( car engine sputtering ) The pheasant really was delicious, Annette.

It was done to a tee.

Do you shoot, Mr. Mont?

Not since the war.

Oh, of course.

My father thinks I should just throw myself back into it.

He's probably right.

But you play cricket.

I love it.

Ah, well, then.

Val's organized a jolly to the Eton-Harrow.

You should all come.

I haven't been for years.

I've got a table in the Bedouin tent.

( laughs ) It sounds irresistible.

I rather thought so.

Top hat occasion, of course.

Mmm.

SOAMES: Not many of them left.

Yes, we'd like that.

I don't understand cricket.

Then it's time you learnt, my dear.

It might amuse you.

Very well.

Fleur?

When is it?

Next week.

That would be lovely.

Excuse me a moment.

( door closes ) Ah.

Here you are.

I needed some air.

I didn't invite you to lunch, you know.

It was Daddy.

Oh, yes-- he and I are in love.

Do you mind awfully?

We thought we might elope to the south of France.

You're an idiot.

But at least I'm not dull.

What's happened to you?

Ever since you got back from Brighton, you've been like a strung-up kitten.

Well, if you think I'm dull, then leave me alone.

Can't do that, I'm afraid.

I'm smitten.

Come and meet my people.

They're having a do.

Weekend after next.

I might not be here then.

Going away again?

No.

It's just... anything might happen.

Then we must seize the moment.

I want to be with you, Fleur, all of the time.

I can't think of anything worse.

You're the better half of myself, the missing half.

How can you say that?

You don't even know me.

I know that you make me laugh, even when you're being dull.

And that's more than enough for me.

Anyway... who's being a bore now?

I do like you, Michael, it's just...

In some circles, you know, I'm quite a catch.

And what circles would those be?

The Women's Institute.

( laughing ) Come to the cricket with me.

I'd love to.

But as a friend, you understand.

Nothing more.

( crowd applauds ) SOAMES: Bravo.

ANNETTE: Why doesn't he run?

He hit a boundary.

It's a four.

( crowd groans ) SOAMES: Bad luck.

Leg before.

Leg before what?

Wicket.

It's quite simple.

I don't even know which team we're supporting.

It's not as if Daddy went to either school.

There's nothing wrong with Winchester.

( laughs ) I didn't say there was.

( scattered applause ) SOAMES: Ah, it's lunch.

Let's go and join Winifred.

Especially off the front foot.

( brass band plays march ) Ah... Mr. and Mrs. Forsyte.

Mr. Mont!

Fleur.

SOAMES: Mr. Mont.

Mr. Forsyte.

You look wonderful.

SOAMES: Let's go in, shall we?

Come along, Fleur.

( women giggle ) WINIFRED: Mr. Michael Mont.

VAL: Mayfly was never a sprinter, George.

Nothing less than a mile and a quarter.

Aha... GEORGE: There's Soames's protégé.

( gasps ) Soames!

Mother says he's got a handle.

So why does he call himself "Mr."?

VAL: Good question.

Now come and meet them.

They're longing to see you.

Come on, everyone, follow me.

( laughs ) Just down here.

Are you all right?

Come on through.

Here's my George.

This is Mr. Mont.

Nice to see you again, Mr. Mont.

Sir.

I'll give you six to four on Harrow.

( softly ): Five guineas.

Well done.

( both chuckling softly ) Now, we're one short.

Ah!

Ah... WINIFRED: Here he is.

Ah, lovely to see you.

Pleasure.

Good to see you.

Ah, ladies and gentlemen.

( with heavy accent ): How's that!

( guests laughing ) Oh, sit down, Prosper, and behave.

Mr. Forsyte, a pleasure indeed.

Mrs. Forsyte... a pleasure also.

WINIFRED: Thank you.

GEORGE: Mm-hmm.

( all conversing separately ) ( conversing in French ) So, are you enjoying the cricket, Prosper?

Oh, very much, but I am hanged if I can do the sums.

The sums?

On the blackboard.

That's the score.

Nobody told me.

Why are you wearing that cap?

I paid for it with my own money-- that's good enough reason for me.

Were you ever at Eton?

No.

And I weren't at Harrow neither.

