North & South Quotes

John Thornton: Where are you going?

Margaret Hale: To London. I've been to Milton.

John Thornton: You'll not guess where I've been.

[Thornton pulls a rose from Helstone out of his pocket]

Margaret Hale: You've been to Helstone! I thought those had all gone!

John Thornton: I found it in the hedge row. You have to look hard. Why were you in Milton?

Margaret Hale: On business. Well, that is, I have a business proposition. Oh dear, I need Henry to help me explain.

John Thornton: You don't need Henry to explain.

Margaret Hale: I have to get this right. It's a business proposition. I have some £15,000. It is lying in the bank at present, earning very little interest. Now, my financial advisors tell me that if you were to take this money and use it to run Marlborough Mills, you could give me a much better rate of interest. So you see, it is only a business matter, you'd not be obliged to me in any way. It is you who would be doing...

[Thornton reaches down and grabs Margaret's hand]

Margaret Hale: ...me the service.

[Margaret grabs Thornton's hand and kisses it]

Margaret Hale: [Thornton touches the side of her face and leans in and kisses her]

[Margaret walks back to Henry, and he gives her suitcase to her]

Margaret Hale: Henry, I...

Henry Lennox: Goodbye, Margaret.

[Margaret walks back to Thornton]

John Thornton: You're coming home with me.

John Thornton: Was... was it Miss Hale who told you to come to me? You might have said.

Nicholas Higgins: And you've have been a little more civil?

John Thornton: [Thornton glares at him and leaves]

John Thornton: Miss Hale, I didn't just come here to thank you. I came... because... I think it... very likely... I know I've never found myself in this position before. It's... difficult to find the words. Miss Hale, my feelings for you... are very strong...

Margaret Hale: Please! Stop. Pray, please don't go any further.

John Thornton: Excuse me?

Margaret Hale: Please don't continue in that way. It's not the way of a gentleman.

John Thornton: I'm well aware that in your eyes at least, I'm not a gentleman. But I think I deserve to know why I am offensive.

Margaret Hale: It offends me that you should speak to me as if it were your... duty to rescue my reputation!

John Thornton: I spoke to you about my feelings because I love you; I had no thought for your reputation!

Margaret Hale: You think that because you are rich, and my father is in... reduced circumstances, that you can have me for your possession! I suppose I should expect no less from someone in trade!

John Thornton: I don't want to possess you! I wish to marry you because I love you!

Margaret Hale: You shouldn't! Because I do not like you, and never have.

John Thornton: One minute we talk of the colour of fruit, the next of love. How does that happen?

Margaret Hale: My friend, Bessy Higgins, is dying.

John Thornton: And that of course, is my fault too.

Margaret Hale: I'm sorry.

John Thornton: For what? That you find my feelings for you offensive? Or that you assume because I'm in trade I'm only capable of thinking in terms of buying and selling? Or that I take pleasure in sending my employees to an early grave?

Margaret Hale: No! No, no, of course not. I'm... I'm sorry... to be so blunt. I've not learnt how to... how to refuse... how to respond when a... when a man talks to me as you just have.

John Thornton: Oh, there are others? This happens to you every day? Of course. You must have to disappoint so many men that offer you their heart.

Margaret Hale: Please, understand, Mr. Thornton...

John Thornton: I do understand. I understand you completely.