Original subtitles

I've been thinking again, John,

about this engagement between George and Alice.

Has Alice been working on you, Father?

A match between the pair of them might do very well for the property.

It would keep her money in the family.

So he can chuck it to the devil along with the rest.

No, I'd settle the estate on their eldest son

so that he could touch nothing except the income.

He'll only go through Alice's capital the faster.

You underrate your daughter, sir.

She's a very strong young woman.

She could be the mending of George.

Mending? Nothing will mend George unless it be Belzebut with a pitchfork.

He's a scoundrel and a cur.

At least he's got some blood in his veins

and doesn't spend all his days supping and guzzling at his club.

You sent for me, sir.

Alice, my dear.

What I want to know is this -

does Mr Grey know of your engagement to George?

- Yes, I have written to him. - Very well.

And have you yet fixed the day with George?

Nothing has yet been said about that, or shall be for some time.

But if you've really made up your mind...

She has changed it twice already and may do so again.

Now, look here, Alice, why did you dismiss your cousin before?

He...

He had behaved unworthily.

- And he's as unworthy now as ever he was. - I think not, Father.

Besides, I am now much older and therefore much more understanding.

- Hm. - Then understand this.

George Vavasor is an animal.

You may think you've tamed him

but once he's out of doors, he'll cock his nose at the first female in season.

- Father! - You may as well have it straight, miss.

If you many your cousin George, you will risk your health along with your bank balance.

At 25, Father, I am prepared to run risks which I feared at 20.

- That's it... - That'll do, John.

We've heard you already, and heard too much unless you can give proof or instance.

Oh.

Very well, Alice.

You may be my messenger to George.

You may tell him that, for your sake,

I will let him come back here.

- Grandpapa! - He must, of course, beg my pardon

for his personal bad conduct to me in the past

and you must expect no money until I am dead.

- It's money he's after. - Even then,

he shall find that the estate is secured against his extravagance,

for it will be settled on your eldest son.

Now, make him understand all this, Alice.

And then, for your sake,

I will see George again.

But he must humble himsetf to me.

So you and your cousin Alice are to be wed.

What does your grandfather say about it?

Well, Alice will tell me when she returns from Westmorland.

Does 'rt matter?

Surely you will have Alice's money now.

Can't have 'rt till we're married,

until she's fixed the day.

Getting scruples, old fellow?

You don'! believe me, Burg, but I do have a few.

And I can afford them

now my Lord Marquis of Vanratty has finally killed himself celebrating Christmas.

And Ballybunion goes upstairs.

There's a by-election called for the Chelsea districts.

All along the river front there's only one thought in every voters mind -

what's 'rt worth in liquor?

That's perfectly pardonable.

If they're going to vote a man to the Commons, they want to drink his health.

Drink his money.

My money, Burg.

Huh. Hows your money lasting, by the way?

Well, I've just got a bit.

I didn't spend much down at Monkshade.

What a pity Glencora wasn't there.

You might have finished the game by now.

Play will be resumed very shortly.

Glencora and Palliser are coming up to London on Monday.

Ah, London again!

The breath Of life itself.

Both the breath and the life are purer in the country, I think.

You see. In London the world is too much with us.

With Parliament starting again, think of all those speeches you'll be making.

I don't do It out of vanity, you know.

I never said you did. You've got about as much vanity as a lobster.

Glencora, It is very misleading and ill-mannered to compare...

Glencora, did you hear me?

Cora?

Glencora!

Hm? I'm so sorry, I was daydreaming.

I was saying, it's very misleading to compare a member of the human race

with one of the animal kingdom.

- It's a very bad habit of yours. - Yes.

- Cora? - Yes?

- Why are you so agitated? - I'm not agitated, Plantagenet.

You're not unwell, are you? You've not taken cold again?

There's nothing the matter with me. Look, here is a letter from Alice Vavasor.

George Vavasor is standing his by-election.

Could you not make a speech from the hustings or something?

- This by-election is of no importance. - It is to him. It could mean his first seat.

