All language subtitles for Upstairs Downstairs S03E10 What the Footman Saw WEB-DL DDP2 0 H 264-squalor (1)_track3_[eng]

[big band music]

- Like I said Daisy,
all spoons and forks,

while during general
use get grease on them,

and have to be washed
in soapy water.

- Just off now, Rose.

Crown and Anchor, tell
Mr. Hudson will you?

- Tell him yourself.

And the silver has to be wiped

with a soapy flannel and
then rinsed in fresh water.

- Rose, teaching you all
her tricks is she, Daisy?

- Oh, get off will you, Edward

and leave us alone and
don't drink too much ale.

- Oh, she's like a mother to me.

Alright, I'll go, bye.

Bye.

- He's very funny, Edward.

- Once a week it has to
be thoroughly cleaned

with this special plate powder.

[barroom chatter]

- So, I says, "Well, we'll have
to try him out on a light--

- Oh, sorry, Mr. Trumpo.

[crowd chatters]

Hi, Robert, sorry.

- Oh, I thought you
were never coming.

Here you go.

- Ta.

Hi, John.

[barroom chatter]

Oh, I needed that.

Right, what's been going
on in your place today?

Really, Charlotte did?
- Yeah.

- Really?

How many?

- Four.

[laughs]

- Yes, he's made friends
with a footman

at Lady Verrica's
in Chester Street.

- Well, young lads need their
moments of relaxation, Rose.

But he shouldn't be out
drinking ale til late

or he'll be good for
nothing in the morning.

- Mrs. Bridges ought
to be back quite soon

now that her sister's
getting over her operation.

- Oh, I hope so, Rose,
I do hope so.

Oh, thank you, Daisy.

Did you make this yourself?

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- Ah, it looks very good.

Maybe a wee bit more cocoa
powder the next time, eh.

- And a bit more sugar.

And don't forget Mrs. Bridges
likes 4 teaspoons heaped.

- But you're doing
fine, my girl.

Oh, just fine.

- Thank you, Mr. Hudson.

[footsteps]

[cups clatter]

- That Mr. Verdius, who
works for Lord Avery

was having an argument
with old lady [mumbles]

Butler [fades into
barroom chatter]

- Tell John what happened
up in Somerby.

Go on, it's a laugh.

-[Edward] I shouldn't, really.

- Come on, we won't tell nobody.

- See, I was that way--
- He was out there valeting

for Captain Bellamy, wasn't it?

- Yes.

And there was this French
girl there, Cecile.

Lady Newberry's maid.

I got to know her and she said
if I came up by her Lady's

bedroom at midnight,
she'd leave me a sign.

- Pair of her Lady's shoes?

Pulled in towards the
female servant's quarters.

- How'd you know that?

- We all know that French
maid of Lady Newberry's.

There's plenty of footman
around the country houses

been in trouble 'cause of her.

- You should know.

Go on, Edward.

- Well, I never got
to Cecile's room.

Well, not that night, anyway.

- You funked it then?
- No, I didn't.

No, as I got to the top of
the stairs someone came out

from one of the bedrooms.

- Whose bedroom?

- Mrs. Tewkesbury's bedroom.

-[Friend] What a man, was it?

-[Edward] What do you think?

-[Friend] Not her husband.

-[Edward] No, it was
one of the gentlemen

from the house party.

-[Friend] Come on, who?

-[Edward] Lord Charles Gilmour.

- The brother of
the Duke of Bone?

- That's right.

That's him.

And he hops into his room,
which is conveniently situated

across the corridors from hers.

- Did his Lordship slip
you anything the next day?

To keep quiet about it.

- No.

I don't think he saw me.

But I saw them together the
next day in the orangery.

[all laugh]

Right.

I'll get another one,
then I must get back.

- Don't matter what
time I get back.

Our butler's drunk by 10.

- Oh, excuse me.

Three pints, please, George.

- Evening.
- Evening.

- I've not seen you in
here before, have I?

- Oh, I come in here
quite often.

- I heard you mention Somerby.

Nice place.

[mumbles]

- Yeah, that's right.

- Could've been there
myself, in the old days.

- Come on.

In service, were you?

- Mmhmm, that's right.

Are you Captain Bellamy's
valet, did I hear you say?

- Oh, well, yeah,
footman, really.

But I was up there valeting

for the Captain before
Christmas.

He was up there hunting.

- Oh yes.

- I work for the Bellamy's
around the corner

at Eaton Place.

- Bit of luck you bumping
into that gentleman

coming out of Mrs. Tewkesbury's
room, seeing what you did.

- Why?

- Next day, in the orangery,
holding hands, were they?

- Lord Charles and Mrs.
Tewkesbury holding hands?

Kissing, bold as brass.

[laughs]

- One other thing.

Tell me.

How was Lord Charles
dressed when he came out

of the bedroom?

- In his dressing gown, why?

- What color?

- Scarlet with gold braid.

A posh one.

- You better be sure of
what you saw, my lad.

- Why?

- You're quite likely to
find yourself called up

as a witness in a divorce case.

That's why.

- Who are you, then?

- It does not matter.

Look, take this.

Keep your mouth shut.

And if you should happen
to be called up in court,

you tell the judge what you
just told your friends and me.

All of it.

- Are you somebody's valet?

- Sort of.

Good night.

[rain falls]

- But we have no case,
Colonel Tewkesbury.

Not yet.

Your wife has denied through
her solicitor's all allegations

of adultery and the fact that
Lord Charles bought a place

near you and happens to
stay in the same house party

as your wife at Somerby
does not constitute grounds

for divorce.

