Original subtitles

Jake!

I can't remember the prepared beginning of this person's story...

Did hemaid my family...

How can I use and have the

my athletic

A Jeremy

M

Davisie Brooks looking veryran

five this evening don't you ign.

Just the kill there boy.

And I wouldn't mind betting I could give you

the name of her next victim.

Look...

One

Sir.

Lady broke.

I'm glad you were able to come, my dear Daisy.

Looking very lovely tonight.

Thank you, sir.

But I must speak to you alone.

Could be possible.

Yes, of course.

Down.

What's the matter?

Fade something too silly has happened.

It's all the result of a past liaison.

I'm afraid I behave rather foolishly.

Will I need your help, sir?

Well, you shall have it, my dear.

Look, we're come, we'll leave the party now

that dancing starts beginning.

Come to me a little later when things have got going a bit,

and we'll find somewhere we can talk privately.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

A bit, my dear Daisy.

I look forward to it.

Come here.

id

Do you like her?

Who am I? Lady Brooke. Look, she's over there with so William Gordon coming.

She dances well.

It's no good I've tried to like her, but I can't. She's too sharp for me.

Say you don't like her, Oliver. Go on, say it, just to please me.

I detest her.

You didn't tell me that woman was going to be here.

I didn't know him, I'd...

She dances as though she thought everyone in the room was looking at.

Perhaps they are.

That pompous ass or puppet.

What else are you doing with her?

Well, she has to dance with somebody. I guess she'd prefer the Prince of Wales, but...

She was rather gimmed up lately.

Say, Christopher, what's the matter with Charlie Perez from his wife?

No idea, sir.

If you look at his hair, someone have trodden on her toe.

Well, that has lots of dances.

So, Lady Brooke's after the Prince of Wales, is she?

So they say...

I wish her joy.

I'm sure she'd be grateful.

Thank you, Ma.

You get so hot in there, I felt stifled.

Are you all right, Ma?

Yes, perfectly.

It's beginning again, isn't it?

Only this time it's Lady Brooke.

I'm quite sure that it's all I have.

No, Oliver, don't say anything.

I'm sure that you're all right.

I'm sure that you're all right.

I'm sure that you're all right.

I'm sure that you're all right.

No, Oliver, don't say anything.

I couldn't bear it if I felt you were lying to me.

Never, Ma.

Oh, my dear, I'm sorry.

I'm in a silly mood this evening. Please forgive me.

You have nothing to fear, Ma. I think you know that.

Have I not? I sometimes wonder.

No, you're right. Of course you're right. I have nothing to fear.

He loves me best. I believe that.

It's just that...

Do you think she's pretty?

Lady Brooke?

Tolerably pretty, I'd say.

She is, isn't she? They've always been pretty.

Mrs. Langtree, that dreadful chamber-pot's woman.

Am I pretty, too, I wonder?

Am I pretty, Oliver? I want the truth, Ma.

Am I as pretty as Lady Brooke?

You're beautiful, Ma.

As far above prettiness.

Oliver, do you think so? Do you really think so?

I do.

Thank you. Thank you, my dear.

Let's go back to the party.

What are they playing? Can you hear?

Sounds like a polka, Ma.

A polka? Good. Suddenly I feel like a polka.

Come.

You see, sir, it's rather a delicate matter.

I hardly know where to begin.

My dear Daisy, anything you say will be treated with the strictest confidence.

And, of course, if there's anything I can do to help you, have Ernie to ask.

Thank you, sir. You are kind.

I'm afraid so much of what has happened is my own fault.

I should never have written the letter.

I'm afraid so much of what has happened is my own fault.

I should never have written the letter.

The letter?

Oh, dear. This is all very distressing.

Oh, please.

Thank you.

I think you know, sir, that for some time Lord Charles Berenstwitt and I...

Well, for a little while Lord Charles was my lover.

I believe I did know something about it, yes.

It's all over now. Has been for some time.

But when he...

When we decided to do something,

when we decided to end it, I'm afraid I wrote in rather a foolish letter.

I was upset at the time, you see?

Well, of course, of course.

Oh, it is good of you to listen to me like this.

Go on, my dear.

Well, somehow his wife found the letter. I don't know how.

And she's given it to her solicitor who has to keep it for her.

Oh, I'm so afraid you will use it against me. I don't know what to do.

I see. Well, I begin to understand why Lord Charles and his wife seemed a little out of song.

It seemed a little out of sorts earlier this evening.

It's the first time I've seen either of them since...

Well, since...

Yes. Who is her solicitor?

I think it's George Lewis.

Oh, sir, if there's anything you could do.

You see, if I could get the letter back, I could destroy it.

Then no one would ever know.

I wondered whether to approach Mr. Lewis myself.

But I'm afraid I'm not very good at knowing what to do.

