"In England today, there is no more charming and instructive sight than an upper middle-class family in full plumage." "This particular family is called Forsyte, and they live in Park lane." "Indeed, all the Forsytes live around the park." "It's fashionable and convenient, and property values there continue to rise steadily." "Yet although each Forsyte is impressive enough singly, their true flavor can only be appreciated on the occasions when they gather together at one or other of their well-appointed houses." "No branch of the Forsytes has a genuine liking for any other, but as a group they possess that mysterious concrete tenacity which renders a family so formidable a unit of society." "Today the gathering is at my uncle Timothy's in the Bayswater road." "Yes, my uncle, for I too am a Forsyte." "They call me young Jolyon because my father, old Jolyon, is, at present, head of the family." "My father was one of the first to realize that the english have an insatiable appetite for tea, and has made a blameless fortune out of it." "Aunt Ann, born in 1799, the oldest Forsyte." "She lives here with aunts Juley and Hester." "Together they care for uncle Timothy, the youngest brother, whom you are unlikely to meet very often." "He is probably the most cautious man in England." "Mr. And mrs." "James Forsyte." "Forsyte, bustard and Forsyte, solicitors-at-law." "If anyone's ever met bustard, they don't mention it." "Miss Winifred Forsyte." "Mr. Soames Forsyte." "My cousin Soames, the junior partner and a cunning man,they say." "Uncle swithin, James' twin." "The fat and lean of it, my father calls them." "Swithin's an estate and land agent, a bachelor." "Does himself very well." "Claims to have been a devil with the women." "I doubt it." "On the left, uncle Roger, who collects house property as you or I would collect postage stamps." "On the right, uncle Nicholas, company director and shrewd investor in the shares of those companies." "They both have large families and incomes to match." "And we all come here, to Timothy's in the Bayswater road, known as Forsyte change, to exchange news and gossip, to re-affirm our confidence in the stability of the family." "And we go away comforted and reassured." "Why not?" "We're the backbone of England." "We?" "Well, Soames is certainly, or will be." "That fellow has a very highly developed sense of property,even for a Forsyte." "And I?" "Well, I suppose I'm a little different." "No better, I assure you, but different," "For one thing, my own sense of property is negligible." "For another, though the aunts and uncles adore Soames," "I dislike him as intensely as he dislikes me." "There are other things, which will be revealed." "But one of them is that I paint." "Only watercolors, but still, I paint." "And every Forsyte knows there isn't any money in that." "Come on, papa." "Hurry up." "Sit still, June." "I'm looking out for grandpapa." "He'll be late in a minute." "Grandpa's never late." "He's like royalty." "You can set your watch by him." "I haven't got a watch." "June, you're supposed to be looking at Fraulein." "She doesn't keep spinning round like a top." "I'm a top!" "I'm a top!" "You're a pest." "And I don't think I shall paint you after all." "So." "And when your papa is famous, you'll be sorry." "There's grandpapa." "June!" "Please, papa." "May I?" "All right, run along, pest." "Hopeless." "May I look, please?" "Bad, isn't it?" "No, no." "There's something there of June." "But not much, eh?" "You're right." "Landscape for me." "At best, landscape with cows." "And only if the cows are lying down." "You underestimate yourself." "Do I?" "I think I see myself very clearly." "Papa!" "We're going to the zoo." "And mama's coming with us to see the lions and the monkeys." "You promised we'd see the monkeys." "So you shall." "All alive, all in their cages." "Well, Jo?" "Father, how are you?" "Pretty well, my boy." "No, grandpapa." "Not "guter tag."" "It's guten tag." "Is it?" "What's the difference?" "You'll never learn It shouldn't bother if I were you." "Fraulein Hillmer speaks better english than either of us." "Hello, my dear." "Hello, papa." "Well, now." "Are we all ready?" "Oh, now, June, dear, you're not." "Now, why not?" "Fraulein!" "Oh, no, I'm so sorry." "My fault, Frances." "I kept her." "He was drawing me, only he was being beastly slow." "Beastly?" "Oh, really, June." "Well, he was." "Fraulein..." "Germans." "She's an austrian, father." "Same thing." "Oh, indeed, no, papa." "Quite, quite different." "And fraulein Hillmer's really a most exceptional girl." "Well, a little quiet perhaps, withdrawn, but then that too can be an advantage, don't you know." "Her parents were of quite humble stock, I believe." "They're both dead now, of course." "But it's therefore even more remarkable that she's become such a ladylike person, and a very competent governess." "I dare say." "But what do you want with a foreigner, eh?" "Why not an