- 2 days ago
Miss Austen S01E04 High Quality
Category
š„
Short filmTranscript
00:00I wish to inform you that my wife and I will be taking up residence in the Vicarage in a
00:05fortnight.
00:06Oh, and one more thing. Eliza's letters.
00:08Am I to understand you already have knowledge of their whereabouts?
00:12Why ever would you think that?
00:13I am to be in print. I am to be a published authorese.
00:19I beg you, if you are offered any means of escape, do not refuse it.
00:24Cassie Austin, I have loved you since the moment that our hands first touched.
00:29What was your answer?
00:30I cannot marry him.
00:32If you and Mr. Litterdale do decide to marry, Beth has been assisting you.
00:36Has she not?
00:38Indeed she has.
00:41Married. Myself and Mr. Litterdale.
00:43Oh, Cassandra.
00:44You have the wrong sister.
00:59I can't explain.
01:00I can't explain it.
01:01I can't explain it.
01:03I can't explain it.
01:03I can't explain it.
01:03Absolutely.
01:04Please, please, come and get me.
01:08I can't explain it.
01:27It really is much smaller than I imagined, Dundas.
01:30I fear we have too much furniture.
01:32Nonsense, my dear.
01:34The sideboard will look splendid against this wall,
01:37under the portrait of my late dear father.
01:39But where should we place the pedestal table?
01:41And those windows, so out of proportion for the room.
01:45I confess I've always been of that opinion myself.
01:47How strange you never mentioned it before, Mama.
01:49Well, you must have forgotten, Anna.
01:51Now, Mama, if I recall, you always remarked how fortunate your sister Eliza was
01:55to have the benefit of such a beautiful room.
01:56My dear mother spent many happy hours sitting in the window.
01:59I have far too many children to sit anywhere for hours.
02:03Isabella, I've just seen your sister Beth.
02:06Oh, Beth, forgive me, I was not aware you were all present.
02:09Miss Austen, what a pleasure to make your acquaintance once more.
02:13It is almost as good as being in the presence of your dear departed sister.
02:18My dear, Miss Austen here was fortunate enough to be sister to the great lady novelist, Miss Jane Austen.
02:27Imagine!
02:27How splendid for you.
02:30Now, dundas to the curtains.
02:32I am concerned ours will not fit those rather large windows.
02:36Now, Mama, we must take our leave.
02:38Mrs. Bunbury is not a woman to be kept waiting.
02:47I am deeply sorry, Isabella.
02:52I was not aware of all the facts surrounding your situation.
02:56If I gave you the impression that your sister Beth and Mr. Litterdale were...
02:59You gave me no such impression, Cassandra.
03:02And even if you had done so, it had no consequence.
03:07It is true.
03:10We did have feelings for one another once.
03:14He proposed, and I refused him.
03:17And that is an end to it.
03:20Oh, Isabella, forgive me, but I must ask you something.
03:22Did you refuse him of your own volition, or were you instructed to do so?
03:27My father would not give his permission.
03:32He considered Mr. Litterdale to be beneath us.
03:40Mr. Litterdale's mother was a servant at the big house.
03:46Do you see?
03:48Yes, I see.
03:52Mr. Litterdale has no inheritance to speak of.
03:56He works in the service of the poor.
04:00He is a good man.
04:03Yes, I see that too.
04:05But he is also a proud man.
04:09I have refused him.
04:13He will not ask again.
04:17I take heart from your example, Cassandra.
04:19Sarah, you have shown me that a single life lived in the service of others can bring contentment.
04:29Is that not so?
04:31Indeed, my dear.
04:34What is duty but a kind of love?
04:39I would very much appreciate it if you would pay Mary Jane a visit to settle the matter of our
04:44future lodgings.
04:58In! In!
05:03So it is settled then.
05:07Isabella and I will live together as our dear departed father so wished.
05:11I would prefer to remain in my house where I am safe.
05:15Isabella will move in here.
05:17While your home is undoubtedly charming, I fear it cannot accommodate both of you.
05:25Neither of you will be comfortable.
05:27Sadly.
05:32New lodgings it is then.
05:34Though we must be mindful not to burden Isabella with an opinion on this matter.
