Original subtitles

How much to 24, Park Lane?

24, Park Lane? It's only just down the road.

I know, but how much to take me there?

- Sixpence. - Right

The important thing is to arrive in style.

My dear.

- Planty will think we're sweethearts. - We are.

- So now you know. - Duke.

Oh. Of all things, I hate crowding the place in the afternoon.

A man in your position is expected to entertain.

Dinners... Er, who's this?

Lady Laura Standish.

- Lady Laura. Mr Kennedy. - Lady Gamma.

- Kennedy. - Palliser.

Dinners for a few friends would be quite enough.

A public statesman must have many friends.

Yes, many, then none.

Mr Monk, I don't think you've met my wife Lady Glencora.

- Mr Monk. - Lady Glencora.

Ah, Barlingion.

Barlingion.

If it wasn't for this, you could be upstairs with the baby.

I was with the baby all morning. He'll be sick of the sight of me.

- Lady Glencora. - Ah, Mr Fitzgibbon.

- Palliser. - Mr Fitzgibbon.

And apart from anything else, I should be at work.

You are at work.

- Lady Glencora. - Madame Goesler.

- Mr Palliser. - Madame Goesler.

For heaven's sakes, Plantagenet, smile.

This is not your funeral.

It's the very first party you're giving as Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Mr Finn?

Lady Glencora.

Mr Palliser.

Mr Finn, I fear I must remind you what every budding politician should know.

- Mud slide. - on.

The fact is, Lady Glencora, I fell in need of the exercise, so I...

- I walked through the park. - Swam through it more likely with all this rain.

- I quite like the rain, Lady Glencora. - Good.

- Ah, Mr Mildmay. - Lady Glencora.

- Hello, Palliser. - Prime Minister.

Delightful having your husband with us in the Government.

His presence will certainly stiffen up my Cabinet.

On the whole they've arranged it very sensibly - Mildmay for Prime Minister.

And to judge by the look of him, it will be for the last time.

Not a bad thing, perhaps.

Mildmay has been eager for reform in his day but he never put through the secret ballot.

- Thank heavens for that. - What have you got against the ballot?

- It's so damned sneaky. - People want it.

A large number of radicals in the party want it.

- Do they, though? - Hm?

Well, there's Mr Monk over there.

He's radical and he wouldn't touch the ballot vlith a barge pole.

Nor the Duke of St Bungay.

What about Planty Pall, hm?

All Mr Palliser is interested in is his ten-penny shilling.

Most rewarding.

- Ah, my dear Duke. - Well, Planty?

What will it be like being Chancellor under Mildmay?

He won't interfere very much, he won't encourage me very much.

Mr Mildmay comes from a generation that takes money for granted.

He might not be too pleased to wake up and find he'd lost two pennies out of every shilling.

Oh, Mr Kennedy, we were just talking about Mr Palliser's ten-penny shilling.

How do you suppose it will be received?

On its merits, Lady Glencora.

Yes, but what are its merits?

Well, in the first place it will make for a simpler calculation.

Very likely, Palliser.

I am more concerned with monetary values rather than monetary measures.

- Tea? - Thank you.

Smile.

The man has absolutely no imagination, that's why.

Barrington, why haven't they given Kennedy anything?

- He's right behind this Government. - He refused to accept offioe.

Although he supports us, he likes to preserve his independence.

Pull his money out from under him, you wouldn't find much independence.

- Barlingion, could l...? - Mr Monk.

Fitzgibbon said you wouldn't support the secret ballot. ls that true?

Yes, one thing at a time, Mr Finn.

We must broaden the suffrage first.

Excuse us.

I told you...he was against it.

Hm, only for the time being, I think.

Tell me, what do you make of that young man?

- He's in a hurry, is Master Finn. - I suppose so.

But he's Irish and the Irish always like to ride first.

- I like a man to ride a straight course. - So he may do.

One thing at least is certain, Phineas Finn has got bottom.

- Phineas Finn has got what? - Bottom, Palliser.

Equestrian expression for a determined rider.

Indeed. But surely a lot depends on a man's mount.

What has Finn got to carry him on his way?

- Brains and charm. - Yes.

But no money, that's for sure.

Although he could find some, if he chose to look about him.

I must say, Lady Glen's put on a damned good show for her first do in London.

Asked all the right people too.

Rather too much cake, though. I must tell her to get more sandwiches.

- Mr Longslaffe. - Madame Max

- I'm sure you remember... - Yes, of course I remember.

