Original subtitles

It's all very beautiful.

I once saw Mr Kennedy standing here,

moved almost to tears.

I wonder whether Mr Kennedy can ever be really moved.

- He's certainly moved by religion. - Yes, moved to anger.

Mm, by Sabbath observance, for example.

And other things.

Take Laura's brother, Oswald Chiltern.

Although Mr Kennedy knows that Laura is devoted to him,

he will not endure that one good word should be spoken about him.

Yet Chiltern has changed a lot for the better.

He would settle completely, I think,

if he would only marry.

There's only one woman he'll ever marry, Miss Effingham.

You, of all people, should know that

Then he will have lo look elsewhere, Mr Finn.

And yet, I think he would love his wife.

Mm, as he loves his horses.

Miss Effingham,

I didn't bring you up here to discuss Lord Chiltern.

Do you remember some weeks ago you said...

you would always be very glad to see me?

When chance should dictate, I said.

Now chance has dictated that we should...

here together on this...

fine, fresh morning.

Fine, fresh mornings are cold when one is still.

Not when one is close to someone else.

Are you warm enough now?

Hungry, after all that exercise.

We must not risk being scolded by Mr Kennedy.

He would never forgive us if we missed grace.

Oh, Barrington, what's this I spy?

Mr Finn returning from the wilderness with Miss Effingham?

Oh, well, they could both do worse.

I know that I've had my doubts about Finn, but he's beginning to shape much better now.

I don't know how to put this, Barrington, but Violet has a rather wary look about her.

Indeed, Lady Glen. She looks as if she had one hand permanently on the liver,

ready to bring down the safety curtain.

Ah, yes.

They say your cousin Laura would have taken him

if she hadn't given all her money to her madcap brother.

There's going to be trouble about that money.

Kennedy is claiming it back as Laura's rightful dowry.

Mr Kennedy certainly believes in looking after his own.

In which case, he might do well to start looking after his wife as well.

It's very plain how she feels for Mr Finn.

True indeed, but after the affair with the garrotters,

Kennedy is bound to put up with anything. - How very convenient for Mr Finn.

I wonder if he hired the garroters himself so he could stage the rescue.

Lady Glen, if he was going to those lengths,

he'd have done better to have them finish Kennedy off altogether.

That's hardly a Christian thought under the roof of our host.

Forgive me, did somebody say Finn was coming?

Yes, we just saw him coming across the park.

You'd better put in your claim quickly. Mr Finn is very much sought after.

I wanted to engage him for chess this afternoon.

Chess again? Hm.

- Are there plans for Mr Finn? - I wouldn't say that necessarily, Lady Glen.

But chess is a great revealer of character.

Oh, well, I wonder if it will reveal that rather alarming air he sometimes has

as though he might, well, catch fire and burst into flames all over the place.

Oh.

Still, I suppose it comes of being irish.

Yes, it's the same in the House, Lady Glen.

One's never quite sure that he's under control, whether he won't catch fire, as you put it,

and do himself and us a lot of damage.

Surely catching fire is just what a good Liberal ought to be doing.

A good Liberal ought to be blazing with indignation about the wrongs in the world.

He ought to be, well, burning with desire for reform.

No, no, no, Lady Glen, too much blazing and burning and all you have is a pile of cinders.

That's the trouble with Turnbull.

The man's too hot to be safe.

If we don't watch him, he'll have everything crashing down in flames.

At least he keeps you on your toes.

If it weren't for men like Mr Turnbull, you'd go on like the Tories and never do anything.

Come, come, Lady Glen, you mustn't say that.

We like to take things at a measured pace. We do not like to be hurried.

It's good for you to be hurried a bit. You're all much too smug.

That's why so many people support Mr Turnbull.

They want a bit of fire about the place, Barrington.

Otherwise they'll never get the ballot.

If I were a Liberal member, I'd vote for Mr Turnbull like billy-o.

- God forbid! - God forbid what?

With respect, Lady Glen, your being a Liberal Member.

We have enough trouble already without having lady members.

We'll get there one day, Barlington, just you see, and then you watch the sparks fly!

Tell me, Marie, how long have we known each other?

