(In the sitting room of Downton)

V:     My dear,     I didn’t come here to fight.  Lord Grantham     wanted to protect the estate.  It never occurred to him that you wouldn’t have a son.

C:     Well, I didn’t.

 

V:     No, you  did  not.  But when Patrick had married Mary    and your grandson been hailed as master, honor would have been satisfied.      Unfortunately, now…

C:     Now, a complete unknown has the right to pocket my money, along with the rest of the swag.

V:     The problem is, saving your dowry    would break up the estate.  It would be the ruin of everything Robert’s given his life to.

C:     And he knows this?

V:     Well, if he doesn’t, he will.

C:     Then there’s no answer.

V:     Yes, there is and there is a simple one.     The entail must be smashed      in its entirety     and Mary recognized as heiress of all.

C:     There’s nothing we can do about the title.

V:     No.  She can’t have the title,  but she can have your money.   And the estate.    I didn’t run Downton for 30 years     to see it go lock, stock and barrel to a stranger from God   knows  where.

C:     Are we to be friends, then?

V:           We are allies,  my dear, which can be a good deal more effective.