05:39She is at her best when given guidance.
05:42Come now.
05:43Isabella organized the Kintbury move with great efficiency.
05:46Only because you are here.
05:48Well, I sincerely hope you both find comfort and companionship.
05:53I care not for companionship.
05:55That is not the purpose of us living together.
05:58It is to ensure that Isabella does not return to the behavior that caused our dear father such great upset.
06:07I take it you mean the business with Mr. Lysadeth?
06:11Do not mention that man.
06:12His dalliance with my sister threatened to bring shame upon my father's good name.
06:17I must continue his legacy and protect it still.
06:21I do not think it was a dalliance, Mary Jane.
06:25I believe it to have been love.
06:28Do not be ridiculous.
06:31Isabella's head was turned because he paid her a little attention.
06:35I will begin preparations for removals immediately.
06:39All my possessions must come with me.
06:41All of them?
06:42Yes, all of them.
06:44They are my late husband's treasures.
06:47I brought them back from India.
06:49And they are a reminder of my happiest times.
06:53Let it be known.
06:54I am only doing this for my father.
06:57Out of duty.
07:11Mum.
07:14Dinah, it seems Miss Isabella is to be settled with Mrs. Mary Jane Dexter.
07:19So there is no further need for me to remain here.
07:22It seems I have outstayed my welcome long enough.
07:25I'll pack your belongings at once, Mum.
07:27No, thank you.
07:28I will pack my own trunk.
07:30Very well, Mum, if you insist.
07:32Yes, Dinah, I do.
08:35Eliza, my mother, Jane, and I thank you for your heartfelt condolences.
08:41Mama is bearing our father's loss, which is immeasurable, with great courage.
08:46But as for Jane, it is as if she is sinking away from me.
08:51I cannot persuade her to pick up a pen, even to a letter, and I am fearful she may never
08:58write
08:59again.
09:06Mama, the time has come for us to discuss our business.
09:08Oh, yes.
09:13Thank you for getting up, my darling.
09:22Thank you for getting up, my darling.
09:39I am.
09:42I am.
09:43I am so happy to have you.
09:58accept. He will be married soon and he cannot afford to waste that on us. It's
10:04enough to know that he offered. How proud your father would be. I agree, Mama. But
10:11his generosity has been matched by James and Edward. It has now been arranged that
10:16Frank and James will give 50 pounds each and Edward another hundred. Mercy me.
10:23Was there ever such excellent sense? Wait. Am I to understand that Frank, the hard-working
10:30sailor with no home of his own, fast offered 100 pounds, but Edward Austin of the Godmisham
10:35estate in Kent offered the same amount and no more? Yes, they are also generous. We will
10:41have to take smaller and cheaper lodgings, of course, but if we are to visit friends and
10:45family in the summer months, that will not be so bad. So that gives us a total of 200 pounds
10:51to which we can add to the yield of our own money. Which I contribute nothing. Not a
10:56farthing. What a wretched creature I am.
11:05You are our great strength, Cassie, as your father knew you would be. We will manage quite
11:13handsomely, I am sure. What can I do for you? Nothing. There is nothing anyone can do to help a
11:37woman who has been on this earth for thirty years and has nothing to show for it. Any
11:42writer has known disappointment at some stage, Jane. You sold Susan to Mr. Crosby. Those ten pounds were earned, my
11:52dearest. They were not the profit of some legacy. And we both know that same Mr. Crosby never published it.
11:58I must face the fact that nothing will ever come of my writing now. Oh, Jane. You protected me for
12:04so long. You allowed me to be alone in my head and I thank you for that. I had opportunities.
12:12I squandered them. Allow me to grieve for that on Papa both.
12:25Isabella, if I may. There is no garden. We have no need of a garden. I never go outside. If
12:32I could help it. You may not marry Jane, but I do. And if we are to live together, we
12:37must both be satisfied. Cassandra is correct. There must be a garden.
12:46You are here to assist me, Cassandra.
12:56Our search for affordable accommodation has brought us back to the county of Hampshire, Eliza. Southampton seems an agreeable enough
13:04place. And we will make the best of it.
