A Rather English Marriage

Liz Franks: Reggie, I've done wrong. I can't marry you. I should never have agreed. I'm going away, abroad. Almost at once.

Reggie Conyngham-Jervis: Where are you going?

Liz Franks: Italy.

Reggie Conyngham-Jervis: Is it some chap you met there?

Liz Franks: No, it's not a chap. Oh, Reggie, darling, you're very sweet but I'm going to leave you. There's no point in saying sorry or anything. I won't even say that I never would have made you happy. But I'm not a nice person.

Reggie Conyngham-Jervis: Thought we could have children.

Liz Franks: [delicately] Oh, Reggie, darling, I'm 52.

Reggie Conyngham-Jervis: That's extraordinary. You look like a young girl to me. Will I see you again?

Liz Franks: [on the verge of tears] No, I don't think so. But you never know.

Reggie Conyngham-Jervis: It was that young bloody nephew of mine, wasn't it? Sticking his nose in.

Liz Franks: It was actually Southgate who put me in the picture. Did it quite tactfully.

Reggie Conyngham-Jervis: Did he?

[sigh]

Reggie Conyngham-Jervis: Well, it's over now.

[pause]

Reggie Conyngham-Jervis: You do look lovely Liz.

Liz Franks: [crying] Please, Reggie, don't go on. I can't bear it.

[Liz kisses Reggie on the cheek, leaving a lipstick smudge. She rubs it partially away with her thumb and stands]

Liz Franks: Don't see me out.