Downton Abbey

April 1912:- The heir to the title of Earl of Grantham,long time inhabitants of Downton Abbey,perishes on the 'Titanic'. Robert,the benevolent current earl,owes his wealth to his American wife Cora but they have only three daughters,who cannot inherit by law,so another heir must be found by marrying off Mary,the eldest girl. The Duke of Crowborough is a possibility but he is a closet gay who only has eyes for Thomas,the handsome but obnoxious footman,and soon departs. Robert's mother,the dowager,and Cora decide that the next best candidate is Matthew Crawley,a distant cousin,but Cora knows that the spirited Mary will not be happy with their choice. Downstairs there is also unrest as Thomas is passed over for promotion to valet in favour of Robert's batman from the Boer War,John Bates,who now limps due to a war wound. Along with Cora's maid Miss O'Brien, Thomas schemes to discredit Bates in the eyes of butler Carson and forces his resignation but Robert intervenes and keeps him on.Thomas vents his anger on second footman William but he has an ally in the sensible housekeeper Mrs. Hughes.

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#2

To dry the ink, silly.

#3 #4 #5

Her Ladyship was the colour of this cloth.

#6

But how can you manage? Don't worry about that. I can manage.

#7 #8 #9

Is this a public holiday no-one's told me of?

#10 #11 #12

We are allies, my dear.

#13

I suppose he can lift a meat pie.

#14

In fact, I hear the Canadians are making quite a thing

#15

Yes. Owing to the terms of her settlement,

#16 #17

No, I don't know if anything's been settled.

#18 #19

You're probably right.

#20

I'd bet you a tanner he's a spy in the other direction.

#21

I was only going to marry him if nothing better turned up.

#22

I know you're sad about Patrick, whatever you say, I know it.

#23 #24 #25

24 years ago you married Cora, against my wishes, for her money.

#26

Does anyone else keep dreaming about the Titanic?

#27 #28

He feels he'd be betraying his duty if Downton were lost because of him.

#29

to welcome a duke under our roof.

#30

My man was taken ill just as I was leaving, so I...

#31

Very well...

#32

He didn't spoil anything. He fell over.

#33

Oh, dear. If I answer truthfully, you'll think me rather forward.

#34

Can I help you, my Lady? We were just exploring.

#35 #36

Have you recovered from your fall this afternoon?

#37 #38

Then I do hope you'll come and inspect my little cottage.

#39

I thought I'd take something up to Mr Bates,

#40 #41 #42

But you ought perhaps to know that I do not intend to fight the entail,

#43

nothing more.

#44 #45 #46

A few weeks of madness in a London Season?

#47 #48

than I could betray my country.

#49 #50