Original subtitles

- It's a book of hate to wreak revenge on every pompous,

trembling worm who taps at Mrs. Castaway's door.

- And you are--

- Sugar is all there is to my name.

- I am going to get well, even if it kills me.

- Kindred spirits like yourself

are difficult to find.

- Exclusive patronage of Sugar by me.

- I'm willing.

- Your life is going to be very different from now on.

- I am not a madwoman.

- I expect a full collapse very shortly.

- My God, William Rackham, you'll keep

me better than you do now.

- I hate her.

Go off.

- He sleeps so sweetly, like a child

imagining that he is safe.

But I have my dreams, also.

Dreams of revenge against the men who took my innocence.

[skin sizzling]

[gasping]

- Honey, it's been years since I slept beside a woman

all night.

I must get up.

I have to look in at home.

- You have so many responsibilities.

- Did you make those changes we discussed, the letter?

Damn jute merchants, can't afford to fall out with them.

- It's all done.

- What is that terrible smell?

My nose is very sensitive at the moment.

If it can distinguish between lavandula delphinensis

and lavandula leptolia then it can certainly detect

dogs, miss.

- William I'm sorry.

St. Charles is filthy.

I do wish there was somewhere else we could meet.

I hate dragging you to this plague pit.

You know, I sometimes think it be

a miracle if I'm not carried off by the cholera

by the time I'm 25.

- Don't say that.

Really, one forms

the slightest attachment to a woman,

and then--

letter.

[woman screaming]

- William, forgive me. I was joking.

- Well, I wish you wouldn't.

[birds chirping]

- Goodness, Mrs. Rackham, you have been busy.

- Do you know what this is, Clara?

- Invitations?

- It's forgiveness.

Society opening its doors.

I am to be included in this season.

Even Lady Bridgelow see, and Mrs. Amphlett have

invited me to tea next week.

A great change is in the air, Clara.

Everything's going to be all right.

[serene music]

- Mrs. Fox, I hope I do not inconvenience you.

- Not in the least.

Forgive all this.

I've become the Rescue Society's unofficial warehouse.

[coughing]

Excuse me.

This is why you did not see me at church today.

- Forgive me, where is your maid?

- I let her go home on the weekends

to care for her grandfather.

- So we are alone in the house.

Is that quite decent?

- I'm afraid I find cocoa terrifically stimulating.

We are so easily seduced.

- Are we?

- Just last week, I was on my way home

from visiting a particularly wretched family.

I was tired, discouraged, and I didn't want to walk.

Before I knew what I was doing, I

was in the underground railway speeding through the earth,

mindless of anything except my own pleasure,

and all at the cost of six pence.

- Goodness.

- I enjoyed it so much I missed my stop.

This is how the world will end, Henry.

The Antichrist is our own desires.

[woman yelling]

- You are the early bird.

- I have some errands to run.

- Well, you've time on your hands.

Haven't seen much of Mr. Hunt lately, have we?

What is it, a week now?

- Mr. Hunt is a busy man.

- So it seems.

Although, with what, exactly, I'm never certain.

- Well, you can ask him next time he comes.

- Just as long as you parted from him on good terms.

- As always.

- But what do we care?

I know you're much missed at the fireside.

Do you remember the game we used

to play when you were a baby?

On the coldest winter nights, I'd creep into your room

while you were sleeping all cuddled up in your blanket.

And I'd pull it off.

Do you remember?

I'd pull it off.

And I'd say, that's what God does.

That's what God does.

[eerie music]

- The dagger tip touched tender flesh.

And, yet, I hesitated.

Was not this man worse than all the rest?

Had he not abused my trust and cast

me back into the pit of filth?

Yet, I could not thrust it home.

[screaming]

I put away my trusty blade.

Fetched poison and the softest cloth.

[screaming]

Sweet dreams, my love.

- Mrs. Rackham, what is your secret?

- My secret?

- Some new spa, perhaps.

You're looking most terribly well.

- Oh, no, no, no, Mrs. Amphlett.

Well, I was just thinking that you

look quite remarkably different from the last time I saw you.

You're so thin.

I hardly recognized you.

- You are very kind.

- Not at all.

I'm envious.

