Original subtitles

Evie, are you sure this is a good idea?

I mean,

you and Gilles ...

That was a long time ago, Bea.

I was a child in Paris.

And now?

Gilles is simply an acquaintance.

Come on, let's see what we're up against.

Good morning.

Now,

Miss Beatrice?

Yes.

And Miss Evangeline?

That's right.

Allow me to introduce myself.

I'm Martha Olivant.

Directrice 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 deputise 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.

May I present Hector Furneux.

This is Miss Beatrice and Miss Evangeline Eliott.

I am enchanted.

But, I fear, a poor substitute for le maistre.

Alow 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 work rooms and the cutting room.

Yes, that would be most interesting.

Your good health.

Your establishment is most impressive.

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.

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.

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.

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 honour to meet you.

Thank you very much.

Thank you for the tour.

Please give our best wishes to Monsieur Gilles.

I will indeed.

Ah. Lady Roland.

Good morning.

Good morning, Lady Roland.

If you would come this way,

Monsieur Furneux will attend to you immediately.

Thank you so much.

Are you sure you want to walk?

It's quite a long way back.

Quite sure.

I need the air.

Lady Roland didn't waste much time, did she?

House of Eliott one minute, and Maison Gilles the next.

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.

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, Madam. Thank you.

Thank you for letting us know.

Goodbye.

Any messages, Alice?

Nothing important, Miss Evangeline.

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 just simply laying them off

until things pick up.

Four of them will have to go.

The question is which four.

There.

That's finished.

What shall I do now?

Oh, Madge, you got anything for Betty?

No, nothing.

Erm ...

You'd better sort out the lace trims for now.

I try to keep them busy.

It doesn't do for them to be seen idle.

I'll check the alterations book again,

but I'm pretty sure there's nothing outstanding.

Well, what have we got?

We've got Agnes sorting out the cottons.

We've 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."

Miss Evie, Lord Montford for sure.

That's nonsense. It could be anyone.

Could be, but it ain't.

Mrs Thorpes 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 learnt more sense,

you will kindly do so in your own time,

and not on these premises.

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 hard-working, 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.

I know why they picked on me.

It's because I spoke out when the strike was on.

Nonsense.

It's because times are hard for the business.

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?

Because 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.

There's always going to 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?

No, depressing is what I call it.

I'll be looking elsewhere myself 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.

What am I to say to you?

That you will not see her again.

I can't. I've tried, but I can't.

But 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.

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 haven't forgotten.

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.

Things are not good, Joseph.

No, Miss Eliott.

I'm ever so sorry about all this.

I sometimes feel that,

that 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 apologise 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.

Madam, you can afford it.

Sir.

It's not all for 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.

Madam, come on.

If you've got children, are they hungry?

The strike's over down here, right enough.

But folk up North,

especially mothers and children

are still suffering.

They deserve all our help.

Thank you, Madam.

Now, what about you?

Jack.

Why so gloomy?

Haven't you noticed? I'm always like this

when a film's good.

You need another drink.

No, I don't think so.

I'll just

slip away.

Leave them to it.

Me too.

I'm sorry.

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?

Look, Jack.

I'm a friend.

Just a friend.

All right?

What Maison Gilles' London house

must do, of course,

is to embrace all the requirements particular

to the ladies of this city.

Paris and London under one roof.

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 colours of Parisian fashion?

Monsieur Gilles has authorised me to

offer you the position of deuxieme 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 premier 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,

Miss 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.

Pay days aren't what they were, Mr Wint,

are they?

I don't know how much longer I can go on like this.

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.

I don't like the sound of that, Madge.

Could be us next.

Mhmm?

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?

I've plenty to do.

If it stays fine, I might take a walk.

The taxi's here.

Goodbye.

It was good of you to come, Beatrice.

I imagine you'll have guessed what it is

I want to speak to you about.

Yes, I imagine I have.

Thank you.

I'm 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 realise that

she will never be able to marry Alexander.

She will never be any more than his mistress.

She will be ostracised, 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 from 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.

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 of news

the gossip-mongers 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.

Oui, Maistre.

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 ...

Yes, Monsieur.

Yes, I understand, Monsieur.

Well, Monsieur, if I may say so,

that does sound a bit ...

I cannot see them agreeing, sir.

Yes, of course.

I'll try to arrange it.

Certainly, Monsieur.

Au revoir.

Well.

Ours not to reason why, Mrs Olivant.

Good morning, Miss Hooper.

Good morning, my lord.

