"Mrs Reilly's ghost!" "In the woods!" "She's brought her sister's baby home with her for a while to give Sarah some respite." "Don't get up." "I just wanted to see how you got on with those books." "Shouldn't have troubled yourself, ma'am!" "It's been deceit from start to finish with you." "You are on your own, Wickham, I'm finished with it." "Denny." "Don't be a bloody fool." "Wickham?" "Denny!" "I killed him!" "There's a sad inevitability to the way George Wickham has ended up." "Hardcastle will want alibis from everyone." "We were all together last night, of course." "Except for you, Colonel, and your night-time excursion." "At the present time, our one suspect is yourself." "Why would I kill him?" "!" "I'm taking him into custody and charging him with the crime." "Prepare yourself, Darcy." "If he's found guilty, you know the outcome." "Who's a naughty soldier, then?" "That's my soldier there." "Madam." "Mr Darcy's late this morning?" "He has already been in, madam." "I thought you knew." "Did Daddy come and see you this morning?" "The ladies are still settled, I hope?" "All is calm." "Your ministrations were quite effective." "Excellent." "Well, if you're sure I'm no longer needed..." "You have many calls on your time." "I'm grateful for your attendance." "Sister Reynolds." "Have you seen Mr Darcy?" "No, madam." "Er..." "Can you gather all the servants in the ballroom as quickly as possible." "Of course." "And not a word about what's happened, we must try to maintain absolute calm." "Oh, my goodness, is this what Derbyshire is like?" "Is it?" "Poor Denny shot at and dearest Lydia nearly murdered in the woods." "Calm yourself, madam." "I don't know what to make of it all." "I've fine daughters..." "Thank you." "..thank goodness, four of them found husbands, even poor Mary, who I was always worried about, she takes after my husband's side when it comes to looks!" "Mother, please..." "I heard footsteps, Lizzy, on the gravel, all through the night!" "It was only the constables, all is well." "It doesn't seem well to me." "Oh..." "Oh, my heart." "No-one cares about my poor nerves, I always suffer in silence." "Oh, thank goodness!" "Thank goodness!" "There were new symptoms overnight, doctor!" "I really don't know what to make of them, but I did manage to write them down..." "Look." "Oh, what foresight, Mrs Bennet." "Come with me, come with me..." "Oh, Lizzy." "Er..." "Ahem." "Um..." "Ahem!" "Look, can wait a minute, please?" "Can I have your attention?" "Please!" "Thank you." "The ball...is cancelled." "God, what a mess!" "How could you let this happen?" "!" "I haven't done anything wrong!" "Anyway, I'm the one who's stuck in this stinking jail cell!" "Keep your mouth shut, Wickham, the less you say about any of this the better!" "Better for me?" "Or...better for you?" "Are you threatening me, sir?" "I was merely pointing out that we depend on one another rather more than we did yesterday." "I'll remind you of who I am!" "Thank Darcy for his generosity to my jailers, but he'll need to dig a little deeper, though." "I want a better room!" "This is more than you deserve." "Darcy was always so mean with his wealth." "Mean!" "Do you realise what is at stake here?" "!" "Darcy could lose his good name over this scandal!" "And who knows what the repercussions for Pemberley could be, or for the hundreds of souls who depend on it?" "!" "And all because of you!" "I didn't realise how important I am." "How wonderful of you to let me know!" "God, I could...!" "Kill me?" "We both have reasons to keep quiet, don't we, Colonel, eh?" "In the meantime, you and Darcy will do all you can to get me out of here." "Oh, and order me some proper food, would you?" "None of this muck!" "Come along now, don't dawdle." "Take your places, quick as you can." "You should have a clean apron..." "We shouldn't have been down those woods, I told you, Joan!" " He was arrested." " That's what I heard." "Wait until Mr Darcy has addressed you." "Thank you, everyone, for gathering so promptly." "It is my sad duty to inform you all, that death came to Pemberley last night." "The victim, one Captain Denny, has been removed from the premises." "He was not known at Pemberley, and our deepest condolences are now with his family