- I swear by a strict but simple regime of water

and green beans, and if I'm feeling

dizzy, a mouthful of oxtail soup.

But the soup must be very well strained.

- Oh, I shall remember.

No, I shall write this down.

- I should caution you that, at first, you may experience

debilitating headaches.

- I'm already a martyr to headache.

As we speak, I'm prey to a terrible throbbing.

- But there is no need for you to suffer as you do.

Here, look, on bad days, I take a couple of these with a dose

of Godfrey's cordial.

Ask your pharmacist.

Your doctor would give you a lecture on them.

But, trust me, you will hardly know yourself.

[eerie music]

- Well, this is pleasant, A meal together.

You suggested we have a meal together.

- Yes, I did.

- Bon appetit.

What is it, dear?

- Was it green beans?

- No, you were just smiling.

- Well, William, the fact is I have a guardian angel.

- Are you referring to Clara?

- No, a real guardian angel.

She watches over us.

I feel her about me all the time.

I think she's from the Convent of Health, the place

I go when I'm asleep.

- I wasn't aware that you were going anywhere,

dear, while you were sleeping.

- The nuns there are really angels.

I've suspected that for a long time.

But what a relief to have proof.

- Proof?

- Yeah, I waved to her, and she waved back.

- Hmm.

- You're not hungry?

[doorbell ringing]

- He's here.

- Well, go on, send him up.

- He wants you to come down.

He's talking to Castaway.

- Oh, Sugar,

I'm afraid to say, Mr. Hunt

has had enough of our house.

- I'm sorry to hear that, Mr. Hunt.

- It seems Mr. Hunt has other plans for you.

- I've missed your company.

- It's been difficult getting away.

Agnes is seeing things.

- Seeing things?

- Angels in the street.

[suspenseful music]

- Who else is here?

What is this?

- This is yours and mine.

I couldn't bear the thought of you living in that filthy part

of town any longer.

The bank will send you an allowance.

First payment is here.

You will be independent.

Say something.

- Oh, dear God.

[serene music]

- Will you miss your looking glass?

- Why do I need to look at myself

when I have you to look at me?

- I've instructed Mrs. Castaway that nothing in your room

be touched until you remove it.

- Does she seem sorry to see me go?

- Not in the least.

The old trout knows a good deal when she sees one.

But you need not worry about her anymore or anyone

from your past.

You have a new life here with me.

- Taking all your books, I see.

Don't forget your bowl.

Good bowl, that.

- I won't need it.

There's a bath at the new place.

- Who will take care of your sheets?

- I will, I suppose.

- That's me out of a job, then.

- You know, I was thinking, Christopher,

that I could come back sometimes,

and you and I could read together.

I will come back for you.

- You're leaving us, then, after all these years?

Lord knows I tried hard enough to be rid of you once.

No brew so toxic I didn't inflict it upon myself.

No bath so scalding I didn't immerse myself in it.

You were indestructible.

- Let's hope I remain so.

- 19 years since we embarked on this life together.

- Six since you tiptoed to my room

and told me there was a gentleman come to keep me warm.

Well, Mother, I--

- Of course, dear.

Nothing to hold you here.

Onward and upward with Mr. Hunt.

[serene music]

[breathing heavily]

[moaning]

- I'm afraid I won't see you for a while.

I'm in Dundee until Thursday.

And then I have Bodley and Ashwell on the Friday.

I will get away from them as early as I can.

You'll be here?

- Where else?

- Believe it or not, Agnes is also out that night.

Lady Bridgelow is taking her to the Royal Albert Hall.

- Goodness, that's a step forward.

- Yeah, too big a step, she thought.

But I persuaded her.

The new Verdi.

Thank goodness for Cheesman.

At least I know she'll get there and back in one piece.

I've told you of this new coachman?

- I checked his references for you.

- Of course you did.

She has been marvelous, really, considering

how she has suffered.

- Well, perhaps Agnes is stronger than you imagine.

- I mean Lady Bridgelow.

She knows better than most the cruelty

of petty social stigma.

- Don't underestimate your own allure, William.

- She is a modern aristocrat, not afraid

to associate herself with those who have

dealings with people in trade.

I admire her for that.

Do you have enough money?

- Plenty.

- Make sure you eat properly.

