"You mustn't make him wait forever." "I love him." "I'd accept him in a trice if it weren't for Marigold." "You say he'll let you keep her." " That's not the problem." " What is?" "If I stay silent, there's a lie at the heart of my marriage." "But if I tell him the truth, will I ruin it?" "Edith." "You're a grown woman and I can't force you, but you can't be married to a man and leave him out of a secret like this." "It's not possible." "And you won't be happy." "How happy am I now?" "Mrs Patmore, you're the owner of 3 Orchard Lane, Haughton-le-Skerne." "I am." "I'm running it as a bed and breakfast." "Among your guests was a certain Dr Fletcher and his wife." "Yes, they were my first." "Very courteous and respectable, I must say." "They're not as respectable as you think." "Dr Fletcher was a Mr Ian McKidd." " And his wife was a Mrs Dorrit." " What?" "Mr Dorrit is now suing Mr McKidd for damages related to adultery." "You may be called upon to testify." "Ah." "Oh, my God." "There is some concern that Haughton-le-Skerne will be in the news, as the site of a house of ill-repute." "A house of ill-repute?" "I'm afraid the rumour mill has already begun." "But there's a chance that Doritt may settle out of court." " I'll keep you informed." " Thank you, sergeant." "Hello." "What brings you here?" "Mrs Patmore's the one to ask." "A house of ill-repute?" "Mama is swanning around the South of France without a word to any of us." " I wish Cora..." " I won't hear a word against Cora." "Mama is being impossible." "I wish Cora wouldn't take it to heart." "Mama has exhausted my patience this time." "But she did give you Teo." "True." "I forgive her everything." "Do you think he will marry Edith if he learns about Marigold?" "I just don't want her to be hurt." " Is that it, then?" " Yes, let's go." "Isn't Bertie's employer always in Tangiers?" "Can you buy one?" " Thank you." " Sir." ""The 6th Marquess of Hexham, 39, has died on holiday in Tangiers."" "He was a frequent visitor." "The cause is given as malaria." " "Lord Hexham was unmarried."" " Does this mean Bertie's out of a job?" " That depends on the heir." " Poor Edith." "It's bad enough he was an agent, now he may not even be that." "Don't sound so gleeful about it." " You should've seen her face." " It wasn't funny for Mrs Patmore." " No, I'm not laughing, but..." " But you're laughing." "So, how many classes will you be taking every week?" "Well, five, to start with." "Only afternoons between half 2 and half 4." "What does Mr Carson say?" "Haven't asked him yet." "Don't ask him." "Tell him." "But suppose it doesn't work out?" "Suppose I'm no good?" "Of course I didn't know they'd invited you." "I'd have mentioned it." "Nobody's been rude to me as your son." "Why'd he want me at his wedding?" " Isn't it a good sign?" " I'm not sure what of." " Amelia's influence." " Ah." "Yes." "I think I agree." "She's a very kind and gentle soul." "Is she?" "ls she indeed?" " Don't you think so?" " To be honest," "I don't know her." "It was all I could do not to burst out laughing." " Poor thing." " Ls it funny'?" "Suppose someone makes a connection between her and Downton Abbey'?" " I'm sure they won't." " We should pray they don't." "And I don't want this story repeated upstairs." "I'm not going to tell them." "Oh, that's the first proper laugh I've had for ages." " I couldn't resist telling you." " Poor Mrs Patmore." "Oh, I know." "It's awful for her." "I'm gonna have to think of something serious when I go down." "Well, I had some rather sad news when we were in Thirsk." "Lord Hexham's died." " Who's that, milady?" " The owner of Brancaster Castle, where we all stayed last year for the grouse." "Not me, milady." "I was otherwise detained." "Oh, of course you were." "I am sorry." "Only, it might affect Lady Edith's friend, Mr Pelham." "He's the agent there." "Or was." "He might be out of a job." "How worrying for them." "So my romance might not be the only one to come to an end." "Have you heard from Mr Talbot?" "No, but that's a good thing." "It means he's accepted my decision." " Which is what you want." " Which is exactly what I want." "I can't get the phrase out of my head." "It just goes round and round." "A house of ill-repute." "Yes, I know what it is, thank you." "Mr Dawes has got some news for you." "Do I want to know?" "Read it for yourself." "You passed every paper with high marks." "Oh, Daisy, that's wonderful news." "Poor Mr Pelham." "First that terrible day at the racetrack and then to hear his cousin's died." "It does seem very hard." "Did you get hold of him?" "Yes." "He's coming down tomorrow on the first leg of his trip to Tangiers." " I've asked him here." " Good." " How is he?" " Sad." "He loved his cousin, and it was all so quick." "The trouble is, they've buried him." "Bertie's not quite sure what to de." "That's ordinary, it won't mean any disrespect." "No." "But should they leave him there?" "Surely the decision is down to the new marquess." "Not to Bertie." "Well, that's the thing." "He is the new marquess." "Bertie Pelham is now the Marquess of Hexham'?" " Yes." " Nonsense." "He's having you on." " He'd have told you he's the heir." " He did tell me." "His cousin was in his 30s and they knew the girl he was going to marry." "But that's absurd." "If Bertie's a marquess, then Edith..." "Edith would outrank us all." "Yes, that's right." "Was he a close relation?" "Second cousin, once removed." "Nobody thought it was possible he would ever inherit." "He seemed like a nice young man to me." " Getting nicer by the minute." " With a real love of Brancaster." "Golly gum drops." "What a turn up." "That's dinner." "If we're not too distracted to eat." "We'll all bow and curtsy to Edith." "You'll enjoy that, Mary." "Hardly." "If Bertie really is Lord Hexham, he won't want to marry her now." "Careful or people will think you're jealous, dear." "We don't want that." " It's only a try-out, Mr Carson." " Every day you'd leave at 2." "Be back by 5." "So I could serve dinner and luncheon." " No lingering over the pudding." " Mr Barrow is still here." " Oh, don't we know it." " If lunch does go on a bit, there's still Andrew and Mr