The Hand of Ethelberta by Thomas Hardy

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The Hand of Ethelberta Adapted By Katherine Jakeways.  All of London Society is in pursuit of Ethelberta's hand, but the infamous poet is not exactly the lady they think she is. Her claim to distinction is one of brains rather than blood. Her sister is her maid, her brother her butler, and she has just a year left before the whole family are left homeless and penniless. She must find a rich husband before the truth gets out. As her many ridiculous suitors pursue her half way across France, a farce is inevitable.  CAST Ethelberta - Rebecca Humphries Picotee - Abra Thomspon Christopher Julian - Alfred Enoch Lord Mountclere - Adrian Scarborough Neigh - Simon Armstrong Ladywell - Lee Mengo Chickerel & Mountclere's brother - Michal Bertenshaw Aunt Charlotte & Mrs Petherwin - Heather Craney Menlove & Faith - Catriona McFarlane Joe - Tom Forrister  Harp - Alis Huws Piano - Branwen Munn  Directed by John Norton A BBC Cymru Wales Production   Do you enjoy the variety on Oldtuberadio? Like, Share and Subscribe to be notified of our new shows #radio #crime #thriller #drama To Support this channel please visit https://www.buymeacoffee.com/oldtuberadio https://ko-fi.com/oldtuberadio98 https://www.patreon.com/oldtuberadio https://locals.com/Oldtuberadio

Transcript

00:00The Hand of Ethel Versa by Thomas Hardy

00:11In a small Wessex town, beside a heath, a young woman steps out of the Old Fox Inn.

00:23She appears to belong to that gentle order of society which has no worldly sorrow except when its jewellery gets stolen.

00:30Although, as a fact not generally known, her claim to distinction is rather one of brains than of blood.

00:38At a tender age, this girl had begun work as a governess, and when barely sixteen, found herself married, as sometimes happens, to the son of her employer.

00:49Any young bride expects a shock on her wedding tour.

00:53But this young woman's surprise was greater than any could have predicted, when within a few days of the wedding her groom caught a chill and died.

01:01Oh, I do hope there's a happy ending to this tale. I, for my part, like something merry.

01:07Shh, madam.

01:09Only a few weeks later, the young bridegroom was followed to the grave by his own father.

01:15The wealthy old man bequeathed everything to his wife, and now, this mother-in-law took our forlorn girl by the hand.

01:23And, both of them now widows, she took her under her roof as daughter and companion.

01:27Hmm.

01:28But with a condition.

01:29That the girl must never openly recognise her own family.

01:33Oh.

01:34In the years that followed, the girl began to write poetry.

01:38Tell us, miss, is this story true?

01:40Let it unfold, madam.

01:42Shh.

01:43Well, I suppose the truth of it hardly matters, as long as the story be diverting, and the characters be consistent and human.

01:50I could listen to her all night, though my husband say her poems are tra-la-la, tra-la-la.

01:56Then your husband is...

01:58Alas, you're quite right, I've said it for years.

02:01The girl's passionate poems both scandalised and thrilled London, but their author remained anonymous until one day.

02:11What does this mean, child, in the morning news?

02:15I believe it means what it says, Mama.

02:18A poetess.

02:20And you have written every one of those ribald verses.

02:24I don't think you are aware what ribald means, but I'm not ashamed of the poems, and...

02:28What are you doing?

02:30My will and testament.

02:33You are an ungrateful woman, which, considering your birth...

02:38It's...

02:39It's burning!

02:40Oh, no...

02:41No, please!

02:42Mama!

02:44The furious old woman quickly died, leaving her penniless daughter-in-law nothing but the fag end of her lease on the London house.

02:52More than she deserved, perhaps, but much less than she'd been led to expect.

02:56A great deal less than she deserved.

02:59Oh!

03:00Did you think Mrs Petherwyn would narrate her own story?

03:03She who's celebrate and talked of all over London?

03:07No!

03:08She gets paid for her storytelling!

03:11So, as her maid, this will be my job.

03:16Me?

03:17I'm...

03:18I'm...

03:19I'm...

03:20An April-natured, pink-cheeked girl with eyes that would make any jeweller in England think

03:24of his trade.

03:25Her name's Piketty.

03:26It's a type of carnation.

03:28An unusual name, to be sure.

03:30Listen, take it up with her parents.

03:32Piketty, my maid, takes her day in the daytime and has little to do with yawns or candlelight.

03:36Oh, I keep myself nice as I should!

03:39But please, Ethelberta, we said the story was mine to tell.

03:44Yep, sorry.

03:45Think nothing of it.

03:46Now, after the...

03:47All yours.

03:48All yours.

03:49Miss!

03:50I shan't interfere.

03:51No.

03:52Only don't forget the part with the pianist.

03:53Madam!

03:54Sorry!

03:55Sorry.

03:56Anyway, after the storytelling event, Ethelberta was eager to avoid the crowds of admirers.

04:02Mrs Petherwyn!

04:03Mrs Petherwyn!

04:04Mrs Petherwyn!

04:05Mrs Petherwyn!

04:06Mrs Petherwyn!

04:07Mrs Petherwyn!

04:08Mrs Petherwyn!

04:09Mrs Petherwyn!

04:10Mrs Petherwyn!

04:11Mrs Petherwyn!

04:12Mrs Petherwyn!

04:13As she said on the stage, telling her own story, bearing disguise, I expect you knew

04:18as much, Ethelberta began writing poems last year, and she's now the kind of celebrant

04:23where people in crowds call out.

04:25Mrs Petherwyn!

04:26Mrs Petherwyn!

04:27Mrs Petherwyn!

04:28Mrs Petherwyn!

04:29The lady's room!

04:30Please!

04:31Give Mrs Petherwyn!

04:32Mr Ladywell!

04:33Penciled eyebrows, halfway up his forehead!

04:35Oh!

04:36A perfumed piece of a man, trying hard to look as though he sometimes knows secrets but

04:40doesn't wish to boast.

04:41Oh, sorry, Piketty!

04:42Sorry, your story!

04:43If you wouldn't mind signing my...

04:44Madam!

04:45I have a word, Your triumph tonight was great!

04:48Oh, well, I thank you!

04:49Why, thank you.

04:50And I like to think it was as much a triumph for me as you.

04:55Oh.

04:57My mistress is a lady.

04:59And so, practice in sustaining that complete divorce between thinking and saying,

05:04which is the hallmark of high civilisation.

05:07Because, Mrs. Bethlewyn, I cannot say all that I would.

05:11Oh, well, never mind.

05:12Madam?

05:12Oh, thank goodness, Jo. Goodbye, Mr. Ladywell.

05:17Oh.

05:19Who was the fop?

05:22Oh, a painter. Dreadful simpleton.

05:26Nothing simple about those trousers.

05:30The court never stops.

05:32Folk always want what's kept from them and don't value what's given.

05:36If penny oranges were a pound apiece, all the House of Lords would sit sucking them.

05:40Oh, back home.

05:42At last.

05:45Mr. Nay to see you, ma'am.

05:47Dear Mrs. Bethlewyn, your butler was good enough to grant me an audience.

05:53I have much to thank him for.

05:55Mr. Nay is a man who never disturbs the flesh upon his face unless obliged to do so.

06:00And pauses ten seconds where other people would only pause one.

06:03I was moved to come when I saw you performing.

06:11Oh, thank you, Mr. Nay.

06:12Please don't feel the need to stay long.

06:14Madam, to stay in your...

06:16In your company is never a...

06:20Possibility?

06:22A chore.

06:23Oh, well, Piketty, I fear we have to...

06:26Madam?

06:27Don't we?

06:28Oh, we do.

06:29So, Mr. Nay, I must ask you to...

06:30Dear lady, I will...

06:33Take your leave, regrettably.

06:35Return as soon as possible.

06:37Well, joyous news.

06:39Jo, thank you for calling, Mr. Nay.

06:43Oh, Piketty.

06:45I'm sure I should never sigh if I was so admired.

06:48The lease on this house expires in under a year.

06:51Then where shall we be?

06:53Homeless.

06:53And penniless.

06:55But your poems...

06:56I'm at present quite removed from them.

06:57Yet last year the poems flowed from my heart like a stream.

07:01Oh, nothing.

07:02It is so easy as to seem clever when you have money.

07:04Except to seem stupid when you have none.

07:07Oh, you...

07:08Oh, Berta.

07:09If only to say you've walked out of one door and into another.

07:12And you tell it so there seems something wonderful in it.

