Original subtitles

And now, Mr Chaffanbras, if you are ready to begin for the defence.

What, gentlemen of the jury, does the case for the prosecution come down to?

In the end, it simply com down to this,

that Lord Fawn saw a man running in the same direction as that

in which the deceased, Mr Bonteen, had been walking,

and that Lord Fawn subsequently opined, gentlemen,

that the coat on the running man was similar, gentlemen,

to one which was being worn that night by the defendant Phineas Finn.

And that, if you please,

is the main reason why Mr Finn is now standing in the dock,

because of a coat

Well, you've been shown that coat.

And you've also been shown another coat, this one.

And you've heard Lord Fawn say that this second coat

could equally well have been the one which was worn by the running figure.

Let us think more of this coat

Witnesses have told you that it is or was the property

of a certain Mr Meager and that on the night of the killing

it was in the lodging house run by Mrs Meager,

and so readily available to any of her lodgers

who might have taken a fancy to it,

among them a Mr Joseph Emilius, and what do we know of him?

We know that he is now in prison awaiting trial on charges of bigamy

and that this sad state of affairs is largely due to the enquiries

made during the past months by the deceased, Mr Bonteen.

In short, gentlemen of the jury,

a man with a motive quite as strong as Mr Finn's

had access on the night of the killing to just such a coat

as Lord Fawn saw on the running figure.

And, in any case,

whatever coat the running figure wore, which we do not know,

whoever the figure was, which we do not know,

despite my friends perverse attempt to prove it must have been a gentleman,

and whatever the figure was about, which we do not know,

no-one has produced a single shred of evidence

to show that it was in fad this running figure who killed Mr Bonteen.

It's simply been assumed,

and then it's been further assumed, with equal lack of evidence,

that this running figure was my client, Mr Finn.

Never was such a tissue of uncertainty and conjecture

brought before a court and held to constitute a case.

And my learned friend made a great to-do and tanadiddle

about Mr Finn's jocular demonstration with his life preserver.

Well, I ask you, gentlemen, as men of good British sense,

would a man who intended to kill another man with his life preserver

hold a preliminary rehearsal in the presence of three witnesses?

Or again, this quarrel at the Bear Garden club.

Mr Finn and Mr Bonteen quarrelled...

...and became angry...

and then cooled down again.

As might be expected of two responsible men.

You've heard that when they met by accident at the doors of the club,

they merely ignored each other, two responsible men.

My client had no more intention of murdering Mr Bonteen

than Mr Bonteen had of murdering my client.

And, in any case

my client is constitutionally and temperamentally

incapable of committing a murder.

As you shall now hear from some very distinguished witnesses

who will testify as to the character of Mr Finn.

To sum up, Mr Chaffanbras,

I have known the accused intimately for several years new,

and to me it is a pleasure and honor

to count him one of my most particular friends.

And in what manner of circumstances, my Lord Duke,

has Your Grace been acquainted with Mr Phineas Finn?

I've been Mr Finn's colleague in Parliament and in government.

Lately, I have also been his friend.

Your Grace has anything to add?

Yes, I have something to add.

I know few men for whom I have greater personal liking

and have none in whom I would be so quick to place my trust.

His hand could no more have struck down Mr Bonteen

than could this hand of mine.

Planty, here's a special evening edition of the People's Banner

and every word of it is devoted to libelling poor Mr Finn,

even something about him being beaten for stealing apples at the age of 10.

It's the work of that journalist, Quintus Slide.

Could you not have the man taken up?

No. You should not think about it.

But how can I not think about it?

There's Marie Goesler still searching for new evidence in Prague.

It'll break her heart if this goes against him.

Will it go against him?

My dear, I can't say. We can only wait.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I do have some work.

At this hour? Mr Finn's life is hanging by a thread and you have work?

The nation's business, my dear, it must go on.

There are great problems at the Board of Trade.

I've told Mr Gresham I will do what I can.

But you have nothing to do with the Board of Trade.

I... Well, I do know something about the work.

Now that Mr Bonteen is gone, someone has to do it. The work is urgent.

- I hope they're paying you for it. - You're a goose, aren't you?

- What can a salary matter to me? - Not in the least.

You're above all such sublunary ideas.