english governess?" "Because all the ladylike english persons happen to be working in Germany, that's why." "Really, Jo." "No, papa, but she has the languages, you see, and that's so important for a child." "And it's fashionable too." "Bah." "No, no, indeed." "All the princesses have german governesses now." "The queen herself, of course." "It's the thing." "Bah." "But above all, she's very good with June, and the child seems quite taken with her." "Doesn't she, jo?" "I'd say so." "As indeed we all are." "Aren't we, jo?" " Yes." "So you see, papa... well, if june gets on with her, that's all that matters." "Anyhow, I'm glad you didn't choose a french one." "Papa, that's absurd, and it's old-fashioned." "That is as may be." "Oh, Jo, you heard the news?" "On Forsyte change?" "Is that what you call it?" "That's pretty good." "Not mine,I'm afraid." "Cousin George'S." "That chap." "That chap." "They tell me he's a wit, I can't see it myself." "Well, what is the news?" "Well, I hear your uncle James has come around and that girl of his is going to get married." "Winifred?" "Mm." "To Monty Dartie?" "That's the fellow." "Haven't met him myself." "But your aunt Emily thinks the world of him, I hear." "But is that a suitable match?" "I've no idea, but James'll make sure of that." "You know him, Jo?" "Oh, slightly." "He's a friend of George's." "Well, that wouldn't recommend him to me." "Where's that gi... ah." "I'm ready, grandpapa." "Jo, won't you come with us?" "Oh, I'm sorry, father, I..." "no matter, some other time, huh?" "You and Frances must dine with me soon." "Thursday, yes?" "Yes, are we free?" "Yes, I think so." "I'll arrange it with papa." "Oh, and Jo, you won't forget, we're dining at the Ashburtons tonight." "So won't wander off anywhere, will you?" "My love to the monkeys." "Poor devils." "No, Monty, no." "That's quite enough." "There's no such thing as enough." "Monty, you're wicked." "And what's worse,you make me feel wicked too." "Hooray!" "No, Monty, no." "Monty, no, no." "Just look at me." "Whatever would mama say?" "Well, if I know your mama, she'd say jolly good luck." "Yes, and papa?" "Ah, now that's a different matter." "Your papa would probably sniff and say,nobody ever tells him anything but he doesn't know, but he can't think what young people are coming to." "Monty!" "Yet he wouldn't be at all surprised if the price of copper went up and house property came down and we didn't all finish up in Carey street." "You wretch." "And I won't have you make fun of papa" "He's been very good, allowing us to be engaged." "But Freddie, my love, that's just what I mean." "We are engaged." "Yes, we're engaged." "Oh, Monty." "Dear Monty, I do love you very much, and we will have a delightful wedding at st." "George's and all the other Forsyte girls will be bright green with envy because you're so gay and handsome and dashing." "But I shall look down my nose and be quite composed and cool." "But underneath, here, absolute turmoil." "Sounds ghastly." "Agony." "It's blissful agony." "Think we'll be able to go through with it?" "I can." "Can you?" "I dare say we'll survive." "Oh, but none of that really matters." "I've been joking because I'm so happy." "But, darling, I'll be a good wife to you." "I promise." "As long as we live and whatever happens." "There." "That's for my beautiful ring." "I shall be so proud to wear it." "Mama, papa, are you there?" "I want them all to see it." "My dearest child." "I'm so happy for you." "Thank you, mama." "And look." "Oh, exquisite, dear." "Charming." "Five diamonds are always good taste." "Papa, look." "Monty, dear." "That must have cost a pretty penny." "Well, I don't know." "I can't tell." "It'll keep it's value, I shouldn't wonder." "Never mind that, papa." "You're quite right, sir." "There's nothing like value for money." "That's what I always say." "Well, isn't anyone going to congratulate us?" "I shall." "Every happiness, Winifred." "Thank you, Soames." "And to you too, Dartie, congratulations." "Thank you, Forsyte." "And not only do I gain a bride, but also a brother." "There's richness for you." "As mr." "Squeers said when he ladled out the dishwater." "What's that?" "Who's this chap, squeers?" "You know, dear." "One of Dickens's characters." "Dickens?" "What's he got to do with it?" "Fellow's been dead for years." "Good riddance too, damned radical." "Now James, don't get into a tizzy." "You know it upsets your digestion." "I'm so pleased it's settled at last, Monty." "Now we can all be comfortable." "Such a distracting time for everyone, especially Winifred, of course." "Girls do feel these things so much more deeply than men,I always think." "Winifred, dearest." "There." "Soames, don't they make a handsome couple?" "Very handsome." "You see, James?" "Soames agrees with me." "And if Soames says so, it is so." "And Soames, dear, you'll be next." "It won't be long now before you're engaged too, and..." "What's that?" "Nobody