07:16You've been the same since you were a child.

07:19I know only too well how Berta was as a child.

07:23For the truth is, dear Lister,

07:26I'm not only Wilberto's maid.

07:29Berta, Mother says will you run up and talk to her.

07:31You see, the fact is...

07:32She's my sister.

07:34Our mother is bedridden.

07:36Our brother Joe drives my carriage.

07:38He's a carpenter and joiner by trade.

07:39Though the ruling maxim of Joe's life is the more the merrier.

07:44My older sister Gwendolyn is my cook and my dear Picardy...

07:48Her sister...

07:48We covered that.

07:50...is my maidservant and teacher to our younger siblings.

07:53While my father, Mr Chickerell...

07:55Berta, you're invited to a dance tomorrow at Windway House.

07:58Is the butler at Windway House.

08:00None of this can ever be known.

08:02Oh, we should be laughingstocks.

08:03But if we're all together in town,

08:05I can look after my family much better than when they're away in the country.

08:09Oh, Berta, can I come and watch you at the dance?

08:12Yes, yes, of course.

08:13But watch who you talk to.

08:15Oh, Piketty.

08:17I wish I could get a living by some simple occupation.

08:21Drop the name of Pethowin and be Berta Chickerell again.

08:24Live in a green cottage as we used to when we were small.

08:27Oh, you chose your course, Berta.

08:30You have begun to fly high and you'd better keep there.

08:35And to do that, while I can no longer write,

08:36there's only one way for us all.

08:39I must marry...

08:40Who?

08:41I must act in all our interests, dear.

08:44Has any man paid you money, your daughter, dear Ash?

08:48No.

08:50That is...

08:51There is someone.

08:53I would rather not say Berta, because it's hardly anything.

08:57Just once he gave me...

08:59A flower.

09:01Or two.

09:02This is no euphemism.

09:04If I know Piketty, this is an actual flower.

09:07Well, you must never tell him what you feel.

09:09But then he'll never know.

09:10No, nor must he.

09:11A lover is not a relative, and he isn't quite a stranger,

09:14but he may end in being either.

09:16And the way to reduce him to whichever of the two you wish him to be

09:18is to treat him like the other.

09:21See?

09:22Poetic and wise.

09:25I have a little experience of love.

09:26Oh, well, but Mr. Petherwyn was taken so quickly...

09:29No, no, not with Mr. Petherwyn.

09:32Oh?

09:32I knew a man many years ago, and I've seen him again, and...

09:38That's all.

09:39Berta!

09:40Do you love him?

09:41Oh, well, Piketty, I have never seen a man I hate less.

09:45Faith?

09:54Faith?

09:55By the piano, Christopher.

09:57Ah.

09:57We should practice for the Windway House Dance.

09:59Yes, yes, never mind that.

10:00Will you read this?

10:01This book was delivered this morning.

10:03It's by the famous poetess.

10:05And no note.

10:06The anonymous one?

10:08But what do you think I suspect?

10:09The poem at the end is addressed to me.

10:12Do you remember years ago at Solency?

10:15When we were young?

10:16There was a governess who came with Sir Petherwyn and his family.

10:19Very attractive.

10:20You got more interested in her than you ought to have done,

10:23and in the end she jilted you and married the son.

10:26I suspected you'd remember.

10:27Oh, poor darling.

10:29You were anxious to get away.

10:30Well, I decided to think no more of her

10:33till the first day of my walking tour last year.

10:36While I was crossing the heath,

10:38I met that very woman.

10:40No.

10:40We talked a little,

10:42because we couldn't help it.

10:43Oh, I'm sure.

10:44But partied as coolly as we'd met.

10:48Now this book comes to me,

10:49and I have a strong conviction

10:51she is the writer of it.

10:53For the poem sketches a similar scene.

10:56But Faith, would it not be a singular thing

10:58for a married woman to do?

10:59I'm sure I would not have sent it to a man for the world.

11:03But poets have morals and manners of their own.

11:12So, the evening of Windway House Dance dawned.

11:17Can an evening dawn?

11:19Not strictly darling.

11:20Well, I'm not the poetess.

11:23Anyway, Berta, in all her finery,

11:26dressing I am skilled with,

11:28join the assembled guests.

11:33From my lowly position,

11:35peering through the door,

11:37I saw a scene like I'd never beheld.

11:40Chandeliers,

11:41branches from every surface,

11:43jewellery which dazzled my eyes.

11:46But Berta,

11:47I lost sight of.

11:48Are you here with the Dashing Widow?

11:52Mrs Pever, when?

11:53I am.

11:54She'll do some damage tonight,

11:56you'll find.

11:57I don't know what you mean.

11:59Well,

12:00if you're someone who provokes excitement herself,

12:03like I am,

12:04you notice such in others.

12:05My name is Menlove.

12:07Oh,

12:08I see.

12:09I was once the cause of a duel

12:10between a courier and a French valet.

12:13And,

12:14I don't know if you know any Frenchmen,

12:16but they can be quite bold if you...

12:18Oh,

12:18my aunt marries one.

12:19Uh-huh.

12:21Yeah,

12:21they keep a hotel in Rouen,

12:23and...

12:23Indeed.

12:23Uh-huh.

12:25Well,

12:26I must find my mistress.

12:28You're mightily concerned with her.

12:31She's kind to me.

12:32Really?

12:34When I worked for her,

12:35she did nothing but read books.

12:38You worked for her.

12:39Jella was dismissed.

12:41Flighty indeed.

12:44Then suddenly,

12:45the ballroom fell silent.

12:48Black-coated men and bright,

12:50shiny ladies turned,

12:51wide-eyed towards...

12:53He-he-he-he-he-he.

12:56Who's that?

12:57The honoured guest.

12:59Lord Mount Clare.

13:00I hear he's looking to devote himself

13:02to your mistress.

13:03I hope he likes books.

13:05He's old enough to be a grandfather.

13:08Aye.

13:08And rich enough to buy him.

13:10A hundred times over.

13:13There was Berta.

13:15Bright eyes,

13:16face beaming.

13:18Like the chief figure

13:19of a glorious pleasure parliament.

13:22More poetic than I realise.

13:23Aren't I?

13:24Oh, Picardy.

13:25Joe.

13:27Hello.

13:29Well, hello right back.

13:31Mark you, how he looks at me.

13:33This is how it was with that courier

13:34in the French ballet.

13:36I'm then, love.

13:37Oh.

13:37Wait in the carriage, Joe.

13:39Outside, is it?

13:40I'll show you the way.

13:41What a nuisance that boy is becoming.

13:47With so much to see,

13:49only now did my eyes wander to the musicians.

13:51That man at the piano.

13:55With the lady harpist by his side.

13:59Oh, kid.

14:01You cannot think how you stare.

14:03It is a shining scene.

14:06But we are poor, are we not?

14:08We know a little about poverty.

14:11Who invited us to play?

14:13One of the guests, apparently.

14:15Your anonymous poet.

14:17There she is.

14:19There's Ethel Burton.

14:21Oh, Cliff.

14:22That one in blue with the glossy bunch of hair.

14:25Talking to that powdered piece of a man

14:27they called Lady.

14:29The one with the two-sword complexion.

14:31He can be of no interest to her, I'm sure.

14:34Which is Ethel Burton's husband?

14:36Tell me, not that miserable man with them.

14:39Mr. Nay?

14:40His mouth's a permanent straight line.

14:42No, I cannot for my life see anybody

14:44answering to the character of husband.

14:47Though, every man takes notice of her.

14:50Why, Mrs. Pethowin,

14:53I have never danced with a published poet.

14:56You still haven't, Mr. Ladywell,

14:57for I remain stationary.

14:58Oh, Mrs. Pethowin,

15:00every man here is interested in your...

15:02Oh, I hesitate to guess, Mr. Nay.

15:04Poetry!

15:06Even that old butler there

15:08is eyeing you like a possession.

15:10No doubt he's wondering if my glass needs filling.

15:12Mrs. Pethowin,

15:13I have long longed to ask you a romantic question.

15:17Excuse me, I must speak to that butler

15:19on the matter of my drink.

15:21May I ask to watch you require an answer?

15:23Of the lady I mean to make my wife?

15:26It's almost as if I have no voice.

15:30Your man, Joe,

15:31likes a game of cat and mouse, don't he?

15:34Are you ill?

15:35No, I'm not ill.

15:37You look like you've...

15:38Ah, the pianist.

15:40He's broken the keys of that piano

15:42like a naked shoulder, ain't he?

