[TV static drones]
[bright tone]
[spirited orchestral music]
♪ ♪
[cheerful music]
♪ ♪
- My dear, are you sure this is wise?
I'm quite sure it is not.
Mr. Raikes feels it's our only way out of a logjam.
- And I agree. - So what is his plan?
- We're meeting in the park later to finalize details,
but I know it's next Friday.
It's a lot to ask.
Go on.
Can we meet here on the day?
I'll get my bag to you somehow.
- And I'll provide the carriage to take you to Grand Central.
Would you do that?
- Why not? I have no fear of scandal.
I'm a walking scandal as it is.
- And when we're married, we'll come back to New York
and see how the land lies.
After all, there's no law that says we have to stay here.
I do not believe
Mr. Raikes will give up New York so easily.
You're wrong.
Society means as little to him as it does to me.
Then that is what matters.
Thank you, Edward.
- Does the podium look big enough to you?
- It's what the band leader asked for.
Good, good.
And everything's on course downstairs?
- It's all under control, ma'am.
- I'm worried that it may be too small.
[indistinct chatter]
♪ ♪
- Take a tray of coffee to the drawing room
- for Mrs. Russell right away. - Right away, sir.
- Have they finished upstairs? - They're finishing now.
- Is the mistress pleased? - Is she ever pleased?
- Content, then? - She's very nervous.
- She has nothing to worry about.
- Good, the carriage is here. - Yes, ma'am.
I want to arrive before 3:00.
I believe Mrs. Astor is very precise about these things.
- It's a quarter past 2:00, ma'am.
So I'd say your timing is perfect.
Hup, hup.
♪ ♪
- Mrs. Chamberlain will let us meet at her house at 10:00.
Her carriage will take us to Grand Central.
I'll get a bag to her,
and you can carry what you need for the night...
but not too much.
We won't be gone long.
I love you, Marian.
In fact, I don't think I've ever loved you more
than I do at this moment.
That's all right, then.
[soft music]
♪ ♪
- Mrs. Astor is not at home, madam.
- You gave her my card? - I'm afraid she's not at home.
- You didn't tell her about that time in Newport,
did you, Mr. Hefty?
Mrs. Astor is not at home.
- So you said. - Good day.
- Wait for me. - Of course, ma'am.
I shouldn't be long.
- Welcome, Mrs. Randolph. - Good day, Hefty.
- Come right this way. - Thank you.
[dramatic music]
♪ ♪
- [door closes] - Hyah.
- How's the ball coming along, Mother?
- That reminds me--
I'm afraid we must ask Carrie Astor to step down.
What?
- It won't be possible for her to perform the dance.
Why not?
Because it won't be possible
for me to invite her to the ball.
What are you saying?
- I looked in on Mrs. Astor today,
and she wouldn't accept my call.
I told you.
- But I can't have her daughter here
- when she doesn't receive me. - Perhaps she wasn't there.
- A friend of hers was admitted just as I was leaving.
- They've been practicing for weeks.
Why didn't you say this sooner?
- It never occurred to me Mrs. Astor would let Carrie
dance at the ball if she didn't plan to come herself.
- But, Mother, Orme Wilson's Carrie's partner.
It's all arranged.
I can't help that.
What about the others?
- Angela Schermerhorn, Sally Drexel, the boys?
Are they all to be turned away if their parents won't come?
I'm afraid so.
- Mother, you can't pull the rug from under them now.
- You will not say "can't" to me.
- Why shouldn't the girl come on her own if she wants to?
And the rest of the young people, too?
- And do you think Mrs. Astor would entertain
a young woman whose mother had snubbed her?
Precisely.
Thank you, Church.
- [knock at door] - Oh.
What a nice surprise.
I hope this means you've changed your mind.
- No, but it's good to see you. I'm here to collect my clothes.
- Aunt Agnes will be so disappointed.
- Please give them both my best regards.
Have you made your plans?
- We're meeting at Mrs. Chamberlain's.
How kind of her.
Oh, that's nice.
- I don't suppose you'd do me a favor?
I've got to smuggle my traveling bag to her house,
and nobody'd notice if you had it.
- It's not going to be heavy. - I'll take it there.
I'll be in a cab.
Where are you planning to live?
- In Tom's apartment, I suppose.
Unless he's got a better idea. How are your parents?
- My father's in Chicago until next month.
But my mother's well.
- It's good that you can spend time together
before he gets back.
- When is the wedding? - Friday--
same day as Mrs. Russell's ball.
Would you come and see me off? We're leaving at 10:00.
If you like.
But I do feel sorry for Mrs. Van Rhijn and Miss Brook.
