CARSON (CONT’D): There’s a question to ponder.
MRS HUGHES: What? How were we all taken in?
CARSON: No. How so fine a man was brought so low. Well, well. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. I will not judge them lest I be judged.
MRS HUGHES: Them? Who else is there?
CARSON: Good night, Mrs Hughes.
MRS HUGHES: Will you use this to get rid of Thomas?
CARSON: How can I? What evidence do I have? If Mr Bates will not testify against his tormentor?
The painful interview is at an end.
* * *
57 INT. DINING ROOM. DOWNTON. NIGHT.
MARY: Thank you for coming to Sybil’s rescue. You were very brave. She told me you knocked the man down.
MATTHEW: I hope I did my duty.
MARY: Are you a creature of duty?
He is taken aback, but she wants to find out some answers.
MATTHEW: Not entirely.
MARY: When you laugh with me, or flirt with me, is that a duty? Are you conforming to the fitness of things? Doing what’s expected?
MATTHEW: Don’t play with me. I don’t deserve it. Not from you.
There is a moment of intensity between them, then …
* * *
MARY: You must be careful not to break Sybil’s heart. I watched her tonight at your mother’s house. I think she has a crush on you.
* * *
He looks at Mary for a moment, as she sips her wine.
MATTHEW: That’s something no one could accuse you of.
MARY: Oh, I don’t know.
She speaks quite carefully, looking from under her lashes.
MATTHEW: I assume you speak in a spirit of mockery.
MARY: You should have more faith.
MATTHEW: Shall I remind you of some of your choicest remarks about me, when I arrived here? Because they live in my memory as fresh as the day they were spoken.
MARY: Oh, Matthew. What am I always telling you? You must pay no attention to the things I say.
When they kiss, it is a long kiss, all the more passionate for being delayed far longer than it should have been.
58 EXT. KITCHEN COURTYARD. DOWNTON. NIGHT.
ANNA: Mr Bates.
BATES: Anna.
ANNA: Will you really leave?
BATES: I doubt if his lordship wants a thief in the house. Now go to sleep and dream of a better man.
ANNA: I can’t. Because there isn’t one.
* * *
He looks at her and on an impulse puts his arms around her and kisses her. He does love her, as much as she loves him.*
BATES: There. If you want to know how I feel, then that’s how I feel. But I’m only telling you because I’m going, and even you can see that nothing will come of it now.
The noise of the hall boys’ arrival breaks them apart. Anna walks away.
* * *
59 INT. CORA’S BEDROOM. DOWNTON. NIGHT.
Cora is alone in bed, reading, when Mary comes in.
CORA: Has Matthew gone?
MARY: Yes.
CORA: Thank the Lord he was there. Of course your father’s right. We ought to sack Branson.
CORA (CONT’D): I hope you thanked Matthew properly.
MARY: I got them to make him some sandwiches.
CORA: It’s not quite what I meant.
MARY: And he asked me to marry him.
CORA: Heavens! What did they put in them?
MARY: I’m serious. He proposed to me.
Cora sees that her daughter is indeed serious.
CORA: Oh, my dear. Have you given him an answer?
MARY: Only that I’d think about it.
CORA: Well, that’s an advance on what it would have been a year ago. Do you want to marry him?
MARY: I know you want me to marry him.
CORA: What we want doesn’t matter.
Then she hears her own words and disagrees with them.
CORA (CONT’D): At least, it’s not all that matters. Do you love Matthew?
MARY: Yes. I think perhaps I do. I think I may have loved him for much longer than I knew.
CORA: Oh my darling. Let’s not pretend this isn’t the answer to every one of our prayers.
Mary stands and peers out at the stars.
MARY: I’d have to tell him.
CORA: Oh … Is it absolutely necessary?
MARY: If I didn’t, I’d feel as if I’d caught him with a lie.*
Before Cora can argue, the door opens and Robert comes in, dressed for bed. Mary smiles.
MARY (CONT’D): I hope you know that really smart people sleep in separate rooms.