Well, now, let me think, Duke,

we first met after your nephew was married but before his little son was born.

Do you remember, we went together to the christening?

I remember well.

Not long ago, but a long time for a man whose days are drawing out.

And in all that time I've never asked you for anything.

Nor have I asked you for anything, Duke.

Yet you might have asked what you pleased.

I want nothing you can give me, Duke, except the pleasure of your company.

Nevertheless, you might ask much more of me if you would.

So might not I ask more of you, Marie.

I cannot prevent your Grace from asking.

And what would be your answer?

That would depend on the nature and the extent of your Grace's request.

But of course, I know that a man of your dignity and position could never be gneedy.

Oh, all men can be greedy on occasions, Marie,

as greedy as children for sweets.

Well, then, like those children they must be reminded

that a surfeit could make them sick.

Very well.

For the moment, all I shall ask is to touch your hand again.

That is no surfeit, I think.

Beware, Duke,

lest appetite grow by what it feeds on.

Do you remember when you and I were here last?

Yes-

You told me you were going to marry Mr Kennedy.

Phineas, I've made a terrible mistake.

I... I've blundered,

and I've fallen.

I'm now so bruised that I can hardly stand.

Is it as bad as that?

It's as bad as it can be.

I don't know why I should come crying to you.

You can come to no-one who is more anxious for your happiness.

Phineas, I wish you'd go from here.

Not today, stay as long as everyone else.

But when you go, don't return.

Mr Kennedy is very grateful to you.

He'll ask you to... He'll press you to come again this autumn.

- But you must refuse, Phineas. - Why?

Because...to have you here is a great trouble to me.

Why is it a great trouble?

Because I am a fool.

Why else?

Is that enough for you?

No, Phineas.

Say what I can do for you.

You can do nothing, except keep away from me.

In London too?

No, you must come to us in London or it'll seem strange, but...

only when he's with me.

Then you must say goodbye to me.

We'll say our goodbye like everyone else,

when the party here breaks up.

Not as we would wish to say them.

I am glad you both love this spot as I do.

Lady Laura.

Kennedy.

Now, are you all right for the journey?

Yes, thank you, and Planty's little brother is behaving very well too.

- Hm. Well, we should be going. - Yes.

Lady Laura, Mr Kennedy.

It is sad to be leaving beautiful Loughlinter

but I expect we shall see you in London before very long.

And you will come again in August, I trust.

Goodbye.

You too Finn, as soon as the general election is done.

I should very much like to but I fear I may have family business to claim me in Ireland.

Then we shall look to see all the more of you in London before then.

Laura.

Take care.

Stay

Stay until the hasting day has run

But to the evensong

And having prayed together

We will go

With you

Along

Well, Mr Finn,

having warned you of the transitory nature of human affairs,

may I wish you good fortune at Brentford?

- When do you leave? - The election is on Thursday.

I go down to stay with Lord Brentford tomorrow afternoon.

Lord Bremford has been very kind to you, I think.

Yes, it's rather worrying being so beholden to him.

Worrying?

Yes, you see, there's this girl,

Miss Violet Effingham.

I have seen her.

Lord Bremford would like her to marry his son but she has refused Lord Chiltern.

I venture to have hopes of her myself.

And what are Miss Effingham's hopes?

She seems uncertain.

But if she were to declare herself for you, Lord Bremford would be very angry.

Highly, and so would Lord Chiltern.

He says he won't try for her again, but...

...he would be very angry with any other man that dared to step in.

And so if I am to pursue my chances with Miss Effingham,

I must risk offending the family that's been so kind to me.

Neither she nor I would want that.

This, I think, is the reason why she is less loving than she might be.

Give it time, Mr Finn, to turn itself over.

Everything may yet come right

If I am to continue any further with Miss Effingham,

I am bound in honor to tell Lord Chiltern I am doing so.

At once.

Time is pressing me very hard, Madame Max

Time is pressing us all very hard, Mr Finn.

The truth is...

The truth is, Mr Finn, that what you need...

is a good walk in the park.

Your complexion is not at all a good advertisement for love.

His Grace, the Duke of Omnium.

Er, goodbye, Madame Max

Mr Finn.

Duke.

Ah, good afternoon, Mr Clarkson.