He may very well win It

and he will have to go through it all over again in a very few months' time.

The general election.

Oh. Oh, y, hm.

I agree without any demur, Mr V.

It is most unfortunate that you must stand for this by-election

so soon before the end of this present Parliament.

- Devilish unfortunate. - In politics we can't help these little accidents.

Us in politics know, Mr V,

that politics is a damned slippery business, you know.

So it appears.

Oh...

Now, er...as regards money, Mr V,

I recall that you paid me a deposit of £500 back in November

and a further £500 in a bill at three months date.

Which owes in a few days.

Yes, but unfortunately I had to have that discounted at the time

so I only got 400.

The deuce you did! If you'd waited till that bill matured, you'd have got the full fl.

Well, I didn't wait, so I only got 400.

That means that you have paid me £900

And I am reminding myseif that you agreed to deposit with me a further £500

the minute the seat fell vacant.

Well, Mr V?

Cash, Mr Soluby. No need to discount that.

No, indeed, Mr V.

Only to...

Only to count it, eh?

Ah. I'm glad to see you're punctual, Mr V.

There's nothing I appreciaie more than a man who is punctual.

Yes, means that I know where I am.

Well, I'll be shot if l do. Look, Scmby, you've had 1,400 sovereigns.

- Can I take 'rt that's enough for this by-eledion? - Not quite, Mr V.

I prefer to regard that £1,400

as money deposited in earnest of your good faith

for our expenses at the general election later on in the summer.

Let them take care of itself when it comes.

Oh, no, no, no, that's a very shallow, very frivolous remark, Mr V,

one I would hardly expect to hear from a bona fide candidate,

the only sort of candidate, I may say, that I am prepared to act for.

No, no, no, this general election will be a very serious, a very expensive matter.

Surely a bit cheaper for the sitting member.

Oh. Yes. Cheaper. Yes. Yes. but still very expensive, Mr V.

All politics... You must understand this, Mr V, all politics is relative.

And us in politics would know that relatively speaking,

to ask for a deposit of a mere £1,400

for a gentleman of your standing, Mr V,

is letting you off very lightly.

Now, all this means that I will require you

to raise some further funds for the condud of this present by-election.

- How much? - 3,000.

3,000?

Yes, Chelsea districts is a London constituency, Mr V,

and London is the capital of the land.

Oh, what am I saying, Mr V? It's the capital of the world.

Chelsea districts is a very tricky constituency

and the voters are in a very funny mood at the moment.

- What's more, we are going to be opposed. - Are we, by God?

Yes, a Conservative candidate came into the field only the other day.

A gentleman, M V,

like yourself,

and one who I am sure is prepared to...

put down the stumpy.

Then so shall I put down the infernal stumpy.

See here, Scmby,

ifl let you keep the 1,400 you've had as a deposit against the general election

and if I find a further 3,000 for you now, you swear you won't come hunting for more?

Not this ride, Mr Vavasor.

Very well. I'll see you again before this evening.

Do that, Mr Vavasor, do that.

In this business, Mr Vavasor,

there's nothing we appreciate so much as a gentleman who is...

punctual.

- George. - Alice.

Dearest Alice.

Alice, what did that old screw up in Westmofland say to our marriage?

Well, he gave half his blessing.

He said he would settle the estate on our eldest son.

Oh. Settlement, damn. That way we should have nothing but the income.

We should have enough, I think.

George.

Grandfather also said he would be willing to receive you at Vavasor Hall

if you will beg his pardon for the injuries you have done him.

If l do, will he let me have any part of it now?

No.

Alice, you have promised to be my partner, my wife, when will it be?

Tell me that it will make you happy to call me your husband and tell me when.

Not yet

Not for a while yet

That's hardly cheering. It is not the greeting I had hoped for.

I'm sorry.

- George. - Well...

George...

I know that you're excited about this election,

as I have been since I first read of it, but...

I can see you are disturbed as well.

You see, George, I know your moods so well.

