" (BINGLEY):" "It's a fair prospect." " (DARCY):" "Pretty enough, I grant you." "It's nothing to Pemberley, I know." "But I must settle somewhere." "Have I your approval?" " You'll find the society something savage." " Country manners?" "I think they're charming." " Then you'd better take it." " Thank you, I shall." "I shall close with the attorney directly." "(KITTY):" "I want to wear it today." "Look what you've done to it!" "(KITTY):" "Mamma, mamma!" "(KITTY):" "Lydia has torn up my bonnet and says she will wear it to church." "Tell her she shall not!" "I shall wear it, for it's all my own work." "She'd be a fright in it." "She's too plain to look well in it!" " No, you shall not have it!" " Lydia!" "Kitty!" "Girls!" "Would you tear my nerves into shreds?" "Let her have it, Kitty." "But it's mine!" "You let her have everything that is mine!" "Oh, what is to become of us all?" "Jane, Lizzy, where are you?" " Here, mamma." " Coming, mamma." "My dear!" "Mr Bennet!" "Wonderful news!" " Netherfield Park is let at last!" " Is it?" "Yes, it is, for I have just had it from Mrs Long." " Do you not want to know who's taken it?" " I have no objection to hearing it." "It is taken by a young man of large fortune from the north of England." "A single man of large fortune, my dear." "He came down on Monday to see the place." "His name is Bingley and he will be in possession by Michaelmas." "And he has 5,000 a year!" " What a fine thing for our girls!" " How so?" "How can it affect them?" "Mr Bennet, why are you so tiresome?" "You know that I'm thinking of his marrying one of them." "For a single man with a good fortune must be in want of a wife." "Yes, he must indeed!" "And who better than one of our five girls?" "(LYDIA SNORTS) Lydia!" " What a fine joke if he chose me!" " Or me!" "So that is his design in settling here?" "To marry one of our daughters?" ""Design"?" "How can you talk such nonsense?" "But he may fall in love with one of them." " Therefore you must visit him directly he comes." " No, no, I see no occasion for that." " Mr Bennet!" " Go yourself with the girls." " Still better, send them by themselves." " By themselves?" "!" "Aye, for you're as handsome as any of them." "Mr Bingley might like you best of the party." "(LYDIA SNORTS) Lydia..." "Hill!" "Oh, Hill!" "Hill, I am so distressed!" "Mr Bennet says he will not visit Mr Bingley when he comes." " There, there." " Can't you reason with him?" " I daresay it'll all be well." " No, it will not!" " For he is bent on ruining us all." " Mamma, he's teasing you." "He will call on Mr Bingley." "He calls on any new neighbour." "Jane, how can you say that?" "You heard him!" " You know your father has a will of iron." " You're in the right, my dear." "I'll tell you what I'll do." "I shall write to Mr Bingley, informing him that I have five daughters, and he is welcome to any of them." "They're all silly and ignorant, like other girls." "Well, Lizzy has more wit than the rest." "But he may prefer a stupid wife, as others have done before him." " There, will that do?" " No!" "I beg you will not write if you..." "You take delight in vexing me!" "You have no compassion on my poor nerves!" "You mistake me." "I have a high respect for your nerves." "They've been my old friends for 20 years." " You don't know what I suffer." " Well, I hope you'll get over it, and live to see many young men of 5,000 a year move here." "It's no use if 20 such should come, since you won't visit them." "Depend upon it, my dear." "When there are 20, I'll visit them all." "You see, Jane?" "He won't be prevailed upon." "He'll see us all ruined." "If only we'd been able to have sons!" "Misfortunes, we are told, are sent to test our fortitude, and may often reveal themselves as blessings in disguise." "Lord, I'm so hungry!" "If I could love a man who would love me enough to take me for 50 pounds a year," "I should be very well pleased." "Yes." "But such a man could hardly be sensible and I could never love a man who was out of his wits." "Oh, Lizzy." "A marriage... where either partner cannot love nor respect the other, that cannot be agreeable... to either party." "As we have daily proof." "But beggars, you know, cannot be choosers." "We're not very poor, Lizzy." "With father's estate withheld from the female line, we have only our charms." "One of us at least will have to marry very well." "And since you're five times as pretty as the rest of us, and have the sweetest disposition, the task will fall on you." "But, Lizzy..." "I would wish..." "I should so much like... to marry for love." "And so you shall, I'm sure." "Only take care you fall in love with a man of good fortune." "Well, I shall try." "To please you." "And you?" "I am determined that only the deepest love will induce me into matrimony." "So..." "I shall end an old maid, and teach your 10 children to embroider cushions and play their instruments very ill." " Good night, mamma." " My head is very ill tonight." "I said, I wouldn't dance with him if he was the last man in Meryton!" " Good night, Lydia." "Good night, Kitty." " Good night, Lizzy!" "(LYDIA):" "Lizzy!" "Wait till you hear our news!" " Mr Bingley has come!" " Sir William Lucas called on him!" " Save your breath." "I will tell mamma." " I don't wish to know." "Why care for Mr Bingley?" "We'll never be acquainted with him." "But, mamma!" "Don't keep coughing so, Kitty!" "Have a little compassion on my nerves." " I don't cough for my own amusement." " 40 servants, and he's very handsome." " He declared that he loves to dance!" " He said he'd come to the next ball!" " At the Assembly Rooms!" " On Saturday!" " With six ladies and four gentlemen." " It was 12 ladies and seven gentlemen." " Too many ladies." " Lydia, I beg you would stop!" "We will never know Mr Bingley and it pains me to hear of him." " (LYDIA):" "But mamma!" " I'm sick of Mr Bingley!" "I'm sorry to hear that." "If I'd known as much this morning, I should never have called on him." "(MOTHER):" "You have called on him?" "!" "I'm afraid we cannot escape the acquaintance now." "My dear Mr Bennet!" "How good you are to us." " Well, well." " Girls, girls, is he not a good father?" "And never to tell us!" "What a good joke!" "And now you shall all dance with Mr Bingley!" "I hope he has a strong constitution!" "And a fondness for silly young women." "My dear Mr Bennet, nothing you say shall ever vex me again." "I'm sorry to hear it." "Well, Kitty." "I think you may cough as much as you choose now." " Shall we be quite safe here, Mr Darcy?" " Damned silly way to spend an evening." "Mr Bingley!" "Allow me the pleasure of welcoming you to our little assembly." "Sir William, I am very glad to see you." "There's nothing that I love better than a country dance." " Do you know who the two ladies are?" " Mr Bingley's sisters, I understand." "One is married to that gentleman, Mr Hurst." " The taller gentleman?" " No, the other." "(ELIZABETH):" "Better and better!" "Very elegant." "Better pleased with themselves than what they see, I think." "Lizzy!" "Jane!" "Come here!" "You see that gentleman?" "Lady Lucas says he is Mr Bingley's oldest friend." "His name is Darcy and he has a mighty fortune and a great estate in Derbyshire." "Bingley's wealth is nothing to his!" "10,000 a year!" "At least!" "Don't you think he's the handsomest man you've ever seen, girls?" "I wonder if he'd be as handsome if he weren't so rich." "Oh, Lizzy!" "They're coming over." "Smile, girls!" "Smile!" "Mrs Bennet." "Mr Bingley would want to become acquainted with you and your daughters." "Sir, that is very good of you." "This is Jane, my eldest." "And Elizabeth." "And Mary sits over there." "And Kitty and Lydia, my youngest, you see there dancing." " Do you like to dance yourself?" " There is nothing I love better, madam." "If Miss Bennet is not otherwise engaged, may I be so bold as to claim the next two dances?" " I am not engaged, sir." " Good." "You do us great honour, sir." "Thank the gentleman, Jane." "Mamma." "And you, sir?" "Are you fond of dancing, too?" "Oh, I beg your pardon." "Mrs Bennet, may I present my friend, Mr Darcy?" "You are very welcome to Hertfordshire I am sure, sir." "I hope you have come here eager to dance, as your friend has?" "Thank you, madam." "I rarely dance." "Let this be one of the occasions, sir, for I wager you'll not easily find such lively music or such pretty partners." "Pray, excuse me, ma'am." "Well!" "Did you ever meet such a proud disagreeable man!" " He will hear you." " I don't care if he does." "And his friend disposed to be so agreeable and everything charming." "(MOTHER):" "Who is he to think himself so far above his company?" "The very rich can afford to give offence wherever they go." " We need not care for his good opinion." " No, indeed!" "Perhaps he's not so very handsome after all?" "No, indeed!" "Quite ill-favoured." "(MOTHER):" "Certainly nothing at all to Mr Bingley!" "I'll show them!" "I wonder at Kitty and Lydia, that they are so fond of dancing." "(MARY):" "I take little pleasure in a ball." "(ELIZABETH):" "I would take pleasure, if there were enough partners as agreeable as Jane's." "I believe the rewards of observation and reflection are much greater." "Yes, when there are none others to be had." "We shall have to be philosophers, Mary." "Come, Darcy, I must have you dance!" "I must." "I hate to see you standing about in this stupid manner!" "You had much better dance!" "I certainly shall not." "At an assembly such as this?" "It would be insupportable." "Your sisters are engaged." "(DARCY):" "You know it would punish me to stand up with any other woman." "Good God, Darcy!" "I wouldn't be as fastidious as you are for a kingdom!" "(BINGLEY):" "Upon my honour, I never met so many pleasant girls in my life!" "Several of them uncommonly pretty." "You have been dancing with the only handsome girl in the room." "Darcy, she is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld." "Look, look!" "(BINGLEY):" "There's one of her sisters." "She's very pretty too." "(BINGLEY):" "I daresay very agreeable." "(DARCY):" "She's tolerable, I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt me." "I'm in no humour to consider young ladies who are slighted by other men." "Go back to your partner." "Enjoy her smiles." "You're wasting your time on me." "Jane was so admired!" "There was nothing like it!" " Oh, Lord!" "I'm so fagged!" " Lydia and I danced every dance." "And Mary none!" "And Mr Bingley favoured Jane above every other girl." "For he danced the first two with her, and then the next with Charlotte Lucas, which vexed me greatly, but lo, there in the very next nothing would please him but to stand up with Jane again." "And then he danced with Lizzy, and what do you think he did next?" "Enough, madam!" "For God's sake!" "Let's hear no more of his partners!" "Would he had sprained his ankle in the first dance!" "And his sisters!" "Oh, such charming women!" "So elegant and obliging!" "I wish you had seen them." " The lace on Mrs Hurst's gown..." " No lace, Mrs Bennet, I beg you." "But the man he brought with him!" "'Mr Darcy', as he calls himself, is not worth our concern, though he may be the richest man in Derbyshire." "The proudest, the most horrid, disobliging..." "He slighted poor Lizzy, and flatly refused to stand up with her." "Slighted my Lizzy, did he?" "I didn't care for him either, so it's