So this is the home
of the great Mr Merdle.
And the distinguished Mr Sparkler
- and his lovely bride, isn't it, Edmund?
- That's it, my dearest love.
Till we take a place of our own.
Ah...Mr Sparkler.
- And Mrs Sparkler, I presume.
- Correct.
I trust you had a pleasant journey, madam.
Not particularly.
And this...
- ...gentleman?
- Is Mr Dorrit, my father.
Thomas, tend to the luggage.
If you would be so good
as to follow me.
Difficult day, very difficult.
They don't understand, do they?
Hmm? They have no idea.
Mr and Mrs Sparkler and Mr Dorrit.
Ah! Yes, yes.
- All right, guvnor?
- Yes, yes. Tolerably.
And this is Fanny!
Charmed.
Vision of loveliness, as you can see!
Can't believe my luck,
to tell you the truth.
Oh, and this is her guvnor,
Mr Dorrit.
Mr Dorrit, I am pleased to meet you.
And I to meet you, sir.
Greatly honoured, sir, to make
the acquaintance of the man of the age.
You will be happy to hear, sir,
that we left Mrs Merdle
in very good health and spirits.
The observed of all observers,
the admired of all admirers.
Mrs Merdle. Yes, to be sure.
Perhaps you will do me the honour
of staying here as my guest.
Um...
Yes, I thank you for the compliment, sir,
and yes, I am greatly honoured by it,
but I've already made arrangements.
I should, however, be infinitely grateful
if at some point you could give me
the benefit of your advice
as to the prudent investment
of my capital.
Happy to.
I'll wait upon you tomorrow morning,
if I may, on my way to the bank.
Oh, sir,
I am overwhelmed.
Words cannot express...
Till tomorrow, then.
So always keep your eyes
on the level and the pressure.
Pressure...level...si.
James will show you
how to operate the pistons.
- Pistons. Yes.
- No, no, you wait there.
- Dan.
- Arthur.
- I want to talk to you about something.
- I, too. The thing is...
I woke up early, couldn't sleep.
I've been approached
by a factory in St Petersburg.
They're taking on two consultant engineers
and they want me to be one of them.
It's six months in the first instance,
- extendable to a year.
- Russia?
- Mmm.
- Well, I hope you've said yes!
Well, I've been in two minds.
I hate to leave you with this cloud
hanging over your family name.
But there is great work to be done there,
and they don't bind it all in red tape.
Of course you must go! Of course you must.
Anyway, I have an idea
about a venture of my own.
I think we ought to be making
our capital work for us, Dan,
and I want to put it into Merdle's funds.
- Speculation. Never cared for that.
- This isn't speculation.
This is investment. It is solid,
copper-bottomed investment.
Come on, Dan.
Fortune favours the brave.
This is the chance of a lifetime. You go
to Russia and let me do this for you.
You won't regret it.
Agreed?
Agreed!
Oh! Très élégant!
Will Monsieur be dining
at the hotel this evening?
No, Mr Merdle's invited me
to dine at his house tonight.
And every night while I'm in London.
- What is it?
If you please, Monsieur,
I am so sorry to disturb.
But it is Monsieur Merdle!
Well, show him in, man!
Monsieur Merdle, Monsieur.
Ah.
This is indeed an honour, sir,
and at such an early hour.
- Not too early for you, I hope.
- Oh, no, no, no!
Some of us have to work
for our money, unfortunately.
Would you sit down and take some
refreshment with me?
Thank you.
But nothing for me.
Now, you want to invest
some money, Mr Dorrit.
I think I might possibly be
in a position to help you.
Mr Merdle,
that you think me worthy...
Of course, at the present moment,
it would not be easy
for a mere outsider
to come into any of the good things,
unless it were at what we are accustomed
to term "a very long figure".
Ah.
But you can be considered
one of the family now. Please.
There is a very good thing
it might be possible to let you in on,
on highly privileged terms.
Not at a very long figure, then?
Very good, Mr Dorrit, I see
you understand these things.
There is a long figure for the man
who isn't in the know,
and a surprisingly short one
for the man who is in the know.
There must be integrity and uprightness,
of course, in these transactions,
or business could not go forward.
No, of course not.
