Original subtitles

[slow orchestra music]

- Good thing you haven't got any nephews and nieces.

- Oh what's that Mrs. Bridges?

- The time you take writing out your Christmas cards.

- Oh, well, it's more of a hobby, really, handwriting.

- Yes, I know.

It's your brother-in-law as usual, I suppose?

- Yes, we've been exchanging seasonal greetings now

for 15 years.

- Oh, well, I think it's nice for a man to have a hobby.

Especially a proper as one as handwriting.

Let me tell you, her Ladyship could take a leaf out of

your book.

The menus she send me down sometimes,

I can't make head or tail of them.

- Oh, well, the mistress of the household does have a

great many duties to perform, Mrs. Bridges.

- Ooh I know, I wasn't meanin' to criticize, Mr. Hudson.

[bell rings]

It's just, I sometimes wonder whether she gets what

she asks for.

- Who on Earth can that be?

We're only expecting Mrs. Kirbridge for tea,

but that's not til five.

- Hello, Hudson, I'm early.

Have I put everyone on a hop?

- Uh, not at all, Mrs. Kirbridge.

- It's these lovely motor cars, puts all our timing out.

Thank you.

Is mother in?

- She's in the morning room, madame.

What does all this mean, Rose?

I understood Mrs. Kirbridge was simply coming for tea.

- I know, Mr. Hudson, there's been a change of plans.

- But I have not been informed.

- I know you haven't, Hudson, I only decided this morning.

Help Thomas with the luggage, would you?

- Hello, my darling.

- Hello.

- You're very early.

- Not only that, mother dear, but I've come to stay.

You don't mind, do you?

Only Lawrence had to go and visit an aunt in Shropshire.

Christmas with Rose in Greenwich didn't seem much fun,

so I thought we'd both come here.

Oh Lord, you're not doing your cards already, are you?

I haven't given them a thought.

- What do you mean, Lawrence is staying in Shropshire

over Christmas?

- He may.

- But you didn't go with him?

- I didn't want to see his boring aunt.

- But it's your first Christmas together.

- Oh mother, what does that matter?

No doubt there'll be others.

He did offer to take me, but I told him

I preferred you and Papa.

Aren't you pleased?

- Well yes of course.

- If one has some prior warning of these things,

one can make the necessary arrangements.

As it is, the room needs airing, a good dust.

And Brenda's cut her hand badly on a broken vase,

so she can't manage it.

- But don't look at me, Mr. Hudson, I don't even work here.

- It's a nice room to come home to.

- But it's beautiful.

Thank you, darling.

- Any jolly parties in store?

Oh, the Londonderrys.

Can I come?

- Hm, yes, yes, of course you can.

- Do you remember that other time,

after I came back from Germany?

You all had such hopes for me, and I dashed them all

by behaving disgracefully.

Oh what a long time ago that seems.

Talking of disgrace, I had a lovely letter from James

the other day, it was really happy for the first time,

as if he'd got things right at last.

Has he, do you think?

- Yes, we had a very reassuring letter from Colonel Pitt,

saying how well he'd settled down.

He said James is a great asset to the regimental polo team.

- And Sarah?

- Sarah?

Oh she's at Southwold, as you know, she's being well

taken care of.

- Yes, I have no doubt.

- Darling, you're not ...

- What?

Oh, pregnant, you mean!

No, mama, sorry.

- Oh, well it is a bit soon.

Shall we have some tea?

Then we can have a lovely long talk

before your father gets home and monopolizes you.

[bell rings]

-[Male Voice] [coughs]

[door opens and closes]

- Raaah! [animal sound] - Ooh!

Oh my goodness, tortures me.

Wherever did you get that from?

- Well I found it in the dicky of our motorcar, Mrs. B.

- Oh?

For me?

- Well, to be disposed of as you think fit.

- Oh, well, I don't know.

- Well they weren't needing it at Greenwich, see,

so, I thought I'd find a good home for it.

I mean, you're fond of animals, aren't you?

- Oh!

[voices talking]

- It's very thoughtful of you, my boy.

Very thoughtful, indeed.

- Now take up the sugar and cream and take it to.

- I consider you're taking advantage of my loyalties,

Mr. Hudson.

- And who taught you to use such long words, Rose?

- Influence of a poet's household, hey, Rosie?

- I don't care what is the influence, of all I know

is that I'm being used.

Where's Edward for heaven's sake?

- Haven't you heard about Edward?

He got took in the night!

- Took?

- Yes, he was rushed off to the hospital last Friday

with his appendix.

I believe he's progressing quite satisfactorily.

- Well, I don't know, Brenda cut her hand, Edward taken

off to hospital, not very lucky, our sort, is it?

- Oh, what about your house, then, Rose, aye?

-[Rose] Um, I, I don't know what you're talking about,

Mrs. Bridges.

- Oh yes you do.

What's Miss Elizabeth doing here?

What's been going on?

- Now, now, Mrs. Bridges, you know better than to ask our

Rose for any tittle tattle.

- I only want to know what we all want to know,

Mr. Hudson!

Don't tell me your ears haven't been burning, too.

- Rose, get your coat off, take the tea up.

- Oh, that's not fair, Mr. Hudson!

Besides, I can't serve morning room tea dressed like this.

- Her Ladyship won't mind, just this once.

- Here, I'll give you a hand if you like, Rose.

