All language subtitles for Cranford S02E02 Xmas Special (2009) [HDTV.XviD-BiA] UK-English

It is Peggy I feel so very sorry for.

I fear she has no friends.

There are people enough who
wish to see things changed.

I count myself among them.

William says he will be
an engineer or nothing.

I will not allow it.

The railway has not
proved to be of worth.

It has made no mark on
our town, Mr. Buxton.

Good.

I should rather be an attorney.
There's money to be made.

My father liked your brother very much.

And you have quite
captured Erminia's fancy.

Do I have to go back?

Your schooling is Mr.
Carter's gift to you.

The railway will come
into the heart of Cranford!

Captain Brown!
Without my cooperation,

the railway's plans are void.

If the railway's not
coming, then I can't stay.

"The young desire progress,

"and if we stunt them,

"they will seek a richer soil.

"I have arranged
a private excursion

"I only beg that we
should examine all things."

I will sell my land.

I cannot permit my prejudice to
stand in the way of the railway.

- Peggy Bell.
- Yes?

Will you please be my wife?

It never occurred to me

that Mr. William would take
any interest in one such as you.

You have no charm!

And he has at least £4,000 a year.

Father, I sat up waiting
for you last night,

there is something I must say.

I got home after two!

Captain Brown took me to
dine with Sir Charles Maulver.

He had a seat in Parliament
before the Whigs got in...

But Father...

... and was full of advice
as to how you might proceed.

Are you sure it's all right to
call? We have not been invited.

We may call when we wish!

- We need no invitations.
- Mother!

Of course, he's your fiance.
Now our families are one.

We are to be related, a
different etiquette applies.

We might even visit quite
outside the usual hours,

and still be met with open arms!

Though we ought to take
pains to look gracious.

When Peggy is mistress,
that house will be our home!

I should think they are getting
the silver from the sideboard!

They certainly have a deal of it.

Hallmarks on everything...

even the salts and peppers.

Peggy will forget what pewter is!

I am an old dog...

new tricks grind my bones,
send me slinking to my basket.

I didn't see the value
of the railway,

but Sir Charles says many men
have exploited its development.

My passion is for engineering,
Father.

I have no interest in politics!

And that is your error.

You are a gentleman,
just like Sir Charles.

If you play your cards correctly,

you may yet end up a baronet.

Mrs. Bell, Miss Bell,
and Mr. Bell, sir.

Sir! We have cause to shake
each other's hands, it seems.

- The developments please you?
- I surmised what would happen.

Yes, the pace has been rapid,
that is the modern way.

Though they have already faced me
with a shocking lot of paperwork.

My dear Peggy!

You have a hint of the
high-day about your trimmings.

You must be destined
for somewhere pleasant.

But I will not quiz you on it,
lest I make you blush.

You should employ an agent, sir.
I advised you of that before.

You were correct.

I have lawyers in Manchester,
but they're out to confound me.

If you will deal with them for
me, we shall see how we both fare.

Sir! I shall give you my best.

What say you to that, Mrs. Bell?

I bless the day Miss Matty
arranged for us to meet.

We must make her guest
of honour at the wedding!

I have been told nothing of a wedding.

Swansdown. One gust from the funnel,
and it would be off!

Miss Galindo. You will be obliged
to reconfigure all your patterns!

Now the railway is upon us, we
require more robust millinery.

Guiseppe will have milk
brought in a saucer,

with a Savoy biscuit
mixed well in.

We left the house before
he had his second breakfast.

Whatever provoked such haste?

A letter, Miss Galindo,
from my sister in law!

She plans a journey from
her home in Scotland.

From Friday of this week, I
shall be hostess to Lady Glenmire!

I have a delightful array of caps,
they are newly in from Nottingham.

Caps? You have not had
a new bonnet in an age!

Miss Galindo, if you could hand me
the hat with the chartreuse ribbon.

It looks so very delicate,
next to Miss Pole's face.

I am almost afraid to post this letter.

Jem will scarcely
have arrived at Bolton.

And to hear about the
railway may distress him!

Jem has made
his decision, Miss Matty.

And you have helped set
Cranford on its future path.

You must not look back, lest
the perspective makes no sense.

I am not accustomed
to behaving so decisively.

I, for one, have been
inspired by your actions.

I have had this wrapped
and stamped for days,

and lacked the courage
to put it in the post,

but your gesture yesterday,
has tempered my resolve.

Mary dear, whatever are you about?

I have completed
an article of writing.

And am sending it out, in
the hope of publication.

Oh, that's remarkable! Article
of writing! Is it a recipe?

No, Miss Matty, it is not.

And a letter for your fiance!
You are wonderfully diligent.

There.

You will regret letting
the mail coach go,

when you hear what I must say!

- We are in receipt of news!
- Is it about the railway?

The railway is not news.

But you like Peggy!
She has often been our guest!

Oh, she's good for
a cup of tea in Cranford.

But you need a cultivated wife!

You have money, and now
connections through the railway.

You should befriend the nobility,
and dine in houses of high standing.

That is how England is governed.

I have no desire to involve
myself in government!

Which frees me to marry
where my heart leads.

- Have you never thought of Erminia?
- Erminia?

She is a most superior girl.

- I have long cherished hope...
- Father...

It seems to me that you
took as many liberties

in planning my future
as you did with your son!

You don't want to marry
me, do you Erminia?

No. I do not.

I was orphaned young, and
went to school in Brussels.

I have been unfortunate enough.

I fancy you fashioned
a scheme for my fortune,

just as you did for my person.

