The Duchess of Duke Street (1976–1977): Season 1, Episode 7 - A Lady of Virtue - full transcript

What's
all the rumpus?

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

saluting the victory
in that

Yorkshire
by-election.

Good Lord.
Good job

their supporters
can't hear them.

Mostly nonconformists
and teetotalers.

Yes. Well,
Mrs. Trotter's

just joined them,
which probably

accounts for it.

Mrs. Trotter?



I always put her down
as a Tory.

No. Political
impartiality, Mr. Starr.

That's what you need
in this job.

It's best not
to declare yourself.

You lose out on tips
if you do.

Hey! Hey!

Oh!

Come here now.
Get in there!

Get in there!
You rascal, you.

Now then,
you stay.

Oh, thank you
so much. Thank you.

Stay!

Thank you.
Thank you.

Good evening,
madam.



Good evening.

Excuse me, madam.
Is that an animal

you have in that basket?

Yes, it is.
It's a cat.

That accounts for it.

He don't usually startle
guests in that manner.

Oh...good.

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

but I'm rather late.

Sir James?
Oh, yes, madam.

He'll be with
the liberal party.

Yes, that's right.
He is.

With the liberal
party, madam,

celebrating
the by-election result

in Mr. Duggan's suite.

Oh, I see.

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

My name is
Mrs. Strickland.

Ah, yes.
The lady

he's letting
his rooms to.

Yes, I've been
informed. Excuse me.

Thank you.

Mr. Merriman, tell
Sir James Rosslyn

that Mrs. Strickland's
arrived.

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

You know,
the Duke of York.

What I want to know,
Mrs. T,

is whether you're for us
or against us.

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

so I'd better be
for you...

tonight, at any rate.

Mind you,
I prefer them Tories

because they're gentlemen.

And so are you lot,
ain't you?

Some of you.

What a wicked
snob you are!

You don't want
them Labourites

getting in, do you?

Anyway, this by-election
of yours:

flash in the pan,
isn't it?

One sparrow don't
make a summer.

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

He'll have no choice.

We'll have a liberal government
by Christmas.

What do you say
to that?

Good for you.
You're going to be

prime minister
then, Mr. Duggan.

Now,
you'd better mind

your P's and Q's.

Excuse me,
Sir James.

Mrs. Strickland
has arrived

and was
asking for you.

Excuse me, George.
My guest has arrived.

I must go
and settle her in.

Sir James has been
fidgeting about

all evening.

Don't tell me
the old fox

has got himself
a mistress.

Oh, Sir Rosy?

That's not very likely,
is it?

That's what
I thought.

Is she a lady?

Chorus girl?
What is she?

Hmm?

Oh, come on, Tapsy.
There, there.

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

Oh, there, there, there.

No. There's
no doggy here.

There. You're hungry.

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

About the, um,
cat, madam...

have you
made arrangements?

Oh, no. I haven't...

Oh, dear.
Aren't they allowed?

Dogs, but not cats.
Is that the rule?

Oh, you mean Fred,
madam.

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

A watchdog,
you understand.

To see off
unwelcome guests.

Yes, madam.

Come on, Tapsy.

If there's anything
you require, madam,

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

You'll usually find me
downstairs in the hall.

Yes. Thank you, Starr.

There. There. There.

Diana, my dear.

Oh!

Welcome
to the Bentinck.

Dear James.

This is perfect.

But have I
turned you out?

I have, haven't I?

Are you out
on the street?

I'm round the corner
in Albemarle Street

with my brother,
so I'm on hand

if you should need me.

How is Harry?

Oh, he's
much the same.

He's talking
more clearly

and he can move his
right arm a little.

The doctors
are quite hopeful.

Good.

Oh, here's Mrs. Trotter,

in whose capable hands
I shall be leaving you.

This is Mrs. Strickland.

How do you do,
Mrs. Trotter?

How do you do?

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

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

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

Oh, yes.
Yes, she is.

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

She's very good,

and I rather need her,
you see,

as a model
for my illustrations.

Oh, artist,
are you?

Yes, I...

We had Walter Sickert
here in the summer,

in number 8...

or was it in here?

Yes, it was,
in this very room.

I think I was here

in the summer,
Mrs. Trotter.

I've been here
for 6 months now.

Oh, I do remember

Walter Sickert was
somewhere around.

Oh, heavens,
I'm nowhere near

that standard.

It's rather daunting.

Brought a maid,
have you?

Uh, no.

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

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

along to the party?

They're Cockney
liberals.

Always like
to welcome new guests

with a glass of wine.

If somebody else
is paying for it,

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

Why not?

All right.
Come on.

The far end, do you know?

I couldn't hear what
they were all saying.

Could you?