Phineas Finn.

Well, gentlemen, here we are back in London

with a new Government and great things to be done.

- Not too many things, I hope. - Oh, for shame, Mr Longslaffe.

We are all reformers here.

Mr Finn is burning to do great things, are you not, Mr Finn?

Here.

Well, Duke, is this affair all right?

Oh, a very good turnout, my dear, just what's needed.

Yes, but Planty hates this sort of thing.

Then he's lucky to have you to do it for him.

So very lucky, you know.

Excuse me.

Planty.

- My dear, I have some work to do. - I've already told you, you are working.

In that case, why did we have to invite Madame Goesler?

The Duke of Omnium. He asked me to be civil to her whilst he was away on his tour.

Besides, I want to keep my eye on Madame Goesler.

Why?

I'm rather afraid the Duke of Omnium has his eye on her, if you follow me,

and we don't want any of that,

you and I and little Planty.

Well, not after all we've been through.

No.

No, I suppose not

- Goodbye, Mr Finn. - Madame Goesler.

Lady Laura.

- I'll see you at dinner tomorrow, Mr Finn. - Yes, indeed, Lady Laura.

- My father's looking forward to meeting you. - And I to meeting him.

- He's to be Privy Seal in this Government. - So I understand.

- He could be very helpful to you. - Hm?

It's important you belong to the right set.

How well are you acquainted with... Madame Goesler?

I am acquainted.

Madame Goesler is not in the right set.

Well, she is here, Lady Laura.

Lady Glencora may know whom she pleases,

young Members of Parliament may not.

Until tomorrow, Mr Finn.

Oh, Mr Phineas, I've just made you some beef tea,

just what you need this nasty damp weather.

Yes, thanks very much, Mrs Bunoe.

How did you get on at the party, then?

Well, I learned a lot, Mrs Bunoe. I learn more every day, I think.

I daresay you do,

with all those Parliament gentlemen and their grand ladies too.

But...you won't go learning too much, Mr Phineas, now, will you?

How could I learn too much?

Well, you might learn to forget where you come from

and the one who are waiting for you there when you get back.

- Such a pretty little face. - Yes.

Well, good night, Mr Phineas.

Good night, Mrs Bunoe. Thanks.

Dinner party at Brentfords tonight, I hear.

- Why ain't you there, Barrington? - Yes, well, I...

You were always a favourite of Lady Laura's.

This dining about is all very well but I suppose somebody has to go to the House.

Then why ain't you at the House?

There's nothing at the House worth hearing tonight.

Then why ain't you at Brentfords?

To tell you the truth, Dolly,

I'm sick and tired of seeing my cousin Laura make a fuss of Phineas Finn.

- Jealous? - No, Dolly.

Just rather surfeited with glutinous Irish charm.

I know what you mean, Barrington.

The fact is, there's such a lot of the fellow.

He takes a huge size in boots, and even then, he's getting far too big for them.

A new Government elected like this one without a general election

must be given quite as much time to look about it as if there'd been a dissolution.

Brentford, we are the representatives of the people.

We have duties which must and should be discharged at all times,

- whether there be a dissolution or not. - My dear friend, you oversimplify it.

Father, this is Mr Phineas Finn.

- Ah, how do you do'? - Lord Bremen.

- And Mr Fitzgibbon. - Hello, sir.

Nice to see you.

Everyone else I think you know, except my friend Miss Violet Effingham.

- Miss Effingham. - I don't think you've been here before, Mr Finn.

- No, Miss Effingham. - You'll find us all very easy. Will he not, Laura?

Provided you agree with our every word about politics.

- Mr Finn? Lord Bremen!

I was just saying before you arrived, Mr Finn,

I doubt if Mr Mildmay will attempt anything much for the rest of the session.

He has until July, my Lord.

- A useful period for consolidation. - By which you mean sheer idleness.

Now, Mr Palliser has at least 20 schemes for financial reform, all of them mature.

Cora...

And unless you let him bring in some 10 or 12 of them at once, you'll break his heart.

I'm sure Mr Palliser can bide until next February.

Mr Palliser will burst before next February.

The truth is, all of you spend far too little time in the House.

You leave it in early July and don't come back until it's nearly spring.

A fellow needs a rest, Lady Glen.

If we saw much more of each other in the House, we'd be cutting each other's throats.

A fellow does not need a rest of over six months, Mr Fitzgibbon.

Think of all the legislation you could compass in an autumn session.

Sitting in autumn?

