Original subtitles

Evie, are you sure this isn't a good idea?

I mean, you and Gilles.

It was a long time ago, Bea.

I was a child in Paris.

And now?

Gilles is simply an acquaintance.

Come on, let's see what we're up against.

Good morning.

Miss Beatrice? Yes.

And Miss Evangeline? That's right.

Allow me to introduce myself.

I'm Marthe Olivon, directrice here at Maison Gilles.

Monsieur is desolate.

Desolate? He has had to leave for Paris. Urgent business suddenly called him

away and he left half an hour ago.

I tried to telephone you, but you were already on your way here.

Well, perhaps we'd better leave. No, no, no, please.

Monsieur has asked me to offer the most sincere apologies for his absence and to

introduce you to our couturier who will deputise for him.

The design studio is this way. Please, follow me.

As you know, yesterday we had the same address and a number of our

clients, but today, Monsieur, so much wanted the pleasure of giving you your

private tour of our premises.

I am enchanted.

But I fear a poor substitute for Lumet.

Allow me, if you will, to welcome you.

It isn't too early, I hope, to offer you a glass of champagne.

Thank you. And then perhaps you might like to see our workrooms and the

room. Yes, that would be most interesting.

Your good health.

Your establishment is most impressive.

Quite.

This is a splendid studio you have here.

And a challenging one.

With a studio like this, every design that leaves my board must be absolutely

brilliant. It's a great strain, I assure you.

Do sit down.

You postponed your last collection, did you not?

May one ask why that was?

It was a question of priorities, Mr. Faneau.

Pressure of work made a formal showing unnecessary this season.

We prefer to mount a collection when a particular line or theme... Is honed to

perfection. Quite so.

Well, the fashion world must wait with interest for that day.

A little more champagne.

And then I will conduct you round Maison Gilles.

I want you to look at these faces.

You see the uncertainty.

But at the same time, the resilience.

As you know, we're weaving these images into the film, watching the family

disintegrate as each of its members takes a different stand over the strike.

Now, in the final sequence we're filming today, I must have your performances

blending seamlessly with the real thing, the real people.

So, look at their eyes.

And use the compassion that you feel. Use it. Remember it.

And make the audience feel that for your characters too.

Right. That's it.

Thank you.

If I may say so.

I think it will be very fine, this film of yours.

And once again, may I say, it has been a great honour to meet you.

Thank you very much.

And thank you for the tour. Please give our best wishes. I will indeed.

Ah, Lady Rowland.

Good morning.

Go on, Lord Rowland.

If you would come this way, the dear fool now will attend to you immediately.

Thank you so much.

Are you sure you want to walk? It's not a long way back.

Quite sure. I need the air.

Lady Rowland didn't waste much time, did she?

House of Elliot one minute, Maison Gilles the next.

What we can do without her sort.

Not without her sort of money, Evie.

Well, what did you think of Maison Gilles' London Emporium?

It poses a serious threat.

Gilles Carignac has picked a formidable staff. I thought both Miss Ollivant and

Mr. Fennel were very impressive.

I can't help thinking how different everything would have been if we'd

Gilles' offer two years ago.

Well, you might not have married Jack, for a start.

You might not have met Alexander.

The House of Elliot wouldn't exist.

Do you ever wish things were otherwise, Edie?

Some things.

I wish Alexander was free.

But no, I have no regrets.

Have you?

None.

Only determination.

And we're going to need it, both of us.

I understand.

Yes, madam, thank you.

Thank you for letting us know. Goodbye.

Any messages, Ella?

Nothing important, Miss Evangeline.

I dislike the idea as much as you do, but there's simply no work for them.

Well, we wouldn't be sacking them, would we? We're just simply laying them off

until things pick up.

Four of them will have to go.

The question is, which four?

There.

That's finished.

What shall I do now?

Oh, Madge, you got anything for Betty?

No, nothing.

Um, you'd better sort out the lace trimmings for now.

