( sniffling ) ( knocking at door ) I will sit with her now.

No.

Don't go!

I can stay.

The ship docks at 10:00.

Tomorrow night?

No, morning.

( sighs ) Means I'll have to break the news.

Miss June will be desolate.

( footsteps approach ) Mrs. Heron.

She is asleep at last.

We've... kept some dinner for you, ma'am.

Oh.

And Anne has aired the guest room.

Young Mister Jolyon and Miss June are due back in the morning.

No, I cannot trouble you, I'm sorry.

It's no trouble, ma'am.

I have appointments to keep.

I must get home tonight.

Beacon will be with you directly, ma'am.

Sad day.

Yes.

Yes, it is, indeed.

For all of us.

OLD JOLYON: You're a jewel.

You brought me laughter and joy... and I despair that I wasn't born later.

And I thank you.

If we'd had any idea... we should never have gone away.

Never.

Was he in pain?

PARFITT: He didn't seem to be, sir.

It was most unexpected.

He was not in pain, no, but he was agitated.

He was often thus when Mrs. Heron came.

Mrs. Heron?

The lovely lady.

Mrs. Irene Heron?

She came to give piano lessons, and stayed to dinner often.

( clock ticking ) ( birds chirping ) ( footsteps approaching ) Jolyon?

Sorry.

I've just got back from the solicitor's.

Oh.

Heirlooms?

Oh...

They're my grandfather's.

The sign he'd finally arrived.

And Gran left them to you.

( sighs ) I suppose this means that I've finally arrived.

There is another bequest, one that I wasn't expecting.

He left £15,000 to Irene.

She works fast.

How long were we gone, three months?

I'm sure she didn't set out... Oh, Irene never sets out.

Things just fall into her lap, time after time.

June...

Thank you for the warning.

Does this mean that she'll be at the funeral?

No.

That's something to be thankful for, at least.

YOUNG JOLYON: "Fear no more the heat o' the sun, "Nor the furious winter's rages; "Thou thy worldly task hast done.

"Home art gone and ta'en thy wages: "Golden lads and girls all must, "As chimney sweepers, come to dust.

"Fear no more the frown o' the great; "Thou art past the tyrant's stroke; "Care no more to clothe and eat; "To thee the reed is as the oak; "The sceptre, learning, physic, must "All follow this, and come to dust.

"Fear no more the lightning-flash, "Nor the all-dreaded thunder-stone; "Fear not slander, censure rash; "Thou hast finish'd joy and moan: "All lovers young, all lovers must Consign to thee, and come to dust."

( soil drops ) Walls in ebony and magnolia, illuminations by electricity.

Let me guess, you're taking mental notes.

Under instruction from the aunts.

Ah.

They've been desperate to see this place for years.

They should've graced us with their presence then.

It's more than a mile from Hyde Park and Hester gets palpitations.

Besides, the reality never lives up to the description.

Who taught you that?

Dartie?

What, hmm?

Nothing, dear.

So this was what all the fuss was about.

Shh.

What do you think?

Bit plain-- reminds me of a prison.

And only you'd know.

Original, I suppose, the old buccaneer.

Good of you to say so.

My condolences, Jolyon.

Thank you.

We appreciate your coming.

It seems we only ever meet at funerals.

Mercifully.

EMILY: I'm so sorry, Jolyon.

You must be devastated.

Well, I just wish we could've been here.

EMILY: One always feels one could've done more.

You were reconciled, at least.

That's some consolation.

Hmm.

But it feels like the end of an era.

JAMES: Tis.

First Forsyte to be buried in a plot other than the family's.

James.

Well, I say "plot"; more like a scrubby piece of field.

Flowers anywhere... weeds, probably.

Where's the dignity in that?

You've heard about the will, I suppose?

Yes.

15,000 to Irene.

I know.

Typical, isn't it?

Oh, June, hello.

Typical of what?

Of Gran, to remember the underdog.

