♪ ♪ Irene?

Irene?

BILSON: Mr. Forsyte?

Yes, Bilson?

What is it?

I was checking the calling cards, sir.

It's Mrs. Forsyte's.

Thank you, Bilson.

I'll see she gets it.

Shot... even though I do say so myself.

Fluke.

I say, eyes front.

Look who the cat's dragged in.

Back in the bosom of the family, I see.

It's safe to shake my hand again, certainly.

How are you, George?

I'm very well.

Sir.

You know... Dartie.

Kill the fatted calf, eh?

What a time to be a Forsyte.

What of this Soames business?

Freddie's getting almost hourly bulletins: She's gone, she's back.

She's run away with the butcher.

Sad affair, if you ask me.

She's no money, you know.

No.

No, left the family jewels intact.

Remarkably.

For a lady.

Lord alone knows where she is.

We should eat.

GEORGE: Dartie has a theory.

Don't you, Dartie?

I'll give you eight to one he's done her in and buried her under the roses.

Well, I'm not a betting man, and Irene deserves better.

Ten to one?

I'll take it.

( dismissively ): Good day.

Jabbering fools.

( angrily ): You've changed the flowers, Bilson.

I do it every Friday, sir.

In every room in the house.

Yes, sir.

Except Mrs. Forsyte's.

Yes, sir.

Did I request that?

No, sir.

Did Mrs. Forsyte?

No, sir, but... Well, then until we do, please continue your duties as normal.

Shall I change the bed linen, sir?

Is that usual on a Friday?

On a Monday, sir.

Then do it on a Monday!

Sir.

( door opens ) June.

I don't even know what to call you.

Jolyon?

Have you been walking?

I've been to see Mrs. Baynes, Phil's aunt.

He didn't have much in the way of family.

She wasn't much of an aunt.

Still, she's terribly upset.

I've told her I'll organize the funeral.

Oh.

You're humoring me.

No.

I could've saved him.

If he'd only married me, Gran.

Hush...

If we hadn't waited, if... "If wishes were horses..." "Then beggars might ride."

( sobs ) How is she?

You're her father.

Why don't you ask her?

I thought you wanted to get to know her.

You could start by offering a little comfort.

What use is that from me?

Words.

I haven't earned the right.

Well, you could try.

Thank you.

I'm s-sorry... about Bosinney, about a lot of things.

June, I want us to be friends more than anything in the world.

I don't know how to answer you.

You don't know me.

I know you loved Bosinney.

He was very talented, but not a penny to his name.

And that can't have been easy in a family like this.

No.

But you stuck by him.

And lost him.

And miss him.

Do your children know about me?

They've always known.

I should love you to meet them.

Perhaps.

There is the funeral to consider first.

Oh, well, maybe one day.

Was Bosinney religious?

He had a faith, of sorts.

He thought the human spirit was innately good.

Wrongly, it would seem.

You don't believe that.

He's dead, isn't he?

And you're arranging a funeral, and...

I'd call that good, in the circumstances.

Who else is going to do it?

Not Irene.

She's left Soames.

She's disappeared.

MINISTER: Man that is borne of a woman hath but a short time to live and is full of misery.

He cometh up and is cut down like a flower.

He fleeth as it were a shadow and never continueth in one stay.

Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts, shut not Thy merciful ears to our prayer, but spare us, Lord most holy, oh, God most mighty, oh, holy and merciful Savior, Thy most worthy judge eternal... Come to pay your last respects?

Your guests are waiting.

I'll introduce you: "Mr. and Mrs. Baynes, meet the man who killed your nephew."

I don't hear you denying it.

I wouldn't demean myself.

You're not here to appeal for God's forgiveness.

Why have you come?

You didn't really think that she'd be here?

YOUNG JOLYON: June?

Is everything all right?

Everything's fine.

I'll follow you on.

JUNE: Don't you think Irene knows the way your mind works?

