North and South, Book I (1985): Season 1, Episode 4 - Episode #1.4 - full transcript

And there's the
favoured man himself,

Miss Ashton's beau and intended.

Don't worry, Billy.

Ashton has a good many callers...

but there isn't one who
has gotten her to accept.

Courage.

- Well done, Virgilia.
- And warmly, too.

My word's not something I take

lightly, George. You
should know that.

Miss Virgilia, Galen
DeVere, your servant.

May I have the signal
honour of this dance?



It would be my
pleasure, Mr DeVere.

She is the soul of charm, so far.

And knowing her, that's
what worries me.

One moment, sweet Ashton.

Gentlemen, these long
and studious faces.

Is there no mirth extant?

You, gentleman, young
Lochinvar of the North...

are you availing
yourself sufficiently

of our decadent Southern delights?

We dance and drink a good
deal up North, too, you know.

And court the ladies
as well, I suppose.

The essential liberties,
long may they prevail.

I can safely say all Americans
are in favour of that.

Yes, but some of us would go to
greater lengths than others...



to defend them.

Huntoon obviously has some rather
definite views on states' rights.

Definitely. Somewhat prickly from
the Northern point of vantage.

Is that so?

Perhaps not prickly,
merely logical.

In the matter of the
basic freedoms,

such as private
property, for example.

Universally respected,
as far as I know.

Under the states'
rights doctrine...

the holding of slaves is a
matter to be decided...

by the sovereign
states themselves,

rather than an overreaching...

power hungry, and I must say it,
a meddling federal government.

Sir, that's wrong.

Slaves are human beings, not
things, not private property.

Well then, you'd best
read the constitution.

I quote from the 10th Amendment
of that revered document.

"The powers not delegated to the

United States by the
constitution...

"nor prohibited by
it to the States...

"are reserved to the States
and the people thereof."

I beg you to look into
it, my Northern friend.

You seem very quiet, Madeline.

Am I?

I'm sorry. I've
forgotten my manners.

No, your manners are impeccable.

It's your spirit
I'm talking about.

I know a man who suffers
much the same way you do.

Are there others like me?

That's the tragedy of
feeling sorry for oneself.

It obliterates one's
sympathies for others.

Very clever, Madeline, but
you needn't be with me.

I'm your friend. And
I'm his friend, too.

My, now, aren't you two the pair?

Are you proposing already, Forbes?

I guess you could say that
in a way, Miss Ashton.

What I proposed was...

Forbes has invited
me to the races.

To see his stallion win.

How exciting. I just
love stallions.

They're so wild and
violent and powerful.

Then you'd love Cannonade.

I rode him over today.
He's in your stable.

Forbes, do take me to see
him right this minute.

I want to see him up close.
I want to touch him.

I suppose I could. Miss Brett?

No, thank you, Forbes.

I'll wait and see him at the
races. You and Ashton go.

Let's hurry, Forbes.

I want to see that stallion.
Maybe I'll ride him.

In that dress?

I suppose I could take it off.

Very dense in that
swamp of politics.

You're lucky to get
away from that crowd

with both your temper
and honour intact.

For the most part, I'm a lover,
not a fighter. It's a party.

Good evening, Ashton.

Why is your cousin so cold to me?

Determined to get burned, are you?

If I can't take Ashton away from

James Huntoon, I
don't deserve her.

You're missing something that
would be a lot better for you.

Brett.

She's a darling. And
she's capable of loving.

That's a faculty Lady
Ashton does not possess.

One in 10,000, Billy. I know her.

Will you excuse me?

Evening, madam.

Thank you, Lord. Amen.

Stop it.

Frighten you, missy?

Fright? No. Excuse me.

I'm sorry.

There's no reason
to apologise. It's

absolutely fine and I'm all right.

You're...

Grady.

Coachman for Mr Huntoon.

Grady. I see.

I'm Virgilia, Grady. Hazard.

I am Virgilia Hazard.

It's been my pleasure, madam.

Forbes.

You love me, Forbes?

Yes, I think I do.

You are such a man, Forbes.
More than I dreamt of.

Even if I decide I have to marry
James for the power and all...

I will still want you.

Billy.

You.

It was all your fault.

- Ready?
- Yes.

