"If my father posses a quality above another, is the ability to survive." "You make it sound as if his life may be in jeopardy." "Not quite his, perhaps." "George?" " Mm-hm?" "You mentioned some weeks ago the possibility of our going to London." "How very strange of you to mention that now." "Well, it has been on my mind." "May I ask when we are likely to know?" "If all goes well, perhaps within hours." " Mr Nicholas Warleggan, my lord." " Come in, Warleggan, come in." " My lord." " My nephew has chided me for keeping you waiting." "You know Lieutenant Armitage?" "Business delayed my departure and I had no time to dine." "Sit down." "Take a glass of wine." "Thank you, my lord." "Now, the matter is settled for you." "You'll find young Salter's an admirable choice." " Salter, my lord?" " Jeremy Salter of Exeter." "You'll want his particulars, I've got them here somewhere." "What of Mr Arthur Carmichael, my lord?" "Oh, no good." "No good at all." "More pie!" "No, young Salter's more suitable in every way." "The burgesses will not care for that." " Uncle, if you'll..." " They made a special recommendation..." ""The burgesses'll not care for it"?" "!" "Sit down, sit down." "The burgesses will do as they're told." " Do not depend on that." " They don't and they'll regret it!" "The burgesses feel they can no longer be treated as chattels to be disposed of at Your Lordship's will." "For that is the sum of this matter, my lord." "Are you defying me?" "It is you, sir, who defies the will of the town." "As you know, for many years" "Truro has placed unreserved confidence in your family." "Rhetoric!" "What are you telling me?" "I will tell you, my lord, that being the purpose for which I was sent here." "A meeting was convened last night at the house of Mr Hick, mayor of Truro, at which it was unanimously resolved that should you yet again ignore our nominee, we would have no choice but to take matters into our own hands." " Did you know of this?" " l had heard something." " You did not tell me?" "!" " l knew nothing definite." "Why question your nephew?" "I am deputised to answer your questions." "I seem to know who is behind it." "Your friend, Basset - am I right?" "!" " Uncle!" " There is no one person." " The corporation decided..." " Corporation?" "!" " You've not a majority on your side." " We have that." "And with due respect, only your high-handed treatment of the borough has caused this change in our loyalties." " Hawke!" " Surely we can discuss this?" "There is nothing further to discuss." "Cheese." "lnsinuations against the honour of my family!" "Your family!" "I've said nothing against Your Lordship's family." "Then where is your argument?" "When a nomination is sold to the highest bidder and we are not informed until just before the election..." "So venality is your complaint?" "!" "There are many not 20 miles away who have cause to be grateful for favours!" "But we have heard how when you sell these seats to your friends you complain of the money it costs to maintain the borough." "And yet you have contributed nothing to the building of the workhouse." "Whereas Mr Hick has scrimped and saved to give his 60 guineas and I likewise, and many more such." "That is why we shall reject your candidate and propose our own." "Ohh." "So, you have a candidate ready to oppose mine?" " We have." " May I know his name?" "My son, Mr George Warleggan, has been persuaded to stand." "Ah." "Now we have the worm in the bud." "I did not put my son's name forward, sir, nor did he." "It was a choice made by others and I resent your implication." "Basset, eh?" "We'll see tomorrow who are my enemies." "Hawke!" "Talk of enemies is a ridiculous exaggeration." "is it?" "If Your Lordship wishes to see it on that level..." "As for Mr Hick, mayor of Truro, remind him of the contract he received for furnishing the naval building!" "There's a letter l have that makes illuminating reading." "I have done as I was instructed." "No good can be served by remaining." "Lieutenant Armitage." "My lord." "Commend me to your friends." "Many of them have received favours from me!" "I'll remind them of that when I see them in the morning." "George?" "!" "George has it?" "!" "He has the nomination." "He has still to win the election." "Oh, for pity's sake, Ross, I anticipated your reaction in many ways - but not laughter." "When the burgesses roar like elephants and produce a mouse like George what would you have me do?" "Jud, where the devil are you?" "You would not have me weep?" "If only you'd accepted Basset's offer." "You were expecting me to weep." "Should I be