Gentleman Jack (2019) s02e04 Episode Script

1 So what am I supposed to do? Just wait, yet again, for this maybe-sometime-never event? My days of solitude are drawing to a close.
She's in love with me.
And with her, I could be happy.
- She needs a husband.
- Who? I'm taking my "little friend" to Paris.
When we return, she will move into Shibden with me.
Could Miss Walker spare you for one or two nights to visit me at Lawton? Come back.
Everything I'd ever pinned any happiness or hope on is gone.
And all because of some insipid little - Steady on.
- Heiress, who you're not in love with.
I know.
I can see it, I can hear it.
I can read between the lines.
I know when you're in love, and this isn't it.
So you've sacrificed everything, you've thrown everything away, you've destroyed me, and you're not even in love with her.
You're ridiculous.
And I'm even more ridiculous for still being in love with you.
Well, good heavens, what a reception! You do know I could walk into Halifax and get spoken to like that? I needn't cross the Pennines for it.
- Stop being glib.
- Well, it's one antidote to melodrama.
Melodr Do you know, I think I needed to see you because a part of me just still thinks the whole thing can't really be true.
I mean, has she really moved in with you at Shibden? Good Lord.
Have you taken oaths with her? Have you taken the sacrament with her? Eight months ago in York.
I might as well be dead.
Mary.
I waited for you for nearly 20 years.
I always had to dance to your tune.
For 20 years.
When I came back from Hastings, and I'm not using this as a stick to beat you with, I'm merely stating a fact, - you put an end to everything.
- I didn't! It's how I heard it.
It's unequivocally how I heard it.
- Oh! - Which is good, and we should thank God for it.
It's just perhaps a conversation we should have had sooner, but did you really think I wouldn't move on? Yes, yes, but her? What is she, even? I mean, we all know she's got problems, but Charlotte Norcliffe - says she isn't ladylike.
- Charlotte would never say that.
And Mrs Milne said if I saw my successor - I'd be far from flattered.
- Oh, I know she did.
"But Miss Lister won't be without money.
" I know she did, because she said it in Adney's hearing, knowingly in Adney's hearing, when we were in Paris.
- Adney? - But Adney Yes, Adney, being nothing but ladylike What does she call you? Never even named it to me until nearly three weeks later, when we were halfway up Mont Blanc! And whatever you, or anyone, thinks about it, money had nothing to do with it.
But it is true that she has 3,000 a year? Our fortunes, ultimately, will be about equal.
And between us, we should have 5,000 a year, yes.
You're fooling yourself, Freddy.
No-one else.
Your little Martha Booth isn't doing very well in the kitchens.
Really? Not entirely her fault.
Our new housekeeper, Mrs Duff, who we're very pleased with, had to get rid of two cooks in succession.
So we think she may have been damaged by their bad example in the way of laziness and deceit.
Oh, good Lord.
But then her head was rather full of novels, apparently, when she came to us, which hasn't helped.
Let me speak to this Mrs - Duff.
- In the morning, and try and get to the bottom of things.
By all means.
How often are you and Miss Walker connected? Well, you asked me the same question about me and Charles all those years ago.
I can't imagine why you think it's any different me asking you the same thing.
How much does she know about you and me? I told her all that was necessary.
Does she know of our connection? Not explicitly, no.
Nor will she.
Nor will anyone, ever.
Not from me.
What if you fell out with her? I mean, with her problems.
You don't know who she might just blurt things out to.
- Miss Lister.
- Ah, Charles.
How was your journey? - Excellent.
- Good, good.
Well, I've already eaten and had coffee, so Yes.
Sorry I couldn't set off from Halifax - any sooner than I did.
- Oh, not at all.
A lot of business on hand at the moment, one way or another, in the town and on my estate.
I was just popping in to say hello, and I dare say I will see you in the morning at breakfast.
Perfect.
- Mariana.
- Charles.
Fergus, Captain, Teddy! Come on, boys! Is everything all right? With him? We're ecstatic.
The fun never stops.
I don't want to be too late to bed.
And I promised everyone at home I'd write to let them know I arrived safely.
But you take my point, about Miss Walker? If she's not all there Miss Walker is the soul of discretion.
She's very nicely particular on all matters of etiquette, spoken and unspoken.
And you know, if you met her, if you could just bring yourself to meet her, you'd see she's really very sweet and very kind and really very, very normal.