You must admit, George,

our campaign tactics
couldn't be faulted.

Yes, but the Tories

scarcely left
their tents.

The field was ours
from the start.

When they did venture,
they found themselves

so unpopular, they retreated
again as fast as possible.

Not very fast.
Most of them

were bent double
with sciatica.

I've never seen
such a thing.

There was nobody
under 75.

Here you are,
Mrs. Strickland.

Get that
down you.

Sir James.

Thank you
very much.

Come and meet
my friend

Mr. Duggan.

He might be
prime minister

one day.

Oh-ho.

MAN: Balfour
was only holding on

because he hoped
to drain us financially...

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

Free trade,
social welfare...

we're ready.

Excuse me.
May I introduce...

this is Mrs. Strickland,

come to join us
for a while.

Mrs. Strickland,

I'm so pleased
to meet you.

James was talking
about you earlier

with such esteem
and affection,

arousing
my curiosity

to fever pitch.

Welcome to this
gathering of

distinguished but
inebriate liberals.

Thank you.

May I ask
what brings you

to this notorious
establishment?

She's come here to work.

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

I'm above politics.

I must confess,
I don't give

much thought
to them, either.

Maybe we should.

I don't see why.
Better leave them

to people like
James and myself,

who've got nothing
better to do

with our lives.

What sort of artist
are you?

I do illustrations
for children's magazines.

And you sell them?

Oh, yes.

How fascinating!

James, you never
told me any of this.

What does your
husband say?

Does he
encourage you?

I think he's amused.

Amused. Oh, dear.
Is that enough?

Yes. For me, it is.

Of course it is.

How many husbands
can you think of

that let their wives
come up to London,

do what they want to
without interference?

I think it's
ruddy marvelous.

Yes, indeed.

Perhaps
you'd allow me

to see your work
sometime,

Mrs. Strickland.

Yes, of course,
if you really want to.

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

to work in peace and quiet.

Oh, good heavens.
I'm not going to

make a nuisance
of myself.

Just a glance.

I shall
be satisfied.

I think a glance
is allowed,

eh, Sir James?

I'm hoping
for a glance meself.

I don't see any
objection to a cat.

I don't see it
written in

the rules anywhere.

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

He has a distinct
aversion to cats.

They bring on
his asthma.

Oh. That's a pity.

Something I've endured
since childhood, Mum.

Most regrettable.

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

Yes, it is, rather.

No one's asking you
to look after it.

No, Mum,
but there is the problem

of serving meals
in the lady's room.

Well, if you can't
do it because of

your...whatever
it is, well,

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

Mary? She's...

It's also
a bit unsettling

for Fred, madam.

Knowing there's a feline
on the premises

gets him rather
excitable.

Yeah. I can see
that's a problem.

Oh. Thank you, madam.

For Fred, I mean,

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

You can't have
one rule for the guests

and another
for the staff,

so I'd drop the whole
blinking subject

if I was you.

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

She's a lady of
unblemished virtue,

devoted to her husband,

extremely happy,
and quite incorruptible.

If she's as virtuous
as you claim,

why such concern
for her?

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

Are you in love
with her?

Good Lord, no.
Of course not.

Why not?

I'd admire
your taste.

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

Uh-huh.
Ha ha ha!

That was ages ago.

Unfortunately,
she accepted my offer

of friendship in lieu...

A friendship which I treasure
most dearly.

Now you really do
intrigue me,

because there's
only one circumstance

in which you, James,

a man of the highest
moral principle,

would have tried
to sneak a virtuous woman

away from her husband,

and that's if she were

unhappy with
her husband.

Nonsense. Rubbish!
Wrong as usual.

They're devoted,
I tell you.

You won't succeed.

16 and 17 empty.

Thank you, Mary.

Yes, Mum.

Mary.

Extraordinary.
What's Diana Strickland

doing here?

Oh, you know her,
do you, Major?

Yes. Charming woman.

Walked out on old Harry
at last, has she?

Eh?

Oh, it was
on the cards.

Don't know what
she saw in him.

Oh, a pleasant enough fellow
to go shooting with.

Convivial. But don't ever
lend him money.

Not that I ever did,
of course.

He's got creditors
chasing him

all over Lincolnshire.

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

Keep the hounds at bay
for a while.

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

I don't like ladies

who have
left their husbands.

They're trouble.

Actually,
talking of money,

that's what I came
to see you about.

Oh, yeah.

I had a little
come through

this morning.

I thought it only right
that you should have it,

after all your kindness.

Help put the record
straight a bit.

Only sorry
it can't be more.

Well, it's the thought
that counts,

isn't it, Major?

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

Oh, stop.

Oh! Mary,
is Mrs. Strickland in?

