TOM: I love her with all my heart.

WESTERN: Get your dirty paws off her!

ALLWORTHY: I never want to see you for as long as I shall live.

I cannot live with Mr. Blifil.

I refuse this marriage.

Sophy!

TOM: She didn't marry Blifil-- she came after me!

And look how you repaid her.

Next door making merry with that woman.

We will never speak of this again.

We'll get the coach to London.

PARTRIDGE: You're never going to find her.

HARRIET: Mr. Jones is awfully handsome.

LADY BELLASTON: Next time he knocks on your door, let him in.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (cords pulling sharply) SOPHIA: She tells me I am a foolish female who has read too many romances.

She tells me there's only one cure.

I must forget my childish fancies, harden my heart, and commit my future to London.

♪ ♪ (object clattering) LADY BELLASTON: Tighter.

(cord pulls sharply) I said tighter!

♪ ♪ SOPHIA: Lady Bellaston is my aunt.

Of course I trust her.

Feathers, feathers-- we both know that's not complete.

Not the green!

There we go, that wasn't hard, was it?

♪ ♪ From country girl to lady of fashion, your transformation shall be complete.

(people talking in background) I don't believe we invited you.

Um... Have you met my niece?

Oh, isn't she lovely?

Very lucky to be here.

She's still quite shy.

(guests laughing) I won't disturb you any further.

(people talking in background) ♪ ♪ PARTRIDGE: Amo, amas, amat... BETSY: Amamus, amatis, amant.

PARTRIDGE: Bene!

Salve, Tommicus-- say it.

Salve, Tommicus.

Salve, puella!

Mr. Jones, can you not persuade your friend to teach her something more useful?

I like Latin.

Magic tricks-- they're useful.

NIGHTINGALE: Mrs. Miller, we had no Jones here last time I looked.

MRS. MILLER: Mr. Jones and Mr. Partridge took rooms some days ago, but as you are the kind of tenant who rarely comes home before the cock crows... Up to no good, I hope?

I'm Jones.

Oh, uh, Nightingale.

Alas, I spent the weekend at my father's house.

The wine was a good deal more enjoyable than the conversation.

(Tom and Partridge laugh) I found this for you.

On the doorstep.

Oh.

Is it your birthday, Tommicus?

Felix sit natalis dies!

TOM (chuckles): It's not my birthday.

"Admit one to the... (slowly): ...masque..." The masquerade.

Oh, what a capital idea.

Let's all get tickets-- Nancy?

MRS. MILLER: Uh, no daughter of mine is setting foot in one of those places, thank you.

BETSY: "The Queen of the Fairies sends you this.

Use her favors not amiss."

NIGHTINGALE: Oh, a woman of mystery.

It must be from Sophia, look!

Don't be daft.

Sophia Western.

Or Southerly Westerly, or soldier, soldier, won't you marry me?

Can I be Queen of the Fairies?

MRS. MILLER: No, you cannot.

NIGHTINGALE: Jones!

You're a dark horse!

♪ ♪ (breathes deeply) (dance music playing) NIGHTINGALE: So, country boy, how this works is, you go up to any young lady who catches your eye, you bow, then you pretend to know her.

I'll know Sophia immediately.

I'll know her by her voice.

Something about wearing masks.

The ladies, they find it so seductive.

You'll work it out, Jones.

Good luck.

Nancy!

(giggles) (blows out) (laughing, dance music playing) (man exclaims) (music continues) Madam, may I hear your voice?

Go away or I'll scream.

Madam, do you know Miss Sophia Western?

As well as I know you, sir, which is not at all.

(audio distorting) Madam, please.

You're a handsome young fellow.

I know a quiet place.

No.

No, I'm... (slowly): I'm not looking for that.

Oh, hoity toity!

Damn your eyes.

♪ ♪ (whispers): Flirt with any more trollops and I shall tell Miss Western.

You know Miss Western?

Madam?

