Original subtitles

Miss Gladys?

Miss Gladys!

Miss Gladys?

She's not in the ballroom or any of the rooms on that floor.

She's nowhere to be found, Mr. Church.

Who will tell the mistress?

Mother?

Mother, wake up!

- What is it? - Gladys is missing.

Her maid went to her room this morning.

The bed hasn't been slept in,

and they've checked the whole house.

You don't think she's eloped?

Oh, my God. Did she say anything to you?

No.

But if she has run away, it's because you left her no choice.

You're blaming me?

How will that help find your sister?

- Should we contact the police? - Of course not.

Madame.

This just arrived for you.

I need to get dressed. - What does it say?

It says where your sister has been all night.

- Where are you going? - The servants' entrance.

No. We have been asked to come here.

We are going through the front door.

Arthur, please, let's not make a fuss.

We need to see our daughter.

Don't you go down those steps.

Whoa.

Oh, Dr. Kirkland.

Mrs. Scott.

You are very punctual.

- Thank you for coming. - Of course.

Shall we go in? - Yes.

Mrs. Van Rhijn is expecting you.

Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Scott.

I do wish this were under happier circumstances.

Thank you for sending for us.

And, of course, this is good of you, Dr. Kirkland.

We're so grateful.

Oh, you have Mr. Scott to thank.

I have a mixture here.

Mrs. Van Rhijn wrote that Peggy had a cough.

It's muriate of morphia, powdered acacia,

and subnitrate of bismuth.

Thank you. It will help.

I'd also like some hot water for her feet.

I'll ask the footman to take up a bath,

and our maid will bring the hot water.

Marian, show Dr. Kirkland the way to Miss Scott's room.

Of course. Will you come this way, Doctor?

Please. Uh, we can wait in here.

I'm afraid Peggy's room is on the fourth floor.

That's quite all right.

There are two colored men in the hall.

The doctor and Miss Scott's father.

Well, I've seen it all now.

Miss Scott saved your job out of Christian kindness,

and you have nothing in your heart but prejudice.

The world I have lived in since I was born

has been turned on its head.

Can you blame me if I'm shocked?

Yes, Miss Armstrong, I can.

I'm only saying what everyone is thinking.

- I wasn't thinking that. - No one is thinking that.

- But surely... - That's enough!

I don't want to hear another word out of your mouth

unless it's something nice, which it never is,

so I trust you'll keep it shut.

Are you gonna let her speak to me in such a manner?

Hmm? Yes, I believe I am.

We're so grateful

Dr. Kirkland was able to treat her.

Yes, and I'm deeply ashamed that our doctor refused.

He's taken care of my family for years,

so I was rather stunned.

- Why would you be stunned? - Arthur.

You're a wise woman.

You know how the world works.

I suppose so, but it still saddens me.

It is not how we were raised.

Our father was a patron

of the Institute for Colored Youth

in Philadelphia, where Miss Scott studied.

Yes, she told us.

Any word on Peggy? - Not yet.

I'm just going down to ask for more hot water.

He's a good doctor.

I know he is.

That's her now.

This is not how I meant for our engagement to be.

My mother left us no choice.

What if she thinks I kidnapped you in the night?

I'll tell her it was all my doing.

She has to grasp that I mean to stand up to her,

that we both will.

Please come with me.

Please.

Billy, we must be strong and united.

- Gladys? - I do love you.

Your mother's here.

Mother.

Mrs. Russell, we took good care of Gladys.

It was 2:00 when she arrived. They had to wake me up.

It seemed too late to send her back.

Of course.

I made sure my footman took the message

first thing this morning.

It was kind of you to look after her.

I want to stay here until Father returns...

Wait for me in the carriage.

- But I... - Now, Gladys.

They were never alone.

I made sure of that. You have nothing to fear.

I woke to find my daughter gone...

a nightmare for any parent.

She was at the breaking point when she came.

I nearly sent for a doctor.

- But not for her mother? - I suggested that.

But you can imagine her reaction.

It's a family matter, Mrs. Carlton.

Mrs. Russell, won't you sit down?

Can't we start again?

Meaning what, exactly?

I know Billy got off on the wrong foot,

but the children seem well-suited.

Not to me.

I hesitate to pull rank, but my great-grandfather

signed the Declaration of Independence.

