The Gilded Age (2022) s01e08 Episode Script

Surely it's a hearing, not a trial.
It is true, there will be no jury to persuade, only a judge.
But if the judge finds that you should go for trial, then that will not augur well.
So if we lose at this stage, then we are likely to lose again.
Things do not look good.
Who's side are you on? Our job is to prepare Mr.
Russell for the questions he will be asked.
Now, what else is there to know about Dixon? Have we looked under every rock? I'm not sure what there is to say.
He leads the team that built the engine.
A classic middle manager.
Has he been living above his means? Has he been stealing to pay for it? There must be other frauds hidden in his figures.
They haven't found anything yet.
But you've looked through his bank statements? It cost a bit of money, but we have.
So the long and the short of it is, you are all here to represent my interests, but you have come up with absolutely nothing! Put more detectives on it.
Talk to Pinkerton himself.
Do whatever it takes.
But you must give me something to work with.
Monsieur, quick.
She's on her way there now.
- Where is Mr.
Church? - I'm here.
What is it? The mistress is on her way to the ballroom.
- She's ten minutes early.
- I can't help that.
Come on.
We'll take out the piano and build the podium for the band in this alcove.
Who will make that? It's already made and stored in the basement.
- See it's set up while we're away.
- Yes, ma'am.
Now, we'll be in Newport for ten days.
And when I get back, I want to see the menus for the buffet supper at midnight and breakfast for the stayers at 6:00.
I'll have them ready.
Church, do you have any questions? Everything's under control, ma'am.
And the dresses for the quadrille? I'm managing that.
Won't the girls need fittings? Of course, but don't worry.
I've written to their mothers.
That's all for now.
Very good, ma'am.
What about my dress to change into - when the quadrille is done? - What about it? Don't you want to know what I'd like? No need.
It's already ordered.
They have your measurements, and they'll fit it when we're back in New York.
I know Mrs.
Fish.
Why don't I propose myself and join you there? She won't mind.
Wouldn't you like me to come? Of course.
I should get started, or we'll miss the train she wants us to catch.
What's the matter? Larry Russell told me that his mother and sister are going to be in Newport at the same time as me.
So you're still determined on her? I am.
And bumping into her at Newport would be perfect.
John, be reasonable.
What did you think would happen? That doesn't mean that I want it to happen.
I want what's best for you.
And you should want what's best for me.
The difference is, I love you.
For Christ's sake.
- Where do you think we are? - But I do.
And I don't see why we can't just carry on as before.
Because I don't have enough money for the way I want to live.
And because behavior which attracts no gossip in the young man starts to make people wonder as we get older.
I can't have that.
Are you finished, messieurs? Yes.
I think we probably are.
Where's Mr.
Bannister? In the dining room.
Do you think he might let me go early today? I doubt it.
An afternoon off means an afternoon off.
Cousin Oscar.
- Are you here for luncheon? - I had an early lunch.
- I just looked in to see Mama.
- Oh.
Larry Russell and I are catching the ferry and train to Newport.
Well, I'll come and see you off.
Good day, Mr.
Russell.
Hello, Miss Brook.
It's nice to see you.
But I'm afraid I must tear your cousin away or we'll be late.
I gather you're off to Newport? Father can't get away, but Oscar and I are joining Mrs.
Fish, while Mother and Gladys are coming tomorrow - to stay with the McAllisters.
- Mr.
Larry.
Mr.
Clay sent these papers for Mr.
Russell.
It's important that he have them as soon as possible.
I'll see that he gets them.
- Who was that? - My father's stenographer.
She helps his secretary, Mr.
Clay.
Let me just give these to Church.
Did you know Gladys was going to be there when you accepted? I can't remember.
Thank you.
Mind you look after your sister.
You're right.
Oscar's a determined suitor.
But he'll have to get past my mother, and he'll need all this tricks to do that.
I can believe it.
Have a good time.
Miss Brook.
So it's beautiful there, no matter what.
Aurora, when did you get here? One minute ago.
Aurora's going to Newport tomorrow.
Oh, how funny.
I've just been talking about Newport with Larry Russell.