Then you are happy to proceed?
Mr Merdle,
I should be happy - honoured -
to put myself and my fortune
in your hands.
Good morning, sir.
- Mr Merdle! Mr Merdle!
- Good morning, Mr Merdle.
If you could just stand aside
for one moment, sir.
Thank you, sir.
Hold back, gentlemen! Stand back,
please! Good morning, sir.
Good morning.
Mr Dorrit!
Let Mr Merdle through!
Mr Dorrit!
Oh!
Oh, dear! Missing Frenchman
still missing
and the House of Clennam
fallen under suspicion.
Not Doyce and Clennam, that's different.
That's Arthur. You remember Arthur?
If he can't take it, he shouldn't hand
it out. Chop him up for firewood.
Shall we take a little walk?
Oh, good morning, Mr Clennam!
- Morning!
- Any word of that terrible Frenchman?
No, but I'm determined
to track him down.
Don't bring him to
Bleeding Heart Yard, Mr Clennam.
Poor Mr Cavalletto
would never get over it!
Oh, Mr Pancks?
What can I do for you, Mr Clennam?
I want you to help me
find this man Rigaud.
I'm not sure where to start.
He could be anywhere.
Well, Miss Wade knows him.
If we can track her down,
she may lead us to him.
- I must find him, Mr Pancks.
- I'll see what I can do for you.
Oi, you!
I ain't finished with you yet!
There he is!
Large as life and twice as ugly!
She's very lively today, Arthur.
Doyce and Clennam.
I hope you'll forgive the intrusion.
It's always a pleasure to see you,
Flora. What can I do for you?
Only that I read about
that terrible Frenchman
who got himself murdered
to annoy your mother,
and I came to see if I could be
of any help or succour.
It's a funny word - makes one think of
leeches and horrid things like that -
but if I could be of any succour, Arthur,
then say the word and I shall be yours!
- Probably did it himself.
- Oh! She is amazing for her age!
You think she's far away in her own world
and out she comes
with something quite profound,
if not often slanderous!
But here I am, Arthur,
at your beck and call.
Well, I'm very touched, Flora,
and if I can think of any way
you can help, I'll let you know.
And how is the dear little one?
Still in foreign parts and pining?
She is.
Not pining too much, though, I hope.
The principal painters who comprise
the Venetian school are the following.
Amy. Amy!
It would be a pretty thing
to commit their names to memory,
so that you could produce them
extempore at a tea party or soiree.
Many a young lady
has secured her reputation so.
- Shall I begin?
- Please do, Mrs General.
Bellini, Vivarini, Mantegna,
Giorgione, Titiano,
Tintoretto, Veronese, and Lotto.
Bellini...
Bellini, Vivarini,
Mantegna, Giorgione,
Titiano, Tintoretto,
Veronese and Lotto.
Scusi.
Monsieur, is a Mrs Finching
is here to see you.
- Shall I show her in?
- Certainly not!
- Finching? What Finching?
- A lady, sir.
I know of no Finching of either sex.
Send her away.
The lady said that you might not
know her name,
but she was formerly acquainted
with Miss Dorrit.
The younger Miss Dorrit.
You may show her in.
Monsieur. Mrs Finching, Monsieur.
A thousand apologies for the intrusion,
but I thought it best upon the whole,
however difficult and even improper
as a lady, and alone -
though Mr F's aunt
would have accompanied me.
May I take a chair? Thank you.
I knew the dear little one
in her former altered circumstances,
though, goodness knows,
half a crown a day
was no favour whatsoever
to such a needle as herself.
Quite the reverse!
Madam, if I understand you to refer
to my younger daughter's
having undertaken duties
for financial compensation,
I know nothing of it and, had I known,
I should not have permitted it. Never!
Do me the favour, madam,
of stating your pleasure.
It's not likely, I well know,
but I made up my mind to try
when I read in the papers that you had
arrived from Italy and were going back.
- For you may have come across him.
- Come across whom, madam?
The foreigner from Italy
who disappeared in the City.
Here he is in my bosom!
- Madam, please!
- No, the official handbill.
You may peruse it for yourself, sir.
Monsieur Blandois!
- I know this gentleman!
- Well, do you know where he is?
