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[ Door closes ]

Evie, are you sure

this is a good idea?

I mean, you and Gilles...

It was a long time ago, Bea.

I was a child in Paris.

BEA:

And now?

Gilles is simply

an acquaintance.

Come on.

Let's see what we're up against.

WOMAN:

Good morning.

Now...Miss Beatrice.

- Yes.

- And Miss Evangeline.

That's right.

Allow me to introduce myself.

I'm Martha Olivant, directress

here at Maison Gilles.

- Ah.

- Monsieur is desolate.

Desolate?

He has had to leave for Paris.

Urgent business

suddenly called him away,

and he left half an hour ago.

I tried to telephone you,

but you were already

on your way here.

Well, perhaps

we'd better leave --

No, no, no.

Please.

Monsieur has asked me to offer

the most sincere apologies

for his absence

and to introduce you

to our couturier,

who will deputize for him.

The design studio is this way.

Please follow me.

As you know, yesterday,

we entertained the press

and a number

of our distinguished clients.

But today Monsieur

so much wanted the pleasure

of giving you your own

private tour of our premises.

[ Knock on door ]

May I present Hector Furneux.

This is Miss Beatrice

and Miss Evangeline Eliott.

I am enchanted --

but, I fear, a poor substitute

for the le maestro.

Allow me, if you will,

to welcome you.

It isn't too early, I hope, to

offer you a glass of champagne.

- Thank you.

And then perhaps you might like

to see our workrooms

and the cutting room.

Yes, that would be

most interesting.

HECTOR:

To your good health.

BEA: Your establishment

is most impressive.

HECTOR: Quite.

This is a splendid studio

you have here.

And a challenging one.

With a studio like this, every

design that leaves my board

must be absolutely brilliant.

It's a great strain,

I assure you.

Do sit down.

You postponed your last

collection, did you not?

May one ask why that was?

It was a question of priorities,

Mr. Furneux.

Pressure of work made a formal

showing unnecessary this season.

We prefer to mount a collection

when a particular line

or theme...

Is honed to perfection.

Quite so.

Well, the fashion world must

wait with interest for that day.

A little more champagne.

And then I will conduct you

'round Maison Gilles.

JACK: I want you to look

at these faces

and see the uncertainty...

but at the same time,

the resilience.

As you know, we're weaving

these images into the film,

watching the family disintegrate

as each of its members takes a

different stand over the strike.

Now, in the final sequence

we're filming today, I need --

I must have your performances

blending seamlessly

with the real thing,

the real people.

So...look at their eyes.

And use the compassion

that you feel.

Use it.

Remember it.

And make the audience feel that

for your characters, too.

Right.

That's it.

Thank you.

EMMA:

If I may say so...

...I think it will be very fine,

this film of yours.

And once again,

may I say it has been

a great honor to have met you.

Thank you very much.

And thank you for the tour.

Please give our best wishes

to Monsieur Gilles.

- HECTOR: I will indeed.

- Excuse me.

Ah.

Lady Rowland.

LADY ROWLAND:

Good morning.

Good morning, Lady Rowland.

If you would come this way.

Monsieur Furneux will attend

to you immediately.

LADY ROWLAND:

Thank you so much.

Are you sure you want to walk?

It's an awfully long way back.

Quite sure.

I need the air.

Well, Lady Rowland didn't waste

much time, did she?

House of Eliott one minute

and Maison Gilles the next.

Well, we can do without

her sort.

But not without

her sort of money, Evie.

Well, what did you think of

Maison Gilles' London emporium?

It poses a serious threat.

Gilles Caragnac has picked

a formidable staff.

I thought both Miss Olivant

and Mr. Furneux

were very impressive.

I can't help thinking

how different

everything would have been

if we'd accepted Gilles' offer

two years ago.

Well, you might not have married

Jack, for a start.

And you might not have met

Alexander.

The House of Eliott

wouldn't exist.

Do you ever wish things

were otherwise, Evie?

Some things.

I wish Alexander was free.

But no, I have no regrets.

Have you?