What were your ancestors doing then, I wonder?

I thought you understood that Gladys is about to be engaged.

It isn't what Gladys said.

Well, according to you, she was out of her mind.

What if they can't be stopped?

But they can.

And they will be.

Good day, Mrs. Carlton.

Doctor, how's Peggy?

We must act fast, or it may turn into pneumonia.

She should be kept warm.

I've asked Miss Brook for more blankets.

And she needs to keep drinking. - Our cook can make some broth.

I'd like to check back in a few hours

and look in again tomorrow.

We prefer to take her home, and you can visit her there.

I don't advise moving her,

not into the cold for a long ride.

She'd be better off staying here.

We'd feel more comfortable to have her back

in Brooklyn, where you could...

With Mrs. Van Rhijn's permission,

she will stay here until you say otherwise.

I'll see you later on, if that's all right.

It's more than all right.

Thank you for everything, William.

We are certainly in your debt.

We weren't expecting you to return so soon, sir.

I have some business that needs my attention.

I'm going up to change.

JP Morgan will be here later for a meeting.

Very good, sir.

Where's Mrs. Russell?

She had an urgent matter

to see to concerning Miss Gladys.

What do you mean?

Mrs. Russell will explain, sir.

A panic's coming.

It's only a matter of time.

Stocks are plummeting.

There's a new firm going under every day.

Grant & Ward just collapsed.

The Metropolitan isn't alone.

I couldn't let it fail.

Seney was innocent.

And as you just said, a run on a bank can be contagious.

I'd have lost more than I care to admit.

Well, if I have you in my debt,

then I have grounds to ask a favor.

My trip out west wasn't about buying copper mines.

I said that because...

Because you wanted me to believe it.

What really you're after was the land

that went with the mines.

I have a vision...

a railroad that will transform this country

and perhaps the world.

An illusory vision.

I want to connect all the major cities of America

to create a continuous line from New York to Chicago

and then from Chicago to California,

without ten stops along the way.

It can be done. - Perhaps.

But you say it too easily.

This will be a feat to rival Moses parting the Red Sea.

You think you have a problem getting round Morenci?

Wait till you start trying to rearrange Chicago.

It's ambitious, yes.

But neither of us would be who we are today without ambition.

This line will be built.

It must be.

The only mystery is who will do it.

Your scheme will cost more money than I know you have,

and your timing couldn't be worse.

It's true.

I can't do this alone.

The risks are enormous.

But if we succeed,

the rewards will be enormous, too.

All right. I'll do what I can.

But if you fail, you're on your own.

Was she trying to win us over

with talk of her father and the Institute?

I don't know.

Maybe she wants you to think well of her.

Since when have they cared about any of us,

except when it comes to our ability

to cater to their every need?

- We don't know Mrs. Van Rhijn. - Mm.

And apart from our daughter,

we are likely the only colored people she has had in her home.

Even so, Peggy wouldn't have gotten this sick

if she was under our roof and we were looking after her.

But this is where she has chosen to be.

And Mrs. Van Rhijn is kind to her.

Mm.

I feel safer knowing our daughter

is living in that house if she's not with us.

Mm.

But we can't blame her for the ills of society.

And at least she invited us through her front door.

Which you didn't want to go in.

But we did.

- Now... - Can we leave it at that?

Ju... just for today?

Mother, society's opinion

is not the most important thing in my life.

- Good morning. - Father, you're home.

Well, you left me no choice. You don't listen to me.

George.

When did you get back? - This morning.

I'm sorry. I should have sent a telegram.

- Was that Mr. Morgan outside? - It was.

We had some business, but it's taken care of.

And now I'm home. - I'm glad.

Have you seen this?

I can't control what they write.

I assure you, the last thing I want is for our lives

to be gossip-column fodder.

Besides, Hector has a right to a modicum of privacy.

And I have a right not to be sold at auction

to the highest bidder. - What is this about?

She's being hysterical.

You say that because you've been caught out.

Don't think just because it's... it's in print,

it's a fait accompli.

He's your duke, and you can entertain him on your own.

- Gladys has a right. - And I as her mother, I have...

Isn't this a lovely welcome home?

Father, I prayed you'd come back early and rescue me.

- Rescue you from what? - Mother's plotting.