I do, and I've never had the misfortune of living with you.

The belief is mutual, June.

If you'll excuse me.

Sometimes I wonder if there's blood in your veins.

Better a little composure than a show of feigned emotions-- the dutiful fiancee-in-mourning act.

There's nothing dutiful about my feelings for Phil.

No, there's nothing honest about them either.

If Bosinney's dead, it's because he was off with Irene when he should've been with you.

Why was that, June?

No, not so full of theories now.

I wasn't enough.

At last, a little truth.

Yes, yes... and there's the difference between you and I: You could never admit that in a million years.

Because it's not so.

No, you're right, you were too much-- too possessive, too domineering, too insensitive.

And you know me so well.

Too stupid, too desperate!

And at the end of it, what have you learned?

You still think she's the one to blame!

I gave her everything!

And understand nothing!

Even now, after all that's happened, any joy she felt, you crushed, any hopes, you soured!

Did you never wonder why you didn't have children?!

You thought she was barren-- you see, her fault again.

No, she wasn't barren; she just couldn't bear to have a child of yours squirming inside of her.

She made sure of it.

There go the shutters.

Accept it, Soames, she's never coming back.

She'd rather sell her body to a thousand men than suffer another kiss from you!

You know nothing about her!

Your friendship was a sham.

Yes, she stole the love of my life... my future-- I should hate her.

But the alternative was you.

I cannot hate her.

I can only wonder how she didn't do it sooner.

I didn't mean to panic you, ma'am.

It's just, Mr. Soames is always so particular-- never a word out of turn or a hair out of place.

How is he?

Well, it's like he's past caring.

Soames?

What is it, darling?

Bilson says you're not well.

Are you feverish?

Has he taken anything-- Sal volatile, brandy?

He won't touch a drop, ma'am.

Leave them.

But it's so gloomy in here.

Leave them.

WINIFRED: It's Winifred, Soames.

They're all asking after you, Imogen especially.

Val's going to write during prep.

Oh... You're honored... his favorite soldier... to stand guard by your bed.

The aunts sent prune brandy.

They wanted to come and sit.

"It's an art, dear," they said.

I said to Mama, "Do we want Soames to pull through or do we want to finish him off completely?"

So you're stuck with me... wittering away.

If I witter too much, do let on.

Give me a punch or something.

( crying softly ) Oh, Soames...

I wish there was something I could say.

( sighs mightily ) JOLYON: At last, real roses in those cheeks.

How do you fancy living on the river?

Fellow I know has got a house in Putney.

I should rather live at Robin Hill.

Good Lord, would you?

Would it not be too painful?

At least I'd know Phil's wishes were respected.

Another buyer might fill the place with chintz, paint it pink or something.

If I thought we could all be a family again, I'd snap it up tomorrow.

You are a sweetheart for worrying, Gran.

You never did like being an only child, did you?

What if Holly and Jolly hate me?

Oh, well, if you can't bear it, I'll get you a flat in town.

I'm sure we can whip them into shape.

I'll make Soames an offer first thing.

But if you change your mind... You'll be the first to know.

EMILY: Oh, please, Soames, just a drop... for me.

I'm not a baby.

You can't carry on like this.

Listen to me.

You have to snap out of it.

You are young, you can start again.

Mother... Whatever she did to you, it was dreadful.

But it's better to discover it now, than when you're in Winifred's shoes-- up to your neck in commitments and a house full of children.

That would never have happened.

I know-- you're not Dartie.

The children.

Hmm?

She took steps to prevent it.

Behind your back?

Soames, that's wicked!

( gasps ) ( sighs ) What is it?

I'm thinking the last time I saw that expression on your face, you were Val's age.

Oh, Mother.

You pestered us for months for that kitten.

What was it-- six weeks old?

You dressed it like a doll.

Fed it till it was sick.

And smothered it.

I loved it.

That's what I thought.