the mouse?" "With you, Basset would have won." "If that's what concerns you then dry your tears, George will win." "Jud!" " What's amiss?" " You were shouting." "I am waiting for my other boot!" "Dwight!" "No one said you were here." "Half of him is weeping at Westminster." "I've heard the news." "They're even talking of it in the village." "I'll warrant even the hens are laying to it." "Jud!" "Do you think he'll win?" "Jud!" "For God's sake, where's my boot?" "Out of the way, sheep!" "Easy now." "Jud!" "The devil take you!" "Jud!" "All right, all right, I hear ee!" "What's all the to-do?" "He's not off to Truro for the elections?" "Ross?" "No." "He's been called to a meeting of the volunteers at Pendennis Castle." " Ahh." " Your master's after you with a whip!" "Fetchin' this. 'Tain't right being blamed when he takes it all the time!" " Who?" " Sheepman's new cur!" "Loves this boot better'n his own mother." "Else he hates me!" " Who can blame him?" " Ah, Cap'n." "That mad dog - thievin' everywhere!" "What in God's name are those things in the hall?" " They be your boxes, Cap'n." " l want the military ones!" "I can't see the governor carrying my wife's hatboxes!" "Military ones?" "Ain't seen 'em since ee come home." " Then look for them!" " Ow!" "Such a huffing' and a puffin', you'd think it was the invasion." "Imagine if I'd won the election and taken him to Westminster." "Jud's no worse than those great bullies George employs." "George hasn't won yet." " Do you think he will?" " We must wait and see." "That remark - all I wanted was Basset's victory - it's not true." "I know." "They do say we get the politicians we deserve." "I just think we deserve better." "When do you expect to know the result?" "By midday at the latest." "Have you met this Mr Salter of Exeter?" "He did not impress me." "I have not said this before... but I want you to know how very proud I am of you." "I wish you to win with all my heart." "If I do, it will mean a great change in our lives." "It is likely we shall spend much of our time in London." " l am content." " With leaving your friends behind?" "The prospect does not confound me." "I'll be calling on the Whitworths during the day." "Morwenna is in labour and it's proving difficult." "Then I shall see you this evening." "There's nothing for it but to open the jugular and bleed her." "Fetch basins from the kitchen." "What is it?" "Will she die?" "God forbid!" "Morwenna is my wife!" "It is inconceivable that she will be taken from me!" " l feel sure that..." " You would do better to pray!" " Indeed, I have tried." " This is no time for thinking of oneself!" "I thought if I sewed these buttons on your shirts... the act would...would help me, help concentrate my faith on poor Morwenna's behalf!" "You-you must forgive me, I was overwrought." "It is appropriate you should feel concern for your sister." "My concern is also for you." "You've been married so short a time and your first wife..." "Can you speak of nothing but dying?" " Forgive me." " No, no, you are right." "Indeed, when I think of the black periods in my life, the loneliness, the Almighty does impose a hard burden on his workers." "However, be sure that your presence here has served to provide a certain solace." "I mean that." "I am glad." "I was afraid that in your eyes I may have appeared no more than a girl but I am woman enough to know that even if my sister is not able to look after you, then someone..." "You must have... I must see to the children." " Rowella." " l hope I've not offended you." " You have not offended me." " l would not dream of... I'm trying to say, sir... whatever your needs, you have only to ask." "No, no, you are not to disturb yourself." "Dear God, why do You torture me so?" "There is movement, it be still alive." "Courage, dear lady." "Faith and courage is what we need now." "When Morwenna recovers, she may care to spend a few days with us." "The change will do her good, I'm sure." " When or if." "Who is to say?" " Osborne." "No." "Dr Behenna is very experienced in these matters." "He's attended me twice and I've not had cause to complain." "It is good of you and George to show such sympathy." "I will see to it." "You can perceive the state I'm in." "My... my nerves are like frayed ends of rope." "I cannot sleep, I cannot think." "I try to compose a sermon and either the words won't come or... they're like wild horses, I cannot control them." "All because you're about to become a father for the third time?" "Yes." "Yes." "Mr Whitworth, I'm happy to tell you, you have a son." " A son?" " A son!" "Alive?" "Alive