- Don't worry. I'm going to write to Aunt Agnes
with the whole story.
I'll do a letter for Aunt Ada, too,
so it won't look suspicious.
- [sighs] It's really happening, then?
- Yes. [chuckles]
It really is.
- Ah, Caroline. There's a letter for you.
Hefty gave it to me.
- Who was it from? - Mrs. Russell.
Oh.
I suppose it was the invitation to her wretched ball.
No.
It was explain why I would not be sent an invitation.
What?
- She says I can't come and I can't dance
because you would not receive her when she called.
- She came at an inconvenient moment.
- She says someone else was admitted.
- That was Mrs. Randolph. She wanted to see me alone.
What was I to do?
- Would you call on Mrs. Russell now
if I asked you?
- I'm sure she's far too busy to waste her time on me.
But that's not true, is it?
I'm sorry?
- You wouldn't call on her if your life depended on it.
I worked on the dance for weeks.
Did you think of that?
You must have known she'd drop me
when you wouldn't let her into the house.
- My dear. - I'm going upstairs.
Carrie.
Caroline!
♪ ♪
[door closes]
Oh.
I suppose this means you're really leaving.
I am, Miss Brook.
I'm very sorry.
- You've been so kind. - Not at all.
Oh, do use the front door.
There's no need for you to struggle down to the kitchen
- and up the basement steps. - Thank you.
- Miss Marian has a bag like that.
This is Miss Marian's.
She lent it to me for the move.
- You'd never help Miss Marian do anything foolish, would you?
- I'd try to persuade her not to do it.
You can count on me for that.
- That's not quite the same thing, though, is it?
Goodbye, my dear.
Goodbye, Miss Brook.
♪ ♪
- Kneynsberg and Cuyper want to extend their loan.
By how much?
They want another million
and a year longer to repay-- same terms.
- There's nothing wrong with the bank, is there?
- Not that I'm aware of, but we'll look into it,
- It's flattering that the great Julius Cuyper
should come with his begging bowl.
- Is he so very great? - His wife is.
They say even Mrs. Astor treats her with care.
- [chuckles] I don't know about such things.
- If you lived with Mrs. Russell, you would.
♪ ♪
- If that's dinner, I'm afraid Miss Caroline isn't here yet.
- Oh, she's not coming down, madam.
She's asked for a tray in her room.
I see.
- Would you like me to go up there?
No.
If she's asked for a tray,
then a tray she must have.
Is she coming with me to Mrs. Bevan's reception later,
do you know?
- According to her maid, she's gone to bed, madam.
Oh.
Well, then...
I shall go alone.
♪ ♪
[footsteps approaching]
♪ ♪
Is anything the matter?
You tell me.
What do you mean?
- You seem so distracted nowadays.
Is it Miss Barton's Red Cross?
Well, something is on your mind.
Or are you going to tell me I'm wrong?
I hope it has nothing to do with Mr. Raikes.
- I know Aunt Agnes doesn't like him.
She will like him even less
if you're planning some sort of escapade.
She'll come to like him
when she decides to get to know him.
Not if you force her hand.
- Dearest Aunt Ada, I don't want you to know the details
because I don't want you to be blamed.
Marian.
If you want to marry this man,
then come out with it.
Sit through the argument. Hold to your faith.
And if he's right for you,
eventually it will come to pass.
- I haven't got time for eventually.
- You will break Agnes's heart. - You know that's not true.
It's her pride we're dealing with here, not her heart.
- I can't help blaming Mr. Raikes.
Don't.
We both wanted to wait until we had Aunt Agnes's blessing.
- But he hasn't waited, has he, dear?
[footsteps approaching]
- Oscar has invited himself for dinner tomorrow night.
That's nice.
♪ ♪
- Isn't Henry James a little dense for a young lady?
♪ ♪
- Baudin, that was a good dinner.
What is it?
- Is everything all right? - Not exactly, sir.
- I hope this doesn't mean you're handing in your notice.
- No. But it may result in my dismissal.
- That sounds very serious. You'd better close the doors.
- What? - It's true.
He's just a farm boy from Kansas.
- Then how did it all start? - He was a merchant seaman.
He left the ship in France, found a job washing dishes
at a restaurant in Cannes.
He trained there.
But when he got back to New York,
he discovered that nobody wanted a cook from Wichita.
They were all looking for a chef from gay Paris.
- And so he became Monsieur Baudin?
- He was quite settled into the role when we met him.
- What's his real name? - Borden.
Josh Borden.
- And why are we being told now?
- His wife has tracked him down. - And she wants money?
- Worse. She wanted a reconciliation.