15:46Are you trembling?

15:48I'm doing nothing.

15:50Er, I only go into my carriage

15:51to wait for my mistress.

15:53Where possibly,

15:55yes,

15:56I may indulge

15:58in a little trembling.

15:58Father,

16:01you must try harder.

16:03I can't help it,

16:04but I don't know why those gentlemen look at you.

16:07You must join the room, my dear.

16:09There's nobody here I'd rather speak to.

16:11But I'm...

16:11Mr. Ladywell

16:13is uncommonly well-dressed

16:15and has a good private income.

16:17And Mr. Nay...

16:18Cannot complete a sentence.

16:20Is that the beauty of Mrs. Pethowin?

16:22Ah, Lord Montclair!

16:24A drink, good man?

16:26But...

16:27Yes, madam?

16:28I am sorry.

16:31Lord Montclair,

16:32let us step away

16:34from the ears of staff.

16:37I'm delighted to meet you.

16:40I can report the delight entirely mine.

16:43A poetess of some repute.

16:46Yes, and you appear.

16:47Well, it would appear, my dear,

16:49that you are peerless.

16:53Might I escort you to the dance floor?

16:58I'd taken care not to look to the pianist yet.

17:02He hadn't received so much as a gesture from me.

17:05But...

17:06Oh!

17:07Christopher!

17:08She's looking!

17:09Yes.

17:10Finally, I was looking.

17:12Mrs. Pethowin?

17:15I'm sorry.

17:18She knows how to look at someone.

17:21I have a feeling of being moved about like a puppet.

17:24For a moment, I was back on the hillside,

17:27watching the clouds and running.

17:30It was a run that would have made a little dog bark with delight.

17:33My feet as quick as fingers.

17:36When?

17:39Can you tell me if this is the way back to Anglebridge?

17:41Er, it is one way, but...

17:44Oh.

17:46Oh.

17:48Mr. Julian.

17:50I am Mr. Julian.

17:53Though that can matter very little, I should think,

17:57after all these years and what has passed.

17:59Shall I put you on the path?

18:05If you please.

18:09Just down this and, er, and round the...

18:11Yes.

18:12Just that one there by the...

18:14Well, good day.

18:17Goodbye, then.

18:18If you're going to say no more.

18:20I am not married, Ethelberta.

18:23You are.

18:24Goodbye, now.

18:26A half-knowledge of another's life

18:30mostly does injustice to the life half-known.

18:33Mrs. Petherwyn, are you with us?

18:36Let us dance.

18:41Faith, something has gone out of me

18:43which went out of me once before.

18:45I can no longer...

18:47Christopher, what are you doing?

18:51Ladies and gentlemen,

18:53if I may,

18:54a piece I wrote myself this very morning

18:56and don't deny having practised

18:59for the greater part of this afternoon,

19:01the setting to music

19:02of an exquisite poem

19:04which lately came to my attention

19:05and which

19:06I am honoured to believe

19:09I truly

19:10understand.

19:14Mrs. Petherwyn?

19:16Hello.

19:17The world knows your name, my dear.

19:19I am no singer myself

19:22but

19:23if I provide the music

19:24might you

19:26do me the honour.

19:30Mr. Julian,

19:31it's worth being clear

19:33there can be no such thing

19:35as a strong friendship

19:36between a man and a woman

19:37not of one family.

19:39I quite agree.

19:40Oh, Christopher.

19:56Your song.

19:57One emotional gentleman,

19:59did you see?

20:00Looked at the corner of a chair

20:01as if, till that moment,

20:03such an object

20:03had never crossed his vision before.

20:05And Ethel Burton.

20:06After she finished singing

20:08she couldn't

20:08look at me.

20:10Maybe went to find

20:11her husband, perhaps.

20:14Look,

20:15outside on the lawn.

20:17Excuse me,

20:18might you tell me

20:19the address of that lady in blue?

20:20Why, she's the young widow.

20:22What?

20:24She's a widow?

20:25Married scarcely a week

20:26before the husband

20:27died of a chill.

20:28So you think

20:29she'd be more careful

20:30running with bare feet

20:31on wet lawns.

20:32Still,

20:33she's the mistress

20:33of a young man

20:34very taken indeed with me.

20:36So,

20:37perhaps the family's

20:38fortunes be on the up.

20:40Perhaps.

20:43And so she ran,

20:45my dear

20:46barefoot Berta,

20:48to meet the one person

20:49she knows for sure

20:50will always love her.

20:52Oh,

20:53oh,

20:53Piketty!

20:55That man I spoke of

20:56the other night.

20:56He wasn't here tonight.

20:58He was.

20:59Some great lord

21:00or another.

21:01Oh,

21:01I'm afraid he's not.

21:03Oh.

21:04Oh,

21:05Piketty.

21:06He's the pianist.

21:08Mr. Julian.

21:10He wrote me a song.

21:12A song which...

21:14What's the matter?

21:16Only a pain.

21:17Oh,

21:18my dear Piketty.

21:18I think I'll sit a moment,

21:21Berta.

21:23So you've met this

21:25Mr. Julian

21:26and gone for walks

21:27with him,

21:27I suppose?

21:29What an absurd child

21:30you are.

21:32Oh,

21:32I knew him once

21:33and he's interesting,

21:34that's all.

21:36He's gone from

21:37affluence to poverty,

21:38so his song may be

21:39the sweetest

21:40and best I ever knew,

21:41but

21:41he can be nothing to me.

21:44Me neither.

21:45At the beginning

21:47of caring for a man,

21:48Piketty,

21:50just when you are suspended

21:51between thinking

21:52and feeling,

21:53there is a hair's breadth

21:54of time

21:55at which the question

21:56of getting into love

21:57or not

21:57is a matter of will.

21:59Quite the thing of choice.

22:01And I shall make

22:02the right choice.

22:04So shall I.

22:06Men love?

22:07Seriously,

22:08Joey?

22:08Father came to visit

22:09the next day.

22:11He always knows

22:12what's right.

22:12Why?

22:12Men love's a lady of honour,

22:14sure she is.

22:14And also,

22:15what's wrong?

22:16You're a blocker,

22:17Joe.

22:18We must never

22:19be exposed.

22:21I'm going up

22:22to see your mother.

22:24Hello?

22:25Is this the home

22:26of Mrs Pethowin?

22:27No,

22:28no,

22:29a lady of that name

22:30was visiting

22:30at Christmas.

22:32Oh.

22:34She's an old

22:35acquaintance of mine.

22:36I wrote a song

22:37she was kind enough

22:38to praise.

22:40Might you have

22:41her address?

22:41Oh,

22:42she don't want people

22:42to know details,

22:43sir,

22:43because she's

22:44celibate,

22:45and I've

22:46said too much.

22:47Mr Julian.

22:50Hello.

22:51I was just

22:52telling the gentleman,

22:52mum,

22:53that you don't live here.

22:54I see you've met

22:55Joe,

22:55my brother.

22:56It's all right,

22:57Joe.

22:57Your brother?

22:59Come in,

22:59Mr Julian.

23:01Take tea with me.

23:02So now you see

23:06why I guard my household

23:07so carefully.

23:08You have found a way

23:09to live which takes

23:10care of everyone.

23:12I greatly admire you.

23:14Do you?

23:15But I greatly admired

23:16you anyway.

23:17You will succeed,

23:18Christopher.

23:19Many have tried

23:20to turn my poems

23:21into songs,

23:22but yours was...

23:23Ethelberta,

23:24you have my heart.

23:26You have had it

23:27ever since I first

23:28saw you.

23:31And you have all

23:32of me that you

23:32care to have,

23:33and may keep it

23:34for life if you wish.

23:35Oh,

23:36but...

23:36But in a very

23:37short time,

23:38I must marry.

23:40Well,

23:40now I come to

23:41the reason for my visit.

23:42And Christopher,

23:43I must marry well.

23:45I see.

23:50Yes,

23:51I see.

23:52All my whole family

23:52will be ruined.

23:53Tea, madam?

23:54And I, uh,

23:55took the liberty of...

23:57Oh!

23:59Mr Christopher Julian.

24:02It was last spring

24:03at Norsi

24:04when Berta and I

24:05went to the hills.

24:06Berta was busy

24:07watching a cloud,

24:08thinking whatever

24:08Berta thinks,

24:09and I took the children

24:10to look for flowers.

24:11Look out for

24:12campions, children.

24:14Pink flowers.

24:15A favourite

24:16of insects

24:16and fairies.