It's been so nice being with you
these last few days, Billy.

I feel the same way.

I'm beginning to wish I'd
never have to leave.

Can you believe that?

I do like you, Brett.

I do.

Billy.

Brett.

Damn you.

For what? For knowing
what you are?

You don't care for Brett.

You're just trying to punish me
because you don't understand.

Ashton, I understand what I saw.

Do you?

Then you know that he's more
of a man than you'll ever be.

You had your chance, Billy. You

just weren't man
enough to take it.

You deserve Brett. You're
babies, both of you.

Miss Gili, we best ride on home
now. A storm is coming on.

No, Cuffey, I don't want to
go home. This is exciting.

Mr Orry, he'd be mad with me if
you got wet and caught a cold.

I can handle Mr Orry.

Have you worked for him long?

Yes, madam. Him and his
daddy, Mr Tillet, before him.

Are you happy...

being a slave to people
no better than yourself?

They're only human,
Cuffey, as you are.

I don't like it, but I
gots to do what I'm told.

But why? We're all equal, Cuffey.

Men and women, black and white.

Nobody's any better or any
worse than anyone else.

Miss, we gots to go home. This
rain's fixing to come down heavy.

Do you want to escape, Cuffey?

Do you want to run away North?

Because if you do,
I'll help you today.

Go on, miss, don't talk like that.

All I wants to do is
get you on home safe

and sound. That's
all I wants to do.

All right. I'll race you.

What happened?

Wheel's gone busted.

Mr Huntoon and his party took the
horses and rode off for home.

Cuffey, how far is Mont Royal?

Couple hours, miss. Bit
more in this storm.

You ride on. Tell Mr
George that I'm safe...

and I'm staying here in this
coach until the rain stops.

I don't want to do
that, miss. Supposing

he blames me for leaving you?

He won't. Just tell
him I was tired of

getting wet and couldn't
go any further.

I sent you to tell them I
was all right. Go on now.

I'll be all right.

Hello, Grady.

You remember.

Come inside with me.

I want to talk to you.

What you wants to talk
to a slave about?

You have pride, Grady. You
don't seem like a slave.

I want to be your friend.

There ain't no white lady in
Carolina friend to a man like me.

I'm from the North...

and we hate slavery.

I belong to an
organisation that helps

escaped slaves start new lives...

as free men.

Free?

I thinks on it all the time.

But the risk?

It's worth it, Grady.

It is. At any risk.

You're saying you
wants to help me?

Yes.

And I'll do anything to
prove you can trust me.

That I accept you as an equal.

You wants to lay
with me, don't you?

Because I'm something different.

Don't flatter yourself.

You knows what they'd
do to me? Just for...

touching you?

I won't let them
punish you, Grady.

Never.

I don't believe in never.

About a mile down off the track...

there's this old barn.

They won't be coming back
for you till morning.

Won't they wonder why we
didn't just stay here?

No, madam.

Doors done busted.

Water be coming in the coach.

But Cuffey, he'll remember.

He won't say nothing.

He knows me.

You sure...

you wants this?

Yes.

I ain't doing this just for you...

because you wants it.

I do it because I wants it, too.

Grady, where's Miss Virgilia?

- Inside. She be fine, sir.
- Thank God.

I guess you couldn't stay with
the carriage the way it was.

No, sir, but I knew you'd be
coming. Know you'd find us here.

Virgilia. Are you all right?

Thank heavens you're safe.

Safe, yes. And hungry.

George, you certainly took
your time getting here.

Yes, Grady is a good nigger.

He's just the boy to have at
your back in a time of need.

I simply cannot thank you
enough for him, Mr Huntoon.

I assure you...

he made a distressing situation
into almost a pleasure.

I've never understood
what people have

against a good personal
servant myself.

I find it no different
than any other amenity.

And a slave is more
loyal than a hireling.

Grady, I could care for you.

I almost believes that.

It's true. I swear it.

Did you talk to the
man from Charleston?

Steamer puts out tomorrow
night for Philadelphia.

He can stow me away on it...

for more money than all I'm worth.

Here. This is all the money
that I have. Will it be enough?

- That's more than...
- Never mind. You'll need it.

Can you read this?

I taught myself.