How do you expect gentlemen to be absent from their estate at that time of year?

I think Miss Effingham is right

A lot could be accomplished in an autumn session.

You know, that's the fault of you young men,

you're always wanting to accomplish something.

I can't say I've noticed it.

The men in the House seem to me to be exactly like sheep.

They're perfectly content to loiter through the same gate into the same field

and munch the grass until it's time to loiter out again.

The comparison has not always been held invidious, Mas Efingham.

The greatest of all our masters called us his flock.

Much must depend on the shepherd.

- I understand that at Brooke's club... - Your Lordship, dinner is served.

Lady Glencora, may I have the pleasure?

I understand that at Brooke's club they are saying we should have a majority of 49.

At the Reform they say 47.

In either case, a rich flock for the shepherd,

who need only pen them securely and guard against the wolf.

Then when he has seen them well fed and healthy and full of grace,

he can lead them forth next February.

Provided they haven't grown too fat in the meantime to move.

...but Mildmay, you see, I've heard he saw his physicians this morning.

He's not been well these past months

But seriously ill?

Mr Finn?

Very nice, my dear. And now I could do with a mouthful of cheese.

- Oh, you could, could you? - Yes.

- Well, there ain't none. - Why not?

Because the money that would have bought it has been given away, Mr Bunoe,

given away by you to that dratted trade union.

I only pays a shilling a week.

Well, that's a shilling a week less to feed your belly with.

You can't have it both ways.

- Mr Finn keeps getting beeftea. - Yes, what he pays for as a lodger.

Yeah, and he don't pay so regular neither.

Never you mind about him. He pays regular enough, Mr Finn does.

Anyway, he don't go throwing his money away on no trade union.

You'll be hearing about him before long.

They all will, that Parliament lot.

Oh, do hold your silly tongue, Bunoe,

and leave all them politics to your betters.

Like your precious Mr Phineas, I suppose.

Don't you go sneering at him, either.

He's a good, kind, gentle boy.

And he's made his own way to where he is.

Yes, he's made his own way fair and square.

So far. But it all depends, my dear, on what direction he takes new.

Does he do his duty and follow his conscience,

or does he just go dining and wining about with the Lord of this and the Marquis of that

and clean forget what he's in politics for?

There's been no particular report

but I would like some preliminary discussion of decimal currency.

Well, as Chancellor, you'll have a lot on your hands.

Perhaps after the launching of the new Reform Bill.

Timing on a measure of that kind is going to be crucial, Palliser.

I think you might be well advised...

Where do you stay in London, Miss Effingham?

In this house as often as not

You see, Mr Finn, I am an orphan.

My father was a dear friend of Lord Brentford.

Ah, Lord Brentford is your guardian, perhaps.

No, unfortunately not.

No, my guardian is an aunt, a dragon called Lady Baldock,

who is staying down in the country to disoblige her daughter.

When she decides it is time to disoblige me, she'll come to London and insist I stay with her.

A dragon indeed.

And where is St George, one asks oneself?

Still in his ieni, Mr Finn, preening himself in his amour.

Mr Finn's getting about a bit.

He has a way of making himself agreeable.

So I've noticed, very clever spreading himself about.

They do say, Lady Glen, that the men don't care for the favour half as much as the ladies.

Well, if you'll excuse me.

Mr Finn, I'm sure you didn't mean it,

but before dinner you were unoouneous to Mr Kennedy.

Merely a pleasantry, Lady Laura.

And very neatly delivered.

Mr Finn is a rising man, Violet, and has less licence than others.

Mr Kennedy could be very helpful to you.

It's my intention he should be. Your pleasantries don't help me.

Laura.

- Oswald. - It's her brother.

- Why are you here? - To ask you about the money.

It's being arranged as quickly as posible.

- And to see Violet. - Very well, but please be gentle with her.

This is Mr Phineas Finn, Oswald.

My brother, Lord Chittem.

- How do you do, Mr Finn? - Lord Chittem.

Violet

You look very piratical tonight, Lord Chittem.

That is because you see me by the side of all these smug, glossy Parliament men.

But perhaps you are a Parliament man, Mr Finn.

Yes, I am, but don't mind me.

Well, I daresay there are honest men there and you could be one of them.

Oh, he is indifferent honest as yet.

I was referring to men who go into Parliament to grovel for Government places, Violet.

That's exactly what I shall have to do, Lord Chittem. Even the Irish Members must eat.

Well, I don't see you grovelling.