You are disturbed because you need money.

Yes-

If you need money to advance your career in Parliament, then what I have is yours.

Only if you're my wife, Alice, can I honourably take your money.

- You are going to be my wife? - Yes.

Then why not now?

Well, it... It's so recently that I... I broke with Mr Grey.

- I cannot marry you just yet. - Look, Alice.

- Can't you get Grey out of your mind? - I am now solemnly engaged to you.

All that is mine must come to you sooner or later.

There's no reason why you shouldn't have some of it at once.

Very well.

I need £3,000 as soon as it can be ready.

- 3,000? - Today, if possible.

To raise such a sum as that, I must sell stock. lt will take time.

Your banker would give you an immediate credit if you arrange with him to sell stock to cover it.

I do not know how that may be.

But I promise you, I'll let you have the money in three days.

- Tomorrow will be better. - Three days, George.

As you say, Alice.

To save time, please ask your banker to remit directly to the order of my agent Mr Soluby.

This is his card and the address of his bank.

So I shall receive the money in three days' time, shall I, Mr Vavasor?

How can I be sure of that?

I must know where I stand, you see.

Well, Mr V?

I have a cousin, Miss Alice Vavasor, who is to be my wife.

On, right

She's making over some small part of her fortune in advance.

- In advance, Mr Vavasor?

Come.

Yes, well, I could advise...

Oh, my God, no, Smithers.

- Smithers, no. - Mr Soluby, Mr Soluby.

- Not now. - Mr Soluby, my money.

- I don't have any left. Any other time but now. - But my money, Mr Soluby.

No, no, no, no. Oh!

Just some poor devil of a printer looking for the payment of his account.

He printed 5,000 posters for a candidate in Marylebone only the week before last.

- Which don't concerm me, Mr Soluby. - But er...

It was a candidate we trusted, Mr Vavasor,

on account of he had money coming in at the end of the week.

Money did not come in at the end of the week.

You won't believe this, that money ain't even come in yet.

And that man being a small man in a small way of business

is now in a great way to being ruined, Mr Vavasor.

Now, we don't want anyone ruined on your account, do we, Mr Vavasor?

No. Now, Miss Alice Vavasor, you say?

I do.

Means a woman's name on a woman's paper, hardly the son of paper people like, you know.

It's not paper, Mr Soluby, it's stumpy.

The money will be paid directly by her banker. I have her word.

It's only a woman's word, Mr V.

Second-hand too, as far as I'm concerned.

And you want me to go at work at once'?

I'd be very grateful, Mr Scumby. Every second counts now, you know that

And so does every penny, Mr Vavasor, every penny of £3,000.

Well, Mr V, your story is hardly the sort of story

that one gentleman relishes having to tell to another gentleman.

But for that very reason, I will believe it,

and I will go to work for you at once.

Ah, here we are.

Camberwell? No. Ah-ha.

Here 'rt is, Chelsea districts.

Chelsea districts, Mr V.

Yes, I thought well to tell you before I acted.

- Are you sure she means it? - Oh, yes, she was very firm last night

You see. Grey.

In my view, he will take every penny her mother left her.

And then we shall hear no more talk of marriage.

If once she were free of him,

she might come to me again.

She would come penniless. I have nothing to give her.

I shouldn't mind how poor she was, if only she might be saved from George Vavasor.

You're very generous, Grey, but Alice is as proud as Lucifer.

If once she lost her fortune,

nothing would induce her to become your wife.

This letter from her to her banker

authorises you to raise £3,000 from her capital resources

and pay over to her cousin George or rather to his agent, Mr Soluby.

Yes, she doesn't understand how these things are done and she's asked me to act for her.

But just so - she does not understand.

Now, if someone else were to find this sum in cash

and pay it directly into this man Solubys account,

specifying that it was paid on behalf of Mr George Vavasor,

no-one would be any the wiser, neither Alice nor her cousin.

I suppose not

Then I shall pay it and any further sums he may ask for.