Irene may be persona non gr ata in some circles...

In all circles.

But she is, strictly speaking, still a Forsyte.

And she was very good to Gran at the end.

While you were away, yes.

Excuse me.

Question is, who is going to tell Soames?

I think he probably knows.

Hmm... why her, I wonder.

Jolyon hardly knew her.

Do you know?

DARTIE: What?

Why Jolyon left all that money to Irene... What's her name now?

Irene Heron?

Oh, come on, James, use your imagination.

Excuse me.

( clears throat ) YOUNG JOLYON: Excuse me.

( whispers ): James.

James.

Uh, thank you for coming, all of you, for paying your respects.

Some people retreat as they get older.

Not Dad.

He grew better with age.

His horizons broadened.

He became more flexible, more compassionate.

He accepted that different people might want to live their lives in different ways.

He was a man of honesty, bravery, conviction, never afraid to apologize, never afraid to love.

He stood for everything that was great about the Forsyte name.

Hear, hear.

I grew up, as many of you did, trying... failing... to follow in his footsteps.

I see no reason to stop trying now.

Um...

I ask you to raise your glasses.

To Jolyon Forsyte.

ALL: Jolyon Forsyte.

I meant what I said this afternoon.

We don't breed men like Dad anymore.

We're... just full of doubt now... and apologetic... smaller.

But the world's a more complicated place.

Mmm.

If you could turn back the clock, change one thing, what would it be?

Bosinney, I suppose.

I don't know.

I can't answer that.

Gran had a long life.

But I wish...

I wish I'd had the chance to thank him.

That would be mine.

He did know, didn't he?

He didn't think that we'd stopped loving him.

We weren't here to tell him.

I don't care if I sound self-pitying.

Blame it on the brandy.

There's something ironic, isn't there, that all the people I love, really love, all gravitate to her in the end, and they always love Irene more.

That does sound self-pitying.

He could never have loved anyone more than you-- myself included.

He said so many times.

You were his second chance, the light of his life.

The beat of his heart.

YOUNG JOLYON: Had he discussed the will?

I think he knew his time was running out, but no.

Then this was... this was quite a shock.

Yes.

The money, yes, but not the gesture.

How was he... in the end?

The very end.

Happy?

Peaceful?

( amused ): No.

No, he was too greedy for life.

He said his heart was full.

He shared some of his thoughts with me.

If I had known we had so little time, I would have been freer with mine.

It's my only regret.

He blessed my world, Jolyon, as you bless his.

He goes on blessing it now.

I can imagine.

( weeps ) I'm sorry.

I don't know where that came from.

Don't apologize, please.

Thank you for being there.

( crowd whispering ) Now, when he comes in, you'll go and play.

Montague!

Shh!

Dad, behave!

Val!

Be quiet, Ma.

They're coming.

VAL: Imogen.

And you were in court today?

Adjourned, Mother.

Ah.

After you.

Would you get the door, dear?

The handle is so very stiff.

( people clap, cheer and laugh) My word.

GROUP: ♪ For he's a jolly good fellow ♪ ♪ For he's a jolly good fellow ♪ ♪ For he's a jolly good fellow ♪ ♪ And so say all of us.

♪ MAN: Hip, hip!

GROUP: Hooray!

MAN: Hip, hip!

GROUP: Hooray!

MAN: Hip, hip!

CROWD: Hooray!

Congratulations, Uncle Soames.

My word.

All this for me?

Happy birthday, Uncle Soames.

Imogen.

Well played.

Happy birthday, Soames, dear.

Aunt Juley.

Whose idea was this again?

Imogen's.

She's very fond of Soames.

They both are.

I know.

As a consolation, you don't look ancient.

Imogen!

Being ancient has its compensations.

HESTER: Imogen, dear, your grandmama wants you to play.

I don't suppose you've heard from Irene?

Birthday good wishes, that type of thing?

Happy birthday.

It's been ten years, Juley.

Twelve.