Barrow and you to see to it." "What makes you think you'd be good?" "I don't know exactly." "Perhaps because I want it so much." "There are little boys who want to be famous cricketers." "It's not enough to make them champions." "I just want to try, Mr Carson." "And so you shall." "How terrible." "Poor Mrs Patmore." " What an unlikely bawdy house madam." " Mrs Patmore's secret career." " We mustn't joke when Bertie's here." " We'll have long faces, don't worry." " I had a call from Henry earlier." " Henry?" "Why didn't you say'?" "I'm saying now." "How is he?" "Mourning Charlie Rogers." "Missing you." "You're not to ask him to come here." " Suppose he just turns up?" " Don't encourage him, Tom." "I mean it." "We'd be wretched long-term." "And you're not wretched now?" " Mary thinks he'll throw me over." " Well, I don't see why." "It's encouraging that he's coming here on his way to London." "Unless it's to break with me, so he can start afresh." "He's not bound." "I haven't accepted him." "Have you told him about Marigold?" " Not yet." " Make a clean breast of it." "Please." "You'll regret it if you don't." "With my luck, I'll regret it either way." "What are you doing?" "Making time charts and setting some tests for comprehension." "Tests?" "For the village children?" " You're not expecting too much?" " Who wants cocoa?" "I think if you expect a lot, you get a lot." " Good night." " Good night." "How are you feeling?" "Oh." "I'm still shaken, I can't deny it." " Is your niece managing?" " I'm going over to see her tomorrow." "I'll come with you." "A genuine, copper-bottomed marquess for Edith." "Who'd have thought it?" "She hasn't accepted." "He's not obligated." "He wouldn't come here if he changed his mind." "If anyone told me Mary would hitch up with a mechanic and Edith would marry one of the grandest men in England," " I'd have knocked them down." " Mary's got rid of her mechanic." "And Edith is not married yet." "I know, but for poor old Edith, who couldn't make her dolls do what she wanted," " it is rather wonderful." " There's still Marigold." "She hasn't told him yet and she must, if they're to have any chance of happiness." "I beg you, my darling, please don't let things be spoiled for her this time." " That's all I ask." " All?" "Heh." "I think the wood is right the way it is." "We don't need it any larger." "Mary, let me get him up here." "There's no point." "Nothing's changed." "You've changed." "It's not as easy as that." "I find him very attractive." "I like him a lot." ""L find him very attractive." "I like him a lot." What a load of baloney." "If I'm in love with him, then what's that?" "A powerful urge that fades." "Did it fade for you and Matthew?" "We weren't married long enough, but I'm sure it would've done." "I'm not." "Tom." "I don't mean to pull rank, but people like us, we need to marry sensibly." "Especially if we're going to inherit the family show." "It's a way of life that isn't for everyone." " And a bad marriage can poison it." " He's not an orangutan." "He knows how it works." "He wants different things." "What of you and Matthew?" "You came from different poles." "Yes, but we were young and free." " It's difficult the second time." " Why?" "You know what's at stake." "It's easier to get it wrong." "I only see a real opportunity for you to get it right." "Honestly?" " I'm always honest." " Are you?" "Why would you say that, for heaven's sake?" "One word." "Marigold." "It wasn't my secret to tell." "So it is true." "Well, I knew it was." "Never mind Marigold." "She won't make you happy." "Henry Talbot will." "Oh, Henry Talbot." "You're far more on his side than you ever were on mine." "He's the one for you." "Trust me and give him a chance." "No." "And if you want to redeem yourself in my good graces, you won't give him a chance either." "Where is everybody?" "Mary and Tom are agenting, and Edith's gone to meet Bertie's train." "Are we going to talk about it?" "Are we really going to sit by and let this young man's family and future be put at risk from a scandal we are hiding from him?" "I don't think she has to tell everybody, but I agree." " She must tell him." " Isn't it up to Edith?" "You say that because after Tony Gillingham had gone, you thought none of your daughters would make a worthy marriage." "Now there's a chance, and you can't give it up?" "You haven't got children." "You don't understand." "No, I haven't had children, Robert." "As you so kindly remind me." "I do have a sense of decency." "How long are you planning to stay?" "Your cold must have cleared up." "Don't fight." "Nothing's gonna get better by you two falling out." "Hello, Mr Pelham." "I mean..." "I'm Mr Pelham until the service." "But I wish you'd call me Bertie anyway." " What service will it be?" " Not a funeral." "I've decided not to disturb him." "I'll fetch his things and settle his debts." " A service at home to say goodbye." " That sounds like a very good plan." "I hope you'll allow me to come." "I want you to come." "You remember my sister." "Of course." "Lady Rosamund." "This must be a strange and unsettling time for you." "I'll say." "My mother's cock-a-hoop, but she doesn't appreciate that I was devoted to Cousin Peter." " I'm sure she does." " Not really." "Most people didn't get the point of him." "He was so delicate." "But he was as kind to me as any man has ever been." "Then how pleased he'd be to know that you're his heir." "That's so nice of you." "Goodness." "I'm afraid you've made me blub." "Let me take you upstairs to unpack." "Luncheon's not for half an hour." "That's the man you want to trick?" "I'm going for a walk." "I agree." "But Robert thinks Edith's had so little luck in her life." "Oh, I sympathise, of course." "But we both know she's making a mistake." "Uh, one thing." "Don't forget that Mr Pelham is now the Marquess of Hexham" " when you address him." " I helped him unpack, and he wishes to remain Mr Pelham until his cousin's funeral." "He can call himself Mr Pelham to his heart's content, but he is Lord Hexham nevertheless, Mr Bates." "And we will refer to him as His Lordship." "Good." "Time to get started." "Good news?" "Not