Original subtitles

Fanny Hill? How should you like to come down to London with me

and seek your fortune there?

What I'm looking for today is a nice, well-mannered girl,

dainty enough to wait on the gentlemen.

You be a good girl and you'll be well rewarded.

So the gentleman will pay Mrs Brown to be my sweetheart?

Perhaps we will meet again one day.

Madam, I truly believe I've met the love of my life.

- Will you marry me? - Oh, yes!

Out of my house, the pair of you!

- Every penny comes from my father. - Then you must go back to him.

Perhaps he's there against his will.

He wouldn't leave me. I'm carrying his child.

He's on a ship to the West Indies, that's where Charlie is.

Then what am I to do?

- I remember you. - I am glad to hear it.

Time, that great comforter,

did begin to ease the violence of my suffering

over the loss of my lover and my baby.

My health returned to me,

and, although still despairing,

I was intrigued why this near-stranger had walked back into my life.

This is my proposal.

I will pay all your debts,

and set up an establishment for you here, with a maid of your own,

and a man to drive you about as you require.

I will visit you two or three times a week and spend the night with you.

The rest of your time is your own, though you will not take other lovers.

There, now, Fanny. What a lucky young woman you are!

And if I say no?

It doesn't bear thinking of, my dear.

Then...I accept.

Good.

I believe you will have no cause to repent your knowledge of me, Fanny.

- Sorry, my lady. - No harm done.

I knew him only as Mr H. I cannot say his real name.

He was a very wealthy man, the brother of an earl.

The first time I lay with him I felt nothing,

I was too full of shock and grief.

Had anyone told me I should have know any man but Charles,

I would have spat in his face,

but our virtues and our vices depend too much on our circumstances.

The second time, I was determined still to feel nothing,

meaning to preserve a faithfulness to Charles.

But Mr H was too patient and too skilful for me,

and I am ashamed to say, my body betrayed me.

And so I learned the extremes of sensual delight

need have nothing to do with true love.

A cruel lesson for a girl with a romantic disposition,

but I think many women have made that bittersweet discovery for themselves.

Now I was truly learning to be a woman of pleasure.

I suppose you've had a great many women in your time.

I have, Fanny, though none more delightful than you.

I don't love you, you know. And I shall never do.

- My love belongs to my husband. - I know that.

Does it make you angry?

It amuses me, Fanny,

that I make so free with your body, yet not have your heart.

Do you think me very wicked?

Not at all.

You are what you are, and it pleases me.

You are exactly what I should wish you to be.

Will you teach me things?

I thought I already had taught you a thing or two, Fanny.

No, not that sort of thing.

I mean, the things that gentlemen know, like poetry and history and music,

and how to speak well.

Why would you want to know such things?

So that I can be a better companion to you... And for their own sake.

I thought young women were only interested in fine silks and jewellery.

You can give me those, too, if you like.

You shall have both.

And in the months that followed, he was as good as his word.

"They that have power to hurt, and will do none."

"They that have power to hur', and will do none."

- Hurt. - Hurt.

"That do not do the thing they most do show,

"who moving others are themselves as stone,

"unmoved."

Unmov-ed. Unmov-ed.

"Unmov-ed, cold,

"and to temptation slow.

"They rightly do inherit heaven's graces.

"And husband nature's riches from expense.

"They are the lords and owners of their faces.

"Others but stewards of their excellence."

Lord, but I love you, Fanny.

Do you know what hell it is to own your body but not your heart?

- I thought it amused you. - Not any more, Fanny.

Not any more.

Despite his generosity and his considerable talents

and endowments,

I could not offer him the love he found for me.

Whatever my body now allowed, my heart remained true to another.

Charles was always in my thoughts.

I would visit the places we had been together as a sort of pilgrimage,

and sometimes I even thought I saw him in the street.

Thank you, William.

- Oh, Miss... - What is it, William?

Er...

Nothing, Miss.

Oh, Miss.

- How could you? - A passing whim.

A little relief from my torment, Fanny.

I'm surprised you're angry, caring nothing for me as you do.

You can hardly be jealous.

But I was, or rather I was piqued that he should treat me with such contempt.

I resolved that I should have a little private revenge upon him.