- Oh I can manage.

- You know, that girl is assuming far too much

independence for her own good.

- Maybe she has to, where she works now.

- This your work, Mr. Hudson?

- [laughs] That's his hobby.

- Handwriting.

- I make a study of it, yes.

- Very nice.

What sort of stuff you write, apart from Christmas cards?

- What do I write, well I ...

Why I copy out passages from the newspapers.

- Copy?

What's the point?

- The point?

- Yes, I mean other people's stuff.

Why not something of your own?

You know, a poem, or your own thoughts?

- Oh, he does write his daily journal,

don't you Mr. Hudson?

- Oh the tittle tattle, aye, well, that's a start,

I suppose.

You can always sell it if times get hard.

-[Mrs. Bridges] [laughs]

- I was only joking, Mr. Hudson.

- Well, of course he was, Mr. Hudson.

Where's your sense of humor?

-[Mr. Bellamy] Hello, Rose.

What are you doing here?

- Helping out, Mr. Bellamy.

- Aren't you required in Greenwich?

- Oh, um, Mrs. Kirbridge is here, sir.

- Oh that's right, of course, she was coming to tea.

My angel!

-[Elizabeth] Hello, Papa!

- How lovely to see you.

[kisses]

And looking so bright!

Bright as a button.

Hello, my dear.

- Hello, darling.

Lawrence has had to visit an aunt in Shropshire,

so Elizabeth's come to stay.

Isn't that nice?

- Wha-, that's wonderful.

- That's too many frocks for a short visit.

- Mrs. Kirbridge always takes a lot of frocks with her.

You should have seen how many she took with her when

she went on her honeymoon to Vienna,

and that was only a fortnight.

- Oh, there's no point in keeping up this pretense, Rose.

I can put two and two together even if no one else can.

- Yes, I'm sure you can, Miss Roberts,

and that's just about the limit of your education.

- How dare you talk to me like that?

- Oh I dare all right.

'Cause we're on equal footing now, remember?

I am a lady's maid now, just like you.

- Proper lady's maids do not carry up trays to the morning

room, or dust the bedrooms.

[silverware clanging]

- Mr Hudson.

Ah, Mr. Hudson, I was wondering in view of your

shortage of staff, whether I ...

Perhaps might lend a hand?

- That won't be necessary, thank you Mr. Watkins.

We can manage.

- We can't, not with half the staff took sick.

- I could wait a table, Mr. Hudson.

I'm not without experience, as Rose would vouch.

- Oh, go on, Mr. Hudson, the boy's made a kind offer.

Why don't you let him help you out?

- Well, if her Ladyship finds it acceptable,

I suppose he may.

-[Mr. Hudson] Oh please, Miss Roberts.

-[Miss Roberts] I'm sorry, Mr. Hudson.

Oh, who are you?

-[Mr. Watkins] Me?

- That's Mr. Watkins.

He's Mr. Kirbridge's manservant.

- Oh yes, I've heard about you.

-[Mr. Watkins] Nothing bad, I hope?

- Not yet.

Now are you staying, too?

- Why should he?

Mr. Watkins is gonna drive the motorcar back to Greenwich

after we've all had our dinner, aren't you Mr. Watkins?

- Elizabeth's had a letter from James, darling.

She really thought he sounded happy, didn't you?

- That's good, has he fallen in love do you think?

- He didn't mention it.

- Well, that's what he needs, some nice young governess

he can bring home as his bride.

- Oh father, what a dreadful thing to wish on your son.

- Not at all, all the best girls are going out to Windale

as governesses, it's a wonderful opportunity for them.

-[Lady Marjorie] Yes, Felicity Davenport.

- And Rayelton's daughter Daphne.

-[Lady Marjorie] Felicity landed a major.

- Oh, good for Felicity, what did he weigh?

-[Lady Marjorie] Darling.

- Well you do make him sound like a prized trout.

What would James be, a sort of eel, perhaps?

- And Lars, what would he be?

- I think this is a silly game.

- No it isn't, it's illuminating.

- Lawrence, I think I see Lawrence as ...

A place.

-[Mr. Bellamy] A place?

- A place.

-[Mr. Bellamy] Why a place?

- I don't know, I just see him as one.

-[Lady Marjorie] I don't think that's very illuminating.

- It is to me.

- How's his poetry getting along?

Has he written anything lately?

- No, nothing.

- Aren't you his inspiration?

- Apparently not.

-[Lady Marjorie] Well darling,

One can't add poetry to order.

Lawrence has a lot on his mind, adjusting to married life.

- Living in Greenwich.

- What's wrong with Greenwich?

- Nothing to you, but it stifles Lawrence.

- Stifles him, why?

- I thought I'd do some Christmas shopping tomorrow,

darling, would you like to come with me?

We could give each other ideas like we used to.

Do you remember?

Choosing things for James and Papa?

- I don't want to be little again, mother.

- I don't think your mother meant that you ...

- Yes, she did.

She sees my marriage in ruins, and she wants to protect me

by making me little again, I don't want that.

- What did you say?

- Your marriage in ...

-[Mr. Bellamy] In, in ruins?

What on Earth do you mean?

- It's plain enough, haven't you guessed?

I've given enough hints, what do you think I'm doing here?

- Darling, please. [speaks in French]

- [speak in French]

So does Hudson now.

