That Hamilton Woman Page #10

in the ship that was lost in the storm.

Oh, poor William. That was his whole life.

Gavin,

that picture, there,

the Van Dyck.

It's crooked, don't you see?

I've told you about it twice already.

- Why don't you put it straight?

- Yes, Sir William.

- Here, sir?

- Yes.

That's good.

Good, Gavin.

It's good to have my pictures

around me once more

and my statues.

But they... They need more light, more room.

We must rearrange them, Gavin.

Gavin...

I'll dine with Miss Hart tonight.

Alone.

At eight o'clock.

Look after yourself.

Talk to Sir William before it's too late.

Or the house itseIf will go to his nephew

instead of to his wife.

His wife?

Why, I have never been his wife, Mother.

Let Charles have the money.

I don't want it and I don't deserve it.

But, my darling, if things stay as they are,

you won't have a penny when he dies.

You'll be poor!

I shall be rich.

I've got my child, his child.

I think that means more

than all the money in the world.

- Can I see Sir William now, Gavin?

- I don't think it's advisable, milady.

He's sleeping, very peacefully.

Gentlemen, the victor of Copenhagen!

ALL:
Bravo, Nelson!

Lord Nelson, your decisive defeat of the Danes

has made it possible for the British Government

to negotiate this honourable

and, I must say, unexpected peace with France.

We all believe, with the deepest conviction,

that we shall have, at last, peace.

ALL:
Hear, hear!

Lord Spencer,

gentlemen...

..you are celebrating a peace

with Napoleon Bonaparte.

''Peace'' is a very beautiful word,

as long as the impulse of peace is behind it,

but you will never make peace with Napoleon.

He doesn't mean peace, today.

He just wants to gain a little time...

..to rearm himseIf at sea

and make new alliances with Italy and Spain,

all to one purpose.

To destroy our empire!

Years ago, I said the same thing at Naples.

I begged them, entreated them, not to give way,

but they wouldn't listen to me and paid the price.

That was a little kingdom,

miles away in the Mediterranean.

But now it is England, our own land.

Napoleon can never be master of the world

until he has smashed us up

and, believe me, gentlemen,

he means to be master of the world!

You cannot make peace with dictators.

You have to destroy them, wipe them out!

Gentlemen, I implore you,

speak to the Prime Minister before it is too late!

Do not ratify this peace!

We, er, appreciate all you say.

Well, thank you, gentlemen.

I feIt it my duty to tell you of these things.

I'm not a statesman, of course.

I'm no diplomat.

I must leave it in your hands.

- Gentlemen.

- Good day, Lord Nelson.

(Heated discussion)

Going to your, er, home in Norfolk, Nelson?

I don't... I don't think so.

My wife tells me

she saw Lady Nelson at Bath, recently.

Yes. She's very well.

She gives her time to social work.

Ah. And er...shall you go to Venice?

Er... Why Venice?

Oh, something I heard the other day.

A little party to some musical festival,

Lady Hamilton and a few English friends.

Where did you hear this?

It was that little musical chap,

who came over to Covent Garden to conduct.

I heard him say something about

Lady Hamilton going back with him

Oh, well...

I daresay I've got it all mixed up.

Well, it's good to see you home again.

Why, your lordship!

Good afternoon, Mrs Cadogan.

Sit down, please.

Everything is in such a mess.

Why this sudden move

from Piccadilly to Nero's Hotel?

Well, you see, everything was so dull and dismal

since William died.

Emma couldn't stand it any longer.

see

Where is she now?

She went out quite early.

With the little foreign musical gentleman.

They're... They're driving in the park.

Oh.

May wat?

Yes please.

Look at the flowers. Aren't they pretty?

So nice for a young widow.

- Yes.

EMMA:
Horatio

I'm so sorry. Have you been here long?

Oh, no.

Emma, dear. I just came in by chance.

Your mother has been telling me

why you moved from Piccadilly.

I think you're quite right.

It was so very gloomy there.

I haven't seen a great deal of you

since I've been back, Emma.

- You know what it's like. There's so much to do.

- How is the child?

I've been meaning every day this week

to go and see her.

But it's so difficult. It takes almost a whole day.

Emma, let us drive out

and see her this afternoon.

Oh, yes.

Lord Nelson, whom the whole of London knows,

calling on little Horatia Thompson.

whose father no-one has as yet seen.

My dear, what a titbit

for Lady Spencer's next dinner party.

(Knocking)

Come in.

Thank you.

My dear, I know you're very busy

and I don't want to intrude upon your affairs,

but there are things that I don't quite understand

since I came back

and to be honest I don't quite like

What things do you mean?

Three times this week I've tried to see you

and each time you've had appointments

with people whom I don't know.

We had no secrets at one time.

Even in our letters.

You surely do not ask to see all my letters.

Certainly I do not ask to see them, my dear.

If you want to hide them from me.

You're jealous!

Why do you make fun of me?

Fun? I've never been so happy in all my life.

You're splendid when you're jealous.

You must promise me to be jealous always,

please.

We were talking about some letters, weren't we?

Horatio, if there are certain letters I would

sooner keep to myself, won't you trust me?

What are those letters?

Very well.

Read them.

(She plays)

I'm sorry.

Forgive me.

- I'll see you later.

-No, Horatio, don't go.

You know what will happen

if you leave them unopened.

We shall never quite understand each other

again.

They're quite short, and to the point.

Bills, bills, and more bills.

Threats, summonses and lawsuits.

I'm up to my neck in them - drowned in them.

Why do you think I left Piccadilly?

My dear, they threw me out.

And why do you think

I haven't seen our child for two weeks?

Because I owe Mrs Gibson

15 guineas for the rent.

Do you think I like going out

with that little man from Venice?

I hate the sight of him

But I have to do it because he's promised me

a contract at his opera house.

Yes, I'm going back to work.

I've done it before and I can do it again.

I don't really mind.

You see, Horatio,

William didn't leave me a farthing.

- Why wasn't I told?

- Why should you be told?

These are my troubles, not yours.

I've never asked anyone for money

and I never shall.

Indeed?

Then are you out of your senses?

Now, you listen to me, and don't answer back!

How dare you keep those bills from me.

Aren't your worries my worries?

Everything I have is yours.

Everything!

You're going to have a home of your own.

And there is going to be no sorrow

and no trouble ever again.

Emma.

Dear Emma.

Mm, that's the best drop of rum I've tasted

since the old days.

We don't get much excuse to open a bottle

lately. You should come oftener.

It warms the cockles of your heart. (Laughs)

Captain Hardy, how nice to see you again.

Why didn't you tell us you were coming?

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes