Upstairs, Downstairs (1971–1975): Season 1, Episode 7 - Magic Casements - full transcript

[ Door closes ]

- Is that you, Richard?

Yes, dear.

- I'm in here.

[ Opens door ]

Well, how did you
vote in the end?

There's no chance for
a provision for days.

Did you speak to Father?

No, he's still in the country.

Or Arthur Balfour?

No.



But you promised you would.

I said I would if I met him,
which I did not.

Really, Marjorie, I don't think you
understand the position

now that we're in opposition.

I'm a perfectly ordinary
common-a-garden backbencher.

Backbenchers are supposed
to show some independence,

to express their own opinions.

And my own personal opinion
of the Liberals Education Bill

is that's it's a good one
in most respects.

Ring for tea, will you Richard?

Anyway, I'm far from convinced
that education should be a

party political issue.

Well, Father always thought that
far too much time and money was

spent on education.



Especially for working people.
It can be a positive disadvantage.

Fine. He's entitled to his
opinion. I'm entitled to mine.

It's just that I don't
happen to think it's fair that

Catholics and non-conformists
should be excluded from our

Church of England schools.

All I'm aiming to do is to
abstain from voting against that

one section of the bill.
My own personal gesture.

They'll take it as a gesture of
defiance against you own party.

- You rang, my lady?
- Huh?

Oh yes, Edward, bring tea, and
ask Hudson to see that that

- catches the post. Will you?
- Very good, my lady.

Whatever happens the bill
will be thrown out of the window

lock, stock and barrel.

Your father and Landsdown
will see to that.

Well, I think after all her
ladyship's done for him

it's just dreadful.

Her (husband's) got no gratitude.

Well, I think she's cracked a bit once
too often, and the worm's turned.

Now, now, Rose, there's little
enough we can say or do that'll

make any difference.

- She wants her tea.

Who's "she", the cat's mother?

Well, they're still at it,
hammer and tongs.

Now look here, Edward.
You show a little respect

or you won't last very
long in this house.

And get the tray.

Well, in my last place it was
parlormaid who served tea.

Well, in this house
we do things properly.

You serve it.
I supervise.

I suppose in your last place
you didn't wear gloves?

- Yes, I did.
- Well, put them on, then.

- More tea, Miss Roberts?
- Eh, just a half cup.

Oh, that's enough.
Thank you.

I remember when Lady Marjorie first
brought Mr. Bellamy to Southwold.

That was before they
were married, even.

I said there would be trouble
one day, and I say it again now.

And that wasn't yesterday.

I was a kitchen maid.

And I remember old Nanny Luke's
saying, as how she did,

Lord and Lady Southwold,
wasn't (over) peace, not at all.

In fact, quite the (opposite).

Oh, they had no cause
to be, neither.

He was only a Norfolk country
parson's son, when all said and done.

Huh.

Well, that's not much catch.

Not for the eldest daughter
of an earl.

And as lovely as
any girl in England.

But Lady Marjorie,
she would have her way.

Always has and always
will I've no doubt.

Well you could say
he wasn't really her class.

Oh, Mr. Bellamy's
a perfect gentleman.

Well, he wouldn't have got far
if Lord Southwold hadn't found him

a safe seat in parliament.

And a certain (invaling) Mr. Bellamy
hasn't a penny to his name.

- As we think (curious) upstairs.

Well, I think sometimes the poor man's
more of a servant than we are.

And I wouldn't blame him
if he did turn Liberal.

Like Mr. Winston Churchill.

I mean, after the last election,
he was almost finished any-old-how.

I'm a Tory and proud of it.

Well, don't you start telling me
my party's finished, my girl.

It's not me that's
turning Liberal.

- You're casting aspersions
where you've not right to do.

It's about have you know you've
just blown a mouthful of crumbs

into my tea.

Give him a good whipping
if he were mine.

I know Tory household up to
Southwold's being let down like that.

It's wicked, or worse.

More bread, please.

Butl, if it's just conscience
that's worrying you...

If you are a Tory,
you don't need one.

You know your rights.

What do you think, Mr. Hudson.
What's your opinion.

It's very good of you to ask,
Miss Roberts.

I think you're a lot of ignoramuses.

You're all talking about things
you know nothing about.

Ho, ho, I like that.

The politics of a gentleman,
Mrs. Bridges, not for the likes of us.

Oh, Mr. Hudson, how can
you even say such a thing?

Experience, Rose, that's how I
can say it. From experience.