Look...

the paper says we're engaged.

But I don't even know him, not really.

How did they get the story?

People gossip, and they print it.

The story we should be worried about

is your daughter's midnight escape.

What?

She ran off to Billy Carlton's

and frightened us to death.

I had to. There was no other way.

You weren't here to protect me. - From your own mother?

- Yes! - Stop being theatrical.

I only want to live my own life!

- It's not that much to ask... - Enough!

I have been traveling all night and in meetings all morning.

Let us calm down and reconvene in a more civil atmosphere.

Try not to worry, Gladys...

You look tired.

I hope the trip was a success.

I have piqued Mr. Morgan's interest.

Good.

And I need your help.

If her antics leak to the papers,

she'll ruin everything.

You've put her in this position.

A position that will make her the envy of every woman living.

And make her life a misery.

Is that what you want?

When there are children, they will be among

the highest-ranking people on Earth.

Do you really want that wrecked by Billy Carlton?

I said she could marry for love.

George, I'm building her future,

a golden life.

Isn't that worth more than a hasty promise?

They got back to you, then?

They did.

And was it bad news?

It was...

but not for me.

Well, if you don't want to say...

Oh, forgive me, Mr. Church. I don't mean to be elliptical.

My wife is dead.

I'm very sorry to hear it.

Well, we were separated for years, many years.

Have you told Mrs. Bruce?

I'm just waiting for the right moment.

Hello, Wilson.

I've just come to pick up some things.

- Oh, you've come home. - Only to get some clothes.

- I wrote to you at the club. - I know.

Then why didn't you answer?

We are hosting

the Young Women's Christian Association benefit

this Friday.

I've been making excuses for your absence for weeks.

It's getting rather tiresome.

Oh, I'm sure it's tiresome. But I've told you what I want.

But if you won't answer my letters...

The truth is, Aurora,

you will not convince me to change my mind.

Our marriage is over.

You do understand that I will be finished

when the news gets out?

I should have sent Robson for the clothes.

I will next time.

You'd prefer to send your valet

rather than risk being in my presence?

Please don't make me say things I'll regret.

I want a divorce. I need you to accept that.

I'm to accept the end of my world,

with the sky crashing to earth in flames.

Don't you care at all?

"Break the rosary in a pearly rain,

and gather what we let fall."

What is this?

Do I sense a rebellion in our midst?

I've asked to see the staff.

May still be part of a mutiny.

What is it about, Aunt Ada?

You are not giving the president's annual message.

Just talk.

Good afternoon.

You will all see my signature here

on this pledge for temperance...

Which is a cause I support

in memory of the late Reverend Forte.

We have sickness in our house.

Is this really the time

to bother them with this poppycock?

Miss Scott remains in my prayers.

And she supported my meeting. - Did you give her any choice?

I am asking all members of this household

to join me in taking the pledge.

I'm sure I need not explain

the merits of temperance to you all.

Ada, now you have gone too far.

Agnes, what do you think our temperance meeting was about?

Mrs. Graves told us...

I stopped listening to that woman

the moment she opened her mouth.

You cannot force my staff...

Our staff... my staff, actually.

And I'm not forcing anyone.

It is up to them to make their own choice.

As long as it is.

As I was saying...

the pledge hereby reads,

"We agree that we will not buy, sell,

"or drink intoxicating liquors.

"And we will use our best endeavors

to prevent the sale and use of the same by others."

Take charge of it, Bannister.

Thank you.

"While His Grace, the Duke, is in New York,

"he will be entertained by Mr. and Mrs. George Russell.

But will he soon be more than a guest?"

Do you think that's what drove Miss Gladys to run away?

It's not our place to comment.

Her wedding would affect us all.

If she moves to England, who will go with her?

She'll need a maid.

I wonder if they'll hold the reception here.

What do you think, Mr. Church?

The mistress will have a plan prepared.

She usually does.

Well, I feel sorry for Miss Gladys.

Really? She'll be famous around the world.

Her picture will appear in every paper.

Her clothes will be copied and her jewels.

But she won't have chosen the man she married.

Plenty of people who have a free choice

live to regret it.

What are you doing?

I'm going back over the details.

Why? You know it works.

Not quite. I'm sure it will work.

There's a difference.