told me, why didn't some..." "There's nothing to tell father." "Mother's romancing, that's all." "Sure now, you'd tell me if..." "you'll be the first to know." "Don't mind my husband." "He always insists on being told things." "Though why, I can't imagine." "He always finds them disagreeable." "Yes, he does." "Now, Monty, I shall send you away." "Oh, mama, no.Indeed, yes." "Oh, mama... but we shall expect him for dinner, if he's free." "I shall be delighted." "At 7:00, then." "Winifred, you may see him to the front door." "Thank you, mama." "But... remember your decorum if any of the servants are about." "Yes, of course, mama." "Run along, then." "Au revoir, Monty." "Au revoir." "Goodbye, sir." "And thank you." "Yes." "Soames." "Bless you, papa." "I'm so happy." "I dare say, I dare say." "There now." "Now... is there anyone we should ask for tonight, I wonder?" "Not enough notice." "Well, perhaps you're right, but isn't there someone you'd like just to make up the number?" "Eleanor Otway, perhaps?" "Millie Bannister?" "No." "Oh, pity." "Just the family then." "But we must have something special." "I shall go and see cook at once." "Plover's eggs?" "Lobster?" "I wonder if Monty likes lobster." "Oh, we'd better have both." "Well, Soames?" "You don't say much." "What do you think of him?" "Oh, he's an oily bounder." "Ill-bred." "Too much of a clown for me." "I don't care for witticism." "Why should you?" "I don't myself." "Still, it might be worse." "You think so?" "Winifred's 24." "Twenty-four, eh?" "It's time she was married." "Yes, yes, a great girl like that." "Your mother was 18." "Yes, I know." "You were 40." "That's too wide a gap." "I had my way to make." "Well, that's the next point." "We don't have to know his family because he hasn't got any." "He's already come into his money, such as it is." "Eight thousand, he tells me, and the house in Green street." "That is freehold?" "Oh, yes, yes." "I've asked to see the deeds." "He's got this seat on the stock exchange." "Whether he works there, I don't know." "I can't tell, but I daresay there's some income there." "Well, as long as he brings every penny into the settlement." "He's agreed to that." "Well, keep him up to it, won't you?" "He'll try and wriggle out if he can." "But as I say, it might be worse." "As long as Winifred's secure." "Oh, she will be." "I'm putting her own 5000 in trust, and she'll get her allowance quarterly." "He'll not lay a finger on my money if I can help it." "I'm not easy, my boy." "Can't say I am." "But there, between your mother and Winifred... always thought that girl was a real Forsyte, level-headed." "She's in love with the chap, I suppose." "Oh, there's no doubt about that." "That's the most important thing, father." "You'll see your grandchildren." "No!" "No, it can never be possible, Jo!" "I won't think about it, and neither shall you, so, please, please don't try to persuade me any longer." "I can't believe that I've allowed myself to put you in this position." "It's shameful and dishonest, and I hate myself for it." "Can you understand?" "I love you so much, and I always will." "All I want is to be with you." "My body is yours, and my life." "Whatever you want of me, you shall have whenever you need it." "And I demand nothing of you, nothing." "Except your love." "If you love me, I am content." "I ask no more than that." "So please, Jo." "Please." "Helene, Helene, come here." "No." "Then I must come to you." "Oh, my poor love,you are in a state." "Come on, come on." "Stop crying, please." "Try and stop crying." "Sh." "Quiet, quiet." "You must try and stop crying, it can't be good for you." "Besides, listen, it makes you excessively damp." "There, that's better." "Come and sit down." "I want to talk to you." "There's nothing more to say." "That's where you're wrong." "First, are you comfortable?" "Oh, yes." "Good." "Now I gather you are content to remain my mistress." "Yes, Jo." "And that this relationship should continue indefinitely." "As long as you wish it." "On the grounds that I'm supposed to be a respectable person:" "Good family." "Social background...in short, a Forsyte." "I am only thinking, Jo, of your father and June." "They'd be hurt most dreadfully." "Of course they'll be hurt, especially my father." "June's too young to care much." "And your wife?" "Frances won't be hurt at all." "Oh, in her pride, perhaps." "And it may be inconvenient for her socially for a month or two." "But you must know, my darling, that for years our marriage has meant nothing to either of us except as a social convenience." "When we married, we were too young." "We didn't know each other." "And now that we do, nothing remains, not even liking, let alone love." "No, I suppose this doesn't matter, normally,in our society." "Jack takes a mistress, Jill consoles herself elsewhere, or goes in for good works." "As long as the façade remains intact, the show of respectability, that's what