of little matter." "Another time, Lizzy, I would not dance with him if he should ask you." "I believe, ma'am, I may safely promise you never to dance with Mr Darcy." "So none of the Hertfordshire ladies could please you, Mr Darcy?" "Not even the famous Miss Bennets?" "I never met with pleasanter people or prettier girls!" "You astonish me." "I saw little beauty, and no breeding at all." "The eldest Miss Bennet is, I grant you, very pretty." "A fine concession!" "Admit it, she's an angel!" " She smiles too much." " Jane Bennet is a sweet girl." "But the mother!" "I heard Eliza Bennet described as a famous local beauty." " What do you say to that, Mr Darcy?" " I should as soon call her mother a wit." "That's too cruel!" "I don't understand why you go through the world determined to be displeased with everything and everyone." "I will never understand why you approve of everything and everyone you meet." "You shall not make me think ill of Miss Bennet." "Indeed he shall not!" "I shall dare his disapproval and declare she is a dear sweet girl, despite her unfortunate relations, and I should not be sorry to know her better!" "No, nor I!" "You see, Mr Darcy, we are not afraid of you." "I would not have you so." "(SNORING)" "What?" "Aye, very true." "Damned tedious waste of an evening." "(JANE):" "He's just what a young man ought to be." "Sensible, lively, and I never saw such happy manners!" "Handsome too, which a young man ought to be if he possibly can." "He seems to like you very much, which shows good judgement." "You may like him." "You've liked many a stupider person." "Dear Lizzy!" "He could be happier in his choice of sisters and friends." " But the sisters he cannot help." " Did you not like them?" "Not at all." "Their manners are quite different from his." "At first, perhaps, but after a while they were pleasing." "Miss Bingley is to keep house." "They will be very charming neighbours." " One of them maybe." " No, Lizzy, I'm sure you're wrong." "Even Mr Darcy may improve on closer acquaintance." "Will he be in humour to consider young ladies who are slighted by other men?" "Never!" ""She is tolerable, I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt me. "" " It was very wrong of him to speak so." " Indeed it was!" "Capital offence!" "Oh, look!" "Charlotte is come." "Charlotte!" "Lizzy!" "My father is to give a party at Lucas Lodge and you are all invited!" "I hope Lucas Lodge will be graced with your presence on many occasions." "Here, you see, we are all easy with no awkwardness or ceremony." "Quite." "Oh, yes, my dear. 5,000 a year!" "(MOTHER):" "Don't they look well together?" "A most agreeable young man!" "And he would dance every dance with Jane." "Nothing else would do!" "Are you pleased with Hertfordshire, Colonel Forster?" "Very much, Lady Lucas." "Especially this evening." "A regiment of infantry doesn't find a ready welcome everywhere." "I think your officers will be very well pleased with Meryton." "(LAUGHTER)" "Denny and Sanderson seem well pleased already!" "No doubt you attend assemblies at St. James's Court?" " We go but rarely, sir." " Indeed!" "I am surprised." "I should be happy to introduce you there at any time when I'm in town." "You're too kind, sir." "Well!" "Well!" "Good, good." "Capital!" "Capital!" "Insufferable conceit!" "To imagine that we would need his assistance in society." "I am sure he is a good sort of man, Caroline." "And I am sure he kept a good sort of shop before his elevation to the Knighthood." "Poor Darcy." "What agonies he must be suffering." "Are you in Meryton to subdue the discontented populace, sir, or to defend Hertfordshire against the French?" "Neither, ma'am." "We hope to winter peacefully at Meryton." "My soldiers are in great need of training and my officers in ever great need of society." "When you are settled, I hope you'll give a ball." " Oh, yes, my dear, do!" " Would a ball be well received?" "Who's giving a ball?" "I long for a ball, and so does Denny!" " And Sanderson." "Don't you?" " I d-do indeed." " Most passionately." " Little Sanderson, I knew you would!" "Make him give a ball!" "We'll dance with all the officers." "If Mary would play something, we could dance now!" "Mary, no more dull stuff, play something jolly." "We want to dance!" "But there are still two movements." "Mamma!" "Tell them it isn't fair!" "Oh, play a jig, Mary." "No one wants your concertos here." "I fear their taste is not as fine as yours and mine, Mary, but let's oblige them this once." "There is no one here who plays as well as you!" "Very well." "Though you know it gives me little pleasure." " Jane, Mr Bingley, come and dance!" " Not now, Lydia." "(SIR WILLIAM):" "Capital!" "Capital!" "Mr Bingley continues his attentions to Jane, Lizzy." " I'm very happy for her, Charlotte." " She seems well pleased with him." "If he continues so, she's in a fair way to be in love with him." "And Mr Bingley?" "Do you think he is in love?" " It's clear that he likes her very much." " Then she should leave him in no doubt." "She should show more affection than she feels, not less, if she is to secure him." " "Secure him"?" "Charlotte." " Yes, she should secure him soon!" "Before she is sure of his character and certain of her own regard for him?" "But of course!" "Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance." "There will always be vexation and grief." "It's better to know in advance as little as possible of the defects of your partner." "Is it not?" " You would never act like that yourself!" " Well, it seems that Jane will not." "So we must hope that Mr Bingley will." "He gets little encouragement from his sisters." "(ELIZABETH):" "Or his friend." " Mr Darcy looks at you a great deal." " I can't think why!" "Unless to frighten me with his contempt." "I wish he would not come into society." "He only makes people uneasy." "What a charming amusement for young people this is!" "Nothing like dancing!" "A refinement of every polished society." " And every unpolished society." " Sir?" "Every savage can dance." "Oh, yes." "Yes, quite." "I should speak to my sister before she exposes us all to ridicule." "(SIR WILLIAM):" "Capital!" "Capital!" "Miss Eliza!" "Why are you not dancing?" "Mr Darcy, allow me to present this young lady to you as a very desirable partner." "You cannot refuse to dance, I'm sure, when so much beauty is before you." "Indeed, sir." "I have not the least intention of dancing." "Please don't suppose that I moved this way in order to beg for a partner." "I would be happy if you would dance with me, Miss Bennet." "Thank you." "But excuse me, I... am not inclined to dance." "Why not, when you see Mr Darcy has no objection?" "Although he dislikes the amusement in general." " Mr Darcy is all politeness." " He is!" "And why should he not be, considering the inducement?" "Who could object to such a partner?" "Eh, Darcy?" "I beg you would excuse me." "Well, well..." "Oh, Capital, Lydia!" "Capital!" "I believe I can guess your thoughts at this moment." "I should imagine not." "You are thinking how insupportable it would be to spend many evenings in such tedious company." "My mind was more agreeably engaged." "I've been meditating on the pleasure, which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow." "And may one dare ask whose are the eyes that inspired these reflections?" "Miss Elizabeth Bennet's." "Miss Elizabeth Bennet?" "I am all astonishment." "From Netherfield!" "Oh, Jane!" "Well, what does it say?" " It is from Miss Bingley." " Oh, well, that is a good sign, too." "Give it to me." ""My dear friend!"" "There now!" ""Dine with Louisa and me today..."" "La di da, la di da, la di da, la di da..." ""..as the gentlemen are to dine with the officers." That's unlucky!" "Still, you must go and make what you can of it." ""Yours ever, Caroline Bingley." Very elegant hand!" " May I have the carriage, father?" " (MOTHER):" "The carriage!" "No, indeed." "You must go on horseback, for it looks like rain." " Then you will have to stay the night." " Mother!" "Why do you look at me like that?" "Would you go there without seeing Mr Bingley?" "No, indeed." "You will go on Nellie." "That will do very well indeed!" "There, Lizzy." "You see?" "It is all exactly as I planned." "Now..." "let me see if I've got this right, Jane." "Your mother's sister is named Mrs Philips?" " Yes." " And Mr Philips' estate is...?" "He lives in Meryton." "He's an attorney." "And your mother's brother lives in London?" "Yes." "In Gracechurch Street." "In which part of London is Gracechurch Street, Jane?" "I..." "Forgive me, I..." "Fosset, get help." "Miss Bennet is unwell." "Well, my dear, if Jane should die of this fever, it will be comfort to know that it was all in pursuit of Mr Bingley, and under your orders." "Oh, nonsense!" "People do not die of little trifling colds." " She will be very well taken care of." " I think I must go to Netherfield." "(MOTHER):" "No, there's no call for that!" "Jane is very well where she is." "And you know there is nothing for you there." "Go to Meryton with your sisters and meet the officers." "Aye, there are more than enough to go around." "I know that Jane would wish me to be with her." "I suppose that's a hint for me to send for the carriage." "No, father, I'd much rather walk." "It's barely three miles to Netherfield and I'll be back for dinner." "Walk three miles in all that dirt?" "You'll not be fit to be seen." "I shall be fit to see Jane, which is all I want." "I'm quite determined, mother." "I know!" "Lydia and I will set you as far as Meryton." "Aye, let's call on Denny early, before he is dressed." "What a shock he will get!" " Ammm!" " Our life holds few distinctions, Mrs Bennet, but I think we may safely boast that here sit two of the silliest girls in the country." " 'Bye, Lizzy!" " Isn't that Captain Carter?" "Make haste!" " Miss Bennet." " Mr Darcy." "I am come to enquire after my sister." " On foot?" " As you see." "Would you be so kind as to take me to her?" "Well, we must allow her to be an excellent walker, I suppose." "But her appearance this morning!" "She really looked almost wild!" "(MISS BINGLEY):" "I could hardly keep my countenance!" "Scampering about the country because her sister has a cold!" "Her hair, Louisa!" "Her petticoat!" "I hope you saw it, brother." "Six inches deep in mud, I am certain!" "It escaped my notice." "I thought she looked remarkably well." " You observed it, I'm sure, Mr Darcy." " I did." "I'm inclined to think you wouldn't wish your sister to make such an exhibition." "Certainly not." "It seems to me to show an abominable sort of conceited independence." "It shows a pleasing affection for her sister." "Mr Darcy, has this escapade affected your admiration for her fine eyes?" "Not at all." "They were brightened by the exercise." "But Jane Bennet is a sweet girl!" "It's very sad she has such an unfortunate family, such low connections." "Their uncle, she told us, is in trade, and lives in Cheapside!" "Perhaps we should call, when we are next in town." "They'd be as agreeable, had they uncles enough to fill all Cheapside!" "With such connections they have little chance of marrying well, Bingley." "That is the material point." "Miss Bennet, how does your sister do?" "Is she any better?" " I'm afraid that she is quite unwell." " Let me send for Mr Jones." " You must stay until she is recovered." " I would