Original subtitles

If a man appears to have a desirable home, a desirable wife, it adds to the

aura of success.

You are becoming an asset beyond my wildest dreams.

I hope you don't expect me to surrender my own mission to tempt you finally to

Frampton Park.

Dear God, Alex, where did you go?

I've been disinherited. How could your father do such a thing? Try to imagine

for one moment what it might be like for a woman in my position.

The alternative?

I could suggest one.

All you're doing is delaying the inevitable.

Writing to Frances.

Saying what?

I want a divorce.

For every road we travel, there are dozens more not taken.

Yet onward we go, blindly trusting in the path ahead, never knowing if the one

we choose will lead us into peril or bring us safely home.

You see, I said your trips to Brighton would make me appreciate you all the

more when you returned.

And so it's proved.

I know this visit is tiresome, but it does serve several purposes.

Cultivating the cartels, who move in all the best circles, so it's good to be

part of their coterie.

Then, in matters of business, Sir Hugo might be willing to invest even more

into Round Frontier Gold, and could be persuaded over the course of our visit.

Did I miss anything?

This?

Frampton Park.

One feels drawn to it as one's natural milieu.

Did I ever tell you the Devonshires were after me for their youngest?

Many times.

Then when I mentioned it to Lady Devonshire, she had no recollection.

That's strange. To think, if Soames had only had the wit to fasten on the carter

a gun instead of having his head turned, especially now.

Now? With Joe disinherited.

Oh, dear. Master Crow.

All things considered, yes.

I really think I must.

I still can't believe he had the nerve to demand a divorce. How dare he?

Because he's desperate.

All taken leave of his senses.

Either way, my answer was of course a resounding no.

I at least know what's expected of a Forsyte.

And you're sure this trip's a good idea? This distraction is just what I need.

Welcome.

How was your journey?

Arduous beyond words.

Then I'm all the more grateful you braved its pitfalls. Please.

One and all.

One and all. Follow me.

What's that?

My mother.

Today is the anniversary of her passing.

Oh, my darling, I had no idea.

After she died, on the anniversary, Dad and I used to go away.

Fishing.

It was always the same place.

It became our little ritual.

Today will be the first time we haven't been together.

So be it.

It's time to move on.

But how will we?

Frances was adamant she won't divorce you.

So I'll keep on at her until she does.

I kept expecting you to change your mind.

Oh, I did.

Many times.

But as you've seen, I'm here and amply chaperoned.

Oh, and there's your dear Mama.

I hope she doesn't feel we're intruding.

Oh, I'm sure she does.

But she's been overruled.

I trust there'll be no awkwardness.

You know there was talk of a match between your Horatio and June.

And... Olivia and Soames. Before all parties still fit to make other

arrangements.

Your ladyship, dear Olivia Horatio, so kind of you to invite us. I'm sure the

pleasure is all ours.

Some refreshments?

Avoiding me.

I see.

Because last time we met, you took liberties.

I was wrong. It won't happen again. I think it's best if we don't speak unless

in company.

To avoid any awkward conversations.

Awkward or just hard to hear.

Are you fond of the opera, Mr. Bissini?

I prefer the ballet.

Are you familiar with Swan Lake?

No, no. Do go on.

What were we discussing?

Ballet, music, the arts.

The sort of frivolity which rarely makes a profit.

Does it need to?

Aren't there some things one can't put a price on?

There you are.

Carriage has been waiting for an hour. Are you sure that you won't join us?

Dinner with the Barticles might perk you up, no, Ed? Not today, no, thank you. As

you wish.

Mr Cole.

Isaac, forgive me, do we have an appointment?

No, sir, but if you're at leisure now, there's a matter I'd like to raise.

The lady who wished to trace Faulkner?

Actually, no.

On the subject of Rand Frontier Gold, have you had chance to explore the full

implications of the investment?

I've barely been involved.

I mention it because I believe there are certain elements which give cause for

concern. Isaac, forgive me. I'm expecting a guest.

Sincerest apologies. May we defer this conversation for another time? I must

attend to my guest.

Of course.

Good day, Mr. Forsyte. Mr. Coe.

Papa, may I show you my absolute favorite?

Come, Papa.

Tell me, my dear.

Do you intend to toy with my son's heart the way your family has toyed with my

grandchildren's? Now that is such a good question.

May I give it some thought and let you know?

And Cinderella went to her mother's grave under the hazel bush and cried,

little tree, little tree, shake over me.

