Or Jane Austen Movie Starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle

Pride And Prejudice Script - transcript from the screenplay and/or Jane Austen movie starring Colin Firth
and Jennifer Ehle 10/6/10 3:11 PM
Pride And Prejudice Script - Dialogue Transcript

Voila! Finally, the Pride And Prejudice script is here for all you quotes spouting fans of the Jane Austen movie starring Colin Firth and
Jennifer Ehle. This script is a transcript that was painstakingly transcribed using the screenplay and/or viewings of Pride And Prejudice. I
know, I know, I still need to get the cast names in there and I'll be eternally tweaking it, so if you have any corrections, feel free to drop me a
line. You won't hurt my feelings. Honest.
Swing on back to Drew's Script-O-Rama afterwards for more free movie scripts!
Pride And Prejudice Script

- I t' s a fa ir pr ospec t. - Pre tty enou g h, I g r an t y ou .
It' s no th in g to Pembe rley , I know .
But I m us t se ttl e som ewhe re. Have I y o ur a pp r ov a l?
- Y ou 'l l fi nd th e soc iety som ethi ng s a va ge . - C o un tr y m a nn er s ? I t hi n k th e y' r e ch a rm in g .
- T he n yo u' d bet ter t ake it. - Th ank y ou , I s ha l l.
I s ha ll c lo se wi th th e at torn ey d irec t ly .
I w an t to w ea r i t tod ay. Look wha t yo u 'v e do n e t o it !
Mam ma , ma mm a!
Lyd ia h as t or n u p my bonn et a nd s ays s he w il l w e ar i t t o c hu r ch . T el l h er sh e s ha l l no t !
I s ha ll w ea r it, for it's all my own w or k. S h e' d b e a f r ig ht in i t . S he 's to o p la i n to lo o k we l l i n i t !
- N o, y ou s ha ll not h ave it! - Ly dia! Ki tt y! Gi r ls !
Wou ld y ou t ea r m y ner ves into shr eds? Le t he r h a ve i t , K it ty .
But i t' s mi ne ! Y ou le t he r ha ve e very t hi ng t h at is m i ne !
Oh, w ha t is t o b ecome of us a ll? Jane , L iz zy , w h er e a re yo u?
- H er e, m am ma . - Comi ng, mamm a.
My de ar ! Mr B enn et! W onde rful new s!
- N et he rf ie ld Pa rk is let at last ! - I s it ?
Yes , it i s, f or I hav e ju st h ad i t fr o m Mr s L on g .
- D o yo u no t wan t to know who 's t aken it ? - I h a ve n o o b je ct i on t o h e ar in g i t .
It is t ak en b y a youn g ma n of lar ge f o rt un e f ro m t he no r th o f E ng l an d .
A " si ng le " ma n o f lar ge f ortu ne, my d e ar .
He ca me d ow n on Monda y to see the pla c e.
His n am e is B ing ley a nd h e wi ll b e in po ss es s io n b y M ic h ae lm a s.
"An d" h e ha s a y ear!
- W ha t a fi ne th ing f or o ur g irls ! - H ow s o? Ho w c an it af fe c t th e m?
Mr Be nn et , wh y a re yo u so tir esom e? Y o u kn ow th a t I' m t h in ki n g of hi s m ar r yi n g on e o f t he m .
For a s in gl e man with a g ood fort une " mu st " b e i n wa n t o f a w if e.
Yes , he m us t ind eed! And who bett er t h an o ne of ou r f iv e g ir l s?
Lyd ia !
- W ha t a fi ne jo ke if he chos e me ! - O r me !
So th at i s hi s d esign in sett ling her e ? To m a rr y o ne of ou r d au gh t er s ?
"De si gn "? H ow ca n you tal k su ch n onse n se ?
But h e ma y fa ll in lo ve w ith one of t h em .
- T he re fo re y ou must visi t hi m di rect l y he c o me s . - N o, no , I s ee no oc ca s io n f or th at .
- M r Be nn et ! - G o you rsel f wi th t he g i rl s.
- S ti ll b et te r, send them by them selv e s. - B y t h em se l ve s ?!
Aye , fo r yo u' re as ha ndso me a s an y of th em . M r B in gl e y m ig ht li ke yo u b es t o f t he pa rt y .
Lyd ia .. .
Hil l!
Oh, H il l!
Hil l, I a m so di stres sed!
Mr Be nn et s ay s h e wil l no t vi sit Mr B i ng le y w he n h e c om e s.
- T he re , th er e. - Can 't y ou r easo n wi t h hi m?
- I d ar es ay i t'l l all be well . - No, i t wi ll no t !
- F or h e is b ent on r uini ng u s al l. - Ma mm a, he ' s te a si n g yo u .
He wi ll c al l on Mr Bi ngle y. H e ca lls o n an y n ew ne ig h bo u r.
Jan e, h ow c an yo u say tha t? Y ou h eard hi m!
- Y ou k no w yo ur fathe r ha s a will of i ro n. - Yo u 'r e i n t he r i gh t, my de ar .
I'l l te ll y ou wh at I' ll d o. I sha ll w r it e to Mr Bi ng l ey ,
inf or mi ng h im th at I have fiv e da ught e rs , an d h e i s w el c om e t o an y o f t he m .
The y' re a ll s ill y and ign oran t, l ike o th er g i rl s .
Wel l, L iz zy h as more wit than the res t .
But h e ma y pr efe r a s tupi d wi fe, as o t he rs h a ve do ne be f or e h im .
- T he re , wi ll th at do ? - No! I be g yo u w il l n ot wr it e i f y ou . ..
You t ak e de li ght in v exin g me !
You h av e no c omp assio n on my poor ner v es !
You m is ta ke m e. I hav e a high res pect fo r yo u r n er ve s .
The y' ve b ee n my old f rien ds f or ye a rs .
- Y ou d on 't k now what I s uffe r. - Wel l , I ho p e y ou 'l l g e t ov e r it ,
and l iv e to s ee many youn g me n of a y ea r m o ve h e re .
It' s no u se i f suc h sh ould com e, s i nc e yo u w o n' t v is i t th e m.
Dep en d up on i t, my de ar. When the re a r e I ' ll vi si t t h em a l l.
You s ee , Ja ne ? H e won 't b e pr evai led u po n. H e 'l l s ee us al l r ui ne d .
If o nl y we 'd be en ab le t o ha ve s ons!
M is fo rt un es , w e are tol d, a re s ent t o te st ou r f or t it u de ,
a nd m ay o ft en revea l th emse lves as b le ss in g s i n di s gu i se .
http://www.script-o-rama.com/movie_scripts/p/pride-and-prejudice-script-transcript.html Page 1 of 39
Pride And Prejudice Script - transcript from the screenplay and/or Jane Austen movie starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle 10/6/10 3:11 PM
L or d, I 'm s o h ungry !
I f I co ul d lov e a m an w ho w ould lov e m e en o ug h t o t ak e m e f or p o un ds a y ea r,
I s ho ul d be ve ry we ll p leas ed.
Y es .
B ut s uc h a man coul d ha rdly be sens i bl e an d I co ul d n e ve r l ov e a m a n wh o w a s ou t o f h is w i ts .
O h, L iz zy .
A m ar ri ag e. .. where eit her part ner c an no t l ov e n or re s pe ct th e o th e r,
t ha t ca nn ot be agre eabl e... to eith e r pa rt y .
A s we h av e dai ly pr oof. But beg gars , y ou k n ow , c an n ot be c h oo se r s.
W e' re n ot " ver y" po or, Lizz y.
W it h fa th er 's estat e wi thhe ld f rom t he f em a le li ne , w e h av e o nl y o u r ch a rm s .
O ne o f us a t l east will hav e to mar r y "v er y " w el l.
A nd s in ce y ou' re fi ve t imes as pret t y as t h e r es t o f u s,
a nd h av e th e s weete st d ispo siti on, t he t as k w i ll f a ll on y o u.
B ut , Li zz y. ..
I w ou ld w is h.. .
I s ho ul d so mu ch li ke.. . to mar ry f o r lo ve .
A nd s o yo u sha ll, I 'm s ure.
O nl y ta ke c are you fall in love wit h a m an of go od fo r tu ne .
W el l, I s ha ll try. To p leas e yo u.
A nd y ou ?
I a m de te rm ine d tha t on ly t he d eepe s t lo ve wi l l in d uc e m e i nt o m at r im on y .
S o. .. I s ha ll end a n ol d ma id,
a nd t ea ch y our c hild ren to e mbro i de r cu s hi o ns a n d p la y t he ir in s tr um e nt s v er y i ll .
- G oo d ni gh t, mamma . - My h ead is v e ry i ll to n ig ht .
I s ai d, I w oul dn't danc e wi th h im i f h e wa s t h e la s t m an i n M er y to n !
- G oo d ni gh t, Lydia . Go od n ight , Ki t ty . - G oo d n ig h t, Li zz y !
L iz zy !
W ai t ti ll y ou hear our news !
- M r Bi ng le y h as co me! - Si r Wi llia m L uc as ca l le d o n h im !
- S av e yo ur br eath. I w ill tell mam m a. - I do n 't w i sh to k n ow .
W hy c ar e fo r M r Bin gley ? We 'll neve r b e ac q ua i nt ed wi t h hi m .
B ut , ma mm a!
D on 't k ee p cou ghing so, Kit ty! Have a li tt l e c om pa s si o n on my n e rv e s.
- I d on 't c oug h for my own amus emen t . - se r va nt s , a nd h e 's v e ry ha nd s om e .
- H e de cl ar ed that he l oves to danc e ! - He sa i d he ' d c om e t o th e n e xt b a ll !
- A t th e As sem bly R ooms ! - On S atur d ay !
- W it h si x lad ies a nd f our gent leme n . - It wa s l ad i es a n d se v en ge nt l em e n.
- T oo m an y lad ies. - Ly dia, I b eg y o u wo ul d s t op !
W e wi ll n ev er know Mr B ingl ey a nd i t p ai ns me to h e ar of h i m.
- B ut m am ma ! - I'm sick of Mr B ingl e y!
I 'm s or ry t o h ear t hat.
I f I' d kn ow n a s muc h th is m orni ng, I s ho ul d n e ve r h av e c al l ed o n h i m.
Y ou h av e ca lle d on him? !
I 'm a fr ai d we canno t es cape the acq u ai nt an c e n ow .
M y de ar M r Ben net! How good you are to u s.
- W el l, w el l. - Gir ls, girl s, i s he no t a g oo d f at h er ?
A nd n ev er t o t ell u s! W hat a go od j o ke !
A nd n ow y ou sh all a ll d ance wit h Mr Bi ng le y !
I h op e he h as a str ong cons titu tion !
A nd a f on dn ess for sill y yo ung wome n .
M y de ar M r Ben net, noth ing you say s ha ll e v er ve x m e a ga in .
I 'm s or ry t o h ear i t. W ell, Kit ty.
I t hi nk y ou ma y cou gh a s mu ch a s yo u c ho os e n o w.
- S ha ll w e be quite saf e he re, Mr D a rc y? - Da m ne d s il l y wa y t o s pe n d an ev e ni ng .
M r Bi ng le y!
A ll ow m e th e p leasu re o f we lcom ing y ou t o o ur li tt l e a ss em b ly .
S ir W il li am , I am v ery glad to see y ou .
T he re 's n ot hin g tha t I love bet ter t ha n a c ou n tr y d an c e.
- D o yo u kn ow who t he t wo l adie s ar e ? - Mr Bi n gl ey ' s s is te r s, I un d er st a nd .
O ne i s ma rr ied to t hat gent lema n, M r H ur st .
- T he t al le r g entle man? - N o, t he o t he r.
B et te r an d bet ter!
V er y el eg an t.
B et te r pl ea sed with the msel ves than wh at t h ey se e, I t hi nk .
L iz zy ! Ja ne ! C ome h ere!
Y ou s ee t ha t g entle man? Lad y Lu cas s ay s he is Mr B i ng l ey 's ol de s t f ri en d .
H is n am e is Da rcy a nd h e ha s a migh t y fo rt u ne an d a g r ea t e st at e i n D er b ys h ir e.
B in gl ey 's w eal th is not hing to his!
a y ea r! At le ast!
D on 't y ou t hin k he' s th e ha ndso mest ma n yo u 'v e e ve r s e en , g ir ls ?
I w on de r if he 'd be as hand some if h e we re n 't so r i ch .
O h, L iz zy ! The y're comi ng o ver. Smi l e, g ir l s! Sm il e !
M rs B en ne t.
M r Bi ng le y wou ld wa nt t o be come acq u ai nt ed wi t h yo u a n d yo u r da u gh t er s.
S ir , th at i s v ery g ood of y ou.
T hi s is J an e, my el dest .
A nd E li za be th. And Mary sit s ov er t h er e.
A nd K it ty a nd Lydia , my you nges t, y o u se e t he r e da n ci n g.
- D o yo u li ke to da nce your self ? - T he re i s n o th in g I lo ve be tt e r, ma da m .
I f Mi ss B en net is n ot o ther wise eng a ge d,
m ay I b e so bo ld as to clai m th e ne x t tw o d an c es ?
- I a m no t eng aged, sir . - Good .

Y ou d o us g rea t hon our, sir . Th ank t he g en t le m an , J an e .
M am ma .
A nd y ou , si r? Are y ou f ond of d anci n g, t oo ?
O h, I b eg y our pard on. Mrs Benn et, m ay I p r es e nt m y f r ie nd , M r D ar c y?
Y ou a re v er y w elcom e to Her tfor dshi r e I am su r e, s i r.
I h op e yo u hav e com e he re e ager to d an ce , a s y ou r f ri e nd h a s?
T ha nk y ou , mad am. I rar ely danc e.
L et t hi s be on e of the occa sion s, s i r,
f or I w ag er yo u'll not easi ly f ind s uc h li v el y m us i c o r su c h pr e tt y p ar t ne r s.
P ra y, e xc us e m e, ma 'am.
W el l! D id y ou ever meet suc h a prou d d is ag r ee a bl e m an !
- H e wi ll h ear you. - I don 't c are i f he d o es .
A nd h is f ri end disp osed to be s o ag r ee ab le an d e ve r yt h in g c ha rm i ng .
W ho i s he t o t hink hims elf so f ar a b ov e hi s c o mp an y ?
T he v er y ri ch can a ffor d to giv e of f en ce w h er e ve r t he y g o.
- W e ne ed n ot care for his good opi n io n. - No , i nd e ed !
P er ha ps h e' s n ot so ver y ha ndso me a f te r al l ?
N o, i nd ee d! Qu ite i ll-f avou red.
C er ta in ly n oth ing a t al l to Mr Bing l ey !
I 'l l sh ow t hem !
I w on de r at Ki tty a nd L ydia , th at t h ey a re so fo nd of da nc i ng .
I t ak e li tt le pleas ure in a bal l.
I w ou ld t ak e p leasu re, if t here wer e e no ug h p a rt ne r s a s ag r ee ab l e a s Ja n e' s .
I b el ie ve t he rewar ds o f ob serv atio n a nd r e fl e ct io n a r e mu c h gr e at e r.
Y es , wh en t her e are non e ot hers to b e ha d.
W e sh al l ha ve to be phi loso pher s, M a ry .
C om e, D ar cy , I must hav e yo u da nce!
I m us t. I h ate to s ee y ou s tand ing a bo ut i n t h is s t up i d ma n ne r!
Y ou h ad m uc h b etter dan ce!
I c er ta in ly sh all n ot. At a n as semb l y su ch as th is ? I t w ou l d be in s up po r ta b le .
Y ou r si st er s a re en gage d.
Y ou k no w it wo uld p unis h me to stan d u p wi t h a ny o t he r w om a n.
G oo d Go d, D arc y! I woul dn't be as f a st id io u s a s yo u a r e fo r a k i ng d om !
U po n my h on our , I n ever met so many pl ea sa n t g ir ls in my l i fe !
S ev er al o f the m unc ommo nly pret ty.
Y ou h av e be en danci ng w ith the only ha nd so m e g ir l i n t he r o om .
D ar cy , sh e is the m ost beau tifu l cr e at ur e I e v er b e he l d.
L oo k, l oo k!
T he re 's o ne of her sist ers. She 's v e ry p re t ty to o.
I d ar es ay v ery agre eabl e.
S he 's t ol er abl e, I supp ose, but not ha nd so m e e no ug h t o t em p t me .
I 'm i n no h umo ur to con side r yo ung l ad ie s w ho ar e s li g ht ed by o t he r m en .
G o ba ck t o you r par tner . En joy her s mi le s. Yo u 'r e w as t in g y ou r t im e o n m e.
J an e wa s so ad mired !
T he re w as n oth ing l ike it!
- O h, L or d! I' m so fagg ed! - Ly dia a nd I d a nc e d ev e ry da nc e .
A nd M ar y no ne!
A nd M r Bi ng ley favo ured Jan e ab ove e ve ry o t he r g ir l . F or h e d an c ed th e f ir s t tw o w it h h e r ,
a nd t he n th e n ext w ith Char lott e Lu c as , wh i ch ve xe d m e g re a tl y,
b ut l o, t he re in th e ve ry n ext noth i ng w ou l d p le as e h i m bu t t o s ta n d up wi t h Ja n e ag a in .
A nd t he n he da nced with Liz zy, and w ha t do yo u t hi n k h e di d n ex t ?
E no ug h, m ad am! For God' s sa ke! Let' s h ea r n o m or e o f h is p a rt ne r s!
W ou ld h e ha d s prain ed h is a nkle in t he f ir s t d an ce !
A nd h is s is ter s! Oh , su ch c harm ing w om en !
S o el eg an t and obli ging ! I wish you ha d se e n t he m.
- T he l ac e on Mrs H urst 's g own. .. - No l ac e , M rs B e nn e t, I be g y ou .
B ut t he m an he brou ght with him ! 'M r D ar cy ' , a s he ca l ls h i ms el f ,
i s no t wo rt h o ur co ncer n, t houg h he ma y be th e r ic h es t m an in D e rb y sh ir e .
T he p ro ud es t, "the" mos t ho rrid , di s ob li gi n g. . .
H e sl ig ht ed po or Li zzy, and fla tly r ef us ed to st an d u p w it h h er .
S li gh te d my Li zzy, did he?
I d id n' t ca re for h im e ithe r, s o it ' s of l i tt l e ma t te r .
A no th er t im e, Lizzy , I woul d no t da n ce w it h h i m if he sh ou l d as k y o u.
I b el ie ve , ma' am, I may saf ely prom i se y ou "n e ve r" to da nc e w it h M r D ar c y.
S o no ne o f the Hert ford shir e la dies co ul d p le a se y o u, Mr D a rc y?
N ot e ve n th e f amous Mis s Be nnet s?
I n ev er m et wi th pl easa nter peo ple o r pr et t ie r g ir l s!
Y ou a st on is h m e. I saw litt le b eaut y , an d n o b re ed i ng at a l l.
T he e ld es t Mis s Ben net is, I gr ant y ou , ve r y p re tt y .
A f in e co nc ess ion! Admi t it , sh e's a n an ge l !
- S he s mi le s t oo mu ch. - Ja ne B enne t i s a s we e t gi r l.
B ut t he m ot her !
I h ea rd E li za Benne t de scri bed as a fa mo us lo c al b e au t y.
- W ha t do y ou say t o th at, Mr D arcy ? - I s h ou l d as so o n ca l l he r m o th er a w it .
T ha t' s to o cru el!
I d on 't u nd ers tand why you go t hrou g h th e w or l d
d et er mi ne d to be di sple ased wit h ev e ry th in g a n d ev e ry o ne .
I w il l ne ve r u nders tand why you app r ov e of ev e ry th i ng an d e ve ry o ne yo u m ee t .
Y ou s ha ll n ot make me t hink ill of M is s Be n ne t .
I nd ee d he s hal l not ! I shal l da re h i s di sa p pr o va l a nd de cl a re s h e i s a d ea r s we e t gi r l,
d es pi te h er un fortu nate rel atio ns, a nd I s h ou l d no t b e s or r y to kn o w he r b e tt er !
N o, n or I ! You see, Mr Darc y, " we" a re n ot af r ai d o f y ou .

I w ou ld n ot ha ve yo u so .
W ha t? A ye , ver y tru e. D amne d te diou s w as te of an e v en i ng .
H e' s ju st w hat a yo ung man ough t to be .
S en si bl e, l ive ly, a nd I nev er s aw s u ch h ap p y m an ne r s!
H an ds om e to o, which a y oung man oug h t to b e i f h e p os s ib ly ca n.
H e se em s to li ke yo u ve ry m uch, whi c h sh ow s g o od j u dg e me nt .
Y ou m ay l ik e h im. Y ou'v e li ked many a st up i de r p er s on .
D ea r Li zz y!
H e co ul d be ha ppier in his choi ce o f s is te r s a nd f r ie n ds .
- B ut t he s ist ers h e ca nnot hel p. - Di d yo u n o t li k e t he m?
N ot a t al l. Th eir m anne rs a re q uite di ff er e nt fr om hi s .
A t fi rs t, p erh aps, but afte r a whil e t he y w er e p le a si n g.
M is s Bi ng le y i s to keep hou se. They wi ll b e v e ry c h ar m in g n ei gh b ou r s.
- O ne o f th em maybe . - No, Lizz y, I ' m su re yo u 'r e w ro n g.
E ve n Mr D ar cy may i mpro ve o n cl oser ac qu ai n ta n ce .
W il l he b e in humou r to con side r yo u ng l ad i es wh o a re sl ig h te d b y o th er me n ?
N ev er !
" Sh e is t ol era ble, I su ppos e,
b ut n ot h an dso me en ough to temp t 'm e '. "
- I t wa s ve ry wrong of him to s peak so . - I nd e ed i t w a s!
C ap it al o ff enc e!
O h, l oo k! C har lotte is come .
C ha rl ot te !
L iz zy ! My f ath er is to give a p arty at L uc a s L od ge an d y ou ar e a ll in vi t ed !
I h op e Lu ca s L odge will be grac ed w i th y ou r p r es en c e o n ma n y oc c as i on s.
H er e, y ou s ee, we a re a ll e asy with no a wk w ar d ne ss or ce re m on y.
Q ui te .
O h, y es , my de ar. a ye ar!
D on 't t he y loo k wel l to geth er? A mo s t ag re e ab l e yo u ng ma n!
A nd h e wo ul d d ance ever y da nce with Ja ne . N ot h in g e ls e w ou l d do !
A re y ou p le ase d wit h He rtfo rdsh ire, Co lo ne l F o rs te r ?
V er y mu ch , Lad y Luc as. Espe cial ly t h is e ve n in g .
A r eg im en t of infan try does n't find a re ad y w e lc om e e v er yw h er e.
I t hi nk y ou r o ffice rs w ill be v ery w el l pl e as e d wi t h M er yt o n.
D en ny a nd S and erson see m we ll p leas e d al re a dy !
N o do ub t yo u a ttend ass embl ies at S t . Ja me s 's Co ur t ?
- W e go b ut ra rely, sir . - Inde ed! I a m su r pr i se d.
I s ho ul d be ha ppy t o in trod uce you t he re a t a n y ti m e w he n I 'm i n t o wn .
Y ou 'r e to o kin d, si r.
W el l! W el l!
G oo d, g oo d.
C ap it al ! Ca pit al!
I ns uf fe ra bl e c oncei t! T o im agin e th a t we w o ul d n ee d h i s as s is ta n ce in s o ci e ty .
I a m su re h e i s a g ood sort of man, Ca ro li n e.
A nd I a m su re he ke pt a goo d so rt o f s ho p b ef o re h i s e le va t io n t o t he K n ig h th oo d .
P oo r Da rc y. Wh at ag onie s he mus t be su ff er i ng .
A re y ou i n Mer yton to s ubdu e th e di s co nt en t ed po pu l ac e , si r ,
o r to d ef en d H ertfo rdsh ire agai nst t he F re n ch ?
N ei th er , ma 'am . We hope to wint er p e ac ef ul l y a t Me r yt o n.
M y so ld ie rs ar e in grea t ne ed o f tr a in in g a nd my o f fi c er s i n ev e r g re at ne e d of so ci e ty .
W he n yo u ar e s ettle d, I hop e yo u'll gi ve a ba l l.
- O h, y es , my dear, do! - W ould a b a ll b e w el l r ec e iv e d?
W ho 's g iv in g a ball ? I long for a b a ll , an d s o d oe s D e nn y!
- A nd S an de rso n. Do n't you? - I d-d o i nd ee d .
- M os t pa ss ion ately . - Litt le S ande r so n, I kn e w yo u w o ul d!
M ak e hi m gi ve a bal l! W e'll dan ce w i th a ll th e o ff i ce r s.
I f Ma ry w ou ld play some thin g, w e co u ld d an c e n ow !
M ar y, n o mo re dull stuf f, p lay some t hi ng j o ll y . We wa n t to da nc e !
B ut t he re a re still two mov emen ts. M am ma ! T el l t he m i t i sn ' t fa i r!
O h, p la y a jig , Mar y. N o on e wa nts y ou r co n ce r to s h er e .
I f ea r th ei r t aste is n ot a s fi ne a s y ou rs an d m in e , M ar y,
b ut l et 's o bli ge th em t his once . Th e re i s n o o ne h e re wh o p la ys as we ll as yo u!
V er y we ll . Tho ugh y ou k now it g ives me l it t le pl ea s ur e .
- J an e, M r Bin gley, com e an d da nce! - No t n ow , L yd i a.
M r Bi ng le y con tinue s hi s at tent ions to J an e , L iz zy .
- I 'm v er y hap py fo r he r, C harl otte . - S he se e ms w e ll pl ea s ed w i th hi m.
I f he c on ti nue s so, she 's i n a fair wa y to be in l o ve wi th hi m.
A nd M r Bi ng ley ? Do you thin k he is i n lo ve ?
- I t' s cl ea r t hat h e li kes her very mu ch . - T h en s h e s ho ul d l ea v e h im i n n o d ou b t.
S he s ho ul d sho w mor e af fect ion than sh e fe e ls , n ot le s s, i f s he is to s e cu r e hi m .
- " Se cu re h im" ? Cha rlot te. - Ye s, s h e sh ou l d s ec ur e h i m so o n!
B ef or e sh e is sure of h is c hara cter an d ce r ta i n of he r o wn re ga r d f or h i m?
B ut o f co ur se! Happ ines s in mar riag e i s en t ir e ly a ma t te r o f ch a nc e .
T he re w il l alw ays b e ve xati on a nd g r ie f.
I t' s be tt er to know in adva nce as l i tt le a s p o ss ib l e o f th e d ef e ct s o f y ou r p ar t ne r.
I s it n ot ?
- Y ou w ou ld ne ver a ct l ike that you r se lf ! - W e ll , i t s ee ms th at Ja n e wi l l n ot .
S o we m us t hop e tha t Mr Bin gley wil l .
H e ge ts l it tle enco urag emen t fr om h i s si st e rs .
O r hi s fr ie nd.
- M r Da rc y loo ks at you a g reat dea l . - I c an ' t th i nk wh y!

