Janie Dee: Emma Lavenham

Quotes 

• [Adam writes a letter to Emma, and then races to the station to meet her off the train; she has already told him that if he is not there to meet her, she will know there is no future for them] 

  Adam Dalgliesh : [voiceover]  "Emma. I have told myself that I am writing this because it will give you time to consider before you reply - but that may only be cowardice. To read a rejection will be more bearable than to see it in your eyes. I have no reason to hope. You *know* that I love you, but my love gives me no claim. Other men have said these words to you, and they will again. And I can't promise to make you happy. It would be arrogant to assume that such a gift lay in my power. If I were your father or your brother or merely a friend, I could find plenty of reasons to argue against myself. But you know them already. Only the greatest poets could speak for me, but this is not a time for other men's words. I can only write what is in *my* heart. My only hope is that you may care enough to risk this adventure together. For *me* there is no risk. I can hope for no greater happiness than to be your lover and your husband."

  [after searching frantically, Adam finds Emma - she is still waiting on the platform] 

  Adam Dalgliesh : I need you to read this.

  [Adam spends an agonising few minutes while Emma reads the letter] 

  Emma Lavenham : Clara says you are an emotional cripple. When I read this, I know it's not true.

  Adam Dalgliesh : All it says is...

  [station tannoy drowns out his words "... I love you"; they kiss and walk away, arm in arm]