Yes, I know, I'm sorry I'm a bit late for tea this afternoon.

I've been with a friend.

What's the matter with your appetite, Mr Clarkson?

- Nothing wrong with the muffins, I hope? - This is a very different occasion.

Your time's run out, you see. Parliament's been dissolved.

The weeks have gone by, as I said they would, and as from noon today you ain't protected anymore.

- Now, can you pay me £300? - You know I can't.

- If you let me have some lime... - The sheriff's man will be here soon.

Either you pay me the money or I hand you over to him when he comes.

Laurence Filzgibbon's name is on the bill too.

Now, as to the honorable Laurence Fitzgibbon, sir,

he went to ground, somewhere in Ireland, we think.

Had you been in this as long as he had, you'd have done the same.

That's the whole point. I'm still here because I have an election to stand.

- Tomorrow I go to Brentford. - No, you don't.

- If you'd only let me get my election done. - Ah, yes.

You get your election done and you'll be off, like Mr Fitzgibbon.

You wouldn't be back again until Parliament was in session and you protected once more.

- Then I'd have to go through this again. - I give you my word.

I'm not saying you'd want to give me the dodge, but you ain't got no choice.

What's the point in having me arrested?

To make an example of you.

In any case, someone might have pity on you and pay up for you.

Now, you come over here and have some tea.

The sheriff's man will be here soon and you'll need a full stomach where you're going.

Mr Phineas, Miss Fitzgibbon.

- Miss Fitzgibbon? - Mr Laurence's sister.

Good afternoon, Mr Clarkson.

So, Mr Finn, Laurence has left you in the lurch.

You're Laurence's sister?

I heard you and Laurence had fallen out so I made a few enquiries,

knowing only too well where to make 'em.

So, Mr Finn, what's to be done?

Hasn't he told you that as well? I'm to be imprisoned at any moment.

Dear me. So, it's got as far as that

And, of course, you can't pay.

- Of course not - Then why did you sign that bill?

Because I was Laurence's friend.

Because you are Laurence's fool, Mr Finn.

You thoroughly deserve to be arrested, an excellent lesson for you.

You have a very good landlady.

I trust that she at least has been paid?

Oh, yes.

Then clearly you're not a bad young man, merely weak, like Laurence.

Only weaker because you let him persuade you.

- Miss Fitzgibbon? - Oh, thank you.

- Waste not, want not, eh, Mr Clarkson? - That's true.

Another lesson for Mr Finn to contemplate in the coming weeks.

Miss Fitzgibbon, why have you come here?

To sermonise, Mr Finn. I am an unmarried woman.

- Now, Mr Clalkson, how much is owing? - The bill's for £300.

How much did my brother have for it in money?

120, what with other considerations.

Dear me.

Between your greed, Mr Clarkson,

Mr Finn's credulity and my brother's sheer wamon waste,

I'm quite appalled.

You men. Thank God I never got married.

Settle for 200, Mr Clarkson,

cash down?

250.

220.

225.

Done.

Ten...

fifteen...

twenty...

Marvellous. It's always been a pleasure to do business with you, ma'am.

- Mr Clarkson? - Yes, ma'am?

Oh, the bill.

Goodbye, Mr Finn. It's been a pleasure to meet you too.

Only do remember next time, do be punctual. It does save so much time.

Oh, the sheriff.

Let's hope there'll be no next time, Mr Finn.

A memento of the occasion.

And this one there.

Now, then, once upon a time there were three friends

called Bluin, Boris and Jimbo,

and they lived in a little house like that

at the edge of a great, gloomy forest.

Now, in the summer, they all used to go off for picnics.

In the forest there lived a great, roaring, ravenous lion called Lucifer,

who used to go like this...

'Then one day Jimbo said',

'Please, please, let's take our picnic into the forest, for a change.'

Bluin said, 'Oh, no, Teddy, old fellow, better not do that.

Because in the forest there lives a great roaring, ravenous lion called Lucifer,

who goes like this...'

- Cora, are you out of your mind? - Don't interrupt, I'm telling a story.

And he gobbles all up like this.

Stop this nonsense at once.

Nurse, will you take the child upstairs, please?