A long time, anyway.

Young Jolyon Forsyte's her trustee, you know.

Did you know that?

I didn't, no.

I gather she travels these days.

The continent and suchlike.

Lots of elderly widowers looking for company.

I doubt she's ever lonely.

Happy birthday, Soames.

Aunts.

You should have brought la belle Annette.

I am married, Winifred.

Separated.

Legally, I am married.

She is an unmarried, French Roman Catholic... ♪ The millers dearly love to go a-roving... ♪ Attractive, astute.

Available?

Why didn't I act all those years ago?

I should've started proceedings the day Irene moved.

I had evidence then.

You could get evidence now.

All those elderly widowers.

It's not as simple as that, Winifred.

♪ Roving, a-roving... ♪ Her mother runs a restaurant.

She's a Soho shopgirl.

Ye gods!

People are bound to find out she's in trade.

You're right, of course.

But it won't be a first, Soames.

I mean, look at Dartie, without a penny to his name.

And hasn't he repaid the family's faith in him?

He's given me two wonderful children.

WINIFRED: Look at Imogen and Val.

They're delightful.

You should grab her, Soames, before some other lucky fellow does.

( music ends ) MAN: Bravo.

Ah, Gustave.

Monsieur!

What a pleasant surprise.

Evening, Annette.

I just dropped in to talk to your mother about pulling down that partition.

Always working?

( clicks tongue ) ( laughs ) Do you know how pretty you look tonight?

And always so kind.

Not a bit kind.

Sit.

Are you happy here?

Or do you want to go back to France?

Oh, I like London.

Paris, of course.

But London is so much better than Orleans, and the English countryside is so beautiful.

I went to Henley last Sunday.

Oh, with a friend?

With my mother.

I have a house nearby.

Mapledurham.

It sits there empty during the week but I enjoy my weekends there.

I want you and your mother to come over next Sunday.

That would be lovely.

It's understood, then.

ANNETTE'S MOTHER: The meal was excellent.

In every way.

SOAMES: Praise indeed.

And your home... Si chic, si élégant.

Tu ne trouves pas, An nette?

Vraiment.

Please, sit.

Sadly, I don't always have the time to enjoy it.

This price we pay.

Perhaps, but it's not a price I intend to pay forever.

There's more to life than being a solicitor, however successful.

I hope one day to have a family, come down here more than just the weekends, indulge my passions.

ANNETTE'S MOTHER: Most admirable.

I hope one day you will achieve it.

When I set my mind on something, I usually do.

SOAMES: This is what I like to call my art gallery.

When you talked about your passions?

This is it.

It began as a mild interest.

And now?

It consumes me.

Perhaps you consider that unhealthy.

( Annette laughs ) We French consider all passions healthy.

This picture-- I recognize the style.

Meissonier.

Of course.

What a jewel.

Do you like it, Annette?

I do.

I like this more.

Ah, my latest acquisition.

It's my third work by this artist and undoubtedly his finest.

What is it that you like?

I cannot say.

I am embarrassed to admit it.

Eh, maman.

To be taught about French artists by an Englishman.

( women chuckle ) Naturellement.

C'est toujours co mme ça.

Thanks very much.

( people murmur and laugh ) Good evening, sir.

Good evening, Edward.

Very nice to see you.

Still losing?

Well done.

Keep up the good work.

CROUPIER: Eight!

Mr. Dartie wins.

( people cheer ) MAN: Why, lucky eight!

Hazard, eh?

You must have some money to burn?

( cackles ) DARTIE: We're on a winning streak.

Ladies, you're in for a treat.

George Forsyte, Paloma.

Encantada.

DARTIE: Partner in crime, and the proud owner of the rear end of my racehorse.

Meet Nuria.

Encantada.

Encantada to you, too.

( all giggle ) So you like my pearls?

Monty-- he gave me.

Very much, Paloma.

MAN: I can't believe you've never been before.

More of a racing man.

