Belle (2013)
Miranda Richardson: Lady Ashford
Photos
Quotes
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Lady Ashford : [to Lady Mansfield] Do you feel I have any lesser need to ensure my child's well being and future than you?
[everybody remains silent]
Lady Ashford : [looks around, then loudly referring to Dido Elizabeth Belle] Does she still have a tongue?
Dido Elizabeth Belle : I have a tongue, madam. Though yours explains well enough why I may not marry your son. You view my circumstances as unfortunate, though I cannot claim even a portion of the misfortune to those whom I most closely resemble. My greatest misfortune would be to marry into a family who would carry me as their shame, as I have been required to carry my own mother - her apparent crime to be born negro, and mine to be the evidence. Since I wish to deny her no more than I wish to deny myself, you will pardon me for wanting a husband who feels forgiveness of my bloodline is both unnecessary and without grace.
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Lady Ashford : I had no idea she'd be so black.
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Lady Ashford : You will refrain from any intercourse with the negro. Lord and Lady Mansfield may find it fascinating to have a Lady Mulatto running around in their house, but I will not have one running around in mine.
Oliver Ashford : She is an heiress.
Lady Ashford : Although exceptions can be made.
Oliver Ashford : It is said that her father left her a rather vast fortune.
Lady Ashford : I mean to say, if that is your inclination.
Oliver Ashford : She is rather soft on the eye. I have thought no further of it, Mama.
Lady Ashford : Where do you get your information?
Oliver Ashford : Her sister-cousin has a rather fast tongue.
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Dido Elizabeth Belle : We are to finally come out?
Lord Mansfield : Elizabeth is to come out.
Lady Ashford : Dido is not.
Dido Elizabeth Belle : But... why?
Lord Mansfield : You understand the ways of the world for a female, Dido. Elizabeth has no income.
Lady Ashford : [to Elizabeth] You are to meet as many gentlemen as possible before we make the match.
Lord Mansfield : [to Dido] When all this is gone to her father, there'll be nothing left for her.
Dido Elizabeth Belle : And... me?
Lady Ashford : Any gentlemen of good breeding would be unlikely to form a serious attachment to Dido, and a man without... would lower her position in society.
Elizabeth Murray : She is not merely my cousin, Mama. She is my sister.