And silver and gold may come down and cover me.

What is it, Mama?

Nothing, nothing. Just my throat hurts a little. Shall we continue?

Shh. Listen.

Come on.

I think

you

should still go.

Fishing. Take Joss. I know he's not officially part of it all.

Then you should come too. No, this is your tradition. Besides, I... I have a

chill coming on.

Well, then I should stay. You should not.

We'll come with you next time.

When I return, we'll need to make plans.

A shop for you, a new studio for me, a new house, our wedding.

Is that not a little premature?

Frances won't divorce you.

I will find a way.

I promise you.

We will be married.

It's so strange.

Today's the 20th anniversary of my wife's death.

I'm sorry.

You must have loved her very much.

I grew to. She was gentle and kind and... wonderful mother.

Did she know of our previous attachment?

We never spoke of it, but... yes, I think she had an inkling.

And Falconer?

Oh, he asked no questions.

He was only too pleased to put an end to my stage career and whisk me away to the

family seat.

How could you bear it?

Oh, one learns to make the best of things.

One does.

And did.

And never to expect a second chance.

Is that what this is?

A second chance.

I came to look for my son.

Our son?

And had no hopes beyond that.

And now?

Horatio!

somewhat relieved.

Oh? To learn of your engagement.

Oh. Not that I don't admire and respect you, just that, well, one likes to feel

like one can choose for oneself instead of having the choice made for one.

So true.

Tell me, how go the moths?

Remarkably well.

Thank you. Thank you. Come this way. I'll show you.

Word on the rand is that the new extraction process will lead to an even

greater rush to invest.

And if Forsyte and Co. in partnership with yourself could bid on even more

mines... We'd go a long way towards cornering the entire market.

You have my attention.

But shall we discuss later?

We've not seen you since the happy news of your engagement to Anthony

Fitzgerald. Oh, I broke that off months ago.

Having come to the conclusion that matrimony cannot be the sole aspiration

for sensible young ladies.

Well, there speaks a woman who's been thwarted in love.

That's not what she said. The inference is clear.

And therein lies the opportunity.

Is there nothing I can do to make amends for my behavior?

Postulate myself at your feet?

Lie in a puddle and let you use me as a stepping stone?

You're ridiculous.

Dear friends, on behalf of my family, let me say how delighted we are to

welcome you to Frampton Park.

Where carteret traditions are strictly observed, early dinner, cigars, port.

Then early to bed. What fun.

Whereas I'm minded to suggest some party games.

Chiralt.

Well, you've come to the right man.

Chucks, catch.

Could we do this every week?

You'd soon get bored.

I swear I'd never go.

Mama, my throat hurts.

I'm here, my darling.

Very hot.

Swollen, same as me.

Perhaps we should go to bed and try to get some sleep.

Remember that night at the stage door where you and James both turned up? And

started fighting?

Over who had the right to take me to dinner?

It's late.

I really must go.

Of course.

And let's hope we soon have news of Harry.

Yes. In a world where we are finally free to choose, may I at least hope to

see you again?

You may.

Pegasus? A court fool?

Centaur. Horse.

Napoleon? Horsey horse.

Genghis Khan?

Oh, for God's sake. Next.

Come on. So obvious.

Don Quixote.

Irene?

Dancer.

Ballerina.

Wood nymph.

Dryad.

Aphrodite.

Dervish.

Minad. Terpsichore.

Oh, who the devil is that?

Goddess of the dance.

One of the nine muses.

Bacereus. Goddess.

Venus.

Salome. Dance of the Seven Veils.

Careful.

Quite beautiful.

This has been the perfect day.

For me too.

It makes me sad.

For all the years we didn't have you.

Why did you wait so long?

To tell him about us?

Oh, my darling.

I was afraid he wouldn't want to know us.

And I couldn't bear the thought of that, so...

I never put it to the test.

I tried to find her.

Many times.

I should have tried harder.

And if I'd known about you and Holly.

Your mama and I will marry.

If it's the last thing I do.

If you marry dad, will we be proper, gentle folks?

You will have the name of a family.

who have yet to discover how wonderful you are.

But they will discover.

And we will all have such a life.

But first, you and I need to get well before the boys come home.

You see now why you can never give up dancing?

I have given it up. That was... You.

No longer pretending.

You seem a little hot.

I think you should forego charades in future.

Yes, I think I will.

I wish we could save her.

We could put arsenic in his tea.