Go to the work and order the brie.

[sighs]

- But I am a respectable family man,

he cried, as I cut through his shirt

with my razor-sharp shears.

[ominous music]

[woman screaming]

- Spare a coin?

Miss, spare a coin?

[woman yelling]

- I just came to pick up my powders.

I thought I'd call in.

- That's nice.

Can't get your powders in Marylebone, then?

- Well, I dare say I could, but I don't

know where or who to ask.

- Got no friends up there, huh?

- Not that kind.

- He's fancy, then, is he?

Clothes don't mean nothing, Sugar.

Might beat you with a poker or make

you lick his shoes for that.

- No, he's not like that.

- Well, what mighty good luck.

Are you, you know, fond of him?

- Well, I'm used to him.

And when he's away, like now--

- Do you miss him?

- I don't miss him.

I miss the world that comes with him.

I'm involved with his business.

It's oddly satisfying.

- Do you still got time for your book?

- Not as much as I'd hoped.

- Perhaps got less to avenge now.

- No, I don't think that.

Not at all.

- No harm in getting soft, Sugar.

We all would given half a chance.

[chuckling]

- Oh, Rackers, Back up.

- You look as though you'd rather be tucked up.

- I got back from Dundee at 4:00 this morning.

- Flattery will soon put the wind in your sails.

We have plans to revive you later.

Don't worry.

- I called on Mrs. Castaway this morning.

- Some lucky gent has taken the legendary Sugar off the market

before we'd had the benefit of her charms.

- If you find out who's got her,

you tell him we're going to have a bash.

Anyway, we thought a trip to the twins in Drury Lane.

- Ah, previous engagement.

- You are dull, Bill.

- But happy.

- He's lost his mind.

- You haven't been drinking the lavender water?

[laughing]

- Not everyone can wear white.

- No, indeed, Mrs. Rackham.

- You have to be very thin.

- Do you think she ever eats?

- Shall we?

[orchestral music]

[sighing]

[applause]

[chatter]

- Your opinion, Agnes?

- I have no opinion.

I'd really like some air.

- Oh, goodness, you do look peaked.

- Lady Bridgelow, your concern for me is false and poisonous.

You are fat, and your chin has hairs on it.

[retching]

[women shrieking]

[melancholy music]

- Agnes?

Agnes?

- You must not look me in the face.

You're not supposed to see me.

I'm going to help you.

But you must not look at my face.

- William says you are a trick of imagination.

[crying]

Oh, I am filthy.

I'm covered in filth.

- Stand up.

Stand up.

Wrap this around you.

- You smell familiar.

- Now, listen, I need you to walk out of here and turn left.

I'll be watching you, Agnes.

But this must be our secret.

Do you understand?

Otherwise, I could get into trouble.

- Can angels get into trouble?

- Creatures like us are not supposed

to interfere in your world.

I'm watching you, remember.

Go on.

Keep moving.

[melancholy music]

- I do wonder where you can be at this time of night.

- Clara.

- It's me William.

- Where's Clara?

- Just outside.

Don't worry.

How do you feel now, dear?

- Like a lost bonnet floating on a dark river.

- You are so very understanding.

- No, I pity her.

We who have uninterrupted health

must be thankful for our good fortune, something my dear

Albert always urged me to be thankful for it

when he was alive.

- My dear Lady Bridgelow.

- I should not complain.

I have my son in whom Albert lives on.

The resemblance is very strong.

I don't doubt it'll be the same for you when you have a son.

- I dare say it will.

- You're visiting my sister?

- Yes.

I trust she's well.

- Of course she's not well.

Use your sense, man.

Don't stay too long and tire her out.

- You are, perhaps, a little pale.

- Appearances mean so little.

My dear Bertie appeared to be in the pink of health

always yet.

But he is gone.

I remain.

[coughing]

I am so anxious to be well, Henry.

With no children to look after, I've saved

all my juices for the cause.

- I know the cause is grateful.

- I sit here tormented, knowing each day

that passes, one more woman sinks

into a life of unbridled vice.

- Mrs. Fox, I want you to know that I have,

myself, begun to work in St. Giles.

- You, Henry?

- So you must rest easy in the knowledge

that a presence is maintained.