- Hmm.

You're having the fella
watched, are you not,

as I suggested?

-[Dillon] Oh, yes, but it
may not bear much fruit.

- I tell you, young Charles
Gilmour is after my wife

and after my constituency.

He thinks I'm going to retire
early and make way for him.

Ambitious young whippersnapper.

Well, I can't stay any longer.

- With respect, Colonel,
I feel I must ask you

is your quarrel with Lord
Charles matrimonial or
political?

After all, as you yourself
will admit,

your wife, as everyone
in London society knows,

has had indiscreet relationships
with men before now.

- No, no.

- You've told me so yourself.

Why do you pounce on this
particularly able and promising

young politician?

A duke's brother with
brains and that's rare now.

Why now?

Why Gilmour?

- I know what you're
thinking, Dillon.

You think I'm jealous
of him and frightened

of losing my seat in Parliament
to him, isn't that so?

But I'm entitled
to my suspicions.

He bought a house near
me, in my constituency.

- To be near Mrs. Tewkesbury
or to make himself known

to the electors of
Wolverton North?

- Well, obviously both, Dillon.

Do I have to go on
repeating myself?

-[Dillon] Yes.

- Excuse me, Sir Geoffrey,
Mr. Clough is here.

He says it's important.

- Send him in.

Now, this may be what
you're hoping for.

It's my inquiry agent.

Do sit down, Colonel.

Yes, Clough, what is it?

- Had a bit of luck in
the Crown and Anchor

in Chester mills, sir.

Followed up a little
notion of mine.

Here's my report, sir.

- Yes, let's have a look.

- How dare you, Geoffrey.

You of all people.

A trusted, respectable
solicitor putting spies

on my servants in public houses.

- Don't overdramatize
matters, Richard.

An inquiry agent employed
by me on behalf of my client

Colonel Tewkesbury, merely
established your footman

as the probable key witness
in a divorce action.

As such, the man is bound
by law to appear in court

and to give evidence.

Whether he be your servant
or King George himself.

- And you're ready to stand
by and see Charles Gilmour,

just the kind of dynamic man
the Tory Party needs today,

destroyed, politically,
by a harmless flirtation

with somebody else's wife
at a weekend house party.

- I am a solicitor, Richard.

Colonel Tewkesbury is my client.

Divorce is part of my business.

I also happen to think that
the truth is more important

than promising careers.

Now, if there's nothing
else you wish to discuss,

perhaps you'll excuse me.

I have work to do.

- Excuse me, sir.

A Lady Prudence is here.

She wondered if she
could possibly see you--

- Ah, Geoffrey!

- Lady Prudence.

- Prude, my dear.

How are you?

- Well, thank you.

How are the children?

- James and Hazel are in Italy.

They're doing the galleries.

Will you--

I expect you'd like some tea.

- Oh, thank you.

I hear Hazel didn't enjoy her
weekend at Somerby very much.

- No, a bit out of her depth
in Diana Newbury's world,

I'm afraid.

- Who wouldn't be?

The things that go on
in that house ...

And that's precisely why
I've called, Richard.

Apropos of one of the
things that went on, alas,

at Somerby that same weekend.

- Oh, what might that be?

- Harry Tewkesbury is divorcing
Natalie, citing your protege

Charles Gilmour.

- Yes, I did know.

- Oh.

Well, I have Natalie
staying with me now.

Harry's kicked her out
and she can't stop crying,

all over my furniture.

- Is she in love with
Charles, do you think?

- Not in love.

Just enjoys sleeping with him.

Really, Harry's suddenly
behaving like a madman.

Raging at her, calling
at her, faithless wanton.

As though she'd never looked
at another man before.

- What am I expected to do?

- Well, take some steps to
protect Charles Gilmour's name.

If he's cited ...

- His political career
will be in ruins.

Do you think I don't know that?

- Well then stop the case.

- How can I?

- Talk to Geoffrey Dillon.

I gather he acts for
Harry as well as you.

And he's a good Tory.

He wouldn't want to see Charlie
Gilmour broken on the wheel.

- I tried just now, but
Geoffrey won't budge.

He can't, professionally.

- Then stop Edward
giving evidence.

- Edward?

- Well, your footman.

I gather he is to be
the principal witness.

- How the devil do
you know that?

- Oh, Natalie's maid.

She knows everything.

Ah, tea, how lovely.

- Ah, you should have
seen it, Daisy.

They were all a metal fountain,

spurting up jets of water.

And peacocks.

Honest, I'm not kidding,
peacocks strutting about

the lawns.

- Rather like you,
I should imagine.

- And the other people you meet.

And the other valets.

- And maids, too, I suppose.

- Yes, right, well,
yeah, them, too.

Do you know it's interesting
how other households

are much more interesting
than yours.

Have you noticed that, Rose?

- Quite enough interest
in this house.

- Oh, yes, there is.

- Yes, well hurry up.

Work isn't finished
yet, you know.

- Edward.

The master wants to see
you, in the morning room.

Look sharp now.

-[Bellamy] No, no,
don't go, Hudson.

I want you to hear what
I have to say to Edward.

- Sir.

- I'm going to ask you certain
questions about your visit

with Captain James to Somerby.

- Oh, yes, sir.

- Now, then, Edward, it has
come to my ears that as a result

of your boasting about
your employment

in front of other servants
in a public house,

you are to be called as a
witness in a divorce case.

- Am I, sir?

- Some story about Lord Charles
Gilmour and Mrs. Tewkesbury.

