Episode 2

♪ ♪ Oh, hello, Edith, dear.

Hello, Granny.

Isn't it exciting?

At my age, one must ration one's excitement.

(chuckling) See, I told her everything would come right, but she wouldn't believe me.

I still can't.

Something happening in this house is actually about me.

The dress came this morning.

I was rather sad you decided against Patou.

I would have paid.

Lucille was safer.

We don't want her to look like a chorus girl.

How's Anthony?

Excited, I hope.

Desperately.

Just when he thought his life would never change, he's going right back to the beginning.

Oh, what an invigorating prospect.

I hope you've got your shirt ready for tonight.

In case you're interested, I've hidden a couple so I won't be caught out that way again.

Why should I be interested?

That goes for you, too.

What have I done?

Take no notice.

MRS. HUGHES: Anna?

Are the flowers done?

Yes, I'll check them on Saturday morning and lose anything that's going over.

I've kept back a few in bud.

I'll be home for the dressing gong.

Oh, we'll manage.

Still no word from the doctor?

(door closes) (whispering): I'd have told you if there was.

By heck, they don't mind stringing it out.

Shall we go and see him?

MRS. HUGHES: Why?

I'm sure if he knew anything, he would have said.

How are you today, Mr. Molesley?

Oh!

Very well, thank you.

You were talking the other night about your friend's daughter.

Is she still looking for a place?

She is.

You read about the servant shortage in the newspapers, but she can't find a situation for a lady's maid.

Not one.

She'll end up as a housemaid if she's not careful.

Oh, we can't have that, Mr. Molesley.

But if I were to tell you something, you must promise not to breathe a word of it downstairs.

Miss O'Brien doesn't want it known.

How will they advertise it?

I don't know exactly.

"Desirable nobleman's mansion with surrounding estate and properties."

Where will you go?

We have some land further north at Eryholme, on the border with Durham.

It came with my great-grandmother.

The house is pretty and we might make something of it.

We could always rename it Downton Place.

Who lives there now?

A tenant, but we can come to an arrangement that keeps him happy.

Let's take a picnic there tomorrow.

Take a break from the wedding on Edith's last day of freedom.

Molesley's in the hall.

He wonders if he might have a word.

I'll come through in a minute.

Not with you, with Mama.

MARY: Molesley?

Your ladyship, may I have a word?

Of course.

M'lady, might I be allowed to put forward a candidate as Miss O'Brien's replacement?

What?

MOLESLEY: When the time comes.

ROBERT: Is O'Brien leaving?

I hope I've not spoken out of turn.

Only I didn't want to let it go and miss the chance.

I thought you knew.

Of course I know.

Thank you, Molesley.

I'll be happy to listen to recommendations when, as you say, the time comes.

Thank you, m'lady.

Well, I must confess I will watch her departure with mixed emotions.

MARY: Mine are fairly unmixed.

Did you have a clue?

Not a clue.

How very disappointing.

But, in a way, it raises the big question: when do we tell the staff that the end is nigh?

It makes it sound so final.

I'm afraid it is final.

Well, don't spoil Edith's day.

Let us get through the wedding first and then tell them afterwards.

CARSON: Oh, Dr. Clarkson?

Do you have a minute?

Uh, one minute, yes.

Do you mind if we... Only I know that Mrs. Hughes is suffering from a condition and I wondered if there was anything I could do to help.

You can help by lessening her duties.

That's really all I can say.

But you can't tell me how serious it is?

I'm afraid not, even if I knew, which I don't, yet.

Good day to you, Mr. Carson.

And it can't wait until after the wedding?

I'm sorry.

Of course, you must go.

Thank you, m'lady.

Right.

I think that's everything.

Shall we go down?

I had a telephone call from Charkham earlier.

Charkham?

Reggie Swire's lawyer.

It seems the death certificate has arrived from India.

He wants to bring it here.

Well, can't he send it?

He wants to bring it.

He was quite definite.

(sighs) I've told him he can come tomorrow.

There's nothing going on particularly, is there?

You know there is.

We're taking a picnic to Eryholme to see the house we have to move into.

I'm surprised you of all people can forget that.

(sighs) Well, he's coming in the morning, I won't put him off.

(exasperated sigh) So this is the moment when you receive a huge fortune that could save Downton, and you give it away.

Will you choose where to give it?

How can I?

