Original subtitles

I HAD ONLY JUST TAKEN UP MY POST

AS GOVERNESS TO THE BRIGHTLINGSEA DAUGHTERS AT ALL FRIARS,

WHEN VIRGINIA AND SEADOWN'S SON FREDERICK ARRIVED...

WITHOUT REGARD TO HIS MOTHER'S CONVENIENCE.

FREDERICK.

BUT SOON AFTER VIRGINIA HAD GIVEN THE BRIGHTLINGSEAS THEIR LONGED-FOR HEIR,

HER FATHER LOST HIS FORTUNE.

"MY DARLING GIRL, I AM RUINED.

WALL STREET IS A FICKLE FRIEND."

WITHOUT VIRGINIA'S AMERICAN INCOME,

SEADOWN CONSIDERED HIMSELF AT LIBERTY

TO CONTINUE HIS AMORE WITH IDINA.

AND CONCHITA WAS FIRST SHAKEN TO THE CORE BY NEWS FROM HER ESTRANGED HUSBAND.

I WENT TO SEE DR. ALDER THIS MORNING. HE...

HE TELLS ME...

THAT I HAVE SYPHILIS.

THEN DISCOVERED SHE WAS PREGNANT...

BY HER LOVER, MILES.

IT WAS LEFT TO LIZZY ELMSWORTH TO PULL OFF THE DOUBLE TRICK

OF MARRYING HECTOR ROBINSON FOR LOVE AND MONEY.

AND NAN...

MARRIAGE TO JULIUS HAD TRANSFORMED MY FAVORITE PUPIL

INTO THE DUCHESS OF TREVENICK...

A TRANSFORMATION NOT WITHOUT ITS PRICE.

THE STRESS OF MATCHING DUTY TO HER OWN SET OF VALUES

COST NAN HER FIRST CHILD.

AT LONG LAST, SIR HELMSLEY'S SON, GUY,

HAS RETURNED HOME FROM SOUTH AMERICA.

A RICH MAN NOW,

AND READY TO STAND FOR PARLIAMENT.

COME IN, COME IN.

- HELLO, DARLING. - CONNIE.

- MERRY CHRISTMAS. - MERRY CHRISTMAS.

LAST TO ARRIVE AS ALWAYS... WILL YOU FORGIVE ME?

OH, NO, PLEASE... I'M JUST FINISHING.

YOU ARE ALONE HERE, DARLING?

JULIUS ISN'T LURKING ABOUT ANYWHERE?

JULIUS? NO, NO, HE'S OUT WITH THE GUNS.

OH, THEY LOVE IT, DON'T THEY?

OUT THERE KILLING EVERYTHING THAT MOVES.

THAT'S VERY NICE. THANK YOU, ROSE.

TELL THE COOK I'LL BE DOWN SHORTLY, AND IF YOU COULD, PLEASE, BRING US SOME MADEIRA.

- YES, MISS. - THANK YOU.

MY NAN...

DO YOU REALIZE HOW LOVELY YOU'VE BECOME?

I ALWAYS KNEW THAT ONE DAY YOU'D OUTSHINE THE REST OF US.

BUT YOU SHOULD BURN THIS HOUSE DRESSING GOWN.

STOP.

WHY DON'T YOU LET ME BUY YOUR THINGS FOR YOU?

WHAT A LOVELY EXCUSE FOR ME TO POP OVER TO PARIS AT YOUR EXPENSE.

OH, I'M FINE.

OH, NAN...

ISN'T IT ODD HOW LIFE TURNS OUT?

CONNIE...

WHAT IS IT, PLEASE? COME SIT WITH ME.

WHAT IS IT?

OH, I CAN'T POSSIBLY TELL YOU.

CONNIE, TELL ME. TELL ME WHAT IT IS.

WELL, PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING'S WRONG, BUT...

WHAT'S THE USE, YOU WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND.

I MEAN, HOW WOULD YOU KNOW

ABOUT HAVING NO MONEY,

AND BEING TIED TO ONE NAME WHEN YOUR LOVE IS ANOTHER,

TIED INTO ONE OF THOSE AWFUL ENGLISH MARRIAGES

WHICH STRANGLE YOU IN THE NOOSE WHEN YOU TRY TO GET AWAY FROM THEM?

I AM SORRY, I SUP...

I SUPPOSE NOW I'VE SHOCKED YOU PAST FORGIVENESS.

OH, DARLING, YOU SEE...

I MEAN, THEY TOLD US THAT IT ALL ENDED AT THE CHURCH DOOR,

AND AFTER THAT,

WE JUST... WE JUST GO ON HAVING BABIES,

AND LIVING HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

OH...

CONNIE, YOU KNOW WHAT I DREAM OF?

SOMETIMES I DREAM OF... OF PACKING UP AND JUST CREEPING AWAY.

SOMETIMES I THINK MAYBE I COULD GET

PASSAGE MONEY FROM PAPA,

AND... AND GO HOME, AND JUST PRETEND NONE OF THIS EVER HAPPENED.

OH, DEAR, YOU,

IS THAT YOUR SOLUTION, TO RUN HOME?

I WOULD RATHER STAY AND FREEZE HERE

THAN RETURN TO ALL THE EMPTINESS BACK ON MADISON AVENUE.

BUT DARLING, YOU'RE A DUCHESS, YOU'RE AN ENGLISH DUCHESS.

EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD COULD OFFER, YOU HAVE HEAPED AT YOUR FEET.

WHEREAS I, I HAVE NOTHING.

I AM STONE BROKE,

AND IF I CAN'T RAISE 500 POUNDS,

I AM IN REAL TROUBLE...

THE WORST.

THANK YOU, ROSE.

CONNIE,

PLEASE DON'T THINK THAT I DON'T WANT TO HELP, IT'S...

YOU SEE, THE BABY WOULD NOT BE RICHARD'S.

