The Woman in White (2018) s01e01 Episode Script
Episode 1
Compose yourself, Miss Halcombe.
Sorry.
I'm calm These are dark memories, Mr Nash.
The coroner stated the cause of death was natural.
Which we know to be a lie.
There's nothing to suggest these men are guilty.
Of course they're guilty.
How is it men crush women time and time again and go unpunished? If men were held accountable, they'd hang every hour of the day, every day of the year.
I know how this must sound, but we were told we could trust you.
We have no-one else, you're all we've got.
We need to show the world who these men really are, for Laura's sake.
Please.
Help us.
Speak to the others, gather their statements.
First you must give me your account of what took place.
How did you came to know Mr Hartright? Laura's uncle sent a letter.
Excuse me, a letter for you, Mr Hartright.
Thank you.
"Shall Peace be still a sunk stream long unmet, -- "Or may the soul at once in a green plain" Bad news, my friend? A Mr Frederick Fairlie requests my services to help restore his private collection .
.
and instruct his two young nieces in the art of painting in water colours.
It is I, Pesca! I recommend you.
Why? It's an excellent job.
Pesca, to give up this life for a provincial collector and his two nieces? No.
Oh, send your references.
If they do not like you, then it makes no difference.
But I think your sun will shine in Cumberland, and in the name of heaven, make your hay when it does.
And when you find yourself at the top, remember your friend Pesca at the bottom -- he did it all.
To staying in London.
Well, we'll see, eh? It's a good position and the income will be very useful, and you don't seem enthused.
If I am to succeed, I need to focus on my own painting.
If I go there then my work will suffer.
You will have private time to paint up there, won't you? Perhaps Yes, probably.
And London will be here on your return.
Yes, it would only be temporary.
Your father would wish you to take it.
He would.
And how will you cope if I do take the post? I shall be sad, but there is nothing novel there.
And perhaps I shall cope better if I do not have you to depend on.
I think you're coping very well as it is, Mother.
Oh, well, we both know that's not true.
I cannot conceive of a life without your father, and I have leant upon you very heavily.
But I do appreciate your care, Walter.
I do.
Now, go to Cumberland .
.
and take care of yourself there.
I suspect the only danger there is boredom.
See the world as it truly is through the magic of the stereoscope.
Pesca.
Ah Time for me to take my leave, my friend.
But first you say hello to this gentleman here.
It's very nice to meet you, sir.
I must take my leave before Oh, your glass is empty, Walter.
My glass is empty because it is my last glass.
I have to catch the first train to Limmeridge in the morning.
- You don't forget me, huh? - I must take my leave.
- OK.
- How could I forget you? - It better be so, huh? May I trust you? What? Will you help me find a flyer or carriage? Yes.
Promise you will let me leave you, when and how I please.
I want for nothing else.
Will you promise? Of course.
If I'm to accompany you, will you at least tell me your name? Do you hear it? I hear nothing unusual.
The darkness.
That's why I always wear white.
Do you live near here? Yes.
Tomorrow I go to Cumberland.
- Where? - Limmeridge.
I used to live there once.
In Cumberland? You are not a man of rank? Are you a Baronet? No, I'm not a man of rank.
I was loved once.
Frances is good.
Frances is loving.
- Frances is - Where did you come from? I have been in hell.
Will you take me with you when you go tomorrow? I cannot.
Are you in some kind of danger? Frances is good.
Frances is loving.
Let me take you somewhere safe.
I only mean to help you.
Please, just let me see you set down safely to your destination.
No! No! I'm quite safe and happy now.
- Excuse me, Constable.
- Sir? Have you by any chance seen a woman dressed in white? - No, sir.
- If you or your men meet with the woman, you must stop and detain her at once.
She is deranged and escaped from the asylum! She is a danger to anyone in her path.
Very good, sir.
What is it that troubles you this morning? It's nothing, Mother.
You take care of yourself.
Yes.
Welcome to Limmeridge, sir.
Thank you.
Follow me, sir.
I'll take you to your studio.
Why will you not tell me what has become of Walter? Mr Pesca, you agreed to come here to supply information, not demand it.
I will tell you anything to protect my friend.
Shall we continue then? Why did you suggest Mr Hartright for the position at Limmeridge House? Mr Pesca? I am the agent of his misfortune.
Show me the man who can foresee tragedy.
Such .
.
unfortunate events.
Mr Hartright? Allow me to introduce myself as one of your pupils.
- You're one of the nieces? - I'm Marian Halcombe.
The other niece, my half-sister, is Ms Fairlie.
Please.
And apart from the fact that we, er .
.
we share the same mother, we are as unlike each other in every other respect possible.
My father was poor, her father was rich, leaving me with nothing and her with a fortune.
But .
.
I have to admit we're honestly fond of each other, which is entirely unaccountable, given our circumstances.
Everyone thinks me crabbed and odd.
With perfect justice, everyone thinks her sweet-tempered and charming.
In short she's an angel, and I'm I know, I suppose I should let you finish that sentence in the name of female propriety.
Instead, I advise you have nothing to do with that cold ham at your elbow, and wait for the omelette to come in.
And now I will do all a woman can to hold my tongue.
Oh, please, not on my account.
Mr Fairlie will want you to work on his collection in the mornings.
We shall be completely free for your instruction in the afternoons.
Is there a Mrs Fairlie? No, no.
Frederick Fairlie prefers his own company.
There was a Mrs Fairlie, our mother She was married to Mr Fairlie's brother, Philip, Laura's father.
But sadly they passed away, leaving us rather alone.
We are as you find us .
.
a rather curious family trio.
My sister.
Laura! She gets completely absorbed by drawing.
.
Do you think you could bear it here? Country silence, being away from London, your family? Sorry Have I touched upon something? No, no, I I had a very strange encounter a few nights ago, I can't seem to leave it behind.
There was a woman -- she approached me and there were these two men pursuing her.
They claimed her to be dangerous.
- Was she? - I believed her more troubled.