not wish to inconvenience you." "I won't hear of anything else." "I'll send to Longbourn for your clothes." "You're very kind, sir." "(HURST):" "Is there any sport today, or not?" "Get in there!" "There." "Shall I disgrace you, do you think?" "You look very pretty, Lizzy, as you are well aware." "Oh, Jane." "I'd much rather stay here with you." "The Superior Sisters wish me miles away." "Only your Mr Bingley is civil and attentive." " He's not my Mr Bingley." " Oh, I think he is." "Or he very soon will be." "I believe you will find Mr Bingley is in the drawing room, ma'am." "Thank you." "Mr Darcy, come and advise me." "Mr Hurst carries all before him!" " Ha!" " Ooh!" "May I enquire after your sister, Miss Bennet?" " Thank you." "I believe she's a little better." " I am very glad to hear it." " Mr Hurst, I'm quite undone!" " (HURST):" "Should have played the deuce." "(MISS BINGLEY):" "He's undone us all, Mr Darcy!" " Will you join us, Miss Bennet?" " I thank you, no." "You prefer reading to cards?" "Singular!" "Miss Bennet despises cards." "She's a great reader and has no pleasure in anything else." "I deserve neither such praise nor such censure." "I am not a great reader and take pleasure in many things." "And what do you do so secretly, sir?" "It's no secret." "I'm writing to my sister." "(MISS BINGLEY):" "Dear Georgiana!" "I long to see her!" "Is she much grown since the Spring?" "Is she as tall as me?" "She's now about Miss Elizabeth Bennet's height, or a little taller." "And so accomplished!" "Her performance at the pianoforte is exquisite!" " Do you play, Miss Bennet?" " Aye, but very ill indeed." "All young ladies are accomplished!" "They sing, they draw, they dance, speak French and German, cover screens, and I know not what!" "Not half a dozen would satisfy me as accomplished." "(MISS BINGLEY):" "Certainly!" "No woman can be esteemed accomplished, who does not also possess a certain something in her air, in the manner of walking, in the tone of her voice, her address and expressions." "(DARCY):" "And to this she must yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading." "I'm no longer surprised at you knowing only six accomplished women." "I wonder at your knowing any." "(MRS HURST):" "You're severe upon your sex, Miss Bennet." "(ELIZABETH):" "I must speak as I find." "Perhaps you haven't had the advantage of moving in society enough." "There are many very accomplished young ladies amongst our acquaintance." "(HURST):" "Come, come!" "This is a fine way to play cards!" "You're all light!" "Look, girls!" "Is it not a fair prospect?" "And now the mother!" "Are we to be invaded by every Bennet in the country?" "It's too much to be borne!" "Mrs Bennet!" "Welcome!" "I hope you don't find Miss Bennet worse than expected." "Indeed I do, sir!" "She's very ill indeed, and suffers a vast deal, though with the greatest patience in the world, for she has the sweetest temper." "But she is much too ill to be moved." "We must trespass a little longer on your kindness." "But of course!" "Miss Bennet will receive every possible attention, I assure you." "You are very good." "Well, you have a sweet room here!" "I think you will never want to leave Netherfield." "I'd be happy to live in the country forever." "Wouldn't you, Darcy?" "You would?" "You don't find the society somewhat confined and unvarying?" "Confined and unvarying?" "Indeed it is not, sir!" "The country is a vast deal pleasanter than town, whatever you may say about it!" "Mamma, you mistake Mr Darcy's meaning." "Do I?" "He seems to think the country nothing at all!" " Mamma." " Confined, unvarying!" "I would have him know we dine with 24 families!" "(GIGGLES)" "Mamma?" "Have you seen Charlotte Lucas since I came away?" "Yes, she called yesterday with Sir William." "What an agreeable man he is!" "That is my idea of good breeding." "Those persons who fancy themselves very important, and never open their mouths, quite mistake the matter." "Mr Bingley, did you not promise a ball when you were settled here?" "It will be a scandal if you don't keep your word." "I am perfectly ready to keep my engagement." "When your sister is recovered, you shall name the day of the ball, if you please." "There, now, Lydia!" "That's a fair promise for you!" "That's generosity for you!" "That's what I call gentlemanly behaviour!" "Miss Eliza Bennet." "Let me persuade you to follow my example and take a turn about the room." "It's so refreshing!" "Will you not join us, Mr Darcy?" " That would defeat the object." " What do you mean, sir?" " What can he mean?" " I think we would do better not to enquire." "Nay, we insist on knowing your meaning, sir!" "That your figures are to best advantage when walking, and that I might best admire them from here." "Shocking!" "Abominable reply!" " How shall we punish him, Miss Eliza?" " Nothing so easy." "Tease him." " Laugh at him." " Laugh at Mr Darcy?" "Impossible!" " He is a man without fault." " Is he indeed?" "A man without fault?" "That is not possible for anyone." "But it has been my study to avoid those weaknesses which expose ridicule." "Such as vanity, perhaps, and pride?" "Yes, vanity is a weakness indeed." "(DARCY):" "But pride..." "Where there is a superiority of mind, pride will always be under regulation." "I have faults, but I hope they're not of understanding." "My temper I cannot vouch for." "It might be called resentful." "My good opinion, once lost, is lost forever." "That is a failing indeed, but I cannot laugh at it." "I believe every disposition has a tendency to some evil." " Your defect is a propensity to hate everyone." " Yours is wilfully to misunderstand them." "Some music?" "Give your parents my warmest salutations." "Your father is most welcome to shoot with us at any time convenient." "Thank you, sir." "You are very kind." "Goodbye." "Goodbye." "Drive on, Rossiter." "(MISS BINGLEY):" "How pleasant it is to have one's house to oneself again!" "But I fear Mr Darcy is mourning the loss of Miss Eliza Bennet's pert opinions and fine eyes." "Quite the contrary, I assure you." "(ELIZABETH):" "Oh, Jane!" "I'm sorry to say it, but notwithstanding your excellent Mr Bingley," "I've never been so happy to leave a place in my life!" "(FATHER): / hope, my dear, you have ordered a good dinner today, because I have reason to expect an addition to our family party." "Mr Bingley!" "Why, Jane, you sly thing, you never dropped a word!" "(MOTHER):" "And no fish to be got!" "Lydia, my love, ring the bell." "I must speak to Hill!" "It is not Mr Bingley." "It is a person I never saw in the whole course of my life." " Colonel Forster!" " Captain Carter!" "No, I know." "Denny!" "About a month ago, I received this letter." "About a fortnight ago, I answered it, for it was a case of some delicacy, requiring early attention." "It is from my cousin, Mr Collins, who, when I am dead, may turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleases." "Oh, my dear, pray don't mention that odious man!" "It is the hardest thing in the world, that your estate should be entailed away from your children." "Indeed, my dear, nothing can clear Mr Collins of the iniquitous crime of inheriting Longbourn, but if you'll listen to his letter, you may be softened by how he expresses himself." ""My dear sir, the disagreement subsisting between yourself and my late honoured father"" ""always gave me much uneasiness, and since I have had the misfortune to lose him..."" "(LYDIA SNORTS)" ""..to lose him, I have frequently wished to heal the breach."" "There, Mrs Bennet. "My mind, however, is now made up on the subject..."" "(COLLINS): ..for, having received my ordination at Easter, /'ve been fortunate to be distinguished by the patronage of the Right Honourable Lady Catherine de Bourgh," "whose bounty and beneficience has preferred me to the valuable rectory at Hunsford, where it's my endeavour to demean myself with grateful respect towards her Ladyship." "As a clergyman, moreover, / feel it my duty to promote and establish the blessing of peace in all families within the reach of my influence, and on these grounds / flatter myself that my overtures of goodwill are highly commendable," "and will not lead you to reject the offered olive branch." " am, sir, keenly conscious of being the means of injuring your amiable daughters, and assure you of my readiness to make them every possible amends." " propose myself the satisfaction of waiting on you and your family on Monday the 18th..." "Have care, Dawkins!" "..and shall probably trespass on your hospitality till the Saturday sevenight following." " shall travel as far as the turnpike in my own modest equipage, where / hope to catch the Bromley Post at 35 minutes past ten, and thence to Watford, from whence / shall engage a hired carriage to Longbourn." "Where, God willing, you may expect me by four in the afternoon." "And here he comes." "He must be an oddity, don't you think?" "If he's disposed to make our girls any amends, I shan't be the person to discourage him." " Can he be a sensible man, sir?" " I think not, my dear." "Indeed, I have great hopes of finding him quite the reverse." "(FATHER):" "Mr Collins!" "You are very welcome!" "My dear Mr and Mrs Bennet!" "(FATHER):" "You seem very... ..fortunate in your patroness, sir." "Lady Catherine de Bourgh." "Indeed I am, sir." "I have been treated with such affability, such condescension, as I would never have dared to hope for." "I have been invited twice to dine at Rosings Park." "That so?" "Amazing." "Does she live near you, sir?" "The garden, in which stands my humble abode, is separated only by a lane from Rosings Park." "Only a lane, eh?" "Fancy that, Lizzy." "I think you said she was a widow, sir?" "Has she any family?" "She has one daughter, ma'am." "The heiress of Rosings, and of very extensive property." "And has she been presented at court?" "She is unfortunately of a sickly constitution which unhappily prevents her being in town." "And by that means, as I told Lady Catherine myself one day, she has deprived the British Court of its brightest ornament." "You may imagine, sir, how happy I am on every occasion to offer those little delicate compliments, which are always acceptable to ladies." "That is fortunate for you, that you possess such an extraordinary talent for flattering with delicacy." "May I ask whether these pleasing attentions proceed from the impulse of the moment, or are they the result of previous study?" "They arise chiefly from what is passing at the time, sir." "I do sometimes amuse myself by writing down and arranging such little compliments as may be adapted to ordinary occasions." "But I try to give them as unstudied an air as possible." "Excellent." "(FATHER):" "Excellent." "(COLLINS):" "I must confess myself quite overwhelmed with the charms of your daughters." "Oh, you're very kind, sir." "They are sweet girls, though I say it myself." "Perhaps especially the eldest Miss Bennet?" "Ah, yes, Jane is admired wherever she goes." "But I think I should tell you, I think it very likely she will be very soon engaged." " Ah." " As for my younger daughters, if any of them..." "In their case I know of no prior attachment at all." "Ah." "We're going to Meryton to see if Denny is returned from town!" "Perhaps you would care for a little exercise, Mr Collins?" "Indeed I would, Mrs Bennet." "Cousin Elizabeth!" "Would you do me the great