Original subtitles

Ms. Testvalley's voice: IT ALL BEGAN WHEN I TOOK UP MY POST

AS THE ST. GEORGE FAMILY GOVERNESS

IN NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND IN 1873.

( classical music playing )

THE PHILANDERING LORD RICHARD

FOUND THE BRAZILIAN BEAUTY CONCHITA CLOSSON BEWITCHING,

AND PROMPTLY MARRIED HER, ONLY TO DISCOVER

SHE WAS NOT THE HEIRESS HE ASSUMED.

IT OCCURRED TO ME THAT MY OWN YOUNG CHARGE,

ANNABEL ST. GEORGE, AND HER SISTER VIRGINIA

MIGHT BENEFIT FROM AN ENGLISH SEASON.

AND I DECIDED TO INTRODUCE THEM TO LORD RICHARD'S FAMILY.

MISS ST. GEORGE...

I SHOULD NEVER HAVE TAKEN YOU FOR AN AMERICAN.

SURELY IN LORD SEADOWN'S CASE THAT WOULD BE ONLY TOO EASY.

YOU'RE FORGETTING THIS RETCHED ENTANGLEMENT OF HIS WITH IDINA HATTON.

MY LOVE...

I AM OLDER AND WISER THAN YOU

AND I KNOW NOTHING OF THE KIND.

Ms. Testvalley's voice: ANNABEL, MY OWN SPECIAL FAVORITE,

FELL IN LOVE WITH GUY THWAITE AT FIRST SIGHT.

ENGLAND'S MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELOR,

BUT FOR HIS LOST INHERITANCE.

WITH THE HELP OF MY AMERICAN FRIEND JACKIE MARCH,

WE INSTALLED OURSELVES IN IDINA'S IDYLLIC RUNNYMEAD COTTAGE,

WHERE A SURPRISE VISIT FROM THE VIVACIOUS LIZZY ELMSWORTH,

VIRGINIA'S ARCH RIVAL,

MADE MY LITTLE BAND COMPLETE.

OH, WELL, ANOTHER BUCCANEER.

Lizzy: WHAT?

OH, THAT'S WHAT MISS MARCH CALLS YOU--

- THE BUCCANEERS. - THE BUCCANEERS?

- YES. - WHY?

BECAUSE SHE SAYS, THE ENGLISH INVADED AMERICA,

- NOW IT'S YOUR TURN. - DON'T YOU JUST LOVE IT?!

CHEERS TO YOU.

( girls laughing )

( chattering )

( laughter )

( Lizzy squeals )

LET ME HELP YOU, LIZZY.

- A GIRL CAN JUMP, YOU KNOW. - I'M SURE YOU CAN.

DON'T FORGET THE CHAMPAGNE, MILES.

DARLING, I'M AFRAID YOU CAN'T LAND SEADOWN.

I'M SORRY I EVER MENTIONED IT TO YOU,

BUT THAT BOY CAN'T BE SERIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING.

Virginia: DON'T WORRY, I DON'T WANT HIM.

HE HAS FAR TOO HIGH OF OPINION OF HIMSELF.

YOU'RE A TERRIBLE LIAR!

YOU RATHER LIKE HIM, DON'T YOU?

IT'S ONLY BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU CAN'T HAVE HIM.

DID YOU SEE HOW YOUNG MILES COLORED UP

WHEN I ASKED HIM TO COME BACK TO THE HOUSE?

I KNOW HE HAS NO MONEY, BUT...

HE'S RATHER A POPPET, DON'T YOU THINK?

( laughs )

Ms. Testvalley: LORD SEADOWN IS HERE.

YOU'RE NOT SURPRISED, ARE YOU?

NO, NOT AT ALL.

ONLY, IDINA FORBADE HIM TO COME HERE.

HMM.

BUT ISN'T FORBIDDEN FRUIT ALWAYS THE SWEETEST?

( distant laughing )

LIZZY ELMSWORTH IS VERY STYLISH, ISN'T SHE?

HAS IT OCCURRED TO YOU THAT SHE MIGHT BE MORE TO LORD SEADOWN'S TASTE?

VIRGINIA, AFTER ALL, MIGHT AIM SOMEWHAT HIGHER.

All: ONE, TWO, THREE...

FOUR, FIVE, SIX...

SEVEN, EIGHT, NINE, TEN!

( screaming, laughing )

YOUR GRACE, I'M SO GLAD YOU COULD COME.

SEADOWN IS HERE--

( screaming )

OH, AND DO YOU KNOW HECTOR ROBINSON?

OH, YOUR GRACE.

OH, CERTAINLY, LADY RICHARD.

MR. ROBINSON...

YOU ARE THE MAN WITH THE BUTTON, ARE YOU NOT?

THAT IS SO, YOUR GRACE.

WELL, PERHAPS YOU COULD EXPLAIN TO ME.

YOU SEE, I CERTAINLY CAN'T MAKE ANY SENSE OF IT.

WHAT EXACTLY IS A TORY DEMOCRAT?

AH-HA. HE IS A DEMOCRAT, YOUR GRACE,

BECAUSE HE BELIEVES IN THE WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE,

AND A TORY, BECAUSE HE KNOWS

THE ESTABLISHED INSTITUTIONS OF THE COUNTRY

AND THE BEST MEANS BY WHICH TO ACHIEVE IT.

OPPORTUNISM AND HYPOCRISY, MR. ROBINSON,

THAT'S ALL THAT IS.

Man: COME ON, COME ON...

WELL-- WELL...

I'VE JUST GOT TO...

I'VE JUST...

( laughing )

Man: COME ON, COME ON, PUT HER THERE.

FOLLOW ME, COME ON. COME ON.

( laughs )

YOUR GRACE.

I DO APOLOGIZE.

THIS MUST LOOK VERY SILLY.

I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US. IT'S GREAT FUN.

Man: COME ON, GET A DRINK.

