
You aren't leaving?

I must, Renier. I have to get to
Amsterdam as quickly as possible.

I want to finalise my divorce.
I'm sure you agree.

Apparently divorce is easier
in the Netherlands. We are going to see.

I think Belgian law
is also favourably disposed.

I'm sure Mr de Lamarache
would be able to help us.

You have knowledge of the law, Renier.

And I had hoped you would
show hospitality to Mr Clarence.

My castle is at his disposal.
I will do my best to help you.

When will you return?

You are lucky. You're back
with your family, your castle,

your real life.
- Will you reply to my letters?

Yes, but not too much passion, Renier.
That is out of date.

What a beautiful country.
How peaceful it is.

If I hadn't been spoilt by the city
I could become attached to your region.

I didn't need to. I have belonged
to this region for a long time,

from before I was born.

I'm lucky that it is so beautiful.

And rich. Sugar beet
would seem to be a goldmine.

I am bragging.
To a Parisian, a man of the world,

I must seem ridiculous.

Not at all. Everyone brags
about the things he loves.

Dr. Ferguson,
my mother's best friend.

Dr. Ferguson no longer practices.
He lives here. A bizarre man.

He's interested in
witchcraft and monsters.

He will enjoy talking to you about them.

He doesn't often have a new audience.

This is Emily.

My dead wife's sister
and my son's guardian angel.

Your son
has a beautiful guardian angel.

Emily, Ogier,
this is Mr Clarence.

I am honoured.
- Sir.

Hello, young man.

Hello, sir.

See? You can have a castle, land,

but you are not protected
from bad luck.

Mother, let me introduce
you to Maitre Clarence from Paris.

He will be staying here for a few days.

It is a pleasure to meet you.
- My compliments.

Friends of my son are always welcome.

Almighty God, we pray
that You will bless those here present

and also the food
that they are about to eat.

To Your greater glory, amen.
- Amen.

I thought
there was only good wine in France.

I must admit that your wine
is worthy of our best houses.

In France you drink the wine too young.
Here every family looks after its wine

with love. Could you pass the dish?
- With pleasure.

Doctor, I have heard that your unusual
experiments were very interesting.

Ogier, stop daydreaming.

My research is quite specialized.
I will gladly tell you about it,

but not here.
- Please, doctor.

He believes he has supernatural gifts,
is a specialist in mimicry,

and he has his own laboratory.

He's interested
in the monstrous and the deformed.

He keeps nature's aberrations in jars.
They've been accumulating for years!

Did they teach you to be so funny
in the war? It's in bad taste.

Siamese twins,
monsters with two heads.

I had an extraordinary collection.

Unfortunately,
I now only have a few examples.

Aren't there more pleasant subjects
to talk about at the table?

Ogier, eat.

A few weeks later, 10th March 1921 .

Good day.
- Master.

Good day, sir.

Well, how are things?
- Fine, master.

You're just in time.
The sow has just had piglets.

Well, Maitre Clarence?

How is your work going?

You've caught me red-handed.

But it's your fault, too. This estate
is too beautiful to open files.

But don't think
I've forgotten about your Rolande.

I'd like to ask you a favour.
- Please do.

In all my letters
I ask her to come here.

Can't you persuade her?
- I will try.

I have decided to return home, Renier.

You must do as you wish, Emily.

Am I wrong when I infer
from Madame Coleta's manner

that she wishes
to make our engagement official soon?

I don't think you are wrong.

Is that what you wish too?

It is what I wish.

It is best to go away for a while.

We will celebrate the engagement
on the last Tuesday in April.

My dead friends,
I have important news.

My mother has just set the date
for my engagement to Emily.

Let us drink to my future wife
and in the name of de Lamarache.

Congratulations, Renier.

Your mother will be very happy.

Congratulations, my good fellow.

Your choice and decision are very wise.
Of that I am certain.

I will write to Rolande and invite her
to this important family celebration.

She will be unable to refuse.

On 19th March 1921
Renier receives a letter from Rolande

in which she informs him she cannot
come to his engagement party.

I have too much to do
and am unable to leave Paris,

not even for a few days.

Why do you want me to come?

There is no room in your world for me

and I have no desire to experience it.

I wish you much happiness.