"1221 State Street. Philadelphia."

It's a safe house run
by friends. Quakers.

Go quickly, and I'll
be with you soon.

Take that away, Rachel.

Patricia, strawberries
would suit me just fine.

Aren't you feeling well
this morning, Ashton?

Since the Hazards
have come to visit,

I've all but lost my appetite.

Would you care to explain
yourself, sister?

Why, brother Orry, I
meant no offence.

It's just that with the excitement

and all I have no
interest in food.

James, welcome. Join us, please.

This is not a social call, sir.

Are you aware that one of
my slaves has run off?

We did hear Grady was missing.

As much as I hate
to say it, sir, I

find it more than a coincidence...

that a slave who never showed the

slightest sign of
dissatisfaction...

should run off while you're

entertaining visitors
from up North.

Just what are you
suggesting, Huntoon?

I am not suggesting, sir,
I'll say it straight out.

Did you help my slave
escape, Miss Hazard?

Just a minute, Mr Huntoon. You
are addressing my sister.

Yes, I am, sir. Please be kind
enough to let her answer.

Virgilia, I suggest that
you and I retire upstairs.

I think that's an excellent idea.

No. Mr Huntoon has come
here for an answer.

I'm afraid he won't leave
until he gets one.

Then tell him that it's not true.

If one of his prisoners
escaped, Stanley...

then I wish that man all
the luck in the world.

That's not an answer, Miss Hazard.

Nor do you deserve one...

until you give us reason for
your suspicion. A good reason.

On the night of the storm...

this lady spent the
entire night in

the sole company of
my nigger Grady.

Something no Southern white woman
would ever admit to doing.

Even though she did claim
that he was guarding her.

Are you calling my sister a liar?

James, tell them.

Are you?

- Ashton, I...
- Then I'll do it.

The other night when
James was here...

Virgilia was with Grady
in the cotton dock.

I saw them.

Ashton, sit down.

Daughter, this is one time...

I think you'd better speak up.

What were the two of you doing
in the cotton dock, Virgilia?

Were you showing him the
path to freedom road?

And what else did you show him?

Did you bed with him...

to show your sympathy for
his unfortunate situation?

I'd expect that of an
abolitionist whore.

You pompous windbag.

Billy.

Leave my house, James, now.

Not until he gets an answer.

I did help Grady
escape, Mr Huntoon.

I knew it.

Virgilia.

You see him as a nigger.

And I see him as a man
who deserves to be free.

One day, you'll all understand
what's about to happen here.

And when you do, God help you.

That woman conspired to rob me.

And her brother assaulted me.

I demand satisfaction.

- My seconds will call.
- There will be no duelling.

Why not? I'll kill
that custard-faced...

Billy, that's enough.

James, come on, before
he does kill you.

I knew that sister
of yours would do

something as unspeakably
vile as this.

It is no fault of mine.

George, I'm so sorry.

I want to apologise.

Good God, it is too
late for that now.

There's no greater crime down here
than stealing another man's slave.

That's what your sister did
by helping Grady escape.

Yes, but you know Virgilia. She...

When that fool Huntoon
gets the word around...

there will be hell to pay, George.

You'd all... better be
leaving for Charleston.

Today.

We'll be gone within the hour.

Safe journey.

Don't you worry about Billy.

We'll keep an eye on him for you.

Mr Hazard, sir.

You've already taken advantage
of my brother's hospitality.

Don't think you can take
advantage of my sister's.

Orry, you know that I regret any
trouble that's been caused.

- I never intended...
- George...

I think it best we don't visit
each other for a while.

At least until my neighbours
forget about what happened.

I doubt that your neighbours will
ever understand or forget, Orry.

Virgilia was wrong
in her methods...

but she was doing what
she thought was right.

Goodbye, Orry.

George, I...

Goodbye.

Uncle John.

I knew he was feeling
poorly, Miss Madeline...

but he wouldn't let me
do nothing for him.

He wouldn't even let me
send for you till now.

The doctor, he say
your daddy is dying.

Miss Madeline, your
daddy is dying.

Take hold of yourself.
I'm going upstairs now.

You be wanting me
to come with you?

No, Maum Sally. You stay
there with Uncle John.

Laurette.

