Violet Crawley quotes from Downton Abbey

[About Matthew Crawley, Lord Grantham's new heir] I thought you didn't like him?

So what? I have plenty of friends I don't like.

It's not of my doing. It's all Mary's own work. But I think we should encourage it.

Branscombe's a dull dog, but I don't suppose that matters.

Did you know his wife had died?

He only ever talks about racing.

Is the family an old one?

Older than yours, I imagine.

Old enough.

And there's plenty of money.

Really?

Mama, you've already looked him up in the stud books and inquired about the fortune, don't pretend otherwise. Are you afraid someone will think you're American if you speak openly?

I doubt it'll come to that.

Oh, my dears! Is it really true? I can't believe it. Last night he looked so well! Of course, it would happen to a foreigner. It's typical.

Lady Mary Crawley

Don't be ridiculous!

I'm not being ridiculous. No Englishman would dream of dying in someone else's house, especially someone they didn't even know.

Oh, Granny, even the English aren't in control of everything.

Well I hope we're in control of something, if only ourselves.

Mrs. Crawley tells me she's recommended nitrate of silver and tincture of steel.

Why, is she making a suit of armour?

You are quite wonderful, the way you see room for improvement wherever you look. I never knew such reforming zeal.

Isobel Crawley

I take that as a compliment.

I must have said it wrong.

What, are you canvassing, too?

Lady Mary Crawley

I was only going to say that Sybil is entitled to her opinions.

No, she isn't until she is married--then her husband will tell her what her opinions are.

Well, Rosamund, I'm afraid your meddling has cost Mary the only decent offer she'll ever get.

Lady Rosamund Painswick

I'm sorry, Mama, but you know me. I have to say what I think.

Why? Nobody else does.

Isobel Crawley

The thing is, I've had a letter from Matthew. Of course, he doesn't tell me what he's actually doing.

No, he wouldn't. But I'm glad he's alright. I miss him.

Isobel Crawley

Well that's the point. You must know he's been down here a few times since the war started.

We had heard.

Downton is hardly a metropolis.

Is he still determined to go back to Manchester when it's all over?

Isobel Crawley

He doesn't talk much about life after the war. None of them do. I suppose they don't want to tempt fate. Until now, that is. He writes that he is engaged to be married to a Miss Lavinia Swire.

Well I--I suppose we all knew it would happen someday.

The trouble is, Mary's back from London today as well. She gets in at five o'clock.

Isobel Crawley

Matthew's driving down in Lavinia's car. They won't meet on the train.

Oh, that's a relief. [Everyone looks confused] I hate Greek drama, you know where everything happens off stage.

[about Lavinia] So that's Mary's replacement. Well, I suppose looks aren't everything.

I think she seems rather sweet. I'm afraid meeting us all together must be very intimidating.

I do hope so.

I wanted you to know I sent a note down to Clarkson, which should do the trick.

What did you say?

Only that I gathered you'd asked a favour, and given that the estate shoulders the hospital costs, it did seem a little unfair if we weren't allowed a few perks.

Quite right. Thank you, darling.

I gather your footman Thomas has returned to the village.

Crikey. Where did you see him?

At the hospital. Seems he's working there.

I wonder how he wangled that.

I'm going up to London to stay with Rosamund for a day or two. I think we'll have Lavinia for tea.

Lady Mary Crawley

You sound as if you're going to gobble her up.

If only we could.

What about Sybil? Does she have anyone in her sights?

Lady Mary Crawley

Not that I know of.

Are you sure she has no chap in mind? How odd! I had an endless series of crushes at her age.

Lady Mary Crawley

I don't think so.

Not even some man she doesn't care to mention?

Lady Mary Crawley

What do you mean?

Well, war breaks down barriers and when peacetime re-erects them, it's very easy to find oneself on the wrong side.

Lady Mary Crawley

Really, Granny! How can you say that I'm too worldly but Sybil's not worldly enough? You cannot be so contrary.

I'm a woman, Mary. I can be as contrary as I choose.

Cora tells me Matthew's gone missing. Is that true?

There's no proof of anything yet.

I see. Well, I need more than that to make me anxious.

I'm glad you would be anxious.

Of course I would be. We're used to Matthew now. God knows who the next heir will be. Probably a chimney sweep from Solihull!

The war may be at an end, but the upheaval is only beginning.

Isobel Crawley

Oh how right you are. That is why Downton Abbey still has such an important role to play.

Dear me, there's so much to be done. When you think of all the children laid up with disease.

Isobel Crawley

But they're making such advances now, aren't they? Now, could we talk about the lecture program for Dow--

Oh, if we must, we must. If only I wasn't haunted by those women whose jobs will be snatched from them when the boys come home.

Isobel Crawley

But we have to find work for our heroes, don't we? That must be our priority. However hard that might sound.

Mm. As you say. And what about those wretched refugees? What will become of them?

Isobel Crawley

Ah. Now you've struck a chord.

Have I really? Oh, thank heaven.

No doubt you will regard this as rather unorthodox, my pushing into a man's bedroom, uninvited.

Matthew Crawley

Well, um...

It's just I don't want us to be disturbed. [she sits down] I'm sure you know how pleased I am that you will recover after all.

Matthew Crawley

Thank you.

Just as I am delighted that you can once more look forward to a...to a happy married life.

Matthew Crawley

I'm very lucky.

Now, this may come as a surprise but I feel I must say it all the same.

Matthew Crawley

Please do.

Mary is still in love with you.

Matthew Crawley

What?

I was watching her the other night when you spoke of your wedding. She looked like Juliet on awakening in the tomb.

Matthew Crawley

Mary and I have always had...

Of course, I suspected long ago that the flame hadn't quite gone out. But then there was no chance of your recovery, and it seemed best to let her try for happiness where she could.

Matthew Crawley

I quite agree, and Sir Richard is...

No, now let's not muddy the pool by discussing Sir Richard. The point is you loved her once. Are you sure you can't love her again?

Matthew Crawley

Cousin Violet, please don't think I mind your speaking to me in this way. I quite admire it. But consider this: Lavinia came back, against my orders, determined to look after me for the rest of my life, which meant that she would wash me and feed me and do things that only the most dedicated nurse would undertake, and all with no hope of children or any improvement.

Yes, yes, it's all very admirable. And I give her full credit.

Matthew Crawley

And giving her that credit, do you think it would be right for me to throw her over because I can walk? To dismiss her because I no longer have need of her services?

Spoken like a man of honor, and we will not fall out over this.

Matthew Crawley

But you don't agree.

I would just say one thing. Marriage is a long business. There's no getting out of it for our kind of people. Now, you may live 40, 50 years with one of these two women. Just make sure you have selected the right one.