Harrow!

Harrow!

Harrow!

You mock us.

There's no harm in it.

It's only a game.

It may just be a game to you, but there's a principle.

I repeat, you have no right to wear that cap.

Then I wear my other one.

( laughing ) ANNETTE: Leave Mr. Profond alone, my dear.

How can he possibly understand?

The word "principle" does not translate for him.

More's the pity.

Pudding?

Excuse me.

MONT: Excuse me.

Thank you for lunch.

Are you all right?

He's a horrible man.

I hate it that he's back.

He'll be gone again; he's the sort.

Anyway, your mother gave him short shrift.

How about a stroll around the boundary?

( laughs ) ( brass band plays "L et Me Call You Sweetheart") MONT: Would you care to dance?

( Fleur laughs ) Idiot.

Marry me, Fleur.

People are watching.

Then I'll say it again!

I mean it, Michael.

Oh, very well, then.

I'll buy you an ice cream instead.

I'll not be put off.

Come again when I haven't got my wish.

And what's your wish?

That would be telling.

I've just seen someone.

An old friend.

Please-- I'll see you back at the tent.

Is it really you?

What was that all about?

Oh... just nonsense.

Let's find somewhere quiet.

My father's here.

( laughing ) I missed you so much.

Do you still want to marry me?

He's in love with you, isn't he?

That chap.

So are you.

And that's what matters.

( brass band plays on ) ( contemptuously ): Profond.

Is he back again for good?

One never knows with Prosper.

He's leaving tomorrow...

I think.

He's a sign of the times.

Look, he'll be gone and we won't see him again.

Hmm?

Come on.

So you're... angry with me?

Bored, rather.

Your behavior has become so predictable.

You turn up out of nowhere with your party tricks.

Would you like me to go away again?

Does it matter what I'd like?

I'm off to Le Touquet tomorrow.

I came here today to ask if you'd like to come.

But, uh, if I am boring, uh... You may be... but Le Touquet isn't.

I love Le Touquet.

Where could Jon have got to?

Oh, he's... probably met a school friend... or chatting up some girl.

Gives me some time alone with you.

( both laughing ) I just meant to ask you about this... Jolyon!

Oh, damn, damn, damn, damn.

( Winifred chatting with merchant ) It doesn't matter.

Of course it does-- he's here and we can't stay.

But I've been looking for... Oh.

I'll come back.

Where the hell is Jon?

WINIFRED: Come on, Soames.

Come on, this way.

Come on.

We're going.

Why can't you just let... We're leaving.

But your cricket?

I have no interest in it.

SOAMES: Where's Fleur?

I thought I might go to Paris.

To see maman.

When?

Tomorrow.

I can't stop you.

I never could... stop her either.

Go!

And don't come back, for all I care!

FLEUR: There's my father.

Are you with your parents?

Yes.

Let's go now, this afternoon... while everyone's watching cricket.

We'll be halfway to Scotland before we're missed.

Tomorrow morning's soon enough.

Don't worry, I'll be there in the morning, just as we arranged.

( band playing in distance ) He must be somewhere about.

Oh, no.

What?

What?

He has lied to us all along!

I'll talk to him.

I love her, Mum.

I know.

I can't believe he's been so deceitful!

He is 19 and he thinks he's in love.

It's her... manipulating him!

But still he should stand up for himself.

We've always taught him to be honest.

Well, we haven't always been honest ourselves.

I went to see her, you know.

I didn't tell you-- I didn't want to upset you.

But she swore to me she'd give him up.

Christ!

I laid myself open to her.

I told her that... What?

You... you told her what?

You told her what, Jolyon?

( gasping ) You... you're ill. You... you are ill. Is it serious?

Oh, my darling... it is.

Please-- please don't worry.

All of these trips to London.

I knew, of course, but I...

I couldn't bear to think of it.

Oh... ( Jolyon begins weeping ) How long do we have?

Not... not long enough.

But with you, it would never be long enough.

Oh, I can't bear the thought of that girl with Jon.

If it happens, and they marry, I might not be there to stand between you and Soames.

He can't do anything to me now.

We've put it off for so long.

We have to tell Jon what happened.