exactly." ""Thank you for your enquiry,"" "but we wish to combine the roles of butler, chauffeur and valet." "And you seem overqualified." ""But please accept our best wishes for the future."" "What future?" "Don't be silly." "Of course, that's right." "I'm silly, aren't I?" "Silly old me." " No, wait, I..." " Let him go." "What was it about Tangiers that your cousin enjoyed so much?" "Who knows?" "He talked of going to the beach, watching the fishermen bring the nets." "How the setting sun would make the scene magical, until everything was suddenly plunged into darkness." " Goodness, how lyrical." " He was lyrical." "He was an artist." "In his heart, anyway." "I don't think this family can boast much in the way of artists." "Although we did have an aunt who was quite good at macramé." "So are you here to settle things with Edith before you leave?" "Mary, please." "I hope so." "I hope we can get things settled, but I mustn't jump the gun." "You've talked of your mother, but what other family do you have'?" "That's it." "My father's dead, obviously." "There are no siblings." "It's just me and Mother." "Heh." "You joked she was cock-a-hoop," " but she must feel a certain pride." " I wasn't joking, but judge for yourselves." "You talk as if we should be scared of her." "She makes Mr Squeers look like Florence Nightingale." "Ladies, could I have a picture?" "No, you may not." " He's been there all day." " Well, why didn't you telephone" " and warn us, you daft hap'orth?" " I'm sorry, Auntie Beryl." "I thought you might not come, and I'm going nearly mad here." "What about the bookings?" " Cancelled." " What?" "All of them?" "One man wanted compensation." "For the ridicule." "Well, I hope you told him what to do with it!" "I'll give him ridicule!" "Now, calm down." "There's no harm done." "So let's go and have some tea." "This is Mr Molesley." "He'll be teaching you History and English Literature." "Make him welcome, please." " Good afternoon." " Well, I'll leave you to it." "This term, we will explore the years between the Civil War of 1642 and..." "Sixteen forty-two and the Glorious Revolution of 1688." "Almost half a century of change and social progress." "I hope you'll find it as exciting as I do." "Things have changed for you now." "You must know that you're quite free if you want to be." "I don't." "Of course things have changed." "I was in line for a quiet life." "Farming, sport, bringing up a family with my wife." "Now I'm to be one of the kings of the county." "Always on parade." "Representing the people who look up to me." "Fighting for causes." "Trying so hard not to be disappointing." "Well, I think you'll make a very good job of it." "You couldn't ask for a man with a sounder moral conscience." "The conscience, maybe, but what about the courage'?" "Help me, please." "But can I help?" "Am I worthy?" "The 7th Marquess of Hexham weds the daughter of the Earl of Grantham." "What could be more suitable?" "Mother will be thrilled." "Heh." "You talk of her a lot." "She has been an important figure in my life." "But I don't agree with her about everything." "Is she really very stern?" "She certainly believes rank carries responsibilities." "But so do I." "That's why I need you." "To help me live up to my own expectations." "We ought to go in." "The tea will have started." "And the children will be down in a minute." "Her husband has been bought off?" "Well, he settled out of court." " And you won't have to be a witness." " So Mr Willis said." "But I've still lost every one of my bookings." "I'm still a laughing stock." "I did wonder about the idea from the beginning." "You did not." "It's exactly what we're planning to do." "Clearly, we're going to have to be a lot more careful than Mrs Patmore." "That's the front door, Mr Carson." "Ahem." "I'll go." "That." "And that." "Punch is terribly fierce." "I don't think he's a good model for marriage." " Heh." "Or relations with the law." " Take that." "Take that." "And that." " Ow!" "You rascal." " And that's the way to do it." " Very good." " Daddy!" "Ahem, Mr Talbot." "Hello, Mr Talbot." "Mary never told me you were coming." " I didn't know he was." " The thing is," "I was driving down from Durham." "And realised" " I'd be passing the gates." " What were you doing in Durham?" "Oh, I was doing various car things." "We haven't seen you since Brooklands." "I hope you're coping with it all." " Well, one doesn't have much choice." " Did you know about this?" "I said if he was coming from Durham," " he'd be driving quite close." " Don't think I'm amused." " I dislike my hand being forced." " No one's forcing anything." "Now you're here, I hope you'll stay the night at least." "Perhaps Mr Talbot is in a hurry to get home." " No." "No, I'm not." " It's settled, then." "Carson, will you please tell Mrs Hughes?" "And ask someone to unpack for Mr Talbot." "I'm afraid you've missed tea." " Oh, don't worry about that." " I won't." "Hello, Bertie." "I heard about your cousin." " Terribly sorry." " Thank you." "I'm on my way out there now, but I wanna get things settled before I go." "Hmm." "And are they settled?" "I think so." "They will be." "Then I envy you." "I would say Mr Talbot has just miscalculated rather badly." "The struggle between the monarchy and parliament..." "Oh, that's it for today." "Thank you." "Oh, yes." "Some of you may like to examine these time charts that I've drawn up." "And tomorrow, we'll really begin to make a start..." "Would you...?" "This is so precisely not the way to win me over." " Will you get off your high horse?" " Why are you interfering?" " I want you to be happy." " You've got an odd way of showing it." "Well, I take it this is me you're fighting about." "Yes, it is." "And you can dig yourself out." "Because I've had enough." " Have you brought a dinner jacket?" " Yes." "You are very well-equipped to do your car things." "How many years do you think it's taken me to find someone" " I want to spend my life with?" " Living in my family house?" "Working to preserve my estate and being outranked by your own stepson?" "Oh, I'm tougher than I look." "Oh, Henry, please don't make this harder than it has to