Episode 5

LAURA LINNEY: This is "Masterpiece."

GEORGE: That man!

He has set them on a rampage.

What did you expect when you closed a working mine?

LINNEY: Previously, on "Poldark"... Have a care-- you may be taken at your word.

NED: This is not London.

Do you suppose there are spies here?

GEOFFREY CHARLES: The twisted quirk of fate that gives the girl I love to the man I loathe.

George?

If that is what you desire.

I do not believe I will feel desire ever again.

Good day, John.

Do you remember me?

Is someone sick?

Kitty.

I pity her.

Almost as much as you admire her.

I am your mistress no longer, Tess.

Pack your things and go.

LINNEY: "Poldark," right now, on "Masterpiece."

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ROSS: I think the time has come to return Ned to Honduras.

DEMELZA: I think 'tis for the best.

ROSS (voiceover): We've served our penance for embarrassing the Crown, and the prime minister has signaled his support.

(talking softly) ROSS: With any luck, those who conspired against him have now lost interest.

And besides, the longer he remains in Cornwall, the more restless he becomes.

Oh!

(bell tolling, children talking) ROSS: In truth, he's made himself almost as unpopular with the powers that be here as he did in London.

DEMELZA (voiceover): He has been that unruly these last few months.

(people talking in background) DEMELZA: 'Tis the best for Kitty, too.

ROSS: Indeed.

I promise he'll depart with the new year.

♪ ♪ (talking in background) (quietly): Doubtless you'll be reportin' him to Wickham.

At the earliest opportunity.

DEMELZA: Mmm, let's hope 'twill pass without consequence.

(sighing): Yes.

But it's Cornwall.

And it's Christmas.

Folk have better things to think about.

Here's to our imminent return to London.

ALL: To London.

NED: And Honduras.

(exclaiming, talking in background) ♪ Boar's head in hand bear I ♪ ♪ Bedecked with bay and rosemary ♪ ALL: ♪ Caput apri defero ♪ ♪ Reddens laudes domino.

♪ KITTY: I wonder if we'll ever see Cornwall again.

ROSS: I sincerely hope not.

NED: He means, with any luck, we should soon be bound for the West Indies.

♪ ♪ DWIGHT (voiceover): If Ross is set on escorting Ned to London, I must be there to keep watch.

Of course, Ross will not suspect me.

I am a vacuous creature.

My inability to survive without London fashions is well-known.

Well, I have no such excuse.

And he will know I come to London with one purpose only.

(pounds) DRIVER: Walk on.

CAROLINE: I am sure Kitty will appreciate the gesture.

♪ ♪ MERCERON: Our business empire is built in the colonies, so these uprisings threaten its very existence.

The government must continue to support the slave trade.

RALPH: And I'm sure Sir George will prove most able in our cause.

If you'd secured his signature on that contract.

It's time I met him.

Yes, yes.

Of course, of course.

(bell tolling) Sir, I believe, the prime minister and I are of one mind-- predisposed to justice, equality, liberty.

Let me, in his name, return to Honduras and rid it of the corrupt influences which have flourished in my absence.

I, I need hardly say that I seek not authority for its own sake, but for the good I can do managing any rebellion in the service of the Crown.

And the prime minister would thank you for such service-- and might indeed endorse your reinstatement, were it not for one thing.

It's no longer in his gift.

Because?

He's no longer prime minister.

What?

In protest at His Majesty's refusal to endorse Catholic emancipation, he has this very day resigned.

♪ ♪ PASCOE: The fact is, a surprising-- some would say disquieting-- situation has arisen.

Gold being in ever-decreasing supply, the Cornish Bank has been obliged to issue paper instead of coin.

Paper?

I don't rightly understand.

The paper is in effect a promise to pay the bearer the same value as writ upon the note, so it is in effect worth the same as hard coin.

This watermark here guarantees its value and authenticity.

But... will folk believe it?