24:19When suddenly

24:19I saw a tourist

24:20with a knapsack,

24:21he saw me

24:21and smiled

24:22and raised his hat.

24:23I fully only

24:24stopped me like a clock.

24:26I fancied

24:27his countenance changed,

24:28but one may fancy anything.

24:30Then later that day,

24:31the tourist passed me again.

24:33Campions.

24:34I'm sorry?

24:35A favourite

24:36of insects and fairies.

24:39I found these flowers

24:40on my walk, children,

24:41and remembered

24:42your teacher telling me.

24:44So I picked them.

24:45I

24:46am glad

24:48to see you.

24:48Good day.

24:49Mrs Petherwyn,

24:50I have known

24:51this lady

24:52as a fine teacher

24:53of wildflowers,

24:55but she's also

24:56your

24:56maidservant?

24:58Sister.

25:00I see.

25:01I hope you enjoy

25:02the cake.

25:04I'm afraid

25:04she cannot meet

25:05my eye.

25:06It's not that.

25:07I just

25:09brought

25:10cake.

25:13Mrs Petherwyn,

25:15I've been offered

25:16assistant organist

25:18at Melchester Cathedral,

25:19but...

25:19We will keep up

25:20friendly remembrances.

25:24Goodbye.

25:27Kiss Piketty's hand too.

25:29Oh, no!

25:30She is my sister

25:32and I am yours.

25:37Goodbye, Mr Julian.

25:43Do you love him, Berta?

25:45He is a very

25:45gentlemanly man,

25:46but I can never

25:47marry him

25:48unless he gets rich.

25:49Oh, strange.

25:50If I had him,

25:51such a man,

25:53I mean,

25:54I would marry him

25:56if he continued poor.

25:57But somebody

25:58in the family

25:58must take

25:59a practical view

26:00of affairs

26:00or we should

26:01all go to the dogs.

26:02If only God Almighty

26:03had killed

26:04the three quarters

26:04of us off

26:05when we were little.

26:11Berta.

26:14Mr Julian.

26:17Was the young man

26:18I told you about

26:19with the flowers?

26:22Yes.

26:23I didn't know

26:24he belonged to you

26:24when I'd begun it.

26:26Well, perhaps

26:27it will end happily

26:28for you and him.

26:30Then

26:31you don't want him,

26:32Berta?

26:35Not at all.

26:39I'll see you

26:40about dinner then.

26:47Oh, Berta,

26:48it's a bad business.

26:50It is, Father.

26:52Joey,

26:52and this men love.

26:54If we had discovered

26:55living so queer

26:56and unnatural

26:57in the heart

26:58of the aristocracy,

26:59it would kill your mother,

27:01ruin us all.

27:02You must put

27:03some scheme

27:04of marrying

27:05into effect

27:05as soon as possible

27:06before these things

27:07are known.

27:09I will do my best.

27:10Oh, it's beautiful,

27:17it's beautiful,

27:18Berta.

27:19But why have we...

27:21Some sea air.

27:23Joey away from the

27:25distractions of town.

27:27And for myself,

27:28I need a little time to...

27:29Well, well,

27:31Mrs. Petherwyn.

27:32Oh, Lord Montclair.

27:34I little thought that your estate

27:35was near these parts.

27:37What a charming surprise.

27:39And yes,

27:40just beyond those trees

27:41is Enkworth Court.

27:42Oh, that whole place.

27:44My modest,

27:46well-managed estate,

27:47once visited

27:48by King George.

27:49You must visit us

27:50yourself, my dear.

27:52Can you see the sea

27:53from the house?

27:54Well, not directly.

27:56I've been planting

27:57those elms

27:58since I was a boy.

28:00I do love

28:01to see the sea.

28:02Then I shall have

28:03them chopped down.

28:05Any tree which dares

28:06obscure your view

28:07shall fall before dawn.

28:09Berta!

28:09Oh, do excuse me,

28:10Lord Montclair.

28:11A letter from...

28:12Ah, an urgent letter, ma'am.

28:14That Joey

28:15will be the finish

28:16of us all.

28:19My dear Berta,

28:20it's too late.

28:22Manlove has wormed

28:23everything out

28:24of that blockhead Joey.

28:26She's quarrelled with him

28:27and declared she'll tell all.

28:28What does he say, Berta?

28:30You must see

28:31to that marriage matter

28:32before we are exposed.

28:33Lord Montclair,

28:34I should dearly like

28:35to see Enkworth Court

28:36at closer quarters.

28:37Hmm.

28:38You must leave

28:39the country, Berta.

28:40I have given

28:41Mr. Ney

28:41your answer

28:42dress in Rowan

28:43and told him

28:44that's where you're headed

28:45with an answer

28:46for him.

28:47What?

28:49Mr. Ney?

28:50Oh,

28:51my too thoughtful

28:52father.

28:55Lord Montclair,

28:55you must excuse me.

28:57Come, Picardy.

28:58But,

28:59Mrs. Petherwyn,

29:01what happened

29:03to close quarters?

29:04So,

29:06as Berta

29:06prepared her

29:07French escape,

29:09Lord Montclair,

29:10in his large,

29:11well-managed estate

29:12once visited

29:12by King George,

29:14was hearing news

29:15from his valet.

29:16Who is this

29:17men-love?

29:19The lady-maid

29:20at Mrs. Doncastle's,

29:21my lord.

29:21So the charming

29:22Mrs. Petherwyn,

29:23a poet

29:24and a butler's daughter.

29:26Clever little puss

29:27to hoodwink us

29:28all like this.

29:30Hee, hee, hee, hee,

29:31hee, hee,

29:31what a joke.

29:33Now,

29:34listen to me.

29:35Take five pounds

29:36for Miss Menlove

29:37and five

29:39for yourself.

29:41Oh, thank you, sir.

29:42What of

29:43Ethelberta's family?

29:45Girls who keep secrets

29:46are very grateful

29:47for them to be kept.

29:49Well, you hear,

29:50she's on her way

29:50to France.

29:51The Minx.

29:53Find out

29:53when the steamboat

29:54for Cherbourg starts.

29:55Captain Strong

29:56can bring the fawn

29:57round to the bay.

29:58And, er,

29:58has my fashion book

30:00arrived?

30:00It has, sir.

30:02Any handsome ones

30:03this month?

30:04Last time,

30:05that one with the shoulder

30:06kept a few secrets

30:08herself, I'll wager.

30:12The Cherbourg steamer

30:14took a short

30:15easterly course.

30:17And at last,

30:18Bertha breathed

30:19the air.

30:21La Maye.

30:24The greatest

30:25stately home

30:26is nothing

30:27compared to a sunrise

30:28over the sea.

30:30I shall give the details

30:31from now as Piketty

30:32stayed in England.

30:33And anyway,

30:34I wanted to.

30:35Why, Mrs. Petterwin?

30:37Oh, Mr. Ney!

30:38What a very great surprise.

30:40I am en route

30:41to France.

30:43So I see.

30:43Unless you're

30:44on the wrong boat.

30:45Mr. Ney won't stand

30:46the test of my revelations.

30:48A trip to Rouen,

30:50I hear.

30:51Our word gets around.

30:52I shall meet you there

30:53for...

30:55A baguette?

30:56An answer.

30:58Many a modern gentleman

30:59might be pleasantly surprised

31:00to have a lady

31:01none of whose ancestors

31:02had ever pandered

31:04to a court,

31:04lost an army,

31:05taken a bribe,

31:06oppressed a community,

31:07or broken a bank.

31:08But the added disclosure

31:10that her family had

31:11and still worked

31:12with their hands for bread

31:14would ruin it completely.

31:16I would meet you

31:17in Hades

31:18for the matter of that.

31:19Mr. Ney,

31:20there is still much about me

31:21that you're yet to discover.

31:23Exciting, isn't it?

31:24Oh, look!

31:25A yacht!

31:26Over Ney's shoulder,

31:28on a direct course,

31:29a schooner yacht,

31:31sheets gleaming

31:32like bridal satin.

31:35A...

31:35what's that yacht

31:37which follows ours?

31:39The fawn, miss.

31:41Lord Mount Clare

31:41don't do so much yachting

31:43as he did

31:43in his younger days.

31:45But there he was,

31:46on deck,

31:47waving his arms,

31:49taking no account

31:50of my imminent exposure.

31:52I fear I'm queasy

31:55from the waves,

31:56Mr. Ney.

31:56Remember,

31:57Mrs. Petherwyn,

31:58tomorrow I shall

31:59call on you

32:00in Rouen.