Try to keep them busy. It doesn't do for them to be seen idle.

I'll check the alterations book again, but I'm pretty sure there's nothing else

down there.

Well, what have we got?

We've got Agnes sorting out the cotton.

We've got Betty working on lace trimmings.

Charles reading the newspaper.

Listen to this.

It has been observed that a well -respected peer of the realm has eyes

a beautiful and talented young fashion designer with whom he danced repeatedly

at a recent charity ball.

Miss Evie Lord Montford, for sure.

That's nonsense. It could be anyone. Could be, but it ain't.

Forbes and her daughter will not be keeping their 2 .30 appointment, Madge.

If you must gossip and Agnes, I should have thought you of all people would

learnt more sense.

You will kindly do so in your own time and not on these premises.

Who does she think she is?

There's Miss Evie running around with Lord What's -His -Name and Miss Beatrice

has left Mr Jack. Everyone knows that. Betty, it's Evie.

Last on first off, that's the usual method of selection.

That would mean Doris Chapman, Rosemary Jenkins, Mabel,

and the other new girl.

Chapman and Jenkins haven't been with us for very long, but they're very skilled

and very hardworking, you know.

Much more so than Betty and Agnes. I think if anyone should go, they should.

I know what you're thinking.

They've been with us for ages. They're like part of the family.

But I think we're going to have to be hard, or we're going to survive.

You're right, of course.

I know why they picked on me.

Because I spoke out when the strike was on.

Nonsense. It's because times are hard for the business.

And who's fault is that?

Well, as soon as things improve... They'll ask us back, will they?

Well, thank you very much, but it might not be that simple, see?

Because by then I should be working somewhere else.

I might even get a job at Monsieur Jill's, mightn't I?

You're only saying that to hide their hurt feelings, mate.

There's always going to be a need for tailoring, isn't there? Well, not if

Arthur Elliott goes bust, though, isn't there?

And while the ship may not be exactly sinking, it is lifting a bit, isn't it?

Well, no, depressing is what I call it.

I'll be looking elsewhere myself if this goes on.

I won't ever give you up, Alexander, never. Do you understand me?

Part with not some cool union designed to unite two important families in

several thousand acres.

What am I to say to you?

That you will not see her again.

I can't. I've tried, but I can't.

Then you must. You simply must.

I have lost my position at the palace.

I've been humiliated in public and in private.

I have nothing else to lose except you yourself.

And I shall fight for you, Alexander.

For however long it takes and I shall win.

His Lordship will be leaving for the Treasury in five minutes, Morgan.

Yes, ma 'am.

Remember Philip's birthday?

He's asked for a pony.

I haven't forgotten.

Of course.

It's just I'm not sure under the circumstances that I could.

Well, yes, I would.

And I'd very much like to see the premises.

Very well, then, yes. Excuse me for one moment.

Can I help you at all, Miss Evangeline?

No, it's all right, Anne.

Are you there?

Yes. Nine to three will suit me best.

Things are not good, Joseph.

No, Miss Elliot.

I'm never so sorry about all this.

I sometimes feel that, well, if we hadn't exposed Mr Soroyan's goings -on,

we might not be in this situation.

It was me that brought things to a head. Perhaps it would have been better if I

hadn't. Oh, Joseph, you must never think that. What you did was absolutely

right. I appreciate it. We all do.

I thought you understood that.

I apologise if it wasn't absolutely clear to you.

Thank you, Miss Elliot.

I felt bound to clear Sir Desmond's name and to help you and Miss Evangeline.

And, of course, Mr Maddox.

Madam, you can afford it, sir.

It's not over up north, you know. Come on, please, sir.

It's nothing to you. A penny's nothing to you, but it means a lot to some

who are hungry. Madam, come on. Have you got children? Are they hungry?

The strike's over down here, right enough.

But folk up north...

The mothers and children are still suffering.

They deserve all our help.

Thank you, madam.

