01x01 - Episode 1

[bunniefuu]

Do you truly love me?

Trust me.

Mrs Edwards...

Mrs Edwards thinks
you're a child still.

But we know better than that,

don't we?

But when will you come back?

Soon. Very soon.

But when?

You should prepare yourself.

I have done all I can.

GASPING

DOOR LATCH CLICKS

John.

I'm so glad you've come. Is it John?

Here I am, Father.

The law prevents me from
dividing up my estate.

You are to have everything.

Without your help,

your stepmother...and the girls

will have almost nothing.

You must do something.

You must promise me.

You must give me your solemn promise.

Yes, of course.

I promise.

THUNDER RUMBLES

Norland Park, ours at last.

Come to bed.

I promised Father I...

would do something for them.

You are the most generous of men.

I hope you don't
intend to spoil them.

Not to spoil them.

I have written to Mary,
saying they may expect us on Monday.

Blow out the candle, dear.

Monday?

But that's today.

I had not thought
it would be so soon.

Have they no heart at all?

It is their house now, Marianne.

But why, Elinor?
It isn't fair, is it?

It is the way things are. Meg.

Mr John Dashwood is Father's only
son, and sons are always heirs.

There's nothing anyone can do.

How can you be so calm about it?
Don't cry, dear.

But what will we do?
Will we have to live with gypsies?

I'd rather live with gypsies than
with Aunt Fanny. She's insufferable.

If she comes to live here,
I might even poison her.

I thought of giving
the girls £1,000 apiece.

Would that be fair, do you think?

£1,000 apiece? Are you mad?

Do you rob your only child
of his rightful inheritance?

Henry, your father proposes
to steal £3,000 from you
to give to his half-sisters.

You think it too generous?

£500 apiece?

That would be beyond anything
generous, when you think

that they will have
£3,000 on their mother's death.

A very comfortable fortune for any
young woman, I should have thought.

But your papa is set
on robbing you, Henry.

Perhaps the matter does
require further thought.

I'm determined to help them, Fanny.

Mama, they won't expect
you to give up your own bedroom.

It is their house now. They will
expect the best it has to offer.

Mama, our brother has a kind heart.

He wouldn't want you
to be uncomfortable.

He promised Papa
he would look after us all.

Yes, yes, he did.

And he will.

I'm sure of it.

To say the truth, I'm convinced
your father had no idea of
your giving them any money at all.

What would they spend it on?

They will have no carriage,
no horses, hardly any servants.

Yes. I suppose...

And consider, you owe no particular
gratitude to your father,
nor attention to his wishes.

For we very well know if
he could, he would have left almost
everything in the world to them.

Upon my word,
I do believe you're right.

My father must have meant nothing
more than what you said.

Just a general concern
for their welfare,

occasional presents of fish
and game and so forth.

Exactly.

There, there, darling. We shan't let
the poor starve you. No, we shan't.

I shan't speak
to them when they come in.

Yes, you will.

We shall all be on
our best behaviour.

Because we are the visitors now.

Really, Mary.

There's no need for that.

Well, here we are at last!

After you, my dear, of course.

So, Elinor, still at your music?

Marianne still sketching away?

You see, I remember everything.

Other way around, Aunt.

Marianne is the musician. Oh, yes.

And what about you, Margaret?

I'm going to be a writer. A writer?

Well, pens and paper
cost very little.

You have made a sensible choice.

This is an elegant dinner service.

You'll have no use for it
when you move to a smaller place.

My dear.

And of course it belongs here.

Belongs to the house.

And the house belongs to you.
Though you neither care for it, nor
need it, nor deserve it. Marianne!

You know you really can't say things
like that at the dinner table,

to their faces.

It's true. She cares nothing
for Norland, only for the pounds,
shillings, and pence it's worth.

And it's clear
our brother has no intention
of honouring his promise to Papa.

I know, but...

My dears,

Mr Gridley has found us
two very suitable houses.

Beecham Court, and Thrush Place.

I favour Beecham Court.
Look, Marianne, it has a gazebo.

And the grounds
are very manageable, I think.

Mama, they are far
beyond our income.

We have only £400 a year.

Well, they're both
smaller than Norland, Elinor.

Mama, we need to think
very differently now.

We could hardly afford
the gate house at Beecham Court.