Do as I say now.

Give him to me. There you are. Now, go up.

You see, you've upset him.

I did not upset him. He was upset because you go and spoil my story.

How dare you interrupt like that and how dare you send my child away from me?

Calm yourself. I couldn't allow you to go on with those absurd antics on the floor.

Antics? I was simply acting my story for Planty and he was loving it.

I cannot allow you to continue with theatricals at a time like this.

- At a time like what? - With you in your present delicate condition.

Planty, we have been all through this one million times.

If you really want to upset me and make me ill, the surest way to do so is to fuss.

Fuss, fuss, fuss, fuss, fuss about nothing!

I am not fussing about nothing, Cora.

It is important...

No, it is imperative

that we have this second child safely.

Why, if it is a boy, we make sure of the succession. You know that.

Yes, I know that, Plantagenet.

I know my duty, otherwise I would not be here at all.

There have been times when there's been little enough to keep me

but I knew my duty, I knew my duty and I stuck to it,

even though there was no love to help me.

Oh, Glenoora. Now, what are you saying?

That...

That I wanted to go and I wish I had gone,

instead of staying here to breed for you,

to be watched over like some cow with calf who's been covered for 500 guineas.

I wish... I wish I'd gone where there was love.

I didn't mean that, Plantagenet.

You said it, Cora.

Yes, yes, I know.

I know I said it.

But I didn't mean to hurt you.

Please, Plantagenet, you must forgive me. You must believe me, I didn't mean it.

My dear Phineas,

Robert and I leave tomorrow to be at Loughlinter in time for his election.

We shall not than return to London for some months

Oh, Phineas, I am going to miss you when the party gathers at Loughlinter without you,

but at least there will then be a bustle in the place.

What l dread must of all is the long period l shall be alone there with Robert

but I will not depress you with all that now.

I think this letter should reach you before you leave for Brenford.

Carry my love to Papa and may the very best of furtune attend you.

Yours sincerely, Laura Kennedy.

Laura?

I trust your headache is better.

No, Ruben, worse.

Then I shall send to Callendar for Dr Macnulhlie.

Pray do nothing of the kind. A headache is not an illness.

Then what is it?

You cannot think it makes me happy to hear you complain of a headache every morning

and then to see you make it an excuse for absolute idleness.

If only you would understand.

What is it I ought to understand?

That a woman does not like to be bothered.

Yes-

I am beginning to find that out.

And also to find out what it is that bothers her.

It is the prospect of a quiet and decent life before you these next months

and your disdain for holy duties. - If only you would let me go to my father.

- The cure is in perseverance, Laura. - I feel imprisoned here.

Perseverance in your duties as my wife.

Your father is coming here for our house party.

If he wish to stay on longer, he is, of course, welcome.

He won't stay.

He does not care to face me, that is why.

Why do you say that?

Because he is denying me my right

Your dowry, Laura.

My dowry has gone to pay my brother's debts, Ruben,

and you have no need of money.

For once we are in agreement, Laura.

I do not need your money.

Then why do you demand it?

Because in sight of heaven, you are my wife.

It is the duty of a wife to give, but you have given nothing.

You have taken.

You have taken my name, my position, my wealth,

to indulge your vain selfish ambitions as a political hostess

but you have given me nothing.

What could I possibly give you, you who have everything?

Love.

I had hoped for love.

Since you cannot,

will not give me the love you owe me as your husband,

I shall claim my legal rights.

That you may not refuse.

Hail to the new member for Brentford.

So doughty a champion, I hear, that none other dared appear in the lists.

I have Lord Bremford to thank for that

They have tried to put up another candidate once or twice

but they've always failed.

I wish everything in life was as easy.

I can tell you both now in confidence,

as Laura's friends,

I have had a sickening letter from Kennedy.

He's new demanding Laura's fortune, the full £40,000 she gave her brother.

But Lord Chiltern has used it to settle his debts.

Kennedy states that I must pay it as Laura's father.

Money as money can mean nothing to him.

He has no legal claim, unless you promised it him before the marriage.

I did no such thing.

I fear unless he gets it he may be harsh to poor Laura.

If I raise the money, it means selling certain properties entailed on Chiltern.