and friends." "If any of you have any information, please do come forward." "Sir Selwyn Hardcastle, who may be familiar to some of you, will be interviewing you all individually today." "No-one is suspected." "So please answer his questions as simply and honestly as possible." "That's all." "We would like to thank you all for the many hours you've spent preparing for the Lady Anne Ball." "It is the great regret of Mr Darcy and myself that it should be in vain, and for so tragic a reason." "We rely, as always, on mutual support and devotion that is at the heart of our lives here at Pemberley." "Have no fear for your safety, or for the future." "Pemberley has weathered many a storm in its long history, and this one, too, will pass." "Thank you." "Back to work!" "Did you hear that?" "!" "You heard Mrs Reynolds, back to work." "Did you see him?" "Well?" "The man is an ungrateful wretch." "No news there." "Darcy..." "I know this situation entails difficulties for you which few can understand." "If there is any way in which I can help..." "Thank you, cousin." "That won't be necessary." "I must say, this year's ball is livelier than I thought..." "Have you met the new Mrs Darcy?" "No, but I'm told she has fine eyes!" "They must be fine indeed." "I hear her father's estate is worth barely two thousand a year!" "Goodness." "There's worse!" "Her younger sister's married George Wickham, no less, and in circumstances best not mentioned!" "I wonder if Darcy's regretting his choice of bride?" "!" "I must send out a letter to our guests cancelling this evening." "No doubt it'll make many a day." "Oh, everyone will be so disappointed!" "There's only one thing people like more than a good dance, and that's a good scandal." "There's no scandal here." "Everything we do now has to send out a signal that life at Pemberley carries on as it always has." "Yes." "Of course." "Well, I can do something!" "I need to help." "I hardly think..." "Perhaps Georgiana and I could do this together?" "Yes!" "And if Henry delivers the letters people will be far less likely to ask awkward questions!" "Henry might be an appropriate errand boy, but I hardly think Georgiana is!" "I think she should leave Pemberley immediately and put as much distance as possible between herself and this affair." "Yes, the Colonel's right, you should be away." "I'll write and suggest she goes to Rosings." "I don't want to go to Rosings!" "I know it's not her favourite place, but I'm sure..." "Surely Miss Georgiana can speak for herself!" "You don't have to be a disciple of Miss Wollstonecraft to believe women should have a voice in matters that concern them!" "For God's sake, save the diatribe for the Old Bailey!" "Gentlemen, please!" "We must try to temper ourselves." "Please don't send me away." "My place is here, with you and Elizabeth and little Fitzwilliam!" "To support you all in a time of crisis, surely there's no wrong in that?" "If you feel that strongly, then, yes, of course you must stay." "I apologise, sir, I spoke out of turn." "Make your apology to the Colonel, not to me." "Please excuse me." "I shall be glad of your help." "Sir Selwyn, some breakfast?" "No time." "I shall need to interview everyone today - your guests too, I'm afraid." "Is that really necessary?" "We were all together last night." "Except for Colonel Fitzwilliam, whom I hear took it into his head to go out alone." "Colonel Fitzwilliam is my cousin." "I've known him since I was a boy!" "Then he's told you where he went?" "I don't need to know." "A solitary excursion so late in the evening - it's strange, you'll admit." "Stranger still is the way the victim behaved." "We know from the driver that they were in the darkest part of the woodland when the coach was ordered to stop." "Wickham's plan to trespass the ball was ill-mannered, to be sure, but for Denny to be so provoked that he'd abandon the safety of the carriage and plunge into woods he was unfamiliar with..." "It doesn't make sense." "Were Captain Denny and your husband quarrelling inside the carriage?" "They weren't talking at all, it was so dull of them!" "Do you know of any reason why they might have been angry with one another?" "Possibly, yes." "Go on." "I have often wondered, well - if Captain Denny