There may be some initial suspicion.

I should add we are not the only bank to take this decision.

Even Warleggan's... Oh, and there was I about to trot off to George and ask him to hand out the hard guineas.

I'm afraid, while the war continues, no one has gold to be giving away.

♪ ♪ (metal clatters) ♪ ♪ (toy rattling) MORWENNA: My sweet boy.

(laughs) KITTY: Now the prime minister has resigned, who will be Pitt's successor?

Addington.

A friend of his, but cut from a very different cloth.

Should we petition him?

At once.

Before he becomes distracted by groveling to Napoleon.

ROSS: Dwight, Caroline-- you're in London?

How did we not know this?

CAROLINE: My fault entirely.

Necklines are lower, waistlines are higher, my gowns are out of fashion.

So there was no remedy but to make for London without delay.

So Pitt's resigned.

Yes, it's a bitter blow for Ned, but I'll pursue his cause with Addington.

Is that wise?

Rumors of George's injury are everywhere.

In Cornwall, he took every opportunity to parade his arm and to complain how Ned broke into his house and threw him downstairs.

We both know he did not.

Do we know that?

Ned assured us.

Surely you can see that continuing to champion a man who assaulted a member of Parliament could... severely compromise you.

Yes, I can see that.

And it's a chance I'm willing to take.

Ross... ♪ ♪ WOMAN: Would you like a pamphlet, sir?

Uprising in Haiti as well?

Damn plaguey revolution.

Now every slave on Earth will want their liberty.

And they may get it, too, thanks to meddling idiots like Wilberforce.

And Despard.

Ah.

Not while there are those in the House ready to muster a stiff rebuff.

Hmm.

WOMAN: News of the uprising, sir?

(exhales) (crowd cheering) (bell tolling in distance) Influence?

ROSS: Yes, sir.

With the new prime minister, Addington.

And as magistrate who presided over Colonel Despard's hearing, might you help persuade the prime minister to return Ned to his post as governor?

Such things do happen.

However, you may overestimate my power of influence.

Let me see what can be done.

But, um...

I recommend you have an alternative plan, just in case.

Thank you, sir.

(door opens) (horses trotting) ♪ ♪ (door opens) Gentlemen, may I present my esteemed partner in the Mosquito Shore Mahogany Company, Mr. Joseph Merceron.

Soon to be your esteemed partner, gentlemen.

I believe you know Ross Poldark.

(man urging horse) JACKA: What in the 'obs of hell do you call this?

(men grumbling) ZACKY: As we did fear, they'll have none of it.

Tidn't real money, they say.

Says who?

Tess Tregidden.

And who's to gainsay her?

This isn't your fight, Tess.

This is betwixt the mine and its workers.

Its workers.

Who must now make do with worthless paper, 'stead of hard coin.

The worth is the same.

If you read what's writ thereon... Can't read.

Then perhaps you should learn.

What I know is, if 'twas me...

I'd not lift another pick or shovel till I had real money in my hand.

(crowd murmuring) ♪ ♪ JACKA: 'Ee truly believe tidn't real?

TESS: Oh, 'tis real enough.

In Truro, all the banks be giving 'em out.

So why did 'ee pretend to Mistress Poldark?

Why should I make life easy for her?

But I could make it harder.

And better for we.

Mm?

How hard can it be to make like notes?

Do we not know a man with the needful skillage?

(quietly): Mr. Trencrom?

Do he not have a man who can forge documents?

As long as we makes it worth his while.

(whispering): Then let's make it worth his while.

Well, they've not downed tools yet, but they'll take some convincing 'bout the value of they notes.

'Specially with Missy Tregidden spewing poison in their ears.

I dearly wish Ross were here to advise me.

ZACKY: Beggin' your pardon, but I believe ye underestimate yourself.

Do I?

If there's a more capable woman in these parts, I've yet to meet her.