I have seen what happens when
ordinary people get political.

Oh, that can't be right.
Can it Mr. Hudson?

I am telling you, Rose.
You mind your own business,

and let the politicians mind theirs.

And keep the butter knife
out of the jam.

One, stupid, unnecessary--
now you admit that yourself--

unnecessary gesture.

Your chance of cabinet
rank will be ruined forever.

People don't forget you.

When we go back into power
you'll be put aside,

you won't be forgiven and forgotten.

Well, I don't see it that way.

Well I do.

Yes, and someone may.

For all that's been done for you,
that it's so...it's so disloyal.

[ Door closes ]

- Oh, hello James.
- Hello, Ma.

- Hello Father.

Something up?

No.

Good.

[ Kiss ] However,
I've got a friend of mine outside.

A Captain Charles Hammond.
Indian Army. The Guides, you know.

Really frontier wallah.

He's (messing) enough when
he's back home. Awfully nice chap.

Uh, will you give him a cup of tea
while I go and change?

We're off to a party,
or another.

Come on in...Charles.
[ Opens door ]

May I present Captain Charles Hammond.
My mother, my father.

How do you do, Lady Marjorie?
Sir

Well now do sit down

Yes, do sit down, Captain.

- Well, I'll just go and change.
(Carry on).

[ Door closes ]

- D'you take milk?
- Yes, thank you.

- Um, sugar?
- No, thank you.

Sandwich.

No, thank you, sir.

- How was the...
- Do you...

- Oh, I'm sorry.
- Please.

How were things on the northwest frontier
when you left? Things pretty quiet?

No sir.
Quite a lot going on, really.

The (Bea Frieda) still playing up?

Yes, indeed...You, uh,
know a lot about it, then.

Well, as a member of parliament.

(Impaled) defense is one
of my main interests.

And education.

I expect it's very...very bleak out there.

Not a bit. It's really quite...jolly.

You'll go, you and James,
going to paint the town red?

Yes, James is taking me to a party
tonight. To meet some of his friends.

I know no one in London.
I have very few of the social graces.

James has taken me in hand,
but I feel I'm a rotten pupil.

I'd sooner be on picket duty in the Khyber
than face a drawing room in the...

- I, I don't mean this drawing...
- That is very understandable.

Nice of you to say so.

Then we're going to a...
to the opera.

James going to the opera?
The real opera?

Yes, that's my fault.
I'm very fond of the opera.

I thought I'd start him off on
Rigoletto. All those nice tunes.

Senior San Marcos' in
great voice at the Duke.

- Oh you, been there?
- I'm fond of opera.

D'you know that's the only thing
I really miss in India.

Go and take in a performance
of Tristan next Thursday.

(Sir Rhesus) found a
magnificent new tenor.

[ Gasp ]
That should be absolutely wonderful.

- Oh, my goodness.

- Did you say Thursday? I'm not sure.
- Yes. - I thought it was Wednesday.

They've called a meeting of the
Ways and Means Committee

- for that evening.
- Oh, Richard, no!

But, I'm terribly sorry, my dear,
but I can't see how I can get out of it.

But you knew how much I was
looking forward to it.

Really! It's too bad.

Well, I'll think of something.

- Well, I'm sure James will love it...
- James! Rather!

- [ Ahem ] I think I...
- Captain Hammond...

Um, I have now ear for music,
so such delights are wasted on me.

Would you do me a favor
and accompany my wife to the Garland?

Richard, you mustn't. Poor Captain
Hammond, the last thing he wants

is to be saddled all evening
with James' mother!

- Not at all. It would be abso...
- Or, with such music.

No, I would enjoy accompanying
you so much...It would be an honor.

Well, thank you very much, indeed.
I'm very much obliged.

[ Door opens ]

There we are.
How's that for speed?

Ready (Tom)?

Well, thank you very much,
Lady Marjorie, sir.

Oh, I hope you will allow me
to take your wife out to supper

before the opera, sir?

- Well, of course, I'm sure.
- I'd be delighted.

Till Thursday, then, goodbye.

Goodbye.

[ Door closes ]

Did I gather they've pushed you
into taking my mother to something?

Yes, the Garland next week.

Oh, really, I am sorry.

I do wish they wouldn't
impose on my friend.

Ah, I should enjoy it, really, James.

You're too damn good natured, Charles.

You shouldn't have embarrassed
that poor young man like that, Richard.