THE RULES ARE, IF I PAWN YOU...

BLINDFOLD JULIUS.

YES, VERY GOOD.

PLEASE, EVERYONE MUST EXCUSE ME. THANK YOU.

BUT YOUR GRACE, YOU'RE MISSING ALL THE FUN, REALLY!

OH, THAT'S A SHAME.

- WELL, WHO'S NEXT THEN? - MILES, COME ON.

( overlapping dialogue )

( clock gear winding )

( clock ticking )

IT'S NOT A QUESTION OF BECOMING A RECLUSE, MOTHER.

I SIMPLY DO NOT ENJOY THE SENSATION OF BEING HUNTED FOR MY TITLE.

YES, DEAR, SO YOU HAVE ALWAYS SAID.

ALWAYS?

SINCE YOU WERE OF AN AGE.

THE FIRST WORDS YOU EVER SPOKE

WERE "TICK-TOCK."

IS THAT SO?

OR IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN "CLIP-CLOP."

I DOUBT IT-- I'VE ALWAYS LIKED CLOCKS RATHER MORE THAN HORSES.

I DO SOMETIMES FEEL, JULIUS, THAT YOU HAVE LIKED CLOCKS MORE THAN ANYTHING.

MY DEAR, I AM SURE

THAT NO ONE ON MY GUEST LIST

IS HUNTING YOU DOWN FOR YOUR TITLE.

MUST YOU GO?

YOU SPEND FAR TOO MUCH TIME ALONE

IN THAT GLOOMY OLD PLACE AS IT IS.

AH, IT'S OUR ANCESTRAL PAST.

( clocks chiming )

NO...

I SHALL GO DOWN TO TREVENICK TOMORROW.

I HAVE THE PLANS TO GO OVER WITH CARTWRIGHT.

I WILL NOT BE HUNTED.

NAN, PLEASE STOP FIDGETING.

VAL, YOU KNOW WHAT THE TROUBLE WITH GINNY IS,

IS THAT ALL SHE'S INTERESTED IN IS THE RIGHT PEOPLE.

AND THE CLOTHES THEY WEAR, AND THE CARRIAGES THEY DRIVE,

AND THEN THE PEOPLE THEY KNOW, AND THE CLOTHES THEY WEAR.

- WELL... - AND THE CARRIAGE--

AND WHAT ARE YOU INTERESTED IN?

I DON'T KNOW.

THE PAST,

BUILDINGS MOSTLY.

HOUSES, YEAH...

I LOVE TO SEE HOUSES SO ANCIENT

AND SO LOVELY THAT PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THEM,

THEY HAVE THEM IN THEIR BONES.

THAT'S AN ODD EXPRESSION.

DID YOU FIND IT IN A BOOK?

NO. IF YOU REALLY MUST KNOW,

GUY THWAITE SAID IT ABOUT HONORSLOVE.

I HAVE A LITTLE PLAN.

I THINK WE MIGHT GO AWAY FOR AWHILE.

- WE? - YES, JUST YOU AND ME.

I KNOW A LITTLE PLACE IN CORNWALL

WHERE WE CAN GO SEABATHING AND LIVE LIKE GYPSIES.

OH, VAL!

I SHOULD LOVE THAT.

GOOD. THEN I SHALL ARRANGE IT.

( insect buzzing )

( bird calling )

VAL!

- HERE! - NAN!

- IT'S GLORIOUS! - GOOD!

- NAN, BE CAREFUL! - I WILL!

( seagulls squawking )

( loose rocks striking ground )

I'M SO SORRY.

- DIDN'T MEAN TO STARTLE YOU. - YOU DIDN'T.

I DIDN'T REALIZE THERE WAS ANYONE HERE.

WELL, I DON'T WISH TO DISTURB YOU.

IT'S ALL RIGHT.

THE PLACE DOESN'T BELONG TO ME, YOU KNOW.

INDEED.

( chuckles )

( duck quacking )

I'VE SEEN YOU SOMEPLACE BEFORE.

YES, I-- RUNNYMEAD.

( laughs ) I'M NAN ST. GEORGE.

AND YOU ARE...

I KNOW, UM...

MR. ROBINSON.

OH, DEAR...

I CAN SEE YOU'RE NOT MR. ROBINSON.

I'M SO SORRY, IT'S HATEFUL TO BE TAKEN FOR SOMEONE ELSE,

ESPECIALLY MR. ROBINSON.

( both laughing )

I'M SORRY.

WELL...

( both yelling out )

( Annabelle laughing )

( Annabelle screaming )

- ( laughing ) - Julius: OH!

NO, I NEVER WOULD HAVE GUESSED YOU WERE ONE OF THOSE RUSTLING YOUNG WOMEN AT RUNNYMEAD.

- THEY'RE ALWAYS SO NOISY. - THEY ARE RATHER.

I CAN ONLY TAKE SO MUCH OF THAT SORT OF THING--

APPLE PIE, BILLARDS, MURDER AND PILLOW FIGHTS.

AND THEY ALL DRINK AND SMOKE SO MUCH.

OH, BUT THIS,

THIS IS GLORIOUS.

DIDN'T YOU SAY THE WOMEN SMOKE?

CERTAINLY THEY DO, ALL OF THEM,

LIKE FOREST FIRES.

- I SMOKE LIKE A FOREST FIRE. - DO YOU?

( laughs )

- I'M SURE IT'S BAD FOR YOU. - DO YOU THINK?

YES.

Ms. Testvalley: ANNABEL!

OH, THAT'S MY GOVERNESS.

I REALLY MUST GO.

- WILL SHE BE ANGRY? - DREADFULLY.

- MAY I SEE YOU BACK? - IF YOU LIKE.

WALK ME TO THE TOP.

( laughing )

NAN, HOW MANY TIMES MUST I TELL YOU,

NOT TO TALK TO STRANGERS.

