The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister (2010 TV Movie)

Maxine Peake: Anne Lister

Quotes 

• Anne Lister : [opening lines in voice-over]  There is one thing that I wish for. There is one thing without which my happiness in this world seems impossible. I was not born to live alone. I must have someone with me. And in loving and being loved, I could be happy.

• Anne Lister : If I once give way to idleness, I shall be wretched.

• [Mrs Priestley has introduced Anne to Charles Lawton, an elderly, obese widower. Anne and Mariana are not impressed with him] 

  Mariana Belcombe : [ironically]  Such a fine figure of a gentleman, Mr Lawton.

  Anne Lister : I wonder where Mrs Priestley dug him up?

  Mariana Belcombe : He's an old friend of my father's. Apparently he has six thousand a year.

  Anne Lister : Ah. So it's you and your sisters who are being paraded. And do we know *how* his wife died?

  Mariana Belcombe : Perhaps he squashed her to death.

  Mariana Belcombe , Anne Lister : [giggle] 

• Anne Lister : Stop it. Stop it, I said! I promised Mariana.

  Isabella 'Tib' Norcliffe : Promised Mariana? And what has she promised you while she wears herself out in the service of her husband every night?

  Anne Lister : I have never disguised the fact that my heart is hers.

  Isabella 'Tib' Norcliffe : But what has she promised? To live with you? That'll never happen.

  Anne Lister : When Charles dies, she will be my companion here at Shibden.

  Isabella 'Tib' Norcliffe : That could be twenty years yet. Has she not galled you enough?

  Anne Lister : I will not have another word said against Mariana. You're jealous!

  Isabella 'Tib' Norcliffe : And you're misguided!

• Mariana Belcombe : You cannot live without me.

  Anne Lister : Oh, but I do. And I cannot bear it any longer.

• Anne Lister : I don't want a husband. I appreciate your efforts in finding me a suitor. I really do but you really don't have to bother.

  Aunt Lister : But Child. Don't you want a husband and little ones and life about the house?

  Anne Lister : I want my independence. I want to keep my name and I want to be proud Lister until the day I die. Like you Both. You are the model, how I wish to live.

  Uncle Lister : Well... As you wish.

  Anne Lister : I shan't be lonely Aunt. I hope to seddle with a female companion.

  Aunt Lister : But who?

  Anne Lister : Someone who suites me. There will be no fortune hunters and the estate will be well cared for.

  Uncle Lister : I trust you, woodland walks are no woodland walks.

  Anne Lister : Thank you uncle.

  Aunt Lister : Well. Uh. I suppose a lady will know what pleases you better than a man.

• Anne Lister : I don't want a husband. I appreciate your efforts in finding me a suitor. I really do but you really don't have to bother.

  Aunt Lister : But Child. Don't you want a husband and little ones and life about the house?

  Anne Lister : I want my independence. I want to keep my name and I want to be proud Lister until the day I die. Like you Both. You are the model, how I wish to live.

  Uncle Lister : Well... As you wish.

  Anne Lister : I shan't be lonely Aunt. I hope to settle with a female companion.

  Aunt Lister : But who?

  Anne Lister : Someone who suites me. There will be no fortune hunters and the estate will be well cared for.

  Uncle Lister : I trust you, woodland walks are no woodland walks.

  Anne Lister : Thank you uncle.

  Aunt Lister : Well. Uh. I suppose a lady will know what pleases you better than a man.

• Anne Lister : [Mr Rawson comes to ask Anne to marry him]  Mr Rawson, how funny you should come. I set myself a course of reading on geology just this morning.

  Uncle Lister : Then I shall leave you two, to... discuss it.

  Christopher Rawson : Miss Lister. I hope your well today.

  Anne Lister : I am. Thank you.

  Christopher Rawson : You look very... Healthy.

  Anne Lister : Sit down Mr. Rawson. Let's talk coal.

  Christopher Rawson : It was your uncle but my mind to come. He made me see how beneficial it might be. Your assets are rich and unexploited.

  Anne Lister : I just realized it. At last.

  Christopher Rawson : Our estates joined each others, if they to become one, we could be influential around these parts. I'd leave you all the time you wanted for your book and similarities and such. Your uncle said you have have a passion for scape gardening, which im happy to indulge. In short Miss Lister, I've come to ask.

  Anne Lister : Eh- eh No... Please don't.

  Christopher Rawson : I've come to ask you to marry me and join our two noble estates into one.

  Anne Lister : Mi-Mr. Rawson... I... I thank you for your interest but I couldn't possibly say yes. There is a certain sentiment that I don't feel for you.

  Christopher Rawson : Love I suppose.

  Anne Lister : I couldn't possible marry without it.

  Christopher Rawson : Oh, you sound like a foolish girl. I'm giving you change to grow up and have a place in society.

  Anne Lister : And I'm gratefully declining.

  Christopher Rawson : You know I came against my better judgement. Polite society cannot conceive of certain practices Miss Lister. But I move in other circles but people point at you. They call you Gentleman Jack. They say you like the ladies, perhaps too much. They say your worse than the a-louses after a few.

  Anne Lister : Well you should count yourself lucky, you were spared such a wife.

  Christopher Rawson : Presume it's all true then.

  Anne Lister : Presume what you wish. Good day.

  Christopher Rawson : I myself think there's more to you than most women.

• Anne Lister : Like this, still and strong.

  Ann Walker : Oh, it's so heavy.

  Anne Lister : What's that.I do believe my aunt could hold it better. Breathe in and when your ready, breathe out and slowly squeeze the trigger.

  Aunt Lister : Miss Walker... Miss walker, your aunt is here to see you.

  Anne Lister : What is it?

  Ann Walker : Aunt.

  Anne Lister : Mrs. Priestley.

  Mrs Priestley : I come out of concern child. Such shocking rumors are circulating, things in the paper.

  Anne Lister : Aah, you saw the joke announcement no doubt.

  Mrs Priestley : Why are you here?

  Anne Lister : She is my guest.

  Mrs Priestley : What made you come? Without any consultation? You can stay with me if you need the change.

  Ann Walker : But im made most welcome.

  Mrs Priestley : You must leave at once.

  Ann Walker : But our business we thought.

  Mrs Priestley : You shouldn't be involved with business, you have a stuart for that. People are insinuating things. Things which may prevent you securing a husband.

  Ann Walker : I... I don't... I do not want a husband.

  Mrs Priestley : Priestley: What?

  Ann Walker : I do not want a husband!

  Mrs Priestley : You! I dare not even say, by what unnatural means you have brought her here.

  Anne Lister : Mrs. Priestley. You yourself always tell people, I'm the most natural person you know.

  Mrs Priestley : Ann. Ann! Look at me! Return to your family. Before it's good name is ruined forever.

  Ann Walker : I wish to stay here with you.

  Anne Lister : Ann. This is important. Your aunt is right. Are you sure you understand what is being insinuated

  Anne Lister : Ann: I think so. Anne: That you and I, do this and this. Are you sure you understand? Ann kisses Anne.