I'd give it all to Papa.

My darling, I hope, in some small part of you, you can understand.

I'm trying.

Really, I am.

But I can't pretend I'm doing very well.

(door closes) Will there be anything more, m'lady?

No.

Unless you have something you want to tell me.

What might that be, m'lady?

I won't prompt you, O'Brien, if you're not ready to say.

Did she tell you why?

No.

Maybe she doesn't want to until she's settled where she's going, but she has let me down.

We should go.

Strallan won't be late.

He never is, worse luck.

Oh, I know you're not happy, but Edith will be in the same county.

Loxley is a nice house, and the estate will give her plenty to do.

She'll be a nurse, Cora.

And by the time she's 50, she'll be wheeling round a one-armed old man.

Alfred, do you ever think about that Miss Reed, what was maid to her ladyship's mother?

Don't know-- maybe, sometimes.

I couldn't get over how outspoken she was.

But you liked that, didn't you?

I suppose I did.

It felt... modern.

She said what she felt, even though she was a woman.

I did like it.

Maybe I should be more outspoken, say what I really think.

Are you waiting down here till they come in search of the pudding?

Uh, no, Mrs. Patmore.

Can I do something for you?

Well, I'd better get back upstairs, but, uh, while you're here...

I saw Dr. Clarkson today.

Oh?

I'm worried about Mrs. Hughes.

We're all worried, but I don't think he should have told you.

He said it would help if we lessened her workload.

I'm sure it would, but she won't be pleased he's been talking about her before it's been confirmed.

So it is cancer.

Not until it's confirmed.

Don't say anything.

She'd hate to think the doctor had told you.

He didn't tell me, Mrs. Patmore.

You told me.

(sighs) I must say, it's a relief to have some men in the family at last.

Lady Edith...

I mean, Edith tells me that you're very interested in politics.

Well... Tom is our tame revolutionary.

Every family should have one.

As long as you are tame.

Tame enough for a game of billiards.

What about it?

Can you tell them where we've gone?

We're getting used to Tom, and I hope you will too.

We haven't spoken, really, since it was all settled.

I want you to know that I quite understand why you were against it.

Yes.

Well...

I just hope you believe that I mean to do my level best to make her happy.

I do believe that.

It was never at all personal, you know.

No, of course not, no, it's just because of all this and...

I'm far too old.

Anthony, the thing is done.

There is no point in raking it over.

But are you happy about it?

I'm happy Edith is happy.

I'm happy you mean to keep her happy.

That is quite enough happiness to be going on with.

EDITH: You will let us have five minutes on our own, Papa.

Please.

Very well.

But don't tell your grandmother.

I couldn't bear it if we spent the whole evening discussing hunting and whether or not the Marlboroughs are finally getting a divorce.

No, no.

Are they?

Yes.

Oh.

You know, I first met the Duchess of Marlborough at a ball of Lady Londonderry's, '96.

Just after she'd come over from America.

She was the loveliest woman I'd ever set eyes on.

Of course you weren't even born, my darling.

I was.

Just not walking very well.

Mmm.

And before long, you'll be wheeling me around when I can't walk anymore.

Please understand, I don't love you in spite of your needing to be looked after.

I love you because of it.

I want you to be my life's work.

There's been a last-minute change of mind about the wedding menus.

Couldn't Mrs. Patmore do it?

Mrs. Patmore has given me her new order list.

She's done her job, it's time for me to do mine.

I just don't want you to get tired.

Who have you been speaking to?

No one.

What do you mean?

Nothing.

I don't mean a thing.

Now let me get on.

Is baked Alaska a bit ambitious for the dinner after the reception?

How many will there be?

About 40, I'd say.

The rest will have gone home.

What is it?

Mr. Mason's asked me to the farm.

Well, say there's a wedding on.

You can go when things have settled down.

Now, come and sort out this benighted picnic.

Now, this is a simple stitch, but strong and very useful in a drama.

When do we get summat to eat?

As I was saying, you should start it about, well, I would say about half an inch away from the center line.

Oh, I'm glad you've come back.

I do hope you've come for our help.

You'd be so welcome if you have.

You wouldn't say that if you knew what I am, ma'am.

I'm past help.

Nobody's past help.

And if you mean by that that you are a prostitute, well, then you should know that it is true of every woman who has come here to rebuild their lives.

And I'm helping them, and I very much hope that I can help you too.