William? Come quickly.

What is it, Miss?

William, I have such a cramp in my calf.

Shut the door and come over here.

- What shall I do, Miss? - Why, rub it, William. What else?

Take off my shoe and stocking.

Now chafe it with your hands.

Like this, Miss?

Slower.

Squeeze harder.

I begin to feel a little relief.

Go higher, William.

- That's it. -

A little higher again.

Oh!

William, what's this?

I'm sorry, Miss. I can't help myself.

Oh, William, I think you love me.

Oh, but I do, Miss, and that's a fact.

Sweet William, I think you need a little relief as well.

- Shall we let the monster out? - Monster? What if my master comes?

It's not his day to visit.

Come. Let's see what treasures you're hiding there.

I saw, with wonder and surprise,

not the plaything of a boy, nor the weapon of a man,

but a positive maypole that would have done credit to a young giant,

such a breadth of animated ivory!

ln short, it stood an object of terror and delight,

and with no little trepidation,

I guided the furious battering ram into my...

Oh, it is so hard to find a dainty way of putting it,

and I've never cared for coarse language.

I guided it into my palpitating and pleasure-thirsty channel.

There.

Oh, William! Oh, William!

Sweet William!

Oh, Miss! Oh, Miss, Miss!

Oh, Lord...

Well, William? What have you to say for yourself?

I'm very, very sorry, sir. I don't know what came over me.

It was like there was this wild beast inside me.

One minute I was chafing her leg like she asked me to,

and the next, I don't know how, I was on her, in her and up her.

Like a ram in rut.

And I'm very, very sorry and it won't happen again.

Indeed not! Damn your impudence!

I've a mind to flog you and throw you naked in the gutter!

I beg you, sir. Don't be too harsh on him.

It was all my doing. I wanted to get back at you for you know very well what.

William would never have laid a finger on me if I hadn't encouraged him.

ln fact, I confess. I downright seduced him.

I take all the responsibility, my dear sir, and I will bear all the punishment.

Will you indeed?

That is fair and honest of you, Fanny.

William, I propose to treat you kindly.

But you cannot remain in my service after this...this insult to my dignity.

I will send you back to your father and bid him take care of you,

lest you run amok amongst the girls in the village.

- Go and pack your box. - Yes, sir.

- Thank you, sir. I am very, very sorry. - Get out.

- Goodbye, Miss. - Out!

Fanny, what have you done?

Come here.

Don't be horrid to me.

I did no more than you did.

What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander, isn't it?

- You hurt my pride. - Your pride?

The pride of a whore?

Fanny, you have hurt a good deal more than that. Do you not realise?

I cannot possibly continue with you after this.

Why not? We're all square now.

Do you think I did any worse than you did?

- You really mean it, don't you? - I do, Fanny.

Don't cast me off. Haven't I been good to you till this little bit of silliness?

You have been good to me.

You have been all I ever desired in a woman.

I always knew I should never have your heart,

but I did think you had a little respect for me.

I do.

I didn't like you at first,

but I came to respect you and almost love you.

Truly.

And you have taught me so much about the art of love

and poetry and philosophy

and elevated conversation,

so I can near enough pass as a lady.

Indeed you nearly can.

I think you love me too much to cast me off.

Then you are wrong.

It is because I love you too much that I do.

So, let's make an end of it.

I will pay your outstanding bills, and 50 guineas over.

You have today to pack your box and leave.

I never want to see you again.

Very well, if that's what you want.

Don't think I'll fret. I did my crying when I lost my true love Charles.

I shan't be shedding any tears over you.

And don't fear you have ruined me. I shall do very well.

I'm sure you will, Fanny.

But I didn't see how I was going to manage it.

After being spoiled and pampered by Mr H,

how could I go back to being poor and honest?

But then I remembered Esther and Mrs Cole.

Perhaps, after all, I could find myself a place there.

Here you are at last, my dear.

We've been expecting you and you are very welcome.

Mrs Cole, I've come to throw myself on your mercy.

There's no need to explain. We've heard all about it, haven't we?

I said to Esther, there'll always be a place for you here.

I must tell you, I have no skills in the millinery, ma'am.

I can do sewing and a little embroidery, but nothing fancy.

