Esther Waters

Sussex, 1871. Esther Waters, a young woman brought up by a puritanical mother, departs to become a servant in an aristocratic household. There she succumbs to the amorous advances of caddish footman William Latch, who seduces and then abandons her. Pregnant and alone in a Lambeth workhouse, she returns to London to find her mother dead. With no one but herself for comfort she struggles to survive working as a domestic maid in numerous households. Esther meets the dastardly William once again years later; he’s now a well-heeled bookmaker and wishes to makes amends by marrying her. The two finally wed and lead a happy life, Esther running their Kings Head public house while William works on the racetracks. —Britmovie.co.uk