Something you claim you
saw one night at Somerby.

Perhaps you'd care to
repeat that story to me now.

- Do as you're told, boy.

- Well, I just ...

I just said I'd seen Lord
Charles and Mrs. Tewkesbury

together, sir.

- Where?

In what circumstances?

- Just coming out of
the orangery, sir.

- Tell the truth, Edward.

- That is the truth, Mr. Hudson.

- Yes, yes, all right, Hudson.

That can't be all, Edward.

What else?

- I didn't mean no harm, sir.

Really, I didn't.
- What else?

- I said I'd seen Lord
Charles coming out

of Mrs. Tewkesbury's
bedroom, sir.

- Don't mumble, boy.

- Out of Mrs. Tewkesbury's
bedroom, sir.

- At what time?

- About 2 o'clock in
the morning, sir.

I was taking some medicine
up for Captain James.

- Medicine?

How did you know it was
Mrs. Tewkesbury's bedroom?

- Her maid, sir.

She pointed it out to me
the day before while passing

and Lord Charles' bedroom
being opposite,

she giggled over that, sir.

- There was talk about
that, was there,

in the servant's quarter?

- Oh, yes, sir.

Everybody knew that.

-[Bellamy] But only you had
the evidence of your own eyes?

- Well, I'm not sure
I'm the only one, sir.

- You're quite certain it
was Lord Charles Gilmour

you saw coming out of
that lady's bedroom?

- Oh, no doubt at all, sir.

As I told the gentleman in
the pub, I knew it was him

by his dressing gown.

- Dressing gown?
- Scarlet, with gold braid.

His valet showed it to
me the evening before,

while laying out his
Lordship's clothes for dinner.

- You're certain
of that, Edward?

You'll be under oath in
court to tell the truth.

As I trust you've told
it to me just now.

- Well, I couldn't be
absolutely certain, sir.

You see, there wasn't
a lot of light.

- And the dressing gown?

- I couldn't be positive
about that.

- All right, Edward.

You may go now.

Thank you, Hudson.

- Sir.

Tact, my boy.

Tact and loyalty are
the first requirements

of the good servant.

You have most shamefully
neglected them.

You have been found
wanting, Edward.

Quite frankly, I have
the gravest misgivings

about your future here.

- I know, Mr. Hudson.

I may have been a bit tactless,
but I haven't been disloyal.

I'd never say anything
about Captain James

or anybody in this house.

- But you have brought
discredit on this house.

On all of us.

Can't you just hear the
sniggerings in other households

about us?

When this divorce case
gets into the newspapers?

The acute embarrassment to
be endured by the master

on account of your
foolish prattling.

- All right, Mr. Hudson,
don't go on.

I've learnt my lesson.

- It's too late, Edward.

- I'll do anything, Mr. Hudson.

I'll bite my tongue off.

- There is nothing you can do.

The damage is done.

We'll just have to wait
and see what comes of it.

Now get out!

[big band music]

- Morning, Lord Charles Gilmour.

- Yes, sir.

- Mr. Bellamy is expecting
me at 11 o'clock.

You would be?

- Edward, my lord.

- Oh, yes, Edward.
- Ooh.

- Allow me.

- Sorry.

Thanks.

- Charles, my dear fellow.
- Ah, Richard.

- You was carrying too
much at one time

and it's "Thank you, my lord."

And where was you?

- I've got my hands full, Rose.

- Do sit.

Will you have a drink?

- If you're having one.

- Bit early for me, but
don't let me stop you.

- I'll take a madera, thank you.

Very kind of you to see me.

- Well, I thought it was
a good idea, didn't you?

- I was on the point
of calling on you.

I didn't see why you should
be involved in my scrape.

- Well, I'm afraid I am
involved, indirectly.

- Thank you.

- Perhaps I will join you.

What's the latest on the matter?

- The latest is that Harry
Tewkesbury's going ahead

with the divorce, naming me.

- Yes, I did know.

- All he can possibly
gain is my ruin,

both socially and politically.

And it's all really based
on a misunderstanding.

I mean, when I took that
house outside Wolverton,

I confess, it was partly
to be near Natalie.

And I did have certain
political motives as well.

- I'd be careful about
admitting that, if I were you.

- But it was all in
good faith, you see.

I thought Harry was retiring.

He'd given Natalie
that impression.

My God, I wasn't trying
to oust the fellow.

Hadn't you heard about
it at Westminster?

- I must confess, I hadn't
heard he was retiring.

People like Harry don't
retire, do they?

They go on to the bitter end.

- You mean it was a
devilish ruse on his part?

He let it be known to Natalie
so that I'd show my hand,

then he pounced and closed
the trap on me.

-[Bellamy] I think you're giving
him credit for more brains

than he possesses.

- I don't know.

These old foxes, they
know all the tricks.

- Well, it's quite simple.

You must set your
sights elsewhere.

- You mean politically?

- There will be other
seats vacant.

- Yes, I suppose they will.

What I really need,
Richard, is your advice.

May I?
- Oh, yes, of course.

Advice?

Well, there's only one way
of preventing a scandal,

that may be too late.

Give up seeing Natalie
Tewkesbury.

Could you give her up?

- I don't know.

I hadn't thought about it.

She's very beautiful.

Enormous fun to be with.

She disconcerts me.

- Yes, I understand that well.

She is a disconcerting lady.

- She never disconcerted you?

- No, never.

- Well, it wouldn't
have mattered.

I'm not interested in her past.

- It's a fairly discreet
past, isn't it?