U nl es s to f rig hten me w ith his cont e mp t.
I w is h he w oul d not com e in to s ocie t y. H e o nl y m ak e s p eo pl e u ne a sy .
W ha t a ch ar min g amu seme nt f or y oung pe op le th i s is ! N o th in g l ik e d a nc in g !
A r ef in em en t o f eve ry p olis hed soci e ty .
- A nd e ve ry un polis hed soci ety. - S i r?
E ve ry s av ag e c an da nce.
O h, y es . Ye s, quite .
I s ho ul d sp eak to m y si ster bef ore s he e xp o se s u s a ll to r i di cu l e.
M is s El iz a! Wh y are you not dan cing ?
M r Da rc y, a llo w me to p rese nt t his y ou ng l a dy to y o u a s a v er y d es i ra bl e p a rt ne r .
Y ou c an no t ref use t o da nce, I'm sur e , wh en so mu ch be a ut y i s be f or e y ou .
I nd ee d, s ir . I have not the lea st i n te nt io n o f d an c in g .
P le as e do n' t s uppos e th at I mov ed t h is w ay in or de r t o b eg fo r a p a rt ne r .
I w ou ld b e hap py if you wou ld d ance wi th m e , M is s B en n et .
T ha nk y ou .
B ut e xc us e me, I... am not incl ined to d an c e.
W hy n ot , wh en you s ee M r Da rcy has n o ob je c ti o n?
A lt ho ug h he di slike s th e am usem ent i n ge ne r al .
- M r Da rc y is all p olit enes s. - He i s!
A nd w hy s ho uld he n ot b e, c onsi deri n g th e i nd u ce me n t?
W ho c ou ld o bje ct to suc h a part ner? Eh , Da r cy ?
I b eg y ou w oul d exc use me.
W el l, w el l. .. Oh, C apit al, Lydi a! C a pi ta l!
I b el ie ve I ca n gue ss y our thou ghts at t hi s m o me nt .
I s ho ul d im agi ne no t.
Y ou a re t hi nki ng ho w in supp orta ble i t wo ul d b e t o s pe n d ma n y ev e ni n gs i n s u ch t e di ou s c o m p an y .
M y mi nd w as mo re ag reea bly enga ged. I' ve b e en me di t at i ng o n t he pl e as ur e ,
w hi ch a p ai r o f fin e ey es i n th e fa c e of a pr e tt y w om a n ca n b es t ow .
A nd m ay o ne da re as k wh ose are the e ye s th a t i ns pi r ed th es e r ef l ec t io ns ?
M is s El iz ab eth Benn et's .
M is s El iz ab eth Benn et?
I a m al l as ton ishme nt.
F ro m Ne th er fie ld! O h, J ane! Wel l, w h at d oe s i t s ay ?
- I t is f ro m M iss B ingl ey. - Oh , we l l, t ha t i s a g o od si gn , t oo .
G iv e it t o me.
" My d ea r fr ien d!"
T he re n ow !
" Di ne w it h Lou isa a nd m e to day. .."
L a di d a, l a d i da, la di d a, l a di da .. .
" .. .a s th e gen tleme n ar e to din e wi t h th e o ff i ce rs . " T ha t' s u nl u ck y !
S ti ll , yo u mus t go and make wha t yo u c an o f i t . "Y o ur s e ve r , Ca r ol i ne B i ng l ey ." Ve ry el e g a nt h an d !
- M ay I h av e t he ca rria ge, fath er? - T he c a rr i ag e! No , i nd e ed .
Y ou m us t go on hors ebac k, f or i t lo o ks l ik e r a in .
- T he n yo u wil l hav e to sta y th e ni g ht . - M ot h er !
W hy d o yo u loo k at me l ike that ? Wo u ld y ou go th er e w i th ou t s ee i ng Mr B i ng l ey ?
N o, i nd ee d.
Y ou w il l go on Nell ie. That wil l do ve ry w e ll in de e d!
T he re , Li zz y. You s ee?
I t is a ll e xac tly a s I plan ned.
N ow .. . le t me see i f I' ve g ot t his r ig ht , J an e .
Y ou r mo th er 's siste r is nam ed M rs P h il ip s?
- Y es . - An d M r Phi lips ' es tate is. . .?
H e li ve s in Me ryton .
H e' s an a tt orn ey.
A nd y ou r mo the r's b roth er l ives in L on do n?
Y es . In G ra cec hurch Str eet.
I n wh ic h pa rt of Lo ndon is Grac echu r ch S tr e et , J an e ?
I .. .
F or gi ve m e, I. ..
F os se t, g et he lp. M iss Benn et i s un w el l.
W el l, m y de ar, if J ane shou ld d ie o f t hi s f ev e r,
i t wi ll b e com fort to k now that it w as a ll in pu rs u it of M r B in g le y , an d u n de r y ou r o rd e r s .
O h, n on se ns e! Peopl e do not die of l it tl e t ri f li ng co l ds .
- S he w il l be very well tak en c are o f. - I th i nk I mu s t go to N e th e rf ie l d.
N o, t he re 's no call for tha t!
J an e is v er y w ell w here she is. And yo u kn o w t he re is no th i ng f o r y ou t h er e .
G o to M er yt on with your sis ters and me et t h e o ff ic e rs .
A ye , th er e are more tha n en ough to g o ar ou n d.
I k no w th at Ja ne wo uld wish me to b e w it h h er .
I s up po se t hat 's a hint for me to s e nd f or th e c ar r ia g e.
N o, f at he r, I' d muc h ra ther wal k.
I t' s ba re ly th ree m iles to Neth erfi e ld a nd I' l l be ba c k fo r d in n er .
W al k th re e mil es in all tha t di rt? Y ou 'l l n ot be f i t t o be se en .
I s ha ll b e fit to s ee J ane, whi ch i s a ll I wa n t.
I 'm q ui te d ete rmine d, m othe r.
I k no w! L yd ia and I wil l se t yo u as fa r as Me r yt on .
A ye , le t' s cal l on Denn y ea rly, bef o re h e i s d re ss e d. Wh at a sh o ck he w i ll ge t!
- A mm m! - O ur life hold s fe w di stin c ti on s, Mr s B en n et ,
b ut I t hi nk we may safe ly b oast tha t h er e s it tw o o f t he s i ll ie s t g ir ls in th e c ou nt r y.
- ' By e, L iz zy! - Is n't that Cap tain Ca rt er ? M a ke h a st e !
- M is s Be nn et. - Mr Dar cy.

I a m co me t o e nquir e af ter my s iste r .
- O n fo ot ? - A s you see .
W ou ld y ou b e s o kin d as to take me t o he r?
W el l, w e mu st allow her to be a n ex c el le nt wa l ke r, I s up po s e.
B ut h er a pp ear ance this mor ning ! Sh e r ea ll y l o ok ed al m os t w il d!
I c ou ld h ar dly keep my coun tena nce!
S ca mp er in g abo ut th e co untr y be caus e h er s i st e r ha s a co ld ! H er ha i r, L o ui s a!
H er p et ti co at! I ho pe y ou s aw i t, b r ot he r. Si x i nc h es de ep in m u d, I am ce r ta in !
I t es ca pe d my notic e. I tho ught she lo ok ed re m ar ka b ly we ll .
- Y ou o bs er ved it, I'm sure , Mr Dar c y. - I di d .
I 'm i nc li ne d t o thi nk y ou w ould n't w is h yo u r s is te r t o m ak e s uc h a n e xh i bi t io n.
C er ta in ly n ot.
I t se em s to me to s how an a bomi nabl e s or t o f c on ce i te d i nd e pe nd e nc e .
I t sh ow s a ple asing aff ecti on f or h e r si st e r.
M r Da rc y, h as this esca pade aff ecte d y ou r a dm i ra ti o n f or h e r fi n e e ye s?
N ot a t al l. Th ey we re b righ tene d by th e ex e rc i se .
B ut " Ja ne " Ben net i s a swee t gi rl!
I t' s ve ry s ad she h as s uch an u nfor t un at e f am i ly , s uc h l ow co nn e ct i on s.
T he ir u nc le , s he to ld u s, i s in tra d e, a nd li v es i n C h ea ps i de !
P er ha ps w e sho uld c all, whe n we are ne xt i n t o wn .
T he y' d be a s a greea ble, had the y un c le s en o ug h t o f il l a ll Ch ea p si d e!
W it h su ch c onn ectio ns t hey have lit t le c ha n ce of m a rr y in g w el l, Bi n gl ey .
" Th at " is t he mater ial poin t.
M is s Be nn et , h ow do es y our sist er d o ? Is s h e a ny b e tt e r?
- I 'm a fr ai d t hat s he i s qu ite unwe l l. - L e t m e se n d f or M r J on e s.
- Y ou m us t sta y unt il s he i s re cove r ed . - I w o ul d n ot wi sh to i n co n ve ni e nc e y ou .
I w on 't h ea r o f any thin g el se. I'll se nd t o L o ng bo u rn fo r y ou r c lo t he s.
Y ou 'r e ve ry ki nd, s ir.
I s th er e an y s port toda y, o r no t?
G et i n th er e!
T he re . Sh al l I disg race you , do you th in k?
Y ou l oo k ve ry prett y, L izzy , as you ar e we l l a wa re .
O h, J an e.
I 'd m uc h ra the r sta y he re w ith you.
T he S up er io r S ister s wi sh m e mi les a wa y.
O nl y yo ur M r B ingle y is civ il a nd a t te nt iv e .
- H e' s no t "my " Mr Bing ley. - O h, I th in k h e i s.
O r he v er y soo n wil l be .
I b el ie ve y ou will find Mr Bing ley i s in t h e d ra wi n g r oo m, ma 'a m .
T ha nk y ou .
M r Da rc y, c ome and advi se m e. M r Hu r st c ar r ie s a ll be f or e h im !
- H a! - O oh !
M ay I e nq ui re after you r si ster , Mi s s Be nn e t?
- T ha nk y ou . I beli eve she' s a litt l e be tt e r. - I a m v er y g la d t o h ea r i t.
- M r Hu rs t, I' m qui te u ndon e! - Sho u ld h av e p l ay ed th e d eu c e.
H e' s un do ne us all, Mr Darc y!
- W il l yo u joi n us, Mis s Be nnet ? - I t ha nk yo u , no .
Y ou p re fe r rea ding to c ards ? Si ngul a r!
M is s Be nn et de spise s ca rds. She 's a gr ea t r ea d er a n d h as n o p le a su r e in an y th in g e ls e .
I d es er ve n eit her s uch prai se n or s u ch c en s ur e .
I a m no t a gre at re ader and tak e pl e as ur e i n m an y t hi n gs .
A nd w ha t do yo u do so s ecre tly, sir ?
I t' s no s ec ret . I'm wri ting to my s i st er .
D ea r Ge or gi ana ! I l ong to s ee h er!
I s sh e mu ch gr own s ince the Spr ing? Is s he as ta ll as me ?
S he 's n ow a bou t Mis s El izab eth Benn e t' s he i gh t , or a l it tl e t al l er .
A nd s o ac co mpl ished ! He r pe rfor manc e a t th e p i an of o rt e i s e xq ui s it e !
- D o yo u pl ay, Miss Ben net? - A ye, b ut v er y i l l in d ee d .
A ll y ou ng l adi es ar e ac comp lish ed! T he y si n g, th ey dr a w, t h ey d a nc e ,
s pe ak F re nc h a nd Ge rman , co ver scre e ns , an d I kn ow no t w ha t !
N ot h al f a doz en wo uld sati sfy me a s a cc om p li s he d.
C er ta in ly ! No woman can be este emed ac co mp l is h ed ,
w ho d oe s no t a lso p osse ss a cer tain so me th i ng in h e r a ir ,
i n th e ma nn er of wa lkin g, i n th e to n e of h e r v oi ce , h e r ad d re ss an d e xp r es s io ns .
A nd t o th is sh e mus t ye t ad d so meth i ng m or e s u bs ta n ti a l,
i n th e im pr ove ment of h er m ind by e x te ns iv e r e ad in g .
I 'm n o lo ng er surpr ised at you know i ng o nl y s i x ac c om p li sh e d wo m en .
I w on de r at yo ur kn owin g an y.
Y ou 'r e se ve re upon your sex , Mi ss B e nn et .
I m us t sp ea k a s I f ind.
P er ha ps y ou ha ven't had the adv anta g e of m o vi n g in so c ie ty en ou g h.
T he re a re m any very acc ompl ishe d yo u ng l ad i es am on g st ou r a cq ua i nt a nc e.
C om e, c om e! Th is is a f ine way to p l ay c ar d s! Yo u' r e a ll l i gh t!
L oo k, g ir ls ! I s it not a fa ir p rosp e ct ?
A nd n ow t he mo ther! Are we to b e in v ad ed b y e v er y B en n et i n t he co u nt ry ?
I t' s to o mu ch to be bor ne!
M rs B en ne t! We lcome ! I hope you don ' t fi nd Mi s s Be n ne t w or s e th a n e xp ec t ed .
I nd ee d I do , s ir! S he's ver y il l in d ee d, a n d s uf fe r s a v as t d ea l ,
t ho ug h wi th th e gre ates t pa tien ce i n t he w o rl d , fo r s h e ha s t he sw e et es t t e mp er .
B ut s he i s muc h too ill to be m oved . W e mu s t t re sp a ss a li t tl e l on g er o n y o ur k i nd ne s s.
B ut o f co ur se!
M is s Be nn et wi ll re ceiv e ev ery poss i bl e at t en t io n, I a ss ur e y ou .

Y ou a re v er y g ood.
W el l, y ou h ave a sw eet room her e!
I t hi nk y ou wi ll ne ver want to leav e N et he r fi e ld .
I 'd b e ha pp y t o liv e in the cou ntry fo re ve r . W ou ld n 't yo u, Da rc y ?
Y ou w ou ld ? You don' t fi nd t he s ocie t y so me w ha t c on f in e d an d u nv a ry i ng ?
C on fi ne d an d u nvary ing? Ind eed it i s n ot , s ir !
T he c ou nt ry is a va st d eal plea sant e r th an to w n, w h at e ve r y ou m a y s ay a b ou t i t!
M am ma , yo u mis take Mr D arcy 's m eani n g.
D o I? H e se ems to t hink the cou ntry no th in g a t a ll !
- M am ma . - Con fined , un vary ing!
I w ou ld h av e h im kn ow w e di ne w ith fa mi l ie s !
M am ma ? Ha ve yo u see n Ch arlo tte Luca s s in ce I c am e a wa y ?
Y es , sh e ca lle d yes terd ay w ith Sir W il li am . W h at a n a g re ea b le m a n h e is !
" Th at " is m y i dea o f go od b reed ing.
T ho se p er so ns who f ancy the msel ves v er y im p or t an t, an d n ev e r op e n t he ir mo u th s,
q ui te m is ta ke the m atte r.
M r Bi ng le y, di d you not pro mise a b a ll w he n y o u we r e s et tl e d he r e?
I t wi ll b e a s canda l if you don 't k e ep y ou r w o rd .
I a m pe rf ec tly read y to kee p my eng a ge me nt . W h en y o ur si st e r is re c ov er e d,
y ou s ha ll n ame the day of t he b all, if y ou pl e as e.
T he re , no w, Ly dia! That 's a fai r pr o mi se f o r y ou ! T ha t 's g e ne ro s it y f or yo u !
T ha t' s wh at I call gent lema nly beha v io ur !
M is s El iz a Ben net.
L et m e pe rs uad e you to foll ow m y ex a mp le a n d t ak e a t u rn a b ou t t he ro om . I t 's s o r ef r es h i n g!
W il l yo u no t j oin u s, M r Da rcy?
- T ha t wo ul d d efeat the obj ect. - W h at d o y ou me an , s i r?
- W ha t ca n he mean? - I thi nk w e wo u ld d o b et t er n o t t o en q ui re .
N ay , we i ns ist on k nowi ng y our mean i ng , si r !
T ha t yo ur f igu res a re t o be st a dvan t ag e wh e n w al ki n g,
a nd t ha t I mig ht be st a dmir e th em f r om h er e .
S ho ck in g! A bom inabl e re ply!
- H ow s ha ll we puni sh h im, Miss Eli z a? - N o th i ng s o e a sy . T ea se hi m .
- L au gh a t him . - L augh at Mr D arcy ?
I mp os si bl e!
- H e is a m an witho ut f ault . - Is h e i nd ee d ?
A m an w it ho ut fault ?
T ha t is n ot po ssibl e fo r an yone .
B ut i t ha s bee n my stud y to avo id t h os e we a kn e ss es wh i ch e x po se ri d ic ul e .
S uc h as v an ity , per haps , an d pr ide?
Y es , va ni ty is a we akne ss i ndee d.
B ut p ri de .. .
W he re t he re is a su peri orit y of min d , pr id e w i ll a l wa y s be un de r r e gu la t io n .
I h av e fa ul ts, but I ho pe t hey' re n o t of u n de r st an d in g .
M y te mp er I ca nnot vouc h fo r.
I t mi gh t be ca lled rese ntfu l.
M y go od o pi nio n, on ce l ost, is lost fo re ve r .
T ha t is a f ail ing i ndee d, b ut I can n ot l au g h a t it .
I b el ie ve e ver y dis posi tion has a t e nd en cy to so me ev i l.
- Y ou r de fe ct is a prop ensi ty t o ha t e ev er y on e . - Y ou r s is wi lf u ll y t o m is u nd er s ta nd th e m .
S om e mu si c?
G iv e yo ur p are nts m y wa rmes t sa luta t io ns .
Y ou r fa th er is most wel come to shoo t w it h u s a t an y t i me c o nv en i en t .
T ha nk y ou , sir . You are ver y ki nd.
G oo db ye .
G oo db ye .
D ri ve o n, R oss iter.
H ow p le as an t i t is to h ave one' s ho u se t o o ne s el f a ga i n!
B ut I f ea r Mr Darcy is mour ning the lo ss o f M i ss E l iz a B en n et 's pe r t op i ni o ns a n d fi n e e y e s.
Q ui te t he c ont rary, I a ssur e yo u.
O h, J an e!
I 'm s or ry t o s ay it , bu t no twit hsta n di ng y o ur ex ce l le n t Mr Bi ng l ey ,
I 'v e ne ve r bee n so happ y to lea ve a pl ac e i n m y li f e!
I ho pe , my d ear , yo u ha ve o rder ed a go od d i nn e r to d ay ,
bec au se I h av e r eason to expe ct a n ad d it io n t o o ur f a mi l y pa r ty .
Mr Bi ng le y!
Why , Ja ne , yo u s ly th ing, you nev er d r op pe d a w o rd !
And n o fi sh t o b e got !
Lyd ia , my l ov e, ring the bell . I must sp ea k t o H il l!
It is n ot M r Bin gley. It is a per son I n ev er sa w i n t he wh ol e c ou r se of m y l i fe .
- C ol on el F or ste r! - Capt ain Cart er!
No, I k no w. D enn y!
Abo ut a m on th ag o, I rece ived thi s le t te r.
Abo ut a f or tn igh t ago , I answ ered it, fo r it wa s a c a se of s o me d e li c ac y, re q ui ri n g ea r ly a t te n t io n .
It is f ro m my co usin, Mr Coll ins,
who , wh en I a m d ead, may turn you all ou t of th i s ho u se as s o on a s h e p le a se s .
Oh, m y de ar , pra y don 't m enti on t hat o di ou s m an !
It is t he h ar des t thi ng i n th e wo rld, th at y o ur es ta t e s ho ul d b e e nt a il ed aw a y fr o m yo u r c h i ld r e n.
Ind ee d, m y de ar, noth ing can clea r Mr Co ll in s o f t he in i qu it o us c r im e o f i nh e ri ti n g Lo n gb o u r n,
but i f yo u' ll li sten to h is l ette r, y o u ma y b e s of te n ed by h o w he ex p re ss e s h im se l f.
"My d ea r si r, th e dis agre emen t su bsis t in g be t we e n yo u rs e lf a n d my la t e ho n ou r ed f a th er "
alw ay s ga ve m e m uch u neas ines s, a nd s i nc e I h av e h ad th e m is f or tu n e t o lo s e h im .. . "

