Original subtitles

Careful. Now, careful with that. It's very precious, that.

Over there, that goes, in the corner.

No, no, not in there, no.

Over here.

Now, careful with it, careful.

Put it down gently, over there.

Careful.

James! Ah, Sam.

What are you doing down here in London?

Where's Brother Robert?

Oh, he's here somewhere.

Not at the House of Commons. I'd have thought there'd be no keeping him away.

Even members of Parliament get a day off for removing.

Oh, even new ones?

Mm -hm. God, you're very grand here, Sarah.

It's lovely, isn't it?

So you didn't sell the shop, eh?

No, we had a very good offer, but Robert thought it might be foolish to dispose

of a thriving business. Strong word with your employees about that.

Jay! Robert.

What brings you down from Liverpool?

Well, I've had a letter about you.

Oh? From an honourable, no less.

Oh. About some railway you're thinking of buying.

Come on, you lazy dog!

I've got orders for a fast passage to New Orleans.

Very fine.

Here. This is where you'll write all your speeches to topple Disraeli and put

Gladstone back in power, eh? What about that letter, James? Oh, maybe you've got

an eye on it yourself.

It's been the Queen's Prime Minister.

Well, you're grand enough, aren't you?

There's a runaway with the profits from the shop and more I'll be bound. Oh,

it's necessary to live in some style presently.

As a new member of Parliament, I'll have entry into all kinds of world, you

know.

One must speculate to accumulate.

Oh, you told me that yourself, you know.

And talking of speculation, I gather that you've committed me to £15 ,000

of railway shares.

Oh, no, no. Not you, James. No, not you.

No? Oh, well, then I've wronged you.

Here am I, thinking you're cutting a dash, pledging my name with all your

friends, when all the time you're thinking of buying them yourself. Yes.

Us, James.

Us. The company.

And we're not committed, you know.

I merely said we might be interested.

Said? Indeed, I think we ought to be. Said to who? This honourable letter

-writer in front of yours, eh? The son of a peer of the realm, James. The

honourable Hugh Kernan. Irish title.

Very fine family with estates and highly placed.

He moves in city circles.

The highest London society.

But still finds time to ask you for £15 ,000.

Well, if I'm to be a director of the company, I'll need a large shell. Hugh,

what?

It's been proposed that I should join the board of the new British -Mexican

Railroad Company.

Is it really?

However, if you don't approve... What's my approval got to do with it?

I've not been asked.

First I hear a visit from this letter -writing friend and somebody that I've

never met before. We're not committed, James.

You shall meet Mr. Curran yourself and he'll explain the whole scheme to you.

It's what my reception's for, for you two to meet.

Reception? Aye, we sent you a card.

I'm not very social nowadays.

Ah, but that's the way business is done in London, James.

How would you know?

You were ever a fool.

Parliament is a rare recruit in you. Now, look, I'll not have you place me

again, not me or my name or my company. It's my name, too. No, your name is the

one that you may put upon your own bank draft, Robert.

I see.

So that's the way it is.

There's no more to be said.

I shall write, of course, to Mr. Kernan and explain that we are unable to take

advantage of his offer. You'll do no such thing.

But you just... I just said that you were a fool. Now, even fools may be

We may very well be interested in this railroad.

That's just like you.

I shall expect to meet this Kernan friend of yours at your reception. Oh,

be here.

Good. So shall I. Oh, James, the card.

The card, James.

Mr. James O 'Neill and Lady, it says, but... Well, do you think it might be

possible for you to bring Miss Biddulph?

I mean, London society might think Mrs. Maudsley a widow, you know, not quite

respectable. And she is rather outspoken at times.

Well, it could prove embarrassing.

Sir, an honour.

I have just come from your sister's house.

Yes?

Where we took tea with Mrs. Maudsley.

And is this another social call? No, it isn't.

Well, then.

Is it true that you plan to take her to London?

Mrs. Maudsley?

Yeah.

I see.

You think I should have taken you instead, is that it?

I have told my father and others that you promised to take me to London and

would have been the opportunity.

Simply said, one day.

That's all.

Anyway, how could you possibly go and shop around?