Now, what about you?

Why so good?

You'll notice I'm always like this when a film's finished.

You need another drink?

No, I don't think so.

I'll just slip away and leave them to it.

Me too.

The party enjoys itself.

No.

Relax.

When you were working, your mind was occupied by the film.

Now that you've time to think, you're depressed again.

Is it your marriage?

Would it help to talk about it?

Look, Jack, I'm a friend, just a friend.

All right?

And what Maison Gilles' London house must do, of course, is to embrace all

requirements particular to the ladies of this city.

Paris and London under one roof.

Precisely. And who, Mrs. Burgoyne, knows better than you what those requirements

are, and how to tempt these ladies to experiment with the more exotic styles

colors of Parisian fashion?

Monsieur Gilles has authorized me to offer you the position of deuxième

here, at a salary which, naturally, will be a considerable improvement on your

own.

What do you say?

I'm very flattered, of course, that you should think of me, Mr. Faneuil.

But, as you know, I am premier vendeur at the House of Elliot.

And as for the salary, well, I'm perfectly happy where I am.

In that case, it seems a little odd that you... If you will forgive me, Mrs.

Burgoyne, that you agreed to this meeting.

I came here this morning at your invitation, Miss Oliphant.

To make your acquaintance and to be shown around Maison Gilles' London

Not because I'm in search of alternative employment.

Are you aware the two of your seamstresses have applied for positions

Gilles? Quite so.

However, should my prospects at the house of Elliot become, for any reason,

uncertain... I understand entirely, Mrs Burgoyne.

If that unfortunate event should take place...

May we be in touch with you again?

Certainly you may.

And thank you.

Oh, paydays aren't what they were, Mr Wynne, are they?

I don't know how much longer I can go on like this.

We're all on the same boat, Madge. Things aren't getting any better.

In fact, just between ourselves, if anything, they're getting worse.

I don't like the sound of that, Madge. It could be us next.

Hmm? B, couple?

Thank you, Amy.

You look wonderful.

Thank you for meeting Alexander.

It's been such a long time.

What will you do today, Bea? Oh, I've plenty to do.

If it stays fine, I might take a walk.

My taxi's here. Goodbye.

Goodbye.

It was good of you to come, Beatrice.

I imagine you'll have guessed what it is I want to speak to you about.

Yes, I imagine I have.

Thank you.

I'm very fond of you.

And it is because I regard you both so highly that I want to try and prevent

this unpleasantness from damaging or hurting all of us any more than it has

already done so.

Evangeline must be made to realize that she will never be able to marry

Alexander.

She will never be any more than his mistress.

She will be ostracized, Beatrice.

Her life and her career will be ruined.

This must be prevented for all our sakes.

Won't you talk to her?

Make her see the hopelessness of the path she had taken.

I can't, Evangeline.

I'm sorry, but I simply can't.

Apart from the fact that Evangeline has to be allowed to find her own way

through this, I am in no position to preach to her about what is wise or

foolish.

Come back with me.

Alexander, no, I... Elizabeth's in the country. The servants are with her.

be quite alone.

Maybe.

Please. I think we could have survived the Soroyan affair.

Yes, that was most unfortunate.

I think we could even have survived the competition from Maison Gilles, but for

this scandal, which had driven away what we had left of our most valuable

clients. Well, I am one client who will remain faithful to you, Beatrice.

If ever my connection with the house of Elliot now would be just the kind of

news the gossip mongers are waiting for. I must go, my dear.

Grafton is driving me down to the country and I want to get there before

Goodbye.

Elizabeth, I am so sorry.

We may.

Both Miss Elliotts were, I feel sure, very impressed with what they saw here,

and I have already approached their vendeurs.

Not yet, sir, no, but I feel confident that in due course she's... Yes, missus.

Yes, I understand, monsieur.

Well, monsieur, if I may say so, that does sound a bit... I cannot see them

agreeing, sir.