That's right, why not come in and help us rebuild our lives?

(women laughing) That's not why I'm here, Mrs. Crawley.

That is, I am a... what you said, but I don't want help.

Not for myself, but...

The trouble is, every time I make up my mind, I change it.

I'm sorry, this has been a mistake.

Oh please, please, don't go, not again!

(laughing) It must be strange to receive a letter from a dead man.

It's very strange.

MARY: We're leaving.

I'm sorry, Mr. Charkham, to snatch him away.

That's quite all right, Lady Mary.

There will be papers to sign.

Yes, I expect there will.

Papa's asked Anthony to meet us there, so we can all face the future together.

He's bringing Isobel and Granny.

It's hard for your grandmother.

Matthew, it's torture for all of us.

And if I ever look as if I'm finding it easy to lose my home, then I am putting on an act.

Are you sure you can manage this?

Quite sure, Mr. Carson.

There's nothing hot.

It's not a shooting lunch.

Give them some champagne first, and that'll allow you the time to set it out properly.

I'll manage, Mr. Carson.

What's this place we're visiting?

It's one of his lordship's houses, though I'm curious as to why they're going there today.

Maybe he likes to keep a check on things.

Maybe.

MATTHEW: We'll see you there!

Off you go.

ROBERT: Mrs. Vanneck, she was a cousin of Granny's.

Do you want to come with us?

Yes, thank you.

Might I have a word, m'lady?

Yes, of course, what is it?

This is a slightly awkward request, what with the wedding tomorrow.

Tell me.

Mrs. Hughes is very tired.

I wonder if it might be possible for you to divert some of her work my way?

I don't understand.

What do you mean, "tired"?

ROBERT: Cora!

Carson?

The fact is, Mrs. Hughes is ill, my lady.

She may be very ill.

I'm extremely sorry to trouble you with this at such a moment, but I don't want the wedding to sink her.

Of course not.

But, my heavens, how will we manage without O'Brien and now Mrs. Hughes?

Miss O'Brien?

She told Molesley... Cora, please!

I'm coming!

(baby crying) Mrs. Bartlett?

I've...

I've brought the money.

Well, it's your loss, because I've got nothing to say.

All I want to know is if Vera ever... Oh!

So you were on Christian name terms, were you?

You do surprise me.

...if Mrs. Bates ever suggested she was depressed or unhappy?

Of course she was unhappy.

Her husband had left her and gone off with a trollop.

He changed, you know.

She was scared of him by the end, and now we know she had good reason.

When did you last see her?

You'd better come inside.

(whispering): Bates.

Psst.

Watch out.

What do you mean?

Search your room, search your bed.

They've set you up somehow, your cellmate Craig and his mates.

Stop talking!

Just do it.

MRS. BARTLETT: Their door was open, so I looked in.

She was cooking, but she had to post a letter, so she walked me down the street.

She said Bates was coming back later for his tea.

She was terrified.

She was in a strange mood-- jumpy and fearful, but determined.

I remember she'd made pastry and she was scrubbing it out of her nails like she didn't care if she took the skin off.

So after she posted the letter, she went home on her own?

She did, poor soul.

And I never saw her after.

I can remember her now, walking away down the street.

It was raining.

No, not raining, more like drizzle.

And the gaslight seemed to catch in the drops and make a sort of halo round her.

A halo?

Really?

You can laugh.

When did you hear she was dead?

Next day.

So I knew it was Bates.

When I heard the verdict, I thought he'd swing.

And he should have, if the country hadn't gone soft.

(sobbing) VIOLET: This is very good of you.

Oh, nonsense, you were on the way.

I do wish you'd let me sit in the front.

No, no, I prefer it.

I've ridden in the front seat many times.

Aren't you a wild thing!

Oh, it's quite safe.

There's never been a safer method of travel.

Nor a faster one.

Edith's the speed fiend.

She likes to go at a terrific lick.

Do you think you'll be able to keep up with her?

I'll try.

What's this place like?

Eryholme, is it?

Do you know it?

Well, a little.

My late husband kept the shooting there, and we'd sometimes have luncheon in the house.

Is it nice?

Nice enough, as a retreat from the world.

I wouldn't have thought it suited to much else.

Downton Place.

How lovely.

Won't it be a bit cramped?

You do realize that for most people it looks like a fairy palace?