Don't distress yourself, my dear. These things happen from time to time.

Would you like me to talk to Lewis and see if I can get her to the letter for you?

Oh, sir, would you? I hardly like to ask, but if you felt you could, I'm sure that would be the best thing.

Well, I'll certainly do what I can.

On one condition, that is.

Yes.

But you let me see you smile. You weren't meant to be sad, I think.

You are kind, sir.

I hardly know how to thank you.

Well, Eddie, this is all in your honor. How will you like being Duke of Clarence?

I expect I should like it well enough, Mama.

It's good to have your home again. I miss you so much when you go away, you and Georgie.

Of course, the girls are a great comfort to me. Now that Lewis is married, he spends most of her time in Scotland.

It'll be your turn next.

My turn to what, Mama?

To get married, you silly boy. You're second in nine of succession.

No, not yet, Mama. Please, not yet.

Why ever not, you're 26, your father was only 22 when we got married.

Life's not all part, he's dancing, you know?

Isn't it, Mama?

Lady Brokers told me of the existence of a certain letter, which she wrote to Lord Charles Bérisford, and which is now I understand in your keeping.

That is so, sir.

I should like to see it if I may.

Certainly, sir.

Thank you.

Destroyed.

I beg your pardon, sir.

I'm asking you to destroy it.

Well, I'm very sorry, sir, but I'm afraid I can't do that.

Well enough.

Well, it would be unheasical.

The letter's not mine to destroy.

Well, I couldn't take any action without the consent of my client, Lady Charles.

But the letter's not hers, it's not addressed to her.

It has come into her possession.

I dare say, but surely it belongs more properly to the lady who wrote it.

I'm afraid not, sir.

The letter is legally the property of the recipient.

And if he chooses to allow his wife to have it...

Oh, damn foolishness.

Now, why don't I understand, then, Mr. Lewis, that you refuse to do as I ask?

I'm very sorry, sir, but I'm afraid I have no alternative.

I see.

Well, there is, sir.

However, one thing I can do, sir.

Indeed.

Yes.

I can advise Lady Charles that it would be perhaps in her best interests to destroy the letter.

Yes.

Yes, that's good.

I can't, of course, promise that she'll take my advice, but I should do my best.

Yes, well, I should like to be able to tell Lady Brooke that every effort was being made.

Of course, sir.

Good.

Thank you, your time, Miss Lewis.

Thank you, sir.

Oh, Georgia, I feel terrible.

Was that very drunk last night?

Yes.

I can remember Mama telling me I must get married, and after that, I don't seem to have much recollecting of what happened.

I do hope I didn't embarrass you.

No.

You made a fool of yourself over Lady Erskin.

Did I?

But she didn't seem to mind.

She's, sir.

She's a pretty girl, don't you think?

I suppose so.

I suppose so.

Oh, Georgia, when are you going to let yourself go and have a bit of fun?

I don't know what you mean by a bit of fun.

Don't you?

Come with me one night, I'll show you.

I suppose I'm a bad example to you, eh?

Of course not.

Well, it's what they all think, you know.

That's why there's this sudden rush to make me get married.

Well, you'll have to get married one day.

I know, and it's a bore, isn't it?

The question is who?

I thought you were a keen on cousin Alexander of Hesse.

It's Aleki.

It's no good dear boy.

She won't have me.

She's going to marry young Nicholas.

And I can't help it if she'd rather be Xarina Russia than Queen of England.

What?

I'm sure it's not that.

No?

Grand Bama wants a bit of married Princess Margaret of Prussia.

No, what's the matter with her?

She's hideous.

But I'll find someone if any of they leave me alone.

Bamaa's on my side anyway.

She doesn't want me to marry a German princess.

Well, who else is there?

I don't know.

The Combe de Paris has a daughter, a land.

And they say she's beautiful.

She's a Roman Catholic.

Yes, there is that.

Oh, well, if there aren't any suitable princesses, then they won't be able to make me get married, who they?

You should never have let him see the letter.

Good God, it's none of his business.

What was he doing here in the first place into feeling in other people's affairs?

I should have thought he had enough to do to keep his own indiscretions out of the public eye.

How dare he concern himself with mine?

I believe Lady Brooke asked him to see me.

That is no excuse.

I still don't understand why you showed him the letter.

I was commanded, Lord Charles.

His royal highness put me in a most awkward position.

Do you know he is twice called upon my wife and demanded that she either give up the letter or allow it to be destroyed?

I think his royal highness is anxious to spare Lady Brooke any possible embarrassment.

I dare say, but the matter is none of his business.

I will not have the prince of Wales involving himself in my private affairs.

I'm very sorry, Lord Charles, but I really don't see how you can stop him.

Don't you?

No, we'll see about that.

Thank you, Mr. Lewis.

I take it you still have, Lady Brooke's letter.