And I'd like to think that, in the fullness of time the three of us could become perfectly good, kind friends.
I was perfectly happy.
Well, she dragged her all the way to Paris.
I wanted to go.
Then, as soon as the militia start shooting students, she's off to the Pyrenees with the Stuart de Rothesays.
Her poor Aunt Anne's stuck there on her own.
That wasn't it at all! Well, she'd never have left me if she'd thought the whole thing - was going to erupt.
- It's exactly what she did.
Are we playing this game? - Oh, is it me? - It's you.
You're giving Miss Walker completely the wrong idea.
She knows Anne would never do something like that.
I had a letter from her.
"I've left Aunt Anne in Paris, and, oh, by the way, "it's a seething hot-bed of insurrection.
" I did hear the cannons.
I contemplated hiding under a bed, briefly.
Whose? But then I realised that was an overreaction.
We were on the fifth floor.
Nobody was interested in us.
People think I haven't lived, you know, Miss Walker.
- But I have.
- Hmm.
Have you told Miss Walker about tomorrow? Oh, tomorrow, Miss Walker, my father was thinking of taking the britzka over to Cliffhill to pay a call on your aunt.
Why? Would you like to come with us? - I - You be careful, Marian.
You know she upset you last time you were there.
- My aunt? Did she? - Oh, briefly.
She was just being difficult.
- Because of? - Oh, no.
Well no.
Anyway, Anne suggested it before she left, and I don't do everything she tells me but I do agree with her that we should make every effort we can to be on good terms with our neighbours, even when Well, she's just old, isn't she? - And I do wonder - Well, I'm old.
It isn't a licence to be unpleasant.
Whose turn is it now? It's yours.
Is it? And I agree, but there it is.
And I do wonder how poor Mary Rawson's getting on with her.
I can't fathom that at all.
Neither can I.
I can't imagine it's anything other than excruciating for both of them.
You don't have to come, Miss Walker.
I know it's awkward.
Anne did explain.
I just didn't want you to think you hadn't been asked.
Oh.
- Oh! - Oh Well, at least that was yours.
My dearest Adney, we reached the Roebuck in Rochdale at 2:38, changed horses and were off again in 14 minutes.
We stopped again at the Manchester Royal Hotel at 4:20, and were at Wilmslow at two minutes past six.
We reached Congleton at five past eight, stopped for six minutes, then arrived here at Lawton at quarter to nine by their clocks and gone nine by my pocket watch.
I am now happily ensconced for the night in my own room with a good fire and thinking of you, all cosily tucked up at Shibden.
Will you welcome a visitor? Or will the door be closed against me? You know I'd never do that.
I couldn't sleep.
All I can think about is what a wretched mess I'm in here.
With him.
Oh! Mary Shh, shh.
How did we end up like this? I mean, how could we let it happen? Have any two people ever loved each other more than you and I? And how could it all have come to this? Shh.
My life's over.
Don't say that.
I can't stand it.
It's impossible.
Mary We'll always be friends.
Oh The heart that's truly loved never forgets.
If you go home the day after tomorrow, I'll I don't know what I'll do, but you might never see me again.
Mariana, that's Mary, I don't want to hear that.
Hm? It's very hard to only be a friend for one who has been a wife.
Have faith.
Have hope.
I believe your happiest days are yet to come.
How? Because I trust providence.
Do you still love me? Anne? Do you remember in Leamington, before we went up to London, before you went off to Copenhagen, you said to me, you said, "She was never one of my grand passions.
" And it only ever really started just because you were lonely and she was there.
And I worry that that won't be enough.
For you.
No, don't.
Kiss me.
No.
- Kiss me.
- I can't.
I won't do that to Adney.
She deserves better, cos she trusts me.
It's why she let me come here.
She won't know.
No-one'll know.
Only us.
I took an oath, and I shan't break it.
I did.
For you.
Yes, well I can't.
You married for convenience, for money.
Don't pretend otherwise.
You're wrong, Mary.
I'm happy with my choice.
She touches something deep inside me.
And the biggest thing of all she's moved in with me.
She committed to me.
She braved the world's opinion just to be with me.
And I shall respect that above all things until the day I die.
Well I'll leave you to your journal.
Your crypt hand.
Whatever it is you're putting there.
Goodnight.
And I know she came from a good, hard-working family at Shibden.
But there have been a few incidents that have indicated that she's inclined towards the easiest route in completing any given task.