You deserve it.

Please knock
before you come into my room.

Your grandfather
wants to speak to you urgently.

What is so urgent?

What does the arrogant fool think?

That when he opens his mouth
everyone comes running?

He's expecting you at Bierk.

I've heard you are engaged.
- Yes.

It all happened rather quickly.

Your mother tells me
everything that happens at Horlebecq.

The solution is excellent
from all points of view.

Time will tell.
- Emily is a charming young woman

and an excellent mother to Ogier.
I must congratulate you.

You have a strange guest
in your house.

I don't want to interfere,

but I must warn you
when you fail to pay attention.

I don't understand.

Enough of your insinuations!

And I don't need your instructions.

Did you know your future wife
had been assaulted in your own house?

That day Renier writes to Rolande

about the accusation against Clarence.

He asks for her advice.

On 28th March 1921 Rolande sends
two telegrams to Horlebecq.

One to Renier,
asking him to come to Paris,

the other to Clarence.

I apologise, madam, but a telegram
has recalled me urgently to Paris.

I must say goodbye to Horlebecq
and your hospitality.

It's not mine, sir.

I have simply welcomed
a friend of my son's as best I can.

When I was young,
we didn't have friends, only family.

Mother,
I'm going to Paris with Maitre Clarence.

I think a change of air will do me good.
- I don't think it will.

But what I think doesn't count.

Come with me.

Since the war
it is a very fashionable idea.

Everything has changed.
Women have short hair. They go out.

Out in the country
you are, of course, less aware of that.

Should I apologise for being a farmer?

Your friend is very sensitive.

He's sensitive
to many astonishing things.

The modern woman wants new things.
Above all, she does not want to get old.

Here we do all we can
to make her feel young.

And now we are able to extend youth.

I've always lived close to nature.
You are born,

you grow, you live and you die.

I don't see how you could stop that.

And is it desirable?

Tell me, wouldn't you want that
law of nature to make an exception

for that which you love?

The beauty of Rolande's face,
the perfection of her body.

If you opened a beauty parlour
in Brussels you'd be very successful.

It has already been attempted
and was not a success.

The women didn't only come
for aesthetic reasons.

A parlour in Brussels?
I don't see it.

Maybe you will change your mind.
- Don't count on it.

I promise you he will change his mind.
- Rolande.

What, Rolande?

Have you still got your cat?
- My chat Mirko? Of course.

Do you love him?
- Yes.

And do you love me?
- Yes.

Then you must choose.
- Are you challenging me?

I like to do things thoroughly.

Will you always love me?

Do you want to keep me?

As I am now?

Then Diane was right.
You want to go against nature.

Do you love my breasts? One day
I, too, will be old and worn out.

I am scared of that happening,
just like all other women.

Men too, but they won't admit it.

You know, even feelings grow old.

Love dies.

Renier, if you had the power

to protect your love from time,

would you use that power?

Rolande, your comparisons ...

What can our relationship
have in common with Diane's parlour?

Come on, wash me.
- I don't trust that woman.

What about me?
- You are me.

You know you can ask me
anything you want.

When I'm home, I'll get my notary
to transfer some money to you.

Let's say ... 800,000 francs.

Belgian francs?
- Yes, of course.

We must act slowly, carefully,
to build up our love.

Write to me.

I want to know everything that happens
in your life. What you think.

Of course, I will write to you.

No love letters.
- You're asking the impossible.

Don't I deserve it?

You know, words and me ...

I think truth must speak for itself.

The truth of pleasure, of the body,
of the skin.

That's the only proof of love for me.

Oh, Renier.

You smell of leaves, of grass,

of the summer, the earth, the rain.

On 4th May 1921 ,
immediately upon his return from Paris,

Renier goes to see Emily. He intends
to break off his engagement.

The most beautiful place on earth.

After the drawing rooms of Paris?
- Of course.

After the drawing rooms of Paris.

Driver, take the toys first.

See, Ogier,
your father came for your birthday.

Happy birthday, Ogier.

Thank you, Father.

There are some surprises for you
in the car.

Go and help the doctor, quickly.

I'm really pleased you've come, Renier.

Emily,
I didn't only come for Ogier's birthday.

Did you come to make me unhappy?

