"(Knocking on door)" "I will sit with her now." " holly..." " No!" "Don't go!" "I can stay." "The ship docks at ten." " Tomorrow night?" " No, morning." "(Sighs)" "It means I'II have to break the news." "Miss June will be desolate." "Mrs Heron." "She is asleep at last." "We've er...kept some dinner for you, ma'am." "And Anne has aired the guest room." "Mr JoIyon and Miss June arrive tomorrow." "No, I er...cannot trouble you." "I'm sorry." "It's no trouble, ma'am." "I have appointments to keep." "I must get home tonight." "Beacon will be with you directly, ma'am." "A sad day." "Yes." "Yes, it is indeed." "For all of us." "If we'd had any idea... ..we should never have gone away." "Never." "Was he in pain?" "He didn't seem to be, sir." "It was most unexpected." "He was not in pain, no." "But he was agitated." "He was often thus when Mrs Heron came." "Mrs Heron?" "The lovely lady." "Mrs Irene Heron?" "She came to give piano lessons, and stayed to dinner." "Often." "JoIyon?" "Sorry." "I've just got back from the solicitors." "Oh." "HeirIooms." "They're my grandfather's." "The sign he'd finally arrived." "And Gran left them to you." "I suppose... this means that I've finally arrived." "There is another bequest, one that I wasn't expecting." "He left ¡Ì1 5,000 to Irene." "She works fast." "How long were we gone?" "Three months?" "I'm sure she didn't set out to..." "Oh, Irene never sets out." "Things just fall into her lap, time after time." " June..." " Thank you for the warning." "Does this mean that she'II be at the funeral?" "No." "That's something to be thankful for, at Ieast." ""Fear no more the heat of the sun," "Nor the furious winter's rages." "Thou thy worldly task hast done." "Home art gone, and taken thy wages." "golden Iads and girls all must, as chimney sweepers, come to dust." "Fear no more the frown of the great." "Thou art past the tyrant's stroke." "Care no more to clothe and eat." "To thee the reed is as the oak." "The sceptre, learning, physic must all follow this and come to dust." "Fear no more the lightning flash," "Nor the aII-dreaded thunder stone." "Fear not slander, censure rash." "Thou hast finished joy and moan." "AII lovers young, all lovers must consign to thee, and come to dust."" "walls of ebony and magnolia, illuminations by electricity." "Let me guess." "You're taking mental notes." "Under instruction from the aunts." "They've been desperate to see this place for years." "They should have graced us with their presence, then." "It's more than a mile from Hyde Park." "And Hester gets palpitations." "Besides, the reality never lives up to the description." " Who taught you that?" "Dartie?" " What?" "Hm?" "Nothing, dear." "So, this is what all the fuss was about." "Ssh!" "What do you think?" "It's a bit plain." "Reminds me of a prison." "only you'd know." "original, I suppose, the old buccaneer." "Good of you to say so." "My condolences, JoIyon." "Thank you." "We appreciate you coming." "It seems we only ever meet at funerals." "MercifuIIy." "I'm so sorry, JoIyon." "You must be devastated." "well, I just...wish we could have been here." "One always feels one could have done more." "You were reconciled, at Ieast." "That's some consolation." "But it feels like the end of an era." "JAMES:" "It is." "The first Forsyte to be buried in a plot other than the family's." "When I say plot, more like a scrubby piece of field." "flowers anywhere." "Weeds, probably." "Where's the dignity in that?" "You've heard about the will, I suppose." " Yes." " 1 5 thousand to Irene!" " I know." " typical, isn't it?" "Oh, June." "hello." "typical of what?" "Of Gran, to remember the underdog." "Irene may be persona non grata in some circles..." "In all circles." "..but she is, strictly speaking, still a Forsyte." "And she was very good to Gran at the end." "while you were away." "Yes." "Excuse me." "The question is...who is going to tell Soames?" " Shh!" " I think he probably knows." "Hm." "Why her, I wonder?" "JoIyon hardly knew her." " Do you know?" " What?" "Why JoIyon left all that money to Irene..." "what's her name now?" "Irene Heron?" "Come on, James." "Use your imagination." "Excuse me. (clears throat)" "Excuse me." "Er...thank you for coming, all of you." "For paying your respects." "Some people retreat...as they get older." "Not Dad." "He grew better with age." "His horizons broadened." "He became more flexible." "More compassionate." "He accepted that different people might want to live their lives in different ways." "He was a man of...honesty, bravery, conviction." "Never afraid to apologise." "Never afraid to love." "He stood for everything that was great about the Forsyte name." "Hear, hear!" "I grew up, as many of you did, trying... falling, to follow in his footsteps." "I see no reason to stop trying now." "Um..." "I ask you to raise your glasses." "To JoIyon Forsyte." "ALL:" "JoIyon Forsyte." "I meant what I said this afternoon." "We don't breed men like Dad any more." "We're..." "..just full of doubt now, and... ..apologetic." "smaller." "The world's a more complicated place." "Hm." "If you could turn back the clock... (clears throat)" "..change one thing, what would it be?" "Bosinney, I suppose." "I don't know." "I can't answer that." "Gran had a Iong life, but I wish..." "..I wish I'd had a chance to thank him." "That would be mine." "He did know, didn't he?" "He didn't think that we'd stopped loving him?" "We weren't here to tell him." "I don't care if I sound seIf-pitying." "blame it on the brandy." "There's something ironic, isn't there, that all the people I Iove, really love, all gravitate to her in the end?" "And they always love Irene more." "It does sound seIf-pitying." "He could never have loved anyone more than you, myself included." "He said so many times." "You were his second charge, the...the light of his life." "The beat of his heart." "JOLYON:" "Did he discuss the will?" "I think he knew his time was running out, but no." "Then this was er...this was quite a shock?" "Yes." "The money, yes, but not the gesture." "How...how was he?" "In the end." "In the very end." "Happy." "peaceful?" "No. (Laughs)" "No, he was...too greedy for life." "He said his heart was full." "He shared some of his thoughts with me." "If I had known we had so little time, I would have been freer with mine." "It's my only regret." "He blessed my world, JoIyon." "As you bless his." "He goes on blessing it now." "I can imagine." "(Sobs)" "I'm sorry." "I don't know where that came from." "Don't apologise, please." "Thank you for being there." "¢Ü Life is a dance we must learn" "¢Ü Into the night we will turn" "¢Ü Time holds the secrets of our song" "¢Ü Moments are given then gone" "¢Ü Come have this dance with me, darling" "¢Ü I'II hold you tight till the dawn" "¢Ü Let the night see how I Iove you" "¢Ü So the moon can tell the sun" "¢Ü So the moon can tell the sun" "When he comes in, you go and play." "Montague!" "Sh!" " Dad, behave." " val!" "Be quiet, Ma." "They're coming." "Imogen." "And you were in court today." " Adjourned, Mother." " Ah." "After you." "would you get the door, dear?" "The handle's so very stiff." "(applause)" " Hooray!" "My word." "¢Ü For he's a jolly good fellow" "¢Ü For he's a jolly good fellow" "¢Ü For he's a jolly good fellow" "¢Ü And so say all of us" " Hip!" "Hip!" " Hooray!" " Hip!" "Hip!" " Hooray!" " Hip!" "Hip!" " Hooray!" "congratulations, uncle Soames." "My word." "AII this for me." " Happy birthday, uncle Soames." " Imogen." "well played." " Happy birthday, Soames, dear." " Aunt JuIey." " Whose idea was this again?" " Imogen's." "She's very fond of Soames." "They both are." "I know." "If it's any consolation, you don't look ancient." " Imogen!" " Being ancient has its compensations." "Imogen, dear, your grandmama wants you to play." "I don't suppose you've heard from Irene." "Birthday good wishes, that type of thing." "Happy birthday." "It's been ten years, JuIey." " 1 2." " A long time, anyway." "Young JoIyon Forsyte's her trustee, you know." " Did you know that?" " I didn't, no." "I gather she travels these days." "The Continent and such like." "Lots of elderly widowers looking for company." "I doubt she's ever lonely." "Happy birthday, Soames." "Aunt." "You should have brought Ia belle Annette." "I am married, Winifred." " Separated." " legally, I am married." "She's an unmarried French Roman catholic." "¢Ü As Teddy loved to go a-roaming..." "Attractive." "Astute." "available." "I should've started proceedings the day Irene walked out." "I had evidence then." "You can get it now." "AII those elderly widowers." "It's not as simple as that, Winifred." "¢Ü A-roving, a-roving" "Her mother runs a restaurant." "She's a Soho shop girl." "Oh, my God!" "people are bound to find out she's in trade." "You're right, of course." "But it won't be a first, Soames." "I mean, look at Dartie without a penny to his name." "And hasn't he repaid the family's faith in him?" "He's given me two wonderful children." "Look at Imogen and val." "They're delightful." "You should grab her, Soames, before some other lucky fellow does." "Bravo!" "excellent, well done." "PAPER BO Y:" "Extra!" "Ah, Gustave." "Monsieur." "What a pleasant surprise." "Evening..." "Annette." "I just dropped in to talk to your mother about pulling down that partition." "always working." "Tut tut tut!" "Do you know how pretty you look tonight?" "And always so kind." "Not a bit