Or have him kidnapped by bandits.

Or framed for embezzlement and sent to Newgate.

Let's run away.

What? To Scotland.

We could be married in three days.

Surely.

Don't you want to do things the proper way?

Like Soames and Irene?

They've done everything the proper way, and are they happy?

No. So let's just elope.

Do you think that I have so little care for your reputation?

Phil, who gives a fig about reputation?

I do.

Do you want to be called a strumpet?

Do I wish to be labeled a libertine?

An opportunist?

We shall do things the right way or not at all.

Such a beautiful home.

How could you ever bear to leave?

My business interests sometimes take me abroad.

But also, despite its beauty, I somehow find it lacking.

In what?

A warmth.

Presence. A kindred spirit.

Your mother does not fulfill that role.

She does not.

No one has.

So far.

Then how do you know what it is you lack?

Because in this moment, I no longer lack it.

It's been the most delightful day.

Such a treat to be here. It must be, after the ignominy of being displaced by

a dressmaker.

I do see how vital it is to reassert one's charms.

But let me caution you, my dear.

Since his wife died, my son has often dallied, but never settled, and will

not, especially for someone whose reputation would be at risk in the case

of an affair.

Oh, God forbid, a divorce.

So kind of you to alert me.

What makes you think I'd ever contemplate either?

Your performance tonight was much admired.

By you too, I hope.

So, the cine.

Yes.

You and he seem very thick.

I wasn't aware.

Let me assure you, it's very marked.

I think we should put it to use.

How? Well, he and I are forever at loggerheads, but if you were to appeal

to him... To do what?

Expedite the completion of our house at Robin Hill.

So we could be there with no distractions, free to live our lives as

we please.

Will you do that for us?

My goodness.

Louisa. I'm so thirsty.

My throat.

I ache everywhere.

Where's Joe?

He's away with Joss. Where's he gone? I don't know. He went to the place that

they used to go with his father.

He never told me where that was.

I've got one. Help me.

Wait for him to take it.

And go!

Oh,

what brought

this on?

Haven't heard you play this piece in years.

Mr. Cole.

Mr. Cole, another visit? Forgive me, this is a separate matter.

It's Mrs. Byrne, Louisa.

My wife tells me she's very sick and with Joe away.

I've sent our physician, Dr. Clark, but I do think Joe should be there. I'm

sorry to hear this, but how can we help?

We don't know where he is.

Well, nor do I.

You do.

It's where you and he used to go fishing together on his mother's anniversary.

Cyan Meadows?

Can you give me directions?

I'll send a servant.

No, I'll go myself.

Well, if this visit wasn't too odious, perhaps you'd consider joining us at our

villa on Lake Como this summer.

This is all very sudden.

Not for me.

What can you mean?

When I first saw you at the Grosvenor Ball in 66, I

was smitten.

You were 17, spoken for.

But later, you a widow, I a widower.

I approached your father and made an offer for your hand.

Beaten to it again, this time by the Forsythes.

So forgive me if I now put my bid in ahead of time.

Very much ahead.

Will you at least consider me?

If not as a suitor, then a worshipper from afar.

Sir Hugo.

Might we please dispense with this, sir?

Hugo.

Yesterday, when I arrived, your mother asked me a most impertinent question.

Which was?

Did I intend to toy with your heart?

And you said?

That I would let her know.

I've enjoyed our flirtation.

It's restored me.

Sometimes a little dalliance is exactly what one needs.

So I must thank her for what was in fact a most pertinent question.

To which the answer is no.

I do not intend to toy with your heart.

I intend to treat it with care.

Dear God, are you serious?

I believe I have reached the stage of life where gaming has lost its appeal.

I've waited 20 years to ask you this.

Be my wife.

Divorce him. I know it's not the done thing, but does that matter?

Not to me.

But it will to your family.

Yes.

And to yours.

And to society. But we'll be obliged to please others.

Can we not just please ourselves?

I should... Of course.

Of course.

You saw Sir Hugo practically on his knees.

Perhaps he was proposing.

As if Frances would ever consider a divorce.

Well, she might. She can call herself Lady Frances Carteret. And a Lady

Frances Carteret would be very useful.

She has unlimited access to Sir Hugo's ear and his daughter.

How the fates do occasionally align.

Just as one's husband demands a divorce, an admirer proposes marriage.

My dear, we've had some upsetting news.

You haven't said a word since we left Frampton Park.

Where would I even begin?

June. Seriously.