and well." "Of six and a half pounds." "Oh, Osborne, what did I tell you?" "And Morwenna?" " Sleeping." "It has been a great ordeal." " But she will recover?" " In time, with care and patience." " The girls were both bigger." "Girls frequently are." "Oh, thank you, Doctor." "I'm sorry, the relief is more than I can bear." " A son!" "Oh, George will be pleased!" " Indeed." "I'd half a mind to call the boy after him but I changed my mind." "He shall be called John Conan Osborne Whitworth to mark our blood connection with the Godolphins." " George will not be offended?" " He will be pleased." "Rowella, have you heard?" "Morwenna had a son!" "Dr Behenna has pe_ormed a miracle!" "It is a time for... rejoicing!" "This is Mr Arthur Solway from the library." "He brought me some books." "He has just come from Truro and has news." " Of the election?" " Bless my soul, it must be decided." "Oh, yes, sir." "About two hours agone." "Great excitement there was for it was a very close shave." "In whose favour?" "13 votes to 12." "Close as a whisker." " Did Mr Warleggan win or not?" " By one vote." " What?" " That was the result." " What was the result?" " 13 votes to 12." "For whom?" "For who?" "For which candidate?" "But I said it, Vicar." "For Mr Warleggan." "Carried the day by one vote." "Thank God for that!" "So we have a new Member of Parliament for Truro." "Mr George Warleggan, MP." "I should have called the boy George after all." "Oh!" "Poldark!" "Poldark, come and join us." "Forgive the circumstances." "We were hoping for a private room but it's so crowded..." "You know Lord Devoran?" "Captain Ross Poldark." " Captain." " Lord Devoran." "Er, Mr George Warleggan, our new member for Truro." "All Cornwall is ringing with the news." "Well done." " Of course, you know each other." " We went to school together." "Well, please, sit down and help us to celebrate." "I was on my way to Falmouth but came by way of Truro." "In view of the storm, it was a wise decision." " We were drinking Geneva but if you...?" " No, no, no." "Just the thing." "We were talking of the hospital we hope to site near Truro." "Which you hope to site near Truro." "Mr Warleggan and I think one thing but Lord Devoran has other ideas." "I'm glad our new MP wastes no time in exerting his influence." "And you, Sir Francis?" "I'm all against this centralisation." "Six smaller infirmaries across the district would better serve." "But that's my point, they won't." " When do you take your seat?" " Next week." "Will you rent a house in London?" " Possibly." " So we'll not be neighbours this year?" "We shall be down in August and September." "I assume you do not intend to sell Penrice?" " l do not." " If you ever did I might be interested." "It shall not come on the market to you ever." "With the good will in the county we can't fail to succeed." "A place at St Austell and one at Redruth would serve us better." "What about Aunt Agatha's grave, by the way?" "What about it?" "I assume you've instructed a mason regarding a stone?" " No." " You may have resented her existence but you cannot deny her some record of having lived." "That is for Elizabeth to decide." " l could discuss it with her." " You'd be less than welcome." " You answer for her?" " She is my wife." "She was also a Poldark and this is a family concern." "Damn you and God damn your family to all eternity!" "Gentlemen!" "This does not become either of you!" "It does not become us but we do it all the time." "Not in the presence of gentlemen, sir." "We're to discuss matters of charity." "And, er, since charity, they say, begins at home, it is for me to leave." "This is, after all, your celebration." " Mr Poldark." " Sir Francis, Lord Devoran." " Good night, landlord." " Good night, sir." "And then out he walked, having had the effrontery to offer to buy this place from under us as if we were hard up for money." "Buy Penrice?" "How dare he!" "Dear Elizabeth, the man is so blown-up with public acclaim for his escapades he will dare anything." "He's the same as when he returned from America." "I warned him not to set foot in this house." "He sees your former connection with the Poldarks as justification, no doubt." "Nevertheless, he is right about the headstone." "And all this, you say, took place before Sir Francis?" "And Lord Devoran." "It did his reputation little good." "Ross never cared much for that." "Nevertheless he'll reap the harvest." ""My dear George, with my felicitations" ""may I remind you of the matter of my advancement" ""as Sawle has recently become vacant."" "Oh, God..." " Osborne, what is