- Do you mean what you say?

- I'm sorry, Papa, yes.

-[Lady Marjorie] After only six months, I can't believe it.

- No, of course you can't believe it, Mama.

You don't want to believe it.

You'll have to face the gossip and the sniggering

of your friends.

But can't you think beyond that?

Can't you think of me for once?

[chair slides on floor]

- Don't cry, Miss Lizzie, please don't cry.

It's not as bad as you think.

You got it all out and Papa ...

- Don't you tell me, Rose.

- Miss Lizzie?

- And don't call me Miss Lizzie.

I'm a married woman, married!

Which is more than you'll ever be.

-[Rose] What?

- At least I've tried!

I've offered myself, but you,

you've never offered yourself to anyone.

So how can you give me advice?

- I wasn't trying to.

- You and Thomas, you think I didn't hear you late at night?

Teasing him and then stopping.

Let me tell you Rose, that unless you're prepared to

give yourself utterly, and risk making a fool of yourself,

you'll never get anything in life!

You'll end up withered here inside.

I mean, look at you already!

At least I'll never end up like you.

- Well, I'm off now, Mrs. Bridges.

- Oh, back to Greenwich then, are you?

- Back to Greenwich, yes, for the time being.

- Oh, well, we'll be seeing you again soon, I expect.

- I hope so.

I do hope so, Mrs. B.

I'd done the dishes, so you'll have a nice clean kitchen

in the morning.

- I knew you'd do something like that.

Oh, you're a good boy, Thomas, you are really.

- Aye, well you're not a bad cook, neither.

- Oh. [laughs]

[kiss]

Ooh! [laughs] - Good night Mrs. B.

- Good night my dear.

Good night.

- Good night, Rose!

Rosie?

What's the matter, love?

Hey.

Hey what is it?

It's not what happened at dinner, is it?

We knew that was finished, we got other fish to fry.

- It isn't that.

- Well, what then?

- After all our years together, [sniff]

all the things we've shared, to say such cruel things.

- What things love?

Mrs. Kirbridge, now what's she said?

- I can't repeat it.

- Course you can.

- Oh, I can't, I can't.

- Come on, you can tell Thomas.

- [crying] Let me go!

[sobbing]

- Ah, Rose, she ...

Seemed a bit upset, like.

Well, it wasn't me, Mr. Hudson.

- Good night, Mr. Watkins.

- No, no, I'm not ...

- Good night!

[door slams]

[knock on door]

- Come in.

Oh, I'm glad it's you.

Is mother very upset?

- Yes, she is, rather.

She's gone to her room.

May I?

- Yes, do.

You want explanations.

- Do you want to give them?

Is it really in ruins, as you say?

Ruins can be restored.

- Not these ones.

-[Mr. Bellamy] Any special problem?

- No, no.

- Are you sure?

- No, I told you.

Lawrence doesn't want a wife, that's all.

-[Mr. Bellamy] But it was Lawrence who wanted to get

married, you were the one for the bohemian life.

- Yes, well, there you are.

- Ah, he couldn't cope with the responsibility.

But, how about his friends, his fellow artists,

how'd you get on with them?

Did they accept you?

-[Elizabeth] I suppose so.

But obviously I was always going to be judged,

in terms of what he produces, his poetry, what I inspired.

I inspired nothing.

- So he took his revenge on you?

-[Elizabeth] No, not exactly.

He didn't spend enough time with me for that.

- Well you can't be said to be a negative influence, surely.

- It's a nice debating point, Papa,

but we're not in the House of Commons.

[door opens]

- Oh Rose, run me a bath, would you?

- Yes, madame.

- Oh, and take this down to be mended, I seem to

have caught it on something.

-[Mr. Bellamy] Does Lawrence know you've left home?

- No, I don't think so.

-[Mr. Bellamy] What will he say when he finds out?

- He'll be relieved.

He's not very good at taking the initiative.

- Darling, are you sure you haven't left in haste?

Your mother feels, and I must say, I find it hard

to disagree with her, that you haven't really

given it much time.

- How much time do you need to know that you've made

a mistake?

I'm sorry, Papa, it's over.

- No hope at all?

- None.

-[Mr. Bellamy] Are you absolutely sure?

- I'm absolutely sure.

-[Mr. Bellamy] Then, we must get in touch with Dillon,

and put the matter in his hands.

- Dillon?

- Geoffrey Dillon, our solicitor.

You want it ended legally, don't you?

- Yes, but, must we use him?

He's so dry and chilly.

James said that during his troubles,

he felt as if he was facing Judge Jeffreys.

- [laughs] I know how he felt.

But Jeffery Dillon is loyal and discreet,

and quite simply the best there is.

I'll see him in the morning, now, don't worry.

And do try and understand your mother's feelings.

They may seem a bit off the mark but,

they're nonetheless real, and they need careful handling

from both of us.

- Papa.

Thank you for treating me like a woman and not

an hysterical child.

Even though I may be.

- Oh, the poor girl.

To have such a thing happen.

She's only a baby.

- Well, I guessed, of course.

The minute I saw those frocks I guessed

it was no casual visit.

- We'd all done our share of guessing, Miss Roberts.

Even before the frocks.

- Yes, well, now that we've all expressed our feelings,

I think we should let the matter rest.

- Well, it was you who informed us, Mr. Hudson.