Finish off these and I'll take you through to the gaming room; watch you lose your shirt.

You'll lose yours first.

I've seen too much.

Last time I was in here Viscount Ranelagh blew 23,000-- in a single sitting.

VAL'S FRIEND: He could afford it.

Lot of them can't.

What do you say... we go the whole hog?

GEORGE: Don't be a fool, Dartie.

That's a tidy pile; you could rest on your laurels.

Oh, listen to him.

"Rest on your laurels."

DARTIE: Don't be such a Forsyte.

GEORGE: Don't say I didn't warn you.

What do you think, gentlemen?

Should I rest on my laurels, with my lucky Spanish charms?

DARTIE: Or should I go the whole hog?

The whole hog it is, then.

Very good.

It's a man's game, George.

Eight?

Ocho.

CROUPIER: Eleven... Mr. Dartie loses.

Dios mio.

Ay!

( man chuckles ) I, uh... beg you pardon.

No need.

She's your sort, Dartie.

Looks as fiery as all hell.

Eat you for breakfast.

No fear.

VAL: Come on, Crum, drink up.

I want to try my luck.

CROUPIER: Black 90.

( croupier speaks indistinctly) I'm finished.

You'll get by.

Not this time I won't.

Tighten your belt.

Liquidize a few assets.

I have none, you know that.

Well, there's the horse, I suppose.

Five hundred, she's yours.

Oh.

Stop acting the goat.

You're up on the night.

Only just.

You're as bad as Winifred.

Don't make a fellow grovel.

Three.

450.

Four's the best I can manage.

( scoffs ) Done.

You only had 400, you said.

No, I said four's the best I can manage.

Here, I'll seal it with a drink.

( slurs ): You're sure you can manage it?

( mumbles ) ( yelps ) CRUM: Bounder!

He's screwed, look at him!

MAN: Disgusting behavior.

Val?

Friend of yours, is he?

DARTIE: That's my son.

He's your father?

Val?

DARTIE: Val!

Val!

( people laughing ) Val!

Steady on.

Lord's sakes, Freddie.

Nearly gave me a heart attack.

( clears throat ) Is Val home?

Hours ago.

Wouldn't touch his supper; just went straight to bed.

I waited up.

We've been robbed.

( stops pouring ) No!

Mmm, someone broke into the house and stole my pearls.

Nothing else, just my pearls.

You remember-- the ones you bought me when Imogen was born.

The ones that led to all that trouble with the bailiffs.

Yes, I remember them all right.

( clears throat ) Dash it, Freddie, you must be heartbroken.

I was going to go down to Scotland Yard myself.

And then I thought... ( laughs ) I ought to wait till you got in.

Monty?

What?

Oh, it struck me that the police might think it odd that just the pearls went, nothing else.

Are you accusing me?

I'm asking you.

That's right.

Blame Monty.

Everybody, blame Monty.

Don't be a clown, Monty.

Put that away.

I'll put it away, all right.

No, Monty, please!

Live or die, I don't care!

Be quiet, woman!

Sit down!

I'm lower than the servants in this house and I'm tired of it!

I'm tired of all the questioning, standing in line, holding out my hand!

And I'm tired of life.

No, Monty!

( cartridge clicks ) ( yelps ) ( sobbing ) ( Dartie laughing ) Well, you'll certainly get a few good stories out of this, won't you?

Hmm?

You and your pals.

Dartie and the duff revolver.

Oh, don't be like that.

Val'll laugh, that's for sure.

You've got him like just all the other Forsytes.

A priggish little snob.

( revolver drops to floor ) So what if I did take the pearls?

I bought them.

I can give them to whoever I like!

Pearls should be for a slender throat, not that turkey gobbler of yours.

Monty!

I gave them to a Spanish beauty.

Neck like a swan.

Do you know what?

She was grateful for them.

I don't want to hear.

No, you don't, do you?

You're a thief, and a blackguard!

You're the limit, Monty, you really are!