But I shall spend my money and
my youth as my parents hoped,

in pursuit of my own contentment.

Meanwhile,
William means to do the same,

and cares not what grief he causes!

I do not exist only to
thwart or please you!

I proposed to Peggy Bell
because I love her.

You loved where you wished!

And for that reason and no other,
if my mother were here,

she would give her blessing.

I am not an admirer of the Scotch,

but in circumstances such as these
I might venture a tartan ribbon!

Her Ladyship would deem
that a compliment, I'm sure!

We have some splendid
plaids in stock,

dress lengths and curtain widths.

Now that her Majesty has
visited the Highlands,

she entertains
no other pattern.

- Have you any turbans?
- Not in tartan.

You are not still in
pursuit of a turban?

I think it's a most
attractive form of headdress!

You should invest in fresh mittens.

It's your hands she will look
at when we are all at cards!

Cards! Cards.

You say it as though
it is all so simple.

How are we to converse across the baize?

She is the widow of a Baron!

How must she be addressed?

When Mrs. Johnson
and I were at Harrogate,

we made the acquaintance of a baroness.

Our intercourse
was exceedingly civil.

And she said we might address her
as Lady Jephson, or Your Ladyship.

Once accustomed to such company,

one finds the cordialities
trip lightly off the tongue.

I have sent for my trunk, and
have written to my friend Maria.

If she will have me,
I will go there,

before I'm made as
vexed as everybody else.

He will not be my master, Erminia!

If you want his respect,
you must earn it.

And if you want freedom,
you must earn that too.

Peggy merits his regard.

I have never been so moved
by anyone, as I am by her.

So you must demonstrate her value!

Walk away from his money,
and labour for your own.

That is easily said, by one
with charge of her own purse!

And if it is not easily done, does
that mean it must not be attempted?

I am sorry, I am not
used to being crossed.

No, you are not.

But I am glad that you are tried,

your path has been too smooth,

and you were on your way
to being quite imperious.

I didn't take you for a
matchmaker, Miss Matty.

It would appear you are as
effective as you are discreet.

- A matchmaker?
- My son and Peggy Bell!

Engaged to be married, and
united in their insolence.

He won't renege on it, in
spite of my displeasure.

If it weren't for your meddling,
they would never have met.

He would stand the chance
of something better.

Do you suggest that Peggy is
not good enough for William?

I beg you...

You are in no position to
beg except for my forgiveness.

You did a fine day's work
yesterday, Miss Matty.

I shall leave you to
reflect upon your actions.

But Mr. Buxton, if
they love each other...

Love?

What do you know of love,

to offer it up as if
it is the final word?

Engineering is a fierce new animal.

It grows and sprawls
beyond our grasp.

It's not like Eton, or Cambridge,

I cannot stand before a
blackboard and lecture in a gown.

I would rather learn
through observation, sir.

If you put me with the workers, I
would set my shoulder to the wheel.

I can only offer you the
rudest apprenticeship, Mr. Buxton,

as a supernumerary
with my surveying team.

You'll need a keen eye,
and a thick greatcoat.

I fear, sir, that I may
need board and lodging also.

My mother's great concern is for Edward.

I must not enrage Mr. Buxton any
further, lest he withdraws his help.

So she forbids me to see William,
and I must not write to him.

Do you intend to remain engaged?

Yes, we do.

We could not meet with
ease, even if it was allowed.

He must work now,

his hours are not his own.

So I have hidden a
lunch-pail in the gorse-bush,

and it must do duty
as our letterbox. See?

There was a saying in my youth,

when gorse is out of blossom,
then kissing's out of fashion.

Well, it is out of fashion now.

There is not one bud to be seen,

and nor will there be
for many, many months.

My Uncle Pole once spent several
nights at Edinburgh,

and he informs me that
the most appropriate beverage
for Her Ladyship is whisky.

Whisky?

Mary, you are very gauche!

It is not illegal any more.

Meanwhile, I am planning
an evening entertainment.

I thought perhaps cutlets,

and cold brawn moulded
to resemble a roast boar!

You should put an orange in his mouth.

Is there still no proper maid?

We will be rattling the latch
and shouting "Coo-ee" soon

like callers at a cottage!

Now. I am come to say
I should not like you

to feel the least anxiety about the
forthcoming visit of Lady Glenmire.

Indeed, it may soothe you to
hear that calls are not expected!

That could not be countenanced
before three days have passed.

She will feel very frail,
after travelling from Scotland.

I fear you mistake my meaning.

It would be preferable if
you did not call at all.

I anticipate approaches
from county families,

and expect that we
shall dine at Arley Hall.

But Cranford wishes to welcome her!

Surely there will be
an opportunity for cards?

Lady Glenmire is accustomed
to the best of company.

She must not be misled,

and believe that I am not.

I shall not incommode you further.

Well!

It is fitting she left in that
shifty, precipitate manner,

for I am sure I was about to say
something quite sharp and sarcastic.

I always thought that we
had been the best of company.

To one another, at the very least!

She will have cause to rue this day!

As will Mr. Johnson, when
I take the whisky back.

A purchase in a shop can be undone,

but an unjust slight
is not so easily reversed.

It seems to me that we must protect
ourselves from any further hurt.

And that is best done...

if we do not acknowledge
Lady Glenmire in any way!

# Pleasure that can never cloy

# Thus provided, pardoned, guided

# Nothing can our peace destroy

# Amen. #

Bertha!

Mount these hassocks.

What does Her Ladyship have on?

- Good morning.
- My sister in-law.

A plaid shawl. And a black silk.

