Original subtitles

They're here, Collingwood.

- What? - People are coming to tea, Planty.

An American family, friends of Silverbridge.

I think I'll take mine in the study.

Oh, no, no, don't go. I promise they'll leave their pistols outside.

Silverbridge met them at one of his cricket matches,

so they must be fairly well-behaved Americans.

I'm not in the mood for any kind of Americans today,

and as for Silverbridge, Conservative or not,

he'd be better employed preparing for his election.

Well, he is going down there this afternoon.

Now, Silverbridge says you'll like the father.

He's a scholar and a writer and all that kind of a thing, name of Boncassen.

As it so happens, I have heard of him.

Yes, well, perhaps I will stay. Just for a little.

It seems you have no choice.

Mother, Father, this is Mr and Mrs Boncassen.

- How do you do? - How do you do, Your Grace?

- How do you do, Mrs Boncassen? - How do you do, Your Grace?

- This is Isabel Boncassen. - How do you do?

- Hello, Miss Boncassen. - How do you do, Your Grace?

- How do you do? - How do you do, Your Grace?

- Do come and sit down. - Mr Boncassen.

I read your admirable treatise on Mr Lincoln's presidency, Mr Boncassen.

Oh, and I've read your admirable papers on decimal currency, Your Grace.

Ah. 9'90' pour grace.

What's that, Duchess?

A family saying, Mrs Boncassen,

roughly translated - 'quid pro quo'.

- And what is that? - One good turn deserves another, my dear.

That's it, tit for tat.

Isn't it regrettable that Silverbridge has to leave presently to prepare for his election tomorrow?

What election is this, Lord Silverbridge?

- I'm going into the House of Commons, sir. - But you're a lord!

Well, only a courtesy one, Mrs Boncassen.

I am called a lord, but I'm really just a commoner.

It's the custom, you see, for the eldest son of a duke to take his father's next title.

That's the Earl of Silverbridge... Thank you.

...and to take precedence as a marques.

That's immediately below the dukes.

Because if we had a marquessate, which we haven't,

Silverbridge would be a marques, which he isn't.

You mean, called a marques, ma'am, because he would still only be a commoner?

That's right, Miss Boncassen. You have grasped the distinction.

Not the reason behind it, sir.

Here is your son, called an earl, with the precedence, you say, of a marques,

yet he is made to sit in Parliament with the commonalty.

Now. Why?

Well, that's because only the head of the family, that's myself, is in fact noble.

All the rest of them, whatever their title are common.

I ain't. I'm noble.

As my consort, yes, my dear, not in your own right.

Now, look here, Plantagenet, I was born a McCluskie.

And as such, not noble, any more than our children are now.

No, they're common, like you just said.

Commoners is the usual expression.

Now that we've got that straight, where are you fighting your election, Lord Silverbridge?

Er...at Silverbridge.

Which is the place you're called the earl of, although you're still a commoner.

Doesn't that give you rather an advantage?

No, I do assure you, sir, the electors are under no obligation to vote, save according to conscience.

So they could easily elect one of Lord Silverbridgde's opponents?

That's right, Miss Boncassen.

Only there ain't any opponents, just me.

New you have outraged my democratic feelings, Lord Silverbridge.

Pray let me instruct you further in our system, sir.

I can't have a distinguished American like yourself under any misapprehensions.

I've got some books I'd like you to borrow if you'd come with me.

It'd be a privilege to enter your library, Your Grace.

Mrs Boncassen.

Well, books or no books, it don't change nothing.

Common Lord Silverbridge may be, but nobody dares put up against him.

That's clear enough.

What do you say to that, Lord Silverbridge?

I suppose I'm the popular choice for the borough,

so everybody knows there's no point in running against me.

If you care to come over here, Miss Boncassen, there are one or two interesting pictures.

How can you test your worthiness if you have no opponents?

If the borough thinks I'm the best man going, that's good enough for me.

Well, 'rt shouldn't be.

Let me put you a parallel, Lord Silverbridge.

I understand that your horse, the Prime Minister, is the favourite.

That is, the popular choice for the Derby.

Now, if that horse ran alone in the race, you'd have no satisfaction when it won.

Hm. Er...this is the picture I wanted you to see.

Of course, I know in America, it's all very different.

I'll say it is. Money is the stuff that counts there.

Oh, and here, Mrs Boncassen,

but I'm afraid it don't quite do to be rich just by itself.

