Original subtitles

What's all the rumpus?

It's the liberals, Mr. Duggan's suite,

saluting the victory in that

Yorkshire by-election.

Good Lord. Good job

their supporters can't hear them.

Mostly nonconformists and teetotalers.

Yes. Well, Mrs. Trotter's

just joined them, which probably

accounts for it.

Mrs. Trotter?

I always put her down as a Tory.

No. Political impartiality, Mr. Starr.

That's what you need in this job.

It's best not to declare yourself.

You lose out on tips if you do.

Hey! Hey!

Oh!

Come here now. Get in there!

Get in there! You rascal, you.

Now then, you stay.

Oh, thank you so much. Thank you.

Stay!

Thank you. Thank you.

Good evening, madam.

Good evening.

Excuse me, madam. Is that an animal

you have in that basket?

Yes, it is. It's a cat.

That accounts for it.

He don't usually startle guests in that manner.

Oh...good.

I'm supposed to be meeting Sir James Rosslyn here,

but I'm rather late.

Sir James? Oh, yes, madam.

He'll be with the liberal party.

Yes, that's right. He is.

With the liberal party, madam,

celebrating the by-election result

in Mr. Duggan's suite.

Oh, I see.

Well, would you mind telling him that I'm here?

My name is Mrs. Strickland.

Ah, yes. The lady

he's letting his rooms to.

Yes, I've been informed. Excuse me.

Thank you.

Mr. Merriman, tell Sir James Rosslyn

that Mrs. Strickland's arrived.

MAN: If I go there, I'll tell her that.

You know, the Duke of York.

What I want to know, Mrs. T,

is whether you're for us or against us.

Well, it's your wine I'm drinking, Mr. Duggan,

so I'd better be for you...

tonight, at any rate.

Mind you, I prefer them Tories

because they're gentlemen.

And so are you lot, ain't you?

Some of you.

What a wicked snob you are!

You don't want them Labourites

getting in, do you?

Anyway, this by-election of yours:

flash in the pan, isn't it?

One sparrow don't make a summer.

We're expecting Mr. Balfour to resign within weeks.

He'll have no choice.

We'll have a liberal government by Christmas.

What do you say to that?

Good for you. You're going to be

prime minister then, Mr. Duggan.

Now, you'd better mind

your P's and Q's.

Excuse me, Sir James.

Mrs. Strickland has arrived

and was asking for you.

Excuse me, George. My guest has arrived.

I must go and settle her in.

Sir James has been fidgeting about

all evening.

Don't tell me the old fox

has got himself a mistress.

Oh, Sir Rosy?

That's not very likely, is it?

That's what I thought.

Is she a lady?

Chorus girl? What is she?

Hmm?

Oh, come on, Tapsy. There, there.

Don't be frightened. Come on. Come on.

Oh, there, there, there.

No. There's no doggy here.

There. You're hungry.

Come on. Let's have some food, eh? There.

About the, um, cat, madam...

have you made arrangements?

Oh, no. I haven't...

Oh, dear. Aren't they allowed?

Dogs, but not cats. Is that the rule?

Oh, you mean Fred, madam.

Well, he's my dog. A special case.

A watchdog, you understand.

To see off unwelcome guests.

Yes, madam.

Come on, Tapsy.

If there's anything you require, madam,

Starr's the name. 2 "R"s.

You'll usually find me downstairs in the hall.

Yes. Thank you, Starr.

There. There. There.

Diana, my dear.

Oh!

Welcome to the Bentinck.

Dear James.

This is perfect.

But have I turned you out?

I have, haven't I?

Are you out on the street?

I'm round the corner in Albemarle Street

with my brother, so I'm on hand

if you should need me.

How is Harry?

Oh, he's much the same.

He's talking more clearly

and he can move his right arm a little.

The doctors are quite hopeful.

Good.

Oh, here's Mrs. Trotter,

in whose capable hands I shall be leaving you.

This is Mrs. Strickland.

How do you do, Mrs. Trotter?

How do you do?

Oh, you've brought a cat, have you?

ROSSLYN: Yes. You've no objection, have you?

No, as long as he's house-trained.

Oh, yes. Yes, she is.

She won't make a mess, I promise you.

She's very good,

and I rather need her, you see,

as a model for my illustrations.

Oh, artist, are you?

Yes, I...

We had Walter Sickert here in the summer,

in number 8...

or was it in here?

Yes, it was, in this very room.

I think I was here

in the summer, Mrs. Trotter.

I've been here for 6 months now.

Oh, I do remember

Walter Sickert was somewhere around.

Oh, heavens, I'm nowhere near

that standard.

It's rather daunting.

Brought a maid, have you?

Uh, no.

Oh, well, I'll send Mary up. She'll do the unpacking.

Sir James, why don't you bring your lady friend

along to the party?

They're Cockney liberals.

Always like to welcome new guests

with a glass of wine.

If somebody else is paying for it,

that's all the better, isn't it?

Why not?

All right. Come on.

The far end, do you know?

I couldn't hear what they were all saying.

Could you?