None.

Only determination.

And we're going to need it --

both of us.

I understand.

Yes, madame.

Thank you.

Thank you for letting us know.

Goodbye.

Any messages, Alice?

Nothing important,

Miss Evangeline.

[ Door closes ]

BEA: I dislike the idea

as much as you do,

but there's simply no work

for them.

Well, we wouldn't be sacking

them, would we?

We're simply laying them off

until things pick up.

Four of them will have to go.

[ Sighs ]

The question is which four?

There.

That's finished.

What shall I do now?

Oh, Madge,

you got anything for Betty?

No.

Nothing.

Um, you'd better sort out

the lace trimmings for now.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

I try to keep them busy.

It doesn't do

for them to be sitting idle.

I'll check the alterations book

again,

but I'm pretty sure

there's nothing outstanding.

Well, what we got?

We got Agnes sorting out

the cottons.

We got Betty working

on lace trimmings,

Charles reading the newspaper.

Listen to this.

"It has been observed

that a well-respected peer

of the realm has eyes only

for a beautiful and talented

young fashion designer

with whom he danced repeatedly

at a recent charity ball."

[ Laughter ]

Miss Evie, Lord Montford

for sure.

That's nonsense.

It could be anyone.

- Could be, but it ain't.

- [ Laughter ]

Mrs. Forbes and her daughter

will not be keeping

their 2:30 appointment, Madge.

If you must gossip --

and, Agnes, I should have

thought you of all people

would have learned more sense --

you will kindly do so

on your own time

and not on these premises.

- Ha.

- [ Door closes ]

Who does she think she is?

There's Miss Evie running around

with Lord What's-His-Name,

and Miss Beatrice has left

Mr. Jack.

- Everyone knows that.

- Betty. Leave it.

Last on, first off.

That's the usual method

of selection.

Well, that would mean

Doris Chapman,

Rosemary Jenkins...

Mabel, and the other new girl.

Chapman and Jenkins haven't been

with us for very long,

but they're very skilled

and very hardworking, you know.

Much more so than Betty

and Agnes.

I think if anyone should go,

they should.

I know what you're thinking.

They've been with us for ages.

They're like part of the family.

But I think we're going to have

to be hard

if we're going to survive.

You're right, of course.

[ Bell tolling in distance ]

I know why they picked on me.

It's 'cause I spoke out

when the strike was on.

Nonsense. It's because times

are hard for the business.

Ha.

And whose fault is that?

Well, as soon as things

improve --

They'll ask us back, will they?

Well, thank you very much,

but it might not be that simple,

see?

'Cause by then, I shall be

working somewhere else.

I might even get a job

at Monsieur Gilles', mightn't I?

They're only saying that to hide

their hurt feelings, Madge.

[ Door closes ]

There's always gonna be a need

for tailoring, isn't there?

Well, not if House of Eliott

goes bust there isn't.

And while the ship

may not be exactly sinking,

it is listing a bit, isn't it?

Depressing is what I call it.

[ Clicks tongue ]

I'll be looking elsewhere meself

if this goes on.

I will never give you up to her,

Alexander.

Never.

Do you understand me?

Ours was not some cool union

designed to unite

two important families

and several thousand acres.

And what am I to say to you?

That you will not see her again.

I can't.

I've tried, but I can't.

Then you must.

You simply must!

I have lost my position

at the palace.

I've been humiliated in public

and in private.

I have nothing else to lose

except you yourself.

And I shall fight for you,

Alexander,

for however long it takes,

and I shall win.

[ Knock on door ]

His lordship will be leaving

for the Treasury

in five minutes, Morgan.

Yes, ma'am.

Remember Philip's birthday.

He's asked for a pony.

I hadn't forgotten.

ALICE:

Of course.

It's just I'm not sure under

the circumstances that I should.

Well, yes, I would.

And I'd very much like to see

the premises.

Very well, then. Yes.

Excuse me for one moment.

Can I help you at all,

Miss Evangeline?

No.

It's all right, Alice.

Are you there?

Yes.