- My dear fellow... - This way we shall give her time

to discover her cousin's real nature

and to sever herself from him of her own accord without being beggared by him meanwhile.

She'd be sure to find out in the end.

Trust me, the money shall be paid within three days,

as though it had come from Alice.

And then she will be in your debt.

Debt?

Any debt she may amply repay by marrying me,

if she will.

- From Lady Glencora Palliser, Miss Vavasor. - Thank you.

Her coachman is waiting for your answer.

Tell the coachman I shall be ready direclly.

Yes, ma'am.

Mr Grey!

You may give your hand to me, Alice,

as to an old friend.

I have a carriage waiting. I must go immediately.

Oh, but you'll spare me a minute? For old time's sake.

I must return to Ely tomorrow.

One question, Alice, and that shall be all.

Why have you once again accepted your cousin's offer?

I cannot hope to make you understand.

We understood each other well enough once.

Try, Alice. Try to explain to me.

It's no good, Mr Grey.

How can I dare to hope you will ever think well of me again.

That is for me to judge.

Alice, nothing has yet been done that need to a certainty separate you and me.

I love you as well as ever,

and should things change with you, I shall welcome you back with great joy.

I must go now, Mr Grey.

I must indeed.

Alice.

Alice, I thought you were never coming.

I was detained at the last moment.

You needn't have sent a carriage. I'd come anyway.

On a dreadful afternoon like this? But of course you would.

You're so strong and loyal, Alice.

- Alice, will you always be loyal? - Yes.

Whatever may come to pass?

- What do you mean, Glenoora? - Alice, Alice...

- Burg has written to me. - Oh.

- That was very wrong of him. - Was it, Alice?

You know it. You must know it.

It's all very well for you. You've got what you want, Mr George Vavasor.

We weren't talking of him, we were talking of Mr Burg Fitzgerald.

- He must send you no more letters. - Well, it was only a note.

- No more notes, then. - Well, how can I stop him?

You must refuse to receive them. You must send them back unopened.

What good would that do? I'm bound to meet him before long.

Then meet him.

Speak three civil words to him as you would to any other man,

remembering all the time that you have a fine husband who loves you.

No, he doesn't, and he doesn't love you, Alice, either.

He blames you for my being ill and not going to Monkshade,

not that I was ill, but he believed it,

and he hasn't forgiven you.

He doesn't forgive easily and he doesn't love.

At least he is constant, Glencora. He is faithful.

Of course he is faithful because all he cares about is the Houses of Parliament

and those dreary old blue books.

And, sir, an impression prevails

that the public expenditure of this country is growing.

That is not true

at this moment, as I speak.

And now I must assert yet again that it is no fault of her Majesty's Government

if remissions in tax have not been found to be possible.

And whose fault is it?

Hear, hear!

I should add finally that in any case at all

the present Government never at any time

undertook to make such reductions.

And that never at any time was it suggested, either to the country or to this House

- that the lowering of taxes" - No, that won't do at all.

We all know very well that remissions were promised.

I'm sorry to say it of our own Chancellor, but this is a most dishonest speech.

It's totally incompetent. He might at least have remembered a few favourable fads.

Mr Speaker,

whatever pledges this Government may or may not have given

when it first assumed off to remit taxation,

it must be clear to any man of understanding

that the financial chaos left behind by the opposition

precluded any possibility of immediate action.

Even as things were,

even despite the Croesene confusion created by the Conservative party,

we have found it possible to make substantial concessions.

My right honorable friend, with his characteristic modesty,

forbore to mention them just now.

There has been a reduction of six pence a hogshead

in the excise duty on certain wines from Burgundy and Bordeaux.

A total remission of wagon tolls

in the Crown lands of the Duchy of Lancaster.

And the most timely abolition of the import duties

on that wholesome and nutritious food - the paragua tree nut.

Palliser seems to be standing up to them very well.

The Prime Minister is very pleased with him. Cool, calm and accurate, he says.

Just what's needed for the Exchequer this time.