(seagulls squawking) (bird squawking) (clock chiming) I arrived in London last night and thought I would call to see how your recovery goes.

As you see.

(chuckles) No thanks to the madman who pitched me down my own stairs.

No, I was actually referring to your other indisposition.

Fully recovered.

A lucky consequence of the fall, no doubt.

I'm presenting a paper to the Royal College of Surgeons-- without naming Sir George, of course-- detailing the various treatments which enabled his recovery.

Should this paper-- indeed any further mention of the subject-- ever occur, I will cheerfully sue you and your charming wife for every penny you possess.

Good day.

♪ ♪ ROSS (voiceover): These recent slave uprisings in the West Indies must be a concern to all of us at home and surely requires our attention.

(members murmuring) ROSS: It is intolerable that human beings should be sold into slavery.

Yet still it continues, to the detriment of humanity.

Order!

ROSS: Therefore, it is the responsibility of every one of us in this House today to table a motion to discuss slavery, its long-overdue abolition, and show some compassion for these slaves.

(members shouting, cheering) (cheering and applauding) ♪ ♪ (door closes) Who is Jonas Pettigrew?

He is the new assistant overseer in the north plantation.

Clearly unsuited for the task, given his squeamishness.

MERCERON: "Sir, your enterprise here is no less than a grove of death.

"I counted 57 souls in the most pitiable state, "begging for water in their death throes and being denied it in order to hasten their demise."

And?

Precisely.

MERCERON: Get rid of him.

(door opens) ♪ ♪ (door closes) (door opens, closes) ♪ ♪ My love, I know where 'ee've been.

Do it not torment 'ee, bein' so near the child yet not able to bring him home?

♪ ♪ (crying): It breaks my heart.

(sniffles) But how could I expect it?

To ask you to take in another man's child?

Especially... that man?

'Twould not be his child if he came to us.

Drake... Forgive me.

For what?

That I've not been able... Morwenna... May never be able... My love.

To give you a child of our own.

Will 'ee not believe it?

To know that you're my wife is more than enough.

(children talking) MORWENNA: Good day to you, children.

CHILDREN: Good day, Mrs. Carne.

Shall we proceed to our lessons?

CHILDREN: Yes, Mrs. Carne.

♪ ♪ (exhales) (knocking on door) (door creaks open) Drake Carne to see her ladyship.

♪ ♪ (door opens) DRAKE: Your Ladyship, I come in all humility to ask... Is it right for a mother to be parted from her son?

I know we can't give him rich food or fine clothes, but Morwenna'll teach him, and he'd have a family.

And comfort.

And love.

Are you suggesting he lacks that here?

Oh, no, not at all.

Only 'tis surely natural for a child to be with his mother.

This man forced his way onto my property.

No.

Threatened me with violence...

Wait, 'tisn't so.

No, I never!

And attacked my servants.

Lock him in the stables and call the constables.

Your Ladyship, I beg of 'ee.

(struggling) (grunting) ♪ ♪ Shouldn't ha' done that, Ladyship.

♪ ♪ So, the deeds of partnership.

When can we expect your signature?

GEORGE: A venture based on slavery does seem a risk in the present climate.

RALPH: All the more reason, then, for you to speak in the abolition debate.

(exhales) Unlike some persons, I'm not so enamored with the sound of my own voice as to be constantly braying out opinions.

And yet, forgive me, as a highly influential member of the House, your eloquence could be put to good use.

They'll take little persuading, and the rewards for us will be bountiful.

Your intimate knowledge of the mahogany trade gives you a unique perspective on the necessity for its continuance.

Which it could not do were its workforce liberated.

(footsteps approaching) Ah.

(door opens) (paper rustling) (door closes) Gentlemen, you'll excuse me.

A matter requiring my attention.

It should not take long.

Hmm.

(door opens) (door closes) Sir.

(clears throat) I have the honor to ask for the hand of your daughter Cecily in marriage.

Perhaps the time has come for me to make my maiden speech.

