382 - December 12, 1967

[bunniefuu]

[Elizabeth narrating] - A séance was held in the great house of Collinwood,

a séance which sent Victoria Winters back on

an uncertain and frightening journey to the past,

back to the Collins family who lived in the year ,

where the doomed love of two people

cause wave after wave of mystery and horror and death.

[thinking] - How I dread this night.

When I get back,

if I ever get back to my own time,

I shall never want to know anyone's secrets again.

I must be very careful tonight.

I must not look at the hurt in Barnabas's eyes,

questions on the faces of the others.

I must let no one realize that I know

why Jeremiah and Josette have run away.

[thunder rumbling]

- Good evening, Ms. Winters.

- Good evening, countess.

- You've been to the postal service, I see.

More wedding presents for Josette and Barnabas.

Well, they shall have to be returned, of course,

we know that, don't we?

Don't we?

- I don't know who to give them to.

Mrs. Collins and Barnabas are upset enough.

Would you keep them until --

- Until Josette and Jeremiah come back?

- Until we've learned what's happened.

- Such a strain this has been for you.

- Excuse me. I - I want to see how Sarah is.

- Wait.

How long ago did you know

that Josette and Jeremiah were going to elope?

- I never knew.

- Were you the one who arranged the tarot cards

so that I would know?

- No, of course not.

- A lie for what --

you were alone in the room just long enough.

- I don't know anything about those cards.

- You asked me questions about which cards meant what?

- I told you I -- I never touched your cards.

- You know the future, admit it.

When Josette and Jeremiah come back,

life cannot go on as before.

Terrible things will happen,

tragic things.

Tell me what you know.

- Nothing. I know nothing.

- We shall see if that is true, Ms. Winters.

♪♪

[eerie music] ♪♪

[knocking on door]

[Abigail] - Sister?

[knocking on door]

Sister, it's Abigail. I know you're in there.

- Come in, Abigail.

- [gasps]

- What's the matter, sister?

That cat. Scat! Scat!

- I think the cat dislikes you as much as you do him.

- How can you allow that cat in this room?

- I didn't know he was in here.

- Surely, even you know that that cat

is a sign that the devil is laughing at us.

- You've been talking with the countess.

She told me that yesterday.

- I don't have to talk to anyone

to know how the devil works.

- No.

By this time, you must be quite an authority.

- Mock me not, sister.

Someone in this house must fight the prince of evil.

He is constantly at us,

trying to bring us down to his level.

Of course, we can't all withdraw from the battle

as you have done.

- Put that glass down

unless, of course, dear sister,

you care for some yourself.

- How can you with your husband gone?

- I've cried until I have no more tears.

I've prayed that he will return.

- Is that how you prayed?

- You know it's not.

I...

It's a tonic for my nerves.

I -- I'm upset.

Who wouldn't be?

First my husband, and then,

Jeremiah and Josette disappeared.

- That foreign woman lured him away.

- How can you say that?

- Oh, the devil has so blinded you,

you'll never see the truth.

- If the devil has blinded me, Abigail,

I consider it curiosity, he lets you in on all his plans.

- Of what are you accusing me, sister?

- Nothing, nothing.

Abigail, please,

this is one time we should not be fighting.

We should try to help each other.

I'm sure there's some explanation

for why Jeremiah and Josette left this house.

- Desire, that's why they left.

Desire for each other.

[knocking on door] - She loves Barnabas.

And nothing you can say will ever make me doubt that.

Good evening, countess.

- I am intruding, I know.

I -- I should let you and your sister share your grief,

but I -- I suddenly have this fear that that something else

could happen in this house tonight if we did not talk.

- The devil is here, countess, make no mistake.

- I quite agree with you, Ms. Collins.

- Now, what shall we do about this?

- Countess, do you honestly think there is anything

we can do?

- I never asked a question without knowing the answer.

- Tell us. We'll do anything.

- Oh, I'm not so impressed with my own importance

or with yours,

to think that the devil is visiting us personally.

