All language subtitles for The House of Eliott - S02E10 - Episode Twenty-Two.eng

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.