Oh, I see. If you're rich, you have to be called something fancy to make the money all right.

But supposing you're called something fancy and you ain't got any money?

- How does that work out? - Poorly, Mrs Boncassen. Poorly.

I shall look out for you at the Derby.

I could take you to see the Prime Minister in his box.

- If you like. - Oh, I shall like, Miss Boncassen.

Now, if you'll excuse me...

Mrs Boncassen, I must go to Silverbridge this evening.

Goodbye, Lord Silverbridge.

Goodbye, Mother.

Don't forget to come to Matching as soon as the election is done.

Mother, Father, I want to be the first to tell you.

Last night, I was declared the elected Member of Parliament for Silverbridge.

Well done! Well done, well done, well done!

And you, sir, have you nothing to say?

Oh, what can I say, sir, to a son of mine who would enter Parliament as a Conservative?

Well, you could wish him luck, Father, and believe that he's sincere.

On the strength of a few hours' idle chatter with a friend,

a few frivolous notions about the privileges of nobility?

Well, I'll go and tell Mary.

Perhaps she'll be more appreciative than my father.

Planty, if you want Silverbridge to knuckle under...

To follow the paths of family loyalty.

However you care to put it, there is only one way to achieve it.

You pray instruct me, Cora.

Pretend that you don't mind.

I do mind.

What reason can a son of mine have for deserting his family allegiance?

He may have done it to show that he is an independent person,

and not to be taken for granted.

- If you treat him as such, accept his - I take...

...or at least pretend to accept it as an adult and seriously considered act,

then I think he'll return to the Liberal fold.

Oh, not tomorrow or next week, but he'll have made his point,

and he'll be prepared to come back to our way of politics before any great damage is done.

Oh, perhaps you're right

I'll think of something kinder to say to him.

Mary, has Silverbridge told you his news?

Yes, Mama, and he made a speech.

- Oh, tell us, what did you say? - Well, it wasn't very brilliant, Mother.

In fact, Frank said I knocked my words too quickly, one on top of the other,

but they did seem to like it.

Yes. Yes, I'm sure they did.

Well, tell us more.

I told them that I should always try to look to my father's political honesty and independence,

though, of course, I couldn't exactly follow his political opinions.

- Well, that was the gist of it. - Yes.

Well, I think your father is beginning to recover

from the shock of having a Tory Member in the family,

and if you put yourself in his way, I think he'll have something kinder to say.

I'll go and look for him.

Well, at least your brother is positively in the House.

Let us hope he finds so much to do it'll keep him out of mischief,

and then, if Gerald continues to behave himself at Cambridge, we shall have peace,

unless you, my darling, are contemplating some folly.

Well, I am contemplating something, Mama, that you should know about.

- I contemplate it all the time. - Yes, I thought I saw the signs.

I suppose it is Francis Tregear?

Well, he's a very fine young man,

but has he yet spoken, Mary?

Yes, Mama. He spoke while he was here.

- And I spoke back. - Oh, my darling.

I'm so happy for you.

Well, tell me everything that has happened.

- Well, it was in the priory ruins. - Yes.

I was sitting sketching when he came and sat down beside me.

I thought he might compliment me on the sketch.

- And did he? - Yes.

He said it was beautiful, but he wasn't looking at it, he was looking at me.

And then he kissed me.

I shall never love anyone else, Mama.

Does anyone else know of this?

Yes. Frank has confided in Silverbridge.

And how did Silver respond?

He told Frank that Papa would not have it.

Well, your father's not going to be at all easy.

I don't see how anyone can object to Mr Tregear.

Fathers always object to the men who want to marry their daughters.

Daughters are special, you see, particularly if there's only one of them,

and so he will be fussy.

But how can he fuss about Mr Tregear?

Well, he could fuss about his money, or rather his lack of it.

He is a gentleman, Mama. I am to have money. There could be enough for us both.

But people might think Mr Tregear was taking advantage of this.

You don't think that, Mama?

You're not going to be difficult?

No. Not now that I come to know Mr Tregear,

but then I have reasons for wishing you to be allowed to make your own choice.

What reasons, Mama?

Well, I want you to be spared any unnecessary suffering.

To be...parted from the man you love makes the heart...empty,

at least for a time.

Now, if you really love each other, you must be together,

and I shall do my very, very best to bring round your father.

Oh, thank you, Mama.