OH, YOU'RE SO UNTOUCHED BY ANYTHING SORTED.

IT'S NOT SORTED TO BE UNHAPPY.

MAYBE NOT.

STILL, I KNOW WHAT YOU MUST THINK OF THE WAY I CONTROL MYSELF.

BUT I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT LOVE.

WHAT ELSE IS THERE?

CONNIE, YOU SAY YOU NEED A LOAN.

THE FACT IS...

JULIUS IS VERY CAREFUL WITH HIS MONEY.

AND SINCE PAPA'S ALLOWANCE STOPPED,

I HAVE ALMOST NOTHING.

WELL, YOU OLD SKINFLIT.

AND I SUPPOSE YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO ASK?

JULIUS HATES TO BE ASKED FOR ANYTHING.

BUT I WILL, CONNIE.

I'LL JUDGE THE RIGHT MOMENT AND THEN I'LL ASK.

OH, IF YOU PLEASE, GENTLEMEN,

ABSOLUTELY NO MOVING. AND PLEASE, STRAIGHT INTO THE CAMERA.

ONE, AND TWO, AND THREE.

DID YOU NOT THINK, MILORD,

THAT SHOOTING PARTIES WOULD MAKE A FINE COMMERCIAL VENTURE?

DO YOU SEE A CHANCE OF MONEY IN THIS, DO YOU?

WELL, I SUPPOSE...

TROUBLE WITH FELLOWS LIKE YOU,

YOU SEE MONEY EVERYWHERE.

WHEREAS I ONLY SEE THE WANT OF IT.

PERHAPS YOU'LL EXPLAIN, FOR AN OLD FOOL LIKE ME,

WHY THE TORY PARTY HAS BETRAYED US?

- MILORD... - BACKBONE OF THE COUNTRY,

THE GREAT LANDOWNERS,

AND WE'RE BEGINNING TO GO UNDER.

WELL, SIR, NATURALLY, IN MY CONSTITUENCY OF BIRTH,

I CANNOT AFFORD TO IGNORE THE INTERESTS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.

YOU MEAN THAT'S THE SIDE YOUR BREAD'S BUTTERED ON.

- NO, I... - WELL, LET ME TELL YOU, YOUNG MAN,

THAT IF THE PRICE OF CORN IS ALLOWED TO FALL MUCH FURTHER,

THERE WON'T BE ANY BREAD FOR YOU TO SPREAD YOUR DAMN BUTTER ON.

- BUT IT MAY... - BUT WILL THE GOVERNMENT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT?

NO, IT WILL NOT.

VERY SOON, THE ARISTOCRACY

WILL BE EXTINCT.

AND OUR GREAT HOUSES WILL LITTER THE COUNTRYSIDE

LIKE THE BONES OF DINOSAURS.

UH, PUT THE PRINCE OF ROMANIA HERE.

THANK YOU.

HAVE JULIUS...

WILL BE...

WAS IT A GOOD AFTERNOON?

IT WAS, YES. I BELIEVE EVERYONE ENJOYED IT VERY WELL.

THE TABLE LOOKS...

SPLENDID, ANNABEL.

AH, JULIUS... THANK YOU, WILSON.

MAY I SPEAK TO YOU FOR A MOMENT?

THERE'S A MATTER I'D LIKE TO ASK YOU.

WELL, THERE'S ONLY...

A QUARTER OF AN HOUR BEFORE WE MUST DRESS FOR DINNER.

YES. I'M ALREADY DRESSED.

- SO YOU ARE. - SHALL WE?

CHAIRS, CHAIRS.

AND WHAT IS THIS MONEY FOR?

HAVE YOU BEEN RUNNING UP DEBTS?

NO, THE FACT IS,

I NEVER REALLY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT MY MEANS ARE.

I MEAN, WHAT IS MINE TO SPEND AS I LIKE?

WELL, YOUR FATHER'S COMPTE D'AFFAIRE. WHAT DID WE ARRANGE?

I BELIEVE YOU RECEIVE EXACTLY THE SAME AS MY MOTHER DID

WHEN MY FATHER WAS ALIVE.

AH... OH, HERE IT IS.

YOU MAY DRAW UP TO 10 POUNDS A MONTH FROM THE ACCOUNT,

AND UP TO FIVE POUNDS A WEEK IN CASH FROM THE SAFE, ACCORDING TO YOUR MEANS.

JULIUS, I HAVEN'T SAID THIS BEFORE,

BUT I HAD THIS SORT OF MONEY WHEN I WAS 17.

THE ONLY DIFFERENCE NOW

IS THAT... I HAVE SO MANY EXPENSES.

YOU MEAN, MARRIAGE HAS REDUCED YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES?

OF COURSE NOT.

BUT AM I TO HAVE NO INDEPENDENCE?

INDEPENDENCE, THAT'S A CURIOUS WORD TO USE FOR A MARRIED WOMAN.

YOUR NOT AN AMERICAN COLONY, YOU'RE MY WIFE.

YES, I KNOW, JULIUS.

AND REALLY, I HAVE...

VERY SMALL PERSONAL NEEDS.

IT'S JUST THAT SOMETIMES,

SOMETIMES ONE IS TEMPTED TO SPEND A TRIFLE MORE.

WELL, OF COURSE, IF SOME SORT OF DEBT HAS BEEN INCURRED, THEN IT MUST BE SETTLED.

- YOU'RE GOING TO SEND ME THE BILL. - NO NEED FOR THAT.

IF YOU COULD JUST MAKE THE CHECK OUT TO ME.

AH...

THEN IT ISN'T A DEBT, AFTER ALL.

IF YOU'RE ASKING ME TO ADVANCE YOU 500 POUNDS

AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE, IT'S ONLY FAIR YOU SHOULD LET ME KNOW WHAT IT'S FOR.

IT'S FOR ONE OF MY PRIVATE CHRISTMAS CHARITIES.