He and Oscar are on their way to stay with Mrs.
Fish.
Why does everyone have to go to Newport now? What's wrong with Saratoga Springs? It was very fashionable when I was a bride.
Exactly.
Every summer we talk about taking a house there, but we never do.
And now Mr.
McAllister's asked me up for ten days.
You can't be going alone to stay with Mr.
McAllister? I'd be safe as brandy if I were.
Even so.
Larry told me he's invited Mrs.
Russell and her daughter.
Must I hear of the Russells in every sentence anyone utters? And Mrs.
McAllister will be there.
Has Mrs.
Russell accepted? Can you doubt it? She's muscling into New York.
She was bound to jam her foot in the door of Newport.
Mrs.
Astor has finished renovating Beechwood, so she'll be spending her summers there - from now on.
- How do you know? I do read the papers, Agnes.
I don't live at the bottom of an oubliette.
You just talk as if you do.
Are you staying for luncheon, my dear? I can't, Aunt Agnes.
I've told John he can leave early, so I'll be dealing with the coffee.
You might ask John for some tips on how he served it when he took over from you that time.
He managed things so efficiently.
Yes, ma'am.
All our staff seem to have pressing engagements outside this house.
Servants must have a life, Aunt Agnes.
Why? Marian? What is it? I don't want to be one of those awful best friends who delights in bringing unwelcome news.
Go on.
I worry about your Mr.
Raikes.
He isn't "my" Mr.
Raikes, exactly.
Well, if it isn't, then I'm glad.
He seems to be everywhere these days.
You know, we were in the same party when Edison turned on his lights.
He told me.
I just worry for you.
- Please don't.
- Marian, are you coming? Now I'd better go in.
I'll see you when you get back from Newport.
Enjoy yourself.
Put it there, and be off with you.
Mr.
Bannister says he'll manage the coffee.
- Where are you going? - Nowhere in particular.
I should get changed.
Why would he have flowers if he's not going anywhere special? - Can you explain that? - I can.
He's not telling the truth.
But it's his business, not ours.
So we leave him to it.
Thank you.
What's he doing in the basement if he's come to call? Bridget can help you.
Is Miss Scott anywhere about? Oh, you're here for Miss Scott? She's upstairs in her room.
Ah, can you give her this? Tell her Mr.
Raikes left it.
I'm in a hurry now.
But say I can discuss it later.
- I'll take it, sir.
- Oh, thank you.
Makes sense.
I'm going up there now.
Are you busy? - What's happened? - Nothing.
Except I think I know what I intend to say to Mr.
Raikes.
Which is? Only that I'm ready.
I wasn't sure before about eloping, but Tom thinks that Aunt Agnes will never come round until after the wedding.
I'm happy if it's what you want.
I'm surrounded by doubters.
Aunt Agnes, Aurora Fane.
The only way to silence them is just to get married and have done with it.
You can't leave everything up in the air indefinitely.
At least that's a decision.
Left by a Mr.
Raikes.
Do you think it's a sign? Thank you.
Gentlemen! Do not swing the women around like sacks of hay.
How long will you be in Newport? Ten days.
I'll see you then.
I get there next Friday and stay till the end of the season.
And there'll be plenty of time to practice this when we're both back.
Remember, everyone.
The quadrille is not a romping dance.
Again, please.
You'll have to finish now, I'm afraid, Mr.
Vaughn.
We're leaving first thing in the morning, and Gladys has still all her packing to do.
Only because you've commandeered my maid.
She's in your room now.
When you get back, we'll organize fittings for your dresses for the quadrille.
- I've chosen the design.
- Has my mother agreed? The costumes would be a present to you all.
Yes, you could.
Carrie gave us the idea for the quadrille in the first place.
And the rest of you are so good to join in.
- Please.
- Well, if you're sure.
I am.
And now I'll come and see you out.
- Good day, Mrs.
Russell.
- Thank you, Mrs.
Russell.
It's a shame we'll all be gone at once.
I wish Larry could have stayed.
I'm concerned about Father.
Will he manage while we're away? He'll do more than manage.