- I informed you, Miss Roberts, to prevent you

hearing it from other ears.

- Rose is taking it badly.

I passed her on the stairs just now,

and she'd been crying.

- I think you'll find that Rose's distress is related

to quite another matter, Miss Roberts.

- Oh?

What's that Mr. Hudson?

- Oh never you mind for the moment, Mrs. Bridges.

In the meantime, I think we should all be on our guards.

- Would you lend us a needle, please Miss Roberts?

Mrs. Kirbridge wants this mended.

Thanks.

-[Mr. Dillon] Well now, Mrs. Kirbridge.

- Must you call me that, Sir Geoffrey?

It does sound a little hollow.

-[Mr. Dillon] Elizabeth.

- It's hardly being familiar.

You've known all about me since the day I was born.

- I regret that my knowledge of you is confined nearly

to a handful of facts.

Your birth date, when money was put into trust for you,

things of that nature.

-[Elizabeth] Well, dark assuming to change all that.

- How do you mean?

- Well, don't I have to use you as a kind of confessional?

Tell you intimate details I wouldn't even tell

my parents?

- It is sometimes necessary to delve a little.

- The law requires it.

Alright, let's get it over with.

-[Mr. Dillon] Well, first we have to find grounds.

Since I take it that you're to be the petitioner.

- I am sorry, I don't understand.

- It's you who wish to terminate the marriage?

- Oh, yes, I think so, if that is allowed.

- It is in certain circumstances.

It may be necessary to discuss matters with your husband.

-[Elizabeth] He's in Shropshire visiting an aunt.

- Has he deserted you?

- In favor of his aunt, no. [laughs]

I'm sorry.

I think I've deserted him.

- A woman can divorce her husband only on the grounds

of adultery, coupled with desertion,

or adultery coupled with cruelty.

- You mean we choose one of those?

- In effect, we decide on the relevant cause.

- Well, neither of those is relevant.

What else have we got?

- Well, there is of course the possibility of an

annulment.

Grounds for which are, for example,

impotence on the part of the husband.

Might that be relevant?

Think carefully, Elizabeth.

- Well, what exactly is impotence, legally speaking?

- Thank you, Hudson.

- Sir.

- Is Sir Geoffrey Dillon here?

- He's in the morning room, sir, with Mrs. Kirbridge.

- Thank you.

- They've been alone in conference together

for some while now, sir.

Her Ladyship is up in her room, awaiting the outcome.

- Thank you, Hudson.

- Sir.

- You're saying, Elizabeth, that sexual intercourse

has never taken place between you and your husband?

You do understand the legal definition.

- Yes.

- You've encouraged him, you've shown yourself willing,

but ...

- He seems to find the act repugnant.

That's what he says.

But how can he?

I'm not repugnant to him.

Not in my normal daily life, but ...

When I lie beside him in bed, and I reach out for him,

he doesn't seem ... [cries]

- Do you know if he's ever had a satisfactory relationship

with a woman?

I realize you may not be able to ...

- There was someone, yes.

-[Mr. Dillon] An intimate relationship?

- I always thought so.

- But now you're not sure.

- No.

- Well, I think we may have the grounds.

- You mean that's all we need?

- It should be.

A simple medical inspection.

- Medical inspection, of whom?

- Of both of you.

I'll speak to your mother, it needn't concern you.

- But it does concern me, I'm to be examined.

- Don't be alarmed my dear, it's a formality.

Now, shall we call your mother?

- Oh Rose, is Sir Geoffrey Dillon still in the morning room?

- Yes, he's finished with Mrs. Kirbridge on her own,

and now I just think he'll fetch

Lady Marjorie and Mr. Bellamy.

- Ah, I have no doubt a satisfactory conclusion

is being reached.

- Oh, what would you call a satisfactory conclusion?

- An annulment, of course.

- Does that mean them splitting up?

- The marriage is failed, Rose.

- How would you know, you don't even work there.

- Rose.

- Too many blinkin' people givin' too many

uninformed opinions.

- Rose, you're forgetting yourself.

- Am I?

- If I may give you a little advice, my girl,

forget him.

- Forget who?

- Oh, come on now, Rose, you can't fool me.

I know you too well.

You've got yourself emotionally involved with someone.

It's unfortunate but hardly surprising.

Proximity is next to familiarity.

But you're a sensible girl, Rose.

It may be painful, but it's simply a question of attitude,

of stealing yourself and seeking diversions.

Perhaps you could take up a hobby?

- I don't know what you're talking about, Mr. Hudson.

- Well if nobody wants me anymore, I think I'll go

and do my Christmas shopping.

[door shuts]

- Well, how was it, Geoffrey?

- I do hope she was sensible.

- Oh yes, we've discovered the cause of the problem.

- Which is?

- Quite simply, the marriage is unconsummated.

- What?

-[Mr. Dillon] It's Lawrence who's the unwilling party,

not Elizabeth.

- Lawrence?

- Good God.

Well, what's the matter with the fellow?

- Poor child.

- We shouldn't have too much difficulty in arranging

an annulment.

But we do need proof of virginity.

Either your own doctor, or if she'd prefer,

a more impersonal but sympathetic figure?

May I suggest my friend Sir William Manning,

recently appointed to the Royal household?

[door opens]

- Oh, it's you.

- What do you mean, chap?