MY DEAR, THERE SHOULD BE NOTHING PRIVATE BETWEEN A HUSBAND AND WIFE.

ARE YOU SAYING YOU WON'T GIVE ME THE MONEY?

ON THE CONTRARY, I'M PERFECTLY PREPARED TO GIVE YOU THE MONEY,

IF YOU'D JUST TELL ME WHAT IT'S FOR.

JULIUS, YOU CANNOT GO ON FOREVER TREATING ME LIKE A CHILD.

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW LONG IT'S BEEN SINCE I'VE ASKED A FAVOR OF YOU?

HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN HOW LONG IT IS SINCE I ASKED A FAVOR OF YOU?

IF YOU DON'T LIKE ME TREATING YOU AS A CHILD,

THEN I SHOULD BE FORCED TO TREAT YOU AS A WIFE.

YOU MUST DRESS FOR DINNER, DEAR.

DID YOU SAY THAT IT WAS CALLED "THE VIRGINIA REAL", JACKIE?

I'LL SAY, IT'S VERY UNUSUAL.

I WAS TOLD THE RED INDIANS TAUGHT IT TO THE EARLY AMERICANS.

IT'S CERTAINLY WILD ENOUGH.

NO, LADY BRIGHTLINGSEA,

THE ENGLISH COLONISTS TOOK IT TO VIRGINIA THEMSELVES.

WHAT?

I SAID, THE ENGLISH COLONISTS TOOK IT TO VIRGINIA THEMSELVES.

OH, NO, DEAR.

REALLY. I DON'T THINK YOU CAN BE RIGHT THERE.

BUT I DANCED IT MYSELF AS A GIRL,

AND I DO ASSURE YOU THAT IT IS AN OLD ENGLISH,

OR POSSIBLY IRISH, DANCE.

IRISH, MAYBE.

WELL, I DARE SAY THERE ARE TWO THEORIES.

I WAS CERTAINLY TOLD IT WAS A RED INDIAN WAR DANCE.

I DO LIKE YOUR DRESS.

WONDERFUL, DARLING. DO YOU MIND TO PLAY SOMETHING

A LITTLE BIT MORE... LATIN, YOU KNOW?

- YES, I DO. - AH, THANK YOU, DARLING.

ALL RIGHT, EVERYONE,

FOLLOW ME.

DANCE.

TEACH ME HOW TO DO THIS.

THEY'RE QUITE TRICKY STEPS, MILORD... THERE'S NO NEED TO HURRY THEM.

COME, EVERYONE.

THIS WAY.

GOOD HEAVENS.

WHERE CAN THEY BE GOING?

OH, THEY'LL BE GOING INTO THE BEDROOMS NEXT.

- WHAT? - BEDROOMS.

ON DARK DAYS, THEY'RE MY SUNSHINE.

I OFTEN SIT HERE WITH THEM,

WITHOUT MAKING A SOUND.

THIS IS AN AMAZING STORY.

"THE SEDUCTION OF LEDA."

HERE SHE IS AS A YOUNG WOMAN,

BEING CHARMED BY ZEUS AS A SWAN,

AND HERE, THE SEDUCTION ITSELF,

AND AFTERWARDS BEING CLOTHED, AND...

LOOKING LOVINGLY AS HE FLIES AWAY.

PERHAPS ONE DAY, IF I'M PATIENT,

I'LL TAME THEM AND THEY'LL COME DOWN TO ME.

AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH THEM THEN, DUCHESS?

WHAT ON EARTH DOES JULIUS MAKE OF IT WHEN YOU SAY THAT SORT OF THING?

I DON'T SAY THAT SORT OF THING TO JULIUS.

OH.

DID YOU NEVER THINK OF SWEEPING AWAY ALL THIS OTHER STUFF?

ALL THESE TOUCHING LITTLE FAMILY MEMENTOS?

I'VE TRIED THAT.

ONE DAY, I SMUGGLED IN A LADDER AND I TOOK THEM ALL DOWN.

THE DUCHESS ONLY PUT THEM BACK WHERE THEY WERE BEFORE,

EXACTLY.

BUT YOU ARE THE DUCHESS.

MMM... NOT THE REAL ONE.

BUT MY DEAR GIRL, YOU ARE THE WIFE OF THE DUKE...

PLEASE DON'T.

DON'T PAT ME ON THE HEAD AND SEND ME BACK TO THE NURSERY.

PLEASE, AT LEAST DON'T DO THAT.

I CONSIDER IT A GREAT PRIVILEGE

TO COUNT LADY BRIGHTLINGSEA AS A FRIEND,

BUT THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I COULD HAPPILY STRANGLE HER.

OH.

YOU KNOW, THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THE GRAND ENGLISH LADY

IN FULL FLIGHT OF HER SNOBBISH IGNORANCE THAT MAKES ME PROUD.

I MEAN IT, LAURA, PROUD TO BE AMERICAN.

OH, QUITE RIGHT, JACKIE.

AND WHAT ABOUT THE GRAND ENGLISH GENTLEMAN?

AH, NOW YOU'VE TOUCHED ON A WEAKNESS.

WHAT ABOUT YOUR OWN WEAKNESS IN THAT REGARD?

I SEE I'VE HIT A NERVE.

WELL, TO BE HONEST, I DON'T CARE WHO KNOWS.

MY ADVICE IS THAT YOU STRENGTHEN YOUR DEFENSES, POST HASTE.

- RUMOR HAS IT THAT SIR... - OH, I KNOW ALL ABOUT HIS REPUTATION.

A LOT OF MEN HAVE SIR HELMSLEY'S REPUTATION...

THEY DON'T ALL DESERVE IT.

SIR HELMSLEY HAS JUST SETTLED A LARGE AMOUNT

ON A YOUNG WOMAN HE WAS ENTANGLED WITH WHILST HIS SON WAS AWAY.

AND THEY SAY HE STILL HAS A ONE-TIME AMORE IN A LITTLE HOUSE AT BATH.