Yes, sir, she's...

thank you.

I'm sorry.
I'm interrupting.

Oh, no. No.
Not at all.

I can come back
some other time.

Oh, no, no.

Please stay, Mr. Duggan.

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

The cat's sitting
just right.

Ha ha.

Please, take a look at
anything you want to.

There's not much,
I'm afraid.

Oh. Ha ha!

These are
awfully good.

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

And is this
our heroine?

Yes. Frightful creature.

Always
lecturing everybody

on how to behave.

Here, she's telling
the little kittens

they mustn't chase mice

because we're all
God's creatures.

Ha! What an insult.

What would you
rather be doing?

Oh, something of my own.

I've got a book in mind

about the animals
I remember

when I was a little girl
in Canada.

Beavers, wolves,
and grizzly bears.

My father
used to tell me

wonderful stories
about them.

I've passed them on
to my daughter.

Canada?

Yes. Do you know it?
No.

I was raised there.

My father was a pioneer,
a beautiful man,

always adventuring.

He died at 42.

Have you got any drawings
of these famous animals?

Yes, I have.

They're over there
in that folder.

May I?

Yes, of course.

Ah, but these
are really good.

I mean it.

You ever shown them
to a publisher?

Oh, no.
They're not ready yet.

Yes, they are.

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

a man called
Alfred Hardwicke.

Would you mind if I
showed them to him?

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

You must
believe in them.

I do believe in them.
They have character.

What's this
fellow doing?

His name is Mabu.

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

He's trying to get
the others

to follow him,
but they won't go,

so he's going off
to his cave alone.

My God. He looks like
a Tory politician.

Fascinating.

Do you really think so?

Yes.

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

Oh, I can't stop.

You must stop
and come out with me.

James Rosslyn
gave me strict orders

to take care of you,

so I'm taking you
to the Savoy.

Ha ha ha!

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

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

I shall stay here
and become

better acquainted
with my new friends.

Off you go.

Oh, Starr.
A cab, will you?

Very good, sir.

Good morning...

Oh, good morning,
Mrs. Strickland.

Settled in,
have you?

Oh, yes.
Thank you.

If there's anything
I can do for you,

anything you need...

Oh, thank you.

DIANA:
Hello, James.

I'm being kindly
taken to luncheon

at the Savoy.

What? Savoy?

I just came in
to see how you were.

She's extremely
well, James.

Perhaps you could
come with us.

Oh, no.
Um, I...

STARR: Cab's here, sir!

Thank you, Starr.

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

We must try and catch you
another time.

Thank you.

Thank you, Starr.

Well, that was fast
off the mark.

I found the law

rather too easy
a game, really.

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

I stood as the liberal
and romped home,

rather to the surprise
of a Tory alderman.

I have an enormous
belief in myself,

as you
may have guessed.

My husband stood
for Parliament once

as a Tory,

but he was defeated.

Tell me about
your husband.

What do you
want to know?

Whatever you
want to say.

Well, I was 23
when I met him.

He was 40.

I'd just
arrived from Canada

with a widowed mother,
penniless.

Rather a bleak future.

He seemed in every way

the perfect
grand seigneur.

I owe him everything.

Do you?

Yes. He gave me
a proper home,

beautiful daughter,
place in society.

What more
could I want?

I don't know.
Tell me.

Nothing.

Nothing at all.

Well, you want
his complete recovery

from his illness.

Oh. Yes. Naturally,
I want that.

Is it likely?

Oh, yes. Yes,
he's recovering.

Without you
beside him?

Is that a rebuke?

Not in the least.
It's an observation.

Well,
he's well enough

for me
to leave him now,

and I have to work.

There were
distractions

with illness
in the house.

I need to be
free of them.

And here I am distracting you
with impudent questions.

But you must
allow me the simple joy

of being
intrigued by you.

I've always found
conjugal fidelity

a very appealing quality
in a woman.

Are you married,
Mr. Duggan?

My wife died
5 years ago.

Oh. Were you happy?
Oh, forgive me.

That was impertinent
of me.

Not in the least.
It's a perfectly natural

question to ask.

Yes. Isobel and I
were very happy.

Do you have
children?

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

up at Balliol.

Have some more
Cointreau.

Oh, no. No.
I really think

I should be
going now.

Diana...I may
call you Diana?

Oh, I'm sorry.
You're concerned

for your reputation.

Well, we are rather
conspicuous here.

In that case,
let's go

straight back
to the Bentinck

and discuss
our relationship

in private.

Our relationship?

What it's to be.

Oh, now, really,
Mr. Duggan.

You're rushing
ahead of me.

I wasn't aware
that there was

any relationship.

Well, you know,
2 people

lunching alone together
at the Savoy

usually implies
some sort of relationship.