32:02Earth,

32:03I live!

32:05We can but hope,

32:06Mr. Ney.

32:11Finally,

32:12the train

32:13offered some peace.

32:14The flat,

32:15French countryside

32:16so expansive

32:17after the narrow

32:18hedgerows of England.

32:19Mrs. Petherwyn?

32:21Oh!

32:23Lord Mount Clare!

32:25Oh!

32:26I've walked

32:26the length

32:27of the whole train.

32:29I'm en route

32:30to Paris.

32:31That's a very long walk.

32:32What a singular coincidence!

32:35A charming one.

32:36Well,

32:36I must change here

32:38for Rouen.

32:38Enjoy Paris!

32:41Why,

32:41my dear?

32:45Maybe Aunt Charlotte's

32:46would be safe refuge.

32:47Oh,

32:49Berta,

32:50you're so very

32:51like your mother!

32:53She sent a letter

32:54for your arrival.

32:56Mother?

32:57Yeah,

32:57I'll read it,

32:58shall I?

32:58No,

32:59I'm sure I can read that.

32:59I'm sick with worry

33:00about men love

33:01worming everything

33:02out of Joey.

33:03Oh,

33:03what's this?

33:04Your father's

33:04much upset,

33:05blah,

33:06blah,

33:06blah.

33:06I know you've

33:07had some good proposals,

33:08so listen to me

33:09and warm up

33:10the best of them.

33:11That's good advice.

33:12I heave a sigh

33:13of relief

33:14at the thought

33:14I found a husband

33:15before the present

33:16man famine.

33:17Unlike your poor

33:18Aunt Charlotte.

33:20I'll let you

33:21read that bit later.

33:22Yes,

33:22thank you,

33:23Aunt.

33:23And I've given

33:23Charlotte's address

33:24to Mr. Ladywell.

33:26Ladywell?

33:27Oh,

33:27can I find no time

33:28to just forget a plan?

33:30Hello?

33:32I thought I'd

33:33break my journey

33:33to rest.

33:34Lord Mount Clare,

33:36well,

33:36what a shame.

33:38I'm just leaving

33:38to ascend to the

33:39parapets of the

33:39cathedral,

33:40and if you

33:41need to rest.

33:41how many

33:48more steps.

33:50I fear the time

33:51may be too much

33:52for you.

33:54I went to the top

33:55some years ago,

33:57and it did not occur

33:59to me as being a thing

34:00worth doing

34:01a single time.

34:03Ah,

34:04what a...

34:04are we here?

34:08Shame.

34:09I would follow

34:10where there are

34:11five thousand more steps.

34:13Well,

34:14we can see nothing

34:14through this fog,

34:15so let's go back down.

34:17Mounting

34:17via the spiral staircase

34:19with a tendency

34:20is ungrateful,

34:21and I myself

34:22am here to meet

34:23a particular...

34:26Oh,

34:26come with me

34:27round to the other side,

34:27Lord Mount Clare.

34:29What Englishman

34:30was that?

34:31Oh,

34:31only Mr. May.

34:32Right here.

34:35I want to ask you.

34:36Believe me,

34:37you think more

34:39of me than you ought.

34:40A rumour is afloat

34:41which will

34:41underceive you much.

34:43I'm so sorry.

34:44Mrs. Pellewell,

34:46the fog is lifting

34:47and I...

34:49Alberta,

34:55a man called for you.

34:57Sentences like

34:57country lanes.

34:59I told him

35:00you were at the cathedral.

35:01You're much like

35:02my dear mother.

35:03I must rest, aunt.

35:04Oh,

35:04and another gentleman.

35:06Expensive perfume.

35:07He's upstairs.

35:08Oh, goodness,

35:08why did you let him in?

35:09Well,

35:09are these men intruders?

35:11Well,

35:11no indeed,

35:12but...

35:12I thought I heard

35:13the celebrated lady.

35:15Mr. Ladywell.

35:17I'll leave you.

35:18Am I forgotten?

35:19You are exactly

35:20as you always were

35:21in my mind.

35:22Then I'm beyond

35:22measure glad I came.

35:24Dear Mrs. Pethowin,

35:26may I...

35:26Oh,

35:27Alberta,

35:28the other one's come back.

35:29Mr. Ladywell,

35:30I'm just going to...

35:31Mrs. Pethowin.

35:32I looked

35:34for you

35:36at the top

35:37of the cathedral.

35:38The fog was above,

35:39below,

35:39and everywhere.

35:41Have you been able

35:42to bestow a thought

35:44on the question

35:45between us?

35:46You will not mind

35:47speaking low,

35:47Mr. Nay,

35:48because of a person

35:49in the next room.

35:50But,

35:50but...

35:50Oh, Lord.

35:51A note for you.

35:53I can have it.

35:53One moment,

35:54please,

35:54Mr. Nay.

35:55Yes.

35:56Shall I read it?

35:56I'm very happy

35:57to read it.

35:58What difference

35:59does it make?

36:00I must see you

36:01again today.

36:02I'll arrive five minutes

36:03after you receive

36:04this note.

36:05Do pray be alone

36:06if you can.

36:07If only.

36:09Mount Clare.

36:09Oh,

36:10Aunt,

36:10I hope you have

36:11rooms enough

36:11to spare for my visitors,

36:12for they are like

36:13the fox,

36:13the goose,

36:14and the corn

36:14in the riddle.

36:15I know nothing

36:16of foxes

36:17or corn.

36:18Mr. Nay,

36:18I am sorry

36:19this has happened.

36:20Yes,

36:20I know a little of.

36:21But it's not

36:21altogether my fault.

36:23I think I'll ask you

36:24to wait.

36:24I shall be only

36:25too happy to stay

36:26till you are...

36:30Asleep?

36:31At leisure.

36:32That may be

36:33a rather long time.

36:34Butter,

36:34gentlemen's outside.

36:35Aunt,

36:36just a moment.

36:37Lady,

36:38well?

36:38Why,

36:38you,

36:39Nay,

36:39how strange.

36:40Yes,

36:40it is rather strange.

36:42Still a fellow

36:42must be somewhere.

36:43Can you,

36:44the two of you,

36:44there's so much

36:45about me

36:45that you will hear.

36:46What do you...

36:47Oh,

36:47for God's sake,

36:48let's have something

36:48to drink.

36:49Splendid.

36:50Aunt Charlotte,

36:50there isn't perhaps

36:51one further gentleman

36:52at the door.

36:52What is this,

36:53a procession?

36:54No lowly musician

36:55preparing to knock.

36:56I mean,

36:57do you actually

36:57want me to check?

36:59Yes,

36:59would you?

37:04There's a butcher's boy.

37:06He any use?

37:07He may as well be.

37:08Do you need a chair,

37:09Bert?

37:10You certainly know

37:11how to keep everyone happy.

37:12I do try,

37:13Aunt,

37:13but I sleep at night

37:14as if I had

37:14committed a murder.

37:16By far the most

37:17serious concern with me

37:18is that I ought to do

37:19some good by marriage.

37:22My dear,

37:23may I await an answer

37:24to my question?

37:25Lord Montclair,

37:27I don't want to marry

37:28a second time

37:28among people

37:29who would regard me

37:30as an upstart

37:31or intruder.

37:32And very soon

37:33a lady called Menlove

37:34or...

37:34Once a nursery governess,

37:36sister of a workman,

37:37daughter of a butler...

37:38But my father and family...

37:40Are nothing to concern me.

37:44My only longing now

37:45is to fly from society

37:46altogether

37:46and go to any hovel

37:48on earth

37:48where I could be at peace.

37:50Menlove has a loose tongue

37:51but a keen sense of secrecy

37:53when she's paid to have,

37:54my dear.

37:55Modern developments

37:56have shaken up the classes

37:58like peas in a hopper

37:59and it would take

38:00fifty alliances

38:01with fifty families

38:02so little disreputable

38:03as yours

38:03to drag mine down.

38:05Then I shall think it

38:10a great honour

38:12to be your wife.

38:16And so,

38:18Bereta came back to me

38:19to an inn

38:21the Lord Montclair's estate.

38:24Her engagement is secret

38:25for the time being.

38:31What's the song?

38:32My dear.

38:34Just an old song.

38:35A poem of mine

38:36set to music.

38:38From the Windway House Dance?

38:41Perhaps a song

38:42we should consider

38:43for the wedding ceremony.

38:45No.

38:45A ceremony I'm keen to have

38:47as soon as possible.