Why?
- I know I've done wrong.

And I'm very unhappy.

I'm very unhappy, too.

Everyone is unhappy.

My mother has an expression for that.

God's will.

Ogier, Ogier.

Ferguson!

Ferguson!

Leave me alone with her for a moment.
I'll call you.

Renier.

Renier.

How is she?

Fine. She's not in any danger.

If I were to die, would you forgive me?

I have nothing to forgive you for.

What kind of thing to say is that?
If you were to die ...

You must rest.

I'll take Ogier with me.
- No. Leave him with me.

And our engagement?

Do we have to now?

Really?

Yes, you're right.
I wouldn't look my best.

Ask your mother
to postpone it for a few weeks.

We can talk about that later.

Go to sleep now.

Ferguson phoned me.

It was about Emily.

Your fiancee is pregnant.

That is nothing to do with me.

No.

With your Parisian friend.

Then I can break off my engagement.

So you've found a reason?

At my age I choose my reasons myself.

Renier writes to Rolande

that his engagement to Emily is over.

He will come to Paris.
This was 1st June 1921 .

Renier receives a reply

saying not to break off his engagement.

Renier goes to visit Emily
with his mother.

You have to get officially engaged.

That's the only solution for us.

Await more favourable circumstances
to break it off.

You are a noble man.

You cannot abandon
this young woman in her condition.

Emily's illness
soon became clear to me.

I tried to get her to talk to me,
but failed.

In fact, it wasn't necessary.

So I assumed the responsibility

of doing what you as my friend
could expect of me.

What was that?

Emily is no longer pregnant.
Let's say, she was never pregnant.

Renier.
Renier, Emily wants to talk to you.

Think of the honour of our name.

If it will help you, I will be there.
I promise.

I will be there.

You must become officially engaged.

Behave with dignity.

Await better circumstances
to break it off.

Better circumstances.

Better circumstances.

Wouldn't it have been better
if I'd died?

Emily, don't say such things.

It will all be forgotten soon.

You are so good, Renier.

I will try to make you happy.

I will be there, I promise. Trust me.

I will be there.

The joining
of Emily's and our properties

is a happy event for all of us.

For Renier, and in particular for Ogier.

He will carry on
the family with dignity.

On 21st June 1921
the engagement was celebrated

of Renier Joskin de Lamarache

and
Emily van Warmont-Cocambre.

Notary.

Did you make the transfer to Paris,
as I asked?

Yes, of course.
- Others will follow.

It's to do with
a very interesting business.

A profitable investment.

I didn't think
it was really an investment.

What sort of business is it?

You'll be surprised, but it is
an amusing idea. Beauty parlours.

I saw one in Paris.
I am lending the money to people

want to open a branch in Brussels.

Is the business healthy?
Are there guarantees?

There are. Is there a better guarantee
than success?

The parlour in Paris
is doing very well,

because it is based
on a very simple idea.

Making women beautiful.

What wouldn't people give for that?
Look over there.

Excuse me, notary.

Rolande.

It is a pleasure to finally meet you.

You are very charming
and that surprises me.

Renier was full of praise for you
but I didn't trust him

to choose a wife
who was worthy of him,

because he is better than he seems.

Renier is wonderful, madam.
- Call me Rolande. I am your friend.

Thank you for coming
to my son's engagement.

Madam.

We are very happy to have you here.
I hope you will stay for a few days?

Unfortunately, I can't.
Believe me, it is to my regret.

I cannot leave Paris. I hardly had time
to come to your charming function.

Another time.
I must return tomorrow.

Tomorrow?

I hope we will see you in Paris
during our honeymoon.

Honeymoon? A word to dream about.
Is it to be soon?

I have to see to my guests.

Renier, make the most of the sun
and show Rolande the estate.

Thank you for the payment, Renier.

No need to thank me.
Is that what is important?

What is important
is that you are here, with me.

Very close to me.

Emily has a certain charm,
but I don't believe she is artless.

Emily? She is.
She's a very uncomplicated woman.

She looks at you
as if she is counting possessions.

She is a virtuous young lady.
She only has one failing.

She loves me.

My lover. You no longer love me
as much as you did in Paris.

Come with me.