I came to apologise, sir, for leaving you so abruptly just now.

It's good of you to come to me, sir.

Oh, I too was at fault.

I was ungenerous.

- I am sorry, Father, that this difference should... - Don't let's talk about differences.

Let's talk about something we can share.

I do have something I can share with you.

It's something I want you always to remember.

Yes, Father.

It is the reason you are elected to this Parliament,

the Parliament of this free and happy country.

You're not there to shine yourself or acquire power or plume yourself,

because you think you're up there among the elite of the nation.

No, you are there as the guardian of your fellow countrymen,

that they may be safe, they may be prosperous,

they may be well-governed, lightly burdened

and, above all, that they may be free.

Oh, these ruins.

I do so love it here.

Do you remember how angry you were years ago,

when I walked here with my cousin Alice under the moon?

I was angry with you, you made yourself ill.

Then as now, I couldn't bear that any harm could come to you.

It was only a cold, you old silly.

It's gelling chilly now. Shall we go in?

No, no. I want to talk to you about Silverbridge.

Now, then, if you're to reclaim him for the Liberal Party,

you must do all you can to work yourself into his good graces.

My dear, I'm trying to do as you suggested.

Work myself into his good graces? What do you want me to do, fawn on the boy?

No, no. You must be more subtle than that

You could start by being kind to his friend, Francis Tregear.

He's been a bad influence.

It was from him that Silverbridge learnt his Conservative alfectations.

Planty, we already have agreed to a truce about that, and that truce must extend to Mr Tregear.

Now, Francis Tregear wishes for a career in public service.

He'd better set about finding himself one.

- But he has no influence and little money. - I can't mend his lack of either.

But you might help him by finding him a seat in the House.

As a Conservative?

Planty, we have already agreed that that is not to count just now.

- My dear, it is getting cold. Shall we go in? - No, just a moment.

- A seat in the House for Mr Tregear. - I don't interfere with parliamentary seats.

You should know that after...after all this time.

And yet Silverbridge was for Silverbridge.

It fell vacant in the natural course. Silverbridge made his own appeal to the electors.

And so must Tregear.

Planty, I'm only asking that you should persuade some friend

to find him somewhere to make his appeal.

No. Young men of Mr Tregear's class and condition must work their own passage.

What's wrong with his class and condition?

Nothing.

I only mean that although he's a gentleman, he is, as you admit, a man of very little means.

He must look to a profession before he looks to Parliament.

Planty...

I would wish you to think very carefully about Mr Tregear.

Very carefully indeed.

My dear, if you say so, then of course I shall.

Now, come along.

But I am not going to find him a seat in Parliament.

After all, what is he to me?

- Nothing but a dubious friend of my son's. - And of your dau...

Did you say something?

Oh, my dear, you're ill.

It is chilly.

Yes, I am chilled. Would you take me inside, please?

We should have gone in when I said.

Either the Government was serious about this expedition,

or it was not.

If not, why did we send it in the first place?

If it was intended seriously, why was it not properly mounted

and supported by an adequate number of those ironclad warships

which I have so long been advocating in this House

to deaf ears

and closed minds?

An expedition, Mr Speaker?

It was a circus that set out, a few decaying...

Good evening, sir. They told me you were here.

Now, don't interrupt, not if you're interested in your chiefs attack.

I can hear him just as well from up here, sir.

Hardly, sir, if you are speaking to me.

Your leader, striking out with unwonted eloquence.

Don't you think we should listen to him?

Sir Orlando Drought is not a man I much like, sir.

I can't say I like him very much myself.

Yet, when you were in, sir, he was part of your coalition.

- I was very glad to see the back of him. - So might I be now.

Well, you chose your boat, sir.

Of course, he is very useful to our side, sir,

and he's always ready to go through his fair share of the grind.

Yes. Yes, I do know.

In that one thing, he's like you, sir.

I wish I could be.

...At least one brigade of highly-mobile infantry.

A fellow gets peckish about this time of day, sir.

Then a fellow had better go and dine.

Orlando repeated himself five times already. No need to wait for a further repetition.

"Armed with carbines, as well as sabres or Iancea

Where shall you dine, sir?

Oh, I suppose at home, sir.

Why not dine with me at the Bear Garden?

But...l'm not a member of the club.

- Well, you shall be my guest, sir.

Of course, there may be one or two cads there, sir, but there are plenty here as well.