Just hanging some of your suits up, sir.

Shall I switch your light on?

- No!

She's gone, then.

- Mrs. Kirbridge has gone to stay with her parents, sir,

in Eaton Place.

- I know where they live.

Thank you.

Is Rose gone too?

-[Mr. Watkins] Yes, sir.

- And Mrs. Fellows?

-[Mr. Watkins] Gone to stay with her married daughter, sir.

Awaiting instructions.

I can recall her.

- No, don't do that.

It's just you, then.

- That's right, sir, just me.

Will you be staying the night here, sir?

- Yes.

But I shan't be getting to bed just yet.

Do you want some champagne?

- Ah, no thank you sir.

-[Lawrence] Why not?

- Well, if you insist.

-[Lawrence] No, I don't insist.

Have some if you want some, don't if you don't.

Well?

- Oh, I'd say it's not unpleasant.

- It damn well shouldn't be unpleasant, Thomas.

A present from my aunt, and she knows about these things.

[sighs] Well, what's the news from Eaton Place?

Am I persona non grata?

- Why, I don't think anything quite as drastic as that, sir.

- What are they saying in the servants' quarters?

- Oh I wouldn't have thought the opinions of servants

held much interest for someone like yourself, sir.

- Yeah, well, you're quite right, Thomas,

you're absolutely right.

Who cares about the opinions of servants?

- I trust your aunt has not been taken sick, sir?

-[Lawrence] Taken sick, why should she?

- Necessitating your unexpected return.

- Necessitating, [laughs]

Oh Thomas, you are getting pedantic.

Who taught you to speak like that, aye, Hudson?

The Scotsman?

Only servile servants talk like that.

You're not one of them.

- Am I not, sir?

- You know you're not.

- Why have you come back then, sir?

- Ah!

That's better.

Because I was feeling wretched.

And I missed my wife's company, do you believe that?

- Yes, sir.

- Then you're a fool!

I returned for an assignation with another lady,

which requires your utmost discretion.

Would you believe that?

- No, sir.

- No sir, why not, say?

- Because ...

- Because you think I'm homosexual!

- No, sir.

I th-, I think ...

- What, hm?

Come on man, what'd you think?

- I, I think you're a romantic, sir.

- A romantic, what in heaven's name do you know about

romantics?

- I, I read books, sir.

- Yes, well,

Thomas, yes, you're right.

I am a romantic.

I can love a woman, I love my wife, but,

but not the way she wants.

Not here!

Oh sit down man, for God's sakes, sit down!

That's better.

Thomas,

Thomas, do you like taking ladies to bed?

Huh, do ya?

Do you enjoy the sexual act?

- Well, eh,

yes I have to admit I do,

I do fancy it, sir.

- You do fancy it.

- Yes well I'm only normal, and ...

- Normal?

Thomas, will you stay with me?

- I beg your pardon.

- Will you stay with me, as my man?

Well, that's surely your decision, sir.

I mean after all, I'm still in your employ.

- But my wife engaged you.

- Yes, uh, for you, sir.

- That's true.

That's very true.

And you haven't taken sides.

- One tries to keep a proper balance.

- You can't do that, Thomas, either you're with me,

of you're against me, now choose!

- Choose?

-[Lawrence] Choose now.

- Well, in that case, naturally, I am with you, sir.

- Do you mean that sincerely, you wouldn't betray me?

- Oh no, not at all, sir.

- Thomas, would you be going to Eaton Place

in the near future?

-[ Mr. Watkins] Well, I could do, sir,

Why, would you like me to take a message?

- Yes, that wouldn't be a bad idea.

You tell my wife ...

-[Mr. Watkins] Ah, well it might be best if I got Rose

to tell it, heh?

- Uh, yes, all right.

Alright, well you tell Rose to tell Mrs. Kirbridge ...

Um,

Well, tell her to say ...

Uh,

Thomas, would you think of something for me?

Please?

- Hemorrhoids, my dear Dillon.

They, and they alone won the Battle of Waterloo.

It's a common medical fact.

- Whose hemorrhoids, Sir William?

- Oh Napoleon's dear lady.

They gave him merry hell on the morning of June the 18th

and caused him to make a late start.

- Coffee talk, William, the British were ready for him

whatever time he got up.

- The British weren't ready for anything!

Wellington was entirely dependent on his allies.

- Quite clearly you're a Francophile, Sir William.

- Doesn't enter into it, my dear fellow,

I'm interested in the relative merit of the

two commanders, that's all.

And I'm trying to tell old Dillon here that

his hero Wellington was safe as houses and

done as ditchwater.

Whereas the emperor had flair.

Meet them at the center, that was his tactic.

- Barbarously unsettled.

[laughter]

- How many soldiers have you in your collection,

Sir William?

- In my collection, of flat models only, 14,926.

- Good gracious.

-[Sir William] Is the child ready?

- Not quite, sir, she apologizes for keeping you waiting.

- I'm in no hurry.

- Mrs. Bridges,

Has Mr. Hudson said anything about me?

- Not that I know of, Thomas.

- I tell you why I asked.

The other night, when I was here,

I helped out with the dishes, do you remember?

- I certainly do remember,

and a very great help you were too.

- Well, we had a bit of a misunderstanding,

Mr. Hudson and I.

- Oh?