kind." "Sit." "Are you happy here?" "Or do you want to go back to France?" "Oh, I Iike London." "Paris, of course." "But London is so much better than orleans." "And the english countryside is so beautiful." "I went to HenIey last Sunday." "With a friend?" "With my mother." "I have a house nearby." "MapIedurham." "It sits there empty during the week, but I enjoy my weekends there." "I want you and your mother to come next Sunday." "That would be lovely." "It's understood, then." "The meal was excellent." " In every way." " Praise, indeed." "And your home..." "Si chic, si eIegante." " Tu ne trouves pas, Annette?" " Vraiment." "please, sit." "sadly, I don't always have the time to enjoy it." "This price we pay." "Perhaps." "But it's not a price I intend to pay forever." "There's more to life than being a solicitor, however successful." "I hope one day to have a family." "To come down here more than just the weekends." "indulge my passions." "Most admirable." "I hope one day you will achieve it." "When I set my mind on something, I usually do." "This is what I Iike to call my art gallery." "When you talked about your passions..." " This is it." " It began as a mild interest." " And now?" " It consumes me." "Perhaps you consider that unhealthy?" "(Laughs) We French consider all passions healthy." "This picture - I recognise the style." " Meissonier." " Of course." "What a jewel." "Do you Iike it, Annette?" "I do." "I Iike this more." "Ah." "My latest acquisition." "It's my third work by this artist and undoubtedly his finest." "What is it that you Iike?" "I cannot say." "I am embarrassed to admit it." "Eh, Maman, to be taught about French artists by an englishman." "NatureIIement." "C'est toujours comme ca." "Thanks very much." " Good evening, sir." " Good evening, Edward." "Very nice to see you." "Thank you." "still losing?" "Keep the good work up." "Eight!" " Mr Dartie wins!" " Thank you so much!" "My lucky eight!" "Hazard, eh?" "You must have some money to burn." "We're on a winning streak." "Ladies, you're in for a treat." "George Forsyte, PaIoma." "Encantada." "Partner in crime and proud owner of the rear end of my race horse." " Meet Nuria." " Encantada." "Encantado to you, too." "Do you Iike my pearls?" "Monty - he gave me." "Very much, PaIoma." "I can't believe you've never been before." "I'm more of a racing man." "Finish these and I'II take you to the gaming room." " I'II watch you lose your shirt." " You'II lose yours first." "I've seen too much." "Last time I was in here," "Viscount RaneIagh blew ¡Ì23,000 in a single sitting." "He could afford it." "A Iot of 'em can't." "What do you say... we go the whole hog?" "Don't be a fool." "That's a tidy pile." "You could rest on your laurels." "Oh, listen to him." "Rest on your laurels!" "Don't be such a Forsyte." "Don't say I didn't warn you." "What do you think?" "should I rest on my laurels with my lucky Spanish charms?" "Or should I go the whole hog?" "The whole hog it is, then." " Very good!" " It's a man's game, George." " Eight?" " Ocho." "eleven." "Mr Dartie loses." " Dios mio." " Ay!" "(ripple of laughter)" "I er...beg your pardon." "No need." "She's your sort, Dartie." " Looks as fiery as all hell." " Eat you for breakfast." "No fear." "Come on, Crum, drink up." "I want to try my luck." "black 90." "Any more bets, ladies and gentlemen?" "Thank you very much." "I'm finished." "You'II get by." " Not this time, I won't." " Tighten your belt." "Liquidise a few assets." "I have none." "You know that." "well, there's the horse, I suppose." "¡Ì500, she's yours." "Stop acting the goat!" "You're up on the night!" "only just." "You're as bad as Winifred." "Don't make a fellow groveI." "¡Ì300." " ¡Ì450." " ¡Ì400 is the best I can manage." "Done." "You only had ¡Ì400, you said." "No." "I said ¡Ì400 was the best I can manage." "Here." "I'II seal it with a drink." "If you're sure you can manage it." "Bounder!" "He's screwed!" "Look at him." " Disgusting behaviour." " val?" "Friend of yours, is he?" "That's my son." "He's your father?" "val?" "val!" "val!" "(Laughter)" "val!" "Steady on, old man." "Steady on." "Lord's sakes, Freddie." "You nearly gave me a heart attack." "Is val home?" "Hours ago." "He wouldn't touch his supper." "He just went straight to bed." "I waited up." "We've been robbed." " No?" " Mmm!" "Someone broke into the house and stole my pearls." "Nothing else." "Just my pearls." "You remember?" "The ones you bought me when Imogen was born." "The ones that led to the trouble with the bailiffs." "Yes, I remember them, all right." "Dash it, Freddie." "You must be heartbroken." "I was going to go down to scotland Yard myself, and then I thought..." "..I ought to wait... ..till you got in." " Monty?" " What?" "It struck me that the police might think it odd that just the pearls went." "Nothing else." "Are you accusing me?" "I'm asking you." "That's right." "blame Monty." "Everybody, blame Monty." " Don't be a clown." "Put it away." " I'II put it away, all right." " No, Monty, please!" " Live or die, I don't care!" "Be quiet, woman!" "Sit down!" "I'm lower than the servants in this house and I'm tired of it." "I'm tired of all the questioning." "The standing in line, holding out my hand!" "And I'm tired of Iife!" " No, Monty!" " (Gun clicks)" "(He laughs)" "You'II certainly get a few good stories out of this, won't you?" "Hmm?" "You and your pals?" "Dartie and the duff revolver." " Don't be like that." " val will laugh, that's for sure." "You've got him like all the other Forsytes." "A priggish little snob." "(Gun faIIs on floor)" " So what if I did take the pearls?" "I bought them." "I can give them to whoever I Iike!" "pearls are for a slender throat." "Not that turkey gobbler of yours." " Monty!" " I gave them to a Spanish beauty!" "Neck like a swan." " She was grateful for them." " I don't want to hear." "No, you don't, do you?" "You're a thief!" "And a blackguard!" "You're the limit, Monty." "You really are!" "I've been to the Iseeum." "I've spoken to George." "Dartie's left for Buenos Aires." " He's gone, then?" " sailed this morning." "So..." "Here we are." "Two peas in a pod." "Abandoned, both." "Are you crying, Winifred?" "No." "I just thought that once the whisky had worn off, that..." "We should have him shadowed once he lands." "I'II cable at once." "The sooner these things are done, the better." "Can you prove cruelty?" "well, he twisted my arm." " Mm-hm." " would pointing a pistol count?" "Good." "Or being too drunk to undress..." "I can't, Soames." "What about the children?" "For the sake of the children, you must move on." "It's easy for you to say." "I speak from experience." "You're not alone, Winifred." "I want to be out of this state - married yet unmarried." " I want to start again." " well, good for you." "You don't have children to consider." "I never will unless I change my situation." "There must be something else." "For me, I mean." "A legal separation." "A separation's not living." "It's limbo." "You must choose divorce." "If you won't consider cruelty, go for desertion." "There's a way of shortening the two years now." "apply to the courts for restitution of conjugal rights." "Restitution?" "Ask for him back?" "You don't want him back, but the court doesn't know." "If he disobeys, we bring a suit for divorce in six months' time." "If who doesn't obey?" "Nobody." "It's Father, isn't it?" " Here." " Soames." "Read it." "If you can." ""You will not get chance to insult me in my own again."" "Own home." ""You brought on yourself..." "I shall not ask you for anything again."" " Where is he?" " Buenos Aires." "I doubt if he could spell it." "Imogen's not to know." " She might notice eventually." " Your mother's divorcing him." " Soames." " Why?" "He's gone." "That's humiliating enough." "They'd splash it all over the papers." "You've seen the muck they print." "He's right, Soames." "Think what it wouId do to Father." "And Imogen's coming out." "And especially considering you're going up to Oxford." "Of course." "It's too beastly for words." "No." "No, Soames." "For all our sakes, we should let sleeping dogs lie." "James?" "It's Soames, Father." "Soames." "A sensible voice at last." "You've heard about Buenos Aires." "Buenos Aires is better than bankruptcy." "He won't stop spending there." "That's why we need to sever all connections - permanently." " Divorce?" " It's not as bad as it sounds." "We've never had a divorce before." "Winifred is resisting, but she'II see sense." "The family's breaking up." "AII the rules have changed." "This Kruger business." "There'II be a war in South Africa soon." "The Empire's going to pot." "The family with it." "The family will be fine." "We're taking steps." "You should be in bed." "I waited up." "At least you tell me things." "Mother tells you things." "You're very lucky to have her." "She's younger than I am." "She sees things differently." "I wish you were more at home." "I'm here now." "Come." "A man needs his son around him at times like this." "A son's the one you turn to." "James is very shaken." "understandably." "He's been rather fire and brimstone on divorce in the past." "Wont to condemn both sin and sinner." "But he dotes on Winifred." "It is a dilemma." "Your silence speaks volumes, JuIey." "This is Dartie when all's said and done." "You're not appalled?" "The loss of a husband is nothing to the loss of a good butler." "Oh!" "Hughes!" "Lured to scotland