You must admit, George,

our campaign tactics couldn't be faulted.

Yes, but the Tories

scarcely left their tents.

The field was ours from the start.

When they did venture, they found themselves

so unpopular, they retreated again as fast as possible.

Not very fast. Most of them

were bent double with sciatica.

I've never seen such a thing.

There was nobody under 75.

Here you are, Mrs. Strickland.

Get that down you.

Sir James.

Thank you very much.

Come and meet my friend

Mr. Duggan.

He might be prime minister

one day.

Oh-ho.

MAN: Balfour was only holding on

because he hoped to drain us financially...

The delay helped us. We've got policies now.

Free trade, social welfare...

we're ready.

Excuse me. May I introduce...

this is Mrs. Strickland,

come to join us for a while.

Mrs. Strickland,

I'm so pleased to meet you.

James was talking about you earlier

with such esteem and affection,

arousing my curiosity

to fever pitch.

Welcome to this gathering of

distinguished but inebriate liberals.

Thank you.

May I ask what brings you

to this notorious establishment?

She's come here to work.

She's an artist, like me in me own way.

I'm above politics.

I must confess, I don't give

much thought to them, either.

Maybe we should.

I don't see why. Better leave them

to people like James and myself,

who've got nothing better to do

with our lives.

What sort of artist are you?

I do illustrations for children's magazines.

And you sell them?

Oh, yes.

How fascinating!

James, you never told me any of this.

What does your husband say?

Does he encourage you?

I think he's amused.

Amused. Oh, dear. Is that enough?

Yes. For me, it is.

Of course it is.

How many husbands can you think of

that let their wives come up to London,

do what they want to without interference?

I think it's ruddy marvelous.

Yes, indeed.

Perhaps you'd allow me

to see your work sometime,

Mrs. Strickland.

Yes, of course, if you really want to.

Now, then, George, she's here on my recommendation

to work in peace and quiet.

Oh, good heavens. I'm not going to

make a nuisance of myself.

Just a glance.

I shall be satisfied.

I think a glance is allowed,

eh, Sir James?

I'm hoping for a glance meself.

I don't see any objection to a cat.

I don't see it written in

the rules anywhere.

It was Mr. Merriman I was thinking of, Madam.

He has a distinct aversion to cats.

They bring on his asthma.

Oh. That's a pity.

Something I've endured since childhood, Mum.

Most regrettable.

But if it's your wish the cat should stay...

Yes, it is, rather.

No one's asking you to look after it.

No, Mum, but there is the problem

of serving meals in the lady's room.

Well, if you can't do it because of

your...whatever it is, well,

Mary will have to do it, won't she?

Mary? She's...

It's also a bit unsettling

for Fred, madam.

Knowing there's a feline on the premises

gets him rather excitable.

Yeah. I can see that's a problem.

Oh. Thank you, madam.

For Fred, I mean,

'cause if the cat goes, Fred will have to go.

You can't have one rule for the guests

and another for the staff,

so I'd drop the whole blinking subject

if I was you.

I'm sorry, George. There's no chance.

She's a lady of unblemished virtue,

devoted to her husband,

extremely happy, and quite incorruptible.

If she's as virtuous as you claim,

why such concern for her?

Because I want her left alone, that's all.

Are you in love with her?

Good Lord, no. Of course not.

Why not?

I'd admire your taste.

Well, actually, some time ago, I...

Uh-huh. Ha ha ha!

That was ages ago.

Unfortunately, she accepted my offer

of friendship in lieu...

A friendship which I treasure most dearly.

Now you really do intrigue me,

because there's only one circumstance

in which you, James,

a man of the highest moral principle,

would have tried to sneak a virtuous woman

away from her husband,

and that's if she were

unhappy with her husband.

Nonsense. Rubbish! Wrong as usual.

They're devoted, I tell you.

You won't succeed.

16 and 17 empty.

Thank you, Mary.

Yes, Mum.

Mary.

Extraordinary. What's Diana Strickland

doing here?

Oh, you know her, do you, Major?

Yes. Charming woman.

Walked out on old Harry at last, has she?

Eh?

Oh, it was on the cards.

Don't know what she saw in him.

Oh, a pleasant enough fellow to go shooting with.

Convivial. But don't ever lend him money.

Not that I ever did, of course.

He's got creditors chasing him

all over Lincolnshire.

His stroke, they say, was a stroke of luck, what?

Keep the hounds at bay for a while.

So that's the way the wind blows, eh?

I don't like ladies

who have left their husbands.

They're trouble.

Actually, talking of money,

that's what I came to see you about.

Oh, yeah.

I had a little come through

this morning.

I thought it only right that you should have it,

after all your kindness.

Help put the record straight a bit.

Only sorry it can't be more.

Well, it's the thought that counts,

isn't it, Major?

Nice of you to think of me before the gee-gees.

Oh, stop.

Oh! Mary, is Mrs. Strickland in?

Yes, sir, she's...

thank you.

I'm sorry. I'm interrupting.

Oh, no. No. Not at all.

I can come back some other time.

Oh, no, no.

Please stay, Mr. Duggan.