And then she'll make something up about why she hasn't had time to make a better job of it.
But you'll find her with her nose in a book reading novels, full of ideas.
Well, I'm sorry to hear it.
Carelessness and deceit are two bad faults.
Make it known to her, Mrs Duff, that she has nothing more to expect from me at Shibden if she disappoints you here.
Yes, ma'am.
Thank you, ma'am.
Thank you, Mrs Duff.
How careless of you, Freddy, letting a dairyhand learn her letters.
Did you sleep well? Yes, very.
But you didn't come and wake me up this morning.
Did you expect me to? You always come and wake me up.
Seriously? You thought I'd come to you this morning? No, not for anything Just, you know What? A bit of chit-chat, before the day starts, as we always do.
What? Well, after last night's rejection, I didn't think you'd like it.
I'd like us to remain friends.
Good, kind, close friends.
Just not that close.
Where does Martha get these novels from? Oh, I don't know.
She probably pilfers the odd little volume from the library and then puts it back before anyone's noticed, because Charles would never notice.
He only uses the library to smoke in.
Mm.
Well, I'll have a word with her myself at some point before I leave.
Did you sleep well? I never sleep well.
I told you that yesterday.
I've been telling you the same thing in my letters for months.
Well, what does Steph say about these dizzy spells? Oh, that it's some sort of inner-ear thing or that I'm not eating properly.
Which I'm not.
Again, not for months.
It's just when one's low, it's always hard to resist that niggling anxiety that it could be something worse.
You need fresh air.
Oh, I have more fresh air than I know what to do with.
Fresh air and exercise.
That's your answer to everything.
Well, there's a good reason for that.
It works.
It's all been very unfortunate.
But when did this happen, Miss Walker? Just this morning.
Well, she left just this morning.
- It's been brewing for a while.
- Oh, no.
And where has Miss Rawson gone? Back to her parents'? Back to Mill House.
Yes, back to her parents.
I've said it before and I should've stuck to it, young and old don't suit.
- Anyway, the good news - Oh, good news! Is that Miss Rogers is coming to be with me.
- Miss Rogers? - Oh, yeah, well, you won't know her.
Miss soon to be Mrs Rogers.
Oh, is she That's - Is she - Oh, she's a lady of more senior years, assuming the brevet "Mrs" through seniority of years, not because she's marrying someone of the same name, no.
- No.
- I have met her several times and, yes, yes, I think we'll be better suited.
It was elderly Mrs Rawson's idea.
She's, erm She's very taken up with your sister, isn't she, Mrs Rawson? Oh, yes.
Yes.
She's always been fond of Anne's company.
It's mutual.
Anne's always enjoyed the company of more senior ladies.
She says they're so much wiser than younger ladies.
Of course, she does like younger ladies as well.
But in a different way, obviously.
And, ah How is my niece? Oh, she's very well.
Very well indeed.
Is it a good idea, Captain Lister, a britzka? At his age? Look.
What? There.
What am I looking at? In the tan-coloured waistcoat.
It's the Grantham boy.
Good Lord, he's grown.
He has the same build as Charles.
Oh, good heavens, he walks like him.
All the other servants know.
How? Well, apart from the fact that he looks so like him, he makes such a conspicuous fuss of him.
The other day I saw them laughing together and then he gave him a sovereign, right in front of Grantham.
He didn't know I'd seen.
I was watching at an upstairs window.
Secrets and lies.
Isn't life sordid and banal? It's a good job we get harder as we get older, or Lord knows how we'd get to the end of each day.
I'm sorry.
I wish you could stay longer.
I can't.
I have to attend this meeting with the shareholders of the navigation.
Listen.
I know it doesn't always sound like it, but in my more equitable moments if it really is what you want if she really does make you feel settled and content well, then, how can I be anything other than thankful for it? It's just there are so few things in this world more important to me than your happiness.
So if I've been unable to make you happy then should I not rejoice that there lives one who can? Mary.
You know, this whole thing need cause no interruption to our friendship.
No.
No, but, erm I think if I did come to stay with you, that it would all be pleasant enough during the day and we'd all get along perfectly civilly with one another, but I don't think I could bear to see her go off to bed with you at night.
Well we are where we are.
And it is all your own doing.
- There's no other human influence - No, look, stop saying that.
- But yours.
- Stop it.
We're going around in circles.
It's I just hope that you don't forget the nights that we had together.