Well, if you're really worried about my reputation, I'm sure my father could

arrange for somebody to accompany me. Look, I'm sorry. You are not sorry!

Please forgive me.

I wish I could be patient, but it's not in my nature.

I don't know where I am with you.

Look, Leonora, I am fond of you.

Yes, but fond of her.

I'm going to London to see about a projected railroad.

Now, Mrs. Morsley's husband was a railway engineer, and she seems to know

part of the world. I understand. I can't do anything else. There's always a very

good reason why he should accompany you and I shouldn't.

James, are you going to take me to London as you promised instead of her?

No, Leonora.

I'm not.

Thank you.

Rob, Sir Richard and Lady Inglis are asking for you.

I am receiving, Sarah. We may not all be at our guest.

But everybody's here now. Except our guest of honour.

Well, he's very late.

The best people are often a little late, Sarah.

It's a matter of how filled their social lives are.

But Sir Richard is asking for you particularly.

Oh. Oh, we do not wish to appear gross, do we? Eh?

Oh, very well then, Sarah.

Lady Isabel Jenner, the Honourable Hugh Kernan.

I'm so sorry I wasn't here. Evening, O 'Neill.

May I present Lady Isabel Jenner, Mr. Robert O 'Neill.

Oh, a great honour, lady.

How do you do? Your wife not receiving?

Oh, yes, she's about here somewhere.

Oh, and James.

You must meet my brother James.

Yes. Later, later, a need in first. We must be entertained, eh? Now,

ah, who is that handsome fellow over there? I do believe that Lady Isabel

enjoy to meet him. Oh, aye. Yes.

Yes. And if she'd save me one, I must dance a dance with this pretty sister

heard so much about.

Oh, Elizabeth.

Yeah, um... I don't know where James has got himself.

Think it unmanly of me to have left you.

No. You don't enjoy these occasions very much.

You know full well that I do not.

A man of action.

Perhaps. Because you're not at ease in company.

It was rude of me to have left you.

I like you best when you're thoughtful.

Lately, I have felt that you do not like me much at all.

I have thought about it, you know.

Well, at heart, you're such a... such a Puritan.

And I'll not have a Puritan make an honest woman of me.

Come on.

will be a great success.

If matters persist in going so well, I'm going to find it quite difficult to

continue living above my means.

Oh, you wicked man.

Well, James O 'Neill even paid you fair.

But he didn't explain why you were travelling this passage.

Well, that's his business and mine.

And I understood we were sailing direct to England. Look, Captain Baines, I'm

master of this ship and owner, and I decide what route we sail.

I was not told of any side trip north, under Cape Cod, nor nowhere.

New Orleans to London, I was told. My ship goes where the cargoes are.

I'll not argue it with you. You're welcome to find yourself another ship.

But there is no other.

Right. Then you best get your gear stowed below.

And you'll oblige me, Captain Baines, by keeping that out of my way.

You surprise me.

I would have thought you'd believe a business meeting no place for a lady.

Well, you have qualifications as I have not.

Indeed, there'd be few in England who know America and...

Could combine that with the knowledge of their roots. But not Mexico. James,

there you are.

Mr. Kernan's been waiting for hours to meet with you. He'll be most put out, I

shouldn't wonder. Robert. Look, this is important to us both. Important to us

both, you must remember.

Us, like an old nursing mother. Well, you'd better come and meet him now, or

I'll cut you.

If Mrs. Maudsley will excuse.

No, she will not.

You must believe His Royal Highness dislikes to lose too often, and it is

done to press him.

But there I sat with a pile of his gold before me and cards which could not

lose. Mr. Kernan, might I introduce my brother, James.

Captain James O 'Neill.

James, the Honourable Hugh Kernan.

And, uh... Oh, Mrs. Caroline Maudsley, Mr. Kernan. Mrs. Maudsley. How do you

How do you do?

I wonder if this is not the moment...

If the ladies will excuse us, if we might not just slide off and have a

talk. Slide off?

I'll not hear of it. Elizabeth and Mrs. Fraser and I are still on our ices.

Oh, yes, but I mean... Damn me indeed, and you fidget about like a ferret in a

sack. This is a social occasion, and it would be most uncivil of us to desert

the ladies.