- No, but he sent one of his minions.

- Yes, there is a witch in this house.

- Nonsense.

- And you have ignored my warnings before,

Mrs. Collins.

Just think of what has happened since.

- There's no one here who could do these. - Yes.

That girl, that -- that Victoria Winters.

- Countess, don't you see what you are causing?

My sister-in-law has an inclination

to see the forces of evil.

- So, you do not think all these happenings

have been merely coincidences?

- I don't know what to think.

- Well, then, simply get rid of your confusion.

Settle it by questioning Ms. Winters.

- What would I ask her?

- About what she knows about the future.

- Yes. And where she came from

and how she appeared here as she did.

- She is no more a witch than I am.

- Are you willing to let another tragedy occur?

- No, no, I am not.

- I am afraid Mrs. Collins that you are,

if you do not do as we say.

♪♪

[thinking] - All those nights at Collinwood.

I used to pore over this book.

I remember admiring Joshua so

and thinking how beautiful Naomi was.

And she is beautiful.

Am I living with all the people I used to daydream about?

How terrible to know what's going to happen to them

and not be able to do anything about it.

[knocking on door]

Who is it?

- Abigail Collins. May I come in, please?

- Just a moment, Ms. Collins.

- It took you long enough.

- I was napping.

- Ah. And is your work all done?

- Yes, it is, Ms. Collins.

- I see you have the cat in here.

- He likes to spend quite a bit of time here.

- Indeed.

- I don't mind.

- Don't you?

- No, I like cats.

- Yes, I'm sure you do.

Of course, I can hardly bear to be in the same room with one,

but I guess you know that.

- No, I didn't. Shall I put him out?

- No, there's nothing it could damage in here.

Mrs. Collins wants to see you.

- Now? - At once.

- All right.

Aren't you coming?

- No, you go on.

- Ms. Collins, this is my room.

- Is there anything here that I shouldn't see?

- Nothing.

- Well?

- I have nothing in here. - Are you sure?

- You saw me the night that I came here.

I had nothing.

Everything in this room has been given to me

by someone in this house.

- Then, you shouldn't mind my staying.

- Well, I do. I'm sorry.

- Why?

- I wouldn't stay in your room if you weren't there.

- Yes, but you don't own this house. We do.

We can go in any room we like and stay as long as we wish.

- Why do you hate me so?

- Oh, don't try your little girl airs on me.

Recognize me as your enemy and tell your master that.

I have fought you from the start.

That's all I ask of you.

- I don't understand what you're talking about.

- You will. Now, go.

You are keeping Mrs. Collins waiting.

Now, you, cat.

Ah, I am not afraid of you.

You cannot harm me

and you cannot stop me from doing what I must do

because I am protected by my faith.

[expl*si*n] [gasps]

[screeching]

- Joshua?

Joshua?

- Abigail.

Abigail, what's wrong?

Where am I?

Why am I in this room?

What are you doing here?

What is that stench of smoke, Abigail?

- Josh -- oh. - Abigail.

♪♪

- Ms. Winters,

please don't think we aren't sympathetic

to your situation here.

- I don't, Mrs. Collins.

- But I do wish you could remember more about your life

before you came here.

- I wish I could, too.

I honestly wished that I could tell you everything,

but I can't.

- You can't or you won't?

- Please, countess.

- She's not explained her strange clairvoyant remarks.

- She's told you it's simply a joke between her and Barnabas.

- Is it?

Then, why did you tell Nathan Forbes

that Josette would not marry Barnabas?

- I never said that.

- He says you did.

- Well, I - I - I remember it.

It was the first day here.

I was surprised that they were in love.

- Why were you surprised?

- Well, you see, I was confused.

I -- I've heard so many names,

so many new names and I -- I misunderstood.

That's all.

- You told him that Josette was to marry Jeremiah?

- I don't remember telling him that.

- Please, countess.

I'm sorry, but I've had enough.