".. .t o lo se h im, I ha ve f requ entl y wi s he d to he a l th e b r ea ch . "
The re , Mr s Be nne t. "M y mi nd, howe ver, is n ow ma d e up on th e s ub je c t. . ."
.. . fo r, h av ing rece ived my ordi nati o n a t E as t er , I 'v e b ee n f or t un a te t o b e d is t in gu i sh e d
by t he p at ro nag e of the Righ t Ho nour a bl e L a dy Ca th e ri n e de Bo ur g h,
wh os e bo un ty an d ben efic ienc e ha s pr e fe rr ed m e t o t he va lu a bl e r ec t or y a t H un sf o rd ,
wh er e it 's m y e ndeav our to d emea n my s el f w i th gr at e fu l r es p ec t t ow a rd s h er La dy s hi p.
As a c le rg ym an, more over , I feel it m y du ty t o p ro m ot e a nd es ta b li s h
th e bl es si ng of peac e in all fam ilie s wi th i n t he r e ac h o f m y in f lu e nc e,
an d on t he se gr ounds I f latt er m ysel f t ha t m y ov er t ur e s of go od w il l a re hi g hl y c om me n da b l e ,
an d wi ll n ot le ad yo u to rej ect the of fe re d o l iv e b ra n ch .
I am , si r, k een ly co nsci ous of b eing th e me a ns o f i nj u ri ng yo ur am i ab le da u gh te r s,
an d as su re y ou of my rea dine ss t o m a ke t he m e v er y p os s ib le am en d s.
I pr op os e my sel f the sat isfa ctio n of wa it in g o n yo u a n d yo u r fa m il y o n M on d ay t h e t h. . .
Hav e ca re , Da wki ns!
.. . an d sh al l p robab ly t resp ass on y o ur h os p it a li ty t i ll t h e Sa t ur d ay s e ve n ig ht fo ll o wi n g .
I sh al l tr av el as fa r as the tur npik e in m y o w n mo d es t e qu i pa ge ,
wh er e I ho pe to catc h th e Br omle y Po s t a t m in ut e s p as t t en ,
an d th en ce t o W atfor d, f rom when ce I s ha ll en g ag e a h i re d c ar ri a ge to L o ng b ou rn .
Wh er e, G od w ill ing, you may expe ct m e by f o ur in t h e a ft er n oo n.
And h er e he c ome s.
He mu st b e an od dity, don 't y ou t hink ?
If he 's d is po sed to m ake our girl s an y a me nd s , I s ha n 't be t h e pe r so n t o d is c ou ra g e hi m .
- C an h e be a se nsibl e ma n, s ir? - I t hi nk n o t, my d e ar .
Ind ee d, I h av e g reat hope s of fin ding hi m qu i te th e r ev e rs e.
Mr Co ll in s!
You a re v er y wel come!
My de ar M r an d M rs Be nnet !
You s ee m ve ry ...
... fo rt un at e in your patr ones s, s ir.
Lad y Ca th er in e d e Bou rgh.
Ind ee d I am , sir . I h ave been tre ated wi th s u ch af fa b il i ty , s uc h c on d es ce n si o n,
as I wo ul d ne ver have dar ed t o ho pe f o r.
I h av e be en i nvi ted t wice to dine at R os in gs Pa r k.
Tha t so ? Am az ing .
Doe s sh e li ve ne ar yo u, s ir?
The g ar de n, i n w hich stan ds m y hu mble ab od e, is se pa r at e d on l y by a l an e f ro m R os i ng s P ar k .
Onl y a la ne , eh? Fanc y th at, Lizz y.
I t hi nk y ou s aid she was a wi dow, sir ? H as s h e a ny f a mi l y?
She h as o ne d aug hter, ma' am. The heir e ss o f R os i ng s, an d o f v er y e xt e ns iv e p r op er t y.
And h as s he b een pres ente d at cou rt?
She i s un fo rt una tely of a sic kly cons t it ut io n w h ic h u nh a pp il y p re v en t s he r b e in g i n to w n.
And b y th at m ean s, as I t old Lady Cat h er in e m ys e lf o n e d ay ,
she h as d ep ri ved the Brit ish Cour t of it s br i gh t es t o rn a me nt .
You m ay i ma gi ne, sir, how hap py I am o n ev er y o c ca si o n t o of f er t h os e l it t le de li c at e c om p l i me n t s,
whi ch a re a lw ays acce ptab le t o la dies .
Tha t is f or tu nat e for you , th at y ou p o ss es s s uc h a n e xt r ao rd i na ry ta l en t f or fl at t er in g w i t h d e l ic a c y .
May I a sk w he the r the se p leas ing atte n ti on s p ro c ee d f ro m t he im pu l se of t h e m om en t ,
or ar e th ey t he resul t of pre viou s st u dy ?
The y ar is e ch ief ly fr om w hat is p assi n g at t h e t im e, si r .
I do s om et im es amuse mys elf by w riti n g do wn an d a rr a ng i ng s u ch l i tt l e co m pl i me nt s
a s ma y be a dap ted t o or dina ry o ccas i on s.
B ut I t ry t o g ive t hem as u nstu died an a ir as po ss i bl e .
E xc el le nt .
E xc el le nt .
I m us t co nf ess myse lf q uite ove rwhe l me d wi t h t he c h ar m s of yo ur da u gh te r s.
O h, y ou 'r e ver y kin d, s ir. They are sw ee t g ir l s, t h ou g h I s ay i t m y se lf .
P er ha ps e sp eci ally the elde st M iss B en ne t?
A h, y es , Ja ne is ad mire d wh erev er s h e go es .
B ut I t hi nk I shoul d te ll y ou, I th i nk i t v er y l ik e ly sh e w il l b e v er y s oo n e ng a ge d.
- A h. - A s for my y oung er d augh ters , i f an y o f t he m .. .
I n th ei r ca se I kno w of no prio r at t ac hm en t a t a ll .
A h.
W e' re g oi ng to Mery ton to s ee i f De n ny i s r et u rn ed fr o m to w n!
P er ha ps y ou wo uld c are for a li ttle ex er ci s e, Mr C o ll i ns ?
I nd ee d I wo uld , Mrs Ben net.
C ou si n El iz abe th!
W ou ld y ou d o m e the gre at h onou r of wa lk in g w i th m e i n to t o wn ?
Y ou v is it y our Aunt Phi lips in Mery t on f re q ue n tl y, I u nd er s ta nd ?
Y es , sh e is fo nd of com pany , bu t yo u 'l l fi n d h er g a th e ri ng s p oo r a f fa ir s
a ft er t he s ple ndour s of Ros ings Par k .
N o, I t hi nk no t. I beli eve I po sses s t he h a pp y k na c k, mu ch to b e d e si re d i n a c l er gy m an ,
o f ad ap ti ng my self to e very kin d of so ci et y , w he th e r h ig h o r lo w .
- T ha t is f ort unate ind eed. - Y es, i nd ee d, an d t ho u gh it i s a g i ft of n a tu r e,
c on st an t st udy has enab led me, I fl a tt er m y se l f, t o m a ke a ki nd of ar t o f i t.
T he re ! I' m sur e tha t's new in s ince Fr id ay . I s n' t i t n ic e? Do n' t y o u th i nk I' d l oo k w el l i n i t ?
- N ot a s we ll as me . Co me o n! - No, I sh an ' t.
J an e! C om e her e. Lo ok a t th is!
J an e, I 'm d ete rmine d to hav e th is b o nn et !
L oo k, t he re 's Denny !
- W he re ? - The re. L ook!
- W ho 's w it h h im? - Don 't k now.
- H e' s ha nd som e! - He m ight be if h e w er e i n r eg im e nt a ls .

- A m an l oo ks nothi ng w itho ut r egim e nt al s! - T he y' r e l oo ki n g ov e r.
L iz zy , is n' t h e mig htil y go od-l ooki n g?
- D en ny ! - Lyd ia!
W e th ou gh t you were sti ll i n to wn!
T he re w as n oth ing a musi ng e noug h to ho ld u s t h er e. Ma y I i n tr od u ce my f r ie n d Ge o rg e W ic k h a m?
M is s Be nn et , M iss E liza beth Ben net, Mi ss M a ry Be nn e t,
M is s Ca th er ine Benn et a nd M iss Lydi a B en ne t .
T hi s is o ur co usin, Mr Coll ins.
D o yo u st ay lo ng in Mer yton , Mr Wic k ha m?
A ll w in te r, I' m hap py t o sa y. I 've t ak en a co m mi ss i on in C o lo ne l F o rs te r 's re gi m en t.
T he re , Ly di a! He wi ll b e dr esse d in re gi me n ta l s.
A nd l en d th em much dist inct ion, I d a re s ay . O u ts wa g ge r u s a ll , e h, Wi ck h am ?
Y ou m is re pr ese nt me to thes e yo ung l ad ie s.
- S ha ll y ou co me wi th u s to Aun t Ph i li ps t o ni g ht ? - D e nn y i s co m in g !
I t' s on ly s upp er an d ca rds.
- I h av en 't be en in vite d by Mr and M rs P hi l ip s . - N o o ne c a re s a bo u t th a t n ow ad a ys !
I f Mr s Ph il ips exte nded the inv itat i on t o i nc l ud e m e, I sh o ul d b e d el ig h te d .
L oo k, J an e. It 's Mr Bin gley !
H ow v er y fo rtu nate! We were on our w ay t o L on g bo ur n t o a sk af te r y o ur h e al t h.
Y ou 'r e ve ry ki nd, s ir. I'm quit e re c ov er ed , a s y ou se e .
Y es . I' m ve ry glad to k now it.
- L oo k, t he re' s Den ny! - An d Ch ambe r la yn e.
S uc h a va ri ety of s ocia l in terc ours e .
W ha t a ch ar min g apa rtme nt y ou h ave h er e, M r s P hi li p s.
U po n my w or d, it re mind s me gre atly of t he sm a ll s u mm e r br e ak fa s t r oo m a t R os in g s!
D oe s it i nd eed , sir ? I' m mu ch o blig e d to y o u, I' m s ur e .
I 'm s ur e Mr Co llins wis hes to p ay a co mp li m en t , Au n t.
D oe s he ? I see .
R os in gs P ar k, we mu st u nder stan d, i s v er y g ra n d in d ee d .
I nd ee d it i s!
M y de ar M ad am, if y ou t houg ht I int e nd ed a n y s li gh t
o n yo ur e xc ell ent a nd v ery comf orta b le a rr a ng e me nt s , I a m m or ti f ie d !
R os in gs P ar k i s the res iden ce o f my no bl e p at r on es s , L ad y C at he r in e d e B ou r gh .
O h, n ow I u nde rstan d.
T he c hi mn ey pi ece i n th e se cond dra w in g ro o m a lo ne co s t p ou n ds !
N ow I s ee , the re's no o ffen ce a t al l .
W il l yo u ob lig e me and sit down to a g am e o f w hi st ?
I m us t co nf ess I kn ow l ittl e of the ga me , m ad a m, b u t I s ha l l be gl a d to im p ro ve my se l f.
I f my f ai r cou sin w ill cons ent to r e le as e m e?
W it h al l my he art, sir.
O h, M r Co ll ins !
- W ha t we re tr umps agai n? - Hea rts, Mr C ol l in s ! He a rt s .
I m us t co nf ess I th ough t I' d ne ver e sc ap e y ou r y ou n ge r s is t er s.
T he y ca n be ve ry de term ined . Ly dia e sp ec ia l ly .
B ut t he y' re pl easan t gi rls. I f ind t ha t so c ie t y in He r tf or d sh ir e q u it e e xc e ed s m y ex p ec t a t io n s .
I d on 't s ee Mr Bing ley and his frie n ds h er e .
I t hi nk s om e o f Mr Bing ley' s fr iend s w ou ld co n si de r i t b en e at h t he i r di g ni t y.
R ea ll y?
H av e yo u kn own Mr D arcy lon g?
- A bo ut a m ont h. - I've kno wn h im a l l my l i fe .
- W e pl ay ed to gethe r as chi ldre n. - Bu t. ..
Y es , yo u' re su rpris ed.
P er ha ps y ou no ticed the col d ma nner of o ur gr e et in g ?
I c on fe ss I di d.
D o yo u. ..
A re y ou m uc h a cquai nted wit h Mr Dar c y?
A s mu ch a s I e ver w ish to b e.
I 'v e sp en t thr ee da ys i n th e sa me h o us e wi t h h im , a nd I fi n d hi m v e ry d i sa g re ea b le .
I f ea r th er e a re fe w wh o wo uld shar e t ha t o pi n io n. . . e xc ep t m ys e lf .
B ut h e' s no t a t all lik ed i n He rtfo r ds hi re . E v er yb o dy is d i sg us t ed wi th hi s p ri d e.
D o yo u kn ow ...
- D oe s he i nte nd to sta y lo ng a t Ne t he rf ie l d? - I d o n ot k n ow .
I h op e hi s bei ng in the nei ghbo urho o d wi ll no t a ff e ct yo ur pl an s t o s ta y .
T ha nk y ou . But it i s no t fo r me to b e dr iv e n a wa y b y M r Da r cy .
I f he w is he s t o avo id s eein g me , he mu st g o .
W e' re n ot o n f riend ly t erms , bu t I h av e no re a so n t o a vo id hi m b ut on e: He ' s do n e me gr e a t w r o ng .
H is f at he r, th e lat e Mr Dar cy, was m y Go df a th e r, a n d o ne o f t he be s t me n t h at e v er b r ea t h e d.
M y fa th er w as his s tewa rd,
a nd w he n he di ed, o ld M r Da rcy care d f or m e , p ro vi d ed fo r m e, l o ve d m e, I b el ie v e,
a s th ou gh I we re hi s ow n so n. H e in t en de d m e f or t h e c hu rc h .
A nd i t wa s my deare st w ish to e nter in to t h at pr of e ss i on .
B ut a ft er h e d ied, and the livi ng h e 'd p ro m is e d me fe l l va c an t,
t he s on r ef use d poi nt b lank to hono u r hi s f at h er 's pr o mi se s .
A nd s o, y ou se e, I have to make my o wn w ay in th e w or l d.
T hi s is q ui te shock ing! I h ad n ot t h ou gh t M r D ar cy as ba d a s th i s.
T o de sc en d to such mali ciou s re veng e . He d e se r ve s t o b e pu b li cl y d i sg ra c ed !
S om e da y he wi ll be , bu t no t by me.
T il l I ca n for get h is f athe r, I can ' t de fy or ex po s e h im .
I w on de r at th e pri de o f th is m an. H ow a bo m in a bl e!
Y ou 'r e mo re te mpera te t han I'd be i n y ou r s it u at io n .
W el l, I h av e n ot th e re sent ful temp e r th at so m e me n h a ve .
A nd m y si tu ati on, y ou k now, is not s o ba d. At pr es e nt I ha v e ev e ry ca us e f o r ch e er !

I c an 't b ea r t o be idle ,
a nd m y ne w pro fessi on g ives me acti v e em pl o ym e nt .
M y fe ll ow o ffi cers are exce llen t me n .
A nd n ow I f ind myse lf i n a soci ety a s ag re e ab l e as an y I 'v e e ve r k n ow n.
I a bs ol ut el y f orbid you to feel sor r y fo r m e!
L iz zy ? Li zz y, why s houl d yo u fe el s o rr y fo r M r W ic k ha m ?
W hy ? Be ca us e.. .
B ec au se I 'v e n ot ha d a danc e th ese t hr ee m o nt h s to g et h er !
P oo r Mr W ic kha m! We ll, you shal l ha v e on e n ow .
M ar y, M ar y! Th e Bar ley Mow!
I c an no t be lie ve it !
M r Da rc y' s res pect for his fath er's wi sh es wo u ld n' t a l lo w h im t o b e ha ve in su ch an u n Ch r i s ti a n w a y .
L iz zy , co ns ide r, ho w co uld his most in ti ma t e f ri en d s b e so de ce i ve d i n h im ?
I c ou ld m or e e asily ima gine Mr Bing l ey b ei n g i mp os e d u po n,
t ha n to t hi nk that Mr W ickh am c ould in ve nt su c h a h is t or y!
I b el ie ve y ou like Mr W ickh am, Lizz y .
I c on fe ss I "d o" li ke h im.
I d o no t se e h ow an yone cou ld " not" li ke h i m.
T he re 's s om eth ing v ery open and art l es s in hi s m an n er .
H e fe el s de epl y, I beli eve,
a nd y et h as a natur al m erri ment and en er gy , d e sp it e a l l th i s.
Y es , Ja ne , I c onfes s I like him ver y m uc h.
B ut a ft er s o s hort an a cqua inta nce,
d o yo u th in k w e sho uld beli eve in h i m so i m pl i ci tl y ?
H ow c ou ld h e b e dou bted ?
H e ga ve m e all the circ umst ance s, J a ne . Na m es , f ac t s.
A nd e ve ry th ing with out cere mony .
L et M r Da rc y c ontra dict it! Bes ides , t he re wa s t ru t h i n al l h is lo o ks .
I t is d if fi cul t, in deed .
I t is d is tr ess ing. One does not kno w w ha t t o t hi nk .
I b eg y ou r par don, one know s "e xact l y" w ha t t o t hi n k!
Oh , gi rl s! Gi rls, we h ave all been i nv it e d t o a b al l a t N et he r fi e ld !
- I l ov e a bal l! - So d o I!
T hi s wi ll b e a comp lime nt t o yo u, J a ne , yo u k n ow .
T he i nv it at ion incl udes you , Mr Col l in s.
B ut s ha ll y ou accep t, s ir? Woul d it be e nt i re l y pr o pe r ? Wo u ld y o ur bi sh o p a pp ro v e?
Y ou r sc ru pl es do yo u cr edit , my dea r c ou si n .
I a m of t he op inion tha t a ball of t hi s ki n d, gi ve n b y a m a n of go o d ch a ra c te r t o re s pe c t a bl e pe o p l e ,
c an h av e no ev il te nden cy.
A nd I a m so fa r fro m ob ject ing to d a nc in g m ys e lf ,
t ha t I sh al l h ope t o be hon oure d wi t h th e h an d s of al l m y f ai r c ou s in s d ur i ng t h e ev e ni n g !
A nd I t ak e thi s opp ortu nity of soli c it in g y ou r s. ..
. .. Mi ss E li zab eth, for the firs t tw o d an ce s !
I d ar e sa y you 'll b e ab le t o im agin e t he s c op e o f t he wh ol e , Mr Wi c kh am ,
w he n I te ll yo u tha t th e ch imne y pi e ce a lo n e, in t h e s ec on d d ra w in g r oo m ,
c os t al l of pou nds!
p ou nd s, si r! I haza rd a gue ss i t m us t b e a v er y l a rg e o ne ?
I t is v er y lar ge, i ndee d, s ir.
- H er L ad ys hip is f ond of a goo d bl a ze , th e n? - Oh . ..
M r Co ll in s!
H ow f or tu na te! I mu st c laim you for my s is t er Ma ry .
S he 's f ou nd a passa ge i n Fo rdyc e's S er mo ns th a t sh e c a n' t m ak e o ut .
- W el l, I .. . - I be liev e it is of g r ea t do c tr i na l i mp o rt , s ir .
- I n th at c ase ... - You 're very kin d , si r.
S he 's i n th e d rawin g ro om.
M r Co ll in s' co nvers atio n is ver y...
. .. wh ol es om e.
A nd t he re i s p lenty to be h ad o f it , I a ss u re yo u!
- H av e yo u mad e Mr Bing ley' s ac quai n ta nc e y et ? - N o .
B ut I 'm d is pos ed to app rove of him. He h as is s ue d a g e ne ra l i nv i ta t io n t o t he o f fi ce r s f o r h i s b a l l ,
w hi ch h as c aus ed gr eat joy in m ore t ha n on e q u ar te r .
- H e mu st b e a very ami able gen tlem a n. - O h , y es .
H e is e ag er to appr ove of e very one h e me et s , b ut h e 's a se n si bl e m a n, w i th ta st e a nd ju d g e me n t .
I w on de r ve ry much how Mr D arcy cou l d im po s e u po n h im . H e c an no t k n ow w h at Mr D a rc y i s.
P ro ba bl y no t. Mr Da rcy can plea se w h at h e c ho o se s, if he t h in ks it wo rt h h i s wh i le .
A mo ng h is e qua ls in wea lth and cons e qu en ce , h e c an be li be r al -m i nd e d,
h on ou ra bl e, ev en ag reea ble.
- I w on de r you can spea k of him so t ol er an t ly . - H e i s n ot wh ol l y b ad .
T el l me , wh at sort of g irl is M iss D ar cy ?
I w is h I co uld call her ami able .
A s a ch il d, sh e was aff ecti onat e an d p le as i ng , a nd fo n d of me .
I 'v e de vo te d h ours to h er a muse ment , b ut s h e i s gr o wn to o m uc h l ik e h er br o th er . V er y .. . p ro u d .
I n ev er s ee he r now . Si nce her fath e r' s de a th , h er ho m e ha s b ee n i n L on d on .
S he i s bu t years old . Yo ur s iste r L yd ia ' s a ge .
L yd ia i s .
I w as a mu se d b y you r co usin 's r efer e nc e to La d y Ca t he r in e d e Bo u rg h .
S he 's M r Da rcy 's au nt, and her daug h te r An n e, wh o w il l i nh e ri t a l a rg e f or t un e,
i s de st in ed to be M r Da rcy' s br ide.
R ea ll y? !
P oo r Mi ss B ing ley.
A h, y ou l oo k v ery w ell, Liz zy!

Y ou 'l l ne ve r b e as pret ty a s yo ur s i st er J a ne , b ut I w il l s ay y o u l oo k v er y w el l i nd e ed !
T ha nk y ou , mam ma.
I h op e yo u wil l pay Mr Coll ins ever y c ou rt e sy to ni g ht , b ec a us e h e' s b ee n v e ry a t te nt i ve t o y o u !
Yo ur g ow n is very unbe comi ng, too!
- T he n I sh all ask Lizz y! - Lyd ia, w ha t ar e y o u do i ng ?
- G o ba ck i n y our r oom and dres s yo u rs el f! - I h av e t o a sk Li zz y s o me th i ng !
L iz zy , lo ok . W hat d o yo u th ink? Kit t y sa ys no t , bu t I th in k i t b ec o me s m e v er y w el l.
- I w on de r tha t you ask me. - Y ou l o ok v er y n i ce .
T ha nk y ou .
D on 't k ee p Wic kham to y ours elf. Kit t y an d I w a nt t o d a nc e w it h h im as w e ll .
I p ro mi se I sh all n ot. Even if I wi s he d to , I co ul d n o t. I ha ve to da nc e t h e fi r st t w o w i t h M r C o l l i ns .
L or d, y es . He' s thr eate ned to d ance wi th u s a l l!
M y de ar J an e, how d elig htfu l to see yo u, a n d s o we l l r ec ov e re d!
L ou is a an d I h ave b een quit e de sola t e wi th o ut yo u, ha v en 't we ?
- M r Hu rs t? - What?
- O h, M rs B enn et! - Del ight ed.
- M r Be nn et . - Mrs Benn et, Mr B enne t ! Qu it e d e li gh t ed .
- A nd " al l" yo ur da ught ers. - T here ' s De nn y !
- A nd C ha mb erl ayne! - A nd m y co usin Mr C ol l in s .
M ay I c on gr atu late you on y our very el eg an t a r ra ng e me n ts , m a' am ?
I t pu ts m e to mind grea tly of.. . Pe r ha ps y o u m ay h a ve vi si t ed R o si n gs P a rk ?
M is s Be nn et .
M is s Be nn et . Y ou lo ok q uite rem arka b ly w el l t h is e v en i ng .
T ha nk y ou .
I 'm i ns tr uc ted to c onve y my fri end W ic kh am ' s r eg re t s t ha t h e ca n no t a tt e nd th e b al l.
H e' s go ne t o t own o n a matt er o f ur g en t bu s in e ss ,
w hi ch p ro ba bly beca me u rgen t as he w is he d t o a vo id a c er ta i n ge n tl e ma n.
D en ny ! I ho pe you'r e pr epar ed t o da n ce w it h u s t on i gh t !
F or gi ve t he in trusi on. I wo uld danc e w it h b ot h o f y ou r s is t er s a t o nc e i f I c ou l d, b u t. . .
N ev er m in d tha t. Co me o n, D enny !
C ha rl ot te !
I h av e so m uch to a cqua int you with !
C ha rl ot te , may I pr esen t ou r co usin , M r Co l li n s? M y f r ie nd , M is s L u ca s.
- H ow d o yo u d o, si r? - Mis s Lu cas.
I 'm i nd ee d hon oured to meet any fri e nd o f m y f ai r c ou s in s. So m a ny ag re e ab l e yo u ng l a di e s !
I 'm q ui te e nra pture d!
- O th er w ay , M r Col lins ! - Mada m, a th ou sa n d a po lo g ie s .. .
M y de ar c ou sin , I a polo gize .
- I t' s ex tr aor dinar y! A re y ou s ure i t' s tr u e? - Ch a rl o tt e, ho w c ou l d it be ot he r wi se ?
E ve ry c ir cu mst ance conf irms it. And Mr D ar c y h as b o as t ed t o m e h im s el f o f h is r e se nt f ul . . .
- L iz zy ! - Wha t?
I f yo u' re n ot other wise eng aged , wo u ld y ou do me t h e h on ou r o f d an c in g t he ne xt wi th me ?
W hy I .. . ha d n ot...
I t ha nk y ou . Y es.
W hy c ou ld n' t I thin k of an excu se? H at ef ul ma n ! I p ro m is ed my se l f I 'd n e ve r d an c e wi t h h i m .
H e pa ys y ou a great com plim ent in s i ng li ng yo u o ut , L i zz y.
T hi nk w ha t you are doin g. Y ou'd be a s im pl e to n
i f yo u le t you r fan cy f or W ickh am l e ad y ou to sl ig h t a m an of t e n t im es hi s c on s eq ue n ce .
I b el ie ve w e m ust h ave "som e" c onve r sa ti on , M r D ar c y.
A v er y li tt le will suff ice.
Y ou s ho ul d say some thin g ab out the d an ce , p er h ap s.
I m ig ht r em ark on t he n umbe r of cou p le s.
- D o yo u ta lk by ru le w hen you' re d a nc in g? - S om et i me s i t' s b es t .
T he n we m ay en joy t he a dvan tage of s ay in g a s l it tl e a s p os s ib le .
D o yo u co ns ult your own fee ling s in th is c a se , o r s ee k t o g ra ti f y m in e?
B ot h, I i ma gin e.
W e ar e bo th un willi ng t o sp eak unle s s we e x pe c t to sa y s om e th in g t h at w i ll am az e t he wh o l e r o o m.
T hi s is n o str iking res embl ance of y ou r ow n c h ar ac t er , I 'm su re .
- D o yo u of ten walk int o Me ryto n? - Ye s, q u it e o ft e n.
W he n yo u me t u s, we had jus t be en f o rm in g a n e w ac q ua i nt an c e.
M r Wi ck ha m' s h appy mann ers enab le h i m to m a ke fr ie n ds .
W he th er h e is equal ly c apab le o f ke e pi ng t h em , i s l es s c er t ai n.
H e ha s be en un lucky to lose you r fr i en ds hi p i n a w a y h e' ll su ff e r f ro m a ll hi s l if e.
A ll ow m e to co ngrat ulat e yo u, s ir! S uc h su p er i or d a nc i ng i s r ar e ly to b e s e en .
I 'm s ur e yo ur fair part ner is w ell w or th y o f y ou .
I h op e th is pl easur e is rep eate d of t en . Es p ec i al ly wh e n a c er ta i n d es ir a bl e e ve n t ta k es p l ac e .
E h, M is s Li zzy ?
- W ha t co ng rat ulati ons will the n fl o w in ! - S i r, I . ..
I u nd er st an d! I'll not deta in y ou l o ng er f r om yo ur be w it ch i ng p a rt n er !
A g re at p le asu re, s ir. Capi tal! Cap i ta l!
I r em em be r hea ring you once say tha t y ou h a rd l y ev e r f or ga v e.
T ha t yo ur r ese ntmen t on ce c reat ed w a s im pl a ca b le .
Y ou 'r e ca re ful , are n't you, in allo w in g re s en t me nt to be c r ea te d ?
I a m.
A nd n ev er a llo w you rsel f to be blin d ed b y p re j ud ic e ?
I h op e no t.
M ay I a sk t o w hat t hese que stio ns t e nd ?
M er el y to t he illus trat ion of y our c ha ra ct e r. I' m t ry i ng t o m ak e i t o ut .
- W ha t is y our succ ess? - I don 't g e t on a t a l l.
I h ea r su ch di ffere nt a ccou nts of y o u as t o p u zz le me ex ce e di ng l y.
I w is h th at yo u wou ldn' t at temp t to sk et ch my ch ar a ct e r at th e p re s en t m om e nt .
T he p er fo rm anc e sho uld refl ect no c r ed it o n e i th er of us .