honour of walking with me into town?" "(COLLINS):" "You visit your Aunt Philips in Meryton frequently, I understand?" "(LIZZY):" "Yes, she is fond of company, but you'll find her gatherings poor affairs after the splendours of Rosings Park." "No, I think not." "I believe I possess the happy knack, much to be desired in a clergyman, of adapting myself to every kind of society, whether high or low." " That is fortunate indeed." " Yes, indeed, and though it is a gift of nature, constant study has enabled me, I flatter myself, to make a kind of art of it." "There!" "I'm sure that's new in since Friday." "Isn't it nice?" "Don't you think I'd look well in it?" " Not as well as me." "Come on!" " No, I shan't." "Jane!" "Come here." "Look at this!" "Jane, I'm determined to have this bonnet!" "Look, there's Denny!" " Where?" " There." "Look!" " (KITTY):" "Who's with him?" " (LYDIA):" "Don't know." " (KITTY):" "He's handsome!" " (LYDIA):" "He might be if he were in regimentals." " A man looks nothing without regimentals!" " They're looking over." "Lizzy, isn't he mightily good-looking?" " Denny!" " Lydia!" "We thought you were still in town!" "There was nothing amusing enough to hold us there." "May I introduce my friend George Wickham?" "Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, Miss Mary Bennet," "Miss Catherine Bennet and Miss Lydia Bennet." "This is our cousin, Mr Collins." "Do you stay long in Meryton, Mr Wickham?" "All winter, I'm happy to say." "I've taken a commission in Colonel Forster's regiment." "There, Lydia!" "He will be dressed in regimentals." "And lend them much distinction, I dare say." "Outswagger us all, eh, Wickham?" "You misrepresent me to these young ladies." " Shall you come with us to Aunt Philips tonight?" " (KITTY):" "Denny is coming!" "(LYDIA):" "It's only supper and cards." " I haven't been invited by Mr and Mrs Philips." " (LYDIA):" "No one cares about that nowadays!" "(WICKHAM):" "If Mrs Philips extended the invitation to include me, I should be delighted." "(KITTY):" "Look, Jane." "It's Mr Bingley!" "How very fortunate!" "We were on our way to Longbourn to ask after your health." "(JANE):" "You're very kind, sir." "I'm quite recovered, as you see." "(BINGLEY):" "Yes." "I'm very glad to know it." " Look, there's Denny!" " And Chamberlayne." "(COLLINS): ..such a variety of social intercourse." "What a charming apartment you have here, Mrs Philips." "Upon my word, it reminds me greatly of the small summer breakfast room at Rosings!" "Does it indeed, sir?" "I'm much obliged to you, I'm sure." "I'm sure Mr Collins wishes to pay a compliment, Aunt." "Does he?" "I see." "Rosings Park, we must understand, is very grand indeed." "Indeed it is!" "My dear Madam, if you thought I intended any slight on your excellent and very comfortable arrangements, I am mortified!" "Rosings Park is the residence of my noble patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh." "Oh, now I understand." "(COLLINS):" "The chimney piece in the second drawing room alone cost 800 pounds!" "(MRS PHILPS):" "Now I see, there's no offence at all." "Will you oblige me and sit down to a game of whist?" "I must confess I know little of the game, madam, but I shall be glad to improve myself." "If my fair cousin will consent to release me?" "With all my heart, sir." "Oh, Mr Collins!" " What were trumps again?" " Hearts, Mr Collins!" "Hearts." "I must confess I thought I'd never escape your younger sisters." "They can be very determined." "Lydia especially." "But they're pleasant girls." "I find that society in Hertfordshire quite exceeds my expectations." "I don't see Mr Bingley and his friends here." "I think some of Mr Bingley's friends would consider it beneath their dignity." "Really?" "Have you known Mr Darcy long?" " About a month." " I've known him all my life." " We played together as children." " But..." "Yes, you're surprised." "Perhaps you noticed the cold manner of our greeting?" "I confess I did." "Do you..." "Are you much acquainted with Mr Darcy?" "As much as I ever wish to be." "I've spent three days in the same house with him, and I find him very disagreeable." "I fear there are few who would share that opinion... except myself." "But he's not at all liked in Hertfordshire." "Everybody is disgusted with his pride." "Do you know..." " Does he intend to stay long at Netherfield?" " I do not know." "I hope his being in the neighbourhood will not affect your plans to stay." "Thank you." "But it is not for me to be driven away by Mr Darcy." "If he wishes to avoid seeing me, he must go." "We're not on friendly terms, but I have no reason to avoid him but one: he's done me great wrong." "His father, the late Mr Darcy, was my Godfather, and one of the best men that ever breathed." "My father was his steward, and when he died, old Mr Darcy cared for me, provided for me, loved me, I believe, as though I were his own son." "He intended me for the church." "And it was my dearest wish to enter into that profession." "But after he died, and the living he'd promised me fell vacant, the son refused point blank to honour his father's promises." "And so, you see, I have to make my own way in the world." "This is quite shocking!" "I had not thought Mr Darcy as bad as this." "To descend to such malicious revenge." "He deserves to be publicly disgraced!" "Some day he will be, but not by me." "Till I can forget his father, I can't defy or expose him." "(LYDIA LAUGHS)" "(LIZZY):" "I wonder at the pride of this man." "How abominable!" "You're more temperate than I'd be in your situation." "Well, I have not the resentful temper that some men have." "And my situation, you know, is not so bad." "At present I have every cause for cheer!" "I can't bear to be idle, and my new profession gives me active employment." "My fellow officers are excellent men." "And now I find myself in a society as agreeable as any I've ever known." "I absolutely forbid you to feel sorry for me!" "Lizzy?" "Lizzy, why should you feel sorry for Mr Wickham?" "Why?" "Because..." "Because I've not had a dance these three months together!" "Poor Mr Wickham!" "Well, you shall have one now." "Mary, Mary!" "The Barley Mow!" "(MRS PHILIPS):" "Oh, Mr Collins!" "I cannot believe it!" "Mr Darcy's respect for his father's wishes wouldn't allow him to behave in such an unChristian way." "Lizzy, consider, how could his most intimate friends be so deceived in him?" "I could more easily imagine Mr Bingley being imposed upon, than to think that Mr Wickham could invent such a history!" "I believe you like Mr Wickham, Lizzy." "I confess I do like him." "I do not see how anyone could not like him." "There's something very open and artless in his manner." "He feels deeply, I believe, and yet has a natural merriment and energy, despite all this." "Yes, Jane, I confess I like him very much." "But after so short an acquaintance, do you think we should believe in him so implicitly?" "How could he be doubted?" "He gave me all the circumstances, Jane." "Names, facts." "And everything without ceremony." "Let Mr Darcy contradict it!" "Besides, there was truth in all his looks." "It is difficult, indeed." "It is distressing." "One does not know what to think." "I beg your pardon, one knows exactly what to think!" "(MOTHER): 0h, girls!" "Girls, we have all been invited to a ball at Netherfield!" " I love a ball!" " So do I!" "This will be a compliment to you, Jane, you know." "The invitation includes you, Mr Collins." "But shall you accept, sir?" "Would it be entirely proper?" "Would your bishop approve?" "Your scruples do you credit, my dear cousin." "I am of the opinion that a ball of this kind, given by a man of good character to respectable people, can have no evil tendency." "And I am so far from objecting to dancing myself, that I shall hope to be honoured with the hands of all my fair cousins during the evening!" "And I take this opportunity of soliciting yours... ..Miss Elizabeth, for the first two dances!" "(LYDIA AND KITTY GIGGLE)" "(COLLINS HUMS A SONG)" "I dare say you'll be able to imagine the scope of the whole, Mr Wickham, when I tell you that the chimney piece alone, in the second drawing room, cost all of 800 pounds!" "800 pounds, sir!" "I hazard a guess it must be a very large one?" "It is very large, indeed, sir." " Her Ladyship is fond of a good blaze, then?" " Oh... (JANE):" "Mr Collins!" "How fortunate!" "I must claim you for my sister Mary." "She's found a passage in Fordyce's Sermons that she can't make out." " Well, I..." " I believe it is of great doctrinal import, sir." " In that case..." " You're very kind, sir." "She's in the drawing room." "Mr Collins' conversation is very... ..wholesome." "And there is plenty to be had of it, I assure you!" " Have you made Mr Bingley's acquaintance yet?" " No." "But I'm disposed to approve of him." "He has issued a general invitation to the officers for his ball, which has caused great joy in more than one quarter." " He must be a very amiable gentleman." " Oh, yes." "He is eager to approve of everyone he meets, but he's a sensible man, with taste and judgement." "I wonder very much how Mr Darcy could impose upon him." "He cannot know what Mr Darcy is." "Probably not." "Mr Darcy can please what he chooses, if he thinks it worth his while." "Among his equals in wealth and consequence, he can be liberal-minded, honourable, even agreeable." " I wonder you can speak of him so tolerantly." " He is not wholly bad." "Tell me, what sort of girl is Miss Darcy?" "I wish I could call her amiable." "As a child, she was affectionate and pleasing, and fond of me." "I've devoted hours to her amusement, but she is grown too much like her brother." "Very... proud." "I never see her now." "Since her father's death, her home has been in London." "She is but 16 years old." "Your sister Lydia's age." "Lydia is 15." "I was amused by your cousin's reference to Lady Catherine de Bourgh." "She's Mr Darcy's aunt, and her daughter Anne, who will inherit a large fortune, is destined to be Mr Darcy's bride." "Really?" "!" "Poor Miss Bingley." "Ah, you look very well, Lizzy!" "You'll never be as pretty as your sister Jane, but I will say you look very well indeed!" "Thank you, mamma." "I hope you will pay Mr Collins every courtesy tonight, because he's been very attentive to you!" "(KITTY):" "Your gown is very unbecoming, too!" " Then I shall ask Lizzy!" " Lydia, what are you doing?" " Go back in your room and dress yourself!" " I have to ask Lizzy something!" "Lizzy, look." "What do you think?" "Kitty says not, but I think it becomes me very well." " I wonder that you ask me." " You look very nice." "Thank you." "Don't keep Wickham to yourself." "Kitty and I want to dance with him as well." "I promise I shall not." "Even if I wished to, I could not." "I have to dance the first two with Mr Collins." "Lord, yes." "He's threatened to dance with us all!" "(LYDIA GIGGLES)" "(LAUGHS HEARD FROM LYDIA AND KITTY)" "My dear Jane, how delightful to see you, and so well recovered!" "Louisa and I have been quite desolate without you, haven't we?" " Mr Hurst?" " What?" " Oh, Mrs Bennet!" " Delighted." " Mr Bennet." " Mrs Bennet, Mr Bennet!" "Quite delighted." " And all your daughters." " There's Denny!" " And Chamberlayne!" " And my cousin Mr Collins." "(COLLINS):" "May I congratulate you on your very elegant arrangements, ma'am?" "(COLLINS):" "It puts