- Oh, I knew that you felt as I do.

- I do.

- Hello, sir.

Want a nice girl?

Not expensive.

- I wish only to talk with you.

- Very good.

Come into my house.

- No, no, I mean what I say.

A shilling just to talk.

- What are you writing it down for?

- I'm temporarily taking over the work of a dear

friend in the Rescue Society.

I intend to report back in every detail.

- Oh, nice.

Well, you paid your shilling.

Don't be shy.

- When, if you don't mind, Caroline,

did you lose your virtue?

- At 16 to me husband.

- Your husband?

Well, then you did not lose your virtue.

So you must have left him then or been cast out?

- He died, sir.

And me little boy followed close behind.

- I'm deeply sorry.

So that is when you fell into this way of being?

- I didn't fall.

I was pushed.

I owed the doctor for the child's medicine.

He arranged my start in the profession.

- The doctor?

I see.

Well, forgive me, I know a man who runs a great concern.

I could arrange employment for you.

- I have employment.

- Employment by which you would not risk damnation.

- I have employment.

You want me to break my health at a dirty factory

for two shillings a week to help

your friend make his fortune?

Now the shilling's long since up.

- Caroline, do you believe you have a soul?

- Anything you got, I got, too.

- And don't you fear for it?

- You know, I fear nothing much because I've loved,

and I've been loved.

Ain't that what a soul's about?

- Brother.

- Oh, I need to talk to you, William.

- I've only just returned from Birmingham.

And I have an important appointment

I need to make in Marylebone.

- It is a confession of sorts.

- Sit down, Henry.

[serene music]

[door knocking]

- Ma'am.

- He dresses it up as spiritual poppycock, of course.

But the fact is that Henry's on heat

and too priggish to admit it.

[laughing]

- So how did you advise him?

- I simply told him that the feelings he had for Mrs. Fox

bared all the hallmarks of infatuation,

and they would simply run their course.

What enthralls us today may simply have no hold tomorrow.

- Indeed.

Poor William, the whole world runs to you with its troubles.

- All except you.

- What troubles have I?

I am the luckiest woman alive.

- Oh, I wish I could just fall asleep here.

- Well, do, then.

- I have to be up early tomorrow.

I have to go to the lavender fields.

- The lavender fields?

- Mm-hmm.

- Where the lavender actually grows?

[chuckling]

Won't you take me?

- Oh, I'd love nothing more, but--

- I understand.

- It's a shame you don't have a chaperone, some kindly

old gent who had a veneer of respectability to the exercise.

- I need to pee.

- Pretend you're at home.

Do it in your pants.

- So kind-hearted.

- Six shillings and whisky, remember.

Enjoy the sunshine.

- They claim they've been pruning these bushes for weeks.

Yesterday afternoon, more like.

- It really is magnificent.

Bigger than I'd ever imagined.

- Ha, what a bonfire this would make, eh?

- Actually, we do burn all the plants in their fifth autumn.

The blaze is fragrant enough to cause all of Mitcham to swoon.

Ah, I've been looking for you.

- I give it six months, you'll be out on your arse.

- You don't know what you're talking about.

- Oh, don't let anything dirty pass your lips.

- It is breathtaking.

- If only I had a son to leave it to.

- Dear William.

- It suits you, the fresh air.

[serene music]

- Bleeding again underneath.

I am certain it's caused by eating.

If I don't eat, I don't bleed.

But then I get faint, and they summon Curlew.

Where is my angel?

I have not seen her in so long.

Perhaps, I have not deserved her.

- Some stains you never get out.

- Thank you.

You may sit up.

I'm afraid all is not as it should be.

Your womb has moved.

It's much higher than where it ought to be, which is--

Mrs. Rackham, are you looking at anything in particular?

- I'm looking for something, Dr. Curlew.

- What?

- A sign.

- I suggested Agnes take more interest in the household.

Next thing I know, she's actually scrubbing.

Curlew is adamant she must be secured.

- No, surely Agnes would never survive an asylum.

- I've told him that exactly.

Awful thing is, one day she's as

normal as you or I, and the next,

she's waving at angels.

- How long has Agnes been this way?

- If I'm honest, her madness has blossomed since the child.

- Agnes lost a child?