Perhaps my recent elevation requires me to be more...

Visible?

So that my views carry more...

Sway.

And our name in every sense becomes more...

Prominent.

(exhales, George chuckles) Valentine shall accompany me.

He will not want to miss such an auspicious occasion.

And, lastly, may I assure you of my undying devotion to your daughter, which I'm assured she returns in equal measure, and hope for your blessing upon our engagement and eventual nuptials.

Get out of my house, you idiot.

(footsteps retreating) (door opens) On the matter of my daughter's hand... Are we in haste to settle this?

I have received another offer, from one whose "undying affection" is apparently matched only by her own.

In that case, perhaps I should withdraw.

Your stepson.

♪ ♪ Let us waste no further time in naming a day.

Poor boy.

(chuckles) Leave your stepson to me.

♪ ♪ Sir George is keen to move matters forward.

Is that really a priority, Papa?

Would not a long engagement be preferable?

Does one need to wait?

One either means to marry, or one does not.

♪ ♪ Not.

GEOFFREY CHARLES: On my honor, I swear I would never steal from a fellow cadet.

I am a gentleman!

An officer!

You cannot expel me!

♪ ♪ (seagulls squawking, children yelling playfully) (children laughing, playing) (laughter continues) ♪ ♪ Is that... John Conan, aye.

I'm taking him home to his mother.

You stole him away?

Drake, dear God, what are you thinkin'?

I'm thinkin' Morwenna and I may never have a child of our own.

And this one already belong to her.

No, he do not!

Morwenna left him with Lady Whitworth.

LADY WHITWORTH: Margaret?

Where is my grandson?

My grandson.

Where is he?

MARGARET: I haven't seen him, ma'am.

DEMELZA: Morwenna had no choice but to let him go, but she has no rights to him that Lady Whitworth could not contest in court.

So we'll take him without her consent.

And live where?

Not in Sawle.

You'd have to leave all of us behind-- your forge, your home-- and start anew somewhere she could never find you.

John Conan?

Where are you?

John Conan!

Drake... You have to take him back-- now!

Before Lady Whitworth find him gone.

It might even be too late!

(children laughing) Brother, if you do not, I will.

♪ ♪ John Conan!

Where are you, boy?

John Conan!

Ma'am?

(sighing): John Conan is missing.

Search the attics, the stables, the cellars.

Well, don't just stand there gaping like fools!

Search the orchards!

John Conan?

(servants shouting) Where are you, boy?

John Conan!

Joh.. (sighs) John Conan, where have you been?

Come along.

Come along!

It's too cold to stand out here.

♪ ♪ (birds chirping) GEOFFREY CHARLES: I am innocent, and I will clear my name.

I will assure your father... My father?

Are you so naïve?

Do you think it an accident that you were expelled?

What can you mean?

I warned you not to ask for my hand.

I was honor-bound.

I am a gentleman.

We have no choice.

We must find a way to drive a wedge between my father and Sir George.

(pounding at door) (people talking in background) ♪ ♪ I have evidence from Honduras.

Will you use it in your abolition debate?

SAM: Thank you, 'tis great help.

May God be with 'ee.

Thank you, brother.

I can only afford half.

(coins jingling) Thank you, sir.

Thank you, brother.

Keep that all.

Good luck to you.

Thank you.

(seagulls squawking in distance) I did a thing today for which you'll despise me.

I could never despise you.

I stole John Conan.

What?

I seen how your heart do ache for him.

And I thought, to ease that ache, I would steal him away.

(panting): But... where is he?

Demelza bid me return him.

She tell'd me I'd be caught and punished, and thee along of I.

And that I couldn't abear.

You risked... everything?

I know I done a terrible thing... A monstrous thing.

I...

I cannot even begin to tell you how...

Please!

Say nothing.

I know you meant well, but please... Do not even speak to me.

♪ ♪ Oh!

Oh, Judas.