But Mr. Larry wrote to me today.

He wants me at the meetings.

Of course you must be there.

He was foolish not to see it before now.

You thought you'd put your foot in it,

but you were right to ask. - I want to go so bad.

But now that he wants me there, I feel nervous.

I have to give Miss Ada an answer

on the temperance pledge.

And not Mrs. Van Rhijn?

Mrs. Forte pays our wages these days,

and that must mean something.

So what will you do?

Let them fight it out together?

This can't go on.

Would you rather I went up and had it out with them?

- No. - Well, someone has to.

And, anyway, I have a beer most evenings.

Is that unreasonable?

We work all the hours God sends,

and now we can't relax on our time off.

I don't see how I can refuse Mrs. Forte

when she's been so kind about the clock.

Mrs. Van Rhijn will never give up her wine.

So it may never come to it, eh, Miss Armstrong?

Don't include me. I've signed it.

Does this mean everywhere or just in the house?

When you sign the pledge,

you sign the pledge.

You look better than you did yesterday.

Oh.

Yesterday's rather a blur.

- That's due to the fever. - Ugh.

I do remember my parents were here.

They sent for me.

Do you work with my father?

- In the way of things. - Mm.

My father used to get treatment for arthritis

at your father's pharmacy.

Often, I'd go with him

and watch Mr. Scott mix up his potions.

Mm.

When I found out he owned the store

and heard him advise patrons

about which medicine to take...

my world was cracked open.

I don't recall seeing you around the store.

I went to school in Philadelphia,

so I wasn't there much.

Good.

Now I can listen to your lungs.

Breathe normally.

Sounds better.

But you still have that cough.

- How is she today? - Much improved.

Pulse is stronger, and her fever is broken.

But she'll need to rest for a few days.

We don't want a relapse.

No, that is quite forbidden.

Look what I brought.

Oh, my chapter.

Just delivered.

We'll celebrate when you're feeling better.

Your parents mentioned you're a writer.

Is it an installment from a novel?

Yes, but I'm very behind on my work.

May I?

Oh.

Yes.

Sure.

Your mother was very worried.

Only because I'd ruin her plan.

Please don't scold me.

I don't agree with your methods...

nor your mother's.

But I understand her intention.

And that is to give you an astonishing opportunity.

But an opportunity for what?

To be one of the most influential women

of your generation.

I don't want to be influential.

And I refuse to be Mother's project.

Let me be my own person.

Marriage is the one way you can do that.

And this marriage would give you the power to change lives.

You promised I could marry for love,

and I'm in love with Billy Carlton.

If you and Billy think

the best way to pursue this is by running away,

then neither of you is ready to marry.

What if he were to ask you now?

He'll be at Mrs. Fane's party.

Very well. I'll hear his arguments.

I only want what's best for you.

But you think that's the Duke?

I think you should consider all of your options,

including Hector.

And how is Miss Scott faring today?

- Much better. - It is such a relief.

I'm so pleased.

Our prayers have been answered.

And you will send us your bill?

Mr. Scott has taken care of that.

Oh, good.

Well, Doctor, we remain in your debt.

Aurora, I can't help wondering,

does Charles drink?

It could explain his behavior.

Not in that way.

But it might seem better if he did.

It would be less of an outright rejection.

Oh, don't talk like that. Charles is the fool here.

Bannister, is there any news on the pledge?

Will the servants sign? - Well...

Bannister, please, ignore Mrs. Forte.

And let the matter drop.

I will not let it drop.

This is my staff.

I believe I have a right to ask for their support.

- Mrs. Forte, ma'am... - And do you have

the right to tell them what to eat for luncheon...

I'm not telling what to eat for luncheon.

Or where to worship on Sunday?

Well...

I think it's perfectly simple...

Mrs. Van Rhijn! Mrs. Forte.

What is it, Bannister?

I'm very sorry, but we must know downstairs

who is in charge of the house now.

- Well... - Well, why must things change?

For a very good reason.

That is...

I, uh...

You are quite right, Bannister.

Things have changed.

Mrs. Forte is the head of the household now.

Well, in a way, I suppose.

Mrs. Forte will give the orders from now on.

Thank you, Mrs. Fane.

I will tell them. They will be relieved.

Thank you, Bannister.