- Yes I was through there, talking to Rose, you see,

and he got the imp-,

- Hello Thomas, What are you doing here?

- Well I've come to see you, Rose.

- Oh I haven't got time.

I'm busy getting Miss Elizabeth ready for the doctor.

You haven't seen Miss Roberts, have you,

and her boiled curling tongs?

- The doctor?

- Hmm, hasn't she told you?

- No.

- I don't tittle tattle, Rose, you know me.

- Probably haven't got around to it, yet.

- Rose.

They're gonna be divorced, then.

- Looks like it.

- Has anybody said what's gonna happen to us?

- There'll always be a place for Rose

in the Southwold family, Mr. Watkins.

What's your business here?

- Well, I've come with a message from Mr. Kirbridge

to Mrs. Kirbridge, via Rose.

- And what is the message?

- Ah, well, it's private.

[bell rings]

- I don't believe a word.

- Absolute truth, I assure you.

[laughter]

-[Mr. Hudson] Mrs. Kirbridge is ready, my lady.

- Thank you, Hudson.

Would you show Sir William up to her room?

-[Mr. Hudson] Very good, my lady.

If you'll follow me, Sir William.

- Certainly.

Excuse me.

Thank you.

Thank you!

- What a nice man.

- He'd ha' made a rotten general.

- [laughs]

[knock on door]

- Come in.

- Good morning, my dear.

- Oh, Hudson.

- My lady?

- I wanted to have a word with you.

Hudson, you must be aware of what's happening.

Miss Elizabeth's marriage has not been a success

for various reasons.

- A source of great sadness, my lady.

- Yes, however, we must be practical.

- Indeed.

- As the marriage is to be dissolved, the house

at Greenwich will have to be sold, and the staff

there disbanded.

Mrs. Fellows will be given a month's notice.

Rose, of course, will return to us.

- That will leave Mr. And Mrs. Kirbridge's manservant,

my lady, Thomas.

- Yes, and I've decided to ask him to come to us

as a chauffeur.

He struck me as a young man of resource,

and he does know about motorcars.

- But Pierce, my lady.

- Well Pierce has already spoken to Mr. Bellamy

about leaving us to go back to Lady Wonbraugh,

as head groom.

You know as well as I do, Hudson, that Pierce has

never really taken to the motorcar.

And we do need a good chauffeur.

- Eh, quite.

If I may be so bold, my lady,

I can not bring myself to recommend Thomas.

- Oh, really?

- I agree, he's a young man of resource, and

familiar with motorcars, but,

I have grave doubts as to his model character.

Forgive me for speaking so freely, my lady.

- Oh, please go on, Hudson.

Has he done something particular to make you feel this?

- To be precise, he has trifled with Rose's affections.

- Has she herself told you so?

- She no need to my lady.

I inadvertently witnessed a scene in the servants' hall

in which young Thomas, quite brutally in my opinion,

reduced the poor girl to tears.

- I see.

- I have spoken with her.

Oh she's a sensible girl, I'm sure she'll soon recover.

But not with Thomas on the premises, my lady.

- No, well, thank you, Hudson.

I'll have to think again.

-[Mr. Hudson] My lady.

- Feet off the table in this house,

if you don't mind, Mr. Watkins.

Put that thing out.

Why are you still here?

You've delivered your message.

- I'm just waiting for the answer, Mr. Hudson.

-[Mr. Bellamy] Ah, Sir William.

-[Mr. Dillon] All to our satisfaction, I hope?

- There's nothing wrong, is there?

- No, dear lady, her health is excellent.

Considering her condition.

- Her condition?

- Yes, I'm afraid we've been outgunned,

outflanked, and outmaneuvered on all sides.

Our virgin bride is three months pregnant.

[knock on door]

- Come in.

Close the door.

Sit down.

Elizabeth, I always thought we had a special understanding

of affection and trust.

It seems I was sadly mistaken.

- Why?

- But that's obvious, isn't it?

When we spoke the other evening, you led me to believe

the failure of your marriage lay with Lawrence.

- I hope I didn't ...

- When Sir Geoffrey questioned you,

you told him a deliberate lie.

You said the marriage had not been consummated.

- That's true, it hadn't.

- Are you saying that Lawrence is not the father

of the child you're carrying?

- Yes.

- Then who in God's name is?

- It's not important.

- But of course it's important, are you mad?

Who is he?

- A friend of ours.

- I'm sorry, Elizabeth, I may seem simple.

But are you saying within six months of you marriage,

you took a friend, a mutual friend of both of you,

to your bed?

- Yes.

- Then quite clearly, I don't know you at all.

- Come on, father, it's not so awful.

I have no doubt it was done in your day, too.

Lawrence knew about it.

- He what?

- Of course he did.

He couldn't please me himself in that direction,

so he delegated the task.

- My God, with whom?

When I find the young scoundrel, I'll thrash him.

- He's not a young scoundrel, and you won't thrash him.

He's as eminent is his own field as you are.

And about your age.

It was all done with decorum and taste.

- What's his name?

- Must you really know?

- Yes, tell me.

- His name is Sir Edwin Partridge.

He's Lawrence's publisher.

I wouldn't go and see him if I were you.

He's capable of causing a dreadful scandal.

- You've realized what you've done, don't you?

You've made it impossible for us to get your marriage

annulled.

- Well, not on the grounds we discussed, obviously.