She'd found out he was doing well.
No doubt we will be hearing from her soon.
Well, I'm sorry, George,
but we cannot have a chef from Kansas.
- We'd be a laughingstock. - But if the food's the same...
- You don't know the women of New York.
They're all looking for something about us to ridicule.
And when they hear that we were taken in,
we'd be providing it on a plate, literally.
- If that's your decision... - It is.
And I want him gone for the ball.
I'll send a message to the agency in the morning
for the best available chef on their books.
I'll give Baudin excellent references,
so you needn't look stricken.
- It's unfair. He's a hard worker.
- He's been living a lie, George,
and it's made us vulnerable to every snob in New York.
We must do it.
- So you brought it on your own head?
- I couldn't let it go on forever.
- But we're only a few days away from Mrs. Russell's ball.
- My wife thought that strengthened her hand.
I had to stop her.
- If you're not Monsieur Baudin,
why are you still talking like him?
- Because this is who I have been for years.
And now it's hard to break the habit.
- If your name is Josh Borden and you come from Wichita,
I think you've got to try.
[sighs]
[American accent] You're right.
You're absolutely right.
So what happens now?
- I cook till the new chef arrives,
and then he takes over.
- What will you do about your wife?
- I shall try to persuade her to divorce me.
- Why didn't you do it years ago when you had nothing?
Because I'm a fool.
- I think it's unfair that you have to go,
especially with the ball.
- Please, don't take sides over things you don't understand.
Madam has a high mountain to climb.
[French accent] She cannot afford to be sentimental--
[playful music]
♪ ♪
She won't budge.
I've tried everything I can think of, I promise.
- Carrie. - Hello, Mrs. Russell.
Church said you were here.
- If you'd rather I didn't call...
- Oh, my dear, I hope you understand
why I cannot allow you to perform at the ball.
It is only because--
- My mother has offended you, I know.
- But you are welcome in this house at any other time.
- Would you forgive my mother if she apologized?
I don't think it very likely,
but of course, I'd be delighted.
- Your kindness is a beacon of light
after the treatment you received.
Thank you, my dear.
And now I must go. I have a fitting.
♪ ♪
Monsieur Charron, welcome.
May I present our household, whom you will come to know?
If you wish.
- Monsieur Charron, I am Mrs. Bruce,
the housekeeper here.
And I have a book of instructions
which our last chef, Mr. Borden, left
to help you with the ball tomorrow night.
- Why would I both with that when he has been sacked?
- Mr. Borden was not sacked. He left by mutual agreement.
And because the ball is almost upon us,
he has done a great deal of preliminary work already.
- All of which he has recorded in this notebook.
- You had better read it, monsieur.
The mistress has agreed to the menus,
and she will not care for any last-minute deviations.
If the ball is tomorrow,
I presume she must take what I give her.
Now, where is my room?
If you would come with me...
- If it's him versus Mrs. Russell,
what are the odds?
- I know where I'd put my money.
[staff chattering]
- I'll correct it right away, madam.
- I thought I heard talking in here.
- The ball dress arrived from Paris yesterday.
Miss Gossage has been making the final adjustments.
I can't wait to see it.
How is the ball going?
- Acceptances from people I don't want
and a lot of Aurora's friends, whom I want a little,
silence from the people I want a lot.
- And the parents of the dancers?
- Not a squeak from any of them.
What about Mr. McAllister?
- He won't decide till he hears
which way his mystic rose will jump.
- Surely she won't come now you've uninvited her daughter.
It's too late anyway. The ball is tomorrow.
We'll see.
- In the morning, I'll leave after breakfast,
and I may have luncheon with Aurora,
so don't panic if I'm not home by the evening.
- Where are you going? - Just paying a few calls.
- And who expects a call right after breakfast?
- Marian always has such a full dance card.
Remember how worried we were
about whether she would find enough to do
when she came to the city?
How silly that seems now.
- Ada tells me Miss Scott has been here.
She came for her things.
- I assume she's not coming back.
I don't think so, no,
but she sends you both every good wish.
That's something, I suppose.
- You're sorry she's gone, Mama.
Why don't you admit it?
- My secretary has handed in her notice.
What more is there to say?
That you're sad about it.
Very well.
I'm sad.
She was a great help to me.
Now are you satisfied?
[knock at door]
Carrie? Caroline?
[knock at door]
May I come in?
- Why do you bother to ask if you're going to push in anyway?
[scoffs]
How long will you keep this up?
- Could ask you the same question.
- Suppose I were to call on Mrs. Russell
and explain that I'm engaged tomorrow night.
Are you?
I can be, if necessary.
She won't accept it.