You will forgive me if I don't stop for a moment?

The cat's sitting just right.

Ha ha.

Please, take a look at anything you want to.

There's not much, I'm afraid.

Oh. Ha ha!

These are awfully good.

Well, at least I've got my foot in the door.

And is this our heroine?

Yes. Frightful creature.

Always lecturing everybody

on how to behave.

Here, she's telling the little kittens

they mustn't chase mice

because we're all God's creatures.

Ha! What an insult.

What would you rather be doing?

Oh, something of my own.

I've got a book in mind

about the animals I remember

when I was a little girl in Canada.

Beavers, wolves, and grizzly bears.

My father used to tell me

wonderful stories about them.

I've passed them on to my daughter.

Canada?

Yes. Do you know it? No.

I was raised there.

My father was a pioneer, a beautiful man,

always adventuring.

He died at 42.

Have you got any drawings of these famous animals?

Yes, I have.

They're over there in that folder.

May I?

Yes, of course.

Ah, but these are really good.

I mean it.

You ever shown them to a publisher?

Oh, no. They're not ready yet.

Yes, they are.

I've got a good friend who's a publisher,

a man called Alfred Hardwicke.

Would you mind if I showed them to him?

Well, no, but I don't want charity.

You must believe in them.

I do believe in them. They have character.

What's this fellow doing?

His name is Mabu.

He's the big chief, but his powers are failing.

He's trying to get the others

to follow him, but they won't go,

so he's going off to his cave alone.

My God. He looks like a Tory politician.

Fascinating.

Do you really think so?

Yes.

Now...what time do you stop for luncheon?

Oh, I can't stop.

You must stop and come out with me.

James Rosslyn gave me strict orders

to take care of you,

so I'm taking you to the Savoy.

Ha ha ha!

I can't go to the Savoy dressed like this.

Then you must go and change, mustn't you?

I shall stay here and become

better acquainted with my new friends.

Off you go.

Oh, Starr. A cab, will you?

Very good, sir.

Good morning...

Oh, good morning, Mrs. Strickland.

Settled in, have you?

Oh, yes. Thank you.

If there's anything I can do for you,

anything you need...

Oh, thank you.

DIANA: Hello, James.

I'm being kindly taken to luncheon

at the Savoy.

What? Savoy?

I just came in to see how you were.

She's extremely well, James.

Perhaps you could come with us.

Oh, no. Um, I...

STARR: Cab's here, sir!

Thank you, Starr.

I'm disappointed you can't come, James.

We must try and catch you another time.

Thank you.

Thank you, Starr.

Well, that was fast off the mark.

I found the law

rather too easy a game, really.

There was a by-election at Rye a year ago.

I stood as the liberal and romped home,

rather to the surprise of a Tory alderman.

I have an enormous belief in myself,

as you may have guessed.

My husband stood for Parliament once

as a Tory,

but he was defeated.

Tell me about your husband.

What do you want to know?

Whatever you want to say.

Well, I was 23 when I met him.

He was 40.

I'd just arrived from Canada

with a widowed mother, penniless.

Rather a bleak future.

He seemed in every way

the perfect grand seigneur.

I owe him everything.

Do you?

Yes. He gave me a proper home,

beautiful daughter, place in society.

What more could I want?

I don't know. Tell me.

Nothing.

Nothing at all.

Well, you want his complete recovery

from his illness.

Oh. Yes. Naturally, I want that.

Is it likely?

Oh, yes. Yes, he's recovering.

Without you beside him?

Is that a rebuke?

Not in the least. It's an observation.

Well, he's well enough

for me to leave him now,

and I have to work.

There were distractions

with illness in the house.

I need to be free of them.

And here I am distracting you with impudent questions.

But you must allow me the simple joy

of being intrigued by you.

I've always found conjugal fidelity

a very appealing quality in a woman.

Are you married, Mr. Duggan?

My wife died 5 years ago.

Oh. Were you happy? Oh, forgive me.

That was impertinent of me.

Not in the least. It's a perfectly natural

question to ask.

Yes. Isobel and I were very happy.

Do you have children?

Yes. I've got a boy. He's 20 now

up at Balliol.

Have some more Cointreau.

Oh, no. No. I really think

I should be going now.

Diana...I may call you Diana?

Oh, I'm sorry. You're concerned

for your reputation.

Well, we are rather conspicuous here.

In that case, let's go

straight back to the Bentinck

and discuss our relationship

in private.

Our relationship?

What it's to be.

Oh, now, really, Mr. Duggan.

You're rushing ahead of me.

I wasn't aware that there was

any relationship.

Well, you know, 2 people

lunching alone together at the Savoy

usually implies some sort of relationship.

Oh, but you must forgive my naiveté.

If I had thought for one moment

that by accepting

your kind offer to luncheon

that assumptions were being made...

Oh, but heavens, no! You're perfectly free

to go out as innocent as you came in.

Oh. Well, thank you. I'm relieved.

But not before I've told you

that you've captured my heart

from the moment you came into my room last night.

Well, you had to know. I couldn't conceal it.