counts." "Oh, you're so cynical." "No, my darling, truthful." "Then why don't you play this game?" "Do you want me to?" "Do you really want me to?" "And let me ask you something else." "If I were free of all these obligations, would you marry me?" "Oh, yes, Jo." "Then that's what must happen." "Frances must divorce me, and I shall marry you." "Is it so simple?" "No, no, it isn't." "It's the very devil of a coil." "We shan't be forgiven for not playing this game, as you care to call it." "I shall be an outcast, a traitor to my class and that monstrous family I belong to." "And you won't mind?" "Of course I'll mind." "I was brought up to this." "It's part of me." "Though God knows, sometimes I think it's the worst part." "Money." "Possessions." "The security of the social stockade." "We'll be out in the jungle." "I have always lived there, but you... then I must.. one thing's certain, my love, I can't lead two lives." "It must be a clean break or nothing." "Loving you, I can't live with Frances." "I think for a little while, you must try." "Why?" "No, my darling, listen." "You must try because we don't know how strong that other part of you might be." "What you call the worst part." "If you decide without trying, you may regret it and then you'd hate me." "Oh!" "That I couldn't bear." "Now, look, Jo, take that little house in Chelsea." "I'll tell your wife I must leave at once, and I'll go there to Chelsea, and you'll come to see me whenever you can." "And then... after a while, we shall know." "I don't think I can do that." "You have to, if only for June's sake, and your father's." "Oh, Jo, you will come, won't you?" "Often?" "Ah, hello, dearest." "Ready for bed?" "I had a huge supper." "Not too much, I hope." "What are you doing?" "I'm writing invitations to a dinner party." "Why are you doing it now?" "I thought you were going out." "Yes, we are, but your papa isn't dressed yet." "I know." "He came and kissed me good night and read me a story." "I see." "May I stay up?" "No." "I mean, for the dinner party?" "No, dear." "You're far too young." "When may I?" "I've told you before, when you're 16." "Come in." "Yes, fraulein?" "May I speak with you a moment, madam?" "Yes, of course now." "June, dear, say good night and run upstairs." "There's a good girl." "Mm, you do smell nice." "I should hope so." "Goodnight, dearest." "Night, mama." "Yes, fraulein?" "Madam, I regret, but I must give you my notice to leave" "Leave?" "You want to leave us?" "But why?" "For personal reasons." "Aren't you well?" "Quite well." "I'm so sorry,I must go." "But I thought you were happy here." "Oh, yes, I have been happy,but..." "But you aren't any longer?" "Is it money?" "No, I don't suppose you'd do better elsewhere." "Have you another situation to go to?" "No, madam.Well, then." "That is, yes.In a way." "Fraulein, I have no wish to interfere in your private affairs but aren't you being a little rash?" "I mean, shouldn't you stay here till you're quite sure of another post?" "I would rather go as soon as possible." "Very well." "You must do as you wish, of course." "And I shan't hold you to your month's notice." "Here are your wages for last month." "Thank and a few pounds extra, just in case." "Oh, no, madam." "No, thank you." "I must take only what you owe me." "Really, fraulein, if I choose to be generous, it's only because you've done well here, and I think you've earned it." "Please, I'd rather not." "As you wish." "Well, you'll come and see me before you go, won't you?" "And if at any time you need a reference..." "Thank you." "Well, then..." "good evening, fraulein." "Madam." "Extraordinary girl." "A house in Chelsea?" "George, dear, you must be mistaken." "Not in the least, aunt Hester, I assure you." "Father saw them as plainly as I did." "Plain as a pikestaff." "Chap had a latchkey, ushered her in as bold as brass." "He's keeping her." "Hm." "The young devil!" "Oh, really, Swithin." "That's not quite nice." "Isn't it, by jove?" "Wish I had my time over again." "Pretty little thing, they tell me." "Is she pretty, Roger?" "Pretty?" "How should I know?" "A young woman, that's all I saw." "Quite enough too." "Oh, she's pretty, if you like that type, which I don't much, great dark eyes, trim little figure." "He could have property there, I suppose." "Nonsense." "Property's down there is no value at all." "In that case, Roger, what were you and george doing in Chelsea?" "Well..." "don't tell me that you... now look here, Swithin..." "don't, father." "Qui s'excuse, s'accuse." "Anyways, property or no property why take that german governess,unless...?" "Especially since she's left their employment." "Left there?" "Oh, yes, Nicholas." "I met Frances in the stores, and she told me." "Well, that's good enough for me." "The young rogue." "He's at least 32." "Just wait until old Jolyon hears about this." "He's not to be told." "Do you hear me?" "Not one of you is to utter a word about this to