Thank goodness, Maggie is staying.

'I WILL never again receive an immoral proposition from a man!''

That was Maggie Smith on the season five finale of "Downton Abbey.'' Dame Maggie, aka Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham, had regretfully spurned the advances of her long-lost, now-found, Russian beau. (Still married to his prickly Russian princess.)

I enjoyed this "DA'' storyline because it made it clear that sex and longing don't stop -- not even when one is 80 years old. Or a dowager countess! Her Russian flame -- for whom she almost threw away all dignity -- said to her, "I want you as my lover!'' And he wasn't referring to a shared love of herbal teas or well-manicured topiaries.

MAGGIE Smith made news on Monday that had some "DA'' fans weeping -- it sounded as if she would leave the show after season six. But on Wednesday, publicists declared the great Dame was "misinterpreted'' and the star herself says she will stay on "for as long as it runs.'' Although she added: "I don't know how much longer I can go on. By my estimation Violet should be 110 by now!''

Julian Fellowes, the writer/creator/producer of "DA,'' has not said if there will be a season seven. He has a U.S. drama, "The Gilded Age,'' ready to go. That will occupy him.

I SAY, when Maggie goes, so should the show.

It's not that there aren't other interesting characters inhabiting the old manor house, but somehow Violet, and her adversary-turned-confidant, Isobel...