Oh, no. Oh, no, Mr. Duggan.

It's impossible.

It's out of the question.

I'm in love with my husband.

Then what are we to do?

Well...

I don't know what you're going to do,

but I must go back to my painting.

Yes. Pussy and her moralizing.

Of course. Forgive me.

Widowers are prone to exotic passions,

and you are perfectly right

to treat them with

the utmost circumspection.

Oh, no. It's not a question of that.

I'm touched...

Not to say overwhelmed

by your feelings.

I can't think what I did

to deserve them.

I'm only sorry that you've misjudged me.

I'm truly not...

not accustomed to adventures.

So we're told.

By whom?

By James.

Your reputation for virtue and loyalty

preceded you,

and if we're not to be lovers,

will you accept my humble and sincere

offer of friendship?

Yes.

That I would like.

Then it's settled.

What did I tell you? What did I tell you?!

Oh, good Lord! I'd never have told you

if I could have imagined your vengeful delight.

You're like the small boy

who can't have the peach himself

and won't let anyone else have it.

She's simply reaffirmed my faith

in the decency of marriage.

What? That comes odd from a man

who's ducked marriage all his life.

There's too much of your sort of

behavior going on and upheld as respect,

whereas, I'm sorry, I find your behavior

reprehensible and degrading.

Damn it! Will you never realize

that man's state is not naturally monogamous?

Neither is woman's.

Dear Isobel had 4 lovers to my certain knowledge.

Did I begrudge them to her? Certainly not.

We understood.

Dalliance gives energy,

which we need, damn it, to function at all.

Schoolboy talk! Adolescent daydreams.

And as far as this particular

lady's concerned...

Your daydream. Your unrequited passion.

I revel in your defeat.

Well, I haven't been entirely routed.

I'm on the same footing as you now.

She's accepted my offer of friendship in lieu.

These are awfully silly, Mama.

Yes. Well, they're not for

your eyes, my darling.

They're for little folk.

Even when I was little,

I don't think I'd have cared for them much.

Ha ha ha!

Ohh.

Is your tooth still hurting?

Yes. My gum aches.

Oh, dear.

Bless you.

Thank you, miss.

This arrived by the midday post, madam.

Oh, thank you.

Oh, poor Merriman. Have you got a cold?

No, madam.

God bless you.

Thank you, miss.

All right, Merriman.

Yes, ma'am.

These have arrived from Sir James Rosslyn.

Give you inspiration, I expect.

Liven the place up a bit.

Looks like a proper studio now, don't it?

Oh, yes. I'm sorry.

Oh, may I introduce you

to my daughter Sophie?

How do you do, Sophie?

How do you do?

She came up to see the dentist, didn't you, darling?

Oh, that's nasty, that is.

What you going to do now

to make up for it, eh?

Mama's going to take me to a museum.

Oh, Lord. I forgot.

Museum, eh? Which one?

The Natural History.

Oh, mama, you did promise.

Is that the one with all them

stuffed animals?

Yes. There's a dinosaur.

I've never been there.

Haven't you?

No. That's something I ought to

put right, I think.

What about you and me going together

and leaving your mother to get on with her work?

Oh, yes, please. Can I, mama?

Darling, I'm sure Mrs. Trotter's awfully busy.

No, I'm not, it's just what I feel like.

I tell you what,

we'll get the Major to take us.

He says he knows all about

that kind of thing.

Right. Get your coat.

Don't stop for the sandwiches.

We'll have a big tea when we get back.

Thank you. That's very kind of you.

Right.

Have a lovely time, darling.

Come on, Sophie.

Ohh!

2 bob to win.

Duke's Meadow. 3:30, Newbury.

Right you are, Major.

I'll slip down to see Robert

in the George at lunchtime.

MRS. TROTTER: ready, Major?

I'll give it to you later.

Right. Off we go.

Thank you, sir. Good morning, Mrs. T.

...Major's taking us to the museum.

Well done.

This is Sophie,

Mrs. Strickland's daughter,

by the way.

Sophie, my dear child. How do you do?

How do you do?

How I wish I could come with you,

but I must see your mama for a moment or two.

Well, do have the most enormous fun, won't you?

Come on. Off we go.

DUGGAN: Oh, Merriman!

Sir?

Bring a bottle of Champagne

up to Mrs. Strickland's room, will you?

The mum's '93.

Very good, sir. Thank you.

DUGGAN: Diana?

I walked straight into Hardwicke's office.

I laid out your drawings on his desk.

He expressed immediate approval.

I knew he would. He wants to meet you.

I've arranged for the 3 of us

to meet at the Savoy on Tuesday.

I take it you have no objection?

Oh, no. No. That's wonderful.

I'm going to act as your lawyer

and get you a suitable advance.

Advance? Yeah.

How much?

Well...few hundreds, anyway.

Oh!

Oh.

Diana, my dear...

What's the matter?

Now...

Here, we have elephants.

Have we now, Major? You don't say.

May we see the dinosaur, please?

The dinosaur. Right.

This way. Follow me.

MRS. TROTTER: that's a funny-looking dinosaur.

