Four Star Playhouse (TV Series)

A String of Beads (1954)

George Macready: Count Borselli

Quotes 

• Edith Livingston : Such a depressing middle-class gentility about governesses, don't you think?

  Count Bocelli : Maybe so, but if that lady represents middle-class gentility, it is interesting that she should be the one to wear a string of pearls worth at least 50,000 pounds.

• Edith Livingston : Forgive me for saying this, but are you sure?

  Count Bocelli : How can anyone be sure of anything in this uncertain and capricious world?

  [Turning to the governess] 

  Count Bocelli : I beg your pardon, Miss Robinson, but may I examine your pearls more closely?

  Joan Robinson : Why, yes. Yes, of course.

  Count Bocelli : You were right, Mrs. Livingston. I was mistaken.

  Edith Livingston : I felt sure that you must be.

  Count Bocelli : I said they were worth 50,000 pounds. They are worth at least 60.

  Edith Livingston : What? Miss Robinson, where did those pearls come from?

  Joan Robinson : Well, I don't remember where I bought them, Mrs. Livingston, but I assure you I didn't pay 60,000 pounds for them.

  Count Bocelli : I haven't seen pearls like those since I appraised the Duchess of Melford's ten years ago. They are not only perfectly matched, but very, very old.

  Joan Robinson : But I don't understand. I mean, they couldn't be.

  Edith Livingston : Miss Robinson, Count Borselli ought to know. What I'd like to know is how you...

• Count Bocelli : Mrs. Livingston, this has been a most enjoyable evening for me.

  Edith Livingston : It must have seemed quite like a busman's holiday to you, Count, discovering those pearls.

  Count Bocelli : Ah yes, the pearls. But then, their great value is only a faithful reflection of the lady who wears them.

• Joan Robinson : And despite the fact that I told the truth, everybody believed you. And because they did, it was assumed that I was something that I wasn't and never pretended to be. Now they call me a cheat and a liar. Who cheated? Who lied? You knew they were just an ordinary string of beads, Count Borselli. I don't know why you did it, it doesn't matter now, but you must be very satisfied. Your hoax was a huge success.

  Count Bocelli : Miss Robinson, just a moment.

  Joan Robinson : No.

  Count Bocelli : Please.

  Joan Robinson : All right. Why did you do it?

  Count Bocelli : A whim, if you will. The party seemed dull, the people pretentious, and their attitude toward you left much to be desired.

  Joan Robinson : And your attitude toward me - what that any better? If it was such a good joke, couldn't you have let me in on it? Perhaps I might have enjoyed it too.

  Count Bocelli : You seem to be enjoying yourself very much lately, Miss Robinson. We both knew it was an illusion, didn't we? But then, what else is happiness? And now you're furious with me. Ah, well, I wish I could undo the mischief. I shall of course explain everything to Mrs. Livingston.

  Joan Robinson : It's a little late for explanations.

  Count Bocelli : Well then, at least let me make some small reparation by asking you out to dinner tonight.

  Joan Robinson : Thank you very much. I already have an invitation for tonight. Good-bye, Count Borselli.