ROBERT: I always have the bed made up in the dressing room, so at least I pretend we sleep apart. Isn’t that enough?
MARY: No. But never mind. Good night.
She leaves her parents alone.
60 INT. SERVANTS’ STAIRCASE. NIGHT.
Thomas and O’Brien are together. Mrs Patmore appears.
MRS PATMORE: Haven’t you gone up yet? Blow this out. You’re the last. Good night.
THOMAS: Good night.
She climbs the stairs, painfully. The lamp flickers.
THOMAS (CONT’D): I’m going to bloody get him. I don’t care what you say.
O’BRIEN: What would I say? Everything comes to him who waits.
THOMAS: Well, I’ve waited long enough.
He starts upstairs. O’Brien blows out the lamp.
61 EXT. DOWNTON. DAY.
Mary is dressed for riding. William is with her horse.
MARY: Does Carson know you’re here?
WILLIAM: I heard you were going out, and I wanted to see how he was walking.
MARY: Lynch is happy for me to ride him.
WILLIAM: Oh, yes. He’s better. But I’ll wait and see what he’s like when you’re up.
She nods and would return to the horse, but …
MARY: William, are you planning to go home soon?
WILLIAM: Well, it’s a bit far for my half day, but I can maybe get the time to go in July, when the family’s in London. That’s if I don’t go with you, of course.
Mary hesitates then comes to a decision.
MARY: I think you should take a few days off and go now. I’ll fix it. I’ll speak to father and to Carson. No one will mind.
WILLIAM: But why, m’lady?
MARY: Your mother’s not been well.
WILLIAM: How do you know?
MARY: I heard someone mention it in the village. I forget who.
WILLIAM: I’d a letter and she never said.
MARY: I’m sure it’s nothing. But I know it would cheer her to see you.
WILLIAM: Well, if it wouldn’t be a bother.
MARY: It won’t. I’ll arrange it as soon as I get back.
WILLIAM: Thank you very much, m’lady.
MARY: She ought to spend some time with the people she loves.
Before William can respond to this novel idea, Mary walks the horse away.
62 INT. CORA’S SITTING ROOM. DOWNTON. DAY.
Cora writes at a little bonheur du jour when Thomas enters.
THOMAS: The Dowager Countess.
Cora stands as Thomas shows Violet in. He closes the door.
VIOLET: Good afternoon, my dear.
CORA: Good afternoon.
VIOLET: There’s no need to be so prim. I come in peace. Shall I sit here?
She plumps down on to an armchair.
VIOLET (CONT’D): Now, I’ve been thinking. I confess I do not know if I’d have had the strength, mentally or physically, to carry a corpse the length of this house.
She pauses, gazing at her daughter-in-law.
VIOLET (CONT’D): But I hope I would have done.
Cora is astonished.
VIOLET (CONT’D): You were quite right. When something bad happens, there is no point in wishing it had not happened. The only option is to minimise the damage.*
CORA: Or try to. But if the Flintshires have got hold of it—
VIOLET: I’ve written to Susan. I said it was a story made up by Mr Pamuk’s enemies to discredit him. Even if she doesn’t believe me, she won’t tell in case it reflects badly on her. The Ambassador’s dangerous, but how many people really go to the Turkish Embassy?
CORA: It only takes one.
VIOLET: Well, well. There’s nothing to be done about that. We can’t have him assassinated.
She hesitates.
VIOLET (CONT’D): I suppose.
CORA: Robert still doesn’t suspect.
VIOLET: Oh, I should hope not. No, our only way forward is to get Mary settled as soon as possible.
CORA: I have news on that score. Matthew has proposed.
VIOLET: My, my. And has she said yes?
CORA: She hasn’t said anything yet. Except that she’s going to have to tell him about Pamuk.
VIOLET: For heaven’s sake, why?
CORA: She thinks to keep it secret would be dishonourable.
* * *
VIOLET: She reads too many novels. One way or another, everyone goes down the aisle with half the story hidden.