MAJOR: Ahh. Yes. Um...

Must have taken

the wrong turn somewhere.

Well, it's easy enough to do in Africa.

Look at those funny little birds.

They're Red-billed Oxpeckers.

They're picking the parasites

off the back of the kudu.

What's a parasite?

Hotel guests what stay on and don't pay the bills.

No offense, Major.

You do know an awful lot, don't you, Major?

Yes. Firsthand.

Out there, you see. Zulu war in '79.

Isandlwana,

Rorke's Drift.

Those are doum palms.

Did you know your husband had gambling debts?

Well, yes, but not the size of them.

Oh, it's my fault.

I should have realized.

I gather the estate is mortgaged.

Yes, to the hilt. When we had no son,

my husband felt it wasn't worth

keeping, anyway.

We might as well enjoy it.

What'd you do for income?

This is our income.

That's why I'm here.

But I simply can't work fast enough,

even to pay the household bills.

Court proceedings on Tuesday, I see.

Well...

This can be settled, anyway.

What?

Oh, no. You mustn't.

Oh, no. I couldn't

accept anything from you,

and it's over 400 pounds!

See it as my investment

in Mabu and his friends.

Oh, no. No. No, Mr. Duggan, no.

I couldn't accept anything from you.

I'd rather ask Sir James first.

I'll never be able to pay you back.

Yes. Of course you will.

There you are.

Take it, please...

As a seal on our friendship.

Have you ever shot a lion, Major?

No. Tigers, India.

I remember one brute...

a Bengal tiger, man-eater.

The scourge of the neighborhood.

Killed 17 villagers.

The local maharajah offered a reward

for someone to get it,

so off we went.

You see, we had to get this tiger

before the monsoon.

We were stalking him on one of these.

Safe up there, you see.

Safe?

Yes. Tigers leave elephants alone.

Myself and this other chap up in the howdah...

that's the thing you sit in...

with the mahout up front

barking orders to him in Hindi.

Do you think he's fibbing?

Of course he is. Just a bit.

We stalked the devil all day.

Finally caught up with him at dusk

and shot him clean between the eyes.

So you got the reward, then, did you, Major?

What? Well, it wasn't a large amount.

Major Smith-Barton.

I pressed my claim too soon. It's a fault of mine.

I see something, I go for it. I lack patience.

You see, I succeed more often than not.

Since Isobel died,

I've filled my life with a sort of frenzied activity:

politics and the arts and travel.

None of it satisfies me.

They say I have the makings of a formidable statesman.

I believe it myself.

But as I feel now at this moment...

I'd exchange it all for one day...an hour...

of your love.

I'm breaking our bargain, you'll say,

our pact of friendship,

but love grows out of friendship.

They're part of the same root,

so I say the bargain holds.

You have fine feelings, which I admire

and I could never aspire to...

But you can't fight alone.

You need help, and I can offer you help

and protection...

And my love for as long as you want it.

I've got a small house in the country

on the edge of the new forest.

We could go for walks,

dream up your book.

This very weekend. What do you say?

Mama? I've had a glorious time.

Mrs. Trotter's really wonderful,

and the Major's so clever!

He knew all about the animals,

and he spoke Hindi with 2 Indian gentlemen.

Oh, darling.

Mama, have you been crying?

Oh, no. No. I've been working.

Look. I've finished these sketches.

Do you like them?

Oh! Now we must get you to the station.

I'll just get my coat.

Oh, dear.

Oh, mama, can't I stay

one more day?

The Major said he'd take me

to Madame Tussaud's tomorrow.

Oh, I'm sorry, darling. It's out of the question.

It's all arranged.

Papa is expecting you. He'll have missed you.

You know he's not been well. Now, come on, darling.

When are you coming home?

Me? Soon.

How soon?

It's horrible without you.

Oh, darling, you know I have to work.

Now, please, don't be difficult.

I'll be home as soon as I can, I promise you.

You promised to take me to the museum,

and you didn't.

Now, Soph...

Now, darling, please.

Do as you're told. Come on. Come on.

We'll miss your train.

JAMES: It's incredible!

Oh, come on, Sir James. It ain't that bad.

It's only a weekend in the country.

It's the best thing that could have happened,

if you ask me.

Her husband's no good to her.

You can't expect her to work herself to death

up there to keep the family going.

She needs friends. I should know.

I've been through that meself.

It's no joke, I tell you.

Mrs. Trotter, you don't understand

the implications of this affair.

We're about to fight a general election.

If any scandal should get out now...

Who said anything about scandal?

It's just a bit of fun, that's all.

My dear Mrs. Trotter, you don't know

this lady at all if you believe that.

She's not the sort of person to indulge in...

Fun, as you call it.

She's romantic, foolish, yes,

but she's also loyal, steadfast.

There'll be no going back after this weekend.

I fear for all the parties concerned.

Yeah. Well, you needn't worry

about the liberal party.

They'll hear nothing from behind these walls,

I'll make sure of that.

Thank you, Starr.

Tapsy. Tapsy, there. Did you miss me?

Did they take care of you?