No, Papa. It's me, Madeline.

You look so much like your mother.

Hush, now. Save your
strength for getting better.

My sweet Madeline.

We both know...

I am not going to get better.

Papa.

We had a beautiful marriage,
your mother and I.

I wanted a marriage
like that for you.

But I know now...

I did you a terrible wrong.

You did what you thought
was right for me.

I took Orry's letters...

so that you would agree
to marry Justin.

I know.

And I forgave you a
long time ago for that.

There is something else
I have to tell you.

- Don't try and talk any more.
- About your mother.

Laurette made me swear
I will never tell you.

Your mother's skin
was fair like yours.

But Laurette's grandmother...

your great-grandmother...

was a negress.

A slave.

If my mother didn't
want you to tell me...

why are you breaking your
promise and telling me now?

To protect you. I don't
want you hurt...

if the wrong people ever
find out the truth...

and use it against you.

Papa, who else knows?

Papa.

I love you.

He's with your mother now, child.

Nothing more you can do.

You knew about my mother.

Why didn't you tell me?

It was the way your
folk wanted it.

When you was little...

it made me worry.

What would happen if
someone found out?

But no one ever did.

And now, we know.

You and me, and that's all.

Justin, if he ever found...

If he found out, you
know what he'd do?

Plantation owner
marrying a nigger.

That's the way he will
think of you, child.

You best remember that,
or he will kill you.

Grady, you'd be doing
a great service.

I guarantee that nothing
is as potent...

in persuading the public
to the evils of slavery...

as the testimony of a
man who has endured it.

I don't know, Mr Still.

It's dangerous.

What if some slave catcher
from Carolina got wind of it?

I understand your concern, but
only you can answer that question.

We're not interested. You
don't want the truth.

You want some watered-down
version of it.

The Pennsylvania
Anti-Slavery Society...

wants the strongest possible
condemnation of slavery.

All we ask is that
there be no appeal

for violent uprisings
in the South.

That kind of talk
frightens many people...

whites and free blacks...

that would otherwise
support our cause.

And, if I may be quite blunt...

cost us a lot of money they
would otherwise donate.

Out of which, of
course, you get paid.

My husband and I will not
prostitute ourselves...

for a few pieces of silver.

Please, listen to this.

I strongly believe
that both of you

can be of use to the abolition.

Everyone in our society
does not agree with me.

It's taken a great deal of
time to convince everyone...

to extend this invitation. And I
doubt that it will be repeated.

Your beliefs are considered
among some to be extreme.

At least we live by our
beliefs, Mr Still.

Look at you, Mr Still.

Dressed so fine.

Hobnobbing with those whites
who dabble at politics.

Makes it easier to forget how
it really is for your own kind.

Why, you're no more a
free man than I am.

Can I ask you...

did you read this?

Of course, everyone in
the society has read it.

And you still believe that
talking and making speeches...

"Going to get rid of what's
described in Uncle Tom's Cabin?"

The whippings? The cruelties?

Mrs Stowe's book and
our speeches will

bring attention to these matters.

And that's the way the
society wants it.

Then slavery will never be
abolished by the likes of you.

It must die bathed
in fire and blood.

When other Northerners read this
book, they'll think so, too.

No, none of them.

Look, any move towards
violence will

only lead to prolonged
suffering...

to increasing acts of
repressions that...

I'm afraid I'm wasting my time.

Yes, sir.

You is.

I pray that your way
does not prevail.

Get out.

The cold is cutting
through me like a knife.

Would you put some more
wood in the oven, Virgilia?

There isn't any more wood.

When the fire dies, we'll just
crawl under the blankets again.

It's not fit for pigs.

Grady, it's not your fault that
you lost the job at the docks.

There are hundreds of men
out of work right now.

You bought me my freedom...

and this is what I...

Why in God's name did
you ever marry me?

Because I love you.

You're the only man I ever wanted.

We share the same fight.

We're at war, you and I.

Not with each other,
but with the rest...

of them outside these walls.

Men like Still...

don't seem to know there is a war.

Still and his kind
surrendered a long time ago.

But there are others...

who share our beliefs...

our kind of abolition.

After your people are freed...

after we punish the South
for all they've done...

then we will deal with
Still and his people...

every man and woman who
opposed us in our struggle.