me to mind greatly of..." "Perhaps you may have visited Rosings Park?" "Miss Bennet." "Miss Bennet." "You look quite remarkably well this evening." "Thank you." "I'm instructed to convey my friend Wickham's regrets that he cannot attend the ball." "He's gone to town on a matter of urgent business, which probably became urgent as he wished to avoid a certain gentleman." "Denny!" "I hope you're prepared to dance with us tonight!" "Forgive the intrusion." "I would dance with both of your sisters at once if I could, but..." "Never mind that." "Come on, Denny!" "Charlotte!" "I have so much to acquaint you with!" "Charlotte, may I present our cousin, Mr Collins?" "My friend, Miss Lucas." " How do you do, sir?" " Miss Lucas." "I'm indeed honoured to meet any friend of my fair cousins." "So many agreeable young ladies!" "I'm quite enraptured!" " Other way, Mr Collins!" " Madam, a thousand apologies..." "My dear cousin, I apologize." "(THE MUSIC DROWNS MOTHER'S VOICE)" " It's extraordinary!" "Are you sure it's true?" " Charlotte, how could it be otherwise?" "Every circumstance confirms it." "And Mr Darcy has boasted to me himself of his resentful...." " Lizzy!" " What?" "If you're not otherwise engaged, would you do me the honour of dancing the next with me?" "Why I... had not..." "I thank you." "Yes." "Why couldn't I think of an excuse?" "Hateful man!" "I promised myself I'd never dance with him." "He pays you a great compliment in singling you out, Lizzy." "Think what you are doing." "You'd be a simpleton if you let your fancy for Wickham lead you to slight a man of ten times his consequence." "I believe we must have some conversation, Mr Darcy." "A very little will suffice." "You should say something about the dance, perhaps." "I might remark on the number of couples." " Do you talk by rule when you're dancing?" " Sometimes it's best." "Then we may enjoy the advantage of saying as little as possible." "Do you consult your own feelings in this case, or seek to gratify mine?" "Both, I imagine." "We are both unwilling to speak unless we expect to say something that will amaze the whole room." "This is no striking resemblance of your own character, I'm sure." " Do you often walk into Meryton?" " Yes, quite often." "When you met us, we had just been forming a new acquaintance." "Mr Wickham's happy manners enable him to make friends." "Whether he is equally capable of keeping them, is less certain." "He has been unlucky to lose your friendship in a way he'll suffer from all his life." "Allow me to congratulate you, sir!" "Such superior dancing is rarely to be seen." "I'm sure your fair partner is well worthy of you." "I hope this pleasure is repeated often." "Especially when a certain desirable event takes place." "Eh, Miss Lizzy?" " What congratulations will then flow in!" " Sir, I..." "I understand!" "I'll not detain you longer from your bewitching partner!" "A great pleasure, sir." "Capital!" "Capital!" "I remember hearing you once say that you hardly ever forgave." "That your resentment once created was implacable." "You're careful, aren't you, in allowing resentment to be created?" "I am." "And never allow yourself to be blinded by prejudice?" "I hope not." "May I ask to what these questions tend?" "Merely to the illustration of your character." "I'm trying to make it out." " What is your success?" " I don't get on at all." "I hear such different accounts of you as to puzzle me exceedingly." "I wish that you wouldn't attempt to sketch my character at the present moment." "The performance should reflect no credit on either of us." "If I don't take your likeness now, I may never have another opportunity!" "I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours." "(VOICES DROWNED IN PARTY SOUNDS)" "Miss Eliza, I hear you're quite delighted with George Wickham." "No doubt he forgot to tell you, among his other communications, that he was merely the son of old Wickham, the late Mr Darcy's steward!" "But, Eliza, as a friend, let me recommend you not to give credit to all his assertions." " Wickham treated Darcy in an infamous manner." " Has he?" "How?" "I don't remember the particulars, but I do know that Mr Darcy was not in the least to blame." "I pity you, Eliza, for the discovery of your favourite's guilt, but really, considering his descent, one could not expect much better." "His guilt and his descent appear by your account to be the same." "You accuse him only of being the son of Mr Darcy's steward, which he informed me of himself." "I beg your pardon." "Excuse my interference." "It was kindly meant." " Insolent girl!" " Lizzy!" "I see nothing in her paltry attack but her own ignorance and the malice of Mr Darcy!" "Yes, but Lizzy..." "Mr Bingley said, that though he doesn't know the whole history, he fears that Mr Wickham is by no means a respectable young man." " Does he know Mr Wickham?" " No." "Well, then he just had his account from Mr Darcy." "I don't doubt Mr Bingley's sincerity." "Of course he would believe his friend." "As to the other two gentlemen, I shall venture to think of them both as I did before." "Shall we not have some music?" "I have a great desire for a song!" "Caroline, can we persuade you?" "Miss Mary Bennet." "You've anticipated me." "# Slumber, dear maid" "# Green Boughs will cover thee" "# Cometh breathe over thee" "# Where thou art laid" "# Slumber, dear maid..." "Lizzy!" "Look." "But they haven't been introduced!" " Can we not prevent him?" " Too late." "Mr Darcy." "I have made a remarkable..." "I must say, an amazing discovery!" "I understand that you are the nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh of Rosings Park!" "Mr Darcy, I am happy to be able to inform you that her Ladyship was in the best of health... ..eight days ago." "I'm glad to hear it." " And what is your name, sir?" " My name is William Collins, Mr Darcy." "And I have a very great honour to..." "Well." "Well." "# Green Boughs will cover thee" "# Cometh breathe over thee" "(THE DOG JOINS IN THE SINGING)" "Rowley!" "# Where thou art laid" "# My Mother bids me bind my hair" "# With bands of rosy hue" "That'll do extremely well, child." "You've delighted us long enough." "Let the other young ladies have time to exhibit." "If I were so fortunate as to be able to sing," "I should have great pleasure in obliging the company with an air." "Indeed I should, for I consider music as a very innocent diversion, and perfectly compatible with the profession of a clergyman!" "Mr Collins is such a sensible, respectable young man." "He's taken quite a fancy to Lizzy, and I don't think he could find a better wife." "He favoured Jane at first, but Bingley was there before him." "Now there will be a great marriage!" "And, of course, that will throw the girls into the path of other rich men!" "(DENNY):" "Lydia!" "(DENNY):" "Lydia!" "Lydia!" "Lord!" "Denny, fetch me a glass of wine." "I can scarce draw breath, I'm so fagged!" "(KITTY): ...and Chamberlayne and Denny again!" "Lydia only danced with him twice!" " I thought Mary sang very ill." " Oh, yes." "Poor Mary." " But she is determined to do it." " More fool her, I say." " Mr Collins trod on my frock and tore it." " (MOTHER):" "Lizzy!" "Mr Collins, I'm sure there can be no objection!" "Kitty, don't leave me." " Lizzy, dear!" " (KITTY):" "Why?" "It's only Mr Collins." "Come, Kitty." "I want you upstairs." "Mr Collins has something to say to Lizzy!" "Dear Mamma, don't go." "Mr Collins can have nothing to say that anyone could not hear." "Lizzy." "I insist that you stay where you are and hear Mr Collins!" "Come, Kitty!" "Come along." "Believe me, my dear Miss Elizabeth, that your modesty adds to your other perfections." "But you can hardly doubt the object of my discourse, however your feminine delicacy may lead you to dissemble." "For, as almost as soon as I entered the house," "I singled you out as the companion of my future life!" "But before I am run away by my feelings on this subject, perhaps it would be advisable for me to state my reasons for marrying." "Mr Collins..." "My reasons for marrying are:" "First, I think it a right thing for every clergyman to set the example of matrimony in his parish." "Secondly, that I am convinced it will add very greatly to my happiness." "And thirdly, which perhaps I should have mentioned first, that it is the particular recommendation of my noble patroness Lady Catherine de Bourgh!" ""Mr Collins," she said, "you must marry."" ""Choose properly," she said." ""Choose a gentlewoman for my sake,"" ""and for your own, let her be an active, useful sort of person, not brought up too high."" ""Find such a woman as soon as you can, bring her to Hunsford, and I will visit her!"" "And your wit and vivacity," "I think, must be acceptable to her, when tempered with the silence and respect which her rank will inevitably excite." "Yes." "So much for my general intention in favour of matrimony." "Now, as to my particular choice:" "My dear cousin, being, as I am, to inherit all this estate after the death of your father," "I could not satisfy myself without resolving to choose a wife from among his daughters." "And now nothing remains, but to assure you, in the most animated language, of the violence of my affections!" " Mr Collins, please..." " To fortune I am perfectly indifferent." "I'm well aware that 1,000 pounds in the four per cents is all that you may be entitled to, but rest assured, I shall never reproach on that score when we are married!" "You are too hasty, sir!" "You forget that I've made no answer." "Let me do so now." "I thank you for your compliments." "I am very sensible of the honour of your proposals, but... ..it is impossible for me to accept them." "I am by no means discouraged." "Indeed not." "I understand that young ladies often reject the addresses of the man they mean to accept, when he first applies for their favour, and therefore I shall hope, my dear cousin, to lead you to the altar before long." "Upon my word, your hope is an extraordinary one in view of my declaration." "I was perfectly serious in my refusal." "You could not make me happy, and I am the last woman who could make you so." "My dear Miss Elizabeth, my situation in life, my connection with the noble family of de Bourgh, are circumstances highly in my favour." "Consider that it is by no means certain that another offer of marriage may be made to you." "You cannot be serious in your rejection." "I must attribute it to your wish of increasing my love by suspense, in the usual manner of elegant females." "I assure you, sir, that I have no pretensions to the kind of elegance which consists in tormenting a respectable man." "I thank you for the honour of your proposals, but to accept them is absolutely impossible." "My feelings forbid it in every respect." " Can I speak plainer?" " You are uniformly charming!" "And I am persuaded that when sanctioned by your excellent parents... ..my proposals will not fail of being acceptable." "Oh, Mr Bennet!" "You are wanted immediately." "We are all in uproar!" "You must come and make Lizzy marry Mr Collins." "She vows she won't have him, and if you don't make haste, Mr Collins will change his mind and won't have her!" "I have not the pleasure of understanding you." "Of what are you talking?" "Of Mr Collins and Lizzy!" "Lizzy declares she will not have Mr Collins, and Mr Collins begins to say he will not have Lizzy!" "What