Starr is a fox, do you think?

No. A beaver.

And Merriman's an old heron.

What about the Major?

A buzzard. No, no, no, no, no.

That's James. James is a buzzard.

Oh, that's unkind.

A friendly buzzard.

Do you think I can get them all to sit for me?

No. Observe them from a distance.

They'll never notice.

I shall remember this weekend forever.

I've never been so happy. Thank you.

10 minutes.

Then come and have dinner in my room.

Mm-hmm.

What rubbish.

Come on, James.

Even if it did get out, do you

seriously believe it would have

the faintest effect on the outcome

of this election?

It's a foregone conclusion!

All right, consider your own position, then.

My position?

At the moment,

your name figures highly on everybody's list.

So I should hope.

I'm expecting something in the board of trade,

by the way.

By God! Your insufferable arrogance.

Everybody fools about!

Asquith, Lloyd George, for God's sake.

I see no thorns in their path.

They don't fool around with a woman like Diana!

You're jealous.

There's nothing personal in this.

Nothing personal?

My God. I believe you'd deprive me of

my rightful job in the next administration

out of sheer, damn, vindictive spite!

Is that your opinion of me?

Yes, it is.

Very well. Just let me say this, George:

that no man, however brilliant he may

consider himself to be,

is greater than the party that he stands for.

So, just be warned, that's all.

Wait!

Will you personally tell

Campbell-Bannerman...

Of course not! But don't blame me

if he should find out for himself, that's all.

For God's sake, James. Stay and have a drink.

We've known each other far too long

for this sort of wrangling.

Sit down.

She'll be along in a moment.

She'd like to see you.

She talked about you a great deal.

She's fond of you.

You've been a very good friend to her,

and my God, she must have needed it.

Thank you.

You know about the marriage, then?

Oh, yes. It all came tumbling out.

Of course, I'm sure she's to blame

for some of the trouble.

She's not an easy woman. She's too highly strung.

But she's utterly adorable, as you know.

I'm besotted by her.

Damned inconsiderate husband.

What is it that makes men neglect beautiful women?

Do you know, for the last 5 years,

they haven't even... what a waste.

And you want me to give her up

for the half-baked sensibilities

of a few dried-up low churchmen?

DUGGAN: Oh, my darling.

Come and meet your old friend,

who knows all about us.

Hello, James. How nice to see you.

My dear.

What have you 2 been talking about?

The insignificance of politics.

Is that clock right, Starr?

5 minutes to 1:00?

Yes, sir.

Mrs. Trotter has lent me a hat.

Do you approve?

It's me church hat. Here. Tilt it a bit.

That's better.

Yes, my dear, it's splendid.

But come along. We're late.

Good luck.

DIANA: Thank you.

DUGGAN: Thank you, Starr.

All right, Mary. Now's your chance

to get her room tidied up.

It's a terrible mess.

They're so happy together, aren't they?

I think it's lovely.

While it lasts.

You have changed my life.

With you, I can achieve anything.

Can you achieve a book

in the time that Hardwicke sets you?

I'll work day and night.

The only break I'll allow myself

is the time I give to you, my angel.

Yes.

Well, now.

I shall have to go away quite soon.

The election's set for January.

I'm needed in my constituency.

How long for?

2, 3 weeks.

Ohh!

Ohh, I wish I could come with you.

I wish you could, too, my darling.

This place will be torture without you.

Oh, nonsense. We both have work to do.

Yes.

I've made too many demands on you.

No, you haven't.

You do love me?

I adore you.

And you'll go on loving me?

I've no life without you now.

Diana.

Oh, my love. Hold me.

Don't go.

There. We'll write to each other every day.

The time will fly.

Madam? Madam?

Hmm?

Haven't you been to bed?

You'll wear yourself out.

I have some tea for you.

Thank you.

How is it coming on, then?

Ooh, I like this one.

Looks a bit like Mr. Merriman.

Not very nice campaigning weather.

It snowed in the night.

Ha ha ha!

I'll run you a nice, hot bath, is it?

What? Oh, yes. Yes. Thank you, Mary.

Diana, this is madness.

You must come to your senses!

I can't give him up.

You know what my life has been like.

Will you deny me this happiness?

Well, of course, I don't want to hurt Harry,

though in his present condition,

I don't think he'd notice.

He's not expected to live long.

If we have to, we'll wait.

Do you think George will marry you?

Will that make you happy? We'll wait.

Have you discussed it?

Has he mentioned marriage in one of his letters?

You don't propose in letters, James.

Just as I thought.

Of course we'll be married!

He speaks of our future together

on every page.

Though I really don't see

why I have to discuss it with you.

And Sophie. What about her?

Well, she'll come and live with us, of course.

She'll adore George.

He's always expressed to me his strong dislike

of children; his relationship

with his own son bears that out.

They don't speak to each other.

You're living in a dream.

I'm surprised you haven't told me

about his reputation with other women.

Yes. My God, yes!

I know already.

You couldn't expect him to remain celibate

after his wife died.

Oh, long before that, I assure you.

What?

I could give you a whole list of women.