Are you sure it's quiet here,
that no one can see us?

I would like ...
- Yes.

Undress me.

Renier.
Look, there's someone there.

He saw me, Renier.
That dirty old goat saw me.

Renier, it is all so wonderful.

Everyone is so friendly.
I've cried seven times today.

Where is your beautiful friend?

Look what she has lost.

It smells divine.

Of the whole of Paris.

I'll never give it back.
It will be our talisman.

I don't understand, Rolande.
I just don't understand.

Diane is staying but you ... Don't say
your divorce is your reason for going.

What do I have to do?
What proof do you want?

I'm master of Horlebecq.
Hardwin will be punished. I promise.

I will send Ogier to boarding school.

I will arrange everything
with my mother. As for Emily ...

As for Emily, nothing.
It's still too soon.

All this talking
made me forget you had to leave.

You will see me again soon. I will
write to you. Horlebecq is beautiful.

Three weeks later, 14th July 1921 .

Renier shows Diane Clarence
the cellars,

where Dr. Ferguson
has set up his laboratory.

It is very nice to be paid a visit
by such a charming lady.

You are always so gallant. I asked
Renier to come. I promised to visit you.

I must admit your laboratory
and collection intrigue me.

We must not exaggerate.

There are only a few specimens left
from my collection that are interesting.

What really interests me
is something quiet different.

I am convinced
we can spiritualise matter.

Your mother asked me for this hand,
Renier. She believes, and so do I,

that we can hide Ogier's defect
in this way.

Wanting to attach a lifeless hand
is ridiculous.

I don't want Ogier to have that.

Renier, calm down. It may
make things easier for him at school.

Nothing can replace ...
- Nature.

Nature or the order of things or God.

You talk about nature or God
when it suits you.

When it doesn't suit you, you defile
nature and change the order of things.

And your God.

Your God.

A handy idea from times gone by.

And here you really do live
in the past.

The miniature statue of your son.

I always know where to find you.

I know you come here often.

Whenever you come back to the castle
your thoughts are elsewhere.

As if you live
in a different world here.

I want to be your wife, Renier.

Now.

Forgive me.

I love you so much.

What I have to discuss, Renier,
is a rather delicate matter.

Is it about the payments to Paris?
- Yes.

Of the second amount promised,
of 400,000 francs,

three advances of 75,000 francs
were paid

to Mrs Diane Clarence.

She is now insisting
on payment of the balance.

Unfortunately, we have come to the end
of our liquid assets.

New income is not expected.

If you wish to fulfil
your promise or commitment

then cash can only be raised
by selling the fields

used by Mr Hardwin.

To be honest,
I have other things on my mind.

You will have to do something.

You have carte blanche.

I want to keep my promise,

but I'll let you work things out
with Mrs Clarence.

In order, Renier.

I would like you to think of your heir.

Your own father ... lost a large part
of the family fortune,

shall we say.

Hardwin regards you as his own son

and the women are unimportant.

But I don't regard him as my father.

And as for the women,
that will soon change.

Things evolve and women even more.

What is going on?

Do you know anything?
She promised to write to me.

What impatience. What a romantic.

Rolande has her obligations. She has
to travel. You will hear from her.

I can't go on. If I don't receive
a letter soon I will go to her.

Renier, I need to talk to you.

We don't often have the chance
to be alone.

I need to talk about something
that concerns us both.

What are you planning to do
with Ogier?

I'm glad to have the chance
to talk about this calmly.

I think it's absolutely necessary
to send Ogier away from here.

He should be with other children.

We mustn't turn him into a dreamer.

He's not like other children,

but he will adjust,
at boarding school.

He should spend the summer here.
- No, on the contrary.

Before he goes to school this summer,

he has to get used to
being with other children.

We no longer have the same ideas.

But I would ask you to do
what I am about to say

without thinking about it,
as if it were my last will.

Renier,
the child is threatened from all sides.

This statue represents Ogier.

Take it to Our Lady of Desolation
in Kapellen church

and pray to her on my behalf.
She must protect Ogier and our line.

Protect?

Rolande's silence
becomes unbearable for Renier.

While Diane stays at Horlebecq,

on 22nd July 1921
he decides to go to Paris.

Diane informs Rolande of this
by telegram.