PERHAPS IT'S MY ITALIAN BLOOD,

BUT I DON'T NECESSARILY DISAPPROVE OF AMORES.

JUST AS LONG AS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE UP AGAINST, MY DEAR.

MS. TESTVALLEY,

MORE MUSIC, PLEASE.

AND WHERE IS ANNABEL?

IF ONLY YOU HADN'T GONE AWAY FOR SO LONG,

WE COULD'VE TALKED. I...

I COULD'VE ASKED YOU THINGS.

BUT NOW THAT I'M HERE, CAN WE NOT STILL TALK?

ANNABEL, WHEN WE FIRST MET, DO YOU REMEM...

PLEASE.

DO YOU HAVE A CIGARETTE?

THANK YOU.

THE ENGLISH ARE...

ARE NOT AN EASY PEOPLE TO ADAPT TO.

WE'RE A TIGHT LITTLE ISLAND,

AND WE HATE CHANGE.

WHEN YOU ASK US WHY WE DO THINGS THEY WAY WE DO,

WE REPLY, "BECAUSE THAT'S THEY WAY WE'VE ALWAYS DONE THEM."

BUT THEN SUDDENLY, WE GIVE IN,

WITHOUT EVEN ARGUING.

YOU MAY STILL BE ABLE TO BE A REAL DUCHESS,

BUT IN YOUR OWN WAY,

IN YOUR OWN TIME.

AND YOU'VE GOT PLENTY OF THAT.

YES, YEARS AND YEARS OF IT.

AND YET, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES,

LIFE FEELS AS SHORT AS A WINTER'S DAY.

YOU'VE HAD YOUR CHANCE, AND YOU'VE MISSED IT.

OH, NO, DON'T SAY THAT, ANNABEL, PLEASE.

NO, PLEASE DON'T TAKE NOTICE OF ME. I'M...

MY SPIRITS, THEY JUST GO UP AND DOWN.

THINGS ARE NEVER AS BAD AS I THINK OR AS GOOD AS I EXPECT.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT I WOULD HATE MOST OF ALL?

IT WOULD BE NOT TO CARE EITHER WAY.

DON'T YOU THINK THAT WOULD BE THE WORST OF ALL?

I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT EVER HAPPENING TO YOU.

ANNABEL, MY DEAR, THE DUKE IS ASKING FOR YOU.

YOUR GUESTS ARE BEGINNING TO FEEL NEGLECTED.

NOW, WASN'T I RIGHT, MR. THWAITE?

TO INSIST ON YOU COMING UP HERE TO SEE THE CORAGGIOS?

I TOLD THE DUKE IT WAS MY DOING.

WHEN IS THE BI-ELECTION, MR. THWAITE?

- IN... FEBRUARY. - WELL, I DO SO HOPE YOU WIN.

WELL, YOU KNOW, THE TENANT'S MASTER GO WITH THE DUKE.

LORD PERCY, JULIUS.

ANNABEL, GUY.

WELL, PERHAPS WE SHOULD JOIN OUR GUESTS.

CONNIE, HERE.

OH. OH, DARLING... YOU GOT IT, NAN.

YOU KNOW, I CAN NEVER THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR THIS.

- IT'S ALL RIGHT. - YOU SAVED MY LIFE. YOU'RE AN ANGEL.

YOU DESERVE ALL THE HAPPINESS IN THE WORLD.

THEY'RE ALL SOUNDING OFF DOWN THERE LIKE GATLING GUNS.

I LEFT THEM TO IT.

A VERY SUCCESSFUL CHRISTMAS, ANNABEL. WELL DONE.

OH, I'M GLAD.

- JULIUS... - YES?

I'LL SCRATCH YOUR FINGERS, DARLING.

I'LL LEAVE YOU.

AREN'T YOU GOING TO THANK ME?

OH, JULIUS...

OF COURSE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, I...

I'M TRULY GRATEFUL.

THANK YOU.

WHAT DID YOU...

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF GUY?

THINK OF HIM?

YES. WELL, YOU SPENT ENOUGH TIME TOGETHER.

DID HE SEEM AT ALL CHANGED?

NOT AT ALL.

I'VE BEEN THINKING OF YOU ALL EVENING.

PLEASE DON'T, JULIUS.

PLEASE, I'M SORRY, I...

- I... - FOR GOD'S SAKE, ANNABEL.

WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?

I KEPT MY SIDE OF THE BARGAIN.

- WHAT BARGAIN? - WELL, YOU TOOK THE MONEY.

OH, DON'T PRETEND YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS FOR.

DO YOU WANT ME TO FORCE YOU, IS THAT IT?

OF... COURSE NOT.

WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU CAN TREAT ME LIKE THIS, HUH?

DAMN YOU. DAMN YOU.

YOU'RE AN UNGRATEFUL, DAMNED AMERICAN...

BURN, LITTLE BITCH. YOU...

DAMN. DAMN.

WHAT HAVE I SAID? STOP.

STOP IT.

YOU WILL STOP IT.

OH MY GOD. LET ME OUT OF HERE.

SORRY, I'M SORRY, ANNABEL. I'M SO SORRY.

LET ME GO. I CAN'T STAND IT,

LET ME OUT OF HERE. I GOT TO GO.

- I'M SORRY, ANNABEL, PLEASE. - I MADE A TERRIBLE MISTAKE.

- I'M SO SORRY. - OH MY GOD.

I MIGHT WANT RACE YOU TO GO AWAY SOMEWHERE AND REST, ANNABEL,

SOMEWHERE FOR YOU TO GO AWAY AND BE QUIET, ANNABEL.

PLEASE, ANNABEL, PLEASE BE QUIET. ANNABEL...

PLEASE BE QUIET, ANNABEL.

SHH... THERE NOW... THERE NOW.

THERE NOW.

LOOK, ANNABEL, LOOK, I'M GOING NOW.