(distortion ends, music continues) Madam, please, wait, I must speak with you.

(music continues) (exclaims softly) (music continues) Is she here?

She sent me an invitation.

Or I let myself believe she did, but now that I'm here, I know she'd never... (music continues) Please, madam, if you know anything.

I know everything, for I am the Queen of the Fairies.

(gasps) (chuckles) (laughing, music continues) (people laughing and talking in background) I can't help my position, or my, my lack of fortune, but there's...

There's no excuse for my behavior.

(chuckles) Young men may take pleasure where they will.

For young ladies, the choice is duty or ruin.

If I could just see her and tell her to her face how much I love her.

Think less about love and more about making a living.

(whispers): That would be my advice.

(in normal voice): Now, it's getting late.

Sir, will you pay the bill?

Oh, uh, I...

I'm sorry, I, my pockets are empty.

♪ ♪ And you won't follow me.

For whatever would the world think?

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Jonesy!

(fireworks exploding) (fireworks exploding in distance) (fireworks continue) (people laughing in background) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Aunt Harriet's house?

(chair door closes) (house door opens) Madam.

♪ ♪ (door closes) I was informed Miss Western had left this house.

Madam, tell me truly, is, is Sophia here, under this roof, after all?

She is not.

And what gentleman asks for one lady in the presence of another?

My Lady Bellaston, it is an honor to meet you again.

Sophia Western will never be yours-- never.

(imitating): "Aunt Bellaston," she said, "the villain has betrayed me.

I can never forgive him."

Then I have truly lost her.

Haven't I been telling you that all night?

You have destroyed any girlish sentiment she once felt for you.

Oh, you charming creature.

Don't cry!

(sighs) You're so young.

Another girl will capture your heart in no time.

Come, sit by me.

Hm.

Let's drink to love, hm?

If only I could have seen her, just... Once more.

You can't-- to love.

(chuckles) To love.

(moans) (sets glass down): And to life.

For in this vale of tears, it's only natural to seek comfort where we may.

Oh, poor Tom.

Such a long way from home.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (Lady Bellaston moaning) (laughing) I've had better lovers.

More proficient.

More... technical.

I would trade all that for your enthusiasm.

(chuckles): Well, I, I am glad to make a lady happy.

Are you not happy, pretty Tom?

Is this fine fellow not happy?

I can make him so again in no time.

Next time, then.

(chuckles) But we can't have you walking around the city in these rags.

You shall have to have better clothes.

(notes crinkling) Uh, no.

No, madam, I, I don't need your money.

Oh, I think you do-- look at you!

Half-starved, not very clean.

(chuckles) Dear boy, think of it as a loan from a kind benefactor.

But I can never pay you back.

(exhales): I think you can.

Come, Tom.

Your life is in London now.

Enjoy it.

Leave me or make love to me.

You choose.

Do as you're told, darling!

Saves time!

(chuckles) Oh, my.

("Je Veux Vivre" from "Roméo et Juliette" playing) ♪ Douce flamme ♪ ♪ Je te garde ♪ ♪ Dans mon âme ♪ ♪ Comme un trésor ♪ ♪ Cette ivresse de jeunesse ♪ (cord pulls, Lady Bellaston gasps softly) ♪ Ne dure, hélas, qu'un jour ♪ ♪ Puis vient l'heure où l'on pleure ♪ ♪ Le coeur cède à l'amour ♪ ♪ Et le bonheur ♪ ♪ Fuit sans retour ♪ (singing embellishes) (gasps softly) (high note holds) (singing final note, orchestra playing melody) (aria ends) (bells ringing in distance) Oh, Harriet, your face.

Do I not pay you well enough, dear?

Are you so jealous, darling?

Don't tell me-- a sudden fit of morality.

That poor girl loves him.

More fool her.

(bells continue, birds chirping) (dog barking in distance) PARTRIDGE: Whoever you got to last night, I don't want to know.

Then I shan't tell you.