9:15 will suit me best.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

[ Sighs ]

Things are not good, Joseph.

JOSEPH:

Aye, Miss Eliott.

I'm ever so sorry

about all this.

I sometimes feel that...

well, if we hadn't exposed

Mr. Saroyan's goings-on,

then we might not be

in this situation.

It was me that brought things

to a head.

Perhaps it would have been

better if I hadn't.

Oh, Joseph,

you must never think that.

What you did

was absolutely right.

I appreciate it.

We all do.

I thought you understood that.

I apologize if it wasn't

absolutely clear to you.

Thank you, Miss Eliott.

I felt bound

to clear Sir Desmond's name

and to help you

and Miss Evangeline

and, of course, Mr. Maddox.

Madame, you can afford it.

Sir, it's not over up north,

you know.

Come on.

Please, sir.

It's nothing to you.

A penny's nothing to you.

But it means a lot

to some people who are hungry.

Madame, come on.

If you've got children,

are they hungry?

The strike's over down here,

as you know.

But up north, mothers and

children are still suffering.

- They deserve all our help.

- [ Coins jingling ]

Thank you, madame.

Now, what about you?

[ Up-tempo jazz playing ]

[ Indistinct conversation ]

Jack.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Why so gloomy?

You'll notice I'm always like

this when a film's finished.

You need another drink.

No, I don't think so.

I'll just slip away,

leave them to it.

Me too.

[ Music continues ]

[ Clock ticking ]

I'm sorry.

[ Clears throat ]

Thank you.

You should have stayed at

the party and enjoyed yourself.

No.

Relax.

When you were working, your mind

was occupied by the film.

Now that you've time to think,

you're depressed again.

Is it your marriage?

Would it help to talk about it?

[ Exhales deeply ]

Look, Jack, I'm a friend --

just a friend, all right?

HECTOR: What Maison Gilles'

London house must do, of course,

is to embrace

all the requirements

particular to the ladies

of the city.

ALICE:

Paris and London under one roof.

HECTOR:

Precisely.

And who, Mrs. Burgoyne,

knows better than you

what those requirements are

and how to tempt these ladies

to experiment

with the more exotic styles

and colors of Parisian fashion?

Monsieur Gilles has authorized

me to offer you

the position

of deuxième vendeuse here

at a salary which, naturally,

will be a considerable

improvement on your own.

What do you say?

I'm very flattered, of course,

that you should think of me,

Mr. Furneux.

But as you know, I am premiére

vendeuse at the House of Eliott.

And as for the salary, well,

I'm perfectly happy where I am.

In that case, it seems

a little odd that you --

if you will forgive me,

Mrs. Burgoyne --

that you agreed to this meeting.

I came here this morning at

your invitation, Mrs. Olivant,

to make your acquaintance

and to be shown around

Maison Gilles' London house,

not because I'm in search

of alternative employment.

Are you aware

that two of your seamstresses

have applied for positions

at Maison Gilles?

Quite so.

However, should my prospects

at the House of Eliott

become, for any reason,

uncertain --

I understand entirely,

Mrs. Burgoyne.

If that unfortunate event

should take place,

may we be in touch with you

again?

Certainly you may.

And thank you.

Oh, paydays aren't what

they were, Mr. Wint, are they?

I don't know how much longer

I can go on like this.

JOSEPH: We're all

in the same boat, Madge.

Things aren't getting

any better.

In fact, just between ourselves,

if anything,

they're getting worse.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Don't like the sound of that,

Madge.

Could be us next.

[ Knock on door ]

Mm?

Bea, coffee?

Thank you, Evie.

You look wonderful.

Thank you.

I'm meeting Alexander.

It's been such a long time.

What will you do today, Bea?

Oh, I've plenty to do.

If it stays fine,

I might take a walk.

My taxi's here.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

[ Door closes ]

[ Bell tolling in distance ]

[ Birds chirping ]

It was good of you to come,

Beatrice.

I imagine you'll have guessed

what it is I wanted to speak

to you about.

Yes, I imagine I have.