He should be pleased. Taking one of
the most beautiful women in London

to hear some of the
greatest singers.

It might.
Good for James.

Hmm. Soul of the earth.
Men like Hammond.

I sometimes think we waste them,
letting them spend their lives...

on the far-flung frontiers
of the British Empire.

I wonder what makes them want
to go out there, in the first place.

- And my bill, please.
- Certainly, sir.

Your mother must have been
a wonderful person.

Yes, she was.

I never really got on with my father.

I think the dislike was mutual.

He married my mother
for her money.

Even boasted about it.

Her father was a
Worcestshire ironmaster.

When I was at Oxford, my father
took up with a high-born harlot

he met out hunting.

My mother...went to Florence
where she died.

It was then that I decided
to escape to India.

I don't blame you.

Oh, I don't really approve of nepotism,
but I had a couple of relations hire

me Indian servants,
and I pulled every string in sight.

And you found happiness?

Yes.

Well at least everyday I spend here
makes me want to be back there the more.

Is it dangerous?

The frontier, each step is on
the brink of eternity.

The brink of eternity.

The men in my regiment
are second to none, they...

they love a scrap.
It's the breath of life to them.

What sort of men?

Pathans...
Oh, you might think them a...

a quarrelsome lot of cattle thieves,
but they're...they're very loyal...

hospitable and brave.

They smile and look you
straight in the eye, and they...

may die to save your life.

I should imagine the women
have a thin time of it.

Oh, I don't know.
They make very ideal wives,

never seen or heard. Dedicated to
cooking, cutting grass, carrying wood.

[ Laughing ] Then, what
are you doing here, Captain Hammond?

Well, it's too stupid, Lady Marjorie.
I'm not allowed to talk about it.

I shouldn't have asked.

Oh...anyway, it's giving you a chance to
compare your old world with your new.

You don't find the old
any better than before?

No, sadly enough, I don't.
I find society shallow and boring.

Yawning politely to (film).
In spite of the glitter and (inaction).

I fell there's a...an air of
despair and doom. [ Sigh ]

But I'm being rude and boring myself.

Well, sometimes the same sort of...
shiver goes down my back.

Glad you like James.

Yes, uh, I'm afraid I think
he's rather (winston).

Just what my husband says about you.

How odd.

James has many original
qualities that I, uh...

I suspect he inherits
from his mother.

Flatterer.

Oh, what a dull time I've had
compared with you.

I've never been farther
than Biarritz in my life.

I hardly take a step beyond
the shallow world of society.

All my life I've been protected, cosseted,
wrapped in a cocoon of fondness.

But you enjoy it.

Yes, most of the time.

Till I meet someone like you.

- Then I seem rather cross and jealous.
- Huh huh.

- Why cross and jealous?
- Because you have a real life.

Exciting and worthwhile,
which I can never enjoy.

Thank you.

- Thank you, sir.

Well, we ought to go.

At least Tristan is something
we can enjoy...together.

[ Opera singing ]

[ Full chorus singing ]

[ Orchestral finale ]

[ Applause ]

- Wonderful.
- Ah, unbelievable.

Bravo!

Ah, what glorious voices.

True, clean, cut clean
through to the heart.

Like dawn on the frontier.

You can see from Kabul in the west,
right round in an arc across Kashmir

to the great (Molensk).

Blinding gold in the
first light of the sun.

The Near East 300 miles away.

Clean...hard...pure.

That's what's good enough.

Like the naked blade of a Kukuyu.

[ Sigh ]
The cry of a bird.

"The same that oft-times hath
charmed magic casements,"

"opening on the foam of perilous seas,
in faery lands forlorn."

- I saw in the paper
the Queen was indisposed.

- So I suppose Mrs. Keppel
is with His Majesty.

- No, It's not my place to say so,
but there are some strange people

- in the royal circle.

- (Marcos de Silva) is more
like a monkey than a man.

- Go to bed now, Roberts.
- Huh.

- Goodnight, my lady.
- Goodnight, Roberts.

[ Sigh ]

- My dear.
- Huh? [ Kiss ]

Well...did everything
go off all right?

It was a lovely evening.

And did he come up to
your expectations?

Uh huh, seems a very nice young man.

[ Laugh ]
I meant the tenor.

Oh!
He was magnificent.

Oh, aren't they beautiful, my lady?

Uh, will they go into the
drawing room, my lady?

Uh..no, give them to me, Rose.

And, uh, take the vase
to my bedroom.

I'll arrange them myself.