13:12My only real concern is for Jane. She finds change very difficult, which is unfortunate, as change comes at us
13:20so often without the courtesy of warning. I fear she may be on the brink of another bout of melancholy.
13:29Are we not blessed to have this on our doorstep? We are indeed blessed.
13:38We shall find better lodgings, Jane. And in a few months, when our sister-in-law is out of her
13:44latest confinement, we shall pay a visit to Godmersham. The grounds alone shall cheer you.
13:51You are my Lizzie Bennet to the root. One glimpse of beautiful grounds and everything changes.
13:56You've had to make empowering me to Lizzie Bennet, my dear.
14:02Perhaps you will write something when you are there.
14:09All of that is behind me now.
14:16I suppose I could make something of the garden. Perhaps.
14:21Do you not think it might be a little small for two people, Isabella?
14:26Where would you teach? Teach? Why would you want to teach?
14:30Isabella must continue her teaching, Mary Jane. It would be a misfortune for her pupils to be denied her.
14:37You are right, Cassandra. I must do that, if nothing else.
15:10Would it help if I read some of the pages out loud so you can hear how good they are?
15:14I'm desperate to know if Colonel Brandon and Marianne are to be married.
15:18I'm afraid their fate must remain unknown to the entire world. I will never see it published.
15:25Cassie?
15:26What is the miss, Mama?
15:31It's from Mr. Hobday.
15:34How does he know where we live?
15:37His mother and I have been corresponding since Sidmouth.
15:41She was most kind when your papa died.
15:44Mother.
16:05Are you sure you will not take tea, Mr. Hobday?
16:07No, thank you. I can't stay for long. I have more business in town.
16:11How do you find Southampton?
16:14It is pleasant enough. It's most unlike Derbyshire. Or Sidmouth even.
16:25When my mother informed me that you were a resident here, I had a pressing need to see you again.
16:33For what reason?
16:39I wish to inform you in person of my position. I am to be married, Miss Austin. Cassie.
16:57Then I must wish you and your intended my heartfelt congratulations.
17:03Thank you. Um...
17:06If you'll forgive me, I'm not quite sure what this has to do with me.
17:12Uh, we were friends once.
17:14Yes, we were for a short while.
17:16Yes, more than friends, if I may say.
17:20And...
17:20I...
17:21I wish to know, to...
17:24To see for myself if that was still the case.
17:27Please do not ask me that.
17:29Why?
17:31Why?
17:33Because you aren't sure? Or because...
17:36Look around, Mr. Hobday.
17:40This is where my beloved family now find themselves.
17:48Our circumstances have changed. They need me now more than ever.
17:51Yes, but I could be party to helping them, could I not?
17:57You are the kindest of men.
18:03But the truth is, is...
18:07My sister would not survive without my constant care.
18:11My duty is here with her.
18:18Ah, then I shall not ask again.
18:26And I wish you both all the happiness that there is.
18:59The most dreadful news reached us last night, Eliza.
19:05Our brother Edward's wife, Elizabeth Austin, died from a seizure during her latest confinement.
19:11Godmisham has been plunged into darkness.
19:14Cassie is travelling there as I write.
19:18Those poor children and dear, dear Edward.
19:21Their loss is unimaginable.
19:32Brother.
19:36Can I get you anything?
19:37No, thank you.
19:40Nothing.
19:43I will see to the children, then.
19:47Cassie.
19:51The children and I would like it very much if you were to come and live with us.
20:01Oh, Edward.
20:04I feel for you all so deeply.
20:07And I will do anything in my power to help you, but...
20:12I cannot live with you.
20:15My place is with Jane and our mother.
20:18My first duty is to them.
20:21Of course.
20:23I...
20:24I...
20:24I...
20:24I do see that.
20:32I...
20:40Do you still plan to visit children from time to time?
20:42I do.
20:45I think it'll be good for the children.
20:48And, as Mama has always said, Hampshire is the king of counties.
20:51Well then perhaps I could make a suggestion that might help all of us.
20:55You, the children, Mama and Jane.
20:58Pray tell.
21:01That...
21:01Small cottage in Chawton.
21:03The one opposite the duck pond.