Thank you.

I am very fond of you.

And it is because

I regard you both so highly

that I want to try and prevent

this unpleasantness

from damaging

or hurting all of us

any more than it has already

done so.

Evangeline must be made

to realize

that she will never be able

to marry Alexander.

She will never be any more

than his mistress.

She will be ostracized,

Beatrice.

Her life and her career

will be ruined.

This must be prevented

for all our sakes.

Won't you talk to her?

Make her see the hopelessness

of the path she has taken.

I can't, Elizabeth.

I'm sorry, but I simply can't.

Apart form the fact that

Evangeline has to be allowed

to find her own way

through this...

I am in no position

to preach to her

about what is wise or foolish.

[ Birds chirping ]

Come back with me.

Alexander, no.

I --

Elizabeth's in the country.

The servants are with her.

We'll be quite alone.

Evie.

Please.

I think we could have survived

the Saroyan affair.

Yes.

That was most unfortunate.

I think we could

even have survived

the competition

from Maison Gilles

but for this scandal,

which has driven away

what we had left

of our most valuable clients.

Well, I am one client

who will remain faithful to you,

Beatrice.

To sever my connection

with the House of Eliott now

would be just the kind of news

the gossipmongers

are waiting for.

Yes, I suppose so.

I must go, my dear.

Grafton is driving me

down to the country,

and I want to get there

before dark.

Goodbye.

Elizabeth, I am so sorry.

HECTOR:

Oui, maestro.

Both Miss Eliotts were,

I feel sure,

very impressed

with what they saw here.

And I have already approached

their vendeuse.

Not yet, sir, no,

but I feel confident

that in due course, she is --

Yes, monsieur.

Yes.

I understand, monsieur.

Well, monsieur, if -- if I may

say so, that does sound a bit --

I cannot see them agreeing, sir.

Yes. Of course.

I --

Y-- I'll try to arrange it.

Certainly, monsieur.

Au revoir.

Well.

Ours not to reason why,

Mrs. Olivant.

Good morning, Miss Hoover.

MAN:

Good morning, my lord.

[ Telephone rings ]

Hello.

Good morning, sir.

Yes, he is.

One moment, please.

Chief whip, sir.

Montford.

Good morning.

[ Telephone rings ]

[ Clears throat ]

Beatrice Eliott. Good morning.

Mr. Furneux.

A meeting?

Well, if you think that --

Mr. Furneux, may I telephone you

when I've spoken to my sister

and we'll arrange a meeting

then?

Thank you.

Goodbye.

Oh, no.

Bea, we were so careful.

Nobody saw us together.

Well, somebody did, Evie.

Bea, what are we going to do?

What we have been doing

and what we will continue to do.

We shall behave as usual.

If I were you,

I don't think I'd be

nearly as good to me as you are.

Oh, I think you would be, Evie.

Drink your tea.

We'll just take things

one step at a time.

Hector Furneux has sent for us.

Sent for us?

What do you mean,

he's sent for us?

Well, he's asked for a meeting

with us.

Oh.

Well, has he indeed?

Well, he can just come here.

We don't go trotting off

at his beck and call.

Do we?

Well, do we?

No. You're absolutely right.

We don't.

EVIE: You mean Maison Gilles

wants to buy our castoffs?

BEA:

Evie, hardly castoffs.

What Mr. Furneux is suggesting,

if I have understood you

correctly,

is that because Maison Gilles

has not designed

specifically

for the London season,

and as we did not show

our collection this summer,

some of our designs

that it included

might help meet that shortfall.

Is that correct, Mr. Furneux?

I don't believe this.

Does Monsieur Caragnac know

of this?

Le maestro suggested it,

Miss Evangeline.

The terms would be

most favorable.

Well, the answer is no.

- Evie.

- I'm sorry, Bea.

Mr. Furneux, what you propose is

absolutely out of the question.

We were unable to show

our summer collection this year,

but the designs it included

belong to the House of Eliott

and will not be available

elsewhere.

Good morning, Mr. Furneux.