- Hello, Orry.
- Brett.

Anything wrong?

Orry, some mail came today.

And you didn't get a
letter from Bill.

Brett, you know they run
cadets ragged at the Point.

He and Charles don't even have
time to breathe, much less write.

I did get a letter from Billy.

- Then what...
- This came, too.

It was sent to the whole family.

There was no card or letter.

Just a postmark from Philadelphia.

We don't know anyone there.

Billy wrote that his sister
was living there. With Grady.

This is trash. I'm gonna burn it.

I read some of it.

It scared me.

This woman wrote horrible
things about us.

What if people up
North believe them?

Brett, this book was
written by a Northerner.

She based it on reports from
abolitionists and escaped slaves.

She never even bothered
to come down here...

and find out if any
of it was true.

George and Constance and Billy...

they know that we're
not like that.

Don't they?

Of course they do.
They understand.

But, Orry, you didn't understand.

What?

When Virgilia helped Grady leave.

Go home, Brett.

They all look so young,
don't they, Orry?

It wasn't that long ago when you
and I marched on that field.

Now it's Charles and Billy.

Best friends, just like we were.

Isn't he handsome?

They all are, especially that one.

- I meant Billy.
- I know who you meant.

I don't understand what
you see in that boy...

when there are so
many men available.

Billy is the man for me.

Then I suppose you have to settle
for whomever comes along...

not being possessed with the same
adventurous spirit as myself.

And I'm sure you're betrothed just
adores that side of your nature.

James Huntoon? That sod.

Ash.

There's only one thing about
him I find attractive.

He has a brilliant
future in politics.

And politics, my dear sister,
is where the power is.

But you do love him, don't you?

Don't be ridiculous. I couldn't
possibly love just one man.

Think how disappointed the
rest of them would be.

Ready, two.

- Battalion.
- Company.

For the good of the service.

- Dismissed.
- Huzzah.

Things really haven't
changed that much.

Not at all.

- Hello, George.
- Congratulations, Billy.

Thank you.

We couldn't be more proud of you.

Constance, thank you for coming.

Congratulations on
your assignment.

Thank you.

I'd like you all to
meet Miles Woodward.

Second Lieutenant,
classmate, and friend.

- Miles.
- Orry Main.

You're being sent on
assignment so soon, son.

We thought we'd at least have
you at home for a while.

I've been assigned
to staff duty at

the Engineer Corps in Washington.

- Is that safe?
- Yes.

It's the best assignment
Billy could have been given.

And one of the safest.

The Engineers aren't even
allowed to carry weapons.

That's right.

The Army's leaving the
fighting to men like Charles.

You two won't be serving together.

No, I'm afraid not.

The army's sending me about as
far away as they can. To Texas.

- The Second Cavalry.
- That's right.

Texas? That's the
end of the earth.

Nothing down there except
heat, dust, and Red Indians.

Texans and Spaniards in the best
minor regiment in the Army.

Robert E. Lee's in
command of the Second.

He must've liked the
way you sat horse.

Better than how I stood in class.

In fact, if it weren't for Billy,
I wouldn't have gotten through it.

I do hear Lee thinks
Texas is beautiful.

He keeps a garden and
a pet rattlesnake.

I think I'll do the same.

Ladies, George and I will now
show you where we used to live.

- Yes, by all means.
- A pleasure to meet you.

Goodbye, madam.

I always thought you
were a little crazy.

But I guess that's why
I like you so much.

And here I thought it was because
I'm Billy Hazard's best friend.

An unpleasant association...

that I won't hold against you.

I'm truly grateful, cousin.

I got all your letters.

I must have read each one
at least a dozen times.

Writing kept me from
missing you too much.

Why, Billy Hazard.

Aren't you even going
to say hello to me?

Hello, Ashton.

That's not much of
a proper greeting.

Here.

Brett honey, what are you
getting all excited about?

Billy's like a brother to me.

There's no harm in kissing
one's relations, is there?

Brett.

You're not going to run away
from me again, are you?

As far as I can get.

That'll never be far
enough, sweet Billy.

You're a wonderful dancer.

I'll have to brush up on my
dancing for the next ball.

How about here?