I f I do n' t tak e you r li kene ss n ow, I m ay n e ve r h av e a n ot he r o pp o rt u ni ty !
I w ou ld b y no means sus pend any ple a su re o f y o ur s.
M is s El iz a, I hear you' re q uite del i gh te d w it h G eo r ge Wi ck h am .
N o do ub t he fo rgot to t ell you, amo n g hi s o th e r co m mu n ic at i on s,
t ha t he w as me rely the son of o ld W i ck ha m, th e l at e M r D ar c y' s s te w ar d!
B ut , El iz a, as a fr iend ,
l et m e re co mme nd yo u no t to giv e cr e di t to al l h is as s er ti o ns .
- W ic kh am t rea ted D arcy in an i nfam o us m an n er . - H a s h e? H o w?
I d on 't r em emb er th e pa rtic ular s, b u t I do kn o w th a t M r Da r cy w a s n ot i n t h e le a st t o b l a m e.
I p it y yo u, El iza, for the disc over y o f yo u r f av ou r it e 's g u il t,
b ut r ea ll y, co nside ring his des cent , o ne c o ul d n ot ex p ec t m uc h b et t er .
H is g ui lt a nd his d esce nt a ppea r by yo ur a c co u nt t o b e t he sa me .
Y ou a cc us e him only of bein g th e so n o f Mr Da r cy 's st e wa rd , w hi c h h e in f or m ed m e o f h im s e l f.
I b eg y ou r par don.
E xc us e my i nte rfere nce. It was kind l y me an t .
- I ns ol en t gir l! - Lizz y!
I s ee n ot hi ng in he r pa ltry att ack b ut h er ow n i gn o ra n ce a n d th e m a li ce of Mr D a rc y!
Y es , bu t Li zzy ...
M r Bi ng le y sai d, th at t houg h he doe s n' t kn o w t he w h ol e h is t or y,
h e fe ar s th at Mr Wi ckha m is by no m e an s a r es p ec ta b le yo un g m an .
- D oe s he k now Mr W ickh am? - No .
W el l, t he n he just had his acco unt f ro m Mr Da r cy .
I d on 't d ou bt Mr Bi ngle y's sinc erit y . Of c o ur s e he wo u ld b e li ev e h i s fr i en d .
A s to t he o the r two gen tlem en, I sh a ll v en t ur e t o t hi n k of th em bo t h as I d id b e fo re .
S ha ll w e no t h ave s ome musi c? I hav e a g re a t d es ir e f o r a s on g!
C ar ol in e, c an we pe rsua de y ou?
M is s Ma ry B enn et.
Y ou 'v e an ti cip ated me.
# S lu mb er , dea r mai d
# G re en B ou ghs will cov er t hee
# C om et h br eat he ov er t hee
# W he re t ho u a rt la id
# S lu mb er , dea r mai d...
L iz zy ! Lo ok .
B ut t he y ha ven 't be en i ntro duce d!
- C an w e no t p reven t hi m? - Too lat e .
M r Da rc y. I ha ve ma de a rem arka ble. . . I mu s t s ay , a n a ma zi n g di s co v er y!
I u nd er st an d t hat y ou a re t he n ephe w o f La d y C at he r in e d e B ou rg h o f R os i ng s P ar k !
M r Da rc y, I am happ y to be able to i nf or m y ou th at he r L ad y sh ip wa s i n t he be st of h e al t h . ..
. .. ei gh t da ys ago.
I 'm g la d to he ar it .
- A nd w ha t is your name , si r? - My n am e is Wi l li am Co l li ns , M r D ar c y.
A nd I h av e a v ery g reat hon our to.. .
W el l. W el l.
# G re en B ou ghs will cov er t hee
# C om et h br eat he ov er t hee
R ow le y!
# W he re t ho u a rt la id
# M y Mo th er bi ds me bin d my hai r
# W it h ba nd s o f ros y hu e
T ha t' ll d o ext remel y we ll, chil d. Y o u' ve d e li g ht ed us lo ng en ou g h.
L et t he o th er young lad ies have tim e t o ex h ib i t.
I f I we re s o f ortun ate as t o be abl e t o si n g,
I s ho ul d ha ve great ple asur e in obl i gi ng t h e c om pa n y w it h a n ai r .
I nd ee d I sh oul d, fo r I cons ider mus i c as a ve r y in n oc e nt d i ve rs i on ,
a nd p er fe ct ly compa tibl e wi th t he p r of es si o n o f a c le r gy ma n !
M r Co ll in s is such a se nsib le, resp e ct ab le yo u ng m a n.
H e' s ta ke n qui te a fanc y to Liz zy, a nd I d o n' t t hi n k h e co u ld f i nd a be t te r w if e .
H e fa vo ur ed Ja ne at fir st, but Bing l ey w as th e re b e fo r e hi m . No w " t he re " w i ll b e a g r ea t m ar r i ag e !
A nd , of c ou rse , tha t wi ll t hrow the gi rl s i nt o t he pa t h of ot he r r i ch m e n!
L yd ia !
L yd ia !
L yd ia !
L or d! D en ny , f etch me a gla ss o f wi n e. I c a n s ca rc e d r aw b r ea th , I ' m so fa g ge d!
A nd C ha mb er lay ne an d De nny agai n! L y di a on l y d an ce d w i th h i m tw i ce !
- I t ho ug ht Ma ry sa ng v ery ill. - O h , ye s. Po o r Ma r y.
- B ut s he i s d eterm ined to do i t. - Mo re f o ol he r, I s ay .
- M r Co ll in s t rod o n my fro ck a nd t o re i t. - L iz zy !
M r Co ll in s, I' m sur e th ere can be n o o bj ec t io n !
K it ty , do n' t l eave me.
- L iz zy , de ar! - Wh y? I t's only Mr C ol li ns .
C om e, K it ty . I want you ups tair s. M r C ol li n s h as s o me t hi ng to s a y t o Li z zy !
D ea r Ma mm a, do n't g o. M r Co llin s ca n h av e n ot h in g t o s ay t h at a n yo n e co u ld no t h ea r.
L iz zy . I in sis t tha t yo u st ay w here yo u ar e a n d he a r M r Co l li ns !
C om e, K it ty ! C ome a long .
B el ie ve m e, my dear Mis s El izab eth, th at y o ur mo de s ty ad ds to y o ur ot he r p e rf ec t io ns .
B ut y ou c an ha rdly doub t th e ob ject of m y d is c ou rs e ,
h ow ev er y ou r f emini ne d elic acy may l ea d yo u t o d is s em b le .
F or , as a lm ost as s oon as I ent ered th e ho u se ,
I s in gl ed y ou out a s th e co mpan ion o f my f u tu r e li f e!
B ut b ef or e I a m run awa y by my feel i ng s on th i s su b je c t,
p er ha ps i t wou ld be adv isab le f or m e t o st a te my r e as o ns f o r ma r ry i ng .

M r Co ll in s. ..
M y re as on s for marr ying are :
F ir st , I th ink it a rig ht t hing for ev er y c le r gy ma n t o s et th e e xa m pl e o f m at ri m on y i n h i s p a r is h .
S ec on dl y, t hat I am con vinc ed i t wi l l ad d v er y g re a tl y t o m y ha p pi n es s.
A nd t hi rd ly , w hich perh aps I sh ould ha ve m e nt i on ed fi r st ,
t ha t it i s the part icul ar r ecom mend a ti on o f m y n ob l e p at ro n es s L ad y C at h er i ne d e B ou r gh !
" Mr C ol li ns ", she s aid, "yo u mu st m a rr y" .
" Ch oo se p ro per ly", she said . "C hoos e a g en t le w om an fo r m y s ak e,
a nd f or y ou r o wn, l et h er b e an act i ve , us e fu l s or t o f p er s on , n ot br ou g ht up t o o hi g h. "
" Fi nd s uc h a w oman as s oon as y ou c a n, b ri n g h er t o H u ns fo r d, a n d I w il l v i si t h er !"
A nd y ou r wi t a nd vi vaci ty,
I t hi nk , mu st be ac cept able to her,
w he n te mp er ed with the sile nce and r es pe ct wh i ch h e r r an k w il l i ne v it ab l y e xc it e .
Y es .
S o mu ch f or my gene ral inte ntio n in fa vo ur of ma tr i mo n y. N o w, a s t o m y p ar t ic ul a r ch o ic e :
M y de ar c ou sin ,
b ei ng , as I am , to inhe rit all this es ta te af t er t h e d ea th of y o ur fa th e r,
I c ou ld n ot sa tisfy mys elf with out r es ol vi n g t o ch o os e a w i fe f r om am on g h i s da u gh te r s.
A nd n ow n ot hin g rem ains ,
b ut t o as su re you, in t he m ost anim a te d la n gu a ge , o f t he v i ol en c e o f my af f ec ti o ns !
- M r Co ll in s, pleas e... - T o fo rtun e I a m p er f ec tl y i n di ff e re nt .
I 'm w el l aw are that po unds in t he f ou r p e r ce n ts is a l l th a t y ou m a y b e en t it le d t o ,
b ut r es t as sur ed, I sha ll n ever rep r oa ch o n t h at s c or e w he n w e a re ma rr i ed !
Y ou a re t oo ha sty, sir!
Y ou f or ge t tha t I'v e ma de n o an swer . L et m e d o s o n ow . I t h an k y ou fo r y ou r c om p li me n ts .
I a m ve ry s ens ible of t he h onou r of yo ur p r op o sa ls , b u t. ..
. .. it i s im pos sible for me to a ccep t t he m.
I a m by n o mea ns di scou rage d. I ndee d n ot .
I u nd er st an d t hat y oung lad ies ofte n r ej ec t t h e ad d re s se s o f th e m a n th e y m ea n t o ac c ep t ,
w he n he f ir st appli es f or t heir fav o ur , an d t h er ef o re I sh a ll h o pe , m y d ea r c ou s in ,
t o le ad y ou to the alta r be fore lon g .
U po n my w or d, your hope is an e xtra o rd in ar y o n e in vi e w of my d e cl a ra ti o n.
I w as p er fe ctl y ser ious in my r efus a l.
Y ou c ou ld n ot make me h appy , an d I a m th e l as t w om a n w ho c o ul d m ak e y ou so .
M y de ar M is s E lizab eth,
m y si tu at io n i n lif e, m y co nnec tion wi th t h e n ob le fa m il y o f de Bo u rg h,
a re c ir cu ms tan ces h ighl y in my favo u r.
C on si de r th at it is by no m eans cer t ai n th a t a no th e r o ff er of m a rr i ag e m ay be m a de t o y o u .
Y ou c an no t be serio us i n yo ur r ejec t io n.
I m us t at tr ibu te it to your wis h of in cr ea s in g m y l ov e b y s us pe n se ,
i n th e us ua l m anner of eleg ant fema l es .
I a ss ur e yo u, sir,
t ha t I ha ve no pret ensi ons to t he k i nd o f e le g an ce wh i ch c o ns is t s i n to r me n ti ng a re s pe c t a bl e ma n .
I t ha nk y ou fo r the hon our of y our p ro po sa l s, bu t t o a cc ep t t he m i s a bs o lu t el y i mp os s ib l e .
M y fe el in gs fo rbid it i n ev ery resp e ct .
- C an I s pe ak plain er? - Yo u ar e un i fo rm ly ch a rm in g !
A nd I a m pe rsu aded that whe n sa ncti o ne d by yo u r ex c el l en t p ar en t s. . .
. .. my p ro po sal s wil l no t fa il o f be i ng a cc e pt a bl e.
O h, M r Be nn et! You are want ed i mmed i at el y.
W e ar e al l in uproa r!
Y ou m us t co me and m ake Lizz y ma rry M r Co ll i ns . S he vo w s sh e w on ' t h av e h im ,
a nd i f yo u don 't ma ke h aste , Mr Col l in s wi l l c ha ng e h i s mi n d an d w o n' t h av e h er !
I h av e no t the plea sure of unde rsta n di ng y o u. Of w h at ar e y ou t a lk i ng ?
O f Mr C ol li ns and L izzy !
L iz zy d ec la res she will not hav e Mr Co ll in s , a nd M r C o ll in s b eg i ns to s a y h e wi l l no t h a v e L i z zy !
W ha t am I t o d o on the occa sion ? It se em s a h o pe le s s b us in e ss .
S pe ak t o Li zzy abou t it you rsel f! T e ll h er yo u i ns i st up on he r m ar r yi ng hi m !
L et h er c om e i n.
L iz zy ! Li zz y!
Y ou r fa th er wi shes to s peak to you.
C om e he re , my child .
I .. .
I u nd er st an d M r Col lins has mad e yo u a n of f er of m a rr i ag e.
- I s th is t rue ? - Y es, sir.
V er y we ll . And this off er o f ma rria g e yo u h av e r ef u se d ?
- I h av e. - I see.
R ig ht , we n ow come to t he p oint . Yo u r mo th e r i ns is t s o n yo u r ac c ep t in g i t.
- I s it n ot so , Mrs Ben net? - Y es, o r I wi l l n ev er se e h er ag ai n !
A n un ha pp y alt ernat ive is b efor e yo u , El iz a be t h.
F ro m th is d ay you m ust be a str ange r t o on e o f y ou r p a re nt s .
Y ou r mo th er wi ll ne ver see you agai n i f yo u d o n ot ma r ry M r C ol l in s .
A nd .. .
. .. I wi ll n eve r see you aga in i f yo u " do ".
O h, M r Be nn et!
Si t do wn , Mis s Liz zy! I i nsis t up o n yo u m ar r yi ng Mr Co ll i ns !
- W hy , Ch ar lot te, w hat do y ou d o he r e? - I am co me to se e E li za b et h .
M r Co ll in s has made Liz zy a n of fer, an d wh a t d o yo u t h in k? Sh e w on ' t ha v e h im !
T he n I am v ery sorr y fo r hi m, t houg h I c ou l dn ' t sa y I ' m su r pr is e d.
If y ou d on 't, I w ill neve r sp eak t o yo u a ga i n!
- I w on 't d isc uss t he m atte r an y lo n ge r. - Mr Co ll i ns !
M am ma 's b es ide hers elf. He says he w on 't s t ay an ot h er ni gh t .
- I w on de r, sh ould I in vite him to d in e wi t h u s? - Ay e , do ! D o! Ta k e hi m a w ay a n d fe e d h i m .

F or h e' s be en in hi gh d udge on a ll m o rn in g!
- O h, M r Co lli ns! - I a m re sign ed.
R es ig na ti on is neve r so per fect ,
a s wh en t he bl essin g de nied beg ins t o lo se so m ew ha t o f i ts va lu e i n o ur es t im at i on .
U nt il t om or row then , ma dam.
I t ak e my l eav e.
Liz zy ! Ja ne !
Wha t do y ou t hin k? Mr Col lins has mad e a n of f er of m a rr i ag e t o Ch a rl o tt e L uc a s!
She 's a cc ep te d h im!
Cha rl ot te ?
Eng ag ed t o Mr Co llins ?
Imp os si bl e!
The f ir ep la ce in the grea t ro om a t Ro s in gs w o ul d b e m uc h l ar g er t h an th at .
A f ir ep la ce o f t ruly prod igio us d imen s io ns .
But w hy s ho ul d y ou be sur pris ed, my d e ar L iz z y?
Do yo u th in k it incre dibl e th at M r Co l li ns c o ul d p ro c ur e a ny wo ma n 's go od op i ni on ,
bec au se h e di dn' t suc ceed wit h yo u?
Cha rl ot te , I did n't m ean. ..
I " wa s" s ur pr ise d.
Cha rl ot te , if Mr Coll ins has been so f or tu na t e a s to se c ur e y ou r a ff e ct io n s,
I'm d el ig ht ed fo r you bot h.
I s ee w ha t yo u a re fe elin g.
I'm n ot r om an tic , you kno w.
I n ev er w as . I a sk on ly a com fort able ho me .
And , co ns id er ing Mr C olli ns' char acte r a nd s i tu a ti on in li fe ,
I'm c on vi nc ed my chan ce o f ha ppin ess w it h hi m i s a s f ai r a s m os t w ho en te r t h e ma r ri ag e s t a t e.
My de ar C ha rl ott e!
Cou si n El iz ab eth , you can see bef ore y ou t he ha p pi es t o f m en !
Jan e, i t wa s suc h a h umil iati ng s pect a cl e!
She k no ws s he 's marry ing one of t he s t up id es t m e n in En g la nd .
I n ev er b el ie ved her capa ble of t hat.
Liz zy , yo u do no t mak e al lowa nces for di ff er e nc e s of si t ua ti o n an d t e mp er .
Our c ou si n Mr Co llins is not the clev e re st o f m e n, p e rh a ps , b ut h e i s r es p ec t ab le .
He is n ot v ic iou s, an d as far as fort u ne g oe s , i t' s a n e li gi b le m a tc h .
"Ve ry " el ig ib le! You woul dn't thi nk o f m ar ry i ng a ma n l i ke t h at , s im p ly t o s e cu re yo ur ow n c om f o rt .
No, b ut L iz zy , n ot ev eryo ne i s th e sa m e.
Dea r Ja ne !
I d ou bt t ha t you will hav e to mak e a c ho ic e
bet we en m ar ry ing for love and mar ryin g f or m o re ma te r ia l c on s id er a ti o ns .
Tho ug h yo u ma y, perha ps?
- T hi s ca me j ust now from Net herf ield , m a' am . - Th an k y o u.
It' s fr om C ar oli ne Bi ngle y.
She w ri te s. ..
... th at t he w hol e par ty w ill have lef t N et he r fi e ld b y n o w, f o r Lo n do n .
And w it ho ut a ny inten tion of comi ng b a ck a ga i n.
Ch ar le s fi rs t t hough t th at h is busi n es s in Lo n do n w ou l d on l y ta k e a f ew da y s,
bu t we 'r e ce rta in th at t his cann ot b e s o.
I am c on vi nc ed that when Cha rles get s t o to w n, h e w il l b e i n no hu r ry t o l e av e i t ag a in .
I do n ot p re ten d to regr et a nyth ing I s ha ll le a ve i n H er tf o rd sh i re , m y d ea r es t f ri en d ,
ex ce pt y ou r soc iety.
Mr D ar cy , of co urse, is impa tien t to se e hi s s i st er .
An d to c on fe ss the t ruth , I 'm s carc e ly l es s e a ge r t o m ee t h er a g ai n ,
fr om t he h op e I dare to ente rtai n o f h er b e in g h er e af t er .. . m y s is t er .
Am I w ro ng , my deare st J ane,
in i nd ul gi ng th e hop e of an even t w h ic h wo u ld se cu r e t he h a pp in e ss of s o m a ny ?
Is it n ot c le ar enoug h?
Car ol in e Bi ng ley beli eves her bro ther is i nd i ff e re nt to me a n d sh e m e an s t o p ut m e o n m y g u a rd .
- C an t he re b e a ny ot her opin ion on t h e su bj e ct ? - Y e s, th er e c an !
Mis s Bi ng le y see s tha t he r br othe r is in l ov e w i th y o u, an d s he w a nt s h im to ma rr y M is s D a r c y.
She h op es t o kee p him in town and per s ua de y o u t ha t h e d oe s n ot c a re ab ou t y o u.
Ind ee d, J an e, yo u oug ht t o be liev e me .
No on e wh o ha s s een y ou a nd B ingl ey t o ge th er ca n d ou b t h is a f fe ct i on .
I c an no t be li eve Caro line is capa ble o f wi lf u l d ec ei t .
All I c an h op e f or is tha t sh e is dec e iv ed h e rs e lf .
Bel ie ve h er t o b e dec eive d, b y al l me a ns ,
but s he c an h ard ly co nvin ce a man so m uc h in lo v e th a t h e' s i n lo v e w it h s om e on e e ls e i ns t e a d!
If Bi ng le y is no t bac k by you r si de a n d di ni n g a t Lo n gb o ur n w it hi n t w o we e ks ,
I s ha ll b e ve ry much surp rise d.
I d on 't e nv y Cha rlott e in the sli ghte s t! F an c y m ar ry i ng a cl e rg ym a n!
- H e' ll r ea d fro m For dyce 's s ermo ns e v er y ni g ht . - B e fo r e th e y go to be d!
Loo k at t ha t hid eous clot h! I t wo uld d o ve ry we l l fo r M a ry .
Loo k! T he re 's De nny a nd C arte r.
- A nd W ic kh am ! - I su ppos e yo u'll kee p h im a l l t o yo u rs e lf a g ai n?
- O f co ur se . She 's vi olen tly in l ove w it h hi m ! - F or he a ve n' s s ak e , l ow er yo u r vo i ce .
Goo d af te rn oo n t o you , La dies !
How f or tu na te ! W e wer e go ing to L ongb o ur n in se a rc h o f y ou .
We ca me i nt o tow n in sear ch o f yo u!
We ho pe d we w oul d see you at the Neth e rf ie ld ba l l.
I w as v er y so rry to l ose the plea sure of d an c in g w it h y o u.
But f at e, i t wou ld se em.. .