You asked me to question Ms. Winters yet you are doing it

and in a manner that I deplore.

Ms. Winters seeming clairvoyance

results from confusion and kindness.

She's explained the first

when she told Barnabas that Josette would arrive safely

was because she wanted to lessen his concern.

And when she assured me that Joshua would be all right,

she did it because she knew I wanted to believe it.

She has been most convincing.

- What better way to throw off your suspicion?

- I've had nothing to do with any of these things.

Please believe me, Ms. Collins.

- Well, what is going on here?

- Oh, Joshua. - Oh, Mr. Collins.

- Joshua.

You're here, you're back.

- Yes, I'm back.

I'm back, Naomi.

And the curious thing is I don't remember being away.

- Oh, for seven days, Joshua.

But where could I have been?

- I don't know and I don't care as long as you're all right.

- Yes, I'm perfectly all right.

I just don't remember anything at all.

I was talking with Jeremiah in the drawing room,

trying to arguing him into staying.

Where is Jeremiah?

Abigail, go and fetch him for me.

- I didn't tell him. He doesn't know.

- Know what?

Well?

Well, what don't I know?

- Let the witch tell what she cause to happen.

♪♪

- Don't give me your nonsense rhymes

about devils and witches, Abigail.

I want facts.

Is anything wrong at the shipyards?

Answer me, Naomi.

- No, it is not that. - What is it then?

- Mr. Collins, I - I think you should excuse

Ms. Winters and myself.

- No.

If no one will tell him, then I will,

and you are part of it.

Jeremiah and Josette have eloped. - What?

- Abigail. - Yes, eloped.

- You don't know that to be true.

They disappeared just as you did.

- With one important difference.

They took their clothes.

- You let this happen?

Did all of you let this disgraceful act happen?

- The devil made it happen.

It was witchcraft that took you from us

and witchcraft that made them love each other.

- You were right, countess,

there is no need for you or Ms. Winters to hear this.

- No, she cannot go.

- You are countermanding my orders?

- Joshua, she is a witch.

That cat was in her room,

and then, then, you appeared

and I will never forget it as long as I live.

And then, the cat is gone now up in smoke.

- We won't discuss this now.

My husband and I have many things to decide.

I'm sure you understand, countess.

- I do.

I am very glad you are back and well.

We have needed you very much.

- Thank you, Madam.

- And you will come with me, young lady.

- She will not.

Ms. Winters, you'll go to the kitchen and find cook.

Tell him Mr. Collins is back and wants some broth.

Abigail!

- I just cannot let her be loosened this house, Joshua.

- I don't understand any of this, Abigail.

I must find out first exactly what happened,

then I will come and talk to you.

As for this business about Ms. Winters,

it can wait for now.

- Are you sure you're all right?

- What about Barnabas?

- It's terrible.

He loves her so.

- Oh, to think that my brother and Josette's father.

He must be in a rage. What did he say?

- You're just like Abigail.

You assumed they're together. Please sit down.

Tell me about you.

- I am here now.

We must discuss important matters.

I want you to think very clearly

and tell me what has happened just as it did

since I've been gone.

- She is downstairs, I tell you.

Now, there must be some clue in the clothes she was wearing.

We must find them now. Now, come in.

- What if that cat comes back?

- That cat is gone.

Believe me. That cat will never return.

It will never be seen in this house again.

Now, you said you once had her clothes.

Did you examine them?

- I - I ordered them burned.

- Well, why weren't they burned?

- Jeremiah.

He brought them to her. She bewitched him.

[gasps] Here they are.

Look at those, those immodest immoral clothes.

- A curious costume.

- Oh? - [gasps]

A bracelet.

- Look at all these figures.

All the signs of the zodiac.

- Look!

- A devil.

- The prince of evil himself.

I must send for the Reverend Trask.

He is very good at dealing with witches.

I will write him tonight;

he will come from Salem immediately.

♪♪

[eerie music] ♪♪