She looks like Mrs. Deekes,
from down the Coach And Horses.

Lady Glenmire professes herself to be
quite enchanted with the countryside.

Mrs. Jamieson.
You have a guest this day!

My sister in law, Lady Glenmire.

Captain Brown.

That is a Campbell
tartan, is it not, my lady?

Why, yes, sir! My husband's
family were members of that clan.

Mary,

is that not your step-mamma's carriage?

Yes, Miss Matty. I'm afraid it is.

- A broken engagement!
- Oh, Mary! Mary.

Thank you, Miss Matty,
for your evident distress.

Mary is clearly indifferent
to the anguish she has caused.

My error was in agreeing
to marry Mr. Turnbull.

Now I have found the
courage to admit it,

I must confess I feel quite calm.

Calm!

When she has spurned a man who
has just patented his soap flakes!

Mary, dear. Surely you
care for Mr. Turnbull!

I do care for Mr. Turnbull.

I do not care for him enough.

Oh, spare me the fancies
of the schoolroom.

You, who purport to be so
mature and perspicacious!

You even had your poor papa convinced,

posturing about in your
spectacles and that checked dress,

and wasting his money
on ink and paper all the while.

Writing is the only skill I have!

It is not a convenient gift
for a woman.

It requires solitude and application.

Marriage would deprive
me of the chance of both.

Now I can retain my independence,

and at least discover if
my work is worth pursuing.

You are not independent!

Your father pays you a
most generous allowance.

It is my share
of my own mother's fortune.

If I marry, it will
all become my husband's.

It is a dreadful thing,
Mary, to withdraw a promise!

You inspired me to do this!

I did as you suggested,

when you urged your friends
to travel on the railway.

I examined all things.

I have arranged the transfer
of the Tinden Cottage deeds

as soon as Mr. Buxton has been paid.

Notice to quit will be given today,

so demolition may
proceed within four weeks.

You are effectual, I grant you that.

I undertook to move swiftly.

If I have achieved that, I am glad.

£160, for Mr. Buxton, as agreed.

- Soil sample, sir.
- Oh, thank you.

Edward?

Er, there looks to be a seam of
chalk, running through Tinden Edge.

It might be limestone, this
isn't sufficient to tell.

- You shall have to go back, with your shovel.
- Sir.

What does it say?

What does it say?!

- Are we to be evicted?
- Yes.

- In 28 days.
- Harry chose us that house!

It's his name on the rent book!

- Will you write to him?
- Most certainly.

Can you get word to your husband?

I could send him a
message, by carrier's cart.

You may count it at your leisure.

- Have you the deeds to hand?
- I do.

On the bureau. I put
them there in readiness.

Sign your name here,
please, a little above mine.

My tenants will be re-housed?

It is all in hand, sir.

The senior partner has entrusted
me with all the documents.

He thinks well of you, doesn't he?

He did suggest that
if I could fund my way,

he might invite me
to serve my articles.

And is that a very
costly thing to do?

Mother!

Mother!

Take these glasses. They were your
father's, the cut of the crystal is good.

Peggy, fetch a cloth to wrap them in.

Once you revealed your marriage plans,
I did not think I'd keep Buxton's favour.

But instead, he showers
me with benevolence!

It'll cost a pretty pound to
put me through my articles.

I think it is not so much a
mark of his fondness for you,

but of his anger with William.

Yes. Well, that is your
fault, and your fiance's folly.

I'll need the chart by noon tomorrow,

we've been losing time.

Madam?

Is something amiss?

Guiseppe's legs have given way.

I've been here quarter of an
hour and I cannot raise him.

He does not snarl at me.

It's a most alarming sign.

I persuaded Mrs. Jamieson
a stroll would aid his health!

He has become so portly even a circuit
of the parlour makes him wheeze.

He refuses to respond.

He may fear that recovery
means a resumption of his walk.

Captain Brown.
That is wonderfully done!

I wish you would remain.

If you are not to be
welcome in Manchester,

I would so very much like you
to consider this your home!

Cranford has been my haven,
but my intention is to write.

I must seek new places
and a wide society.

But to live in a
lodging house! In London!

Breaking my engagement
took a deal of courage,

and now, not even London
has the power to terrify.

I would rather see you to your door,

but we should not let Mrs. Jamieson
guess at Guiseppe's adventures.

I must say it has been
a lively afternoon!

Until today I have been very dull.

I did hope for society
with the ladies of the town,

for I had a cloistered time
of it whilst my husband ailed,

but no-one has called and we
have received no invitations.

The ladies of Cranford are
most welcoming to strangers.

Something's surely gone awry.

Or been put so,
perhaps, by your hostess.

And so we find ourselves
invited to a Halloween gathering!

Written in Lady Glenmire's own hand.

"To honour the anniversary
of Mrs. Jamieson's marriage!"

I think we're all agreed
on how we should proceed.

If you bring your knitting across
that evening we can decline in unison,

with the excuse
that we are previously engaged.

You don't intend to go?

Mrs. Jamieson injured all of us.

So we agreed to ignore her guest!

I cannot deny that I was vexed,

but we ought not invest them with
the power to upset us for a fortnight.

Miss Matty has not mentioned it,
but she has a cold.

She sneezed twice, just
prior to your arrival.

In which case, Miss Matty,
we will hire you the sedan.

And has Her Ladyship been
recently at court?

Bless you, Miss Pole! I
never went there in my life!

I was one of five daughters
and my father lacked the means.

Then I married a baron and
found him positioned likewise!

Besides, I have heard
indifferent reports of it.

Cards are never played
and there is no refreshment offered!