HE'S NOT A STRANGER. HE'S BEEN TO RUNNYMEAD,

AND HE SAYS HE LIVES SOMEWHERE AROUND HERE.

THERE HE IS, STILL.

GOOD GRACIOUS, THAT'S THE DUKE OF TREVENICK.

- NO! - YES, OF COURSE IT IS.

WELL, OF COURSE-- THIS IS ALL TREVENICK LAND.

- NAN, DON'T STARE. - HE SEEMS SUCH A CHILD.

LET'S HOPE HE THOUGHT NO WORSE OF YOU.

HE THOUGHT I WAS WONDERFUL.

AND HE'S SENDING HIS FLYOVER TOMORROW AT 4:00

TO TAKE US BOTH TO TEA. ( giggles )

DID YOU INVESTIGATE CONNIE'S FINANCES AT ALL, DICK?

BEFORE YOUR ENGAGEMENT, I MEAN.

I WAS IN LOVE WITH CONNIE.

SHE'S PREGNANT, BY THE WAY.

AN IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.

OH, YEAH.

CONNIE AND I DO MEET UP FROM TIME TO TIME.

YOU BETTER GET A MOVE ON.

MAYBE THE NEXT LORD BRIGHTLINGSEA, SHE'S CARRYING.

I'VE HAD BLAIR LOOK INTO THE ELMSWORTHS AND THE ST. GEORGES.

AND...?

THE ELMSWORTHS ARE SO-SO.

BUT COLONEL ST. GEORGE REALLY IS THE THIRD RICHEST MAN ON WALL STREET.

( whistles )

IF A MAN MUST GRUB AROUND TO MAKE A LIVING,

I SUPPOSE ONE DOES PREFER HIM TO DO IT SUCCESSFULLY.

SO, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

I DON'T SEE YOU THRIVING ON MARRIAGE.

BUT THEN, MAYBE THE TRICK IS NOT TO BE IN LOVE WITH ONE'S WIFE.

( chuckles )

Julius: AND THE HAWK LIFTED THE CHILD OUT OF THE CRADLE,

- FLEW IT OUT OF THAT WINDOW. - ( gasps ) NO!

YOU CAN STILL HEAR THE CRIES OF THE DISTRESSED MOTHER CARRIED BY THE WIND.

- REALLY? - YEAH.

YOU KNOW, MY FATHER WAS COMPLETE-- OH, PLEASE.

- THAT ONE, PLEASE. - THIS ONE HERE?

- THANK YOU. - YEAH.

MY FATHER WAS COMPLETELY UNABLE TO FULFILL

ANY OF MY GRANDFATHER'S AMBITIONS HERE.

I'M DETERMINED TO RESTORE TREVENICK TO ITS FORMER GLORY.

OH, WHAT A FINE AMBITION.

- THANK YOU. - MMM.

MY MOTHER DISAPPROVES OF THE RESTORATION PLANS.

SHE FINDS THE WHOLE AREA RATHER GLOOMY.

NO, I THINK IT'S WILD AND GRAND.

YOU KNOW, I PREFER IT TO LIVING IN LONDON ANY DAY.

( chuckles )

YOU CERTAINLY HAVE QUITE AN APPETITE.

YES. ( laughs )

Julius: IN SOME OF THE EARLY FAMILY STORIES,

IT SAID ONE OF MY FORBEARERS MET HIS DEATH FALLING FROM THIS WINDOW.

WHO KNOWS, IT IS A FEARFUL LONG WAY.

( Ms. Testvalley exhales )

THANK YOU SO MUCH, YOUR GRACE,

FOR A MOST ENTERTAINING AFTERNOON.

BUT IT WAS MOST DELIGHTFUL TO MEET YOU BOTH, MS. TESTVALLEY,

MISS ST. GEORGE.

THANK YOU, JULIUS.

YOU'RE GOOD.

WALK ON.

( birds chirping )

( fly buzzes )

Lizzy: CONNIE...

CONNIE, WHO IS THAT?

I THINK IT MUST BE YOUR LANDLADY.

GINNY, YOUR LANDLADY'S HERE.

MILES, YOU'RE HERE.

LADY RICHARD.

YES, AND YOU MUST BE MISS HATTON.

MY TENANTS, I SUPPOSE.

- MISS ST. GEORGE... - HELLO.

- AND MISS ELMSWORTH. - HELLO.

I'M IDINA HATTON, YOUR LANDLADY.

WHAT A BRILLIANT IDEA TO HAVE TEA OUT HERE...

IN THE BREEZE.

LORD PERCY, LIEUTENANT JAMES.

OH, AND LORD SEADOWN...

YOU'RE HERE TOO.

NOW I SEE WHY YOU FORGOT

YOU WERE HAVING LUNCH WITH ME IN TOWN TODAY.

BUT I MUST SAY, YOU CHOSE THE BETTER PART.

LONDON IS A FURNACE.

WELL, AREN'T YOU GOING TO OFFER ME A CIGARETTE?

( lights match )

BUT YOU MUSTN'T LET ME INTERRUPT YOUR PLANS.

I'VE HEARD WHAT AMUSING THINGS GO ON HERE.

I MAY AS WELL CONFESS,

I'M DREADFULLY KEEN TO LEARN YOUR SECRETS.

Conchita: DARLING, SO MANY DELIGHTFUL PEOPLE

ALREADY KNEW THEIR WAY TO THE COTTAGE THAT THERE WAS NOTHING FOR US TO DO

BUT LEAVE THE DOOR UNLATCHED. THERE ARE NO SECRETS HERE.

EXCEPT...

PERHAPS...

BUT YOU MUST REMEMBER THAT THIS IS A SECRET.

ESPECIALLY FROM MAMA ST. GEORGE,

TAKING HER SIESTA UPSTAIRS.

WHAT ABOUT PUTTING THIS TABLE

TO ITS PROPER USE?

( ducks quacking )

AH!