38:51I'm sorry.

38:52You are grieved.

38:55Grieved?

38:56Did I not see a tear there?

38:58Oh, you naturally think

39:00a woman who cries

39:00over a man's gift

39:01must be in love

39:02with the giver.

39:02Not at all.

39:03One who cries

39:05over a song

39:05is much affected

39:07by its sentiment.

39:09Ah, yes.

39:10You will be my wife.

39:13Say again

39:14that you will.

39:15I have said I will.

39:18I will.

39:19Meanwhile,

39:21Mr Christopher Julian

39:22knew nothing

39:23of this certainty.

39:25Do you want

39:25another drink

39:26while the world turns?

39:27I am seven and twenty

39:28and so, so well

39:32accustomed

39:33to the spectacle

39:34of a world

39:35passing me by

39:37and splashing me

39:38with its wheels

39:39that I wonder

39:39why I ever minded it.

39:42What's that crowd

39:43by the,

39:43by the Julie's window?

39:45Oh, a local lady.

39:46Very celebrate.

39:47A poet of some such,

39:49I think.

39:49Ethel Berta?

39:50Oh, she's been married

39:51they say.

39:52The gentleman

39:52is getting in that carriage

39:53now.

39:54He's been buying the ring.

39:55That old gentleman?

39:58He's at least

39:58sixty

39:59or more.

40:00Oh, I know.

40:01Well, do you wonder

40:01why the ceremony

40:02is going to be private?

40:03It's not for the want

40:04of finances

40:04in any case.

40:06Lord Mount Clare,

40:07he won't be...

40:07Sorry, sorry,

40:08sorry,

40:09Dodd who?

40:10Lord Mount Clare

40:11is his name, yeah.

40:12Where you going?

40:13Where you going, sir?

40:14Is it hell

40:15not to your liking?

40:15Oh, Faith,

40:19did you never hear

40:19Father speak of

40:20Lord Mount Clare

40:21when we lived at Sandburg?

40:22I knew the name.

40:23Father knew about him

40:24very well

40:25and he once told me

40:26that, well,

40:28what I cannot tell you,

40:30she is doing this

40:31to benefit her

40:32brothers and sisters

40:33but she ought to know

40:34that if she's miserable

40:35they will never be happy.

40:36You are too warm

40:37about it, Kit.

40:38Well, I know enough

40:39to say that

40:40if earnest representations

40:41can prevent it,

40:42this marriage

40:43shall not be.

40:44Well,

40:44where are you

40:45going?

40:47Kit,

40:47when is this wedding?

40:49The day after tomorrow.

40:52But Berta,

40:53the dresses

40:54and preparations

40:54and people,

40:56how can they be

40:56collected in time?

40:57It is to be

40:58not only a plain

40:59and simple wedding

41:00but a secret one.

41:01Oh,

41:02has Lord Mount Clare

41:03said it must be private

41:04on account of his family?

41:06No,

41:06I have said it

41:07on account of mine.

41:10Ours

41:10was stood in London,

41:11of course.

41:13Our brother Joe

41:13after his great disgrace

41:15with men love

41:15was in the tavern

41:17drowning in his sorrows.

41:19Joe Chickerell?

41:20Hello.

41:22Is Ethelbatter

41:23Pethowin your sister?

41:24Well,

41:24on her account

41:25I don't let it be known to...

41:26I am the brother

41:27of one

41:28who you may have heard of,

41:29Lord Mount Clare.

41:31That's your brother.

41:33My brother's

41:33old

41:34and he has lived,

41:36I must say,

41:37strangely.

41:39That's the face

41:39my father pulls to

41:40when his name is spoke.

41:42My brother's

41:43to be privately

41:43married to

41:44Mrs. Pethowin

41:45tomorrow.

41:46What?

41:47I would rather

41:48she married

41:49the poorest man

41:50I know.

41:51So we are

41:52agreed in thinking

41:52this would be

41:53an unfortunate

41:53marriage for both.

41:55Is it true

41:55that he's not fit

41:56to be the husband

41:57of a decent woman?

41:59There are reasons

42:00why I think

42:00your sister

42:01will not be happy

42:01with him.

42:02Then I would

42:02lose a winter's work

42:03to prevent her

42:04marrying him.

42:05That's a two o'clock

42:06train.

42:09Oh,

42:09I wish there was

42:10more time for me

42:10to tidy myself up

42:11a bit.

42:11beside his new

42:13acquaintance,

42:15our Joe

42:15had the shame-faced

42:16look of a man

42:17going to prison

42:18in a van.

42:19I've got even

42:19my second best hat

42:20wouldn't be so bad.

42:23Across town,

42:24Mr. Nay

42:25was dining

42:25at Windway House.

42:27I suppose

42:28you heard

42:28Mr. Nay?

42:30Hmm?

42:31Lord Mount

42:32Clare's

42:32to be married

42:33tomorrow.

42:34Oh,

42:34I never liked him.

42:36Married to whom?

42:37Why,

42:38who do you think?

42:39Mrs. Pethowin?

42:40Don't know!

42:41God!

42:42Did you speak?

42:44No,

42:45I think it was

42:46the butler.

42:48Chikro,

42:48are you ill?

42:49Was it you

42:50who said that?

42:51I,

42:51I could not

42:52help it,

42:53madam,

42:54but

42:54Ethel Mother

42:55Bethowin

42:56is my daughter

42:56and it shall

42:58be known

42:58at once.

42:59How did she

43:00come to be

43:00your daughter?

43:02Well,

43:03sir,

43:04in the way

43:05you'd expect.

43:06But she was

43:07a guest in our

43:08house while

43:08you served her.

43:10I must go.

43:11Your journey

43:11will be

43:11expensive.

43:13Take this.

43:15Never mind

43:16what class

43:17the train is.

43:18Are you

43:18sure,

43:19sir?

43:19I,

43:19I don't know

43:20if I...

43:21Oh,

43:21hurry,

43:21Chikro,

43:21there's not

43:22a minute

43:22to lose.

43:23And so,

43:26through the night,

43:28by road,

43:29rail and sea,

43:31the men

43:31arrive to

43:32save

43:32Bertha.

43:33Shall we

43:33attempt supper

43:34here,

43:34Joe,

43:35or break the

43:35back of our

43:36journey by

43:36boat?

43:37I'll leave

43:38eaten to

43:38merrier men

43:39who have no

43:39sister in the

43:40hands of a

43:40cursed old

43:41vandal.

43:43How long

43:43till we reach

43:44Nolsey,

43:44captain?

43:45Depends,

43:46sir,

43:46on the

43:47teeth of the

43:47storm.

43:48Having

43:54reached

43:55Swanage

43:55station

43:55late at

43:56night,

43:57father

43:57approached

43:58a coachman.

43:58Anything

43:59to Nolsey?

44:01I've

44:01travelled

44:01from London,

44:02I must

44:02get there

44:03as quick

44:03as I

44:03can.

44:04I'll

44:04take you,

44:05sir.

44:06I,

44:06too,

44:06am headed

44:06to Nolsey

44:07on urgent

44:07business.

44:08And there

44:09he was,

44:10Mr.

44:11Julian.

44:12And as

44:13morning dawned,

44:14it's the

44:15morning that

44:15dawns,

44:16the four

44:17men descended

44:18to the

44:18village while

44:19the church

44:19clock marked

44:20five and

44:20twenty minutes

44:21to nine.

44:25Are you

44:26ready?

44:27I believe

44:27so.

44:29You look

44:29a pitcher.

44:32Are you

44:32crying,

44:33Berta?

44:33Forgive me,

44:34Bickety.

44:35As much as

44:36this man brings

44:37to me in rank

44:37and gifts,

44:38he may take

44:39out of me

44:39in tears.

44:40If you don't

44:41like him well

44:42enough,

44:42don't have

44:43him.

44:44There's time

44:45enough to

44:46put it off.

44:46I would

44:47not upset

44:48a well

44:49considered

44:49cause

44:50in the

44:50haste

44:50of an

44:50impulse.

44:52That's

44:53fire there.

44:53Is that

44:54Nolsey

44:55Church?

44:56Let us

44:56out.

44:58But two

44:58other

44:59fellas.

45:00Who else

45:00is getting

45:00a carriage

45:01here?

45:01Father.

45:03Joel,

45:03what are

45:04you?

45:04Why are you

45:05travelling

45:05with Mr.

45:05Julian?

45:06Mrs.

45:06Pethowin's

45:07father?