Of course.

Good. Then see to it that it remains in your possession.

And for God's sake, don't show it to anyone else.

Do I make myself clear?

Perfectly, sir.

Good morning, Mr. Lewis.

Lord Charles Bérezford, sir.

Charlie, it's good to see you.

Come and sit down, my dear fellow. When do you leave for the Mediterranean?

I would rather stand, so what I have to say is best said standing up.

That sounds very formal, what's the matter?

I demand an explanation, sir.

Demand? You interfered in my private affairs. I want to know why.

Look, Charles, can't we discuss this sense of...

You had no rights to read, Lady Brooke's letter.

Lewis should never have shown it to you.

Now, look here, Charles.

You do listen to me.

I don't know much about the ethics of the thing,

but it's pretty vile behavior by any standards

to use your position to force a man to betray the principles of his profession.

Before you go in and for that, I did.

And that's my door.

Having failed with Lewis, you then threatened to ruin my wife's social...

I did no such thing.

Did you want did you not imply, for unless she agreed to give up the letter,

she might not be invited to maulver house in the...

No, I'm there, sir, sir.

Exactly.

And we both know what that would mean.

There is not a house in the land to which you can expect to be asked.

Charles, I think you better leave before I lose my friend.

Of course, I don't know how Lady Brooke managed to persuade you to go to such links.

On her behalf.

How dare you, sir, you know who you're talking about.

I will certainly do.

Francis, show Lord Bérez for now.

You sir, out of collet.

A collet and a blacker.

And you sir, out of buffoon.

But I should advise you not to strike men.

Well, well, well.

Foolish fellow.

I think he very nearly hit me, from...

I think he very nearly did, sir.

Well, the good thing is going back to the Mediterranean.

Give him a chance to cool off.

Yes, sir.

You recall the name of his ship, no?

I believe it's called the Undaunted, sir.

Is it? Is it indeed?

What on earth is the matter?

I'd pass Lord Charles in the corridor.

He barely acknowledged me and rushed out without a word.

I expect he was in a hurry, my dear.

There was more to it than that.

Have you two been quarreling?

No, no, no, no, no, no.

Just a difference of opinion, that's all.

But it might be as well if you didn't invite Lady Betta's for the Morbrough House for a while.

He'll be abroad in any case.

Oh, very well.

What has happened?

Nothing, nothing, my dear. Nothing for you to bother your beautiful head about.

Now, what news of my eldest daughter?

When can I expect to become a grandfather?

Oh, not for months yet. Not until next May.

I'm going to stay with Ruiz in a week or two. They're up in Scotland.

Why don't you come? She'd love to see you.

Oh, and now, my dear. I'm afraid I can't.

I should be going up to Doncaster for St. Ledger a week.

You're staying with some new people Arthur Wilson and his wife.

Please call Tran Big Croft.

I understand. She put small bits of soap among the real pieces of cheese

and took a great delight in watching the faces of our guests

and they visited the soap.

It was now a day, say most of them were too damn polite to draw tension to them.

Absolutely. It was the old Duchess of Morbrough, that's a great point.

I do hope your wife won't feel constrained to follow the Duchess's six-hour-old.

What is he, Mark?

The same lady, once tidening, pot over the door, which emptied itself over her husband's head.

Stand up, you're feeling that?

It's a bit less of a thing rather gone out, now, dear.

Oh, I don't know, Christopher. I seem to remember an occasion recently when you got rather wet.

One with an onus, sir.

What, what now?

Well, his royal house was good enough to pour the canter of brandy over my hair.

Many of you see, very expensive.

You call the occasion with great pleasure.

Watch this, it's his party piece.

I suppose it might have been funny, but it's like darce.

So we join the ladies?

Yes, sir.

My wife and I are most honored by your presence here at Trent.

I'm only sorry, the lady in Brook was unable to join our party.

You did ask her most particularly.

Damn you, since I'm for a guy, do you have to go to Scotland?

Oh, my God.

What now, cards, I suppose?

Yes, he wants to play Bakara, who brought his own countenance.

It's illegal, isn't it, Bakara?

Yes, but somehow I don't think that bothers him very much.

I cannot pretend that this is not something of a surprise.

I had no idea that things had got so far, Eddie.

I only proposed to Len this morning, Grandma.

Indeed.

Well, you did right to come to me at once.

And you really love this naughty boy of ours?

I do, Mom.

And he loves you, I think.

He does, Mom.

I know he does.

That is just as it should be.

Your grandfather and I married for love.

I do not approve of these things being arranged for purely political purposes.

You may sit.

Thank you, Mom.

There will be difficulties.

You will have to change your religion, my dear.

It is against our Constitution for a prince in line of succession to marry a Roman Catholic.

I am willing to do that, Mom.

Of course.