CARDS! HOW JOLLY.

NO WONDER MY POOR LITTLE COTTAGE HAS BECOME SO POPULAR.

- POKER? - OH...

HOW VERY WICKED.

BY ALL MEANS, LET'S PLAY POKER.

SEADOWN, YOU MUST COME TO MY RESCUE.

LEND ME FIVE POUNDS, DARLING.

I HOPE I WON'T LOSE MORE THAN THAT.

AH! OH, HEAVENS, SEADOWN, WHAT WEALTH!

HOW WILL I EVER BE ABLE TO PAY YOU BACK IF I LOSE?

OR EVEN IF I WIN?

AREN'T YOU GOING TO JOIN US?

NO, THANK YOU. I PREFER TO WATCH.

I KNOW YOU DON'T LIKE TO GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY, GINNY.

Lizzy: I DON'T MIND IF I DO.

THANK YOU.

MAYBE WE'LL BE ABLE TO FLEECE ONE OR TWO OF THESE HARDENED GAMBLERS.

AT EASE, IT'S ONLY HECTOR. ( laughs )

( coins rattle )

BASTA.

FIVE.

I'M OUT.

HERE'S FIVE.

AND I'LL RAISE YOU FIVE.

( coins rattle )

I WILL SEE YOUR FIVE.

FULL HOUSE.

THAT'S IT, A STRAIGHT FLUSH!

BAD LUCK, MY DEAR.

OH, LIZZY, YOU LITTLE DEVIL!

IT WAS LUCK, REALLY!

ALL I HAD TO DO WAS PLAY THE CARDS.

CERTAINLY TAUGHT ME A LESSON.

SEADOWN'S LAST COPPER AS WELL AS MY OWN.

YOU'RE TOO CLEVER FOR ME.

SOMEBODY BETTER TAKE MY PLACE.

COME NOW, IDINA, DON'T LOSE HEART.

PARTING WITH MY HEART HAS NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM, CONCHITA.

IT'S THE SHILLINGS AND PENCE I CAN'T AFFORD.

COME, MISS ST. GEORGE, IF MISS HATTON REALLY IS GOING TO DESERT US...

NO, REALLY, GIRLS DON'T PLAY CARDS FOR MONEY IN AMERICA.

NO, I UNDERSTAND THE GAME YOU YOUNG LADIES PLAY--

IT HAS FEWER RISKS AND REQUIRES ONLY TWO PLAYERS.

NOW, I'M SORRY TO BE SUCH A SPOILSPORT,

BUT I REALLY MUST INSIST ON CARRYING SEADOWN OFF.

THE FACT IS, SEADOWN, IT'S ABOUT TIME YOUR HOSTESSES

FOUND OUT YOU DO NOT GO WITH THE HOUSE.

IDINA!

WE MUSTN'T ALLOW THESE YOUNG LADIES TO FEEL

THAT YOUR VISITS ARE MADE ON THEIR ACCOUNT, MUST WE?

EVERYONE KNOWS AMERICAN GIRLS LIKE TO FLIRT.

PERHAPS THEY NEED A LESSON IN GOOD MANNERS.

VIRGINIA, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

DON'T YOU SEE THAT LORD SEADOWN HAS NO RIGHT TO SPEAK UNTIL YOU DO?

WHY DON'T YOU TELL HIM AT ONCE THAT HE HAS YOUR PERMISSION TO ANNOUNCE...

I DON'T KNOW, THAT HE HAS YOUR PERMISSION TO ANNOUNCE YOUR ENGAGEMENT.

( laughing ) SEADOWN...

( ducks quacking )

Seadown: MISS HATTON IS SUCH AN OLD FRIEND OF MINE, VIRGINIA.

I'M SURE SHE WILL BE THE FIRST TO CONGRATULATE ME,

IF ONLY YOU WILL TELL HER THAT SHE MAY.

OH! OH!

WE MIGHT HAVE BETTER STAYED IN NEW YORK, MISS MARCH.

OH, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT ALL MEANS.

IT MEANS, MY DEAR,

THAT VIRGINIA IS GOING TO BE THE FIRST MARCHIONESS OF ENGLAND.

( groans )

OH!

OH!

YOU MEAN THAT LORD SEADOWN

IS GOING TO BE THE "MAR-KEY" OF BRIGHTLINGSEA?

MAR-QUIS. YES, MY DEAR.

OH, THEY HAVE SO MANY NAMES!

I GET THEM ALL MUDDLED.

I THOUGHT THAT LORD PERCY

WAS GOING TO BE THE MARQUIS OF BRIGHTLINGSEA.

NO, MRS. ST. GEORGE.

LORD PERCY IS NOT A BRIGHTLINGSEA,

AND FORTUNATELY IS NOT GOING TO BE THE MARQUIS OF ANYTHING.

BUT... OH, DEAR! OH, DEAR, LOOK AT POOR CONCHITA.

LORD RICHARD, HE DRINKS.

AND RUNS AROUND.

AND, WELL, SHE NEVER SEEMS TO HAVE--

SHE NEVER SEEMS TO HAVE ENOUGH MONEY.

OH, BUT SEADOWN IS THE GOOD SON, MRS. ST. GEORGE.

HE'LL NEVER GIVE VIRGINIA ANY TROUBLE.

OH! OH, MY GOODNESS!

WE MUST SEND A TELEGRAM TO THE COLONEL IMMEDIATELY!

OH, I WANT HIM TO TELL ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE

HE KNOWS IN NEW YORK ALL ABOUT OUR VIRGINIA.

I WANT THEM ALL TO KNOW!

OH, I WANT MRS. PARMORE TO GO

MAD WITH ENVY. ( giggles )

( sighs )

WHOA!

GOOD AFTERNOON, YOUR GRACE.

- ELSE ANYONE ON HAND? - NO, SIR.

THAT IS, YES.