No . Wi th y ou I must be e ntir ely open . I d ec i de d t ha t i t w ou l d be wr o ng f o r m e to be t h er e .
I f ou nd t ha t I had bett er n ot m eet w it h Mr Da r cy .
S ce ne s mi gh t a rise unpl easa nt t o mo r e th an my s el f.
I u nd er st an d a nd ad mire you r fo rbea r an ce .
N ot t ha t it wo uld g ive me a mom ent' s c on ce r n t o se e M r D ar c y pu b li c ly s e t d ow n,
b ut i n Mr B ing ley's hou se.. . It wou l d gr ie v e m e to se e h im em ba r ra s se d a nd di sc o mf it e d.
A nd t hr ou gh hi m, yo ur s iste r.
Y es .
- I h ea r Mr Co llins is enga ged to b e m ar ri e d. - Ye s , t o my go od fr i en d C ha r lo tt e L uc a s.
I h ad t ho ug ht that his inte ntio ns t e nd ed i n a n ot he r d i re ct i on .
P er ha ps t he y d id, b ut t hey took a l i tt le t u rn , t o e ve r yb od y 's s a ti s fa ct i on .
A nd r el ie f.
I h op e th at yo u wil l st ay a nd t ake t ea w it h u s .
I s ho ul d li ke to in trod uce you to m y m ot he r a n d fa t he r .
T ha nk y ou .
D en ny !
O h, y ou ng G eor ge Wi ckha m is suc h a c ha rm in g y o un g m an , i s h e no t , m y de a r?
W ha t? O h, i nde ed he is.
I t wa s ve ry go od of him to ente rtai n u s so el o qu en t ly wi th st or i es ab ou t h i s mi s fo rt u ne s .
W it h su ch n arr ative s to han d, w ho w o ul d re a d n ov el s ?
B ut I b el ie ve he ha s be en t reat ed c o nt em pt i bl y b y M r D ar cy , f at h er .
I d ar e sa y he has. Thou gh D arcy may be n o m or e o f a b l ac k- h ea rt e d v il la i n
t ha n yo ur a ver age r ich man, use d to hi s ow n w a y.
I t be ho ve s us all t o ta ke v ery care f ul t ho u gh t
b ef or e pr on oun cing an a dver se j udge m en t on an y o f o ur fe ll o w me n .
L or d!
I f ee l ve ry so rry f or p oor Mr W ickh a m.
A nd s o be co min g in his regi ment als!
I r em em be r the time whe n I like d a r ed c oa t m y se lf we l l en o ug h.
A nd I d o st ill in m y he art.
A nd t he re 's no need to smil e li ke t h at , Mi s s L iz zy !
T ho ug h Mr W ick ham h as t aken a f ancy to y ou , I ' m su r e y ou 'v e d on e n o th in g t o d es e rv e i t,
a ft er y ou r dea lings wit h Mr Col lins ! W el l, it is a l l i n va i n, i t w i ll a l l c om e t o no t hi n g !
T he p oo r yo ung man! If only he had f iv e or si x t ho u sa n d a y ea r,
I 'd b e ha pp y t o see him mar ry a ny o f t he g i rl s !
B ut n ot hi ng tu rns o ut t he w ay i t sh o ul d.
A nd n ow M r Bin gley, of whom we all h ad s uc h e x pe ct a ti o ns , i s go n e o ff f o re v er !
W ha t?
I 'v e he ar d aga in fr om C arol ine Bing l ey .
I t' s no w de fin ite t hat they wil l st a y in t o wn fo r t he wh ol e w in t er .
I c an no t be lie ve it .
I t is t ru e.
C om e no w, J ane , tak e co mfor t.
N ex t to b ei ng marri ed, a gi rl l ikes to b e c ro s se d i n l ov e n ow a n d t he n.
W he n is i t you r tur n, L izzy ? Yo u ca n 't b e l on g o ut d on e b y J an e,
w he n he re a re offic ers enou gh i n Me r yt on t o d i sa pp o in t a ll th e y ou n g la d ie s i n t he c o un t r y .
L et W ic kh am be your man . He 's a ple a sa nt f e ll o w. H e w o ul d j il t y ou cr ed i ta b ly .
T ha nk y ou , sir , but a l ess agre eabl e m an w o ul d d o. We mu st no t a ll ex pe c t J an e' s g oo d f o r t un e .
T ru e, b ut i t i s a c omfo rt t o th ink. . . th at wh a te ve r o f t ha t k in d m a y be f al l y ou ,
y ou h av e an af fecti onat e mo ther who wi ll a l wa y s ma k e t he m o st o f i t .
I d on 't k no w w hat w ill beco me o f us al l, i n de e d I d o n ot !
A nd I c an no t b ear t o th ink of C harl o tt e Lu c as be in g m i st re s s of th i s ho u se !
T ha t I sh ou ld be fo rced to make way fo r he r , a nd s e e h er t a ke m y p l ac e!
M y de ar , do n't give way to such glo o my t ho u gh t s. L e t u s ho p e fo r b e tt er th i ng s.
L et u s fl at ter ours elve s th at I mig h t ou tl i ve yo u.
Y ou m us tn 't be anxi ous for me, Lizz y .
H e wi ll b e for got,
a nd w e sh al l a ll be as we w ere befo r e.
B ut , I ma y rem ember him as. ..
. .. th e mo st am iable man of my a cqua i nt an ce .
T ha t is a ll .
I h av e no th ing eith er t o ho pe o r fe a r. ..
. .. an d no th ing to r epro ach him with . A t le a st I ha v e n ot h a d th a t p ai n.
M y de ar J an e.
Y ou 'r e to o goo d. Yo ur s weet ness and di si nt e re s te dn e ss ar e t ru ly an g el ic .
- D on 't t ea se me, L izzy . - Inde ed I do " no t " t ea se yo u .
T he re a re f ew peopl e wh om I rea lly l ov e, a n d e ve n f ew e r of wh om I t hi nk we l l.
T he m or e I see of t he w orld , th e mo r e I am di s sa ti s fi e d wi t h it .
J an e, w ha t if you w ere to g o to tow n ?
A un t an d Un cle Gard iner wou ld g ladl y t ak e y ou wi th th e m to Gr ac e ch u rc h S tr e et a f te r C hr i s t ma s .
- W hy w ou ld yo u hav e me go to L ondo n , Li zz y ? - N o r ea s on .
A c ha ng e of sc ene a nd s ocie ty?
W hy a re y ou so late ?
I 'm s ur e I fea red y our coac h ha d ov e rs et i t se l f, o r y o u ha d b ee n a t ta ck e d b y ro b be rs !
N on se ns e, w e m ade g ood time . Ho w do yo u do , F a nn y?
V er y il l, E dwa rd. N o on e kn ows what I su ff e r w it h m y n er ve s .
- B ut t he n I n ever comp lain . - That ' s th e b es t w ay , F a nn y. Yo u' r e v er y g oo d .
- H av e yo u bro ught us s ome pres ents ? - I s e e y ou 'v e n o t ch a ng ed , L y di a.
- W hy , ha ve I not g rown ? - Aye, in e ve ry th i ng bu t g oo d s en s e.
L iz zy !
G et y ou rs el ves in, get your selv es i n , fo r y ou ha ve ba r el y t im e f or a ch a ng e o f c lo th e s!
W e ar e bi dd en to th e Ph ilip s' t his e ve ni ng . I ha ve no de si r e to be go in g h e re a n d th e re a t n i g ht .

I s ho ul d mu ch rathe r si t at hom e an d r es t m y p oo r n er v es .
# G od r es t ye merry gen tlem en, Let n ot hi ng yo u d is m ay ,
# R em em be r Chr ist o ur S avio ur W as b o rn o n C hr i st ma s D a y,
# T o sa ve u s a ll fr om S atan 's p ow'r . ..
A ye , po or J ane . I w ould not hav e yo u t hi nk I b la me po o r Ja n e at al l !
W ho c ou ld b lam e poo r Ja ne f or t he m a tt er ? S he is t h e d ea re s t gi r l i n th e w o rl d!
I w as t el li ng our d ear sist er, Mrs G ar di ne r , s he d i d h er b e st .
- S he w ou ld ha ve go t Bi ngle y if she co ul d. - S he d i d h er b e st , a nd no o n e c ou ld do m o re .
B ut , oh , si ste r, wh en I thi nk a bout Li zz y!
- I t mu st b e v ery h ard, sis ter. - I t " is " v er y h ar d .
- S he c ou ld ha ve be en M r Co llin s' w i fe b y n ow ! - T h at wo ul d h av e g i ve n y ou su ch co mf o rt !
O h, t ho se L uca ses a re s uch artf ul p e op le i n de e d. T h ey ar e a ll f o r w ha t t he y c an ge t!
H ow ev er , yo ur comin g ju st a t th is t i me i s t he gr ea t es t o f c om fo r ts .
A nd w e ar e ver y ple ased to hear wha t y ou t e ll us a b ou t t he la te s t f as hi o ns fo r l on g s le e v e s.
M ay I p re se nt Mr Wi ckha m to you , Au n t?
I u nd er st an d y ou co me f rom Derb yshi r e, M r W ic k ha m.
- I nd ee d I do, ma'a m. D o yo u kn ow t h e co un t ry ? - V e ry we ll .
I s pe nt s om e o f the hap pies t ye ars o f my l i fe at L a mb t on .
N ot f iv e mi les from whe re I gre w up , a t Pe m be r le y!
P em be rl ey ! Sur ely i t is the mos t ha n ds om e h ou s e in De r by sh i re , a nd co ns e qu e nt ly in t h e w o r ld !
I s ee y ou t ake my v iew of t hing s, m a 'a m.
- A re y ou a cqu ainte d wi th t he f amil y ? - No .
I h ad t he g ood fort une to b e th e pr o té gé o f o l d Mr Da r cy .
H e wa s th e ver y bes t of men . I wish yo u' d k no w n hi m .
A nd a f ou r on yours , an d I' m ou t! L o rd , I' v e w on a g ai n !
L et 's h av e som e dan cing now . I long fo r a d an c e!
M ar y!
M ar y, p la y Gri mstoc k.
- F in e gi rl s, are t hey not, Mr Gard i ne r? - In d ee d t he y a re , S ir Wi l li am .
- T he t wo e lde st in par ticu lar, per h ap s? - In d ee d, in d ee d.
T he y wo ul d gra ce th e co urt of S t. J a me s it s el f ! Bu t l e t' s n ot f o rg e t th e y o un ge r M is s B e n n et s !
A ye , th ey h ave arms and leg s en ough be tw ee n t h em ,
a nd a re t hr ee of th e si llie st g irls in E ng l an d .
W he n do y ou go into Ken t?
W e sh al l sp end the wedd ing nigh t at Lu ca s L od g e, a n d t he n t ra ve l t o H un s fo r d on Fr id a y.
Y ou w il l wr ite to m e, L izzy ? I beli e ve I a m n o t li k el y t o l ea ve Ke n t fo r s o me t i me .
- I s ha ll d epe nd on hea ring fro m yo u v er y o ft e n. - Th a t yo u c er t ai n ly s h al l .
M y fa th er a nd Maria are to come to m e in M a rc h . Li z zy , w il l y ou pr o mi se to be o n e of th e p ar t y ?
- Y ou w il l be as we lcom e as eit her o f th em . - Th en ho w c ou l d I r ef u se ?
B ut I 'l l on ly come if y ou g uara ntee me a g l im p se o f t h e fa m ou s c hi m ne y p ie c e at Ro si n gs P a rk !
T ha t yo u co uld scar cely avo id, even if y ou wi s he d t o!
C ha rl ot te !
H av e yo u as ked her? Is she to c ome t o Hu ns f or d w it h u s ?
- Y es . - Go od!
I s ha n' t be ha lf so fri ghte ned of L a dy C at h er i ne i f y o u ar e w it h u s , Li z zy !
W ho i s th at gi rl da ncin g wi th M r Wi c kh am ?
H er n am e is Ma ry Ki ng. She' s co me t o s ta y w it h h er un c le i n M er y to n .
- S he 's n ot ve ry pr etty , is she ? - B ea ut y i s n ot t h e o nl y v ir tu e , M ar ia .
S he 's j us t inh erite d a fort une of po u nd s , I u nd e rs ta n d.
N ow t ha t is a defin ite virt ue!
I t is v er y har d. An d I feel sor ry f o r Li zz y , b ec au s e s he 's do ne li t tl e t o d es er v e it .
F or W ic kh am to purs ue M iss King all th e wa y t o B ar n et , j us t f or he r p ou nd s !
I w is h so me one woul d di e an d le ave m e p o un ds .
- T he n al l the offi cers wou ld l ove m e! - I ' m s ur e t he y w ou l d, K i tt y d ea r .
- D id y ou t hin k her pre tty, mam ma? - N o in d ee d , sh e h a s no t hi ng to an y o f y ou .
A l it tl e sh ort frec kled thi ng! Poor Wi ck ha m . H ow h e m u st b e s uf f er i ng .
Ja nu ar y th e th.
My d ea re st Li zzy, here we cont inue at Gr a ce c hu rc h S t re et to b e q u ie t a nd co mf o rt ab l e.
Au nt a nd U ncl e cou ld n ot b e ki nder o r mo r e a tt en t iv e .
Al l I la ck he re, d ear Lizz y, i s yo u , t o m ak e m e l au g h at my se l f.
Th re e we ek s a go, w hen our Aunt was go in g t o th at pa r t of to wn ,
I to ok t he op portu nity of call ing o n Mi ss Bi n gl ey i n G ro s ve no r S t re et .
I wa s ve ry ea ger t o se e Ca roli ne a g ai n. A nd I th o ug h t sh e w as gl a d to se e m e,
th ou gh a l itt le ou t of spi rits . Sh e r ep ro a ch e d me f o r gi v in g h er no n o ti c e of my c o mi n g to L on d o n ,
an d I th ou ght it v ery stra nge tha t b ot h m y l et te r s s ho ul d h av e g o ne a s tr a y.
V er y st ra ng e i ndeed .
My v is it w as not l ong, as Caro line a nd M r s H ur st we r e go i ng o u t.
G oo db ye , Mi ss Benne t.
Th ey p ro mi sed to c all at G race chur c h St re e t in a da y o r t wo .
I wa it ed a t h ome e very mor ning for th re e w ee k s,
an d at l en gth , tod ay s he c ame.
I kn ow , my de ar Li zzy, you wil l be in ca pa b le o f t ri u mp hi n g at my ex pe n se ,
wh en I c on fes s I h ave been ent irel y d ec ei v ed i n M is s B in g le y' s r e ga rd fo r m e.
Sh e ma de i t v ery e vide nt that she to ok n o p l ea su r e i n se e in g m e.
Wh en I a sk ed after her bro ther , sh e m ad e i t c le ar t h at h e k no w s o f my be i ng i n t ow n ,
bu t is m uc h e ngage d at pre sent wi t h Mr D a rc y a nd hi s s is t er .
I mu st c on clu de th en,
th at M r Bi ngl ey no w no lon ger care s f or m e .
L iz zy ! Co me qu ick! Denn y an d Ca rter ar e he r e.
A nd g ue ss w ho else? Wic kham !
I h ea rd y ou we re go ing into Ken t. I fe lt I co u ld n o t l et y o u go wi t ho ut ca l li ng to s e e y o u o n c e.

I 'm v er y gl ad you d id. I've mis sed o ur c on v er s at io n s.
I h ea r I am to cong ratu late you on y ou r fo r th c om in g b e tr ot h al t o M i ss K i ng ?
Y ou m us t de spi se me .
I nd ee d I do no t! I unde rsta nd, as m y y ou ng e r s is te r s a re n o t ye t a b le t o ,
t ha t ha nd so me young men mus t ha ve s o me th in g t o l iv e o n , as we ll as th e p la i n on e s.
M is s Be nn et ...
. .. I wo ul d wis h you to beli eve me t h at .. . h ad ci rc u ms t an ce s b ee n d i ff er e nt . ..
H ad o ld M r Dar cy ne ver had a so n.
O h, y es .
B ut l if e is fu ll of the se t rial s, a s m y si s te r M ar y r e mi nd s u s d ai l y.
I s in ce re ly wi sh yo u ev ery happ ines s i n th e w o rl d.
- Y ou a re v ery forb eari ng. - I flat t er m ys e lf I am !
I t hi nk J an e w ould be q uite pro ud o f m e.
I h op e yo u and I, a t le ast, wil l al w ay s be go o d fr i en d s.
I 'm s ur e we sh all, Mr W ickh am.
W el l, L iz zy , o n ple asur e be nt a gain .
N ev er a t ho ugh t of what you r po or p a re nt s w il l s uf f er in y o ur a b se n ce ?
I t is a p le asu re I coul d we ll f oreg o , fa th e r, as I th i nk y o u kn o w.
B ut I s ha ll be happ y to see Cha rlot t e.
W ha t of y ou r c ousin Mr Coll ins and t he f am o us La dy Ca t he ri n e de Bo u rg h?
A s a co nn oi sse ur of hum an f olly , I t ho ug ht yo u i mp a ti e nt t o b e s av o ur in g t h es e d el ig h ts .
O f so me d el igh ts, I bel ieve , si r, a li tt le go e s a l on g w ay .
Y es . We ll , thi nk of me, Liz zy.
U nt il y ou o r y our s iste r Ja ne r etur n , I sh a ll no t h ea r t wo wo rd s o f s en s e s po ke n t og e th e r .
Y ou 'l l be v ery much mis sed, my dear .
V er y we ll , ver y wel l. G o al ong then . G et a l on g w it h y o u.
A ye , Ma ri a. Al l tha t la nd t o th e le f t of u s b e lo ng s t o R os i ng s P ar k .
A ll o f it ? Oh, Lady Cat heri ne m ust b e ve ry ri c h in d ee d !
I b el ie ve s o, I bel ieve so! And she ha s ma n y f av ou r s i n he r g if t .
Y ou r si st er ha s mad e a fort unat e al l ia nc e!
Y es , we ll ,
I b el ie ve t he next turn tak es u s on to H un s fo r d.
S ir W il li am ! M aria!
C ou si n El iz abe th.
I a m tr ul y hon oured to be a ble to w e lc om e y ou to m y h u mb le ab od e !
- M y de ar S ir! - My dea r Mr Col lins !
I a m de ep ly ho noure d to mak e a humb l e we lc o me to t h e P ar so n ag e. . .
- I a m ha pp y t o see you , El izab eth. - An d I y o u.
T he s ta ir ca se, I fl atte r my self , is em in en t ly su it a bl e f or a cl e rg y ma n i n m y po s it io n ,
b ei ng n ei th er too s hall ow n or t oo s t ee p.
A s se rv ic ea ble a st airc ase as I 've e ve r se e n, si r. At St . J am es ' C o ur t. . .
T ho ug h it i s n othin g to the sta irca s es y ou wi l l se e a t R os i ng s.
I s ay s ta ir cas es, b ecau se t here are se ve ra l , a nd e a ch in i t s wa y v e ry f i ne .
A nd h er e, i f y ou wo uld perm it m e, c o us in E l iz a be th .
T hi s wi ll b e y our b edch ambe r, w hile yo u ar e w i th u s .
A nd I t ru st yo u wil l fi nd i t co mfor t ab le a n d c on ve n ie n t.
- I nd ee d it is a ve ry p leas ant room . - O bs e rv e t ha t c l os et , c ou s in El iz a be t h.
- W ha t do y ou say t o th at? - We ll.. .
I s it n ot t he very esse nce of p ract i ca li ty an d c on v en i en ce ?
L ad y Ca th er ine de B ourg h he rsel f wa s k in d e no u gh t o s u gg es t t ha t t h es e s he l ve s b e fi t te d .
S he lv es i n the clos et.. . Ha ppy thou g ht i nd e ed .
S he i s ki nd nes s its elf. Not hing is t oo s ma l l t o be be n ea th he r n ot i ce , i s i t no t , my de a r ?
- S he i s a ver y att enti ve n eigh bour . - W e d in e a t R os i ng s P ar k t wi c e ev e ry we ek !
- A nd a re n eve r all owed to walk hom e . - Th a t i s ge n er o si ty it se l f, is i t n o t, M a ri a?
H er l ad ys hi p's carr iage is regu larl y o rd er e d f or u s .
I s ho ul d sa y o ne of her lad yshi p's c ar ri ag e s, fo r s he ha s s ev er a l.
A nd n ow , Si r W illia m, y ou w ere kind en ou gh to ex pr e ss a wi s h to se e m y g ar d en s.
M r Co ll in s ten ds th e ga rden s hi msel f , an d s pe n ds a go o d pa r t of ev e ry d a y i n th e m.
- T he e xe rc ise must be bene fici al. - O h, y e s.
I e nc ou ra ge hi m to be i n hi s ga rden as m uc h a s p os s ib l e.
- A nd h e ha s t o wal k to Ros ings nea r ly e ve r y d ay . - S o o ft e n? I s t h at n e ce s sa ry ?
P er ha ps n ot , b ut I conf ess I en cour a ge h im in th at as we ll .
- W al ki ng i s v ery b enef icia l ex erci s e. - O h , i nd ee d i t i s.
W he n he 's i n t he ho use, he is m ostl y i n hi s b o ok r o om ,
w hi ch a ff or ds a goo d vi ew o f th e ro a d, w he n ev e r La d y C at he r in e' s c a rr ia g e s ho ul d d ri v e b y .
- A nd y ou p ref er to sit in this par l ou r? - Ye s .
S o, i t of te n h appen s th at a who le d a y pa ss e s
i n wh ic h we ha ven't spe nt m ore than a fe w m in u te s i n e ac h o th er ' s c om pa n y.
I s ee .
I f in d th at I can b ear the soli tude ve ry c h ee r fu ll y .
I f in d my se lf. ..
. .. qu it e co nte nt wi th m y si tuat ion, Li zz y.
- C ha rl ot te , c ome q uick ly! - Wh at i s i t?
L iz zy ! Li zz y!
C om e in to t he dinin g ro om. Ther e's s uc h a s ig h t to be se en ! M ak e h a st e!
L oo k, L iz zy , l ook!
I s th is a ll ? I expe cted the pig s ha d g ot i n to th e g ar d en !
- H er e' s on ly Lady Cath erin e an d he r d au gh t er . - N o , t ha t' s o ld Mr s J en k in s on .
- W it h he r is Miss Anne de Bour gh! - S he 's ru d e to ke e p Ch a rl ot t e o ut i n t h is w i nd !
- W ha t a li ttl e cre atur e sh e is ! - I l ik e h er ap pe a ra n ce .
S he l oo ks s ick ly an d cr oss. Yes , sh e w il l d o v er y w el l .
S he 'l l ma ke hi m a p rope r wi fe.