(clears throat) And I don't want to know how much it cost us.

50 pounds?

Where did you get all that?

I thought you didn't want to know.

Change the note, pay yourself back everything I've borrowed from you, then the rest should cover our rent to Mrs. Miller.

(chuckling): Not so fast.

I want, I want to hear about the Queen of the Fairies.

Oh, well, there's nothing to tell.

(door opens and closes) ♪ ♪ It was bad enough in Bath.

The silly hair and lacing so tight I can't breathe.

I think I'm gonna leave it there today, miss.

Otherwise, it'll take me forever to put it back up in the morning.

Now, about your face, um...

This paint.

(sighs): We might have to start using it all the way down, miss, if you're to look like all the other ladies.

(sighs) No.

Take it off, all of it.

LADY BELLASTON (inside): Good God!

(moaning ecstatically, dog starts barking in distance) Thomas!

(giggles): Thrown out over a silly affair with some girl!

It's so provincial!

(chuckling): Yeah, I can laugh about it now, but...

It really was not funny at the time.

(sighs) We are so alike, you and I.

We have exactly the same attitude to love-- to life!

We break rules.

We choose pleasure-- nothing else matters.

Family?

Never any use to you, were they?

Nor me, as it happens.

Apart from their money, obviously.

(chuckles) One can be a very merry widow indeed with enough money.

Oh, darling.

Don't mope.

Life is short.

Life is for living.

(grunts) (moans) (moans) (exhales) (breathing softly) (chandelier rattling) (Lady Bellaston and Tom moaning in distance) (moaning and yelping continue) (Lady Bellaston shrieking) ♪ ♪ HARRIET: Esteemed cousin, Long estranged as we are by my youthful mistake in running off to wed Mr. Fitzpatrick...

...I believe you will forgive this intrusion.

I pray that Sophia, too, will one day forgive me for divulging her location, for, madam, only her loving family can save the poor child now.

Get yourself a proper job, Sonny.

(handbells ringing in distance) (dog barking in distance) (people talking, laughing in background) (game pieces moving, dice rolling) LADY BELLASTON: Passed you by.

I see you admire the view, Lord Fellamar.

She is exquisite, madam.

(chuckling) Where have you been hiding her?

Well...

Yes, my little niece has turned out well.

For a country mouse.

Oh, I adore nature, don't you?

In its proper place.

MAN: My lord?

My dear, you should go home.

This city, this life, it's not for you.

I cannot go home and marry someone I do not love.

♪ ♪ MAN: My lord.

(dice roll) LADY BELLASTON: Dear Mr. Jones, A small token of my... friendship.

Let me see you in them tonight.

Not the usual place-- I'm bored with it.

You shall come to my house.

Think of it as a promotion.

NIGHTINGALE (in hall): Jonesy.

Do you fancy the theater tonight?

Oh!

Sorry.

(chuckles) "Let me see you in them tonight."

A grand lady, certainly.

Wealthy.

Possibly past her best?

Well, no gentleman would describe her so.

Oh, and you are such a gentleman!

I love Miss Western, but I can't have her.

Look, what else is a man supposed to do?

(chuckling): It doesn't mean anything.

A spirited defense.

(sighs) A bit too spirited.

Doesn't sound like you at all.

The truth is, I, I don't know how to end it without hurting her.

Well...

There's no need.

You're both getting what you want.

She's rich, you're poor, she's old, you're young-- it's a trade, and that is what this city is built on.

♪ ♪ FELLAMAR: Miss Western!

Miss Western, please allow me the honor of seeing you safely across the threshold.

I thank you most kindly for your concern.

But as I believe I made clear at the theater, I can bring myself home.

Well, may I call on you tomorrow?

I am in thrall to your beauty, Miss Western.

Please don't.

I don't mean to be rude, just, please don't.

Right.

Home.

♪ ♪ Mr. Jones.

Miss Western.

(breath trembling) Don't touch me.

