First Great Train Robbery, The Page #2

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country-bred rats that money can buy?

May I join you?

If you like.

Lover wasn't at his best. He lacked bustle.

But he came up well enough.

- My Lover will fight again.

- Indeed.

And I shall wager upon him again

when he does.

- Did you lose much?

- Ten guineas. A trifle.

Ten guineas.

Well, I'm pleased you take it so lightly.

I admire a man

who may keep a fancy and sport him.

I should do so myself

were I not so often abroad on business.

Whenever I'm gone,

my wife looks after the animals.

I fear I've been too devoted to business

these past few years.

I've never married.

- Of course, I should like to.

- Of course.

It's so hard to meet a suitable girl.

- What exactly are you constructing?

- A water wheel. It will be so delightful.

Especially with the rusted curve of

the water wheel itself. Don't you agree?

We are building the rusted wheel

at considerable expense.

It is constructed of previously rusted

metal. The craftsmen are ingenious.

But we must wait for the weeds to grow

before it takes on the proper appearance.

Oh, I'm sure it'll be a handsome ruin.

Where is Elizabeth?

I have passed many pleasant hours here

watching the workmen

fit each piece into its precise slot.

Such skill.

They screw it together?

No, bolt it, actually, with long bolts.

Fitted tightly.

Yes. Long bolts, fitted tightly.

I've just returned from America,

a country of many prominent erections.

It is exciting to see things come together.

So long as the quality does not suffer.

Tight-fitting joints. That's the secret.

It is so rare these days.

It depends on the skill of the workman,

of course.

And he must have the proper tools.

My darling daughter.

Now may I present Mr Edward Pierce?

My daughter Elizabeth.

Miss Trent,

you've taken me completely by surprise.

I cannot tell if that's to my advantage.

I can assure you it is, wholly.

- Would you try one of these, Mr Pierce?

- With gratitude.

We are just discussing the ruins,

Elizabeth.

- It's coming along so nicely.

- That dreadful ruin. I can't bear it.

They've taken away so many flowers.

You're fond of flowers?

- More tea, Mr Pierce?

- Ah, yes.

Yes, I supervise the planting

of all the flowers in the garden.

What there is left of it.

I'm especially fond of the primroses.

Ah, yes.

Perhaps you'd like to see them?

I'd be delighted.

Will you excuse us?

It's quite rare

for a man to take an interest in flowers.

The best of them are just over here.

Let me show you.

I don't know that he's suitable for her.

- Oh, he seems nice enough.

- He has far too much to say.

We also have many daffodils.

They've just come up.

It gives me such pleasure to see beautiful

things spring forth. Don't you agree?

Yes, I do agree. But tell me...

He has his charm.

You don't care who she marries, do you?

Is she really plain?

That she is.

- And you find her tedious?

- Unbearably tedious.

- How does she wear her hair?

- On her head.

Really, I never noticed.

You're in a hurry.

I am a relentless suitor.

Besides, she still hasn't told me

what I need to know.

Where did you learn to ride?

- A lady never asks such a question.

- I'm serious.

France.

On an estate in France.

Not in America?

No, I've never been to America.

When were you in France?

It's been some time now.

Do you ever tell anyone the truth?

The truth?

No.

I worry about him so.

- He was fearfully nervous this morning.

- Really?

Father's always nervous

when he sends the gold to Crimea.

He's a different man on those days.

He bears a heavy responsibility.

He acts so strangely!

He's entirely opposed to the consumption

of any alcohol before nightfall.

- Very sensible.

- I suspect he breaks his own regulation.

For each morning of the shipments

he goes alone to the wine cellars.

With no servants to hold the lanterns.

He insists on going alone.

Perhaps he's just checking the contents.

No, he relies upon my stepmother

to stock and care for the cellar.

- Every man has his eccentricities.

- I suppose.

What are your eccentricities,

dear Edward?

Mine? I have none at all.

Well, one.

I am excessively preoccupied

with a certain lovely young lady.

Sir!

You're a bold rogue to be so forward.

I might even begin to suspect you

of some motive in your advances.

Never, my darling.

Oh, dear Edward.

I'm so happy.

And I am happy too.

He keeps the key

in the bloody wine cellar.

Good evening, madam.

May I be of service?

- Is this the household of Mr Jeffers?

- No, madam. Mr Jeffers' house...

Thank you, my good man.

It's only the wind.

Where do you think it could be?

Shut up!

Sorry.

John, would you check the cellar, please?

Yes, madam.

John?

- John? Where's John?

- I'm down here, sir.

- What are you doing down there?

- Madam felt she heard a noise...

Madam always feels she's heard a noise.

Come along now.

I need you to find my best pipe.

- It's misplaced again.

- Certainly, sir.

That was a close one.

Didn't do my heart any good, I'll say that.

Mind the light.

Here.

That's not the bloody key. See the rust?

Nobody's touched that betty in years.

It's odd, though. I've never seen

the likes of that before, small as it is.

Very delicate. It could be a lady's twirl

for some feminine trifle.

Watch the light!

It's not my fault you're having trouble.

It's your bloody idea, isn't it?

- Here.

- That's a key for a Chubb safe.

Let's see how fast you can wax.

Mind the light.

Bastard.

Beautiful, isn't it?

Brilliant.

What does this clause mean?

Never mind that.

What about that one over there?

In pink?

Wouldn't mind making a deposit

in that one, I dare say.

If she didn't provoke a hasty withdrawal.

Not on my account, I fancy.

Besides, she is Sir John Basington's minx

and accustomed to hasty withdrawals.

Quite without principle, don't you think?

But here now - I say!

Have you got my deposit account?

That's what I call a proper woman.

Which is to say, not proper at all.

She gives good value, long term or short.

You know her?

Where have you been keeping her,

Edward, you rogue?

She's a vision.

Not at all bad for a foreign woman.

I don't think she's your type.

She's precisely my type.

Will you make an introduction?

- Fowler.

- Trent.

Will you make an introduction?

Not here, of course.

What are you doing tonight?

Well, I had arranged to go to the theatre...

Come, come, my dear fellow.

Are we not friends?

More than that, Henry.

Much more.

- That's the plan, is it?

- Yes, that's the plan.

That's all you have to say?

It's the job, innit?

I suppose you expect me

to dab it up with that fat, repulsive...

I suppose you expect me

to go through with it.

It's up to you, innit?

Bloody hell.

Shall we go, darling?

Very nice.

- She's here, is she?

- Oh, yeah, she's here.

Evening, gentlemen.

How can I be of service to you?

My friend would like to see

Madame Lucienne.

She holds a very rigid standard.

- Well, that's all right, isn't it?

- Yes.

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