Now, if later on there's nothing better to do and you're so anxious to spend

some tin, we might go and talk a spot of business, but not presently. Oh, but...

There is nothing more to be said.

Sit you down, Mrs. Maudsley. Thank you. Captain.

And talk to us.

Whilst Robert goes off about his hosting.

Oh, you might send us a little more wine.

Now, I'm told that you share a house with Mrs Fraser. Yes, I do.

The brightest blossoms bloom in the country air, they say.

Well, Liverpool's hardly the country.

Oh, it's not London town.

Well, I'd rather say that London is not Liverpool.

Oh, you bite, do you, sir? I knew there must be teeth somewhere amongst the

Oneidans. Oh, they all have teeth. Ah, now, I have admired the whiteness of

Fraser's here. The captain shows us that he can bite.

But why do so many of the others seem to reserve theirs for grinning? Oh, my

brother Robert bites, too, when the bait is tasty enough.

Touche. Family loyalty is one... It's always admirable.

What an unpleasantly carnivorous conversation.

Isabelle, we are in the presence of an old sea dog.

Come and meet him.

Oh, a young sea dog.

Mr. Wallace, sir.

Yes? My name is Baines, Captain Baines. It seems to be to share a cabin all the

way back to England. I'm glad to make your acquaintance, Captain Baines.

Do you mind if we stow my gear under the bunk there?

Oh, of course.

Difficult enough to find a passage at all this time of year.

I couldn't hope for a cabin to myself.

My apologies for inconveniencing you, sir.

That seems duce and heavy.

Will I help?

Well, match.

Boats and things.

See, Captain.

Now, see, Captain, travelling supercargo.

Could you find no ship?

Well, I'd urge you needs to be back in England, sir.

So have I.

Where are you from?

Oh, further south.

Further south, eh? Where a bit?

Let us make a trade, Captain.

We'll enjoy the weeks of the voyage, and I trust each other's company, but

without prying into each other's business.

Suit me, sir.

What do you make of that Mr. Kernan?

Isn't he the most manly man?

Aye, well.

Looks feasible.

James, you don't... Well, of course it's feasible.

James, your hesitations might be construed as discourtesy.

Are your friends the Rothschilds underwriting it?

Baron Lionel is aware of it, of course, and will doubtless invest.

But it is being underwritten elsewhere, as you may see from the papers.

Yeah, I saw. It's not all being underwritten. You're not cutting

you? I stand or fall myself upon the company's success.

It will succeed brilliantly.

And underwriting is an unnecessary expense for so large a capital, sir.

And what do I get for me money?

Not, I think, sir, what you require.

No? No, sir.

It seems to me that, with your brother on the board, you feel that the

will steer cargoes and other privileges in your direction.

Well, head crossed me mine.

I can offer no such undertaking.

What undertakings can you offer me?

Just this, that as a large shareholder, and through your brother, you'll be

aware of contracts and be in a position to tender a favourable price.

And the shares, don't forget the shares.

Mr. Kernan says they're likely doubling value, more, within days of going on the

market. I can offer no guarantee of that either. No, you couldn't very well.

Exactly so.

Now, whilst we are being forthright, Captain O 'Neill, I must point out to

that the company is committing a considerable block of shares to you with

guarantees from you either.

Are you good for the money?

Aye. 15 ,000 in cash. There's no credit here, you know. 15 ,000 in cash will

take some finding, eh?

Oh, I found it. Where? So, in exchange for me money, I'll get shares,

information, but no preferences.

And, of course, a sock to the vanity of me brother. James, I must... I have

missed nothing.

That's all.

Right.

You shall have your 15 ,000.

You're a hard man, James.

But you'll not regret it. Not so quickly, Aeneid.

I must know that your money is sure.

Where will you raise it?

At this moment, one of my captains is in New Orleans selling one of my ships.

He will return with that amount in gold.

You sent him weeks back?

Aye. But then you had decided previously to invest.

Maybe.

Oh, I like you, Anita.

I like your style.

It's mutual.

And here's your brother Robert, a director with no more trouble or expense

this establishment and one party.

Oh, now, I've a capital idea.

Oh, and what's that?