Sorry, Sam.

Sam... Mr. Pascoe told me that if a note has no watermark, then it's not genuine.

This have no watermark.

Well, be they all like that?

This one is.

This ain't.

Nor this.

But this.

(breathlessly): So many forgeries?

They're worthless.

Why would a body do such a thing?

(sighs) ♪ ♪ GEORGE: Valentine-- come here.

♪ ♪ SPEAKER: The honorable member for St. Michael.

(clears throat) Gentlemen.

Let me commend to you the mahogany trade.

Now, who amongst us does not benefit from it?

Or is ignorant of its worth to the nation and the Crown?

How could we fail to applaud the valiant efforts of those merchants who bring it to our shores?

(members expressing agreement) This is a real note, this is a forgery.

You can tell by the watermark, see?

When you hold it up to the light-- there.

JACKA: So you've paid us with useless scraps of paper, have 'ee?

No, all my notes are genuine.

They come direct from the Cornish Bank.

And now we're meant to feed our families on fresh air.

(men murmuring in agreement) (crowd grumbling) Such a valued trade would not be possible if certain members have their way.

The felling, processing, and transporting of this precious commodity is filthy, back-breaking work, made possible because those who labor in its forests are happily more robust, less sensitive to pain, than you or I.

The esteemed professor Carl Linnaeus asserts that your Africanus Niger is a breed apart, eminently suitable for hard labor.

His view is endorsed by the worthy Edward Long, colonial administrator, who believes that the entire Africanus species, characterized by "bestial manners, stupidity, and vices," has no redeeming features, and so the most humane thing to do is control it and give it useful activities to engage with.

Let us then be cautious of the sentimental view of slavery, which is sometimes espoused in this House.

The fact is, slavery is a necessity, for our economy, for the preservation of our colonies... (members murmur in approval) And for the supremacy of our nation in the world.

(members cheering) (cheering continues) The Honorable Member will correct me if I'm wrong, but he appears to be saying that slaves are actually quite fortunate because they have food on the table, a roof over their heads, and a purpose in life.

That is correct.

Except when they die.

Which they do, with alarming frequency, in the most inhumane conditions.

As detailed, for example, in this recent report by a Mr. Jonas Pettigrew, assistant overseer in the mahogany forests of Honduras, which he refers to as a "grove of death."

He details the abject suffering of slaves dying of malaria, deliberately deprived of medical assistance, or even water, so that they may "die sooner and no longer inconvenience their owner."

In this case, a Mr. Ralph Hanson.

Should this concern us?

Is this not a small price to pay for our gleaming, new tables and chairs?

Or should we instead endorse other values?

Humanity, compassion, care for our fellow men... (cheering in agreement) And nip... Nip this canker in the bud by returning to Honduras the man who was falsely accused-- doubtless by Hanson himself-- because he tried to stamp out such greed and brutality, Colonel Edward Despard!

(members shouting) ♪ ♪ (shouting continues) MERCERON: Despard and his supporters are proving costly.

Yes, I realize you've already laid out considerable funds.

To induce your fellow planters to denounce him, to have him recalled to London, to persuade my fellow magistrates to incarcerate him without trial.

And now we must lay out more to be rid of him?

Yes, I realize it's not ideal, but something needs to be done.

The trouble with leaving someone to do one's dirty work, one often has to clean up after them.

(bird squawks) (door closes firmly) ♪ ♪ (toy rattling) (laughs, John Conan giggles) MORWENNA: You know that my visits to see you have given me great joy.

(whispering): I thank you for keeping them secret.

I think you have enjoyed them too?

Yes.

So... What I have to tell you now might make you sad.

It makes me very sad.

DRAKE: Your Ladyship.

Your Ladyship, I beg of 'ee, hear me out.

'Twas mine idea alone that John Conan should leave 'ee, and when I tell'd Morwenna, she was furious.

She've come now to make amends, to put an end to it once and for all.