was secretly in love with me." "It would made Wickham so cross!" "Lydia's always looked just like I did as a girl!" "Did Captain Denny ever declare himself?" "Of course not!" "Do you ever receive any indications of interest from him?" "Looks?" "Sighs?" "No, he always treated me with the greatest indifference, and avoided me at every possible chance." "There you have it!" "It's a sign, surely?" "Of his inner torment!" "Men know so little of their own sex!" "I saw him burn the letter!" "I am sure there is a logical reason why." "Yes, but..." "He made sure no-one was looking, Darcy." "Look, everything about the Colonel suggested..." "What?" "Where did he go on that ride?" "Elizabeth." "I know!" "I know!" "I'm sure it will all be explained, it's just..." "I-I should get on." "Of course..." "I didn't know whether to declare myself." "I wish Wickham would decide on his character and stick with it." "I've never known such a fickle young man." "First we had the simpering suitor, followed quickly by rascal at large, then war hero, and hot on its heels, the ne'er do well who can't hold down a job." "But murderer?" "Really!" "The role of a lifetime." "I sent word to your sister." "She'll soon be with us!" "I'll be so glad to have Jane here!" "Look at all these civilising books, Lizzy, these solid walls." "That's what I draw comfort from." "Yes, it's easy to forget the chaos and darkness of nature lie so close." "Speaking of which" " I was watching Lydia outside in the gardens a while ago, she was trying her hardest to distract one of the constables from the minor matter of solving a crime." "How she simpered and strutted, oh, I wish you'd seen it, Lizzy, it was...it was a superb performance." "But the man, he was quite oblivious to her, so she..." "No..." "Let me guess." "Let me guess." "She suddenly developed a fit of the vapours." "Fell straight into the poor fellow's arms." "It was fortunate Dr McFee witnessed the whole thing and whisked her inside, no doubt for one of his fortifying draughts." "I wonder what he puts in those things, I should like one myself." "'There's no need to be nervous,'" "I just want you to describe the woman you saw in the woods." "She looked like a soul in hell, ma'am!" "Can you remember what she was wearing?" "Her hair colour?" "Anything of that nature?" "Just the look in her eyes, enough to stop sleep..." "I really think, Mrs Darcy..." "Please, can you remember anything, anything at all?" "She did have a bonnet, a big one, with ribbons on it, green and purple, I think." "Which is odd, really, for a ghost..." "How nice, a colourful ghost for a change." "It was Mrs Reilly, sir!" "I know it!" "Well, if it was Mrs Reilly, her timing's good." "Isn't she supposed to appear before a misfortune of some nature?" "Please..." "I do believe this was a real woman, Sir Selwyn." "There's no need to protect my feelings, Mrs Darcy, I'm well aware of the superstition, and its origins in my own father's behaviour." "No." "I saw her myself, in the woods that day." "In fact, she'd lost her bonnet and had returned to retrieve it." "I saw what was done to Denny." "Believe me, this was no woman's crime." "Your sister, Mrs Bingley, madam." "Jane!" "How are you, Lizzy?" "Oh!" "All the better for seeing you." "It must have been a terrible night for you all." "We are well, apart from poor Lydia." "I do worry for Georgiana." "Is Alveston still here?" "He barely leaves her side!" "Jane!" "I had no idea..." "Did Lizzy not tell you I'd arrived?" "No, I was just looking for her." "Lizzy's always been jealous of me." "Everyone knows she wanted Wickham for herself, but luckily he preferred me!" "Not that she'd ever have accepted him, he wasn't rich enough!" "Underneath all her airs and graces money's always been her prime concern!" "Why do you think she married Darcy?" "!" "Lydia, please." "Jane, you're here!" "Oh!" "Darcy!" "There you are." "'Forgive me for requesting this meeting." "'Thank you for sparing the time.'" "Please." "I realise that I owe an explanation for my movements last night." "It is unlike me to be anything other than straightforward, and so I apologise for that." "I had a meeting with a certain lady." "'Her name is irrelevant.'" "I don't have much time..." "'She asked for my help