Have you spoken to your father about it yet?

Not yet.

Well, I should advise you to do so as soon as possible.

For come to Paris is a very religious man.

If my father will not agree, I shall appeal to the Pope.

Yes.

Well, we must hope that will not be necessary.

Your father cannot be unaware that you are marrying the potential heir to the British throne.

No, Mom.

So we have your consent, do we, Grandma, Ma?

Yes, Eddie.

You are not.

I am not.

I am not.

I am not.

Yes, Eddie.

You have my consent, my consent and my blessing.

Car, do I?

Ah, car, do I?

Car, do I?

Car, do I?

No, sir.

Well, let's go into the hall.

Ah.

Ah, yes.

We'll have a good one again.

There was it.

Did you see him?

Yes.

I can't believe it.

And it was the same last night.

Lieutenant Colonel, so William Gordon coming, cheating at cars.

It's scarcely credible.

What's to be done?

I don't know.

I just don't know.

It's damned awkward.

He's a guest in our house.

Who else have you told?

My father, my sister and her husband.

What advice at Green, sir?

He thinks we should tell Lord Coventry.

But we all agreed to watch him this evening to see if he tried it again.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Sir.

Oh, my.

Car?

No, sir.

Car, Mrs. Wilson?

Car.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh, we should keep your stakes in a more conspicuous place.

Give him another ten, will you, Erwin?

Would you roll behind us, Car, and we'll suffer?

Yes, but I do.

I've had him to suffer later, but I didn't.

Oh.

You're waiting for a wheel, aren't you, General?

No.

Lord Coventry, I wonder if I might have a word with you, sir.

And General Williams.

Yes, of course.

What is it, Green?

Something rather awful has happened, sir.

My wife, Captain Levitt, Arthur here and myself have all separately witnessed a member of our party.

Cheating.

Good God.

Who is it?

Lieutenant Colonel Sir William Gordon Cummings, sir.

Gordon Cummings?

Are you certain?

Absolutely, sir.

I first noticed it last night, sir.

He had better five-pound counter, and was sitting with his hands clasped over it like this.

I saw him lean over to see what card Lord Edward Summers had had, and when I did the same,

I noticed something red in the palm of his hand.

Lord Edward had a natural, and immediately Sir William saw this.

He opened his hand.

He opened his hands and let three more five-pound counters drop onto the tape.

I saw him do the same thing tonight, sir.

It's unbelievable.

Do you mean to tell me you saw Sir William increase his stake after the cards have been dealt?

Yes.

And I also saw him withdraw his hands when the cards were bad, and allowed some counters to fall back into his pile.

Did anyone else see these incidents?

Captain Levitt saw those which occurred this evening.

I started my wife and I.

This is an extremely serious accusation.

You realise that?

Yes, I do, sir.

Why did you not mention this last night if that was when it first happened?

I wanted to make sure, sir.

That is why I told Levitt here, my father, and Mr. and Mrs. Lysit Green.

I see.

What's to be done, sir?

Damn, do I know.

There's only one thing to do.

We must confront Sir William with the accusation and the evidence against him.

It might be better if General William is an eye, I saw him alone.

What do you say, General?

Sir, sir, I suppose so.

You know, I simply can't believe it.

Perhaps you would ask Sir William to join us here, Levitt.

Certainly, sir.

You had better wait in the next room and Mr. Mrs. Green.

Thank you, Wilson.

Of course.

I'm sorry to have brought all this up, but I didn't think I could let it pass in the circumstances.

The man was taking money off his Royal Highness by fraud.

You have behaved perfectly correctly, Mr. Wesson.

Now, if you wouldn't mind.

Well, a damnable thing.

You think it's true?

Five people, independently.

See a man cheating.

It must be true, General.

I'm sorry.

I know Sir William is a friend of yours.

A friend of the Prince of Wales, too.

Yes.

Incredible, quite incredible.

Man's an officer and a gentleman.

Ah, Sir William.

Gentlemen?

Come in, come in.

A very unpleasant thing has occurred.

Some people have objected to your manner of playing baccarat.

Of course it happened.

What do you mean?

Yes, it is the case, I'm afraid.

Certain persons in this house have suggested that they have a better life.

I'm afraid.

Certain persons in this house have suggested that you will cause to foul-played cards.

What do you say?

Well, I deny it.

I deny it, absolutely.

I'm afraid no less than five people all say that they have seen you playing in an irregular manner.

Well, it's not true.

Oh, God.

It's just terrible.

Oh, what do you advise me to do?

You admit the charge?

No, no.

This will have to get out.

I must see his royal highness.

Does he know about it?

Not yet, but he will have to be told.

I must see him.

I must see him at once.

I can't think how...

It's terrible.

Terrible.

I have asked for an interview with your royal highness,

as I've heard that certain persons have made a foul and a bondable charge against me.