CAN YOU BE SO GOOD AS TO ANNOUNCE ME?

NO, I'M SORRY, I DON'T GIVE A TOSS FOR YOUR REASONS!

I'D HAVE SOONER DIED THAN SELL THE TITIAN.

DAMN YOU, STANDING THERE WITH THAT SUPERIOR LOOK ON YOUR FACE.

YOU WAITED TILL MY BACK WAS TURNED!

RUBBISH!

MR. PLEASANTS HAPPENED TO BE IN THE AREA.

I DON'T BELIEVE A WORD OF IT! YOU EXPECTED ME TO BE WELL OUT OF IT!

- MR. PLEASANTS, SUPPORT ME. - NOT A WORD, MR. PLEASANTS.

YOU EXPECTED ME TO BE IN LONDON, SIR!

AND I CALL THAT COWARDLY AND UNDERHANDED!

IF YOU WOULD ONLY BE QUIET FOR ONE MINUTE!

I WILL BE DAMNED IF I WILL BE QUIET,

ONLY TO HAVE YOU TELL ME A PACK OF LIES!

( bird squawks )

WHATEVER IS THE MATTER, MAMA?

SEADOWN IS TO MARRY AN AMERICAN.

- SEADOWN? - YES.

HE USED TO BE HERE SO OFTEN AT ONE TIME

THAT I HAD HOPED...

LET ME SEE.

Lady Gertrude: YOU KNOW PERFECTLY WELL THAT SEADOWN HAS BEEN

IDINA HATTON'S PROPERTY FOR YEARS.

AND NOBODY'S HAD A CHANCE AGAINST HER.

NOBODY BUT SOME ODIOUS AMERICAN GIRL.

I DARE SAY THE AMERICANS USE MEANS

THAT WELL-BRED ENGLISH GIRLS WOULDN'T STOOP TO.

I WISH I KNEW WHAT THEY WERE.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, I'VE MET MISS ST. GEORGE.

SHE IS WONDERFULLY BEAUTIFUL.

AND I DARE SAY, SHE HAS MONEY.

I CAN NAME SEVERAL ENGLISH GIRLS WHOSE SETTLEMENTS WOULD MATCH

THAT OF ANY LITTLE AMERICAN.

WHY NOT JUST MARRY ME TO A ROTHSCHILD AND HAVE IT DONE?

( door opens )

MR. THWAITE, YOUR GRACE.

GOOD MORNING, DUCHESS. LADY GERTRUDE.

HAVE YOU HAD BREAKFAST?

I HAVE, THANK YOU, YES.

( horse neighs )

I'D LIKE TO APOLOGIZE FOR YESTERDAY.

MATTER OF FACT, I JUST NARROWLY AVOIDED A SIMILAR SCENE.

I COULDN'T HAVE BORN ANOTHER MINUTE UNDER MY MOTHER'S ROOF.

NOR I UNDER MY FATHER'S.

Guy: PLAGUE ON BOTH THEM.

Julius: WHAT SAY YOU WE CALL IN AT RUNNYMEAD, AND GO SEE MISS ST. GEORGE?

THAT'S A SPLENDID IDEA.

THE REASON I COULDN'T SEE YOU THE OTHER DAY, I'VE HAD SOME NEWS.

POOR OLD MR. HORACE IS AS GOOD AS DEAD--

HIS DOCTORS GIVE HIM SIX MONTHS.

NATURALLY, WE'VE AGREED, THE LOCAL MEMBERS AND MYSELF,

TO CALL A BI-ELECTION AT THE FIRST POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITY.

I'M ASKING YOU TO STAND, GUY!

IT'S IMPOSSIBLE.

ISN'T THAT WHAT WE'VE ALWAYS PLANNED?

YES, IT IS.

BUT YOU MUST KNOW, I CAN DO NOTHING FOR MYSELF NOW.

FINANCIALLY, YOU MEAN? I WOULD SEE TO YOUR EXPENSES.

IT'S IMPOSSIBLE, JULIUS.

WELL, YOU MUST AT LEAST EXPLAIN YOURSELF.

MY REASON FOR GOING UP TO LONDON NOW

IS TO TALK TO THE RIALTO COMPANY

ABOUT WORK ON THEIR RAILWAYS IN SOUTH AMERICA.

OH...

I SEE.

WHY SOUTH AMERICA?

I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO SECURE HONORSLOVE.

THERE'S NO OTHER COURSE OPEN TO ME.

SEADOWN FOUND A WAY.

( chuckles ) POOR OLD SEADY.

BITTEN THE BULLET AT LAST.

PRETTY BULLET.

I MET THE YOUNGER MISS ST. GEORGE RECENTLY.

- OH? - BY CHANCE, AT TREVENICK.

I SHOWED HER OVER THE OLD PLACE, SHE SEEMED TO LIKE IT RATHER.

I TOLD MYSELF I'D LOOK FOR AN ENGLISH GIRL EXACTLY LIKE HER.

I'M SURE IF NOT MISTAKING THE COPYING,

I BELIEVE I SPENT RATHER TOO LONG STUDYING THE ORIGINAL.

I SHALL NOT CALL UP RUNNYMEAD WITH YOU.

I'M IN NO MOOD FOR FLIRTING.

BESIDES, SOMEONE IN MY FAMILY HAS TO BE ABLE TO RESIST A PRETTY FACE.

BUT YOU KNOW I DON'T INTEND TO STAY IN SOUTH AMERICA FOREVER.

I'M ONLY GOING AWAY THE BETTER TO COME HOME.

I'LL DRINK TO THAT.

TO YOU, SIR.

OH, I'M SO SORRY, YOUR GRACE,

BUT THERE'S NO ONE HERE TO GREET YOU.

EVERYONE'S IN LONDON.

YOU ARE HERE.

YES, I...

AND MISS ANNABEL,

WILL SHE REMAIN IN LONDON AFTER THE WEDDING?