45:08I've been

45:08in your

45:09company and

45:09not known

45:10it,

45:10sir.

45:10Father,

45:11this is

45:11Mr.

45:11Julian.

45:12Mr.

45:12Julian,

45:12this is

45:13Lord

45:13Mount

45:13Clare's

45:14brother.

45:14To cut the

45:15story short,

45:15we all wish

45:16to stop the

45:16wedding.

45:17In here.

45:21Bertha!

45:22Bertha?

45:23Nobody here.

45:25Excuse me,

45:26when's the

45:26wedding taking

45:27place?

45:28About five

45:28minutes before

45:29you came in.

45:30No.

45:32Are you

45:33Mr.

45:33Ladywell,

45:34are you not?

45:34It was very

45:35private and plain.

45:36I saw it.

45:37I just noticed

45:37a carriage at the

45:38door and strolled

45:39in.

45:39Did she

45:40look troubled?

45:42Bright and

45:42fresh as a

45:43May morning.

45:45I always

45:45said pride

45:46would lead

45:46Bertha to

45:46marry an

45:47unworthy

45:47man.

45:48Beautiful

45:48creature like

45:49her.

45:49To think

45:50of marrying

45:50that infatuated

45:51idiot.

45:52So,

45:52that's that.

45:54Our

45:54fabulous

45:55fortune lost

45:55and gone.

45:56But she has

45:56too much

45:56poetry in her,

45:57too much

45:58good sense.

45:58Remember the

45:59first time such

45:59matches have

46:00been made?

46:02Farewell.

46:04I'm going

46:04to get some

46:04air.

46:05Father,

46:06too,

46:06could stand

46:07it no more.

46:08I would

46:09sooner have

46:10had it that

46:11in leaving

46:11this church,

46:12I came from

46:13her grave.

46:15I should go

46:15back to

46:16London.

46:17But,

46:17Father,

46:17shouldn't we

46:19first see

46:19where Bertha's

46:20to live?

46:24Look at

46:24that.

46:26One man

46:27to want

46:27such a

46:28monstrous

46:28house as

46:28that.

46:29I always

46:30knew she'd

46:30cut herself

46:30off from

46:31us.

46:32She was

46:32marked for

46:33it from

46:33childhood

46:34and finished

46:35the business

46:35thoroughly.

46:36That's her.

46:37in the

46:38carriage.

46:38With her

46:39husband.

46:39Take off

46:40your hat,

46:40Father.

46:42Not a glance

46:43at us.

46:44I never

46:45see such a

46:45deserter of

46:46her own

46:46lot,

46:47she be.

46:48I'm ashamed

46:48of her.

46:49Jo,

46:50do you not

46:50see?

46:52She's done

46:52it all for

46:53you.

46:55At

46:55Enkworth

46:56Court,

46:57Bertha

46:58was surveying

46:58her new

46:59grounds.

47:01Oh,

47:02Bertha,

47:03you'll be

47:03expected back

47:03at the

47:04house and

47:04you must

47:04get...

47:06Oh.

47:06What's

47:07this place?

47:08On this

47:08isolated

47:09lawn,

47:10hidden in

47:11the grounds

47:11of Lord

47:11Mount

47:12Clare's

47:12house,

47:13a timber

47:13built

47:14cottage

47:14with a

47:15balconet

47:16and porch.

47:19That's

47:19smoke from

47:20the chimney.

47:22Oh,

47:22it's a

47:23pretty little

47:23house.

47:24Yes,

47:24but why

47:24so hidden?

47:26Bertha!

47:30Yes?

47:31Who lives

47:31here,

47:32please?

47:32Why,

47:33Miss

47:33Grishet does,

47:34but she's

47:34not in.

47:35May I

47:35look in?

47:36I don't

47:37know about

47:37that.

47:37Oh,

47:37excuse us.

47:40Oh.

47:43Internally,

47:44the cottage

47:44may be

47:45described

47:45as a

47:45sort

47:46of...

47:46Boudoir?

47:48Huh?

47:49No

47:49other way

47:50to call

47:50it.

47:51Well,

47:51Miss

47:52Grishet

47:52must be

47:52taken

47:53with

47:53frivolity.

47:54Uh,

47:55do you

47:55know

47:55her,

47:56ma'am?

47:57Me?

47:57I'm

47:58a

47:58stranger.

47:58Oh,

47:59well,

47:59then I

47:59may as

48:00well tell

48:00you.

48:01A tale's

48:01flying round

48:02that Lord

48:02Mountclair

48:03was privately

48:04married today.

48:05I believe

48:06it to be

48:06true.

48:07Woman of

48:07no family,

48:08poor thing.

48:09There'll be

48:10murder between

48:10them.

48:11Murder between

48:12whom?

48:13Between her

48:14and the lady

48:14who lives

48:15here.

48:15The staff

48:16call her

48:17Lady

48:17Mountclair,

48:18but that's

48:18just a nickname,

48:19of course.

48:20Yeah,

48:21Miss Grishet.

48:22Well,

48:22she's Lord

48:23Mountclair's,

48:24you know,

48:24well,

48:25I wouldn't like

48:25to say what

48:26he does with

48:26her,

48:26but she

48:27won't be

48:28budging an

48:28inch.

48:29Not her,

48:29no.

48:30Oh,

48:33Berta,

48:34Berta.

48:36And I

48:36ran out

48:37after my

48:37poor,

48:38poor

48:38sister.

48:40Oh,

48:40Piccity,

48:42tis

48:42my father

48:43could never

48:43speak of

48:44him.

48:45Go to

48:46show and

48:46to father,

48:47tell them to

48:47hire a cab,

48:47I'll cover the

48:48expense.

48:50Oh,

48:50how was I

48:50to know

48:51that this

48:51nobleman

48:51was not

48:52noble at

48:53all?

48:54I must

48:55shun him

48:55till I've

48:56tackled him.

48:56Berta,

48:57you're

48:57married.

48:58Shouldn't

48:59you stick

49:00to your

49:00husband?

49:00Don't,

49:01don't go

49:02into the

49:02question of

49:03whether I

49:03am right

49:03or wrong.

49:04Only know,

49:05remember that

49:06I am very,

49:07very unhappy.

49:09Oh,

49:09Berta.

49:10I will

49:11leave Joe a

49:11note by the

49:12entrance gate

49:12at seven

49:13o'clock.

49:13Yes.

49:14Telling him

49:14where to

49:15meet.

49:15Half past

49:16seven at

49:17the West

49:17Lodge or

49:18some such.

49:19The note

49:20will give

49:20details.

49:22Now go.

49:22Go,

49:23go,

49:23go.

49:23Joe,

49:28Joe.

49:29We're

49:30returning to

49:30London,

49:31Picardy.

49:32Father

49:32insists and

49:33I agree.

49:34So much

49:34for the

49:34men coming

49:35to rescue

49:35her.

49:36She wants

49:36to see

49:36you both.

49:37Father?

49:38She may

49:38write and

49:39I will

49:39answer.

49:40But if

49:41she calls

49:41to see

49:42me,

49:42I shall

49:42not return

49:43the visit.

49:43But Berta

49:44had never

49:45needed rescuing

49:45or men.

49:49Then,

49:50from the

49:51shadows.

49:52Miss

49:52Chick.

49:52Oh,

49:54why,

49:54Mr.

49:54Julian,

49:55is that

49:56supernatural

49:56forces keeps

49:57putting you

49:57in my

49:58path.

49:59If it

49:59is,

49:59then I

50:00thank them.

50:01Joe,

50:02you don't

50:02mean to

50:02help her?

50:03I serve

50:04her best

50:04by leaving

50:05her alone.

50:05But she's

50:06in distress.

50:07Well,

50:08she's

50:08married him.

50:10Come on,

50:10Joey.

50:14Miss

50:14Chickerell,

50:15I will.

50:17Yes.

50:20Driver?

50:20So Mr.

50:21Julian went

50:22himself,

50:23sitting mute

50:24and melancholy

50:25till he was

50:26at the house,

50:27awaiting the

50:27note to give

50:28him instruction.

50:31Mmm.

50:33Mmm.

50:35A wedding

50:36feast,

50:36my dear.

50:37And then,

50:38Lady Mount

50:39Clare,

50:41we retire.

50:42Mmm.

50:43And let's just,

50:44um,

50:45will you

50:45excuse me?

50:46Don't be

50:48too long.

50:51I believe

50:52I also

50:53need to...

50:55A scribbled

50:55note for

50:56a brother.