I confess, I did not tell them I had seen her or where she had gone.
She spoke of Cumberland, and, as unlikely as it sounds, she seemed to know Limmeridge.
- Did you ask her name? - No, she was terrified.
She made complete sense one moment and then not at all.
She kept saying, "France is good, France is loving.
" It's particularly odd seeing your sister just now dressed in white.
Yes? Well, the woman said that she always wore white.
There is a similarity between the two of them.
That poor girl.
The worst of it was, she had escaped from a lunatic asylum Frances is Frances was our mother's name.
Perhaps if she had come to Limmeridge, she could have been talking about her? You think she might actually have been here, and known your mother? - I don't know.
- Excuse me, Ms Halcombe.
Mr Fairlie is ready to receive Mr Hartright.
Thank you.
Ms Halcombe.
Mr Hartright.
So good to possess you at Limmeridge House, Mr Hartright.
Pray, sit down.
Move the chair gently.
The wretched state of my nerves -- movement of any kind is exquisitely painful to me.
Have you seen your studio? Will it do? I have seen the room, Mr Fairlie.
Could could could you contrive to speak in a lower key? Loud sounds of any kind are indescribable torture to me.
You will pardon an invalid Of course.
But you will find your position in this house, Mr Hartright, properly recognised.
Here, there is none of that horrid English barbarity of feeling about the social position of the artist where they're treated like servants.
Would you put this tray of coins back in the cabinet for me? Certainly.
And fetch me the one above.
Louis, would you get the portfolio and put it on the stand.
Do do be careful! Would you oblige me by looking at the drawings? Louis, get out of the way.
Go! Go! They came from the sale in a shocking state.
Can you undertake them? Yes, they will Do you mind my closing my eyes while you speak? Even this light is too much for them.
Forgive me, carry on.
They will require straining and mounting, but it's within my capabilities.
The work must be completed in a deft but swift manner.
Now, is there anything else? - No.
- Only the question of my employment here.
- The tuition of the young ladies? - Oh, that.
Oh, I shall leave that to my nieces, provided you address only the more suitable subjects.
- We quite understand each other, don't we? - We do.
Well, would you mind ringing Louis to carry the portfolio to your room? I would rather carry it myself, if you would allow it.
Would you really? How nice to be so strong! Well, don't drop it.
And start work immediately.
There's so much to be done.
Would you be so kind as to not to let the door bang as you leave? Indeed.
Good morning.
Hmm.
It's Mr Hartright, by the way.
I am well aware of that.
I know, but you often forget.
Hard Hartright.
- No, I think he's going to bring - Your behaviour I'm not the only one.
Perhaps your young drawing master, he may have studied in Rome .
.
or Paris.
I think he said he might have studied in Florence.
Florence.
Mr Hartright, I'm Laura Fairlie.
I'm sorry I missed you at breakfast.
It's a pleasure, Ms Fairlie.
Marian thinks I sleep in too late, but I like to read in the mornings.
Much of that "reading" is sleep.
I like the peace of the morning.
Often I like to sketch the sunrise.
As a child, Ms Fairlie liked to be up with the birds, the songs she loved, the birdsong.
This is Mrs Vesey.
She's been our constant companion since we were girls.
and she will regale you with stories of our childhood if you let her.
I look forward to hearing them.
- Please, come and join us.
- Come.
Please, take a seat.
Thank you.
- I told you, Hartright.
- I will remember.
Mr Hartright, sir, Mr Fairlie wondered if you would like to choose a wine for yourself, for when the ladies withdraw.
Why don't you accompany us? I could play for you? Absolutely.
I'm at your service.
You have a gift, Ms Fairlie.
No But it gives me great joy.
It's not just the music, it's the colours I experience with each note.
Does that sound strange? No.
Sometimes when I'm drawing, the line dictates to my hand, the subject begins to have its own life.
Have you travelled much abroad, Mr Hartright? No, Ms Halcombe.
Not nearly as much as I would like.
How about yourself? Well, I spent a little time in Paris.
Mr Hartright.
It's such a perfect day to draw.
- Indeed, Ms Fairlie.
- It feels like we're making an escape! I am so sorry to have kept you all waiting.
I had thought I might just close my eyes before the afternoon's exertions, and somehow I lost track of time.
Come on, Mrs Vesey.
Allow me.
How very kind.
Now, let us seek our inspiration in nature.
Drive on! What are your books? One is poetry and the other is about perspective.
Have you read Paradise Lost? I'm just finishing it.
Milton paints it so beautifully.
My dreams have been very vivid.
I must read it.
It's very fine.
Who are your favoured authors, Mr Hartright? Many -- Blake, Coleridge.
A young writer called John Ruskin.
He wrote, "The purest and most thoughtful minds "are those which love colour the most.
" He understands that the study of nature is the essence of art.
I can see we will have much to discuss.
You will soon find out we're not the most traditional of ladies.
But we like to learn, and we speak our minds.
I look forward to your opinions.
Opinions? Yes, they have a thousand of them.
Having only a few would be rather dull, don't you think? I do.
This has always been our hideaway.
- Do you like it? - Very much.
- This is where they played - Like savages.
Now we just pose with our paints and try and capture nature instead.
But how could it be captured? Look at it! It is wonderful.
My favourite spot to paint is not far from here.
Laura, my dear, please let us set up camp.
Of course, Mrs Vesey.
Follow me.
I have been thinking, Mr Hartright, about that woman you saw.
I had no wish to trouble you with it.
There's a girl who used to come here years ago.
My mother used to give her our old dresses.
That girl insisted on only wearing white from that time on.
- Did you know her? - No, I was studying in Paris.
But Mama wrote about her.
She said that she'd had a harsh childhood, she wasn't as advanced as others her age.
I'll look into my mother's letters and see if I can find a name.
Thank you.
Truly, Ms Halcombe.
Let's go on, then, and try and conquer nature.
Close your eyes.
Go on.
Close your eyes.
Listen It's the wind coming down the mountains.
Blue, almost .
.
sapphire.