Oh, you're still such a simpleton, Fanny!

You're sitting on your livelihood, same as I am.

That's enough, you know I don't like coarse talk,

especially at the front of the house.

I er...I think I should tell you, Fanny... May I call you Fanny?

...that millinery is only part of what we do here.

If er...if you would...care to inspect?

- - No, I'm not sure that I care to, ma'am.

Oh, just a little peep.

This way.

Perhaps this will be more to your liking.

Would you care to sit down, my dear? You're looking very pink in the cheeks.

I won't do it. I've been used to something better than this.

Well, perhaps you have.

You have been the mistress of a great man.

But have you found another to take his place?

Not yet.

Think of this as a temporary stratagem.

Spend a little time on your back to get back on your feet, so to speak.

What must I do?

Nothing you don't care to do, my dear.

You'll find my house vastly superior to Mrs Brown's.

Only gentlemen of quality.

- That's what you all say. - Make enquiries, Fanny.

You'll find that every word I speak is truth.

Now, how should you like to be a virgin again, Fanny?

Very well, ma'am, if it could be managed.

But I hope you don't intend to sacrifice me to some foul-breathed old monster.

No, thank you very much.

ls that what happened at Mrs Brown's?

Nothing like that will happen to you here.

No, the young man I have in mind for you

is as sweet and fresh as a little lamb.

He has been privately tutored in the country, hardly laid eyes on a girl,

but now his father has decided it's time he completed his education,

so to speak.

He wants a young, fresh country girl for his son's first time.

Do you think you could...play the part?

Fanny, my dear. This is Mr Harding.

And this is the Honourable Master Percival Harding.

He'll be a lord one day.

Go and sit with the Honourable, Fanny. Don't be shy.

While I...speak to his father.

You may take her hand if you wish, Master Percival.

You're quite sure, sir, you wouldn't rather have

one of my more experienced young ladies for your son?

Oh, I don't want the boy corrupted. And I don't want him infected either.

That little girl looks very well,

and I'm sure she knows what goes with what.

They're both of them so bashful, I hardly know how they will manage.

Perhaps if you, or I, or both of us, were to stay here with them

and give them a little help and guidance as to what goes where...

Fanny is such an innocent.

Well, the notion does have a certain piquancy.

But I think we can safely let nature take its course, Mrs Cole.

Perhaps we can.

Yes...

Be gentle with my little Fanny, sir.

I had no anxiety about Master Percival's gentleness.

He was as timid as a little rabbit.

The difficulty was, how was I to get him to do anything,

given that I was supposed to be as innocent as he was?

Are we going to be sweethearts now?

Should you like to be my sweetheart?

Do you... Do you know what sweethearts do?

Well, my father said it's all the same as any other animal,

dog and a bitch, cow and a bull.

And have you really seen them doing what they do?

Would you like to try it?

It looks so very rough and rude,

and surely it must hurt.

And the bull has a great steaming red thing that goes into the cow.

- And does the cow enjoy it? - I don't know.

I have a thing,

but it is quite small and white.

May I see it?

Mrs Cole said that if we liked each other, we should take off all our clothes

and get into bed and hold each other close,

and that nature would take its course.

Would that be a good notion, do you think?

But there is no bed here.

I think if we go through that door there we may find one. Shall we try it?

I was aware that I was sounding less and less like a timid maid,

but I was anxious to proceed to the main business,

and see whether the little white thing of which he spoke

would be sturdy enough to effect an entrance.

But as Mrs Cole said, nature is a wonderful teacher.

Hold me tight, Percy.

Mmm, how lovely and warm.

Will you give me a kiss, Percy?

ls it time to climb on your back now?

Oh!

I think we may do it face to face.

How shall we do that?

Like this.

Suppose I lift my leg like this. And my other one...

Come on, my son!

- It's in! It's in! - Well done. Well done!

Fanny, my dear. I am delighted with you!

You played your part so well,

Master Percival is head over heels in love with you. And his father too.

He was so anxious to see his son acquit himself well.

Indeed, Mrs Cole, when I first saw his little dart, I was a little anxious,

but he rose to the occasion so prettily and so often,

I'm half in love with him myself.