Well, not that quite perhaps,

but as Lady Laura was just pointing out, a rising man must watch where he places his feet.

And keep his hands free for grabbing at office.

I shall certainly seize any that comes my way.

Why should not a man serve the crown? He has to work hard for what he earns.

I don't believe most of you work at all.

- Have at him, Mr Finn. - I'll do better than that, Miss Effingham.

I'll convert him, if l can, and if he does come into the House,

I trust he'll come in on the right side. - I shall never come into the House, Mr Finn.

But I suppose I shall have to hear your side of the argument.

Tell you what, Phineas Finn from Ireland,

I'd be very pleased if you'd have dinner with me tomorrow at Moroni's.

Tomorrow'? Oh, I'm engaged...

No, that's the night afier.

Yes, I'd be highly delighted to have dinner with you, Lord Chiitem.

Good. Eight o'clock.

Violet

Whatever other men may think of Mr Finn's flavour, Lord Chiltem likes 'it well enough.

Chittem always likes the Irish, Lady Glen.

So many of us match his tastes in violence and drink.

They say he nearly killed a man.

I have something very important to say to you. Come with me to the library.

No, not tonight, Lord Chittem.

- Come with me. - No.

Oswald, let her be, please.

Good night, Laura.

Let me know when something happens about the money.

Good night, Mr Finn. We shall have a capital dinner tomorrow at Moroni's.

Oh, I'm so grateful to you for saying you'd dine with him.

I do so want you to know him. You may be of great service to him.

I be of service to Lord Chillem?

I think you should know that he was sent down from Oxford for being drunk.

Since then he won't settle. His only ocupations are hunting and gambling.

He is your brother, Lady Laura, and so I shall like him for your sake,

and for his own, if I can.

- Lady Laura... - Now it's time for you to talk with Mr Kennedy.

Remember, you've been unoouneous and he has many good things to bestow.

Mr Kennedy, I think Mr Finn has something to say to you.

Well, Mr Finn?

Earlier this evening, before dinner, I interrupted you.

- Indeed, contradicted you. - Perhaps you thought you were right to do so.

Well, even if a man thinks he is right,

he need not be loud.

I don't know that you were loud, Mr Finn. You clearly spoke as you found.

Yes, but rather too bluntly to a man whom I hardly know.

Since I appreciate blunt speaking we should become better acquainted.

In August, Mr Finn, I shall be having a few friends of mine

to stay at my house at Loughlinter.

Mostly Members of our own party, you understand.

There are grouse and deer if you care for that sort of thing.

And even if you do not, I hope you will join us.

Perhaps you'll be good enough lo let me know as time goes on.

Phinny, it's time we went.

What are you looking so cock-eyed about?

Well, Kennedy's just invited me to Loughlimer in August.

This calls for a celebration.

Come on, let's make our adieu.

The point is, Phinny, an invitation to Loughlinter marks you out as a coming man.

It means that you are noticed.

- Are you going to be there, Laurence? - Oh, no, no, no.

No, not I, Phinny.

Kennedy's noticed me all right, long time ago,

and he don't much care for what he noticed.

I wouldn't go if he asked me. It's not my kind of affair.

- Do you think I should go? - Oh, yes.

Yes, you'll hear the sort of things you want to hear,

meet the sort of people you need...

...to meet. Phinny, would you do something for me?

Would you sign that there? I need another name as well as my own.

Kennedy, he's a new man.

Well, his father was. Same thing really.

And...he does 'rt all with money.

- Laurence? - Yes?

- This is a bill. - Yes.

- 300 pounds. - 300, yes.

I could never meet that.

You won't have to, I'll meet it long before that date.

Supposing you couldn't.

Old chap, you're a Member of Parliament now.

They can't do anything to you. They can't arrest you.

They can make themselves unpleasant.

Well, they won't have to. Be a good chap, sign that bill, you'll never hear of it again.

Oh, come on, Phinny. Look...

When have I let you down, hm?

I've stood by you these last few months, in the House and out of it.

I said I'd get you into this club, I got you into this club.

I have told you all you needed to know from what to wear and when to

to how to eat your dinner.

Well, it's your turn to do something for me now.

You...sign that bill.

All right, Laurence.

There, that's my Phinny.

Now you go home and dream about Loughlimer.

It's new and it's Itch, Phinny, and it's as powerful and as vulgar as the money that built it.

It's all the things, in fact, that can make you into the man you want to be.

Loughlimer.

Oh, thank you for telling me. Mightn't have noticed.