- On any grounds, your mockery of a marriage must go on.

You must face the world as the proud parents of a bastard.

- Baby Partridge.

- Don't make cheap jokes, Elizabeth.

Already you've disgraced yourself and your mother.

You know very well how these things get about.

Do you want to make us the laughing stock of society?

- That's your real concern, isn't it?

Your precious name.

In all this mess, you can't actually bring yourself

to think of me,

how I might feel, can you?

You can't see my humiliation!

To be told I'm pregnant after telling Sir Geoffrey my,

my husband hadn't even made love to me.

Dear God!

You feel wronged.

You talk of affection and trust lost between us,

what about me?

Where's your affection for me when I most need it?

Well, at least we know where we both stand,

how we really feel about each other.

At least I can make plans now.

-[Lady Marjorie] Elizabeth.

- And you can make your plans.

Do what you like.

I don't care.

- Richard, what on Earth has happened between you?

- What will you do, then, Rose, if Miss Elizabeth

stays on here like she says she's going to?

Must sort out your position, won't you?

- Yes, I've been thinking about that, Mrs. Bridges.

- Well, there's not room in this house for two lady's maids.

- You might not have to worry about that, Miss Roberts.

I might not be Miss Elizabeth's lady's maid

much longer.

- What do you mean, my girl?

- We haven't been getting on too well.

She said some very unkind things about me.

- Oh, come on now, Rose, you're imagining things.

Miss Elizabeth unkind to you?

You're just upset because of that other matter.

- What other matter?

- You know what I mean.

- Well, don't keep us in suspense, Mr. Hudson,

what is it?

- Well, concerning a certain Mr. Watkins.

- Oh, what about him?

- I'm sure Rose doesn't want her private affairs

aired in public.

Suffice it to say that Mr. Watkins will not be in the

running for the post of chauffeur here,

when Mr. Pierce gives up.

- Why not?

What have you been up to?

If he's not required in Greenwich,

he ought to come and work here, it's only natural.

- It is not natural, Mrs. Bridges, and Rose knows why.

- I don't, Mr. Hudson.

- That young man has been playing fast and loose with

our Rose's affections.

- Dear, how do you know who he's been playing

fast and loose with?

- Was I not witness to an upset in this very room

the other night, Rose, when he made you cry?

- Oh, that wasn't him, Mr. Hudson.

I was crying about Miss Elizabeth and the unkind

things she said about me.

Wasn't Thomas.

He was trying to comfort me.

He was being nice.

- There, now see what you've done.

- Are you sure, Rose?

- Of course I'm sure.

- So he can be chauffeur here, now, if he wants to.

You got things a bit mixed up, Mr. Hudson.

You've done that young man an injustice.

And if you have any human decency,

which we all know you have,

you'll put what you've done to right.

[knock on door]

- Come in.

[door opens and shuts]

-[Lady Marjorie] Darling.

- If you've come to be angry, then ...

- No, I haven't.

Your father's sorry.

It was the heat of the moment,

try and see it from his point of view.

As for you and me,

I know we haven't always seen eye to eye.

It's funny, James behaved just as ...

- Badly.

- Well unfortunately, shall we say?

Somehow it's easier to forgive one's son.

It's not fair, is it?

I was upset at first, because it seemed you'd given in

too easily, I realize that was wrong of me.

Your father helped me see that.

And now of course that I know what you've really suffered,

I just ...

Oh my darling.

- [crying]

- We'll find a way out.

We'll do everything I can, I promise you.

Shh, it's all right.

[door opens]

-[Elizabeth] Good morning, Sir Geoffrey.

-[Mr. Dillon] Good morning, Mrs. Kirbridge.

- I'm sorry if I embarrassed you yesterday, but you see,

I didn't realize what the medical examination

was for, exactly.

- Clearly.

[bell rings]

Oh that should be Lawrence now.

- Lawrence? Coming here?

- Thank you, Hudson.

Are the vultures assembled?

- Her Ladyship and Mr. Bellamy are in the morning room, sir,

with Sir Geoffrey Dillon, the family solicitor.

- And the queen predator, my wife?

- Mrs. Kirbridge is also with them, sir.

- Right.

Darling, what wonderful news.

Sir Geoffrey telephoned me this morning.

Isn't it wonderful?

I am to be a father, and you are to be grandparents.

Are we gathered for a celebration?

- It's no use, Lawrence, I've told them everything.

- Everything?

Well, surely not everything, my sweet.

- Everything that's relevant.

- Relevant to what, sir?

- Lawrence, we know you're not the father

of Elizabeth's child.

We also know from Elizabeth the reason why.

Now, let me say it once, we feel no personal animosity

towards you, these things happen,

nature can not be overruled.

-[Lady Marjorie] Please believe that, Lawrence.

-[Mr. Bellamy] We've simply asked you here to decide

what's best to do, for all our sakes.

- Yes, [coughs] I see, well, I ...

- Mr. Kirbridge, for obvious reasons, you must agree to

accept official paternity of the child.

- For obvious reasons?

- Well, you'd hardly want the rather sordid facts

of the case to be widely known.

- Are they so sordid?

I mean, wouldn't it be more sordid to suppress the facts?

To live a lie?

And what do we tell the child?

Do we keep it always from the truth?

I think Elizabeth and I resolved our own particular

difficulties in a mature and sensible way.