The father wanted you to have this little present, Fanny,

over and above the fee agreed,

and he has requested a weekly appointment for his son,

and another for himself, on the same terms.

Oh, Fanny, I do hope you'll decide to stay with us some little while.

Well, having at present nowhere else to go...

You won't regret it, Fanny, my dear!

Mrs Cole and her girls were a very merry little family,

and I warmed to them.

But I could not help reflecting at the same time, here we all were,

all young, all of us with the bloom of youth and beauty still on us,

and I wondered what would become of us all.

Age and experience will stand you well in most professions,

but not this one.

We are like actresses on the stage.

Our days in the sunshine are brilliant but short,

a little longer than the mayfly's, but not much.

But for now, all was tenderness and good humour.

And Mrs Cole arranged a little ball to welcome me into the fellowship

and make the acquaintance of her more favoured and generous clients.

Ladies and gentlemen, honour your partners.

ln that merry rout, that melting pot, that salmagundi of heated flesh,

I gave myself wholly up to pleasure,

for Mrs Cole's motto was "Do as thou wilt shall be the whole of the law'"

We were all as deep in the pleasures of the flesh as each other,

so there was no one to point the finger of accusation.

But though Mrs Cole claimed that we had recreated the innocent pleasures

of the Garden of Eden before sin and death came on the scene,

in the midst of it all I sometimes felt a little private pang of conscience.

When I thought of what I had been and what I was now,

a common whore, to put it plainly, a vehicle for hire.

And the life of even a common whore can have its complications.

Fanny!

Why, Percy, have you mistook the day? You're not expected until Thursday.

- I had to come, Fanny. - You must learn patience.

Please, Fanny. I'm in torment.

Mrs Cole. Would you? As a special favour?

Just this once, my dear. You may take him through.

Why, Percy, what's brought this on?

Where's the fire?

- Are you truly my sweetheart? - You know I am.

- Why can I not see you every day? - Because Mrs Cole wouldn't like it.

Then leave her house and come and live with me.

You couldn't afford me. I have to think of my other sweethearts.

I hate them! I hate you for having them.

My father, too.

Oh, Percival, don't be sad.

You are my dearest love, truly.

I suppose you say the same to them?

Some of them, yes. The softer ones like you.

I see it now. You're nothing but a whore.

And what if I am? I've been a very good whore for you.

If you don't care for it now, then you can go your own way. See if I care.

Plenty more fish in the sea besides you. Well, go on, then.

Go and find yourself a nice, high-born lady

and see if you like her better than me.

I can do very well without you.

You made me love you.

And now you break my heart.

There, there.

Well, what was I supposed to do?

Am I to blame if he fell in love with me?

- - Silly boy.

Louisa, Mr Walters is here for you.

Fanny, would you care to pick up a basket of fruit for your and the girls?

- Gladly, ma'am. - Then take my purse.

- I think I can trust you not to run away. - Indeed you can, ma'am.

You've been very kind and very good to me, so you have.

I just want you to be happy here, Fanny.

Nosegay? Nosegay?

Lovely plump chickens. Come and get 'em. Lovely plump chickens.

Here today.

- Good afternoon. - Afternoon, ma'am.

I'll take a dozen apples, six pears and two pounds of cherries, if you please.

Very good, Miss.

- You are f-fond of fruit? - It isn't all for me, sir.

Who, then?

I work in a milliner's. There are other girls besides me and my mistress.

And you are all f-fond of fruit?

We are, sir. Are not you?

I have but little appetite for anything these days.

B-but I'll p-pay for your fruit if you let me walk you home.

- No need for that, sir. - The p-paying or the w-walking home?

Neither, sir. I'd have you know I'm a respectable girl.

I'm sure you are, and I'm glad to hear it.

Might I know your name?

It's none of your business, sir.

No, indeed, but I should like to make it so.

If you won't let me walk you home,

then let me f-follow you, at a respectful distance.

I should like to make the acquaintance of your m-mistress,

so that we might be p-properly introduced.

Well, sir, if you put it like that, I don't see how I can stop you.

Mrs Cole, a gentleman spoke to me and followed me home.

I couldn't very well stop him. He said he wanted to make your acquaintance.