OH, MISS ANNABEL WILL NATURALLY GO HOME

TO AMERICA WITH HER PARENTS.

SURELY, YOU KNOW, SHE'S OUT NOW,

SO HER PARENTS ARE VERY ANXIOUS FOR HER TO HAVE A FIRST NEW YORK SEASON.

HAS IT MATTER SUCH THINGS AS A NEW YORK SEASON.

YOU MUST ASSUME, MS. TESTVALLEY--

THAT IS TO SAY...

I HAVE DECIDED...

YES?

I INTEND TO ASK MISS ANNABEL TO MARRY ME.

WELL, ARRANGING MARRIAGES IS NO PART OF MY DUTIES, YOUR GRACE.

BUT IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK TO MRS. ST. GEORGE--

OH, NO, I DON'T. UH...

I UNDERSTOOD THAT IN AMERICA,

IN WAS THE CUSTOM TO SPEAK TO THE YOUNG LADY HERSELF.

BUT KNOWING HOW CLOSE YOU ARE,

HOW FOND YOU ARE OF MISS ANNABEL--

YES, I AM VERY FOND OF ANNABEL.

I NEED TO KNOW IF HER FEELINGS

CORRESPOND IN ANY DEGREE TO MINE.

I REALLY CAN'T ANSWER THAT.

YOU MEAN, SHE HASN'T SPOKEN TO YOU?

ANNABEL IS IN SO MANY WAYS STILL A CHILD.

SHE JUDGES A LOT OF THINGS AS A CHILD WOULD.

YES.

YES, IT'S...

IT'S HER CHILDISH INNOCENCE,

HER INDIFFERENCE TO MONEY, THAT SORT OF THING,

THAT I VALUE SO IMMENSELY.

YOUR GRACE...

I ONLY WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT...

NAN MAYBE ONE THING NOW,

BUT IN A YEAR OR TWO,

SHE MAYBE SOMETHING ALTOGETHER DIFFERENT.

AND THAT IS WHY I SOLEMNLY ADVISE YOU TO WAIT.

PLEASE GIVE NAN TIME TO GROW UP.

Colonel St. George: SIX THOUSAND, YOU SAY?

SIX THOUSAND A YEAR,

AND VIRGINIA'S JOINTURE IS TO BE BUT 1,300.

NO, SIR.

IN THOSE VERY PARTICULARS, NO.

Lord Brightlingsea: WRONG END.

LEFT HAND BEHIND YOUR BACK.

HMM...

STILL, IN ALL, LORD BRIGHTLINGSEA,

YOU ARE A MAN I COULD DO BUSINESS WITH.

YES, SIR, I SAW THAT THE FIRST MOMENT I CLAPPED EYES ON YOU.

ADDED TO WHICH...

WE EACH HAVE SOMETHING THE OTHER ONE WANTS.

AND IF THAT'S NOT A GOOD BEGINNING, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS!

FOR INSTANCE, LORD BRIGHTLINGSEA,

I HAVE AN ELECTRIC COMPANY.

YOU HAVE A TITLE.

OH, I HAVE SOMETHING FOR YOU, DARLING.

OH!

OH, MAMA.

( chuckles )

� ON WINGS OF SONG I'LL BATHE THEE �

� ON WAY TO FAIRYLAND �

� WHILE EYES MY SWEET SCENTED GARDEN �

� ARE WAITING FOR THEM TO PASS �

� THE MOONBEAMS ARE FILLING MY GARDEN... �

( children chattering )

VERY NICE, THANK YOU.

HELLO, NICE TO SEE YOU.

� YOU WELCOME THEE TONIGHT... �

VERY NICE, VERY GOOD.

I GUESS THIS MUST BE CONNIE'S FRONT PARLOR.

YES, YES.

LORD RICHARD!

WE MEET AGAIN!

AND I AM HAPPY AND PROUD OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

LADY RICHARD...

- VERY NICE TO SEE YOU. - NICE TO SEE YOU TOO.

( clears throat )

WHO IS THAT COMMON-LOOKING MAN?

THAT IS HECTOR ROBINSON,

LIZZY ELMSWORTH'S FUTURE HUSBAND, I SHOULDN'T WONDER.

OH, DEAR.

ACTUALLY, HE'S RATHER GOOD NEWS.

GOOD NEWS OR NOT,

SOMEONE SHOULD EXPLAIN THE FORM TO HER.

OH, I DON'T THINK LIZZY NEEDS ANYTHING EXPLAINED.

I THINK SHE'S WAITING TO SEE HOW HE TURNS OUT.

YOU!

- LADY BRIGHTLINGSEA! - MY DEAR.

AH, MR. ROBINSON.

NO DOUBT YOU'LL DO VERY WELL, YOUNG MAN.

YOUR GRACE.

JULIUS.

MR. THWAITE.

I DID SO HOPE YOU'D BE HERE.

OF COURSE I'M HERE.

SEADOWN AND I WERE AT SCHOOL TOGETHER.

OH, OF COURSE.

EXCUSE ME, YOUR GRACE.

LORD RICHARD.

MS. TESTVALLEY, I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO SIR HELMSLEY THWAITE.

SIR HELMSLEY, MY GOVERNESS MS. TESTVALLEY.

OR VAL AS I CALL HER.

I'M OUT, YOU KNOW, BUT I, I WON'T LET MS. TESTVALLEY GO.

DELIGHTED, MS. TESTVALLEY.

AND SIR HELMSLEY'S SON, MR. GUY THWAITE.

- MS. TESTVALLEY. - PLEASURE.

THERE, NOW YOU'VE BOTH MET MY MOST FAVORITE PERSON IN THE WORLD.

OH, REALLY, ANNABEL.

NO, WHAT A WONDERFUL COMPLIMENT.

MS. TESTVALLEY ADORES THE PRE-RAPHAELITES, SIR HELMSLEY.

