Masterpiece Theatre "Cousin Bette" is a five-part dramatization of Honore de Balzac's chilling story of jealousy and deadly revenge. Bette Fischer resents the patronizing attitude of her wealthy relatives, who regard her as a "country cousin" while... (more) leaving her to support herself. To make matters worse, Bette's second cousin, Hortense, falls in love with Bette's young artistic protege. Hortense steals him from under Bette's wing, which enrages the 40 year old spinster and sparks a long-standing grudge against her rich relatives.