You'd clean Mr Gresham's shoes if the service of the country required it.

I would even have you clean Mr Gresham's shoes,

if the service of the country required it.

And I therefore repeat, gentlemen, Mr Finn has the three things

a murderer must have:

the means, the motive and the opportunity.

The means: He carried a loaded cudgel, a bludgeon or club.

My learned friend has urged that his open display of this weapon

proves that he cannot have intended murder,

for in that case he would have concealed it.

But I invite you to consider

that a clever man who intended to commit murder

might make an absolute point of displaying the weapon beforehand

in order to be able to argue, as counsel for the defence has argued,

that such candour must prove innocence.

Men of affairs, men of the wond like yourselves, gentlemen,

will not be deceived by this stratagem.

The motive.

What need I add to what has already been said?

Mr Finn is and was a penniless

or almost penniless adventurer from Ireland.

He therefore had nothing to lose.

He needed advancement

Mr Bonteen was blocking that advancement.

In a few months, perhaps even sooner,

Mr Finn would be a destitute and mined man.

The Irish have always been gamblers,

and here was a gamble to the mind of any gambler.

Mr Finn could wager what he had, which was nothing,

to win a future of power and plenty.

Lastly, opportunity.

We know that the accused man left the Bear Garden club

very shortly after Mr Bonteen.

And Lord Fawn swears that just after that

a figure ran past him, following Mr Bomeen.

Thai figure had the air of some gentleman

known, if only slightly, to Lord Fawn,

and was wealing a coal which resembled in all respects

the coat worn by Phineas Finn.

In no circumstances other than the miraculous...

My lord! For the liberty of the subject.

- How dare you, sir! - Mr Chaffanbras...

My lord.

I find your conduct both mannerless and inexplicable.

- Pray, proceed, Sir Gregory. - My lord.

There has come a person with new evidence, a lady from Prague.

- A lady from Prague? - Yes, my lord.

A friend of the defendant's, a certain Madame Max Goesler,

who has been in Prague investigating on his behalf.

- Investigating what? - This killing, my lord.

This killing, Mr Chaffanbras, took place in London.

Well, nevertheless, my lord, the lady has found evidence in Prague.

Are you asking me to believe

that a female friend of the prisoner's has uncovered evidence,

the very existence of which was overlooked by expert detectives?

- Yes, my lord. - Well, who is this Madame Max Goesler?

- For God's sake, what is happening? - We know little more than you do.

Madame Goesler has arrived from Prague with new evidence vital to your case.

So I heard in court, but what new evidence?

A man called Peter Praska, a Pole.

What is this Pole to me?

That is the attitude the Lord Chief Justice takes.

But the Duke of Omnium has persuaded him

that Madame Max is a lady of substance and truth,

so he has adjourned the trial till tomorrow

that she and Praska may rest before appearing.

They had a very tiring journey to get here in time.

To what end, I wonder? To present some poor little straw of useless evidence

that this woman has clutched at in desperation, knowing nothing of the law.

You do not seem to put much faith in Madame Goesler.

I don't put faith in anything, Monk, for whatever happens now,

though this woman from Prague make the truth as clear as the sun,

I can never forget that men have believed,

as you two have believed, that I, Phineas Finn,

could have killed a man for advancement

...shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

- So help me God. - So help me God.

I trust, Madame Goesler, you are now recovered from your journey?

I am well enough, thank you, sir.

Good. Now, will you kindly tell the court what, in the first instance,

induced you to pay your recent visit to Prague?

I went to Prague to see if I could find something to help my friend Mr Finn.

Yes, but what exactly were you looking for?

For a man, any man,

who might have spoken to Mr Emilius when he was last there.

And you found such a man.

I found many such men.

But no-one could help me until I met Peter Praska, who told me...

By your leave, madam, you must let him tell us for himself.

But what was it made you think that this man could help you as you wished?

He showed me a mould from which he had made a key.

He showed you a mould from which he had made a key.

Thank you, Madame Goesler.

And allow me to say that you are a woman of spunk, madam.

Spunk, madam.

Call Peter Praska.

Peter Praska.

This witness speaks no English, my lord,

being of Polish extraction and at present a citizen of Prague.