I PROMISED HER A VISIT TO HONORSLOVE TO SEE YOUR ROSETTI.

ANNABEL, YOU'VE DONE NO SUCH THING!

NO, NO, A YOUNG LADY MUST ALWAYS KEEP HER PROMISES,

ESPECIALLY THOSE SHE ONLY MAKES TO HERSELF.

TO BE FRANK, MR. ROBINSON,

YOU ARE THE FIRST ENGLISH GENTLEMAN

THAT I HAVE COME ACROSS WHO SHOWS ANY SIGNS OF ANY GET-UP-AND-GO!

DO I? ( laughs )

LORD BRIGHTLINGSEA HAS DONE ME THE IMMEASURABLE HONOR

OF LENDING HIS TITLE TO MY COMPANY.

- RIGHT. - I CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT THAT'S WORTH IN THE UNITED STATES.

BUT HAVE I BEEN ABLE TO RAISE ANY CASH IN THIS COUNTRY?

- NO, I HAVE NOT! - NO-- NO, I KNOW.

CURIOUS THING.

THE WHOLE WORLD KNOWS ENGLAND TO BE A GREAT COMMERCIAL SUCCESS

BUT I'M WARNING YOU, LOOK TO YOUR LAURELS,

OR THE GERMANS'LL HAVE 'EM,

OR... YOUR COUSINS ACROSS THE ATLANTIC.

- MY LORD. - AHH-- SIT.

THE COLONEL BELIEVES ENGLAND IS IN DANGER OF LOSING THEIR GREATNESS.

AH, DOES HE?

WE CANNOT LET THAT PASS WITHOUT A FIGHT, CAN WE?

AH, I BLAME THE YOUNGER GENERATION.

- ( laughing ) - IT IS MORE LOST.

AH, DAMN IT, THEY CAN'T EVEN CURSE!

AND THERE'S THIS INDECENT CRAZE WITH DEMOCRACY.

I'VE BEEN SAYING, COLONEL,

OUR TROUBLE IS ALL BLAMED ON THE WEST.

NOT THE LEAST, BAD WEATHER.

WITH YOUR DAMNED AMERICAN DEMOCRACY.

I DON'T SEE YOU BEING MUCH TROUBLED BY DEMOCRACY.

( operatic singing in Latin )

DAMNED ITALIANS.

- ( song ends ) - ( laughter )

( applause )

I CAN'T JUST LEAVE THE GUESTS.

IT'S OUR PARTY, MY DEAR.

FOLLOW ME.

THERE'S A BOOK I WANTED TO SHOW YOU.

LET ME SEE...

( laughter )

SECRET DOOR.

( Virginia gasps )

WHAT IS THIS?

IT'S THE WEST WING.

PROBABLY NOBODY'S BEEN UP HERE FOR 20 YEARS.

( both chuckle )

WE USED TO TERRIFY OURSELVES PLAYING HIDE AND SEEK IN HERE WHEN WE WERE LITTLE.

I'M NOT SURPRISED.

MY ANCESTORS SPENT SEVEN FORTUNES

ON THE FURNISHING AND DECORATION OF THIS WING.

THIS WAS ONCE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BALLROOM IN THE LAND.

LEFT TO MOLD.

SO SAD.

WHY IS IT LEFT LIKE THIS?

BECAUSE, MY DEAR, WE CAN'T AFFORD TO DO IT UP.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN, YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT?

JUST THAT-- MONEY.

DO YOU RECALL THE FILTHY STUFF?

MM-HMM.

I SCARCELY DO, FOR WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY FOR AGES.

WHEREAS YOU...

WHAT'S THAT QUAINT EXPRESSION YOU USE IN AMERICA?

TIN-- ISN'T THAT WHAT YOU CALL IT?

WHEN ALL THIS HAS BEEN RESTORED TO ITS FORMER GLORY,

THEN PERHAPS WE MAY RENAME IT, HMM?

THE ST. GEORGE WING.

WHAT DO YOU SAY?

OR DOES THAT SOUND RATHER TOO MUCH LIKE A HOSPITAL, HMM?

YOU'RE AWFULLY QUIET, MY DEAR.

IF YOU NEED MONEY, WHY DON'T YOU SELL

SOME OF THE PAINTINGS YOU NEVER LOOK AT?

BECAUSE MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER, WHO DISLIKED AND DISTRUSTED HIS CHILDREN--

QUITE RIGHTLY, AS IT TURNED OUT--

PLACED ALL THE BRIGHTLINGSEA TREASURES IN TRUST.

IF...

OH, IF THE FLOOR OF THIS BALLROOM WERE PAVED IN GOLD,

I SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DISPOSE OF AN OUNCE OF IT.

ARE YOU SAYING THAT YOU'VE MARRIED ME FOR MY MONEY?

OH NOW, CALM DOWN.

I THINK WE HAVE A FAIR EXCHANGE.

WHAT ABOUT US?

WHAT ABOUT ME?

OH, YOU MEAN LOVE, I SUPPOSE.

WHAT CAN I SAY?

YOU'RE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN I EVER SAW.

BYE-BYE, GOOD LUCK.

Colonel St. George: OH, IMMEASURABLY.

LAURA, PUT IN A GOOD WORD FOR ME WITH CONNIE, WILL YOU?

WHY SHOULD I DO THAT?

BECAUSE, DAMN IT, SHE WON'T EVEN SPEAK TO ME.

TWO YEARS AGO, YOU PROMISED ME

THAT YOU WOULD RATHER DIE THAN HARM A HAIR ON THAT GIRL'S HEAD.

BUT EVEN NOW, WHEN SHE'S EXPECTING YOUR FIRST CHILD,

YOU DO NOTHING BUT HUMILIATE HER AND NEGLECT.

IT'S NO WONDER SHE WON'T SPEAK TO YOU.

PAPA.

- Woman #1: BYE! - Woman #2: GOOD LUCK!