by a Iaird." "May 4th, 1 838." "We were in turmoil for months." " Years." " Such beautiful hands." " Soft as a girl's." " We never quite got over it." "No." "No, Winifred's a plucky thing." "She'II come through this." "Send her our love." " And some shortbread." " Yes, do." "And tell her to get a good butler." "Here." "Oh, I keep wondering." "Not this again." "holly, tell him, would you?" "tell him what?" "He keeps on about if we should hold the exhibition here at Robin hill." " It's too provincial." " Dad, it's perfect." "You couldn't find a better space." "I've always liked this one." "Roehampton At Dawn." "Do you think I might take it for my rooms at Oxford?" "Can't you wait till after...the exhibition?" "Sorry." "What am I thinking?" " Thanks, Dad." " I'II help, jolly." "Very discerning children you have." "Anyone interesting?" "Mm, Irene Heron." "From Rome." "Is that where she lives now?" "She's travelling." "She drops me a line when I send her annuity." "How is she?" "Has she changed much?" "I wouldn't know." "Our paths haven't crossed since Dad." "The carriage is here." " Is that everything?" " Some books." " I'II get them." " They're on the bed." " Here." " I've got my allowance." "You've been more than generous." "Bound to have forgotten something." "I'm going to sound like old PoIonius now." "Neither a borrower nor a lender be." "You said that to me on my first day at school." "I don't see Oxford being much different." "Better clothes, a few more shillings in my pocket." " Visits home will grow shorter." " Dad!" "It's just as it should be." "You're ready for it." "I haven't quite adjusted to the idea." "I always was a late developer." "(clears throat) JoIIy..." "This might sound a bit rich with my history, but..." "I should very much like to think that you will go through life treating other people... as you'd Iike to be treated yourself." "Thus endeth the homily." "Odd that I've never met this side of the family before." "You and JoIyon are cousins." "Didn't you grow up chums?" "JoIyon..." "He fancied himself as something of a rebel." "He's not so anti the establishment now its members have started to buy his paintings." "Ah, June." "Good afternoon." "I haven't seen you for years." "I wish to speak with your father." "Is he expecting you?" "He's rather busy at the moment." "Ah, there he is." "JoIyon." "Soames." " I can't have changed that much." " No, no, it's a surprise." "I was explaining how busy you are, preparing for the private view." " This is my sister's son." " val Dartie, how do you do?" "JoIyon Forsyte." "pleased to meet you." "My daughters..." "June, holly." " How do you do?" " hello, val." "val's going up to Oxford." "I thought he ought to meet your boy." " Bad timing." " jolly went up last week." "You've had a wasted journey." "I'm sorry." "I'II be of no use to you, I'm afraid." "If you'II excuse me." "Ah, well." "One must expect these disappointments when one acts on impulse." "There is another matter." "Which you two will, no doubt, find a crashing bore." " holly, why don't you show val round?" " val?" "Extraordinary house." "I can't believe I've never been." "Are those stables round the side?" "Sorry, would you Iike to see the house?" "I've seen it." "I've come about Irene." "Does she have a...man these days?" "Men?" "I need to know." "Men?" "That's what I said." "I'm sure I've no idea." "You don't believe me." "I get a letter once a year as her trustee." "That apart, I have no relationship with her." "She never mentions in her letters?" "Nothing of that sort!" "Why have you come to me?" " Who else should I go to?" " To Irene herself." "I have no wish to see her." "It's been 1 2 years." "1 2 years without a wife or the freedom to find another." "I'm tired of it." "I wish to start again." "I need evidence for a divorce." "would you speak to her on my behalf?" "Me?" "But..." "well, a personal visit must be preferable to a formal letter." " She may not be in the country." " You could find out easily." "I have no contact with her." "please." "If she's in London, I'II speak to her." "I'II present the facts." " But I won't press your suit." " I'm only asking for what is my right." "Are we clear?" "I'm grateful, I'm sure." "I'II hear from you directly." "This is such an unexpected pleasure." "What's your secret?" "You look entirely unchanged." "I mean it." "people who don't live are wonderfully preserved." "please." "tell me, how is your work?" "The house, holly, everything." "Life is good and full." "Irene, this is not a social call, pleased as I am to see you again." "I had a visit yesterday." "From Soames." "Ah." "He wants a divorce." "After all these years." "Won't that be difficult?" "unless..." "unless I have a lover." "He has, presumably?" "I believe he'd Iike to have children." "Enough to supply the evidence himself?" "Because I cannot help him, I'm afraid." "You wouldn't like to be free, too?" "What does it matter now?" "There's been no-one since." "But if you were to love again..." "Then I should love." "I said I wouldn't press his case." "There's nothing more to say." "well, tell him I'm sorry he's not free." "He had his chance." "I don't know why he didn't take it." "He's a Forsyte." "We never part with anything." "On principle." " Not you." " I don't count." "No, you're a bit of a mongrel." "Your letters always say you're well, but I'm happier now I've seen you in person." "I'm always at your service." "Yes, I know, and I'm grateful." "Goodbye." "Bye." "That was ripping!" "He's a dark horse, all right." "Looks likes a lady, but goes like a rocket." " I told you." " I'II beat you next time." "walk on." "You didn't mind my dropping you that note?" "Mind?" "I would have written myself, only I didn't know how to reach you." "Dad's so touchy about uncle Soames." "relations are awful, aren't they?" "When they don't get on." "And don't make sense." "That's Forsytes for you." "I wouldn't know." "You haven't missed much." "Sometimes I despair." "They don't go a mocker on enjoyment." "And you do?" "I know when to draw the line." "But I believe in doing what you want." "I mean, we're family." "They introduced us." "They should be glad we rub along all right." "AII the same... probably best to keep it to ourselves." "Quiet life and all that." "walk on." "(Knock on door)" "Just one minute." "Take a seat, won't you?" "(clears throat)" "I've seen her." "She regrets she's unable to help you." " unable or unwilling?" " unable." "She has had no-one in her life." "And you believe that?" "Mmm." "Your father took an interest, didn't he?" "He was fond of her." "Fond enough to leave her ¡Ì1 5,000." "I don't like your insinuation." "I've done what I said I would do." "If you wish to be divorced, you must look to yourself." "I cannot provide evidence that does not exist." " And you a lawyer!" " Why should I?" "Haven't I suffered enough?" "I rather think she has suffered more." "The night she lost Bossiney, I brought her back to you." "The memory of it haunts me." "Why do people always take her side?" "What is it about her?" "She caused trouble for your daughter." " She used your father shamelessly." " My part in this is over." " I should never have come to you." " No." "I might have known how you'd present it." "If Irene won't free the ties of our marriage, she must abide by its duties." "I retain my rights." "Your rights?" "To do what?" "I've not forgotten the nickname your father gave me." "The man of property." "I'm not called names for nothing." "She is a human being." "She is my wife!" "Irene Forsyte!" "And I'II thank you to leave her alone from now on." "She chooses Heron." "Do you hear me?" "Leave Mrs Forsyte alone." " I'II bid you good day, sir." " Think very carefully, before you try to bully her." "She's not alone this time." "(Door closes)" "(pencil snaps)" "(Dictates) Dear Montague, I have received your letter with the news..." "slow down, Soames." "I'm not one of your clerks." "..with the news that... you... have left me..." "..forever..." "Go on." "..and that you are on your way to..." "Buenos Aires." "full stop." "I am taking this earliest opportunity..." "Wait, wait." "earliest opportunity." "..earliest opportunity of writing... ..to tell you that I am prepared..." "..to let bygones be bygones..." "..if you will return to me at once." "full stop." "Soames, I don't wish to sound ungrateful, but I..." "I feel I'm being pushed here..." "against my better instinct." "Of course you're being pushed." "Soames?" "When have your instincts ever been worth trusting?" "The one decision you've made in your life was to marry Dartie," " and what a success he turned out to be!" " That's cruel." "Have you no idea what you've put us through?" "The shame of quashing rumours, paying creditors, fending off the bailiff." "You laugh at Father looking on the gloomy side." "But Dartie has taken us beyond gloom and you let him do it." "So, yes, you are being pushed." "Because you owe us, Winifred." "And we know best." "(Piano being played inside)" "MAID:" "Mr Forsyte to see you, ma'am." "IRENE:" "Twice in one week." "Soames." "Yes." "I cannot be wholly unexpected." "You look well." "You haven't changed." "Nor have you." "I made my position clear to JoIyon." "And yet here you are." "Not entirely clear." "You told my cousin you wanted to help." "I cannot believe you have not had..." "Whether you believe it or not, it's the truth." "You seem comfortably off now." "I