I have an interpreter ready to be sworn if need,

but since Mr Praska is a devout Roman Catholic,

I suggest that we first try to communicate with him,

as did Madame Goesler, in the Latin tongue.

Very well. If it be Latin, I myself can interpret for the jury.

Mr Finn, may I suggest, sir, that you sit down?

I have stood this long, my lord. I shall stand until I am delivered hence.

As you please, Mr Finn. As you please.

Now, Mr Chalfanbraas, let us hear your Latin.

And what did he do then?

On the night of that same day, he showed me a key.

And told me to copy it.

What was his name?

Your syntax, Mr Chalfanbraas, is the vilest I have ever heard.

But clear enough, clear enough.

His name was Yosef Mealyus? That is, Emilius.

Did he propose any other business?

- He wanted to buy a dagger. - Did you sell him one?

I had none.

But what he did buy was a small, hard stick.

The knob of which was embellished with a covering of brass.

And now...

Behold the man.

Phineas Finn, having regard to what I have heard this day,

I do hereby instruct the jury to acquit you absolutely

of the odious and abominable charge made against you.

Phineas Finn, you leave this court with your honor unstained,

with your honor indeed enhanced

by the steadiness and manliness of your bearing

throughout this hideous ordeal.

It has, I hope, been some consolation for you

to hear the terms in which your friends have spoken of you from the witness box,

and I trust that you may be able at once

to resume your place among the legislators of this country.

The court will be upstanding.

Congratulations, Mr Finn.

A mould.

A piece of plaster.

That my life could have depended on such a thing as that

Pray, allow me to assist you, sir.

A piece of plaster, Your Grace. Such a paltry thing as that

Mr Finn, you must think no more about it.

Finn.

Finn.

Finn.

Phineas Finn.

Finn. Finn.

What do you want with me? I didn't kill you.

But you're here, ain't you, Finn?

To gloat

You're glad I'm dead, ain't you?

You're glad I'm out of your way.

I did not kill you.

You killed me in your heart, Finn.

Finn.

Phineas Finn.

- Finn? - Finn.

- Finn. Phineas Finn. - Finn.

Phineas?

Mr Finn, I fear you're not yourself.

Nor ever shall be again, Your Grace.

There's nothing you can do.

Well, you will at least allow me to accompany you home.

Late as it is, Mr Finn, I'm going to impose on you for a few minutes.

Now, what were you doing?

- In that place? - What were you?

I was walking home from Mr Gresham's where we'd been working together.

I fancy, sir, you don't have a similar excuse?

I was trying to imagine how it must have been.

Trying to see in my heart

whether I could have done...that thing.

I didn't do it, Duke, but now that so many people have suspected me...

My friend, you have been absolutely discharged

by the Lord Chief Justice of England.

Now, you must be a man and you put all that away from you.

- It's easily said. - It's very easily said, Mr Finn.

If only you will take the first step.

My wife would be delighted to see you down at Matching

whenever you choose to come.

But before you do that, you go down to the House.

The House will be rising in a few days, and before it does,

you go down them and you walk in

and you sit down in your seat as though nothing whatever had happened.

But so much has happened.

I have been thinking, Duke, that...

I should resign my seat and retire from public life.

I may have thought it. You do nothing of the kind.

I received a letter from one of the leading men at Tankerville

saying I ought to resign.

I don't care to sit for a place where I was so judged.

Judged? By such a man as that?

- Before your triumphant acquittal? - Don't talk to me of triumph.

Finn, if there was a general election tomorrow,

I would consider yours one of the safest seats in England.

Yes, but a month ago, Palliser, one month ago,

there wasn't a man in Europe believed in my innocence.

- Except perhaps yourself. - Finn, we all believed you innocent

All those for whom you care.

But there's always a possibility of guiit,

enough to prevent a rational man

from committing himself to complete conviction.

But you yourself committed yourself to such conviction

when you spoke for me in court.

I said in court

that you could no more have killed that man than I could myself.

But could not I, under some strange circumstance,

have been brought to kill him?

So even you doubted me.

Only as I would doubt myself, or indeed my wife.

Finn, I'll tell you something.

I'll tell you something that I've never told to any other living being.