Only, he looked worried earlier.
He wasn't worried.
He was just thinking about things.
Well, he seemed to have a great many things to think about.
You're back early, John.
You could have stayed out a bit later.
Did you have a nice time? Wouldn't you like to know? Where'd you go? - Somewhere I enjoy.
- You're very mysterious.
Have some tea anyway.
Oh, anything but tea, Mrs.
Bauer.
I'll be in my room, but knock if you want me, Mr.
Bannister.
Thank you.
He's hiding something.
If he is, he's not the only one.
Is he, Miss Scott? Oh, thank you.
Will Mrs.
Russell need any special arrangements - at the hearing? - She's not coming.
Tomorrow, she leaves for Newport.
Hmm.
It's probably better.
Makes it less of a story.
If this case goes forward to trial, then all her plans will crumble to dust.
No one will come to the ball.
We'll be outcasts.
It doesn't worry me, but it would worry her.
I doubt Mrs.
Russell would be sunk for long.
She'd be flattered you have such faith in her.
Is there anything new about Dixon? They haven't found anything useful yet.
I'll be out of here in a moment.
That's all right.
What was in the letter? - Good news, I hope.
- Not really, I'm afraid.
- But that's not the worst part.
- What is? I think Miss Armstrong read the letter - before she gave it to me.
- What makes you say that? There was a little tear in it, and something she said to me downstairs.
- Would that be bad? - It would not be good.
What would not be good? Miss Scott thinks that Armstrong has read one of her letters.
She's sly enough, that's for sure.
I'll say good evening.
That was fighting talk, Aunt Ada.
I don't like Armstrong.
And I never have.
Mr.
Johnson is bringing the carriage around - in ten minutes.
- They're both ready to leave.
- Very well.
- Oh, good day, Mr.
Bannister.
Mrs.
Bruce.
Is someone on their travels? The mistress and Miss Gladys are on their way to Newport.
Ah.
I hear you're making some changes in your household.
- Oh? - Hasn't your Miss Turner left? Did you know Miss Turner? Not well.
But she wrote to me before she went.
I gather she was no great friend to you, Mr.
Church.
Why? What did she say? Oh, nothing to be worried about.
Oh, well, not today.
Oh, look.
Isn't that your chef? Monsieur Monsieur Baudin.
Yes, it is.
Good day, Mr.
Bannister.
Good day, Mr.
Bannister.
Mrs.
McNeil would like to know if there's something you wish to ask of her? Why do you say that? She's seen you here before.
Is there something I can help you with? I've noticed you watching me.
You don't know me? Should I? Mister Collyer.
Flora.
Welcome back, Mrs.
McNeil.
This is a surprise.
- A pleasant one, I hope.
- Very pleasant.
What brings you here? I just thought I'd look in.
I want to be alone with you.
Have you thought about what I said? At Mrs.
Chamberlain's? You're right about one thing.
Aunt Agnes is never going to change.
I hate to make her unhappy, truly.
But she won't change.
Not until after the wedding, at any rate.
She'll come round when we're married.
But not before.
So this is the moment.
It's time to take matters into our own hands.
And elope? People have before now.
But if we elope, won't I ruin your reputation? Won't I be an anchor around your neck? A very nice anchor around a very willing neck.
Please, Marian.
I know this is right.
Just as I know we'll regret delaying when we could have made it happen.
You've been very busy today, monsieur.
I want to take advantage of the mistress' absence to do some early work on the ball, as much as I'm able.
Very wise, with only the master left - in the house to feed.
- He's no trouble.
He'd eat anything that's put in front of him.
But everything's all right otherwise? Why do you ask? Only that I saw you this morning in the streets.
You seemed to be having an argument of some sort.
I was.
Aren't you going to tell us what it was about, monsieur? No.
I'm going to bed.
This is so charming.
How long have you been coming here? We have been hiding in Bayside Farm for 20 years at least.
But now New York is coming out to find us.
Oh, I suppose they're snapping up all the best lots.
There are still some on Bellevue Avenue, which I would recommend.
I gather Mrs.
Astor has finished Beechwood.