...with three fun sets of dress,

one of them, full dress with cuirasses.

Thank you.

That was an excellent dinner, sir. Very good soup.

- Sir? - Thank you.

Well, the club's a comfortable, economical place, Silverbridge.

A man gets what he wants, well served and cheap,

but it's got its drawbacks.

One does always see the same fellows, sir.

Well... No, a man who lives much at his club, you know, apt to fall into a selfish way of life.

He's taught to think that his own comfort's always his first object.

He gets a sort of meanness in him.

That's one of the reasons, sir- of course, there are others -

that marriage is so desirable.

A man must marry, I suppose.

Yes, sir, he must,

as I think I remember telling you the other day when you...

when you favoured me with the confidence you have in mind Lady Mabel Grex.

How is that marching along, sir?

Rather slowly, sir. You see...

Oh. No, I don't see. - Well, Father...

Evening, Silverbridge. I see you slipped away before the bitter end.

- Good evening, Mr Tregear. - Good evening, Your Grace.

- I beg your pardon. I didn't know it was you. - No, you hardly would. I'm a stranger here.

No, I tell you, this is an odd thing, Mr Tregear.

I haven't dined in a London club for, oh, 15 years.

Well, I hope you enjoyed it, sir.

- Yes, very much. - Good.

Now, I will interrupt you no further. Another time, Silverbridge.

- Your Grace. - Good evening, Mr Tregear.

- Thank you, Father. - Oh, it's his club, sir, not mine.

Well, now, to revert to what we were discussing, Lady Mabel Grex.

I thought you told me that if you persisted, that would be certain?

Well, that was how I saw it then, sir,

but there might be a snag.

Snag, sir? I can hardly think that any young lady would

Ah, good evening, My Lord Duke.

- I am Major Tipto, sir. - Oh, yes. Yes, I know the name.

I heard you was in the club and I thought I should introduce myself as your son's partner.

My father and I were engaged about private matters, Major Tipto.

No, no, no, sir. Do sit down.

I beg your pardon. I shouldn't ask you to sit down in your own club.

Your Grace, please.

Silverbridge is looking well, don't you think?

Yes. Yes, I think so.

Yes, I expect you'll want to hear about the Prime Minister.

That's the horse that I own with Silverbridge,

and named in compliment to your late ministry.

I must admit, I never saw a finer animal.

Well, I know nothing about horses, Major Tipto,

except that they have heads and tails.

Very good, Your Grace.

Oh, very good. Heads and tails. I must remember that

Since we're in this business together,

I thought you would like to know that it's a very good thing for the Derby.

I don't make wagers, sir.

Well, of course, if you're not a betting man...

If you should care to have a little wager on your son's horse...

Tipto, you are in the way.

Ahem. Yes.

Well, um... Your Grace.

Good evening, Major Tipto.

Well, I don't think Major Tipto will go very well with Lady Mabel Grex.

Oh, don't you worry, sir.

As soon as the Derby's over, there'll be an end to racing for me and an end of Tipto.

Good, but don't drop him too hard.

He's been the companion of your pleasure, so part, if possible, with courtesy, kindness.

Oh, this wretched cold is keeping me laid up when there is so much to do.

Glencora, remember what the doctor said. You must not fret.

If you are to shake off this cold, you must rest and be calm.

How can I be calm? There is Silverbridge's coll to run in the Derby.

- We'll hear all about that. - But I wanted to see it, Marie.

There are other reasons to take me to London.

I want to be sure that Silverbridge will do nothing unwise about Mabel Grex.

From what I hear, your daughter needs as much help, if not more, than your son just new.

Precisely, but what good can I be to her lying here?

She, poor lass, thinks she has to stay with me at Matching when she longs to be in London,

where she may meet with Francis Tregear.

I do not think her father would approve of such meetings.

Alas, no, but what Mr Tregear needs is encouragement,

and I've been working on Planty to provide some, but I'm finding it very hard,

and if I'm mewed up here whilst Planty continues in London, it'll be impossible.

- Excuse me, My Lord. - Collingwood, what is it? I'm just going out.

It's Lady Mabel Grex, My Lord.

Oh.

I hope you can spare me a minute or two, Lord Silverbridge.

Mabel.

It seems so long since I have seen you.

I thought I might call.

Yes. I'm sorry, Mabel, but I've been very busy.

The House and everything.

Yes, of course, with the House and everything.