But I don't think it would be advisable to appoint Palliser before the general election.

Oh, I don't know about that. There are some months to run till then.

We can't afford to have the present men bungling up the country's money affairs.

Ah, I'm sorry to be late, my dear, I was delayed in the House.

- How did It go? - Oh, well enough.

Mr Bots is coming to dinner. There will be no-one else.

Alice Vavasor was here this aflemoon. I have asked her.

Miss Vavasor? Coming to dinner?

Well, Mr Bots coming to dinner.

Perhaps the ladies and gentlemen should dine at separate tables.

Don't be absurd. Surely you are not going to start turning up your nose at my guest.

You started by turning up your nose at Alice.

- I must say... - Please don't say anything against my cousin.

She's the only woman in the world that I care for.

I trust there will be no repetition of the folly she encouraged at Matching.

Not much chance of that with you and Mr Bott breathing down our necks.

Did you tell Collingwood for eight, my dear?

Yes-

Mr Palliser distinguished himself today.

With his speech in the debate on the Queen's address.

Why didn't you tell me earlier?

I didn't think you'd be interested.

What aspect of the address were you oonoemed with, Mr Palliser?

Oh, it is a question of taxation, Miss Vavasor. Our main problem...

...is money, just like everybody else's,

but Mr Palliser will set it all right by changing the currency.

I feel we shall never make you a politician, Lady Glenoaura.

I'm afraid you never Will, Mr Bot.

I don't know why you should have to work so very hard, but as you like it,

I'm as anxious as anyone can be that you should triumph.

Thank you very much, my dear.

The triumph, Lady Glencora, may come even earlier than we hope.

The Prime Minister is known to be very well pleased with Mr Palliser's performance.

Then why didn't he appoint you at once? Surely it's all up to him.

Well, the Prime Minister can hardly make an appointment in the middle of a debate.

What a pity. So much the best time. Everyone would be there to clap.

Lady Glencora will have her little joke.

I think Lady Glenoora turns everything into little jokes.

Lady Glencora, gentlemen, has the gift of laughter,

which has always been hated by the poor in spirit

and loved by the gods.

I think Miss Vavasor has spoken a little out of turn.

No.

I think Miss Vavasor has made a very true and honest speech.

Glencora, I wish I had a friend who would speak as warmly for me

as your friend has just spoken for you.

I was very angry with you before Christmas, Miss Vavasor.

Very angry and...unreasonable.

I do hope that now we are back in London, you and Glenoora will be often together.

My Lady, dinner is served.

Thank you, Collingwood.

Mr Bot?

- Mr Bot. - Oh.

♪ For he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow

♪ For he's a jolly good fel-low...

Best congratulations, Mr V.

Only, to think we'll have all this to do again at the general election before long.

I suppose our friends will be as thirsty as ever.

They just like to drink the success of a good man -

Mr Vavasor MP, that's all it is.

And, of course, at a general election they drink to it much more heartier.

They needn't start for a month or two yet.

Well, we may do well to refresh their memories before very long, Mr V.

Didn't you say you was going to get married?

That's a very good opportunity for all your loyal constituents to toast you, for a start.

Alice.

Alice.

You see before you the new Member of Parliament for the Chelsea districts.

Oh. George!

Oh!

Oh, George, I'm so happy for you.

- So proud and so happy. - I couldn't have done it without you, Alice.

- If you hadn't helped me with your money... - Oh, George, do not mention that.

I must mention it. I must acknowledge my debt.

Also tell you I may be forced to increase it before long.

If you need more money, George, you shall have it.

But don't let's talk about it. I want us both to feel the full joy of your success.

We can only do that if we dismiss these money worries.

They shall be dismissed as long as I am with you.

Let them vanish.

George?

What are your plans? As to politics, I mean.

Well, I shall hope to presume a little on my acquaintance with Mr Palliser.

Or rather on yours.

Mr Palliser is not a man to encourage presumption, but...

I think he may be well disposed towards you.

