The Draughtsman's Contract Page #2

every moment of his waking life.

No doubt in his dreams as well...

...though I've not been

well acquainted with his dreams.

With such an excellent

relationship as...

...your husband has

with his property...

...he surely, having the

real thing, does not need a copy.

I do not take well

to young men who preen.

Their vanity outweighs their prowess.

Mr. Neville has prowess enough.

Enough to charm

where he cannot impress.

He can charm and

impress the wives of rich men.

That's not so uncommon, Mr. Seymour.

You come with me to

Southampton tomorrow.

I'll show you how to impress

a lady with a good drawing on.

My father's property, Mr. Neville...

...is a little more

forward than humble.

Since humility in a building

is not antithetical to you...

...perhaps I can prevail on

you to draw my father's house?

The same proposition

from a different quarter.

A concerted effort

naturally intrigues me...

...but I feel things being

as they are.

May I be bold.

I do not think that

you or your mother...

...could afford my services.

Why not enjoy our patronage?

Come and walk in Mr.

Herbert's garden tomorrow.

Madam...

...I cannot say that I

wouldn't be delighted...

...but I fear,

despite your persistence...

...that I have work

to do up and beyond...

...this apple season

and will be in the service...

...of Lord Charborough

until next year's apples...

...have all been drunk as cider.

Your mother is excessively keen...

...to have this house down on paper.

Or perhaps it is you that is keen...

...and your mother is

merely your surrogate?

I admit, Mr. Neville, to being a

supplicant on my mother's behalf...

...but she does not want it

for herself but for her husband.

The supplication then

has a long and diverse path.

I am flattered.

May not Mr. Herbert

himself do his own commissioning?

The point of the exercise...

...is to avoid that one thing.

You, Mr. Neville, are to be...

...the instrument of a

hopeful reconciliation.

Mr. Neville...

...how can I persuade you to stay

with us at Compton Anstey?

You cannot.

But you can be bought, Mr. Neville.

How much will it cost?

More than you can afford.

But I must confess my

prime reason is indolence.

I increase my price...

...in proportion to my

expectation of pleasure.

I do not expect great pleasure here.

Madam...

...I'm to leave in the morning

for Southampton.

I've come to take my leave of you now.

Do not order the hay to be cut.

Do not leave the estate

and do not drink my claret.

Don't expect me back until I'm ready,

which at the least will be 14 days.

Good night, Madam.

She laughs...

I have decided...

...that it is most important

that you stay here...

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