[Margaret descends the stairs in the dark holding a candle. A knock is heard at the door as she places the candlestick on the table. She unlocks and opens the door.]

Low voice:   Is Mr. Hale in?

Margaret Hale:   [whispering]  Frederick!  Come in!  Frederick!

[Margaret pulls Frederick inside quickly as he takes his cap off.  They hug one another joyously.]

Frederick Hale:   Mother?

Margaret Hale:   She’s still alive.  She’s as ill as she could be but she lives.

Frederick:   Thank God

Margaret:   Father ….

Frederick:   [cutting her off]  You did expect me, didn’t you?

Margaret:   I knew that you would come but we’ve had no letter!

Frederick:   No, I travelled before it… but you knew I’d come…

Margaret:   Of course.  I didn’t dare think it would be so soon!

Mr. Hale:   [calling from the top of the stairs]  Margaret?  Did I hear the door?

[He stops at the bottom as he sees Frederick.  Frederick and Margaret turn to look at him.  Frederick and Mr. Hale walk towards one another.  Mr. Hale takes Frederick’s face between his hands.]

Mr. Hale:   My dear boy!  You’ve come home!  [They embrace.]

[On the following day, Mr Thornton is standing on the front step of the Hale’s house holding a basket and a book. Margaret comes out of the front door and closes it behind her]

John Thornton:   Miss Hale?

Margaret Hale:   Mr. Thornton…

John Thornton:   I’ve only come to return this book to your father and I’ve taken the liberty of bringing some fruit for your mother.

Margaret Hale:  [taking the book and basket]  Thank you…

[Mary Higgins ascends the stairs to pass Mr. Thornton.  Margaret hands her the basket and book.]

Margaret:   Oh, thank you Mary, please take these through to the kitchen.

[He takes off his hat as Margaret turns back once more to face him]

John Thornton:   You must excuse me.  I thought that I would still be welcome here despite our…… despite what’s passed between us….. as your father’s guest at least. 

Margaret Hale:   Indeed.  You are welcome but………

[He looks past Margaret into the hallway and sees a man’s hat.]

John Thornton:   I’m sorry, you have company already….  [He turns to leave.]

Margaret Hale :   No! Indeed we do not!  There is no one here!

[He stops and turns to look at her as laughter is heard from an upstairs room.]

John Thornton:   Good day Miss Hale.  [He turns to leave, puts on his hat and begins to walk away. She calls after him.]

Margaret Hale:   Mr Thornton, please….  My mother is ill!  Things are not as they seem!  Please believe me that I mean no discourtesy towards you and that you are most welcome…..

[John walks away from her down the street.]

[Margaret walks into the drawing room carrying Mr. Thornton’s basket. Frederick is seated in an armchair]

Frederick:   Who was that?  The same tradesman that came earlier?

Margaret:   Mr. Thornton?  He’s a manufacturer.

Frederick:   Tradesman; manufacturer…it’s all the same.  What did Father mean by coming all this way and placing you in the company of these people ….

Margaret:   [interrupting him]  Mr Thornton is …. he’s a gentleman, Fred….  And has been very good to us…

Frederick:   I’m sorry…. [sighing]  …who am I to criticise….  I’ve neglected you and Mother all these years…  you don’t know how much it pains me not to be able to thank those who have been kind to you.  Your life and mine must always be separate…  unless I run the risk of court martial……  [smiling]  or if you should come to Spain….  You know, I have a good position there, and ah…….

Margaret:   ..and?

Frederick:   The girl I wrote to you about….  Dolores….  I only wish you knew her..  You would love her!  You and Father and Mother.

Margaret:   Tell me about her.  We could do with talking of lovely joyful things.

[Dixon enters the room, looks at both of them and nods solemnly.]

[In Mrs. Hale’s room.  Mrs Hale is propped up on the pillows.  She appears to have difficulty breathing.  Margaret and Frederick sit on either side of her holding her hands.  Mrs. Hale looks at first Frederick, then Dixon and finally Margaret.  She closes her eyes and breathes out, losing consciousness and dies peacefully.]

Frederick:   [his voice full of emotion]  She’s not gone?

[Margaret looks at him with tears in her eyes.  Dixon begins to cry.]

Frederick:   Margaret?

[Frederick begins to cry.  Margaret turns to see Mr. Hale looking in from the doorway.  He walks into the room as Margaret bows her head and cries.]

[View of the Milton graveyard with Milton in the distance.  Boucher stumbles up the hill through the graves]

[Mr. Hale in his wife’s bedroom]

Mr. Hale:   [speaking to his wife as if she were still alive]   … and then I’m to go to Croxley to read with the Smithers boy.  He’s a diligent lad; hardworking but slow…  I don’t think he’ll make much of a scholar…

[Dixon dressed in mourning clothes watches Mr Hale from the doorway.  She bows her head.  Mr. Hale kneels at his wife’s bed.]

Mr. Hale:   …but his parents hope that with enough help, he can get a decent education.