Original subtitles

(Theme music playing)

Louisa: If only Paul had come to me and said,

"Louisa, what kind of qualities

would you advise me to look for in a wife?"

I should have answered him,

"you must have family.

You must have beauty.

You must have dignity.

You must have connection."

But he has not consulted me.

(Clock chimes)

Really, Paul might have had the decency to be here,

after summoning us to meet her.

- (Sighs) - Huh.

I suppose he's showing that woman and her mother the town.

Yeah.

- Why, Lucretia... - Good morning, Louisa.

...what are you doing here?

It's my day for seeing to the plants.

Oh.

(Clears throat, coughs)

You must be careful with that cough, my love.

- It's nothing. - Perhaps a change in the weather.

We must expect change.

- Of weather? - Of everything.

We live in a world of change, Lucretia.

What is there that does not change?

Even the silkworm changes

into the most unexpected things continually.

My Louisa is ever happy with her illustrations.

(Clears throat)

Florence must learn to change.

She's grown a great deal too old now to continue to lead

that solitary life to which she's been accustomed.

Paul is at the head of the family,

and consequently more than ever

bound to make an effort.

And now that he has made an effort--

and I confess it has come upon me

with a sort of shock--

still, it is a triumph to know

that he is so true to his name of Dombey.

We can only hope that she may be worthy

of the name too.

My dear Louisa, I think your sweet niece

is in every way most promising.

What can you mean?

To what remark, dear, of mine do you refer?

To her being worthy of her name, my love.

If I have not expressed myself

with clarity, Lucretia,

the fault of course is mine.

My remark was not intended

to relate to Florence in any way.

Pardon me, dear. I fear I'm very dull this morning.

I cannot have understood you.

No.

When I spoke of her being worthy of the name,

I spoke of the woman

who is to be my brother Paul's second wife.

It is his intention to marry again.

I am sure that you will be very happy, Lucretia,

to hear that the marriage will take place immediately.

I must admit

it has rather taken me by surprise.

I had no idea at all

that he might form an attachment out of town.

He certainly had no attachment when he left here.

Oh, Louisa,

how could he?

I shall be better presently.

(Sniffles) I am not myself this morning.

I would never have believed this if a Saint had told it to me.

Lucretia Tox, I am obliged to you.

My eyes are opened to you all at once. The scales have fallen.

My love, how can you speak to me like that?

How could you have basked at my brother's fireside

and like a serpent, wound yourself into his confidence

that you might entertain designs on him?

Oh, please do not say such dreadful things.

If I have been a little overpowered

by your news, Louisa,

surely you will not condemn me.

- She's going to say now that I encouraged her. - In my own defense--

I knew it. That is what she's going to say.

In my own defense against your...

Unkind words, Louisa,

I would merely ask if you haven't often favored

such a fancy?

And even said...

It might happen.

Oh...

There is a point

beyond which endurance becomes ridiculous.

It is better for us both that this subject should end here.

I have nothing to wish you

but good morning.

(Sobbing) No, Louisa.

(Shrieks, groans)

The extent to which my eyes have been opened today...

To what have your eyes been opened, my dear?

Oh, don't talk to me.

If you can bear to sit there,

and see me in the state I am in and not ask me what the matter is

then you'd better hold your tongue.

What is the matter, loo?

That woman...

- What woman? - Lucretia Tox.

Oh, to think...

That she could ever have conceived

the idea of a connection with our family

by a marriage to Paul.

But I rather thought, my dear, that you would have considered it

a convenient enough thing if it could have been brought about.

Oh, very good, Mr. Chick.

Trample on me with your boots.

(Ship horn blowing)

Beg your pardon, Captain, you mayn't be in want of any pigeons, may ya?

- Pigeons? - I was wishing to dispose of mine before I go.

Didn't you know I was going to leave you, Captain?

Where are you going?

- Off. - Not before you give notice, you ain't.

I'm giving you warning now.

(People chattering in street)

So you're going to desert your colors, are you?

You have no right to call a poor cove names

just 'cause I'm the servant and you're the master.

Don't you pay out no more of them words, boy.

And this was my brother's room.

- (Clock chiming) - I'm very fond of it.

Then we must have it improved.

It shall be made the prettiest room in the house.

I should very much like to have this as my room,

but I'm afraid it might upset papa if I spoke to him about it.

Since I shall soon be mistress of everything,

- I shall give my permission. - Oh!

My poor dear,

have you been alone for long?

Oh, I'm used to being alone.

I am not a favorite child, you see. I never have been.

I have never known how to be. (Chuckles)

Perhaps I shall learn from you how to be dearer to papa.

Oh, heaven forbid

that you should ever learn from me,

that I could ever teach anyone how to love or be loved.

But now we shall be company for one another.

Come. We'd better go downstairs.

(Quiet chatter)

Oh! (Chuckles)

And how is my charming Florence?

You must come and kiss me, if you please, my love.

Edith, my dear--

stand a little more into the light, my sweet.