Yes, of course. I'll try to arrange it.

Certainly, Monsieur.

Au revoir.

Well.

Ours not to reason why, Mrs. Holland.

Good morning, Monsieur.

Good morning, my lord.

Hello?

Good morning, sir.

Yes, he is.

One moment, please.

The chief web, sir.

Monfort, good morning.

Beatrice Elliot, good morning.

Mr. Fanot.

Meeting?

Well, if you think that... Mr. Fanot, may I telephone you later when I've

to my sister, and we'll arrange a meeting then.

Thank you. Goodbye.

Oh, no.

Bea, we were so careful. Nobody saw us together.

Well, somebody did, Evie.

Eve, what are we going to do?

What we have been doing and what we will continue to do. We shall behave as

usual.

If I were you, I don't think I'd be nearly as good to me as you are.

Oh, I think you would be, Eve.

Drink your tea.

We'll just take things one step at a time.

Hector Faneuil has sent for us.

Sent for us?

What do you mean he's sent for us?

Well, he's asked for a meeting with us.

Oh, well, has he indeed?

Well, he can just come here. We don't go trotting off at his beck and call, do

we? Well, do we?

No, you're absolutely right, we don't.

You mean Maison Gilles wants to buy our cast -offs? Phoebe, hardly cast -offs.

Now, what Mr. Faneuil's suggesting, if I have understood you correctly, is that

because Maison Gilles has not designed specifically for the London field,

As we did not show our collection this summer, some of our designs that it

included might help meet that shortfall. Is that correct, Mr. Fanon?

I don't believe this.

Does Monsieur Carignac know of this?

Le Maistre suggested it, Miss Evangeline.

The terms would be most favourable.

Well, the answer's no.

Evie. I'm sorry, Bea. Mr. Fennel, what you propose is absolutely out of the

question. We were unable to show our summer collection this year, but the

designs it included belong to the House of Elliot.

It will not be available elsewhere. Good morning, Mr. Fennel.

I do apologise.

Please, Miss Elliot, say no more. I understand absolutely.

It was delightful to meet you again.

You and I will perhaps speak again on this subject.

Good day.

Morning, Mrs. Burgoyne.

How good to see you again.

Good morning, Mr. Faneuil.

Alice, may I have a word with you, please?

Before you ask, Miss Elliot, Mr. Faneuil has offered me a position at Maison

Gilles, and I have refused it.

How dare he?

How dare he?

He is only doing precisely as you did when I was employed at Fazard, is he

And you refused him?

I told him that I should not consider leaving the house of Elliot.

Unless... Unless what, Alice?

Well, I am concerned, Miss Elliot, about the competition from Maison Gilles and

about the fact that our own clientele has fallen off so badly in recent weeks.

Not because our work is in any way inferior to theirs, but because of other

factors.

I'm sure you understand.

I have to think of my future, Miss Elliot.

We all do.

Good morning, Joseph.

Could I have a word, Miss Elliot, please? Yes, of course.

I'm afraid there's a problem with the bank.

Let's go to your office, shall we?

They were very respectful.

It's just that there wasn't enough money in the account to cover the week's

wages.

It's worked all right. I shall transfer some money into that account

immediately. Thank you, Joseph.

Lord Alexander Montford, please.

Miss Evangeline Elliot?

Yes, I'll hold on.

I beg your pardon?

He's not in today.

Will he be there tomorrow?

I see.

Yes, could you tell him my telephone back here?

These are exactly what I need, Miss Elliot.

We complement one another perfectly.

And the figure we mentioned was... Not quite to my liking, Mr. Faneuil.

And you were thinking in terms of... Double the sum you mentioned earlier.

Le Maistre warned me to expect that you would drive a hard bargain, Miss Elliot.

However, I am authorized to accept your terms.

So, we have a deal?

On one condition.

And what is that?

My sister shall never learn of this transaction.

You have my word.

Miss Elliot.

Yes. For Lord Monk.