The trouble is, you assume she's weaker than you.
- [scoffs] She is weaker than I am in this instance.
We'll see.
[person singing operatically]
♪ ♪
[whispering indistinctly]
[light piano music playing]
♪ ♪
Well, we've reached the day.
If there are still no answers from the great folk,
you'd better think of some last-minute replacements
if we're not to look absurd
waltzing around an empty ballroom.
- Don't worry. Aurora's been busy.
The ballroom won't be empty.
- But we'll be without the great princes
- you were tilting at. - Don't speak too soon.
- I wish I knew the cards you think you have up your sleeve.
- I'm taking a chance, George, I know that.
But who ever achieved great things without taking a chance?
True enough.
See you tonight.
[sighs]
[dramatic music]
Are you off, dear?
Yes.
- Would you like me to post those?
No.
They're just something for Larry Russell.
I'll drop them off.
Won't you need your bag?
[soft music]
♪ ♪
It's at Mrs. Chamberlain's.
Of course.
I saw Miss Scott go off with it.
You know that to accept help from Mrs. Chamberlain with this
is something that Agnes, or anyone,
would find very hard to forgive.
I must take my chances.
Oh, my darling girl.
♪ ♪
Goodbye...
♪ ♪
And good luck.
I'll write to you.
Everything will be aboveboard, I swear.
- Miss Ada, Mrs. Van Rhijn's asking for you.
I'll come right up.
- Would you like a cab, Miss Marian?
- Yes, but I'm just running across the street.
♪ ♪
[door opens]
- Miss Brook. - Mr. Russell.
Larry.
I mustn't hold you up, but I have a favor to ask.
Would you bring these across the street
before 7:00 this evening?
- Could you manage that? - Certainly.
- I know you've got your ball tonight.
- I just hope it doesn't betoken some desperate action
on your part.
- Some action, yes, but not desperate.
Thank you.
♪ ♪
- You left this. - Thank you, John.
Please tell the others downstairs...
Yes, Miss?
How much I value them.
♪ ♪
[horse neighs, driver shouts]
- I wonder what Miss Brook is up to.
- She's quite convincing when she makes a decision.
It was she who said I should tell you
about my plans to be an architect.
Should I be glad of that?
- I think you will be... in the end.
This is a great city in a great country
at a great time in our history.
I want to be part of it, Father.
[spirited orchestral music]
♪ ♪
- They'll need solvent to get the stain out of this,
and I'll get them to press it.
Mr. Scott left this in his pocket, ma'am.
Typical man, not to check.
[dramatic music]
♪ ♪
[gasps]
Oh.
♪ ♪
- Thank you for having me here, Mrs. Chamberlain.
- I have broken rules I don't agree with all my life.
- While we're waiting for Mr. Raikes...
What is it?
I painted this for you
as a way of saying thank you for all your help, but...
But what?
- I just realized it's like asking for my work
to be hung alongside all of the old masters.
- I assure you I will value it highly, my dear...
Oh...
For many reasons.
- Dear Mrs. Fane, please come in.
Thank you, Bannister.
- Is Miss Marian at home? - I'm afraid she's out, madam.
Aurora? Is that you?
I was looking for Marian.
Come inside, why don't you?
- [sighs] Will Marian be back soon?
No, I don't believe so.
That's a pity.
Why?
What's the matter?
- Something I saw at the Academy last night--
Marian should know about it.
- Are you going to tell me what it is?
- It won't bother you since you don't care for Mr. Raikes.
He was there in the Drexels' box,
which is next to ours, and...
he was talking--
well, he was more than talking to Miss Bingham.
Do you know who I mean-- Cissie Bingham?
I don't think so.
- She's a niece of Henry Flagler.
- She's very rich. - And?
- At one point, he leaned over and whispered in her ear.
Well, she was transported.
And every minute after that, she clung to his arm.
I see.
- Maybe I'm making too much of it.
You're right.
Marian should know.
Will you tell her tonight?
- She needs to know sooner than that.
But where is she?
- She's--
She's at the house of Mrs. Chamberlain.
What?
- Has she told Aunt Agnes? - No.
And you won't either.
Now go to Mrs. Chamberlain's at once.
- Fast as you can. - Why?
Just do it.
Marian will explain if she wants to.
[door opens]
- Mr. Cuyper, Mr. Russell. - It's kind of you to see me.
- Not at all. [door closes]
So shall we get straight to the point?
We're good for the loan?
Yes.
You may have overextended yourselves a little,
but there is nothing fundamentally wrong
with Kneynsberg and Cuyper.
So I'll have the papers drawn up for signature.
Thank you.