Mr Kennedy's expecting me.

- Mr Finn. - The lord is on the hill, sir.

By the folly.

And...Lady Laura Standish?

I believe she is with him, sir.

It was standing on this very spot that I decided to build here.

I was 18.

Sometimes I feel ashamed

that being one man, I should own so much.

You should regard IL as a trust.

So long as you share it with others and don't abuse it.

Mr Finn!

- Welcome to Loughlinter. - Thank you.

You've been very quick to find the most beautiful spot.

I was keen to look around as soon as I arrived.

- It's all very beautiful. - It's magnificent

You're very fortunate.

I suppose so, and yet I was just telling Lady Laura,

sometime I find it unnerving to have so much space to myself.

It makes me feel...

set apart from common humanity.

Perhaps it is better for us to live in cities,

to remind one that one is a man like any other.

But I must see the fact before evening.

I trust you, Mr Finn, to bring Lady Laura safely down.

I think, on the whole, he's as good a man as I know.

He would share your opinion.

You will not make me change it

He's thoughtful, high-principled.

- He can afford to be. - He uses his money with method and purpose.

As any prudent man of middle age should.

Do not decry prudence, Mr Finn.

When I think of what the lack of it has done for Oswald.

Though he's been much quieter since he's known you.

Oswald tells me he hopes you'll travel with him this autumn.

I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint him.

To be honest, I haven't got the money.

I like your honesty, though I am sorry for Oswald's sake.

And I symphatise with you in your situation.

For myself at this time, a ten pound note would be riches.

Never mind.

While we're here, we can think ourselves as rich as Mr Kennedy himself.

At this moment, I count myself far, far richer.

Laura...

It's time to go and change, Mr Finn.

I'm afraid you will find my politics very trying, Mr Erie.

On the contrary, Madame Max, I find your ideas most stimulating.

We're all agreed, then,

that from time to time we must make graceful concessions to the people

in order to be able to survive as its rulers.

Concessions are obviously necessary.

The question remains, however, how much in the long run shall we have to concede?

Yes. Brentford, how much?

Enough to keep the people contented and obedient.

I would have stopped at contented.

How much is that?

The British people have never been greedy, provided its masters are open-handed.

- Bread and circuses, Palliser? - Bread and butter, isn't it?

Jam, when it is fairy earned.

People want more than jam, they want justice.

Which means making men and women all equal.

You've grown very advanced, Lady Glen.

Yes, well, I've been getting it all up. Ask Mr Monk.

Mr Monk, if we Liberals really mean what we say,

then is not equality the basis of our political theory?

Even in your charming company, Lady Glenoora, I dare not go as far as that.

That's because you're in the Cabinet and you must be discreet

- Let's ask Mr Finn. - Yes.

We Liberals may lessen inequality by lessening differences in wealth and privilege

but that only applies to material things.

You can't bring down a noble nature to the level of a base one.

Nor can you raise a coward to be a brave man.

You're becoming quite the statesman, Mr Finn.

That's mate, I think.

A fine example of Sicilian Defence.

It's growing cold out here, I fancy.

- Shall we move indoors? - Y.

I don't want to catch a chill.

Oh, this keen Scottish night air, it's like champagne.

I agree, Finn, with what you said.

Equality can only be achieved in material terms,

but it does not do to hurry the process too much.

- This coming from you, Mr Monk. - Yes, Finn, from me.

If a person gets too much too quickly, they become confused.

- The result: chaos. - Just as well for Lady Glencora, perhaps.

Gives her a chance, despite her advanced theories, to hold on to her wealth.

Mr Finn wants hallways.

He's anxious to enjoy the benefits the party can bestow

and yet he is reluctant to accept the discipline upon which we must insist.

He is young and restless, Mr Erie.

I think you will find he will settle down.

Dr Finn! Dr Finn!

- Dr Finn. - Good day to you, Mary.

What news?

What news of Phineas, Dr Finn?

- Has he not written to you, Mary? - Not for some time.

I read in the paper he was going to stay in some castle in Scotland.

Oh, aye, Loughlimer.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer is there, Mary, another big man.

- And ladies? - Well, I wouldn't be knowing about that, Mary.

No, Phineas is there for the politics, I think.

A lot of the politics is done away from Parliament

in great houses like this one.

It's good that Phineas is asked there.

He'll make important friends.

Has he no fiends here in Ireland, then?

Oh, now, he'll be coming home here soon enough,

and then for the whole autumn until Parliament begins again in February.