haven't had to sell myself, if that's what you're implying." "Why did you not let me provide for you?" "I would have, in spite of everything." "You are still my wife." "Now, please, don't." " Anna?" " Am I dangerous?" "I'm here for information I can act on." " Nothing more." " You had it 1 2 years ago." "It would have been unseemly to pursue it then." "For your sake." "I don't remember such sensitivity at the time." "You must go to your own life." "Anna!" "would you fetch the gentleman his hat?" "certainly, ma'am." "You deserted me." "Have you no sense of what's fair?" "Why could you not have made me a good wife?" "If it was wrong of me to marry you, then I have more than paid for my mistake." "You need not mind my name." "I have none to lose." "I am glad you have found someone else." "You may not believe that either." "I hope she makes you happy." "Then will you shake my hand?" "For the Iast time?" "For the Iast time." "Monsieur." "We have not seen you for a Iong time." "Maman will be delighted." "We thought you might be ill." "Not ill, no." "Too busy?" "Tut tut." "We had such a lovely day with you." "Maman would Iike to return the hospitality." "That won't be necessary." "I wrote to my friend at home." "Everything is so english." "So beautiful." "I hoped you would enjoy it." "Annette..." "I'm here to tell you that there will be no more days at MapIedurham." "I have a wife." "You've just married?" "I have always had a wife." "And you think that because I am French..." "I will accept being your mistress?" "I think that comment says rather more about you than it does about me." "Ha-ha-ha!" "The stranger." "Madame." "Marie." "Cabbie!" "Oh, thank you." "Fine company you keep these days." "What are you doing?" "I couId ask the same of you." "Are you following me?" "It's your birthday." " What are you doing?" " Let me just see how it looks." " Soames!" " Let bygones be bygones." "If I can, surely you might." "Let's begin again, as if nothing had been." "Come back to me." "You are mad." " Leave me alone." " Come back to me." "I'II give you anything you want." "You can have your own life, I swear it." " You said that before." " I mean it this time." "I'II only ask one thing." "WOMAN:" "Are you all right there?" "Just give me a son." "Is it so unnatural for a man to want a child from his own wife?" "Is it so very unflattering that, in spite of everything, I still want you?" "please speak, for goodness' sake." "I never intended to frighten you." " Heaven knows." " please." "You can set your own conditions, keep your own company." "Anything, just give me a son." " I would sooner die." " What's going on?" " Here." " No!" " She doesn't want it." "Leave her be." " You will not behave as you once did." "Do you never think of anybody but yourself?" "Don't you lay a finger on her." "No!" "No, you will not!" "I'II have the police on you." "Scratch the surface and you're all the same." "Yes." "Yes, we are." " Enjoying yourself?" " EnormousIy." "Dante would have made this his fifth ring of hell." " Do you sell in hell?" " Do I care?" "Remind me, Suzanne RatcIiffe's desperate to meet you." "American writer." "Just your sort." "Dad, there's someone here to see you." "She...seems upset." "I've left her in the drawing room." "Name of Irene Heron." "Mmm." "Best not tell June." "She's gone to so much trouble." "I'II be as quick as I can." "Irene." "I'm so sorry for coming." "There's no-one else, you see." " Sit down." " No." "Your party." "Oh, it's work." "JoIyon, I've had another visit from Soames." "Another visit?" "He came to the flat a few days ago." "He told the maid his name was Mr Forsyte." "I presumed it was you." "I wish you wouldn't live on your own." "He wants a child." "With me." "He wants me to live as his wife again." "He won't give up." "He's been following me." "He followed me earlier this evening." "It's impossible." "I shall have to go away." "I thought perhaps Paris or Rome." "You can't let him chase you from your home." "He could show up at any time." "In my flat, in the street, anywhere." "Come to us." "He would never dare follow you here." " Oh, no." "It's kind of you." " Kind, nothing." "I owe it to you for not talking him round." "He won't listen." "You cannot protect me." "Soames is my husband." "If he is desperate to have a son, no-one, not even the Iaw, can prevent him from demanding his rights." "He cannot force you." "Force me is... ..is exactly what he did the night before phil died." "It's what he'II do again." "I know him, JoIyon, and I know he hasn't changed." "I cannot stay." "No." "well...it should be Paris." "My French is passable these days." "I know how to lose myself there." "JUNE:" "jolly, have you seen Dad?" "hold on, June." "I'II find him for you." "Erm..." "I should leave." "well, I'II erm..." "I'II walk you to your carriage." "No." "please go back to your party." "please, JoIyon." " You'II send me your address?" " Yes." "Yes, if I send it to no-one else." " I have so much to thank you for." " You'II be missed." "That's kind, but untrue." "Go back to your party." " Goodbye." " Take care." "Damn Soames Forsyte!" "Damn him to hell!" "Oh!" "jolly!" "I saw you in the park." "well?" "Sneaking about." "It's hard to sneak anywhere with a horse, jolly." "How very smart." "well, who is he?" " A friend." " A friend you see in secret." "A friend and a relative." "Of ours?" "val Dartie." "Dartie?" "That awful nephew of Soames Forsyte?" "He's nothing like his uncle." "Don't be absurd." "You've never even met him." "And why, do you think?" "Because Dad despises their family more than anything." "I'm not so narrow-minded, fortunately." "How dare you say that about Dad of all people?" "You're not to see him again, you hear me?" "You can't tell me what to do." "No, but I can tell Dad what you're up to." "Any time I want." "And he'II fill you in on what that lot are really like." "Ah, Winifred, you're back." "How was it in court?" "Soames?" "That's one hurdle over." "uncomfortable, I know, but it was worth it in the end." "uncomfortable?" "It was beastly." "The court was full." "Four journalists scribbIing away." "people shuffling in off the street." " Have they nothing better to do?" " Oh, dear." "They read out Monty's letter." "A few sniggers at that." "And all the things he'd done." "Womanising, gambling and so on." "Yes, and then I had to beg for restitution of my conjugal rights." "This had better be worth it." "It was an excellent performance." "Steady as a rock." " I've found my vocation at last." " Don't be like that, Winifred." "It's over." "For now." "Come on, we'II break the news to Father." " Is he awake?" " Just." "I'II see how the land lies." "Where's val?" "Oh, he's off seeing some fellow." "He's always seeing some fellow or other." "Your divorce will be much simpler." "Have you a date yet for the hearing?" " still working on it." " still?" "Irene will welcome it, though, surely?" "I want a son." "For all her failings, Irene was the love of my Iife." "I know, Soames." "But you're over that." "AII these years." "There were always people getting in the way." "That blasted June filling her mind with fashionable theories." "Bossiney and his flattery." "Now JoIyon Forsyte, whom I sent as honest broker, has poisoned the well." "What are you saying?" "I went to see her." "I was desperate." "I found someone who has suffered just as much." "Too proud to admit her mistakes, but if she'd only stop fighting, she'd make the perfect mother for my children." "And you have given in to your emotions?" "Hmm?" "Let the heart rule the head?" "I have seen sense." "although, as yet, she has not." "Winifred!" "You've encouraged me and bullied me, all in the family name." "You sat and watched me squirm in the dock." "Lord knows what the papers are printing right now." "I gritted my teeth because I thought at Ieast I wasn't alone." "Now I find there's one rule for me and another for you." " What on earth...?" " Don't deny it!" "You're a sneak and a cheat!" "And if you ask me, that poor French girl has had a lucky escape." "What's all the commotion?" "Was that the crystal?" "Those glasses were a wedding present!" "Winifred, Soames, what on earth happened?" "Who'II be the first to congratulate him?" "He has abandoned his plans for divorce." "He wants to live happily ever after with Irene." "That just leaves me in naughty corner for a change." " Compose yourself, please." " How can I?" " What's she on about?" " She's upset, Father." "I can see that." "Look, no-one wants a divorce, if it can be avoided." " She's had a trying day." " Yes, I have." "Yes, you have." "You need a little Iie-down." "PoIteed, thank you for coming at short notice." "Leaders in speed and security, sir." "That's us." "Good." "There's not an hour to lose." "I've a client, name of Heron." "Separated from his wife." "until yesterday, she was living here." "She's now gone and he wants her found." "deal with all reports personally." "Send them to me, marked "confidential", sealed and registered." "My client demands the utmost secrecy." "I'm putting it in the cipher category, sir." "No names are ever mentioned." "We work by numbers only." "Now, this will be your key and I shall retain the only duplicate." "Now, the party watched - your Mrs Heron - we'II call No 1 7." "Your Mr Heron 43." "Our watcher " "I'II put a really trustworthy woman on the case " "No 1 9." "Any person we suspect..." "will be 47." "Any second