( playing slow, romantic music) What will he think of me?

You brought him up to be understanding.

But his own mother... Irene, you did nothing wrong.

( clears throat ) Jon?

Yes?

Would you mind just coming in here for a moment?

I know it looks bad-- and it is bad-- but I was going to tell you this evening.

It's all right, it's all right.

Uh, sit down.

Now, um, there are things we should have told you a long time ago, but it's... it's just that... well, we don't talk of them ourselves.

It's... it's painful and difficult for both of us.

I know that Mum was married to Fleur's father.

And I know that you divorced him.

I can see why this makes things very awkward.

There must have been some kind of scandal.

From the point of view of the world, I behaved badly.

I left Fleur's father... ( clears throat ) my husband, for another man.

Yes, well, Dad.

No, no, no... IRENE: No, no, someone else.

An architect.

He... he built this house.

It seems very shocking, but I am not ashamed of it.

He saved me, and I loved him.

This is what I don't understand: You both flouted everyone for love.

So why can't I?

He's... he's right.

You're right.

This makes us look petty and selfish.

We can't stop him, Jolyon.

Why should we?

Because of Soames.

That's why.

Maybe we shouldn't go into this.

JON: Go into what?

We have to-- he has to know.

If he's going to carry on with Fleur... JON: What are you talking about?

What happened?

In some ways it was my fault.

You see, I kept him at arm's length-- I couldn't bear him to be near me and... he was my husband, after all.

I locked him out, you see, and... and maybe I... maybe I shouldn't have.

Maybe if I hadn't... Irene, Irene... What?

What did he do?

Fleur's father has a very particular view of the world-- a Forsyte view.

He was born to believe that a man owns a wife as a man might own a slave.

Surely not.

A great many people share his opinion.

Courts, for one.

Soames is a solicitor.

He knew his rights and he asserted them over your mother.

Physically!

Violently!

Jolyon...

Without her consent!

That is enough.

After that night, she left him... with nothing-- the... the clothes on her back, little else.

But he continued to hound her, to insist that she was his property.

Now, when I first met your mother properly, when we first fell in love, she was hiding from him in France.

But he hunted her down there, too.

Wanted her back, wanted her to have a child with him-- the child he would eventually conceive with his second wife, which was Fleur.

( groans ) Dad... Jolyon... You're not well.

Mum...

Sit down.

Dad.

( groans ) My pills... in my, um, in my coat pocket.

And water.

Dad... She saw him today at Lords... ( panting ) and the horror in her face... the fear.

Obsession like that doesn't go away, Jon.

If he gets a chance, he'll hound her again.

And we can't let that happen.

You can't let that happen.

IRENE: Here we are.

Take this.

Jolyon?

The doctor.

Should I call the doctor?

Yes...

I think that'd be a good idea.

PARFITT: Mr. Jolyon, sir.

Are you all right?

Don't fuss.

Call Dr. Liddle, Parfitt.

You'll find the number in my book.

What's the matter with him?

His heart, he... ( groaning ) Dad!

Undo his tie, his tie!

Call the doctor, please!

( cries out ) Jolyon... Oh, my God... Jolyon?

Oh... ( weeping ) ( train whistle blows as engine chugs ) Jon.

Come back.

It's so horrible, so parochial.

That little urn!

It's what he wanted.

I thought he'd be buried properly next to Gramp, but no, typical Jolyon-- reduces himself to nothing and doesn't even allow us to witness it.

He wrote clearly-- no one to attend the cremation.

Why?

You know what he was like.

He hated people to make a fuss over him.

He doubted himself.

He was a genius at slipping away.

You know that he adored you.

I always felt that I couldn't be old if I had a glamorous father like him.

Now he's gone and... here I am... a spinster.

June.

Your life in London is so varied and full.

Not without him, it isn't.

( sobbing ) Oh... sorry.

Shall we go and say good-bye?

Mmm.

JON: "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels "and have not charity, I am become as a sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal."

Bye, Dad.

JON: "Charity suffreth long and is kind; charity envieth not; "charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up... doth not behave itself unseemly."

"When I was a child, I spake as a child, "I understood as a child, I thought as a child, but when I became a man, I put away childish things."

