A Noble Lie - Production & Contact Info (original) (raw)

Celia, a sweet and honest girl who works as governess in a good family where she is very much loved, has the misfortune of having a drunken and brutal father, who wastes all of her savings in the tavern and in coarse company. One night, ...See moreCelia, a sweet and honest girl who works as governess in a good family where she is very much loved, has the misfortune of having a drunken and brutal father, who wastes all of her savings in the tavern and in coarse company. One night, while Celia was alone and in charge of the little girl, her father with his companions force an entrance into the house, where they rob a jewel case. Celia, suddenly hearing a noise, runs out of the room and there finds before her, her father. Celia, who has not the courage to raise an alarm, bars the entrance to the room where the little girl lies asleep. At last, worn out by motion, she faints. The ruffians would have liked to pass over her body, but her father in a moment of repentance opposes it, and they pass out. When the masters return home they find Celia still insensible and gather that they have been visited by robbers. Fortunately, the little girl is safe and sound, and has not even been awakened. The parents are grateful to Celia and question her as to the robbers. The girl declares she does not remember anything, and the other servants say that they were not aware of what had happened, being in another part of the building. It happens that while the police are visiting a tavern they arrest a gang of ruffians, Celia's father being among them. The magistrate summons Celia and her master to his office and has all the arrested brought before them. Celia again meets her father. "Do you recognize anybody amongst these?" asks the judge. "No," answers the girl. As there is no proof against them, the arrested are set free. Celia's father and his accomplices now being sure of immunity have only one idea, to sell the stolen jewels. But while the bargain is being settled Celia's father receives a letter from his daughter, as follows: "To save you, I have sworn falsely. I shut myself in a convent to repent my sin and yours." The criminal drunkard and heartless father is touched. Remorse begins to work and when his companions order him to quickly give the jewels over to the broker. He refuses and chases them away. Still following the good impulse, he takes the jewel box, runs to the house of Celia's master, calls the little girl who is playing in the garden, puts into her hands the precious case, and goes off. His accomplices followed him, saw what he did, and full of rage, get hold of him in a lonely spot, call him a traitor and beating him terribly, leave him as dead on the ground. Celia's father, whose health had already been ruined by his dissolute life, cannot withstand those blows, but he has redeemed himself, and his good Celia comes to his bedside and comforts him during that supreme moment. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less