Here he comes now. I hope I haven't done wrong, Mrs Cole.

- Does he know about this house? - I don't think so.

- Very well, dear. Leave it to me. -

Good day, sir.

Madam. May I speak with you about a matter of private business?

Certainly, sir. Would you care to come through to the parlour?

Mr Norbert, you astonish me.

My Fanny is a good girl and one of my best little seamstresses

and as dear to me as my own daughter.

Mrs Cole, she has struck a bolt into my heart.

Am I to understand that you are asking for her hand in marriage?

I know what sort of house you keep here.

Have I not wasted my inheritance in places such as this all over Europe?

And now, ma'am, I beg your kind indulgence to end my days here.

I don't expect to live long and I wish to die happy.

My dear sir, this is not a hospital.

Aware of it, ma'am, and your humble servant is no pauper.

Oh...

I have £1 ,000 left of my patrimony.

I think that will see me out with something to spare.

I want to come and live here, with you and your girls.

I confess I am too debilitated to do them much damage,

though I entertain the hope that once more before I die,

I shall be able to scale Cupid's summit.

So, you wish to...

To take meals with you all, and chat,

and be affectionate and friendly, nothing more.

- Mrs Cole? - Yes, my dear?

If conversation and company is all he wants,

I should be glad to give him his chance of happiness.

Well said, my little angel.

I thank you from the heart for your k-kind words.

- Mrs Cole? - Well, what can I say?

I believe you have charmed us, Mr Norbert.

And so Mr Norbert came to be part of our little society,

privy to all our little secrets.

I said, "Oh, sir, there's nothing to be shy about,"

and he said, "It's rather small, Harriet,"

and I said, "Oh, size don't matter, I'm sure it's a pretty one.

"Shall we get it out and have a look?"

Get it out? I was hard put to it to find it!

But there it was at last, this tiny little thing.

It was like a little wren peeping out of a bush.

"Oh, Mr Barville, what a monster!" I said.

Barville? He was at school with me. Liked to be whipped.

He still does. Esther's your girl for that.

I am, Mr Norbert.

Just say the word any time you want a little conversation with Mr Birch.

No, you're very kind, my dear,

but my constitution wouldn't withstand anything so frisky.

Simply to be here in your company,

listening to your tales, is bliss enough for me.

I'm curious to know how all you delightful creatures came to live here.

You, Louisa. By what steps did you come here?

My story's not such a happy one, sir.

I ran away from home when I was only 1 5.

Life was very hard and work was scarce.

I think I should have wasted away or gone mad.

but for Esther here who found me and brought me here to Mrs Cole.

I don't know what I've done to deserve such kindness, indeed.

There, there, now, Louisa.

And Fanny?

Oh, I came to London with a friend who cruelly deceived me

and left me to the mercy of a bawd called Mrs Brown.

I met my sweetheart at Mrs Brown's.

He took me away and we were very happy. Then his father parted us.

I don't think I shall ever be truly happy till I find him again,

but till now, this is a good a place as any.

Fanny?

So, do we have only each other for company this evening?

Yes, sir. A party of officers came in and the girls are kept very busy,

but I swore I wouldn't see you left on your own.

You're a good girl, Fanny.

And I thought that perhaps tonight you might tell me a little of your life,

without the others by to giggle and poke fun.

- No, no, Fanny, it's n-not a pretty tale. - I should like to hear it.

Were you ever in love, sir?

I was, Fanny. I believe I was.

There was a little maid on our home farm,

Annette, who took my fancy, and I took hers,

and we took each other's maidenheads.

She told me she loved me more than life itself.

And you loved her, too?

I did. I think I did.

- The...damn fool that I was. - What, sir? What happened?

I let her go.

She was lovely, I thought, but there would be many more like her.

There were not.

Did you ever see her again, sir?

Sometimes, when the lights are low, late at night, in a place such as this,

sometimes I think I have seen her, or seen her double.

Sometimes, Fanny, you remind me of my lost love.

Do I, sir?

That was why I followed you home,

and now that I've got to know you, will you let me try, Fanny?

Annette!

Annette! Oh! Oh!

There... There...

Well done, Mr Norbert.

Mr Norbert?

Oh, Lord.

Mrs Cole?