De Lamarache, nice to see you, but you
are unlucky. Rolande is not in Paris.

Her divorce.
You must not be seen with her.

Clarence, I want to talk to you.
- I am at your service.

I wonder whether she understands
how I feel.

How can you doubt it?
- Does Rolande really love me?

The word love was invented
to make pleasure more important.

We are subject to erotic compulsion.
You cannot deny that.

The parlour has changed considerably
since your last visit.

It has been completely renewed.

We now have
a special department for men.

We have considerable success
with a marvellous invention,

an electric belt
to recharge exhausted men.

This is Sky Pink,
our radiant manageress.

Will you be Mr de Lamarache's hostess
on behalf of the parlour?

Miss Sky Pink coordinates
all the departments.

Refreshing the complexion,

firming up or reduction of the bust,

flattening the stomach.

And strengthening
the muscular system.

Admirable.

And all women end up
with a uniform figure, like yours.

Every organism has its own problems.

Will you dine with us, Sky Pink?

That's very kind of you,
but I can't today.

But I would be pleased if you were to
join me in the Big House this evening.

I will leave you now, my dear Renier.
We will meet again in paradise.

The Big House
is not an ordinary house of pleasure.

It is designed
to liberate the individual.

Desires are natural,
but society and morals oblige most men

to hide them, like an illness.

Men become ill
if they suppress their desires.

By liberating the body
we heal the spirit.

Somewhere between
a church and a hospital?

Exactly.

That is why we never close our doors.

Men also hide their desires
from themselves.

We try to make them
aware of their desires again.

Where is love in all of that?

When people talk to me about love,
this is my response.

After having spent a week
with Sky Pink,

Clarence informs Renier
on 31st July 1921

that Rolande's divorce
has come through.

Renier writes to Emily, saying
the marriage will not go ahead

and breaks off the engagement.

Darling, you have become more
sensible. It is time for you to return.

I do not trust your family,
who are doing their best to separate us.

Whatever they do,
they do it because they hate me.

You have thrown things into disorder.

That was necessary.

We found Emily unconscious,
clutching your letter.

She has gone out of her mind.

She is being looked after
in the Ardennes.

And Ogier?
- The boy is sickly.

He cannot stand the heat.

He was there when we found Emily.

Hardwin is telling everyone
the wedding has been postponed.

He is opposed to any sale of land.

Still as mad and as tyrannical as ever.

We will show him who is boss.

Driver,
take us to notary Moorjan right away.

Don't be so impulsive, Renier.

And think of your mother.

She is under great strain.

Driver, to Horlebecq.

I'm pleased to see you again.
It was about time.

Your grandfather formally opposes

the sale of the woods and fields,
so ...

So what? He has no right.

He has no legal right to interfere
in your affairs, it is true,

but it makes it very difficult for me.
- Are you his notary or mine?

I've tried to change his mind,

but that led
to something even less pleasant.

He mentioned having you placed
under legal tutelage.

Notary.

Send the promised sum to Paris
immediately.

And don't forget, this is my estate,

my money and my son.
And no one has the right to interfere.

Under legal tutelage?

It sounds ridiculous
on the lips of a senile old man.

Ogier is coming with me.

You will never see him again.
You won't sent foot on Horlebecq.

I no longer know you,

you are my enemy.

I will be your enemy but I will stop you
becoming your son's enemy.

I am determined to stand in your way

whenever you threaten our blood
and Ogier's position.

I have authorised my legal advisors
to enter a dilatory protest

against the squandering of our estate.

And I predict the collapse
of that despicable business in Paris

on which you have chosen
to waste our fortune.

And as for Ogier,

I will remove that sickly child
from your unnatural care.

I am busy with that matter now.

De Lamarache.

Can you tell Dr. Ferguson
to come to Bierk immediately?

To keep on the right path
is to keep everything.

The official death certificate states
that he died of a stroke.

My condolences.
- Thank you.

Thank you.

My condolences.
- Thank you.

My condolences.
- Thank you.

Thank you.

My condolences.
- Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

My condolences.
- Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

My condolences.
- Thank you.

Thank you.

My condolences.
- Thank you.

Mr Renier.

Mr Renier.

You need to come to the castle
immediately.