That James, if I may be so familiar, must stay some days more in London.

His hard head will be of great use to me, and I'll show you, my friend, how to

cut a dash through all London.

Oh, James, you'll stay on?

At Robert's expense?

Right.

I'll stay.

I'm wondering, since James is staying on here in London, and presumably Mrs

Maudley, if we'd mind if she did too.

What are you thinking of?

If we set that kind of precedent, don't we keep an open house?

Well, we could have that old man Webster down here from Liverpool shaming us.

No, no.

A day or two, perhaps.

Let them stay for a day or two.

But after that, you must tell Elizabeth and Mrs Maudley quite firmly that

they'll simply have to go.

Very well, Robert.

Right.

Except? Mm -hmm.

If Elizabeth returns with Mrs. Maudsley, that'll leave James here alone.

Alone? He's with us. No, no, I mean without any later companion.

Oh, isn't it time he settled down again? Got his own wife, his own

establishment, was able to take care of his child and his father -in -law, all

his own responsibilities. Long past time, I told him.

Well, I don't think that Mrs. Maudsley would be the sort to help very much.

every woman's duty.

But, um, Leonora Biddle...

Well, there's a different sort in time.

Well, then, let us pray.

No.

Let us help, Robert.

Help? While James is here in London, his mind upon social diversions and

enjoying himself and not preoccupied with grieving still.

I told him it's long past time he was up with that and all.

All right, then, not preoccupied with business, but open and enjoying himself.

Now, if there was someone around he were fond of... Will you come to the point,

Sarah?

Might it not be politics?

Were we to invite Leonora Biddulph here to stay while James is here?

Politic.

Ah.

An uncomfortable feeling for you, this, is it?

On board ship with nothing to do?

It is, Mr. Wally, sir. It is indeed.

Had it not been for your company all the way to Cape Cod now and again, I don't

know what I'd have done with myself, and that's a fact. The feeling's mutual.

I don't like this weather at this time of the year. I've had a bad feeling

before, and I was right.

We're too far north, sir, too far north by hour.

And then I tell myself it's good of idleness, you know, itching to be

I know the feeling.

You know, my own line of country.

I'll see a set of books or someone that's missing some business

I'll possibly itch to set them straight.

Books, eh?

Are you a writing man?

Oh, bless you, no.

Account books, I mean.

Banks and businesses.

Not meaning to pry at all.

Are you a banker, then? No, Captain.

I'm an agent of the House of Rothschild.

Ah, you indeed, sir.

Rothschild, eh?

I'd have not marked you as a millionaire, sir.

Oh, not I, Captain.

I work for the richest house in Europe. Who knows, perhaps the world.

I'm its agent. No millionaire myself.

That's my soul.

You travel the world, do you, sir?

Looking for investments and opportunities for your masters. That's

am. I have no head for it, sir.

That I don't believe, now.

Well, you may, sir.

You may indeed. To tell you the truth, it's not many years since I first

to read and write. I've no head for high finance, too. How can you say so, sir?

A man with a chissel of gold under that very bunk.

No need for alarm, my friend.

Simple deduction.

A captain travelling as a passenger must have sold his ship.

And a chest full of gold can be a powerful temptation.

So what safer way to carry it than as simple baggage in your cabin as Vermeer

affects?

Supposing I was to say they were books?

Why, I'd say.

Of course it is.

I'll tell you what, Captain.

Your secret's safe with me if mine is with you.

Here's my hand on it.

Ah. Shall we take a turn up on Dick before we seek out the arms of Morpheus?

Good idea.

And I'll tell you tales of my visit to Mexico.

Mexico, eh? Now, I know the coastline very well, but inland, not at all.

Well, now.

Phineas, how many days?

And James has hardly addressed a word to me.

Oh, he was a bit surprised to see you, that's all.

And you've seen how occupied he's been.

By all accounts, not too occupied to have taken her about.

Now, that's not at all true.

Are you at home, Mum, to the Honourable Hugh Kernan?

The what?

Oh. Oh, yes, yes, indeed.

Mr Kernan, Mum.

I was passing, madam.

So I presumed upon you could... Oh, no, presume not at all. It's a great

pleasure. Will you have a cup of... We'll take tea now.