I suppose you would have
us live in a rabbit hutch.

Not quite, Mama, a cottage
would answer very well.

Sometimes, Elinor, I think
you don't understand how I feel.

I do, Mama,

truly I do.

But we have to be practical.

Oh, here you are all are.

I wondered where
you were all hiding.

I've heard from my brother Edward,
he's coming to stay, and we expect
his visit to be a long one.

So we are very favoured.

I believe you have never met him.
No. As the eldest son, he will,
of course, inherit

a considerable fortune and we expect
great things of him.

Parliament, perhaps.

He will make his mark upon
the world, no doubt of that.

So much to do before he arrives.

He has a very discerning eye

and I should not want him to find
fault with anything.

Well, things to do.

Things to do.

I bet he's just like her.

MUFFLED VOICES

Martha!

Martha, what are you doing?

Didn't you do them a week ago?

Mrs John Dashwood's orders, miss.

They're all to be done again
with the gentlemen coming.

Those carpets are clean.

Go and see to your work.

Thank you, Miss Elinor.

Good morning.
Oh, I was just... Beating carpets.

Yes. Edward Ferrars. How do you do?

My horse has thrown a shoe,
so I came by way of the stables.

Elinor Dashwood.

Would you like some help?

With the carpet beating?

No.

I had better take you to in
to see your sister.

Edward! The state of you!

Where are your things?
They're sending them on. I felt
like a ride so I borrowed a horse.

How long are you going to stay?

I am entirely dependent
on Mrs Dashwood, of course.

I would not want
to overstay my welcome.

I shall have you shown
to your room immediately.

What possessed you to arrive here
looking like a country bumpkin? My
dear Fanny, we are in the country.

CLOCK CHIMES, DOOR OPENS

I think the first thing to do is rip
out this dingy old panelling,

so dark and dusty,
I'm sure you'll agree.

And all these old books,
how could a gentlemen bear to
sit in a gloomy old den like this?

Oh, Elinor.

Do not let us disturb you.

Here, will you take this?

Fanny...

Yes, Edward?

Let me explain.

This is a library,

a place of refuge.

Libraries should be full of dusty
old books, and nooks, and corners,
and places to hide away in.

Do you know, Fanny,
I do believe this library is
quite perfect just as it is.

Edward, you know you only
say these things to annoy me.

I'm afraid it must pain you
to see my sister refurbishing
Norland after her own taste.

It is her house now. She must
do as she sees fit, I suppose.

She's doing her level
best to refurbish me, too.

I'm a grave disappointment
to my family, Miss Dashwood.

Fanny would like me to be
a great man of some sort.

Important, talked about,
riding around in a barouche.

And you don't see see yourself
in a barouche?

A pony and trap
would do we me very well.

I want to go into the church,
you see, a quiet country parish.

But that's not smart enough
for my family.

I think we all have to find
our own ways to be happy.

So do I.

And I think I prefer your
notion of happiness. Do you? Good.

Quiet country parish it is, then.

This must be a very
hard time for you,

your father's death.

My own father died when I was 17.

I was like a boat
that had lost its anchor.

We must all have
someone to listen to us.

To understand what we feel.

Elinor! It's not fair!

What's not fair!
Henry's got my pony, nobody asked
me if he could ride him.

And he's pulling his mouth.

Meg, he doesn't mean any harm.
And you're much too big
now for such a little horse.

It is a matter of principle.

You are quite right.
I will speak to my sister about it.

Meanwhile, how about setting your
sights a bit higher than a pony?

Mama, I don't think I can bear
it in this house for much longer.

I don't care where we go, but we
must leave as soon as possible.

I don't think we should leave Norland
until we see how things stand
between Elinor and Edward.

Can you see?
They have formed an attachment.

Oh, Mama.

How shall we do without her?

Oh, my love.
It will scarcely be a separation.

We shall take a house within a few
miles of them and meet every day.

You will gain a brother.

A real, affectionate brother.

Edward is very amiable.

But for me,
there is something wanting.

Mama, I am not sure
he really loves poetry,

and I'm sure he only praises
Elinor's drawings
because they are hers.

But I require so much.

I think I shall never see a man
that I can really and truly love.

My dear, you're not yet 17.