OH, GOD...

GOODBYE.

YOUR GRACE.

WALK ON.

MY LOVER, I'M GLAD TO SEE YOU.

THE ADVICE OF AN OLDER WOMAN

MAY BE HELPFUL, ANNABEL, IF YOU CAN HEAR IT.

I HAVE NO ILLUSIONS ABOUT MY SON.

BUT THE FACT IS, IF THERE ARE MISUNDERSTANDINGS IN YOUR MARRIAGE, THEN YOURS

IS THE GREATER RESPONSIBILITY TO PUT THEM RIGHT.

A WOMAN HAS MORE POWERS OF ADAPTABILITY THEN A MAN.

WHEN YOU MARRIED, YOU PROMISED "TO LOVE AND OBEY TILL DEATH DO US PART."

NOT WORDS TO BE SPOKEN LIGHTLY.

BUT I THINK I DID SPEAK THEM LIGHTLY.

I KNEW NOTHING OF LIFE.

I THOUGHT I WAS STEPPING INTO A FAIRY STORY.

MY DEAREST WISHES FOR YOUR HAPPINESS, ANNABEL.

YOURS AND MY SON'S.

THE FIRST YEARS OF MARRIAGE DO NOT ALWAYS RUN AS SMOOTHLY AS THEY MIGHT,

CERTAINLY NOT AS SMOOTHLY AS YOUNG PEOPLE FEEL THEY OUGHT.

THE LATE DUKE AND I TOOK 20 YEARS TO GET USED TO ONE ANOTHER.

BUT JULIUS' FATHER WAS A GREAT DEAL MORE...

DIFFICULT THAN JULIUS.

I KNOW THAT YOU ARE VERY YOUNG, MY DEAR.

AND CERTAIN THINGS THAT WOULD COME NATURALLY

TO AN ENGLISH GAL, YOU FIND DIFFICULT TO GRASP.

YOU SEE, I DON'T WANT TO GRASP THEM.

I'M TIRED OF TRYING TO BE ENGLISH.

WELL, MY DEAR, YOU ARE ENGLISH.

WHEN YOU BECAME MY SON'S WIFE, YOU ACQUIRED HIS NATIONALITY.

AND DUCHESSES, YOU KNOW, ARE LIKE SOLDIERS...

THEY MUST REMAIN AT THEIR POSTS.

THE DUTY IS NOT JUST A BURDEN, ANNABEL.

AND I DO NOT ONLY REFER TO YOUR DUTY TO PROVIDE JULIUS WITH SONS AND HEIRS...

NO, IN SOME CURIOUS WAY,

DUTY IS A CONSOLATION...

AT LEAST I HAVE ALWAYS FOUND IT SO.

I DON'T WANT TO BE CONSOLED.

DO YOU NOT THINK, MY DEAR,

THAT BY ASKING TOO MUCH OF LIFE,

ONE RISKS EVERLASTING DISSATISFACTION.

COME.

AH-HA, GOOD MORNING.

OH, MY LITTLE LOVES.

- OH, ARE THEY? - SWEETHEART, HELLO.

COME OVER TO YOUR DADDY.

OH, HE'S SLEEPIN'. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

HE'S LOVELY.

YOU'VE GOT TO FOOL LITTLE TO ME.

OH, HERE'S ONE FOR YOU, EH?

WONDERFUL.

IT'S FROM NAN.

GOOD GRACIOUS. I THINK SHE'S COMING TO STAY.

ANNABEL, THE DUCHESS?

APPARENTLY SHE'S BEEN WITH LAURA AT ALL FRIARS SINCE CHRISTMAS,

RECOVERING FROM SOMETHING OR OTHER.

AND NOW SHE'S COMING HERE.

I THINK SHE'S BORED TO DEATH OR SHE'S LONGING FOR A CHANGE.

OH, ANNABEL...

SHALL I WRITE THAT SHE CAN?

HER INVITING HERSELF IS UNCONVENTIONAL TO SAY THE LEAST.

ANNABEL IS A DEAR FRIEND.

HAVE YOU ANY WAY OF KNOWING IF THE DUKE APPROVES?

I'D LIKE TO SEE HIM TRY AND REFUSE.

THAT'S YOUR "HAIL COLOMBIA" VOICE, LIZZY... I LOVE IT.

HECTOR.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, ANY LITTLE FAVORS I CAN DO THE ST. GEORGE FAMILY

JUST NOW ARE ALL TO THE GOOD.

THERE'S BEEN ANOTHER CHANGE IN THE COLONEL'S FORTUNES,

THIS TIME VERY MUCH FOR THE BETTER.

OUR PROBLEM IS THAT THE ACCOUNTANTS HAVE TAKEN OVER.

THANK YOU MUCH.

THE ENGLISH BANKER WHO CAN ACT ON HIS OWN INITIATIVE IS...

WELL, HAS BECOME A RARE BIRD INDEED.

BUT I HAVE FOUND ONE AND HIS ENTHUSIASM FOR OUR PROJECT IS UNQUALIFIED.

AND CAN I STILL NOT GET YOU TO CHANGE YOUR MIND ON THE MATTER OF BEER?

NO, NO.

FROZEN BEEF IS ONE THING, BUT...

REFRIGERATED BEER... NO, SIR.

YOU'LL NEVER GET AN ENGLISHMAN TO DRINK HIS BEER COLD.

WELL, I MUST ACCEPT YOUR JUDGMENT ON THAT.

BUT THE POTENTIAL FOR REFRIGERATION IS ENDLESS.

- AS ARE OUR PROSPECTS. - OH, AYE.

PUT REFRIGERATION AND STEAM SHIPS TOGETHER...

THE WORLD IS OUR OYSTER.

AND NO "LORD THIS" AND "LORD THAT"

ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE PROSPECTUS THIS TIME.