Many years ago, a man loved my wife.

And she loved him.

She was done a great wrong.

When she was little more than a child, she was forced to marry me,

for whom she cared nothing.

And she loved this other man so much, she might have gone away with him,

mined us, sir, and dishonored us both for ever.

She was human, Finn.

She was fallible, like us all.

But, sir, my wife did not go away with her lover

and you did not murder Mr Bonteen.

Do you see? Even with those whom we love, we trust the most,

there's always an element of doubt.

- It's very hard to bear. - It must be borne.

We doubt and we're doubted, Finn, but it must be borne.

And the world, sir, they must be faced, with dignity.

And you, sir, you must show yourself, and soon,

as the man you are.

For, Mr Speaker, I say that this is a fime to keep calm.

Our financial waters are troubled and there are rocks ahead in all directions

But at least the rocks are plain to see, so, with cool heads and stouthearts,

we may hope to navigate our way through them and...

If the speaker will pardon me a moment's digression,

or an illustration of what I have been saying,

if the Honourable Members need an example

of the coolness and courage that I have been recommending to them,

look upon the Honourable Member for Tankerville,

who has just entered the House for the first time

since the cruel and unjust ordeal that he endured for so long so bravely.

Hear! Hear!

Marie. I've had some news from London: Mr Finn is more or less recovered

and has returned to the House of Commons at last.'

Oh, Glencora!

I am so glad!

His letter was so agitated, I was afraid that his recovery would be long delayed.

- Marie, you have heard from him? - Oh, yes.

Yes. He... He wrote to me some time back,

thanking me for my efforts on his behalf.

He said that he had been so unmanned by the trial

that he would be unable to visit me,

lest he weep like a schoolgirl.

Poor man. Um...

'Both Houses will rise for the summer on Friday.'

And Plant is going to bring Mr Finn straight here.

So, allow me to tell you, my dear,

you want to grab him with both arms before somebody else does.

- Lady Laura Kennedy, you mean? - Yes, Lady Laura Kennedy I mean.

She went to visit him in prison, whilst you and I didn't dare

for fear that Planty wouldn't like it.

- But she did not go to Prague. - A very good point, Marie.

But don't you let it make you complacent.

Glencora, I will never ask him.

If he asks me, then well enough.

But I do not want him to come to me out of gratitude.

So, we will discuss him no further, if you please.

Indeed we shall not

Unless we are to do so to his face.

Mr Finn, I wasn't expecting you until Friday, with Plantagenet.

Yes, I fear l am before my time, Duchess.

Yet I fear I have delayed too long.

Excellently well done, Mr Finn.

Excellent. Excellent.

You know why I'm here, Marie?

You are the guest of Her Grace, the Duchess of Omnium.

I am here because l love you, Marie.

Oh, Phineas.

And those are the figures up to the end of last month.

A crisis, you say?

Well, not yet, Duke, but it may not be far off.

As I see it, gentlemen, unless we win back

these foreign markets within a year,

we are faced with the prospect of widespread hardship for this country.

The question, then, is what can be done about regaining our foreign trade.

I've spent much of the past weeks with officials at the Board of Trade.

I must warn you, there is no easy solution.

- How long have we got? - Prime Minister?

Parliament is now rising for the next six months.

I think we may be able to hold up for that long,

but if there is no improvement within a very short time,

beyond any question, we must go to the country.

Then we must use what time remains as best we can.

We have some places to fill. We're going to need good men.

One, at least, we have.

It is time, high time, that Phineas Finn was offered a post.

I agree. -And so do l.

Prime Mnister?

Then it is agreed, you will be married from here.

That is very gracious of Your Grace.

Rubbish. All Her Grace wants is an excuse to interfere.

I've just had this from Mr Gresham. I must go to him in London.

- Will he offer you a post, Phineas? - He doesn't say.

He would hardly invite you all the way to London just to discuss the weather.

If he offers you something, Phineas, what will you say?

I'm not quite sure.

After all that has happened, I'm hardly yet filled to take office.

You will want to take office again one day soon.

Why not now?

I'm not sure that now is the right occasion.

I don't think this government will last much longer.

But if you refuse them now when they need all the help they can get,

they may hold it against you later.