It's a little early to
despair of finding happiness.

Do you love him? I...

I think very highly of him.

I like him, Marianne.

But is he worthy of you?

He has no taste for drawing or
music or anything of that kind.

There are worse faults than
failing to appreciate your music.

But his reading last evening,
so calm and spiritless.

He has a different style from yours.
He allows the words
to speak for themselves.

Well, when you tell me to love him
as my brother-in-law, I promise I'll
think him as perfect as you do.

Oh, Marianne,
there's no question of that.

Not yet!

He has family duties,
he has obligations.

What obligations?

I don't know. If he loves you,
he will act upon his feelings
whatever his family might say.

Marianne, stop.

Nothing has been said between us.

I do have feelings for him.

And I believe he returns them.

But, please, don't hope for
something that may never happen.

Then you're not engaged?

I was sure that you were in secret.

No!

Well, I'm sure it
will happen very soon.

And so am I. Margaret!
Get down from there this minute!

MARIANNE GIGGLES

Stay a moment if you would, Mary.

I just wanted to give you a little
hint about my brother, Edward.

I think he is enjoying
his visit, Fanny.

You must know that my mother, Mrs
Ferrars, has very high hopes of him.

I'm sure he will fulfil them.
Both in terms of his career
and his marriage.

He will be expected to marry
a young lady either of high rank
or great fortune, preferably both.

I see.

His happiness will depend
upon our mother's wishes.

If he goes against her,
he will get nothing.

So, you see,

any young woman who tries
to draw him in

will find herself gravely
disappointed.

Just a little hint, Mary.

Thank you, Fanny.

I'm much obliged to you.

Mama, Mama,
it's a letter from Devonshire.

It's from Sir John Middleton,
a cousin of mine.

He has offered us a cottage
on his estate.

Sir John is so genteel and
accommodating and he writes in
such a warm and friendly style.

What do you think, Elinor?

The cottage is small
and the rent is very moderate.

We shall probably
need only two servants.

I think we should consider it. I
shall write and accept Sir John's
offer immediately. Without seeing it?

I'm determined to leave this house
before the week is out.

A cottage in Devonshire,
you will be very cosy.

Devonshire is a long way away.

Not too far for our true
friends to visit us, Mr Ferrars.

I hope we will be able to welcome
you at Barton Cottage. Very soon.

Thank you, Mrs Dashwood.

It would be an honour.

On my word, I quite envy you.

Then you should go there, Aunt Fanny,
and we will stay at Norland.

SMOTHERED GIGGLES

Sir John Middleton must be
very well set up to be able

to offer you hospitality
at so low a rent, Mary.

He says he saw the opportunity to do
a good turn and was glad to take it.

Such kindness
from a man we have never even met.

BELL CHIMES

Oh, I was, um...

Excuse me, Edward,
I must just ask Mama something.

Come along, Meg.

Shall you be very sorry
to leave Norland?

Of course.

But in the circumstances...

Yes.

Yes, quite.

These last few weeks have
been very happy ones for me.

For me, too.

In fact, I don't think
I've ever been happier.

Yes.

I'm very glad
to have been able to offer you
friendship at this difficult time.

And I want you...

..to know that I...

very much...

..value your friendship too.

Excuse me.

Well... Goodbye, Mary.

Thank you, John.

Edward, promise,
you'll come and see us soon.

As soon as I can.

Well, my dear?

I have no news for you, Mama.

We shall see him again, very soon.
I know we shall.

Mama, look, it's the sea!
And do you think that's the cottage?

Mama, how romantic.

We should have thought to send
Thomas and Alice on ahead of us.

With a fire in every room,
it will soon be cheerful.

Who is to light the fires?

Well...

I could light a fire...

I should think.

Elinor.

Can we really settle
here, do you think?

Of course we can.

We must.

Mama, there's someone coming!

Oh, good heavens.

Hello!

So, Cousin Mary,
pleasure to meet you at last.

There we are, just a little
something for your larder.
Welcome to Devonshire.

I cannot thank you enough
for your kindness.
No, no, none of that.

I'm delighted to have you here.

I like nothing so much as company.

I saw you drive past the house,
you should have come in.

So, these your girls? Yes.

Well, well, well.
How are you, my dears?

This is my eldest, Elinor.