- I do apologize, Mr. Furneux.

- [ Door closes ]

Please, Miss Eliott.

Say no more.

I understand absolutely.

It was delightful

to meet you again.

You and I will perhaps

speak again on this subject.

Good day.

[ Door opens, closes ]

Good morning, Mrs. Burgoyne.

How good to see you again.

Good morning, Mr. Furneux.

Alice, may I have a word

with you, please?

Before you ask, Miss Eliott,

Mr. Furneux has offered me

a position at Maison Gilles,

and I have refused it.

[ Exhales sharply ]

How dare he?

How dare he?!

He is only doing

precisely as you did

when I was employed at Hussars,

is he not?

And you refused him?

I told him

that I should not consider

leaving the House of Eliott

unless --

Unless what, Alice?

Well, I am concerned,

Miss Eliott...

about the competition

from Maison Gilles

and about the fact

that our own clientele

has fallen off so badly

in recent weeks.

Not because our work

is in any way inferior to theirs

but because of...other factors.

I'm sure you understand.

I have to think of my future,

Miss Eliott.

We all do.

Good morning, Joseph.

Could I have a word,

Miss Eliott, please?

Yes.

Of course.

I'm afraid there's a problem

with the bank.

Let's go to your office,

shall we?

They were very respectful.

It's just that there wasn't

enough money in the account

to cover the week's wages.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Oh.

I'm so sorry.

I'll come back later.

[ Door closes ]

Yes.

Well, that's all right.

I-I shall transfer some money

into that account immediately.

Thank you, Joseph.

Lord Alexander Montford, please.

Miss Evangeline Eliott.

Yes, I'll hold on.

I beg your pardon.

He's not in today?

Will he be there tomorrow?

I see.

Yes. Could you, um,

tell him I telephoned?

Thank you.

HECTOR: These are exactly

what I need, Miss Eliott.

We complement one another

perfectly.

And the figure we mentioned

was --

Not quite to my liking,

Mr. Furneux.

And you were thinking

in terms of?

Double the sum

you mentioned earlier.

[ Chuckles ]

Le maestro warned me to expect

that you would drive

a hard bargain, Miss Eliott.

However, I am authorized

to accept your terms.

So, we have a deal?

On one condition.

And what is that?

My sister shall never learn

of this transaction.

You have my word.

Miss Eliott?

- Yes.

- For Lord Montford?

That's right.

I'm afraid his lordship has

a meeting this morning

and is unable to receive

visitors.

Well, does he know I'm here?

His orders were that he was not

on any account

to be disturbed, Miss Eliott.

I see.

Well, could you make sure you

tell him that I called, and I --

I doubt whether I shall see

his lordship, Miss Eliott.

He has to leave London for a few

days on urgent Treasury business

and will be setting off as soon

as his meeting is concluded.

I see.

Thank you.

A pleasure, Miss Eliott.

Good day.

[ Door opens ]

Have there been any messages

for me, Miss Hoover?

RANSOM:

No, sir. Nothing at all.

But the chief whip is expecting

you in his office at 11:00, sir.

[ Knock on door ]

EVIE: Yes?

Do you want a tea?

Oh, Tilly, thank you.

It's about time you were

off home, though, isn't it?

Nearly.

A cup of tea's always nice,

isn't it?

- Mm.

- Oh, that's lovely.

It is, isn't it?

It would really suit you,

that would.

Oh, sorry.

What a stupid thing to say.

[ Chuckles ]

It's all right, Tilly.

Far too grand for me anyway.

What do you think

about all this scandal,

gossip, disapproval, hmm?

I think love comes first,

Miss Evie.

That's what I think.

If only it was as simple

as that.

Hello, my lovelies.

Any news for us today?

Give our regards

to Miss Evangeline.

Whoa.

[ Laughter ]

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Good morning.

If I could have your attention.

[ Talking stops ]

I'm sure none of you

have forgotten

Miss Beatrice's instructions

about not speaking

to newspaper reporters.

Anyone breaking this rule

will be immediately dismissed

without a reference.