in a most delicate matter concerning 'her brother, who served as an officer in my regiment.'" "I kept silent purely to protect her reputation, knowing it had nothing to do with the unfortunate events taking place here." "We met at the Green Man Inn, Sir Selwyn, if you wish to ask them to confirm the truth of what I say." "I already know that you were there, Colonel." "Your lady acquaintance made quite an impression with the amount she spent." "They were sorry to see her go." "Ask me anything you wish to know." "Your word of honour is enough." "There is something else." "I gave Wickham the £30 you found." "He wrote to me recently requesting financial assistance." "I knew you would disapprove, Darcy, but..." "My-my godson, Robert, fought with Wickham and myself in the Irish campaign, and Wickham was with him when he fell." "He risked his own life to bring Robert home, so his mother could say her farewells." "For this act of bravery alone, I..." "I felt indebted to him." "Good." "Good." "Now that we have disproved Wickham's motive, surely this indicates he's innocent?" "Innocence and guilt are complex notions, Darcy." "In any case, the jury at the inquest will decide." "Morning." "Morning." "Morning..." "Morning, morning." "George Wickham's been arrested!" "Well, well, Josiah Clancy!" "I see your legs are suddenly moving again." "Praise the Lord." "Morning, Reverend." "Morning." "Morning, children." "Morning, Minister." "Agnes, Agnes!" "The Darcy's are arriving!" "Come inside, don't keep the Lord waiting." "Morning." "Good morning." "Is it?" "That's Lydia, Wickham's wife." "Look!" "Mrs Wickham." "No, I must carry on, I insist!" "Oh, dear." "This is intolerable." "If I were a vain man," "I'd be tempted to credit last week's sermon on the conversion of St Paul for this astonishing and most gratifying turn out today." "But no." "Knowing you all as I do, I feel sure it's the call of the Lord alone that has brought you rushing from your homes with such eagerness, even the sick...and the chronically feeble amongst you." "I'm humbled, my friends, at this show of piety." "And I look forward - no," "I INSIST that this should be the first of many such Sundays to come!" "I don't think he's heard!" "Let us pray." "We will have to remove Lydia from Pemberley as soon as we can." "I'll take her to Highmarten with me in the morning." "I'll bring Mrs Bennet - if you're sure Bingley can stand it." "Of course." "We'll have our work cut out for us, ensuring mother and daughter do no further damage." "An audience limited to the local squirrels and rabbits will have to suffice." "Lydia." "Yes." "Lydia, why don't you come with me to Highmarten in the morning?" "Lizzy, dear." "Georgiana." "Er..." "Circumstances make it hard to talk of one's own happiness." "Yes, I know, it doesn't seem right." "Still, I-I..." "I can't leave without at least expressing something to you, of my, er...hope" " of my love..." "Er..." "Is there any chance that you might...?" "Yes!" "But we must wait." "Of course." "For now, all thoughts must be for Darcy and Elizabeth." "Yes, of course." "Sh." "We won't be long." "I fear poor Will won't be up to much." "Then I'll wait here." "Is Louisa still caring for her sister's baby?" "I believe so." "Must be someone in." "Mrs Bidwell." "I'm sorry to keep you waiting!" "Thank you." "Mrs Bidwell, Mr Darcy and I would like to suggest that you come and stay at Pemberley for a time." "Dr McFee would be on hand for Will." "It would take the pressure from you." "You must've had a terrible fright out here on your own the other night." "We're not frightened." "Of course it was terrible, what happened, but it was a poacher caught unawares, we're sure of it." "He'd have no quarrel with us." "And, er..." "Will wouldn't be happy away from the cottage." "If you think best." "Please, don't upset yourself." "I'll make sure Mr Bidwell is relieved of some of his duties." "No!" "You're very kind, but really" "Mr Bidwell is much happier staying busy." "I have a book for Will." "Er..." "He was sick all morning, and now he's fast asleep." "I'll call Louisa, so you can see Sarah's baby." "Louisa!" "Louisa!" "Madam." "What a lovely little boy!" "Oh, you must miss your mummy." "Well, that was peculiar." "Poor things." "It's