21:04It is close to the great house, is it not?
21:07If we were to live there...
21:09Well then when you and the children are in residence there, we...
21:12We would see much of you.
21:15What a clever Cassie.
21:18That is by far the best solution.
21:21For all of us.
21:25What a generous brother you are.
21:53It is perfection.
21:58Day.
22:07That little desk is just...
22:10Sitting there waiting for you to use it.
22:12All those manuscripts you've been carrying around for so long could finally come out of hiding.
22:22What is there to stop you now?
22:25It is over.
22:28The worst is behind us.
22:37The house is quite charming, is it not?
22:39And the garden is a perfect size to manage.
22:42I thought the house to be far too bright.
22:44We'd need extremely heavy drapes.
22:47The sun is very damaging, both to your person and to your belongings.
22:51Because I know this, having lived under it for so long.
22:53I am sure the drapes would be no hardship.
22:55And we would not need them in all rooms.
22:58Particularly not in that delightful little room which would be perfect for teaching my pupils.
23:02Look, Isabella, we are yet to agree on this matter.
23:04I do not like the idea of strangers coming to our house.
23:07They are not strangers, Mary Jane.
23:10Not me.
23:11Well then, we'll need stronger bolts.
23:15We'll finalise a lease tomorrow.
23:20Isabella, are you sure you are quite happy about all of this?
23:26It will be fine, Cassandra.
23:29As long as I have my teaching, and my garden, and as long as I cannot see the vicarage from
23:34any window.
23:49Ladies.
23:50Mr. Lidderdale.
23:52How are you both?
23:54Well, I trust?
23:55Quite well, thank you.
24:00We have been to view a cottage, have we not, Isabella?
24:03Yes, we have.
24:05For yourself, Miss Fowle?
24:08Yes, for me, and my sister, Mrs. Mary Jane Dexter.
24:12Then I sincerely hope this arrangement will suit you well.
24:17I hope so too.
24:20It is quite the prettiest of cottages, is it not, Isabella?
24:24It is.
24:25Very pretty.
24:27I have a new situation also.
24:30I have been offered the position of surgeon at Schulber.
24:35I will be leaving within the month.
24:46I wish you well.
24:50And I...
24:55Come, Cassandra.
24:56We still have a great deal to do at the vicarage.
24:59Goodbye, Mr. Lidderdale.
25:16Darnia, my sister and I have found a house.
25:18It will suit us well.
25:20There is a room for you, so your future is also assured.
25:24Though you are not beholden to us.
25:26So if by any chance a young gentleman should...
25:31Cassandra, I would like it very much indeed if we could finish reading persuasion now.
25:36It would be a fitting end to your visit.
25:50There was too much wind to make the high part of the new cob pleasant for the ladies,
25:55and they agreed to get down the steps to the lower.
25:57All were content to pass quietly and carefully down the steep flight, excepting Louisa.
26:04She must be jumped down them by Captain Wentworth.
26:08The hardness of the pavement on her feet made him less willing upon the present occasion.
26:13He did it, however.
26:14She was safely down and instantly ran up the steps to be jumped down again.
26:20He advised her against it.
26:23Thought the jar too great, but he reasoned and talked in vain.
26:27She smiled and said,
26:28I am determined I will.
26:31I am determined I will.
26:33He put out his hands.
26:36Louisa was too precipitate.
26:39She fell on the pavement on the lower cob and was taken up, lifeless.
26:45You have killed her.
26:48There was no wound, no blood, no visible bruise.
26:53But her eyes were closed and she breathed not.
26:57Her face was like death.
26:59The horror of the moment to all who stood around.
27:03She is dead!
27:05She is dead!
27:06Screamed Mary.
27:07How could Jane have done this to her, to us?
27:10Read on, I beg you.
27:11Is there no one to help me?
27:13Were the first words which burst from Captain Wentworth in a tone of despair.
27:19As if all his strength were gone.
27:21Somebody help him, please!
27:23Rub her hands!
27:25Rub her temples!
27:26Cried Anne.
27:27Here!
27:28Here are the salts!
27:29Take them!
27:29Yes!
27:30The salts!
27:31Take the salts!