I'M VERY LITTLE AGAINST MY DAUGHTER'S RELATIONS,

BUT ALL THIS REVERENCE FOR A TITLE IS SHOCKINGLY OVERDONE.

AND WHY IS IT THAT WE AMERICANS,

WHO FOUGHT OUR GREAT WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE,

ARE SO KEEN TO MAKE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS

ONLY TO SHIFT THEM BACK INTO THE POCKETS OF THE ENGLISH NOBILITY?

BECAUSE YOU LIKE THEIR STYLE, COLONEL.

TAKE MY ADVICE, MR. ROBINSON...

MAY I CALL YOU HECTOR?

- WHATEVER. - GET RID OF YOUR ARISTOCRACY.

PUT YOUR ROYAL FAMILY OUT TO PASTURE.

IF YOU DON'T, YOU'LL NEVER PLAY YOUR PART IN THE MODERN WORLD.

NO. NO, NO.

EXCUSE ME.

YOU SEE, YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS AT ALL.

THAT CAN NEVER HAPPEN HERE. WE'RE NOT LIKE THE FRENCH.

WE DON'T WANT TO CUT OFF THE HEADS OF OUR NOBILITY.

ON THE CONTRARY, WE WANT TO JOIN THEM AT TABLE.

WE ARE ABOUT TO DO SO.

AND WHEN YOU GET THERE, WILL YOU STILL DRINK TEPID BEER?

I HAVE A FEELING, OLD CHAP, IT'LL BE WORTH YOUR WHILE

TO GET BACK INTO VIRGINIA'S GOOD THOUGHTS.

WHY IS A FELLOW LIKE ROBINSON SO DAMNED INTERESTED IN MONEY?

WHY SO INTERESTED IN MAKING THE STUFF?

A BIT EARLY, ISN'T IT?

OH, IT'S ALL PART OF THE CURE.

DOCTOR'S PRESCRIPTION IS MERCURY.

MINE IS WHISKY.

THANK YOU, LADY SEADOWN.

OH, I STILL AM DISAPPOINTED

THAT FATHER SHOULD GO INTO BUSINESS WITH HECTOR ROBINSON.

OH, WHAT DID YOU EXPECT, DARLING,

THAT HE WOULD INVEST A MILLION IN SEADY?

COUNT THE POUNDS AND BE GRATEFUL.

GINA, DARLING, THEY'RE ALL TO SEE US.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE LADY RICHARD BACK IN CIRCULATION AGAIN.

AND WHAT ABOUT LADY SEADOWN?

SOMEHOW, I IMAGINE SHE DOESN'T CIRCULATE IN QUITE THE SAME WAY.

PITY, LORD SEADOWN IS THE PERFECT HUSBAND...

AN ABSENTEE LANDLORD WITH OTHER PROPERTIES.

HOW STRANGE TO BE HERE AFTER SO LONG.

SO LONG?

YEARS AND YEARS.

- ONLY THREE, SURELY. - CAN IT BE?

THREE YEARS IS A LONG TIME IN A WOMAN'S LIFE.

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL NECKLACE.

IT WAS AN ANNIVERSARY PRESENT FROM MY HUSBAND.

WE'RE EXPECTING OUR SECOND CHILD IN SEPTEMBER... DID YOU KNOW?

NO, I DIDN'T. HOW ON EARTH SHOULD I?

CONGRATULATIONS.

HOW CAN I HELP YOU, LADY SEADOWN? SURELY, YOU'RE NOT IN SOME KIND OF...

TROUBLE, ARE YOU?

WHAT DOES MY HUSBAND STILL SEE IN YOU?

I HAVEN'T SEEN LORD SEADOWN FOR ALMOST A YEAR.

YOU BOTH MUST THINK ME AND UTTER FOOL.

OH, NO, I'VE NEVER THOUGHT YOU A FOOL.

POOR SEADY.

AFTER HE MARRIED YOU,

I GAVE HIM RATHER A ROUGH TIME.

I WENT TO PIECES.

HE DESERTED ME FOR...

A YOUNGER, HAPPIER WOMAN,

A PRETTY, HARD-HEADED LITTLE THING OF NINETEEN.

SO, YOU SEE, MY DEAR, WE'RE BOTH IN THE SAME BOAT.

HOW DARE YOU COMPARE US.

WHO ARE YOU? I... I AM HIS WIFE.

YOU ARE LITTLE BETTER THAN A PROSTITUTE.

MY CHILD IS THE FUTURE LORD BRIGHTLINGSEA.

YOU ARE NOTHING.

WELL, YOU'RE RIGHT, THERE'S NO COMPARISON BETWEEN US.

SEADOWN PAID ME RATHER WELL.

YOU, I BELIEVE, PAY SEADOWN.

NOW THAT WE'VE BOTH SAID WHAT WE REALLY FEEL,

I WOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD LEAVE.

BUT VIRGINIA,

SEADOWN IS A GOOD ENOUGH FELLOW, BUT NOT WORTH BREAKING YOUR HEART OVER.

STICK THE CORONET ON YOUR HEAD,

WEAR THE NECKLACE AND FORGET HIM.

THANK GOODNESS YOU HAVE CHILDREN,

WHICH IS MORE THAN I HAVE.

YOU'RE AN INDEPENDENT WOMAN, LADY SEADOWN,

I DRINK TO INDEPENDENT WOMEN.

SO, YOU'VE BEEN COMING TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS WITHOUT TELLING ME?

WERE YOU NEVER GOING TO LET ME KNOW THAT YOU WERE HERE?

I WAS AFRAID IT MIGHT RUIN YOUR CAREER TO BE SEEN WITH A MARRIED WOMAN.

SO LONG AS WE STAY IN PUBLIC SIGHT, AND KEEP, WHAT, 18 INCHES BETWEEN US?

I'M SURE MY REPUTATION WILL SURVIVE.

SEE HERE.

WHY DID YOU COME TO LONDON, ANNABEL?