be." "Are you mad?" "If you're trying to get rid of me," "I'm going to make this as hard and as horrible as I can." "Well, you're being extremely unfair." "I wish I knew what we should do." "I'm tempted to tell him myself." "You think he's strong to stand against his mother?" "Can't we just leave Edith to tell him or not as she sees fit?" "Tell him what?" "That Mr Gregson made Edith his heir." "Some men might not feel comfortable with that." "Why did you invite Henry to stay without asking me first?" "Darling, it was half past 5 and the man was in North Yorkshire." "What did you want him to do?" "Pitch a tent?" "He must have made some plan for his journey back." "I doubt he ever went to Durham." "He came up here to see you." " Who says so?" " The look in his eyes." "Not one of you thinks it's a good idea." "A professional driver" " with nothing to his name." " Then give him up." "I had." "I did." "Until Mama invited him to make himself at home." "You can't expect us to be rude." "The man's only crime is to love you." "Just send him away." "As quick as you can, for all our sakes." "She's right." "None of us thinks it's a good idea." "Well, maybe not." "But she's clearly quite mad about him." "Whatever she says." "How was it, Mr Molesley?" "Teaching." "It was, uh, quite a challenge." " There's always another day." " I know." "They've got their coffee upstairs." "I'll make a last check." "How are you getting to Tangiers?" "Is there a boat direct?" " Actually, I'm flying." "For the first bit, anyway." " What?" " I know." "It does seem daring." " I do not envy you." "Now the commercial airlines are starting to operate," "I daresay we'll all be flying hither and thither before too long." "Ha!" "I rather doubt that." "I like how Bertie makes no bones about it." "He's here to see you." "I know." "The same could be said of me, but I'm not doing as well." "I hope you know what you are doing." "She's quite a handful." " Who's a handful?" " My beloved sister." "Well, she is beloved by me, anyway." "I like Bertie." "I do." " But when you see them together..." " Meaning?" "If Henry were the new marquess, no woman in England wouldn't set her cap at him." "And what about you?" "Would you set your cap at him?" "Because if that's why you're not, shame an you." "Oh, stop lecturing me." "Excuse me." "Mary, wait." "Wait, look, I made a mistake and I'm sorry." "I thought I could present my arguments more effectively, clearly I was wrong." "I can't bear to be maneuvered." "But you see," "I think we love each other very much." "For some reason, you're fighting it." "I'm not." "My birth is respectable, so it can't be that, which forces me to believe that it is my lack of money and position that present the problem." "Aren't you better than that?" "What?" "Well, it just seems rather small to me." "Not to marry for lack of money is the same as marrying because of it." " Get out of my way." " Am I not right?" "No, you push in here, into my home, uninvited, in order to call me a grubby, little gold-digger?" "You've got a nerve." "She loves him, but she can't control him." "That's what frightens her." "He's stronger than she is, really." "Or as strong." "And she's not used to it." "She's a bit of a bully, your Lady Mary." "She likes her own way." "She is and she does, but there's another side to her." " And he sees that." " So you were wrong about him'?" "I think I was." " Why are you smiling?" " Show me a man that doesn't smile when his wife admits she's wrong." "Won't you send me to bed happy?" "Sounds like an indecent proposal." "I meant, give me your answer." "Let me go to Tangiers with a sense that my tomorrows are beginning." "Please." "I love you, Bertie." "I've been in love before." "I won't pretend that I haven't." "But I really do love you." "Then I'll take that as a yes." "The trouble is, I'm not as simpleasIusedtobe ." "My life is not as simple." "I just need to be sure I'm being realistic, not living in a fool's paradise and dragging you into it with me." "I'll still take it as a yes." "You're down early." "No, I'm not." "Where's Henry?" " He's gone." " What?" "He had something in London this evening and he wanted to get back." "I have a mass of letters to write." " I'm sorry Lord Grantham's left." " Why particularly'?" "Because we've got some news and I was waiting for Mary to join us." "It's not the right moment." "Carson, could we have some more coffee, please?" "Why isn't it the right moment?" "Well, Henry's abandoned you." "No, he hasn't." "I wanted him to go." " That's not what it looked like." " Well, that's how it is." "There's no need for this." "Edith, if your news is good, we are very happy for you both." "Aren't we, Mary?" "See?" "I told you." "The one thing Mary can't bear is when things" " are going better for me than for her." " I'm sure that's not true." "Heh." "You don't know her." "I'm getting married and you've lost your man." " And you just can't stand it." " There is no need..." "You're wrong." "I'm very happy for you." "And I admire you, Bertie." "Not everyone would accept Edith's past." " Mary, don't." " What do you mean?" "You must've told him?" "You couldn't accept him without telling him?" " Tell me what?" " About Marigold." "Who she really is." "Marigold is my daughter." "Will you excuse me?" "I beg your pardon, Your Ladyship, but Mr Pelham, that is, Lord Hexham, has asked for a taxi and Mr Carson has gone out," " so I'm not quite sure..." " What?" "Lord Hexham is leaving?" "He's leaving if he wants a taxi." "What's happened?" "Where's Lady Edith?" "Can't she drive him?" "Don't bother about it, Mrs Hughes." "I'll sort it out." " Very good, mi'lord." " Mrs Hughes, how is Mrs Patmore?" "She's still very upset, milady." "But there's nothing to be done." " Is this about her B and B going down?" " Don't be flippant." "Why don't we pay her a visit?" "Have tea there and let people see us." "What a good idea." "Why didn't I think of that?" "But if it's to be effective, won't we have to be in the papers?" "The local papers." "It wouldn't be a news story any more" " than being photographed at the flower show." " Would Mrs Patmore agree?" "I think she'd be bowled over." "Then