She's one of those people
about whom a lot is assumed,

very little verified.

- Yes, but one must be
wary of visiting footmen

passing in the night.

- Yes, and blabbing
their mouths off.

I'm sorry.

- It's the luck of the game.

Will the fellow's story hold
up in court, do you think?

- Yes, it might.

We must try and prevent
it getting to that.

Harry will have to see
the error of his ways.

I'll do my best for you.

- Thank you, Richard.

For once in my life,
I feel rather at sea.

- He's ever so handsome.

- That is not everything, Daisy.

- I know, but it helps.

- It's a man's character you
should be looking for, Rose.

The way he conducts
himself in all matters.

- Well, he conducted
himself very nicely today

with you, didn't he, Daisy?

- Yeah.

- Daisy dropped some
pillow cases, Mr. Hudson,

and Lord Charles picked
them up for her.

- And what were you doing?

- I wasn't fast enough.

- Poor Mrs. Tewkesbury.

I feel sorry for.

- You feel sorry for her, Rose?

- Yes, I do.

Imagine being married
to a peppery old Colonel

who goes blasting off
with his gun everyday.

[laughs]

- Who told you that, Rose?

- I got it from Mrs.
Tewkesbury's maid.

She tells me the Colonel goes
out shooting five days a week,

except when Parliament's
sitting.

Well, I don't call
that a marriage.

- She can't always have
thought badly of him, Rose.

I'm sure he's got many
excellent qualities.

Anyway, you're far too often
eager to judge people harshly

without consideration.

- What if she's unhappy?

Why can't she leave him
and marry Lord Charles?

- Yeah, good for you, Daisy.

Why can't she?

- Oh, no.

Can't have a divorce.

Can't have a scandal like that.

They'll never let
it get that far.

-[Edward] Well, what's so
scandalous about divorce?

Surely it's better than
living in misery

for the rest of your life.

-[Rose] That's the way
things are done, Edward.

It's appearances that matter.

Isn't it, Mr. Hudson?

-[Hudson] Oh, they
certainly do, Rose.

-[Edward] Why?

- It would take far too
long to explain now, Edward.

Ruby, your custard's
surprisingly good.

- Thank you, Mr. Hudson.

- Why can't people be
truthful for a change?

- Yeah, why can't they?

- I mean, if you were in
love, Rose, or Daisy, here,

and you were married to some
crusty old cur and all that,

but you really loved this
really handsome fella,

couldn't live without him.

-[Rose] It's different for us.

-[Edward] I know it is.

It's worse.

I mean, you wouldn't be able
to have a liaison with him,

would you?

I mean, we're not allowed
to, servants.

We're always brought up
having to regard moral virtues

and then we come back
and work in houses

where it all goes on.

[laughs]

- That's good, coming
from you, Edward.

What about that
mademoiselle up at Somerby?

Ooh la la.

- What's that, Rose?

- Oh, it's nothing, Mr. Hudson.

I was only teasing him.

- I'm confused, you
see, Mr. Hudson.

So I'm asking for guidance.

- Yeah, so am I, Rose.

- Well.

Edward has got a point,
Mr. Hudson.

I mean, what goes on sometimes.

It's not what I learnt
at my mother's knee.

- If God had intended us to
behave all in the same way, Rose

he would've made
us all the same.

Ruby, have you not even
started your pudding yet?

- I'm sorry, Mr. Hudson.

-[Hudson] Colonel
Tewkesbury, sir.

- Tewkesbury, this
is good of you.

I do appreciate it.

Do sit.

- Well, thank you.

I don't usually discuss
my domestic affairs

with acquaintances, Bellamy.

- Yes, will you take a drink?

- No, no, no thank you.

But since we both are old
colleagues of the Tory Party.

- Quite.

- When I received your note,

I asked Geoffrey Dillon's
advice, whether I should come

and see you or not.

And being our mutual solicitor,

he could hardly advise against.

So here I am.

- Yes, quite.

Well, as you know, my
interest in your forthcoming

divorce action is two-fold.

First of all, a footman in
this house has got himself

involved as an important
witness and I am bound

to consider his interests.

As an employee of
my son and myself.

- Yes.

I take it the man's capable
of telling the truth in court.

- I think you can
depend on that,

should the case come to court.

- Well, there's no
question of that, Bellamy.

The writ's been issued.

- The other matter, of
course, hinges on our common

membership of the conservative
party.

Whatever you may think
of Gilmour as a man,

his political promise
will not have escaped you.

- I know nothing of his
political ability,

beyond what I read in the
society gossip columns.

That he's the younger
brother of a Duke,

good looking, and popular with
all the hostesses in Mayfair.

- Oh, come now, Tewkesbury.

He's got more to offer
than that and you know it.

He's very highly regarded
in the party.

- You're asking me to
drop my divorce case

for the good of the
party, is that it?

- Frankly, yes.

Now, if you're worried
about the future

of your Parliamentary seat, I
can assure you, here and now,

that Gilmour is putting
his house near Wolverton

on the market at once.

- Oh, is he?

- Any idea that he was
after your constituency

was a complete misunderstanding.

That I do know.

- He's my wife's lover, Bellamy.

And he must pay the price.

- The price of being
found out, eh?

Oh, for God's sake.

Queen Victoria's dead.

- Gilmour knows the rules.

He gambled and lost.

He's going to pay the price.

- Tewkesbury.

To hell with the rules.

- I don't think you and
I have anything more

to say to each other, Bellamy.

- No.

I think not.

I'll ring and have
you shown out.