That will be Prince Albert's doing.

He is said to be proud
of his Spartan inclinations.

Mrs. Jamieson, did I see Mulliner
take off with the blackberry wine?

It was a gift, from Mrs. Forrester.

Mr. Jamieson abhorred strong drink!

Well, Mr. Jamieson is not here
to compromise our pleasure.

Mulliner must fetch it in,

and my plum cake too, that
he took into his pantry.

I have left a jack-o'-lantern
to fend off witches!

Oh, Halloween!

I think it foolish superstition
and a woeful waste of turnip!

Splendidly said, Lady Glenmire!

There is no such thing
as evil spirits and

thus no need to fend them off!

But one hears such tales
of ghosts and fairies.

The curtain lifts between
the worlds tonight!

Here comes Mulliner!

He cares not for All Souls Eve.

Last year,

he was in the lane attending
to Guiseppe's dainty needs

when he saw a young mother in
the shadow by the greensward.

She carried an infant,
wrapped in a shawl.

As he passed her, she stepped forth,

holding up the babe as
if for his inspection.

In the blanket lay a severed head.

When he looked up,

there was naught above the
mother's neck but sinew.

Roughly hewn.

The barometer
did not foretell of fog!

And the absence of moonlight
is to be deplored.

Perhaps it is good that
the mist is so thick!

I am sure we do not wish to
see anything disagreeable!

- It is but bats, I am quite certain!
- Bats?

They are just diabolically large!

We cannot match your vigour!

Please! I must insist you
do not jolt Miss Matty so!

Resume a walking speed and we
will furnish you an extra shilling!

"My beloved Peggy...

"I write with ink I begged
from the cartographer

"and dry my boots by coals
filched from the engine yard.

"I steal these moments from my work.

"The first charts are completed,

"but...

I have so much still to learn.

"Land can be measured.

"The love I have for you cannot.

"It is unchartered country

"and the map that I must live by..."

Peggy...

"Meanwhile, our wedding
day hangs far off,

"like a bright flag
suspended in the fog.

"I have fixed my eyes to it,

"but there are days when its
distance seems beyond my calculation

"and I miss you,

"more than any words can say."

Peggy?!

How indulgent we are in
the middle of the day!

This is a very fine liqueur!

And to think the Scots
manufacture it from grain!

I find it is as medicinal as brandy.

It is such a pleasure, too, to
have Mr. Jenkyns' as company!

What does happen to all
the gentlemen in Cranford?

No sooner does a man settle here

than he finds business takes
him all the week to Manchester.

Or, there are those such as I,

so enamoured of the town that
they must wander all England

fervently seeking
replication of its charms.

Spadille!

I concede there is little here
to jollify the stouter sex.

Or, indeed, any
diversion for the young!

Is there no public room for dancing?

or a place where
an orchestra might play?

Lady Glenmire, Cranford is
not lacking in facilities.

We will show you the Assembly Rooms.

Matches were made in this chamber once.

Hearts were torn asunder too

and great larks were
had as a result of it.

We should clear the dust
by dancing the cotillion

as we were wont to do in youth!

Mr. Jenkyns was the most
diligent of partners.

Do look at this,

I believe it's a dance card.

To whom does it belong?
Can you make out the owner?

The pencil is very faded
but whoever she was,

she was partnered in the
quadrille with a Mr. Whisset?

I see she danced with
a Mr. Buxton, too!

And, for the Roger de Coverley

and the lancers and the
pavane she was engaged by a...

... Mr. Holbrook.

That is my name sketched
in across the top.

It is very faint now.

But though it is a charming chamber,

I fear its glories are
beyond retrieval.

I do not remember
such a mottled patina.

They are the specks of age.

I fear they cannot be erased.

Candlelight was always kind.

It polished the glass

and the faces captured there.

I try so hard to encourage
him when I write in reply!

If he abandons the struggle,
I fear I will be abandoned too.

You are the very reason
he chose this path!

I know it.

That is why I am afraid

and, although he writes,

we have not met
in these four weeks.

One day you will cherish
every word of these.

They will be evidence
of what you have endured.

Take them back and put
them in a place of safety.

There is no place of safety, Miss Matty.

At least, not in my home.

My husband says that he's
set up grinding knives.

He wants us to go to him and I've
found us a drover who will take us.

The grinding machine's
mounted on a wagon.

We'll pass through
Cranford, once in a while.

Mrs. Gregson, make no move in haste!

I wrote to Harry of your plight, but
clearly my letter has been delayed.

I was wrong to ask you to do that.

I do not wish to be
a charge upon my child.

People must look at me
and think me wretched,

but I do not wish I'd
made another choice

and that is why I must leave

and go where I am bid.

"We are going on quite well.

"My sister has cropped Tilly's hair.

"The curls were too long for
the bristles of the brush.

"I've sent a lock to you.

"It is quite the colour
that Martha's was."

Mrs. Forrester?

I am correct!

Your posture seemed forlorn.

I had hoped my distress
was not apparent!

Bessie is like a child to me,
if she saw my tears,

she will surely weep herself!

What has occurred
to make you so unhappy?

Oh, Miss Matty!

Bessie has been
turned out of her field!

It's in the way of the railway

and I must take her to graze

on common land!

Good morning, sir.

You're even more than punctual today.

I confess I am relieved to see you.

Ginger snaps!

They are dear Lady Glenmire's favourite!

Are we not to see your relative today?

Lady Glenmire has made
her own arrangements.

I know not what they are.

I had no notion she was so sociable.

She has enlivened us all
and surely we are glad of it?