Your son has got worse.

I've called in a specialist from Leuven.

It is very serious.

I hope you will do your duty
and stay by your son's bedside.

Your child is in danger. I can feel it.

And my feelings
have never deceived me.

On 5th October 1921

Ogier de Lamarache was administered
the last sacraments.

The painful but unavoidable ordeals
you are going through

are the proof
that events favour our love.

They do for you what you are unable
to do of your own free will.

They liberate you.

Soon our love
will have no more obstacles in its path.

Ogier's funeral took place quietly.

Emily insists on visiting the grave.

On 20th October 1921 Renier
accompanies her to the graveyard.

I carry Rolande's handkerchief
between my breasts.

They will become as wonderful as hers.

Renier.

Renier.

Mother,
Rolande is coming to live with us.

Do you still see the difference

between honour and scandal?

I hope you change your mind today,
otherwise ...

I will have to leave Horlebecq.

I will not change my mind.

Ever.

I imagine
you want to leave with my mother.

I fail to see the connection
between your mother leaving and me.

Come now, doctor.
It's too late to pretend.

Your place is by my mother's side.

You've angled and schemed for it
for long enough.

That woman wants to destroy your past.
- There is no past at Horlebecq.

Everything will be done away with.
Including God.

I only want friends here. True friends.

You are ill, de Lamarache.

Your eyes are ill.

During the move of Coleta van Bierk

Simone Moorjan
will take events in hand.

Rolande's stay at Horlebecq occurred
during November 1921 .

Initially their walks were idyllic,

later subdued, like a married couple
who have lost their initial glow,

even displaying visible
differences of opinion and distrust.

Because of her fiery locks Rolande
was called the 'wench with the blaze'.

She was last seen in the graveyard.

My eyes were opened wide.

You are the classic swindler,

an everyday confidence trickster,
a slut.

You sent your henchmen
to exploit me

and I delivered myself to you
like a randy sacrifice.

I feel nothing but disgust
for my body against your body,

for the parlour
that plundered our house,

for the brothel of your bedfellow Diane.

At the most turbulent moments
I feel love, hate and revenge.

My poor Renier, I am leaving you.

A woman such as me cannot
expect anything from a de Lamarache.

You are the dupe of what you and
your family are and have always been.

I thought you could free yourself
from that. I was wrong.

Farewell.

I thought you could free yourself
from that. I was wrong. Farewell.

Bravo, Simone. Bravo.

Let us pray.

Amen.

Dear friends.

I may call you that.

As you know, tonight we are not
only celebrating Christmas,

but also the engagement
of my son Renier Joskin de Lamarache

to Miss Simone Moorjan.
This is taking place quietly.

Because our family
has already suffered so much

that we have learnt
not to share our happiness

with others.

Dear friends, dear children.

On this joyful
and even moving occasion

I feel obliged to say a few words.

Emotionally,
it was natural and wonderful

that these two,
who grew up in our wonderful country,

found each other.

And financially,
and that is never the least important,

some may have been worried

about the sale and division
of the estate of Lamarache.

Well, I have ensured that
nothing will end up in strange hands.

I purchased these wonderful woods
and fields and the land myself.

And this purely
in anticipation of the event

that we are able to celebrate
on this silent, holy night.

Thank to this marriage

our estate will be able
to continue to exist intact.

And who knows, maybe we can celebrate
next Christmas around a cradle

in which a healthy heir will be kicking.

who will unite the estate
in its entirety.

'To keep on the right path
is to keep everything'

will always be the motto
of this wonderful family.

On 31st December
Renier writes to Rolande.

My wedding is planned
for 18th January.

Now, I am asking you
when you are coming back to me?

Because you know
that I cannot live without you

that I must live on your breath
and your being.

I may die at your feet,
but you cannot leave me here.

I will wait for you at the station
on 1 7th January.

If you do not come, if you have sealed
my doom without saying a word,

think of what you will have
on your conscience for ever.

No more trains
will be arriving today, sir.

Tomorrow morning,
twenty-seven minutes past six.

Thank you.

On 18th January 1922, on the
northern side of a hill of pine trees

in Brabant,
the body of a man was found.

It was identified as that of
Renier Joskin de Lamarache.