Yes, very likely, but...

I wish this question need not be asked at a difficuit time like the present

and...l do not want to leave you and go to London.

Only for a day or two.

Yes, I suppose so. In any case, I must have gone soon.

There's someone else quite apart from Mr Gresham whom I must see.

Yes, Phineas?

Lady Laura Kennedy.

She must be told about our marriage, and she must be told by me in person.

You are quite right, Phineas.

Thank you, sir.

Well, now...

- Mr Finn. - Prime Minister.

What it comes down to is this.

Lord Fawn has retired, absolutely broken down by repeated police examinations,

and your old place as Under Secretary for the Colonies is once more free.

Please, do sit down.

Certain of my colleagues are very warm on your behalf.

Warmer than yourself, I hope.

I have to remind myself, Mr Finn, that in the past you have been doubted.

You mean that I have been suspected of murder.

I mean that you defected from us in the matter of Irish tenant right.

The party has now come round to my position.

Which you adopted prematurely, however, bearing in mind

the wishes of many of my Cabinet,

as well as so respected a politician as Mr Monk,

I do now make you the offer.

Will you accept the Colonies and join the government?

You should understand this, Prime Minister. I too have my doubts.

- Indeed? - Indeed.

Doubts about the propriety of accepting offers

from a man who, it is clear, still mistrusts me.

I did not quite say that.

I also have doubts about myself.

After the treatment I've had, being falsely accused of a capital crime,

a man may be somewhat troubled in his mind, Mr Gresham.

I find none of this very enlightening, Mr Finn.

Do you or do you not wish to take office at the Colonies?

I must consider. I...

I will let you know in 24 hours, if l may.

Very well. Do not take longer.

Government must go on, Mr Finn, and decisions must be made,

whatever your personal wrongs and disturbances.

Mr Finn, I shall still hope for a favourable reply.

And what did your father say then?

He said, 'I'd rather stay in my own house,

if the Duchess will kindly permit me.'

Everybody knows he hasn't been near the place in 20 years.

Course he ain't. Short and tall of it is that he enjoys being disobliging

and these days he don't often get the chance.

So when I asked for Maule Abbey,

he was bound to refuse, just for the fun of refusing.

At any rate, he has refused. Do you think he'll stick to that?

- As tight as sealing wax. - Then what are we to do?

Well, Maule Abbey's out.

The only other thing is to sell up the horses and go and live in Boulogne.

- Cheap enough there, they tell me. - Boulogne?

Yes, old Willy Beeber had to go and live there when he went smash.

Lived off fish-bone soup and snails in garlic

How about it, old girl? Fancy a diet of starfish broth, do you?

For a house, we could have one of those bathing machines on the beach.

Very cheap, especially in the winter. How about it, Adelaide, hm?

Well?

Oh. That's gratitude for you.

I think I'll take a little air.

Did you hear him?

Boulogne. Boulogne!

Adelaide, Adelaide, don't worry.

Through it all, I'm sure he does love you.

That's what's so marvellous.

And now he's gone and spoil it all.

Oh, Adelaide, please, please.

Cousin Glencora will doubtless come up with another plan.

How long will you stay in London, Lady Laura?

- Where else am I to go? - Loughlinter?

What is there for me at Loughlinter?

There must be something for you somewhere.

Now you may go where you please.

I please only to be near you.

What is your news, Phineas?

I... I've just come from Mr Gresham.

He's offered me my old place at the Colonies.

- Well, you'll take it, surely? - I've not decided yet.

There are strong arguments against.

For one thing, I don't think this government will survive much longer.

It'll last till next session. That gives you some months.

Well, I'm not even sure of that.

Mr Gresham is hoping for six months or maybe even more,

but I don't think his Cabinet believe it and I'm certain that Palliser does not.

- He said as much? - No.

No, but for some time now he's had the air of one who knows that...

the end must come sooner or later.

It's very cruel. No sooner are you offered a post

and you see it vanishing from under your hand.

What about your income, Phineas?

If you have no office, you can't live for long as you live now.

- I must try. - You know what I wish you to do?

You're my friend. Will you not share my money as a friend should?

- No, Lady Laura. That cannot be. - Why not?

If you'd only take my money, you'd be independent of office.