SYBIL: You'll be able to run it with a much smaller staff.

ROBERT: This is it.

I doubt we'll need more than eight servants tops, so it'll be very economical.

What about me?

Where am I to go?

We still own most of the village.

Oh.

Perhaps I could open a shop.

Good idea, Granny.

What do you think Eryholme needs?

Well, if it's like everywhere else, good manners and some decent conversation.

Well, there you are, then.

You should have a roaring trade in minutes.

(all chuckling) How's everything going?

Very well, I think.

I think it's rather unfair that Mary should have an archbishop to marry her and you've got poor old Mr. Travis.

Oh, I don't mind.

It was such short notice and he was all booked up.

And I prefer it, really, to have the man who christened us.

What had Charkham come for?

He gave me a letter from Swire.

It seems he left one for each of the three potential heirs, when and if they inherited.

Mine is the only one to have been delivered.

And what did it say?

I haven't opened it.

I can't decide whether I will.

Why wouldn't you?

Because I know it will be a paean of praise.

How Lavinia could not have found a better man, et cetera.

And you don't want to read that?

Since she could not have found a worse one, no, I don't.

I already feel bad enough, and if I read his words, they will stay with me forever.

(kitchen utensils clattering nearby) Mrs. Crawley?

We're back from our delicious luncheon, and, um, I was on my way home... You had a maid at Downton, Ethel Parks.

I was here when she brought her son into the dining room.

Who could forget that?

Do you have an address for her?

I do, if she's still there.

You see... You see, I saw her this morning.

And I'm afraid she's fallen into a bad way, a very bad way.

Oh, dear.

I am sorry to hear that.

If you'd like to come with me, I'll fetch it for you.

Thank you.

(keys jangling) (door opening) Get up, both of you!

Against the wall!

Mr. Turner, search the bunk, please!

Nothing here.

What?

Clean this mess up!

Bastards.

There's a lot of bastards in here.

I expect you're tired.

It's a long day, up to London and back again.

Was it worth the journey?

Not really.

CARSON: Miss O'Brien, might I ask what you've confided in Mr. Molesley but have kept from the rest of us?

I don't know what you mean.

Mr. Molesley appears to have given her ladyship the impression that you are planning a change of some sort.

What's this?

I...

I'm sorry.

I thought her ladyship would know.

Know what?

That you're leaving.

I beg your pardon!

How dare you make such an assumption?

Isn't it time for the dressing gong, Mr. Carson?

It certainly is.

Thank you.

But...

Excuse me, Mr. Molesley.

I've got work to do, even if you haven't.

I'll deal with you later.

You're in the soup.

I wouldn't be in her bad books for a gold clock.

You must have said something Molesley misinterpreted.

But I don't say anything to him, m'lady, beyond "pass the salt" and "get out of the way."

There must have been something.

I'm afraid I do feel let down, O'Brien, I really do, and right on top of the wedding... (knocking at the door) You sent for me, m'lady?

Yes.

Thank you, O'Brien.

Mrs. Hughes, I understand that you're not well.

Whom do you understand that from?

Because if the doctor...

It wasn't Dr. Clarkson.

It is not confirmed that I am ill, your ladyship.

I've had a test and I'm waiting for the results.

But I am perfectly capable... Mrs. Hughes, I only want to say one thing; that if you are ill, you are welcome here for as long as you want to stay.

Lady Sybil will help us to find a suitable nurse.

I see.

I don't want you to have any concerns about where you'll go or who will look after you because the answer is here and we will.

I don't know what to say, m'lady.

There isn't anything more to say until we know where we stand, one way or the other.

Thank you.

If they complain it's dull, tell them it's a miracle there's cheese at all the day before a wedding.

I'll send for you and you can tell them.

You said you wanted to be more outspoken.

That's not quite what I meant.

Alfred, get that cheese up, come on!

He thinks I don't know, but of course I do.

We'll spend two weeks in Rome, then Florence, then Venice, so I couldn't be happier.

And what about Loxley?

Is there masses to be done?

It's not too bad.

It's not too bad downstairs.

The bedrooms are killers.

Well, don't do anything too fast.

It takes time to know how a house works.

I really think you should go to bed.

No bride wants to look tired at her wedding.

It either means she's anxious or been up to no good.

I won't sleep a wink.

Tonight or tomorrow.

Sybil, vulgarity is no substitute for wit.