Oh, but you must
forgive my naivet?.

If I had thought
for one moment

that by accepting

your kind offer
to luncheon

that assumptions
were being made...

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

to go out as innocent
as you came in.

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

But not before
I've told you

that you've captured
my heart

from the moment you came
into my room last night.

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

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

It's impossible.

It's out of
the question.

I'm in love
with my husband.

Then what are we
to do?

Well...

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

but I must go back
to my painting.

Yes. Pussy
and her moralizing.

Of course.
Forgive me.

Widowers are prone
to exotic passions,

and you are
perfectly right

to treat them with

the utmost
circumspection.

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

I'm touched...

Not to say
overwhelmed

by your feelings.

I can't think
what I did

to deserve them.

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

I'm truly not...

not accustomed
to adventures.

So we're told.

By whom?

By James.

Your reputation
for virtue and loyalty

preceded you,

and if we're not
to be lovers,

will you accept
my humble and sincere

offer of friendship?

Yes.

That I would like.

Then it's settled.

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

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

if I could have imagined
your vengeful delight.

You're like the small boy

who can't have
the peach himself

and won't let
anyone else have it.

She's simply
reaffirmed my faith

in the decency
of marriage.

What? That comes odd
from a man

who's ducked marriage
all his life.

There's too much
of your sort of

behavior going on
and upheld as respect,

whereas, I'm sorry,
I find your behavior

reprehensible
and degrading.

Damn it! Will you
never realize

that man's state is not
naturally monogamous?

Neither is woman's.

Dear Isobel had 4 lovers
to my certain knowledge.

Did I begrudge them
to her? Certainly not.

We understood.

Dalliance gives energy,

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

Schoolboy talk!
Adolescent daydreams.

And as far as
this particular

lady's concerned...

Your daydream.
Your unrequited passion.

I revel in your defeat.

Well, I haven't been
entirely routed.

I'm on the same footing
as you now.

She's accepted my offer
of friendship in lieu.

These are awfully
silly, Mama.

Yes. Well,
they're not for

your eyes,
my darling.

They're for
little folk.

Even when I was little,

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

Ha ha ha!

Ohh.

Is your tooth
still hurting?

Yes. My gum aches.

Oh, dear.

Bless you.

Thank you, miss.

This arrived by
the midday post, madam.

Oh, thank you.

Oh, poor Merriman.
Have you got a cold?

No, madam.

God bless you.

Thank you, miss.

All right,
Merriman.

Yes, ma'am.

These have arrived
from Sir James Rosslyn.

Give you inspiration,
I expect.

Liven the place up
a bit.

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

Oh, yes.
I'm sorry.

Oh, may I
introduce you

to my daughter
Sophie?

How do you do,
Sophie?

How do you do?

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

Oh, that's nasty,
that is.

What you going to
do now

to make up for it,
eh?

Mama's going to
take me to a museum.

Oh, Lord.
I forgot.

Museum, eh?
Which one?

The Natural History.

Oh, mama,
you did promise.

Is that the one
with all them

stuffed animals?

Yes. There's
a dinosaur.

I've never been there.

Haven't you?

No. That's something
I ought to

put right, I think.

What about you and me
going together

and leaving your mother
to get on with her work?

Oh, yes, please.
Can I, mama?

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

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

I tell you what,

we'll get the Major
to take us.

He says he knows
all about

that kind of thing.

Right. Get your coat.

Don't stop for
the sandwiches.

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

Thank you.
That's very kind of you.

Right.

Have a lovely time,
darling.

Come on, Sophie.

Ohh!

2 bob to win.

Duke's Meadow.
3:30, Newbury.

Right you are, Major.

I'll slip down
to see Robert

in the George
at lunchtime.

MRS. TROTTER:
ready, Major?

I'll give it
to you later.

Right. Off we go.

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

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

Well done.

This is Sophie,

Mrs. Strickland's
daughter,

by the way.

Sophie, my dear child.
How do you do?

How do you do?

How I wish I could
come with you,

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

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

Come on.
Off we go.

DUGGAN: Oh, Merriman!

Sir?

Bring a bottle
of Champagne

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

The mum's '93.

Very good, sir.
Thank you.

DUGGAN: Diana?

I walked straight into
Hardwicke's office.

I laid out your drawings
on his desk.

He expressed
immediate approval.

I knew he would.
He wants to meet you.

I've arranged for
the 3 of us

to meet at the Savoy
on Tuesday.

I take it you have
no objection?

Oh, no. No.
That's wonderful.

I'm going to act
as your lawyer

and get you
a suitable advance.

Advance?
Yeah.

How much?

Well...few hundreds,
anyway.

Oh!

Oh.