BECAUSE I COULDN'T BEAR TO GO HOME.

BECAUSE, I SUPPOSE, I KNEW WE WOULD MEET EVENTUALLY.

- AND THEN...? - I DON'T KNOW.

I...

I HOPE I CAN COUNT ON YOU AS A FRIEND.

WELL, I CAN HARDLY CALL MYSELF ANYTHING LESS.

BUT CAN I SAY "YES" WITHOUT MISLEADING YOU?

I...

I CAN'T THINK ANY FURTHER YET, GUY.

WHAT IS THE REASON FOR THIS RATHER INCONVENIENT PLEASURE, SIR HELMSLEY?

WELL... WELL, IN THE FIRST PLACE, IT GIVES ME THE CHANCE

TO SPEND AN HOUR ALONE IN YOUR COMPANY WITHOUT BEING SURROUNDED BY A FLOCK OF GIRLS, AND...

AND SECONDLY,

WHAT IN GOD'S NAME IS THE DUCHESS UP TO?

I'M SURE SHE'S NOT UP TO ANYTHING.

WELL, THEN WHAT IS MY SON UP TO?

I MEAN, LEAVING ASIDE THE QUESTION OF WHAT PART YOU MAY HAVE PLAYED IN THE DUCHESS' FLIGHT TO LONDON.

NO, NO, NO... SURELY, YOU MUST, LIKE ME, HAVE HEARD THE RUMORS.

RUMORS?

GOD DAMN IT, WOMAN, I'M NOT DEAF AND BLIND,

AND NOR, UNFORTUNATELY, ARE JULIUS AND HIS MOTHER.

I GATHER FROM THE DOWAGER THAT ANNABEL HAS BEEN SEEN DAILY AT THE HOUSE OF COMMONS,

AND I REPEAT, WHAT IS MY SON UP TO?

IS HE WRITING TO FELICIA?

I BELIEVE SO.

- YES, HE IS. - WELL, GOOD, GOOD.

WE CAN SEE THE GIRL IS IN LOVE WITH HIM.

THEY WOULD MAKE A PERFECT MATCH.

I MEAN SHE PLAYED THE PART OF AFFECTION ON BI-ELECTION NIGHT...

I WAS THERE, I KEPT MY EYE ON HER.

IF GUY IS CHASING AFTER OUR LITTLE AMERICAN DUCHESS, HE'S PLAYING WITH FIRE.

I'M SURE HE'S DOING NO SUCH THING.

NO? I WOULDN'T TRUST YOU FOR A MINUTE.

OH, REALLY? SIR HELMSLEY.

OH, AS YOU WELL KNOW, I HAVE THE HIGHEST HOPES FOR MY BOY,

AND IF HE SHOULD LOSE JULIUS' PATRONAGE...

BUT SURELY, GUY IS INDEPENDENT NOW.

NO, COUNTRY PEOPLE VOTE WITH THEIR LANDLORDS, MS. TESTVALLEY.

GUY CAN DO NOTHING WITHOUT JULIUS' BACKING.

THINGS MAY HAVE CHANGED, BUT THEY HAVEN'T CHANGED THAT MUCH.

MEN HAVEN'T CHANGED THAT MUCH.

WELL, NOR HAVE WOMEN, COME TO THAT.

YOU'RE THE ONE WHO SHOULD KNOW.

WHO WHAT WAS THAT REMARK SUPPOSED TO MEAN?

YOU'RE A MAN.

AND I HEAR YOU HAVE THE TYPICAL EXPERIENCE OF WOMEN.

OH, I SEE, I SEE, YOU...

YOU'RE SELECTIVE WITH RUMORS, IS THAT IT?

QUITE SINCE...

THE BEGINNING OF...

- NEGOTIATION? - NEGOTIATION?

BETWEEN YOU AND ME? LONG OVERDUE.

I THINK, SIR HELMSLEY, WHEN YOU SAY THAT, YOU SHOULD LOOK ME IN THE EYE.

SO, THAT I KNOW WHETHER TO BELIEVE YOU OR NOT.

WHOA.

THERE, NOW. THAT'S RIGHT.

- HELLO, LIZZY. - THERE YOU ARE, NAN.

THANK YOU, ROSE.

YOU'VE BEEN GONE SO LONG, I WAS BEGINNING TO THINK YOU'D BEEN KIDNAPPED.

OH, I'M SORRY. I WAS SHOPPING.

OH, I'M EXHAUSTED.

- THIS IS FOR YOU. - THANK YOU.

COME AND SIT DOWN. ROSE CAN MAKE US SOME TEA.

OH, NOT FOR ME, THANK YOU, LIZZY. NO TEA.

- THANK YOU, ROSE. - THANK YOU, DARLING.

OH.

I BOUGHT THE SILLIEST THING TO WEAR TO CONNIE'S PARTY. I MUST SHOW YOU.

TAKE THE BABIES TO THE NURSERY.

VOILA.

WHAT? WHAT IS IT, LIZZY?

SIT DOWN.

WELL, I WON'T BEAT ABOUT THE BUSH, DARLING.

THE FACT IS THAT YOU'VE BEEN AWAY FROM YOUR HUSBAND FOR FOUR MONTHS NOW,

AND PEOPLE ARE BEGINNING TO TALK.

HECTOR HAS BEEN HEARING MALICIOUS GOSSIP AT THE HOUSE ABOUT YOU AND MR. THWAITE.

I DON'T SEE WHY THEY BOTHER WITH MR. THWAITE AND ME.

IT'S HARDLY SURPRISING, IT'S NOT AS IF YOU'RE SOME LITTLE MISS NOBODY.

YES, I KNOW. BUT WHAT ABOUT LADY NIAM?

SHE'S FUNDING TOMMY TENNEN FOR M.P. SOME OR RATHER,

- AND NO ONE RAISES A PEEP. - NAN...

THAT DOESN'T SOUND A BIT LIKE YOU.