ifs settled." "I hope you don't mind my saying that you seem very suspicious." "Do I?" "But you must admit, your attitude is a volts-face." "I want Larry's father to be content." "Is that a volte-face?" "Yes, but does your fiancé want his Papa to be content in this way?" " With me?" " Well, you know men." "I'm not sure I do, as it happens." "Tell me about them." "I only meant they dig themselves into a position, often before considering the options." "And you've considered the options?" " I believe so." " Well, here's another option for you." "I won't rekindle Lord Merton's dreams, unless I'm invited to do so by Larry Grey himself." "Is that clear?" "I speak for him." "Yes, but you see, I don't want you to speak for him." "I want to hear him speak for himself." "Oh, I see." "The plan is to mix up His Lordship or, worse, Her Ladyship, with a divorce petition and the scene of an adultery?" "But I want to bury that story and I need a big event to bury it under." "And you have no qualms about dragging the family we serve into the mud?" "It's their choice, Mr Carson." "They're all grown people, surely." "Well, I've always known that women were ruthless, but I didn't think I'd find the proof in my own wife." "There's me thinking how kind they were to come to the rescue." "And so they are." "Just tell them yes and arrange the day." "He'll miss his train." "Let him miss it." "He can catch the next one." "What happened?" "Mary thought Edith had told him about Marigold." " How did Mary find out?" " Mary is not stupid." "No." "And she's not always kind, either." "Was it really a mistake?" "What difference does it make?" "I'm not shocked, exactly." "It isn't that." "I promise you." "You have to protect the honour of your family." "Of course." "It isn't even that." "You should have told me the whole story, from the beginning." " You haven't been fair to me." " No." "I don't believe I have." "Then why didn't you?" "I suppose I thought it might ruin everything." "You mean you didn't trust me?" "I can't have, can I'?" "Would you have married me in a lie?" "I don't think so, but we'll never know now." "No." "You see, I don't feel like" "I can spend my life with someone I don't trust who didn't trust me." " Do you understand?" " Yes." "I'm terribly sorry, of course but that doesn't mean much, does it?" "The truth is, my life was about to be perfectly wonderful and now I've thrown it all away." "I'd better go if I'm to catch my train." "Yes, hurry." "I doubt we'll meet again, so I want to say good luck and everything else that goes with it." "Good luck to you too." "I mean that." "Well, you got what you wanted." "Bertie's left and now Edith won't be the next Marchioness of Hexham." " Well, that's not what I wanted." " Isn't it?" "I still can't believe she never told him." " How was I to know?" " Don't play the innocent with me." " I didn't mean..." " Don't lie!" "Not to me." "You can't stop ruining things." "For Edith, for yourself." "You'd pull in the sky if you could." "Anything to make you feel less frightened and alone." "You saw Henry when he was here." "High-handed and bullying and unapologetic." "Am I expected to lower myself to his level and be grateful I'm allowed to do so?" "Listen to yourself." ""Lower yourself to his level."" "You're not a princess in The Prisoner of Zenda." " You don't want to understand me." " You ruined Edith's life." "How many lives are you going to wreck just to smother your own misery?" " I refuse to listen." " You're a coward, Mary." "Like all bullies, you're a coward." " What are you doing up here?" " Looking for you, to borrow scissors." " But you're going out." " I left my workbox downstairs," " but you're welcome to take them." " Where you off to?" "I said I'd walk with Mr Molesley to the schoolhouse." "For moral support." "Are you all right, Mr Barrow?" "Of course." "Why wouldn't I be?" " Going away?" " Do you care?" "Look, I wasn't to know you hadn't told him." " It never occurred to me." " Just shut up!" "I don't know what's happened." "Thomas made you feel bad, or Papa, or maybe it's just the same old Mary who wants her cake and hate me too." " I never meant to..." " Yes, you did!" "Who do you think you're talking to?" "Mama?" "Your maid?" "I know you." "I know you to be a nasty, jealous, scheming bitch." " Now, listen, you pathetic..." " You're a bitch!" "Not content with ruining your own life, you're determined to ruin mine." "I have not ruined my life." " And if Bertie's put off..." " Don't demean yourself by trying to justify your venom." "Just go." "And you're wrong, you know, as you so often are." "Henry's perfect for you." "You're just too stupid and stuck-up to see it." "Still, at least he's got away from you." "Which is something to give thanks for, I suppose." "I beg your pardon, mi'lord, but Mrs Patmore has something to say." " I wonder if now would be convenient." " Of course." "Bring her in." "How can we help, Mrs Patmore?" "Well, that was just it, mi'lord." "I know you're planning to help by coming over to the cottage for some tea, but should you be mixed up in it?" "It's my mess, why should you pay for it'?" " Indeed." " Carson, is this what you believe?" "It is, Your Ladyship." "I wouldn't like to see this family dragged into a tawdry, local brouhaha." "He means me." "Oh, I think we have to show a little more backbone than that." " Mi'lord?" " Mrs Patmore is loyal to this house and now this house must be loyal to her." "She made an investment in her future." "We can't let it fall away to nothing." "I'll go now, if I may?" "We'll see you on Friday." "Are you sure, mi'lord?" "Quite sure, thank you, Carson." "You mustn't be nervous." "You don't know what they're like." "I felt like a fraud yesterday." "And all the time I kept wondering, what would they say if they found out that I was a servant?" "What would their parents say?" "Why not tell them?" "Then they won't have to find out, will they?" "Mr Barrow is in a funny mood." "Why?" "He suddenly told me out of the blue how he hoped" "I'd make more of my life than he'd ever made of his." "I should go back." " Is something wrong?" " I hope not." " Does Mrs Hughes...?" " Have you seen