Yes, my lady.

Here, which one would
you choose, Edward?

Why not let her choose.

Who are the roses from, anyway?

An admirer.

That's nice, isn't it?

At her age as well.

Well, why not.
It's only good manners.

Token of esteem.

Roses is symbolic,
I've always heard.

What of, then?

Love.

A rose by any other name,
would smell, [ Sniff, sniff, sniff ]

- Love.
- Oh, Edward, get off.

For pity's sake!

Huh, that went ain't off prickly.
[ Mrs. Bridges laughs ]

[ Sounds of outdoor music ]

[ Door opens ]

Oh, those roses, my lady.
They look really, really royal.

They say that flowers like that
come from the heart.

Do they, Roberts?

In the last couple of days
she's been dancing 'round

the room like the
Queen of the May.

Spring is in the air.

A bit more than spring, I'd say.

For a lady's maid, Miss Roberts,
you've got a loverly imagination.

Oh, have I?

Well, yesterday, she lit
the fire with her own hand.

And didn't she, Rose?

Lady Marjorie lit the fire in her
boudoir with her own hands.

Why shouldn't she, then?

Well, firstly, high summer.

She was burning a note,
that's what she was doing.

A billet-doux?

Yes, I saw her do it.

With these two eyes just
as I came into the room.

And you saw those paper ashes
in the grate, didn't you Rose?

I did it, though I made the fire with
paper, didn't exactly surprise me.

Can I help you, madame?

I'm just looking for
something for my son.

- Would he be a young man?
- Yes.

Ah, they like adventure.

Yes, but nothing too trashy.

Eh, what about the
Scarlet Pimpernel?

- An historical romance, very fine.
- That should do very well, thank you.

I'll get it for you, madame.

Hello.

Captain Hammond.

Those flowers,
it was very kind of you.

I'm glad you liked them.

I think, if I may say so,
you've been sent by Providence.

I was just trying to
dig up that quotation,

'perilous seas,
in faery lands forlorn.'

- It quite escapes me.
- Keats, Ode to a Nightingale.

[ Snap finger ]
Of course!

Keats' volume's here.

Yes, that's it.

Sing.

Umm.

There we are.

I shall buy it for you.

Oh, that's very kind of you.
Thank you.

Could I...ask you a favor?

Would you read the poem to me?

Of course...not here.

No.

Not here.

"Adieu! the fancy cannot cheat so well
As she is famed to do, deceiving elf.

"Adieu! adieu! thy plaintive anthem fades
Past the near meadows, over the still stream,

"Up the hill-side; and now 'tis buried deep
In the next valley-glades:

"Was it a vision, or a waking dream?
Fled is that music:?do I wake or sleep?"

Thank you.

Well, there's something else
we've enjoyed together.

Yes.

But, I'm failing in my duty as host.
Can I offer you a glass of (Mezot)?

I'd like that very much.

- Do you play?
- Oh. Only a little.

And then to amuse myself.

Oh, I love this one.

[ Plays piano ]

# O, my luve is like a melodie
That's sweetly played in tune. #

# As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I; #

# And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till all the seas gang dry. #

# Till all the seas gang dry, my dear,
Till all the seas gang dry. #

# And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till all the seas gang dry. #

You know that I love you,
don't you?

Charles.

You're the most beautiful,
desirable woman in the world.

What are you doing?
You're crying.

Why are you crying?

[ Sigh ] I should...

- Because I'm happy.
- [ Sigh ]

Oh.

What I did see was a bit funny.

The second day running she's told
Pierre she don't need the Daimler,

and gone off on her own.

Now that's not like Lady Marjorie.

She's probably calling.

Where would you drive out
ladies of quality who don't go

calling on their own flat feet?
At least ways, not what we call calling.

I was alluding to the
other kind of calling.

- That's what I was.
- You want to be careful.

People who open
their mouths too wide

can sometimes be heard
where there wasn't no meaning.

She's not like that.

Lady Marjorie wouldn't
behave like that.

Oh, it's in the blood.

Look at Lady Eleanor,
the one we call the "bolter".

Well, she was an aunt, wasn't she?

- Shh. Shh.
- The bolter?

That was before your time, Rose.

And it's best drawing a veil over.

Well, you can't really blame her,
can you? I mean, you only live once.

And she can't be getting
very much from Mr. B.

Edward, don't.

Well, it's only human nature.

With 25 years, always
having the same pudding.

- Oh me, I like a change of diet.
- Edward!