- And dependent on you. - Why must you be so proud?

I should ex nothing from you.

Phineas, I have all Loughlinter, and anything you want from it is yours.

If it weren't for you, I'd despise the place utterly.

But if you'll take it from me, all of it or part of it

or the money that comes from it, I could be happy.

Laura, I'd better tell you straightaway.

I've asked Madame Goesler to be my wife.

And she has done me the honor of accepting me.

So now, of course, your income is certain.

I have not deserved that of you.

I sometimes think that of all hearts

that ever dwett within a man's bosom, yours is the hardest.

- You know that is not so. - lsn't it?

Do you remember when you came to me about Violet? To me, Phineas?

I could bear it then because Violet was good and true,

a woman I could love even if she robbed me of you,

and so I strove for you against my own heart,

against my own brother.

I did. You know I did.

But how am I to bear it now?

Madame Goesler, a woman I loathe.

- Because you do not know her. - Not know her?

You know her better than others? She was the Duke's mistress.

- That is not true, Laura. - What difference does it make to me?

I shall be sure that you have bread to eat, horses to ride

and a seat in Parliament without being forced to earn it by your own labour.

- We shall meet no more, of course. - I do not think you mean that.

I will never receive that woman or cross the sill of her door. Why should I?

Because I would feign to hope that I need not quarrel with my oldest friend.

Yes, sir! Because you think you can do this thing without quarrelling!

How should I speak to her of you?

How should I listen to... to what she'd tell me?

Oh, Phineas, you've killed me at last.

I've worshipped you when I should have worshipped my god.

Of course, it's been my fault.

When I was young, I didn't understand how strong the heart can be.

I should have known it,

and I pay for my ignorance with the penalty of my whole life.

That last one, go down to the Prime Minister's office.

- Ah, Finn. - Very glad to find you at home, Duke.

- I... I want your advice. - Well, if l can help in any way.

First, I must congratulate you. Glencora's written to me from Matching.

Your engagement to Madame Goesler. Well, I hope you'll be very happy.

Thank you, but it's not all happiness at the moment.

I just had to tell that news to Lady Laura.

- It was not a joyous meeting. - No. No, I suppose not.

Well, what was this advice you wanted?

Mr Gresham has offered me the Colonies.

Where's the difficulty, Mr Finn?

Mr Gresham does not have confidence in me.

I do not have a great deal in myself.

You know, the only way to restore confidence is to prove yourself,

and the only way you can do that is in office.

Quod erat demonstrandum. It's not as straightforward as that.

Oh, yes, it is, Mr Finn. I'd like to remind you of this.

If you refuse Mr Gresham, you'll also be refusing me,

and I'd take that most unkindly.

If you say that, you leave me no choice.

Didn't intend to, Mr Finn.

Now, you tell Mr Gresham you accept

and then go back down with the good news to Matching.

- You are going back down there? - Her Grace has kindly asked me back.

Good. Then we'll go down there together, as colleagues.

- There we are. - Thank you.

Finn.

Well, there is another thing to be settled.

Adelaide and Mr Maule.

Mr Maule should take a leaf out of Mr Finn's book, settle it for himself.

If we leave it to him, they'll still be unmarried at Doomsday.

Now, all that is needed to unite them is money. We can't give it to them.

It would be bad for Mr Maule's character and even worse for Adelaide's pride.

But, like anyone else, they could inherit it.

- From whom, Lady Glen? - The old duke.

Adelaide's a distant cousin. He could have left her a legacy.

- But he didn't. - No, but he left one to Marie.

All the jewels and 20,000.

Cora, just how is this relevant?

Well, the jewels, we could find a use for, if Marie persists in refusing them.

Oh, I do, I do.

And as for the £20,000, Your Grace, I have never wanted it.

Since none of us need it, why should the money not go to Adelaide?

For my part, she is most welcome.

And I'm sure your future husband would not object.

There was a time when £20,000 would have meant the world to me, but...

by all means, let the money pass to Miss Palliser.

That's it, then. Settled?

No, no, it's not settled, my dear.

Madame Goesler's legacy? It can't be bandied about at your whim.

No, but it can be bandied about at hers.