Edith, I don't expect you'll remember

what you were like at the same age.

I have long forgotten.

Oh, positively, my dear, I do see

a decided resemblance.

Oh, my dear Dombey.

You must come and tell me

how pretty your Florence is.

Florence is very well.

So your preparations

are almost finished at last?

They are.

Even the lawyer's preparations?

The deed of settlement is now ready.

Edith has only to do us the favor

to suggest her own time for its execution.

Whenever you please.

Tomorrow?

I am always at your disposal.

Let it be when you like.

Mrs. Skewton: My dear Dombey,

you will leave me Florence, won't you,

when you deprive me of my sweet Edith?

To have her about me here while you are in Paris

would be a perfect balm to me

in the extremely shattered state

to which I shall be reduced.

(Knock at door)

Dinner is served, sir.

I shall be delighted to leave Florence

in such admirable guardianship.

Shall we go in?

I shall join you presently.

I wish to talk to mother alone for a moment.

Very well. Come, Florence.

What is the meaning of this?

What will Mr. Dombey think?

Leave Florence alone, mother.

Florence?

(Laughs) What is the girl to me?

You will not taint that child

with any of the evil lessons you have taught me.

The idea of you being my daughter, Edith,

and addressing me in such a strain.

Leave Florence alone,

or I swear I shall refuse to marry that man.

(Object clatters)

Who's there?

Show yourself.

What do you want, scapegrace?

If you please, sir, I've left me situation.

Have you, indeed?

When I last come here, you said...

I said? What did I say?

I only want to work for you, sir, and do faithful whatever I'm bid.

There is ruin in store for you,

my vagabond friend.

If you'll only be so good as to try me.

You will come

to an evil end.

(Sniffles) If you ever find me out

doing anything against your wishes,

I'll give you leave to kill me.

Oh, that is nothing to what I would do to you

if you deceived me.

Do you know what eavesdropping means?

- Listening, sir. - And watching.

I'd never do such a thing

unless I was ordered.

(Chuckles) Very well, dog.

You are retained in my employment.

(Church bells ringing)

Dombey, I give you joy.

By the lord, sir, you are more to be envied this day

than any man in England.

I am indebted to you, Major.

May the present moment of our lives

be the least unhappy of our lives.

God bless you both.

(People applauding)

I am quite overcome.

May I wish you all happiness,

Mrs. Dombey?

If happiness is not superfluous,

applied to such a union.

Felicitations.

Oh, Miss Floy.

(Classical music on piano)

I feel a little nervous

this morning, Withers.

You were the life of the party last night, ma'am.

You suffer for it today. You'll see.

If you please, miss-- I beg your pardon, miss,

but I can't do nothing with missus.

- What's the matter? - Well, miss, I hardly know. She's making faces.

Mrs. Skewton?

Mrs. Skewton.

I'll get help.

Ma'am?

Ma'am?

It is without doubt a paralytic stroke.

Will she rally from the shock?

I expect so, but she may not survive it.

Are you ready to attend her till her daughter returns?

Yes, of course.

I've seen so little of Mrs. Skewton since the wedding,

but her servant tells me she's grown very fretful in these last few days.

She may suffer further attacks.

In short, Miss Dombey,

there may be considerable weakening of her intellect,

a wandering in her wits.

And I should prepare you too

for the possibility

that when your father returns on Tuesday

he might well already be an orphan-in-law.

(People chattering in street)

How do you do? Mr. Gills?

Uh, Captain Cuttle is my name.

England is my nation.

This here is my dwelling place,

and blessed be creation-- Job.

Oh.

Then, could I please see Mr. Gills?

My name's Toots, Mr. Toots.

If you could see Sol Gills, Mr. Toots,

you'd be welcomer to me

than wind astern a ship becalmed.

He isn't in?

That there man has left me in charge here,

- and I don't know where he's gone, nor why. - Good gracious.

Miss Dombey don't know that.

You come from that sweet creature?

Well, the fact is, it's a young woman I come from-- Susan Nipper.

Come in, young man.

Come in.

Ah!

(Grunts)

I'll tell you how it happens that I'm here, Captain Gills.

- Eh-- - I mean, Mr. Cuttle.

You see, I go and call sometimes on Miss Dombey.

I don't go there on purpose, of course,

but I happen to be in the neighborhood very often.

And when I find myself there, well, I call.

Aye aye, naturally.

Well, I called this morning.

Upon my word and honor, I don't think it's possible

to form an idea of the angel Miss Dombey was this morning.

But as I was coming out,

the young woman, Susan Nipper,

in the most unexpected manner took me into the pantry

where she brought out this newspaper.

She told me that she'd kept it from Miss Dombey all day

on account of something that was in it about somebody Miss Dombey used to know.

And then she said, would I go down

to Mr. Solomon Gills the instrument maker, in this Lane,

who was the party's uncle and ask whether he believed it was true

or had heard anything else in the city?

You've seen the paper, I suppose?

Sh-shall I read the passage to you?

Heave ahead, lad.