And I have to deny emphatically that I've done anything of the kind insinuated.

What can you do? There are five accuses against you.

My first impulse is to publicly insult these five people.

And the first occasion I meet them is necessarily on the race course tomorrow.

What's the use of their five to one?

Something must be done.

Is it William?

I think you should know that we have thoroughly checked the accusation.

And I'm afraid the evidence against you is overwhelming.

To save unpleasantness, however, General Williams and I have prepared a paper which we would like you to sign.

I will read it to you.

In consideration of the promise made by the gentleman whose names I hear as a scribe,

to preserve sars with reference to an accusation made in regard to my conduct with Bachra,

on the nights of Monday and Tuesday 8th and 9th of September 1890 at Tramby Croft,

I will, on my part, solemnly undertake never to play cards again as long as I live.

But this will return to mount to an admission of guilt.

It's the only way to avoid a scandal, my dear fellow.

If you don't sign, the story will be all over the race course tomorrow.

We are thinking of you, William.

If you sign that paper, everyone who knows about the matter will give his word of honor to maintain absolce.

And maintain absolutes secret save.

I have no alternative, I see.

Thank you. Your Royal Highness.

Let us ask the others to come in.

This is the second time.

The second time Eddie has been prevented from marrying the princess of his choice.

First, Alec, he wouldn't have him.

Now they tell us it is constitutionally impossible for him to marry a Len.

It's too unfair, it really is. The poor boy is heartbroken.

I don't think the poor boy is quite as heartbroken as you make out, my dear.

What do you mean?

It seems perfectly heart-whole to me.

What about this lady Earth skin he's taking round of the moon?

Oh, that's nothing.

Well, I'm sorry, my dear, but I'm afraid there isn't much we can do about it.

I'm sorry.

Well, if neither her father nor the Pope will allow her to change her religion,

then as far as Princess Elen is concerned, that I'm afraid is that.

Come in, front of you.

I'm sorry to trouble you, is there a might I have a word?

Well, yes, of course. What is it?

I thought you should know, sir, there's increasing talk about what happened last month when you were staying in a tram to craft.

Indeed? The rumours are, sir, that you were engaged in an illegal card game,

and that one of your party was accused of cheating, sir.

Bertie, what is this?

Well, nothing, my dear. Are you sure about this, Frances?

I'm afraid so, yes, sir.

Damn! I wish to God people had learned to keep their mouth shut.

Excuse me, my dear, come, Frances, we must put a stop to this before it goes any further.

But I don't understand, Prime Minister.

You say this man Gordon coming is bringing an action against the people who accused him of cheating?

Yes, ma'am. He maintains it is the only way he has left to him to clear his name.

Now that the story has got out.

My dear Lord Swell's, be the Prince of Wales, has told me that the people who took part in this wretched game

signed some sort of paper promising to keep quiet about what happened. He even signed it himself.

Yes, ma'am, that is the case. Unfortunately, the secret has not been kept.

Is there nothing we can do to prevent the case coming to court?

We have tried, ma'am. Yeah, but I'm afraid it is not possible.

It is faceful. It is all so lowering, so humiliating and so bad for the country.

Well, there is only one thing to be done, but he must go away somewhere.

And I hope you will see to it that his name is mentioned as a little as possible.

But I cannot do that, ma'am.

Nor will it be possible for his Royal Highness to go away at present. He is to be called as a witness.

A witness for the defence.

Furthermore, I would suggest, ma'am, that previous instances have been known of men, men of courage and dignity,

who were prepared to sacrifice themselves to support a tottering throne, or prop up a falling dynasty.

It is my contention, it is my belief, ma'am, that a tram be craft on September the 9th,

so William Gordon coming was victimized to save the honour of a prince, who encouraged habitually an illegal game,

who had jumped recklessly to a wrong conclusion on bad evidence, and who had ignored deliberately Article 41 of Queen's Regulations for the Army,

which lay upon all serving officers, including I submit, field marshal his Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales,

the duty of requiring any brother officer accused of dishonorable conduct to submit his case forthwith to his commanding officer.

A tottering throne, Lord Sorsley.

Sir Edward Clark actually used the phrase, a tottering throne.

Yes, I am afraid, ma'am. It seems to have felt it necessary to use strong words in defence of his client.

Strong words, indeed.

I am very glad this Gordon coming lost the case.

Yes, there is at least that. Sir William has been dismissed from the Army, and I expect society has seen the last of him.

I dare say, I am more concerned with the dreadful publicity that has beaten.

You have seen the times, I suppose. I have, ma'am. Listen to this.

If the Prince of Wales is known to frequent certain circles, if he is known to pursue on his private visits,

a certain round of questionable pleasures, the serious public who, after all, are the backbone of England, regret and resent it.