Mrs Cole! Mrs Cole!

It had all been too much for Mr Norbert.

It was a strange and eerie sensation

to be lying there with the dart of a dead man lodged inside me.

But nonetheless, I was proud to have played my part

in enabling him to die a happy man.

Whether his soul went to heaven or hell I leave to others to determine.

I was now something of a heroine at Mrs Cole's.

Here's a toast to Fanny, for conjuring a cockstand from a dying man!

To Fanny!

To Fanny!

You think yourself quite the queen of the May now, Fanny Hill.

Not at all, I assure you.

You were ever one to give yourself airs and think yourself better than the next.

Not I, Esther, truly.

I think you forget who it was that brought you to London.

Aye, and left me to the tender mercies of Mrs Brown.

You done yourself very well out of it!

I don't want to quarrel, Esther.

I am quite prepared to let bygones be bygones if you are.

I wonder if you'll say that when you've met my latest gallant, Fanny.

Why, who is he?

Wouldn't you like to know?

No, indeed, sir. How am I to choose between two such stallions?

I heard of a girl who could ride two horses at once,

but she was in a travelling fair.

Come, sirs.

It disturbed me to see my old lover again.

I didn't care to have my new territory invaded by my past.

But, when he came to me later, I was ready to do battle with him.

Well, Fanny?

- I hope I find you well. - Very well, as you see.

And anybody's, now.

Anybody I fancy,

and for a price.

- And very much sought after. - So I hear.

I wonder...

Do you still read poetry, Fanny?

There you are. I'm so sorry to have neglected you.

Thank you for looking after him, Fanny, but you need not have troubled yourself.

I wonder you were so silly as to court his anger, Fanny.

He is so generous, and such a passionate lover.

- I'm glad he pleases you, Esther. - Oh, he does.

But not, I think, as much as I please him.

Oh, I had to laugh the other night

when he was speaking of a silly little country wench he used to keep

who was so innocent she hardly knew a St George from a gamahuching.

I wonder who that could have been.

- Perhaps it was me, Esther. - D'you know, I believe it was.

Well, he's learnt his lesson now.

He tells me 50 times a day he's so much better off with me.

Does he? Well, you may tell him from his silly little country wench

I'm very happy he has found his true love, for I want none of him.

No, I shall not. I shall tell him what everybody knows,

that you can't bear to see me with him and you wish you had him back.

You're a stallion, sir, aren't you?

Unhand this lady, sir.

- Damn you, sir. I'll do no such thing. - Unhand her, I say!

- Shall we stop playing this game? - What game, sir?

You know very well what game. Trying to make each other jealous.

- ls that what we're doing? - Enough of this!

Come back to me, Fanny. I miss you.

There.

Let all be forgiven. I want you back.

I'm sorry. It's too late for that now. I'm happy where I am.

Listen to me, Fanny. I love you. I cannot live without you.

- I am begging you. - I don't want your love.

You know who I love, and I'd never love you.

I'd rather be a whore and keep my feelings to myself.

Then be damned to you!

Be damned to you for the sly, conniving, cozening, little whore that you are!

I thought you were different from the rest.

I thought to raise you from the gutters and stews and make a fine lady of you,

but I see you'd rather wallow in the filth!

Damn you, Fanny! Be damned to you and your whole rotten crew!

I'll see the whole gang of you rot in hell!

Oh!

His words had wounded me.

But I knew his wound was the greater.

Nothing he said could touch my heart.

And all his words came from jealousy and love.

Indeed, I felt sorry for him,

but not sorry enough to take him back.

I felt happy and secure at Mrs Cole's,

which had become almost a family to me.

I said to the gentlemen, "Are you interested in fancy goods?"

To which he replied, "The fancier the better!"

Ma'am, ma'am, it's the watch!

We will have entrance, by order of the justice!

This is outrageous!

By order of his worship, you're all to go before the Justice,

on account of evidence that you keep a bawdy house here

and a stable of notorious whores.

Fanny Hill, Louisa Martin, Harriet Blackstone, Esther Davis.

Bar the doors there! Come 'ere, you slut! Line 'em up!

ln truth, sir, I run a humble millinery business here.

Could we not come to some agreement?