Mr Palliser's favour could be very valuable. He could assist certain of my ambitions.

- What ambitions, George? - Such things are secret until they be realised.

I can only tell you my ambitions ifl can be sure of you.

Well, you're as sure of me as any man can be.

Oh, sure of your heart, Alice.

Come, give me your lips.

Tell me that you do it with your heart.

Oh.

Alice.

Now kiss me, kiss me, kiss me again.

Not yet, not now!

Kiss me as you should kiss your future husband, the man you love.

No, George.

Hm, I saw your cousin George on his way out. He seemed in rather a hurry.

He... He will be a busy man now, Papa.

He looked a very angry one.

I should have stopped him to tell him my NEWS.

This has just come from your cousin Kate.

Grandfather is gravely ill.

But...he seemed so strong at Christmas.

- Well, he's a very old man.

It will be sad work for Kate up there all alone with him.

I think you had better go to her.

Yes, indeed, tomorrow.

- You will come too, Father? - No, not until... Later on.

Send for me should it prove.

- Lady Glencora. - Mr Vavasor.

You will need to catch the early train. Be ready to start at half past nine sharp.

You're not going away, are you, Alice?

- Alice, did you hear me? I asked... - Yes, I heard you, Glenoora.

My word, you do look upset. What is it?

My grandfather is ill. I must go to Westmofland.

Don't leave me, Alice. Where would I be without you?

I must, Glencora, I must go to help Kate.

But next week is Lady Monk's ball and I was relying on you to come with me in case...

Well, in case.

- I was relying on you. - I've not been invited.

- But I've aranged with Lady Monk... - I have no wish to go where I am not wanted.

- But I want you. - It's no good, Cora.

I must go to Kate at Vavasor Hall.

But what shall I do, Alice?

I know that Burg will be at Lady Monk's.

Then stay away-

Stay away? How can I stay away when you know that Plantagenet wont let me?

He wants me to go about as if Burgo didn't exist, to put it all from me.

Then do so, Glencora.

With your help I might

That's rubbish. You must simply do what you know very well to be right.

Pour me another glass, Kate.

Do you think it is wise, Grandfather? The doctor said you should only have one glass.

What does it signify?

I will soon be dead and what difference then?

I was only thinking of your comfort, sir.

Then you're the only person in the world that does.

That fine brother of yours,

strutting about in Parliament.

I have offered to see him and forgive him before I die.

But does he come to ask a pardon?

Oh, no.

Not Master George.

- He is much occupied, sir, with his new career. - Occupied with the devil.

He is too proud to bend his knee, misy, that's where it is.

He thinks he's sure of the estate.

Can't even be bothered to come and say a civil word when he's asked to.

I'm sure he will come, Grandfather, if we send for him.

You'll do no such thing.

But you can send to Penrith for Gogram the lawyer.

- You have that money safe, Burgo? - Safe in my pocket.

Nothing was ever safe in your pocket.

It cost me a lot of lies and trouble to get it, Burgo.

It is not to be squandered.

It is for a certain purpose if you should happen to need it.

- I do need it badly. - Yes, but only for that purpose, Burgo.

Aunt Euphemia, you're sure she's coming?

Oh, yes, and so is he.

You're quite sure Glencora's coming to this ball?

Oh, quite sure, Adelaide.

Mr Palliser depends upon Sir Cosmo Monk for certain assistance in the House

and always attends Lady Monk's functions.

- But Glencora could excuse herself. - Oh, not for a second time.

It looked quite bad enough her staying away from Monkshade at Christmas,

cold or no cold.

This time Mr Palliser will insist she accompany him.

And of course Mr Fitzgerald will be there, the favourite nephew.

Hm. Let's hope he confines his attentions to his aunt.

But if not, Adelaide, then we must do our duty.

Mr and Mrs Conway Sparkes

Mr Palliser and the Lady Glencora Palliser.

- Dear Lady Glencora. - Dear Lady Monk.

- Mr Palliser. - Lady Monk.

Harold Bolt.