Diana, my dear...

What's the matter?

Now...

Here, we have
elephants.

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

May we see
the dinosaur, please?

The dinosaur.
Right.

This way.
Follow me.

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

MAJOR: Ahh.
Yes. Um...

Must have taken

the wrong turn
somewhere.

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

Look at those
funny little birds.

They're Red-billed
Oxpeckers.

They're picking
the parasites

off the back of
the kudu.

What's a parasite?

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

No offense, Major.

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

Yes. Firsthand.

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

Isandlwana,

Rorke's Drift.

Those are
doum palms.

Did you know your husband
had gambling debts?

Well, yes, but not
the size of them.

Oh, it's my fault.

I should have
realized.

I gather the estate
is mortgaged.

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

my husband felt
it wasn't worth

keeping, anyway.

We might as well
enjoy it.

What'd you do
for income?

This is our income.

That's why I'm here.

But I simply can't
work fast enough,

even to pay
the household bills.

Court proceedings
on Tuesday, I see.

Well...

This can be
settled, anyway.

What?

Oh, no.
You mustn't.

Oh, no.
I couldn't

accept anything
from you,

and it's over
400 pounds!

See it as my investment

in Mabu
and his friends.

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

I couldn't accept
anything from you.

I'd rather
ask Sir James first.

I'll never be able
to pay you back.

Yes. Of course
you will.

There you are.

Take it, please...

As a seal
on our friendship.

Have you ever
shot a lion, Major?

No. Tigers,
India.

I remember one brute...

a Bengal tiger,
man-eater.

The scourge
of the neighborhood.

Killed 17 villagers.

The local maharajah
offered a reward

for someone to get it,

so off we went.

You see, we had
to get this tiger

before the monsoon.

We were stalking him
on one of these.

Safe up there,
you see.

Safe?

Yes. Tigers leave
elephants alone.

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

that's the thing
you sit in...

with the mahout up front

barking orders to him
in Hindi.

Do you think
he's fibbing?

Of course he is.
Just a bit.

We stalked the devil
all day.

Finally caught up
with him at dusk

and shot him clean
between the eyes.

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

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

Major Smith-Barton.

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

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

You see, I succeed
more often than not.

Since Isobel died,

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

politics and the arts
and travel.

None of it satisfies me.

They say I have the makings
of a formidable statesman.

I believe it myself.

But as I feel now
at this moment...

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

of your love.

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

our pact
of friendship,

but love grows
out of friendship.

They're part of
the same root,

so I say
the bargain holds.

You have fine feelings,
which I admire

and I could never
aspire to...

But you can't fight alone.

You need help,
and I can offer you help

and protection...

And my love for as long
as you want it.

I've got a small house
in the country

on the edge of
the new forest.

We could go for walks,

dream up your book.

This very weekend.
What do you say?

Mama? I've had
a glorious time.

Mrs. Trotter's
really wonderful,

and the Major's
so clever!

He knew all about
the animals,

and he spoke Hindi
with 2 Indian gentlemen.

Oh, darling.

Mama, have you
been crying?

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

Look. I've finished
these sketches.

Do you like them?

Oh! Now we must get
you to the station.

I'll just
get my coat.

Oh, dear.

Oh, mama,
can't I stay

one more day?

The Major said
he'd take me

to Madame Tussaud's
tomorrow.

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

It's all arranged.

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

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

When are you
coming home?

Me? Soon.

How soon?

It's horrible
without you.

Oh, darling, you know
I have to work.

Now, please,
don't be difficult.

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

You promised to take
me to the museum,

and you didn't.

Now, Soph...

Now, darling, please.

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

We'll miss
your train.

JAMES: It's incredible!

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

It's only a weekend
in the country.

It's the best thing
that could have happened,

if you ask me.

Her husband's
no good to her.

You can't expect her
to work herself to death

up there to keep
the family going.

She needs friends.
I should know.

I've been through
that meself.

It's no joke,
I tell you.

Mrs. Trotter,
you don't understand

the implications
of this affair.

We're about to fight
a general election.

If any scandal
should get out now...

Who said anything
about scandal?

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

My dear Mrs. Trotter,
you don't know

this lady at all
if you believe that.

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

Fun, as you call it.

She's romantic,
foolish, yes,

but she's also
loyal, steadfast.

There'll be no going back
after this weekend.

I fear for all the parties
concerned.

Yeah. Well,
you needn't worry

about the liberal party.

They'll hear nothing
from behind these walls,

I'll make sure
of that.

Thank you, Starr.

Tapsy. Tapsy, there.
Did you miss me?

Did they
take care of you?

Starr is a fox,
do you think?

No. A beaver.

And Merriman's
an old heron.

What about the Major?