Unhand me, sir!

And tell your men to take their filthy paws off my girls!

Take her to the magistrate, and the rest.

Get 'em out of my sight!

I have never known such rudeness in my life.

Mrs Cole had shielded me to the end, disguising my escape.

Now, indeed, I was alone.

I had nothing, and there was not a soul to help me.

Go on, get off here!

- Come here! - Let me go, sir. Let me pass.

Have a heart. I've been at sea three months and I long for company.

Damn your eyes, sir. You take me for a common street whore?

I'll take you any way you like, my dear!

I knew what it was to be a creature of the street, at everybody's mercy.

How had I come to this, who thought so highly of myself?

ln my heart I knew in essence it was no different from my gay life at Mrs Cole's.

The characters and the scenery might be different,

but I was playing the same part.

I longed to leave it all behind and find my way home.

But what was home to me now?

Help... Help me!

What is it, sir?

Footpads, robbed me. I...I can't catch my breath...

Please, Miss, I beg you...

Let me, sir.

Thank you. You're very kind.

Now, if I help you, can we get you home, sir?

It's not far.

Anthony? Polly?

- Sir? What is it? - Take my cloak, will you?

What happened to you, sir?

My dear young lady, let Polly help you tidy up a bit

and then you must take a little supper with me

and I'll send you home in my own carriage.

It was a strange thing,

but from the moment I came into Mr Goodyear's house I felt at peace.

Thank you, thank you.

I hope your family are not anxious about you being from home so late at night.

My dear girl, what is it?

I have no family, sir.

Nor any home.

My husband died, not two months back,

and being unable to pay the rent,

I was turned out of my lodging without a penny.

What a shocking thing.

Indeed, it's tantamount to driving a virtuous young widow into sin,

for how else

can a destitute young woman live these days but by selling her body?

I would never do that, sir. I would rather starve.

It pained me to tell a fib to this good old man,

but I feared that the truth might shock him,

and I would find myself back on the streets again.

Well, there are no two ways about it. One good turn deserves another.

You must stay here at my expense until you have found your feet.

And what shall I call you?

My name is Fanny, Fanny Hill.

You are very welcome, Fanny.

It didn't take long. Within two weeks, I was appointed housekeeper,

and given keys to every chest and cupboard in the house.

I could have robbed him and run off with all his riches, but he trusted me.

And I was beginning to find that virtue has its pleasures as well as vice.

There you are, sir.

Fanny?

- I was wondering, Fanny... - Yes, sir?

You have brought such light into my life.

I would be happy if you would live it out with me, only as my companion.

Thank you, sir.

And so for three months I endeavoured to deserve the love he bestowed on me.

I was proud and happy he wanted me for myself and not my body.

I had not known that since I was a little girl.

Sadly, it was not to last.

He died as he lived, peacefully and quietly.

I know he was happy and I was genuinely sorry to lose him.

He left me everything. I was now a very wealthy young woman.

I left London for the north, for my native Lancashire,

for it seemed the only place that I could belong.

I had no idea what my life would lead to,

or what would be waiting for me around the next corner.

Stop!

Stop!

Stop the carriage, I say!

Whoa, there!

Whoa, whoa!

Stop the carriage.

Hold it there, sir.

- Charles! - Fanny, my love!

If you knew how long I've been searching.

We repaired to the nearest inn and he told me his story.

I thought I'd never see you again, Fanny.

I was kidnapped by my father, press-ganged by him,

forced to work on his plantations.

I managed to get away, but we were wrecked on the Irish coast,

and I lost everything I had.

But I found you.

I found you.

You won't love me any more. You know nothing of what's happened to me.

Ssh. I do.

I've learnt a lot in looking for you.

You are not to blame.

What else were you meant to do in the circumstances?

Let's put the past behind us and marry as we once intended to.

You don't have to. I would be happy to be your mistress.

But I will only be happy if you are my wife.

Oh, Charlie!

And so we renewed our love in the most delightful way.

And there you have it.

We purchased a fine house and live very happy in it.

So far.

As to the moral of my story, must stories have morals?

It seems to me life is very complicated,

and we must all get through it the best we can.

Virtue is always preferable to vice, but we can't always choose, can we?