Is that clear?

Yes, Mrs. Burgoyne.

We will be extra careful.

Little bit of trust

wouldn't do no harm, eh?

She's just nervous, that's all,

after that business with Agnes

and the duchess.

Fourteen of them there was

'round that door this morning.

Been there all night,

by the look of them.

Lord knows what they do about...

the bodily functions.

[ Laughter ]

ALICE: So we'll see you again

2:30, a week on Wednesday.

Goodbye.

[ Door closes ]

Alice, who's that woman?

Uh, Mrs. Winthrop.

No, no, no.

The other one.

Her friend.

She was waiting for her while

Mrs. Winthrop had her fitting.

Is my sister back

from the supplies yet?

No, not yet.

Evie?

Bea, where's "Windrush"?

It was in that portfolio

with the other designs

we didn't show.

Where is it?

Don't interrogate me as though

I've been a naughty child.

Then tell me.

I think you know

I have sold them to Gilles --

or rather to Hector.

Bea, how could you?!

[ Sighs ]

They were ideas for a collection

that we didn't show.

Their moment has passed.

If they have any value --

and they do to Maison Gilles --

then we have to capitalize

on it.

I negotiated a fee

that was twice what Gilles

originally offered.

And I didn't sell any

of your designs, Evie.

They were House of Eliott

designs!

And they earned money

for the House of Eliott --

money we desperately needed.

Do you realize without it,

it would have been impossible

to pay the staff their wages

this week?

Jack?

Alexander.

Well, thanks.

And you?

Look, old man, I need a favor.

Come on, Evie.

You've hardly touched

your supper.

Are you still upset

about the designs?

What, because you didn't sell

any of mine?

- [ Chuckles softly ]

- No.

I was just thinking about...

No prizes for guessing

about what.

I haven't heard from Alexander

in 11 days.

I haven't heard from Jack in 20.

[ Telephone ringing ]

Hello?

Hello.

Me. Why?

All right.

Uh, half an hour?

Fine.

Goodbye.

Bea, I'm just going out

for a walk.

Well, goodbye.

- JACK: Evie, come in.

- [ Door closes ]

EVIE: This is all

very mysterious, Jack.

What's going on?

Uh, I'm not entirely sure.

I'm going for a walk.

I'll see you two later.

I-I thought you'd...

[ Door closes ]

Thought I'd what?

Well, when I didn't hear

from you

and you didn't return

my telephone calls, I --

Telephone calls?

When?

Last Wednesday, again on Friday,

yesterday.

I left messages, Alexander.

I even called to the Treasury

offices to try and see you.

They said you were away.

I haven't been away.

I received no letters, nothing.

I wrote to you every day

from my office.

The letters went out

with the rest of my --

Oh, my God.

So you did write?

Of course I did, Evie.

Of course I did.

[ Exhales deeply ]

[ Telephone ringing ]

I suppose this is

how it will be.

Running from reporters,

meeting in other people's flats

while they're out walking

the streets.

Well, at least

until you're free.

Alexander.

Elizabeth refuses to discuss it.

She simply pretends

that nothing is the matter.

Well, it's her way of dealing

with unpleasantness, I suppose.

Unpleasantness?

Alexander, you told me

that she would release you.

Why did you tell me that?

Not to deceive you,

I promise you, Evie.

I suppose I couldn't

bring myself to believe

that anything

would keep us apart.

And now you believe

that we will be kept apart.

Marriages end.

Husbands and wives separate.

Divorce is commonplace.

Not when the husband's a peer

and the wife was a favorite

lady-in-waiting to the queen.

I'm resigning from my post

at the Treasury, Evie.

If I don't, my resignation

will be requested.

It's only a matter of time

now -- of days.

Jack!

How nice.

Come in.

No.

No, I'm not --

You never are staying, darling.

But don't let me shiver

on the landing, please.

Jack, what is it now?

I really just came to say, um...

"Goodbye"?

Well, goodbye, then, Jack.

Off you go.

I came to say that you are sweet

and -- and clever

and beautiful and...