It's good to have a decision.

Hmm. But can we live with it?

I need a decision, too.

I can't cancel the benefit this late.

But what excuse will I make

for Charles's absence in our own home?

Say he is ill.

Lack of moral judgment is a sort of illness.

I swore till death us do part, and I meant it.

Well, it would be easier for you if he were dead.

I'm not sure how helpful that is, Agnes.

But just know we are very much looking forward to your party.

Are you? I'm not sure I am.

- The plans are terrific. - I'm glad to hear it.

You've done so much work here.

But I'll still need your help with some specifics.

The key is the importance of the escapement.

Now, I'll do the talking,

but you must check that I don't miss any details.

Miss Brook, can I get you anything?

No, thank you.

I didn't know you were stopping by.

I came through the servants' entrance to see Jack.

We're preparing for our meeting, Miss Marian.

I'm sorry to do that here. - I don't mind.

We all believe in John's clock.

But shouldn't he be the one to explain how it works?

Oh, no.

Mr. Larry knows how to talk to businessmen.

Jack, the coffee.

I better get this upstairs.

I'll see you again before the meeting.

Just let me know when.

We're nearly there.

We've got all the sketches.

What else do you need?

Oh, uh, Jack, we should go over the presentation

until we know it by rote and can anticipate their questions.

Thinking about their questions makes me nervous.

Just look at you.

You're turning into a proper businessman before our eyes.

Speaking of which, you do have a suit, don't you?

I do, but it doesn't fit me anymore.

I'll take you to my tailor.

I couldn't let you do that.

Consider it part of my investment.

Jack, the coffee?

May I steal you away for a moment?

- How is Gladys getting on? - The war continues.

My mother is a formidable opponent.

What about Billy Carlton?

Forbidden.

Hmm. She won't accept defeat easily.

No.

In fact, I'm quite impressed at the strength of her resistance.

But she sees this as an existential battle.

Her survival is at stake.

Mr. Russell, where are you taking me?

I need a hat and coat.

I should get back to Miss Scott.

No coat needed.

I was only looking for a little privacy.

This is not appropriate.

I wanted to kiss you the moment I saw you.

So it's more appropriate than kissing you

in front of your cook and your footman.

You do know that I'm in love with you, Miss Brook?

Where can I take you, sir?

Oh, uh...

Right here. We're getting out.

Bye.

I hope you didn't mind our little scene with Bannister.

Well, I can't see why Aurora felt she had to get involved.

But she was right.

It must be very puzzling for the servants.

Oh, please, they have food, lodging, and pay.

What more do they want?

And very difficult for you,

now that I have the money and you don't.

I thought you didn't like talking about money.

Aurora, hello, my dear.

- Oh, thank you for coming. - Well, of course.

- Hello, Agnes. Ada. - Lina.

Mrs. Fane, what a pretty dress.

Will Mr. Fane be joining us today?

Charles sends his apologies. He's got rather a chill.

Oh, well, these freezing winds we had

could have killed us all.

He wouldn't let me cancel the benefit.

How good of him...

and you.

Ladies.

Well done.

Carrie...

please manage your sister.

Charlotte, have you met Miss Gladys Russell?

- How do you do, Miss Russell? - Hello.

Mother wants us to mix a bit more.

She can be so tedious sometimes.

She just wants you to stop talking to Mr. Borrowe.

Is your husband here?

Don't be ridiculous.

That's the kind of talk she wants to avoid.

Congratulations. You've assembled quite a crowd.

Thank you.

I believe you have Mrs. Russell to thank.

I do?

They say the Duke of Buckingham's

back in New York to see Mrs. Russell again.

They all hoped you'd bring him with you today.

We are expecting him tomorrow.

- Oh, he's staying with you? - Yes, he is.

- Oh. - Oh.

Well done, Mrs. Russell.

Excuse us. May I speak with you, Aurora?

Is he? I thought that was just gossip.

We'll talk about it later, George.

That's smart.

Should the waist be a bit tighter?

No. Give him a little more room.

And can you narrow these lapels?

I like them.

They're too showy.

A gentleman never looks as if he's trying to be smart.

He simply is smart

without making any effort to be so.

Do you wear a handkerchief in the top pocket?

Not often.

And if I do, you won't see much of it.