anyone." "If what you suspect is true, he'll hear soon enough." "And if Jo has disgraced himself in this way, it's quite shocking, and very sad." "But if you talk about it all over London, then we shall have a scandal." "And I will not have this family involved in a scandal." "So mind what I say, all of you." "Mr. And mrs." "James Forsyte, ma'am." "Miss winifred, mr." "Soames and mr." "Dartie." "Thank you, Smither." "You may bring in tea." "Our duty call, Ann, as I promised, to introduce you all to dear Monty." "Miss Forsyte, mr." "Dartie." "How do you do?" "I am very well." "Now as soon as you've met the others, you shall come and sit here by me, and you must tell me all about yourself." "My darling child, this is indeed a happy occasion." "Come along, Monty." "Miss Hester Forsyte, mr." "Dartie." "How do you do?" "Mrs. Septimus Small." "Well, aunt Juley, that is." "Mr. Dartie." "Mr. Swithin Forsyte, mr." "Dartie." "How do you do, sir?" "Mr. Nicholas Forsyte." "How do you do?" "How do you do?" "Mr. George... oh, how stupid of me." "You know George, of course." "Do you know George's father, mr." "Roger Forsyte?" "How do you do, sir?" "How do you do?" "Well, he's launched." "Hm." "Quite an ordeal." "What?" "Oh, yes, I suppose so." "Mind you, he's got a way with him." "Yes, they call it charm." "Oh, do they, well, they can call it what they like, I've no use for it." "Father, do you remember the Herons?" "Herons?" "Yes, he was a professor, a client of yours." "You're a trustee." "Oh, I remember, yes." "Died two years ago." "Didn't cut up for much." "What about him?" "Well, he left a young widow, second wife, much younger than himself." "We had a letter from her today in the office." "She's finding it difficult to live on her money." "Not surprised." "I find it deuced hard myself." "Well, I've had a look at her investments." "They're very sound." "So I should hope." "But I think we might do better." "You think so?" "Perhaps I should go down to Southwater." "There may be..." "where's that?" "In Hampshire." "There may be other assets we can bring into the trust." "Yes, well, don't commit yourself." "Perhaps you'd rather go yourself." "I?" "Why should I want to go, a journey like that?" "No, no." "You attend to it." "Very well." "Ah, tea." "Ah, tea." "Mrs. Heron's expecting me, mr." "Forsyte." "Yes, sir." "Please come in." "Quite a nice day, isn't it, sir?" "Yes." "It's very nice." "Shall I take your coat, sir?" "Thank you." "I'll do that." "Oh, thank you, sir." "I'm sure." "This way, if you please, sir." "Mr. Forsyte, ma'am." "Mr. Forsyte, how do you do?" "We met before, I think, in London." "Yes." "How do you do?" "May I introduce mr." "Lomax?" "Mr. Forsyte." "How do you do?" "How do you do?" "Do sit down, mr." "Forsyte." "You had pleasant journey down," "I hope, Forsyte?" " Thank you, yes" "Mr. Lomax is a very good friend and near neighbor of mine." "He knows all about my situation and the fact that I wrote to you for advice." "I'll leave you if you prefer it, Forsyte." "No, not at all." "If mrs." "Heron..." "My father would have come down himself, since he is co-trustee with you." "But, well, he's not young anymore, so perhaps you'll accept me as his deputy." "It's most good of you to come so far on such trifling business as mine, mr." "Forsyte." "Nothing to do with money is trifling, mrs." "Heron." "Indeed, no." "Particularly when one has so little." "Mr. Lomax has been kind enough to help me since my husband died." "In such matters as he can." "I am not a financial wizard, or course, don't you know." "But I felt that mrs." "Heron should have professional advice." "Quite." "Before I left London, I drew up a list of possible investments, mrs." "Heron." "That is a copy." "Are they quite, quite safe?" "Our brokers recommended them, and so does my father." "And you, mr." "Forsyte?" "Certainly." "Then naturally,one has every confidence." "You have no other source of income?" "No land, no property?" "No.Professors are seldom rich, mr." "Forsyte." "And this house?" "Only a lease, I'm afraid." "That can be worth something." "Not when there's only two years to run." "Quite." "And that's all?" "Nothing more." "Oh, Irene has an annuity of 50 pounds a year but naturally that is hers entirely, and at present being devoted to her education." "Irene...?" "My stepdaughter." "Ah, yes." "Then I'm glad to that by making the changes" "I've suggested there, you should be able to augment your income to some extent." "To what extent?" "Possibly 150 pounds a year." "As much as that?" "Every company fluctuates in its dividends now and then of course, but that is a reasonable estimate." "Well, this is perfectly wonderful, mr." "Forsyte." "How stupid I was not to consult you before." "Yes, you've certainly taken a great deal of trouble, Forsyte." "Trouble?" "Not at all." "Do you wish to think about this for a day or two?" "How soon can the transfers be managed?" "That might take a little time, possibly