hardly surprising." "And the baby..." "Such a sweet little thing." "I saw Louisa nursing him, Jane." "The baby's hers!" "Where's Darcy?" "You wait in the carriage." "I'll go and find him." "Darcy?" "I didn't expect you so soon." "What are you doing here?" "Nothing." "A Darcy, buried out here in the woods?" "Who was he?" "A discredit." "I didn't intend you should see that." "Come." "Did Darcy not tell you himself?" "He didn't wish to discuss it." "I haven't been there since childhood." "Georgiana, please!" "Tell me!" "The grave is of our great grandfather." "He brought great shame on the family." "He was a gambler, he made reckless investments," "Pemberley was nearly lost because of him." "He built the cottage in the woodland and retreated there to live as a hermit." "Why don't I know any of this?" "He shot himself, Elizabeth!" "It's never discussed, ever!" "Our father took us to the grave just once, when we were children." "I still remember his words." ""Here lies the man who put personal inclination before public duty," ""and nearly ruined us all."" "Father was still having to sell land as a result of his behaviour - that's how long it took to secure Pemberley again." "I have struggled long and hard." "I've tried in vain to quieten the feelings I have for you, knowing such a match would, in so many ways, be a dereliction of duty to my rank." "Not to speak of the connection to your family, whose status is so decidedly beneath my own." "Nevertheless..." "You come here to tell me you like me against your will, your reason and even your character?" "Can you not see the insult in that?" "Lizzy!" "Lizzy..." "I'm so afraid, Jane!" "Of what?" "Darcy regrets his match with me!" "You're both under great stress." "He's been so distant!" "I keep remembering the things he said the first time he proposed - about our family, and his duty to his rank..." "But he changed, Lizzy!" "You changed him!" "Our marriage has brought George Wickham back into his life, and as a brother too!" "He knew that before you were wed!" "He chose you with his eyes wide open!" "I've always comforted myself with that thought." "But this is different," "Jane, Wickham is accused of murder!" "That grave in the woods today belonged to a man who brought shame and scandal to Pemberley generations ago!" "The same could happen again - and this time it would be my fault!" "Lizzy, no!" "No!" "It's the shock of the last few days speaking." "When two people love each other as you do, they face the challenges of life together!" "You know your husband, Lizzy, as I do mine." "He could never think a bad thought about you if he tried!" "Time and some proper sleep will put it all back into perspective." "Thank you for being here." "Lizzy." "I know." "I know." "I know." "You have to leave in the morning." "I will be fine." "I will." "Do you spare any thought for the distress you've caused with this elopement?" "Your parents and sisters are distraught!" "Oh, not you as well?" "!" "Doesn't anybody have a sense of fun!" "I've had enough of sermons." "I'll leave him to you, dear." "Good luck." "Well?" "Well, what?" "Do you intend to marry her?" "!" "The trouble is, she comes with next to nothing to her name." "Do you realise what will happen to her if you don't?" "Her life will be ruined!" "Oh, come now, Darcy...." "You know as well as I do that a man of my...station has to think a little of his own advantage." "How much of an advantage would be required for you to do what's honourable?" "That much..." "Spare us a...." "Get back in there!" "Darcy!" "Such brotherly concern!" "Or is it being seen to be kind that brings you?" "No matter." "I can't be cross... even with you!" "I'm glad to see prison agrees with you." "It may prove an advantage." "What, you don't believe I'll be acquitted?" "I pray for that hourly, so you'll be free to leave Pemberley and never return." "Of course." "And since I trust to the good sense of my jurors and fellow countrymen, the outcome will doubtless be as we both desire it." "Look, to prove how confident I am..." "My memoirs." "An account of the Irish campaign, and of the injustice of my current imprisonment." "Do you think it'll sell?" "I certainly hope so, if it affords you an honest living." "I was thinking