I love you, Brett, so much.

I love you, too.

But am I the girl
you really want...

- or is Ashton?
- Brett, it's you.

It's you.

I can't imagine what it'd
be like not to love you.

Would you do me the honour...

of becoming my wife?

Yes.

- What is this old place anyway?
- It's the chemistry lab.

You said you wanted to
go some place private.

It certainly is that.

What is that smell?
Yankee perfume?

That's the brimstone.
We mix gunpowder here.

- How exciting.
- It will be. I promise.

You Yankee boys are all alike...

thinking you all got
something special.

Something we Southern gals
ain't never seen before.

Whenever we buy new slaves...

the overseer strips them naked...

to make sure they're healthy.

I used to hide in the
barn and watch...

especially when we
bought male slaves.

You like it, don't you?

Now that all depends on the man.

I haven't had any
complaints so far.

If you're as good as you taste...

I'll give you a little souvenir
for a night to remember.

All the little girls want
a souvenir of West Point.

So that's what all the
little girls want.

This little girl wants more.

♪ Promotion's very slow ♪

♪ So we'll sing our
reminiscences ♪

♪ Of Benny Havens, oh ♪

♪ Benny Havens, oh ♪

♪ We'll sing our reminiscences ♪

♪ Of Benny Havens, oh ♪

♪ May the army be augmented ♪

♪ Promotion be less slow ♪

♪ May our country in
her hour of need ♪

♪ Be ready for the foe ♪

♪ May we find a soldier's
resting-place ♪

♪ Beneath a soldier's blow ♪

♪ And place enough
beside our graves ♪

Just like the old days, isn't it?

Only this time, we don't have
to worry about getting caught.

- George...
- I've missed you, old friend.

Two years is a long time.

And don't you tell me how
busy you've been at the mill.

I know that what
Virgilia and Grady...

George.

I feel...

that I let you down in that.

What Virgilia did was wrong.

But it wasn't your fault.

I should've told you that
then or written you.

It's important that
you're telling me now.

When we were at the
Point together, you

told me in order to
remain friends...

we couldn't talk about
our differences.

We've got to talk about them.

As much as we can.

I think a wedding might
help our two families.

- Whose?
- I know they're a little young.

Billy asked me to talk
to you about Brett.

He wants to court her and
he'd like your approval.

I can't give it.

Not now, anyway.

Why not? Billy's a fine young man
with a good head on his shoulders.

You don't need to point
out Billy's attributes.

There is no one I'd rather
see my sister married to.

They're on Flirtation Walk
right now with my blessing.

Then I don't understand your
reluctance to a possible marriage.

Secession talk is starting
up all over again.

When Carolina failed for
the second time in '52...

I thought it was
over, but it isn't.

♪ Thanks to the abolitionists
and Uncle Tom's Cabin ♪

The North now believes that the
South is full of Simon Legrees.

We are not gonna be left
with any choice, George.

You said so yourself.

Now I believe it, too.

But Secession talk didn't stop me
from becoming partners with you.

And I don't see why it
should stop Brett and Billy.

Think about it, George.

A Southern girl being married
to a Northern officer.

What would their life be like?

I've always hoped...

that the North and
South could find

a way to solve their differences.

And seeing that out there
today, watching that parade...

made me think that they could.

You know that I am basically
in favour of the marriage.

But I just need a little
more time to be sure.

Here's to friendship, Orry.

Here's to it.

How you feeling now, honey?

Good...

but I could be better.

I'm a little tired right now...

but I do have some friends...

who'd be mighty grateful to
keep you occupied for a while.

These other boys,
are they like you?

Amateurs, but willing to learn.

What I meant was, are they
friends of Billy Hazard?

I guess so.

You just make sure
that they are...

because his friends are
the only ones I want.

Including you.

She was really
something, wasn't she?

That hellcat nearly killed me.

I got scratch marks on
my back to prove it.

She's got her collection
of gold buttons.

Right.

- Whoa. Take care, Woodward.
- Evening, Main.

Better learn to watch
that flank at all times.

Could prove to be your
downfall in battle.

That all depends upon who's
sneaking up behind me...

whether they're an
enemy or a friend.

Just consider yourself
lucky this time, friend.

We better get back to quarters.