Lord Brightlingsea: BYE-BYE, GOOD LUCK!

OH, NAN, I WISH YOU WOULDN'T GO BACK HOME AND DESERT ME.

GINNY!

I JUST WISH YOU COULD COME WITH, THAT'S ALL.

I LOVE YOU.

- GOODBYE, DARLING. - YOU'LL BE HAPPY.

PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER, RICHARD.

Mrs. St. George: GOODBYE, DARLING! BON VOYAGE!

GOODBYE, GINNY!

( excitedly screaming )

- BYE-BYE, GINNY! - GOODBYE!

Ms. Testvalley: I'D FORGOTTEN HOW VERY BEAUTIFUL IT IS.

Sir Helmsley: YES, ISN'T IT?

AND HOW COME YOUR FATHER KNEW ROSETTI?

BOTH OUR FAMILIES WERE ITALIAN EXILES.

- AH, SO YOUR NAME...? - YES.

( exaggerated Italian accent ) LAURA TESTVALLIA.

IT'S QUITE BEYOND THE SCOPE OF ENGLISH LIPS.

IT'S GIVEN ME A VERY STRONG SENSE OF...

FELLOW FEELING FOR OUTSIDERS.

AND HENCE YOUR LOYALTY TO THIS LITTLE BAND OF AMERICAN EXILES?

YES.

I COULD ALMOST ENVY YOU, MS. TESTVALLEY.

THE FREEDOM OF THE OUTSIDER, AS YOU PUT IT,

IS NO DOUBT TOUGH, BUT REALLY...

OH NO, YOU'RE QUITE WRONG.

NO, OUTSIDERS HAVE EVEN LESS FREEDOM.

WELL, ONE FALSE MOVE,

PARTICULARLY AS A WOMAN,

AND ONE IS CONSIGNED TO OBLIVION.

WELL, I STAND CORRECTED.

I'VE... I'VE SO ENJOYED BEING HERE AGAIN.

( chuckles )

( chuckles )

I'M VERY HAPPY TO SEE YOU HERE, MISS. ST. GEORGE.

THANK YOU.

UNFORTUNATELY, I SHANT DO SO AGAIN FOR A LONG TIME.

WHY DO YOU SAY THAT?

BECAUSE TOMORROW I'M GOING AWAY.

I'M GOING TO SOUTH AMERICA,

TO BUILD A RAILWAY FROM RIO TO CORDOVA.

IT'S VERY EXCITING, DON'T YOU THINK?

SOMETHING A MAN CAN REALLY THROW HIMSELF INTO.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BUILD A RAILROAD FROM RIO TO CORDOVA?

WELL, MY INITIAL CONTRACT IS FOR TWO YEARS.

I SEE.

OF COURSE, NOW THAT GINNY IS MARRIED,

I SHALL BE RETURNING TO NEW YORK.

YOU MUST BE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

NOT ONE LITTLE BIT.

IT'S ALL VERY WELL FOR MEN, YOU SEE, BUT...

MISS ST. GEORGE?

WHAT IS A WOMAN TO THROW HERSELF INTO?

WELL, MOST WOMEN THROW THEMSELVES INTO MARRIAGE,

DO THEY NOT?

YES, I SUPPOSE SO.

BUT YOU ARE... A LITTLE YOUNG FOR THAT?

I'M EIGHTEEN.

MOTHER WAS EIGHTEEN WHEN SHE WAS MARRIED.

WELL, DID SHE REGRET IT?

OF COURSE NOT.

SO IT'S NOT SOMETHING ONE CAN TAKE FOR GRANTED.

JUST NOW YOU SEEM TO RECOMMEND IT.

MARRIAGE...

WELL, IT DOES RATHER DEPEND ON WHO ONE MARRIES.

I CERTAINLY DO NOT RECOMMEND CHILD BRIDES.

CHILD BRIDES GROW UP EVENTUALLY.

I MEAN TO SAY...

YOU KNOW, MY MOTHER, YES, SHE GREW UP.

WHY DID YOU NEVER COME TO RUNNYMEAD?

YOU MOVE IN CHARMED CIRCLES, MISS ST. GEORGE.

MY FAMILY HAS NEITHER A LONDON HOUSE NOR A LONDON ALLOWANCE.

- ( footsteps approaching ) - Ms. Testvalley: REALLY...

YOU KNOW, I FIND THAT VERY HARD TO BELIEVE.

GRACIOUS, HOW SOLEMN YOU BOTH LOOK.

WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT REGRETS, MS. TESTVALLEY.

REGRETS? AT YOUR AGE?

( scoffs ) RIDICULOUS.

ANNABEL. ANNABEL.

HMM?

WHAT ARE YOU THINKING, DARLING?

I HOPE I CAN AT LEAST KEEP MY THOUGHTS TO MYSELF.

( carriage approaching )

- IT'S DARLING! - ( Julius laughs )

OH, LOOK AT HIS BIG FEET!

LOOK AT THOSE BIG FEET!

WHAT A TIGER YOU ARE!

HE'S FOR YOU-- A PRESENT.

FOR ME? ( chuckles ) WHY?

HOW AM I GONNA TAKE YOU HOME?

HOW AM I GONNA TAKE YOU HOME WITH ME?

- I WANT YOU TO STAY. - ( dog barks )

- I WANT YOU TO MARRY ME. - YOU LIKE THIS?

( laughing )

IT'S TRUE.

WHAT? I-I'M SORRY, WHAT DID YOU SAY?

OH, UH...

MA'AM.

WHAT?

MARRY ME, ANNABEL.

PLEASE MARRY ME.

YOU WERE BORN TO BE PRINCESS OF TREVENICK CASTLE.

THERE'S NO OTHER WOMAN IN THE WORLD FOR ME.

YOU KNOW THAT, DON'T YOU?

PLEASE MARRY ME.

( orchestral theme music playing )