it?" " Morwenna..." "Are you unwell?" "Have you been drinking?" "These months have been a trying time for us both, I know you still need care, Dr Behenna has warned me but now you are much recovered!" "I do not understand you." "I am a strong man but even the strongest may falter if too great a burden is placed on his shoulder." "Cleric I may be, but first of all I am a man." "It cannot go on, Morwenna, it cannot go on." "It's only been four weeks since the baby was born." " Please, I cannot bear it..." " What about me?" "is it not a husband's right to demand his wife?" "Isn't a wife's duty to submit?" "Oh, Morwenna, do you wish me to be untrue?" "Stop it, you don't know what you are doing!" "I know, I know." "Don't distress yourself." "I will say a prayer for us both and it will soon be over!" " Oh, Morwenna!" "Morwenna!" " Ow!" " Oh, Ross..." " l'll not go." "Not go?" "But Ross, we must!" "Lord Falmouth's sister wrote to us herself!" " We'll plead a prior engagement." " Three weeks away?" "Oh." "Ross, it'd be nice to sup and dine and spend the night." "Look what Mrs Gower says " ""l should so enjoy the opportunity of renewing our acquaintance" ""and of thanking dear Captain Poldark once again" ""for bringing my nephew safely away" ""from the camp where he was imprisoned."" "It's to bid farewell to Hugh." "The next day he rejoins his ship." " Oh, I see." " No, that is not the reason I want to go!" "And did he ride over with the invitation himself, your Hugh?" "No, it came on the ship Orna." "And he's not my Hugh!" "Well, he's not mine!" "Can you not see?" "Falmouth is bitter at his election defeat." "Basset rides high." "I don't want to get caught in their political crossfire." "But Sir Francis won't be there." "And conversation will be of nothing but the weather." "Oh, Ross, please?" "Say we can go." " Do whatever you like." " Oh..." "You know you will anyway." "l-l don't know what to say, Osborne." "I'm touched that you should ask me but I've no experience in these matters." " What does Dr Behenna say?" " Simply that she has the fever." "He too is perplexed." " Then get another doctor." " Who?" " Dr Enys." " George doesn't like..." "Oh, Osborne!" "You have asked my opinion and I have given it." "Summon Dr Enys immediately." "If you do not I shall do it for you." "I am as yet not sure what is amiss with your wife, Mr Whitworth, but I will say this - l do not believe it is any infection of the womb." "Had that been the case I'd have expected other symptoms by now." "However, of one thing I am convinced - she is still suffering from the loss of blood incurred at the birth of your son." "She needs building up, not lowering now." "My advice is no blood-letting." "No blood-letting at all." "Dr Behenna is a great believer in blooding." "Then you may return to him." "I say she must have six raw eggs a day and two pints of porter." "Two..." "Two pints of...?" "Great heavens, you'll turn her into a toper." "Yes." "Yes, that is what she said." "But I assure you it won't happen." "There is...one other thing." "I gather you have resumed marital relations with your wife." " What is it to you?" " Sir, if I am to be your medical advisor..." " Did my wife tell you?" " She could hardly lie." " Well?" " It must stop." "For at least a month." "By what right?" "By what right?" "!" "By the right of the love you bear your wife." "She must be allowed time for her body to heal." "Who can ever tell when she will be well enough again?" "!" "If my treatment has brought no improvement within a month, you may dispense with my services and look elsewhere." "Good day, Mr Whitworth." "Rowella." "I did not mean to listen, Vicar." " Rowella..." " l did not mean to." "You..." "You...you may... call me Osborne, Rowella." "What is it you want, Osborne?" "I had no idea yours was such a very warlike family, Mrs Gower." "All these ancient banners and weapons." "My brother keeps everything relating to our family history." "I am indebted to you, Captain Poldark." "I'm unaware of it, my lord." "You saved my sister's son from languishing in prison in Brittany." "Well, that's past history now." "No matter, it was bravely done." "My soldiering days are not so far behind me that I underestimate your feat." "Pray, indulge my curiosity." "Your approach overland to Fort Baton must have been desperately perilous." "Was it in daylight?" "Most of it belonged to Hugh's grandfather, the admiral." " Yes, I've heard of him." " l see little virtue in wars." "Sometimes they're necessary, Mrs Gower." "I don't wish to repeat my experiences with the French." "They must've been