I can't do that without his permission.

In the circumstances, he can hardly refuse it.

He hates Kennedy so much, he'd never let the property go for that purpose.

Yes, but if you tell him it's for Laura's happiness.

He will say that she will know no happiness until she's quit of her husband altogether.

Oh, Lord Brentford, I'm sure that Oswald would not be beyond persuasion.

Oswald, my dear, is simply out of reach.

He's gone abroad somewhere and left no address.

Did he tell you where he was going?

All I know, my Lord, is he's on a sailing yacht,

with a certain Captain Colepepper.

Colepepper, one of the greatest blackguards in all England!

But a very fine yachtsman, my Lord.

There are yachtsmen as fine who are honest men as well.

I don't suppose they'd want Lord Chittem's company.

I think you're very unkind about your son, Lord Brentford.

And now I must go to my aunt,

though I don't suppose I shall find much charity there, either.

You see, one has only to mention Chiltern's name to bring unhappiness.

And yet with Violet's fortune, he could have put everything right,

the dowry and all the rest of it, if only he'd married her.

- I think he tried his best there, my Lord. - He tried his worst

He asked her to be his wife as a man asks for a railway ticket

No matter how he asked her, I think the answer would have been the same, and always will be.

I don't agree with you there,

and I daresay I know them both better than you do.

You see, Finn, years ago I set my heart on this marriage

and I still do.

Do you know any reason why I should be disappointed?

No, my Lord.

Not as yet

'And so the long and the short of it is that I am now Member of Parliament for Brentford,

thanks to the kindness of your family.'

'It is because of this kindness, my dear Chiltern, that I must now speak of another matter -

Violet Effingham.'

'Before I leave your father's house, I'm going to ask her to marry me.'

'I know that you still have strong feelings about her welfare

and so I should be false to all of us if I did not tell you at once of my intention.'

To...Vicount...Chiltern.

Balings Bank.

And how is your aunt this morning, Miss Effingham?

Oh, crossed, Mr Finn.

She has a migraine and must keep to her room.

- And yet she has let you out of it. - Oh, for ten minutes flat.

She's almost certainly watching me from her window lest I should forget myself in your company.

Has it never occurred to Lady Baldock

that sooner or later you will meet a man who will want to marry you?

Such a man must be strictly her own candidate.

And who is he at the moment?

Oh, she has two at the moment.

Lord Fawn who is young but shlivelled

and Mr Appledom who is old but fruity.

Which do you prefer?

I have searched deep within my soul, Mr Finn, and found that I am worthy of neither.

Miss Effingham...

I shall shortly be returning to Ireland and... shall be there for some time.

I shall miss you.

And I you.

- Violet? - Y, Mr Finn?

Before I go, I must speak to you.

Why, you are doing so at this very moment.

Have you no word to give me at all?

I am sure that my aunt Baldock, to say nothing of Lord Brentford, might have a great many.

We are not answerable to them.

Well, that is perfectly true, Mr Finn.

Then for God's sake, say something to me, Violet.

Very well, Mr Finn.

I hope you pass a very pleasant time with your family in Ireland

and come back hale and hearty when Parliament begins.

And now I must leave you,

before my Aunt Baldock has a seizure and falls through the window.

I thought you were in hiding.

Oh, no, no, no. You see, there's no need to be in hiding

now that Aspasia has paid up, so I've come back to London

to see what Clarkson and his pals will stand me for my autumn holiday.

I thought Monte Carlo might be rather nice.

Well, I'm not signing anything for you this time.

Don't worry, old chap, I shan't ask you again.

Phinny, the reason I came here was to say that I am...

about what happened. Sorry.

I'll buy you dinner to make up. Have a drink.

You'll have to buy me a banquet entirely, Laurence.

You're lucky to find me at all.

I'm only back from Brentford. I'm off to Ireland in the morning.

Oh? And how were things at Brentford?

Oh, the election was no problem.

There was no opposition.

There are other difficulties there.

Yes, well, you know they're a deuce difficult family, that's what.

No, these difficulties are of my own making.

It's all to do with Violet Effingham.

Oh, yes? Fancy her, do you, Phinny?

I love her, Laurence.