That was a good buy.
She didn't have to tear it down.
Just add a wing and tidy it a little.
I should love to see the house.
I'm afraid she isn't in town.
What do you do all day? What's the life here? It's much like New York, but with sun and sea for a background.
The young go to the casino and play tennis.
Can we follow them there? You'd like that, wouldn't you, Gladys? - We might see Larry.
- Mm-hmm.
Of course, your son is staying with Mrs.
Fish.
- Do you know her well? - I don't know her at all.
But Larry's stayed there a few times.
That may be helpful.
We'll go to the casino tomorrow.
I'll ask Mrs.
Fish when she's taking her party.
Mrs.
Fish will only change the plan ten times and wreck the afternoon.
Then, my dear, we must persevere.
I'll be quick.
Take your time, dear.
- What do you have in fawn? - Oh, no.
Pardon me, miss? Excuse me? I can return it to her if it's helpful.
Do you know Mrs.
Dixon? Well, no, but I know where her employer lives.
That's very kind of you, miss.
Not at all.
Now, I'll have two pairs of those, please.
Size seven.
I'll take them with me now.
I have to look into the Russell's house when we get back.
- Don't wait for me.
- I won't.
And I won't tell Agnes either.
If you could give it to Mrs.
Dixon? Mrs.
Dixon? Hello, Miss Brook.
Can I help? I just wanted to drop this off for Mrs.
Dixon.
Or is it Miss? She left it on the counter in Bloomingdale's, and I was behind her in line.
The assistant tried to find her, but she was too late.
- Mrs.
Dixon? - Your stenographer.
I met her when she brought some papers for you and gave them to Larry.
She said you had to see them at once.
I know.
It was just as Larry was leaving for Newport.
You must mean Miss Ainsley.
She'd bought some gloves, and I suppose, had charged them to the name Dixon.
I'm sorry to bother you with it.
You haven't bothered me at all.
Quite the reverse.
Goodbye and thank you, Miss Brook.
Thank you, Church.
Is it Jack's afternoon off again? He has one a week.
Same as us.
I think he's bought flowers just like the last time.
He hid them when he went up to serve.
You're not being fair.
- Let me follow him.
- What? You can tell Mr.
Bannister that I'm running some errands for you.
Oh, you're only interested in Jack because he's found someone else.
Come on.
You know you're curious.
You're not to spoil his fun.
He's entitled to visit another young lady.
What would you say if he sees you? I'll think of something.
Go on, then.
Fetch your coat.
This is the last of it, so I'll be off if you don't mind.
- What does Mr.
Bannister say? - I've said he's to go.
I'll just get changed.
- Is she talking to you yet? - It depends.
Sometimes she speaks to Miss Ada, and Miss Ada speaks to me.
This too will pass.
- Shall I go? - No.
You know that I bring my dollar every week to Miss Ada.
Thank you, Mrs.
Bauer.
I hope it's not too great an inconvenience.
Is there something else? I may be wrong, ma'am.
But I think Miss Armstrong is planning to do a disservice to Miss Scott.
You do not surprise me.
I don't know what she's got planned.
But it makes her smile to think about it.
I thought I should let you know.
Thank you.
Can you think what that might be? I have a suspicion, yes.
Then warn Miss Scott if you can.
She's been hinting since she read the letter that she knows enough of my story now to make things difficult for me.
It means she's planning to tell Mrs.
Van Rhijn.
Mrs.
Bauer said much the same thing to Aunt Ada.
But what about your story is so terrible? All right.
You've waited long enough.
I told you a man called Elias Finn changed my life.
Yes.
I didn't tell you that I was his wife.
And the mother of our child.
What? You have a child? I had a child.
A son.
In fact, I nearly died in childbirth.
But when I finally came round He was already dead.
After that, my father took me back to New York.
So this didn't happen here? No.
I met Elias in Brooklyn.
But my father didn't approve.
For him, Elias had no prospects and was uneducated.
So when I saw it was hopeless, we left for Philadelphia.
By the time my father found us, I was married and pregnant.
Are you still married? No.