So, what has become of your cricket and all your other activities?

Since the election, I haven't had a great deal of time.

Forgive me. I should congratulate you on your triumph.

You have not yet made a speech in the House as yet.

No. I thought I'd wait until I had something definite to say.

Very modest and wise.

But, Silverbridge, even if you have nothing definite to say in the House,

you have something, I think, to say to me.

Oh, Father. You remember Lady Mabel Grex, of course?

- Your Grace. - Oh, Lady Mabel.

I'm delighted to see you here.

Now, pray, pray, don't let me disturb you.

Well, Silverbridge?

Well, Mabel, what should I have to say to you?

You must surely remember what passed between us at Matching.

Yes. You dismissed me.

But you asked to come again, and I told you that you might.

Was I not entitled to think that you loved me?

You asked me to come again, Mabel, only when I was grown up, you said.

I think that you are grown now, Silverbridge.

You are not the softer of us any longer.

I think I could yield to you now.

I'm sorry, Mabel, but I'm due at the House and late already.

Collingwood will show you out.

Drink hearty, boys! On me.

- The Prime Minister! - The Prime Minister!

- The Prime Minister! - The Prime Minister!

Now, then, Silverbridge,

here's my trusty friend, Captain Green, ready to oblige.

How much of your money says our horse is going to win tomorrow'?

Not any more of it. I've had a few small bets, and it's the race I care about.

Small bets, milord? Here's his horse, favourite for the Derby

and you one of the richest men in England, or will be, and you've only had a few small bets?

- That's an insutt to our partnership. - Don't listen to him, Silverbridge.

Now, no quarrelling, chums.

If the Prime Minister goes down, we'll need all the friends we've got.

- Hear, hear. - I can go another 200.

- 5:2? - Two miserable hundred?

Are you mean, milord?

I promised my father I would not bet high.

Oh, Daddy, I'll never, never, never have any wicked, wicked bets!

You know what I think, My Lord?

I think you're a coward.

- Captain Green? - Silverbridge!

- Winning will be nothing to you. - I gather there are others interested.

- Will you listen to me? - Leave us, Tregear.

- Silverbridge! - Why don't you run and get his daddy?

Well, old chap? Or shouldn't a fellow ask?

I've wagered £40,000 to win £100,000.

Does that satisfy you, Major Tipto?

Easy, boy. Easy.

Well, there he is.

Aw, what a nice face.

Good morning, Silverbridge.

Good morning, Mismum...

- Miss Boncassen. - Ah. Major Tipto at your service, ma'am.

I was just...having a last look.

- Everything is all right? - Oh, never better.

Good.

Thank you, Tiflo.

I'll see you back to your box

Thank you, Lord Silverbridge. Goodbye, Major Tipto.

Ma'am.

Good boy.

You know, I do wish Silver and Tipto would buck up.

- It's nearly time to go to the stand. - They've got a lot of things to see to.

Gerald, Silverbridge was worried about you being down here without leave from King's.

Look, I've already told him we've hired a special to take us from Liverpool Street tonight. Thanks.

You know, I asked Silver about that bet of his.

He wasn't at all keen to talk about it.

I don'! suppose he was.

Why did he do it?

- I mean, 40,000 quid? - That brute Tipto taunted him.

Well, he'd also had quite a bit to drink.

Talking of which, I think a little drop of something, chums,

for the poor old nerves.

Theyb due lb run the Mnistar! I'll take 300.

724, Prime Mnistsr.

- 7:4. - It's below Mos.

- The money must be coming in. - 7:4, Dolly.

Well, good luck, chums.

- Cheers. - Cheers.

- The Prime Minister. - The Prime Minister.

God bless him.

Silver!

He went lame, the moment they pulled him out of the box,

so they looked and they found this in his hoof.

I don't think he'll ever run again, not for anyone!

At least he didn't come under starters orders.

Those wagers of yours don't stand.

Oh, I'm afraid they do.

Struck last night, you see, not at starting price, but at definite ante-post odds.

That's right, ante-post odds, all in, run or not.

Oh, Silver...

Whatever shall we do?

Well, we'll watch the race.

We'll go back to London, eat that dinner we ordered

and make sure that you're on that train.

Excellent, dinner, Silver. I hope you'll invite me here again.

- Well, now to get you off to Liverpool Street - The cab should be here already.

Oh, let a fellow finish his poll, hang it.