a month." "I'd like to study the market variations for a week or two and buy at the best price." "I see." "Then, as a trustee, you must sign an authorization, which I'll bring down to you." "Oh, that will be a nuisance for you." "Not at all." "Well, at least we shall have the pleasure of seeing you again." "Thank you." "Oh, there is one other thing." "If you wish it, and only if you wish it." "May I suggest to my father that he gives up the trusteeship?" "And that I be appointed in his place?" "Of course, what a good idea!" "As I say, he's getting on..." "Don't you think so, Willie?" "Oh, upon my soul, yes, yes." "Excellent idea, Forsyte." "A young fellow like you." "See us all out, what?" "Quite." "Then if mrs." "Heron approves...?" "I do, indeed." "Good." "I shall so advise my father." "Now if you'll excuse me." "Won't you stay to tea?" "I was just about to ring." "Thank you, no, my train... ah, of course." "But next time, mr." "Forsyte, do come earlier and stay to luncheon." "What a pity you can't meet Irene." "Yes, she's off to Paris next week." "Indeed?" "Yes, she obtained a scholarship at the conservatory to study the piano." "Such a gifted child, isn't she, Willie?" "Oh, no doubt about it." "And with so little money, a career of some sort is quite necessary." "Music teaching." "Can't say i should care for it myself." "A lot of frightful infants banging away at bach and beethoven." "What do you say, Forsyte, I'm sure there are many worse ways of earning a living." "Well, we shall look forward to your next visit." "And believe me, I'm most grateful." "Not at all." "Goodbye, Forsyte." "Is mr." "Timothy coming down to tea, do you know?" "He said not, ma'am." "So I took him a tray upstairs." "Thank you, Smither." "What's keeping Juley, I wonder?" "I haven't any idea." "Thank you, Smither." "Juley, you're very nearly late for tea." "Where have you been?" "Well, when dear septimus was alive, we always had tea at 5:00." "So I cannot accustom myself... after 15 years?" "Really, Juley." "Nonsense." "Have you been out?" "Just in the park for a short walk." "Everything looked so pretty in the sunlight." "Yes, yes, but did you meet anyone?" "Only mrs." "Roger and mrs." "Nicholas." "I wanted to talk to them about the wedding." "Oh, the Rogers are giving silver." "They always do." "But the only thing they could think about was, you know, the chelsea adventure." "What's that?" "Who told them?" "Oh, I've no idea, dear." "Now, Juley." "But Ann, dear, Roger was the first to find out." "Don't you remember?" "He was bound to tell mrs." "Roger." "And she was bound to tell mrs." "Nicholas, and so it goes on,tittle-tattle" "Oh, really, dear, but it's only in the family." "And Hester, it appears that young George, so enterprising," "actually went to see the estate agents in Chelsea." "Roger knows them, of course." "And what do you imagine he found out?" "What?" "The german girl is living there, but she's not the tenant." "Who is?" "I give you one guess." "Now, Juley." "I have told you not..." "Mr. Jolyon, ma'am." "Oh, Jolyon, how nice!" "I've had board meetings all day." "Dry stuff." "I thought I'd look in for a moment." "Ann, how's Timothy?" "He's a little upset today." "He's always upset." "What is it this time?" "The german emperor." "Timothy read in the times of his attempted assassination." "Was too dreadful." "I don't know, blustering chap." "Oh, Jolyon." "Anyway, what's he got to do with Timothy?" "He's not a german." "He's anxious about the price of shares." "Timothy's in consols,isn't he?" "Three percent for his money, that's all he gets." "All he will ever get, more fool him." "Oh, Jolyon." "You can tell Timothy from me, that if 10 german emperors were assassinated tomorrow, consols would not budge one farthing." "I will tell him." "Thank you, Jolyon." "Dear Jolyon." "So reassuring." "Speaking of germans..." "Juley!" "Yes, I was only going... what is it?" "Juley?" "I see you're bursting with something." "I am not interested in discussing the germans." "Neither, I'm sure, is Jolyon." "When you arrived, we were talking about winifred's wedding." "I hear the Rogers are giving silver." "What shall you give, Jolyon?" "I dare say, they'll entertain quite a bit." "Emily will see to that." "A dinner service." "Jolyon always gives a dinner service." "Royal worcester, I fancy." "You get your money's worth." "Very appropriate, Jolyon." "And Winifred is sure to look after it." "Such a very sensible, level-headed girl." "Is it all right?" "Oh, it will be, mademoiselle." "It will be." "Madame Debrie, you're married aren't you?" "I was." "Now no longer." "I'm sorry." "What happened?" "The prussians happened." "Nine years ago." "The war happened, mademoiselle." "Was your husband killed?" "He was." "I won..." "no, perhaps I shouldn't." "Now, we take off the gown." "Careful." "Careful, please." "Yes, since 1870," "France is full of widows." "What's it like to be married?" "but this you should