My father bullied Elias into signing a paper saying he'd been married before.
Then he got a judge to declare our marriage void.
Why would he do that? Did he really prefer you to be an unwed mother? Maybe he wasn't thinking straight.
Either way, he brought me home, and I was told to forget it ever happened To forget my own child.
How could you? I tried.
For a year or more.
But in the end, that's why I went back To find the midwife.
I needed to know more about my boy.
I was told she moved to Doylestown, but I couldn't find her there.
So I went to the railway station.
And I met a young lady who lost her ticket.
And now I've shocked that same young lady out of her senses.
I'm not shocked.
I'm sad.
Much more than sad.
And I understand why you needed Mr.
Raikes.
But he can't have written all that in his letter.
He wrote enough.
It was to tell me that he couldn't trace the midwife either.
Miss Armstrong may be many things, but she's not stupid.
I wish you'd said this sooner.
There's only one thing to be done.
You're going to tell Aunt Agnes.
- What? When? - Tonight.
We don't know if Armstrong has said anything yet.
But either way, she has to hear it from you.
So I suppose this is goodbye.
We'll see.
Ready.
- Oh! I'm sorry.
- Great game, Gladys.
Why aren't the rest of you playing? I expect they're enjoying the sun.
Nobody talks about anything else but enjoying themselves.
Isn't that what we're here for? Not me.
Dear Mrs.
Fish, you're so contrary.
How's your husband doing, Mrs.
Russell? I'm sorry? Aren't they putting him on trial over that train crash? I thought that was why he stayed in New York.
If it were, I would have stayed with him.
- Oh, so he's not in trouble? - Not in the least.
But he has too many meetings to be able to join us.
- He likes to be thorough.
- Oh, I see.
Mr.
Reynolds, go and fetch me a drink Haven't bungled it, have I? Oh, no.
She'll like you the more.
Oh.
Game to Mr.
Van Rhijn and Miss Russell.
I see you're well-practiced.
- Good game, Russell.
- Hardly.
Excuse me.
Oh, yes.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
Of course.
Of course it is.
I'm paying for it.
Your daughter is wonderful at the game, Mrs.
Russell.
Well, a wonderful audience.
You hit all the balls.
Mr.
Van Rhijn is very quick on his feet.
What can I say? I like to win.
Oscar.
- Oh, Mr.
Adams.
- Who's this? Hello, Mrs.
Fish.
Mrs.
Fane.
Mr.
McAllister.
And May I present Mr.
John Adams? This is Mrs.
George Russell.
And my son Larry Russell, my daughter Gladys Russell.
I feel I know you both through Oscar.
He speaks so highly of you.
What are you doing here? I'm staying with the Wetmores at Chateau-sur-Mer.
I called at Mrs.
Fish's house, and they told me you were all here at the casino.
Do you know Newport well, Miss Russell? No, not at all.
It's our first visit.
What are you doing for dinner? To whom was that directed? To you and your new people.
- Not you, Aurora.
- I'm not invited? You're not a new person.
You come and bring Mr.
Adams with you.
He's not one of my party.
I like the cut of his jib.
Mr.
Adams, what about dinner tonight? I don't suppose Mrs.
Wetmore would mind.
Then that's settled.
I hope the plan is agreeable to you, Mrs.
Russell.
Oh, it's agreeable.
Don't you worry.
Mrs.
Fish is quite right, of course.
All right, we'll invite Mr.
Adams What the hell do you think you're playing at? I think I'm playing at having a lovely time.
Dear Miss Russell, let me help you with that.
- Mr.
Russell.
- Good day, sir.
Right this way.
I will make no judgement on what conclusions I may have reached, as they are irrelevant.
I must only consider whether or not there is sufficient evidence for the matter to go forward to a trial.
- Is something the matter? - I beg your pardon, Your Honor.
We have been waiting for an important detail.
- It is here now.
- I object, Your Honor.
If there is any further evidence, it should be presented at trial.
- Objection overruled.
- We expected it some time ago.
But there has been a delay.
Is it a detail that might affect the outcome? It may be so, Your Honor.
What is it that you've brought to show me? It is rather a matter of whom we have brought here, Your Honor.
What happened? I didn't think you'd need me this afternoon, sir.
And I had other business.
But I've got the papers with me.
I hope I'm not too late.
No, you're not too late.
I would like to introduce Miss Ainsley, Mr.
Russell's stenographer.
- Mr.
Russell, I don't - Miss Ainsley.
Please.
- But I - Get on with it, Mr.
Brand.
Look around this room, Miss Ainsley.
You know Mr.
Russell, of course.
Mr.
Clay, Mr.
Lewis, and myself.
Is there anyone else you are familiar with? No.
Mr.
Dixon.
Will you please stand? Do you know this man? - No.
- You're quite sure of that? Quite sure.
Then why were you seen together in the department store, Bloomingdale's? - That's not true.
- I think it is true.
- No, it's not.
- I have it on good authority.
No, I used his charge account, but we weren't there toge Shut up! Move it! Well, if you watch where you're going! Go back inside.
Let's go.
And when, precisely, did you give the note to Mr.
Dixon? After the crash had happened.
He'd written it awhile before.
But when I read it, I could see it might be useful in the future, so I kept it.
You knew what Dixon was doing? I guess.
This was not the first time he had appropriated money - meant for another purpose? - I never knew the details.
Only the fact of his dishonesty.
Why was the note actually written? Mrs.
Russell had used the Herter Brothers for some of the decoration at their new house on Fifth Avenue.
So Mr.
Russell got an estimate from them to renovate his office.
But in the end, he thought they were too expensive and he went elsewhere.
That's one question answered.
Mr.
Russell.
You are exonerated.
You may go with your reputation intact.
Mr.
Dixon and Miss Ainsley.
I will be referring this matter to the prosecutor's office.
I would not be surprised if I see you back in this court room very soon.
Court dismissed.
Congratulations, Mr.
Russell.
Strikes me as the element of chance.
A woman goes to buy gloves, and disaster is averted.
What if she'd chosen a different store? You don't need us to tell you the importance of luck.
Mr.
Russell.
What do you want? Only to say how sorry I am that I ever did such a thing, Mr.
Russell.
Did you think it was right before? And now you're sorry because you've been caught? I believe you should go to jail, Miss Ainsley.
But whether a jury agrees with me or not, I will tell you what I've decided would be best for you, as a plan.
Anything you want to ask of me.
Good.
I will keep abreast of your movements.
And whenever you apply for a job above the rank of the most menial servant, I will inform your superiors of your history and make it impossible for them to employ you.
You may scrub floors to earn your bread, but nothing more.
You don't mean that.
I think you know that I do.
What are you doing here? Bridget, are you following me? Is this a joke? So you can make fun of me back at the house? - No.
- What is it then? Mrs.
Bauer and I We wondered who you were taking flowers to.
Because I'd replaced you in my fickle heart with a new girl? Something like that.
Well, there she is.
That's my girl.
May Trotter? May Trotter.
Mrs.
John Trotter, to be exact.
Died October 8th, 1871, at the age of 30.
My mother.
She was young.
What'd she die of? She was burned to death when I was nine.
What? Ever heard of the Peshtigo Fire of 1871? - No.
- No.
It's forgotten, really.
It's the same day as the Great Chicago Fire, and people only remember that.
I've never heard of Peshtigo.
It's in Wisconsin.
My mother had a married sister who lived there, and she went to see the new baby when a forest fire swept into town.
How terrible.
Were a lot of people killed? More than 2,000 My mother, my aunt, and the baby included.
- How did they find her? - They didn't.
Most of the dead couldn't be identified.
Then who's in the grave? No one.
My father filled the coffin with her clothes and put some rocks in for weight.
He wanted somewhere he could come to think about her.
And he did, day in, day out.
Spent more time here than at home.
- Where is he now? - Dead.
Five years after my mother.
I was 14 for that one.
Oh, Jack.
I'm so sorry.
I visit every week in the month of her birthday.
Used to laugh at my old pa for coming.
But now he's gone, and here I am.
- It's funny, huh? - Not so funny.
