11: In the web

In the web

Synopsis

Jolyon returns from Paris to talk to his son. As he walks up the back route to Robin Hill, he admits to himself that he is in love with Irene. He fears she'd find him ridiculous at his age, 52. As he approaches the house, his old dog Balthazar tries to run up to him, but dies. He and Jolly bury the dog, and discuss the existence of God. Jolyon claims that Jolly is unselfish and un-Forsyte in his decision to join the Imperial Yeomanry, but Jolly claims otherwise.

James's family is gathering for dinner at Park Lane. James has been dressed up in a dickey. He's fretting. Val announces that he's joined the Yeomanry. Winifred is stricken. The rest of the family is puzzled-- why? He reveals he wasn't going to be beaten by Jolly Forsyte, and they understand him a little better. He mentions that Jolly's father is in Paris, and Soames comes alert: that chap? hanging around Irene? Soames goes to visit his private detective to confirm his suspicions: Jolyon is hanging around Irene.

The Forsyte family rallies round the troops. Timothy is taking a great interest in the Boer War. He's got a map of the Transvaal, and has put in pins to mark the position. "And it's very bad indeed," he says.

Soames calls on Jo at his club and warns him off Irene. Jo does not take kindly to the warning. June tells him she's taken nursing classes and is off to go nurse the troops in South Africa.

Mafeking Night: London goes mad to celebrate a victory in the war. Soames encounters George in the mess. He makes his way home to Park Lane. Across London, Winifred and her daughter Imogen do the same. Winifred, however, gets a rude shock when she enters her own drawing room: Monty is in there. Back! And on his beam ends, with nothing but what he stands up in, and that in rags. Winifred sends him off to have a bath while she runs over to Park Lane to consult Soames. "We never have any luck, do we?" says Soames. James appears, in a mad state, and demands to hear the news. Winifred tells him straight out. "I knew it! He'll be the death of me!" cries James.

Soames goes to Paris. He finds Irene at one of her haunts in the Bois, before a statue of a weeping Niobe. He asks her to come back to him. She tells him she will never go back to him. She knows she's being followed.

Back home, Holly confesses to her father the truth about Jolly's joining the Imperial Yeomanry: it was because of her love of Val Dartie and Jolly's row with him. She has also trained as a nurse, and wants to go with June. Jolyon gives his usual tolerant permission for his children to do anything. Irene and Soames also return to England, separately. When Soames hears from his private detective company that Irene has gone to Robin Hill, he finally breaks down and gives the instructions to his solicitor that will divorce him from Irene. He then visits Annette's mother and makes a financial transaction that will assure her support of his courtship of Annette.

Irene and Jolyon have received their notification of Soames' suit for divorce. They are as yet innocent of the charges. No words of love, even, have they exchanged. But Irene tells Jolyon that it would not be true, since she knows he loves her. They are about to embrace, when Soames is announced. He stands in the door, glaring at them.


This is what love comes to at his age: lumbago.	Two Jolyons bury the dog Balthazar and discuss the existence of god.	James and his two children.	Val has joined the Imperial Yeomanry.

Jo in Paris? That chap?	Soames quizzes the private detective about this man who's been hanging around Irene in Paris.	He's gnawed by jealousy again.	Timothy assesses the position.

Lance Bombadier George marches the Forsytes off to war.	Soames visits Jo and warns him away from Irene. Jo does not take kindly to the warning.	Nurse June announces she's going off to South Africa.	Mafeking Night: celebrating a victory.

Whoops! He came back!	Soames, looking immaculate and Edwardian, chats with the butler.	Winifred arrives and breaks the news. "We never have any luck, do we," says Soames to her.	James has an instinct for trouble, Winifred says, and is immediately proved right when James appears to demand the news. She tells him straight out.

Soames visits Irene in Paris. Note the design of the back of the bench.	She still moves him, despite everything.	He still repels her, because of everything.	The tolerant father allows his other daughter to head off to South Africa, to nurse her beloved Val Dartie.

Soames instructs the private detective to give the evidence to his solicitor. His private life will become public.	Soames visits Annette's mother and explains his situation.	A transaction concluded: one daughter in exchange for a pile of money.	Jo and Irene receive their legal notices: Soames is suing for divorce. Jo is the co-respondent.

Soames appears, for one last try, snarling.