Belle2013

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.