I don't need propping up like some china doll.

Well, I thought you were about to faint.

I never faint.

I have something for you.

Your pocketbook and all your money.

I've kept it safe in my pocket ever since you left it at Upton.

I did.

Among other items previously precious to me.

Including any affection I ever felt for you.

I can explain.

Have I asked for an explanation?

Do I care to listen to one?

I do not.

Sophia, I thought I'd lost you.

I thought you were married, I...

I have never seen that lady again from that day to this, nor do I want to.

Nor do I want any woman alive.

Only you.

I left my whole life behind for you.

I know.

I long to be worthy of your sacrifice.

All I have ever had to offer you is my love, body and soul, till death do us part.

I know it's not enough.

♪ ♪ Tom, what exactly are you doing here?

(footsteps approaching) Uh... (clears throat) Miss Western.

I thought I gave you tickets for the play.

The crowd was too many, so I came home early.

I found Mr... Smith.

He has returned my pocketbook.

The one I lost, I must have told you I... No, no, you didn't tell me that.

How kind of you, Mr. Smith.

Well, I am...

I'm glad to find Miss Western safe with you, my lady, after so many misdirections.

Well, I make no doubt that you, Mr. Smith, are a gentleman.

And my doors are never shut to people of fashion.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ You and I shall speak tomorrow.

What a delightfully interesting conversation that will be.

♪ ♪ LADY BELLASTON: Such a sweet virgin and a perfect lady who must now submit her maidenhead to the frightful attentions of Lord Fellamar.

(laughing) Without ever experiencing the blissful ones of Mr. Jones.

(sighs) What a frightfully tragic virgin, indeed.

(knock at door, door opens) ♪ ♪ Not writing to Mr. Jones, I hope.

He's no use to you now.

So many letters I can never send.

So many questions in my heart.

Honour... Don't leave me.

No.

There.

(softly): There.

If I've been awful to you... You haven't.

Well, not much, anyway.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (exhales) (sighs) Such a dreadful suspicion had I when first I came into the room.

I thought-- and please forgive me-- is this Mr. Smith the infamous Mr. Jones himself?

A handsome fellow, to be sure.

Didn't really notice.

Though rather garishly dressed.

To see him in such finery... May I simply remind you that your duty is to your family?

I need no reminding.

And that your marriage bed is that family's most precious possession?

Now... A gentleman is coming.

You will receive him.

And Mr. Jones will be free to learn his lessons elsewhere.

(chickens clucking, sheep bleating) (snoring) AUNT WESTERN (in distance): A letter!

A letter is come!

My cousin Harriet has written from London.

(snoring) (bellows): Brother!

Are you dead or what are you?

(snorts) Sophia is found among the fleshpots.

She must be saved!

She must be saved!

(handbell ringing, dog barking) ♪ ♪ My lady!

Let me make one thing crystal-clear, Mr. Jones.

I will not share you.

Do you understand?

Uh... Dear God, if you'd told me a week ago that I could stoop so low, I would have laughed in your face.

PARTRIDGE: Tom, a visitor!

(whispering): Who is that upon the stair?

(quietly): I'll send him away.

(footsteps approaching) PARTRIDGE: It's Miss Western's maid!

She's brought a letter!

(mouthing) (quietly): Oh, for God's sake.

(footsteps tapping in room) (quietly): What's the matter with him?

(whispers): Driven mad by grief.

(hissing) (clears throat) (exhales, clears throat, sniffs) Miss Honour, please come in.

Oh... Ooh!

"Thank you"?

(door closes) Just once?

(exhales) I don't like you, Mr. Jones, and I don't mind telling you so.

Mm-hmm.

But we are fallen among thieves, sir, and I don't know where else to turn.

Well, anything that I can do to help.

(sighs) That Lady Bellaston is no better than she should be.

TOM (chuckling): I'm sure that's not true.

She meets mucky men at the house of a poor cousin!

She pays the woman rent for her pleasure!