Nay, please don't disturb her.

MORWENNA: So I come now to take my leave, and I'll cherish the time we had together.

But I have to go away now.

And I am leaving you with the kindest, most loving grandmother... (crying): Who will love you and give you the most wonderful life.

(laughs softly) ♪ ♪ Goodbye, my beloved boy.

♪ ♪ (crying softly) (exhales) ♪ ♪ (weeping) ♪ ♪ (door opens) I have news.

They forgeries?

Sally Chilloff had one in the kiddley last night.

Does she recollect who tendered it?

She do.

The same person as was seen t'other night with Mr. Trencrom, Tess Tregidden.

♪ ♪ (exhales softly) (wind whistling faintly) (exhales) I said farewell to my son today.

For good?

Yes.

I will never go back.

(crying): But I love him.

I will always love him.

I've tried to lock away the pain of losing him.

But in doing so, I've locked away other love.

Love for my husband.

Love I would give my husband, but could not give whilst I would not grieve the loss of my child.

(inhales) Today I did grieve-- and let him go.

(crying): Tonight my heart is sore.

But it is free.

To love you.

(exhales) ♪ ♪ (horses trotting) FOOTMAN: Mr. Hanson and Mr. Merceron.

I take it you've rallied after the, uh, unfortunate events.

"Unfortunate"?

I've been denounced.

My reputation within the House... And out of it.

GEORGE: Has been utterly ruined.

Thanks to Ross, I am viewed as a friend of heartless slave owners, apologist for a corrupt and brutal system!

He is the hero, I am the villain.

So what's the solution?

Make him the villain.

♪ ♪ How, exactly?

What, exactly, would you seek?

Reparation of my reputation.

Revenge... On Ross, for that debacle in the House.

On Despard, for my injury at Trenwith.

And in return?

I will be most generous in my gratitude and see no further impediment to making our venture official.

Revenge is easy.

Reputation more dearly bought.

But I think there's a way to achieve one by way of the other by reminding the world that Mad Ned has a relish for settling matters with his fists.

(people talking in background) SAM: Friends.

Friends!

I regret that I must ask 'ee to give ear to my sister.

TESS: Not as much as we regret it!

(people laughing) What I regret is the need to speak at all.

But I can't, in all conscience, allow this forgery business to go further.

You've all been told how to tell 'em apart.

Hold 'em up to the light, and the forgery is plain.

But what is not plain is why anyone would wish to do this in the first place.

TESS: Oh, let me think!

'Cause 'tis one in the eye for the rich?

How?

Surely it's one in the eye for any poor soul who's paid a worthless piece of paper.

Tommy Breward?

Sally Chilloff?

Mabel Bolitho?

How do it feel to know that your hard work is worth naught?

This is no blow against the rich.

This is punishment of your own friends and neighbors.

And whoever is behind it, to you I say...

Enough.

Do 'ee know who's behind it?

ZACKY: What if we all empty our pockets now and see who have the most forgeries?

(crowd murmuring agreement) DEMELZA: I do know, Jacka, since you ask.

ZACKY: Name 'em, then!

I say we've a right to be told.

(crowd agreeing vehemently) DEMELZA: I'd like to think the persons responsible had not understood the damage they'd cause.

So I'll give 'em another chance.

Destroy all forged notes, swear there'll be no more, and let that be the end of it.

♪ ♪ But if I find another note...

I'll be forced to name those persons and turn 'em over to the authorities.

And lest there be any doubt... Forgery is a hangin' offense.

GEORGE (voiceover): The first step in Mr. Merceron's plan to defame Ross and Despard-- a treasonous oath of loyalty.

CARY: "The Bearer will endeavor "to the utmost of his power to obtain the objects stated in this oath."

Overturn the king's veto and grant Catholic emancipation at whatever cost.

And to think, merely having such a document in one's possession would ensure immediate arrest on charges of treason.