- Will you be pleased to see him, Mary? - Yes, but will he have changed at all?

Well, he'll know more about the world.

He'll be having some news to tell us.

We could do with hearing something new in Killaloe.

We do very well as we are, I think.

If you write to him, Doctor,

tell Phineas, 'Good wishes from Mary Flood.'

Oh, I'll not be writing to him again before he gets home, Mary.

You may give him your wishes then.

Walk on. Go on, boy. Go on.

And so I had the problem

whether to accept office when it was offered to me this time or to remain independent.

Independence, if you can afford it, must be very pleasant.

Independent opposition are all fine things,

but I took office because only in office can a man get his ideas through.

- Mr Monk. - Oh.

Mr Finn, at last.

You have neglected me most cruelly since we have been here.

I'm sure I didn't mean to, Madame Max.

Er, excuse me.

This is all so new to me, there's been so much to do.

- And to look at. - Hm?

It's all right, I understand, I forgive you.

But our time at Loughlinter is nearly over now.

Where do you go from here?

To Ireland, to my parents at Killaloe.

I go to Vienna. I have business there, you see.

Austria is very beautiful in the autumn.

Have you never thought of travelling further than Killaloe?

- Oh, I have. - To Italy, perhaps

Then north to Venice, perhaps on to Vienna.

I had thought of doing something of the kind with my friend Lord Chiltem, but...

I haven't got the money for it.

Ah.

Mr Finn, might I perhaps...

I must beg you to excuse me, Madame Max

Lady Laura.

I shall leave the shooting early tomorrow and shall return by way of the folly.

Will you be there at three o'clock?

If l can be, Mr Finn.

- You're very prompt, Lady Laura. - And so are you, Mr Finn.

It's a long way from where you were shooting.

Mr Kennedy found me the pony.

His kindness has conquered me at last.

I'm very glad to hear it.

Lady Laura, I've something to say to you and I particularly want to say it here.

And I have something to say to you, Mr Finn,

which I think I'd better say first.

Last night I accepted an offer of marriage from Mr Kennedy.

Kennedy.

Then I am too late.

Mr Finn?

Won't you wish me joy?

Only wish me joy

and all will be pleasant between us.

I've been a child wanting the moon.

I was foolish enough to think you loved me.

And why should I not have loved you?

Listen a moment, Mr Finn.

A few weeks ago I payed Oswald's debts.

All my own money is now gone and I've had to make up my mind

that I can't allow myself the freedom of choice that would otherwise belong to me.

Do I make myself plain?

How can I answer?

You can tell me that from now on I may regard you as a dear friend of my own

and of my husband.

- Your husband! - Stop, Mr Finn.

I'll not have you unkind to me,

or uncorteous to Mr Kennedy.

Very well.

Allow me to wish you great joy, Lady Laura.

You and Mr Kennedy both.

Tomorrow I shall return lo Ireland and...

stay there till Parliament resumes in February.

You will be married by then, I think. Yes-

Won't you say goodbye?

You are thoughtful, Laura.

And it is well that you should be.

We have so much to give thanks for, you and I.

Thank God has given me all this,

and that he has given us each other.

I think it was fated to be so, Robert.

And I think it was the will of God.

- Another way of saying the same thing. - Not at all the same,

as I hope I shall teach you.

Laura, Mr Finn was anxious to leave the shooting early today, to see you, he said.

And you very kindly found him a pony.

It was about Chiltem.

And what was there to say about Chiltem?

I was able to comfort Mr Finn, to reassure him, that is,

that all is now well with Chiltem about money.

Need that concern Mr Finn?

Mr Finn's been a good friend to Chiltem.

I owe him confidence and gratitude.

And as you love me, don't you owe him the same?

As you wish, Laura.

Certainly he's made himself agreeable during his stay here.

And he shows promise for the future.

We think it's so good of you to come to see us again,

when you might have been staying at one of those grand houses,

and with all of those grand ladies.

Phineas, who is Lady Laura Standish?

Why do you ask that?

- My mother said... - But my mother said what?

That you have often written about her

Lady Laura Standish, Mary, is a very dear friend of mine,

who has recently married a very wealthy man called Robert Kennedy.

And you didn't go across for their wedding?

I haven't got the money, Mary, to be flitting to and fro to other people's weddings.

All we need is to stay solid and remember that Mr Tumball is our man

and the People's Banner our paper.

Between the two of them, they'll shake up those parliamentary gentry into doing something.

But no violence, Bunce.