CORA: But won’t he—?
Violet flutters her hands dismissively.
VIOLET: There are a million ways round that! After all, she knew enough for there to be no baby.
Cora is rather miffed by this.
CORA: Or he did.
* * *
VIOLET: The question is, will she accept Matthew?
CORA: I’m not sure.
VIOLET: Well, if she doesn’t, we’ll take her abroad. In these moments, you can normally find an Italian who isn’t too picky. We’ll give her to the start of the grouse.
CORA: Very well. If she turns Matthew down, we’ll take her to Rome in the autumn.*
* * *
VIOLET: It’s official. On the 12th August 1914, we’ll review the situation.
* * *
Cora has been quite moved by this encounter.
CORA: Thank you for not turning against her. I know you have rules, and when people break them, you find it hard to forgive. I understand that and I respect it.
VIOLET: In this case, Mary has the trump card.
CORA: What?
VIOLET: Mary is family.
Even Cora knows that Violet is an ally worth having.
END OF EPISODE SIX
EPISODE SEVEN
ACT ONE
1 INT. DRAWING ROOM. DOWNTON. DAY.
Mrs Hughes sweeps in. Gwen is placing some flowers, and other maids are finishing off the room. In all of these early scenes, there is a sense of hurry and fluster.
MRS HUGHES: Come on, come on! You should be done here! They’ll be back from the station any second now!
The young women hurry with the final details.
2 INT. KITCHEN STAIRCASE. DOWNTON. DAY.
Mrs Hughes and Carson descend together into more bustle.
MRS HUGHES: How was London?
CARSON: Much as usual. Dirty, noisy and quite enjoyable.*
MRS HUGHES: There was no need for you to come back a day early. I’m perfectly capable of getting the house ready.
CARSON: Of course you are. But I like to have the heavy luggage back and unpacked, before they get here.
MRS HUGHES: I suppose … Steady, William. This isn’t a race.
William slows down as they walk past the buzzing kitchen.
MRS HUGHES (CONT’D): Poor lad.
CARSON: But did he see her? I was worried when I took him to King’s Cross.
MRS HUGHES: Yes. He had time to say goodbye.
CARSON: How is he now?
MRS HUGHES: Well, you’ve only got one mother, haven’t you?
Gwen runs up.
GWEN: They’re here, Mrs Hughes.
The rustle and scrimmage increase.
3 EXT. DOWNTON. DAY.
July 1914. The car has arrived with suitcases. Bates, O’Brien, Thomas and Anna, in hats and coats, supervise as a groom and the hall boys carry things round the back. Robert, Cora, Edith and Sybil, still in their travelling clothes, are with Carson and Mrs Hughes. William stands at the entrance to Downton.
ROBERT: Hello William. It’s good to have you back.
4 INT. HALL. DOWNTON. DAY.
ROBERT: What a relief to be home.
CORA: Don’t listen when his lordship pretends not to enjoy the Season.
ROBERT: When in Rome …
MRS HUGHES: Will Lady Mary be back soon?
ROBERT: She’s just staying on with my sister for a week or two.
MRS HUGHES: So Grantham House is closed?*
CORA: It will be by the end of this week. Dear Mrs Hughes, I hope you’ve had some time to yourself while we’ve been away.
MRS HUGHES: I’ve tackled a few jobs that get forgotten when the house is full.
ROBERT: Any local news?
MRS HUGHES: The main topic here is the murder of the Austrian Archduke.*
CARSON: Here and everywhere else.
ROBERT: I’m afraid we haven’t heard the last of that … And how is William?
CARSON: Bearing up.
ROBERT: Poor chap. He has our sympathies.
Bates, O’Brien and Anna now emerge from the servants’ staircase. They have changed out of their own overcoats and hats, and start to help the family with theirs.
ROBERT: I think I’ll wash the train off before dinner.
BATES: Very good, m’lord. I can unpack while you’re bathing.
ROBERT: I’ll see you up there.