(chuckling): Do not speak of it.

She goes there to hide her dirty ways from her servants.

But the servants speak of little else, sir.

I fear for my lady's virtue.

(exhales) Here's a letter from her.

"I charge you, "by all the regard you have for me, "not to visit me here, for I am afraid Her Mucky Ladyship suspects the truth."

(Tom clears throat) Miss Western didn't say "mucky," obviously.

I'll do everything that I can.

Please help her, you... ♪ ♪ (gasps) Honour.

Honour!

Look, I... Give me her letter.

I can't do that.

My reputation!

My honor!

My peace of mind!

Give me her letter!

The moment I give you Miss Western's letter, I prove myself to be the opposite of a gentleman.

Now you can no longer ever be sure that your own secrets are safe with me.

Hmm...

So there is a brain in that pretty little head after all.

Who'd have thought it?

Tom...

I can't get out of all of this on my own.

♪ ♪ Undress me.

No.

No, my lady, this is wrong.

Look, I had given up all hope of Miss Western, but now I know that I love her.

I will always love her.

And I...

I want to be true to her.

♪ ♪ How low you force me, Mr. Jones.

So low that I am forced to admit, if I come second... ...it is enough.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (softly): What real gentleman would turn me away?

♪ ♪ PARTRIDGE: Out on our arses.

The pair of us.

You mark my words.

Though none of it is my fault, nor ever was.

(footsteps approaching) Look, Mrs. Miller, I want to assure you that that lady who came last night... Lady?

What lady would visit a gentleman alone in his room at night?

Stay for hours?

She wept.

I comforted her, that's all.

It won't happen again.

No, it won't.

You will leave my home and never return.

You can send Partridge back for your bags.

(door opens) (footsteps retreating) "Send Partridge"!

Like I'm your servant!

Also, bags!

Plural!

(laughs) Tom!

Tom!

None of this is fair on you, I know, and I'm truly sorry.

You must wish you'd never clapped eyes on me.

Think of the adventures I'd have missed!

Never fear.

Cras dies novus est and all that.

Mrs. Miller won't stay angry for long.

No, but she'll stay disappointed, and that's so much worse.

Where are we going to sleep tonight?

I disappoint everybody in the end.

(children playing, bell ringing) ♪ ♪ (tapping on door) (horse whinnies) ♪ ♪ FELLAMAR: I never saw anything so... (chuckles) ...genteel, so... sensitive.

So polite.

I am in love with her to distraction!

(both laugh) But I...

Fear not.

She is an only child.

An heiress.

Whose grandfather's estate is worth easily 3,000 pounds a year.

Really?

Yes.

My niece is rich in more than beauty.

(chuckles) Well, then, I can assure you, madam, I think her the best match in England.

(chuckles) Unfortunately... (whispering): There is a little obstacle.

I don't want to impress him!

(sighs): My Lord Fellamar is a very great gentleman.

I don't want him to like me at all!

And I, I just think that you should move on, miss.

Just... And get away from your old... life.

(clicks tongue, sighs) My lady, you ask too much!

There is no other way.

Do as I say, and she will have to marry you, for word will get out of her ruin.

Madam, I prefer persuasion.

Persuasion will be a waste of your time, and more importantly, mine!

Hmm?

LADY BELLASTON: Force her to your will!

(chuckles) Lady Bellaston has done me the honor of agreeing on my behalf to ask your grandfather for your hand in marriage.

He won't give it.

Besides, I intend never to marry.

No, don't say so!

Give me hope that love might bloom.

Sir, I cannot.

That you might volunteer your heart.

For I know not where my passion might take me if all hope is lost.

(softly): Stop.

I beg you, sir, move away.

(gasps) May I not breathe the air of roses?

(softly): Your natural beauty, madam, free of artifice...

Pardon me, my angel, for taking these freedoms, but I must have you, I must save you!

(whimpers) Oh, don't say no when you mean yes!