- Oh, hello, Daisy.

Come sit down.

- Away from Rose at last.

She's having me marking
all the new linen.

You know, I thought it
was marvelous the way

you stood up to Mr. Hudson
at dinnertime.

- Well, I didn't, really.

I just want to understand
things, that's all.

- Me too.

- Well, you've got
Rose to tell you.

Do you think that stain notices?

- What was it?

- Gravy.

- Good enough for me.

- Yeah, but you aren't
Lady Prudence, are you?

She's as blind as a bat
anyway, so it doesn't matter.

- Edward.

Man gave me this to
give you, outside.

Said his name was Joseph,
said you'd remember him

from Somerby.

- Somerby.

- What is it?

- Um.

Nothing, um ...

I've got to go out a minute.

- Well, don't forget your coat.

It's pouring out.

- Oh, yeah.

Thanks.

- As I was saying, it was
the Duchess' lady's maid

who got it from Captain
Wheeler's groom

and I can tell you in
strict confidence ...

- It is nice to see
you again, Eddie.

- Did you and Lord Charles
get back from the house party

all right?

We had to leave early.

- We didn't see enough of
each other up at Somerby.

- Well, no, you were
always working.

- Yes.

Do you remember when I showed
you Lord Charles' things,

up in his room?

- You mean his solid
gold cuff links

and his expensive dressing
gown from Rome?

- That's right, Eddie.

That's what I wanted
to see you about.

I want you to forget about
that dressing gown, Eddie.

You never saw it, did you?

- But you showed them to me.

- No, Eddie.

Smoke?
- Oh, no thanks.

Hey, why do you want me to
forget about his dressing gown?

- Because I've got something
here for you, Eddie.

Don't open it now.

Not in public.

I can tell you what's
in it though.

- What?

- Money, Eddie.

Quite a bit of money.

It's for mumming your dupper.

- Mumming me dupper?
- Don't wave it about.

Stick it in your jacket.

[barroom chatter]

- Was there no letter with it?

- No, just the 10 pounds.

Lord Charles' valet gave
me in the Crown and Anchor.

But he sent me a note
to meet him there.

- And he handed this
over in full view.

- Well, yes.

Well, it was crowded, but I
don't think anybody saw us.

Anyway, I didn't open
it there, Mr. Hudson.

But that doesn't
matter, does it?

Since I'm not gonna
keep it, am I?

I'm gonna give it
back, aren't I?

And stand up in the
witness box if I have to

and tell the truth, what I saw.

It's my duty, whatever he says.

- Wait, Edward, wait.

Don't be too hasty.
- Pardon?

- Things may be a good
deal more complicated

than you imagine.

- I don't see what's complicated
about it, Mr. Hudson.

I've been offered a bribe
and I'm rejecting it.

- You'll do as you're
told, and you'll do nothing

until after I've spoken
to the master.

- But Mr. Bellamy will
make me give it back.

He wants me to tell the truth.

He said so.

- There are times,
Edward, when the truth ...

The literal truth has to
give way to higher things,

like discretion and loyalty.

- They're higher than the truth?

I don't understand
that, Mr. Hudson.

I mean, I couldn't
keep that money.

It'd be on my conscience
for the rest of my life.

- Nobody's asking you to put
it in your pocket, my boy.

But you might have to
consider giving it away

to some charity, to the
Life Boat Men or some such,

if I instruct you to.

Now just you leave this with me

and get yourself off to bed.

I thought you should know
about it at once, sir.

- You're right, Hudson.

Edward was right to tell you.

- Oh, he's always been
a very truthful

and conscientious lad, sir.

- Well, nobody's asking
him to purger himself

or depart from the straight
and narrow.

Tell him to forget about this,

and I shall be dealing
with the matter myself.

- Very good, sir.

Goodnight, sir.

- Goodnight, Hudson.

Thank you.

- You're not going to embarrass
me and hand it back, I hope.

- No.

Edward will be instructed
to hand it to a charity.

Have you any preference?

- I'm sorry, Richard.

It was done with the
best of intentions

to save you any embarrassment.

I thought the boy would keep
quiet, conveniently forget

the color of my dressing gown

and that would be the end of it.

I couldn't know he'd
trot off to your butler,

who in turn would
trot off to you.

They're making servants
uncommonly scrupulous these
days.

- Well, aren't you relieved?

The alternative might have
been blackmail, heaven forbid.

- Sometimes easier to deal with.

- Well, I wouldn't know.

All I do know is that you've
outraged his sense of honor.

The color of your dressing
gown is engraved in his mind.

So what happens?

- We'll see.

My solicitor's have retained
McCorkidale for my defense,

if it comes to it.

He'll tear your footman
to shreds.

I was really trying to spare
the boy as much as anyone.

- Yes, I've seen Tewkesbury.

He can't be persuaded to give
up the case at any price.

- No, I didn't hold
out too much hope.

Do I detect from your
use of the word price,

a slight note of censure?

- No, no, no, not really.

I see your dilemma.

You've taken a pragmatic
view of it.

I might've been tempted
to do the same.

- But you would've
resisted the temptation.

There's the difference.

- Only from the point
of view of strategy.

Not necessarily for any
moral considerations.

- But what you've kindly
recognized is that

I'm arrogant enough to
believe I have something

positive to offer
our sagging party.

And I have no intention
of allowing time servers

like Tewkesbury to drown me out.

There are enough of them
in the house now,

pretending to be asleep,
as is their want,

but watching the younger
back benchers carefully.

No wonder we're in opposition.