Do you have any brothers or sisters? Two brothers, but we lost touch.
You must miss your pa.
Not really.
We weren't close.
The last person to love me was the woman who is not in that grave.
I'm sure that isn't true.
No, you aren't.
Now, we should make tracks for the ferry.
I'll give you a moment.
But how will I ever gavotte if I'm always thinking about my feet? Your mother looks very gay.
She had some good news from New York before we arrived.
What's this, Mrs.
Russell? Good news from New York? Has your husband got off? No, no.
He just wanted to wire me how well things are going and send his best wishes to all of you.
So tell me, Mr.
McAllister.
Have you persuaded her to buy a place here? Or better still, to build one? I can only show Mrs.
Russell the options.
I would not claim to have persuaded her to do anything.
She's tenacious.
I'll give her that.
Smile and take it as a compliment.
It is a compliment, if you knew the number of times she's pretended I didn't exist.
And now here I am at her table because I'm tenacious, just as she said.
And because you amuse her more than she thought you would.
How are the plans for the ball coming along? Quite well, I think.
I worry it may be too soon.
- Not for Gladys.
- No, not for Gladys.
For you.
Don't worry.
I have a plan of campaign in mind.
Oh, never mind that.
The trick is just to nod and say that you agree.
And then everyone thinks you're as clever as clever can be.
I think you are as clever as clever can be.
But, like all gentlemen, you try to hide it.
Why is that? Because life's quite serious enough without any help from me.
Your friend has quite a way with young women, Mr.
Van Rhijn.
You're right.
They seem to be having fun.
It's all very new for Gladys.
She's only out in this coming season, so she hasn't had time to get bored with any of it.
Then we must guard her closely and hope she never will.
Not too closely.
That's my job.
Mr.
Russell, you'll be a team leader.
If I'm not up to the task, I shall blame it on you.
Larry knows how to handle her.
He does, doesn't he? Now, finish up and come into the parlor.
Oh, dear.
More games.
Do you have any objections, Mrs.
Russell? Not in the least, Mrs.
Fish.
Won't you change your mind about Mrs.
Russell? For me, Mama, please.
Of course I can't, girl.
She's no worse than Mrs.
Jay Gould.
I do not receive Mrs.
Gould.
I do not attend her entertainments.
Mrs.
Ogden Mills? You go there.
Carrie, Mrs.
Mills was born a Livingston.
Her family have been landowners for two centuries or more.
It is not my fault she married an upstart.
Besides, her mother asked me not to punish her for it.
- And I won't.
- So why punish Mrs.
Russell? She has come from nothing.
And her husband is no better.
You called him a force to be reckoned with.
Well, it does not mean that I am obliged to sit in his wife's drawing room.
I think you're being unkind.
My dear, to be a leader means sometimes one must be unkind.
It is not a role for the faint-hearted.
Sleep well, my dear.
Miss Scott, Mrs.
Van Rhijn understands you wanted to see her.
- If it's convenient.
- It is.
She's in the drawing room with Miss Ada and Miss Marian.
Miss Armstrong, she wondered if you might join them in ten minutes.
- Me? - You.
And this midwife, did she bury the child? Did anyone christen him? Oh, that poor innocent.
I don't know because I never found her.
I hoped Mr.
Raikes could help me, but he wrote and told me that he couldn't trace her either.
So that was the letter that Armstrong read? - Well, I was concerned - Silence.
You'll have your turn.
That was the letter.
Of course, there is much in your story that Armstrong did not glean.
She said you bore an illegitimate child whom you then abandoned.
That's not exactly I find now that you are a married mother whose child died.
I've lost children.
I know what that is.
You do, Agnes.
- And we should have every - Yes, yes.
But now we must decide what to do with Armstrong.
I was only trying to protect the reputation of this house.
I could say the same.
You may go.
What's to be done, Miss Scott? With respect, ma'am, I cannot stay here.
Not now.
- I'll leave tonight.
- I hope you don't mean that.
I'm afraid I do.
The way she treats me downstairs makes it impossible that I should stay.
And that would only get worse.
But I thank you for your kindness.