Sophy!

Grandfather!

(slurring): You disobedient little minx.

Come on!

Women today!

(grunts) Think you can do just as you like without a man's leave?

Ah!

Here, cousin, stands the most undutiful child in the world.

Indeed, sir.

She hankers after some beggarly rascal, when she could enjoy one of the greatest matches of all England.

(slurring): Who the merry devil...

This, sir, this is my Lord Fellamar, whose hand in marriage, by your leave, and with my encouragement, is offered to the fortunate Sophia.

A lord, is he?

Your encouragement?

WESTERN: I hate all lords!

Now bugger off!

Your idea?

All of it?

Mr. Western, your manners always were appalling!

I shan't lower the tone a moment longer, madam.

(grunts): Shame on you!

WESTERN: Enough of your lip to your elders and betters!

And it's bread and water for you, miss, under lock and key until you learn obedience!

(yelping): No!

Honour!

Honour!

Services no longer required.

♪ ♪ (groans loudly) (carriage door closes) (shakily): Are we going home?

Not until you two lovebirds are safely married off.

(carriage moving, Western groans) (horse nickers, hoofbeats clomping) WESTERN (slurring): Nobody hates London more than I do.

But we're stuck here till you can get a proper yes out of her.

(mutters) I see no reason for further delay.

We could be wed tomorrow.

What, you picking her up at one end and me the other?

Throwing her down the aisle bodily?

(laughs) You shall have the tumbling of her, never fear!

It is my wish, and in the end, she will do her duty.

Ah.

But, uh...

Ever heard of "wooing," Mr. Blifil?

No... Young ladies, they like sweet words and big eyes.

They like to be wooed.

Mm... Mm.

Mm.

Just try smiling.

♪ ♪ Mm... ♪ ♪ (groans) TOM: My lady, I appeal to your honor.

Only you can save her.

Such a gentleman you think yourself.

I know myself to be a gentleman.

I'm not in the mood.

At least by kindness and good conduct.

Far more important than class, wealth, and good breeding, I agree.

Alas, the world is of a far more shallow bent, and so Miss Western-- Miss Western shall be wed this very week into her own class.

And there be as miserable as every other married woman.

I'm here to beg you, don't do that to her.

Look at its pretty little lip trembling.

I find I am in the mood after all.

My lady, I find I'm not.

Oh, la!

Everybody knows young men are always in the mood.

Whatever the situation.

Whoever the lady-- young, old, three legs.

Look, my lady, I'm not like that at all.

(sighs) Not really.

Please, can we talk?

Talk?

No, no.

No talking.

Talking ruins it.

Don't frighten me.

Kiss me.

Don't hurt me, tell me you love me.

Repeat until it's second nature.

I can't love you!

♪ ♪ And I can't pretend.

Sorry.

Please, you're her aunt.

Look, take care of Miss Western, and ensure her safety and her happiness.

You go anywhere near her and I shall tell her exactly what we did, you and I, and how often.

You'll break her heart!

(shouting): No, you will!

(door opens) (door closes) (tuts, sighs) (bell ringing in distance) (footsteps approaching) (door unlocks, opens) Who's there?

Breakfast?

Take it away-- you know I won't eat it.

Then you shall fade away and die.

And your poor doting grandfather would die, too, and be on your conscience.

See how even breakfast can be a Christian act.

Thank you, Black George.

George Seagrim never forgets his friends.

(quietly): That Tom Jones, for instance.

He'd do anything for you.

I'd do anything for him, I would.

Take him a letter or...

But you don't know where he lives.

No, true.

But I do.

♪ ♪ SOPHIA: Dear Mr. Jones.

Morning, Mr. Blifil, sir.

SOPHIA: By some oversight, you left a note of your London address in the pocket book which you kindly returned to me.

Should you be interested, I reside temporarily in a townhouse taken by my grandfather and Mr. Blifil.

I am as determined as ever that I shall not willingly marry him.