I don't believe you've met Miss Leonora Biddulph.

Indeed, I have not.

Mr. Hugh Kernan, Miss Leonora Biddulph, Mr.

Kernan, Miss Biddulph.

I must confess the truth to you, madam.

I came because I heard... heard rumours of this lovely girl that you had tucked

away. Mr.

Kernan. Now I see the story is so far from exaggerating, how but a pale shadow

of the truth.

Miss Bedulf, you are exquisite.

Oh.

Ah, the snow.

I can't abide snow. It makes my leg hurt.

Snow.

Ice and icebergs arrive at Dutchman. We're too far north, you know. He won't

work south enough.

He'd sooner run north before the wind.

I've no doubt you're right. Captain Baines!

Go below, sir.

Go below the fault of you and stay there until I land you in England.

If you do.

If? After what Captain Baines tells me. You've presumed to sail my ship for me.

No, but I know these waters. I once near lost a ship.

Got top heavy with piled up ice. Take down south now, Captain. South, is it?

Aye, or risk getting an iceberg or get blown into a coast.

Find us our sucking pack ice. Just sit in there till spring comes and lets us

in. And maybe with a crack of the wind.

Wallace, this is my last word.

Go below to your cabins and stay there.

I'll find either of you on deck again. I'll lock you in the forecastle. You'll

spend the rest of the voyage in irons.

No, I must say what I feel.

There is no time left for convention. One must take life, taste it, live it.

Leonora, I must see you alone. How may we be by ourselves?

No. Yes, yes, yes.

It is impossible.

Come to my rooms.

No. Or I shall come to you. You must... Then come to me.

No. Please.

You too. We cannot listen to the opera.

We think we are.

She's like five or so like that.

Mr. Jack, guess what we've done.

We've gone and hit something.

Nice work, I reckon.

Give us a blow like that.

Well, listen.

The old man, clear the pool.

Wolfman, take charge of number two.

me something. We don't have time, and I order you into a boat.

Take an axe to those fools.

Order away, foggity. In a minute, you won't have a ship and have to give

on. I'd better go back. We can't wait.

Well, then don't. Let me have a rowboat.

I'll go back alone.

That's fine.

I'll come with you.

You wait, Mr. Wallace.

I'll come back for you.

She'll die in a pad of you.

Let her hide there.

I only think Hugh has gone quite spoony.

If you were serious, would you mind?

Would you?

I should keep my reputation a little longer, perhaps.

I see.

No, you don't see at all.

It's all a bit sophisticated for me.

Oh, is it indeed?

You'd better interpret that.

Married women?

Oh, you were surprised to find I was married and you thought the word.

Well, you're wrong.

He's not my lover. I merely suffer from a bored husband.

I suppose you think Hugh is a lecher and seducer of maids.

No.

No, I really think he's quite sincere.

Oh. The question is, do you truly mind or

shall you be dog in the manger?

for your shipmate there.

I was getting afraid you was off and gone.

Where are we? You might well ask.

The good Lord knows where the others have got to.

North is my guess. We're rowing south.

South?

South to Labrador. Better still, Newfoundland and an open port.

We've got a bit of food.

We can catch fish.

The water, we've got ice. So what do you say, Mr. Wallace, eh?

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

You just stay there and get a bit of rest.

When you get your strength back, I'll be grateful for adding on them oars, see?

All right.

You've the luck of the devil, Daniel.

To be picked up within hours and by a steamship.

Not so lucky for my passengers.

They were my responsibility and their deaths reflect on me.

I should have ordered, Captain Bay. A hard man to give orders to.

No one will blame you, Daniel.

Your brother does.

And they'll be of this.

Your ship was insured?

Aye. Well, then you can secure another.

You know why I bought that ship, Elizabeth?

To make me rich enough to give you the security you crave.

I've told you, Daniel, William and I are not your responsibility.

Maybe not.

But I want you to be.

Well, Elizabeth, you tell me.

Shall I buy another ship?

Here, Captain Fogarty.

Buckethead, show me where you went down.

What we got now, Mr. Wally, sir, is a bit of a walk.

This is Isle Olders.

There's a lad there.

We'll manage.