Hello?

Good morning, sir.

Yes, he is.

One moment, please.

The chief whip, sir.

Montford. Good morning.

Beatrice Eliott. Good morning.

Mr Furneux.

A meeting?

Well, if you think that ...

Mr Furneux, may I telephone you later,

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.

Has he, indeed?

He can just come here.

We don't go trolling off at his beck and call.

Do we?

Well, do we?

No, you're absolutely right. We don't.

You mean Maison Gilles wants

to buy our cast-offs?

Evie, hardly cast-offs.

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 maistre suggested it, Miss Evangeline.

The terms would be most favourable.

Well, the answer's 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.

They'll not be available elsewhere.

Good morning, Mr Furneux.

I do apologise, Mr Furneux.

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.

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.

How dare he?

How dare he?

He is only doing precisely as you did

when I was employed at Huzzah's,

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.

Oh, I'm ever so sorry.

I'll come back later.

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

tell him I telephoned? Thank you.

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.

You were thinking in terms of ...

Double the sum you mentioned earlier.

Le maistre warned me to expect that you would

drive a hard bargain, Miss Eliott.

However, I am authorised 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 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.

Have there been any messages for me, Miss Hooper?

No, sir. Nothing at all.

But the chief whip is expecting you in his office

at 11, sir.

Yes?

Do you want a tea?

Tea, thank you.

It's about time you were off home though, isn't it?

Nearly.

But a cup of tea's always nice, isn't it?

Oh, that's lovely.

It is, isn't it?

It'd really suit you, that would.

I'm sorry.

A stupid thing to say.

It's all right, Tilly.

It's 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.

Not always as simple as that.

Hello, my lovies.

Any news for us today?

Give our regards to Miss Evangeline.

Good morning.

If I could have your attention?

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'll all 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.

14 of them there was behind that door this morning.

Been there all night, by the look of them.

Lord knows what they do about

bodily functions.

So, we'll see you again, 2:30,

a week on Wednesday.

Goodbye.

Alice, who's that woman?

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 suppliers 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?

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 capitalise 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 realise 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 favour.

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?

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.

Hello?

Hello.

Me, why?

All right.

Half an hour?

Fine.

Goodbye.

Bea, I'm just going out for a while.

Goodbye.

Please, come in.

This is all very mysterious, John.

What's going on?

I'm not entirely sure.

I'm going for a walk.

I'll see you two later.

I thought you'd ...

Thought I'd what?

Well, when I didn't hear from you,

and you didn't return my telephone calls-

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 them.

Oh my God.

So, you did write?

Of course I did, Evie.

Of course I did.

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.

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 favourite 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 ...

Goodbye?

Well, goodbye then, Jack.

Off you go.

I came to say that

you are sweet 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 work room.

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.

Good morning, gentlemen.

There will be no statement.

Come on, Mrs Burgoyne.

Miss Eliott is not,

and will not be available for comment.

You are simply wasting your time here.

It was good of you to come.

Thank you.

I feel responsible, you see.

Personally responsible.

As indeed you are.

Forgive me, Alexander, but Evie is 24 years old.

She is-

I know, and I realise 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.

Thank you.

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.

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.

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?

They are, aren't they?

Tell me.

She has to accept it.

As a director of the company,

I have the right to intervene.

You 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.

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 ...

What's that?

It's a check.

From Jack.

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 realise 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's 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 goodnight.

Goodnight.

Yes, Madam?

Three o'clock on Wednesday.

Goodbye.

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?

Erm ...

Something rather odd seems to be happening,

since the news that ...

Well, since this last ...

Since Lord Montford's resignation was announced?

Yes, Alice. We know what you mean.

Well, it seems that, erm ...

Since we've been featuring so prominently in the ...

In the newspapers. Alice, please, go on.

Alice, please sit down.

Thank you.

We ...

Well, we seem to be receiving

rather a lot of inquiries from certain new clients.

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.

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 indeed dancers amongst our clients.

Oh yes, from the opera and the ballet.

But not from what I would describe as the popular theatre.

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,

I couldn't describe her as a lady,

arrived with a party of friends,

several of whom declared that it was their intention

to patronise 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.

Erm ...

I hope I did the right thing in alerting you to this.

Oh yes, of course, Alice. Thank you.

You do realise 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.

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.

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 realise 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 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 maistre'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.

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?

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 maistre 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 draught

of the proposed contract.

The sum which le maistre has authorised me

to offer you

is written there,

at the foot of the page.