Robert goes to the main staircase, Bates to the servants’.
* * *
CORA: Oh, Mrs Hughes, have you had any thoughts about the garden party for the hospital? We’ve scarcely a month, from soup to nuts.
* * *
MRS HUGHES: I’ve started on it, but there are things we need to talk about.*
CORA: Oh, dear. That sounds like trouble. I’ll take my hat off.
SYBIL: Anna? Can I have a bath, too?
O’Brien and Anna set off, carrying coats and scarves.
CORA: Sybil?
The girl turns on the stairs.
CORA (CONT’D): You were a great success in London, darling. Well done.
EDITH: You never say that to me.
CORA: Don’t I, dear? You were very helpful. Thank you.
5 INT. MRS HUGHES’S SITTING ROOM. DOWNTON. DAY.
Carson is with Mrs Hughes.
MRS HUGHES: I hate to spoil her homecoming but what are we going to do about Mrs Patmore? She’s worse than when you left. Much worse.
He raises his eyebrows in acknowledgement of this.
MRS HUGHES (CONT’D): Oh, and I meant to ask: Is there a decision? About Mr Bates leaving?
CARSON: Oh, not yet. His lordship wants the facts, and Bates won’t give them.
He goes to the door, then he pauses.
CARSON (CONT’D): So, what are you going to say to her ladyship about Mrs Patmore?
MRS HUGHES: I don’t want the poor woman sacked, but things cannot go on as they are.
6 EXT. HYDE PARK. LONDON. DAY.
Lady Rosamund Painswick is walking with her niece. She lacks her brother’s warmth. To say the least.*
ROSAMUND: There’s nothing like an English summer, is there?
MARY: Except an English winter.
ROSAMUND: I’m sorry you haven’t received more invitations. But then, after four Seasons, one is less a debutante than a survivor. My dear, is there anything you’re not telling me?
MARY: No.
ROSAMUND: Only one hears stories …
MARY: There’s nothing, Aunt Rosamund.
ROSAMUND: So, have you decided whether or not to marry Cousin Matthew?
Mary looks slightly surprised. Rosamund smiles.
ROSAMUND (CONT’D): Oh, there’s no secret that Cora can keep for more than a month.
MARY: You’d be surprised! I’ve told him I’ll give him my answer the day I get back.
ROSAMUND: Well, it would be very tidy. At least we can say that.
The servants are at tea. Bates and Anna are there. And O’Brien, who reads a letter, then catches Thomas’s eye.
O’BRIEN: Fancy a smoke?
THOMAS: Don’t mind if I do.
They slip out. William snorts.
WILLIAM: There they go. Guy Fawkes and his assistant.
GWEN: Which is which?
Which makes everyone laugh. Anna hands William a black armband she’s been sewing. She turns back to Bates.
ANNA: Surely if his lordship hasn’t done anything until now, it means he doesn’t want to take it any further.
Before Bates can answer, Carson enters.
WILLIAM: Anna’s made me an armband, Mr Carson. For my mother. Can I wear it?
CARSON: I dare say. Not when we’re entertaining, but otherwise.*
8 INT. HALL. DOWNTON. EVE.
Robert walks in from taking the dog out, to see Clarkson coming downstairs, with his bag.
ROBERT: Hello, Doctor. I didn’t know you were here.
CLARKSON: No, Lady Grantham sent a message.
ROBERT: Why? She’s not ill, is she?
CLARKSON: Not ‘ill’, exactly …
ROBERT: Would you mind waiting in the library?
* * *
Robert makes for the stairs. Cora appears in her dressing gown on the landing at the top.
CORA: Robert, would you come up for a moment? Doctor Clarkson, can I ask you to wait in the library?
Clarkson goes to the library as Robert goes upstairs.
ROBERT: This is very mysterious.
* * *
9 INT. CORA’S BEDROOM. DOWNTON. EVE.
Robert is thunderstruck.
ROBERT: Pregnant?
Downton Abbey Script Book Season 1 Page 28