That's right, no violence.

If there's one thing that will destroy our cause, it's...

Make yourselves at home.

Well, Mrs Bunce, madam, as it happens, it is time we were getting on.

Good night, Mrs Bunce, ma'am.

So why did you have to go and spoil it?

Spoil it? I told them to make themselves at home, didn't I?

Anyway, what was all that about?

The suffrage and the ballot, that's what it was all about.

Things are beginning to hot up, my dear.

- If we don't get satisfaction during the next...

More of your lovely friends, I suppose.

That was the front door.

- Mr and Mrs Bunce, I believe? - What's that to you?

Well, ain't nothing to me, save you've got a lodger, Mr Phineas Finn, MP?

What was you wanting with Mr Finn?

- I'll just come in if l may be so bold. - Now just a minute, Mr...

It's a matter of a piece of paper he signed some months ago.

Yes, the sum's so small that it's maybe slipped his memory.

I'm here to advise him.

You'll have to wait till he's back in London.

- Oh? When will that be? - When Parliament starts.

Oh, I fancy a drop of this if it's all the same to you.

- Is it very bad, Mr er... - Clarkson.

It'll be very bad if I ain't seen to soon.

Thank you very much.

Here. Mind you, I'm sorry for him.

Mr Clarkson, look here.

I...

He never got a penny of himself.

He only did it to oblige a friend.

But his name's here on the paper.

Since his friend can't pay, it's up to Mr Finn.

Or will be, when he gets back to London.

Very nice. Yes.

Peep-ho.

Peep-ho, my We Ham-Km.

Yes, you are, you're my little sweet one.

Yes, and we're back in London

and your papa is so busy and important

making tax reforms and telling the Queen what to do with her money.

With her money, yes.

- I fear it will be a long time before I can do that.

- Planty, have you got the afternoon off? - No, no, no.

The House doesn't sit today. I have some Ministers to see at six.

I hope you'll please them more than you please little Planty.

There, there, sweetheart, it's only your papa.

He can't help looking stern because he's the...

Chancellor of the Exchequer.

I think a little sternness is going to be needed.

Ministers are not children, my dear, but sometimes they behave like them.

Oh, we've had time enough to think, now we've got to act.

I'm sure you will have your way. You only need look at the Ministers

- and they'll all start crying their eyes out. - Yes, and what is more, I...

Glencora, you're a goose.

- Mr Phineas Finn. - Ah.

- Finn. - Mr Finn.

Here we are, an old married couple since you last saw us.

And looking very well on it. I congratulate you both most heartly.

- You really are a very lucky fellow. - Thank you, Finn.

- Do sit down. - Thank you.

We both wish you to know that no house of ours

will ever be so full or so empty that we shall not welcome you.

Thank you.

- How was the wedding tour? - It was short.

We were both eager to be in London when Parliament resumed.

Tell me, Finn, how do you see things going on in the House?

Oh, it's all mainly...

Ah, Miss Effingham.

How is the dragon?

My Aunt Baldock is still devouring the people down on her estates

so I am free to stay here.

I suppose it's settled, Mr Finn, we're to have a Reform Bill.

- Oh, yes, that's a matter of course. - And the ballot?

Mildmay will never agree to the ballot.

Neither will Palliser nor the Duke of St Bungay.

- But Mr Monk? - Mr Monk too is opposed to it.

But only for the time being, I think.

And where do you stand, Mr Finn?

On this, as in everything else, alongside Mr Palliser and Mr Monk.

At the moment.

Supposing they should disagree with each other some day?

I suppose that is a possibility.

I fear I have an appointment with Barrington Earl.

Oh, but Mr Finn shall stay and talk with me?

Of course.

I too have some things I must attend to. Excuse me.

- And how is Lord Brentford? - Lonely, I think.

I go to him when I can but he doesn't come here.

He doesn't care much for this house.

If he is lonely, he'd best make it up with old Chiltern, hm?

He might even do that.

If Oswald would marry Miss Effingham, who's always been my father's favourite,

Papa would forgive him everything.

- How does Lord Chiltern feel about this? - He's loved Violet since he was a boy.

Yes, she's certainly very loveable.

Yes, Mr Finn, to my brother she's very loveable.

Oh, I hope you'll be seeing something of him.

Well, Finn, it's good to have you back.

Now the weather's changed, I'm off to Willingford to hunt.

A good healthy oocupation.

A man must do something.

Why don't you join me at Willingford, for a few days?