Again...

no signals.

We're after understated elegance.

It's complicated, isn't it?

Not really, unless you're a showoff.

Are you a showoff, Jack?

I don't think so.

But I never had much to show off until now.

That will change if things go well for us.

Thank you, Mr. Bute. - Of course, sir.

Oscar.

How are you?

- Awful. - You don't look awful.

If that is true, it's all I have in my favor.

Is it the Metropolitan National Bank

that concerns you?

Because it's up and running now.

And I'm told it's thanks to Mr. Russell.

I have no money in any bank.

I have no clients because I can't be trusted.

And I live with my mother and my aunt,

who's joined the Temperance League.

In short,

I am in the innermost circle of hell.

You find my pain amusing?

Don't pout.

Why haven't you come to see me before now?

Why? To inflict my misery on you?

Because I love and believe in you.

If I could only take that to the market.

You can. I'll write a check for you to invest.

And when I talk about it, others will follow.

Would you do that for me?

I'd do anything for you.

I, uh...

I don't know what to say.

Say that you'll double my money.

Thank you.

I mean it, and I will.

Mrs. Russell.

I'm glad to see you.

After what happened the other day, I wonder,

can we just wipe the slate clean?

I do hope so.

And I assure you, Billy will speak

to your husband properly this time.

He won't make the same mistake again.

I do not know how many times

I have to tell you this, Mrs. Carlton,

but Gladys will not marry your son.

Isn't it out of our hands?

Let me speak clearly.

If you keep this up,

Mr. Russell will see that Billy never gets another job.

And we will disinherit Gladys.

You'd do that to your own child?

What sort of a person are you?

As a rule, I'm the sort of person who gets

what she wants.

Thanks for coming.

Here we are.

Oh. Nice to see you, Charles.

I'm so glad to see you here, Aunt Ada.

I couldn't hide away forever.

Oh.

- Well, you must be pleased. - That everyone's come.

That Mr. Fane has made such a recovery.

What?

Your husband just came in with the Bell party.

Oh.

Is that Mrs. Lipton?

I thought he was upstairs.

He's been staying at the club so I wouldn't catch his cold.

That seems rather drastic.

He wanted to be prudent.

Do I gather with all of this

that you'll be spending more time in Newport?

Are you all right, Aurora?

I think so.

Mrs. Fane, I hope you don't catch your husband's chill.

And with that, I will take my leave.

That was sudden.

Charles has driven her away, together with his mistress.

Shh. My dear, don't let him get the better of you.

He already has.

I'm so glad you've come.

I hope it means you're feeling better.

Excuse us.

How could you have brought her here?

- We go everywhere together. - Take her out of my house now.

It's my house, too.

And she didn't want to come. I made her.

And she was right. And you are cruel.

Get used to it.

We'll be seen all over town, wherever you go.

Come away, Aurora.

Can't you persuade her, Aunt Agnes?

I am not your Aunt Agnes anymore.

Oh.

I shot a peacock once on a hunting expedition.

Did you have it stuffed?

As I remember, our chef stuffed it

with figs and brandy.

It was delicious.

But, of course, I was the butt of a good many jokes.

Mrs. Russell, have you met Mr. Merrick?

Oh, you should.

He's so interested in the new opera house

and such an admirer of yours. - Mm.

I've seen you at the Met, but I had the nerve to speak.

I love your ideas because they so exactly mirror my own.

- Hmm. - High praise from a man.

- More than merited. - Huh.

May I ask, is it true your daughter is going to marry

the Duke of Buckingham?

If it were, I suppose you'd disapprove.

Why? I'd say it would give her a position

from which she can achieve great things.

I read in the paper that it's official now.

That article was silly guesswork.

If she does marry him, what will your title be?

- Oh, why would I have one? - Well, there must be something

you call the mother of a duchess.

One lucky woman.

I admire many things about the English,

but they can't hold a candle when it comes

to your parties, Mrs. Fish. - Oh, Mr. Merrick.

It's happening.

Billy is asking my father.

You're very confident in facing the run on the bank.

Well, banks are like women...

panic at the unimportant and ignore the essentials.

Mr. Carlton.

Can we help you?

Excuse me.

That was peculiar.

- Arterton, you know my wife. - Mm.

I don't mean to interrupt.