I think she may love me too.

Well, you'll have Chiltern after you like a hound out of Hades if you go on with that.

Oh, I hope not. I have tried to warn him of my intentions.

And Brentford will turn a sour sixpenny claret.

The moment you kiss Vi Effingham, you kiss goodbye to Brentfords borough.

Violet is not only very beautiful, Laurence, she's also very well provided for.

If I were to marry her, I weuldn't need Lord Brentfords assistance any more.

I could get boroughs of my own.

Well, so you would, Phinny, so you would.

Um...

- Ah. How is the campaign going? - Hm?

I'm afraid I shall have to raise the siege for the time being.

While you're in winter quarters in Killaloe? Well, I daresay you'll be snug enough there.

And that little girl, what's her name, Mary Flood, she always likes your cut.

I've been trying to tell you I'm in love with Violet Effingham.

Yes, yes, yes, old fellow, but you've got to keep in training...through the winter.

Ten past six

His Grace the Duke of Omnium, sir.

- Well done, my dear boy, well done. - Thank you, Duke.

And a much more civilised hour this time.

With your permission, sir, and yours, my Lord Duke,

I should like to offer congratulations from us all below stairs.

Well, thank you, Collingwood.

Her Ladyship's quite well, we understand.

Yes, quite well, thank you, Collingwood.

Thank you, sir.

- It's very good of you to come to me, Duke. - I'm very pleased with you, my dear fellow.

Another boy. Well, that makes it all pretty well watertight, I think.

It will be very nice for Plantagenet to have a brother to play with so near his own age.

I always remember when I was a little boy...

Oh, forgive me, Duke, now that you are here, will you not stay and dine with me?

Oh, that is very civil of you, Plantagenet,

but I am just on my way up the road to dine with Madame Max.

Well, you'll dine very much better there.

I eat very sparsely when I'm alone.

Oh, you should eat more, Plantagenet, with all that hard work you do.

It's mostly sedentary work.

What about those two fine boys? That wasn't sedentary work, eh, Plantagenet?

Well done again, my dear boy, and give my love to Glencora.

Oh, and treat yoursetf to a glass of champagne with that sparse meal of yours.

I'll send you over a case of Krug '56.

Wonderful year, that

But don't drink the lot.

Save a couple of bottles for Glenoora when she comes out of her travail.

Madame Max and I are going to drink the last double magnum

in honor of the newbom Palliser.

Good night, my dear boy!-

Good night, Duke.

Phineas, what was it like standing there,

making a speech in from of all those Lords and Ministers?

It was very uncomfortable, Mary.

There aren't that many Lords, though, only Lords' sons.

The Lords sit in a separate House.

And will you go there one day?

I suppose it's not altogether impossible.

Of course you Will, especially if you go on making such fine speech.

I've read every one of them and I cut them out and put them into a book.

And do you look at it very ofien?

Every night before I go to bed.

Whatever would the Lords and Ministers say

if they could see you trying to have your wicked way with a poor little Irish girl?

Planty, don't forget that my receptions start on Friday.

Hm? What, so soon?

So soon after what?

After Gerald's birth.

Planty, Gerald was born a good six months ago.

You don't expect me to lie about on sofas for the rest of my life on that account?

Cora, I don't want to fuss. No, no, no.

I know how it upsets you, but you're still nursing the child.

I promise you that Gerald's diet will not suffer one little bit

if I'm now allowed to exert myself from time to time, hm?

My receptions start on Friday.

- Ah, as you say, my dear. - Most of the Ministers should be back by then.

I've... I've decided to send a card to Madame Goesler again this year.

What?

Now the Duke's away for the winter, I find myself almost liking her.

- Like her? Why, you called her 'that...' - Ssh, and I may do so again.

In the meantime, I like her and I wish her well.

I can hardly think of her as a fit associate for my wife.

Just because we're of different countries, it doesn't mean to say we can't be friends.

She's...a lonely woman, I fancy, and I think she needs a friend.

And such a friend might seriously dissuade her from getting too close to the Duke of Omnium.

You should be in the Cabinet

Excuse me, sir, there's a Mr Quintus Slide to see you.

Oh, tell him I'm not here.