of a likeness of myself on the fly cover, for the ladies." "Perhaps you could recommend an artist?" "As for the subject of leaving," "I'd be only too happy to oblige, but I'm not sure." "Setting up a home and keeping a wife does cost money." "Lydia visited here yesterday." "All she did was cry and wail until I had to throw her out!" "If I'd chosen freely," "I might've settled for a less... demanding spouse!" "Mrs Wickham and yourself may rely on our support if and when you're released." "Do you remember poor Patrick Reilly?" "Better not to." "I can't help it" " I keep seeing him." "I didn't do it, you know!" "That was one of the things I came to ask." "I might have done some stupid things in my life - but not this." "Not this." "I believe you." "Madam." "Mrs Reynolds." "Oh, Madam." "Er..." "Louisa Bidwell." "Have you noticed anything unusual about her of late?" "Only that we haven't seen much of her since she's been looking after her sister's baby." "Would you have a quiet word with her, see if there is anything she would like to confide?" "Of course." "I think she may be in trouble." "Press her a little, would you?" "Er..." "About young men, anything of that nature." "I see." "Sir Selwyn!" "If I am not mistaken, that's blood, sir." "Better fetch Dr McFee." "Yes, sir." "There will be no visitors at Highmarten, Lydia." "You need absolute peace and quiet." "But I can't let people down." "I have to set an example of dignity and wifely courage." "You're right." "We will organise the diary as soon as we get there." "Thank you, Mama." "Elizabeth!" "Colonel Fitzwilliam is returning to his regiment this afternoon." "However, he has asked my permission to seek Georgiana's hand on his return." "I've told him it will be her decision, of course." "However, we would both be delighted if she were to say yes." "Forgive me" " I'm confused!" "We all three of us know Georgiana's inclination lies elsewhere." "Her fondness for young Alveston." "I'm aware of it." "It's endearing, but no more than a passing fancy, I'm sure." "He is from a good family, but we hardly know him, and nor does Georgiana." "I don't think he can guarantee her the same security that our cousin can." "Security?" "What of happiness?" "!" "Elizabeth!" "I'm sorry." "Excuse me!" "I am so sorry." "Elizabeth?" "Georgiana loves Alveston!" "She's young!" "No younger than I was when I met you!" "Are you implying Colonel Fitzwilliam cannot make her happy?" "I think that's true!" "We know him!" "He's a kind, decent and honourable..." "Arrogant, secretive man!" "Tell me, Darcy, is it the stability of his fortune that attracts you most?" "There's no shame in that!" "My sister's wellbeing and safety are of paramount importance to me." "Love can grow with time." "That's not how you chose!" "You did not defer to duty and rank, and yet you impose those burdens on Georgiana?" "There's a word for that, I think!" "Oh..." "Hypocrite?" "I'm sorry that's your view of me!" "We discussed this, Darcy!" "We agreed!" "Yes." "And things have changed, Elizabeth." "Who knows what misfortunes lie ahead?" "If we're dragged deeper into this scandal, she may never find a husband!" "Better that than a loveless marriage!" "Or one made in a wave of sentimental haste!" "What's that supposed to mean?" "!" "Exactly what it says!" "I demand that you retract your consent!" "I'll do nothing of the kind!" "I will thank you to apologise to the Colonel for being so rude!" "I will do nothing of the kind!" "If you have a moment." "I've never seen it before." "Your first name is Fitzwilliam, I believe?" "The other possibility is Denny, but his first name was Martin." "I take it you and Mrs Darcy no longer indulge in amorous frivolities of this kind?" "Once one has children..." "There's no evidence this was carved in love." "It looks more like mischief-making to me." "His name is Freddie Delancy." "He's my sweetheart - he went to London for a few days and he hasn't come back!" "I've waited and waited..." "Louisa, is he also the father of your baby?" "Please don't tell my father!" "It would kill him!" "Of course not..." "Of course not, you have my word." "I assume your mother knows?" "When we found out... she sent me to Birmingham, to my sister's." "She has three children already, so