( sobbing quietly ) I've been to the Iseeum, spoken to George.

Dartie's left for Buenos Aires.

He's gone then.

Sailed this morning.

So here we are-- two peas in a pod, abandoned both.

Are you crying, Winifred?

No.

I just thought... once the whisky had worn off, that... We should have him shadowed once he lands.

I'll cable at once.

The sooner these things are done, the better.

Can you prove cruelty?

Well, he... twisted my arm.

Mm-hmm.

Or would pointing a pistol count?

Good.

Or being too drunk to undress...

I can't, Soames.

What about the children?

For the sake of the children, you must move on.

Easy for you to say.

I speak from experience.

You're not alone, Winifred.

I want to be out of this state-- married, yet unmarried.

I want to start again.

Well, good for you.

You don't have children to consider.

And never will, unless I change my situation.

There must be... something else.

I mean, for me, I mean.

A legal separation?

Separation's not living; it's limbo.

You must choose divorce.

If you won't consider cruelty, go for desertion.

There's a way of shortening the two years now.

You apply to the courts for restitution of conjugal rights.

Restitution?

Ask for him back?

It's a game.

Of course you don't want him back, but the court doesn't know that.

If he disobeys, we sue for divorce in six months.

If who doesn't obey?

Nobody.

It's Father, isn't it?

Here.

Soames!

Read it, if you can.

"You will not get chance to insult me in my own again."

Own home.

"You've brought on yourself..." "I shall not ask you for anything again."

Where is he?

Buenos Aires.

I doubt if he could spell it.

Imogen's not to know.

She might notice, eventually.

Your mother's petitioning for a divorce.

Soames.

VAL: Why?

He's gone.

That's humiliating enough.

They'd splash it all over the papers, Ma.

You've seen the muck they print.

He's right, Soames.

WINIFRED: Think what it would do to Father.

And Imogen's coming out.

And especially considering you're going up to Oxford.

WINIFRED: Of course.

It's too beastly for words.

No, no, Soames.

For all our sakes, we should let sleeping dogs lie.

EMILY: James?

It's Soames, Father.

Soames... A sensible voice at last.

You've heard about Buenos Aires?

Buenos Aires is better than bankruptcy.

He won't stop spending there.

That's why we need to sever all connections, permanently.

Divorce?

It's not as bad as it sounds.

JAMES: We've never had a divorce before.

Winifred is resisting, but she'll see sense.

Family's breaking up.

All the rules have changed.

This Kruger business.

There'll be war in South Africa soon.

The empire is going to pot-- the family with it.

The family will be fine.

We're taking steps.

You should be in bed.

I waited up.

At least you tell me things.

SOAMES: Mother tells you things.

You're very lucky to have her.

She's younger than I am.

She sees things differently.

I wish you were more at home.

I'm here now.

Come.

A man needs his son around him, at times like this.

A son's the one you turn to.

James is very shaken.

Understandably.

He's been rather fire and brimstone on divorce in the past.

Wont to condemn both sin and sinner.

But he dotes on Winifred.

It is a dilemma.

Your silence speaks volumes, Juley.

This is Dartie, when all's said and done.

You're not appalled?

The loss of a husband is nothing to the loss of a good butler.

Oh, Hughes.

JULEY: Lured to Scotland by a laird.

May 4, 1838.

We were in turmoil for months... years.

Such beautiful hands.

HESTER: Soft as a girl's.

We never quite got over it.

No.

No, Winifred's a plucky thing.

She'll come through this.

JULEY: Shunned in certain quarters but then, one insists on being fashionable, what can one expect?

Send her our love.

And some shortbread.

JULEY: Yes, do.

And tell her to get a good butler.

( laughs ) Here.

Oh, I keep wondering... Oh, not this again.

Holly, tell him, would you?

Tell him what?

He keeps banging on about whether we should be holding the exhibition here at Robin Hill.

A bit provincial.

Dad, it's perfect.

You couldn't find a better space.