But now even Captain
Brown intends to entertain!

This Saturday evening!

Oh, I see you too have
received a card of invitation.

We have had one apiece!

He may wear a beaver hat

but he's little better than a navvy!

What's happening?

Oh! I spy a wedding cart.

A wedding!

There has been no news of such a thing!

Who can it be?

If this is some species of sport,

it is utterly repugnant!

Two people our own age, married!

Oh, it is coming very near!

She might have thought
herself safe, in Cranford.

I was inspired to interview
the owner of the hire cart.

They were married this morning.

No banns were called and a
special licence was applied for.

Mr. William Buxton was a witness.

Lady Glenmire's new tippet, in
teal blue, came from Johnson's.

It was a fringed
Flemish velvet and...

I helped her to select it
on the Tuesday of last week.

What did she say it was for?

Church.

It is an insult to all
Cranford, to be so devious!

Asking us to an evening party with
no intimation whatever of its purpose!

It is the custom of Cranford,
to call upon a bride...

It is not the custom
to call upon a traitor!

Who has been betrayed?

The Baron Glenmire's
memory has been betrayed!

If my sister-in-law must dash
her pedigree against the stones,

and set up home in a hovel
that fronts the street,

she cannot expect
any sanction from me!

I will not condone this marriage

and I shall bar my door to everyone
who chooses to acknowledge it!

But Lady Glenmire is
Mrs. Jamieson's relative!

And she and Captain Brown
are both our friends.

And transparency held
no sway in either case!

Why should we oblige
them with our blessing?

Because they have found
affection in each other.

If they care not for
their unequal station

there is every likelihood
that they will thrive.

Do not imagine their
happiness concerns me!

They may suffer
marriage as they courted.

In isolation
and behind closed doors!

Miss Galindo!

I must ask you a question about
Harry and phrase it very plainly.

Have you had any word from him?

Not for these three weeks,

or possibly nearer four.

I'm posting a letter to him.

You may spare yourself the postage.
I have heard from his headmaster.

Harry has run away from school.

I think the navvies
have been paid today!

I saw extra barrels being
rolled into the George!

I brought butter, as a wedding gift,

paddled in a shape that marks the day.

But it's been crushed
by a boy who bussed me

and was not in any way sincere!

I wrote to Mrs. Jamieson,
asking her to join us,

but I fear she stands firm.

There has been no word.

We rang Miss Pole's door
and the bell remained unanswered.

Miss Matty?

Oh! William.

The bride and groom have despatched
me to escort you to their home!

I spy the sedan!

This must be Mrs. Jamieson!

Do assist her, William.

Just as I had hoped.

Surely they are mostly air...

My mother pines for my brother,
now he works in Manchester.

It was Miss Matty who
secured my invitation.

Edward sometimes comes home
on a Saturday, she knew
my mother would not come.

I had feared that our trials
might thin your cheeks or fade you,

but your eyes shine brighter
than they ever did before.

It is all the walking to our letterbox.

And so many candles are lit tonight.

Is it harder than you thought?

I think perhaps it is
harder than you thought.

I did not know what work was.

Now I do.

And I know what it is to want
a thing that you must wait for.

Your poor hand.

It is only a blister
from my calculating wheel.

I have its twin.

I did it with the smoothing iron.

See? We are equals at last.

We have always been equals.

Love makes people so.

"In came the musician and
tuned like 50 stomachache.

"In came Mrs. Fezziwig, one
vast substantial smile...

"In came the three Miss Fezziwigs
and then singly, and in pairs,

"the six young men whose hearts
they had broken.

"In they came, one after the
other and away they all danced.

"Then there were games,
and there was cake,

"and there was a great cold roast

"and there were mince
pies and plenty of beer."

I have vowed to read
a passage to Mrs. Brown

each night when we retire!

# As I was a-walking one morning

# By chance I heard
a maid making her moan

# I asked why she sighed
and she sadly replied

# Alas, I must live all alone, alone

# Alas, I must live all alone

# I said, my fair maid,
whence pray have you strayed

# And are you some distance from home?

# My home replied she,
is a burden to me

# For there I must live all alone, alone

# For there I must live all alone

# Oh, come back from
sea, my dear one to me

# And make me a bride of your own!

# Or else for your sake,
my poor heart it will break

# And here I shall lie
all alone, alone

# And here I shall lie

# All alone... #

What's that, sir?

I am very much afraid it is a radish
carved by my spouse into an ornamental form.

I am putting things in order
for next Monday's demolition.

- The Tinden End cottages?
- Yes.

Now, you advanced the
money to Edward Bell

and he was to fetch
and deliver the deeds,

but he has not done so, so
we cannot knock them down.

Mr. Buxton...

Did you sign the deeds, and did
you give them to Edward Bell?

I did both things

in exchange for the money
from the railway company.

So you did receive our payment?

Of course.

It was proffered in sovereigns.

A full 100 of them.

Less two I gave to pay the cook,

I being late for Michaelmas Day.

£100?

The price charged to our
company was 60 more than that.

I suggest you tread with care.

If you proceed with
this line of suspicion,

you besmirch the name
of a promising young man!

Hello?

Mum?

Malachi?

Mam?!

Well, Master Gregson.

Perhaps I should not be surprised

you walk in here so bold and smiling,

for all the anxiety
has been felt by others!

I've got nowhere else to go.

I thought you would be
a little glad to see me.

I'm shaking, Edward. And so are you.

Why aren't you in Manchester?

You must help me, Peggy.

I am not an ogre, Harry,
but I am extremely dismayed.