W ho , Li zz y?
M ar k th e wi ndo ws.
T he re a re i n all . !
A nd I h av e it on go od a utho rity tha t t he g l az i ng a l on e o ri g in al l y c os t i n e xc es s o f p o un d s !
I t' s a ve ry ha ndsom e bu ildi ng, and p re tt il y s i tu at e d, si r.
A nd b y no m ean s lac king in wind ows.
D o no t ma ke yo ursel f un easy , my dea r c ou si n , a bo ut yo u r ap p ar el .
L ad y Ca th er ine is f ar f rom requ irin g t ha t e le g an ce of dr es s , wh i ch be co m es he rs e lf a n d h e r d a u gh t e r .
S he w on 't t hin k the wor se o f yo u fo r b ei ng si m pl y d re s se d.
- S he l ik es to pres erve the dis tinc t io n of ra n k. - Th a nk y o u, M r C o ll in s , t ha t i s a g re a t co m f or t .
A n ap ot he ca ry will serv e yo ur n eeds qu it e a de q ua te l y.
M ak e su re i t b e no one but Nich olso n , Mr s C ol l in s.
I s ha ll b e ext remel y an gry if I hea r y ou h a ve go ne el s ew he r e.
- I h av e no in tenti on t o, L ady Cath e ri ne . - N o i nd e ed . N o i nt en t io n a t a ll .
W el l.
Y ou r fr ie nd ap pears to be q uite a g e nt ee l p re t ty s o rt of g i rl , M rs Co ll i ns .
H er f at he r' s e state is enta iled on M r Co ll i ns , I u n de r st an d .
Y es , ma 'a m, an d I a m, b elie ve m e...
D o yo u ha ve br other s an d si ster s, M i ss B en n et ?
- Y es , ma 'a m, I am the seco nd o f fi v e si st e rs . - A r e a ny o f y ou r y o un ge r s i st er s o ut ?
- Y es , ma 'a m, all o f th em. - Al l?
W ha t? A ll f ive out at o nce?
T he y ou ng er on es ou t be fore the old e r ar e m ar r ie d?
Y ou r yo un ge st siste rs m ust be v ery y ou ng ?
Y es , ma 'a m, my youn gest is not sixt e en .
W el l!
S he i s fu ll yo ung t o be out muc h in co mp an y .
B ut r ea ll y, ma 'am, I th ink it w ould be h ar d u p on y o un g er s i st er s ,
t ha t th ey n ot have thei r sh are of s o ci et y a nd am us e me n t,
s im pl y be ca use thei r el der sist ers h av e no t t h e me a ns or i n cl in a ti o n to ma r ry e a rl y.
S ir W il li am , w ouldn 't y ou a gree ?
- W el l. .. - Up on my wor d!
Y ou g iv e yo ur opini on v ery deci dedl y f or s o y o un g a p e rs on !
P ra y, w ha t is your age?
W it h th re e you nger sist ers grow n up , y ou r l ad y sh ip ca n h ar d ly e x pe c t me to ow n i t.
M is s Be nn et , y ou ca nnot be more tha n t we nt y , I a m s ur e .
T he re fo re t her e is no n eed to c once a l yo ur ag e !
I a m no t on e a nd tw enty .
M rs C ol li ns , d id I tell you of Lady Me tc al f 's ca ll i ng on m e y es t er d ay
t o th an k me fo r sen ding her Mis s Po p e? " La d y C at he r in e ", s a id s h e,
" yo u ha ve g ive n me a tr easu re." Yes !
Y es .
I t is b ea ut ifu l.
I c ou ld g ro w a lmost as fond of thes e w oo ds an d h il l s a s yo u h av e .
L iz zy ?
W e ha ve b ee n h ere t hree wee ks, and a lr ea dy we ha ve di n ed a t R os i ng s P ar k s i x ti m es !
- I w ou ld n eve r hav e ex pect ed i t to be s o m an y ! - N o, no r I .
M y de ar !
M ar ia ! Co us in Eliza beth !
M r Da rc y is ar rived at Rosi ngs!
A nd w it h hi m h is co usin , Co lone l Fi t zw il li a m! Th e y ou n ge r s on o f t h e Ea r l o f Ma t lo ck !
T he y ha ve v ouc hsafe d us the gre ates t h on ou r . T he y a re co mi n g to ca l l up o n u s!
- W he n, m y dea r? - Even now , Mr s Co l li ns !
T he y' re h ar d u pon m y he els! Mak e ha s te !
T hi s mu st b e d ue to you . Mr Dar cy w o ul dn 't co m e so so o n to wa it up o n me .
Y ou 'r e mi st ake n, fo r he dis like s me as m uc h a s I d o h i m.
M ak e ha st e! Ma ke ha ste!
- D el ig ht ed to make you r ac quai ntan c e at l a st ! - A t l a st , s ir ?
I 'v e he ar d muc h of you, and the pra i se h as n 't be en ex a gg er a te d.
I c an w el l bel ieve that . Mr Dar cy i s m y se v er e st c r it i c.
I h op e we s hal l see you fre quen tly a t Ro si n gs .
- I 'm f on d of livel y co nver sati on. - T hi s y ou do n o t f in d a t Ro s in g s Pa r k?
M y au nt d oe s t alk a gre at d eal, but se ld om re q ui re s a re sp o ns e.
M y fr ie nd s pea ks ha rdly a w ord when he c om e s i nt o K en t , th o ug h h e' s l iv e ly in o t he r p la c e s .
N ob od y pl ay s, nobod y si ngs.
- I b el ie ve yo u pla y an d si ng? - A l it tl e, an d v er y i l l.
- I w ou ld n' t w ish t o ex cite you r an t ic ip at i on . - I ' m s ur e y ou 'r e t o o mo d es t .
A ny r el ie f wou ld be pro foun dly welc o me .
C an y ou t el l m e why Mr Darc y ke eps s ta ri ng at me ? W ha t d o y ou t h in k o ff e nd s h im ?
- I h op e yo ur famil y is in good hea l th . - I t h an k y ou , y es .
M y si st er h as been in t own thes e th r ee m on t hs . H av e y o u no t s ee n h e r?
N o.
N o, I h av e not had that ple asur e.
- M r Da rc y and I ar e no t th e be st o f f ri en d s. - I' m s u rp ri s ed .
W hy s ho ul d you be? I al ways bel ieve in f ir s t i mp re s si o ns ,
a nd h is g oo d o pinio n on ce l ost, is l os t fo r ev e r.
S o yo u se e, it is a hop eles s ca se, i s it n o t, Co lo n el Fi tz w il li a m?
Y ou w il l ne ver play rea lly well , Mi s s Be nn e t, un le s s y ou p r ac ti s e m or e.
Y ou m ay c om e t o Ros ings as ofte n as yo u li k e,
a nd p la y on th e pia nofo rte in M rs J e nk in so n 's ro om .
S he w ou ld b e i n nob ody' s wa y in tha t p ar t o f t he h o us e .
T ha nk y ou , ma' am.
T he re a re f ew peopl e in Eng land , I s up po se , w h o ha v e m or e t ru e e nj o ym en t i n m us i c th a n m y s el f .
O r a be tt er ta ste.
A nd i f I ha d e ver l earn t, I sho uld b e a tr u e p ro fi c ie n t.
A nd s o wo ul d A nne.
D o yo u me an to frig hten me, Mr Darc y , by c o mi n g in al l t hi s s ta t e t o he a r m e?
I w on 't b e ala rmed.
M y co ur ag e alw ays r ises wit h ev ery a tt em pt to in ti m id a te m e .
I k no w yo u fin d gre at e njoy ment in p ro fe ss i ng op in i on s w hi c h ar e n o t yo u r o wn .
Y ou r co us in wo uld t each you not to b el ie ve a w or d I s a y, C o lo ne l F i tz wi l li a m.
- T ha t is u nge nerou s of him , is it n ot ? - I t i s in d ee d , Da r cy !
I mp ol it ic t oo, for it p rovo kes me t o r et al i at e
a nd s ay s om ewh at of his beh avio ur i n H er tf o rd s hi re , w h ic h m ay s h oc k h is re l at io n s.
- I 'm n ot a fra id of you . - What can yo u ac c us e h im of ?
I s ho ul d li ke to kn ow h ow h e be have s a mo ng st r an ge r s!
T he f ir st t ime I ev er s aw M r Da rcy w as a t a b a ll , w he r e he da nc e d o nl y f ou r d an c es ,
t ho ug h ge nt lem en we re s carc e, a nd m o re t ha n o n e la d y w as i n w an t o f a p a rt n er .
- I 'm s or ry , b ut so it was. - I can we ll b e li e ve i t !
I f ea r I am il l qua lifi ed t o re comm e nd m ys e lf to s t ra n ge rs .
S ha ll w e as k h im wh y?
W hy a m an o f s ense and educ atio n, w h o ha s l iv e d in th e w or l d,
s ho ul d be i ll quali fied to reco mmen d h im se l f t o st r an g er s?
I .. .
I h av e no t tha t tal ent whic h so me p o ss es s, of co nv e rs i ng e a si ly wi t h st r an g er s.
I d o no t pl ay this inst rume nt s o we l l as I sh o ul d w is h t o,
b ut I h av e sup posed tha t to be my o w n fa ul t , b ec au s e I w ou l d no t t a ke t h e t ro ub l e of pr a c t is i n g!
Y ou a re p er fec tly r ight . Yo u ha ve e m pl oy ed yo u r ti m e m uc h b et te r .
N o on e pr iv ile ged o f he arin g yo u co u ld t hi n k a ny th i ng wa nt i ng .
W e ne it he r of us pe rfor m to str ange r s.
W ha t ar e yo u t alkin g of ? Wh at a re y o u te ll i ng Mi ss Be n ne t?
I m us t ha ve my shar e in the con vers a ti on !
As f or t he da ughte r, s he i s a pale si ck ly c r ea tu r e w it h l it tl e c o nv er s at i on a n d no ta l e n t.
I' m so rr y to be ha rd o n an y of our se x, b u t. . .
Mr D ar cy s how s no incl inat ion for h er , an d t r ea ts h e r wi t h th e s a me i n di f fe re n ce h e s h o w s e v er y o n e ,
bu t La dy C ath erine is dete rmin ed t o ha ve hi m f or a s on -i n -l aw ,
an d sh e is no t a w oman to be g ains a id .
M r Da rc y.
M rs C ol li ns an d Mar ia a re j ust now g on e in t o H un sf o rd vi ll a ge w i th my c o us i n.
Y ou f in d me al l alo ne t his morn ing, Mr D ar c y.
I b eg y ou r par don. I wo uld not wish to i nt r ud e u po n y o ur p r iv ac y .
I w as j us t wri ting a le tter to my s i st er J a ne in L o nd o n.
M r Bi ng le y and his sist ers were wel l , I ho p e, wh en yo u l ef t L on d on ?
P er fe ct ly s o, I tha nk y ou.
I u nd er st an d M r Bin gley has not muc h i de a f or ev er re t ur ni n g to Ne t he rf i el d ?
I t is p ro ba ble that he may spen d li t tl e ti m e t he re in th e f ut ur e .
I f so , it w oul d be bett er f or t he n e ig hb ou r ho o d th a t h e gi v e up th e p la c e.
I s ho ul d no t b e sur pris ed i f he wer e t o gi v e i t up , a s s oo n a s a ny el ig i bl e p ur c ha se of f e r s.
T hi s se em s a v ery c omfo rtab le h ouse .
L ad y Ca th er ine , I b elie ve, did much to i t w he n M r C ol l in s c am e.
I b el ie ve s he did. And she coul dn't ha ve b e st o we d h er ki nd n es s o n a m or e g r at ef u l re c ip i e n t.
M r Co ll in s app ears extr emel y fo rtun a te i n h is ch oi c e o f wi f e.
Y es , in de ed he is. Thou gh s een in a pr ud en t ia l l ig h t, it i s a g o od ma tc h f o r he r a s w el l .
I t mu st b e agr eeabl e to her to live wi th in ea s y di s ta n ce o f h er fa m il y.
E as y di st an ce? It's nea rly fift y mi l es !
W ha t is f if ty miles of good roa d? Y e s, a n e as y d is t an c e.
N ea r an d fa r a re re lati ve t erms . It is p os s ib l e fo r a wo ma n t o b e s et tl e d t oo n e ar h e r f a m il y .
Y es , ex ac tl y.
Y ou w ou ld n ot wish to b e al ways nea r L on gb o ur n , I t hi n k.
I s ha ll t re spa ss on you r ti me n o lo n ge r. P l ea s e co n ve y m y r eg ar d s t o Mr s C o ll in s a nd he r s is t e r.
N o, n o, p le ase don' t tr oubl e yo urse l f.
- M is s Be nn et! - Co lone l Fi tzwi llia m .
I 'v e be en m aki ng th e ye arly tou r of th e Pa r k. Sh al l w e t ak e t hi s w a y to g et h er ?
W it h pl ea su re.
- D o yo u kn ow Mr Bi ngle y an d hi s si s te rs ? - A li tt l e.
B in gl ey i s a p leasa nt, gent lema n-li k e ma n. He ' s a g re a t fr i en d o f D ar cy ' s.
Y es . Mr D ar cy is un comm only kin d to Mr B in g le y , an d t a ke s a p ro d ig i ou s d ea l o f c ar e o f h i m .
Y es , I be li eve Darc y do es t ake care of h im .
I .. . I un de rst and t hat he c ongr atul a te s hi m se l f
o n ha vi ng s ave d Mr Bing ley the inco n ve ni en c e o f a m os t i mp r ud en t m a rr ia g e.
D id M r Da rc y g ive h is r easo ns f or t h is i nt e rf e re nc e ?
I u nd er st an d t here were som e ve ry s t ro ng o b je c ti on s t o t he la dy .
A nd w hy w as he to b e th e ju dge?
Y ou 'r e di sp ose d to thin k hi s in terf e re nc e o ff i ci ou s ?
I d on 't s ee wh at ri ght Mr D arcy had to d et e rm i ne a n d d ir ec t i n w ha t w ay hi s f ri e nd w a s t o be h ap p y .
B ut , as y ou sa y, we kno w no ne o f th e p ar ti c ul a rs .
- P er ha ps t her e was not muc h af fect i on . - P er h ap s n ot .
B ut i f th at we re th e ca se, it l esse n s th e h on o ur o f m y c ou s in 's tr i um ph ve r y sa d ly , d on ' t yo u th i n k ?
- M is s Be nn et, are you unwe ll? - A s ud de n h ea d ac he .
P er ha ps I h ave walk ed t oo f ar t oday .
L et u s ta ke th e sho rter way bac k.
Y ou 'r e su re ? I woul d wi llin gly stay at h om e w i th y o u, an d b ra ve al l L ad y C a th er i ne 's di s p l ea s u re .
M y de ar C ha rlo tte, I be g yo u to con s id er .. .
I s ha ll b e qui te al l ri ght. It' s on l y a he a da c he . I t w il l p as s, an d m or e s p ee di l y in qu i e t a n d s o l i t ud e .

I a m qu it e sur e, wh en a ll t he c ircu m st an ce s a r e ex p la i ne d t o La d y C at he r in e ,
s he w il l no t b e ang ry, for she has i nd ee d s uc h C hr i st i an g e ne ro s it y o f s pi r it .. .
- M y de ar , the time ! - My d ear! Why di d yo u n o t sa y b e fo re ?
I c an no t be gin to c ount the occ asio n s
o n wh ic h he r l adysh ip h as i mpre ssed up on m e t h e im p or t an ce of p u nc t ua li t y. . .
F or gi ve m e. I hope you are feel ing b et te r.
I a m, t ha nk yo u.
W il l yo u no t s it do wn?
I n va in I h ave stru ggle d. I t wi ll n o t do !
M y fe el in gs wi ll no t be rep ress ed. Y ou m us t a l lo w m e t o te l l yo u h o w ar d en t ly I ad mi r e a n d l o v e y o u .
I n de cl ar in g m yself thu s I' m aw are t ha t I w il l b e g oi n g ex p re ss l y a ga in s t t he w i sh es of m y f a m il y ,
m y fr ie nd s, an d, I hard ly n eed add, my o wn be t te r j ud g em en t .
T he r el at iv e s ituat ion of o ur f amil i es m ak e s a ny a l li a nc e b et we e n u s a r ep r eh en s ib le co n n e ct i o n.
A s a ra ti on al man I can not but rega r d it a s s u ch m y se l f, b u t it ca n no t b e h el pe d .
A lm os t fr om th e ear lies t mo ment s, I ha ve c o me to f e el fo r y ou .. .
. .. a pa ss io nat e adm irat ion and rega r d,
w hi ch d es pi te my st rugg les, has ove r co me e v er y r at i on a l ob j ec ti o n.
I b eg y ou , mos t fer vent ly, to r elie v e my s u ff e ri ng an d c on s en t t o b e my wi f e.
I n su ch c as es as th ese, I b elie ve t h e es ta b li s he d m od e i s t o ex p re s s a s en s e of ob li g at i o n .
B ut I c an no t.
I h av e ne ve r d esire d yo ur g ood opin i on , an d y o u ha v e c er ta i nl y b es t ow ed it mo st un wi l li n g l y.
I 'm s or ry t o c ause pain to anyo ne, b ut i t w as un co n sc i ou sl y d on e ,
a nd I h op e wil l be of s hort dur atio n .
A nd t hi s is al l the rep ly I am to e x pe ct ?
I m ig ht w on der why, wit h so lit tle e ff or t a t c iv il i ty , I a m r ej e ct e d.
I m ig ht w on der why, wit h so evi dent a de si r e t o of f en d m e,
y ou c ho se t o t ell m e th at y ou l ike m e ag ai n st yo ur wi l l, y o ur r e as o n, a n d e ve n a ga in s t y o u r c h ar a c t e r!
W as t hi s no t s ome e xcus e fo r in civi l it y if I w as u n ci v il ?
I h av e ev er y r eason in the worl d to th in k i ll of y o u.
W ha t co ul d tem pt me to acce pt t he m a n wh o h as ru in e d t he h a pp in e ss of a mo s t be l ov ed si s t e r?
C an y ou d en y t hat y ou h ave done it?
I h av e no w ish to d eny it.
I d id e ve ry thi ng in my powe r to sep a ra te m y f r ie nd fr o m yo u r si s te r a nd I r ej oi c e in my s u cc e s s.
T ow ar ds h im I have been kin der than to wa rd s m y se lf .
I t' s no t me rel y tha t on whi ch m y di s li ke o f y o u is fo u nd ed .
L on g be fo re , m y dis like was dec ided wh en I he a rd M r W i ck ha m 's s t or y o f y ou r d ea l in gs wi t h hi m .
- H ow c an y ou defen d yo urse lf o n th a t su bj e ct ? - S u ch in te r es t i n t ha t g en t le ma n 's c o nc e r n s!
W ho t ha t kn ows of h is m isfo rtun es, c an h el p f e el in g a n i nt e re st ?
H is m is fo rt une s! Ye s, h is m isfo rtun e s ha ve be e n gr e at in de e d!
A nd o f yo ur in flict ion! You hav e re d uc ed h i m t o hi s p r es en t s ta t e o f po v er t y,
a nd y et y ou ca n tre at h is m isfo rtun e s wi th co n te mp t a n d ri d ic ul e !
A nd t hi s is yo ur op inio n of me?
M y fa ul ts b y t his c alcu lati on a re h e av y in d ee d .
P er ha ps t he se offen ces migh t ha ve b e en o ve r lo o ke d, ha d n ot yo ur pr i de b e en hu rt
b y th e co nf ess ion o f th e sc rupl es w h ic h lo n g p re ve n te d m y f or mi n g s er io u s d es ig n o n y ou .
H ad I c on ce ale d my stru ggle s an d fl a tt er ed yo u .
B ut d is gu is e o f eve ry s ort is m y ab h or re nc e .
N or a m I as ham ed of the fee ling s I r el at ed . T h ey w e re na tu r al .
D id y ou e xp ect me t o re joic e in the in fe ri o ri t y of yo u r co n ne ct i on s ?
T o co ng ra tu lat e mys elf on t he h ope o f re la t io n s wh o se co nd i ti on in li fe is so b e lo w m y o w n ?
Y ou a re m is tak en, M r Da rcy.
Y ou r de cl ar ati on me rely spa red me a n y co nc e rn fo r r ef u si ng yo u, ha d y ou be e n mo r e ge n tl e m a n- l i ke .
Y ou c ou ld n ot make me t he o ffer of y ou r ha n d i n an y w a y th a t wo u ld te mp t m e t o a cc ep t i t .
F ro m th e be gin ning, you r ma nner s co n vi nc ed me
o f yo ur a rr oga nce, your con ceit , an d y ou r s el f is h d is d ai n f or t h e f ee li n gs of o t he rs .
W it hi n a mo nth , I f elt you were the la st m a n w ho m I c o ul d e ve r m ar r y!
Y ou 'v e sa id qu ite e noug h, m adam .
I p er fe ct ly co mpreh end your fee ling s .. .
. .. an d no w hav e onl y to be asha med o f wh at my ow n h av e b ee n .
P le as e fo rg ive me f or h avin g ta ken u p yo ur ti m e. ..
. .. an d ac ce pt my be st w ishe s fo r yo u r he al t h a nd h a pp i ne ss .
Yo u ar e th e las t man wh om I cou ld e v er m ar r y!
Do y ou t hi nk an y con side rati on w ould t em pt me ? Y ou r a r ro ga n ce , y ou r c on c ei t ,
an d yo ur s el fis h dis dain for the fee l in gs o f o th er s !
My o pi ni on o f y ou wa s de cide d wh en I he ar d Mr Wi ck h am ' s st o ry o f y o ur d e al i ng s w it h h im .
Wel l at l ea st in that I m ay d efen d my s el f.
Co ul d yo u ex pec t me to r ejoi ce in t h e in fe r io r it y o f y ou r c on ne c ti o ns ?
To c on gr at ul ate myse lf o n th e ho pe o f r el at i on s wh o se co nd i ti on s i n l if e i s s o b el ow my o w n?
Yo u ar e mi st ake n, Mr Dar cy.
Yo ur d ec la ra tio n mer ely spar ed m e t h e co nc e rn I mi g ht ha ve fe lt in re fu s in g y ou ,
ha d yo u be ha ved in a mor e g entl eman - li ke m a nn e r.
Who 's t he re , Fit zwill iam?
- D ar cy ! We 'd qu ite d espa ired of you! - Is t h at my n e ph e w?
Whe re h av e yo u b een? Let him come in a nd e xp l ai n h im s el f !
No. Y ou w il l for give me.
- Y ou 'l l fo rg ive me. - Da rcy, you are un we ll ?
I'm v er y we ll , t hank you, but I h ave a p re ss i ng ma tt e r o f bu s in es s . Y ou 'l l f o rg iv e m e.
Mak e my a po lo gie s to Lady Cat heri ne, F it zw il l ia m .
To M is s El iz abe th Be nnet .
Be n ot a la rm ed, mada m, o n re ceiv ing t hi s le t te r ,
th at i t co nt ain s any rep etit ion of t ho se s e nt i me nt s o r o ff e rs
wh ic h we re t his even ing so d isgu stin g t o yo u .

Bu t I mu st b e a llowe d to def end myse l f a ga i ns t t he ch a rg es la id at my d o or .
In p ar ti cu la r t hose rela ting to Mr W i ck ha m,
wh ic h if t ru e, would ind eed be g riev o us , b u t a re w h ol l y wi t ho ut fo u nd at i on ,
an d wh ic h I can only ref ute by l ayin g b ef or e y o u h i s c on ne c ti on wi t h my fa m il y.
Mr W ic kh am i s t he so n of a v ery resp e ct ab le m a n, w h o h ad t h e ma n ag e me nt of ou r e st at e s.
My o wn f at he r w as fo nd o f hi m a nd h e ld h im in hi gh es t ee m.
We p la ye d to get her a s bo ys.
Af te r hi s fa the r's e arly dea th, my f a th er s up p or te d h i m at sc ho o l a nd a t C a mb ri d ge ,
an d ho pe d he wo uld m ake the chur ch h is p ro f es s io n.
Bu t by t he n Geo rge W ickh am's hab its w er e a s d i ss ol u te as h i s ma n ne r s we r e e ng ag i ng .
My o wn e xc el len t fat her died fiv e ye a rs a go .
Hi s at ta ch me nt to Mr Wic kham wa s to th e la s t s o st e ad y ,
th at h e de si red that a v alua ble fami l y li vi n g mi gh t b e h is as s o on as i t w a s va c an t.
Mr W ic kh am d ecl ined any inte rest in t he c hu r ch a s a c a re er ,
bu t re qu es te d, and w as g rant ed, the su m of po u nd s i ns t ea d o f t he l i vi n g.
He e xp re ss ed an inte ntio n of stu dyin g t he l a w. I w i sh e d, r a th er th a n be l ie v ed h i m to be s i nc e r e.
Tha nk y ou .
I'm m os t ex ce edi ngly obli ged.
Al l co nn ec ti on betwe en u s s eeme d no w d is so l ve d .
Geo rg ia na .
Be in g no w fr ee from all rest rain t,
hi s li fe w as on e of idle ness and dis s ip at io n .
Ho w he l iv ed , I know not .
Bu t la st s um mer our path s cr osse d ag a in , u n de r t he mo s t pa i nf ul ci r cu ms t an c es ,
wh ic h I my se lf would wis h to for get.
My s is te r, G eor giana , w ho i s mo re t h an t en ye a rs m y j u ni or ,
wa s le ft t o the guar dian ship of Col o ne l Fi t zw i ll ia m a n d my s el f.
Ab ou t a ye ar ag o, sh e wa s ta ken from sc ho ol t o R am s ga t e,
an d pl ac ed i n t he ca re o f a Mrs Youn g e, i n w ho s e c h ar a ct er we w e re mo st un h ap pi l y de c ei v e d .
An d th it he r als o wen t Mr Wic kham , u n do ub te d ly by d e si g n.
Sh e wa s pe rs uad ed to bel ieve her self in l ov e , an d t o c on se n t to an el op e me n t.
Sh e wa s th en bu t fif teen yea rs o ld.
A da y or t wo be fore the inte nded elo p em en t, I jo in e d t he m u ne xp e ct e dl y.
Un ab le t o su ppo rt th e id ea o f gr ievi n g a br o th e r w h om sh e l oo ke d u p t o a lm o st a s a f a th e r ,
sh e ac kn ow le dge d the who le p lan to m e at o n ce .
Yo u ma y im ag ine what I f elt and how I a ct ed .
Mr W ic kh am l eft the plac e im medi atel y .
Co me .
Mr W ic kh am re linqu ishe d hi s ob ject , w hi ch wa s of co u rs e, my s i st e r' s f or t un e o f .
A se co nd ar y m otive mus t ha ve b een to r ev e ng e h im s el f o n m e.
Ha d he s uc cee ded, his reve nge woul d h av e be e n co m pl e te i n de ed .
Th is , ma da m, is a fait hful nar rati v e o f a ll my d e al i ng s w it h M r W ic kh a m.
Y ou d o lo ok pa le, L izzy . Wh y do n't y ou h av e s o me b r ea k fa st ?
- I 'm s ur e it will do y ou g ood. - I am w el l , C ha rl o tt e .
I 'v e st ay ed in doors too lon g. F resh ai r an d e x er ci s e i s al l I n e ed .
T he w oo ds a rou nd Ro sing s ar e so bea u ti fu l a t t hi s t im e o f y ea r.
M is s Be nn et !
M r Da rc y.
I 'v e be en w alk ing t he g rove som e ti m e in t h e h op e o f m ee ti n g yo u .
W il l yo u do me the hono ur o f re adin g t hi s l et t er ?
Th is , ma da m, is a fait hful nar rati v e o f m y d ea li n gs wi th Mr W i ck h am ,
an d fo r it s t ruth I ca n ap peal to t he t es t im o ny o f C ol on e l Fi t zw i ll ia m ,
wh o kn ow s eve ry pa rtic ular of thes e t ra ns a ct i on s.
I kn ow n ot un der w hat form of fals e ho od M r W ic kh a m i mp os e d hi m se l f on yo u ,
bu t I ho pe yo u'll acqu it m e o f cr u el ty t o wa r ds h i m.
I f ou nd t ha t I 'd be tter not mee t Mr Da rc y. Sc e ne s m ig h t ar i se , u np l ea sa n t t o mo r e th a n m y s el f .
Th e ot he r cha rge l evel led at m e, i s t ha t re g ar dl e ss of t h e se n ti m en ts of ei th e r pa r ty ,
I de ta ch ed Mr Bing ley from you r si s te r.
I ha ve n o wis h to deny thi s, n or c a n I bl a me m ys e lf fo r a ny o f m y a ct i on s i n t hi s m at t e r .
I ha d no t lon g bee n in Her tfor dshi r e b ef o re I sa w t h at B i ng le y a d mi re d y o ur s i st er ,
bu t it w as no t unt il t he d ance at N et he rf i el d th a t I s us p ec te d a se ri o us at ta c hm en t .
Hi s pa rt ia lit y was cle ar, but thou g h sh e r ec e iv ed h i s at t en ti o ns wi th pl e as ur e ,
I di d no t det ect a ny s ympt oms of p ec ul ia r r e ga rd .
Th e se re ni ty of he r co unte nanc e co n vi nc ed me t ha t h e r he a rt w a s n ot l i ke l y to be e a si l y to u c he d .
I ns uf fe ra bl e p resum ptio n!
I di d no t wis h to beli eve her to b e i nd if f er e nt . I b el ie v ed i t o n i mp a rt i al c o nv ic t io n .
V er y im pa rt ial !
Y ou 'v e mi ss ed the t wo g entl emen ! Th e y ca me to ta ke th e ir l e av e!
M r Da rc y ca me here?
H e we nt a wa y d irect ly, but the Colo n el w ai t ed fo r y ou ov er ha lf an ho ur ! N o w th e y ar e g o n e a b r oa d !
I d ar e sa y we shall be able to bear th e de p ri v at io n .
As t o my o bje ction s to the mar riag e , th e si t ua ti o n o f yo u r fa m il y , th o ug h o bj e ct io n ab l e ,
wa s no th in g i n com pari son with the to ta l w an t o f pr o pr ie t y so fr e qu en t ly be tr a ye d b y y o u r m o th e r ,
yo ur y ou ng er siste rs, and even occ a si on al l y yo ur fa t he r.
T ha t wi ll d o e xtrem ely well , ch ild. Yo u ha v e d el ig h te d u s l on g e no u gh .
N ow t he re w ill be a gre at m arri age!
A nd y ou k no w, that will thr ow t he g i rl s in t o t he p a th s o f o th er ri c h me n !
My f ri en d lef t Net herf ield for Lon d on on th e f ol l ow i ng d a y.
Th er e I po int ed ou t to him the cer t ai n ev i ls of h is ch oi c e of yo u r si s te r a s a p ro s pe c t i ve b ri d e .
It w as n ot di fficu lt t o co nvin ce h i m o f y ou r s is t er ' s in d if fe r en c e to hi m .
I ca nn ot b lam e mys elf for havi ng d o ne t hu s m u ch .
F or d es tr oy ing all her hope of happ i ne ss ? Y es , I 'm su r e yo u d o n ot bl am e y o ur se l f. H a te f u l m a n !