- Oh, I don't know. - Come on, you Irish fellows always ride.

- I don'! know, Chiltern. - Don't worry.

I can mount you, now Laura's been kind enough to put me right over money.

Yes, she has, she has been very kind.

Only trouble is, how will she ever get it back?

She can hardly need it now she's married to Kennedy.

Her money, she ought to get it back.

- Maybe Lord Brentford would help. - My father?

No, to hell with him.

Funny thing is, you know, Finn, Laura says the old wretch could still come right

if I marry Vi Effingham.

Of course, Vi has a very large personal fortune of her own.

So l understand.

Although I'd accept her tomorrow as she stands, without a penny.

Vi is the only girl I ever did like.

Thank you so much for my nice lunch.

It's good of you to come, my dear.

I know this house is a dull place now.

- You should come to Laura more often. - I'd come to Laura as often as she likes,

so long as she'll keep that canting husband out of my way.

Sure you don't want the carriage?

Good aflemoon, Lord Chiltern.

- No, no, I'd much sooner walk. - Then I'll walk with you.

If I may.

Stay a while.

I find that your father has aged since Laura has married.

Of course he's aged. That's what old men are apt to do.

But if only you would see a little more of him.

- After all, you live here. - I lodge here.

I'll tell you what it is, Violet...

My father wants me to marry you.

He says that if I did, everything would come straight.

Well, then, as far as that goes, Lord Chiltern, things will have to stay crooked.

- Chiltern, please... - Quiet!

- I love you. I love you. - No, please.

- You're the only girl in the world for me. - Oh, Chiltern!

I cannot give you that for which you ask.

Never?

No, never.

And so, Mr Speaker, sir,

let me conclude by urging that,

urgent although reform may be in certain fields,

on the...

Oh, urgent and urging is no good.

So, Mr Speaker, let me conclude by urging that...

"pressing although reform may be in certain fields...

Don't you forget Mr Tumball and the People's Banner.

- Good night -Good night.

Pressing although reform may be in certain fields...

Bunce, Bunce!

Leave Mr Phineas alone, he's trying to prepare his maiden speech.

I don't care what he's doing. Calls himself a radical, I'm going to radical him.

Now...

Oh.

And so, Mr Speaker, sir, let me conclude by urging that,

imperative although reform may be in certain fields...

Yes, Mr Finn, imperative. How about overdue, while you're about it?

- I'm very busy now, Mr Bunce. - But...

I don't much like the sound of that word 'although'.

Sounds as though you're after reasons for delay.

Delay in some reforms, certainly, Mr Bunce.

- Uh-huh, like the ballot, I suppose. - Possibly.

Now, on behalf of the labouring classes, I'm warning you, Mr Finn,

- that unless Parliament goes a long... - You're what, Mr Bunce?

I'm just taking this chance of telling you that unless Parliament in this next session

goes a long way towards meeting the wish of the people, there's...

Ah, Mr Finn, I daresay.

- My name's Clarkson. - He wouldn't be put off, Mr Phineas.

Oh, no, indeed, ma'am.

It's not every day I have the pleasure of waiting on a Parliament gent.

Now, just a minute, Mr... What was your name?

Clarkson. It's about this little bill what you signed

in acceptance of, along with Mr Fitzgibbon.

Thank you, Mrs Bunce.

Bunce.

I'll just venture to take a chair, if I may.

Ah.

Now, than, let's see.

£300. Oh, dear.

Dear me. December this was due.

Here we are nearly in March.

Yes, I do like my gents to be punctual, Mr Finn.

Be punctual, I always say, and I'll do anything for you in my way.

If you don't mind, Mr Clarkson, I'll tend to my own fire.

Now, Mr Clarkson, Mr Fitzgibbon had that money, he must redeem that bill.

As to Mr Fitzgibbon, sir,

he's one of the nicest gents you'd ever care to meet.

As you, sir, he never was punctual.

Not at the best of times.

Now he finds himself embarassed by the bill, I've had to bring it along to you.

I never had a shilling.

I shall go to Mr Fitzgibbon and demand that he make the arrangements.

Ah, you do that, sir, and the best of Irish luck.

When shall I have the pleasure of calling on you again to know what arrangements are made?

No, perhaps I'd better write to you.

- I'll call on Sunday. - Not Sunday, M Clarkson.

Oh, you Parliament gents ain't usually particular about Sundays,

especially you Catholics.

Mr Clarkson.

It's a very cosy place you got here.

I shall enjoy coming here again, I can say.