Your headmaster was alarmed
by your departure

and wrote in a very angry tone.

That sounds like him.

You have been unpunctual, ill-disciplined
and fallen behind in your studies.

It's not like when
I used to learn with you!

The teachers write
and only want that you copy.

There is a very fine system
in place at Shrewsbury

which is why Mr. Carter
wanted you to go there.

He wanted me to go there
because it was near my home!

Which is not a home any more,
now it's got nobody in it.

All the more reason for
you to return to school.

Despite your eventual wealth, you
have a hard route through the world.

I like that, "eventual wealth."

That is sufficient, Harry!

Harry, your money is held
in trust until you are 21,

that was Mr. Carter's particular intent.

Mr. Carter is dead!

And I hate him being so.

Not because I miss him,

but because I cannot
make him change his mind!

Harry!

Harry!

Harry! You will cease
this abominable display!

Leave me alone! You'll only do
what he tells you!

Harry...

What has been done to you?

I need brandy!

How much money is missed
and when did they perceive it?

Peggy, do not try him with your
questions! See how he trembles.

I am sure they are mistaken,

you are adept with all the
modern ways of keeping books!

You must go to Mr. Buxton.

He has been your benefactor and
should not hear of this from others.

But he must bathe first

and ply his razor!

There is no time.

It is Mr. Buxton and
Captain Brown is with him.

Edward cannot be located, Mrs. Bell.

Was he not to be found at his
place of work, or lodgings?

No, he has disappeared entirely.

As well he might, for it transpires

he took the cottage deeds

and handed them to strangers,

to guarantee a debt.

But we have never been in debt!

It is clear to me that yours
is an honest and frugal home.

Your son chose a different path

and squandered money at gaming.

If Edward is caught,
he will be convicted.

The sentence will be
transportation, at the very least.

If you would be kind enough
to wait outside, Captain Brown,

I might conclude by speaking
to Miss Bell in private.

Sit down, Peggy.

I can help Edward.

Whether he is found or
not, I can clear his way.

It cannot be up to you!

You are not his only victim.

His crimes are entirely financial,

I have the means
to set them straight.

Besides, I charged him with
too much, supervised him idly.

How can you still care so much for him?

He is a young man.

He deserves a chance to
meet the world unhindered.

Sever your connection to my son

and I will restore your
brother's reputation.

You have given thought to this!

How else could you say it all so calmly?

It would be wrong of me to
offer such a thing in haste.

And just as wrong of me
to answer without thinking.

I must ask you to leave now.

I will come to you tomorrow.

Several cigar burns have festered

and you'll be scarred.

This will have to be reported.

You can't report prefects.

Why was their behaviour so malicious?

They thought I was poor.

Then when Lord Ludlow
sends his coach to fetch me,

they found out that I was not.

They won't hang you, Edward.
It's not a capital offence.

Do you want me to end up
rotting in some prison ship?

Do you want me dead of
maltreatment or disease?

Do not think that you
could forgive yourself.

Because your heart
would tear in two!

Do not even think to
talk to me about my heart!

And if I go to jail,

your name will be tainted,

and so will your precious William's too.

It'll be hard enough for him
to make his way,

without relationship by
marriage to a felon such as I.

Mr. Buxton assures me
he has the case in hand.

I could not press him for particulars,

but our discourse
was neighbourly.

Neighbourly? The problem with
you, Brown, is you've gone native.

People do it in the colonies,

it ends badly every time!

Sir Charles,
Cranford is a small town.

I've found good relations
with its folk to be invaluable.

The railway is not a small town matter!

It cannot be treated in this...
amiable, rustic manner.

I'm calling out the
constables from Missenden.

They will deal with this
in the proper, legal way.

I will not give up William, sir.

But I will write to him, and
tell him of all that has passed.

- Will you make a villain of me?
- No.

Because I believe you love
him, just as much as I.

If he should give me
up, I shall accept it...

and trust that you may still
do something for my brother.

The constables are at the door, sir!

A copy of the warrant
for your brother's arrest,

signed by Sir Charles Maulver.

I cannot countermand it now.

The law must take its course.

He will have to leave Cheshire...

and somehow start afresh!

Peggy, the magistrates
will seek him out.

No, for his own safety,
he will have to go abroad.

Abroad?

But he does not have
good judgement, Mr. Buxton!

He cannot be trusted to find
wise friends or sound employment!

He's already made ill by
greed and his own weakness.

He would be at risk of
even greater harm abroad

and if I do not help him,

I will be as much the
author of his fate as he!

What will you do?

Go with him.

Out of England.

Try and set him on a decent path.

- You are not his keeper, Peggy.
- I am his only hope.

There will be a list in here,

telling of the ships
that sail from Liverpool.

And what of your engagement to my son?

We are tested already, sir.

And we have not wavered.

I do not relish dragging you
into our sad affairs, Miss Matty.

I have to act in secret.
William must not know.

But when I'm gone,

if you can see that he receives this,

I will thank you for eternity.

You were gone a long time.

I thought you'd be hungry.

That was very thoughtful, Harry.

Reverend Hutton wrote to your
headmaster, in uncompromising terms.

He's since been assured that the
violence towards you will cease

and has therefore arranged for
your return to school tomorrow.

You've made it worse!

I'm not going back.

You do not have a choice, Harry.

You must acquire an education.

If you do not, you cannot
build a school in Cranford...

... and that was Mr.
Carter's particular desire.

He promised me my liberty
and now he's my jailer.

Canada?

Canada?

You said you had a scheme to help him!

What is the difference between
this and transportation?