Can you hear it? I thought it was the sea.
No, it's different.
Shall we all go and bathe? I don't think your uncle would approve.
Oh, he needn't know.
He has no interest in our whereabouts or activities.
And the lessons are all about seeing nature.
We should draw.
We can bathe another time.
This is how I imagine Paradise, Mr Hartright.
Except Adam has two Eves.
You're enjoying my progress.
Your sketches are showing a marked improvement Oh, no, no, I was talking about billiards.
It's your competitive spirit I admire most.
I'll be triumphant in billiards before the end of your stay.
A shilling you won't! A crown.
Be prepared to lose, Mr Hartright.
- You only have eight weeks, Ms Halcombe.
- Two is all I need.
Unlucky.
Yes, well, let's hope that eight weeks don't go too quickly.
You may beat me at chess, Ms Halcombe, but you will never win at billiards.
If I am to lose, your ability as a teacher will, er .
.
will be questionable.
I will always question my ability as a teacher.
But I don't recall being engaged at Limmeridge House as a Billiards Master.
Oh, Mr Hartright.
I thought you might be locked up, restoring my uncle's prints.
I was just stretching my legs, taking some air.
You look a touch tired.
My sleep was troubled.
Please, join me.
I'm doing my own set of repairs.
They're very handsome books.
They're falling apart.
They were my father's.
I still find the occasional cigarette paper he used to earmark a page.
They must be very dear to you.
They are.
I dread the day his books no longer smell of his tobacco.
I'm very sorry.
It's .
.
been two years, but .
.
I still expect him to walk into the room.
I lost my own father.
A year since.
My mother's grief has been such, I've not had time to even consider my own loss.
I'm sure he loved you very much.
May I help you with your task? Thank you.
Here.
How much beeswax do I need? Take quite a lot and just rub it into the sides.
I can't do it.
It looks like a child's drawing.
It will take time, but you'll master it.
Why do you paint? Why? Because I cannot imagine not painting.
See, for you it's a passion, whereas for us it's just a ladies' pastime.
Surely that's an insult to the very notion of art? But you enjoy it.
I'd rather travel.
Go somewhere completely different.
.
Somewhere totally remote.
Perhaps you shall one day.
Please don't encourage her to go away! It was agony when you went to school in Paris.
Do you remember while I was away, there was a girl that Mama became quite devoted to? She wrote to me about her.
She would have been no more than 11.
- Was her name Anne? - Yes.
Anne Catherick.
She was older than me, but she seemed younger.
I was wondering what happened to her.
I think she died, Marian.
The doctor said she had a weak heart.
What made you ask about her? Walter saw a woman dressed all in white -- it reminded me of that girl and Mama.
I found her name in my mother's letters.
but Mama would have said if she'd died.
I'll keep looking.
Do you like Mozart, Mr Hartright? Very much.
Would you care to choose the next piece for me? Happily.
Mr Hartright, I think I may have found another reference to Anne Catherick in one of my mother's letters.
"My dear Philip, I've not told you the most curious fact about little Anne.
"Although she's not identical, she's, by one of those accidental resemblances, "the living likeness, in the colour of her eyes and the shape of her face to our dear Laura.
" I was hoping I had invented that resemblance.
Are you two plotting? No, no, not at all.
Play a polka to wake Mrs Vesey, will you, Laura? Wait! - You're sure it was the same woman? - Certain.
Here, this'll help.
I'm sorry I've brought all this trouble upon you.
No, no, not at all.
I can't remember a time when Limmeridge felt more alive.
Why did she come here? What does she want? We don't know for sure if it was Anne.
She could be dead.
Well, dead or alive, she has returned.
The allegations regarding your niece and the events of last year are very serious and you are the only fit person Fit! I'm hardly fit.
I'm shattered by my miserable health.
The shocking circumstances which happened did not, I am thankful to say, happen in my presence.
And I do beg and entreat that nobody will be so unfeeling as to lay any part of the blame for those circumstances on me.
- Mr Fairlie - Am I expected to say more? Did you bring forward the marriage between Ms Fairlie and Sir Percival Glyde? I am not answerable for a deplorable calamity which was impossible to foresee.
I am quite exhausted and heartbroken.
And the simple fact is that my niece now lies with her mother .
.
and is probably the happiest of us all.
Your use of colour is very strong here.
You've achieved a subtle chiaroscuro leading into the woods.
Do you remember your dreams, Mr Hartright? Yes, sometimes.
I think a person has only truly entered your life once you've dreamt about them.
It can't be telling where our subconscious takes us when we sleep.
I often dream of these woods.
Of being lost.
Why don't you draw beside me? No, I am more content to watch.
Mr Gilmore, our solicitor, arrives later this week.
Will you get the Cedar Room ready for him? Make sure there's enough ink and paper at his desk, and open up all the windows as well, please, Fanny.
Yes, ma'am.
Shall I go there now? Yes, thank you.
Would you? Last night I dreamt about you, Mr Hartright.
You were walking along the beach and your hat flew off and we were laughing.
And then we were in the water up to our waists.
I looked around on the beach for Marian but she was not there.
You had only one Eve.
Laura! Mr Hartright cannot behave as he has been with you.
- It's not as if we eloped, Marian.
- You're being naive.
- I'm trying to protect you.
- I don't need protecting! You're being reckless.
Forgetting yourself.
And have you never forgotten yourself? I'm not in the same position as you.
So, if I did not have my inheritance, I could throw myself at him? You know that's not what I mean.
I feel so different, Marian, I I can't stop thinking about him.
It will go away if you will it to.
How would you know? You've never felt it.
- You're disappointed in me.
- No.
No.
No, I don't want to be your jailer.
But this decision isn't up to us.
We just We need to spend less time with him, generally.
But we could continue the lessons? That depends.
I want you to be happy.
But .
.
you know this is impossible, don't you? Ms Fairlie, you haven't eaten anything.
I expect you were up late reading, weren't you? Laura! I'll see to the child.
She has looked pale to the point of ill.