Yes, Mr. Hudson?

In there!

[ Door closes ]

I thought as much.

I thought so from your references.
Three weeks only and then this.

Her ladyship didn't want you.
It was Mr. Bellamy that

asked me to see you.

I saw you.
I saw you, didn't I?

And what did I tell you, then?

Oh, lost your tongue, have you?

Well, that's not all you lose,
if you get thrown out of here, my lad.

Disgusting, vulgar, dirty...
yes, that's what it is, dirty.

The words I heard you use in there
are blocked in this whole household.

Aw, they're not, Mr. Hudson.
It was Miss Roberts.

Oh, you're going to tell tales,
now, are you?

I wouldn't put it past you to do
anything to save your own dusty skin.

But, for your information,
Miss Roberts is Miss Roberts,

and you are my footman,
and you have let me down.

And if ever I hear words like that
passing your lips again, young man

you will be out on the streets
...without a reference.

And the same applies if I catch you
larking about with any of the

young girls in my staff.
Now, off you go and

straighten up the morning room.

Stop!

Did I see you smile?

No, Mr. Hudson.
No, honest, honest.

Take yourself out of here.

[ Door opens; closes ]

My love...my darling.

[ Sigh ] Dazed by your beauty.
[ Clock chimes ]

I shall have to go.

- Oh, no. Oh, no.
- [ Laughing ]

When you're not here...
I can't think of anything else but you.

[ Chimes four o'clock ]
[ Sigh ]

The world outside seems so unreal.

- It's like living in a dull, gray dream.
- I know.

I love you so much.

You're the light of my life.

[ Scoff ]
Stupid, tripe words there.

I wish I was a poet,
or something.

Nothing as wonderful as this
has ever happened to me before.

- Can you believe that?
- I believe it.

Nothing as wonderful
has happened to me before.

You're just saying that to be...
to be nice to me.

Nothing as wonderful as this
has ever happened to me before.

[ Laughing ]

Oh, it's a miracle.

How can a set of dingy rooms
in dirty old London...turn into

paradise?

Nothing happened.

Everything in this room is special.

Sort of unique.

And all because of you.

It's our private world.

Safe here.
Nothing can touch us.

No one must ever know
about it except us.

If they do it'll all...crumble.

Down to dust.

[ Sigh ] Never.

Never.

You are my only love?

M.

Ohhh. She's almost old enough
to be his mother.

Well, what's that got to do with it?
Passion strikes when it pleases.

- Well, we had that...
- What's all this?

I'm shocked!

I'm really shocked, Mrs. Bridges.

We're all shocked, Mr. Hudson.

It's time this is brought
out into the open.

It's no us shuffling
muck under the carpet.

And dirty minds can find muck
where there isn't any.

I'll thank you to listen
to me, Mr. Hudson.

This afternoon. Not a hour ago.

When I was coming back from
visiting my friends in Victoria

I happened to catch sight of Lady
Marjorie stepping out of a Hansom cab.

Lady Marjorie in a cab.

(Let me be brief.)

- She entered a certain house.
- What house?

A house where there's
suites of gentlemen's rooms.

I'm sure that's all very interesting.

It was the same house where
Mr. Pearce dropped off a certain

Captain Charles Hammond
on the night of the gala opera,

and his card's on the door
to prove it.

You lot should set up an agency
for minding other people's business.

You'd have Sherlock Holmes
beat any day.

We don't like it, Mr. Hudson, none of
us do, but you've gotta face facts.

Lady Marjorie's gone off the road, and
there's likely to be one hell-of-a crash.

- It's not as if she's ever
done it before.

- And if Mr. Bellamy
gets to hear of it!

He's such a mild mannered man.
He wouldn't stand for it.

All for society it would be
the scandal of the year.

And this house and family
will be blown to bits.

And us with it.

And we're frightened.

And we've cause to be.

Now, listen to me, all of you.

What Lady Marjorie or Mr. Bellamy
chose to say or do in their private lives

is absolutely no business of ours.

We should not inquire into it,
far less question it.

Our duty is to do our jobs
as best we can and to be

loyal to our employers.

We work for a fine family,
people of quality.

High up in the social world.

No breath of scandal has ever
touched this house in my time,

and if it does, it is not for it
to happen through the servants.

Not while I'm still here.

Chattering, whispering servants
can spread scandal like...

like rats with the plague.
It's-it's mischievous, wicked!

Evil.

I'm surprised at the lot of you.