am I to do on the occasion?" "It seems a hopeless business." "Speak to Lizzy about it yourself!" "Tell her you insist upon her marrying him!" "Let her come in." "Lizzy!" "Lizzy!" "Your father wishes to speak to you." "Come here, my child." "I..." "I understand Mr Collins has made you an offer of marriage." " Is this true?" " Yes, sir." "Very well." "And this offer of marriage you have refused?" " I have." " (FATHER):" "I see." "Right, we now come to the point." "Your mother insists on your accepting it." " Is it not so, Mrs Bennet?" " Yes, or I will never see her again!" "An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth." "From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents." "Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr Collins." "And... ..I will never see you again if you do." "Oh, Mr Bennet!" "(MOTHER):" "Sit down, Miss Lizzy!" " insist upon you marrying Mr Collins!" " Why, Charlotte, what do you do here?" " I am come to see Elizabeth." "Mr Collins has made Lizzy an offer, and what do you think?" "She won't have him!" "Then I am very sorry for him, though I couldn't say I'm surprised." "(MOTHER): /f you don't, / will never speak to you again!" " I won't discuss the matter any longer." " Mr Collins!" "Mamma's beside herself." "He says he won't stay another night." " I wonder, should I invite him to dine with us?" " Aye, do!" "Do!" "Take him away and feed him." "For he's been in high dudgeon all morning!" " Oh, Mr Collins!" " I am resigned." "Resignation is never so perfect, as when the blessing denied begins to lose somewhat of its value in our estimation." "Until tomorrow then, madam." "I take my leave." "Oh, Mr Collins!" "Lizzy!" "Jane!" "What do you think?" "Mr Collins has made an offer of marriage to Charlotte Lucas!" "She's accepted him!" "Charlotte?" "Engaged to Mr Collins?" "Impossible!" "The fireplace in the great room at Rosings would be much larger than that." "A fireplace of truly prodigious dimensions." "But why should you be surprised, my dear Lizzy?" "Do you think it incredible that Mr Collins could procure any woman's good opinion, because he didn't succeed with you?" "Charlotte, I didn't mean..." "I was surprised." "Charlotte, if Mr Collins has been so fortunate as to secure your affections," "I'm delighted for you both." "I see what you are feeling." "I'm not romantic, you know." "I never was." "I ask only a comfortable home." "And, considering Mr Collins' character and situation in life," "I'm convinced my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most who enter the marriage state." "(COLLINS):" "My dear Charlotte!" "Cousin Elizabeth, you can see before you the happiest of men!" "Jane, it was such a humiliating spectacle!" "She knows she's marrying one of the stupidest men in England." "I never believed her capable of that." "Lizzy, you do not make allowances for differences of situation and temper." "Our cousin Mr Collins is not the cleverest of men, perhaps, but he is respectable." "He is not vicious, and as far as fortune goes, it's an eligible match." "Very eligible!" "You wouldn't think of marrying a man like that, simply to secure your own comfort." "No, but Lizzy, not everyone is the same." "Dear Jane!" "I doubt that you will have to make a choice between marrying for love and marrying for more material considerations." "Though you may, perhaps?" "(THERE IS A KNOCK ON THE DOOR)" " This came just now from Netherfield, ma'am." " Thank you." "It's from Caroline Bingley." "She writes... ..that the whole party will have left Netherfield by now, for London." "And without any intention of coming back again." "(MISS BINGLEY):" "Charles first thought that his business in London would only take a few days, but we're certain that this cannot be so." " am convinced that when Charles gets to town, he will be in no hurry to leave it again." " do not pretend to regret anything / shall leave in Hertfordshire, my dearest friend, except your society." "Mr Darcy, of course, is impatient to see his sister." "And to confess the truth, /'m scarcely less eager to meet her again, from the hope / dare to entertain of her being hereafter... my sister." "Am / wrong, my dearest Jane, in indulging the hope of an event which would secure the happiness of so many?" "Is it not clear enough?" "Caroline Bingley believes her brother is indifferent to me and she means to put me on my guard." " Can there be any other opinion on the subject?" " Yes, there can!" "Miss Bingley sees that her brother is in love with you, and she wants him to marry Miss Darcy." "She hopes to keep him in town and persuade you that he does not care about you." "Indeed, Jane, you ought to believe me." "No one who has seen you and Bingley together can doubt his affection." "I cannot believe Caroline is capable of wilful deceit." "All I can hope for is that she is deceived herself." "Believe her to be deceived, by all means, but she can hardly convince a man so much in love that he's in love with someone else instead!" "If Bingley is not back by your side and dining at Longbourn within two weeks," "I shall be very much surprised." "I don't envy Charlotte in the slightest!" "Fancy marrying a clergyman!" " He'll read from Fordyce's sermons every night." " Before they go to bed!" "Look at that hideous cloth!" "It would do very well for Mary." "Look!" "There's Denny and Carter." " And Wickham!" " I suppose you'll keep him all to yourself again?" " Of course." "She's violently in love with him!" " For heaven's sake, lower your voice." "Good afternoon to you, Ladies!" "How fortunate!" "We were going to Longbourn in search of you." "We came into town in search of you!" "We hoped we would see you at the Netherfield ball." "I was very sorry to lose the pleasure of dancing with you." "But fate, it would seem..." "No." "With you I must be entirely open." "I decided that it would be wrong for me to be there." "I found that I had better not meet with Mr Darcy." "Scenes might arise unpleasant to more than myself." "I understand and admire your forbearance." "Not that it would give me a moment's concern to see Mr Darcy publicly set down, but in Mr Bingley's house..." "It would grieve me to see him embarrassed and discomfited." "And through him, your sister." "Yes." " I hear Mr Collins is engaged to be married." " Yes, to my good friend Charlotte Lucas." "I had thought that his intentions tended in another direction." "Perhaps they did, but they took a little turn, to everybody's satisfaction." "And relief." "I hope that you will stay and take tea with us." "I should like to introduce you to my mother and father." "Thank you." "Denny!" "Oh, young George Wickham is such a charming young man, is he not, my dear?" "What?" "Oh, indeed he is." "It was very good of him to entertain us so eloquently with stories about his misfortunes." "With such narratives to hand, who would read novels?" "But I believe he has been treated contemptibly by Mr Darcy, father." "I dare say he has." "Though Darcy may be no more of a black-hearted villain than your average rich man, used to his own way." "It behoves us all to take very careful thought before pronouncing an adverse judgement on any of our fellow men." "Lord!" "I feel very sorry for poor Mr Wickham." "And so becoming in his regimentals!" "I remember the time when I liked a red coat myself well enough." "And I do still in my heart." "And there's no need to smile like that, Miss Lizzy!" "Though Mr Wickham has taken a fancy to you, I'm sure you've done nothing to deserve it, after your dealings with Mr Collins!" "Well, it is all in vain, it will all come to nothing!" "The poor young man!" "If only he had five or six thousand a year," "I'd be happy to see him marry any of the girls!" "But nothing turns out the way it should." "And now Mr Bingley, of whom we all had such expectations, is gone off forever!" "What?" "I've heard again from Caroline Bingley." "It's now definite that they will stay in town for the whole winter." "I cannot believe it." "It is true." "Come now, Jane, take comfort." "Next to being married, a girl likes to be crossed in love now and then." "When is it your turn, Lizzy?" "You can't be long outdone by Jane, when here are officers enough in Meryton to disappoint all the young ladies in the country." "Let Wickham be your man." "He's a pleasant fellow." "He would jilt you creditably." "Thank you, sir, but a less agreeable man would do." "We must not all expect Jane's good fortune." "True, but it is a comfort to think..." "that whatever of that kind may befall you, you have an affectionate mother who will always make the most of it." "I don't know what will become of us all, indeed I do not!" "And I cannot bear to think of Charlotte Lucas being mistress of this house!" "That I should be forced to make way for her, and see her take my place!" "My dear, don't give way to such gloomy thoughts." "Let us hope for better things." "Let us flatter ourselves that I might outlive you." "You mustn't be anxious for me, Lizzy." "He will be forgot, and we shall all be as we were before." "But, I may remember him as... ..the most amiable man of my acquaintance." "That is all." "I have nothing either to hope or fear... ..and nothing to reproach him with." "At least I have not had that pain." "My dear Jane." "You're too good." "Your sweetness and disinterestedness are truly angelic." " Don't tease me, Lizzy." " Indeed I do not tease you." "There are few people whom I really love, and even fewer of whom I think well." "The more I see of the world, the more I am dissatisfied with it." "Jane, what if you were to go to town?" "Aunt and Uncle Gardiner would gladly take you with them to Gracechurch Street after Christmas." " Why would you have me go to London, Lizzy?" " No reason." "A change of scene and society?" "Why are you so late?" "I'm sure I feared your coach had overset itself, or you had been attacked by robbers!" "Nonsense, we made good time." "How do you do, Fanny?" "Very ill, Edward." "No one knows what I suffer with my nerves." " But then I never complain." " That's the best way, Fanny." "You're very good." " Have you brought us some presents?" " I see you've not changed, Lydia." " Why, have I not grown?" " Aye, in everything but good sense." "Lizzy!" "Get yourselves in, get yourselves in, for you have barely time for a change of clothes!" "We are bidden to the Philips' this evening." "I have no desire to be going here and there at night." "I should much rather sit at home and rest my poor nerves." "# God rest ye merry gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay," "# Remember Christ our Saviour Was born on Christmas Day," "# To save us all from Satan's pow'r... (SONG CONTINUES IN THE BACKGROUND)" "Aye, poor Jane." "I would not have you think I blame poor Jane at all!" "Who could blame poor Jane for the matter?" "She is the dearest girl in the world!" "I was telling our dear sister, Mrs Gardiner, she did her best." " She would have got Bingley if she could." " She did her best, and no one could do more." "But, oh, sister, when I think about Lizzy!" " It must be very hard, sister." " It is very hard." " She could have been Mr Collins' wife by now!" " That would have given you such comfort!" "Oh, those Lucases are such artful people indeed." "They are all for what they can get!" "However, your coming just at this time is the greatest of comforts." "And we are very