ask your mother." "Heavens." "I couldn't do that." "No?" "Well, we'd both be dreadfully embarrassed." "Embarrassed?" "Mon dieu." "In France..." "oh, but I forgot." "This is england." "Are you quite ignorant, then?" "Oh, don't misunderstand me." "I know what I suppose i ought to, about men and women." "Well, then?" "But to be married." "To leave your own home and live alone with someone who's really quite strange to you." "To be a wife, responsible, instead of just a girl with only herself to think about." "All this you will learn,if you want to." "For the rest, marriage is like life itself." "Sometimes heaven...and sometimes hell." "How much of each depends on whom you marry." "Madame Debrie, still here?" "Just finished, madam." "Splendid." "Winifred." "Monty's downstairs." "Monty!" "I'll go down at once." "Like that?" "Winifred, my love." "Oh, mama." "He asked me to give you this." "Something rather special, I believe." "Madame, the scissors." "May I?" "Oh... pearls." "Oh, how beautiful." ""For my Freddie, to mark the happiest event in my life," "Monty."" "Well, he is a thoughtful boy." "Madame...?" "Oh." "But they're exquisite." "Mama, will you tell him I'll be down directly to thank him?" "Yes, dear." "I shall." "Oh, they do suit you." "Just the thing to wear with white." "What do you think, madame Debrie?" "They're charming, madam." "Such a generous gift." "Dear Monty." "Jo?" "Jo?" "Now where on earth...?" "Oh, there you are." "We're going to be late." "Jo!" "You're not dressed." "Oh, how could you?" "If there's one unforgivable thing, it's being late at a wedding." "I'm not going to the wedding." "Of course you're going." "If you go directly, you'll still have time." "Frances, I told you 10 days ago i should not be going." "I don't remember." "You do." "But you didn't choose to believe it." "Well, why should I believe it?" "I thought it was a caprice, one of your moods." "Heaven knows there have been enough of those lately." "Yes, I know, I apologize." "You apologize!" "Well, that's splendid." "But that's all you do." "And I must tell you,it isn't enough." "You've been behaving like this for months now." "Refusing invitations coming home late when i've invited people to dinner, taking no interest in anything as far as I can see." "Don't you realize the importance of our social life, of holding your position in society?" "Frances, please sit down." "I want to talk to you." "I haven't got time to talk, even if you have." "This is your cousin's wedding, not mine." "It's your family that's going to be offended and vexed if you're not there." "And June." "She's a bridesmaid for the first time, you know she'll be utterly wretched." "If none of that means anything to you, what about me?" "Don't I deserve your courtesy at least?" "How do you think I'm going to feel if I have to go there without you?" "Well, you don't have to go, either." "Not go?" "But, I want to go." "It is right and proper that I should go." "And that you should take me." "All I'm asking is that you should behave like the gentleman you were brought up to be." "Frances!" "Sometimes I think you are the most typical Forsyte of us all." "Is that so bad a thing?" "Well, will you come?" "uncle Jolyon." "Winifred." "I'm so glad you could come." "I'm enjoying myself." "..kiss the bride." "Well, young fellow?" " A fine girl you got here." "You look after her." "Yes, sir, I will." "And uncle on, many, many thanks for our present." "I shall feel so grand at our first dinner party." "You must come to it." "You won't want a pack of old stagers." "Are these the famous pearls?" "Yes, aren't they lovely?" "Famous, sir?" "Forsyte change has talked of nothing else for the past two weeks." "Really?" "Yes." "Now, don't spend all your money, you'll need it when the young Darties come along." "Oh, really, sir!" "Mrs. Bannister!" "Oh, and Millie, what a pretty frock." "Look, did you ever see such a rumty-too collection of people?" "Forsytes one and all." "I know, old boy, you're going to tell you're not." "I know that." "Perhaps only 20 percent are." "But look at them, alike as peas in a pod." "And a wedding, partridge, a Forsyte wedding." "That's when you see us in our most splendiferous splendor." "In all the glory of property." "That's what it is, Partridge, old boy:" "A major property transaction." "And all the family have come to the market to see fair do's." "Look at my uncle James." "He's lost a daughter and gained a son." "Swap one piece of property for another." "And damned if he knows whether he's got a bargain or a disaster." "Well, my little one, you carried that train like a trojan." "I did, didn't I?" "And it was beastly heavy, too." "Seen your father anywhere?" " No." "Mama's over there, but I haven't seen papa." "Perhaps he didn't come." "Nonsense." "He's here somewhere." "Look, let's look for him, shall we?" "All right." "Yes, rather." "Four-in-hand Forsyte, they used to call me in the old days when my