Th er e is b ut one p art of m y co nduc t i n th e a f fa ir o n w hi c h I d o n ot r e fl e ct w i th s a ti s f a ct i o n.
A st on is h me !
Th at I c on cea led f rom him you r si s te r' s b ei n g in to w n.
Pe rh ap s th is conce alme nt w as b enea t h me .
It w as d on e, howev er, for the best .
On t hi s su bje ct I have not hing mor e t o sa y , an d n o o th er ap ol o gy to o f fe r .
I ns uf fe ra bl e!
- L iz zy ! - Cha rlott e, w e wi ll b e la t e!
L iz zy !
I h av e en de avo ured to c ount the tim e s La dy Ca t he ri n e h as i n vi te d u s s in c e y ou r a rr iv a l.
I b el ie ve i t m ay be as many as ten i nv it at i on s !
- E le ve n, c oun ting this one ! - Elev e n!
T he re ! Yo u hav e ind eed been fav oure d w it h p ec u li ar co n de sc e ns io n .
- D o yo u no t a gree, Mis s El izab eth? - Oh .. . y e s!
H ow c ou ld a nyb ody t hink oth erwi se?
A nd t hi s is yo ur la st i nvit atio n, o n t hi s v is i t, a t l e as t.
I t is t ru ly a very crue l de priv atio n . I ha r dl y k no w h o w I' l l be a r t he l o ss of h e r la d ys h i p 's c om p a n y !
Y ou f ee l it ke enly!
Y es , of c ou rse you do, my p oor youn g c ou si n .
T he y we re s uch fine you ng m en, and s o pa rt i cu l ar ly at t ac he d t o m e!
T he y we re e xce ssive ly s orry to go, b ut s o t he y a lw a ys ar e!
T he d ea r Co lon el ra llie d hi s sp irit s t ol er a bl y ,
b ut D ar cy s eem ed to fee l it mos t ac u te ly .
H is a tt ac hm ent to R osin gs c erta inly in cr ea s es .
Y ou a re v er y d ull t his even ing, Mis s E li za b et h B en n et .
Y ou h av e sc arc e spo ke t wo w ords tog e th er . A re yo u s o o ut o f s pi r it s ?
- N o in de ed , m adam. - O f co urse you ar e, t o b e g oi n g a wa y y ou rs e lf .
W ho i nd ee d wou ld no t be sad to be d e pr iv ed of Ro si n gs , a nd in de e d o f th e g r ac io u s. ..
Y ou w il l wr ite to y our moth er a nd s a y yo u w is h t o s ta y l on g er .
- S ur el y sh e c ould spar e yo u fo r an o th er f o rt n ig ht . - Bu t m y fa t he r c an n ot .
H e wr ot e to hu rry m y re turn .
Y ou r la dy sh ip is ve ry k ind, but I b e li ev e w e m us t l ea v e as pl an n ed on F r id a y.
Y ou r fa th er ma y spa re y ou i f yo ur m o th er c a n.
D au gh te rs a re never of much con sequ e nc e to a f at he r .
A nd i f yo u wil l sta y an othe r mo nth c om pl et e ,
i t wi ll b e in my po wer to t ake you a s fa r a s L on do n m y se lf , i n t he Ba ro u ch e b ox !
F or I c an no t b ear t he i dea of t wo y o un g wo m en tr av e ll i ng p o st b y t h em se l ve s .
I t is h ig hl y i mprop er!
I a m ex ce ss ive ly at tent ive to a ll t h os e th i ng s .
M y un cl e is to send a s erva nt f or u s w he n w e c ha ng e t o t he po st .
Y ou r un cl e! He keep s a mans erva nt, d oe s he ?
I 'm v er y gl ad you h ave some body who th in ks of th es e t h in gs . W he r e w il l y ou ch an g e ho r se s ?
- A t Br om .. . - Brom ley, of cour se.
M en ti on m y nam e at the Bell and the y w il l a tt e nd y o u.
Y ou r la dy sh ip is ve ry k ind.
I nd ee d, w e are all infi nite ly i ndeb t ed t o y ou r l ad y sh i p' s k in dl y b e st ow e d s ol ic i tu de . ..
Y es , ye s, b ut this is a ll e xtre mely ve xi ng !
I 'm q ui te p ut out.
W ha t ar e yo u d oing? I t houg ht t he t r un ks w e nt ou ts i de be fo r e br e ak f as t.
L ad y Ca th er ine was so s ever e ab out t he o nl y r i gh t w ay to p l ac e g ow n s, t h at I co u ld n' t s l e e p,
a nd I 'm d et erm ined to s tart afr esh!
M ar ia , th is is "you r" t runk and "yo u r" g ow n s.
Y ou m ay a rr ang e the m in any way you wi sh . L ad y C at h er i ne w i ll n e ve r k no w !
M y de ar s is ter , you 'll have muc h to te ll y o ur fa th e r. . .
B ri ng t ha t one roun d he re.
W el l, c ou si n.. .
. .. yo u ha ve se en fo r yo urse lf n ow t h e ha pp i ne s s of ou r s it u at io n .
O ur i nt im ac y a t Ros ings is a bl essi n g of w h ic h f ew co u ld b o as t!
- I nd ee d th ey could not . - Inde ed.
N ow y ou h av e s een o ur f elic ity. Per h ap s yo u m a y th i nk yo ur fr ie n d h as m a de a fo r tu na t e a l l ia n c e.
P er ha ps m or e s o tha n...
- B ut o n th is point it will be as w e ll t o b e s il en t . - Y ou ar e v er y g oo d .
O nl y le t me as sure you that I c an, f ro m my he a rt , m os t c or d ia ll y w i sh y o u e qu al fe li c it y i n m a rr i a g e .
C ha rl ot te a nd I hav e bu t on e mi nd a n d on e w ay of t h in k in g.
W e se em t o hav e bee n de sign ed f or e a ch o th e r!
O h, L iz zy ! It seems but a d ay o r tw o s in ce we fi rs t c a me !
- A nd y et h ow many thin gs h ave happ e ne d! - A g re at ma n y, i n de ed .
W e ha ve d in ed nine time s at Ros ings !
O h, h ow m uc h I shal l ha ve t o te ll!
H ow m uc h I sha ll ha ve t o co ncea l.
Y ou m us t al low me t o te ll y ou h ow a r de nt ly I a dm ir e a n d lo v e yo u .
L iz zy !
L iz zy !
T o se e yo ur fa ces w hen you look ed u p !
- Y ou d id n' t e xpect we' d co me t o me e t yo u. - N o, w e d i d no t .
T he re ! Is n ot this nice ? Co ld h am, a nd p or k , a nd s a la d s, a n d ev e ry go od th i ng !
W e me an t o tre at yo u, b ut y ou m ust l en d us mo n ey , w e s pe nt ou rs . L o ok !
- I t' s no t pre tty, but I th ough t I' d b uy i t a n yw ay . - It 's vi le , i s n' t i t?
- V er y ug ly . W hat p osse ssed you to b uy i t? - T he re we r e tw o o r t hr e e mu c h u gl ie r !
I s ha ll p ul l i t to piec es a nd s ee i f I c an ma k e it up an y b et te r .
I t do es n' t sig nify what any one wear s , fo r t he re gi m en t w il l b e a t B ri gh t on th e w ho le su m m e r!
- O ur h ea rt s a re br oken ! - And papa re fu se s t o t ak e u s t o B ri gh t on .

- I 'm g la d to hear it. - Sh ould n't y ou l ik e t o g o t o B ri gh t on ?
- I s ho ul d not . - S he w ould .
S he w ou ld l ove it, when she hea rs t h e ne ws ab o ut a ce r ta in pe rs o n w e kn o w!
- S ha ll w e tel l her ? - Yes, and see if s he bl u sh es !
- Y ou m ay g o. We'll cal l if you 're n ee de d a ga i n. - Ve r y go o d, m i ss .
W ic kh am i s not to m arry Mar y Ki ng a f te r al l !
S he 's b ee n tak en aw ay t o Li verp ool a nd W ic k ha m i s s af e !
P er ha ps w e sho uld s ay M ary King is s af e.
W as t he re a ve ry st rong att ract ion b et we en th e m, d o y o u th i nk ?
N ot o n hi s sid e! I shou ldn' t th ink h e ca re d t h re e s tr a ws a b ou t h er .
W ho c ou ld a bou t suc h a nast y fr eckl e d li tt l e t hi ng ?
D on 't l oo k at me li ke t hat, Liz zy. Y ou t hi n k j us t a s i ll o f h er ! P a ss t h e c el er y , Ki t ty .
G la d we c am e t o mee t yo u? I t'll be m er ry o n t h e jo u rn e y ho m e.
- K it ty , yo u'r e squ ashi ng m y ba ndbo x ! - Yo u s h ou ld ha v e pu t i t o n t he r o of !
- I f yo u do n't loll op a bout the re i s r oo m. - I d on ' t l ol lo p , "y o u" do !
M r Da rc y pr opo sed! I ca n sc arce bel i ev e it !
N ot t ha t an yon e adm irin g yo u sh ould be a st o ni s hi ng .
B ut h e al wa ys seeme d so sev ere, so c ol d, a p pa r en tl y .
A nd y et h e was in l ove with you all th e ti m e! Po or Mr Da rc y .
I c an no t fe el so mu ch c ompa ssio n fo r h im .
H e ha s ot he r f eelin gs w hich wil l so o n dr iv e a w ay a n y r eg ar d h e f el t f or me .
- Y ou d o no t b lame me f or r efus ing h im ? - B la m e yo u ? O h, n o .
B ut y ou d o bla me me for spe akin g so wa rm ly of Wi ck h am ?
N o. H ow c ou ld you h ave know n ab out h is v ic i ou s c ha r ac t er ? I f in d ee d h e w as so v e ry b a d.
B ut I c an no t b eliev e Mr Dar cy w ould fa br ic a te su ch dr e ad fu l s la n de r ,
i nv ol vi ng h is own s iste r to o.
N o, i t mu st be true .
- P er ha ps t her e has bee n so me t erri b le m is t ak e . - N o, Ja ne . T ha t w o n' t d o!
Y ou c an 't m ake them bot h go od!
T he re i s ju st enoug h me rit betw een t he m to ma k e on e g o od s o rt o f m a n.
A nd f or m y par t I'm inc line d to bel i ev e it ' s a ll M r D a rc y' s .
P oo r Mr D ar cy.
P oo r Mr W ic kha m! Th ere is s uch an e x pr es si o n o f go o dn e ss i n h is co u nt en a nc e .
Y es . I' m af rai d one has all the goo d ne ss , a nd th e o th e r al l t he ap p ea ra n ce of i t !
B ut L iz zy , I a m sur e th at w hen you f ir st r e ad th at le t te r,
y ou c ou ld n ot have made so ligh t of it a s y ou do n o w.
I nd ee d I co uld not.
I w as v er y unc omfor tabl e. T ill that mo me nt I n ev er kn e w my s el f.
A nd I h ad n o J ane t o co mfor t me .
O h, h ow I w ant ed yo u!
T he re i s on e p oint on w hich I w ant y ou r ad v ic e .
S ho ul d ou r gen eral acqu aint ance be i nf or me d o f W ic k ha m 's t r ue c h ar a ct er ?
S ur el y th er e c an be no occa sion to e xp os e h im so c r ue l ly .
- W ha t is y our opin ion? - T hat it o u gh tn 't be at te m pt e d.
M r Da rc y ha s n ot au thor ised me to m a ke i t p ub l ic , e sp e ci al l y as re g ar ds hi s s is t er .
A s fo r th e res t, wh o wo uld beli eve i t?
T he g en er al pr ejudi ce a gain st M r Da r cy i s s o v io le n t, an d W ic kh a m w il l s oo n b e g on e.
- I b el ie ve we shou ld s ay n othi ng a t p re se n t. - Ye s , I a gr e e.
P er ha ps h e is sorry now for wha t he ha s do n e, an d i s a nx io u s to re - es ta b li s h hi s c ha r ac t e r .
W e mu st n ot ma ke hi m de sper ate.
O h, J an e! I wi sh I coul d th ink so w e ll o f p eo p le a s y o u do .
W on 't y ou s pea k to papa , Li zzy, abo u t ou r g oi n g to Br i gh to n ? Yo u k n ow h e l i st en s t o y ou r a dv i c e.
Y ou f la tt er me , Lyd ia. In a ny c ase, I sh ou l dn ' t at t em p t to pe rs u ad e h im .
I t hi nk i t' s a very goo d th ing that th e re g im e nt i s r e mo ve d f ro m M e ry to n ,
a nd t ha t we ar e rem oved fro m th e re g im en t.
- O h, L iz zy , h ow ca n yo u sa y su ch a th in g? - V er y e as i ly , m a' am .
I f on e co mp any caus es s uch havo c in ou r fa m il y , wh a t w ou ld a wh o le ca mp f ul of s o ld ie r s d o ?
- A w ho le c amp ful o f so ldie rs! - I r em em be r w h en I wa s a g i rl .
I c ri ed f or tw o day s wh en C olon el M i ll er 's re g im en t w e nt a w ay .
- I t ho ug ht I shoul d ha ve b roke my h ea rt ! - I sh al l b r ea k m in e.
A nd I !
T he re , th er e, my de ars. But you r fa t he r is de t er mi n ed to b e c ru e l.
I c on fe ss I am .
I 'm s or ry t o b e bre akin g he arts , bu t I h av e n o i nt e nt i on o f y ie l di n g.
I s ha ll n ot br eak m y he art, pap a.
T he p le as ur es of Br ight on w ould hav e n o ch a rm s f or me . I s h ou ld in f in it e ly pr ef e r a b oo k .
- M rs F or st er says she plan s to go s ea -b at h in g . - I a m s ur e I s h ou l d lo v e t o go se a- b at h i n g!
- A l it tl e sea -bath ing woul d se t me up f or e ve r ! - A nd ye t, I am un m ov ed .
W el l, w el l.
I 'm g la d yo u a re co me b ack, Liz zy. I 'm g la d y o u ar e c o me b a ck , J an e .
I w an t to g o t o Bri ghto n!
Y ou a re n ot ha ppy, Jane .
- I t pa in s me to se e it . - It i s ju s t th at I d id .. .
I 'm a fr ai d I s till do p refe r Mr Bin g le y to an y o th e r m an I ' ve m e t,
a nd L iz zy , I d id be liev e he ...
W el l, I w as mi stake n, t hat is a ll.
I a m re so lv ed to th ink of h im n o mo r e.
T he re . En ou gh.
I s ha ll b e mys elf a gain , as if I ha d n ev er se t e ye s o n h im .
T ru ly , Li zz y, I pro mise . I shal l be we ll .
I s ha ll b e mys elf a gain . I shal l be pe rf ec t ly co nt e nt .
W el l, L iz zy , w hat d o yo u th ink now a bo ut t h is sa d b us i ne ss of J a ne ' s?

I c an no t fi nd out t hat she saw anyt h in g of Bi n gl ey in Lo nd o n.
W el l.
A n un de se rv ing youn g ma n! A nd I don ' t su pp o se th er e 's an y c ha nc e o f h er ge t ti ng hi m n ow .
- I f he s ho uld come bac k to Net herf i el d, t h ou g h. - I t hi nk th er e 's li tt l e c ha nc e o f t ha t , ma m m a.
O h, w el l. J ust as h e ch oose s.
N o on e wa nt s h im to com e!
I s ha ll a lw ays say he u sed my d augh t er e xt r em e ly i l l! If I wa s h er , I w o ul d n ot ha ve pu t u p w i th i t .
M y co mf or t is, she will die of a br o ke n he a rt , a nd "t h en " h e' ll be so rr y f o r wh a t he ' s d o n e!
S o, t he C ol lin ses l ive quit e co mfor t ab le , d o t he y?
I o nl y ho pe it will las t.
A nd I s up po se they talk abo ut h avin g t hi s h ou s e to o w h en y o ur f a th e r is de a d?
T he y lo ok o n i t as quit e th eir own, I da re sa y ?
T he y co ul d har dly d iscu ss s uch a su b je ct i n f r on t o f m e.
I m ak e no d oub t the y ta lk a bout it c on st an t ly wh en th e y' re al on e !
I f th ey c an be easy wit h an est ate t ha t is no t l aw f ul l y th e ir o w n, so m u ch th e b et te r !
I s ho ul d be as hamed of havi ng o ne t h at w as on l y en t ai l ed u p on m e !
M am ma , ma mm a! Lizzy !
G ue ss w ha t! Yo u nev er w ill, so I'll te ll y o u.
M rs F or st er ha s inv ited me, as her p ar ti cu l ar fr ie n d, to g o w it h h e r to Br i gh to n .
- C ol on el F ors ter i s to tak e a hous e f or u s ! - I 'm so ha pp y !
- W ha t an h ono ur, t o be sin gled out ! - I s i t n ot u n fa i r, L i zz y?
M rs F or st er sh ould have ask ed m e as we ll .
I m ay n ot b e h er de ares t fr iend , bu t h av e a s m uc h r ig h t to be a s ke d !
A nd m or e to o, for I am two year s ol d er !
I 'l l bu y he r a pres ent, I d are say. Th er e' s n o c al l t o b e i n a m if f b ec a us e M rs Fo rs t er l i ke s me b e s t.
B ef or e yo u cro w too lou d, r emem ber p ap a ha s n o t gi v en yo u p er mi s si o n to go . N or is h e l i k e t o .
P ap a wo n' t sto p me. Not whe n I' m in v it ed b y t h e Co l on e l to be h i s w if e' s p a rt ic u la r c om p a n io n !
I n ee d ne w clo thes, for I'v e no thin g f it t o w e ar , a nd th er e w il l b e b al l s a nd p a rt ie s !
O f co ur se y ou shall hav e ne w th ings ! W e wo u ld n 't s e e y ou d i sg ra c ed in f r on t o f a ll t h e o f f ic e r s!
O o! A ll t he of ficer s!
I u nd er st an d y our c once rn, my d ear, bu t co n si d er :
L yd ia w il l nev er be eas y un til she h as e xp o se d h er s el f i n s om e p ub l ic p l ac e ,
a nd h er e is an oppo rtun ity for her t o do s o , w it h v er y l it t le e x pe n se o r i n co nv e ni en c e t o he r fa m i l y .
I f yo u we re aw are o f th e ve ry g reat di sa dv a nt a ge t o u s a ll ,
w hi ch h as a lre ady a rise n fr om L ydia ' s un gu a rd e d an d i m pr ud e nt m a nn e r, y o u' d j ud g e di f fe r e n tl y .
A lr ea dy a ri sen ? Has she fri ghte ned a wa y so m e o f yo u r l ov er s ?
D on 't b e ca st down, Liz zy. Such squ e am is h y ou t hs a r e n ot w o rt h y ou r r eg r et .
- O h co me , Liz zy. - Ind eed you are m is ta ke n .
I h av e no i nju ries to r esen t. I spe a k of g e ne r al , n ot pa rt i cu la r e v il s.
O ur .. . po si tio n as a fa mily , ou r ve r y re sp e ct a bi li t y, is c a ll ed in t o qu e st i on b y L yd i a' s w il d be h a v i ou r .
I m us t sp ea k p lainl y. I f yo u do not ch ec k h er , s he wi l l so o n be be y on d t he re ac h o f a me n d m en t .
S he w il l be com e the mos t de term ined fl ir t t ha t e ve r m a de h e rs el f a n d he r f a mi ly ri di c ul o u s !
Y ou k no w th at Kitty fol lows whe reve r L yd ia le a ds .
D on 't y ou s ee that they wil l be cen s ur ed a n d d es pi s ed wh er e ve r t he y a re kn o wn ?
A nd t ha t th ey will invo lve thei r si s te rs i n t h ei r d is g ra ce .
L iz zy , co me he re.
D on 't m ak e you rself une asy, my love .
W he re ve r yo u a nd Ja ne a re k nown , yo u m us t b e r es pe c te d a nd va lu e d.
A nd y ou w il l n ot ap pear to any less ad va nt a ge fo r h av i ng a co up l e o r. ..
. .. I ma y sa y, three ver y si lly sist e rs .
W e sh al l ha ve no pe ace at L ongb ourn if L yd i a d oe s n ot go t o B ri g ht o n.
C ol on el F or ste r is a se nsib le m an.
A nd l uc ki ly sh e's t oo p oor to b e an ob je ct of pr ey to a fo r tu ne hu n te r.
L ea ve i t no w, Lizzy . I beli eve all w il l tu r n o ut w e ll .
W e ar e so d eso lated , Co lone l, t hat t he r eg i me n t is to le av e M er y to n ,
b ut w or ds c ann ot ex pres s wh at w e fe e l ab ou t y o ur k i nd n es s t o ou r d e ar L y di a .
W el l, m a' am , i t app ears tha t Mr s Fo r st er c a nn o t do wi t ho ut he r.
L oo k at t he pa ir of the m. T hick as t hi ev es ! L o rd k n ow s w ha t t he y f i nd t o t a lk a b ou t.
B ut a ny th in g t o kee p th e la dies hap p y. W ha t d o y ou sa y , Wi c kh am ?
I s ay a me n to that, sir .
T he re 's o ne la dy I shal l be ver y lo a th t o p ar t f ro m .
W e mu st t ry to bear it. You are for Br ig ht o n, I' ll be to ur i ng t h e L ak es wi t h my au nt an d u nc l e .
I d ar e sa y we' ll fi nd a mple sou rces of c on s ol a ti on an d d el i gh t. . . i n ou r d i ff er e nt w a ys .
P er ha ps . Ho w d id yo u fi nd R osin gs?
I nt er es ti ng . C olone l Fi tzwi llia m wa s t he re wi t h Mr Da r cy . A re y o u a cq ua i nt e d wi t h th e C o l o ne l ?
I .. .
T o so me r es pec ts, y es, in f orme r ye a rs . A v er y g en t le m an ly ma n.
- H ow d id y ou like him? - I lik ed h i m ve ry mu c h.
H is m an ne rs ar e ver y di ffer ent from hi s co u si n 's .
Y es .
B ut I t hi nk Mr Darc y im prov es o n cl o se r ac q ua i nt an c e.
I nd ee d?
I n wh at r es pec t?
H as h e ac qu ire d a t ouch of civi lity in h is ad d re ss ? F o r I d ar e n ot ho pe he is i m pr ov e d i n es s e nt i a l s .
N o. I n es se nti als, I be liev e he is v er y mu c h. . . as he ev er wa s.
A h.
I d on 't m ea n t o imp ly t hat eith er h i s mi nd or hi s m an n er s a re c h an g ed f o r t he b e tt er .
R at he r: M y kno wing him bett er i mpro v ed m y o pi n io n o f h im .
I s ee .
W ic kh am . Wi ckh am.
- C om e he re . - At y our serv ice, ma' a m!
Y es , go , go .
I w ou ld n ot wi sh yo u ba ck a gain .
- G oo db ye , pap a. Go odby e, m amma . - L yd ia , m y d ea r, we sh al l m is s y o u mo s t c ru el l y!
I s ha ll w ri te every day of what I'm do in g a nd ma ke yo u w il d w it h e n vy .
- I c an 't h elp it! - I shal l no t en v y he r a j o t!
I m us t go . Goo dbye, Jan e. G oodb ye, L iz zy !
I f I se e an y e ligib le b eaux for you , I 'l l s en d w or d e x pr es s !
L or d, w ha t a l augh if I sho uld fall an d br e ak my h e ad !
I w is h yo u wou ld!
O h, m y de ar gi rl. T ake ever y op port u ni ty o f e n jo yi n g y ou rs e lf !
B ye ! By e!
N ev er m in d, Ki tty. I da re s ay, in a ye ar o r t w o yo u 'l l h av e g ot ov e r it to l er ab l y we l l.
I f an yo ne s hou ld as k fo r me , I shal l b e in my li br a ry , a nd no t t o b e di s tu r be d.
H el lo ! I ca n s ee, I can see Ali cia. Lo ok h o w s he h a s g ro wn !
Y ou m us t be so tire d.
Y ou h av e al l g rown! I t hink you 've a ll g ro w n s in ce we la st sa id go o db ye !
A nd v er y pr ett y too ! Co me i nto the h ou se , t he n .
S uc h a sw ee t, stead y gi rl!
W el l, L iz zy !
W e be ar y ou ba d tid ings . No t to o gr i ev ou s t ho u gh , I h o pe .
T he g ui lt i s m ine. My b usin ess won' t a ll ow me ti me aw a y to vi si t a l l th e L a ke c o un tr y .
W e sh al l ha ve to co nten t ou rsel ves w it h De r by s hi re .
O h.
B ut D er by sh ire has many bea utie s, h a s it n o t?
I nd ee d. T o me Derby shir e is the bes t o f al l c o un ti e s.
Y ou w il l ju dge for your self whe ther Ch at sw o rt h i s n ot th e e qu al of Bl en h ei m .
A nd s ur el y the se so uthe rn c ount ies h av e no t hi n g to co m pa re to t h e w il d
an d un ta me d b eauty of the Peak s.
N at ur e an d cul ture in h armo ny, you s ee , Li z zy .
W il dn es s an d a rtifi ce, and all in t h e on e p er f ec t c ou n ty !
I w as b or n her e, so I s houl d ne ver d is ag re e w i th t h at !
W he re ?
A t La mb to n, a town of n o co nseq uenc e , bu t t o t ho se fo r tu na t e en o ug h t o h av e l iv e d in it .
I t hi nk i t the dear est plac e in the wo rl d!
T he n I sh al l n ot be hap py t ill I ha v e se en it .
I t ha s on e fur ther clai m on you r in t er es t: It is b u t f iv e m il es fr o m Pe m be r le y,
a nd o we s mu ch of it s pr ospe rity to t ha t gr e at es ta t e.
S o ne ar ?
N ot t ha t I or anyon e of my acqu aint a nc e en j oy e d th e p r iv il e ge o f i n ti ma c y w it h t ha t f am i l y .
W e mo ve d in ve ry di ffer ent circ les.
A h it ! Ac kn owl edged . Ve ry g ood, sir !
- E no ug h, s ir? - En ough . Th ank you, Ba in es .
- W il l yo u com e aga in t omor row, sir ? - N o, I h av e b us i ne ss in t h e N or th .
- I 'l l co me to morro w we ek. - Ve ry g o od , si r . B id y o u g oo d d ay , s ir .
T ha nk y ou , Bai nes. Good day .
I s ha ll c on que r thi s. I sha ll!
E li za be th , be caref ul!
H ow c ou ld I fa ce yo ur f athe r if you to ok a fa l l?
B ea ut if ul !
- T ha nk y ou , H annah . - You' re w elco m e, s ir .
I s ho ul d be qu ite h appy to stay my w ho le l i fe in D e rb y sh ir e !
I 'm h ap py t o h ear i t. W hat do y ou s a y to v i si t in g P em b er le y t om o rr o w?
- I t' s no t mor e tha n a mile or two o ut o f o ur wa y. - D o yo u e sp e ci a ll y w is h t o s ee i t , a u n t?
I t ho ug ht " you " wou ld, havi ng h eard so m uc h a b ou t i t.
T he a ss oc ia tio ns ar e no t al l un plea s an t. W i ck h am p a ss e d al l h is yo u th t h er e , yo u k no w .
W e ha ve n o bus iness the re.
I s ho ul d fe el awkwa rd t o vi sit the p la ce w i th o ut a pr o pe r i nv it a ti o n.
N o mo re t ha n B lenhe im o r Ch atsw orth . T he re wa s n o a wk w ar dn e ss t h er e .
I s ho ul dn 't ca re fo r it mys elf, Liz z y, i f i t w er e m er e ly a fi ne ho u se , r ic h ly f u rn is h ed .
B ut t he g ro und s are del ight ful. The y h av e s om e o f t he fi ne s t wo o ds in t h e c ou nt r y.
- H ow f ar i s P ember ley, my dear ? - N ot m or e t h an f i ve mi le s , si r .
- T he g ro un ds are v ery fine , ar e th e y no t? - A s fi n e a s yo u 'l l s ee an yw h er e , ma ' am .
M y ol de st b rot her i s an und er-g arde n er t he r e.
- I s th e fa mil y her e fo r th e su mmer ? - N o, ma ' am .
W el l?
P er ha ps w e mig ht vi sit Pemb erle y af t er a ll .
I t hi nk w e' ve seen wood s an d gr oves en ou gh to sa ti s fy ev en yo ur en t hu si a sm fo r t he m, Li z z y !
I c on fe ss I ha d no idea Pem berl ey w a s su ch a g re at es t at e.
- S ha ll w e rea ch th e ho use itse lf b e fo re d a rk ? - B e p a ti en t . Wa i t.
T he re !
S to p th e co ach !
I t hi nk o ne wo uld p ut u p wi th a goo d d ea l t o b e mi s tr e ss o f P em b er l ey .
T he m is tr es s o f Pem berl ey " will " ha v e to p u t u p wi t h a g oo d d ea l , f ro m w ha t I h e ar .
S he 's n ot l ike ly to be anyo ne " we" k no w.
- H ow d o yo u l ike t he h ouse , Li zzy? - Ve ry we l l.
I d on 't t hi nk I've ever see n a plac e s o ha p pi l y si t ua t ed .
I l ik e it v ery well ind eed.
D ri ve o n!
A p it y th en , i ts ow ner shou ld b e su c h a pr o ud an d d is a gr ee a bl e m an .
Y es , a gr ea t p ity.
P er ha ps t he be auty of t he h ouse ren d er s it s o w ne r a l i tt le le ss re p ul si v e, Li zz y ?
Y es , pe rh ap s.
P er ha ps a " ver y" li ttle .