I've always liked this one.

Roehampton at dawn.

Do you think I might take it, for my rooms, at Oxford?

Can't you wait till after... the exhibition?

Sorry.

What am I thinking?

Thanks, Dad.

I'll help, Jolly.

Very discerning children you have.

Anyone interesting?

Irene Heron, from Rome.

Is that where she lives now?

She's traveling.

She drops me a line when I send her annuity.

How is she?

Has she changed much?

I wouldn't know.

Our paths haven't crossed since Dad.

( horse whinnies ) The carriage is here.

Is that everything?

Couple of books.

I'll get them.

They're on the bed.

Here.

I've got my allowance.

You've been more than generous.

Bound to have forgotten something.

I'm going to sound like old Polonius now.

Neither a borrower nor a lender be?

You said that to me on my first day at school.

I don't see Oxford being much different.

Better clothes, a few more shillings in my pocket.

The visits home will grow shorter.

Dad.

That's just as it should be.

You're ready for it.

It's only I haven't quite adjusted to the idea.

Always was a late developer.

( clears throat ) Jolly... this might sound a bit rich with my history, but...

I should very much like to think that you will go through life treating other people as you'd like to be treated yourself.

Thus endeth the homily.

VAL: Odd that I've never met this side of the family before.

You and Jolyon are cousins.

Didn't you grow up chums?

SOAMES: Jolyon?

He fancied himself something of a rebel.

He's not so anti the establishment now its members have started to buy his paintings.

Ah, June.

Good afternoon.

I haven't seen you for years.

I wish to speak with your father.

Is he expecting you?

He's rather busy at the moment.

Ah, there he is.

SOAMES: Jolyon.

Soames.

I can't have changed that much.

No, no, it's... it's a surprise.

JUNE: I was explaining how busy you are, preparing for the private view.

This is my sister's son.

Val Dartie.

How do you do?

Jolyon Forsyte.

Pleased to meet you.

My daughters-- June, Holly.

How do you do.

Hello, Val.

Val's going up to Oxford.

I thought he ought to meet your boy.

Bad timing.

Jolly went up last week.

You've had a wasted journey, I'm sorry.

And I'll be of no use to you, I'm afraid.

If you'll excuse me.

Oh well, one must expect these disappointments when one acts on impulse.

There is another matter.

Which you two will no doubt find a crashing bore.

Holly, why don't you show Val round?

Val?

VAL: Extraordinary house.

I can't believe we've never been before.

Are those stables round the side?

Sorry, I forget myself.

Would you like to see the house?

I've seen it.

I've come about Irene.

Does she have a... man these days?

Men?

I need to know.

Men?

That's what I said.

I'm sure I've no idea.

You don't believe me.

I get a letter once a year as her trustee.

That apart, I have no relationship with her.

She never mentions in her letters?

Nothing of that sort.

Why have you come to me?

Who else should I go to?

To Irene herself.

I have no wish to see her.

It's been 12 years.

Twelve years without a wife or the freedom to find another.

I'm tired of it.

I wish to start again.

I need evidence for a divorce.

Would you speak to her, on my behalf?

Me?

Well, a personal visit must be preferable to a formal letter.

She may not be in the country.

You could find out easily.

I've told you, I have no contact with her.

Please.

Well...

If she's in London, I'll speak to her.

I'll present her with the facts, but I won't press your suit-- just so we're clear.

I only ask for what is my right.

Are we clear?

I'm grateful, I'm sure.

I'll hear from you directly.

( bell rings ) This is such an unexpected pleasure.

What's your secret?

You look entirely unchanged.

( chuckles ) I mean it.

Well, people who don't live are wonderfully preserved.

Please.

Tell me, how is your work?

And the house, Holly, everything?

Life is good and full.

Irene, this is not a social call, pleased as I am to see you again.

I had a visit yesterday from Soames.

Oh.

He wants a divorce.

After all these years?

Won't that be difficult?