If disaster ever comes to this house,
through the chattering of your

senseless, loose tongues,

we'd all be better dead
for the shame of it.

[ Door opens; slams shut ]

[ Kissing and laughing ]

[ Humming ]

[ Clock chimes ]
I'll shall have to go, my love.

I hate that clock.

Why must you always
be "going to go"?

Darling, you know I have
to get back to tea.

The servants begin to wonder.

Damn tea, damn servants
and damn clock.

At school there always used to be
Greek verse between 3 and 4 o'clock.

You're not Greek verse.

Can't always be part
of the curriculum.

Oh, love is such a...
all-embracing thing.

Can't we live and breathe forever
in these two little rooms?

Our society would be destroyed.

No.

Charles, you know the rules.

Damn the rules!
[ Slap ]

We make our own rules!

Oh, I know their rules.
It's all right if you're not found out.

You friends would know
about it all, of course,

and snigger and gossip
behind our backs and,

we'd be invited to the same
weekend house parties

and given rooms
next door to each other...

Oh, that's not our
sort of love, my darling.

A beastly, furtive society
sort of thing.

I don't think I could
face the divorce.

Oh, no, divorce is only
for vulgar people.

Another of your...house rules.

Don't be cruel to me.

I'm sorry, my darling,
but you see I don't care.

I don't care if you are divorced
or what you are to me.

You are perfect and always will be.

You are my love, my inspiration.
I worship you.

And you are my
gentle-hearted knight.

[ Oh! Gasp! ]
Why not divorce?

For us anything is possible.

We must have no fear,
no turning back

together we can open
up magic casements.

I don't think I'm brave
or strong enough

to face those perilous seas.

Our ship might strike a rock.

I'll hold you up.

I dedicate my life to you.

You'd have to leave the army.

Oh, damn the army.
Damn everything but us.

It must be clean cut,
clean, hard and complete.

Italy, America, Australia,
I don't mind where.

I'll look after you.

I've got brains...and money, thanks
to that ironmaster from (Butely).

Leave it to me.

Trust me.

Let's stay a little longer
in our secret world.

Just a little more time.

Of course, my darling, I...

[ Sigh ]
I'm only impatient because I love you so.

Forgive me.

[ Door opens ]
Oh, hello, Father.

Hello, James.
[ Door closes ]

How are...how are things?

What do you mean, things?

Well, are you and Mother
been having a bit of a tiff?

Oh that...yes.
[ Sigh ]

Oh it's blown over.

Or perhaps adjourned might be
a better way of putting it.

[ Door opens ]

Hello, darling. I can't think
on earth, where I put my list.

Mmm, you've got a new hat
for the Regatta.

- On you are beautiful.
- Dummy.

What's Regatta?

It's the boat run
for Regatta today.

I did tell you about it.

I-I've got a picnic and everything.

I do you're both coming.

I can't possibly, I'm afraid James,
I'm seeing a deputation of constituents.

All up in arms
about the new sewer.

Well, what of you'll come, Mother?

- Oh, darling, I...
- Dawn and Jack are coming

and Major Fitzgerald.

You're all so young.
You don't want me.

Ah, we've asked some old things as well.
Especially for you.

The Colonel and public youth.
Oh, Charles is coming.

Charles?

Your chum from the opera,
you remember.

They put him in for the
canoe punting race.

Should be great, gad,
he doesn't know what fools is.

You should be careful with that fellow.

He's much more important
than you think.

Old Charlie?

Yes, it's not generally known,
and perhaps it oughtn't to go

beyond these four walls, but...
Charles Hammond is a bit of

a cloak and dagger man.
Adam Blake told me.

He's back home advising the
Anglo-Russian Boundary Commission.

Hmm, good for him.

I don't think I will come, darling,
there're so many things I ought to do.

Like lunch with your
husband of the house?

I want to show you off
in that new hat.

I'd be delighted to accept
your kind invitation, sir.

I'm a lucky man.

You're looking very beautiful
today, my dear. [ Kiss ]

You're pulling my leg, Mr. Hudson.

No, I'm not, Mrs. Bridges.
I told you they were off

to lunch at the House of Commons
like a pair of turtle doves.

And I can't say it didn't please me
to see them, because it did.

I don't know.

Chopping and changing.
Chopping and changing.

No thought for the poor cook.

And the (air) half done!

I'm sure it'll prove very tasty,
Mrs. Bridges, with a nice spoonful

of red (com) jelly.