50:58With

50:58Bertha's breath

50:59as shallow

51:00as a new

51:00husband.

51:02Driver,

51:03the North

51:04Lodge.

51:05This note

51:05tells me I

51:06must wait

51:06there.

51:09Now,

51:10listen for

51:11a footstep.

51:12Such calmness

51:13in Mr.

51:13Julian's voice.

51:14His heart

51:16beating fast

51:16and loud

51:17as he strained

51:18his ear

51:18to catch

51:18the footful

51:19of the woman

51:19who could

51:20only be his

51:20illegally.

51:22The darkness

51:23was total.

51:26Five minutes

51:27later,

51:27Bertha skimmed

51:28across the park

51:28and under

51:29the boughs

51:29like a shade.

51:31She saw

51:31a carriage

51:32and the door

51:33was held open

51:34by a driver

51:34so she

51:35entered instantly.

51:37Oh,

51:37Joe.

51:38It's done.

51:39It's done.

51:39I'm here.

51:41I am here.

51:43Let's go.

51:44And off

51:45they drove.

51:48Joey?

51:49Why not

51:50talk to me?

51:51But it was

51:51not our

51:52brother who

51:52accompanied

51:53my Bertha.

51:54Joey!

51:56Her fellow

51:57traveller

51:57kept his

51:57head

51:58and his

51:58whole

51:59person

51:59as snugly

51:59back in

52:00the corner

52:00as possible.

52:02Where are we

52:03now?

52:05Shall we

52:05get to

52:05Anglebury

52:06by nine?

52:07He he he

52:08he he

52:09he he

52:09a very

52:12pleasant

52:13joke

52:13my dear.

52:16And nobody

52:17enjoys a

52:17good jest

52:18more than

52:19your

52:19husband.

52:21Who are you

52:22looking for?

52:23I suspect

52:25he will be

52:27at the

52:27North

52:28Lodge

52:28for I

52:29can write

52:30notes

52:30too

52:31you see.

52:33And he'll

52:33be met

52:34there by

52:34my men

52:35who will

52:36explain

52:36you've

52:37changed

52:37your

52:37mind.

52:39Your

52:39friend

52:39shall be

52:40taken

52:41care

52:41of

52:42Ethel

52:43Berta

52:43might

52:43have

52:44fallen

52:44dead

52:44with

52:44shock

52:45so

52:46terrible

52:46and

52:47hideous

52:47was it

52:48but not

52:49my

52:49Berta

52:50Lord

52:51Mount

52:51Clare

52:52we are

52:53one to

52:53one

52:53and I

52:54am the

52:55stronger

52:55and now

52:56I will

52:57go away

52:57Do you

52:59not see

52:59that ring

53:00on your

53:01finger?

53:02You

53:03will be

53:04exposed

53:04to the

53:05world

53:05for your

53:05plaything

53:06Miss

53:06Grouchette

53:07and the

53:08scandal

53:09I assure

53:10you

53:10will be

53:11great

53:12But we

53:13made solemn

53:14vows

53:14Once you

53:15have removed

53:15her from

53:16the cottage

53:16I'll be

53:17in touch

53:17to negotiate

53:18terms on

53:19which I'll

53:19return

53:19And shall

53:21we be

53:21happy

53:22my dear

53:23wife?

53:23I shall

53:24be sharp

53:24with you

53:24Lord

53:24Mount

53:25Clare

53:25About

53:26happy

53:26I don't

53:26know

53:27But I

53:28shall

53:28hold

53:28the reins

53:29you may

53:29be sure

53:30As I

53:32always

53:32have

53:33And she

53:36walked

53:36as by

53:37a miracle

53:37Berta

53:39would have

53:40died

53:40rather than

53:41not walk

53:41then

53:41A year

53:46later

53:46in the

53:47drawing room

53:47of Lord

53:48Mount

53:48Clare's

53:48well-managed

53:49estate

53:49Berta

53:50had pulled

53:51up a chair

53:51before a

53:52select audience

53:52of invited

53:53guests

53:53to tell

53:55a story

53:55Because she

53:56had a will

53:56of iron

53:57the woman

53:58remained

53:59and the

54:00estate

54:00began

54:00to flourish

54:01A man

54:03on the

54:03verge

54:03of

54:03bankruptcy

54:04will do

54:04better

54:05to marry

54:05a poor

54:05and sensible

54:06wife

54:06than a rich

54:07and stupid

54:07one

54:08As for

54:10the other

54:10girl

54:10the April

54:12natured

54:12pink-cheeked

54:13girl

54:13with eyes

54:14that would

54:14have made

54:15any jeweller

54:15in England

54:16think of

54:16his trade

54:17Why,

54:18Piccety

54:19Mr Julian

54:21I hoped

54:22he would be

54:23here

54:23I live

54:25here

54:25In Lord

54:28Mount Clare's

54:28house?

54:29Oh goodness

54:29no

54:30in the cottage

54:31on the grounds

54:32with the dear

54:33little path

54:34up to the door

54:34We all live

54:35here

54:36Mother

54:36Father

54:37and the

54:38little ones

54:38And Jo?

54:40Oh

54:40Berta set

54:41him up

54:41as a builder

54:41in London

54:42I expect

54:43it's Berta

54:44you've come

54:44to see

54:45I

54:47I have

54:48been in

54:49Italy

54:49on a musical

54:50tour

54:50with a deal

54:51of time

54:51to think

54:52and I'm

54:54very glad

54:56to hear

54:56she's settled

54:57Oh

54:57she is

54:58But then

55:00I thought

55:00I would

55:01call and

55:01see you

55:02and

55:03and ask

55:05what you

55:05think

55:05on one

55:06point

55:06Which

55:07point

55:07Mr Julian?

55:12Whether

55:13you could

55:14ever

55:14marry me

55:16Oh

55:16I thought

55:18you would

55:19ask me

55:19when I

55:19first saw

55:20you

55:20Did you?

55:22Why?

55:23You looked

55:24at me

55:24as if

55:25you would

55:25I

55:28I

55:28have only

55:30my earnings

55:30by music

55:31A marriage

55:32with me

55:32will

55:33will hardly

55:34be considered

55:35well

55:35To me

55:37it will

55:37Oh

55:38here comes

55:39Berta

55:39Oh

55:40Mr Julian

55:41Hello

55:42Lady Mount

55:43Clare

55:44I'm afraid

55:45I missed

55:45your story

55:46Oh no matter

55:47you know it

55:47already

55:48I have

55:50come to

55:51ask your

55:51sister to

55:51be my

55:52wife

55:52I hope

55:54your father

55:55won't

55:55object

55:55He will

55:56be very

55:57glad

55:58as I

55:58am

55:59Oh

55:59Berta

56:00Are you

56:01sure

56:01Of course

56:02darling

56:03Berta

56:05always

56:07gives me

56:07what is

56:07necessary

56:08In the

56:14Hand of

56:14Ethel

56:14Berta

56:14by Thomas

56:15Hardy

56:16Ethel

56:17Berta

56:17was played

56:17by Rebecca

56:18Humphries

56:19Picketty

56:20by Abra

56:20Thompson

56:21Christopher

56:22by Alfred

56:23Enoch

56:23Lord

56:24Mount

56:24Clare

56:25by Adrian

56:25Scarborough

56:26Nay

56:27by Simon

56:28Armstrong

56:28Chickerell

56:30by Michael

56:30Bertenshaw

56:31Joe

56:32by Tom

56:33Forrester

56:33Aunt

56:34Charlotte

56:34by Heather

56:35Craney

56:35Faith

56:37by Katrina

56:37McFarlane

56:38and Lady

56:39Well

56:39by Lee

56:40Menko

56:40The

56:41Harpist

56:42was Alice

56:42Hughes

56:42and the

56:43pianist

56:44was

56:44Branman

56:44Mutt

56:45The Hand

56:46of Ethel

56:46Berta

56:46was adapted

56:47by Catherine

56:47Shakewaves

56:48It was a BBC

56:50Cymru

56:50Wales

56:51production

56:51directed

56:53by John

56:53Norton

56:53No

56:54I'm

56:55I'm

56:56I'm

56:57I'm

56:58I'm

56:59I'm

57:00I'm

57:01I'm

57:02I'm

57:03I'm

57:04I'm

57:05I'm

57:06I'm

57:07I'm

57:08I'm

57:09I'm

57:10I'm

57:11I'm

57:12I'm

57:13I'm

57:14I'm

57:16I'm

57:17I'm

57:18I'm

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