"Goodbye."

Yes.

Goodbye, then, darling Jack.

No harm done.

Well, the fat's properly

in the fire this morning.

Good morning.

Today is going to be

a difficult one for us all.

May I suggest, for a start,

that you keep your newspapers

well out of sight

just in case Miss Beatrice

or Miss Evangeline

should come into the workroom.

Oh, poor Miss Evie.

Never you mind poor her.

She should know better

getting herself into this mess.

Have you seen that order book

lately?

You should worry about yourself,

my dear.

Your Miss Evie won't.

ALICE:

Good morning, gentlemen.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

There will be no statement.

Oh, come on, Mrs. Burgoyne.

Miss Eliott is not and will not

be available for comment.

You are simply wasting your time

here.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

It was good of you to come.

Thank you.

I feel responsible, you see --

personally responsible.

BEA:

As indeed you are.

Forgive me, Alexander,

but Evie is 24 years old.

- She is not --

- I know.

And I realize

what you must think of me.

So please allow me to help

where I can.

Clearly,

and partly because of me,

the House of Eliott is in

financial difficulties.

Without assistance,

it could fail.

Beatrice, I implore you

to accept my offer.

You must have

as much money as you need

to see you safely

out of trouble.

Evie will never agree.

Need she know?

Of course she must.

And she will assume

that Elizabeth --

This has nothing to do

with Elizabeth.

But Evie will think it has.

Then you must convince her

that it has not.

All right.

I'll try.

And thank you, Alexander.

I appreciate your offer.

[ Sighs ]

I thought perhaps --

What, that Alexander

would be here?

No.

I need to talk to you, Evie.

I'm very concerned.

About?

About the House of Eliott.

You know,

the business means a lot to me,

and that's quite apart

from Bea's involvement in it

and the effect its failure

would have on her.

Are things very difficult

at the moment?

[ Sighs ]

They are, aren't they?

Tell me.

[ Engine idling ]

[ Vehicles passing ]

She has to accept it.

As a director of the company,

I have the right to intervene.

We cannot let her pride

cost her --

cost both of you and me,

for that matter --

all the hard work and effort

that's gone into

this enterprise.

It's criminal

to let the business go down.

And for what?

For want of a little financial

backing at a difficult time.

But, Jack, you know Bea.

She's obstinate.

I just don't think

she'll accept money from you.

Especially with things

as they are between you two.

She is logical, though.

Take the check to her.

Appeal to her logic.

[ Door opens ]

Oh, you're back.

Evie, will you sit down?

There's something very important

I have to discuss with you.

And I want you to listen to me

very carefully

and just be calm and logical.

Alexander has suggested --

You've seen Alexander?

Yes.

I had a meeting with him.

Evie, he wants to help us.

He wants to help

the House of Eliott.

He has certain

financial resources

that he wishes to place

at our disposal and --

Well, what's that?

It's a-a check -- from Jack.

BEA: It's a matter

of principle, Evie.

- Don't you see?

- Yes, I do.

Which is why I'm amazed

you can't see my point of view.

I do realize that Alexander

was partly responsible

for our troubles,

but I don't want his money.

I don't want Elizabeth's money.

I want him.

The way things are

between Jack and me,

I don't want his money either.

Bea, he is your husband!

He is also a director

of the company.

I think you're being

unreasonable.

And I think you are!

Look, we're both tired

and overwrought.

I don't think we're going to get

anywhere with this tonight,

so I shall just say good night.

Good night.

Good night.

Yes, madame.

3:00 on Wednesday.

Goodbye.

[ Telephone rings ]

Good morning. House of Eliott.

Can I help you?

How do you spell that?

S-P --

Ah. Spinelli.

Yes.

Of course.

Tomorrow?

2:30 it is.

Goodbye.

Well.

No. I know how you feel, Evie,

but I can't accept Jack's offer.

- Good morning.

- Yes, Alice. what is it?

Um, something rather odd

seems to be happening

since the news that, um...

well, since this last, uh...

