An Ideal Husband (I) (1999)

Lindsay Duncan: Lady Markby

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Quotes 

• Lady Markby : And you know, I can't help feeling that this disturbing new thing, this higher education of women, will deal a terrible blow to happy married life.

  Laura : The higher education of men is what I should like to see. Men need it so sadly.

  Lady Markby : They do, dear. But I'm afraid such a scheme would be quite unpractical. I don't think man has much capacity for development. He has got as far as he can, and that is not far, is it?

• Lady Markby : Dear ladies, I had better set forth. I haven't time to be idling around here all day. I should be idling somewhere else very shortly or I shall fall behind.

• Lady Markby : With regard to women, well, dear Gertrude, modern women understand everything, I'm told.

  Laura : Except their husbands. That is the one thing the modern woman never understands.

  Lady Markby : And a very good thing too, dear, I dare say. It might break up many a happy home if they did. Not yours, I need hardly say, Gertrude. You have married the perfect husband.

• Laura : Goodbye, dear Lady Markby.

  Lady Markby : London will be the lesser for your leaving and sadly lacking in scandal.

• Lady Markby : I do hope we see you in the near future, Mrs Cheveley.

  Laura : So do I, but I fear, Lady Markby, that for me the future seems strangely uncertain.

  Lady Markby : And what of the present?