I should've whipped you.

I should've taught you not to love like that... with all your heart.

Mama.

Yes... it was my fault.

You feel things too much.

You always have.

Good morning, Mother.

Soames?

You're up.

Shh.

You need to rest.

Are you going out?

I have things to do.

Mr. Forsyte!

Morning, Bilson.

How are you feeling, sir?

I'm feeling very well, thank you, Bilson.

May I ask what you are doing?

I am changing the bed, sir.

You need do no more than the minimum in that room, Bilson.

Mrs. Forsyte will not be returning.

Don't let me keep you from your work.

Very good, sir.

I can see now why he'd agreed to sell Robin Hill.

He'd outgrown the house.

( chuckling ): Before he'd even moved in.

In truth, his fascination was the design.

His interest waned once it was constructed.

A rich man's toy.

( chuckles ) Then he can afford to negotiate on price.

JAMES: No.

Price as discussed.

Those were his instructions.

You said it yourself, he's a rich man.

That wife of his did her best to correct that.

No, I'm sorry, Jolyon... Jolyon?

There'll be none of that!

I'll not hear it, you understand?

Well, you barely knew her.

And the lady's not here to defend herself.

The lady was no lady.

Madam, that remark was beneath you and beneath contempt!

Before you resort to name-calling, you would do well to remember there are two sides to every story!

What do you know?

Is there something I haven't been told?

Emily?

Separation, divorce-- these are not states entered into lightly.

You would understand that more than anyone.

I do.

And that is why I must insist, if you talk about Irene, you do so with respect.

Your son loved her once... with very good cause.

( James grumbles ) Point taken.

Good.

JAMES: You will take my point.

We will not budge on price.

I thought you came here to talk business.

Yes.

JAMES: Well, then, do we have deal?

Do you want the house or not?

I must do.

I'm still here, aren't I?

JOLYON: Stop a moment, Beacon!

BEACON: Whoa, there.

Robin Hill.

BEACON: Walk on.

Williams?

( door opens ) Will you ensure these are disposed of?

Certainly, sir.

( door closes ) ( June gasping ) HELENE: June?

It is what you imagined?

No.

It's simpler.

Starker.

I thought I knew his work, but this... this is breathtaking.

( Young Jolyon growling, children giggling ) Helene, let me take that, it's heavy.

Oh, well...

Thanks.

Your father doesn't travel lightly.

Sketches enough for two houses.

You look happy all the same.

May I?

Of course.

( June chuckles ) JUNE: "Papa by June."

I didn't know he had this.

When the children were younger, we would see you in them.

Just certain looks.

A laugh.

A tantrum.

( both chuckle ) A piece of the jigsaw was missing.

I helped you paint this.

You won't remember now.

Champagne!

Come on, everybody, we're celebrating.

Very best crystal, as you can see.

Let's have a toast.

No, no, no, let him, let him, let him.

A little bit of fizz never hurt anyone.

Jo?

Uh, no.

Your house, Dad, your job.

Well, what shall it be?

What shall we toast?

Um... Old dogs, new tricks.

To new beginnings.

New beginnings.

ALL: New beginnings.

GIRL: Happy birthday, Mama.

JOLYON: Your mother loved wild flowers.

Don't worry, Darling.

Your father will soon be back.

WOMAN: Into the house, please, Holly.

Wash your hands, you're late.

I'm sorry, Mam'zelle.

You disapprove, Mam'zelle.

She is just a child.

A child who has lost her mother.

MAM'ZELLE: All the same, I think it is morbid.

You prefer us to pretend that nothing's happened?

That's not the English way.

Well, it's not my way, at least.

MAM'ZELLE: Her father should be looking after her.

JOLYON: So I'm too old to look after her, hmm?

( Holly moans ) ( orchestra playing Gluck's "Orfeo ed Euridice" ) ♪ Che farè senz' Euridice.