it was easy to pass Georgie off as hers." "I'm not one of those silly girls, Madam, who gets her head turned by a soldier only to find out he's run off when she's with child!" "I mean, Freddie is a soldier, with the local regiment." "But he's different." "He's sweet and kind, and he loves me, I know he does!" "I'm sure you're right." "He went to London to borrow some money, so that me and him and Georgie could go away together and start a new life!" "Something terrible must've happened!" "Would you like me to enquire with the regiment?" "Oh, Madam, would you?" "!" "Freddie Delancey's his name." "Of course." "Run along." "You've taken up quite enough of Mrs Darcy's time." "Thank you!" "I hope I've done the right thing, Madam..." "Of course." "Although I fear our Mr Delancey will prove to be long since gone." "I perceived it to be a human creature, not six inches high." "With a bow and arrow in its hands and a quiver at his..." "..quiver at his back." "Mr Alveston, madam." "Something wrong?" "I'm sorry, Henry, but I cannot receive you any more, or communicate with you in any way." "May I ask...?" "No!" "Forgive me." "Have I misunderstood you, Georgiana...?" "I'm sorry!" "Is it to do with Colonel Fitzwilliam?" "I know this situation places great pressure on you all..." "Please, Henry!" "My mind is made up!" "Then it only remains for me to wish you every happiness." "Thank you." "Elizabeth." "Are you aware Alveston's been here?" "Yes." "I just saw him go." "I'm leaving for the inquest!" "Georgiana" " I'm so sorry..." "I saw Alveston...." "I'd like to be alone." "You don't have to do this!" "We'll find a way!" "Stop" " I'm fine!" "This isn't what you want!" "I'm a Darcy, Elizabeth!" "This place, this family, was not sustained or built by people doing what they want!" "It's bigger than you or I, or any of us!" "We play our part, so it may continue after we're gone." "I'm choosing to do this, Elizabeth!" "Stable him." "Sir..." "I'd like to offer what help or support I'm able." "Thank you, Alveston." "I have some seats, Sir." "Sir Selwyn, who's presiding today?" "I am." "There is a shortage of coroners, as you know." "Needs must." "Excuse me." "Just here." "Sir Selwyn." "Gentlemen." "You may remove the fetters from the prisoner!" "Gentlemen of the jury, your numbers look depleted!" "Begging your pardon, Sir, I had a burial!" "I had a calving!" "I had a birth!" "Human, that is." "Oh, the myriad colours of local life, represented by our jury fine and fair." "Life, however, is not our primary concern today, but death - the death of Captain Martin Denny, on the night of June 14th." "Your duty is to pronounce on the cause of this regrettable demise." "And decide whether or not this case should proceed to trial." "First witness, please." "On you go, George." "Madam, a letter from the regiment." "Thank you, Stoughton." "Oh, dear." "Is that lunch for Mr Darcy?" "Yes, Madam." "Everything you wanted is there." "Shall I arrange for a couple of girls to deliver it now?" "I'll take it myself." "Oh." "Would you like me to organise somebody to accompany you?" "No, no, no..." "Actually, I'll take Louisa Bidwell." "Very good." "So when we did reach the woods..." "Finally..." "I had a terrible time getting Betty and Millie into..." "Betty and...?" "Them's me horses, Sir, Betty and Millie." "They always feel when Mrs Reilly's ghost is at large, Sir," "This is ridiculous." "Those creatures were bucking and rearing like nobody's business!" "I reckon they knew a death was about to take place!" "You tell 'em, George!" "They can smell it on the wind." "It's a sixth sense!" "The facts, Mr Pratt, the facts!" "When we was about halfway through the woods, it was then that Mr Denny got out..." "He said something about..." "being finished..." "You're on your own, Wickham!" "I'm finished!" "And then Mr Wickham followed." "Don't be a bloody fool!" ""Denny, don't be a fool," he said." "Those were the exact words, as you remember them?" "They are." "Mr Wickham disappeared after him and, well," "I didn't know what to do, Sir, as you can imagine..." "I don't wish to imagine, I wish to be informed!" "We waited, it seemed an age but probably no more than a few minutes, and then we heard them - gunshots!" "At fist one, boom!" "Come