person, 51 ." "(clears throat)" "On the subject of expense..." "Whatever it takes, within reason." "If you can guarantee success." "43 need have no fear, sir." "If 1 7 is breathing, she'II be found." "JoIyon." "CUSTOMER:" "J'ai reserve une chambre." "RECEPTIONIST:" "C'est ca." "You didn't mind my note?" "No!" "No, I was delighted." "I had no idea you had plans in mind to travel." "There's a mood abroad in england at the moment." "It's a vengeance." "Against the Boers?" " Yes." "It's reported here." " It makes me uncomfortable." "The fact that I'm in a minority makes me more uncomfortable, so I shan't discuss it." "And here we are." "A far cry from the Iast time we met." "exile clearly suits you." "Peace suits me." " So, you've had no word?" " From Soames?" "Nothing." "I half feared..." "June thinks I'm fussing." "She thinks you're too capable to need whatever... paltry protection I can offer." "June is privileged." "She hasn't been burdened with my secrets." "unless..." "I should sooner die than breach that confidence." "Who cares why you're here?" "I'm so pleased to see a familiar, friendly face." "well, that's good news." "Oh, and I've even better news." "I've managed to let the flat for you." "Like a good steward." "Money." "Then I hope you'II help me spend it." "(Front door slams)" " What's the matter?" " jolly knows." "He threatened to tell Dad if I saw you again." "What?" " He's just trying to protect me." " From what?" "From being loved?" "Because I do love you, holly." "You're far and away the best thing in my Iife." "And I'd propose to you on the spot if I couId." "I'd say yes." "You might not." "Ask me." "Ask me." "I'm tempted to thump you right now." "You can't." " We're engaged." " We should go back to the beginning." " val Dartie." " Have you shown her this yet?" "That's why I've come." " Didn't he tell you about his dad?" " I was going to tell you." " Tonight." " Dumped his mother for a dancer, so-caIIed, and Iegged it to Argentina." "Yes." "My father is a bounder." "But is that my fault?" "I went to court to support my mother, who's an absolute brick." "And I'm not ashamed of that." "You don't know the first thing about me or my uncle." " I know my father hates him." " Ergo he should hate us all?" "My father's a good judge of character." "So's his daughter." "She's got opinions of her own." "Have you?" "What do you think of the war in South Africa?" "Are you pro-Boer?" "Anti-Boer?" "I suppose with your father away, you can't ask him what to think." "Don't you dare say a word against my father!" "You stay away from holly, you hear?" " only if she tells me to." " holly." "There's your answer." "Just stay away from her." " I Iove her." " Prove it." " She knows it." " AII right." "But does she love you?" "Prove that and I'II walk her down the aisle myself." "Easy." "Sign up." "Go and fight the Boers and see if she's waiting for you when you come back." "jolly!" " Do you trust her that much?" " He's being stupid." "walk away." "OK." "I'II sign." "So long as you sign with me." "Stop!" "Stop it!" "well, Forsyte?" "You're on." "Now will you shake my hand?" "Merci." "(Church bells ring)" " Is that a commission?" " Hmm?" "The painting." "Has somebody commissioned you to do it?" "Mmm." "charles Lipton." "He takes a Iot of my work for his gallery in Cork Street." "Poor charles." "He's in for something of a wait." "well, one shouldn't be working on a day like this." "One should be enjoying the ambience, the company." "I feel more at ease than I've felt for a Iong time." "You don't mind me saying that?" "No." "No, not at all." "Madeira!" "I was saving this for our golden wedding." "So, why have you opened it tonight?" "In your honour." "Looking to the new generation." "Since the Iast has proved such a disappointment." "val, try a little of this." "You won't get that up at college." "Nor in the imperial Yeomanry." "I joined today." "What?" "Young jolly Forsyte and I went there together." "We go to camp on Monday." "jolly Forsyte?" " What about Oxford?" " What made you do it?" "I think it's very plucky." "I'm sure you'II make a splendid soldier." "I didn't know you were friendly with jolly." "I'm not." "But I wasn't going to be beaten by him." "What will his father think?" " I can't see him approving." " He's in Paris." " My map!" " James has bought a map." "well done, val." "This brings the war alive." "Ah, now, you must show me where you're going." "Here's...here's Mafeking." "Erm, and er... (Accordion music)" "(Music stops)" " One more, please." " That's impossible." "Now, take pity." "I'm an old man." "Oh, please." "I haven't danced for years." "well, I might stumble through a final waltz, I suppose." "(Romantic accordion waltz)" "A Cognac, I think, is what's required." "Monsieur." " Un telegram pour vous." " Ah, merci." "What is it, JoIyon?" "well, it's jolly." "He's...he's enlisted in the imperial Yeomanry." "It's all right, you know, Ma." "We shall soon have Kruger on the run." "I only hope I shall come in for something." "We get plenty of riding and shooting." "That's one comfort." "Whoa!" " gently does it." " I've got him." " Are you sure?" "Come on, val." " Come on, val." "You come, yes." "Come on." "Straight up here." " Good night." " Good night, Mother." "VAL:" "Good night, Mother." " Go carefully, val." "Monty?" "hello, Freddie." "You'II write to me?" "Let me know how jolly goes on?" "Of course." "They're ready for you now." "Oh, I'm a selfish man." "I should be grateful for the time we've had together, but I'm resenting the loss of it already." "jolly needs you." "Or rather, I need him." "Two days and he'II be gone and then... how long before I see him again?" "It's a Iot to lose in such a short time." "Take care of yourself." "JoIyon, I'm not made of china." "You're something of a connoisseur of the arts, Mr Forsyte?" "I've made one or two good acquisitions in my time." "You asked me to inform you straightaway." "Some developments?" "At last." "1 7 has been tracked to a small hotel in Paris." "There she has had regular contact with 47." "I have a detailed list of visits to galleries, parks, restaurants and so on." "And an identity for 47?" "A confirmed identity not yet, but a description, yes." "47 left for england late last night," "leaving 1 7 alone at this address." " How to proceed depends upon your client." " And this 47?" "He's a bit older than 1 7." "Dark-haired gentleman, medium height." "It could be anyone." "He's a keen painter, it wouId seem." "I'II leave the details with you, sir." "You can advise me once you've spoken with your client." "Good day, sir." "Hmm!" "¢Ü Life is a dance we must learn" "¢Ü Into the night we will turn" "¢Ü Time holds the secrets of our song" "¢Ü Moments are given, then gone" "¢Ü Come, have this dance with me, darling" "¢Ü I'II hold you tight till the dawn" "¢Ü Let the night see how I Iove you" "¢Ü So the moon can tell the sun" "¢Ü So the moon can tell the sun" "It all looks rather real, seeing it like that." "He does it for hours." "You too, going out as a nurse." "I do so admire you." "To do one's bit." " I always thought you were anti the war." " well, of course." "But if there's a life one can save..." "The training's frightfully dull." "well, it's good to be back." " Was Paris warm?" " No." " How was Irene?" " (clears throat)" "In health." " Did you see much of her?" " Most days." "Most days." "What's she doing with herself?" " June, dear, I'm aware of the awkwardness..." " No awkwardness for me." "She could be an excellent chum for you." "And you need someone." "(Gunshot)" "Look how good jolly is." "Irene's very much her own person, you know." "And needs a chum as much as you." "Shot." "It would be rather a different thing with a Boer in the sight." "I suppose one should hope so, really." "Though apparently we should think of them as just target practice by the time we're out there." " I don't want to a bit, of course." " I admire you for it." "I don't believe I'd have enlisted at your age." "Too much of a Forsyte." "There are any number of reasons why one signs." "Of course, but...ultimately it's down to altruism." "shall I tell you my reason?" "Because I dared val Dartie to." "Why?" "Can't abide the young ass." "So, you see...no altruism there." "Nor heroism." "Why did he come back?" "Oh, my poor dear." "My poor darling." "This is too much of Monty." "It's all right, Mother." "No good fussing." " Why the deuce didn't we try cruelty?" " Oh, don't, Soames." "could not Winifred say she'd prosecute him if he doesn't keep away?" " He took her pearls!" " Mmm." "(Sighs)" " A kipper, Winifred - could you manage?" " No." "really, I'm..." "You mustn't worry about your father." "I'II tell him." "tell me what?" "Nobody tells me anything." "Morning, Father." " James..." " It's all right, Mummy." "It's your husband, isn't it?" "He's bankrupt." "I knew how it'd be." "Not bankrupt, Daddy." "Just back." "Oh!" "Back?" "well, we'II pay him off, then." "That's what we'II do." " Pay him to stay away." " No." "I'm going to keep him." "What?" "It's rather the luck of the draw, isn't it - marriage." "And I did after all choose Monty, so in that sense I've made my bed." "See, I just can't... ..I can't face it all again." "I'd sooner put up with him." "But he's a bounder." "Yes." "Thanks all the same, Daddy, but I think I'II keep him now he's back." "What?" "You think I should...?" "Yes." "She must love him, I suppose." "Do you think she does, Soames?" "In our generation, people married..." "and then just...got on with it." "Getting on with it was precisely what Winifred said she intended doing." "Yes, she did, didn't she." "I suppose it wasn't merely Winifred I was thinking of." "Irene has gone, hasn't she?" " I mean, she's quite gone?" " Of course she's gone." "I mean...gone emotionally, Soames, that's what I mean." "From you." "There is, or has been, another young woman who has interested you." "This, I take it, is Winifred talking?" " Out of concern, merely." " Concern for what does not concern her." "As with most women." "How dare she." "I'm going to miss this so much." " Can we be seen from here?" " I don't care if we can." "Daddy'II have to know sometime." "So will yours, you know." " You don't suppose jolly'II tell him?" " He'd think it sneaking." "It would be." "Come here." "only three more days' leave." "I can't bear it." "Have you heard any more about going out there?" "We're hardly ready." "If only something good would happen." " If only the war would finish." " No chance of that." "(Gunshot)" " That was a bullet!" "silly young ass." " It was miles away from us." " I don't care." "It was a stupid thing to do!" " What are you doing?" " Hm?" "Oh, just erm...a chap in the street." " How's the old man?" " Not dead." "I want a straight answer, Monty." "Why did you come back?" "I had nowhere else to go." "I was frightened, really." "They do this dance in Buenos Aires - it's exciting beyond words when you first see it, but it's a dreadful thing." "Men and women clutching together." "It's as if what shouIdn't be seen is..." "is being seen." "You know." "In the street." "There's evil in it." "I should have thought that was rather your cup of tea." " Kick me, I'm down." " I don't want to kick you." "I'm going to let you stay." "They were all against it, but I can't throw you out." "I've suffered so much for you." " It's good of you, old girl." " It is." "Very." "(clears throat)" "And is that all you can say?" " You're going to take this the wrong way." " probably." "There's a commercial traveller in the street." "He was on the boat with me, and I needed the fare from Southampton, and... ..well, he needs paying off." "Yes." "Monty's back." "(She continues laughing)" "(Man clears throat)" "Sorry, old boy." "Nothing to be scared of." " I didn't want to frighten you." " What the devil are you doing here?" "Got back last night, old boy." "You were out then, as well." " But what..." "I mean - does Mum know?" " Yes." " Cheers, old man." "Have a shrimp." " I don't want a shrimp." "Are you screwed?" "No." " They say you've enlisted." " I have." "well, good for you, old boy." "Queen and country...et cetera." "Look here, I erm..." "I'm...sorry about all the..." "What?" "My going away, and erm...things you're too young to understand about the way things are." "You mean leaving my mother for a dancer?" "Yes, that's what it looks like, I can see that..." "You stole her pearls." " stole?" " stole." " Borrowed." " stole!" "I went with Mother to the hearing, you know." "I'd say it's one of the most disgusting things that could happen to somebody." "One's husband run off with a dancer." "And it all to be public and in the papers." "We do go wrong sometimes, old man." "I didn't have much of a time of it." "well, are you back now?" "That's what they said would happen." "val...dear." "I didn't get a chance to tell you." "What does this mean?" "No divorce?" "It does, val." "Yes." "I rather wish there would be." "It's been a great shock to him." "What kind of example am I?" "A very bad one." "Ooh." "Dear val." "To go out there..." "It's so worrying." "Young jolly Forsyte, we have never met, of course, but..." "No-one has." "But dear val going..." "What about June to go?" "Last I heard, she was pro-Boer." "Seen sense at last." "Here's Ladysmith, you see." "That's where it is?" " Under siege." " Shocking!" " Mafeking..." "SWITHIN:" "Under siege too!" "And look, Swithin..." "Boers here, British here." "Spion Kop." "Know what we need?" "We need napoleon." "Excuse us, general" " napoleon's dead." "We need another." "Save you money, save you men, save you energy." " If you'd trained NapoIeons." " I rather think you're right, Swithin." "silly Swithin!" "napoleon was on the wrong side." "(StateIy brass band tune)" "Watch the birdie..." "lovely." "lovely." "Next!" " Papers." " val Dartie, sir." " Carry on." " Thank you, sir." " Next." "Step up, lad." " Company C, prepare to move!" "That's JoIyon Forsyte." " We call him Young JoIyon." " Young?" "No, don't stare, Imogen." " I haven't seen him in years." " And that's his daughter June, by his first wife." "And we can assume the other to be the younger by his second." "Gosh!" " But why do we not speak to them?" " (clears throat)" "Chin up, Freddie." "It'II all be over by..." "Soon." "It's come so suddenly." " Dartie." " Forsyte." " See who's over there?" " Yes." "He's been in touch with Irene." "I'm going to look for jolly." "What'II you do when we've all gone?" "Oh, I suspect I'II...be extremely miserable." " Why not go back to Paris?" " June!" "I'm sure she'd Iike it." "June, Irene has no interest in me other than as a friend." " Did I imply something else?" " well, maybe I misunderstood." "There's her husband over there." "well, you don't think she cares a fig for him?" " We will get leave, won't we?" " Bound to." "We might be able to see each other." "But we might not." "Ever again?" "It's all right for some." " There you are, old man." " Here I am." " Your sister was looking for you." " I saw her a moment ago." "Ah, good." "She found you?" " She's rather upset." " Of course." " We all are." " Yes." "So erm...old man, this is it, I suppose." "I know you're against this war, Dad." "But I'm glad I'm going." "That's good." " We're well trained." "We'II do a good job." " You're a crack shot." "AII those hours in the garden, you ought to be." "Bye, June." "Hope I'II see you out there." "Not in your professional capacity." "No." " Just come back." " Of course I will." "We're crack troops now, you know." " Father." " It's all to play for, old man." " Good luck." " Thank you, uncle." "Where's jolly?" "He said he'd seen you." "No!" "jolly!" "jolly!" "I'm sorry." "Take care." "¢Ü soldiers Of The Queen" "You've been in Paris, I hear." "Yes." "You didn't happen to see Irene, I suppose?" "Yes, I saw her." "I've decided, and I think you'd better know," "I'm going to ask her to come back to me." "You have asked her, you know." "That was a shock to her." "But if she thinks it over she'II see the sense." " That wasn't my impression of her state of mind." " I don't altogether care about your impression." "I need your undertaking that you won't influence her against me." "I don't know why you think I have any influence." "But if I did have, I would use it in the direction of her happiness." "Against me?" "I'm against any woman living with a man whom she dislikes." "Ah." "dislikes." "And it's that sort of opinion you put into her mind." " She is my wife." " In name." "In law." "In fact." "Ici!" "emilie, vitement." "Je lui ai dit mille fois." "Vous avez ma sympathie." "I hope I haven't startled you." "Are you waiting for someone?" "Yes." "My shadow." "There she is." "well, it's your own fault." "You gave me no choice." "Come back with me and there's an end to it." "You are inhuman." "Then why do you want me?" "Because you are mine!" "I have a right!" "I'm sorry." "I am here to offer you any terms you choose." " A separate house with just the odd visit..." " No!" "No." "Nothing..." "You can hunt me to my grave, but I shall never go with you." "I just want a child." "A son." "On any terms." " please, Irene." " Goodbye!" "It cannot be goodbye." "We are married!" "will you for once listen to me?" "Yes, I married you, but...it was wrong." "I disliked you from the moment we first lived together." "I hate you now." "And for hounding and bullying me, I hate you more." "You should have kept your promise and let me go." "Instead, you have suffocated me." "children..." "You want a son!" "It's an utter degradation." "I know what you're up to!" "You...and JoIyon Forsyte!" """l understand you have been in... ..close contact with Jolyon Forsyte." "Pursue things...with him... ..and you will learn..." "..the true meaning... ..of degradation. """ "would you see that Mrs Heron gets this?" "Madame Heron left this afternoon, monsieur." "Very sudden." " Do you know her address?" " No, monsieur." "england." "Bonjour, monsieur." " How much did jolly tell you?" " Hm?" "About why he enlisted." "Oh, he said...it was to do with val Dartie." "Some sort of a dare." "silly young fools." "It was more than that." "It was a dare, but the reason was that he was trying to stop our engagement." "val and I are in love." "When we got engaged, jolly found out and he dared val to enlist to try and break us up." "It's all my fault." "And they're out there now and they could be killed." "Now you think me wicked." "No." "No, no, no." "Of course not, my darling." "You know that I'm..." "I'm not..." "very friendly with val's family." "I know." "But I Iove him." "well, that settles it, then." "I'm very happy for you." "And you were frightened to tell me!" "Dad..." " Why do they dislike each other?" " They just do." "And because it happened like it did, because it's my fault, I'm going out there." "I'm going out with June." "I'm going out as a nurse too." "So all three of you out there?" "terrible news from Mafeking, isn't it, Mr Forsyte?" "Let's hope that Baden-PoweII fellow turns up trumps." "What do you want, PoIteed?" "Not to talk about the war." "We've done your business for you, sir." "At last - conclusive evidence." " Of?" " Everything!" "The male party, sir." " Who is this party?" " Description as follows:" "MiddIe-aged." "TaII." "pale." "Red hair." "guilty look and manner." "Erm...et cetera." "well, what's so significant?" "well, the significance, sir, is that that same evening that same male was seen leaving her hotel bedroom." " It's hot." " Isn't it?" " So now what?" " It's just a matter of tracing them again." "It seems that they slipped off back to england, well, we had thought together, but..." "But what?" "It's...very possibly the case." "You'd better concentrate on the fellow at this end." "47, you called him?" "Watch him and you may well find her." "Not to pursue the Paris party, then, sir?" "No." "(Bursts out laughing)" "Don't come to the station, Dad." "It only prolongs the agony." " I won't." " And don't worry about that." "How strange that it should arrive today." "Meant, you see?" " We'II give jolly the best nursing possible." " You might not even see him." "Dad, he's our brother." "Of course they'II let us nurse him." "And all our training's been for wounds." "We've had virtually nothing for typhoid." "He's not in any danger." ""No immediate danger."" "In enough for them to send a telegram telling you jolly's so unwell." " He'II be safe from bullets." "It's almost a relief." " exactly my feeling." "well." "Is this it?" ""If it be now..."" "I am so proud of you all." "well, you're left behind." "That's worse." " Bye." " Goodbye." "Safe journey." "JoIyon." "Oh!" "I don't understand." "I..." "Soames came to Paris." "So I returned to england three days ago." "I'm in a hotel in Richmond." "I..." "I first thought of Richmond, I suspect, because it's so close to Robin hill." "I've just said my goodbyes to...to holly and June." "I'm selfish." "You must want to be alone." "No, no." "absolutely not." "please." "My boy's very ill out there." "I'm sorry." "The two - that is, 1 7 and 47 - have been observed to meet daily in Richmond Park." "There's a degree of intimacy in their demeanour." "well, add to that our observations in Paris earlier in the year and I feel confident that you..." "..we... ..your client... could now make a very strong case for divorce." "You know who she is, don't you?" "Such things happen, Mr Forsyte." "They behave with great familiarity," " laughing together, walking..." " I don't want to hear this." " I'II put it with Linkman and Laver." "Know them?" " Yes, sir." "Then there's nothing more to say." "Make your report to them, and continue to observe discretion." " My shadow has returned." " Oh!" "In fact, there's more than one." "It appears that here in england they can afford to ring the changes." "How do they find you?" "IRENE:" "well, that's absolutely clear." "They're also watching you." "JOLYON:" "They're watching me?" "IRENE:" "Yes." "JOLYON:" "Oh, surely not." "Mr Forsyte." "How sordid!" "A telegram, sir." "Oh, no." "IRENE:" "Is it..." "jolly?" "Yes." "Yes, he's dead." "IRENE:" "If you could have, would you have changed places with him?" "JOLYON:" "Out there?" "And died?" "Yes." "Of course I would." "Oh, very pretty." " What do you want?" " As if one needed further evidence!" " I think you're a witness." " That's all right, Nora." "I should have brought a horsewhip." "What do you want?" "I am here to tell you that unless you swear to keep clear of each other," "I shall divorce her with every circumstance of..." "degradation to you both." "will you swear it?" "will you keep away from her?" "No." " Your name will be dirt." " So be it." " What about you, will you swear it?" " No." "I have enough evidence, you know." "You've been watched." "Everywhere." "You've been watched." "And it won't just be desertion." "You know what I'm saying." "Yes." "And it doesn't worry you?" " please go." " AduIteress!" "That term fits." "Does it not?" "Yes." "You have..." "Yes." "You're a devil." "And you, an embezzler of trust property." "A thief, stealing his cousin's wife!" "Go." "You'II pay for it." "I shall be very happy." "I hope you treat him as you treated me." "Thank you for that good lie." "It wasn't difficult." "jolly." "jolly." "(Sobs pitifuIIy)" "My boy!" "Whoa." "walk on." "Evening, sir." "(Knock at door)" " What?" "EMILY:" "Are you all right, Soames?" "Yes." "Go away!" "Just one chance..." "Just one last chance!" "JAMES:" "Why doesn't he come in?" "EMILY:" "You can speak to him in the morning." "JAMES:" "I couId be dead in the morning!" "EMILY:" "Don't be ridiculous." "I'm here." "Oh, he's here." "Look." "He's been in this state all evening." " I couId die tonight." " Nonsense!" "But, if I did... ..there's all that money." "Where's it going to go?" "Dartie?" "No!" "There's val, of course, but..." "Oh, it's too much." "He's out there in any case." "Things...could happen." " And there's his money." " Whose money?" "Soames' money." "Where's that going to go?" " If he dies, the name goes out." " The name?" "There are dozens of Forsytes." "As if that helped me." "I'II be in my grave and there'II be nobody." "unless he has a son." " How can Soames have a son..." " A divorce!" " James!" "There, I've said it." "I don't know what's become of...her." "They say she's gone abroad." "She won't be alone, I should say." " She isn't." "JAMES:" "See?" "Get a divorce." "And have a son." "James..." "Soames..." "It's his business." " You're quite right, Dad." " What?" "I'm getting a divorce." "Nobody tells me anything." "well, this is a surprise." "I'm setting it in motion." "It won't be defended." "(Knocking)" "You are quite a stranger, monsieur." "Where's your mother, Annette?" "I have some news for her." "Monsieur, please sit down." " Let it pass." " I'm strong." "It's merely the weather." " Is your mother here?" " Of course." "I'II be quite straight with you, Madame Lamotte." "I am a rich man." "I have never doubted it." "My house at MapIedurham - while I Iive with my parents it seems..." "such a waste." " A most beautiful house." " But not for a man alone." "(chuckles) It needs a wife." "You do understand... it's many years since my wife and I lived together." "Under english law," "I shall not be free to marry until the decree absolute, six months from now." "Annette is patient." "elle a Ie temps." "In which case," "I have the honour to ask to be considered a formal suitor for the hand of your daughter." "May I ask, monsieur, what might Annette's expectations be?" "I calculate I am worth approximately ¡Ì1 30,000." "My annual income appears to be around ¡Ì1 0,000 per annum, expenditure around ¡Ì2,000." "I would immediately settle ¡Ì1 5,000 on Annette, and I would suggest that I buy this restaurant and the goodwill from you." "You could retire on the capital." "And if I were to install a manager here," "I would designate such income as it generates towards you." "I think Annette would be very happy to accept you as a suitor, monsieur." "It was quite straightforward in the end." "Decree nisi." "Then it's over, dear boy." "Not before time." " Were they in court?" " They're abroad." "Somewhere." "I was fond of her." "always have been." "hello, Ma." "val." "Oh, val!" " Oh!" "But you're hurt!" " Nothing to worry about." " What happened?" "Your leg, is it?" " A bullet." "A stray bullet." "It's just on the ankle." "It's doing fine, but I've not much movement." "It'II improve." " hello, uncle Soames." " val." " Is Dad here?" " Yes." "I'II send for him." "No." "I just...wanted to know, really." "Right." "well, come and sit down." "tell us." "Does this mean you're discharged?" " Yes." " Oh, thank God!" "Yes." "I was very lucky." "It wasn't soIdiering." "It was burning farms." "awful business." "They hated us, and who could blame them?" "I was lucky to get out with just this leg." "And frankly, I was glad to." "I'd little sympathy with our actions." " Right, well, I think I'II..." " actually, uncle Soames, I'd prefer you to stay." "You see... ..my leg isn't why I came back." " Of course not." "You're discharged." " Not that either." "The thing is..." " .." "I'm married." " What?" "What to?" "I mean...who to?" "To holly Forsyte." "My uncle JoIyon's daughter." " Oh, val." " We intended to tell you." "Why, I didn't even know that you knew her." "You shouldn't have done it." "You don't understand." "That family, they..." " There's a history." " I know." "I want to know what it is." "You're too young." "I'm married." "I've been through a war." "If this can't be undone - and I don't suppose it can - then I suggest he returns to South Africa with her." "It's just about over, isn't it?" "They'II need new blood." "There'II be opportunities." "For God's sake, don't tell Father." "It has deeply affected your uncle Soames." "Are you saying holly has things to be ashamed of?" "Not holly..." "Of course not." "Does her father know she's married you?" "We intended to tell him, but he's in italy." " will you excuse me a moment?" " Where are you going?" "She's in a cab outside." "Oh!" "Oh..." "Coast clear, is it?" "Of the dismal Soames." "val's here, Monty." "Injured, and married." "And rather firmer." " Married, you say?" " Yes." "And you must be sensible and not show him up." "He's very wary of you." " Ah!" " hello, Dad." "hello, old man." "This...this is holly." "BeIter." "My dear..." "Oh, my dear!" "This is such a surprise." "We were...so sorry to hear about your brother." " Thank you." " This is my father." "well, how do you do?" "I'm sorry how this happened." "I hope you don't feel we've been deceitful." " Oh, I'm very well, thank you, Mr Dartie." " Have we met?" "And the weather out there is terrific, much better for val's leg than here." "I...hadn't told them yet, dear." "I'm sorry." "uncle Soames will have his wish." "You see..." "we're planning to go to South Africa anyway." "Oh, my dear val." "well...nothing like a bit of weather." "It's good in Buenos Aires too." "Father, Mother, this is MademoiseIIe Lamotte." "How do you do, Mr Forsyte?" "Did you have a good crossing?" "We've lost our Queen." "Did you know?" "well...yes." "It's the end of an era." "Have to start all over again, you see?" "JAMES:" "That's where you come in." "Hm?" " Winifred." " How do you do?" "How do you do?" "My sister." "How kind of you to wear black." "Most respectful." " One doesn't expect it of foreigners." " certainly not the French." "How do you er...take to London?" "Oh, I know London very well." " Any particular part?" " Soho." "BOTH:" "Soho?" "I have lived there for years." "My mother has a restaurant." "You mean she owns a premises?" "She works there." "As I do." "We are tenants of Mr Forsyte." "We shall be living down at MapIedurham." "We have decided against a honeymoon." "You have to get on with things." "That Monsieur Dartie..." " Je n'aime pas ce type-Ia." " No, by George." " But your aunts are amusing." " They are also infernaIIy rude." "(Laughs)" "You shouldn't mention Soho, you know." "It's got rather a reputation." "And this business about the restaurant." "It needs understanding." "In england, our Ieisured and professional classes believe themselves to be a cut above our business classes." "unless they're rich." "So don't say you're in trade." "It puts a label on you and you won't meet the right people." " well, it is the same in France." " It is?" "well, then." "It's all down to class, isn't it?" "And now you're a cut above, so..." "well, that's good." "You understand." "Comme vous etes sage." "Ah, monsieur, madame!" "How are you today?" "Are you being looked after?" " Yes, yes." "Gustave..." " Excusez-moi." "Soames!" "Whatever is it?" "Those people!" "Monsieur et Madame?" "They come often." " They do?" " Yes." "What is the matter?" "Ask them to leave." "No." "I cannot." "Why should I?" " They are not respectable." " What?" "They are not married!" "Coming in in that condition." "But of course...you are serious?" " Throw them out at once!" "Annette!" " No!" " Do you disobey me?" " Yes." "Soames, whatever those people are to you, you must let it go." "It is for them that they are not married." "What does it matter that she is pregnant?" "She is a beautiful woman." "She will have beautiful babies." "Oh, but you are bleeding!" "It's nothing." "I'm going home." "Good night, Soames." "Here we are!" "Here we are." "Come on, uncle, down you get." "How's this for a wickyup, eh?" "You been here before?" " I wasn't asleep, you know." " absolutely, Unc." "Enchantee." " Mrs small!" " Annette." " Miss Forsyte." " Oh, my dear." "It's a lovely house, lovely house!" "Aren't you so lucky, my dear?" " Isn't she, Hester?" " You're caught up in my cape!" "It's a beautiful house, so tasteful." "Soames, of course." "Exquisite taste." "So-ho, my captain!" "(Motor horn)" "We hit a pheasant!" "We hit a blasted pheasant!" "fowl for supper." "tell Cook!" " Never again." " I must look a fright." "dreadful things." "We never bothered with them in my time." "hello, old man." "Bang!" "90 years today." "Excuse me not getting up." " You mustn't." " I can't." " We've brought you gifts, James." " Wasting your money!" "You're very kind, Hester." "James will be delighted with them." "I wouldn't be." "JuIey chose them." " How are you feeling?" " (Sighs) It's a Iong journey." "EMILY:" "He's very tired." " I'm not sure I should have come." "Come on, Dad." "You're not 90 every day." " There's life in you yet." " No-one else has reached 90." "Happy birthday, Daddy." " You look marvellous." " Happy birthday, Grandfather." "Come on." "And you're happy in your wife?" "Yes, Dad." "Is she a good one, this time?" "I think so, Dad." "Then there's this dance they do out there." "The tango." "They do it in the streets." "Anywhere." "The man..." "Come here, George." "Come on." "He grabs the girl, Iike this." "She sort of turns round, bends back, sort of thrusting herself, and..." "..well, they..." "well, I mean, it looks as if they..." "I bet they do afterwards." "To music." "It's topping!" "Right up your street, old boy." "What do you think of the French wife, Dartie?" " How does he do it?" " well, does he do it?" "I'II lay you six to four a little JoIyon before a little Soames." "Mmm." "No takers." "You're only a few years older than me, yet you're already married and everything." "Isn't it extraordinary?" "You will soon be thinking of finding someone." "Why did you pick uncle Soames?" "You don't think I should have?" " Do you love him?" " Non." "GoIIy." "I wanted a good husband," "I want children," "I want a comfortable life." "I believe Soames will give me these things." "Love..." "It is good, but... ..there are things apart from love." "To the...dearest father in the world." "It's been a privilege to know you." "I bless you, I thank you." ""privilege to know you"?" " Hear, hear." " James." "ALL:" "Happy birthday, James." "Happy birthday, Dad." " I think you should say a word, James." " Me?" "Thank Soames and everyone." "lovely party." "Thanking people does no good." "Soames has got his wife." "That's all I care about." "And I hope you're going the right way toward getting a son." " Six to four, no takers." " What?" "well, it's here in black and white." ""To Mr and Mrs JoIyon Forsyte...a son, at Robin hill."" "Irene has had a son?" "What did I tell you?" "well, how strange!" "It only seems a month or two since we read of their marriage." "It is only a month...or two." "How very interesting." "Irene, eh?" "She was a fair little popsy." "well..." "I was going to tell you all in any case." "The fact is, Annette..." "..is happily anticipating an event herself." "I'm very proud." "A boy." "A boy." "Do you hear me?" "It has to be a boy." "This is the house that was built as my prison." "But you're not Soames." "(Knocking)" "Come in, Nora." "Not Nora." " Oh, my word!" " June!" "hello." "well..." "I thought I was a surprise for you, but... ..that's wonderful." "So wonderful." "Here, Iet me..." "let me take this." " A girl?" " A boy." " Jon." " Jon." "That's lovely." "June, sit." "I never saw jolly, you know." "I tried, but they wouldn't let me." "I was so appalled." "Yes." "No pain, apparently." "Not too much." "Isn't this awkward?" "would you Iike to hold him?" "hello." "I'm so glad you're here." "This is one man I'm very pleased to know loves you." "(Cries in agony)" "(Gasps heavily)" "Merde!" "(yells in pain)" "What's happening?" "You've a choice." "And not an enviable one." "If I operate, I can save your wife, but you'II lose the baby." "If I don't operate, the baby will almost certainly live, but at a great risk to your wife." " A grave risk." " (Annette screams)" "Either way...she'II never have another baby." "(Monty sings IustiIy)" " hello, old man." " What the hell do you want?" "Been sent to bring you, old boy." " I say, you're rather er..." " What do you mean, "bring"?" "well, erm..." "I'm sorry to say, old chap, but the erm...old man's not too chipper." " Dad?" " Yes." "Sorry, old boy." "(Annette screams)" "ANNETTE:" "Soames!" "My wife might be dying up there." "The doctor says he can save either her or the baby, not both." "Good grief." "Sorry, old chap." "SOAMES:" "What would she choose?" "well, to live, wouldn't she?" "With me?" "She didn't marry me for love, you know." "She wants a child." "unless it's now, the doctor says she'II never have one." "Now there's Dad, too." "well, it's a rotten show, old boy." "That fellow." "JoIyon." "He had children already." "And now he has the woman I want and a son by her, yet I'm asked to destroy my own child!" "Annette can't die!" "She's strong." " I need a decision." " How is she?" "Do everything you can, but don't operate." " You said there was a chance." " Not much of one." "She's young." "She's strong." "Don't operate." "Very well." "(Annette screams in agony)" "This time tomorrow, I couId have her death on my hands." "And I should be with my father." "MAID:" "It's over, sir." "well?" "You made the right choice." "Both alive." "They'II be all right." "A daughter." "You can look." "A daughter." "I have to go." "Dad." "Soames." "Here I am, Dad." "What...news?" "Good news, Dad." "The best." "Annette." "She's had a son." "Oh..." "This is awful." " Can't you do something?" " No." "only an injection." "A son." "A son?" "Yes, Dad." "(Moans softly)" "SOAMES:" "He's being slowly smothered." "(Birdsong)" "At last." "I suffered terribly." "terribly." "I know." "Thank God I can't have any more." " I suffered too much." " Ssh." "The doctor came back again." "He said I would get better." "But no more babies." "Yes." "How is your father?" "He died." "Last night?" "quel maIheur." "Don't you want to see our daughter?" "Of course." "You can hold her." "Ma petite fleur." "fleur." "We'II call her fleur."