(Clears throat)

"The barque commander reports that, being becalmed

on the sixth day of her passage home from Jamaica,

the lookout observed some fragments of a wreck

drifting at about the distance of a mile.

A boat was hoisted out with orders to inspect the wreckage.

Amongst it was found a portion of the stern

on which the word 'defianc'' was yet plainly legib--

w-was yet plainly legible.

No vestige of any dead body was to be seen

upon the floating fragments.

All surmises as to the fate of the missing vessel,

the 'defiance,' bound for Barbados from the port of London,

are now set at rest forever.

There can be no doubt that she broke up

during the last reported hurricane

and that every soul on board perished."

He warn't my flesh and blood--

I ain't got none--

but I feel like a father

what's lost a son.

Oh, Walter,

my child,

my boy.

Tell the young woman

that this here fatal news is too correct.

They don't romance on such things, you see,

that's entered in the ship's log,

and that's the truest book a man can write.

Really, I'm dreadfully sorry.

Upon my word, I am.

Aye aye.

Tell the young woman from Captain Cuttle

that it's over,

it's all over.

Oh, Walter,

Walter,

my dear lad...

And poor nevyless Sol,

where have you got to?

Sol's voice: "My dear Ned Cuttle,

when I determined to leave home for the West Indies--"

the West Indies?

"--In forlorn search of my dear boy,

I knew that if you were acquainted with my design,

you would either thwart it or accompany me.

Therefore, I kept it secret.

When you read this letter, Ned,

I am likely to be dead.

You will forgive, then, an old friend's folly

and understand the restlessness and uncertainty

in which he wandered away on such a wild voyage.

I have little hope that my poor boy

will ever read these words,

but if he should, my blessing on him.

In case the accompanying will is not legally written...

My plain wish is that, if Walter is living,

he should have what little there may be.

And, if otherwise,

that you should have it, Ned.

I know you will respect my wish.

God bless you for it

and for all your friendliness, besides.

Solomon Gills."

(People chattering)

- Good evening, Towlinson. - Good evening, miss.

And how did you find Paris, sir?

Cold and dull.

I trust that the fatigues

of this delightful evening

will not inconvenience you in any way.

I have sufficiently spared myself fatigue

- to relieve you from any anxiety of that kind. - (Chuckles)

Upon my soul, Mrs. Dombey,

this is a melancholy occasion without your mother.

I am afraid she is still too ill to venture into company, Major.

Never did wrap up enough.

If a man don't wrap up enough,

he's got nothing to fall back on.

Excuse me.

(Quiet chatter)

I am ready to leave this at home, Mr. Chick.

- It's all quite frightful. - Already, my dear?

I am not going to sit here

to be taken no notice of at my own brother's housewarming.

Man #1: Anyone remember Jack Adams?

Man #2: Always wore Hessian boots.

No, that was his brother Joe.

Little man, um, cast in his eye.

Sat for somebody's borough.

Knew 'em both. Devilish fine fellows.

Invited down to a marriage,

- berkshire, I think, Jack was. - Shropshire.

Was it? Well, might have been any shire.

Doesn't matter. This marriage, anyway--

uncommonly fine girl-- in point of fact,

to a man for whom she didn't give a button,

but she accepted it on account of his property,

which was immense.

So Jack gets back to town after the nuptials.

Man he knew says to him,

"well, Jack, how are the ill-matched couple?"

"Ill-matched?" says Jack. "Not at all.

It's a perfectly fair and equal transaction.

She's regularly bought,

and you can take my oath he's as regularly sold."

(Clears throat)

Very good, lord mountbury.

Very good.

Carker.

Excuse me, my lord.

This party is like a funeral--

out of mourning.

With none of the company remembered in the will.

Wicked. You naughty man.

How anyone can sit there with the most distant feelings

and see that Mrs. Parker peps,

dressed as she is, going on with Major Bagstock

for whom, amongst other precious things,

we are indebted to your Lucretia Tox--

- my Lucretia Tox? - How anyone can sit there and see that woman,

and that haughty wife of Paul's,

and all these indecent old frights

with their backs on their shoulders,

and can sit there humming

is, I thank heaven, a mystery to me.

You wish to leave, Mrs. Chick?

I shall not say

that this affair has been got up

solely to degrade and insult me.

I shall merely go.

I shall not be missed.

Most certainly will not.

(Clock chiming)

Have they gone?

I am sorry, madam, you have not thought it your duty

to have received my friends with a little more deference.

Some of those you have been pleased to slight--

do you know that there is someone here?

I say, madam, some of those you have been pleased to slight tonight

in such a marked manner conferred a distinction on you

in any visit they pay you.

I ask you, sir, do you know that there is someone here?

Slight and unimportant as I am sure this difference is,

I must beg to be released.

Mr. Carker has my confidence.

He is as well acquainted as myself with the subject on which I speak.

Good night.

Madam, I am talking to you.

I object to your conduct, madam,

and I request that you correct it.

(Theme music playing)