We don't deserve
anything better.

We have Ireland, we have
welfare problems,

we have rumblings in Europe.

They direct all their
energies towards matters

of no consequence.

- Sorry, Charles.

I have to cut you short.

I have to go out.

- Yes, of course.

- How's she bearing up?

More settled now that
she's living with Prudence.

- Natalie, you mean?

Yes, I believe so.

You know, to be quite truthful,
I haven't had a moment

to see her.

[laughs]

I'll let myself out.

[knock on door]

- Come in.

- Oh, there you are.

I didn't know where
you'd got to.

- Does somebody want me?
- No.

What you doing?

- I was reading a letter
from my brother.

You shouldn't be in here,
you know, Daisy.

Mr. Hudson doesn't approve.

- Well, you come out
then and sit by the fire.

It's cold in here.

- I don't feel like it tonight.

I'm all right.

- No, you're not.

You're down in the dumps.

Is it about that money, still?

- No, it's people, Daisy.

They tell you one thing and
you think that's all right

and that's the way
to behave and ...

Oh, I don't know.

I'm seriously thinking
of giving up this life.

- What would you do?

- Well, I thought I
might join the Army.

- The Army!

- Yeah, my brother's a
soldier, Middlesex regiment.

Well, he says it's a good
life and there's plenty

of fresh air and action
and plenty of food.

Well, they want people to join.

- Don't do that.

You'll get yourself killed.

- No, I won't.

They look after you, these days.

That's a good life.

- It's a good life here.

- No, it's changing.

- Oh, you're getting
older, that's all.

- I'm not.

How old are you?

- 18, May the 11th.

You?

- 25, nearly.

January the 24th.

- Ah, that's too
old for the army.

[both laugh]

- You know, you do
cheer me up, Daisy.

We'll have to go out
together sometime.

- Do you mean it?
- Of course I do.

- When? Tomorrow?

- Well, no, actually I've
gotta go and visit my dad

in Walthamstow tomorrow.

He's a real card, he is.

You'd like him.

He's a card.
- Is he?

- I suppose I could put him off.

- Oh, no, you mustn't do that.

- Yeah, he won't mind.

I'll take you to a picture
palace, if you like.

- Oh, I'd love to go
to a picture palace.

I've never been!

- Oh, good.

- Daisy!

What are you up to?

You shouldn't be in here.

- She wasn't doing
any harm, Rose.

- No, I've just come
to look for him, Rose.

- Yes, well, now
you've found him.

You can come on out, I've
got work for you to do.

- See what I mean?

I mean, you can't even
have a simple talk.

- It was a nice talk, Edward.

- Yeah.

Oh, I'm going out to get drunk.

-[Rose] Daisy!

- Don't tell anyone, will you?

- No, of course not.

Yeah, you get drunk.

You deserve it.

Only don't go and join the Army.

[door bell rings]

- Who gets these sides
to middle ones?

- Who do you think?

Us.

[door bell rings]

- Where's Edward?

- I don't know, Mr. Hudson.

I'll go, shall I?

- I'll go.
- No.

I haven't taught you yet.

- Have you seen Edward, Daisy?

- No, Mr. Hudson.

He's not in his room, if
that's where you was going.

At least I don't think he is.

- Do you know where he is?

Come on, speak up, my girl.

Don't hide things from me.

- I don't know, sir.

I saw him earlier.

He was talking about
joining the Army.

- The Army?

- I don't know where he is.

- Ruby, do you know
where Edward is?

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

He's gone down to
Crown and Anchor.

Well that's what you
said, Daisy, wasn't it?

- Sir Geoffrey Dillon.

-[Bellamy] Geoffrey.

- I do apologize for arriving
without warning, Richard,

but I must speak with you
on a matter of some urgency.

- Can I get you anything?

- Nothing, thank you.

I've just had some rather
disturbing information

brought to me, which I've
passed on to my client,

Colonel Tewkesbury.

I'm here, I might add,
of my own volition.

- Yes, well, what is
this information?

- It appears that Gilmour's
valet was seen handing over

a package to your footman,
Edward, in the Crown and Anchor

public house.

When Tewkesbury was informed
of this, he deduced,

no doubt correctly, that
the package contained money.

A blatant attempt by Gilmour
to buy young Edward's silence.

Am I going too fast for you?

- Go on.

- Tewkesbury is inferring
from all this

that you must have
known about it.

That you're in collusion
with Gilmour in a shabby

and ill-advised attempt

to interfere with the
course of justice

and save Gilmour's career.

In short, that you're
joined in a rather

unpleasant conspiracy.

- And he's spreading
rumors to this effect?

- No, no, not exactly that.

- Well, why should
he stop at you?

You didn't believe
it, of course.

- Isn't some of it true?

- It's true that Charles'
attempted to buy off Edward.

- Doubtful ethics for a
future Prime Minister.

- Doubtful ethics to spy
on innocent young footmen

in public houses.

- Innocent?

- Why should Charles be
bullied into submission

by a vengeance-seeking
old cuckold.

That's what this is all about.

I don't condone what he did,
but, my God, I understand

his reasons.

- All right, Richard.

Keep calm.

The point is that it's
common knowledge

that Edward accepted a bribe.

He was seen to do so.

- It was thrust into his hands.

He brought it straight back
to Hudson, who gave it to me.

Now, we'll settle
this right away.

- No, no, no, there's no need.

- Yes, there is.

There's every need.

As of this moment, rumors are
flying to all parts of London.

And on that issue, I want to
see Tewkesbury again tomorrow.