And will these oaths be signed?

Oh, yes.

Like oaths are now being prepared for signature.

I think we can guess the names.

NED (voiceover): So I am vindicated, yet the Catholics remain enslaved.

The king, I say, is mad!

KITTY: Ned, not so loud.

Mad call I it, for to define true madness, what is it but to be nothing else but mad?

KITTY (quietly): Please my love, refrain.

People will think you're serious.

NED: I am serious!

The nation is being held to ransom by a madman!

And we should stay silent in the face of it?

(quietly): Get him away from here.

If his own wife cannot restrain him, I for one will not allow my wife to be endangered by his ranting!

I think you overestimate... Do I?

This is a man whose peaceful march on Trenwith became a full-scale riot.

Weapons were used.

Where did they come from?

Who sent the men who brought them?

Do you not see that Ned was set up-- barely escaped arrest-- and now he's setting himself up without anyone's aid, and will take down all who stand by him.

I will stand by him.

Of course!

As you've always done, and blindly so!

And I say this as one who shares his opinions-- admires him.

Do you?

Why do I think you resent him?

As far back as James River, I sensed a cooling, a reserve... What you sensed is a lack of adoration.

A refusal to follow him blindly into whatever reckless adventure he chose to plunge himself, taking you with him.

Do you recollect he saved my life?

I recollect that he dragged you from the battlefield and dumped you on a surgeon's table.

The life-saving portion fell to someone else.

♪ ♪ How tiresome are the idle rich.

(people laughing, talking in background) Shall we retire to the Oakley Arms for... (sniffs): Some intelligent conversation?

(people talking in background) GEORGE (voiceover): A man named Stone frequents the Oakley Arms-- a nest of known radicals, but assumed by them to be a safe house.

Merceron's agents tell him that Despard drinks there, and, in his cups, is known to be most unguarded.

(men laughing raucously) Now them Frenchies, they had the right idea!

Liberté, égalité, fraternité.

Madame la Guillotine!

Death to the monarchy!

(others toasting) CARY (voiceover): This Stone is Joseph's man?

GEORGE: And hitherto his task has been to observe, whilst posing as a fellow radical.

Now he will assist in planting our signed oath... (toy clatters on floor) ...about Despard's person, and then inform the authorities.

Excellent.

There is a further plan.

More hazardous, but could yield spectacular results.

(toy clatters) (both exhale) Joseph Merceron's men should be visiting Ross's lodgings as we speak.

CAROLINE (voiceover): I am saddened, Horace, that Dr. Enys seems so ready to flout the Hippocratic Oath.

DWIGHT: In what particular?

"First, do no harm."

How is that pertinent?

It is pertinent to Ross, at a time when his dearest friend should be his most loyal.

You think I was wrong to challenge him?

Not at all, but you were wrong to step away.

What possible use could you be in a carriage with your wife and a pug?

Number Six, George Street, just off the Strand.

(whip cracks, driver shouts) STONE (voiceover): Were I so used, I'd want vengeance.

Justice is all I seek.

Yeah, but how's it to be got?

Look at France!

Only when commons rise up do the rich take heed.

NED: True.

Can anything be done by peaceful means?

Perhaps someone should remove the king.

(men laughing) Perhaps they should.

KITTY: Ned... (people calling in background) Come away.

♪ ♪ Should we not challenge them?

Not if I'm correct in my surmise.

Do I hear you're an expert with explosives?

Ned!

(Ned hisses) How about exploding His Majesty?

(laughs) NED: Well, that would certainly solve the problem.

(laughing) Ned!

Enough!

This is ridiculous talk.

If it were reported... NED: By whom?

This is a safe house.

These men are... comrades and friends.

MAN: We surely are!

Can you doubt it?

Wise to doubt most people these days.

Particularly those who encourage seditious talk.

Shall we go?

Suit yourself.

Ned... ROSS: Kitty, can you help me, please?