Well, you started it.

(giggling) I think you have to read it.

I don't agree.

It's like when someone you love dies.

Don't look at them dead if you don't want that image in your brain forever, because it'll never leave you.

What about if I read it?

I think I should burn the damn thing.

MOLESLEY: Miss O'Brien?

Please understand that I didn't mean any harm.

Well, why make it up in the first place?

I didn't make it up, I was told.

Who told you?

Well, Mr. Barrow mentioned it, but I think it was an honest mistake.

No, it wasn't honest and it wasn't a mistake.

But don't worry about it.

I can tell it wasn't your fault, Mr. Molesley.

So we'll forget about it, shall we?

And when you see Mr. Barrow, you can tell him that I may make some honest mistakes myself in the future.

Why not sit down and eat with us?

Oh, I couldn't do that.

CARSON: Daisy will not sit down because the invitation is not in your gift, Alfred.

She eats with Mrs. Patmore in the kitchen.

ALFRED: Fancy a game of something later?

Daisy's busy.

Anna?

I want to write a letter.

Sorry.

I'll play.

Let's see how we feel.

MATTHEW: What do you mean you've read it?

I didn't think it was right to destroy a man's last words without reading them.

I felt it was wrong.

It wasn't your decision!

Well, I made it my decision!

Do you want to hear what he says?

No.

To start with, Lavinia must have written to him on her last day, only hours before she died.

That's nonsense, there was no letter found in her room.

Be that as it may, she wrote to him after she tried to persuade you to call off the wedding and you wouldn't.

This is quite impossible.

(exasperated sigh) "She loved and admired you "for this sacrifice of your own happiness, and she commended you to my care."

I can't listen to any more of this.

You must!

"I have few intimates "and so I've decided in her name to add you to my list of heirs.

"I think it unlikely that I'll outlive both the first two, "so there is little chance of your reading this letter, "but if you do, and if the money has come to you, "know it is with my full knowledge of what transpired.

"Please do not allow any grief, guilt or regret "to hold you back in its employment.

"God bless you, my boy.

Reggie."

Are you sure you didn't write it?

I assume you know his hand.

Not well enough to test a forgery.

Besides, she couldn't have written to him without our knowing.

I'm not accusing you of faking it, but I suspect someone has.

So it won't change your mind?

Not yet it won't.

(knocking at the door) Time you were in bed.

It's a big day tomorrow.

I'll just finish this.

Is it something I can do for you?

No.

Did you say anything about me to her ladyship?

I don't know what you mean.

Why?

Don't worry.

She was very kind, and I was touched.

As you know, I don't worship them all, like you do.

I wouldn't put it like that.

But this time, I freely admit it, I was quite touched.

(birds chirping) Ah.

I'll change for the wedding after luncheon.

Very good, m'lord.

Did it surprise you when you heard O'Brien might be on the move?

Not really, m'lord.

She's always been a dark horse.

It seems she's changed her mind, but I dare say we'd recover if she went.

Oh yes, it'd take a lot more than that to drive us out of Downton.

Am I interrupting?

No, please.

I just want to ask you all something.

M'lady, I'm sorry I've not been up.

Don't worry, I'll change properly after luncheon.

But I had to catch you when you were all together.

How can we help, m'lady?

It's a funny thing.

Mr. Crawley has heard that Miss Swire sent a letter on the day she died.

If so, someone must have posted it for her, and we wondered if it were any of you?

CARSON: I'm afraid not.

Given that the poor lady passed away that same day, an incident of this sort would have been reported to me or to Mrs. Hughes.

That's right, m'lady.

I see.

Well, thank you very much.

What were that about?

ANNA: Lady Mary wanted to know if anyone had posted a letter for Miss Swire.

Oh, I did that.

CARSON: Daisy?

What did you say?

Poor Miss Swire's letter.

She'd written it and she asked me to put it into the box in the hall.

Why?

What were you doing in her room?

Making up the fire.

We started talking and she said she'd written a letter.

She was ever so nice.

I still get sad when I think about her.

And it didn't occur to you to tell me?

Tell you what?

Never mind.

I am grateful to you, Daisy.

You cannot know how much.

Well, this is the last of them.

I'm glad they've hurried it so she can be married from Downton.

Are you?

I should have thought a little sober reflection would not have gone amiss.

Mama, let's try to be positive.