- Tomorrow's Saturday.

- Exactly.

That's why I want it scotched

before the weekend social
arrangements.

- Very well, I'll do my best.

Do you wish me to be present?

- That is entirely up to you.

Rose?

Where is Hudson?

I want to see him.

- He's gone out to look
for Edward, sir.

[barroom chatter]

- What'd you do with
your windfall, eh, Eddie?

Buy a motorcycle?

- I gave it to Mr. Hudson.

- What'd you do that for?

- It'll have come
into his pockets.

- No, it hasn't.

It's gone to Life Boatmen.

[laugh]

Down we all go, glug glug glug.

- No, quiet it up.

Mr. Bellamy's wife Lady
Marjorie, she was on the
Titanic.

- Oh, very touchy tonight,
aren't we?

- Yeah, well ...

I'm off.

Ugh.

Ugh.

- Edward!

- Oh, I don't want
to talk to you.

- I want to talk to you, Edward.

Have you ever been
in a court of law?

- No.

And what is this?

- They'll make you
swear to tell the truth,

on the Bible, see.

And if you don't tell the truth.

The whole truth, and
nothing but the truth,

even though it's against
your master's interests.

- Let go of me.

- Have you ever heard
of conspiracy to pervert

the course of justice?

Perjury, contempt of court?

Do you know what that means?

That means prison.

A long time in prison.

- Ah, good evening, Mr. Hudson.

I haven't seen you
here for a while.

- Forgive me if I don't
stop to talk Mr. Trumpo ...

- Still employed that
had been in prison?

- But--

- That's why, when you
go in that witness box--

-[Hudson] Take your
hands off that boy.

- And who might you be?

- I am Angus Hudson.

- This is the man, Mr. Hudson.

This is the man that
started all the questions,

to get me all [mumbles]

and now he's threatening me!

- All right, Edward, all right.

Now look here my man.

I am Mr. Bellamy's butler
and I suggest

that you stop molesting and
threatening young servants

in public houses, unless you
want the police after you.

- I'll see you in court, my lad.

- All right, get going.

- Oh, what's this?

The late Lady Marjorie's
butler mixed up in a pub brawl?

What are we coming to?

- That is none of your
business, Mr. Trumpo.

Keep moving, Edward.

- Now, I've got two
footman under me

and I'd never allow
either of them

to come gossiping in here.

[door bell rings]

- Good evening, Rose.

-[Bellamy] Prudence.

- Ah, Richard.

Oh, Geoffrey.

We always seem to be
meeting here, these days.

- Lady Prudence.

- Richard, I'm sorry
to rush in like this,

but I really must talk to you.

- I'm just going.

- Just a moment Geoffrey.

Is it about Harry and Natalie?

- Yes, partly.

- Then I think you better stay.

Hear the latest on how your
client is treating his wife.

Since we're all in the
mood for gossip.

- Well ...

- No, no, this is important.

Natalie's staying with
Prudence at the moment.

Telling her disturbing stories
of Harry's striking her

in anger.

Now then, Prudence.

- Well, you know these
stories can sometimes be

a trifle exaggerated.

I mean, I don't think there
was much actual brutality.

- But the bruise on the arm?

- Yes ...

No, I've really come
about some quite different

disturbing stories about
our glamorous lover figure.

- Lord Charles?

- Yes.

Oh, might I have a drink,
Richard, do you think?

- Yes, yes, of course.

Geoffrey?

-[Dillon] Oh, no, thank you.

- Now, Natalie had arranged
to meet Charles today,

a discreet little restaurant
in Carson Street for luncheon.

Well, he didn't arrive.

And in some consternation,
she went round to his flat.

Her call wasn't answered,
though she was quite sure

he was there.

Thank you, Richard.

Well, you can imagine her
humiliation, just standing there

on the pavement.

I mean, the fear of being seen.

- Yes, well, go on, Pru.

- Well, she came home to me.

At five o'clock, that vulgar
valet of his delivered a note,

a very cool note.

And not very well-written, by
someone of whom the country

has such high hopes.

Natalie flew into
a terrible rage.

What happens now, I don't know.

One thing is quite clear,
our dear Lord Charles emerges

with no credit at all.

- Do you still think
you're backing

the right horse, Richard?

Come and sit down, Richard.

- Thank you for agreeing
to meet me, Tewkesbury.

- I can't give you long.

I have other appointments.

- Long enough to clear up a
few misunderstandings, I hope.

First of all, you owe me
an apology, don't you?

- Is that so?

- I appreciate you've been
under a considerable strain

recently, but that can hardly
excuse the unpleasant rumors

you've evidently been
spreading about me

and my supposed collusion
with Lord Charles Gilmour.

- Unpleasant rumors?

Rubbish!

- Geoffrey.

Very well.

I just want you to hear in
front of our mutual solicitor,

that if I do not receive a
retraction, I shall take out

an action for slander
against you.

- If your source for these
rumors is Dillon, here,

you'll have to take an
action against him, too.

It's as much a slander to pass
on gossip as to initiate it.

And that's the law.

- Gentlemen, please, I don't
think we need come to blows.

Do sit down, Colonel.

- Well, one thing I don't
do is employ servants

who blab their mouths
off in public houses

for all the world to hear.

- And I don't employ spies
to hang around public houses

and threaten servants.

- It is sometimes necessary
to employ such means

in order to arrive at the truth.

- Not when they threaten
the integrity of my footman,

Geoffrey!

- My god!

We didn't pay your man
to suppress evidence,

that was your doing to
protect your protege.