He will not travel in shackles,

nor be indentured to labour
in a desert without pay!

And he will have me with him.

I cannot credit that you
would leave me here alone.

Mother, you must try to match me!

You must strive to bear this.

It is Mr. Buxton. We must hurry.

This shirt is almost ruined.

The seam is very frayed.

I'm not sure my repair
is neat enough for school.

I have to have six shirts.

The matron says so.

I'll go back to Johnson's.

They'll have a stock
of plain-white lawn.

Gentleman, I do not
like to disturb you, but

but I am in search
of Mr. William Buxton.

Good lass, Bess. You're a good lass.

Peggy...

When you get to the docks, go
directly to the Red Star offices.

You have my letterhead.

Here are the funds.

I thought little of you once.

I wonder now whether
you're not braver and better

than I took you for.

Boarding!

Go.

Boarding!

You must make haste if you
wish to intercept the train.

I am in your debt, Miss Matty.

Where have you concealed the purse?

I'm not telling you.

I wonder if there's enough money
for us to go first class on the boat?

No-one in steerage would
be of any use to us.

I took warm gruel to
Bessie on the common!

But she wasn't there!

Miss Pole!

She isn't in.

Pray do not cut us!

Captain Brown is at his work.

- We need your aid!
- My poor Bessie is in peril!

Miss Matty?

Whatever are you about?

No!

Peggy!

Peggy!

Peggy!

Edward!

Is Peggy with you?

Out of my way!

Peggy!

Peggy!

Peggy, can you hear me?

William?

Take my hand!

Quickly!

Reach for me!

I have you!

- My hand...
- Listen to me, Peggy...

I fear it has been cut...

I shall ease you to the
ground as best I can.

Then make haste, away from the wreckage.

I will come and find you, but
for now, I must help the others.

Harness the water wagons!

We need ropes!

Make haste, make haste!

Mens' lives may be at stake!

Bring those shovels!

Let me take charge of the purse.

Edward! What are you doing?

Edward!

Edward!

Go directly to the town barn!

The injured can be tended there!

These are serious matters!

Please remain calm!

Allow us to assist those most in need!

Mr. Johnson.

I thank you for attending, sir.

I fear there's work for you to do.

I came as soon as I heard.

- Reverend Hutton!
- Madam"

Harry made off again this evening!

I cannot know where he went,
or by what means he left...

Capitain Brown, are all your
passengers accounted for?

There was a list made
and no-one is missing.

I was told my son was near
the blast...

He is here, sir.

- Does he survive?
- Yes.

- William.
- But my brother does not.

What have I brought about?

Sir, your place is with your son.

Other offices, you may leave to me.

Miss Matty.

Oh! You're chilled to the bone.

Let me sit you by my fire.

Thank you, my dear.

But I will stay with Mr. Buxton.

I must make whatever amends I can.

Miss Galindo?

Will you assist me?

I do not know what I might uncover.

You are fortunate, Peggy.

The bleeding is already staunched.

I must bind it afresh and
you must drink some brandy.

Peggy, where did you find this shirt?

Harry!

Harry!

Harry!

Harry!

Harry!

Reverend Hutton!

We are come too late.

The rider's left for Manchester.

We hope the surgeon
will be here by dawn.

Peggy broke her promise to me.

It was not Peggy
who alerted William.

It was I.

You once said I should
beg for your forgiveness

and now I do.

It's my son who lies shattered, Matty.

And mine are the hands
that bear most blood.

He should not have died alone.

And should not have lived
believing himself to be so!

No.

It is unjust.

It is worse than unjust! It is
against the laws of nature!

Do you recollect, Peter, how hard our
father tried to make you learn the classics?

I recall more of his frustration
than I do of the classics themselves.

Please sit down, Matty.
You are overtaxed.

I did my utmost to assist you!

I spent hour after hour
hearing you repeat your lessons!

It cannot matter now.

There was one tale that
lingered in my mind.

To this day, I retain
some fragmentary portion...

it concerned a girl who

dwelt in a place where no
discord had ever been experienced.

She was given charge
of a capacious casket

and she was told she
must not remove the lid.

But her better judgement failed
her and she unfastened its catch

and all the furies of the universe

came pouring out, like flies.

I think you speak the legend of Pandora.

I do not recall her name.

But I am acquainted with her face.

I might see it any time I wish to,

in the looking glass!

The snow melts on his lashes
as if they were still warm.

A mirror...

Have you a mirror?

No...

There is breath in him!

Harry!

We must get him back to town.

He is not lost!

Harry! Do you hear us now?

You are not alone! We
will not let you die!

You've not slept.

I have slept enough.

I know that the railway
will still come.

It cannot be turned back.

I wanted it brought, because
of things that I had lost.

I desired that others
might be spared distress.

And I unleashed griefs as pernicious
as the beasts inside that box!

- I will hear no more of this, dear Matty.
- I'm afraid you must.

For in the darkness
of the small hours,

I recollected
the conclusion of the tale.

After the anguish,

there was one winged creature
found secreted in a corner.

It was very small

and could relieve
the sting of wounds.

They named it Hope.

I have a sum of money here.

It is the profit from my shop.

It came from the people of Cranford.

I shall spend it in a way
that will draw us all together.

- Mr. Buxton's not at home.
- Is William at home?

I'm not permitted to say.

This is for him.

My dear.

Is the inquiry into
the accident completed?

The Board Of Trade ruled
no-one was to blame.

That is a good outcome, is it not?

It is good for the company,
our recovery will be swift.

I'm not sure that I can
say the same for Cranford.