terrible." "Have a look at the view from the window." "And the poem I wrote, did you read it?" "You should not have written it." "No, it was wholly improper." "Ross is looking at me with less charity than he used to." "I see no reason for it." "He talks of you with..." " Affection?" " You could call it that." "I'm glad." "But it's your affection I'd welcome more." "Lieutenant Armitage, you must not talk to me like that." "Oh?" "Why?" "Was Ross angry to hear I delivered the invitation by hand?" " Oh, I didn't tell him that." " You did not?" "I said it came by the ship Orna." "Then you are prepared to lie for me." "It is such a joy having my nephew here." "He is always in good spirits." " If only..." " If only?" "His health has suffered so from his imprisonment." "Dr Enys, I hope you do not think I'm being tactless?" "He told me that his vision had become increasingly blurred." "It worries me." "I should like to write about many things." "Life, love, nature." "I heard a beautiful poem about a seal once." "A seal?" "Can one write beautifully about..." " Indeed one can!" " l've never seen a seal." "We have them near us, a whole colony." " We see them all the time." " l should like to see them." "I should like to be included." "Why not all of us?" "We could all write poems about seals and judge which is best." "Do say yes." "I must say, it would be agreeable to have an adventure." "As long as there was no danger in it." "By the by, Poldark, I'm under a further obligation to you." "Oh?" "You refused the nomination to oppose my candidate" " in the by-election." " How did you hear that?" "The information reached me." "The means were irrelevant." "Do you know why I turned it down?" "Not out of friendship toward me." "That is correct. I'm sorry to be so blunt." "Parliamentary life itself did not attract you?" "And all the humbug attached to it." "Whereas for Warleggan it has a definite fascination." "Does it?" "I have not discussed the matter with him." "Nor I." "But it would give me pleasure one day to obstruct Mr George Warleggan's parliamentary life." "Does that surprise you?" "# l do pluck a fair rose for my love # l do pluck a red rose blowing" "# Love in my heart" "# A-trying so to prove" "# What your heart" "# Your heart's knowing #" "Geoffrey!" "If you was a local lad I'd have taken the skin off your back!" "You'd have had to have caught me first." " Is it really all yours?" " All." " Do you really make wheels?" " l'm mending one now, look." "It's good to see you again, Geoffrey boy." "When I own our estate, you shall live there as my factor." "Can I help you?" "And here." "That's it." "Proper job." "By the platform." "I saw Morwenna last week." "Oh?" " How is she?" " All right." "You've not spoken of her." "I haven't forgotten her, if that's what you mean." "She has a baby, did you know?" "No, I didn't know that." " When was this?" " Last month. I've seen him." "It's a boy." "She'll..." "She'll be happy about that." "She asked after you." "You better go back now." "I wish I hadn't told you now." "Don't say that." "I'd rather it was you than anyone else." " Better go now anyway." " Come on, then." "Will you take a message to Morwenna for me?" "Anything." "Just say..." "Just say as one day I hope to bring her some primroses... again." "I'll tell her, Drake." "I'll tell her." " l should like to return home." " But Ross..." " Now." " We've been invited to sup..." " l'll make our excuses." " But Ross." "I think it's better to go now, for everybody's sake." "Are you all right?" "You ride on. I'll see you later." " Where are you going?" " Sawle church." " Why?" " To see Aunt Agatha's grave." "I want to see if George has done anything yet about a headstone." "A graveyard, Elizabeth?" " Ross." " And alone?" "is it any business of yours where l go or what I do?" "None." "Though I can't say I blame you." "The company hereabouts is more stimulating than at Penrice." "I came to see Agatha's grave." "As George has no plans for a headstone, I thought to do it myself." "He has plans." "We have no need of you, so if you'll excuse me." " Where will it end?" " Where will what end?" "This hatred. I don't care about him but I care about you." "Caught between the Poldarks and the Warleggans, it cannot be easy." " l do not need your sympathy." " Can I do nothing?" "You?" "When each day, he hates you more than ever?" "He cannot still be jealous of our past?" "He now suspects the very nature of that past." " How?" " l've said enough." " You've said nothing." " Ross, let me go." "When you tell me what you mean." ""The very nature of that past."" "I believe