Now, I shan't take up any more of your valuable time.
There is one more thing...
an invitation to a ball my wife is giving this evening--
for you and Mrs. Cuyper.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Alas, with no warning,
I'm now sure our diaries will allow it.
I've not made myself clear.
I will see you there if you want the loan.
You can't be serious.
- Don't think you can go elsewhere.
I have a list of reasons why not to invest in your bank,
and I will send it to anyone you approach.
- Isn't that against the law? - Let's find out.
You are not a gentleman, sir.
- That's a subject for another time.
- Very well. I will attend.
But I cannot promise that my wife will.
- The loan hinges on her presence.
- But suppose she is engaged tonight?
- I am sure, when you explain the situation,
she will find that she can join us after all.
[dramatic music]
[upbeat quirky music]
♪ ♪
I am Mrs. Astor.
Perhaps you can ask Mrs. Russell
if she could see me for a minute.
I'm afraid I'm unexpected.
♪ ♪
If you'd be so kind...
- Yes, ma'am. Of course, ma'am.
♪ ♪
[door clangs closed] Mrs. Astor is in the hall.
What?
- She wonders if you have time to see her.
♪ ♪
- I hope this isn't a bad moment.
- Not at all. Won't you sit down?
- I gather my daughter Caroline will not now dance
at your ball tonight.
Indeed, she is no longer invited.
- Is that correct? - It is.
Mrs. Russell, I'm afraid
there's been a misunderstanding.
When you were good enough to pay a call on me,
I had promised myself to a friend
who urgently wished to speak to me alone.
There is no reason here for us to fall out.
- Forgive me, but if that were the case,
you could have called on me another day
or written a note to explain why I was turned away
while others were admitted.
Not others.
Another was admitted.
Ah.
Well, I have paid a call now.
You have dropped by
at a time when no one else was likely to be here.
Won't you consider
letting Carrie be included in the fun after all?
Would you come with her?
- It is such a difficult time of year for me--
- If you wish for me to bring your very charming daughter
back into the fold, then you must accompany her.
- My being here now is not enough?
People know of the snub.
So, to undo the hurt, you must attend the ball tonight,
and you must let people know you will be here.
- You will need to move quickly. - I don't have time to do that.
Oh, I think you do.
And I have one more request.
I want you to make sure that my neighbors,
Mrs. Van Rhijn and her sister, will attend.
Why bother with them?
- I'm tired of being cut on my own doorstep.
Make them come.
I don't see how.
- Then you will have to explain it to Carrie.
I like her very much, by the way.
I'm sorry she won't be here.
Well...
at least we know where we stand.
Mm.
[dramatic music]
Nothing would give me more pleasure
than for you to change your mind.
- But you will not change yours?
No.
Mrs. Astor is leaving.
♪ ♪
[door opens] [exhales deeply]
[door closes]
- Your carriage is ready, ma'am.
♪ ♪
[door closes]
- Well, Mrs. Bruce, what does that mean for the mistress?
Time will tell, Mr. Watson.
Time will tell.
- I don't believe you. - What do you mean?
- Well, of course I believe you.
I just don't think it can have been quite how it looked.
- Then where is he? When was he expected?
- Hours ago. - But it may--
it may have been difficult for him to get away.
- Wouldn't he have sent someone with a message?
Maybe he's been hurt.
- Unless he's been killed, he could have sent a warning.
- All right, well, I'll go to his office
- to see if something's happened. - Will he be at his office?
- Take the carriage and start with his office.
Maybe someone there will know where he might be found.
- But suppose he's on his way here?
- I'll look after him until your return.
- Do you want me to come with you?
- I've already wasted quite enough of your time as it is.
- I'll go. That was the original plan.
[dramatic music]
♪ ♪
- Is there anything more I can do?
- No. [door opens, closes]
But thank you for receiving me.
And thank you for your kindness to my cousin.
♪ ♪
May I ask you to keep silent about the whole affair?
- Marian's reputation-- - Is safe with me. Don't worry.
♪ ♪
- But if I don't maintain standards,
what is the point of me?
- Of course. But what we need to determine now
is whether Mrs. Russell will support those standards
or undermine them.
How can you ask?
- You know I follow your lead to a slavish degree.
- But you want to go to the ball.
- We cannot hope to keep out the new people entirely,
or they'd form their own society
that would exclude us.
- You know this. - Yes.
And if it looks as if her children
might make decent marriages, then I--
- They'll make decent marriages without our help.
They're good-looking, and they smell of money--
the sweetest scent I know.
If I were you, I'd bring them in now
and gain the credit.
But it's tonight.