Kitty, you stay where you are.

Ned, it's time to leave.

We're going!

Get off!

(women gasp, people murmuring, Ross groans) NED: Apologies, my friend.

You should know by now...

It's fine.

I leave when I'm ready.

(sniffs) ♪ ♪ (people talking in background, bell tolling in distance) (door opens) Good day to you, Mary.

Shall I take you home?

No, thank you.

I must stay.

Please go.

There's nothing you can do until he's sober again.

NED: He'll be fine.

He's a Cornish miner, he'll survive.

(men laughing) (door closes) What do you think they were looking for?

Nothing seems disturbed.

Unless the man was not looking.

But leaving something.

(people talking in background) ♪ ♪ Search the whole building.

♪ ♪ What is it?

An oath of allegiance for the liberation of Irish Catholics?

OFFICER (pounding on door): Open up!

(men laughing raucously) (door opens) LEAD OFFICER: Stay where you are!

Any found with an oath about their person will be arrested!

One and all, follow me!

(grunts) Where's your warrant?

Show me your warrant!

Take your... Let go of my wife!

OFFICER: Come here, you!

(grunting) Search him!

Search all you like, you'll find nothing on me.

He has nothing-- my husband is innocent!

Nothing-- there's nothing.

I told you there was nothing!

My husband is not a traitor!

He's a servant of the Crown!

Madam, please... Take your hands off me!

(people shouting) ♪ ♪ (opens latch) OFFICER: Nothing.

♪ ♪ LEAD OFFICER: Check all the drawers and cupboards.

Check under there.

(shushes) What's going on?

Make yourself scarce.

LEAD OFFICER: Nothing?

OFFICER: There's nothing here.

LEAD OFFICER: Double-check.

I trust your men will remake that bed once they've finished dismantling it?

Captain Poldark is most fastidious about his linens.

Are you done?

'Twould appear so, ma'am.

Then be so good as to read this document.

It affirms that you and your men conducted a thorough search of these chambers, in the presence of witnesses, and found nothing.

Correct?

I suppose.

Kindly sign.

(quill scratching) Right.

(door closes) You were magnificent.

Yes.

I was.

♪ ♪ The day is named.

I've considered our situation and believe there's now only one solution.

♪ ♪ (horse trotting) GEORGE: Success?

Mixed.

Poldark eluded us.

Someone must have tipped him off.

Damn, blast, and set fire to him!

And Despard?

MERCERON: They failed to plant the oath, but he was arrested anyway.

So what will happen now?

That we are working on.

ROSS: The fault was all mine.

I was blinkered.

That man is one of the bravest, most principled I've ever met.

And I.

But his, his recklessness, his stubbornness will be his undoing.

And could be yours.

And that I cannot stand and watch.

We must get him away from here.

With or without the sanction of the Crown.

First vessel for Jamaica.

I'll see to it tomorrow.

Kitty will be relieved.

They're very late.

I hope she's not had trouble persuading him home.

(door opens) (sobbing) Kitty... DEMELZA: ♪ I do hold a finger to my tongue ♪ ♪ I do hold a finger waitin' ♪ I wish Papa were here.

So do I, my love.

But Papa must see to important matters in London.

♪ ♪ You can't go in.

Well, Ross, here we are again.

Back where it started.

(bell tolling in distance) Only this time, the charge is seriously impressive.

What is it?

WICKHAM: High treason.

I warned you what would happen if you failed to keep him out of trouble.

Now, if he falls, he takes you with him.

♪ ♪ LINNEY: Next time, on "Poldark"...

Someone's stealing our ore. One of our own.

ROSS: The Crown should honor him, instead of inventing crimes he did not commit.

RALPH: One day, you will thank me.

I'll get you out of here, Colonel.

DWIGHT: "Break him from the jail"?

You're insane.

LINNEY: "Poldark," next time, on "Masterpiece."

♪ ♪ LINNEY: Go to our website.

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