The Lady and the Highwayman

[opening narration]

Narrator:
In 1649, the English Parliament had executed Charles I and England became a republic under the oppressive reign of General Oliver Cromwell, backed by the army. The king's son, Charles II, made repeated attempted from France to regain the throne

[first lines]

Lord Lucius Vyne:
There's not much time, Milord. The boat back to France will be waiting in the next cove.

King Charles II:
Lord Lucius, I am glad you persuaded me to risk coming out of exile in France to see for myself. I know now that the people are for me. They're sick of Cromwell and his Commonwealth! They want their Charles II. But you have made powerful enemies. When I am back on the throne, if you should need me, send me this.

[hands Lord Lucius his ring]

Lord Lucius Vyne:
I am honored, sire, but I fear you will have enough enemies of your own.

[hearing the sound of hoofbeats in the distance]

Lord Lucius Vyne:
And now, if you please, I shall be king for a day.

[Lord Lucius swaps hats with Charles]

Lord Lucius Vyne:
You are not fit to live. I would shoot you where you stand, but that is not my way. You will duel with me for your life.

Christian Drysdale:
My pleasure!

Christian Drysdale:
Gallantry is for fools!

[dueling, Lord Lucius stabs Drysdale through the chest]

Lord Lucius Vyne:
Rather a poor choice for a man's last words.

[Lord Lucius discovers bags of gold hidden in Drysdale's coach]

Lord Lucius Vyne:
Milady Vyne...

Lady Panthea Vyne:
It's a fortune - a huge fortune!

Lord Lucius Vyne:
And not his. I shall return it to those from whom it was stolen.

Lord Lucius Vyne:
The ancestral home of the Vynes... the last place I thought they'd look for Silver Blade. How'd they find out?

Lady Panthea Vyne:
Cousin Rudolph - I'm sure of it. He's desperate to inherit the title and the estate. He's even petitioned the king to have Manston retitled to him. He spends all of his nasty little days scheming how to be accepted as the head of family and the Duke of Manston.

Lord Lucius Vyne:
Does it really mean that much to him? Why, if the poor devil wants the dukedom that much, he's very welcome to it.

Lady Panthea Vyne:
How can you say that? Does Manston mean so little to you? You are the Duke now! To father, this house - the family history - it meant more to him than I can even begin to tell you. My brother Richard died in the service of the king. You have taken his place. Now his trust has been handed to you. You cannot deal with that lightly or refuse your birthright!

[rescuing Lord Lucius and Lady Panthea in a nick of time]

King Charles II:
Thank you for my ring; it was always one of my favorites. Now, where's my hat?

[last lines]

Lord Lucius Vyne:
My darling wife.

Lady Panthea Vyne:
Lucius, I do love you!