And I wish you well.
And we thank you for your hard work.
- Don't we, Agnes? - Of course.
But I do hope you'll reconsider your decision, Miss Scott.
I'll go up and pack a bag.
Can I come back for the rest of my things on another day? Certainly.
Oh.
Wouldn't it have been better to lose Armstrong? And have me train a new maid in all my ways at my time of life? Maybe Miss Scott will change her mind.
She won't.
But perhaps she's right.
Perhaps the time has come for a new chapter.
For all of us.
How final you make that sound.
Can I persuade you to stay, Miss Scott? I can't.
Not the way things are.
Really, Miss Ada's right.
It ought to be Armstrong who goes.
Seems very feeble on my part.
Couldn't let you do that.
It would be too disruptive.
I'll be just fine.
I hope we can end on good terms.
Of course.
I remain very grateful for the time you've let me spend in this house.
You're an impressive young woman.
Not everyone will support your ambitions, to say the least of it.
But you are strong enough to manage that.
Thank you.
I'll try to be.
And now you'd better go if you are to catch the last ferry.
Goodbye, Mrs.
Van Rhijn.
Goodbye, Miss Scott.
And may God bless you.
How can you spend so much time in New York when you have this to come home to? What can I say? I am a social animal.
Will it change things, having Mrs.
Astor here every summer? I should have thought it would have been a little too much of a good thing.
Amen.
I think that will be the challenge.
To make sure New York and Newport remain distinct in their ways of doing things.
Do you know what the Astors paid for Beechwood? Not far short of $200,000.
I don't think Mrs.
Astor would be happy to know you've told us that.
- I wish I could have seen it.
- Why? Well, apart from anything else, I'd like to know what you can expect for $200,000.
Well, it's a shame she's not here.
Why don't I take you? We'll go this afternoon.
I know the butler.
He won't mind.
The legendary Mr.
Hefty? I thought he stayed in New York.
No, there's a new routine now the house is finished.
He comes out two days ahead of her.
And she's due tomorrow.
It'll be all right.
- Is that wise? - Do I have to come? You can stay here with me, dear.
That might be better.
Shouldn't we wait until Mrs.
Astor's in town? No, it'll be simpler today.
Hmm.
But shouldn't this Miss Armstrong have been the one to go, not you? Maybe.
But Marian told me Mrs.
Van Rhijn felt she could never learn to live without her maid.
Marian? We were friends in the end.
She'll miss you.
Stuck in that house with two old ladies.
They're not so old.
And anyway, I don't think she'll be there much longer.
She's getting married.
But what about you? That's what I want to know.
There's a lot in your future, if you'll only get out and make it happen.
I just know it.
You remind me of Mrs.
Van Rhijn.
If that's true, then I respect her for it.
But what will you do? Stay here, if you'll let me.
And continue with my work at "The Globe.
" We may have a problem with your father.
I can always move out again.
No need for fighting talk just yet.
I'll say nothing unless he's looking for a fight.
But if he is, then I'll give him one.
Perhaps, but right now, could you put down your sword and have some coffee? We could take a quick look around the first floor, can't we, Hefty? Mrs.
Astor wouldn't mind.
You could tell her I was here with Mrs.
Fane.
If you're sure of that, Mr.
McAllister.
Be my guest.
It was built about 30 years ago for a man called Daniel Parrish.
And the year before last, it was bought by William Backhouse Astor.
Although, of course, it was really for his wife.
He's never off his yacht.
And she's never on it.
She's here.
She's come early.
Oh, good Lord.
Shall we go out the back? No.
She knows you're in the house.
She would have seen your carriage.
Get rid of Mrs.
Russell.
- Come with me.
- Uh But Smile.
Right this way.
- Oh.
- Oh.
- Ma'am, please, this way.
- Sorry.
Quickly.
- Oh.
- Sorry.
- Here we are.
- Oh.
Oh! Dear Lina, I bid you welcome to your own house.
- How nice to see you.
- And you, Aurora.
I hope you approve of my efforts.
Everything is too lovely for any words.
- You're so clever.
- Oh.