he suspects Valentine is not his child." "Does that come as a surprise to you?" "Did you never wonder?" "is he?" "Elizabeth." "For God's sake, Elizabeth." "Is he George's child?" "I cannot say." " Will not say." " Will not say." "Not to you, not to George, not to anyone, ever." "How could he have known about that night?" "I don't know." "If only he would bring it out into the open." "But he hints." "And for weeks now, he's avoided even the sight of Valentine." "There can be no other reason." "You want to save your marriage?" " Now more than ever." " For Valentine's sake?" "For both my sons." "For them I would risk anything." "Then the solution is simple." "Give him another child." "Another child at eight months." "For Valentine's sake, you must." "How?" "Do you imagine it can be arranged to order?" "You don't have to do anything." "You lie about your dates, that's all." "You keep the doctors at bay and let nature do the rest." "If the truth were known, there never was a premature birth in all of Cornwall." "Especially in Cornwall." " You are good for me." " Will you do it?" "Well?" "What have you to say, sir?" "This is no criminal matter, I'm simply asking you for an explanation." "Ask him." "He's a spy." "Since Tom Harry's accident, Mr Rowse is my head gamekeeper." "It is his duty to protect my interests." "It was his duty to report that he saw you returning last night after darkness had fallen from the direction of St Ann's." "He knew your mother was worried and that I should not return from London till this morning." " He's always catching me out." " "Always" is an exaggeration." "For nine months of the year, you are at school at Harrow." "When you are here, you will accept his authority." "Now!" "Now, what were you doing at St Ann's?" "I went..." "I went to exercise my horse." "A long exercise." "I didn't think of the time." "I forgot Mother would be worried." "I do not wish you to stay out so late again." "Do you understand?" " Do you understand?" " Yes, sir." "I lay down no instruction." "I prefer your mother to be responsible for your disciplining but I..." "I wish you not to go." "Does that suit you?" "Very well." "That'll be all." "What is it at St Ann's that attracts him?" "Drake Carne, sir, runs a smithy there." "Him that gave trouble to Miss Morwenna afore she was wed." "But St Ann's is almost on my estate." "How did he gain possession of the smithy there?" "Rumour has it, sir, that his brother-in-law bought it him." "Ross Poldark?" "For what reason?" "Why should Poldark buy him a place almost on my land?" "I can't say, sir." "Very well." "You did right to tell me of Master Geoffrey." "See he doesn't go there again." "Oh, in the meantime, I shall speak to my lawyers." "If this Carne is out to make trouble, we must be prepared." "What shall I tell him, Wenna?" " l said, what shall I tell him?" " Shh." "I have to tell him something." "I don't want to get you into trouble." "But don't you see?" "This is adventure." "Then tell him I am happy for him in his new position." "Tell him I pray he will prosper but...he is not to send me anything." " He won't like that." " Tell him that..." "Oh, you must go now." "That is Dr Enys come to see me." "I'll tell him how well you are looking." "Tell Drake that I will never forget him." "That will be enough." "OK, let's lift." "Drop it." " Not at church, praying, then?" " Not yet." "There's a Bible reading later." "Poor lot of 'tatoes you've got." "Last of the crop." "I drew 'em for me brother." "Still looking for lost souls, just so smart as ever?" "Salvation be the gate of everlasting life, Emma." "So you remembered my name." "But you not been so smart after my soul recent, I noticed." "I not seen you now for all of a month." "Found another soul to save, have ee?" "There's no soul as important to me as yours and well you know it." "Sid Rowse says you're afeared of him." "That's why you left off." " But I do tell him he's all wrong." " Why was that?" "I do tell him it was the devil you was afeared of, not Sid Rowse." "We all fight the devil within us, Emma." "You know I'm promised to Sid Rowse?" " Well, half promised." " That I did know." "Did you know 'tis said I'm a whore?" "I shan't believe it till I hear it from your own lips." "I been out in the hay fields with many a man." " Be that the same thing?" " You seen me drunk." "And I prayed for ee, every night." "Oh, Sam, what do praying do?" " You're a good man." " Let me help you find repentance." " Meaning you'd wed me, Sam?" " Yes." " Oh, yes." " Even if I didn't repent?" "I'd wed you in the hope that God's bountiful love