I do not, madam.
Then would you have the goodness to give
me your promise as a gentleman
that, on travelling back, you will seek
him out and make enquiries
in the hotels and orange trees and
vineyards and volcanoes and places?
For he must be somewhere,
and why does he not come forward
and clear all parties up?
"Last seen at Clennam and Co."
Is this the individual of whom I formerly
had some slight transitory knowledge?
No, no, that's Arthur!
This is Clennam and Co, his mother!
- His mother!
- Yes.
She may, as we speak, be under
suspicion of the foreigner's murder.
His mother.
Mrs Finching, this gentleman is quite
intimately known to me and my circle.
It therefore behoves me to determine
the facts of the case for myself.
Leave it to me, madam.
I shall get to the bottom of this.
Who is it, Flintwinch?
More enquiries.
Gentleman from Italy.
- Bring him up, then!
- I'm bringing him!
Well, sir? Have you come
to give us information?
No, madam. Rather to seek it.
There is none to be got here,
unfortunately for us.
Show the gentleman
the handbill, Flintwinch.
And give him several to take away.
- Thank you, I've seen the handbill.
- Then what business have you here?
The gentleman on the handbill
is an acquaintance of mine.
- Have you a commission from him?
- No, that is...
Madam, I have not come here
to answer questions but to ask them.
Who are you?
A gentleman of property,
residing in Italy.
Monsieur Blandois is intimately known
to me and my circle,
and I should like
to ascertain his whereabouts.
Now tell me, madam, was
Monsieur Blandois here on business
the night he was last seen?
On what he called business.
Could you communicate
the nature of that business?
No.
Then may I ask how you account
for his disappearance?
I don't account for it.
No doubt he is travelling somewhere,
or hiding somewhere.
Let him account for it.
Madam, I put it...
Sir, I put it to you that you have
no further business to be here.
Show the gentleman out, Flintwinch.
- Back to Brook Street, driver.
- Go by Southwark, shall we, sir?
Round by the Marshalsea
and over Waterloo Bridge?
- Be quickest for you, sir.
- No! Go the other way!
- What other way?
- Any other way!
- I don't want to go south of the river.
- Whatever you say, sir.
It's your money.
I'm a gentleman of property.
A friend of Mr Merdle!
I'll not submit...
not tolerate this treatment.
Madam, do you know who I am?
I'll have you know, madam,
that I am a gentleman,
a gentleman of considerable means!
I ask the questions here, not you!
- Yes?
Monsieur. Mr Chivery, Monsieur!
Chivery? I'm not at home!
- Hello, Mr Dorrit!
- How dare you?
How dare you presume to come here?
How dare you insult me?
- Insult you, sir? I'd never do that, sir.
- Well, what the devil are you doing here?
Beg your pardon, sir, I thought
to bring you a few cigars.
- Cigars?
- For old times' sake.
Damn your cigars! I don't smoke!
- Y-Y-You used to, sir.
- Are you calling me a liar?
Tell me that again
and I'll take the poker to you!
- Oh, no, no, no!
- No, stop! Stop! Sit down.
Sit down!
What else did you come here for?
Only to say I hoped
you was well, sir,
and to ask how Miss Amy was.
What's that to you?
Nothing at all, sir, by rights.
I never thought of lessening
the distance between us.
I never thought you'd have taken it ill.
In my poor way...
...I'm too proud to have come,
if I'd thought so.
Shall I go, sir?
No. No.
Stay there.
I'm sorry.
I was hasty...
with you, young John,
but...some remembrances
are not happy ones.
You shouldn't have come, you know.
I feel that now, sir.
Never mind.
Give me your hand.
Um, yes.
Leave, please... Leave the cigars.
Yes, it was a kind thought.
Very good, sir.
Um...
Father well, John?
Pretty well, sir, thank you.
Busy?
We're always busy
at the Marshalsea, sir.
I hope you'll overlook...
what just passed, John.
Don't speak of it, sir.
I don't bear no malice.
I think I should be going now,
then, sir.
Yes. Yes, very well.
Goodbye, John.
Goodbye, sir.
Yes, that's old Dorrit.
- Not the debtor Dorrit?
- Father of the Marshalsea.
25 years, people used to go and see him.