Since Lord Montford's

resignation was announced.

Yes, Alice.

We know what you mean.

W-Well, it seems that, um,

since we've been featuring

so prominently in the --

In the newspapers, Alice.

Please go on.

Alice, please sit down.

Thank you.

We, um...

Well, we seem to be receiving

rather a lot of inquiries

from certain new clients.

Well, that's good news,

isn't it?

Why do you look so disapproving?

Because I'm not certain

that some of them are quite...

Quite what, Alice?

Quite the sort of people

we're used to dealing with,

Miss Eliott.

And exactly what sort of people

are they?

They come, many of them,

from the world of entertainment.

They --

But, Alice, we have always had

performers, singers, and dancers

- amongst our clients.

- Oh, yes.

From the opera and the ballet.

But not from what I would

describe as the popular theater.

Do you see what I mean?

Well, how many of these

new clients are there, Alice?

At least eight

since yesterday morning.

One young woman --

you couldn't describe her

as a lady --

arrived with a party of friends,

several of whom declared

that it was their intention

to patronize us, too.

Enough to make the order book

look a little healthier, then?

Yes.

I suppose so.

Well, thank you, Alice.

My sister and I have some

important decisions to make,

and we would appreciate

not being disturbed.

- Certainly.

- Thank you.

Um, I hope I did the right thing

in alerting you to this.

Oh, yes.

Of course, Alice.

Thank you.

[ Chuckles softly ]

You do realize

what this could mean?

Now, Evie, let's not be hasty.

This may only be

short-lived interest.

Some of these unsuitable clients

may turn out not to like

our style at all.

Yes, but it might well ease

our immediate problems.

It certainly puts our offers

from Jack and Alexander

into a slightly different

perspective.

[ Door opens ]

Ah.

Mr. Furneux.

Good morning, Mrs. Burgoyne.

And how are you today?

Very well, thank you.

I wish to speak to Miss Beatrice

and Miss Evangeline.

Ah.

Um, I'm very sorry,

but they've left instructions

not to be disturbed this

morning, not on any account.

Then I shall wait.

And you will tell them

that I am waiting.

Immediately, Mrs. Burgoyne,

if you please.

So good of you to allow me

to interrupt your conference.

I do realize that this is not

the easiest of times for you,

and it is partly on that account

that I am here.

Monsieur Gilles has sent me

as his emissary.

He has a proposition

to put to you.

Yes, Miss Beatrice?

I would just like it to make it

quite clear, Mr. Furneux,

that there are no more designs

for sale.

Quite. No.

It is on an entirely different

matter that I am here today.

It has not escaped

le maestro's notice

that recently

the House of Eliott

has become the subject

of a lot of adverse publicity.

Now, this,

plus a certain flow of clientele

from your establishment

to our own,

must...to put it as gently

as I can,

be placing a considerable strain

upon you personally

and upon your resources.

Are you implying

the House of Eliott

is in financial difficulties?

Well, isn't it?

Don't be offended, please.

EVIE:

We are offended.

If we were in any difficulties,

we have friends and associates

to whom we could turn.

Evie, let's just hear what Mr.

Furneux has to say, shall we?

HECTOR: It is simply

that Monsieur Gilles Caragnac

wishes to form an alliance

with the House of Eliott.

He wishes, in effect, to buy it.

Well, it's not for sale.

With respect, Miss Evangeline,

there is nothing

that cannot be bought

if the price

is attractive enough.

Isn't that right, Miss Beatrice?

- Bea.

- Evie, wait.

Monsieur Gilles, naturally,

would wish to retain

your services,

and the House of Eliott

would become an extension

of Maison Gilles,

catering to the more...

conventional London clientele.

Le maestro is

a shrewd businessman,

as you are aware, Miss Eliott.

He knows how advantageous it is

to turn competition into asset.

So much more constructive,

don't you think,

than to force it

into bankruptcy?

Before you speak,

I have here a preliminary draft

of the proposed contract.

The sum which le maestro

has authorized me to offer you

is written there...

at the foot of the page.

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