How could we ever think about eloping? Be sensible.

I don't want to be sensible.

I want to be married.

We're in no position to marry. I have obligations.

Until I fulfilled them... What happened to the Phil I fell in love with?

Please find him and send him back to me.

I think I should go there myself.

To what end?

I'm sure they have it all in hand.

But just to be sure.

What's wrong with Mama?

This is Forsyte. Francis.

The physician's just left.

Little Holly's improved, but...

Lisa, she's not doing well.

What do you mean?

The doctor called it diphtheria.

You should go.

I can't leave till Joe comes back. You have an infant son. You shouldn't be

here. I will stay with him.

Bless you.

Have you come to take him back?

Who?

Joe.

No.

I've come to tell you that you're safe and that all will be well.

What are you doing here? I believe we have an arrangement.

Once a year.

Yes, well, I assume... I had a visit from Mr. Cole, who tells me that this

young man's mother is a little unwell.

Nothing to worry about, but she wants you home.

And since I knew where to find you... Surely you could have sent a servant.

Servants these days.

Wholly unreliable. And I fancied a trip.

It's tradition, you know.

Yes, my father told me.

And you're my... Grandfather.

Yes. And that makes me?

A foresight.

Now, I think we must be going. Your mother will be wanting you.

Right.

Did you speak to Bassini?

I began the conversation, but we were interrupted.

I'll pursue it next time we meet.

It's odd.

What is?

Frampton Park made me more aware than ever of the constraints we endure by

living under someone else's roof.

One can never be oneself.

You think?

Well, you seem to feel it too.

I've never known you so distracted.

But... at least now we're home.

Is it because of Durham Mining?

What do you mean?

Did you ever really want to marry me?

Or did your financial losses make it a necessity?

How can you say that?

You swept me off my feet. You seemed to understand me, especially my desire to

go to Paris, which you made me believe you shared.

But now you despise me. In truth, I do wonder if I completely know you.

After Paris, after the shares, I did ask myself, what else haven't you told me,

and can I truly trust you? I swear there's nothing else.

Can you say the same ask me anything

Do you still love me

Have I ever given you cause to doubt

me

No, really.

Don't go.

No, whatever you think this is, this warmth, this connection between us... I

know what this is. It amounts to this.

We share a common bond, two outsiders in a strange family. It's much more than

that. And I am grateful for everything that you've done in keeping me, as you

say, at liberty. But I'm resolved now to embrace my life, which awaits me at

Robin Hill.

Do you see now why I don't believe you?

Oh, God, what have you done?

Tell the truth.

I have to go.

When shall I see you?

I will thrust her from the heart of this family onto the street where she

belongs.

Who are you talking about? That harlot.

That strumpet.

I should have known.

She would not be guided.

She would have it all her own way. And now she will destroy him.

My dear, are we speaking of Irene?

She has betrayed... is betraying!

Our son with that inept, moronic fool of a boy, the architect.

Oh, heavens.

And I will not allow it.

What can you do?

Not act in haste.

Watch.

Gather evidence.

You mean not to tell him?

I mean not to break his heart.

Until there is no other option.

No.

Her fever's passed.

She's sleeping now.

When she wakes... Will you tell her?

I know how she'll be.

Beautiful.

Clever. Strong.

You can tell her yourself.

And Joss... Tell him I want to...

To follow his heart.

Of course.

Promise me you'll keep him safe for me.

You'll recover.

Promise me.

Irene is retired.

She was weary after the journey.

My boy, there is something I must say.

If ever you are blessed with children, be very sure you have the stamina.

You will discover that your children are...

The thing that can... pierce your heart with a straw.

I'll bear that in mind, Pa.

Will you sit with me?

Another night.

Irene's waiting.

Francis?

Are they... Polly's sleeping.

She's on the mend.

Isaac Meadows took the boy home with him.

And Louisa?

I don't understand.

It was a fever.

How did this happen?

It came on so suddenly.

There was nothing the physician could do.

She was well yesterday.

Frances.

Sit with the child. I'll take care of you.

In the cold light of day, cannot forgive.

I'm so sorry. What was she thinking? That you and Joe would reconcile?

We can't have it said that we abandoned them in their hour of need.

Can an old dog learn new tricks? Finally having the courage of his convictions?

I want you to tell me the truth.

About? Phil?

Gladden's the heart to see a wife so eager to please.

Well, isn't that our role? My boy, there's something I must tell you

concerning your wife.