We might even stretch
to a wee bottle of wine, eh?

Heh, heh, I believe a slight
celebration wouldn't be out of order

on this particular occasion.

And, maybe this will put an end
to all those silly backstairs

chatter and gossip
once and for all.

I wouldn't be too sure
of that, Mr. Hudson.

Love can make a woman
uncommon devious in her ways.

[ Pulls servant call ]

- Your tea, my lady.

Oh, thank you, Rose.

- Lovely day for the Regatta,
my lady. - Isn't it.

Mrs. Bridges asked, will you
be in for dinner, my lady?

Uh, I don't know yet, Rose.

Mr. Bellamy will be late at the House.

So ask Mrs. Bridges to put
something cold on a tray, will you?

Yes, my lady.

Mr. Hudson.
Mr. Hudson.

Don't shout at me like that...

You forgot the evening paper, Mr. Hudson.

Well, take it upstairs, then,

and don't be bothering me
with a wee thing like that.

The Times has put the Stop Press, look.

Oh, my God.

All right, Edward, I'll...
deal with it.

[ Door opens ]

- The evening newspaper, my lady.
- Huh?

Put it over there,
would you Hudson?

I think I should warn you, my lady,
that there's the possibility of

some disturbing news in it.

What news, Hudson?

On the back page
in the Stop Press, my lady.

Well, read it to me.
What does it say?

A tragic accident at
Dowd's Regatta:

Canoe goes over weir.
Officer feared drowned.

No name.

You may leave, Hudson.

Very good, my lady.

Oh, my God.

[ Quietly sobbing ]

[ Door opens ]

Captain Hammond, my lady.

Oh!

I, uh...I came straight here.

Oh, I thought you...
[ Door closes ]

I thought you might
think it was me that...

I was desperate.
I think I couldn't...

- Her ladyship, now?
- She's in the morning room.

[ Door opens ]
Hammond.

You've heard about the accident?

- James wasn't involved.
- No.

I, uh, came to put
Lady Marjorie's mind at rest

on the same point, sir.

Well, that's very good of you.
[ Door closes ]

Oh, Marjorie, you must
have had an awful shock.

But-but, you were there!
What-what happened?

One of the fellows went over the,
in the canoe punt race,

got swept over the weir.

He's all right, though, as usual
the papers always exaggerate.

Thank the Lord for that.

I think I'll go and lie down,
if you'll excuse me, Captain Hammond.

Of course, Lady Marjorie.

Can I get you some tea,
uh, uh a drink?

No, thank you, sir.
I really must be on my way.

Well, you have suffered the most.

Well, sometime before you vanish again,
I'd like to hear all about your exploits.

I'd be delighted, sir.

Uh, when are you due back to India?

Well, that's uh, really up to me.

Well, let's make it soon.
I'll speak to my wife.

Hudson, would you show
Captain Hammond out?

Very good, sir.

It was very...very good of you to come.

Thank you.

Goodbye, sir.

[ Door opens ]

- Hi there, Father.

Hi, James.

[ Door slams shut ]

- Was that Charlie Hammond
dashing across the street?

Yes, he was here to tell us all
about the accident at (Maidenhair).

Ha, ha, ha, only old sticky
(Mayfair) of the Grenadiers,

couldn't drown him if you tried.

Nevertheless, your mother was
very upset, very upset indeed,

when she heard the news.

Frankly, it was extremely
thoughtless of you

not to let her know
you were safe and sound.

I never went near the Regatta.

The Adjutant got the collywobbles
at the last minute,

and I had to take his place
on a blasted Court of Inquiry.

- I telephoned Mother
all about it and forgot.

I must have got it wrong.

- Many happy returns of the day.
- Umm.

[ Kiss ] Thank you, Mother,
for the splendid book.

It was just what I wanted. Heh.

Even had a letter from Elizabeth.
First time she's ever remembered.

Well, she's growing up.

Yeah, I'm afraid she doesn't
think much of France.

And uh, "All Froggies have hands like
wet fish and smell of garlic and scent.

"And the women are like black (doe).

"But the food is gorgeous, and
I'm stuffing myself

"like a Stralberg goose".

I can just see her.

At least there's nothing about
the poor and underprivileged.

She misses us all,
and can't wait to come home.

Well, makes a nice change.

You know, I think I'll introduce
her to old Charlie Hammond.

Oh, why?

Oh well, he's such an odd fish,
he'll probably see something in her.