Did Mr. Carter ever come here?

Did he ever sit
and watch you sewing?

Once.

And it was then that I saw
what a splendid man he was.

There were only two people
I ever saw him smile at.

One was me.

And the other one was you.

It is less besmirched
than I imagined.

I think it will clean quite well.

I am sure it can be
revived by Christmas.

Nevertheless. We have set
ourselves quite a task.

The walls were the
colour of salmon once,

though it cannot be discerned
under this horrid dirt.

Oughtn't the ceiling to
be plastered over first?

You know the task with
which you are charged, dear.

I have appointed you Master Of Revels.

Paint,

pink.

Considerable quantity.

The paint was not pink,
it was umber over buff.

You will not fare well
without my assistance.

Indeed. There's a deal of work to do.

And now I suppose we must
endeavour to be helpmeets.

Christmas Eve, Signor Brunoni,
Magician to the King of Delhi,

the Rajah of Oude,
and the Great Lama of Tibet.

And for every continent, another
half-sovereign is added to his bill.

Pray speak not of the cost.

It seems little to pay, to
bring us all beneath one roof.

I could perform tricks,
and not charge a farthing.

It is all in here,
under C, for Conjuring.

Four more cards have
been sent in acceptance.

"The cup is A, the ball
is B, B is placed under A

"and does not disappear
but is instead transferred

"into the sleeve,
which is labelled as C."

It is not magic, it is mere
rearrangement of the alphabet.

And Mrs. Jamieson has declined.

In extremely acid terms.

I cannot sanction that marriage

nor disport myself where
its existence is accepted.

Long mourning has been your portion.

It must cost you dear, to see Lady
Glenmire remarry in such haste.

It is as though now Captain Brown

has brought us the locomotive engine,

everything must move at
the pace of a stampede.

It shows a lack of solidarity
with others who are widowed.

Ours is a fond little town.

You might bring me news
of it, from time to time.

I am too torpid to venture out now.

You need only company, I wager.

I can arrange for that.

Mr. Buxton?

I did not restore him
just to break him down.

William never waivered
in his love for you.

It's time to build.

Erminia!

I came home to help nurse the invalid.

But I was not required.

My uncle was a most
meticulous attendant.

Come. I will take you to him.

William?

- Have you seen the gorse?
- There was not a flower to be had.

I should not have plucked it otherwise.

The poor twigs look so stark.

Miss Matty once told me
that there was a saying...

"When gorse is out of blossom,

"then kissing is out of fashion."

This room is so warm

that they mistake the month for spring.

And one of them bears
a single golden bud.

- Madam!
- Signor Brunoni!

You have mislaid your way, perhaps?

Not in the least.

I am surprised you leave your
properties on view,

you'll betray all the
tricks of your trade.

Fancy, I was in search of my glove, and
there it was, in my hand all the meanwhile!

If madam will permit...

I suppose that is merely a
development of the classical trick

with the cup and the ball.
The glove being A and the...

- dove being B?
- No.

It is magic.

I daresay there is a pocket
hidden in your coat-tail.

Look in your reticule.

In your reticule.

Faith.

It is the key to all things.

I have seen Signor Brunoni from
the distance of a hair's breadth.

I think it proper sunburn.

Had it been walnut juice I
was close enough to smell it.

Look.

Mary sent me a Christmas gift,

from a milliner's in London.

It is a turban, in sea-green silk.

She knows how long I
have wanted such a thing.

There was further novelty, to be
found concealed inside the box.

She has had a story published
in the Fireside Sketch.

Story?

"Miss M. Smith."

How very imposing it looks in print.

And to think she is
practically from Cranford.

Still, the subject matter
looks exceedingly domestic.

She should write a romance,

about a conjuror.

There will not be
another post today.

I'd so hoped to hear
from Jem and baby Tilly.

This was a different
house last year.

Harry, we have a Christmas gift for you.

Do not look for something
wrapped in paper and a ribbon.

You will not go back to that school.

But what about my education?

We have made enquiries at the
Grammar School in Manchester.

The boys there are as
varied and interesting as you.

And you could study,
and live, at home.

But I have no home.

I was left a small
stipend by Lady Ludlow.

If we join our means together,

we might take a house
hard by your classrooms.

And I would be there
when you return each night.

They are not the arrangements
that Mr. Carter made.

Mr. Carter would approve of them,
because they will allow you to flourish.

And that was all he ever had in mind.

Merry Christmas, Mrs. Forrester.

This is for you.

She's so beautiful!

Shall I sit there?

- Good evening, Mr. Buxton.
- Sir Charles.

What?

She came!

Mrs. Jamieson, may I have the
pleasure of presenting Mrs. Brown.

Merry Christmas, Mrs. Jamieson.

And a one,

two,

and a three,

and a four!

Grazie, grazie!

You are right. It is surely all a ruse?

Abracadabra!

Hey! The key!

- Come.
- No, no...

Come.

Come!

Madam.

The celestial box!

No, I don't think I should...

If you please, dear madam.

Pray to come and join me here.

Dear, Miss Matty,

allow me to escort you to the stage.

Madam, please, to extend your hand.

And now...

a moment of light.

As it was when the world began.

Try the lock,
and all will be revealed.

My love!

My little love!

My Tilly!

Who brought you here?

We've come home, Miss Matty.

Home...

for Christmas?

Home for good.

What's happened to Miss Pole?

Patience!

Ta-da!

Bravo.

I do believe, Mr. Buxton,
we have danced a waltz.

In Cranford!

How can a town survive so much?

Love, Mr. Buxton.

It is the final word.

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