Ah, there you are! Where the hell have you been?

We've been waiting such a long time for you for dinner.

A fellow accosted me as I was leaving the race. Wouldn't give his name.

He said he could tell me something about the race today and would I see him right?

- Time Gerald was off. - Come on, Gerald.

- Yes, Dolly? - I said it all depended on what his information was.

He said that Tipto had nobbled the Prime Minister.

- Tipto? But how? - I don't know.

Something to do with planting that nail.

Well, he was in the box for a hell of a time when we were there before lunch.

Silverbridge, we must get Gerald off to the station.

But why, Dolly?

This fellow said that Tipto had been heard to say in some public

that he was sick of your airs and graces.

Which prove absolutely nothing.

I'll go and see if the cab's there.

He also said, this other fellow, I mean,

that some of the layers had offered Tipto 7,000 clear if the Prime Minister could be stopped.

- Tipto had his own money on the Prime Minister. - Not very much.

- This way he could make 7,000... - The cab's waiting.

The things a fellow endures in the pursuit of learning.

He was in the box for a hell of a time, but I can't accuse him of anything.

- There's no proof. - Well, the bookies, then.

We could tip the stewards, or the police, to question them.

What bookies? Which of them staked Tipto?

If any of them did.

I just don't know.

- The one who were here last night? - They all seemed to know Tipto.

Every layer in England knows Tipto.

There are hundreds of them who've staked scores of thousands on the Prime Minister.

It could be any of them, or none.

So, we pay up and look big.

That's about it.

- Gerald! - Sorry, Silverbridge.

The cab horse, it went lame.

Went lame? Two in one day is more than a joke.

- Surely you could have found another cab? - Not for a brick of gold, I'm afraid.

Derby night, you see.

Which you're going to spend in London. How will that look when you get back to King's?

Well, they can't draw and quarter me,

and if they do send me down, what's the odds?

Afier what happened to me at Oxford, it will break the governor's heart.

What do you know about this?

Gerald ran up to see the Derby, sir, and missed the evening train.

The college tutor tells me here,

'All undergraduates were expressly ordered not to go to these races.

Not one absit was issued on that day.

I suppose not, sir.

And so your brother has been sent down, sir.

Altogether.

And so has he profited from your example.

- Did you persuade him to go to Epsom, sir? - Well, I...

I did not discourage him, sir.

Though you knew the orders he had been given?

Well, I thought there would be no risk, sir, if he could get back the same night.

I don't suppose it's any good my saying this to you, sir,

but I never was so sorry for anything in all my life.

I feel as if l could go and hang myself, sir.

That's absurd,

and unmanly.

Oh, you'd better go, sir.

I suppose you'll want to be at your racing again with your Major Tipto.

No, father. I told you I'd give all that up after the Derby, and so I shall.

Oh, yes. Yes, I apologise.

No reason to doubt you'd keep your promise.

There is one promise I have not kept, sir.

Yes?

Oh, Your Grace, I have lost a huge sum of money over the Derby.

More than £40,000.

My children will drive me to the grave.

I was tricked into it, sir, I think.

I was called a coward for betting low, and...

Sir, he should have won!

- He could have won! I know! - Could have? Should have?

It is known to all men that this pursuit is governed by the flimsiest of chances,

and on such a chance you have wagered £40,000!

- There is talk of foul play, sir. - ls there?

I only said that so that you may think me a little less to blame.

There is no proof.

I cannot haggle with the men to whom I owe,

who, for all I can tell, are honest within their code.

Either the money must be paid or my honor destroyed.

And if yours, sir, then mine.

The thing is quite clear

The money must be paid.

I shall have Mr Fothergill pay it at once.

What shall I say, sir?

What would you have me do for you?

Are you done with racing, sir, and Major Tipto?

Indeed. Indeed I have, sir.

If you are cured of the evil, the money is nothing.

Sir...

There. You take that note to Mr Fothergill and you tell him the details that he must know.

From this moment on, let there never be another word about it.

Sir...

Gerald, sir, he'll be horribly cut up for you as well as himself.

You won't be too hard on him when he comes to see you?

I'm in no mood to kill a fafled calf for Gerald, sir.

But I will try to behave to him in the same spirit that has prompted you to plead for him.

I don't know how to thank you, sir.

You're such a brick, standing to a fellow after a rotten business like this.

A father should always stand to a fellow, as you put it, sir.