I'm not likely to.
Do you remember that night in Scarborough, in the thunderstorm? And you made love to me all night.
By the sea, and the sun came up, and we hadn't slept all night, not for a moment.
Do you I think that was the most blissful few hours of my life.
Scarborough, sadly, for me, is marred by other memories too.
Oh You know, one of the things about Miss Walker is I never once, not ever, got the impression that she was embarrassed by the way I look.
Well, if she'd seen you in Scarborough in 1823 you might have got a different response.
No, not just what I wear, but my manner, the way I walk, everything.
I've never once heard her say, "Oh, why can't you be more ladylike?" Do you remember that first time that you came to my father's house in Petergate? Yeah, what was it? 1814.
Oh, good Lord, 20 years ago.
I had to cry myself hoarse before he'd let you in the house, you had such a you know, reputation in York.
And I made myself ill, properly ill, just so they'd let you in.
- I just - I resent the fact that you always imply that I just went along with everything, that I never defended you, and that I showed no courage, because it's just not true.
And the way that you imply that I had any choice in marrying Charles I mean, what young woman in her right mind - would choose that? - You had a choice.
- You see? - We always have a choice.
I had no choice! You could've run away with me.
My family would have disowned me.
Well, perhaps you should have disowned them, for shackling you to that fat idiot.
We'd have been penniless.
Only until I inherited Shibden.
Which, what, would have been another ten years? Could well have been more for all we knew.
I would've conquered empires for you.
I would've made it answer.
We wouldn't have starved, not even remotely.
But you doubted me.
You always doubted me.
Perhaps if I'd had the benefit of a few more years, I'd have been less cowed by them.
Well Certainly, neither of us have got anything to thank them for.
They They treated me abysmally, your parents.
I didn't think at the time, but looking back they must've been terrified of you, to make me marry him.
Terrified of me? Good Lord, I was 25.
I even wonder if they didn't like him any more than I did.
But he was just there.
Rich, available, hideous and willing.
Ma'am, there's a Mr James Ingham downstairs, asking if you're at home.
Oh.
Is Where's Is Miss Marian still out with Captain Lister? Yes, ma'am.
Oh.
Erm Ah, well, show him into the drawing room.
Mr Ingham.
Miss Walker.
How How are you? Well enough, I think.
You look well.
I am.
Would you like to sit down? Are you alone? Oh, well, Aunt Anne Erm, Miss Lister and Miss Marian's Aunt Anne, is upstairs.
She has ulcers on her She's expecting Mr Sunderland, her doctor, - at any moment.
- Ah.
And Miss Lister is in Cheshire.
She's gone to spend two nights with her friend Mrs Lawton, of Lawton Hall.
So how long have you been here? Since September.
After we returned from travelling.
Miss Lister and I, we went to the Alps, via Paris! And any number of other small towns and villages.
It was the most extraordinary thing I've ever done.
How wonderful.
It was.
Oh, it really was.
I-I I'm trying to paint paintings, from preliminary sketches I made.
Miss Lister's really clever.
She knows all the best things to see and to do.
We hope to travel more.
It's one of her passions.
I don't know a lot about Miss Lister.
I know she's Isn't she meant to be, erm sort of eccentric? Yes, I've never found her so.
I've always just found her to be very clever and very interesting.
No, you should come by when she's here and say hello.
Oh, it is nice to see you, James.
Oh.
And my brother got married.
Yes, I think I knew that.
Why weren't you there, you and Elizabeth? I don't You were in mourning.
It was just after John died.
Was it? Four years ago, good heavens.
What a tragedy.
Poor fellow.
I am sorry.
I think it was after that I I got so low in spirits But you do look very, very happy now.
Oh, well, Miss Lister's been ridiculously kind to me.
Oh.
Well, I had come What, James? People keep telling me I ought to get married.
Your name was mentioned.
By who? Your cousin, Mr Priestly.
He visited us in Mirfield a few weeks ago.
Did he? It would be a no, I'm afraid.
I I'm really very happy where I am.
What else did my cousin Mr Priestly say? That you didn't quite know what you'd got yourself into here.
I'm really very happy here.
And my cousin Mr Priestly needs to understand that.
Look at it.
It's like the Bastille.
Ah, there you are.
There was a letter for you in the postbag, Miss Lister.
Ah.
I've left it on the table in the drawing room.
I'm just popping into the village.