I can't see Elizabeth
as a Memsahib.

Huh, huh, huh. She's probably
start at new Afghan war.

Then everyone would be happy.

Well, I must be off.

But, here's her letter.
There's a PS in it for you.

She wants some more
tinkle or something.

You know what Charles said,
when I told him I was 24?

No, darling.

He said you were more like
my sister than my mother.

Isn't that nice.
[ Kiss ]

- Hello, Father. Thank you
so much for the check.

- I hope you find it useful.
- Huh.

[ Door closes ]
- My dear.

- Can you spare me a few moments?

- I want to talk to you very seriously.

- About us.

The House is voting on the education
bill sometime tomorrow after tea.

Oh.

For the next bit I find
very difficult to say.

Even though I've been
rehearsing for several days.

I've been pig-headed,...
obstinate,...ungrateful,

to you and your father
and the family.

After all that Arthur Balfour
and the party has done for me.

It would be a monstorous
impertinance...even to think

of abstaining from voting.

I shall vote against the bill.

Like the good Tory and the good
husband, which I hope I am,

After all, as you put it yourself,
it's a simple question of loyalty.

And that's the most
important thing in our lives.

Much more than our
passing whims and...passions.

A.J. wants you to intervene.

If you could manage to be in the
gallery...tomorrow between 4 and 5?

Well, I can't promise,
but I will try.

Will you be back to dinner?

[ Sigh ]
I don't think so.

We shall be at it hammer
and tongs for hours.

[ Clock ticking audibly ]

I won't be long, Rose.

Oh, where're you going,
then, Mr. Hudson?

She said I was to
take it by myself.

Oh, what? Delivering
your own death warrant.

Yes.

That's about it, Rose.

[ Sigh ]

[ Opera singing throughout]

I got your letter. I couldn't
get away before. I'm sorry.

What is it, my love?

Tell me.

What has happened?

Charles.

I can't go on with it.

- Can't go on with it?
- [ Shakes head ]

What do you men by it?

Has your husband found out?

No.

Yet, I found out.

About myself.

What?

What?
What are you talking about?

But only yesterday you said
you can't live without me.

Tell me. What has happened?

Oh, if only I didn't have
to hurt you so.

If only we could...put the world back
and start again.

It's too late, Charles.

I'm a weak, cowardly woman.
I haven't your strength.

I'd never follow you.

I'd drag you down
in those perilous seas.

W..[ Sigh ] We haven't even tried!

- I'm too frightened
to take the first step.

Oh, it isn't only that.

My roots are too deep.

I suppose that...
cruelest thing is that...

It's only through your love
I learned the sort of person

I really am.

You see...I have a husband who's been
faithful and thoughtful to me always.

I have a son and daughter
who love me.

I haven't given back
much in return.

But I do love them.

Not at all in the way that I love you,
but, very much.

They need me, Charles, and I...
I can't abandon them.

I suppose you could call it...
a question of loyalty.

[ Nods head ]

So you're going to abandon me?

Yes, Charles.

Tell me...how are we going
to live without each other?

We must have the courage
to do what we know is right!

Oh.

I have...loved you...
as I've never loved a man

and never will again.

These have been such...
wonderful days.

Yes, they...

the most wonderful days.

Their ours for always.

Locked away inside where
only we have the key to open

that magic casement.

And when things are bad
I open mine up and look out

and see your face,
and all my troubles will vanish.

[ Opera singing throughout ]

I have.

I had this for you.

Please take it.

Thanks.

Goodbye.

My only love.

[ Music plays on ]

Lookie there.

That speech has caused quite a stir.

Even the editor of the Times
seems to approve. Heh.

One of the best speeches
I've heard you make, Richard.

I'm very proud of your father.

Very large show?

Yes.

I thought you were going wrestling.

Yes I was, with Charlie Hammond.

The most extraordinary thing.
He's vanished into thin air.

Not so much as a bye your leave.

Gone back to India, presumably.

No one seems to know why.

- Those secret service chaps move
in the most mysterious ways.

- Umm. Heh, heh, I've heard the story
he's been jilted by some girl

- but I don't believe it.

- I mean, can you foresee
Charles with a girl?

So frightened he could
hardly open his mouth.

Would you try to go to
the country for a few weeks?

Southwold's so lovely
this time of the year.

With all the roses out.

In a few weeks...
I'll come and fetch you home.

- Luncheon is served, my lady.

Thank you, Hudson.

[ Kiss ]

[ Closes door ]