♪ ♪ Dove andro senza il mio ben.♪ ♪ Che farè, dove andro.

♪ ♪ Che farè senz' Euridice.

♪ ♪ Dove andro senza il mio ben.

♪ ( singing fades ) Come on.

Come on, boy.

( dog barking ) ( dog barking ) Come on, boy.

Fetch a rabbit.

Good afternoon.

Forgive the intrusion... but this place holds... certain memories for me.

You're not surprised to see me?

Well, I'd heard the house was in safe hands.

And I saw you at the opera the other night.

Didn't think you'd noticed me.

I went alone.

Pathetic when you think about it.

Uh, oh... not to me.

I'm on good terms with solitude.

The others are all away.

Helene, that's Jo's wife, she was taken from us a few months ago.

Pneumonia.

I'm sorry.

Jo's away in Spain with June.

Painting.

Recuperating.

So it's a bit lonely.

Why don't you stay for dinner?

I could send you home in the carriage.

Yes, that would be very nice.

We can be pathetic together.

JOLYON: The decorations are my boy Jo's doing.

He's a painter, got a lot of taste.

It isn't mine-- I'd have had gold, more lively and solid.

You're of his school of thought, I can tell.

So, I like it here.

It's quiet.

That's the drawing room.

Yes, I remember.

IRENE: They are entranced by it.

This is just the beginning.

You're going to be the toast of every drawing room in town.

PHIL: Come away with me forever.

JOLYON: It must be queer for you, hmm?

I'll show you up to June's room, hmm?

Freshen up a little before dinner.

I'm sorry I'm not properly dressed.

You look a picture!

You must excuse me.

I'm so used to my own routine I've almost forgotten what it is to dine in company.

There is no other?

No one.

Where are you living now?

I have a little flat in Chelsea.

What do you do all day?

Teach music.

And...

I have another interest, though it's not the stuff of polite chitchat.

Well, I'm too old for that, anyway.

Well, I try to help women who've come to grief.

To grief?

Ladies of the night.

Well, what do you do for them?

Not enough.

I have no money to spare, but I can offer food and sympathy.

Oh?

When Phil died...

I was lost.

I had money enough to eat, but... no will to breathe.

I went to the embankment.

A woman found me just in time.

One of them?

Oh, I am one of them, Uncle Jolyon.

I don't mean I...

I've never been reduced... What I mean is, I know what it is to be broken.

Well, I...

I don't know what to say.

This woman knew nothing of me, but she took me in and sat with me for three days and nights.

She had nothing, but she fed me, listened to me, and I to her.

See, we pretend they are different.

We make their lives a secret to make ourselves feel better.

They are sometimes sad, sometimes lonely, but never different.

( coughs ) ( choking ) I should have kept to polite chitchat.

♪ Che faro... ♪ ♪ Dove andro... ♪ ♪ Che faro senza... ♪ ♪ Che faro dove andro... ♪ ♪ Che faro senza... ♪ ( cries softly ) ( music ends ) Perfect.

This room should be filled with music.

It feels... no.

What?

As though it had been waiting for you.

Irene?

Oh, I'm sorry; that was crass of me.

I'm sorry, Irene.

( crying ) ( playing "Fur Elise" haltingly ) Parfitt!

Tell Beacon to bring the carriage round in ten minutes.

I'm going to London.

These boots... have given up the ghost.

Beacon?

Take a detour, would you, to where you took that lady the other night.

The Chelsea lady, sir?

Yes, the Chelsea lady.

JOLYON: I was passing by-- needed some new boots-- thought I'd pop in and ask about your drive home the other night.

It was perfectly agreeable.

Splendid.

So you would give my driver another chance?

Well, pop your hat on.

We'll go out for a drive in the Park.

Yes.

( peacock calling ) Has June forgiven me, Uncle Jolyon?

Of course.

You have told her in your letters of our meeting?

Well, uh... Then she has not.

I haven't asked.