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

That's James.
James is a buzzard.

Oh, that's unkind.

A friendly buzzard.

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

No. Observe them
from a distance.

They'll never
notice.

I shall remember
this weekend forever.

I've never been so happy.
Thank you.

10 minutes.

Then come and have
dinner in my room.

Mm-hmm.

What rubbish.

Come on, James.

Even if it did
get out, do you

seriously believe
it would have

the faintest effect
on the outcome

of this election?

It's a foregone
conclusion!

All right, consider
your own position, then.

My position?

At the moment,

your name figures highly
on everybody's list.

So I should hope.

I'm expecting something
in the board of trade,

by the way.

By God! Your insufferable
arrogance.

Everybody fools about!

Asquith, Lloyd George,
for God's sake.

I see no thorns
in their path.

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

You're jealous.

There's nothing
personal in this.

Nothing personal?

My God. I believe
you'd deprive me of

my rightful job in
the next administration

out of sheer, damn,
vindictive spite!

Is that your
opinion of me?

Yes, it is.

Very well. Just let me
say this, George:

that no man, however
brilliant he may

consider himself to be,

is greater than the party
that he stands for.

So, just be warned,
that's all.

Wait!

Will you
personally tell

Campbell-Bannerman...

Of course not!
But don't blame me

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

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

We've known each other
far too long

for this sort
of wrangling.

Sit down.

She'll be along
in a moment.

She'd like
to see you.

She talked about you
a great deal.

She's fond of you.

You've been a very good
friend to her,

and my God, she must
have needed it.

Thank you.

You know about
the marriage, then?

Oh, yes. It all came
tumbling out.

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

for some of the trouble.

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

But she's utterly adorable,
as you know.

I'm besotted by her.

Damned inconsiderate
husband.

What is it that makes men
neglect beautiful women?

Do you know,
for the last 5 years,

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

And you want me
to give her up

for the half-baked
sensibilities

of a few dried-up
low churchmen?

DUGGAN: Oh, my darling.

Come and meet
your old friend,

who knows
all about us.

Hello, James.
How nice to see you.

My dear.

What have you 2
been talking about?

The insignificance
of politics.

Is that clock
right, Starr?

5 minutes to 1:00?

Yes, sir.

Mrs. Trotter
has lent me a hat.

Do you approve?

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

That's better.

Yes, my dear,
it's splendid.

But come along.
We're late.

Good luck.

DIANA: Thank you.

DUGGAN: Thank you,
Starr.

All right, Mary.
Now's your chance

to get her room
tidied up.

It's a terrible
mess.

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

I think it's lovely.

While it lasts.

You have changed
my life.

With you, I can
achieve anything.

Can you achieve a book

in the time that
Hardwicke sets you?

I'll work
day and night.

The only break
I'll allow myself

is the time I give
to you, my angel.

Yes.

Well, now.

I shall have to go away
quite soon.

The election's set
for January.

I'm needed
in my constituency.

How long for?

2, 3 weeks.

Ohh!

Ohh, I wish I could
come with you.

I wish you could, too,
my darling.

This place will be
torture without you.

Oh, nonsense.
We both have work to do.

Yes.

I've made too many
demands on you.

No, you haven't.

You do love me?

I adore you.

And you'll go on
loving me?

I've no life
without you now.

Diana.

Oh, my love.
Hold me.

Don't go.

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

The time will fly.

Madam? Madam?

Hmm?

Haven't you been
to bed?

You'll wear
yourself out.

I have
some tea for you.

Thank you.

How is it
coming on, then?

Ooh, I like
this one.

Looks a bit like
Mr. Merriman.

Not very nice
campaigning weather.

It snowed
in the night.

Ha ha ha!

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

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

Diana, this is madness.

You must come
to your senses!

I can't give him up.

You know what my life
has been like.

Will you deny me
this happiness?

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

though in his
present condition,

I don't think
he'd notice.

He's not expected
to live long.

If we have to,
we'll wait.

Do you think George
will marry you?

Will that make you
happy? We'll wait.

Have you discussed it?

Has he mentioned marriage
in one of his letters?

You don't propose
in letters, James.

Just as I thought.

Of course
we'll be married!

He speaks of our
future together

on every page.

Though I really don't see

why I have to discuss it
with you.

And Sophie.
What about her?

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

She'll adore George.

He's always expressed
to me his strong dislike

of children;
his relationship

with his own son
bears that out.

They don't speak
to each other.

You're living
in a dream.

I'm surprised
you haven't told me

about his reputation
with other women.

Yes. My God, yes!

I know already.

You couldn't expect him
to remain celibate

after his wife died.

Oh, long before that,
I assure you.

What?

I could give you
a whole list of women.

No.