Mr Hartright, would you join me in the garden for walk? Certainly, Ms Halcombe.
Mr Hartright.
I know what has been happening between you and Laura.
- I can only apologise.
- I don't blame you.
But you must realise you can entertain no hope? Of course.
I'm sorry.
Shake hands with me first.
You can never be alone with my sister again.
You're only causing her more harm.
I should have remembered my position and for that I do apologise.
It's not about social inequality.
Laura's engaged to be married.
Crush it, stamp out whatever has grown between you, - before it's too late.
- I should leave No, you don't need to leave, you may stay if you feel you can.
We'll just never speak of it again, we'll continue as we were.
How can I stay after what is plan? I'm sorry for the interruption, Ms Halcombe.
But can I speak to you directly? Please, tell me it's an engagement of honour and nothing more.
Laura's father requested it on his deathbed two years ago.
She's never questioned it until now.
You must promise me .
.
for her sake.
I will do everything that you have asked.
I promise.
"Do you believe in dreams? "Last night I dreamt about you, Ms Fairlie.
"I dreamt that I was standing inside a church "and a man and a woman were there to be married.
"You were the woman and the man was a high-spirited man of 45, "a Baronet who has done terrible things.
"He has strewn misery into the paths of others "and he will strew misery into your path.
"I beg you, Ms Fairlie, "inquire into his past life before you consent to being his wife.
"Take the warning I send you before it's too late.
" Marian! What is it, Laura? Sir Percival is a good man, isn't he? Read it.
Marian This is just pure malice.
It's just a grudge, Laura.
That's all.
Perhaps it could have been one of the servants.
Don't let it play on your mind.
I'll go and find out who delivered it.
It is nothing but simple jealousy.
That's all.
Ms Halcombe? Are you all right? My sister has just received a spiteful anonymous letter from someone trying to unnerve her about her wedding.
I need to find out who sent it.
The gardener's boy had a letter earlier.
Let me come with you.
Who is Ms Fairlie engaged to? I ask for practical, not selfish reasons.
His name's Sir Percival Glyde.
- Is he a Baronet? - Yes.
- Why? - The woman in white talked of a Baronet.
I'm sure the letter is nothing but local malice.
Don't let your imagination get carried away.
No.
Of course not.
Besides, there's been nothing but good said of Sir Percival.
Laura's father wouldn't have allowed his only daughter's hand in marriage to somebody he didn't approve of.
Jacob? What's the matter? I saw t'ghost.
A ghost? Where? Away yonder in t'kirkyard -- where a ghost ought to be.
She was as real as you before me.
And all in white, she was, as a ghost should be.
Ghost of your mother, it was.
She was next to her own grave.
This is my mother's grave.
The boy thought the ghost was your mother.
What, and you think it's your woman in white? Someone has been clearing the grave.
Did she write the letter to Laura? I suspect she did, yes.
We should go back.
Laura will be needing me.
I want to stay here, Ms Halcombe.
She'll come back to finish what she started, I'm sure of it.
All right.
Sir Percival Glyde.
Ms Fairlie.
We were not expecting you today.
Forgive me, I I wanted to see you.
Your hand is cold.
How was your journey, Sir Percival? It was very pleasant.
I spent the time in pure thought.
I've interrupted you in something.
No.
Please.
Good.
I was feeling suddenly impatient to see you.
You draw me here.
Thank you for your faith in me.
I I hope to and shall make every effort to make you happy.
If two people are well together then effort does not come into it, does it? You disarm me with your candour.
I don't mean to.
That's what distinguishes everything about you.
Your honesty.
You must be exhausted from your journey.
I'll get Robert to see to your bags.
Where is my son? I have not seen him for the last three weeks.
Where is Walter? Mrs Hartright Someone stands near my home every day, watching my every movement.
- Madam - Do you know Marian Halcombe? She came to our home .
.
and she told my son of a murder.
- I am employed by your son.
- Where is he? Please, have a seat.
Mrs Hartright, would you like a glass of brandy? I just keep wondering .
.
that he is somewhere and they've left him, bruised and muddied and .
.
dead in some wretched land.
Thank you.
Don't be frightened.
Surely you remember me.
You were kind to me.
Two men came by after we met -- they said you had escaped from an asylum Stop! I told them nothing.
I told them nothing.
You don't think I should be taken back, do you? No, I'm glad I helped you.
And that you had someone else help you.
Mrs Clements has always looked out for me.
Like Mrs Fairlie? I'm making her stone whiter for her sake.
She was so fond of white.
Some people are scared of churchyards, but there are darker places than this.
Here is quiet, but .
.
there you cannot sleep for the screams and the noises.
I'm sorry .
.
that you've suffered.
She will suffer .
.
if she marries him.
Laura Fairlie? She received a letter.
It was wrong to frighten Ms Fairlie.
I never wrote it! Know that I love her, for your sake.
Tell me how to save her.
You wanted to warn her of the Baronet.
Is he the same Baronet you were so afraid of? Talk of something else.
I shall lose myself if you talk of that.
Why has Sir Percival frightened you so? - Anne! - No.
Calm yourself.
Don't let me think the person who put you in the asylum had good reason.
- He had no good reason! - He? It was Percival Glyde who locked me up in that asylum.
He has done terrible things, and he will do worse.
Sorry.
There's just still so much we don't know.
We need you to find the missing pieces.
Please, help us.
Ah, Mr Hartright.
May I introduce Sir Percival Glyde? Did you speak to her? She says it was Glyde who locked her away in the asylum.
It's been a long engagement.
Too long.
We have to pursue what we have discovered about Sir Percival.
You did not see how terrified Anne was.
Until that poor child is found, she is a danger to everyone.
I am to be Sir Percival's wife.
My new life starts today.
This marriage was nothing more than a financial transaction.
I am begging you, Mr Fairlie.
You cannot let them have this.
If anything should happen to me, please give this to Walter.
Nothing is ever going to happen to you.
Your beauty always surprises me, Ms Halcombe.