A fellow should always stand to his father.

There might be a way in which you could thank me.

Yes, Father?

You remember our conversation the other day about...about Lady Mabel Grex?

I remember, sir.

I thought a lot about this,

how much I wish you to be settled,

and how deeply I could love Lady Mabel Grex as my daughter.

Now, if anything were to happen, you would let me know?

Yes, of course, sir.

This is why you're back from London so soon, to tell me these tales of disaster?

I'm sorry to distress you, Cora, when you're feeling wretched,

but I thought you should be told.

You were quite right to tell me.

Thank you for coming.

I don't know what we're going to do about Gerald just yet,

but at least you've done everything you can for Silver.

Yes, he's learned his lesson, I think.

Oh, there's a bright spot.

- Well, you know he's fond of Lady Mabel Grex? - Yes.

Well, I think he intends to go on with her, bring it to a fair conclusion.

Oh, he's going to tell us when there's more to know.

Well, let us hope it may end for the best.

You look tired, Planty. Go and change and get something to eat.

I'll come back later.

Here's some nice soup.

Tsk, tsk, tsk.

I thought the Duke looked rather tired.

I'm surprised he ain't flat on his back.

Not only has Gerald been sent down from Cambridge,

but Silverbridge has lost £40,000 on his horse.

Here, have some of this.

Now, as for Gerald, there are other universities.

A continental one might be very good for him,

and as for Silverblidge, the money can surely be paid.

And has been, but it is the meanness of the thing that worries Planty.

You see, that his fine son should have sought to win money that he didn't really need.

Now, drink that, Glencora. It will give you strength.

Give me strength? There's nothing wrong with me.

Glencora.

There's one thing that Planty regards as good news, which I regard as the worst of all.

Drink.

It seems that Silverbridge...

is to continue with Mabel Grex.

Well, Lady Mabel is not such a bad son of girl.

No, but she's wrong for Silverbridge.

She doesn't really love him, Marie.

Oh, she's desperate, I think, desperate for a husband, just someone to protect her.

Well, why not Silverbridge, if he cares to?

Because my son must have the best, Marie.

Oh, I'm sure she's got some secret, something hidden about her.

Oh, if only I wasn't stuck here. If only I could go to London and see what is happening.

There is nothing wrong with me, Marie, that activity won't cure.

Glencora, there is something wrong with you. Now, you should be properly in bed.

These last few days, you have insisted on getting up and tottering to this couch, and more,

and you have got weaker and weaker for your pains.

See? You cannot even drink that soup.

New, if you are to get better, you must rest and relax and not disturb yourself for anything.

How can I when there is so much to be done?

I shall get you something to calm you down.

There will be plenty of time for you to go up to London and deal with Lady Mabel Grex.

There is no time to waste. Now, I must act at once.

Silverbridge must be free. All my children must be free.

They must be free to choose.

I was never free to choose, and they must be.

Now, I must... I must go to London tomorrow.

- I must start packing now. - Glencora...

Glencora, for Gods sake!

- Mrs Boncassen. - Lord Silverbridge, how nice of you to come.

- Sir. - Lord Silverbridge.

- Miss Isabel. - We're honoured, Lord Silverbridge.

We thought your parliamentary duties might claim you.

One doesn't have to be there every moment.

Very few moments, what with cricket matches and Derby days.

- Isabel! ls that kind? - It was pertinent.

We were so sorry to hear about the Prime Minister.

So was I.

I can be consoled if you will dance with me at once.

Good evening.

I have my duties as a hostess, My Lord.

I'm uncommon obliged to you for all that,

but you have your duties to a friend as well.

Very well, No.17.

As late as that?

You will find many things to amuse you meanwhile.

There's your special friend, Lady Mabel Grex

An awful bore these kind of parties can be, don't you think?

Then you should take yourself off to the Bear Garden.

You might even find Major Tipto.

- That's ill-natured of you, Lady Mab. - No, it ain't.

You asked me to dance with you and then tell me I'm a bore.

I said nothing of the kind.

But, of course, I see what you mean.

With Miss Boncassen in the room, why should you want to dance with me?

Nothing is so zestful as novelty.

Here is something fresh and lovely and clever,

and what a delicious change it would be to have an American duchess.

- She wouldn't be a duchess. - Countess now, duchess later.

I was just saying, Miss Gas,

it would make such a change to have a Yankee countess.

On. Decidedly.