Oh, no, you don't, Finn.

Thank you.

Well...

Now that you're back from your bogs in Ireland,

you and I have got to have words, Finn.

Words, Mr Slide?

Words, Mr Phineas Finn.

Now, then.

You may have noticed that we at the People's Banner let you down light last session.

You didn't do what we asked, you didn't come out for the ballot,

but the People's Banner didn't print anything to dirty the front of your nice evening shirt,

but it ain't going on like that.

If we're to let you get away with it during this next Partiament,

you've got to keep us happy at the Banner.

- And there's only one way you can do that - Hm, come out for the ballot, I suppose.

Er, no, Finn, no.

The Banner's not quite so keen about the ballot as it was, so we're letting it rest for a bit.

You're changing your tune, or is somebody paying you to sing another one?

You leave us to our own business, Finn.

Now, listen to me.

I don't mind what you say from now on about the ballot,

but let's be quite clear about one thing -

Brentford.

- Brentford? - Yes, I've got my hopes on Brentford, you see.

I'm proposing to stand for it at the next general election.

- You are? - Me.

Mr Slide, there may not be a general election for another six years.

- What's the point in talking about this now? - Because I believe in taking a long view.

And anyway, it may happen sooner than you think.

You wouldn't even get an elector to propose you, never mind Lord Brentford.

Lord Brentford may not count by than.

I could stand with a good chance, Finn, if you did not.

New, if you'll make an agreement

to make way for me at Brentford at the next election,

the People's Banner will leave you to get on with your fun and games in peace.

But if not,

you take my meaning, Finn?

Hm.

Then what do you say?

I say get out.

Get out!

Watch out!

Finn?

Ah, Chillem. I'm very glad to see you.

Your letter of some months past has lain at my bankers until yesterday.

You must withdraw it.

- Withdraw it? - Yes, sir, withdraw it.

I shall do no such thing.

Do you remember what I once told you?

Very clearly. You told me you would never ever address her again.

And that I would be very displeased should any other man...

- Chiltern! - "as soon as my back was turned,

you saw fit to do so.

You Finn, whom I've told a thousand times that Violet is the only girl I've ever loved.

I have done nothing I'm ashamed of. I wrote to you instantly

- I had resolved what to do. - Yes, you wrote.

When I was half away across the ocean when I was weeks, months distant, you wrote.

However, despite this, it would seem that you are not yet engaged to Miss Effingham.

- No. - Then how do you stand with her, sir?

Answer me!

I think Miss Effingham regards me as an intimate friend.

An indifferent acquaintance would, I trust, be closer to the mark.

However, we will let that pass.

May I presume you have given up all hope of wooing Miss Effingham to be your wife?

No, sir, you may presume no such thing.

What hope can you have, man?

I shall not talk of that with you now.

What I require of you, Mr Finn, sir, is that you shall meet me.

Will you do that?

- You mean to fight? - Yes, to fight, to fight, to fight.

Fight!

You're very thoughtful, Mr Finn. Or are you a coward?

No.

No, but you, Lord Chiltern, are a bully.

No, sir, not I.

What I require of you, Mr Finn,

is that you shall not interfere with that which you know I claim to be my own.

- But it is not your own. - Then you must fight me.

Very well.

I shall choose a friend, I shall tell him everything

and I shall send him to you.

Good.

Perhaps you could speak to your friend at once.

Then your friend can meet my friend this afternoon.

And then the two of them, both our friends,

can arrange things between them.

- It will have to be Belgium, I suppose? - Yes

A few hours there and a few hours back,

for any one of us, that is, who should chance still to be alive.

- ...while it was still moving. - Incredible.

- Oh, Planty. - I am told by the experts it's technically possible.

- Good evening, Prime Minister. - Evening, Palliser.

Ah, I see Lady Glencora's busy, keeping it up.

- Yes, yes, Minister. - Yes, that's what we must all do.

- Keep it up. - Ah, I'm glad to see you're better.

- My dear Duke. Lady Glencora. - Mr Mildmay.

The Prime Minister's not looking too well.

I trust he'll be able to see the new reform bill through.

I see we have a new Parliament but the same Government.

More or less.