- That's false assumption
and a downright slander.

- I think that is where the
misunderstanding arises.

- Yes, all right.

All right, Geoffrey.

Now, if you still persist
on believing it,

try and make it stick in law.

I've explained to Geoffrey,
and I hope you'll listen

to his advice.

I had no part in Charles
Gilmour's attempt

to silence my footman.

I would never have supported
such an idea.

[Tewkesbury scoffs]

- Easy to disown the man
now that he's discredited.

- That is a cheap and
contemptible remark.

My God, Tewkesbury, you
do bring your troubles

on your own head, don't you?

- What the devil does that mean?

- Please, don't make
this personal.

- Tell that to your client.

It's a little late to
believe it's anything else.

- It's very hard to
understand you, Bellamy.

You take the side of a rake

who seduces young,
married women.

You champion him in the name
of vigorous, progressive,

Toryism.

My God, if the country
ever fell into his hands,

I'd emigrate.

- I am in no position
to comment on that.

I have no wish to.

That is not our argument.

- Gentlemen, I really
must put in a word.

I don't think Richard has
quite grasped the fact

that the divorce will
not now take place.

- Will not now take place?

- Well, I've ...

I've taken her back, Bellamy.

If you must know, I
never wanted to lose her

in the first place.

We've had our differences
before and got over them.

I couldn't stomach this one.

Fellow comes up, takes a house
20 miles from where I live,

makes love to my wife,
blatantly, makes me the
laughingstock

of the district!

And to cap it all, he has the
effrontery to set himself up

on the quiet as my
political rival.

Not only my wife but
my constituency.

My entire being.

Well, you talk about rumors.

My God, you should've heard
what I've had to put up with.

I couldn't stand for it.

I had to take some action.

Either my wife behaves herself,
or she ceases to be my wife.

Simple as that.

I put it to her in those terms.

She chose to leave.

The rest you probably know.

When it gets too hot, fellow
shows his true colors,

drops her.

I could've told her that.

I've seen that type before.

No guts, no staying power.

He'd never make a politician.

And then, last night
she comes quietly back.

No fuss.

People have the wrong
idea, you see.

They assume ...

Well, let them assume
what they damn well like.

Look, I must be going.

I'm taking her home on
the five o'clock train.

- Oh, I'm glad she's
gone back to him.

That's what she needs, really.

That great drafty house
will help to cool her down.

- Pity she didn't cool
down a bit sooner.

- I had to break it off.

And the quick, clean blow is
always the best, isn't it?

- Well, then, it was your
timing that was unfortunate.

- Now, that is a
note of censure.

- It can hardly be anything
else, can it?

You haven't played your
cards altogether wisely.

- But you see, I'm not
like you, Richard.

You've always played
your cards wisely,

and look where it's got you.

You're a disappointed
man at heart.

Looking to live through
other people.

It may be that I will be judged

as an arrogant whippersnapper
who lived dangerously

and perished ignobly,

but I will always
be my own master.

Never for me the epitaph,
"He played his cards wisely."

- What will you do now?

- I don't know, it's
early to say.

I might go to Canada.

It's full of black
sheep making good.

I promise you one thing:

you won't have heard
the last of me.

I must go now, I'm lunching
at the Ritz

with a fascinating
Romanian Princess.

[silverware clinking]

- How you feeling now?

- Oh, still terrible.

Oh, I had a skinful last night.

- Never does you much
good, does it?

Couldn't eat your dinner?

- No, I've got the
afternoon off.

I think I'll go to bed.

- Well, I've got the
afternoon off, too.

I thought you and I were
supposed to be going--

- Edward.

I want a word with you.

Come in here a minute.

- I've said I'm sorry,
Mr. Hudson.

I think I'm gonna join the Army.

- Oh, there's no need
for that, Edward,

provided you've learned
your lesson.

Sit down, my boy.

Sit down.

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- I confess to a certain
degree of blame

for not giving you
a clear moral lead,

when you asked for it.

Over the matter of
the money, my boy.

You were quite right
to want to give it back

and I'm sorry I didn't
make myself clear to you.

I'll try to now, so listen
very carefully.

You see, Lord Charles Gilmour
is one of our most brilliant

politicians.

Some say he might even
be Prime Minister.

Now, if a man could achieve
great things in his public life,

for the good of us all, for
the good of his country,

then who are we to judge
his private life?

It's absolutely no
concern of ours.

Is it?

- No, Mr. Hudson.

- And when the two ...

The public and the private
get tangled up,

then it's only reasonable
that he should take steps ...

Albeit unorthodox ones to ...

Do you see what I'm getting at?

So all this talk about
joining the Army, Edward.

It is so much nonsense and
you'll put it right out

of your head, won't you?

- Yes, Mr. Hudson,
if you say so.

- And keep out of public
houses, hmm?

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- All right.

Off you go then, Edward.

- All right?

- Yes, I think so, Daisy.

- You haven't forgotten,
have you?

- What?

- The picture palace.

Or are you really going to bed?

- Oh, no.

No, I feel lovely now.

- Get your coat then.
- Right.

Hey, Rose.

I'm a bit short and--
- I'm not surprised

after last night.
- Don't you start.

You couldn't lend me
a shilling, could you?

I'll pay you back.

- Oh, all right.

There you are.

- Ta, Rose.
- Make it last.

- I will, ta.

All ready?

- Well, where are
you two off to?

- He's taking me to
the picture palace.

[Edward and Daisy laugh]

- Mind you behave yourself.

[both laugh]

[big band music]