pleased to hear what you tell us about the latest fashions for long sleeves." "May I present Mr Wickham to you, Aunt?" "I understand you come from Derbyshire, Mr Wickham." " Indeed I do, ma'am." "Do you know the country?" " Very well." "I spent some of the happiest years of my life at Lambton." "Not five miles from where I grew up, at Pemberley!" "Pemberley!" "Surely it is the most handsome house in Derbyshire, and consequently in the world!" "I see you take my view of things, ma'am." " Are you acquainted with the family?" " No." "I had the good fortune to be the protégé of old Mr Darcy." "He was the very best of men." "I wish you'd known him." "And a four on yours, and I'm out!" "Lord, I've won again!" "Let's have some dancing now." "I long for a dance!" "Mary!" "Mary, play Grimstock." "Capital!" "Capital!" " Fine girls, are they not, Mr Gardiner?" " Indeed they are, Sir William." " The two eldest in particular, perhaps?" " Indeed, indeed." "They would grace the court of St. James itself!" "But let's not forget the younger Miss Bennets!" "Aye, they have arms and legs enough between them, and are three of the silliest girls in England." "When do you go into Kent?" "We shall spend the wedding night at Lucas Lodge, and then travel to Hunsford on Friday." "You will write to me, Lizzy?" "I believe I am not likely to leave Kent for some time." " I shall depend on hearing from you very often." " That you certainly shall." "My father and Maria are to come to me in March." "Lizzy, will you promise to be one of the party?" " You will be as welcome as either of them." " Then how could I refuse?" "But I'll only come if you guarantee me a glimpse of the famous chimney piece at Rosings Park!" "That you could scarcely avoid, even if you wished to!" "(MARIA):" "Charlotte!" "Have you asked her?" "Is she to come to Hunsford with us?" " Yes." " Good!" "I shan't be half so frightened of Lady Catherine if you are with us, Lizzy!" "Who is that girl dancing with Mr Wickham?" "Her name is Mary King." "She's come to stay with her uncle in Meryton." " She's not very pretty, is she?" " Beauty is not the only virtue, Maria." "She's just inherited a fortune of 10,000 pounds, I understand." "Now that is a definite virtue!" "(MOTHER):" "It is very hard." "And I feel sorry for Lizzy, because she's done little to deserve it." "(LYDIA):" "For Wickham to pursue Miss King all the way to Barnet, just for her 10,000 pounds!" "(KITTY):" "I wish someone would die and leave me 10,000 pounds." " (KITTY):" "Then all the officers would love me!" " (MOTHER):" "I'm sure they would, Kitty dear." " (KITTY):" "Did you think her pretty, mamma?" " No indeed, she has nothing to any of you." "(LYDIA):" "A little short freckled thing!" "Poor Wickham." "How he must be suffering." "(JANE):" "January the 12th." "My dearest Lizzy, here we continue at Gracechurch Street to be quiet and comfortable." "Aunt and Uncle could not be kinder or more attentive." "All / lack here, dear Lizzy, is you, to make me laugh at myself." "Three weeks ago, when our Aunt was going to that part of town," " took the opportunity of calling on Miss Bingley in Grosvenor Street." " was very eager to see Caroline again." "And / thought she was glad to see me, though a little out of spirits." "She reproached me for giving her no notice of my coming to London, and / thought it very strange that both my letters should have gone astray." "Very strange indeed." "My visit was not long, as Caroline and Mrs Hurst were going out." "Goodbye, Miss Bennet." "They promised to call at Gracechurch Street in a day or two." " waited at home every morning for three weeks, and at length, today she came." " know, my dear Lizzy, you will be incapable of triumphing at my expense, when / confess / have been entirely deceived in Miss Bingley's regard for me." "She made it very evident that she took no pleasure in seeing me." "When / asked after her brother, she made it clear that he knows of my being in town, but is much engaged at present with Mr Darcy and his sister." " must conclude then, that Mr Bingley now no longer cares for me." "Lizzy!" "Come quick!" "Denny and Carter are here." "And guess who else?" "Wickham!" "I heard you were going into Kent." "I felt I could not let you go without calling to see you once." "I'm very glad you did." "I've missed our conversations." "I hear I am to congratulate you on your forthcoming betrothal to Miss King?" "You must despise me." "Indeed I do not!" "I understand, as my younger sisters are not yet able to, that handsome young men must have something to live on, as well as the plain ones." "Miss Bennet... ..I would wish you to believe me that..." "had circumstances been different..." "Had old Mr Darcy never had a son." "Oh, yes." "But life is full of these trials, as my sister Mary reminds us daily." "I sincerely wish you every happiness in the world." " You are very forbearing." " I flatter myself I am!" "I think Jane would be quite proud of me." "I hope you and I, at least, will always be good friends." "I'm sure we shall, Mr Wickham." "(FATHER):" "Well, Lizzy, on pleasure bent again." "Never a thought of what your poor parents will suffer in your absence?" "It is a pleasure I could well forego, father, as I think you know." "But I shall be happy to see Charlotte." "What of your cousin Mr Collins and the famous Lady Catherine de Bourgh?" "As a connoisseur of human folly, I thought you impatient to be savouring these delights." "Of some delights, I believe, sir, a little goes a long way." "Yes." "Well, think of me, Lizzy." "Until you or your sister Jane return, I shall not hear two words of sense spoken together." "You'll be very much missed, my dear." "Very well, very well." "Go along then." "Get along with you." "Aye, Maria." "All that land to the left of us belongs to Rosings Park." "All of it?" "Oh, Lady Catherine must be very rich indeed!" "I believe so, I believe so!" "And she has many favours in her gift." "Your sister has made a fortunate alliance!" "(SIR WILLIAM):" "Yes, well," "I believe the next turn takes us on to Hunsford." "Sir William!" "Maria!" "Cousin Elizabeth." "I am truly honoured to be able to welcome you to my humble abode!" " My dear Sir!" " My dear Mr Collins!" "I am deeply honoured to make a humble welcome to the Parsonage..." " I am happy to see you, Elizabeth." " And I you." "The staircase, I flatter myself, is eminently suitable for a clergyman in my position, being neither too shallow nor too steep." "As serviceable a staircase as I've ever seen, sir." "At St. James' Court..." "Though it is nothing to the staircases you will see at Rosings." "I say staircases, because there are several, and each in its way very fine." "And here, if you would permit me, cousin Elizabeth." "This will be your bedchamber, while you are with us." "And I trust you will find it comfortable and convenient." " Indeed it is a very pleasant room." " Observe that closet, cousin Elizabeth." " What do you say to that?" " Well..." "Is it not the very essence of practicality and convenience?" "Lady Catherine de Bourgh herself was kind enough to suggest that these shelves be fitted." "Shelves in the closet..." "Happy thought indeed." "She is kindness itself." "Nothing is too small to be beneath her notice, is it not, my dear?" " She is a very attentive neighbour." " We dine at Rosings Park twice every week!" " And are never allowed to walk home." " That is generosity itself, is it not, Maria?" "Her ladyship's carriage is regularly ordered for us." "I should say one of her ladyship's carriages, for she has several." "And now, Sir William, you were kind enough to express a wish to see my gardens." "Mr Collins tends the gardens himself, and spends a good part of every day in them." " The exercise must be beneficial." " Oh, yes." "I encourage him to be in his garden as much as possible." " And he has to walk to Rosings nearly every day." " So often?" "Is that necessary?" "Perhaps not, but I confess I encourage him in that as well." " Walking is very beneficial exercise." " Oh, indeed it is." "When he's in the house, he is mostly in his book room, which affords a good view of the road, whenever Lady Catherine's carriage should drive by." " And you prefer to sit in this parlour?" " Yes." "So, it often happens that a whole day passes in which we haven't spent more than a few minutes in each other's company." "I see." "I find that I can bear the solitude very cheerfully." "I find myself... ..quite content with my situation, Lizzy." " (COLLINS):" "Charlotte, come quickly!" " (CHARLOTTE):" "What is it?" "(MARIA):" "Lizzy!" "Lizzy!" "Come into the dining room." "There's such a sight to be seen!" "Make haste!" "Look, Lizzy, look!" "Is this all?" "I expected the pigs had got into the garden!" " Here's only Lady Catherine and her daughter." " No, that's old Mrs Jenkinson." " With her is Miss Anne de Bourgh!" " She's rude to keep Charlotte out in this wind!" " What a little creature she is!" " I like her appearance." "She looks sickly and cross." "Yes, she will do very well." "She'll make him a proper wife." "Who, Lizzy?" "(COLLINS):" "Mark the windows." "There are 64 in all. 64!" "And I have it on good authority that the glazing alone originally cost in excess of 600 pounds!" "It's a very handsome building, and prettily situated, sir." "And by no means lacking in windows." "Do not make yourself uneasy, my dear cousin, about your apparel." "Lady Catherine is far from requiring that elegance of dress, which becomes herself and her daughter." "She won't think the worse of you for being simply dressed." " She likes to preserve the distinction of rank." " Thank you, Mr Collins, that is a great comfort." "(LADY CATHERINE):" "An apothecary will serve your needs quite adequately." "Make sure it be no one but Nicholson, Mrs Collins." "I shall be extremely angry if I hear you have gone elsewhere." " I have no intention to, Lady Catherine." " No indeed." "No intention at all." "Well." "Your friend appears to be quite a genteel pretty sort of girl, Mrs Collins." "Her father's estate is entailed on Mr Collins, I understand." "Yes, ma'am, and I am, believe me..." "Do you have brothers and sisters, Miss Bennet?" " Yes, ma'am, I am the second of five sisters." " Are any of your younger sisters out?" " Yes, ma'am, all of them." " All?" "What?" "All five out at once?" "The younger ones out before the older are married?" "Your youngest sisters must be very young?" "Yes, ma'am, my youngest is not sixteen." "Well!" "She is full young to be out much in company." "But really, ma'am, I think it would be hard upon younger sisters, that they not have their share of society and amusement, simply because their elder sisters have not the means or inclination to marry early." "Sir William, wouldn't you agree?" " Well..." " (LADY CATHERINE):" "Upon my word!" "You give your opinion very decidedly for so young a person!" "Pray, what is your age?" "With three younger sisters grown up, your ladyship can hardly expect me to own it." "Miss Bennet, you cannot be more than twenty, I am sure." "Therefore there is no need to conceal your age!" "I am not one and twenty." "Mrs Collins, did I tell you of Lady Metcalf's calling on me yesterday to thank me for sending her Miss Pope?" ""Lady Catherine," said she," ""you have given me a treasure." Yes!" "Yes." "It is beautiful." "I could grow almost as fond of these woods and hills