That's right.

I'm afraid his lordship has a meeting this morning and is unable to receive

visitors. Well, does he know I'm here?

His orders were that he was not on any account to be disturbed, Miss Elliot.

I see. Well, could you make sure you tell him that I called? I doubt whether

shall see his lordship, Miss Elliot.

He has to leave London for a few days on urgent treasury business and will be

setting off as soon as his meeting is concluded.

A pleasure, Miss Elliot.

Good day.

Have there been any messages for me, Miss Hooper? No, sir, nothing at all.

But the Chief Whip is expecting you in his office at 11, sir.

Yes? I want a tea.

Oh, Tilly, thank you.

It's about time you were off home, though, isn't it?

Nearly. A cup of tea's always nice, isn't it? Oh,

that's lovely.

Do you want me to suit you in that wood?

Oh, sorry.

What a stupid thing to say.

It's all right, Tilly.

It's far too grand for me, anyway.

What do you think about all this scandal?

Gossip?

Disapproval?

I think love comes first, Miss Evie.

That's what I think.

I think it was as simple as that.

Hello, my lovelies. Any news for us today?

Give our regards to Miss Evangeline.

Good morning.

If I could have your attention.

I'm sure none of you have forgotten Miss Beatrice's instructions about not

speaking to newspaper reporters.

Anyone breaking this rule will be immediately dismissed without a

that clear?

Yes, Miss, we're going.

We'll all be extra careful.

A little bit of trouble in Dunau, aren't they?

She's just nervous, that sort of business with Agnes and the Duchess.

Fourteen of them there was round that door this morning.

Been there all night, by the look of them.

Lord knows what they do about the bodily functions.

We'll see you again, 2 .30, a week on Wednesday.

Goodbye.

Alice, who's that woman?

Miss Winthrop?

No, no, no, the other one.

Her friend.

She was waiting for her while Mrs Wintrop had her fitting.

Is my sister back from the supply of you? No, not yet.

Evie?

Bea, where's Wendrosh? It was in that portfolio with the other designs we

show. Where is it?

Don't interrogate me, though I've been a naughty child. Then tell me.

I think you know I have sold them to Gilles, or rather to Hecht.

Bea, how could you?

They were ideas for a collection that we didn't show. Their moment has passed.

If they have any value, and they do to Maison Gilles, then we have to

on it.

I negotiated a fee that was twice what Gilles originally offered.

And I didn't sell any of your designs, Edie. They were House of Elliot designs!

And they earned money for the House of Elliot, money we desperately needed.

Do you realise, without it, it would have been impossible to pay the staff

wages this week?

Jack, Alexander.

Well, thanks. And you?

Look, old man, I need a favor.

Come on, Evie.

Probably touched your supper.

Are you still upset about the designs?

What, because you didn't sell any of mine?

No.

I was just thinking about the prizes for guessing about.

I haven't heard from Alexander in 11 days.

I haven't heard from Jack in 20.

Hello?

Hello?

Me? Why?

All right.

Half an hour?

Fine. Goodbye.

Lee, I'm just going out for a while.

Well, goodbye.

Lee, no.

This is all very mysterious, Jack. What's going on?

I'm not entirely sure.

I'm going for a walk. I'll see you two later.

I thought you'd... Thought I'd what?

Well, when I didn't hear from you, and you didn't return my telephone calls,

I... Telephone calls?

When?

Last Wednesday, again on Friday, yesterday.

I left messages, Alexander. I even called to the Treasury offices to try

you. They said you were away.

I haven't been away.

I received no letters, nothing.

I wrote to you every day from my office.

The letters went out with the rest of mine.

Oh, my God.

So you did write.

I suppose this is how it will be.

Running from reporters.

Meeting in other people's flats while they're out walking the streets.

At least until you're free.

Alexander.

Elizabeth refuses to discuss it.

She simply pretends that nothing is the matter.

It's her way of dealing with unpleasantness, I suppose.