Mr Barrow?" "He was going in for a bath." "Oh, my God." "Come with me." "Hello?" "Mr Barrow?" "Are you in there?" " Will you open this door?" "!" " Get back." " Oh, my God." " Fetch Mrs Hughes, send Anna for the doctor, tell no one else what you've seen." " I wish I'd gone with them now." " With who?" "Mr Molesley and Ms Baxter." " Well, go, then." "I can manage." " I'll be too late, though." "You should still go if you want to." "For a walk." "They might have a break when you get there." " Where's Mrs Hughes and Anna?" " Mrs Hughes is in her sitting room." " Are you in a rush?" " Not particularly, why?" "I need you to come with me." "Then you can drive the car home." " Where are you going?" " Up to London." "I haven't said goodbye to anyone and I can't bear to look at Mary." "She's unhappy" " She regrets what she did." " Not as much as I do." "And for your information, before I left we had the row we all knew was coming." "I'm not sorry." "At least I'm just sorry we didn't have it years ago." " Bertie may come round." " I don't think so." "Might have come round about Marigold." "In fact, I'm sure he would have done." "But I tried to trick him and he won't come round about that." " Would you like me to talk to him?" " No, but I love you for asking." "We should get going." "Anna's gone for Dr Clarkson." "Now, we should get him into bed and out of his wet things." "I hope he won't mind if we undress him." "He's past minding if we put him in a shy and threw coconuts." "Now, you take his feet and we'll take an arm each." " Should we tell His Lordship?" " Carson's seeing to that." "Right, here goes." " I hate to think he was so unhappy." " At least he's not gone too far." "Maybe one of you will run the country one day." "That's daft, sir." "Only toffs run the country." "No." "No, you see, you must never think that education is only for special people, for clever people, for toffs." "Education is for everyone." " You would say that, sir?" " Yes, but I'm not anyone special." " You're a teacher." " A teacher now, but I'm an ordinary bloke." "I've spent my life in service, fetching and carrying." "You were a servant?" "I was." "I am." "And I was glad to get the work." "My mum's in service." "She works for Mr Travis at the vicarage." "Dad's a gardener at Skelton Park." "But I never gave up on learning, do you see'?" "I read as much as I could and I taught myself, and I hope to be able to teach you." "Maybe give you the shortcut that I never had." "Right." "The Civil War." "Let's start with the Divine Right of Kings." "Did King Charles really believe that he had a divine right to rule?" "Or did he just choose to believe it because it suited him?" "You mean the king was a liar?" "Um..." "Not quite." "Kings are like anyone else." "Anna says Edith's gone to London and we all know why." " Do we have to do this?" " Yes." "I really think..." "Carson, what's happened?" "Where are the footmen?" "That is something I need to discuss with you, mi'lord." "Thomas has cut his wrists?" " I'm afraid so, mi'lord." " God in heaven." "Who knows?" "Not many and I should like to keep it that way." "I shall say that he's ill with influenza." "Carson, please don't bother with serving our tea." "With your permission, milady." "How sad." "How very sad." "Do you still think dismissing Barrow was a useful saving, Papa?" "That's rather below the belt." "Even for you." "Oh, we've kept him out of the hospital." "Dr Clarkson stitched him up here." " He says Ms Baxter found him in time." " I'll go up in a minute." "I saw Dr Clarkson leaving when I got back, what's he doing here?" "Mr Barrow has been taken poorly." "He'll spend a day or two in bed." "Anna and Ms Baxter will look after him." "How was it, Mr Molesley?" "I enjoyed myself today." "The children were generous to me." "The children were spellbound." " How do you know?" " Because I crept in and listened." " You never." " I did." "And you're a natural." "So are we to lose you to the groves of academe, Mr Molesley?" "Can I teach a little while longer before I reorder my world?" "I'm glad, though." "You're a kind man, Mr Molesley, it's about time you were rewarded for your kindness." "He'll recover, milady." "And he hasn't had to go to hospital." " Can we keep it quiet?" "For his sake." " That's what Mr Carson wants." "What a day." "I ruin Lady Edith's life and Barrow tries to end his." "How is Lady Edith?" "She's gone to London, which is hardly to be wondered at, when her only sister has wrecked her chances of a happy and fulfilling life." "Lord Hexham won't come round?" "Lady Edith thinks not." "And I'm sorry." "What about you?" " Have you thought about Mr Talbot?" " Don't you start." "You're as bad as Mr Branson." "Why?" "What's he done?" "He asked Mr Talbot to come here and he keeps going on and on and on." "But Mr Talbot's not right for me." "He's not." " We'd be miserable." " Long as you're sure..." "I am sure!" "I apologise." "It's just, nobody can believe that I know my own mind." "Of course, milady." " Right." "Can I do anything more for you?" " No, thank you." "Good night." "And, Anna." "I'm sorry." "You don't know that's the end." "Yes, I do." "And please, don't think badly of him." "It was my own fault." "Well, I liked him." "Me too." "Your sister hasn't been helpful." "Mary and I are locked into a kind of lifelong struggle, and I don't know, it's hard for an outsider to understand." "It's hard for me." "Who invented families?" "That's what I'd like to know." "What time is Ms Jones coming today?" " Five." "For tea." " Do we know her real name yet?" "She only writes as Cassandra Jones, the name on her account." "Perhaps it is her real name after all." "Well, real or not, she has quite a following." " So we'd better be pals." " How did you get her to come here'?" "I'm afraid I forced her." "She wants more money, which is fair, given the success of the column, but I insisted we negotiate in person." " Why?" " I was curious." "Aren't you'?" "Suppose she sends someone to impersonate her if she's as secretive as all that." "Let's have a sign if we think it's the real Cassandra." "Say "bananas" if you think she's telling the truth." "All right." "Bananas