27:34Captain Benwick obeyed.
27:36Captain Wentworth, staggering against the wall for his support, exclaimed in the bitterest agony.
27:42Oh God!
27:44Her father and her mother!
27:46A surgeon!
27:47Said Anne.
27:48A surgeon this instant!
27:51A surgeon.
27:52A surgeon.
27:54A surgeon.
27:56A surgeon.
27:57A surgeon.
28:03A surgeon.
28:08A surgeon.
28:11A surgeon.
28:16A surgeon.
28:18A surgeon.
28:19A surgeon.
28:20A surgeon.
28:22A surgeon.
28:23A surgeon.
28:25A surgeon.
28:25A surgeon.
28:26A surgeon.
28:28she must have fainted oh tripped there's barely a pulse dinah dinah stay with us
28:36dinah isabel i fear she may have sustained serious injuries go go and fetch mr litterdale at once
28:42go isabella mr litterdale mr litterdale there has been the most terrible accident
29:37nothing broken i'm pleased to say
29:43a concussion then as far as i can tell would you open my bag and pass me the witch hazel
29:48and lint
29:49miss austin some water please yes of course
29:56she'll have a good bump coming
29:59salts do you think most definitely
30:19thank you for coming
30:23i will always come if you require it of me
30:27after all that has gone on between us you could be forgiven for refusing
30:32i could never turn my back on a patient
30:36or on you
30:38miss isabel
30:47she's back with us
30:53he came there
31:02she's back with us
32:22Oh.
32:24Dinah, try not to move.
32:27I hate ours, ma'am.
32:29You had a nasty fall.
32:31You were very lucky.
32:33I've made you some tea.
32:36The good china, ma'am.
32:38Yes.
32:39I found it hidden away.
32:41It seems you hadn't got around to packing it yet.
32:44Miss Isabella loves it, so...
32:48She couldn't wish for a better friend.
32:50You mean me, ma'am?
32:52Because of you and your escapade,
32:55Miss Isabella and Mr Lidderdale have been reconciled.
33:01I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about.
33:04It's a peculiar coincidence,
33:06but there's a very similar event in my sister's novel, Persuasion.
33:09In fact, I was reading that very passage just before you fell.
33:14That is a peculiar thing, ma'am.
33:17Hmm.
33:22I applaud your bravery and your presence of mind.
33:26I, on the other hand, have been extremely slow
33:29to understand precisely what was going on right under my nose.
33:33He got there in the end, though.
33:36Hmm.
33:37They love each other, ma'am.
33:39It's always been that way.
33:41But the master would have none of it
33:43on account of Mr Lidderdale's background, see?
33:47Did Isabella's mother know anything of this?
33:50Well, if she did, she never let on.
33:53She wasn't one for meddling,
33:55even when meddling was what was needed.
33:57No. Not like us.
33:59The difference between you and me, ma'am,
34:02is that my meddling's done to the good.
34:05Hmm.
34:14I cannot write.
34:15I have nothing but a drag on the household.
34:18This should come with me.
34:20I cannot shake this feeling of fear.
34:22It is as if a monster is stalking our threshold,
34:25and I am desperate to keep it at bay.
34:26With me?
34:28I enjoy this present weather from top to toe,
34:31from right to left,
34:32longitudinally,
34:34perpendicularly,
34:34diagonally.
34:35Good one for Mary.
34:37Walter Scott has no business to write novels,
34:40especially good ones.
34:41He has fame and profit enough as a poet,
34:43and should not be taking...
34:45That can stay here.
34:46Were there a way out of my gloom,
34:48I should find it.
34:49All these potions and recipes...
34:51Coming with me.
34:52I have sold a novel, Eliza.
34:54Mary.
34:54This time, I am certain to be published.
35:18For now, the world is to know me only as a lady.
35:21It is well that I have always enjoyed
35:23being a woman of mystery.
35:25Dearest Eliza,
35:26I am quite delighted with your letter.
35:29Your liking Darcy and Elizabeth
35:31is enough to satisfy my vanity.
35:33You will be glad to hear
35:35that the first edition of Mansfield Park
35:36is all sold.
