5. The Charity Ball

"What In the world can I do to secure an income?" thought Osborne, "Poor Almée must have money. Yet what would my father say if he knew I'd married a Frenchwoman? In his present mood he'd disinherit me; and he'd speak about her in a way I couldn't stand. A Roman Catholic too! Well, I don't repent it. I'd do it again."

Molly is concerned when Cynthia is pursued by Mr Preston.

Final novel written by 'Cranford' author, Elizabeth Gaskell, first published in 1866.

Starring Tom Wilkinson, Kathryn Hurlbutt and Angela Pleasence.

Dramatised by Barry Campbell.

Molly …. Kathryn Hurlbutt
Clare …. Angela Pleasence
Mr Gibson .… Tom Wilkinson
Cynthia …. Anne Louise Lambert
Squire Hamley …. Robert Lang
Osborne Hamley …. Adam Bareham
Roger Hamley …. Michael Troughton
Mr Preston …. Brett Usher
Lady Harriet …. Marian Diamond
Lord Hollingfold …. Geoffrey Collins
Miss Browning …. Diana Bishop
Miss Phoebe ….. Hilda Schroder
Mrs Goodenough …. Margot Boyd
Miss Hornblower …. Monica Grey
Miss Piper …. Carole Boyd
Mr Roscoe …. James Kerry
Old Silas …. Michael Bilton
Robinson …. Nigel Graham
Maria …. Eileen Tully
Mrs Gaskell …. Thelma Whiteley

Music composed by Rachel Portman

Director: Jane Morgan

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1983