And Marianne,
and my youngest, Margaret.

Delightful. Very pleased to
welcome three such pretty girls.

I dare say we'll find you all
husbands before the year's out.
How's that?

Why, whatever's the matter?
What did I say?

My youngest sister
is perhaps a little young...

for a husband, sir. Is she?

Yes, I suppose she is.
I know nothing of these
matters, I leave it to the women.

My mother-in-law, Mrs Jennings, is
a great authority on these matters.

You will meet her because I insist
you dine at Barton Park today,

and every day
until you are properly settled.

Oh, that is too...
I insist, I absolutely insist.

And my dear wife
wouldn't hear of anything else.

Company, company,
where would we be without company?

I will send the carriage
for you at four o'clock, sharp.

Oh!

My dear,
have you ever seen such pretty girls?

Indeed.

You are all most welcome.

Ah! Here's my mother-in-law.
What kept you so long?

Too much time at your
looking glass, I'll be bound.

Wicked man.

Oh, my looking glass days
are over these many years.

Well, now!

We must see what we can do for them,
Mrs Jennings. Lovers, husbands,
that sort of thing.

How do we know they haven't left
their hearts behind in Sussex?

Elinor has.

Ah, now we come to it.
I thought I saw a little blush.

No, really.

Consider nothing settled,
for a certain gentlemen

is coming to stay with us who may
make you forget all your fancies.

What do you say, Sir John?

Colonel Brandon.

Yes, indeed. A military hero.

Served in the East Indies. They say
he had his heart broken and he
has never looked at a woman since.

Not in that sort of way, you know.

But when he sees the Miss Dashwoods,
I think we may find he has
to change his mind.

I think he may, I think he may.
He stayed faithful to his
first love, do you say?

I like that.

That is as it should be.
For myself, when I fall in love,
it will be forever. Very proper.

Very romantic.

And just what a young
lady ought to think.

Colonel Brandon is arrived.

Bring him in, Jenkins, bring him in.

Come in, dear friend.
We were just speaking of you.

I'm not intruding?
Not a bit of it, you couldn't
have arrived at a better time.

Lady Middleton. Mrs Jennings.

Naughty man to keep away so long.

I had some necessary business.

Mrs Dashwood.

Miss Dashwood,

Miss Marianne Dashwood,

Miss Margaret Dashwood.
Honoured to make your acquaintance.

Now, what do you say, Mrs Dashwood?
I think he'd do for one of them,
don't you?

First class.

Well done, indeed.
What do you think, Brandon?

You know music?

Yes, erm, remarkable.

May I play now, Mama?

Of course, my dear.

The more the merrier.

Your sister plays with extraordinary
feeling for one so young.

She would be grateful for
your good opinion, I'm sure.

I once knew a young woman who played
with that intensity of feeling.

But I think your sister
has a surer technique.

I will be glad to pass on your
compliments. Why should
you not tell her yourself?

We were talking about your
performance, Marianne. Oh.

Remarkable.

Yes, so you said.

I cannot tell whether that
means you approve it or not.

I notice you played the last
movement appassionato and I believe

that the composer
marked it allegro.

And you disapprove of that?

No. Not at all.

I found it, um, original.

Oh.

If we are to dine at Barton park
every night, we'll be paying

a heavy price for Sir John's
generosity. Marianne, that's unkind.

Sir John is all affability
and Mrs Jennings seems
delighted to have our company.

Elinor, how would you bear
their relentless vulgar teasing?
I was embarrassed.

But they meant no harm.

And Lady Middleton,
so cold and insipid.

They all pretended to like music.
Though none of them listened to it.

Colonel Brandon listened... Yes,
and found fault with my playing.

Colonel Brandon has a little more
discernment than your usual audience.

I think he is the sort of man
who likes to find fault with
everybody and everything.

Elinor!

Mama, it's that man!

It's Colonel Brandon!

Meg! Meg!

KNOCKING

Meg.

Colonel Brandon, ma'am.

Elinor!

I had occasion to ride over
to my home at Delaford
earlier this morning.

Took the liberty of bringing
you these flowers, Mrs Dashwood.
Oh. Thank you, they're beautiful.

And I looked out some music
which I thought might be of some
interest to Miss Marianne.

Thank you.