- No, we have a child.

- You have?

- Yes, a daughter, unfortunately.

Sophie.

- Sophie.

- See very little of her, the odd glimpse

as she's being swept off to church by her nurse.

Oh, another looming disaster.

Miss Cleave claims that Sophie needs a governess.

As if a child of eight needs schooling, a girl, too.

Trying to bounce another shilling out of me a week,

I don't doubt.

I wish for all the world I could live with you.

[sighing]

- Rejoice, Christ exhorts us.

And be exceeding glad

for great is your reward in heaven.

So persecuted, they,

the prophets which were before you.

Ye are the salt of the earth.

If the salt hath lost its savor,

wherewith shall it be salted?

[melancholy music]

- Sophie, pay attention.

[door knocking]

- Hi, Dr. Curlew.

- Henry.

- I received a message from Mrs. Fox today.

- Indeed.

- I gather she's to be sent away to the coast to recover.

- She's going to Folkestone.

Yes, that much is true.

- You have any idea how long she'll be there?

- I imagine, given my experience of the disease,

not long at all.

A couple of months at most.

- She'll be gone so long.

Well, I shall strive to find ways to pass

the time until she's back.

- Dear God, what is the matter with the men in your family?

Do you understand nothing?

My sister is dying of consumption.

She'll never come back.

- Henry, I hoped it was you.

But what kept you?

- Nothing kept me.

- Time passes so slowly for me when I'm waiting for you.

- Mrs. Fox, I am not worthy.

- Oh, yes you are.

- No!

My feelings for you leave me in no doubt I am

not cut out to be a clergyman.

- Henry, stop.

- I rage to see you punished in this way.

- God is bigger than one woman's illness.

And you would make the kindest, sincerest,

handsomest--

- Forgive me.

[dishes clattering]

- Are you quite sure you won't join us this evening, Agnes?

I know how fond you are of Henry.

- Dr. Curlew has advised against socializing.

- I think he also said it might be

better not to spend so much time sitting

at the window, dearest.

- You don't believe in angels, do you?

- No, I don't.

- You don't believe in anything except William Rackham.

- She's dying, Bill.

- No, she's absurdly highly strung and on new medication.

- Mrs. Fox is dying.

Her brother says there's no hope.

- Oh.

- She stares into my soul.

Bill, those imploring eyes.

- You two had grown surprisingly close.

- Her breast heaves.

She pants and clutches at my hand.

- How lucky she is to have you to comfort her, Henry.

- As if-- as if she wants something more from me.

- It's not surprising.

- I ask myself over and over and over what is it

she thinks I can give her.

- Are you serious?

- I pray for guidance night and day.

- For pity's sake, Henry, she wants you

to give her a good seeing to.

She wants you to give her a good fucking, Henry.

- What sort of a creature--

I can't stay in this house.

- Stop tormenting her, Henry.

If she really is dying, just let her feel pleasure at

least once!

[ominous music]

[snoring]

[gasping]

- William, what is it?

- I've asked Cheesman to come at dawn.

We will leave for the lavender fields straight away.

- What about--

- What do I care what people think?

It's my damn lavender field!

It's my damn business!

I'm sick of being judged by fools who have no idea how

the world works, who have the luxury of a clear conscience

because I pay for it on a dirty, daily basis!

[books crashing]

[melancholy music]

- Mrs. Fox,

you look so well.

- Of course, Henry.

I'm in heaven.

I can't wait for you to join me.

- I want to join you.

I want to, but we're not married.

- There's no marriage in heaven, Henry.

Mark 12:25.

- Mrs. Fox.

[stirring music]

[birds chirping]

- If only I could live with you.

You are such a help to me.

- I wish I could help you more.

- It's not only Henry and Agnes.

The entire household is out of control.

Agnes' maid treats me with open contempt.

Miss Cleave has finally had a notice.

So now I have to find a new governess.

- Are you serious about living with me?

- Of course I am.

But it's impossible.

- Could I not, in fact, live with you as your new governess?

- Rackham!

- You're not serious.

- I'm sorry--

- Rackham!

- --I only thought--

- Mr. Rackham,

here, you're wanted, sir.

Rackham, it's your brother.

[soft dramatic music]

----♪ ♪