Welcome to Blackwater, Lady Glyde.
Sorry.
I'm calm These are dark memories, Mr Nash.
The coroner stated the cause of death was natural.
Which we know to be a lie.
There's nothing to suggest these men are guilty.
Of course they're guilty.
How is it men crush women time and time again and go unpunished? If men were held accountable, they'd hang every hour of the day, every day of the year.
I know how this must sound, but we were told we could trust you.
We have no-one else, you're all we've got.
We need to show the world who these men really are, for Laura's sake.
Please.
Help us.
Speak to the others, gather their statements.
First you must give me your account of what took place.
How did you came to know Mr Hartright? Laura's uncle sent a letter.
Excuse me, a letter for you, Mr Hartright.
Thank you.
"Shall Peace be still a sunk stream long unmet, -- "Or may the soul at once in a green plain" Bad news, my friend? A Mr Frederick Fairlie requests my services to help restore his private collection .
.
and instruct his two young nieces in the art of painting in water colours.
It is I, Pesca! I recommend you.
Why? It's an excellent job.
Pesca, to give up this life for a provincial collector and his two nieces? No.
Oh, send your references.
If they do not like you, then it makes no difference.
But I think your sun will shine in Cumberland, and in the name of heaven, make your hay when it does.
And when you find yourself at the top, remember your friend Pesca at the bottom -- he did it all.
To staying in London.
Well, we'll see, eh? It's a good position and the income will be very useful, and you don't seem enthused.
If I am to succeed, I need to focus on my own painting.
If I go there then my work will suffer.
You will have private time to paint up there, won't you? Perhaps Yes, probably.
And London will be here on your return.
Yes, it would only be temporary.
Your father would wish you to take it.
He would.
And how will you cope if I do take the post? I shall be sad, but there is nothing novel there.
And perhaps I shall cope better if I do not have you to depend on.
I think you're coping very well as it is, Mother.
Oh, well, we both know that's not true.
I cannot conceive of a life without your father, and I have leant upon you very heavily.
But I do appreciate your care, Walter.
I do.
Now, go to Cumberland .
.
and take care of yourself there.
I suspect the only danger there is boredom.
See the world as it truly is through the magic of the stereoscope.
Pesca.
Ah Time for me to take my leave, my friend.
But first you say hello to this gentleman here.
It's very nice to meet you, sir.
I must take my leave before Oh, your glass is empty, Walter.
My glass is empty because it is my last glass.
I have to catch the first train to Limmeridge in the morning.
- You don't forget me, huh? - I must take my leave.
- OK.
- How could I forget you? - It better be so, huh? May I trust you? What? Will you help me find a flyer or carriage? Yes.
Promise you will let me leave you, when and how I please.
I want for nothing else.
Will you promise? Of course.
If I'm to accompany you, will you at least tell me your name? Do you hear it? I hear nothing unusual.
The darkness.
That's why I always wear white.
Do you live near here? Yes.
Tomorrow I go to Cumberland.
- Where? - Limmeridge.
I used to live there once.
In Cumberland? You are not a man of rank? Are you a Baronet? No, I'm not a man of rank.
I was loved once.
Frances is good.
Frances is loving.
- Frances is - Where did you come from? I have been in hell.
Will you take me with you when you go tomorrow? I cannot.
Are you in some kind of danger? Frances is good.
Frances is loving.
Let me take you somewhere safe.
I only mean to help you.
Please, just let me see you set down safely to your destination.
No! No! I'm quite safe and happy now.
- Excuse me, Constable.
- Sir? Have you by any chance seen a woman dressed in white? - No, sir.
- If you or your men meet with the woman, you must stop and detain her at once.
She is deranged and escaped from the asylum! She is a danger to anyone in her path.
Very good, sir.
What is it that troubles you this morning? It's nothing, Mother.
You take care of yourself.
Yes.
Welcome to Limmeridge, sir.
Thank you.
Follow me, sir.
I'll take you to your studio.
Why will you not tell me what has become of Walter? Mr Pesca, you agreed to come here to supply information, not demand it.
I will tell you anything to protect my friend.
Shall we continue then? Why did you suggest Mr Hartright for the position at Limmeridge House? Mr Pesca? I am the agent of his misfortune.
Show me the man who can foresee tragedy.
Such .
.
unfortunate events.
Mr Hartright? Allow me to introduce myself as one of your pupils.
- You're one of the nieces? - I'm Marian Halcombe.
The other niece, my half-sister, is Ms Fairlie.
Please.
And apart from the fact that we, er .
.
we share the same mother, we are as unlike each other in every other respect possible.
My father was poor, her father was rich, leaving me with nothing and her with a fortune.
But .
.
I have to admit we're honestly fond of each other, which is entirely unaccountable, given our circumstances.
Everyone thinks me crabbed and odd.
With perfect justice, everyone thinks her sweet-tempered and charming.
In short she's an angel, and I'm I know, I suppose I should let you finish that sentence in the name of female propriety.
Instead, I advise you have nothing to do with that cold ham at your elbow, and wait for the omelette to come in.
And now I will do all a woman can to hold my tongue.
Oh, please, not on my account.
Mr Fairlie will want you to work on his collection in the mornings.
We shall be completely free for your instruction in the afternoons.
Is there a Mrs Fairlie? No, no.
Frederick Fairlie prefers his own company.
There was a Mrs Fairlie, our mother She was married to Mr Fairlie's brother, Philip, Laura's father.
But sadly they passed away, leaving us rather alone.
We are as you find us .
.
a rather curious family trio.
My sister.
Laura! She gets completely absorbed by drawing.
.
Do you think you could bear it here? Country silence, being away from London, your family? Sorry Have I touched upon something? No, no, I I had a very strange encounter a few nights ago, I can't seem to leave it behind.
There was a woman -- she approached me and there were these two men pursuing her.
They claimed her to be dangerous.
- Was she? - I believed her more troubled.
I confess, I did not tell them I had seen her or where she had gone.