The plain fact is
that George Duggan,

for all he may seem to be
charming and brilliant,

is nothing more
than a cheap opportunist.

And that's not just
my opinion.

How dare you talk
like that about him

behind his back?

I thought you were
his friend.

Starr, could you
post this for me?

Thank you.

Oh, and Mary forgot
to bring up

my post
this morning.

May I have it,
please?

I'm afraid there were
no letters for you

this morning, madam.

Are you sure?

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

Well, thank you.

And Mrs. Strickland

mustn't hear a word
of it, right?

Yes, madam.

Yes, ma'am.

Thank you.

I don't know.

Thank you, sir.

Here, Major.
You seen this?

It's about Mr. Duggan
being seen in Dover

with a Mrs. Monroe.

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

Yes, and funnily enough,

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

A fellow called Foster.
He was talking about it.

Apparently,
this Mrs. Monroe...

Yeah? What about her?

She's got a bit of
a reputation

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

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

and she's looking
for a third.

According to Foster,

Duggan fills the bill
rather nicely.

Blimey. She's 48,
it says here,

and a widow.

Sounds like
an old frump compared

with Mrs. Strickland.

What's he playing at?

Politics,
I think it's called.

Mrs. Monroe
has money, influence.

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

I'm supposed to be
cooking dinner for him.

Honestly,
me heart's not in it.

I've heard
he's back already.

He's been seen
in the reform club

and at the theater last night
with Mrs. Monroe.

Eh?

Tricky one, this.

But my advice,
for what it's worth,

would be to tell her
about this,

soften the blow a bit.

Kinder in the long run.

Here, I'm sorry,
Mrs. Strickland.

It don't mean
for certain...

They could have met
by accident.

You don't want
to believe newspapers.

They print anything
for gossip.

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

He won't come.

Oh, of course he will.

He's honorable,
is Mr. Duggan.

He ain't canceled.
Here you are.

Right honorable M.P.
For bleeding Rye.

Oh!

You've been working
too hard.

That's your trouble.

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

Your nerves is on edge.

Yes. Oh, yes.

Yes. I'm sorry.

That's better.

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

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

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

now, would he, eh?

I'm going to
bring you up

a nice, hot cup
of tea, all right?

Yes. Thank you.
Thank you.

DUGGAN: Diana,
my dearest,

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

Am I in disgrace?

What a beautiful
dress.

Thank you.

Would you
like a drink?

Yes, please.

Shall I help
myself?

No. No.

Oh, what a day!

I shall be glad

when this damned
election's over.

How have you been?
I've missed you.

Have you been
working well?

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

They're over there,
but they can wait.

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

It's good luck
for the election.

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

What is it?

Oh! Ha ha!

They're splendid.

Thank you, Diana.

I shall wear them
on polling day.

I haven't got
anything for you.

I had no time.

Oi, Mr. Starr,
all's well.

It was wrong,
that newspaper.

They're like
lovebirds.

Thank you,
Merriman.

Will you
convey my thanks

to Mrs. Trotter

for a lovely
dinner?

Thank you, madam.

And from me, too,
Merriman.

Very good, sir.

Yes. I feel
much better.

A relief from those
provincial hotels.

And Deauville?

Deauville?
Now, how on earth

did you know
that I'd been

to Deauville?

It was
in the newspaper.

Was it? Good Lord.

I was hoping
I might get a postcard.

Do you know,
I bought one.

I forgot to send
the damn thing.

I found it in my pocket
when I got back.

Why did you go?

I went
because I was invited

by one
of my constituents.

It would have been
impolitic to refuse.

I enjoyed it, actually.

It was a rest
from speechifying.

The newspaper referred
to a Mrs. Monroe

who was seen
in your company.

Did it, now?

It spoke of a romance.

I paid no attention,
of course,

but when your letters
stopped coming

for a while,
I wasn't sure.

Romance with Dorothy?
Good heavens.

Dorothy?

Diana...

I can't deceive you.

Well...uh, damn.

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

though a romance

is hardly the word
I'd have used.

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

No. Romance is
something special.

Romance is what
you and I...

Uh, yes, Merriman,
what is it?

Uh, coffee, sir.

Coffee. Do we
want coffee?

But why didn't you
tell me at once?

Why this awful pretense?

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

and this evening...
Diana, my dear.

Oh, yes, thank you,
Merriman.

We'll pour it
ourselves.

Very good, madam.

Diana, believe me,

my feelings for you
were genuine.

I mean,
they still are.

I'd far rather
spend my life with you.

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

Victims? Yes!

You took me like
a dog picks up a bone.

Didn't you realize that
you changed my life?

Good heavens.
That's simply not true.

I only helped you
onto your feet again,

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

You've got a book
to finish.

