The Wings of the Dove

- Kate.

- Merton, no !

- Where did you go all morning?

-Went to the park.

All on your own ?

l was supposed to meet a friend.

She didn't turn up.

Too much powder.

Close your eyes.

Try to look as if you've

worn it all your life.

lt's yours.

- Do you remember my niece ?

- Kate.

l didn't recognize her.

You've quite transformed her.

Yes, l know. She's finally

left her wretched father.

l've been trying to arrange it since

her mother died. She's my ward now.

- You'll just have to

come and see us more often.

- She doesn't look very happy.

She will be.

This life is still new to her.

- Does she know anyone here ?

- Just you for the time being.

Well, l shall have to go

and say hello.

How are you settling

into your new life ?

- l'm very comfortable.

- You look preoccupied.

- l'm not used to all this.

- Your aunt's something of

an expert at these occasions.

How do you mean ?

She has a wonderful eye

for who fits best with who.

She suggested l be your guide.

Over there in that corner,

we have Lady Baring and her daughter.

- Do you see them ?

- Yes.

Now, what Lady Baring has to do

is somehow manoeuvre her daughter...

from that side of the gathering

to the other...

without falling in the fountain.

- Do you see the man

in the red waistcoat ?

- Yes.

- He's the target.

- Why ?

Because of

his father's bank account.

The Barings have to pay

for their castle somehow.

As do we all.

- You have a castle too, Lord Mark ?

- Well, it's seen better days.

l spend more time

in my London home.

But you must let me

entertain you in both.

With your aunt, of course.

Of course.

Thwack. Robin Hood

couldn't have shot straighter.

That's ridiculous. The upper class

isn't going to change of its own accord.

- Why should it ?

That's exactly what l'm saying.

They're only using reform to fool us.

- The supposedly radical--

- Who's behind this class conspiracy ?

l'm not saying it's a conspiracy.

They're just protecting themselves--

Kate ! Hello.

A little too blind to see.

- l completely disagree.

- That's the most cynical

point of view l have--

- Excuse me.

- Hey. You can't just leave

in the middle of an argument.

l just have.

l thought she'd forgotten

her old friends.

l didn't expect

to see you here again.

- So how was the wedding ?

- Awful.

Didn't Aunt Maud find you

a suitable husband ?

She tried.

Have you thought

any more about my offer ?

l haven't thought about anything else

since the day l met you.

The same thought for a whole year ?

Must be very tiring.

Why don't l go straight to your Aunt

Maud and ask for your hand in marriage?

- All right.

- What would she do ?

- Aren't l good enough for you ?

- You're not good enough for her.

- ls that really necessary ?

- For the time being.

To see what you can get

out of her ?

l never went to her.

lt was she who settled on me.

Let's--

- Please, let me go.

- l thought you liked the rain.

l'm drenched, Merton.

Please, let me go.

- Not until you promise.

- No.

All right, l give up.

- You know my conditions.

- l'm not going to marry you.

Then we are gonna get

very wet together.

l promise.

- So where's my ring ?

- Merton.

l need proof.

Kate, is that you ?

- Lord Mark has

been waiting all afternoon.

- l'm sorry.

l got caught in the rain. l didn't

know you were coming, Lord Mark.

No, don't worry.

lt was an impromptu visit.

l came to invite you both

for lunch tomorrow.

- l'm afraid l can't tomorrow.

- Why not ?

- l've arranged to meet a friend.

- One of your old friends ?

- Can't you arrange

to see her another day ?

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