35:38I shall not plague you
35:39with any sordid meticulars about money.
35:42Oh, Eliza.
35:43I am most gratified you enjoyed Emma,
35:46though her passage into the world
35:48has not gone as smoothly
35:49as I had hoped.
35:53The quarterly review
35:54feels the novel lacks incident.
36:01How dare they.
36:03I hurry to finish it
36:04on account of the pain
36:05I am suffering in my back.
36:07Cassie says it is the strain
36:09of sitting over my work
36:10for so many hours every day,
36:12but I am not sure
36:14it isn't something more.
36:16I confess
36:17I would swap all hope
36:19of wealth and success
36:21to feel well again.
36:24We have seen an army of doctors,
36:27but none of them
36:27can name what ails me.
36:31All right.
36:33It's fine.
36:37Cassie will not be deterred,
36:39however.
36:44She is taking me to Cheltenham,
36:46where she is convinced
36:47the waters will bring a miracle.
36:56I try very hard
36:58to convince myself
36:59that my symptoms are lifting,
37:02but they are not, Eliza.
37:05This poor, stubborn body of mine
37:08seems quite set on decline.
37:13But we will soon be back
37:14with you in Kintbury,
37:16and that alone
37:17raises my spirits.
37:25How is she, do you think, Eliza?
37:29She's very thin.
37:32I'm a little alarmed
37:33by these strange
37:34black patches on her arms.
37:39I'm sure they're nothing, Cassie.
37:41There's a doctor in Winchester
37:42who thinks he might be able
37:43to help.
37:45I'm taking her there next.
37:48Eliza?
37:48Cass, I...
37:50Eliza, my dear.
37:51I hope you've remembered
37:52I'm out this evening.
37:53The Tory dinner in Newbury.
37:57How is your sister doing today?
37:59We were just saying
38:00she...
38:02she seems better.
38:03Really?
38:04I detect a great sadness.
38:07It's a pity those books of hers
38:08have come to nothing.
38:10Jane has had four novels published,
38:12and all to great acclaim.
38:14No profit in them, though.
38:15So Mary tells us.
38:17We did try the new one,
38:18some lady's name.
38:19What was it again?
38:20Emma.
38:21Yes.
38:22Afraid we read the first chapter,
38:23then skip to the end.
38:25I did not.
38:26I read to the end.
38:28And I enjoyed it very much.
38:32Perhaps you might find
38:33Jane's new novel,
38:34Persuasion,
38:35more to your liking, Fuller.
38:37It is to be her best one yet.
38:40Hmm.
39:00Windjester seems quite a pretty town.
39:08You must try to rest, my darling.
39:10I have the doctor's address.
39:12I will hurry there now.
39:13No, I do not want him.
39:16He promises an improvement.
39:17We must try everything.
39:18No more, Cass.
39:19I'm tired.
39:21I want to go home to Chawton.
39:27But it's too late, is it not?
39:37Cass.
39:40What is it?
39:41What do you need?
39:42You're exhausted.
39:44I'm fine.
39:50Do not be upset,
39:51but Mary Austin is on her way.
39:56So be it.
40:12I came as soon as I could.
40:15I'll sit with her now.
40:16You must rest.
40:19Go.
40:20If anything changes,
40:21I will call for you.
40:22At once.
40:25I will not go without you.
40:34Mary, come sit with me.
40:37Yes.
40:54Oh, we can never beat you at cards.
40:56You were always too clever.
40:58Too clever by half.
40:59And then you would play the preludes for us.
41:03You were gifted in so many ways, Jane.
41:07For them, my beloved James would delight us with his poetry.
41:12Yes, he would.
41:16Oh, Jane.
41:21Such happy times.
41:41Is she gone?
41:42She has.
41:48It was touching to see you both so cheerful together.
41:52Disaster often brings out the best in Mary.
41:55It's success that disturbs her good nature.
42:00She pities me now even more than she wants to do.
42:05And there I was, the happiest woman in England.
42:09But she could only see tragedy.
42:14Do you think others saw me the way Mary did?
42:19As a joyless creature?
42:25It doesn't matter what other people think.
42:27It matters.
42:30It matters to me.
