Belle (2013)

Miranda Richardson: Lady Ashford

Photos 

Quotes 

• 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.

• Lady Ashford : I had no idea she'd be so black.

• 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.

• 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.