Unless...

Unless I have a lover.

He has, presumably.

I believe he'd like to have children.

Enough to supply the evidence himself because I cannot help him, I'm afraid.

You wouldn't like to be free, too?

What does it matter now?

There's been no one since.

But if you were to love again?

Well, then I should love.

( laughs ) ( laughs ) Well, I said I wouldn't press his case.

There's nothing more to say.

Well, tell him I'm sorry he's not free.

He had his chance; I don't know why he didn't take it.

He's a Forsyte.

We never part with anything-- on principle.

Not you.

I don't count.

No, you're a bit of a mongrel.

( both chuckle ) Your letters always say you're well, but I'm happier now I've seen you in person.

I'm always at your service.

Yes, I know, and I'm grateful.

Good-bye.

Good-bye.

VAL: That was ripping!

She's a dark horse all right-- looks like a lady but goes like a rocket.

I told you.

I'll beat you next time.

( chuckles ) Walk on.

( sighs ) You didn't mind my dropping that note?

Mind?

I would've written myself, only I didn't know how to reach you; Dad's so touchy about Uncle Soames.

Relations are awful, aren't they?

When they don't get on.

And don't make sense.

That's Forsytes for you.

I...

I wouldn't know.

You haven't missed much.

Sometimes I despair.

They don't go a mucker on enjoyment.

And you do?

I know when to draw the line.

But I believe in doing what you want.

I mean, we're family; they introduced us.

They should be glad we rub along all right.

All the same, probably best to keep it to ourselves.

Quiet life and all that.

Walk on.

( knock at door ) ( door opens ) Just one minute.

Take a seat, won't you?

( clears throat ) I've seen her.

Um, she regrets she is unable to help you.

Unable or unwilling?

Unable.

She has had no one in her life.

And you believe that?

Mmm.

Your father took an interest, didn't he?

He was fond of her.

Fond enough to leave her 15,000.

I don't like your insinuation.

I've done what I said I would do.

If you wish to be divorced, you must look to yourself.

I cannot provide evidence that does not exist.

And you a lawyer?

Why should I?

Haven't I suffered enough?

I rather think she has suffered more.

The night she lost Bosinney I brought her back to you.

The memory of it haunts me.

Why do people always take her side?

What is it about her?

She caused trouble for your daughter, she used your father shamelessly, she... My part in this is over.

I should never have come to you.

No.

I might've known how you'd present it.

If Irene won't free the ties of our marriage, she must abide by its duties.

I retain my rights.

Your rights?

To do what?

I've not forgotten the nickname your father gave me, "The Man of Property."

I'm not called names for nothing.

She is a human being!

She is my wife-- Irene Forsyte.

And I'll thank you to leave her alone from now on.

She chooses "Heron."

Do you hear me?

Leave Mrs. Forsyte alone.

I'll bid you good day, sir.

Think very carefully, Soames, before you try to bully her.

She's not alone this time.

( door closes ) ( pencil cracks ) Dear Montague, comma, I have received your letter with the news...

Slow down, Soames.

I'm not one of your clerks.

( very slowly ): with the news... that... you... have... left me... forever... Go on.

And that are on your way to Buenos Aires.

Full stop.

I am taking this earliest opportunity...

Wait, wait.

Earliest opportunity... earliest opportunity of writing to tell you that I am prepared to let bygones be bygones if you will return to me at once.

Full stop.

Soames, I don't wish to sound ungrateful, but I...

I feel I'm being pushed here, against my better instinct.

Of course you're being pushed!

Soames?

And when have your better instincts ever been worth trusting?

The one decision you've made was to marry Dartie and what a blazing success of a husband he was!

That's cruel.

You've put this family through the shame of quashing rumors, paying off creditors, fending off the bailiff!

And you laugh at Father for looking on the gloomy side?

But Dartie has taken us beyond gloom and you let him do it.

So, yes, you are being pushed, because you owe us, Winifred, and we know best.