( Jon weeping ) Take care of Holly for me.

Of course I will.

If you need anything...

Thank you.

Where's Jon?

I haven't spoken to him at all.

We really should think about going.

Will you tell him he read beautifully?

I will.

Bye, June.

Good-bye, Holly.

I had to come.

Is it very awful?

Pretty bad.

The suitcase is still in Scotland, and the trains run every day.

My father died, Fleur.

He died.

I'm sorry.

It's just I miss you so much.

And our plan, it's still a good one, isn't it?

I don't know.

I...

I can't think.

That was then.

And now...

It's more than that.

You've found out something.

No.

You have.

I don't wish to go into it.

For heaven's sake, Jon!

Your father behaved in a dishonorable fashion.

I won't say more.

Daddy?

Dishonorable?

It was your mother who deserted him!

She walked out on her husband.

Marriage isn't about possession.

You wouldn't say that if I walked out on you!

He loved her!

And she... Don't talk about my mother like that.

When we first met, you told me she'd never do anything to make you unhappy.

That's not true, is it?

She's holding on to you, keeping you from me...

I'm going back to my family!

( softly ): I'm sorry.

It was horrible of me.

I've been thinking of you, longing for you.

Please, Jon, don't let's argue.

( softly ): All right.

It just keeps running through my head-- we could be married now.

Married.

My... my father... You have me, my darling.

You have me.

( both breathing heavily ) We're married now.

Jon!

( both gasp ) June... June!

How could you?

On this of all days?

It's not what it seems.

I came to find you.

I thought you must be feeling awful about Dad.

But no!

You're with her, having...

I didn't mean to.

It just happened.

Things don't just happen!

Not with Fleur Forsyte, at any rate!

She's planned this step by step, and she hasn't cared who's got in her way!

She's not like that.

Of course she is!

Why do you think that Dad objected to her so much?

Why do you think that we all want to see the back of her?

I'm glad he's not here to see how low she's brought you.

Won't you stay the night?

I've...

I've got to get back.

I'm meeting the lawyers tomorrow about the valuation of the estate.

Yes.

Well, thank you for taking all that on.

You've enough on your plate.

June...

It's all right.

Come down, won't you, whenever you like.

Robin Hill is just as much yours as it is mine.

It always has been.

I'll...

I'll get Jon.

Ah... better not... or I'll miss my train.

( door closes ) ( car pulling away ) Oh... there you are.

We were wondering.

I was in my room.

Did June talk to you?

What about?

It doesn't matter.

What is it, darling?

I'm tired, that's all.

Mum... Oh, Mum.

( weeping ) ( sighs ) So sorry.

What for?

( sniffling ): The last few months... for holding you back from Fleur.

No, it's me.

It's me who should be apologizing to you!

I brought that man back into your life.

I worried Father insanely.

Let's not think about Soames Forsyte.

Let's think about Fleur.

Do you love her, my darling?

I mean really love her.

I wouldn't be holding on to her if I didn't.

You've only known her a few months.

You're 19 years old.

She is very beautiful, and you want her.

Who wouldn't?

But is that love?

Does she feel the way you do?

Of course she does.

Are you all right?

Yes, I'm tired... like you.

I won't stop you, Jon, whatever you decide.

But if I lose you...

Darling, how could you?

( door bursts open ) Fleur, will you please come... Where have you been?

Robin Hill.

I'm sorry, Daddy, I had to go.

Are you very cross?

I thought all that was over.

Well, it isn't.

Of all things!

Jon and I mean to be together.

I've been seeing him.

I know you didn't want me to, and I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but he's a darling.

I love him, Daddy, and you will, too, when you meet him.

I know you'll come through for me, unlike... His mother's been holding on to him, saying horrible things.

What sort of things?

About you.

It's not true, whatever she says.

She's a mean woman.

She can't care for him, not really-- not like you care for me.

Talk to her?

I can't help you with this, Fleur.

It's the one thing... Tell her that I shall stay yours and Jon will stay hers.

I'm not trying to take Jon away from her.

It's preposterous.

If you don't want to see each other, we could devise a means.

Only you can persuade her, Daddy.