She spoke of Cumberland, and, as unlikely as it sounds, she seemed to know Limmeridge.
- Did you ask her name? - No, she was terrified.
She made complete sense one moment and then not at all.
She kept saying, "France is good, France is loving.
" It's particularly odd seeing your sister just now dressed in white.
Yes? Well, the woman said that she always wore white.
There is a similarity between the two of them.
That poor girl.
The worst of it was, she had escaped from a lunatic asylum Frances is Frances was our mother's name.
Perhaps if she had come to Limmeridge, she could have been talking about her? You think she might actually have been here, and known your mother? - I don't know.
- Excuse me, Ms Halcombe.
Mr Fairlie is ready to receive Mr Hartright.
Thank you.
Ms Halcombe.
Mr Hartright.
So good to possess you at Limmeridge House, Mr Hartright.
Pray, sit down.
Move the chair gently.
The wretched state of my nerves -- movement of any kind is exquisitely painful to me.
Have you seen your studio? Will it do? I have seen the room, Mr Fairlie.
Could could could you contrive to speak in a lower key? Loud sounds of any kind are indescribable torture to me.
You will pardon an invalid Of course.
But you will find your position in this house, Mr Hartright, properly recognised.
Here, there is none of that horrid English barbarity of feeling about the social position of the artist where they're treated like servants.
Would you put this tray of coins back in the cabinet for me? Certainly.
And fetch me the one above.
Louis, would you get the portfolio and put it on the stand.
Do do be careful! Would you oblige me by looking at the drawings? Louis, get out of the way.
Go! Go! They came from the sale in a shocking state.
Can you undertake them? Yes, they will Do you mind my closing my eyes while you speak? Even this light is too much for them.
Forgive me, carry on.
They will require straining and mounting, but it's within my capabilities.
The work must be completed in a deft but swift manner.
Now, is there anything else? - No.
- Only the question of my employment here.
- The tuition of the young ladies? - Oh, that.
Oh, I shall leave that to my nieces, provided you address only the more suitable subjects.
- We quite understand each other, don't we? - We do.
Well, would you mind ringing Louis to carry the portfolio to your room? I would rather carry it myself, if you would allow it.
Would you really? How nice to be so strong! Well, don't drop it.
And start work immediately.
There's so much to be done.
Would you be so kind as to not to let the door bang as you leave? Indeed.
Good morning.
Hmm.
It's Mr Hartright, by the way.
I am well aware of that.
I know, but you often forget.
Hard Hartright.
- No, I think he's going to bring - Your behaviour I'm not the only one.
Perhaps your young drawing master, he may have studied in Rome .
.
or Paris.
I think he said he might have studied in Florence.
Florence.
Mr Hartright, I'm Laura Fairlie.
I'm sorry I missed you at breakfast.
It's a pleasure, Ms Fairlie.
Marian thinks I sleep in too late, but I like to read in the mornings.
Much of that "reading" is sleep.
I like the peace of the morning.
Often I like to sketch the sunrise.
As a child, Ms Fairlie liked to be up with the birds, the songs she loved, the birdsong.
This is Mrs Vesey.
She's been our constant companion since we were girls.
and she will regale you with stories of our childhood if you let her.
I look forward to hearing them.
- Please, come and join us.
- Come.
Please, take a seat.
Thank you.
- I told you, Hartright.
- I will remember.
Mr Hartright, sir, Mr Fairlie wondered if you would like to choose a wine for yourself, for when the ladies withdraw.
Why don't you accompany us? I could play for you? Absolutely.
I'm at your service.
You have a gift, Ms Fairlie.
No But it gives me great joy.
It's not just the music, it's the colours I experience with each note.
Does that sound strange? No.
Sometimes when I'm drawing, the line dictates to my hand, the subject begins to have its own life.
Have you travelled much abroad, Mr Hartright? No, Ms Halcombe.
Not nearly as much as I would like.
How about yourself? Well, I spent a little time in Paris.
Mr Hartright.
It's such a perfect day to draw.
- Indeed, Ms Fairlie.
- It feels like we're making an escape! I am so sorry to have kept you all waiting.
I had thought I might just close my eyes before the afternoon's exertions, and somehow I lost track of time.
Come on, Mrs Vesey.
Allow me.
How very kind.
Now, let us seek our inspiration in nature.
Drive on! What are your books? One is poetry and the other is about perspective.
Have you read Paradise Lost? I'm just finishing it.
Milton paints it so beautifully.
My dreams have been very vivid.
I must read it.
It's very fine.
Who are your favoured authors, Mr Hartright? Many -- Blake, Coleridge.
A young writer called John Ruskin.
He wrote, "The purest and most thoughtful minds "are those which love colour the most.
" He understands that the study of nature is the essence of art.
I can see we will have much to discuss.
You will soon find out we're not the most traditional of ladies.
But we like to learn, and we speak our minds.
I look forward to your opinions.
Opinions? Yes, they have a thousand of them.
Having only a few would be rather dull, don't you think? I do.
This has always been our hideaway.
- Do you like it? - Very much.
- This is where they played - Like savages.
Now we just pose with our paints and try and capture nature instead.
But how could it be captured? Look at it! It is wonderful.
My favourite spot to paint is not far from here.
Laura, my dear, please let us set up camp.
Of course, Mrs Vesey.
Follow me.
I have been thinking, Mr Hartright, about that woman you saw.
I had no wish to trouble you with it.
There's a girl who used to come here years ago.
My mother used to give her our old dresses.
That girl insisted on only wearing white from that time on.
- Did you know her? - No, I was studying in Paris.
But Mama wrote about her.
She said that she'd had a harsh childhood, she wasn't as advanced as others her age.
I'll look into my mother's letters and see if I can find a name.
Thank you.
Truly, Ms Halcombe.
Let's go on, then, and try and conquer nature.
Close your eyes.
Go on.
Close your eyes.
Listen It's the wind coming down the mountains.
Blue, almost .
.
sapphire.
Can you hear it? I thought it was the sea.