Before you go, I'd like
to ask you a question.

Have any of you seen my
cousin Ashton tonight?

- I've been sent to find her.
- No, sir, not since the parade.

What about you, Woodward?

You were her escort at
the dance. Where is she?

Right where I left her.

She said she wanted to
be alone for a while.

Did something happen?
Is she all right?

- What have you done to her?
- Nothing she didn't want done.

Go ahead, Main, but that
won't change a thing.

It won't change what
happened, nor what she is.

I'm warning both of you.

If you tell a soul about what

you've done tonight,
I'll find you.

And God help you when I do.

Are you back so soon?

I didn't think you had any
more buttons to give me.

What are you doing here?

Orry sent me to find you.

And so you have.
How clever of you.

Your friends made it easy for me.
It seems they left quite a trail.

I'm so ashamed.

I believed them to be
gentlemen, men of honour...

and they took advantage
of my innocence.

I begged them not to tell you. I

knew what you'd do
if you found out.

You must swear to me you
won't seek revenge.

I couldn't bear the
thought of you dying

in a duel to protect
my lost honour.

Finish getting dressed.

You know me better than
anyone, cousin Charles.

And you want me. I know you do.

Don't shame our family any
more than you already have.

I don't give a damn
about the family.

But you do, don't you, Charles?

That's why you'll
keep my little...

Our little secret.

Because if the truth were known...

it would destroy dear brother
Orry, humiliate Mother...

and ruin any chance of marriage
between Brett and Billy Hazard.

The family would survive
despite your indiscretions.

Shall we take the risk?

Give these to Billy Hazard.

I made sure his friends gave
me tokens of their esteem.

I'm only sorry he doesn't
have any more friends.

Why are you so sad today?

I've been having dreams
about my father.

You must miss him very much.

Yes, I do.

But these dreams are
nightmares about

things he told me before he died.

And they frighten me.

What? Tell me.

I've wanted to for a long time.

You know my mother
died when I was born.

And I never knew anything
about her family.

My father told me they quarrelled
with her over marrying him.

But that wasn't true.

The truth is...

her grandmother, my
great-grandmother...

came here from Africa
on a slave ship.

So to most people my skin
might as well be coal black.

Look at me.

I am not most people.

I'm the man who loves
you, remember?

The same way that your father
must have loved your mother.

Is that what frightened you?
That I wouldn't understand?

Partly.

I love you.

But the real nightmare
is Justin finding out.

That he's trying to kill me.

You can't go on this way.

I'm going to take you
away from here for good.

We've argued this before.

You had never told me this before.

You're right. If Justin ever
found out, he would kill you.

You can't leave Mont Royal.

It's not as important
to me as your life.

Don't you understand?

You mean more to me...

than anything else in the world.

All right, I'll go with you.

- You mean...
- When?

We have to get some
things together.

Three days from now.
You meet me here.

And you tell no one,
not even Maum Sally.

- I have to.
- No. No one.

I have to. I won't go without her.

All right.

You can tell her, but
absolutely no one else.

- What is it?
- Where will we go?

North.

It's our only choice.

I didn't know anyone else
to turn to or trust.

I can't go to Orry,
or Mother, or Brett.

There's no one but you. You'll
help me, Madeline, won't you?

I can't until you tell
me what's happened.

A few months ago, I
placed my trust...

and love into the
hands of a young man.

Now I find myself
in serious trouble

all because of one night's...

indiscretion.

I see.

I've been just about out
of my wits with worry.

You know I'm supposed to marry
James Huntoon this spring.

Does he know you're
carrying his child?

No. He's not the father.

It was a boy I hardly knew.

I met him at West Point
on graduation night.

I was overcome with emotion.

I don't even know
where he's been sent.

I know it was sinful,
but must I be punished?

I have my whole life. I don't want

to lose the only man
I'll ever love.

I do love James so very much.

Am I to understand that
you don't want the child?

I can't have it. It's
impossible. Don't you see?

Madeline...

I know we've never really had a
chance to become very close...

even though I have felt
a real kinship to you.

And everyone speaks
so well of you...

especially my brother.

That's why I dared to come
and beg you for help.

Can't you give me the name
of someone I can turn to?