Adelaide need not know that the money is really a present from Marie

but that it came from the old duke's will.

It would be a present from Madame Goesler.

It carries a 12% legacy duty, Finn.

In no way could it be said to come from my uncle's will.

Plantagenet, if you upset Adelaide by telling her that,

I shall think it most ill-natured.

We must bend the truth the nice girl may be happy.

Oh, let us trust that she may be.

Hurray! Well done.

What's this? More congratulations?

No, it is for me.

Oh. I'm called back to London.

Already?

Mr Gresham's in trouble, Finn.

A great deal more trouble than he thought.

Well, if you are going back to London,

could you not go to the lawyers at the same time, for Adelaide?

- Yes. - Well, governments may fall.

But giving in marriage and being married must go on,

or there'd be nobody for either side to govern.

I think I ought to leave at once. Madame Goesler. Finn.

Oh.

Well, I suppose it is all up with the government.

I did not see the telegram, Duchess, but it wouldn't surprise me.

Well, it's time that Planty had a rest, in so far as he can rest.

Do you mind for yourself, Mr Finn?

Well, I, I am shortly to be consoled.

Yes, well, that reminds me.

I must go and tell Adelaide her good fortune.

Two weddings to look forward to and organise now.

Ooh! I feel positively bridal myself.

Excellent Excel... Ooh!

Excellent

Now, kindly refrain from moving, please.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And now one of the happy couple with only the bridesmaids.

Come along, Planty, dear. That's enough of our dreary old faces. Run along.

Dreary thing, photographs. Still, it's quite the thing. Adelaide insisted on it.

They stick the pictures in books, and later, when things go wrong,

they can look at the record and remind themselves who is to blame for it.

If this marriage goes wrong, they'll blame you.

Don't be pessimistic, Mr Longstaffe. It makes a very pretty picture.

What a pity my boys can't be here to be pages.

I hear they're both great characters at Eton, particularly Silverbridge.

They spoil him. But he'll be spoiled all his life.

At Eton they'll teach him to bear it gracefully. Oh, dear. I hope.

Thank you.

Oh, you must be exhausted.

Now, then, food and drink for everybody.

You're not too tired, are you?

There's food in the marquee for everybody.

- It's been such a lovely day. - Yes. We're very lucky in that respect.

They tell me that the government's resigning, Barrington. ls it certain?

Mr Gresham will be with the queen tomorrow.

It's a bit of a sell for poor old Phinny, especially as he's just taken office.

He expected the government to go down when he took office. Well, we all did.

With Parliament safely out of the way till next February,

you could put off resigning till then.

No, we're leaving because of this damn business of import and export levies.

Trade goes on, you see, Dolly, even when Parliament leaves off.

Trade? I thought we left all that to the middle classes.

More and more, Dolly, government is about money.

We've bungled the money so badly that we've got to go.

And if you ask me, it's a long time before we'll be back.

So you wish to spend the autumn here at Matching?

- Yes. Yes, I think that'd be best. - Whatever shall we do with ourselves?

The boys at school till Christmas, and Marie and Phineas on their wedding tour.

You going to find it so difficult just being with me?

It is you who shall find it hard being here with me.

What work will you do now the government has gone?

There's still plenty of work. We Liberals, we're now in opposition.

So we study to oppose.

There's a lot of work to do to perfect my decimal coinage.

Hm. How long will it be before the Liberals are returned to power?

It's hard to tell. We were very roundly beaten at this election.

- It could be five, six years. - Six years?

More time to be with you and the children.

Always wanted that.

Then, later on, perhaps we might travel.

Yes. Yes, we could always travel.

Oh, but I shall miss the excitement of your being in office, Plantagenet

God willing, it'll come again.

In the meantime, we have to manage as we are.

I shall be happy, Cora, if you will be.

Yes. Yes, I shall be glad to have you to myself, for a change.

Ah, will you?

I am very proud of you, Plantagenet

You're everything that I am not.

I think that you're the best and most upright man in all England.

I think you're the finest woman in all England.

We have grown together, have we not?

I think we've done very well together.

I... I always knew you didn't really love me.

Oh, Cora. I do.

Then why did you never tell me?

Because I thought that you knew.

No. No, I didn't.

And I love you.