brother Jolyon and his partner nick treffry... wild chap, Nick." "Used to drive down to richmond together." "Mind you, I can only manage a pair these days, but the name sticks, don't you know?" "Anytime you'd like an airing, my dear, I'll drive you out." "Anytime." "A smart turn-out needs a pretty woman to set it off." "Soames, do you know mrs." "Steel?" "My nephew, Soames." "Your father's doing us very well." "I'm glad you think so, uncle." "Yes, by jove." "Not as good as my heidseick." "But a decent wine, a very pretty little wine." "Soames!" "Soames!" "Yes, uncle?" "They tell me you're a long-headed chap." "That's very good of them, uncle." "Huh?" "What?" "Oh, your uncle Nick and i are having an argument." "It's a legal matter, in a way." "Nothing to do with me." "Not my affair at all." "No?" "What's that?" "Well, it's about some property of mine in shoreditch." "In short, the sitting tenants..." "uncle Roger." "Yes, my boy?" "It sounds a complicated problem." "what do you mean?" "You haven't heard it yet." "Perhaps we should discuss it at the office." "Shall I call around on monday?" "What?" "No." "Oh, I'll talk to your father about it." "Very well, uncle." "Swollen-headed, they should have said." "Come now, Roger, you asked for that." "Why should he miss a fee?" "That boy's no fool." "Ann, dear, I do think it was noble of you to come." "I wouldn't have missed it for the world." "James, everything has gone exceedingly well." "Mr. Dartie seems a nice young man." "I liked the way he spoke up in the responses." "I cannot bear not to hear what people say in church" "You don't think we've overdone it?" "Too ostentatious?" "Fiddlesticks." "That's what weddings are for." "I do agree." "Who'd want to go to a quiet wedding?" "Dear Soames, I'm sure you've been a pillar of strength." "I wish..." "I just wish I may live to see you as happy as your sister." "But of course we shall come." "Thursday next, you said." "We should be delighted." "That is, if I can persuade my husband to stir out." "I'm afraid he's becoming a positive recluse, these days." "Excuse me, please." "Frances, may I have a word with you?" "Yes, of course." "Excuse me." "Frances, where's Jo?" "I haven't seen him, is he here?" "No, papa." "As a matter of fact, he didn't come." "Didn't come?" "Didn't come?" "!" "Why not, may I ask?" "I've no idea, papa." "Perhaps he had something better to do with his time." "What should he have to do?" "Something's wrong." "He's not ill?" "You're not keeping it from me?" "No, no, of course not, papa." "He's perfectly well." "What is it?" "What is it?" "Something amiss between you two?" "Frances!" "Papa, please.You're making a scene." "Oh, Isabelle, my dear, how lovely to see you." "Well, naturally we've sworn not to tell a soul." "Not even our nearest and dearest." "And that's as it should be, because if got to Jolyon's ears, who knows what he'd do." "Oh, Frances." "Well, my dear, we cannot tell whether she knows or not." "But can a husband keep such a thing from his wife?" "A german girl." "Yes, their own governess." "A little house in Chelsea, so Roger assures me." "Chelsea." "Well, she's really quite a common girl." "Helene?" "Helene!" "Where are you?" "Here, Jo!" "Up here." "Aren't you well?" "A touch of migraine." "Nothing at all." "Oh, Jo, I'm so pleased to see you." "But I thought... when it came to the point, I dug my heels in." "You sure you're all right?" "Oh, yes, now that you're here." "Oh, Jo, should you have dug your heels in?" "Was it awful?" "Oh... not good." "oh, then you should have gone to that wedding." "My darling, it would have been the easiest thing in the world to go, sit in the church, rub shoulders with all my friends and relations, kiss the old aunts, drink the champagne," "listen politely while my uncles talk about their money." "They don't." "Walk around with Frances, hand in hand, all smiles and small talk, pretending that everything's perfect." "That we're the most devoted, loving couple in the whole of London." "And who knows what's being said behind our backs?" "What?" "Oh, make no mistake, it's got around." "I've heard enough to be sure of that." "Oh, no." "Are you sure?" "Nothing remains a secret in my family, my love." "I've told you." "Absolutely nothing." "Not that they mind.Even the ladies, especially the dear ladies." "They get a delicious thrill of shock at the mere hint of wickedness." "I expect they all think that i'm the very devil of a fellow." "And the ironic thing is, I'm not, nor do I want to be." "In fact, I think i'm constitutionally incapable of being the devil of a fellow." "All I want is to live openly, decently and lovingly...with one woman." "And you shall, Jo." "Forgive me, but how could I know that you weren't like most men, greedy and selfish, taking pleasure of women without love?" "But... but you're not." "I'm so happy." "I'm so wonderfully happy... because I have something to tell you." "We're going to have a child."