No.

The plain fact is that George Duggan,

for all he may seem to be charming and brilliant,

is nothing more than a cheap opportunist.

And that's not just my opinion.

How dare you talk like that about him

behind his back?

I thought you were his friend.

Starr, could you post this for me?

Thank you.

Oh, and Mary forgot to bring up

my post this morning.

May I have it, please?

I'm afraid there were no letters for you

this morning, madam.

Are you sure?

I'm positive, madam. I'm sorry.

Well, thank you.

And Mrs. Strickland

mustn't hear a word of it, right?

Yes, madam.

Yes, ma'am.

Thank you.

I don't know.

Thank you, sir.

Here, Major. You seen this?

It's about Mr. Duggan being seen in Dover

with a Mrs. Monroe.

As a matter of fact, it had caught my eye.

Yes, and funnily enough,

I met a colleague of his in the club this morning...

A fellow called Foster. He was talking about it.

Apparently, this Mrs. Monroe...

Yeah? What about her?

She's got a bit of a reputation

for this kind of thing; she's married 2 politicians,

both of whom died before they'd reached the cabinet,

and she's looking for a third.

According to Foster,

Duggan fills the bill rather nicely.

Blimey. She's 48, it says here,

and a widow.

Sounds like an old frump compared

with Mrs. Strickland.

What's he playing at?

Politics, I think it's called.

Mrs. Monroe has money, influence.

Yeah. Well, he's coming back to London tonight.

I'm supposed to be cooking dinner for him.

Honestly, me heart's not in it.

I've heard he's back already.

He's been seen in the reform club

and at the theater last night with Mrs. Monroe.

Eh?

Tricky one, this.

But my advice, for what it's worth,

would be to tell her about this,

soften the blow a bit.

Kinder in the long run.

Here, I'm sorry, Mrs. Strickland.

It don't mean for certain...

They could have met by accident.

You don't want to believe newspapers.

They print anything for gossip.

He'll be coming back soon. He'll explain it all.

He won't come.

Oh, of course he will.

He's honorable, is Mr. Duggan.

He ain't canceled. Here you are.

Right honorable M.P. For bleeding Rye.

Oh!

You've been working too hard.

That's your trouble.

Not going to bed...now, that's not clever, you know.

Your nerves is on edge.

Yes. Oh, yes.

Yes. I'm sorry.

That's better.

Here. You come on and get some rest, eh?

Come on. Then you make yourself nice for him, eh?

He wouldn't want to see you looking like this,

now, would he, eh?

I'm going to bring you up

a nice, hot cup of tea, all right?

Yes. Thank you. Thank you.

DUGGAN: Diana, my dearest,

I'm so sorry I've kept you waiting.

Am I in disgrace?

What a beautiful dress.

Thank you.

Would you like a drink?

Yes, please.

Shall I help myself?

No. No.

Oh, what a day!

I shall be glad

when this damned election's over.

How have you been? I've missed you.

Have you been working well?

I'm dying to see what you've done.

They're over there, but they can wait.

I've missed you. I've got you a present.

It's good luck for the election.

Diana, you shouldn't be spending money on me.

What is it?

Oh! Ha ha!

They're splendid.

Thank you, Diana.

I shall wear them on polling day.

I haven't got anything for you.

I had no time.

Oi, Mr. Starr, all's well.

It was wrong, that newspaper.

They're like lovebirds.

Thank you, Merriman.

Will you convey my thanks

to Mrs. Trotter

for a lovely dinner?

Thank you, madam.

And from me, too, Merriman.

Very good, sir.

Yes. I feel much better.

A relief from those provincial hotels.

And Deauville?

Deauville? Now, how on earth

did you know that I'd been

to Deauville?

It was in the newspaper.

Was it? Good Lord.

I was hoping I might get a postcard.

Do you know, I bought one.

I forgot to send the damn thing.

I found it in my pocket when I got back.

Why did you go?

I went because I was invited

by one of my constituents.

It would have been impolitic to refuse.

I enjoyed it, actually.

It was a rest from speechifying.

The newspaper referred to a Mrs. Monroe

who was seen in your company.

Did it, now?

It spoke of a romance.

I paid no attention, of course,

but when your letters stopped coming

for a while, I wasn't sure.

Romance with Dorothy? Good heavens.

Dorothy?

Diana...

I can't deceive you.

Well...uh, damn.

The, uh, the newspaper was right, in the main,

though a romance

is hardly the word I'd have used.

I've known the lady for a great many years.

No. Romance is something special.

Romance is what you and I...

Uh, yes, Merriman, what is it?

Uh, coffee, sir.

Coffee. Do we want coffee?

But why didn't you tell me at once?

Why this awful pretense?

Uh, I couldn't put it in a letter,

and this evening... Diana, my dear.

Oh, yes, thank you, Merriman.

We'll pour it ourselves.

Very good, madam.

Diana, believe me,

my feelings for you were genuine.

I mean, they still are.

I'd far rather spend my life with you.

The fact is, we're the victims of circumstance.

Victims? Yes!

You took me like a dog picks up a bone.