I had no cause till now.

And you?

Well, I forgave you as soon as I saw how the land really lay.

I've never regretted...

I couldn't.

Did you ever love very deeply?

( chuckles ) I'm long in the tooth to be talking about love.

No, Phil didn't think so.

He thought you had one of those hearts which never grow old.

He used to say you have a real sense of beauty.

Why else am I here with you?

( laughs softly ) You have lifted my spirits.

Thank you.

Irene, come to lunch on Wednesday.

I'll meet you from the train.

I'd love to.

( whistling ) Good day, sir?

Capital, Parfitt, capital.

Shall I take the boots, sir?

I have some dubbin waiting.

Boots?

Oh, yes, boots.

( Jolyon humming cheerfully ) I'll do that for you, Gran.

What?

No, no, it's not a chore, my love.

( sniffs ) ♪ Che faro... ♪ ( humming ) You're early... and looking a little Londony, if I may say so.

( chuckles ) Thank you.

I should leave you in peace.

Oh, no, please, let's walk, breathe fresh air, admire the flowers.

Mm.

JOLYON: There's one flower in particular I should like you to see, my sweet Holly.

I'm looking forward to it.

There's something about her that reminds me of you.

Have you any little ones amongst your pupils?

Yes, three, two of them darlings.

Only two?

( chuckles ) And Holly's devoted to music and dancing.

You wouldn't give me your opinion of her playing, I suppose?

Gladly.

And suggest a possible tutor?

Oh, well, yes.

I mean, for instance... hmm?

I-I can't, Uncle Jolyon.

As much as I want to please you, there is June to consider.

( sighs ) When is she back, in four weeks?

No, five.

Well, perhaps a short, intensive course.

Gran!

Gran!

My darling, here's the lovely lady I told you about.

You're going to teach me the piano?

( playing "The Happy Farmer") Here comes, the hefty Huguenot, Mademoiselle Beauce.

( playing ends ) Holly?

Must I go?

I don't want to say good-bye.

Then let's say "a u revoir..." Till Wednesday?

Wednesday.

Bye-bye, sweet.

Poor little mite.

Her mother's death was a shock to us all-- I'd grown to understand what Jolyon saw in her.

Now that he and June are away I'm glad of Holly's company.

IRENE: She must give you so much pleasure.

Hers was the only face that did... till you came along.

No, no... that's not humbug.

I never told a woman I admired her unless I did.

My wife was funny that way.

She used to want me to say it more often than I felt it.

When my little sweet marries, I hope she'll find a man who understands how women feel.

I won't be there to see it.

But there's too much topsy-turvydom in marriage; I wouldn't want her to pitch up against that.

But when you remarry, I should hope the same for you.

Oh...

Does... Soames... never trouble you?

I've had no contact with him since I left.

But the memories?

The memories trouble me from time to time.

Not today.

Not in good company.

Herring, good of you to come.

Sit down, sit down.

Will you take a glass of brandy?

If you've time before the opera.

So long as you don't bill me for the time it takes to drink it.

You, uh, wish to make a codicil to your will?

Yes, I do.

To my niece, Irene Forsyte-- now goes by her maiden name of Heron.

And... the amount?

Fif... £15,000, free of legacy duty.

She's a lucky woman, Jolyon.

She hasn't always been.

My fortune can do nothing for the past, might do some good for the future.

( light, lyrical music playing) I've always thought the opera far more chic, but Dartie is a ballet man.

Not an artistic choice, I'm sure.

More to do with opera singers being fat and wearing clo...

Sorry.

What was I saying?

You don't need to worry about these-- the school fees come out of father's account.

Well, I just wanted to make sure they were in order.

I couldn't ask Dartie.

You know what he's like with facts and figures.

I should send them off tomorrow.

Thanks so much, Soames.

Would you like another drink?

Mm-mm...

I must go home.

I have some notes to read for morning.