- And the loyal Mr Harold Bott. - Your Ladyship.

- Good evening, Lady Glencora, Mr Palliser. - Mr Fitzgerald.

So, Lady Glencora is over her Christmas cold.

And looking lovelier than ever.

She's looking excited, I'd say.

Looking forward to dancing, I expect. They say she was a great dancer.

Yes, and a great leader of dances.

Oh, that's rubbish, Erie.

It's quite clear that they've settled down together and I'm very glad to see it.

A young woman with a fortune such as hers

needs a restraining hand.

As I was saying in the carriage, Bott,

all our people know that a general election must come soon.

What they don't know are the issues on which it should be fought.

And what issues would you choose, Mr Palliser?

I don't think it's a question of choice, is it, but public demand, Bott.

I think two things are paramount One is taxation, as always,

and necessary changes in the suffrage in the ballot.

Tonight's debate should have an important bearing on that.

Yes, well, of course it might help to define the areas in which change should be proposed.

The sooner those areas are defined before the election the better.

In fad, Bott, for good or ill, we must keep the election in the forefront of our minds.

I am glad you are better, my dear. I missed you at Monkshade.

Thank you, Duke.

And so did your husband. He looked miserable the whole time.

I suppose that's one's best chance of being appreciated - stay away for a bit.

Trouble is, the appreciation stops the minute one comes back again.

Mine doesn't. Now, go and get him to dance.

Do him no end of good.

It's a question of accurate timing.

Say we go to the country in June, then we may be said to be premature.

Yes, and if we wait until August we shall be accused of trying to sneak in on a small poll

when nobody much is voting.

- You're looking pretty dull, old fellow. - I hate this kind of affair.

- I thought you were rather a good dancer. - There's no-one I care to dance with.

- Then why come? - Oh, a fellows got to pass the time somehow.

Besides, who knows, there might just be someone after all.

Bott, I prefer to calculate the figures

rather than the opinion of voters.

Well, my dear, I'm going away now.

- Shall I come with you? - No, I'm going down to the House.

Lady Auld Reekie Will be here.

I only came for the look of the thing.

I think it's so much better if you stayed on.

- Are you coming, Bott? - Oh, I think not

- You'll not need me there tonight, sir. - As you wish.

- You won't be late, Glenoora? - No, Plantagenet.

Well, shall you dance?

Just one, perhaps, to show that I'm not an old woman.

Well, don't overheat yourself. Goodaye.

Adelaide, I think we had better...

- Lady Glencora, may I have this dance? - Lady Glencora is not dancing.

The Lady Glencora is the best judge of that

Mr Palliser was particularly anxious that she should not overheat herself.

My dear...

Glencora!

- Why did they say you would not dance? - To protect me.

- Do you need protecting? - Well, Mr Bott thinks I do.

- He should not have gone away and left her. - I suppose he must be told.

- He is at the House, Lady Auld Reekie. - I do not mean now at this very moment.

One cannot suppose that it is as bad as that.

I can, I can suppose anything about her.

I will take her home after this dance:

No great harm can come of one dance.

Mr Bott, did I hear it said that Mr Palliser should be told?

Er, well...

You won't go making mischief?

That Mr Bott. I know he's a political associate of Mr Palliser

but he seems too busy with the family affairs.

Yes, his manner is insufferable, but Adelaide, he is proving himseif useful at the moment.

I think we must try and bear with him.

George Vavasor is going to make his maiden speech in the Commons tonight

Ain't you going down to hear him?

No, he's speaking too soon, Dolly. He should sit there and learn a bit first.

- He was always a quick learner. - I daresay but it's a long slow course.

- The question is, will he run straight? - Ah.

If people would only run straight

Do you see what is happening, Duke, with Lady Glencora?

I see a young lady dancing very happily with a young gentleman.

Who is not her husband.

Her husband has left so she is standing up with someone else.

- She need not have stood up at all. - One comes to a ball to dance.

- And very prettily she does it. - Hm, too prettily by half.