Of all of them, Anthony Strallan is the most traditional choice.

Robert, Edith is beginning her life as an old man's drudge.

I should not have thought a large drawing room much compensation.

Why dwell on that now?

Because I want the pleasure of saying I told you so.

I don't think so.

One of the maids will supervise the oven and Alfred's sent to manage the wine.

It's a shame they have to miss it.

MRS. PATMORE: Not really; they've not been here long enough to know Lady Edith.

Now, the moment you feel tired you're to tell me and I'll take over whatever it is you're doing.

Oh, will you, now?

Are you sure you want to come to the church?

You could stay here and have a lie down.

It would be so nice if people would wait to learn if I really am ill before boxing me up.

I don't know what you mean.

I don't know anything about any illness.

Don't you?

I see.

Who told him?

I don't know.

Maybe he just picked it up somehow.

He's worried about you.

He's a good man.

He's a hopeless liar.

Well, that's quite nice really, isn't it?

I've had a message from the doctor.

He'll have the results tomorrow.

I'm to call in the afternoon.

Try not to worry.

I'll try, but I won't succeed.

(door opens) That's it.

I'll put the hat on later.

Go straight to Lady Edith.

You look marvelous.

I feel marvelous.

That is, I feel marvelous because we don't have to leave Downton.

Lavinia did write to her father and it was posted from this house.

In other words, every word Mr. Swire wrote in that letter was true.

Daisy posted it, the kitchen maid.

I see.

Do you, my darling?

I hope so, because if you try to find one more excuse not to accept the money, I'll have to beat you about the head.

(laughs) I see.

(sighs) I do have one condition, however.

Make it a good one.

Let's not steal Edith's thunder.

I'll tell Robert after it's over and she's left on honeymoon.

Now, that I can live with.

You look beautiful.

All of us married, all of us happy.

And the first baby on the way.

Why don't we get the photographer to take a picture of the three of us when we get to the church?

He looks as if he's waiting for a beating from the headmaster.

Do you think I should reassure him?

How?

He's done it before, so he must be in possession of all the facts.

Perhaps the first Lady Strallan was a difficult act to follow.

Or a difficult one to repeat.

(flash explodes) Well, fashionably late is one thing... We're going in.

Edith, I know we haven't always got along and I doubt things change much in the future, but today I wish you all the luck in the world.

Thank you.

(sighs happily) Thank you very much.

(organ playing processional) Good afternoon.

Good afternoon, my sweet one.

(music stops) Dearly beloved, we are gathered...

I can't do this.

What?

I can't do it.

You know it's wrong.

You told me so yourself several times.

My dear chap... No.

I never should have let it get this far.

I should have stopped it long ago.

I tried to stop it.

What are you saying?

I don't understand what you're saying.

Edith... Edith, I can't let you throw away your life like this.

What do you mean?

We're so happy, aren't we?

We're going to be so terribly, terribly happy.

STRALLAN: But you are going to be happy.

I pray that you are.

But only if you don't waste yourself on me.

Anthony, it is too late for this.

Might I suggest we all take a step back?

No, let him go, let him go.

You know he's right.

Don't stop him doing the only sensible thing he's come up with in months.

Thank you, Lady Grantham.

But Granny... No, no, it's over, my dear, don't drag it out.

Wish him well and let him go.

I can't.

Good-bye, my dearest darling.

And may God bless you.

Always.

(sobbing) (guests murmuring) (crying) (crying) When everyone gets back, can you clear all this away?

I want it gone before Lady Edith comes downstairs.

Flowers, glasses, everything.

And ask the outside staff to help put back the carpet and the furniture.

Yes, m'lord.

(door opens) (sobbing) Is there anything I could say to make it better?

No.

Look at them.

Both with their husbands, Sybil pregnant, Mary probably pregnant.

Oh, just go.

I mean it.

Go.

Perhaps you should go.

Oh, Mama... You are being tested.

And do you know what they say, my darling?

Being tested only makes you stronger.

I don't think it's working with me.

(sobbing) What should we do now?

There's nothing we can do, beyond removing all signs of a wedding and holding her hand while she recovers.

She will, of course.

Meanwhile, it's time to face the business of leaving Downton.

Without the wedding to hide behind, there's no reason not to get on with it and astonish the world with the extent of my wretched failure.

Actually... Mary and I intended to make an announcement at dinner.