as you have." "Lizzy?" "We have been here three weeks, and already we have dined at Rosings Park six times!" " I would never have expected it to be so many!" " No, nor I." "(COLLINS):" "My dear!" "Maria!" "Cousin Elizabeth!" "Mr Darcy is arrived at Rosings!" "And with him his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam!" "The younger son of the Earl of Matlock!" "They have vouchsafed us the greatest honour." "They are coming to call upon us!" " When, my dear?" " Even now, Mrs Collins!" "They're hard upon my heels!" "Make haste!" "This must be due to you." "Mr Darcy wouldn't come so soon to wait upon me." "You're mistaken, for he dislikes me as much as I do him." "Make haste!" "Make haste!" " Delighted to make your acquaintance at last!" " At last, sir?" "I've heard much of you, and the praise hasn't been exaggerated." "I can well believe that." "Mr Darcy is my severest critic." "I hope we shall see you frequently at Rosings." " I'm fond of lively conversation." " This you do not find at Rosings Park?" "My aunt does talk a great deal, but seldom requires a response." "My friend speaks hardly a word when he comes into Kent, though he's lively in other places." "Nobody plays, nobody sings." " I believe you play and sing?" " A little, and very ill." " I wouldn't wish to excite your anticipation." " I'm sure you're too modest." "Any relief would be profoundly welcome." "Can you tell me why Mr Darcy keeps staring at me?" "What do you think offends him?" " I hope your family is in good health." " I thank you, yes." "My sister has been in town these three months." "Have you not seen her?" "No." "No, I have not had that pleasure." " Mr Darcy and I are not the best of friends." " I'm surprised." "Why should you be?" "I always believe in first impressions, and his good opinion once lost, is lost forever." "So you see, it is a hopeless case, is it not, Colonel Fitzwilliam?" "You will never play really well, Miss Bennet, unless you practise more." "(LADY CATHERINE):" "You may come to Rosings as often as you like, and play on the pianoforte in Mrs Jenkinson's room." "She would be in nobody's way in that part of the house." "Thank you, ma'am." "There are few people in England, I suppose, who have more true enjoyment in music than myself." "(LADY CATHERINE):" "Or a better taste." "And if I had ever learnt, I should be a true proficient." "(LADY CATHERINE):" "And so would Anne." "Do you mean to frighten me, Mr Darcy, by coming in all this state to hear me?" "I won't be alarmed." "My courage always rises with every attempt to intimidate me." "I know you find great enjoyment in professing opinions which are not your own." "Your cousin would teach you not to believe a word I say, Colonel Fitzwilliam." " That is ungenerous of him, is it not?" " It is indeed, Darcy!" "Impolitic too, for it provokes me to retaliate and say somewhat of his behaviour in Hertfordshire, which may shock his relations." " I'm not afraid of you." " What can you accuse him of?" "I should like to know how he behaves among strangers!" "The first time I ever saw Mr Darcy was at a ball, where he danced only four dances, though gentlemen were scarce, and more than one lady was in want of a partner." " I'm sorry, but so it was." " I can well believe it!" "I fear I am ill qualified to recommend myself to strangers." "Shall we ask him why?" "Why a man of sense and education, who has lived in the world, should be ill qualified to recommend himself to strangers?" "I..." "I have not that talent which some possess, of conversing easily with strangers." "I do not play this instrument so well as I should wish to, but I have supposed that to be my own fault, because I would not take the trouble of practising!" "You are perfectly right." "You have employed your time much better." "No one privileged of hearing you could think anything wanting." "We neither of us perform to strangers." "(LADY CATHERINE):" "What are you talking of?" "What are you telling Miss Bennet?" "I must have my share in the conversation!" "As for the daughter, she is a pale sickly creature with little conversation and no talent." "'m sorry to be hard on any of our sex, but..." "Mr Darcy shows no inclination for her, and treats her with the same indifference he shows everyone, but Lady Catherine is determined to have him for a son-in-law, and she is not a woman to be gainsaid." "(THE DOORBELL RINGS)" "Mr Darcy." "Mrs Collins and Maria are just now gone into Hunsford village with my cousin." "You find me all alone this morning, Mr Darcy." "I beg your pardon." "I would not wish to intrude upon your privacy." "I was just writing a letter to my sister Jane in London." "Mr Bingley and his sisters were well, I hope, when you left London?" "Perfectly so, I thank you." "I understand Mr Bingley has not much idea for ever returning to Netherfield?" "It is probable that he may spend little time there in the future." "If so, it would be better for the neighbourhood that he give up the place." "I should not be surprised if he were to give it up, as soon as any eligible purchase offers." "This seems a very comfortable house." "Lady Catherine, I believe, did much to it when Mr Collins came." "I believe she did." "And she couldn't have bestowed her kindness on a more grateful recipient." "Mr Collins appears extremely fortunate in his choice of wife." "Yes, indeed he is." "Though seen in a prudential light, it is a good match for her as well." "It must be agreeable to her to live within easy distance of her family." "Easy distance?" "It's nearly fifty miles!" "What is fifty miles of good road?" "Yes, an easy distance." "Near and far are relative terms." "It is possible for a woman to be settled too near her family." "Yes, exactly." "You would not wish to be always near Longbourn, I think." "I shall trespass on your time no longer." "Please convey my regards to Mrs Collins and her sister." "No, no, please don't trouble yourself." " Miss Bennet!" " Colonel Fitzwilliam." "I've been making the yearly tour of the Park." "Shall we take this way together?" "With pleasure." " Do you know Mr Bingley and his sisters?" " A little." "Bingley is a pleasant, gentleman-like man." "He's a great friend of Darcy's." "Yes." "Mr Darcy is uncommonly kind to Mr Bingley, and takes a prodigious deal of care of him." "Yes, I believe Darcy does take care of him." "I..." "I understand that he congratulates himself on having saved Mr Bingley the inconvenience of a most imprudent marriage." "Did Mr Darcy give his reasons for this interference?" "I understand there were some very strong objections to the lady." "And why was he to be the judge?" "You're disposed to think his interference officious?" "I don't see what right Mr Darcy had to determine and direct in what way his friend was to be happy." "But, as you say, we know none of the particulars." " Perhaps there was not much affection." " Perhaps not." "But if that were the case, it lessens the honour of my cousin's triumph very sadly, don't you think?" " Miss Bennet, are you unwell?" " A sudden headache." "Perhaps I have walked too far today." "Let us take the shorter way back." "You're sure?" "I would willingly stay at home with you, and brave all Lady Catherine's displeasure." "My dear Charlotte, I beg you to consider..." "I shall be quite all right." "It's only a headache." "It will pass, and more speedily in quiet and solitude." "I am quite sure, when all the circumstances are explained to Lady Catherine, she will not be angry, for she has indeed such Christian generosity of spirit..." " My dear, the time!" " My dear!" "Why did you not say before?" "I cannot begin to count the occasions on which her ladyship has impressed upon me the importance of punctuality..." "(DOORBELL RINGS)" "Forgive me." "I hope you are feeling better." "I am, thank you." "Will you not sit down?" "In vain I have struggled." "It will not do!" "My feelings will not be repressed." "You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." "In declaring myself thus I'm aware that I will be going expressly against the wishes of my family, my friends, and, I hardly need add, my own better judgement." "The relative situation of our families makes any alliance between us a reprehensible connection." "As a rational man I cannot but regard it as such myself, but it cannot be helped." "Almost from the earliest moments, I have come to feel for you... ..a passionate admiration and regard," "which despite my struggles, has overcome every rational objection." "I beg you, most fervently, to relieve my suffering and consent to be my wife." "In such cases as these, I believe the established mode is to express a sense of obligation." "But I cannot." "I have never desired your good opinion, and you have certainly bestowed it most unwillingly." "I'm sorry to cause pain to anyone, but it was unconsciously done, and I hope will be of short duration." "And this is all the reply I am to expect?" "I might wonder why, with so little effort at civility, I am rejected." "I might wonder why, with so evident a desire to offend me, you chose to tell me that you like me against your will, your reason, and even against your character!" "Was this not some excuse for incivility if I was uncivil?" "I have every reason in the world to think ill of you." "What could tempt me to accept the man who has ruined the happiness of a most beloved sister?" "Can you deny that you have done it?" "I have no wish to deny it." "I did everything in my power to separate my friend from your sister and I rejoice in my success." "Towards him I have been kinder than towards myself." "It's not merely that on which my dislike of you is founded." "Long before, my dislike was decided when I heard Mr Wickham's story of your dealings with him." " How can you defend yourself on that subject?" " Such interest in that gentleman's concerns!" "Who that knows of his misfortunes, can help feeling an interest?" "His misfortunes!" "Yes, his misfortunes have been great indeed!" "And of your infliction!" "You have reduced him to his present state of poverty, and yet you can treat his misfortunes with contempt and ridicule!" "And this is your opinion of me?" "My faults by this calculation are heavy indeed." "Perhaps these offences might have been overlooked, had not your pride been hurt by the confession of the scruples which long prevented my forming serious design on you." "Had I concealed my struggles and flattered you." "But disguise of every sort is my abhorrence." "Nor am I ashamed of the feelings I related." "They were natural." "Did you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your connections?" "To congratulate myself on the hope of relations whose condition in life is so below my own?" "You are mistaken, Mr Darcy." "Your declaration merely spared me any concern for refusing you, had you been more gentleman-like." "You could not make me the offer of your hand in any way that would tempt me to accept it." "From the beginning, your manners convinced me of your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain for the feelings of others." "Within a month, I felt you were the last man whom I could ever marry!" "You've said quite enough, madam." "I perfectly comprehend your feelings... ..and now have only to be ashamed of what my own have been." "Please forgive me for having taken up your time... ..and accept my best wishes for your health and happiness."