I came to say hello to Billy Carlton,

but he seems to have gone.

- He's changed his mind. - You don't know that.

Billy.

- Billy, what happened? - I couldn't do it.

What?

- I couldn't do it. - Good.

Forget about Miss Russell. They're new-money people.

She was using you. That's what they do.

That doesn't make sense.

You'll find another girl who won't cost you your future.

I regard it as a lucky escape.

What a ghastly gathering.

Hyah!

It's true that he's coming to New York.

It's true that I've arranged some parties for him.

What else can I tell you?

Did you think I would just stay in Arizona

until everything was arranged?

George, life goes on, even when you're away on business.

The fact remains, Billy Carlton has not had

an opportunity to present his argument.

She says she loves him.

Shouldn't we listen to her? - George, she's 18.

She still has her dolls in her room.

She ran away like a petulant child.

Should we let her choose failure over triumph?

She's not choosing failure.

She's... - That's where you're wrong!

The whole of New York society

has decided he's coming back here to propose.

Who thinks that?

Mrs. Fish, Mrs. Astor, Mrs. Drexel,

Mrs. Van Rensselaer... all of them.

Because you leaked it to the newspapers yourself.

The point is, if we don't announce an engagement,

they'll assume she's failed, and forever after,

she'll be the girl who didn't land her duke.

We can say she turned him down.

They'll never believe us.

Even so...

rushing her into it does not seem right.

George, I don't expect you to understand this

because you're not a woman, but I am trying to empower her.

You think you're helping by caving in.

But she's young.

She doesn't know anything about love

or the world or anything else.

I'm trying to protect her future.

Won't you help me?

Bertha, you cannot expect her

to marry a man she doesn't like.

She doesn't know him.

If she gives him a chance, she'll like him well enough.

I just want to know when I get a say

in our daughter's life.

The day I'm in your boardroom,

giving you my ideas on the railroads

and the steel mills.

Until that day, I won't question your business

if you don't question mine.

- Have you told me everything? - Of course.

You look so nice.

Is there a special occasion for the dinner?

I think it's really to welcome the duke

back to America.

You've been spending quite a bit of time

with the Russells.

Yes.

And young Mr. Russell seems very taken with you.

He thinks he's in love with me.

Oh!

My!

And how do you feel?

Cautious.

Because you don't share his feelings?

Because I want to wait until things in his family

are calmer, and I need to be sure.

But look at cousin Aurora.

Perhaps it's foolish to look for certainty in love.

Mm.

Your Uncle Luke would say,

there's very little we could be certain of, except God.

So pray, and the right path will become clear.

Oh... - Hmm.

Which reminds me,

you've been hearing me speak about the pledge.

Yes.

I just wondered if you'd given it any thought.

I have...

but I'm afraid I struggle to see what's wrong

with having a glass of wine at dinner

or Jack wanting some beer on his day off.

Mm.

I thought you'd might say that.

I'm sorry if that makes you unhappy.

Oh, the Scotts are upstairs visiting their daughter.

Oh, I'm glad to hear it.

I should get changed.

Marian...

do you think Miss Scott

might sign the pledge when she gets better?

Maybe. I should get to the Russells'.

I don't want to be late.

Are you going to harass their duke

into signing the pledge as well?

- He might be interested. - Please, he's English!

His loyalty is to the queen and to the bottle,

not necessarily in that order.

It's cousin Athena's women's group in Newport.

I think you'd enjoy it, and I know they'd enjoy you.

I suppose I always think of myself as a writer,

not a speaker.

Athena says that your Tuskegee article,

as well as the excerpt from your novel,

has caused a lot of chatter up there.

They want to celebrate your work.

And she'd like for us to stay with her.

- "Us"? - Yeah.

Well, I-I thought it'd be a nice respite for us both.

Ocean air will do you good. Dr. Kirkland said so.

I guess it wouldn't hurt.

And I'd like to see the ocean.

Will you come?

If I can get away.

And they want me to speak next month?

Oh, well, it's an open invitation.

We can get out of New York.

We can eat some good food, visit family,

if you're not working for "The Globe" anymore.

Well, I'd have to ask Mrs. Van Rhijn.

But you're right.

When should we leave?

How is she?

Oh, she's much better. Thank you.