The only trouble is that we English are so very slow to understand new ways

and new people.

I do not see the Duke being bosom friends with Mrs Boncaasen.

Upon my honor, he is the most beautifully simple-minded being I ever knew in my life.

Then I wouldn't laugh at him, if l were you.

Oh, yes, you would,

and, besides, I do itt for a purpose.

- What purpose? - To save him from making a fool of himself.

If somebody does not interfere, he will go so far with that American girl,

that he will not be able to draw back.

I had thought from what you told me that he was looking for a wife elsewhere.

But as I also told you, I spared him when he came to me.

But only until the next time, you said.

The next time has not come.

And yet, you were determined, I think, not to let him forget you for long.

Nor have I and nor shall I,

but he has not asked again,

and the competition is getting very hot, Miss Cass.

That Yankee girl, I must own it, is more beautiful and younger than I.

♪ Oh, I wish I was in the land of cotton

♪ Old times there are not forgotten

♪ Look away, look away, look away

She will not refuse him if he asks her.

My, it would be a national triumph.

Fancy a New Yolk belle compasing a future duke.

I would do anything to save him from that

His father will be on your side, and you still have time.

I shall use them both, Miss Gas. Never fear.

If he were really to ask me, I should have no more conscience about accepting.

All I yearn for is to become his wife

and bring all this misery at home to an end.

Ah, Miss Boncassen, a very jolly evening and all that.

Thank you, Mr Longslaffe.

- I've been thinking... - Good for you, Mr Longstaffe.

I've been thinking that while you're in London,

you ought to get an Englishman to show you about a bit,

get the British point of view.

Of course, you need an experienced sort of chap.

- What chap had you in mind? - Me.

I'm experienced. We could start with the Tower of London.

- Well, I've already been there with my mother. - Well, then there's the British Museum.

Hardly your kind of affair, Mr Longslaffe.

Much too stifling, I'd have thought for someone so young at heart.

Not with a jolly gill like you.

The British Museum is not the place for jollity.

At least, I didn't think so when I went there with my father.

- Could you start the music again? - It would be much jollier with me.

- We could start with the Elgin Marbles. - Mr Longstaffe! All that nudity!

Didn't you see them with your father?

- With an unmarried gentleman? - Much jollier.

Fathers always get so embarassed about that sort of thing.

- I shouldn't be embarassed one bit. - Oh, and what about me?

You ain't the sort to get embanassed. American gifls aren't like English gifls.

- You know it all already. - Oh!

Well!

Excuse me, Mr Longstaffe. I think I see Lord Silverbridge.

- What on earth's he got to do with it? - I'm engaged to him for the next dance

Oh, bother Silverbridge. Look, will you dance with me later on?

Perhaps.

And you will come and see the Elgin Marbles?

Yes, if my mother comes with me.

Excuse me, Dolly.

How have you found the buffet? American delicacies, specially ordered.

I haven't tried them yet.

That is because all your attention has been on your Lady Mabel Grex.

She's not my Lady Mabel Grex.

Well, she will be.

- What makes you think that? - Everyone says you're devoted to her.

Much more devoted to you, Miss Boncassen.

- That is nonsense, Lord Silverbridge. - No, it's not

And it is also untrue.

I think I must be the best judge of that

Not when you've only ever met me four times.

Five, counting this evening.

Are you not engaged to marry Lady Mabel?

No.

Everyone assumes that you will be.

You've known each other since the nursery, I'm told,

and you've been together much at your home at Matching.

It is true I've known Lady Mabel a very long time.

But now I know Miss Isabel Boncassen.

No, you don't.

You're merely acquainted with me.

For acquaintances, we have danced long enough.

She had a completely different point of view about it

There are all sorts of places she can go to, like...

Isabel, are you sure you're not overheating, darling?

- No, I'm not - I've got some people waiting to talk to you.

Excuse us, please, Earl Silverbridge, Mr Dolly.

Oh, excuse me.

Mother's the bally limit

but the daughter's like a goddess.

I'm dancing with her later on.

- You, Dolly? - Yes, me, Silverbridge.

Why not?

There's Gerald.

I can't think that your old governor's going to be very pleased that he's out dancing

three days after he's been sacked from Cambridge.

- I didn't think Gerald was invited. - Silver, Silver, thank God I've found you.

It's Mother, Silver. Father sent a wire.

We've... We've got to go to her at once.