on..." "Come on..." "It seemed to bounce off the trees!" "Then a minute later, another!" "The horses bolted." "What with the lady screaming murder, it was all I could do to get Betty and Millie under control." "Thank you!" "Thank you!" "Thank you!" "Mr Pratt, you may step down." "But sir..." "Could I just add..." "No, you could not, thank you!" "Thank goodness for that." "Mr Wickham..." "Mr Wickham, you resolutely maintain you played no part in Captain Denny's demise." "Yet I have written testimony from three witnesses that when they found you at the scene of the crime, you clearly said "you killed him and it was all your fault"." "Captain Denny was disgusted that I would take my wife to a ball that she had not been invited too." "Liar..." "Quiet!" "Let the man speak." "Thank you." "I felt that if I hadn't been drinking, I could've prevented him from jumping from the carriage into the woods to meet his aggressor." "So why, in your opinion did he run into the thick of the woods with no lamp, at dusk instead of staying on the path?" "I don't know." "He was angry..." "Was he frightened of you?" "Of course not." "That is absurd!" "Frank Stirling." "No inquest would be complete without a question from you." "What is it?" "We're to understand Sir, that, er, unlike his wife," "Mr Wickham would never have been admitted to Pemberley, ball or no ball." "What relevance are social invitations to the matter at hand?" "This could turn to you, sir." "Only this." "It's a powerful strange thing for a man to forbid his house to a brother, unless that brother be prone to violence of some kind." "Perhaps Mr Darcy can throw some light upon the question?" "I have never known Mr Wickham to be a violent man." "He has always been a peaceable and socially affable man, and such is his reputation." "Thank you, Mr Darcy." "Thank you, Mr Wickham." "You may sit." "Dr McFee." "Dr McFee, you examined the large stone that was found covered in blood." "What stone?" "Not fifty yards from the site" "Mr Wickham was discovered with Captain Denny's body." "Could it in your opinion have been used as a murder weapon?" "Well..." "The weight and shape of it are consistent with the victim's injuries, Sir, so it could have been, yes!" "I dragged Denny's body through the woods to get him to safety!" "There was probably blood everywhere!" "But then you have never been on a battlefield, have you, Doctor?" "Mr Wickham..." "Please." "Sir." "Dr McFee, thank you." "I suggest the jury retire, preferably not to the bar, and consider their verdict." "Louisa." "I had a reply from the local regiment." "They've never heard of a Freddie Delancey." "I'm so sorry." "Thank you." "I'll take this to Mr Darcy." "Tell him I'm waiting outside." "Louisa!" "We will keep looking for him." "What do you think?" "Well, we must hold on to the fact that no hard evidence has been presented." "Though it would have helped if he had been a little more contrite." "True." "The jury are coming back." "Here they come." "The Bidwell girl." "Louisa?" "Louisa?" "Louisa?" "What is it?" "Freddie!" "Your Freddie?" "Where?" "!" "It's him!" "Louisa..." "Louisa..." "Come with me." "I don't want to go in." "Please." "Mr Stirling." "Has the jury reached a unanimous verdict?" "We have." "We find that Captain Denny died from a blow to the back of the skull, and that said blow was delivered by George Wickham." "Our verdict, therefore, is that Captain Denny was murdered by George Wickham." "Mr Wickham, it's my duty to inform you that you will be committed for trial at the next Derby assize!" "Where is he?" "Tell me, Louisa..." "THIS IS MADNESS!" "I didn't do it!" "I will not accept the authority of this court." "Freddie?" "Wickham!" "?" "Darcy must have nothing further to do with this sordid trial!" "Guilty of the murder whereof you stand accused or not guilty?" "Not guilty, your honour!" "She bore his child." "If this comes up in court..." "It's the kind of conduct that can prejudice a jury." "Take good care of him, Louisa." "Miss Bidwell." "Georgiana...." "Cousin, don't...!" "I believe George Wickham to be guilty of this crime." "We must believe in justice!" "Do you find the prisoner guilty..." "Lydia, Wickham has done something rather foolish." "No, don't." "..or not guilty?"