I am afraid that is a fairly accurate representation of the feeling in the country, ma'am.

Yes.

Well, I have asked the Prince to write a letter for publication to the Archbishop of Canterbury condemning gambling.

Thank you.

I think, in the circumstances, it is the least he can do.

I understand the leader of the opposition approves the idea.

Mr. Gladstone has spoken to his role on his, I believe.

Good. Once Mr. Gladstone and I are agreed.

I am not, however, ma'am. Very hopeful that he will write the letter.

Why not?

I think he feels, ma'am, that it would be hypocritical.

Nusse. He must write the letter. He shall write the letter.

No, I cannot and will not write the letter. It would be the worst kind of hypocrisy.

I understand your royal highness is positioned, but the public and the public.

I am sorry, William, but I am tired of being misrepresented.

Now, I abhor gambling. I always have. But it would be as absurd to describe as gambling.

A harmless game of bacara played by rich men for stakes they can comfortably afford, as it would be to describe as a symbol.

In temperance, a gaseous to have champagne at dinner.

It's a question of degree.

It's a nice point and one not readily understood.

I'm afraid.

I must leave you.

Good morning, sir.

I'm sorry, William.

Her majesty and I are on the same side for once.

I was afraid it might be too good to learn.

A great man, Francis. A very great man.

Yes, sir.

I'll see Lord Rose bring up.

There.

Darling, aren't you coming? Thank you, Francis.

Thank you.

Well, I hope whatever you have to tell me is good news, I've had more than enough of the other kind.

No, I'm afraid not, sir.

Well, the Prime Minister has received an extraordinary, and I'm bound to say somewhat his tentacle letter from Lady Betta's.

She and her husband are threatening to make public their quarrel with your royal highness over the Lady Brooke letter.

Oh, good Lord. Why? I thought their matter was forgotten about.

Here's not. I believe Lady Betta's has been much distress by her exclusion from course.

Charles Istin with his ship, isn't he?

Oh, Charles Betta's has asked for home leaves, sir.

Oh, this is too much.

What do they want me to do?

I understand they're demanding an apology and an undertaking that you will receive, Lady Betta's.

Get us out of the question out there, they're tied to blackmail in this way. It's outrageous.

It's a bit Lord Charles feels that as of the ready social outcast, they have nothing to lose.

He says he'll make public various matters concerning your royal highness and Lady Brooke.

What?

Yes, sir. I'm afraid it's as bad as that.

The trouble is that coming so swiftly on the heels of the Tranby Croft business, the publicity would be particularly harmful here.

Yes. Yes.

Does my wife know about this?

I'm afraid she insisted, sir. I was with her while he was talking to Mr. Gadsden.

Thank you, Archie.

Alex, my dear.

No, Bertie.

I'm sorry, my dear. It's all a stupid misunderstanding, you know.

I'd rather not talk about it.

May I not explain to you?

Lady Brooke, will you explain Lady Brooke to me, Bertie?

The whole episode is in the past, my dear.

Yes, I dare say the letter is in the past.

But there are some things that are not in the past.

But, dear, Alex, there really is...

Sorry to see her, don't you?

From time to time, yes.

I thought you understood.

Oh, yes. I understood.

I understood and I waited, thinking that one day it would end.

But it doesn't end, Bertie. It goes on.

Mrs. Langtree, that American woman, and now Lady Brooke.

I find her amusing.

Yes, and I am not amusing, because I'm deaf and I find it hard to follow what people say.

No, Alex, please, sure.

No, Bertie, don't say anything, please.

We shall only hurt each other.

I'm going now.

We shall see each other at dinner, perhaps.

Yes.

Yes, of course.

Yes.

Well, Madio?

She's a good sensible girl. I dare say she'll make him a fine wife.

German princess, though.

She's as English as we are.

And he must marry and settle down, there have been far too many young women.

She's a pretty creature, isn't she?

Oh, dear boy. Princess May of Tag.

I should have thought homely was a more accurate description.

And the prince seemed rather taken with her.

I found that rather surprising. Like his father, you were to an eye for beautiful women.

By the by.

Daisy Brooke, not for the sweethead?

No, I don't think she's off an asker, Sandringham.

What about that troll with Charlie Bérosford and his wife?

Oh, still not settled, I'm afraid.

Saul's been doing his best, but I think the old boy is a bit out of his depth.

You might I have a word, sir?

Yes, of course, Prime Minister. Should we go outside?

Excuse me, Madio?

Madio?

May I have the pleasure, ma'am?

Thank you, Oliver, sir.

I'm sorry to take old Royal Highness away from the party.

That's perfectly all right, Madio.

For my dancing days, a long since over.

I've had another meeting with Lord Charles and Lady Bérosford.

Windbag and rag bag, I beg your pardon?

Lord Charles and Lady B, that's what they're called.