Build a little igloo.

Catch snow airs or birds or maybe a seal.

And there's nightly there Eskimos there.

We'll get through the springs.

Just a step or two, Mr. Wallace, and terra firma, eh?

What do you say, Mr. Wallace, sir?

Mr. Wallace!

Jay. Laura.

Midnight.

You must not... No, no, never mind propriety.

Is it possible to find Captain Bates?

Maybe on paper.

I know what he meant to you.

You're very good and very loyal.

And nobody understands what you're suffering.

Look, Leonora, it's past that. I'm sorry, James.

I wanted you to know that. I wanted you to know that somebody else is sorry,

too.

Look, Leonora. No.

Be still.

I'm going to say what I came to say.

I know how you feel.

I know you feel that everything is being taken away from you and that nothing is

secure or unchanging.

It's not so, James. Look at me.

It is not so.

Courage isn't just sailing ships around the world or fighting in wars.

James, my... Oh, James.

Dear Nora.

You're out of your mind.

Reason with him.

You're not set on this when we need you here in London.

Oh, to the devil with us.

He's got another of his wild schemes.

He thinks to find the corpse of his sailor man clutching a chest of gold.

You know very well, James, that the gold's at the bottom of the sea.

Thunder gold.

Baines is my right arm.

He may still be alive. I think I know what he would try to do, and the least I

can do is to go and look for him. And the company? The share issue?

We'll no doubt proceed all right without me. And to hell with the retroactive.

What about my money for the shares?

Look, I have a ship, a crew, and I'm going.

Damn you, James.

Damn you. You're off again with never a thought for anyone but yourself.

What about my money for the shares?

I've left the necessary instructions with the company bankers.

Well...

Why didn't he just say so?

Don't say anything.

Just let me look at you.

I think you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life.

I've come to tell you that... Will

you be my wife, Leonora?

I don't know.

Will you be my wife? Please, I don't know.

Soon, my love.

Soon. As soon as this company is floated.

And I have money.

I am going to South America, where I shall be rich, as rich as it is possible

be.

I will build cities and palaces and call them all for you.

Only come with me.

Come with you to South America.

To a land of boundless miles.

White -capped mountains that fill the eye.

Endless beaches of fine sand.

Jungles. Birds, beasts, flowers no man has ever seen.

Fertile grasslands no man has ever mapped.

Farms and rivers as big as seas.

Hills of silver and rivers of gold.

To anything your heart desires.

To paradise with you and I.

He was an agent for the House of Rothschilds.

That was among his effects in his court.

I had nothing to read, though I found it quite interesting.

Ah.

Very interesting.

A draft, I suppose you'd call it, to report to his employers about a railroad

company in Mexico.

It seems a railroad can't be built not where the company intended to build it,

anyway.

The terrain is such that it... not be an economic proposition.

He says it's either a foolhardy venture or a deliberate swindle.

So whoever has been fool enough to invest in that, lost your money.

I don't believe it.

I don't believe it.

I've no doubt that Rothschild's a swearer not to warrant against him this

moment. You've invented it.

To what end? What end?

What end?

To save yourself from my justified fury, that's your end?

I hate you, James.

I hate you.

Dear.

Why? You set out to make me a laughing stock.

You said you'd left the necessary arrangements with your bank.

And when I went down there, they said yes.

Arrangements. No, no account to advance me. You wouldn't bet it.

You've cost me my directorship.

Now you near ruin me.

I've had to beg and borrow every penny I could raise to buy shares.

There's nowhere near enough.

Well, then, we can both count ourselves fortunate.

Fortunate?

Do you realize what'll happen to the value of my shares tomorrow when all

is made public?

Hey, I'll have to sell this house.

Move back to Liverpool.

Resign my seat, perhaps.

Well, you'd best look for your honourable friend and see what he can

you before he goes to jail.

He... He's gone.

Gone?

Ah, he's sailed.

For Mexico, he said.

He's left.

Run off.

And with a whole lot of my money in his pocket.

Well, then.

Goodbye to all that.

And he's taken Leonora with him.

Two whole days you've been gone.

I went home.

Home? To Liverpool?

And back again.

Why?

I couldn't love him.

He's too posh.