And now Jon's father's dead, it wouldn't be too awkward.

"Awkward."

You don't understand.

You wouldn't mind seeing her, really, would you?

I suppose... there are some advantages.

All the Forsyte money would stay together.

Exactly!

And now the husband's gone.

A family thing.

I mean, she must want grandchildren.

She's alone, after all.

Please, Daddy!

Please!

It'll only stir things up.

They already are stirred up.

You don't care for me.

If you do it, Jon and I will wait a year... two if you like.

And you and I could go traveling-- the grand tour we've always talked of.

By rights, I ought to throw you out... Daddy... stop your allowance, withhold your capital.

Parents do it.

Not you.

What am I to do if you don't, Daddy?

I think I shall die of misery.

( weeping ) Mr. Forsyte.

Parfitt.

( clears throat ) I'm here to see Mrs.... Forsyte... on a very important matter.

Beauty and proportion.

What are you doing here?

Well?

I need to talk to you.

You're not wearing black.

Jolyon didn't want it.

I apologize for the intrusion, but this business must be settled one way or the other.

Won't you sit down?

No, thank you.

It's an infernal mischance!

I've done my best to discourage it, but my daughter is persuasive, and I've got into the habit of indulging her.

I suppose you are fond of your son.

Devotedly.

Well?

It rests with him.

You don't oppose it?

It's his decision.

( rings bell ) Well, I sup...

I suppose it will happen, then-- this unnatural marriage.

Please tell Mr. Jon I would like to see him.

He is in his father's studio.

There'll be formalities.

Whom do I deal with, Herrings?

Um... yes.

The poplars along the drive have grown.

I planted them... for you.

I remember an evening...

Please stop.

If only you...

They might have been brother and sister, for heaven's sake!

That is enough.

All I mean to say is that all this might have been saved if only you'd done your duty, been a wife to me.

That's all I ever wanted!

I'm unlikely to see you again.

Will you shake hands?

Let the past die?

How can I after what you have just said?

So cold.

Made of stone.

( shrieks ) Always made of stone!

( footsteps approaching ) What's going on here?

Step away from my mother.

I said step away!

Well, young man... ( breathing heavily ) I'm here for my daughter.

It rests with you, it seems.

Your mother leaves it in your hands.

Get out!

I've brought myself to come here, and I'm insulted.

I know what you did all those years ago.

I did nothing!

You abused her!

Jon!

SOAMES: If you must know, she left me for another man, a string of other men!

Please!

Stop this!

My father said he pitied you.

Your father was an adulterer.

He took her from me.

She was mine!

She's not yours, do you understand?

I am not anyone's!

Jon!

Let go of him!

You're brawling like a common child.

And you... get out of my house.

Get out.

I'm sorry.

I don't know what came over me.

That family's like a disease.

It spreads.

IRENE: I need some air.

( Soames grunts ) Well?

What happened?

( gasping for breath ) You marry that boy over my dead body.

Over my dead body, do you hear?!

FLEUR: Jon!

Jon!

Jon!

What are you doing here?

Don't let them do this to us.

Come away with me now.

I can't.

This doesn't matter.

They don't matter.

Whatever happened here just now is about the past.

No.

Don't give up on us, Jon!

Please don't give up.

Go home with your father, my dear.

Give us all time to think.

Don't touch me!

I know what you're doing!

You're pretending to make yourself look nice, lying, so you can have him all to yourself.

Well, he's mine, do you understand?

He's mine!

Is that how you really think?

No... but we're meant for each other.

We're meant to be.

No.

I don't think so.

Come on, Mother.

It's getting cold.

Jon!

Just go home, Fleur.

Just go home.

Jon!

Jon!

Jon!

FLEUR: Jon!

Jon!

Jon!

( playing dramatic piece over Fleur's continued shouting ) Jon!

Jon!

Jon!

( sobbing ) Fleur... come.

Come away, my dear.

( continues sobbing ) Don't let these people hurt you.

They're not worth your little finger.

What you must have done all those years ago!

( continues playing piano ) ( sobbing ) Here, you're cold.

Keep away from me!

Fleur... Away!

Thank you, Speight.

( car starts )