I think you overestimate
my abilities, sir.

I think not.

You have an instrument here?
Yes, of sorts.

I have a very fine piano forte
at Delaford that deserves
to be played on more often.

I hope you will try it one day.

Thank you.

Won't you sit down,
take some refreshment, Colonel.

Thank you, no, I shall
intrude on you no longer.

I'm sure I shall have
the pleasure of seeing you
all soon at Barton Park.

Good day.

PLAYS PIANO

STOPS PLAYING, THEN BEGINS AGAIN

Well, Miss Marianne has
made a conquest of Brandon.

There's no doubt of that.
Who'd have thought it?

I was near to despairing of him.

But it'll be a fine match,
Mrs Dashwood.

For he is a rich man
with a good heart.

Marianne is very young.


of marriage.

Not a bit of it, my dear.

I was married at 16 myself.

The sooner the better, I say.

She'll bear him some fine big sons.

What do you say, Miss Elinor?

Your sister's stolen a march on you.

I hope you didn't have designs
on the Colonel yourself.

Has the Colonel spoken to you
about his feelings for my sister?

Not in so many words,
but you can't mistake it.

The man's besotted with her.

And why should he not be?

He'd be a fine catch for any girl,

if she could get him.

And is this what everybody thinks?

How mortifying!

Elinor!

You like him, Marianne?

Yes.

But because he's the only person in
the neighbourhood with whom one can
have an intelligent conversation.

I never thought he meant...

Elinor, he's too old.

He is 35, Marianne, five years
younger than I and I never thought
of myself as being quite decrepit.

That's unfair, Mama.
You know I never meant that.

Most people, I think,
would still consider Colonel
Brandon a young man.

No-one's forcing him
upon you, my dear.

But men of 35 have married
girls of 17 before, I believe.

You do both realise
it will be impossible for me
to speak to him again?

Except in company.

Marianne, Colonel Brandon's coming.

Come on, Meg. Out back.
What for? A healthy walk.

Marianne!

Really! I told you, Mama.

Come on, Meg.

Marianne!

But I don't want to go for a walk.

Yes, you do. It's about
Colonel Brandon, isn't it?

Don't you like him any more?

I simply felt an urgent need of
fresh air and exercise.

I think it's going to rain.

Is there a felicity in
the world superior to this?

Margaret?

We will walk here
at least two hours.

I told you it would rain.

What of it?

Sweet, refreshing rain.

# Oh, that I was a little tiny girl

# With a hey h*, the wind
and the rain! #

SHE LAUGHS

You're mad!

My compliments to Miss Marianne
and Miss Margaret. Marianne will
be sorry to have missed you.

I'm sure she would want
to thank you for the books.
So thoughtful of you.

Not at all.

Good day, Mrs Dashwood.
Miss Dashwood. Won't you wait
until the rain has stopped?

No, I fear I have overstayed
my welcome already. Good day.

THUNDER ROLLS

I don't like this, Marianne,
and I'm all wet.

This has all been a silly idea.
Nonsense, a little rain never
hurt anybody. Come on, let's...

SHE SCREAMS

Marianne!

DOG BARKS

Are you hurt?

Don't move. Stay there,
I'll come to you.

Where are you injured?

Um, my ankle.

You will permit me. I know
a little about these things.

No bones broken,
but it's a bad sprain.

You mustn't walk on it.

Be so good as to put your arm
around my neck.

Ooh!

Go ahead, Margaret!

Mama! Elinor!

Mama, we were running
down the hill,

Marianne fell, hurt herself
and a man is carrying her.
Don't be alarmed, I beg you.

Her injuries are minor, a sprained
ankle and some bruising only.

Here, let me set you down.

There. Thank you.

Forgive the intrusion, I
couldn't think how else to manage
it. I happened to be passing.

I saw her fall. Clearly, she was
unable to stand or walk. And...

here we are. She will need
to rest the ankle for a few days,
but she should recover very soon.

Excuse me.

And now I'll leave you.

Will you not sit down for
a moment, sir? Warm yourself
by the fire. No, thank you, madam.

I won't intrude any longer.

Perhaps you'll allow me to return
tomorrow to see how your daughter...

Your daughter...

My younger daughter, Marianne.

To see how your daughter Marianne
is progressing. This is so kind of
you, sir, may we know your name?

