1:58:03
When I take up a person, Mr. Lyndon,
he, or she, is safe.
1:58:08
There is no question about them anymore.
1:58:11
My friends are the best people.
I don't mean they're the most virtuous...
1:58:16
...or, indeed, the least virtuous,
or the cleverest...
1:58:20
...or the stupidest,
richest or best born.
1:58:23
But, the best.
1:58:24
In a word, people about whom
there is no question.
1:58:30
I cannot promise how long it will take.
1:58:33
You can appreciate
it is not an easy matter.
1:58:36
But, any gentleman with an estate,
and 30,000 a year...
1:58:41
...should have a peerage.
1:58:47
And there standing behind me
was a total stranger.
1:58:50
I looked at him, and he said to me:
1:58:53
"Excuse me, sir, could you tell me,
is Lord Wendover alive or dead?"
1:59:00
I was so astonished,
I couldn't think of what to say.
1:59:02
Then I became angry,
and said to him, "He's dead."
1:59:06
The striving after this peerage was
one of Barry's most unlucky dealings.
1:59:12
He made great sacrifices
to bring it about.
1:59:16
He lavished money here,
and diamonds there.
1:59:20
He bought lands
at ten times their value...
1:59:23
...purchased pictures and articles
of virtue at ruinous prices.
1:59:28
He gave entertainments
to those friends to his claim...
1:59:33
...all, being about the Royal person,
were likely to advance it.
1:59:38
And, I can tell you, bribes were
administered. And in high places, too.
1:59:44
So near the person of His Majesty
that you would be astonished to know...
1:59:49
...what great noblemen condescended
to receive his loans.
1:59:56
This is by Ludovico Cordi...
1:59:59
...a disciple of Alessandro Allori.