Does it put you in mind of the old days, Cora?

- You must not speak of that. - May I not?

Why may I not?

They were happy days, Cora.

If you knew how I suffered when you did not come to Monkshade.

Why did you not come?

Because it would have been madness,

as it was to come here.

They've disappeared.

Through those doors.

If only I could see into your heart,

know what you really wanted.

Burgo.

She deliberately hid from us.

I must go to the House and tell Mr Palliser.

- I really must. - There may be worse mischief if you don't.

We can't go on dancing. People are noticing us.

Just a little longer, Cora. There is something very important I must tell you.

Which brings us, Mr Speaker, sir,

to the whole question of the secret ballot

As the matter stands now, a man must cast his vote in public

and any casual obtruder may ascertain how he votes.

Hear, hear.

But as we all know, the voter is subject to pressure.

Pressures from his landlord, his patron,

his employer, his relatives, his friends or his enemies,

from his pastors, his masters, his teachers, his preachers,

from all these pressures.

Hear, hear.

The voter is even threatened, as I have recently learnt from my own experience

by pressures from the very publican who dispenses his drink.

Let us say that a certain publican is, for whatever reason,

in favour of a certain candidate.

Let us say that this same publican is prepared to be liberal...

Good evening, Bott. This maiden

- Mr Palliser, I think... - This maiden speech of Vavasor is very able.

You must hear no more. You must leave this at once.

Why? Why should I do any such thing?

Remind voters of their obligations to him in the arfice of liquor.

You may also remind them with menaces

For so long as a man must cast his vote openly,

and not secretly,

for so long, Mr Speaker, sir,

for so long will such abuses be inevitable.

Hear, hear.

Everything is arranged, Cora. We can be gone this very night

I don't know.

I... No.

No, Mr Fitzgerald. Take me from the floor and leave me and do not return.

- You cannot mean that. - Please, Burgo, do as I ask,

for the sake of the old days of which you spoke.

- Those days can never come again. - By God they can and they shall.

Burgo, we are noticed.

Cora, come.

Nothing else matters so long as you are minded to do what I ask.

I am not minded and you insult me by proposing it.

If you want to be my wife it is no insult.

- How can I be that? - Come with me abroad, Cora.

- You may yet be my wife. - If that could be.

My true wife, the wife of my heart and my body.

- Oh, Burgo! - Come with me, Cora.

- Come with me tonight. - No.

Cora, there is a carriage waiting not 100 yards from this room.

I have money, tickets to France.

- I have planned everything. - No, no, no, this is madness.

Even if I wished to come, I'm surrounded. Mr Bott...

- He is no longer here. - But my aunts.

There they are.

Cora, this is my aunt's house, I know every inch of it.

All you have to do is to retire to the ladies' resting room.

Beyond there is a door and behind that a small staircase.

Stop it. For the love of God, stop.

Cora, this is our last chance. Please, my darling.

Please.

Is that all you have to say?

Yes, that's all for now, at any rate.

- Cora. - Please, leave me. Go, you fool.

- Not unless you promise you will see me again. - Yes, I will.

- When? - One of these days, Mr Fitzgerald.

Ah, Plantagenet

Glencora, Mr Fitzgerald.

I thought you were going straight home.

I was,

but as I was passing I thought I might come in for you on the way.

What a model husband.

Well, I'm ready.

Good night, Mr Fitzgerald. You dance as well as ever you did.

- Good night, Lady Monk. - Lady Glencora.

- Lady Monk. - Mr Palliser.

And where is Mr Bott?

I don't think we need to talk about him just now, Glencora.

As you please, Plantagenet

Though one thing I will tell you just now,

nothing will ever again induce me to receive Mr Bott in my own home.

You'd better be very clear, Plantagenet, as to that.

Does it put you in mind of the old days?

Everything's arranged, Cora.

I have money. We can be gone this very night

Come with me abroad. You may yet be my wife.

- Oh, Burgo. - 'The wife of my heart and my body.

Please, darling-

Please.