What announcement?

What about?

You don't have to leave.

I'll explain it later, but I'm going to give you Reggie's money.

I'll accept it, and I'll give it to you.

Don't be silly.

You're not going to give me any money.

But I am.

You don't want to leave.

Nor does Mary.

Nor do any of us, for that matter.

I still won't take your money.

What I will allow is for you to invest in the place.

If we stay, you'll share the ownership.

It'll be your house, your estate, as much as mine.

We will be joint Masters.

But... And if you won't agree, I will sell and it'll all be your fault.

(sighs with relief) I never thought I'd feel sorry for an earl's daughter.

All God's creatures have their troubles.

Anna?

Yes?

Do you think it's right that women should say what they think?

Speak out about romance and everything?

Well, things are changing for us.

And the vote won't be long now.

So I suppose they must get used to us speaking our minds, but...

But what?

With most of the men I've ever met, if you started to court them, they'd be so terrified, they'd run a mile.

Has she had something to eat?

Anna took up some sandwiches... but she didn't touch a thing.

That reminds me.

Carson, I don't want Lady Edith to see any of the wedding food.

Mrs. Hughes and Anna are taking what's left down to Mr. Travis tomorrow, m'lady.

For the poor.

If the poor don't want it, you can bring it over to me.

How can we help Edith?

You can help her by finding her something to do.

ALFRED: Is this all we're getting?

Just these picketty bits?

Hardly.

These are canapés, Alfred.

For your first course, some truffled egg on toast, perhaps?

Some oysters a la Russe?

Then what?

There's lobster rissoles in Mousseline sauce or Calvados-glazed duckling, or do you fancy a little asparagus salad with champagne-saffron vinaigrette?

When I think how you've gone to such pains... Never mind me.

What about the pain of that poor girl upstairs?

O'BRIEN: Jilted at the altar.

I don't think I could stand the shame.

Then it's lucky no one's ever asked you, isn't it?

ANNA: Poor thing.

How will she find the strength to hold up her head?

DAISY: I swear I'd have to run away and hide in a place where no one knew me.

I think she's well out of it.

How can you say that?

I mean it.

She's young, she's not bad looking.

She could do much better than that broken down old crock.

CARSON: Sir Anthony may have betrayed a daughter of this house, but he still does not deserve to be addressed in that manner by a footman.

MRS. HUGHES: Oh, I think he does, Mr. Carson.

Every bit of that and worse.

Well, maybe just this once.

Right.

What's it to be?

Lobster, duck or asparagus?

Is there any cheese, Mrs. Patmore?

(door opens) What would you like me to get you?

A different life.

Let me bring you up some breakfast.

No.

I am a useful spinster, good at helping out.

That is my role.

And spinsters get up for breakfast.

(knock at the door) Going out?

Just into the village.

I have to fetch something.

Can I help?

I'm going down later.

No, thank you.

This is an errand I have to do for myself.

Ready?

As ready as I'll ever be.

We can be sure of one thing: I won't be cured by standing here.

D'you want... No.

Everything all right, Miss O'Brien?

Oh, yes.

Everything's all right with me, but it'll be all wrong with you before too long.

Mark my words.

Oh?

And how is that, Miss O'Brien?

I don't know.

Not yet.

But it will be.

You can be sure of it.

Hello, Ethel.

How did you find me?

I asked Mrs. Hughes.

I would so like to help you.

Please.

Won't you let me?

You don't understand, Mrs. Crawley.

I didn't come looking for help, not for myself.

I'm past all that.

Why did you come?

(baby babbling) I've got to go.

Thanks for trying, ma'am, but there's no point.

It's all up with me, I'm done.

Well?

Is it or isn't it?

It's not cancer, no.

It's a benign something-or-other, nothing more.

(relieved sigh) Don't mention that you've said anything.

She doesn't know that I know.

I won't say a word.

Did you tell him?

I would prefer to say I put him out of his misery.

(singing) CARSON: ♪ Dashing away with the smoothing iron ♪ ♪ She stole my heart away ♪ ♪ Dashing away with the smoothing iron ♪ ♪ Dashing away with the smoothing iron ♪ ♪ Dashing away with the smoothing iron ♪ ♪ She stole my heart away.

♪ (chuckling) ♪ ♪ ANNOUNCER: Go to our website, listen to our podcast, watch video, and more.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