Didn't you realize that you changed my life?

Good heavens. That's simply not true.

I only helped you onto your feet again,

that's all. You've got strength now.

You've got a book to finish.

You've got a belief in yourself again.

Belief in myself? You've crushed my belief!

Why? Because you feared a scandal?

You said you were above such things.

Of course that's not the reason.

If it were so, then you'd have

every right to chastise me.

No, no, no.

It was you I feared for.

You've got a sick husband

for whom you still feel loyalty.

Oh, no.

Oh, yes, yes, yes, you do,

however difficult it all may be.

If you were to abandon him now

when he needs you most of all...

Well, how do you think that would place you

in the eyes of society?

You would be an outcast.

Yes! With you beside me.

Yes! Goddamn it,

is that what you wanted...

to drag me down?

I see.

Oh, I...I'm sorry.

Oh, please don't apologize.

You've told me the truth. I should be grateful.

I didn't mean to say...

Yes, you did mean

precisely what you said.

I am a leper in society... in your society.

I've never really known what society was.

I've never really been a part of it.

But now I think I do know.

It's a skin that people hide in.

Small people hide because it puffs them up.

It protects them in their vanity.

I loved you. You opened my eyes

to possibilities I'd never even dreamed of.

You were the finest man I'd ever known.

I worshiped your mind, your body.

I trusted you!

This is absurd.

I'm a man with frailties.

Yes, you are.

That was my mistake.

Stupid.

Diana, I'm sorry.

I'm truly sorry

that you feel like this about me.

You see, I thought... I assumed that...

Well, I shan't forget you...

Nor my friends in the forest.

She's leaving, ma'am.

She rang for me to help her pack.

Where's she going?

Home.

Here. You're going to fight him.

Why? He's not worth fighting.

Of course he is. He's rotten.

And the whole world should know

what he done to you.

We don't want him running the blooming country.

It was my fault, Mrs. Trotter.

I was blind, selfish.

Yeah, well, we're all blind sometimes

when it comes to bodies.

That don't mean we let them trample all over us.

I have no weapons.

No weapons? What's these, then?

Evidence only? Ruddy bombs!

Look, Lord Northcliffe comes here.

He's a friend of mine.

We'll give them to him. He'll know what to do.

Oh, no, that's foolish.

No, it ain't.

Why should I hurt him?

He was right: in a way, he did help me.

He set me on my feet, got me a publisher.

I've much to be grateful for.

He lent me money, too.

It was a debt of my husband's.

I must pay him back. That's my first task.

Goodness sake. How much?

It was 425 pounds.

Well, I shall earn it from my book.

Now, excuse me.

I must return to my husband and daughter.

I've neglected them.

George was quite right about them.

A scandal would harm them.

Come on, Tapsy.

I owe my husband everything.

I can't desert him

now that he's ill and needs me most.

I've been disloyal.

And George needs Mrs. Monroe.

MARY: It's all packed, madam.

Thank you, Mary.

These...

Must be burned.

Thank you, Mary.

Thank you, Starr. Put those down

and find me a cab, would you?

Very good, sir.

And, Starr, thank you.

That's very kind of you, sir.

And the very best of luck in the election, sir.

Ah.

Ah, Merriman.

Yes, sir?

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

My dear Mrs. T,

I am sorry to be leaving so abruptly

after such a long and pleasant stay.

You must blame the election, I'm afraid.

It seems as if my life is going to be

a good deal changed from now on.

Would you like me to settle my account?

If you wouldn't mind, Mr. Duggan.

I've got it ready.

Thank you.

But you won't need that.

What did you say?

You've paid already.

In fact, I owe you some.

28 pounds 10 shillings, to be precise.

What's this?

The balance on what you lent

Mrs. Strickland.

I'm relieving you of that obligation.

But this is absurd. I can't let you do that.

That was a private matter.

Yeah, well, it's my business now.

It's best, isn't it?

So you can wipe the whole slate clean.

Well, if you insist, Mrs. T.

I do, and I'd be grateful

if you didn't come here again,

if you don't mind... Not even if you do

get to be Prime Minister.

My God, what terrible tales is she telling?

She ain't said nothing terrible,

Mr. Duggan.

She stuck up for you.

You won't have no trouble with her.

She's a saint,

and you're bloomin' lucky.

There's others you couldn't have

done that to and got away with it.

Good-bye, Mrs. Trotter.

STARR: Cab's here, sir.

Thank you, Starr.

Mr. Merriman, more Champagne.

What's the rumpus up there?

It's Mr. Lloyd George celebrating

election victory.

And you'd never guess who's there, as well...

Mr. Duggan and his fiancee Mrs. Monroe.

Does Mrs. Trotter know?

Oh, yeah. She's there with them.

I saw her talking and laughing,

happy as larks.

I'd never have believed it.

Would you, Mr. Merriman?

I've always said hotels is like hospitals, Mary.

They're all bodies. You do your best for them,

but once you get your feelings involved...

You lose out on tips.

Don't you, Fred?

Yes. Ah, Mrs. Trotter's merry.