My name is Willoughby, ma'am.

Willoughby of Allenham.

Until tomorrow, then.

Thank you again, Mr Willoughby.

Well!

Willoughby. Willoughby of Allenham,
it's a good name, isn't it, Elinor?

It has a poetic ring.

Willoughby of Allenham. He was very
handsome, wasn't he, Marianne?

He has a true natural grace,
and strength. He carried me as if
I were no more than a feather.

And you put your arm right
around his neck, I saw you.

What of it? Truly good manners
have nothing to do with convention.

I thought Mr Willoughby's
manners were impeccable,

and such a sweet smile.

Did you remark his eyes, Mama?

Mm-hm. He has very fine eyes.

Willoughby,

Willoughby of Allenham.

Willoughby of Allenham
has left some very muddy
footprints in the passage.

Willoughby, is he in the country?

I'll ride over and invite him
to dinner on Thursday.

Do you know him then? Know him?
Very well. He comes down every year.

What kind of a man is he?

Well, he's as good a kind
of fellow as ever lived.

He's a very decent shot, and
there's no bolder rider in England.

But what is he like?

What are his manners
on closer acquaintance?

Upon my soul, I don't know
much about him as to all that.

He's a pleasant, cheerful fellow,
and he has the prettiest little
pointer b*tch I've ever seen.

Was he out with her today?

Yes! Well, there you are then.

Is he married, Sir John? Mama!

Ah. Ah.

I see where this is leading.

No, he is not married.

He comes down to visit
the old lady at Allenham Court

and he will inherit there.

He also has a pretty little estate
of his own in Somersetshire.

I see how it will be.

You'll set your cap at him now
and never think of poor Brandon.

He's coming. Willoughby is coming!

Quickly! Quickly, quickly!
KNOCKING AT DOOR

Mr Willoughby, ma'am.

And how is the invalid this morning?

Pretty well, I thank you.

Thanks to you, Mr Willoughby.

Not at all. I count myself lucky
to have been passing at the time.

I was up early this morning, I picked
these wild strawberries for you.

Wild strawberries!
I love wild strawberries.

I thought you might. Shall I?

Thank you.

Mr Willoughby.

We have been hearing
all about you, Mr Willoughby.

Sir John says you're
very fond of dancing.

Indeed I am, and I hope to
have the pleasure of proving it

to you all before very long, when
Miss Marianne's ankle is recovered.

Meg.

Do you care for poetry, too?

Very much.

I see you're reading Pope.

Are you fond of Pope? No.

My sentiments exactly.

He's too rational for me.
More to be admired than loved.

That is just what I think.

Do you know Lord Byron?
No, I have heard of him.

So we'll go no more a roving
So late into the night

Though my heart be still as loving

The moon be still as bright.

He is a true romantic. That is
just the sort of thing I like.

And I.

Isn't it extraordinary, Mama, that
it should have been Mr Willoughby

who was passing when
I fell down the hill. Hmm.

Yes. It might have been some
uncouth old farmer who had never
read a word of Byron in his life.

KNOCKING AT DOOR
Oh, who could that be?

Colonel Brandon, ma'am.

I heard of your accident. I trust
you are not seriously injured.

No, not at all. No, I see that
you are not. Thank God for that.

Colonel Brandon,

do you know Mr Willoughby?

Yes. How do you do, sir?

Very well, thank you, Brandon.

Well, having ascertained that
Miss Marianne is on the mend,
I will intrude no longer.

Good day to you.

How extraordinary.

He's an extraordinary man.

What are your intentions
towards Miss Dashwood?

I cannot be blamed if Marianne
prefers my company.

We're closer in age,
in temperament, in taste.

If we were doing wrong,
I should have felt it at the time.

It's exposed you to
impertinent remarks from
Sir John and Mrs Jennings.

Elinor, I don't care
what those people think.

I'm sure Edward would never be
unwilling or reluctant to see us.

What did he come here for,
if not to propose to you?

I don't know.

I'm sorry to say our expedition
has to be postponed.

I'm called away
on urgent business.

CRYING

Willoughby, when
are you coming back?

Willoughby!

Your sister's engagement to
Mr Willoughby is widely spoken of.
Is everything finally settled?

No.

Willoughby!