- Send a note to her this minute
and another to Agnes van Rhijn.
Ugh.
- Then write to anyone else you can think of.
- You mean that you don't think that I can beat Mrs. Russell
at my own game?
My dear mystic rose,
I fear if you try,
it might be at the cost of your own dignity.
- Which translated means you want to go to her ball.
[chuckles]
♪ ♪
This can't be right.
What's that?
- She's taken leave of her senses.
- Who? - Lina Astor. Listen.
"If you consider yourselves to be my friends,
you will attend Mrs. Russell's ball this evening."
Really?
- Don't you dare sound cheerful.
- I am curious about that house.
- Really? You are glad to be ordered to march into hell
and to dance with the devil?
I wonder sometimes
if you don't slightly overstate your arguments.
We cannot be forced to dance.
- So are we to quarrel with Mrs. Astor
- or Mrs. Russell? - Well--
- I do not wish to quarrel with Mrs. Astor,
so we will obey her now
but reserve the right to quarrel
with Mrs. Russell later.
♪ ♪
[door closes]
- I've been trying to compose a letter.
Well, now you won't have to.
I assume we're not getting married today?
- Marian-- - Just tell me.
- Was it all pretend? - No.
Of course not. I love you very much.
- But as New York smiled on you,
you came to see that there were others
who could offer you so much more than I could?
- The truth is--
- I'll tell you what the truth is.
The more you pushed for our elopement,
the more you felt your desire for it slipping away.
- I suppose I thought that if I could only make it happen,
then things would come right.
But I began to suspect that if we did marry,
we would have no armory for the battle that lay ahead.
We'd have no money, you mean.
- We know New York now, you and I.
There's a life to be lived here, and a good life.
But two penniless strangers from out of town
could not have hoped to live it.
- But Miss Bingham can make sure of that life for you?
Well, why not?
She won't suit the old crowd,
but she'll do well enough with the new,
and her fortune is more than ample for both of you.
I don't admire myself for it.
[scoffs]
On that note, I'll say goodbye.
- Can we at least part as friends?
Not quite.
But not as enemies either.
I don't like bitterness.
[door opens]
- You're a marvelous person, Marian.
Do you know that?
- I shall take it as my consolation prize.
♪ ♪
Come away, come away.
Your bag's in the carriage.
There's no need to go back to Mrs. Chamberlain's.
Go home, and I'll return to Brooklyn.
- [bell tolling] - Oh, the letters.
I must stop Larry from delivering the letters.
Thank you.
Of course.
♪ ♪
[sighs]
Hefty said you wanted me.
Only to witness my defeat.
You have won.
- Adelheid said you were looking for me.
Only to tell you
that Carrie Astor is coming tonight after all.
So you will perform the dance as it was rehearsed.
- Send messages now to your friends
that I will be there tonight,
starting with the parents of the other dancers.
You won't regret it.
I regret it already.
Oh, Mother.
What am I to do?
I'm alone since your father's never here.
How can I manage without my darling daughter?
♪ ♪
[sighs happily]
♪ ♪
- Bannister, there's a bag of clothes in the carriage.
I need to sort them for the missionary barrel.
Will you ask John to take them up to my room?
Of course, Miss Marian.
- And when Mr. Russell arrives, please ask him to wait
and come and fetch me.
- He's already here. - What?
- I've just shown him in to the drawing room.
♪ ♪
Am I too late?
Heavens, is there a fire?
Marian, you're back.
- Too late for what? Why shouldn't she be back?
- What's going on? - How was your day?
Not all it could have been.
Mr. Russell, how kind of you to come by.
- You were saying you were here on a mission, Mr. Russell?
Does it concern those envelopes?
- No. - What?
- I'm sure Mr. Russell went out to catch the evening post
and thought he'd look in to see how you are.
Isn't that so, Mr. Russell?
Absolutely.
But now it's clear you're both as well as I could hope.
- So I'll be on my way. - To the mailbox?
- Isn't that nice? [chuckles]
I'll see you out.
- I feel as if I've been watching a play
- in a foreign language. - [giggles]
They're young.
- Is that an observation or an excuse?
Both.
- Are you gonna tell me what that was about?
Someday maybe.
[chuckles]
- But thank you. I am so grateful.
Of course.
[door opens]
Are you coming to Gladys' ball?
- I may regret it, but I suppose I am.
- Then I claim a waltz as my payment.
[chuckles]
[sighs]
When was it written?
Three weeks ago.
- Is there an address? - No.
Just the date and a name-- Mrs. Wade.
The postmark's from Philadelphia.
See for yourself.
"The boy is doing well."
[soft music]
And we are to assume this boy is my son?