Oh, don't forget we have the Reverend Ford and Captain Mainwaring coming for dinner tonight, Mariana.
Ah, not the most rewarding company, I'm afraid, Miss Lister.
Mainwaring's a radical, bit of a firebrand.
- Oh, dear.
- And Ford's just the usual sort of irritating little clergyman they tend to inflict on us around here.
So we'll be relying on your abundant wit and charisma to keep us entertained.
Fergus, Captain, Teddy come on! Good boys.
Off we go.
Here, boy.
Is it from her? Yes.
Can I see the handwriting? You can read it to me if you like.
Oh, good Lord "My" What is it? "Dearest" What does that say? Anne.
"I" Oh, I'm sorry, you're going to have to read this to me.
"My dearest Anne "I hope you've arrived safely and not too late in the evening "and that you find all at Lawton well "and in cheerful spirits.
" Aw.
"I hope the weather was kind to you "as you crossed the Pennines.
" It was.
"It has been rather indifferent here, "with persistent showers "which persuaded me against venturing outdoors "this afternoon for more than five or six minutes.
" "Your aunt suffered a slight spasm just before luncheon today, "but since Mr Sunderland is due to visit tomorrow, "she insisted Marian not trouble him any sooner.
" Mm.
"She was quite low during the day following this, "but rallied towards the evening "when she played four rounds of hearts "in which your father trumped" Trumped? Triumphed! "Much to his delight.
" "I think, on the quiet, he is as" "competitive as you are.
" No, he isn't.
"All else is well here and if the rain stay off" I think she means, "if the rain stays off".
Or "if the rains stay off".
Who knows? "I shall venture out tomorrow.
" "Please remember to give Mrs Lawton "my very best regards "and tell her I look forward to a time "when I can welcome her at Shibden "in the, I hope, not too distant future.
" Oh.
She writes to you like a dutiful schoolgirl.
And you with your towering intellect.
She always surprises me.
When we were travelling through France, a lot of it was difficult and the weather was bad, and she complained, and we did fight.
A little.
But when we were up in the mountains and we were really battling with the elements she became so alive.
It was such a delight to see after she'd led such a sheltered life.
I think there's a lot more to her than anyone's yet seen.
Even me.
Well, let's hope that you're right.
And you say she asked after me? Mm.
And I think if you were gracious enough to venture over there and offer the olive branch again you might meet with a very different reception to the last.
And how did you get on with the britzka? Oh, Aunt, you've We've got to stop him.
If Anne had been with him on that journey today she'd have been livid.
May I? Would you mind if I took my tea upstairs, to my little sitting room? I'd like to paint a little more before the light goes.
Yes, yes, of course.
You must do whatever you like.
No need to ask permission.
No, you go up, Miss Walker.
I'll ask Mrs Cordingley to bring you a tray.
Thank you.
He's bruised his spine.
That's why he's lying down.
He's going to cause himself a mischief.
Well, I think if he can't learn a lesson from a bruised spine, there's very little I can say to alter the situation.
Is Is Miss Walker comfortable with us, do you think? Oh, I think she's fitting in very well, don't you? It's odd of Anne to leave her alone with us and go off to Mrs Lawton's.
I don't I've never liked Mrs Lawton.
She's used Anne so much over the years.
And Miss Walker is so devoted to her, and I just I know, I know, I know.
I just hope Miss Walker is enough for her.
Well, then! Well, no, there are references in scripture that point to the origins of the sign of the cross.
- No, no, no, there really aren't - Oblique references, perhaps, but there they are, for all to see, if you know how to look.
Tertullian in the year 200 - was the first person to say - Who? "We wear our foreheads out with the sign of the cross.
" Good old Tertullian, absolutely.
Bear with me, and consider Ezekiel, who tells us that the Lord said unto him, "Go through the city, through Jerusalem, and set a mark "upon the foreheads of the men that sigh for all the abominations that - "have been done in the midst thereof.
" - Well, yes, that's - But - Revelations.
"They were told not to harm "the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, "but only those people who did not have the seal of God "on their foreheads.
And then I looked, and behold.
"On Mount Zion, stood the Lamb, and with him, 144,000, "and they had his name, and his father's name, "written on their foreheads "Surely, this is all part and parcel of the origins of the sign of the cross.
The place on the body, not just the symbol" Can I come in for a minute? That would have been a very dull evening without you.