I know there are people
in the Low Country...

that'll help a girl in trouble.

Please, Madeline.

I will help you, Ashton.

I can't condone what
you're willing to do...

but I don't believe it's right
to ruin so many lives...

because of one night of passion.

There's a woman, Aunt Belle
Nin. She lives in the marshes.

She said I could call on her
if I ever needed her help.

But you can't go there alone, it

wouldn't be safe.
I'll go with you.

Bless you, Madeline. You are...

It'll have to be done tomorrow.

No one must ever know,
for both our sakes.

Do you understand?

There must be something you can
give her. She's in such pain.

It will pass. Let her
be now. Follow me.

Maum Sally, you stay with Ashton.
I'll be just downstairs.

I want you to know I'm doing
this for you, not her.

That girl mistreats her people.

There's an evil streak
running through her blood.

I know.

But I couldn't refuse. She
had no one else to help her.

Don't make it a habit of risking
your hide for her kind.

She'll just turn against you...

even despise you for
knowing her dark secret.

I don't believe that.

Never let her know...

you have a secret
or two of your own.

You're talking crazy, Aunt Belle.

You best be warned.

Get away from me.

Grab a bottle of corn and pour
about half of it down her throat.

Get away from me.

Let go of me.

And you, missy, shut up and lay

still, or I'm sending
you back out...

into the swamp to have your
bastard, like it or not.

Ashton, drink this.

It'll be over soon, I promise.

Drink it.

Master be mighty glad
you're home, mistress.

He's been frightfully
worried about you, he has.

Seeing you've been
gone for so long.

Thank you, Clinton.

He knows something, don't he?

No, he don't know nothing
except how to use a whip.

I'm sorry I'm late. Clinton
said you were worried.

Did you have a nice trip
to Charleston, my dear?

Yes.

You said you wanted to
shop. What did you buy?

Nothing, I'm afraid. I
didn't see anything I liked.

Nothing?

Hope you at least
had a nice luncheon

with your friends
from New Orleans...

in a hotel?

Yes.

Which hotel?

The Imperial.
Remember? I told you.

Yes, so you did, my dear...

which is why I spent
the day there...

from 11:00 this morning
until 4:30 this afternoon.

Your friends from New
Orleans never appeared...

at The Imperial dining
room and neither did you.

Where have you been all day? Who's
the man you've been meeting?

- You're hurting me.
- Or was there more than one?

You're always running off helping
the slaves, you tell me.

You been sleeping around
the whole county?

I went to Charleston
with Maum Sally.

You'll tell me the truth if I
have to beat it out of you.

Don't you hurt her.

What did you say?

It ain't right, your
beating on Miss Madeline.

She ain't done nothing wrong.

Justin, no. It's me you
want to hurt, not her.

You're right for once.

Maum Sally, go. Please go.

No.

Damn you. Come on.

Justin, no. Please, no.

I'll ask you just one more time.

Where were you, and
who were you with?

I didn't betray you.

I asked you where you were.

I had a private
errand to attend to.

There was nothing more than that.

Stop your lying.

I want an answer.

I gave you one. I
didn't betray you.

- I could beat it out of you.
- No.

But I won't.

You're supposed to be a lady...

and whipping is only for slaves.

So I'll wait till you're ready.

But you are gonna stay
here in this room...

until you tell me the truth.

Days, weeks, months. It's
up to you to decide.

No, Justin. Don't
leave me in here.

You can rot in here
for all I care.

Justin, don't leave me in here.

Oh, God.

Mistress, these are sorry
days, your being like this.

Don't be concerned for me.
You'll only suffer for it.

How's Maum Sally? She
hasn't been to see me.

Mr Justin, he won't let her.

He keeping a close watch on her.

Mr Orry Main and his mama...

they come asking about you, and
a lot of other folks, too...

but the master, he say you
don't want to see nobody.

I understand.

Leah, could you bring me...

some more water, it's for washing.

Mr Justin, he say
that's all you to get.

Thank you.

I'll be seeing you
tomorrow, mistress.

- Miss Madeline.
- Maum Sally.

I've come to get you out, child.

I told you I'd kill you.

Your free nigger won't
help you now, slut.

Mr Justin, please.

No, no, please.

Maum Sally, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.