- Why else would your father have made inquiries?
- Did you know? - I did not.
I accepted what I was told when he brought you home.
He stole my child.
And all the time he was working
and sitting down to dinner with us
- and living a lie. - You--
He wasn't in his right mind.
- Please don't make excuses for him!
I'm not, but I don't know
what good can come of this.
We won't find the boy, and Arthur won't help us.
Us?
Have you come over to my side?
- I've always been on your side.
My baby is alive, Mama.
[crying] My baby is alive, and I want him back.
♪ ♪
[sobbing]
Oh, God help us.
[elegant music]
♪ ♪
Perfect timing.
♪ ♪
Let the tournament begin.
[indistinct chatter]
♪ ♪
[excited chatter]
♪ ♪
- Mr. and Mrs. Winthrop Chandler.
The Drexels.
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Drexel.
[whispering indistinctly]
♪ ♪
- I'm afraid there's trouble in the kitchens
- with Monsieur Charron. - Can you sort it out?
Of course.
[indistinct chatter]
♪ ♪
Mr. and Mrs. Robert McNeil.
♪ ♪
- Mr. McNeil, Mrs. McNeil, how wonderful to see you.
- Thank you for having us. - The pleasure is ours.
- Mr. Russell, I think you've met Mr. McNeil.
May I present his lovely wife...
Mr. and Mrs. Ogden Mills.
- [singing "Après de Ma Blonde"]
♪ ♪
- How long has he been like this?
- It's been coming on, Mr. Church.
- How much of the supper is ready?
- They've got the cold, but they've still to cook the hot.
Monsieur Charron did not want the food kept warm
for too long.
- [continues singing] - Monsieur Charron!
Can you hear me?
[snoring]
- How much time do we have before the supper is served?
Three to four hours.
- You, take this note to the address I've written there.
Yes, sir.
- You and you two, put Monsieur Charron to bed.
Ah!
[indistinct chatter]
- Are we really determined on this?
Marian looks so beautiful.
It would be a shame not to show her off.
How are you feeling, my dear?
Just dandy.
- How can she have gotten round Lina?
I never believed in black magic,
but I'm having my doubts.
- Did Mrs. Astor explain why she wanted you to come?
- She didn't explain it, she ordered it,
as simple as that.
- I suppose you don't have to go just because she said so.
- Never overestimate your own power, my dear.
It's always a mistake.
♪ ♪
- So Mrs. Russell won the battle after all.
- I'm not so sure it's over yet.
You wish you'd been invited?
I suppose.
What about you?
Maybe we will be one day.
After all, this is America.
♪ ♪
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fane.
♪ ♪
Mr. Russell.
- Mr. and Mrs. Julius Cuyper. - Oh?
How did you manage that?
I just asked them nicely.
- Good evening. - Good evening.
I'm so glad you could join us.
- We found our diaries would allow it.
Thank you for coming.
- Mrs. Arnold van Rhijn, Miss Brook,
and Miss Marian Brook.
- Aunt Agnes, Aunt Ada. What are you doing here?
You may well ask.
Lina Astor wrote saying it was a test of friendship.
But now that we're here,
there are so many familiar faces.
- No doubt they've all had their hands held in the flame.
Mama?
You are the last woman on Earth I thought I'd see tonight.
- And you're the last man on Earth
I'd allow to criticize me.
- People are going through to the ballroom.
- They won't start dancing until I say.
What are you waiting for?
- Mrs. William Backhouse Astor...
[chatter quiets] And Miss Caroline Astor.
That.
[elegant music swelling]
♪ ♪
Mrs. Astor, how good of you to come.
- How kind you are to receive me, Mrs. Russell.
Mr. Ward McAllister.
Mrs. Astor, Mrs. Russell.
- Mr. McAllister. - Well, here we are...
- Mm. - All of us together.
What could be nicer?
- Have a lovely time. - Thank you.
- Shall we? - Ah.
♪ ♪
[both laughing]
[indistinct chatter]
♪ ♪
[exhales deeply]
[crowd swooning]
[applause]
[upbeat string music playing]
♪ ♪
Oh, wonderful.
♪ ♪
- How charming they look. - I think so.
- Didn't it ever worry you that I might decide
to destroy you after this evening?
Because I could, if I chose.
- I don't doubt it, but you won't.
Oh. Why not?
Because we're too alike.
- We're what? - It's true.
And I will be a good friend to you if you'll let me.
♪ ♪
That was nice of you.
- I've already said--
if necessary, we can quarrel with her later.
♪ ♪
[cheers and applause]
[indistinct chatter]
Come and dance with me.