Do you know, I often think I can trace all nobility of mind that I've ever felt back to your influence.
You're flattering me.
What time has Joseph ordered your horses tomorrow? George.
12 noon.
So you can come to church with me, then, in the morning, - before you leave? - Of course.
And then, I could come with you as far as Middlewich, if you like.
- To keep you company.
- If you'd like to.
I wasn't flattering you.
Well, I was, but only because it's true.
When I think of the tawdry day-to-day here, in contrast, it's your influence that I hold on to in here.
It's your image that stops me giving in to despair.
Mary You must put your faith in God.
Yes, I know that.
And I do.
And I will.
I I didn't tell you everything this morning about Charles.
And if I don't tell you now, it's it's not the sort of thing you can put in a letter.
He's been His niece.
His brother's youngest.
Will Poor William's sister.
He's been pestering her.
Touching her.
Cornering her and inflicting himself upon her.
She's 18.
Just gone 18.
No.
They live on the other side of the village.
No.
She came to me.
She and her mother, who I never really got on with, but it seems, yes, he's been saying things, lewd things.
And he's had his tongue in her mouth.
We all know that's the next thing before Has he debauched her? We don't think so, no, but the poor girl was in tears and could barely articulate it, so who knows? Lord, I hope not.
So I spoke to Charles, and of course he denies it, says it's nonsense.
But why would she make that up? And then, the stupidest thing is he's talked about moving her in, here.
- What? - He's deluded because he's infatuated with her, so all common sense has flown out the window and he doesn't realise how blatant and sordid it all looks to everyone else.
Good God.
So when he said he was going to the village this morning, that's where he goes.
You see, she has no father and now no brother to protect her.
And Charles is the big fish and thinks he can do what he likes.
And he can do what he likes, more or less.
And here I am, his wife.
Redundant and ridiculous.
And trapped here.
Come here.
If he does insist on bringing the girl here, in whatever guise, or if anything comes out about him and her, then you must leave.
Immediately.
You must go to Steph.
Or come to me at Shibden.
Good Lord, Mary.
I am I am so so sorry.
It's been so nice having you here.
You do still love me, don't you? You know I do.
Don't I-I I can't.
Why not? Why not? Can we not have one last kiss in this life before we turn to dust? The King had no right to ask for Melbourne's resignation - in the first place.
- Nonsense.
Within the constitution, he had every No, no, no.
The constitution depends upon the compliance of the body politic.
All very well and good for those in power when the people had no voice, but now The King has every right to protect the institutions, within government, that offer the country its stability, but the country isn't stable.
It isn't stable, precisely because of those institutions of state that the working man now knows don't protect his interests at all The people will roar in this election, Mr Lawton.
- They will roar.
- Rubbish! Oh, Anne She says the work's too hard and it doesn't suit her.
Work is hard, Martha.
Whatever station in life we're born into.
Everyone is met with challenges, but it's our duty, all of us, to accept our allotted tasks, desirable or otherwise, and perform them to the best of our abilities.
She keeps saying she just wants to go home.
There's no place for you at Shibden, if you don't do well here.
All of this crying it's a bit too clever for my liking.
I'm not falling for it.
Someone like you needs to impress the people you work for, so you can take away good references.
If Mrs Lawton was asked for a reference now, she'd have to say you didn't like to work, complained a lot and were sulky.
Then where would you be? What sort of work would suit you, do you think, Martha? Milking cows, cooking Like at home.
Well, the reverend, Mr Wood, in Middlewich is looking for a kitchen hand, - I'm sure that he'd be - Well, if not that, then you must stay here, promise to work hard, and endeavour to make a good impression on Mrs Duff and Mrs Lawton.
And promise me that, in future, you will take influence only from those people who you know to be of good character.
And then, when you come home and visit your father and your sisters, and my aunt and my father and Miss Marian and me and Miss Walker, we needn't be ashamed of you.
Go on.
Oh, we'll sort her out.
Are you still coming to church? Ye that do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins and are in love and charity of your neighbours and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God and walking, from henceforth, in his holy ways, meekly kneeling on your knees.
I don't know why you're being so hard on yourself, Fred.
Nothing's changed.
And I haven't slept so well for months.
Be aware that I show Adney all my letters.
So be careful what you put.
I'm not the other woman.
She is.
What time do you expect to arrive back at Shibden? At 11.
Half past.
Hopefully no later than midnight.
Well Goodbye, then.
