Andrew Lloyd Webber — A Gift for Living Well/I Believe My Heart reprise

(Fosco looks away modestly) [FOSCO] No, no, no! Well... I am a man Of medicine No opera star My voice is thin Though I play cards And violin At none of this do I excel The talent that I have in spades Is one for fun And escapades A gift for living well! Attracted to The lively arts Breaking bread Breaking hearts (He looks at Marian) Making love When love has me Spellbound (He takes some wine from a servant, fills his glass) Italian food The wines of France I never walk When I can dance! (A small pirouette for the ladies) A gift for living well A one-man band I sing the lead Always self-accompanied (He plays a few chords on the piano) I concede Probably I'm hellbound A bon vivant As you can see A lust for life As big as... me! A gift for living well But enough about me! Raise your glasses (Fosco raises his glass to the bride and groom) Sir Percival Glyde! [ALL] (raising their glasses) Oh, what a joyous occasion this is! Sir Percival Glyde! [FOSCO] Dolce vita to you and your misses! [GLYDE] This is the moment I've longed for [MARIAN] Everything's for the best now [MR. FAIRLIE] I'll have an empty nest now! [ALL] And here's to the bride! Cheers for the life they will lead from now on- (Hartright suddenly interrupts the toast, and addresses Sir Percival Glyde) [HARTRIGHT] Please let me speak! And forgive my interruption! Please Hear me out On a very pressing matter One that concerns a girl Her name is Anne, Anne Catherick She says you've done her wrong Have you an explanation? [MR. FAIRLIE] What impertinence, Mr. Hartright! Know your place, sir! This is- [GLYDE] No, no, Mr. Fairlie, I'm glad he asked this. Please. Please. I am happy to clear up the matter of Anne Catherick Her tale is truly sorrowful And some would say a tragedy Her story breaks my heart I don't know where to start Her mother was in my employ (to Mr. Fairlie) Your brother recommended her Recall, she worked here too? [MR. FAIRLIE] Catherick? I'm not sure that I do [GLYDE] Anne was so sweet as an infant She used to laugh all the time She sparkled like the sun Such a pretty one And yet she grew up so unhappy Sullen and angry and sad She was a troubled child Acting strange and wild She once attacked her mother When she was just sixteen A fury with no pause No one knew the cause To help her grieving mother And rescue Anne herself I undertook her care I tried to see her through It was the Christian thing to do When no physician could treat her I found a haven that would A trusted private place To embrace her case Anne thinks of me as her captor When I am truly her friend For all her care I pay And still she runs away (Fosco shakes Glyde by the hand) [FOSCO] I'm touched by your compassion Your kindness knows no bounds [GLYDE] I've done the best I can I've done my best for Anne (Once again Hartright speaks up) [HARTRIGHT] She spoke, sir, of a secret A secret she would tell! [GLYDE] Her world has come to be Utter fantasy But her safe return Is my great concern And I am grateful for Your help [LAURA] Poor Anne Her story saddens me [MARIAN] Yet it explains the mystery [FOSCO] Had it not been for Glyde I'm sure she would have died [MR. FAIRLIE] No more, please! Neither Anne Catherick nor her silly mother are any of your business, sir. What's more, my nerves are quite shot... [FOSCO] Then a shot of brandy is what I prescribe, Signor! [MR. FAIRLIE] Yes. Let us retire at once to my study. Gentlemen... (Glyde, Fosco and Mr. Fairlie leave. Glyde bows his thanks again to Hartright) [GLYDE] Thank you, sir (Hartright is left with the two women) [HARTRIGHT] I don't believe him! Can't you see he's clearly lying? As for your uncle It's the truth that he's denying! [MARIAN] Sir, you must leave at once! You must go right away [LAURA] Marian- [MARIAN] What reason has he to lie? How can you hope to stay here? [LAURA] Please, Marian! [MARIAN] Laura, our future is settled Soon you will be Lady Glyde You'll have a perfect life As that fine man's wife He is a man of compassion Look how he helped that poor girl He has integrity He's all a man should be! (Laura looks to Hartright) [HARTRIGHT] I clearly don't belong here! Your sister is quite right I'll leave for London now! (Laura runs out, upset) [HARTRIGHT] (to Marian) Are you happy now?! (He exits. Marian, left alone, crumples, begins to cry) [MARIAN] I close my eyes And I still see his face... (She exits) Scene: "The Tryst" (Hartright is there with his bags and easel, departing. Laura enters in haste, wearing a white nightdress) [LAURA] Tell me this isn't happening! Tell me I am walking in my sleep! [HARTRIGHT] I'm sorry [LAURA] I believe my heart It believes in you [LAURA AND HARTRIGHT] Every part of every thought Leads me straight to you (She gives him the sketch that he gave to her during the drawing lesson) [LAURA] Take this... something to remember me by (He leaves)