- But I have to change my dress.
- You can do that later. Dance with me.
And I'll leave you alone for the rest of the evening.
- You'll have to wait while I change.
I'm out now, Mr. Van Rhijn.
And I've had enough of being told what to do.
[waltz playing]
♪ ♪
- Henry Flagler and his party are here.
They must have arrived late.
I'm sorry I couldn't stop it, Marian.
But I'm afraid
Mr. Flagler trumps any sort of influence I have.
Miss Brook.
Mrs. Fane.
- Miss Marian. - I shouldn't be surprised.
You're quite the man about town these days.
Aurora, I see Mrs. Russell.
Let's pay our compliments to the hostess.
♪ ♪
I'm so sorry.
I didn't think you'd be here.
I assumed your aunt wouldn't allow it.
I wouldn't have come if I'd known.
- Had you decided to break your word?
Did you know when we met in the park?
No.
And I meant it when I said I love you.
I believe you.
But love is not always enough.
♪ ♪
[applause]
Miss Brook.
You promised me a waltz.
Uh, I saw you talking to Mr. Raikes.
- Oh, yes, he's just someone I used to know.
Let's dance.
[applause]
[soft music]
♪ ♪
[chuckles]
[waltz music playing]
♪ ♪
- Do you think Mrs. Astor will accept your hand at friendship?
- No one would believe it, but who knows?
- Well, that's all for tomorrow.
Tonight you're the belle of the ball.
[chuckles]
♪ ♪
She looks beautiful.
♪ ♪
[dramatic music]
♪ ♪
- You beat me to it. - Not by much.
You seemed to be making headway with Gladys.
So did you.
[chuckles]
Why are you scowling?
You're so easy to tease.
I think I can do it, John.
I think I can reel her in.
And don't worry.
Nothing will change.
[groans]
Dorothy.
There you are.
Did you not hear me calling from downstairs?
We heard.
- Well, I've been traveling all night,
and I expect a warmer welcome than that.
Your mother's cable said you were back,
but this looks like you're leaving us again.
We're both leaving.
Where are you going?
This is my house, and somebody had better answer me.
- I come back-- - We know, Father.
Know what?
- You've no proof. - You don't know what we have.
- We have proof the boy didn't die.
We believe he was adopted, and you knew.
- If you're expecting me to say I'm sorry--
- We'd never be so foolish as to expect that.
- Then what do you want from me?
- We are catching an early train to Philadelphia.
We intent to find my son.
And we'd like your assistance.
You won't get it.
And you won't find him.
Leave him alone.
He's happy now and settled. I made sure of that.
Do you think it wasn't hard for me?
- You should be ashamed of yourself.
Why?
Because I freed our daughter and our grandson
from a life of shame?
Everything I done was done for Peggy and the boy.
- I don't want to be free of my own child.
- Then ruin yourself if you must,
but you'll do it without any help from me.
[dramatic music]
♪ ♪
[laughter, indistinct chatter]
Shall we say goodbye here?
- I think I must be allowed to see you safely
to your front door...
Especially after tonight's bruising.
- I shouldn't have told you. - Of course you should.
How do you feel?
About Mr. Raikes?
I'm not sure.
Rather numb, really.
Numb is good.
Just look after yourself when it wears off.
[light music]
♪ ♪
- You offered Borden his job back without speaking to me?
- Well, madam, I-- - I told him to, my dear.
I'm a man of simple principles.
I reward loyalty. I punish traitors.
- Well, they'll laugh when they know
- we have a chef from Kansas. - Let them.
Church summoned him, and he came to our rescue at once.
- Bu--
- Thank you, Monsieur Bau--
Thank you, Borden,
for stepping in at the last minute
and saving the show.
- I was glad to do it. - Mm.
And...
we hope you will stay on?
But...
is Mrs. Russell content to have a chef from Wichita, Kansas?
[quirky music]
- Couldn't we just call it the Middle West?
♪ ♪
[chuckles]
♪ ♪
[knock at door]
You're back.
Did you enjoy it in spite of Mr. Raikes?
- The Flagler party left when you did,
- so the evening picked up. - Mm.
- It was kind of you to let me stay on.
- Will you ever explain what happened?
Someday maybe, but not now.
It hurts too much.
- Then get into bed and sleep half the day away,
- if you wish. - [chuckles]
This is your home, Marian.
You're very welcome here.
And things will get better. You'll see.
You still have most of New York to explore
and all the people in the city to choose from.
[laughs]
So good night, my dear.
♪ ♪
[chuckles]
Or should I say good morning?
♪ ♪
[spirited orchestral music]
♪ ♪
[bright tone]