it is." "May we come in?" "Hello, Mr Barrow." "Here you are." "To make you feel better." "Thank you very much, Master George." "We want you to get better, Barrow." "Truly." "And no one more than Master George." "At least I've got one friend, eh?" "Have you been lonely?" "If I have, I've only myself to blame." "I've done and said things." "I don't know why." "I can't stop myself." "Now I'm paying the price." "Strange." "I could say the same." " Mr Carson's told them you've got..." " Flu." "I know." "Beg your pardon, milady." "We're going, Barrow, and I hope things improve for you." "I really do." "I'd say the same if it weren't impertinent, milady." " Goodbye, Mr Barrow." " Goodbye, Master George." "So today's the big day." " Spare me." " Do you want to take Daisy with you?" "Oh, if I'm allowed." "I mean, my niece is good, but she might be dumbstruck with all those lords and ladies" " sitting in my front room." " How will the village know?" "Oh, Lucy's seen to that." "We've got the man from the Echo coming at 5." "Oh, put up a poster, why don't you?" "They're doing something nice, Mr Carson." "Don't spoil it." "Oh, yes." "Very nice." "For the public to read about all the cakes and dainties" "His Lordship is guzzling as he sits at the adulterers' table." "I'm sure there've been a few adulterers sat at the table upstairs." " That is different." " Why?" "To say nothing of a suicidal footman in the attic." "Oh, what are we coming to?" "I only thank God that the dowager isn't here to witness it." " I can't believe you came." " You made it sound so urgent." "Even so, I appreciate it." "Thank you." " Was everything all right at home?" " Well, no, not really." "Spratt has gone away." " Tell him you were coming back?" " Good butler shouldn't need to be told." "Now, where are they?" "My broken-hearted granddaughters?" "It's just Mary." "Edith's gone up to London." " I didn't know when I wrote." " All the better." "But how will we gel it all there?" "They're letting me have a car." "Seeing as I'm giving tea to His Lordship." "You're ready, then?" "They've brought the car around." "Andrew, carry that out." "And very, very good luck." "And good luck to us all." "In the vain hope that we'll avoid scandalous gossip." "You're such an old curmudgeon." "Don't say you're going off me." "No, because you're my curmudgeon and that makes all the difference." "Granny." " When did you arrive?" " Yesterday evening." "I spent the night before in Southampton and an entire day on trains." "So I've come hot foot." "If you're here to reprimand me about Edith, please don't." "Tom's already torn me into strips." " Why did you do it?" " I don't know." "She was so..." " Anyway, I'm sorry now." " You should be." "With Edith, I just say things and then they can't be unsaid." "Tom believes you're unhappy." "That's why you lash out as you do." "Look, if this is about Henry Talbot, you should be clear he hasn't much to offer." "Bertie Hexham is a loss, but not Henry." "He's well-born, but there's no money or position." "He's not even a countryman." "Not really." " He grew up in London." " He shoots." "Yes, he shoots." "Like every social-climbing banker shoots." "Well, let's leave his credentials to one side" " for a moment and concentrate on what is important." " Which is?" "Tom says that he is in love with you and that you are in love with him." " Do you believe him?" " Do you deny it?" "Oh, for you of all people to talk as if his qualifications don't matter." "Tony Gillingham had all that I could wish, birth, money, looks, but he didn't suit you." " No." " No, he wasn't clever enough." "He wasn't strong enough." "Henry Talbot is both." "All right, Granny, it's not his poverty." "But did Tom tell you I stood there staring at a car in flames, wondering if it were him?" "I think he's told me everything." "Then you'll know I can't be a crash widow again." "I can't." "I'd live in terror, dreading every race, every practise, every trial." " I cannot do it." " Does he know this?" "He'd feel he should give it up, but I don't want that." "He'd resent me." "Oh, can't you find me some duke'?" "There must be one spare." "So I can put Edith in her place?" "You are the only woman I know who likes to think herself cold, and selfish and grand when most of us spend our lives trying to hide it." "Oh, Granny, please don't lecture me on sentimental virtues." "Don't worry." "Don't worry." "I believe in rules, and traditions and playing our part." "Well, there is something else." "And what is that, pray?" "I believe in love." "I mean, brilliant careers, rich lives, are seldom lived without just an element of love." "Oh, Granny." "You do surprise me." "Oh, I am glad." "So climbing all those stairs wasn't wasted?" "No, I would only say this:" "First make peace with your sister." "And then make peace with yourself." "Oh, Mary." " Is Granny coming back for dinner?" " She didn't say so." "She goes without telling us and returns without seeing us." "We're in the doghouse." "How hard is that to understand?" " Now let's go." " Sure you don't wanna come?" "Quite sure." "You don't need me." "You're enough of a headline." "And you certainly don't need me." "Uh, mi'lord, I wonder if I might have a word." " What is it?" " With your permission," "I'd like to tell Mr Barrow he can stay for the time being, at any rate." " It'd take a weight off his mind." " That's a relief." " I was going to suggest the same thing." " Were you, mi'lord?" "Yes." "You see, I feel quite as guilty as you do, Carson." "I'll tell you what I blame myself for." "I didn't credit him with any feelings." "I thought he was a man without a heart." "And I was wrong." "No man is an island, Carson." "Not even Thomas Barrow." "I ought to be very angry with you." "Summoning Granny to tick me off." "I was amazed she came at my call." "She said your letter was very eloquent." "She was quite persuaded." " So, what are you going to do?" " As soon as Granny left," "I sent Henry a telegram to get the next train." "Hopefully he'll be here by tea time." "What about Edith?" "That's a harder task." "I'm ready to say I'm sorry." "But why should she want to forgive me?" " I got held up. ls