Yes, Mr Palliser is still the Exchequer and Mr Erle still the Chief Whip

- and Mr Kennedy is still... - At Lancaster House.

Of course.

I am so sorry that Lady Laura couldn't manage to be with us.

I also, Lady Glencora. She... She sends her regrets.

Thank you.

Your cousin's not ill, is she, Barrington?

No, no, Lady Glen. Laura's been naughty about Sabbath day observance

and so Kennedy left her behind in Scotland as a...as a punishment.

Oh.

Is something troubling you, Mr Finn?

Oh, no, no, I'm just expecting somebody who hasn't come yet.

Well, you should make the most of those that have.

Oh, I am.

Miss Effingham, have you seen Lord Chiltern since he's been back?

No, no, I'm told he left London this evening to go hunting for a few days.

Oh, hunting.

Um, I hear that Lady Laura's been left at Loughlinter.

Yes, I've got to stay with my Aunt Baldock until she's allowed to return.

- When will she be released? - She has her own plans.

She writes to me that her father is unwell

and she'll use the excuse to escape to Brentford.

But she is coming back to us in London?

Oh, yes, when Mr Kennedy relents.

I don't think relenting is Mr Kennedy's strong suit.

Ah, there's Dolly.

You were late coming to see the baby and now you're late for my crush.

At this rate you'll miss all the spice.

I do apologise, Lady Glen, I've been...delayed.

But we rely on you for your sparkle.

I think I should rather observe tonight.

There are some intriguing affairs afoot.

Affairs? Whose?

- I'm sure you wouldn't wish me to be indiscreet. - Oh, but I would, Dolly.

Ah, I'm interrupting.

No, no. I'm going to speak to Madame Goesler. Excuse me.

Dolly.

- Madame Goesler. - Lady Glencora.

I'm really very worried about Mr Kennedy. He seems so agitated.

I do hope he isn't going to savage poor Mr Finn.

Oh, I don't think Mr Finn's an easy one to savage.

Oh, indeed. I think he is in more danger of being spoiled.

Mm.

I've been admiring your lace. It's surely not from this country?

No, indeed, it is from Paris, Lady Glencora.

- Oh, please, call me Lady Glen. - Lady Glen.

- Perhaps I may bring you some next time. - Oh, I would love that.

Please...

Perhaps we could discuss it at dinner tomorrow night, Finn.

- Not tomorrow night - Why not?

I shall be away.

- And the next night? - I can't be sure.

Ah, I see.

You must excuse me, I must make my adieux

The dragon, Lady Baldock.

I'm glad Miss Effingham is staying with her aunt for once.

That young lady needs discipline.

A beautiful girl like that, Kennedy, most men would prefer to be petting her.

As for her beauty, I do not much care for it.

As for petting, I do not understand it in reference to grown persons.

Children may be petted and dogs.

But what you call petting is frivolous and indecent.

It would be a pity because Mildmay has the gift of being easy and genial

with those with whom he has to deal.

We need that kind of strength to get this bill through.

Yes, Duke, I understand.

I slill think most of the labour will fall on Mr Gresham and Mr Monk.

I hear that Monk is up to something of his own.

Tenant rights in Ireland.

We don't want that subject brought up just now.

No, no, indeed, Duke.

Planty, would you go and speak to Madame Goesler?

Come on, dariing, she wants to speak to you.

My dear, your husband is doing very well,

and so much more at ease.

- Madame Goesler. - Mr Palliser.

It's very pleasant to see you here.

Not for the first time.

Somehow I have never had the opportunity of talking to you before.

There are so many questions I am longing to ask you.

Tell me, you are hoping to introduoe a ten-penny shilling, is that not so?

- I am hoping to. - Ah.

In that case, will you retain the pound as your unit or will you have ten-shilling unit?

You don't mind my pursuing this subject, do you?

No. Very encouraging to find somebody who takes an intelligent interest.

You see in Austria we have a ten...

- Dolly, politics are... - Come along, old fellow.

Time to go.

Dolly.

Bun voyage.

Mr Finn is in rather a rush.

I think he has an assignation.

Oh, so that was the mystery?

Don't tell me he's got another romance going?

It's romantic enough,

in its way.