Well?

I'm afraid they're still determined to publish.

I can't think what's got into Charlie. He and I were close friends, you know.

Yes.

I'm afraid the situation is now very grave indeed.

Lord Charles is making arrangements to invite the press to his house in Eton Square.

He intends to give them his own version of the Lady Béroscovere.

Good God.

The late, I think, only one way of stopping him.

Your Royal Highness must go some way towards meeting his demand.

That's impossible.

I'm sorry, sir, but I can see no alternative.

With the Tranbycroft business still fresh in the public mind,

any further scandal could precipitate a national threat.

It gives me no pleasure, sir, to have to tell you this, but I'm afraid it is the case.

Well, what you want me to do?

What's the matter with our young prince?

It doesn't look too well, does he?

Eddie Darling, are you feeling unwell?

No, Momal, I'm perfectly all right, don't fuss.

You look dreadful. He doesn't look at all well, does he, mate?

Why didn't you go and lie down, Eddie?

It's probably only a quote, but it's stupid to dance if you're feeling ill.

Look, I feel perfectly all right, I tell you.

Come on, man. Let's dance.

Let's do that.

Let's do that.

I appeal to you, Lord Charles, as a gentleman and a man of honour.

No good can come of what you're proposing to do.

No good to his royal highness, to the country, and indeed least of all to you and your wife.

My wife and I are planning to live abroad in future.

I was thinking more of your good name and your career in the Navy.

I'm prepared to make that sacrifice.

I dare say, but let's be reasonable, shall we?

I will arrange for a formal exchange of letters between you and the Prince of Wales.

And the exclusion from court of Lady Brock.

And the exclusion from court of Lady Brock.

I want an apology, you understand? A formal apology.

I shall write it myself.

His royal highness has already agreed to sign.

Will that satisfy you?

Thank you, Prime Minister.

In that case, I shall not be meeting the gentleman of the press tomorrow morning.

When may I expect to hear from his royal highness?

God, man, give me a little time.

In a day or two, I expect.

That will do very nicely.

Good morning, gentlemen. Good morning, Lord Charles.

Thank heaven, that's of a...

...squalid business.

A lot of fuss about nothing to my way of thinking.

A woman's vanity, Prime Minister.

What's the matter, Eddie?

Nothing. I've got a bit of a headache, that's all.

You shouldn't have come out.

Honestly, it's all right.

Shivering.

I feel pretty awful, Georgie.

I hope, will you?

Come on. Let's get you back to the house.

I think he's breathing a little more easily now.

Will you come with me, please?

Something too awful has happened.

My darling, rather Georgie, is dead.

Who's that?

Who's that?

Oh, my...

Oh, my...

Oh, my...

...and one woman who will have a short time to live as well as real.

Come with up and let's go down.

He feels his very shadow and continues to understand the wisdom of death.

The wisdom of my...

Oh, Bertie.

These last two years have not been kind.

I expect you're glad they're over.

Yes, Mama.

I don't know how much you would have blamed for the tram to craft a fair.

Although, of course, you should not have signed that paper.

No, Mama.

And then that nonsense of the Ladybrooke's letter.

Oh, I sometimes think you are not as careful as you might be in your choice of friends.

However, it's all in the past and we won't speak of it anymore.

Now, how is Alex and dear George?

I'm afraid she grieves too much over poor Eddie's death.

You must not let her become a recluse, you know.

Yes, she's still very much upset, I'm afraid.

And, of course, Oliver Montague is dying out in Egypt.

Hasn't helped matters.

No.

Oh, that was sad. He was a good man.

Although we must all learn to accept the inevitable, it is hard sometimes.

I know. Very hard.

But if it is God's will...

Yes, Mama.

And so my dear little Georgie will be king one day.

Yes, I think he still finds it very hard to accept.

Well, of course. But you must help him, Betty.

It cannot be long now before it will be your turn.

Oh, please, Mama.

No, no. I think...

I hope this is the last change of government I shall have to face.

You have heard Lord Salisbury has resigned.

Yes.

They say the Liberals are certain to win the election.

And you know what that will mean.

Yes, Mama.

I will not send for him, Bertie. I won't send for him.

Mr. Gladstone's been a great prime minister, Mama.

He's a wicked old man. And for the fourth time...

No, Bertie. It is too much to ask.

You and I, Mr. Gladstone, are lamer than we used to be.

Congratulations, my dear William, I'm delighted for you.

Thank you, sir.

I hadn't expected to be called again, but...

There are still one or two things I want to do before I go.

For you, there'll always be one or two things, perhaps.

And now, sir, this commission on the aged poor, you will, sir.

Won't you?

Yes, of course. I speak glad to.

Good, good.

And I'm most grateful to you, prime minister.

I'd like to feel useful.

Don't get much opportunity, of course.