Oh, good. Please, come and sit.

Are you all on your own?

Oh, my sister is upstairs changing,

and my niece is across the road dining with our neighbors.

Hmm.

May... may I ask you something?

We... we have an invitation from a cousin in Newport

to take Peggy there for a while, and I...

Oh, of course, you must go

and stay until she is ready to come back.

How very gracious.

Mrs. Van Rhijn, forgive me for saying this,

but your attitude is not what we are used to,

especially on Fifth Avenue.

I'm sorry to hear that.

But you know it to be true.

Maybe, but it is not how we were raised.

We were brought up to be well-mannered...

towards everyone.

And that is what I believe in... simple, good manners.

I agree.

I'm not convinced good manners

will prove an effective cure for 2 1/2 centuries of slavery.

No, I suppose not.

And good manners did not oblige your doctor

to treat our daughter when she was dangerously ill.

I know, and I'm very sorry about that.

But I-I thought...

You thought he would set aside his prejudice

because he was frightened of you.

I don't know. Maybe, but I...

I believed he would act when he saw the urgency.

When did you see the urgency?

Well, I know we were slow to grasp

just how ill Miss Scott was, but after I'd seen her...

I did everything I could.

I'm sure you did.

I know what it's like when your child is sick.

I shall never forget when Oscar was diagnosed with typhoid.

He was only ten.

And Mr. Van Rhijn was away, and I was here alone

with just the servants and a doctor who tried his best,

but, of course, could do nothing.

Well, how terrible for you.

Was there really no treatment to be had?

No, just some medicines with mercury, but nothing...

no, nothing really.

All we could do was nurse him and, uh...

And pray.

I spent a whole day thinking that I'd lost him.

I shall never forget it.

I'd say that we've both had our scares over the years,

but I think that children were mainly sent to frighten you.

Isn't that the truth?

We should be, uh, going.

Thank you for your care of Peggy.

I should have known that as a mother,

you would understand.

Goodbye, Mrs. Van Rhijn.

Goodbye, Mr. and Mrs. Scott.

I'm delighted you could join us, Miss Brook.

Larry was kind to invite me.

Will you see what's keeping your sister?

There's someone here

to see you and Miss Gladys.

He's waiting at the servants' entrance.

Thank you, Church.

He'll be right outside.

I'll wait for you.

We don't have much time.

I was hoping you'd write, but this is much better.

Billy, will you come in and speak to my father now?

No.

Why not?

Because I don't have the strength to fight anymore.

What did my mother say?

It's not what she said

so much as what my own mother told me.

What does that have to do with our engagement?

Gladys, I am a tiny cog in the wheel of industry.

I cannot afford to challenge the people driving it.

I see your parents talking

with the biggest decision-makers on Wall Street,

and...

I know I'm not in that league and never will be.

You shouldn't be afraid of my father. When I...

When I'm trying to thwart his plans for his daughter?

I've been a fool.

The newspapers practically say you're engaged.

It was the main topic of conversation at the party.

But I'm not engaged!

And my father promised me I could marry for love,

so, you see, I have every right...

Things are different now,

and our love is no longer practical.

The plain truth is, Gladys,

I'm not the man you need me to be.

Sorry to make you cry.

Please try not to hate me.

How can I hate you when I still love you?

Whoa!

Whoa, there.

I must go.

I'm sorry.

There you are.

Thank you.

His Grace, the Duke of Buckingham.

Mr. and Mrs. Russell, how nice to see you.

- Hector. - I'm sorry I'm so late.

You're right on time.

I hope you had an easy journey.

It was long, and then we were delayed.

"We"?

Yes, I brought along my attorney, Mr. Dobbs.

You've brought a lawyer?

Well, I suppose we still have some things to talk about.

And, of course, you remember Gladys.

Gladys, we have much to look forward to.

May I present Miss Marian Brook?

Oh, Miss Brook, how do you do?

Why has he brought a lawyer from England?

What did you promise him? - Nothing.

What did you say?

I only suggested you may have some things to discuss.

You shouldn't have suggested anything at all.

I asked if you had told me everything.

Well, now I have.

Dinner is served.

Shall we go in?

Yes, well, I'm very happy to be back.

Father, what does this mean?

I'm as surprised as you are.

But I'll take care of it.