42:33I do not want the world to know of my sadness.
42:37Only of the joy in my stories.
42:47Tell me what it is that you want.
42:51Nothing but death.
42:56It will not be long now.
43:00My darling.
43:04Till you will be in peace.
43:23Jane Austen.
43:29You have been the best.
43:34Most loyal, most loving, most gifted sister.
43:47And I, Cassie Austen.
43:52I've been the most blessed sister to have loved you.
44:24I've been the best.
44:26Because, you know, you are the best.
44:26I don't know.
45:04I don't know.
45:40I trust I am not intruding, my dear.
45:43I am delighted to see you so overjoyed.
45:47I assume Mr. Litterdale has proposed.
45:51Yes.
45:52Yes, he has.
45:54And I have accepted gratefully and with my whole heart.
45:58Thank you for insisting I fetch him.
46:01Thank Dinah for giving me a call.
46:04And dear Jane for the inspiration.
46:12I think we have sufficient calls for celebration, do we not?
46:17Besides, I am sure the new vicar and his wife will have no use for these.
46:30Well, I shall miss you both.
46:33But I will also be pleased to sleep in my own bed.
46:36Smith, where are you?
46:39Mum, I found this lying around.
46:42Wouldn't want it falling into the wrong hands, so you might as well have it.
46:45I can't read anyway, so it's no use to me.
46:49Thank you, dear Dinah.
46:52Well, here's the thing.
46:54Once again, you intend to travel without the courtesy of informing your only remaining sister.
47:00What on earth?
47:01Get up at once.
47:03Isabella, what a good thing I came back.
47:05We'd never be ready by tomorrow.
47:06A blessing indeed, Aunt Mary.
47:09Aunt Mary, on the matter of Eliza's letters,
47:14perhaps you could look in the settle in her room.
47:17It was the only place I didn't manage to search.
47:20If I recall, Eliza tied Jane's letters in a blue ribbon.
47:27Very well, yeah.
47:28I shall do that now.
47:31Right, come along, Isabella.
47:32That unspeakable man Dundas will be upon us before we know it.
47:36And Cassandra will forgive us for leaving her to wait for her coach alone.
47:41You are forgiven.
47:46Goodbye, my dear.
47:48Staying here once more has meant a great deal.
47:54Be sure to take two of the very best sets of China to your new room.
47:59No one will ever notice.
48:02There, there, there, there.
48:03Let's not fuss too much.
48:05The best farewells are the short ones.
48:07Dinah.
48:10Mum, look after yourself.
48:13And don't be going out in the rain.
48:19So, this will be the last time you and I meet in this house.
48:23We've had so much history here, and now it will be lost.
48:27Our history will be safe in our memories.
48:31All we can do is pass them on to those who come after us.
48:35With as much honesty as we can muster.
48:39As if anyone is interested in us women.
48:45I will, then.
48:51Sister.
48:55Sister.
49:12Sister.
49:13Sister.
49:16Sister.
49:21Sister.
49:28Sister.
49:30Sister.
49:30Sister.
49:30Sister.
49:33Sister.
49:47This will be my last letter.
49:50I do not have the strength to write to you again, Eliza.
49:53But I thank you now for your friendship.
49:56Wish you long health and happiness.
50:00I beg you to look after my dear darling Cass.
50:07An attack of my sad complaint has seized me again, and reduced me so low that I now feel
50:15recovery unlikely.
50:18You must not pity me though, for if I am to die now, I am convinced I will die as
50:25the luckiest
50:25of women.
50:27Words fail me when I think of the kindness of my family during this illness.
50:33As for Cassandra, she has been the most tender, watchful sister throughout my life.
50:42She has protected me always, and I know she will protect my legacy after I have gone.
50:48As to what I owe her, I can only cry over, and hope her life will be blessed more, and
50:56yet
50:56more.
50:58These next years will be hard.
51:01We have never borne separation easily.
51:05But as I approach this final departure, I am selfishly grateful that it was never my fate
51:12to be the one who survived.
51:19What sort of life would it have been if I did not have her by my side?
51:27With my fondest affection, Jane.
51:33Amen.
51:34Amen.
Comments