YOU KNOW THAT RICHARD DOESN'T CARE WHAT CONNIE DOES,

AS LONG AS HER LOVERS ARE RICH ENOUGH TO PAY OFF HIS DEBTS.

YOU MUST KNOW

THAT WE WOULD BOTH LOVE TO HAVE YOU HERE WITH US FOREVER.

BUT HONESTLY, NAN,

DON'T YOU THINK IT'S TIME...

OH, YOU WANT ME TO GO.

I FEEL BEASTLY ABOUT IT, DARLING,

REALLY, I DO.

- WE HAVE HECTOR'S CAREER TO THINK OF. - OF COURSE.

WE HAVE THE BOYS TO THINK OF.

BUT IT ISN'T JUST FOR OUR SAKES, YOU SEE.

YOU HAVE YOUR LIFE TO CONSIDER.

WON'T YOU GO HOME?

I CAN'T GO HOME.

I CAN'T DO THAT.

I CAN'T GO HOME.

I'M SORRY.

YOU HAVE NOT OPENED YOUR GIFT.

NO, I HAVEN'T.

I AGREED TO LET YOU STAY IN LONDON TO SEE YOUR PARENTS.

NOW THAT THEY HAVE GONE BACK TO AMERICA, IT IS JUST TIME FOR YOU TO COME HOME.

I'M STILL YOUR FUSE.

I DO...

I DON'T WISH TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION OR YOUR FEELINGS, ANNABEL.

I MERELY INSIST YOU PLAY IT BY THE RULES.

WHAT ARE THE RULES?

WHAT'S IT, SHOULD I REALLY SPELL THEM OUT, HMM?

VERY WELL.

YOU MUST SPEND AT LEAST A THIRD OF YOUR YEAR AT LONGS.

YOU MUST PERFORM YOUR VARIOUS DUTIES THERE,

AS YOU'VE DONE SO UP UNTIL NOW IN A PERFECTLY SATISFACTORY MANNER.

SO LONG AS YOU DO THAT...

SO LONG YOU AT LEAST...

FORM YOUR RESIDENCE IN TOWN AND NOT CAMPING OUT LIKE A GYPSY,

I SHALL TURN A BLIND EYE TO...

WHATEVER YOU DO WHEN YOU'RE IN LONDON.

IN THESE MATTERS, DISCRETION IS ALL.

IF, ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU CREATE A PUBLIC SCANDAL, I SHALL DIVORCE YOU.

I SHALL, OF COURSE, NAME YOUR LOVER,

AND CITE HIM AS CO-RESPONDENT, WHICH WOULD RUIN ANY CHANCE

HE HAS OF POLITICAL SUCCESS.

SO, EVERYTHING IS PERMISSIBLE,

SO LONG AS ONE IS NOT FOUND OUT?

EVERYTHING? AND NOTHING IS PERMISSIBLE.

CAN'T YOU SEE.

TO MAKE LOVE TO ANOTHER MAN'S WIFE IS AN ERROR OF TASTE,

TO MAKE HIM LOOK RIDICULOUS IN PUBLIC IS CRIMINAL.

YOU... YOU DON'T SEEM TO REALIZE...

HOW GENEROUS THESE TERMS ARE.

YOU HAVE NOT YET PRODUCED AN HEIR,

AND I HAVE TO TAKE BACK BOTH RECOMMENDS AS I RETURN YOU TO LONGLANDS BY FORCE.

- THEN WHY DON'T YOU? - BECAUSE I AM NOT A MONSTER. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?

I AM NOT A MONSTER.

ROSE.

THE DUCHESS OF TREVENICK ASKS TO SEE YOU.

THE DUCHESS IS HERE?

WELL, SHOW HER UP.

SHE WON'T COME UP, SIR.

YOU'RE GOING BACK.

FORGIVE ME.

YOU CARE MORE FOR JULIUS THAN YOU THOUGHT?

NO. NO.

IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH JULIUS.

I'M NOT GOING BACK TO JULIUS.

WHAT THEN?

OH, GUY, IT'S...

IT'S AS IF I'VE WOKEN FROM A CHILDISH DREAM.

I MUST GO HOME,

AND MAKE PEACE WITH MY HOUSEHOLD GODS.

CAN YOU UNDERSTAND THAT?

I DON'T WANT A LIFE OF LIES AND HYPOCRISY, I...

I COULDN'T BEAR TO LIVE LIKE THAT.

I'M SORRY, I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

DO YOU MEAN GOSSIP? IS THAT WHAT WORRIES YOU?

NOT JUST THAT, NO.

IT'S JUST THAT...

AT LONGLANDS, I... I KNOW WHAT MY ROLE IS,

AND IT HAS SUBSTANCE, AND HONOR.

CAN'T THAT BE ENOUGH TO MAKE UP FOR MY UNHAPPINESS?

ARE YOU TRYING TO TELL ME YOU ENJOY BEING A DUCHESS TOO MUCH?

I THOUGHT YOU WERE BRAVER THAN THAT.

YOU IMAGINE IT DOESN'T TAKE COURAGE TO GO BACK.

OF A NARROW, SELF-DEFEATING SORT, PERHAPS.

PLEASE, PLEASE DON'T.

PLEASE DON'T SAY HARSH THINGS... THAT I'LL REMEMBER WHEN I'M ALONE.

WELL, IF YOU'RE ALONE, WHOSE FAULT IS THAT?

OH, NAN.

OH, NAN...

I WON'T LET YOU GO.

I WON'T LET YOU GO UNLESS YOU TELL ME YOU DON'T LOVE ME.

SAY IT.

LOOK AT ME AND SAY YOU DON'T CARE FOR ME.

I CAN'T.

YOU KNOW I CAN'T.

BUT DON'T YOU SEE,

I'M AFRAID OF HAVING NOTHING TO LIVE FOR BUT MY PASSIONS.

- I MUST GO HOME. - NO.