Who knows, we may even set a fashion.

- Lawrence, neither Sir Geoffrey nor I have time to

listen to your flippant modish theories.

Now, just give us a straight answer.

Will you or will you not accept paternity?

-[Lawrence] And if I do?

- The marriage will continue in name, for the time being.

Later, we can arrange a judicial separation

on some other grounds.

- Oh yes, that's neat, very neat.

And what do we do in the meantime, go back to Greenwich

and take separate rooms?

Or am I to be packed off to foreign parts, like

a poor unfortunate bugger?

- A trip abroad might be a good plan, with all

expenses paid and some form of allowance to follow.

- Returning when, in six months, in time for the

birth celebrations?

- We are thinking of your best interests too, Lawrence.

- Yes, thank you Lady Marjorie.

- Well?

- Well, we haven't asked what Elizabeth wants yet.

- I can't live with you, Lawrence.

I'm sorry.

- May I have a word with my wife in private, please?

- I can't see what that privilege ...

- You will accord me that privilege at least, sir.

-[Lady Marjorie] There's a fire in the dining room,

if you want to talk privately.

- In the dining room, it is.

Come along, Elizabeth.

- Assuming it all goes according to plan,

those are the figures I'd suggest.

[door opens]

-[Mr. Hudson] If I might have a word with you, my lady.

- Yes, yes, Hudson.

Yes, what is it, Hudson?

- It's about Thomas, my lady, you may remember ...

- Oh yes, you expressed doubts about him.

- Well, it seems I was misled, my lady.

- Will you go abroad?

- Well I suppose I must, since Southwold money is

to provide my steamship ticket.

Not to mention my future bread and butter.

- You'll be happier than you were at Greenwich.

- Greenwich?

Oh yeah.

Since I can't write poetry anymore, I've been taken to

flippant epitaphs.

Was one for the plaque on our house.

"Lawrence Kirbridge lived here in married state,

"from 1908 to 1908."

What do we tell my publisher?

Oh, God, I loved you.

- Congratulations, my dear boy.

You'll like it here, I know you will.

Oh, sure I will, Mrs. Bridges.

- Yes, we're all very friendly here.

- I think Mr. Hudson ought to make a public apology to you.

- Oh, no, no, it's all over now, Mrs. B.

- You'll be able to get your hands on that reno,

now, Thomas. [laughs]

- Aye, I'll be called Watkins now I'm a proper chauffeur.

- Ooh!

You'll be askin' them for a Rolls Royce to drive next.

- Aye, well it's not a bad idea, neither!

[laughter]

- Thomas, you're wanted upstairs.

- I am?

What for?

- You better come and find out, haven't you?

- But you can't take him, dammit, he's mine!

I won't allow it.

My God, you've stripped me of everything else,

and now you want to take my man?

- Darling, don't be hysterical.

- Hysterical, my God, you ...

Thomas, thank God you're here.

They're trying to take you from me, but I told them that

they can't, now he's pledged himself to me!

- Lawrence, do stop using such emotional words,

and let's discuss the matter calmly.

Come in, Thomas.

Alright, thank you, Hudson.

Now Thomas, has Hudson spoken to you about

coming to work for us?

- Yes, ma'am, he has.

- But you haven't accepted.

Now, Thomas, we agreed.

- Agreed, sir?

- Thomas, listen, I should be going abroad soon,

possibly for a long time.

Now, I can take you with me, show you the world.

Isn't that what you wanted, to give yourself more scope,

isn't that what you once told me, hmm?

Listen, Thomas, what good will it do you to stay here, huh?

Where will that get you?

Do you want to end up like Hudson?

For God's sake, man, I am offering you life and hope!

Well?

- Well I, I'm very grateful for your offer, sir.

That's, that's very tempting, but ...

- But?

Yes, but what?

- Well, it's always been an ambition of mine

to work in a noble household, sir.

- You choose civility?

- No, sir, I don't choose it.

- Go to the devil, Thomas.

- I've been very happy working with ...

- Go and roast in hell flames!

I don't want sight nor sound of you again!

[door slams]

- Thank you Thomas, that'll be all.

- For me, Miss Lizzie?

- Yes, Rose, an early Christmas present.

- No, no, I couldn't.

- Please, now, no arguments.

I've been horrid to you these last few weeks,

and I want to make it up.

- Thank you, Miss Lizzie.

- I'm going to sleep now, I'm exhausted.

- Good night, Miss Lizzie.

-[Elizabeth] Good night.

[door closes]

[children singing Christmas carols outside]

♪ The first Noel the angels did say

♪ Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay

- Oh, it's beautiful, Rose.

You are a lucky girl.

- You'll have to look out that it's not pinched.

- Who gave you that, not Mr. Watkins?

- No, that creature couldn't afford a thing like that.

- Mrs. Kirbridge gave it to me.

- Oh, so you've made it up then Rose, have ye?

Glad to hear it.

-[Miss Roberts] Well, we'll be able to stop

thinking of her as Mrs. Kirbridge now.

-[Mrs. Bridges] I never have thought of her

as anything but Miss Elizabeth.

- Oh those wretched carol singers again,

we gave them some ha'pennies last night.

[children singing Christmas carols outside]

♪ Noel Noel

♪ Born is the king of Israel

Any room at the inn?

[upbeat orchestra music]