So there is no need to come to Westminster to find me at 95 Cadogan Square.

Cadogan, with a C. Did I not tell you many years ago never to darken my door?

A moment's gratitude for helping you find your granddaughter.

You made your bed, go and lie on it.

You grasping slapper.

(gasps) No idea what I've done to deserve the women in this family.

♪ ♪ (birds twittering) (door closes inside) It's rather thrilling, actually.

Poor Sophia is imprisoned in an upstairs chamber like something out of a fairy tale.

First among her jailors is the suitor, Mr. Blifil himself.

I was surprised to find him quite a handsome young fellow.

Bring him to me.

La, my dear, you cannot mean to relieve our niece of every admirer!

Mm...

He is very different to Mr. Jones.

As you will see for yourself when I now present him.

Harriet!

You are showing initiative.

Mr. Blifil.

Let me see you.

Tell me, Mr. Blifil, what kind of a husband do you mean to be to my niece, who tends to wildness, I fear?

I mean to narrow her horizons, madam.

Oh, I'm very glad to hear it.

Discipline her ambition within the confines of the nursery, the kitchen, and her needlework.

Her husband's desires.

Whatever they may be.

Very good.

(seagulls squawking) (exhales) (ship's bell ringing in distance) (breathing heavily) Today, we are going to your rich lady friend, and you are going to put your hand out.

No arguments.

I am not going to let her give me any more money.

Why on Earth not?

Bit late to come over all coy about it now, when we're sleeping in rat-infested slums.

No, those days are gone.

We could go somewhere else.

We could go to America.

TOM: Free as birds, the two of us.

Nobody at home.

(bell ringing on street) Nobody waiting for a letter or a kind word.

(bell ringing) Nobody left to disappoint.

♪ ♪ (keys rattling, door unlocks) Who's there?

I'm not respectable, please, give me a few moments!

(gasps) Miss Western, how... beautiful you look.

Oh, Mr. Blifil, you must leave this instant.

(stammering): Edible, like a plate of sweetmeats or a summer nosegay, whose scent fills the room... Oh, now, really, I have asked you to leave.

(breath trembling) All of my life that odious, lowborn animal has taken what rightfully belongs to me!

Belongs?!

I don't belong to either of you!

Nor will I ever belong to any other man!

No!

Get back, sir!

My own mother prefers him to me.

(panting, whimpering) What is wrong with me?

Why can't you love me?

Why won't you even try?

Oh, for heaven's sake, get off me!

(groans) (Sophia groans angrily) (gasping): No, I... (gasping and panting) (keys rattle, door locks) ♪ ♪ It's not as if I've got a sweet white-haired old mother to worry about.

She could never have kept you.

Your mother was 15, Tom.

She and I would have ended our days in the gutter, I know.

Instead of which, look how well it's gone!

(both laughing) (laughing heartily) (laughing, coughing) (chuckling): I went to Mrs. Miller's... Ah?

for your holey stockings and your single shirt that used to be white.

And...

There was a letter waiting.

(gasps) It's from Sophia!

Hold on!

Hold on!

Let a fellow get his shoes on.

Come on, then!

Damsel in distress!

But it's too late.

If I try to see her now, she will learn the very worst of me.

It will break her heart all over again.

And mine.

I've had enough of London.

We could just go home.

I don't know where that is anymore.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ SOPHIA: Happy endings?

Only in fairy tales.

And what difference does it make, anyway, to the sum of human happiness if I marry or not, if I am contented or miserable?

Why did I ever think I was special?

Why did I ever think you were?

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ I know your grandfather will never consent to me.

BLIFIL: She was promised to me.

Ugh!

What on Earth is he doing here?

Sophia!

Tom.

Let battle commence.

(crowd gasps) WESTERN: Has the whole world gone stark staring mad?

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

To order this program, visit ShopPBS.

"Masterpiece" is available with PBS Passport and on Amazon Prime Video.

♪ ♪