Unpleasantness?

Alexander, you told me that she would release you. Why did you tell me that?

Not to deceive you. I promised you, Evie.

I suppose I couldn't bring myself to believe that anything would keep us

And now you believe that we will be kept apart.

Marriage is end.

Husbands and wives separate.

Divorce is commonplace.

Not when the husbands appear.

And the wife was a favorite lady in waiting to the queen.

I'm resigning from my post at the treasury, Evie.

If I don't, my resignation will be requested.

It's only a matter of time now.

Of days.

How nice. Come in. No, no, I'm not... You never are. Dang, darling.

But don't let me shiver on the landing, please.

Jack, what is it now?

I really just came to say, um... Goodbye.

Well, goodbye then, Jack.

Off you go.

I came to say that you are sweet and...

and clever and beautiful and... good.

Goodbye then, darling Jo.

No harm done.

Well, the fat's properly in the fire this morning.

Good morning.

Today is going to be a difficult one for us all.

May I suggest for a start that you keep your newspapers well out of sight, just

in case Miss Beatrice or Miss Evangeline should come into the workroom.

Never you mind, poor her.

She should know better getting herself into this mess.

Have you seen that order book lately?

You should worry about yourself, my dear.

Your Miss Evie won't.

Good morning, gentlemen.

There will be no statement.

Oh, come on, Mrs Burgoyne. Miss Elliot is not and will not be available for

comment. You are simply wasting your time here.

It was good to meet you.

I feel responsible, you think?

Personally responsible.

And indeed you are.

Believe me, Alexander, but you're 24 years old.

I know, and I realize what you would think of me.

So please, allow me to help where I can.

Clearly, and partly because of me, the house of Elliot is in financial

difficulties.

Without assistance, it could fail.

Beatrice, I implore you to accept my offer.

You must have as much money as you need to see you safely out of trouble.

Edie will never agree.

Did she know? Of course she must.

She will assume that Elizabeth... This has nothing to do with Elizabeth.

But Edie will think it has.

Then you must convince her that it has not.

All right, I'll try.

And thank you, Alexander.

I appreciate your offer.

I thought perhaps... What, that Alexander would be here?

No, I need to talk to you, Evie.

I'm very concerned.

About? About the house of Elliot.

You know, the business means a lot to me, and that's quite apart from Bea's

involvement in it, the effect its failure would have on her.

Are things very difficult at the moment?

They are, aren't they?

Tell me.

She has to accept it.

As a director of the company, I have the right to intervene.

I cannot let her pride cost her, cost both of you, and me for that matter, all

the hard work and effort that's gone into this enterprise.

It's criminal to let the business go down, and for what?

For want of a little financial backing at a difficult time.

But Jack, you know Bea, she's obstinate.

I just don't think she'll accept money from you.

Especially as things as they are between you two. She is logical, though. Take

the check.

Heal to her logic.

Oh, you're back.

Evie, will you sit down?

There's something very important I have to discuss with you.

And I want you to listen to me very carefully.

And just be calm and logical.

Alexander has suggested... You've seen Alexander?

Yes, I had a meeting with him.

Evie, he wants to help us.

He wants to help the House of Elliot.

He has certain financial resources that he wishes to place at our disposal,

and... What's that?

It's a cheque.

From Jack.

It's a matter of principle, Evie, don't you see? Yes, I do, which is why I'm

amazed you can't see my point of view.

I do realise that Alexander was partly responsible for our troubles, but I

want his money, I don't want Elizabeth's money, I want him.

And the way things are between Jack and me, I don't want his money either. V, he

is your husband.

He's also a director of the company. I think you're being unreasonable.

And I think you are.

Look, we're both tired and overwrought. I don't think we're going to get

anywhere with this tonight, so I should just say goodnight.

Goodnight. Goodnight.

Yes,

madam?

3 o 'clock on Wednesday.

Goodbye.

Good morning, House of Elliot. Can I help you?

How do you spell that?

S -P -R Spinelli, of course.

Tomorrow.

2 .30 it is. Goodbye.

Well? No, I know how you're feeling, but I can't accept Jack's offer.

Good morning. Yes, Alice, what is it? Um, something rather odd seems to be

happening since the news that, um... Well, since this last, uh... Thanks.

Monford's resignation was announced.

Yes, Alice, we know what you mean.

Well, it seems that, um... Since we've been featuring so prominently in the...

In the newspapers, Alice, please, go on. Alice, please sit down.

Thank you.

We...

Well, we seem to be receiving rather a lot of inquiries from certain new

clients.

Well, that's good news, isn't it?

Why do you look so disapproving?

Because I'm not certain that some of them are quite... Quite what, Alice?

Quite the sort of people we're used to dealing with, Miss Elliot.

And exactly what sort of people are they?

They come, many of them, from the world of entertainment.

They, uh... But, Alice, we have always had performers, singers and indeed

dancers amongst our clients. Oh, yes, from the opera and the ballet, but not

from what I would describe as the popular theatre.

Do you see what I mean?

Well, how many of these new clients are there, Alice? At least eight since

yesterday morning.

One young woman, you couldn't describe her as a lady, arrived with a party of

friends, several of whom determined it was their intention to patronise us too.

Enough to make the order book look a little healthier, then?

I suppose so.

Well, thank you, Alice.

My sister and I have some important decisions to make, and we would

not being disturbed.

Certainly. Thank you.

Um, I hope I did the right thing in alerting you to this.

Oh, yes, of course, Alice. Thank you.

You do realise what this could mean. Mind you, let's not be hasty.

This may only be short -lived interest. Some of these unsuitable clients may

turn out not to like our style at all.

Yes, but it might well ease our immediate problems.

But it certainly puts our offers from Jack and Alexander into a slightly

different perspective.

Ah, Mr. Fennel. Good morning, Mrs. Burgoyne, and how are you today?

Very well, thank you. I wish to speak to Miss Beatrice and Miss Evangeline.

Ah, I'm very sorry, but they've left instructions not to be disturbed this

morning, not on any account.

Then I shall wait.

And you will tell them that I am waiting?

Immediately, Mrs. Burgoyne, if you please.

So good of you to allow me to interrupt your conference.

I do realize that this is not the easiest of times for you, and it is

that account that I am here.

Monsieur Gilles has sent me as his emissary.

He has a proposition to put to you.

Yes, Miss Beatrice?

I would just like to make it quite clear, Mr. Fennel, that there are no

designs for sale.

Quite.

No, it is on an entirely different matter that I am here today.

It has not escaped the most was notice that recently the House of Elliot has

become the subject of a lot of adverse publicity.

Now this, plus a certain flow of clientele from your establishment to our

must, to put it as gently as I can, be placing a considerable strain upon you

personally and upon your resources.

Are you implying the House of Elliot isn't financial difficulties?

Well, isn't it?

Don't be offended, please.

We are offended.

If we were in any difficulties, we have friends and associates to whom we could

turn. Edie, let's just hear what Mr. Faneuil has to say, shall we? It is

that Monsieur Gilles Carignac wishes to form an alliance with the House of

Elliot.

He wishes, in effect, to buy it.

But it's not for sale.

With respect, Miss Evangeline, there is nothing that cannot be bought if the

price is attractive enough.

Isn't that right, Miss Beatrice? Be easy away.

Mr. Gilles naturally would wish to retain your services, and the House of

would become an extension of Maison Gilles, catering to the more

London clientele.

Le Maître is a shrewd businessman, as you are aware, Mr. Elliot.

He knows how advantageous it is to turn competition into asset.

So much more constructive, don't you think, than to force it into bankruptcy.

Before you speak, I have here a preliminary draft of the proposed

The sum which Le Maistre has authorised me to offer you is written there, at the

foot of the page.

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