she here yet?" " Ms Jones has arrived, Lady Edith." " Why the mysterious face?" " You'd better go in." "Ah, Edith." "So this, it turns out, is Ms Cassandra Jones." " Spratt?" " Good afternoon, Lady Edith." "Bananas." "I don't have to tell you why I'm here." "Either you know everything or you're not hearing me now." "The truth is I love him." "I believe we are right together..." ""but I so very much want to feel"" "that you're happy for me as I'd be happy for you, my darling." "Remember, however much I love him I will always love you." "I often come at this time." "I don't come often enough." "No, no." "It's only a habit." "Actually, I came to ask for his forgiveness, if that doesn't sound too silly." "I see." "I think that means you want to marry again." "Well, I don't know if you have his forgiveness, but you don't need to ask for mine." "I'm delighted." "Anything else I can get you?" "One more mouthful and we'd explode." "Unless there's another of those delicious scones?" "Of course." "Lucy, fetch the scones." "When does the photographer arrive?" "Five o'clock, milady." "And I'm afraid some of the village have caught on and they're waiting too." "Are you sure you want to do it?" "Oh, ye of little faith." "That's it." "I'll leave you to it." "You don't have to go, Tom." "Believe me, I've been part of this courtship for quite long enough." "It's for you to manage from here." " Well?" " Well what?" "Mary, last time I saw you, you threw me out for saying I loved you." "Now you've whistled and I'm here, but I don't know why." "Because you were right." "Because we are in love with each other." "I'm not sure why I fought it, but I've stopped fighting it now." "I know I'm not what you were looking for." "Tom and I once talked about how marriage should be equal." "It has nothing to do with position or money, simply that a couple should be equal in both strength and passion." "Should I ring for more tea?" "Are you always so cool and collected?" " I do hope so." " I'm not sure what you mean." "Your words have made my heart pound, I'm surprised you can't hear it." "I can barely breathe, all because of you." " I must say, you carry it off rather well." " Thanks." "I need to know that you're certain." "I am." "I believe I've met my match." "I have." "I'm not 20, trembling at the touch of your hand, but I know that if I leave you now," "I'll never be as happy as we could've been." "I'm not 20 either, but I still tremble at the touch of your hands." "Me too." "I don't know why I said that, really." "Oh, darling." "Thank God for you." "So, what do we do now'?" " Elope to Gretna Green?" " I have a confession." "When I came last, I brought a licence so we could marry at once." "Doesn't the Archbishop of Canterbury need to agree?" " Not if you specify the Church." " Still need a bishop." " My uncle's a bishop." " Oh, good old England." " Some things never change." " Quite, but the point is, it's still valid, so shall we just get married now?" " Now?" " Well, on Saturday." "Uh, you don't want to have a huge society affair again, do you?" "God, no." "I've done that." "Then will you?" "Well, I suppose I've come this far." "Uh, give it a moment, Mr Molesley." "Better give it a moment." "If you're ready, mi'lord." "Milady?" " But we must have Mrs Patmore." " Of course." " No, no." "You don't want me." " I insist." "A picture to mark our gratitude for a marvellous tea." "Are we ready?" "Three, two, one." " You haven't cheated?" " As God as my witness, haven't set eyes on her since yesterday." "I even had breakfast in my room." "That was Carson." "He won't take any chances with Mary's happiness." "Strange, I'll be best man at both of her weddings." "I hadn't thought of it." "You've been a good friend in this, Tom." "Thank you." "Pay me back by looking after her." "Who's that?" "What?" "I don't believe it." "Why didn't you say to expect you?" "Because I wasn't sure until I got on the train." " How are you feeling?" " Fine." "Can you not ask me that for the rest of the day?" " Could you leave us for a moment?" " Of course." "We'll wait for you downstairs." "You know I'm sorry." "I assumed you would be fairly sorry unless you're actually insane." "Well, I'm not insane, but I am sorry." " I don't know why I did it." "Not really." " I've told you." "Because you were unhappy so you wanted me to be unhappy too." "Now you're happy again, you'll be nicer for a while." "If that's what you feel, then why are you here?" "Because in the end, you're my sister." "And one day only we will remember Sybil or Mama or Papa" "or Matthew or Michael or Granny or Carson or any of the others who have peopled our youth until at last our shared memories will mean more than our mutual dislike." "What do you think he'd have made of it?" "I went to his grave to tell him, which isn't like me." "Matthew loved you and wanted you to be happy." "I'm sure he'd be very, very pleased." "In fact, I know he would." "You look nice, by the way." "Thank you." "You'd better go in and find a seat." "I'll wait for her here." "Amelia said you called on her." "Yes, I did." " We talked about Larry." " Really?" "Was it productive?" "Rather depends on him." " But surely, she..." " The ball is in Larry's court." "Lord Merton, only he can play it." "Those whom God have joined together, let no man put asunder." "For as much as Henry and Mary have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and there too have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same" "by giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands," "I pronounce that they be man and wife together." "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." " Amen." " Amen." "Thank you." "That was a treat, but we'll pay for it now if we don't get home to serve the breakfast." "Well, Mr Talbot." "You have swept me off my feel." "I promise you won't be sorry." "I'd better not be." "There they go, a new couple in a new world." "It seems all our ships are coming into port." "And Edith?" "Of all my children, Edith has given me the most surprises." "Surprises of the most mixed variety." "A surprise is a surprise, Mama." "And I'm sure we haven't seen the last one yet."