But, well, there we've been through all that before.

And, yes, sir, we have.

And I should like to say that I consider the misuse of your royal highnesses,

the royal highnesses, talents as one of the great tragedies of our time.

If the queen could be persuaded to abdicate in your favor,

it would be for the good of the country.

I mean, no disrespect to her, madam.

No, no, no, of course I understand.

No, my time will come. We must just be patient, that's all.

I wonder if I shall see it.

Well, well...

Oh, there is one other thing, sir.

Yes? Having a little difficulty persuading Rosebridge to take the foreign office,

his wife died recently, you know.

I wonder if a word from you, sir.

Yes, certainly.

Should we go down here?

Oh.

There you know, William, for the first time,

I begin to understand how grief can isolate a man.

Since my son died, I've often felt like giving up all this

and going to live quietly down at Sandringham with Alex.

I...

It's an odd thing, sir.

At first, as you know, I didn't want it.

But you persuaded me, and now, well, I think work has been my salvation.

I think the prime minister felt he needed you, aren't you?

Oh, he put you up to it, did he?

Well, yes, he did as a matter of fact.

But I expect I should have tried to talk you around in any case.

The foreign office is the most important of all the ministries.

It's essential to have a good man there.

Thank you, your royal house.

Come in, Francis.

Excuse me, sir.

Lord Roseberry asked me to bring this to him.

Thank you, knows.

If you would like to open it, sir.

Well, what is it?

It was made for your father, sir.

It's the key to the foreign office dispatch boxes.

I know it's not been a practice of previous ministers,

but I should like you to have it.

Thank you, Archie.

Thank you.

Come in.

Oh, Lord Roseberry.

Forgive me for intruding, ma'am.

But I wanted to say goodbye to you before returning to London.

You're going back tonight.

I must.

Dear Lord Roseberry, I cannot thank you enough for what you've done for the prince.

I think you know foreign affairs has always been his passion.

His royal harness has a great contribution to make.

And yet, until now, he has not even been allowed to see dispatches.

I'm pleased to be able to put that right.

Thank you.

This was Eddy's room.

Yes, ma'am.

I feel very close to him when I'm here.

Can you understand that?

I can.

Of course, we are fellow sufferers, your wife.

You must miss her terribly.

I do, ma'am, but...

Well, ma'am, I say something.

Please?

When she died, my first instinct was too high to shut myself away,

to be alone with my grief.

Yes, I can understand that so well.

It was for that reason that I refused the foreign office when Gladstone first offered it to me.

I knew. I knew.

I think now that I was wrong.

Wrong?

Yes, ma'am.

Don't forgive me.

I make no comparison of what we have both suffered.

But I came to feel that perhaps my duty to the living was more important than my need to more than the dead.

Oh, ma'am, you have my deepest sympathy, believe me.

Nothing after all can recall the past, but...

It should be a shrine to which we return at times, not a cell in which we live.

Go on.

No, and I've said too much.

But you are greatly loved, ma'am.

May I hope that the knowledge of the affection in which you are held by the people of this country will...

persuade you to come among us once again.

Thank you, Lord Rosemary.

I will think about what you have said.

I think France is a better cancel. My arrangements together at the south of France.

Yes, sir.

It looks as though this commission on the aged poor will be sitting, and I don't want to miss any of the meetings.

Very well, sir.

I'll make some ideas. Thank you, France. I think that's all for the press.

Thank you, sir.

I'm sorry. Were you busy?

No, no, my darling.

You've changed.

Yes. It's almost a year now. That's long enough, I think.

I'm glad.

I had such a lovely talk with Lord Rosemary before he went.

What a good man he is.

Yes.

Where are Georgie and the girls?

They went out for a walk before dinner. It's a beautiful evening.

I'm glad that May has stayed here with us. She's almost like one of the family now.

Yes.

Alex, my darling, do you know what they're saying in the country?

No.

Well, Frances tells me that everyone now seems to think that May will marry Georgie.

What?

Well, yes, it is a bit soon, I know.

But that's impossible. May was Eddy's fiance. It wouldn't be right. It wouldn't be fair.

In any case, the Queen would never allow it.

Well, I believe Maas already spoken. Apparently she feels in the circumstances. It's almost Georgie's duty.

I see.

And after all, there is a president in your own family, my dear.

Your sister, Minnie, was first engaged to the Grand Duke Nicholas.

It was only after his death that she married Sasha. Look how successful that's been.

Minnie and Sasha have been happy. That's true.

I don't think we could stand in Georgie's way if he really wanted it, could we?

No.

May is such a dear, sensible creature. Think what an excellent wife should make it.

Stop it, Bertie. You are rushing me and I won't be rushed.

After all, we don't know yet that Georgie even wants to marry her.

Don't worry.

Look.

Don't worry.

Don't worry.

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