Give my regards to your aunt and to your father and to your sister.
And Miss Walker.
Oh, and for Miss Walker, it's a little something.
It's nothing particular, just a rather pretty little pocket book I saw in Chester a few weeks ago.
What's the matter? I don't think it's quite the thing.
I thought you wanted me and Miss Walker to be friends.
- Well, safe journey.
- Mm.
Hm Hup, hup! Oh! Oh, John John! They're 'ere.
- Ma'am.
- Ma'am.
Yes.
Hello.
How's our little Martha getting on at Lawton Hall? We'll discuss that.
Help your brother with the carriage.
God.
- I missed you.
- Have you? Um, how was Mrs Lawton? I've astonished myself with how little I've thought of her, either going or returning.
Hmm I shan't leave you again.
Would you like some tea, ma'am? Tea, splendid.
And then bed.
I love you.
13 to 11, carried in favour of the new part of the canal being 50 feet rather than 60 feet wide.
For the sake of £2,000 Say something, madam.
I'm sure they'll listen to you.
May we move on to the second resolution, Mr Chairman? We may.
Order.
Order! The second resolution is that double and parallel locks, to act as side ponds, be adopted.
Mr Rawdon Briggs? I would like to propose an amendment to that and suggest that single locks, similar to those we already have, be adopted.
I'll second that.
And I'd like to call on Mr Bull to account for why he seems determined to mire us in unnecessary debt and expense at such a difficult time.
I have I've written answers to this and other anticipated objections.
If-if-if anyone would like to, um - Mr Briggs.
- Mr Bull.
Parsimony, Mr Briggs, is not always economy.
And I fear in this case, you are advocating the former and not the latter.
Mr Palmer, who we've employed at considerable expense to draw up this plan, is a man of great ability and credit, and I for one, who, by the way, has read his report, all of it, cannot help agreeing with him that whatever we do should be done in the best manner possible, and that only the quantity of our work should be limited by our means, not the quality.
- Hear, hear.
- Well said.
Well, then, madam, you'd have us involved in idiotic expense.
The trade in the town does not require it, nor will it ever.
Oh! Oh, so you mean to limit the progress of improvement within the town by hindering its capacity to transport the goods it produces? We all know what the town is at present.
But who amongst us dares venture to say he knows how great the town may become? Let's put it to the vote, gentlemen.
And Miss Lister.
Those in favour of double and parallel locks to act as side ponds, show of hands.
And for single locks? Double and parallel locks, carried.
According to the Act of Parliament, we have a right to ascertain whether the majority is against us not just in a show of hands, but in the number of shares owned.
- Scrutiny! - Scrutiny! The committee will retire and look at which side has it by number of shares.
Well said, madam.
Mr Rawson.
Could I ask, with the election almost upon us, on behalf of Mr Wortley's committee if we may rely, as we usually do, on the support of everyone at Shibden Hall? Of course.
Us Blues must stick together, put our differences aside, briefly in such challenging times.
Good.
My brother feels the same and will be gratified to hear it.
Mm.
Is this generally the way with public meetings in Halifax? Well, it's not We treat a great concern like a little one, - we prate like a parcel of children.
- Well Thank goodness you're here.
Oh, I know my being here, and speaking, will be talked of, but If such be public meetings in Halifax, I can see there is a sad want for some mastermind to lead the multitude.
Miss Lister, how do you do? John Abbott.
We meet at last, and I'm so delighted to make your acquaintance.
And well said, madam.
- Mr Rawson, how d'you do? - Mr Abbott.
Absolutely.
Hear, hear.
Why spend £40,000 on an indifferent job when another £10,000 would secure a good one? Order.
Can we call the meeting to order? For single locks, 176.
And for double locks Double and parallel locks to act as side ponds, carried.
Well We'd best move a motion to empower the committee to borrow another £60,000 from the government.
Ridiculous.
Short-sighted.
You will regret this.
In less than five years, you will regret this.
Madam.
Well done.
- Very well done.
- Thank you, sir.
Thank you.
- Well done.
- Thank you.
Miss Lister.
Mr Briggs.
An exciting choice, to brave public opinion, attending a meeting like this at such a volatile time, with the country on the brink of civil unrest, no doubt, come the election.
And you with your unusual arrangement up at Shibden Hall - with Miss Walker.
- I beg your pardon? You should be more careful Gentleman Jack.
That's her, that's