Went to see him myself,
gave him half a sovereign.
Now look at him, rich as Croesus.
Not a proper gentleman, though.
No, no. Not a proper gentleman.
Will there be anything else,
Monsieur?
Yes.
Order a coach for tomorrow morning.
I've decided to return to Italy.
Very good, Monsieur.
And another thing.
Arrange for a jeweller to come here -
a first-rate one, mind.
There's something I need to purchase.
Of course, Monsieur.
That'll be fine. See you later, then.
Good morning, Mr Clennam.
Mr Doyce set off safely?
Yes. He'll reach St Petersburg
in about a fortnight.
Good news, Mr Clennam,
good news. Now...
I've found out something for you
about Miss Wade.
You know where she is?
She's in Whitstable, sir.
With her little friend.
I'd get down there quick,
before they're off again.
- Thank you, Mr Pancks.
- Any time, Mr Clennam.
Allow me, sir. This way.
No, no, no, not there! Behind me.
Behind me.
He should never have come.
He should have had more...
I will not go round
by the Marshalsea.
Monsieur?
What?
- Did Monsieur speak?
- No.
W-W-What time is it?
How far have we come?
The time is half past six,
and we have passed through
Dartford and Gravesend,
and we are now near Rochester.
Rochester? No further?
No, sir.
My dear Mrs General...
Dear, lo vely Mrs General...
... I hope it will come
as no surprise...
Oh, Lord...
Perhaps best lea ve it
to the inspira tion of the momen t.
Monsieur?
- Where now?
- Nearly at Canterbury, Monsieur.
Would Monsieur care to stop
and take refreshment?
No, no.
No, on, on.
Old Dorrit?
Deb tor Dorrit!
Playing the gen t on the Grand Tour!
But it won 't do.
No class. No class.
Riff-ra ff. Riff-ra ff.
Monsieur? Monsieur?
We are nearly at Paris, Monsieur.
Paris?
Oh, yes. Very good.
Bonjour, Monsieur.
Verona, Monsieur.
Verona.
Not far now.
I shall be very glad
when we're there.
There. There, not bad,
though I say so myself.
Very good. Do you know, I think
you get younger by the day, Uncle.
We get on all right, don't we?
You and me.
I'm not up to Fanny's expectations,
and I'm not up to William's,
and I'm certainly
not up to Mrs General's,
but you take me as I am, Amy,
and I take you as you are.
You know, that makes things...
comfortable and cheerful.
Yes, it does.
Now, will you play me another?
Don't fuss, don't fuss!
I can manage perfectly well.
What's that infernal noise?!
Who's at home?
Father! You're home!
I am so glad to have you home.
That's enough, that's enough.
- Dear William, welcome back.
- Someone to receive me at last.
I appear to have been
so little expected,
perhaps I should apologise
for coming back at all.
Come and sit down, Father.
You must be tired from your journey.
I'm not tired, I'm perfectly well.
Thank you, I can do it
without assistance.
I wonder, could I have
a morsel of bread and a glass of wine,
or would that cause
too much inconvenience?
There, Father.
You see...we were expecting you.
Thank you.
What are you staring at?
I'm not tired.
I'm perfectly well. I'm not at all
pleased with your looks, Frederick.
You should be in bed,
you seem very feeble.
You should learn to take
more care of yourself.
Well...
- Well, I dare say I should.
- Well, off you go to bed, then.
If you say so, William.
Good night.
- Good night, Amy.
- Good night.
He's failing.
I see a great change in him.
Poor Frederick.
He's sadly broken.
Sadly broken.
Mrs Merdle
will be pleased to see you.
She delayed her farewell ball
especially for you.
How kind.
And Mrs General? She is well?
Yes, very well.
Do you know,
I don't find myself hungry after all.
Should you rather go
straight to bed, Father?
Perhaps I should. I'm your father,
not your infirm old uncle,
but it's been a long journey.
Has John called in?
John?
Which John do you mean, Father?
John...
I never mentioned anyJohn.
I think you must be tired, Amy.
Yes, I think I must be.
- Shall we both go to bed, Father?
- Yes. Yes.
I demand...
I demand to be treated with respect.
You are, Father. Oh, you are.