No, it's different.
Shall we all go and bathe? I don't think your uncle would approve.
Oh, he needn't know.
He has no interest in our whereabouts or activities.
And the lessons are all about seeing nature.
We should draw.
We can bathe another time.
This is how I imagine Paradise, Mr Hartright.
Except Adam has two Eves.
You're enjoying my progress.
Your sketches are showing a marked improvement Oh, no, no, I was talking about billiards.
It's your competitive spirit I admire most.
I'll be triumphant in billiards before the end of your stay.
A shilling you won't! A crown.
Be prepared to lose, Mr Hartright.
- You only have eight weeks, Ms Halcombe.
- Two is all I need.
Unlucky.
Yes, well, let's hope that eight weeks don't go too quickly.
You may beat me at chess, Ms Halcombe, but you will never win at billiards.
If I am to lose, your ability as a teacher will, er .
.
will be questionable.
I will always question my ability as a teacher.
But I don't recall being engaged at Limmeridge House as a Billiards Master.
Oh, Mr Hartright.
I thought you might be locked up, restoring my uncle's prints.
I was just stretching my legs, taking some air.
You look a touch tired.
My sleep was troubled.
Please, join me.
I'm doing my own set of repairs.
They're very handsome books.
They're falling apart.
They were my father's.
I still find the occasional cigarette paper he used to earmark a page.
They must be very dear to you.
They are.
I dread the day his books no longer smell of his tobacco.
I'm very sorry.
It's .
.
been two years, but .
.
I still expect him to walk into the room.
I lost my own father.
A year since.
My mother's grief has been such, I've not had time to even consider my own loss.
I'm sure he loved you very much.
May I help you with your task? Thank you.
Here.
How much beeswax do I need? Take quite a lot and just rub it into the sides.
I can't do it.
It looks like a child's drawing.
It will take time, but you'll master it.
Why do you paint? Why? Because I cannot imagine not painting.
See, for you it's a passion, whereas for us it's just a ladies' pastime.
Surely that's an insult to the very notion of art? But you enjoy it.
I'd rather travel.
Go somewhere completely different.
.
Somewhere totally remote.
Perhaps you shall one day.
Please don't encourage her to go away! It was agony when you went to school in Paris.
Do you remember while I was away, there was a girl that Mama became quite devoted to? She wrote to me about her.
She would have been no more than 11.
- Was her name Anne? - Yes.
Anne Catherick.
She was older than me, but she seemed younger.
I was wondering what happened to her.
I think she died, Marian.
The doctor said she had a weak heart.
What made you ask about her? Walter saw a woman dressed all in white -- it reminded me of that girl and Mama.
I found her name in my mother's letters.
but Mama would have said if she'd died.
I'll keep looking.
Do you like Mozart, Mr Hartright? Very much.
Would you care to choose the next piece for me? Happily.
Mr Hartright, I think I may have found another reference to Anne Catherick in one of my mother's letters.
"My dear Philip, I've not told you the most curious fact about little Anne.
"Although she's not identical, she's, by one of those accidental resemblances, "the living likeness, in the colour of her eyes and the shape of her face to our dear Laura.
" I was hoping I had invented that resemblance.
Are you two plotting? No, no, not at all.
Play a polka to wake Mrs Vesey, will you, Laura? Wait! - You're sure it was the same woman? - Certain.
Here, this'll help.
I'm sorry I've brought all this trouble upon you.
No, no, not at all.
I can't remember a time when Limmeridge felt more alive.
Why did she come here? What does she want? We don't know for sure if it was Anne.
She could be dead.
Well, dead or alive, she has returned.
The allegations regarding your niece and the events of last year are very serious and you are the only fit person Fit! I'm hardly fit.
I'm shattered by my miserable health.
The shocking circumstances which happened did not, I am thankful to say, happen in my presence.
And I do beg and entreat that nobody will be so unfeeling as to lay any part of the blame for those circumstances on me.
- Mr Fairlie - Am I expected to say more? Did you bring forward the marriage between Ms Fairlie and Sir Percival Glyde? I am not answerable for a deplorable calamity which was impossible to foresee.
I am quite exhausted and heartbroken.
And the simple fact is that my niece now lies with her mother .
.
and is probably the happiest of us all.
Your use of colour is very strong here.
You've achieved a subtle chiaroscuro leading into the woods.
Do you remember your dreams, Mr Hartright? Yes, sometimes.
I think a person has only truly entered your life once you've dreamt about them.
It can't be telling where our subconscious takes us when we sleep.
I often dream of these woods.
Of being lost.
Why don't you draw beside me? No, I am more content to watch.
Mr Gilmore, our solicitor, arrives later this week.
Will you get the Cedar Room ready for him? Make sure there's enough ink and paper at his desk, and open up all the windows as well, please, Fanny.
Yes, ma'am.
Shall I go there now? Yes, thank you.
Would you? Last night I dreamt about you, Mr Hartright.
You were walking along the beach and your hat flew off and we were laughing.
And then we were in the water up to our waists.
I looked around on the beach for Marian but she was not there.
You had only one Eve.
Laura! Mr Hartright cannot behave as he has been with you.
- It's not as if we eloped, Marian.
- You're being naive.
- I'm trying to protect you.
- I don't need protecting! You're being reckless.
Forgetting yourself.
And have you never forgotten yourself? I'm not in the same position as you.
So, if I did not have my inheritance, I could throw myself at him? You know that's not what I mean.
I feel so different, Marian, I I can't stop thinking about him.
It will go away if you will it to.
How would you know? You've never felt it.
- You're disappointed in me.
- No.
No.
No, I don't want to be your jailer.
But this decision isn't up to us.
We just We need to spend less time with him, generally.
But we could continue the lessons? That depends.
I want you to be happy.
But .
.
you know this is impossible, don't you? Ms Fairlie, you haven't eaten anything.
I expect you were up late reading, weren't you? Laura! I'll see to the child.
She has looked pale to the point of ill.