You've got a belief
in yourself again.

Belief in myself?
You've crushed my belief!

Why? Because you
feared a scandal?

You said you were
above such things.

Of course
that's not the reason.

If it were so,
then you'd have

every right
to chastise me.

No, no, no.

It was you
I feared for.

You've got
a sick husband

for whom you still
feel loyalty.

Oh, no.

Oh, yes, yes,
yes, you do,

however difficult
it all may be.

If you were
to abandon him now

when he needs you
most of all...

Well, how do you think
that would place you

in the eyes of society?

You would be an outcast.

Yes! With you
beside me.

Yes! Goddamn it,

is that what
you wanted...

to drag me down?

I see.

Oh, I...I'm sorry.

Oh, please
don't apologize.

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

I didn't mean
to say...

Yes, you did mean

precisely what you said.

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

I've never really known
what society was.

I've never really
been a part of it.

But now I think
I do know.

It's a skin
that people hide in.

Small people hide
because it puffs them up.

It protects them
in their vanity.

I loved you.
You opened my eyes

to possibilities
I'd never even dreamed of.

You were the finest man
I'd ever known.

I worshiped your mind,
your body.

I trusted you!

This is absurd.

I'm a man
with frailties.

Yes, you are.

That was my mistake.

Stupid.

Diana, I'm sorry.

I'm truly sorry

that you feel
like this about me.

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

Well, I shan't
forget you...

Nor my friends
in the forest.

She's leaving,
ma'am.

She rang for me
to help her pack.

Where's she going?

Home.

Here. You're going
to fight him.

Why? He's not worth
fighting.

Of course he is.
He's rotten.

And the whole world
should know

what he done to you.

We don't want him running
the blooming country.

It was my fault,
Mrs. Trotter.

I was blind,
selfish.

Yeah, well, we're all
blind sometimes

when it comes to bodies.

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

I have no weapons.

No weapons?
What's these, then?

Evidence only?
Ruddy bombs!

Look, Lord Northcliffe
comes here.

He's a friend of mine.

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

Oh, no,
that's foolish.

No, it ain't.

Why should
I hurt him?

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

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

I've much to be
grateful for.

He lent me money, too.

It was a debt
of my husband's.

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

Goodness sake.
How much?

It was 425 pounds.

Well, I shall earn it
from my book.

Now, excuse me.

I must return to my
husband and daughter.

I've neglected them.

George was quite right
about them.

A scandal
would harm them.

Come on, Tapsy.

I owe my husband
everything.

I can't desert him

now that he's ill
and needs me most.

I've been disloyal.

And George needs
Mrs. Monroe.

MARY: It's all packed,
madam.

Thank you, Mary.

These...

Must be burned.

Thank you,
Mary.

Thank you, Starr.
Put those down

and find me a cab,
would you?

Very good, sir.

And, Starr,
thank you.

That's very kind
of you, sir.

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

Ah.

Ah, Merriman.

Yes, sir?

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

My dear Mrs. T,

I am sorry to be
leaving so abruptly

after such a long
and pleasant stay.

You must blame
the election, I'm afraid.

It seems as if my life
is going to be

a good deal changed
from now on.

Would you like me
to settle my account?

If you wouldn't mind,
Mr. Duggan.

I've got it ready.

Thank you.

But you won't need that.

What did you say?

You've paid already.

In fact,
I owe you some.

28 pounds 10 shillings,
to be precise.

What's this?

The balance
on what you lent

Mrs. Strickland.

I'm relieving you
of that obligation.

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

That was
a private matter.

Yeah, well,
it's my business now.

It's best, isn't it?

So you can wipe
the whole slate clean.

Well, if you insist,
Mrs. T.

I do,
and I'd be grateful

if you didn't
come here again,

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

get to be
Prime Minister.

My God, what terrible tales
is she telling?

She ain't said
nothing terrible,

Mr. Duggan.

She stuck up
for you.

You won't have
no trouble with her.

She's a saint,

and you're
bloomin' lucky.

There's others
you couldn't have

done that to and got
away with it.

Good-bye, Mrs. Trotter.

STARR:
Cab's here, sir.

Thank you, Starr.

Mr. Merriman,
more Champagne.

What's the rumpus
up there?

It's Mr. Lloyd George
celebrating

election victory.

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

Mr. Duggan and his
fiancee Mrs. Monroe.

Does Mrs. Trotter know?

Oh, yeah. She's
there with them.

I saw her talking
and laughing,

happy as larks.

I'd never have
believed it.

Would you,
Mr. Merriman?

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

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

but once you get
your feelings involved...

You lose out
on tips.

Don't you, Fred?

Yes. Ah,
Mrs. Trotter's merry.