Before you do, there's something I need to tell you.

You mustn't get upset.

I went to the opera last night and while I was there I saw... someone with a member of our family.

Irene with Uncle Jolyon?

You know?

But how?

It's a delicate situation-- people will talk.

But you will not, it seems... not even to your sister.

So, have you made contact with her?

No.

( humming absentmindedly ) Hello, Soames.

Dartie.

( clears throat ) Well, aren't you going in?

They're under starter's orders.

Yes, of course I am.

Good night, then.

Good night, Dartie.

( overture to Carmen playing within ) Who was that?

A fascinating chap.

You'd have liked him.

( overture continuing ) I'm a pretty host.

There'll be other Carmens, it's you I come to see.

Parfitt's an old woman, he's always fussing.

Shall we eat?

Are you sure you're all right?

Fit as a flea.

A drunken flea, maybe.

Perhaps you should lie down.

Nonsense, what I need is perking up-- good food, fine wine... and a beautiful companion.

IRENE: Promise me you'll go straight to bed-- no late night reading.

You're as bad as Parfitt, treat me like an invalid.

I wouldn't dare.

Uh, I had a postcard this morning; June and Jo are expected home on Friday.

Holly's full of beans, wants to play for them the moment they return.

Expect a demanding pupil when you come tomorrow.

"Fur Elise."

What?

"Fur Elise," it's by far and away her best piece.

Good, well, she'll have a head start in the morning.

Sleep well.

Goodbye, Uncle Jolyon.

( horse whinnying, carriage arriving ) Mrs. Heron wasn't there, sir.

Beacon waited.

Oh.

She sometimes takes an earlier train.

Thank you, Parfitt.

Sir.

( remembering melody from Gluck's "Orfeo ed Euridice" ) ( melody fades ) ( wind whistling ) ( "Fur Elise" being played ) Gran?

Gran.

Wait till Daddy sees.

I can almost play it by ear.

Well done, Holly.

It's marvelous.

Marvelous.

You do think I'll be ready by tomorrow?

What?

Oh!

You're almost note-perfect now.

( Holly continues playing ) I don't wonder that dog is so fat.

Irene.

I've come to say I'm sorry.

It was a cowardly thing to do.

Doesn't matter.

You're here.

Sit down.

I'll go and tell Parfitt there'll be one more for dinner.

No.

No, I think...

I think you should sit down.

You look quite flushed.

It's nothing.

Warm weather.

It doesn't suit me.

I'm an impatient old devil.

You've been thinking of June, I know, but...

I've had a lot of time to think myself.

There must be a way... of leaving the past where it is, for Holly's sake, if not for mine.

You are an impatient old devil.

Who wouldn't be, at my age?

( chuckles ) My heart's full, Irene.

And if you never come again, so be it, but there are things I must say.

Do you have to?

Do we not understand each other?

Enough to know I don't need to be protected from myself.

You're a jewel.

You brought me laughter and joy, and instead of feeling satisfied, you've made me hungry for more.

And I despair that I wasn't born later.

And I thank you.

I've done nothing.

You have.

You've seen me.

Not the wrinkles and the stoop, but here, what's inside.

You've changed everything, and I can't be discreet anymore.

I can't shuffle meekly towards my death.

Uncle Jolyon, you have given me much more than I have ever given you.

Then stay.

I have missed you.

Now, let me go and speak with Parfitt.

And tell him we want some champagne.

( sighs ) ( dog howling ) ( crystal shatters ) ( gasps ) ♪ Life is a dance we must learn ♪ ♪ Into the night, we will turn ♪ ♪ Time holds the secrets of our song ♪ ♪ Moments are given, then gone ♪ ♪ Come have this dance with me, darling ♪ ♪ I'll hold you tight till the dawn ♪ ♪ Let the night see how I love you ♪ ♪ So the moon can tell the sun ♪ ♪ So the moon can tell the sun.

♪