would bring you to the light." "You're a rare man, Sam." "And good." "But not for the likes of me." "I'd be better wed to a hard-swearing, hard-drinking jack like Sid Rowse." "If I wed 't'all." "So I'll say goodbye... honest Sam, dear." "In truth, Vicar, I find your wife much improved." "But I believe it is imperative the treatment I recommended be continued." "Er, do you understand what I mean?" "Perhaps if we were to talk alone." "There is no need. I understand fully." "These things happen to women." "We must learn to put up with them." "inconvenient but of no real consequence." "I'm glad you see it like that." "I shall call again, shall we say," "Thursday?" "No, no." "There's no need." "I shall see myself out." "He had a call to make at the vicarage." "What's her name?" "Morwella?" "Rowella?" " Morwenna." " Oh." "Prudie, ask Jud to see to Mrs Enys's horse." "Ooh, he's out, talking to that cur." "Nasty, snarling beast." " You'll have tea?" " No, thanks." "We're taking tea at the Trevaunances' and I don't expect Dwight will be long." " Demelza?" " Mm?" "Why did you leave Tregothnan house so early that night?" "Was Lord Falmouth very offended?" "Well, he didn't say much but one is not blind." "Ross insisted. I could do nothing." "You're playing with fire, you know." " l, playing with fire?" " You know what I mean." "After you left there was dancing and games but it was quite clear the young man's heart was not in it." "I tried flirting with him myself." "I thought, "Why should Demelza have it all her own way?"" " l was totally unsuccessful." " l wish you had succeeded." "I do, I wish it with all my heart." "He's so intense." "Sometimes he frightens me." "He's returned to the Navy, though not to active duty." "It's his eyes." "He has to undergo a medical examination before they will allow him to go back to sea." "So he could return?" "He could be discharged." "That's what Dwight says." "So you may not be rid of him yet." "I don't want to be rid of him." "It's not like that." "Then what is it like?" "Tell me, for it worries me, Demelza." "There's hardly a wife in the county who does not envy you your husband." "Myself included." "There - that's an admission for you." "And you would risk losing his love...for what?" "But that's nonsense." "I would not risk losing Ross's love." "I'd never do that." "Ah, yah." "Stealing that boot, like." "It was the last chance of salvation." "Whorr, ye, ye, ye cur, you!" "Ergh." "No need to take on so." "Just give me the boot or would ye rather... answer to Cap'n Ross!" "Cursed!" "Get out!" "What is happening?" "Sounds like a dog fight." "Prudie!" "Prudie!" "What's happened?" "That new cur be savaging my Jud!" "I been bit by a mad dog!" "'Tain't right, 'tain't proper." "Cur give me his boot and he made me a-drop it!" "He's got it in his jaws now, miserable limb of Satan." "What's amiss with ee?" "Ah!" "I've been bit." "Raving mad, 'twas, got..." "got me in his jaws." "See to him, Prudie." "I'll get a bowl of water." "On the table." "Best have a look before the poison gets to ee." " What, with her lookin' on?" " l'll help Demelza." " l don't want to see this." " Raving mad, 'twas." "Tongue hanging out like it were, were falling off." "Gis it along with ee, over the table." "Now, then." "Where's ee been bit?" "I don't see no bite." "Err, down there." "Been bit down there." "Maybe other places if the truth be known." "Ooh!" "Ten...sen..." "Send for surgeon!" "Oh, on your bum, is it?" " Huh!" "Is that it?" " Aarh!" "Rabies, is it?" "Mad rabies is...and...you're dead." "is he all right?" "'Tis nought but a scratch." "Gis along, ye miserable old doodah, bleating like a lambie." " 'Twas a mad dog, I tell ee." " Wait!" "I'll see to ee." "What ee done?" " Aah!" " l casterised ee." " Oh." " Now, pull up tha britches." "Don't need no surgeon no more." "Oh, there's nought amiss with him." "Creening old gale, that's all." "We'll get Dwight to have a look at him." "Oh, no, there's no call for that." "He's fine now." "It weren't the first time it did go for me." "That time last week, he took the boot to the graveyard, the day Captain Ross met Mistress Warleggan." " Watch your claptrap." " Well..." "Ross met Mistress Warleggan in a graveyard?" "What day?" "Why, the day ee came home early from Tregothnan House." "Cur took the boot up to the graveyard and I chased 'im." "Captain Poldark met Mistress Warleggan in the graveyard?" "Uh." "And kissed her." " Oh, Jud, you lugsound!" " What's amiss with ee?" " She asking, wasn't she?" " Thank you, Jud!" "Dah!" "I found this boot in the yard." "What's been happening?"