Mr Hartright, would you join me in the garden for walk? Certainly, Ms Halcombe.
Mr Hartright.
I know what has been happening between you and Laura.
- I can only apologise.
- I don't blame you.
But you must realise you can entertain no hope? Of course.
I'm sorry.
Shake hands with me first.
You can never be alone with my sister again.
You're only causing her more harm.
I should have remembered my position and for that I do apologise.
It's not about social inequality.
Laura's engaged to be married.
Crush it, stamp out whatever has grown between you, - before it's too late.
- I should leave No, you don't need to leave, you may stay if you feel you can.
We'll just never speak of it again, we'll continue as we were.
How can I stay after what is plan? I'm sorry for the interruption, Ms Halcombe.
But can I speak to you directly? Please, tell me it's an engagement of honour and nothing more.
Laura's father requested it on his deathbed two years ago.
She's never questioned it until now.
You must promise me .
.
for her sake.
I will do everything that you have asked.
I promise.
"Do you believe in dreams? "Last night I dreamt about you, Ms Fairlie.
"I dreamt that I was standing inside a church "and a man and a woman were there to be married.
"You were the woman and the man was a high-spirited man of 45, "a Baronet who has done terrible things.
"He has strewn misery into the paths of others "and he will strew misery into your path.
"I beg you, Ms Fairlie, "inquire into his past life before you consent to being his wife.
"Take the warning I send you before it's too late.
" Marian! What is it, Laura? Sir Percival is a good man, isn't he? Read it.
Marian This is just pure malice.
It's just a grudge, Laura.
That's all.
Perhaps it could have been one of the servants.
Don't let it play on your mind.
I'll go and find out who delivered it.
It is nothing but simple jealousy.
That's all.
Ms Halcombe? Are you all right? My sister has just received a spiteful anonymous letter from someone trying to unnerve her about her wedding.
I need to find out who sent it.
The gardener's boy had a letter earlier.
Let me come with you.
Who is Ms Fairlie engaged to? I ask for practical, not selfish reasons.
His name's Sir Percival Glyde.
- Is he a Baronet? - Yes.
- Why? - The woman in white talked of a Baronet.
I'm sure the letter is nothing but local malice.
Don't let your imagination get carried away.
No.
Of course not.
Besides, there's been nothing but good said of Sir Percival.
Laura's father wouldn't have allowed his only daughter's hand in marriage to somebody he didn't approve of.
Jacob? What's the matter? I saw t'ghost.
A ghost? Where? Away yonder in t'kirkyard -- where a ghost ought to be.
She was as real as you before me.
And all in white, she was, as a ghost should be.
Ghost of your mother, it was.
She was next to her own grave.
This is my mother's grave.
The boy thought the ghost was your mother.
What, and you think it's your woman in white? Someone has been clearing the grave.
Did she write the letter to Laura? I suspect she did, yes.
We should go back.
Laura will be needing me.
I want to stay here, Ms Halcombe.
She'll come back to finish what she started, I'm sure of it.
All right.
Sir Percival Glyde.
Ms Fairlie.
We were not expecting you today.
Forgive me, I I wanted to see you.
Your hand is cold.
How was your journey, Sir Percival? It was very pleasant.
I spent the time in pure thought.
I've interrupted you in something.
No.
Please.
Good.
I was feeling suddenly impatient to see you.
You draw me here.
Thank you for your faith in me.
I I hope to and shall make every effort to make you happy.
If two people are well together then effort does not come into it, does it? You disarm me with your candour.
I don't mean to.
That's what distinguishes everything about you.
Your honesty.
You must be exhausted from your journey.
I'll get Robert to see to your bags.
Where is my son? I have not seen him for the last three weeks.
Where is Walter? Mrs Hartright Someone stands near my home every day, watching my every movement.
- Madam - Do you know Marian Halcombe? She came to our home .
.
and she told my son of a murder.
- I am employed by your son.
- Where is he? Please, have a seat.
Mrs Hartright, would you like a glass of brandy? I just keep wondering .
.
that he is somewhere and they've left him, bruised and muddied and .
.
dead in some wretched land.
Thank you.
Don't be frightened.
Surely you remember me.
You were kind to me.
Two men came by after we met -- they said you had escaped from an asylum Stop! I told them nothing.
I told them nothing.
You don't think I should be taken back, do you? No, I'm glad I helped you.
And that you had someone else help you.
Mrs Clements has always looked out for me.
Like Mrs Fairlie? I'm making her stone whiter for her sake.
She was so fond of white.
Some people are scared of churchyards, but there are darker places than this.
Here is quiet, but .
.
there you cannot sleep for the screams and the noises.
I'm sorry .
.
that you've suffered.
She will suffer .
.
if she marries him.
Laura Fairlie? She received a letter.
It was wrong to frighten Ms Fairlie.
I never wrote it! Know that I love her, for your sake.
Tell me how to save her.
You wanted to warn her of the Baronet.
Is he the same Baronet you were so afraid of? Talk of something else.
I shall lose myself if you talk of that.
Why has Sir Percival frightened you so? - Anne! - No.
Calm yourself.
Don't let me think the person who put you in the asylum had good reason.
- He had no good reason! - He? It was Percival Glyde who locked me up in that asylum.
He has done terrible things, and he will do worse.
Sorry.
There's just still so much we don't know.
We need you to find the missing pieces.
Please, help us.
Ah, Mr Hartright.
May I introduce Sir Percival Glyde? Did you speak to her? She says it was Glyde who locked her away in the asylum.
It's been a long engagement.
Too long.
We have to pursue what we have discovered about Sir Percival.
You did not see how terrified Anne was.
Until that poor child is found, she is a danger to everyone.
I am to be Sir Percival's wife.
My new life starts today.
This marriage was nothing more than a financial transaction.
I am begging you, Mr Fairlie.
You cannot let them have this.
If anything should happen to me, please give this to Walter.
Nothing is ever going to happen to you.
Your beauty always surprises me, Ms Halcombe.
Welcome to Blackwater, Lady Glyde.