W el l, s ha ll we appl y to the hou seke e pe r to se e i ns i de th e p la ce ?
T ha t' s wh er e M rs Da rcy used to writ e h er l e tt e rs e v er y m or n in g. It wa s h er fa vo u ri te ro o m .
T hi s is t he mu sic r oom.
- C ha rm in g! - What a lo vely roo m!
D el ig ht fu l!
A nd t he re 's a fine pros pect fro m th a t wi nd o w d ow n t ow a rd s t he l a ke .
- L oo k at t his , my dear . - It's qui t e ma gn i fi c en t!
O f al l th is I might hav e be en m istr e ss .
T hi s pi an o has just com e do wn. It's a pr es e nt fr om my ma st e r fo r M i ss G e or g ia na .
- Y ou r ma st er is fr om h ome, we unde r st an d. - Y es , b ut we e x pe ct hi m h er e t o mo rr o w, s i r.
H e is c om in g w ith a lar ge p arty of f ri en ds an d M is s G e or gi a na .
T hi s po rt ra it was p aint ed e arli er t h is y ea r , f or h e r s ix te e nt h b ir t hd ay .
S he i s a ve ry hands ome youn g la dy!
O h, y es ! Th e h andso mest you ng l ady t ha t ev e r w as s e en .
A nd s o ac co mpl ished . Sh e pl ays and s in gs a l l d ay l o ng !
L iz zy !
L oo k at t hi s p ictur e.
I t re mi nd s me very much of some one w e kn ow !
T hi s on e, m a'a m?
T ha t yo un g gen tlema n wa s th e so n of th e la t e M r Da r cy ' s st e wa rd , M r W ic k ha m .
H e is g on e int o the arm y no w. B ut h e 's t ur n ed ou t v er y w il d . Ve r y w il d i nd e ed , I 'm a f ra i d .
A nd t ha t' s my maste r. A nd v ery like hi m to o .
I t' s a ha nd som e fac e, b ut I 've neve r s ee n t he or ig i na l . Is it l i ke hi m, Li z zy ?
- D oe s th is yo ung l ady know the mas t er ? - Y es , a l i tt l e.
A nd h e is a ha ndsom e ge ntle man, is h e no t, ma ' am ?
- Y es , ve ry ha ndsom e. - I'm sur e I k no w no n e s o ha n ds o me .
- N or s o ki nd. - In deed ?
A ye , si r. I 've neve r ha d a cros s wo r d fr om hi m , an d I ' ve k n ow n h im si nc e h e w as fo ur ye a r s o l d .
I 'v e ob se rv ed that they tha t ar e go o d- na tu r ed as c h il d re n, ar e g oo d -n at u re d w he n t he y g r o w u p .
- H is f at he r w as an exc elle nt m an. - H e wa s , m a' am . H i s so n w il l b e j us t l i ke h i m.
T he b es t la ndl ord, and the best mas t er . As k a n y of hi s t en a nt s o r h is s e rv a nt s.
S om e ca ll h im proud . I fanc y th at's on ly b e ca u se h e d o n' t r at tl e a w ay , l ik e o th e r yo u ng m e n d o .
N ow i f yo u wil l fol low me, ther e's a f in er , l a rg er po r tr ai t o f h im in t h e g al le r y up s ta i r s .
T hi s wa y, s ir, if y ou p leas e.
T hi s fi ne a cco unt o f Da rcy is n ot q u it e co n si s te nt wi t h hi s b eh a vi o ur t o p o or W i ck ha m .
- P er ha ps w e m ight have bee n de ceiv e d th er e . - T ha t 's no t l ik el y , i s it ?
A h!
M ag ni fi ce nt !
T he re !
- W ou ld y ou no t lik e to rid e hi m, s i r? - N o , t ak e h im ba ck to t h e s ta bl e s.
M r Da rc y.
M is s Be nn et . I ...
I d id n ot e xpe ct to see you , si r. W e u nd er s to o d th e f a mi ly we re fr o m ho m e, or w e s ho u ld n e ve r ha v e . . .
I r et ur ne d a d ay ea rly. Exc use me, y ou r pa r en t s ar e i n g oo d h ea l th ?
Y es , th ey a re very well . I than k yo u , si r.
I 'm g la d to he ar it .
H ow l on g ha ve you b een in t his part of t he co u nt ry ?
B ut t wo d ay s, sir.
- W he re a re yo u sta ying ? - Lamb ton I nn .
Y es , of c ou rse .
W el l, I 'm j ust arri ved myse lf.
A nd y ou r pa ren ts ar e in goo d he alth ? A nd a l l y ou r s is t er s?
Y es , th ey a re all i n ex cell ent heal t h, s ir .
E xc us e me .
- T he m an h ims elf, I pr esum e! - As h an ds om e a s i n h is po rt r ai t.
- T ho ug h pe rha ps a litt le l ess form a ll y at t ir e d. - We mu st le av e h e re a t o n ce !
- O f co ur se , i f you wis h. - Oh, I w i sh w e' d n e ve r c om e !
- W ha t mu st he thin k of me? - W hat d id h e s ay ?
N ot hi ng o f con seque nce. He enqu ired af te r m y p ar en t s. . .
M is s Be nn et .
A ll ow m e to ap ologi se f or n ot r ecei v in g yo u p r op er l y. We re yo u l ea v in g?
- W e we re , sir . I t hink we must . - I h op e y ou ar e n ot di sp l ea se d w i th P e mb e rl ey ?
N o, n ot a t all .
- T he n yo u app rove of i t? - Ver y mu c h. I t h in k t he r e a re f e w wh o w o ul d n ot .
Y ou r go od o pin ion i s ra rely bes towe d , an d t he r ef or e m o re w o rt h t he ea rn i ng .
T ha nk y ou .
- W ou ld y ou in trodu ce m e to you r fr i en ds ? - C e rt ai n ly .
M r an d Mr s Edw ard G ardi ner, Mr Darc y . Mr s G ar d in er is my a u nt , M r D ar cy .
M y si st er J ane stay ed a t th eir hous e i n Ch e ap s id e w he n s he wa s i n L on do n .
D el ig ht ed t o m ake y our acqu aint ance , m ad am , s i r. Y o u' r e st a yi ng at La mb t on , I h e ar .
Y es , si r. I gr ew up the re a s a girl .
D el ig ht fu l vil lage. I r an t o La mbto n a s a b oy al mo s t e ve ry da y i n t he h o rs e -c he s tn ut se a s o n.
- T he re w as on e ver y fi ne t ree ther e . - On th e g re e n, by t h e sm i th y !
- M r Ga rd in er, do y ou c are for fish i ng ? - I nd e ed I do , w he n I g e t t he c h an c e.
Y ou m us t fi sh in my tro ut s trea m. T h er e ar e c a rp , t en c h an d p ik e i n t he la k e, f o r co a rs e f is h i ng .
I 'l l gl ad ly pr ovide you wit h ro ds a n d ta ck l e, sh ow yo u t he be st sp o ts . L et ' s wa l k do w n n o w .
F ol lo w us t o t he la ke. My m an w ill s ho w yo u .
T he re 's a p lac e dow n th ere wher e we . ..
I s th is t he pr oud D arcy you tol d us of ? He is al l e as e a nd fr ie n dl i ne ss . N o f al s e di g ni t y at a ll !
I 'm a s as to nis hed a s yo u ar e. I can ' t im ag i ne wh at ha s a ff e ct ed th i s tr a ns f or ma t io n.
C an y ou n ot ?
- D o yo u. .. - I...
P ra y co nt in ue.
I w as g oi ng to say agai n, s ir, how v er y un e xp e ct ed yo u r ar r iv al wa s .
I f we h ad k now n you wer e to be here , w e sh o ul d n ot ha v e dr e am t o f i nv ad i ng yo ur pr iv a cy .
T he h ou se ke epe r ass ured us you woul d n ot b e h e re u n ti l t om o rr ow .
D o no t ma ke yo ursel f un easy . I had p la nn ed it so m y se l f,
b ut I f ou nd I had b usin ess with my s te wa rd . I ro de on ah ea d o f t he re st of th e p ar ty .
T he y wi ll j oin me t omor row.
A nd a mo ng t hem are thos e wh o cl aim a n ac qu a in t an ce wi t h yo u .
I t' s Mr B in gle y and his sis ters .
O h.
T he re i s th e o ther pers on i n th e pa r ty w ho mo r e pa r ti c ul ar l y wi s he s t o k no w y ou .
W il l yo u al low me t o...
D o I as k to o m uch t o in trod uce my s i st er t o y o u, d u ri n g yo u r st a y a t La m bt o n?
I s ho ul d be ve ry ha ppy to m ake her a cq ua in t an c e.
T ha nk y ou .
T ha nk y ou .
I h op e we s hal l mee t ag ain very soo n .
G oo d da y, M r G ardin er. Mrs Gard iner .
G oo d da y, M iss Benn et.
If yo u pl ea se , m a'am!
The re a re t wo ge ntlem en a nd a lad y wa i ti ng u p on yo u i n t he p a rl ou r . O ne o f t h em i s M r D ar c y .
Tha nk y ou . Te ll them I sh all come dir e ct ly .
Mr Da rc y.
- I h op e th at yo u hav e no t be en w aiti n g lo ng . - No t a t a ll .
May I i nt ro du ce my si ster Geo rgia na?
Geo rg ia na , th is is Mi ss E liza beth Ben n et .
- H ow d o yo u do? - I' m ve ry p leas ed t o m ee t y ou , M is s D a rc y.
- I 'v e he ar d so much abou t yo u. - And I ab ou t y o u.
Mr Bi ng le y is he re wi th u s, a nd v ery d es ir ou s t o s ee yo u a s w el l. He in si s te d o n a cc om p an y i n g u s .
- M ay I s um mo n h im? - Of cour se! I sh o ul d li k e t o se e h i m ve r y mu c h.
I u nd er st an d tha t you are fon d of mus i c, a nd pl a y ve r y w el l.
Oh, n o. N ot p lay "ver y" w ell.
I m ea n, b ut I am very fon d of mus ic. I s ho ul d d e ar ly lo v e to he ar yo u p la y a n d si n g.
My br ot he r ha s t old m e he has rar ely h ea rd a n yt h in g t ha t g av e h im mo r e pl e as u re .
Wel l, y ou s ha ll. But I wa rn y ou, your br ot he r h a s gr o ss l y ex a gg er a te d m y t al e nt s.
- N o do ub t fo r s ome m isch ievo us r easo n . - Oh , n o . Th a t c ou ld no t b e s o.
My br ot he r ne ver exag gera tes. He alwa y s te ll s t h e ab s ol u te t r ut h.
Exc ep t th at s ome times I t hink he is a li tt le to o k in d t o m e.
- A n id ea l el der brot her, the n. - Yes ! I c ou l dn ' t im a gi n e a b et te r o r a k i nd e r on e .
You m ak e me f eel quit e en viou s. I hav e n o br o th e rs a t a l l. O n ly f o ur si st e rs .
I s ho ul d ha ve li ked t o ha ve a sis ter.
Mis s Be nn et !
I w as s o de li ght ed wh en D arcy tol d me yo u we r e n ot f i ve mi le s f ro m P e mb er l ey !
How d o yo u do ?
- I s ee y ou a re well. - V ery well , th a nk y ou .
- G oo d, g oo d, ex celle nt! And your fam i ly ? - V er y w el l , s ir .
Yes ?
Pra y, t el l me . A re "a ll" your sis ters st il l a t L on gb o ur n ?
All e xc ep t on e. My yo unge st s iste r is at B ri g ht o n.
Ah.
It se em s to o lon g...
... it " is " to o l ong, sinc e I had the p le as ur e o f s pe a ki n g to yo u.
- I t mu st b e sev eral mont hs. - It is a bo ve e i gh t m on t hs at l e as t.
We ha ve n ot m et since the t h of Nov e mb er , w he n w e w er e d an c in g t og e th er at Ne th e rf ie l d.
I t hi nk y ou m ust be r ight .
I d on 't t hi nk I can r emem ber a ha ppie r t im e t ha n t ho s e s ho rt mo nt h s I s pe n t i n He r tf or d sh i r e .
Mis s Be nn et , my siste r ha s a requ est t o ma ke of yo u.
Mis s Be nn et , my broth er a nd I wou ld b e h on ou r ed
if yo u an d yo ur aunt and uncl e wo uld b e ou r g ue s ts a t P e mb er l ey f o r d in ne r .
- W ou ld t om or row even ing be c onve nien t ? - Th a nk yo u, we sh al l b e d el i gh te d .
I c an a ns we r for Mr a nd M rs G ardi ner. We h av e n o f ix e d e ng ag e me nt s .
- A nd s ha ll w e h ear y ou p lay? - I f yo u i ns is t u p on i t , y es , y ou s h al l .
Abs ol ut el y ma rve llous !
Wil l yo u no t pla y aga in? You play ed t h at s on g s o b ea u ti f ul ly .
Not v er y be au tif ully, not fai thfu lly a t al l.
You m us t ha ve se en ho w I fudg ed a nd s l ur re d m y w ay t h ro u gh t h e di f fi c ul t p as s ag es .
- I t' s a be au tif ul in stru ment , th ough . - M y b ro t he r g av e i t t o me .
- H e is s o go od. I do n't dese rve it. - I a m s ur e y ou do .
You r br ot he r thi nks y ou d o, a nd a s yo u k no w, he is n e ve r w ro n g.
Now , it 's y ou r t urn. Oh, I ab solu tely in si st !
In fr on t of a ll these peo ple? I w ill p la y, b u t p le as e d o n' t m ak e m e s in g.
If yo u li ke .
Pra y, M is s El iza , are the Mil itia sti l l qu ar t er e d at Me r yt on ?
No, t he y ar e enc amped at Brig hton for th e su m me r .
- T ha t mu st b e a grea t lo ss f or y our f am il y. - W e' re en d ur in g i t a s b es t w e c an , M is s B in g l e y.
I s ho ul d ha ve th ought "on e" g entl eman ' s ab se n ce mi gh t h a ve c a us ed pa r ti cu l ar pa ng s .
I c an 't i ma gi ne who y ou m ean.
I u nd er st oo d tha t cer tain lad ies foun d t he s o ci e ty o f M r W ic k ha m c ur i ou sl y a g re ea b le .
I' m so s or ry . I 'm ne glec ting you . Ho w c an y o u p la y w it h n o o ne t o t u rn t h e p ag es .
T he re , al lo w m e.
H ow v er y il l E liza Benn et l ooke d th i s ev en i ng !

I 'v e ne ve r see n any one so m uch alte r ed a s s he is s i nc e t he wi nt e r.
- Q ui te s o, my dear . - She is g rown so b ro w n a nd c o ar s e.
L ou is a an d I w ere a gree ing that we s ho ul d h ar d ly k n ow he r. Wh at do yo u s ay , M r D ar cy ?
I n ot ic ed n o g reat diff eren ce.
S he i s, I s upp ose, a li ttle tan ned. Ha rd ly su r pr is i ng wh en on e t ra v el s i n t he s u mm er .
F or m y pa rt , I must con fess , I neve r s aw a n y b ea ut y i n h er fa ce .
H er f ea tu re s a re no t at all han dsom e . He r c om p le xi o n h as n o b ri l li a nc y.
H er t ee th a re toler able , I supp ose,
b ut n ot hi ng ou t of the comm on w ay.
A nd a s fo r her eyes , wh ich I ha ve s o me ti me s h e ar d c al l ed f i ne ,
I c ou ld n ev er perce ive anyt hing ext r ao rd in a ry in t h em .
A nd i n he r air ther e is a s elf- suff i ci en cy wi t ho ut fa s hi on , w hi c h I f in d i n to le r ab le .
I t hi nk .. .
W he n we f ir st knew her in H ertf ords h ir e, h o w a ma ze d w e a ll we re to fi nd he r a r e pu te d b e a u ty !
I p ar ti cu la rly reca ll y ou, Mr D arcy , o ne n i gh t a ft e r t he y h ad b e en di ni n g a t Ne t he rf i el d ,
s ay in g: " Sh e a beau ty? I sh ould as s oo n ca l l h er m o th e r a w it !"
B ut a ft er wa rds she seem ed t o im prov e o n yo u .
I e ve n be li eve you thou ght her rath e r pr et t y a t on e t i me .
Y es , I di d. Th at wa s on ly w hen I fi r st k ne w h e r.
F or m an y mo nth s now I h ave cons ider e d he r o ne of t h e h an ds o me st wo m en o f m y a cq u ai nt a nc e .
N o, n o, t he gr een o ne.
Y es , th at w ill do.
G oo d. N o, n eve r min d th at.
- I f yo u pl eas e, ma 'am. The pos t's j us t co m e. - Th a nk yo u, Ha nn a h.
A g oo d gi rl , t hat. Very obl igin g.
T wo l et te rs fr om Ja ne. At l ast! I h a d be en wo n de ri n g w hy w e h ad n 't . ..
T hi s on e wa s m isdir ecte d at fir st. N o wo nd e r, fo r s he wr ot e t he di r ec ti o n v er y i ll , i nd e e d !
W ou ld y ou b e a ngry if I beg you to p os tp on e o u r ou t in g ?
N ot a t al l! Of cour se y ou w ant to r e ad y ou r l e tt er s .
W e wi ll w al k t o the chu rch and call ba ck i n a n h ou r .
T ha nk y ou , you 're v ery kind !
My d ea re st Li zzy, I ho pe y our jour n ey ha s b e en a s d e li gh t fu l a s y ou a n ti c ip at e d.
We a ll m is s y ou. Our fath er m ost o f al l, I b el ie v e.
I ha ve h ar dly had time to writ e. M y n ep he w s an d n ie c es h a ve t a ke n a lm o st ev er y m om e nt !
Bu t th ey a re such dear chi ldre n.
Ou r mo th er in deed find s th eir exub e ra nc e a l it tl e t r yi ng fo r h er ne rv e s.
M am ma .. .
Sh e sp en ds mu ch of the day abo ve s t ai rs i n h er r o om , o r w it h M rs Ph il i ps .
De ar es t Li zzy ,
si nc e wr it ing the abov e, s omet hing ha s oc c ur r ed o f a m os t u ne x pe c te d a nd se ri o us n a tu r e .
Bu t I' m af rai d of alar ming you . B e a ss ur e d w e ar e a l l we l l.
Wh at I h av e t o say rel ates to poor Ly di a.
L yd ia !
An e xp re ss ca me at twe lve last nig h t, ju s t a s we we r e al l g on e t o b ed .
M r Be nn et , wha t is it? Are we t o be mu rd er e d i n ou r b e ds ?
Th e le tt er wa s fro m Co lone l Fo rste r ,
to i nf or m us that Lydi a wa s go ne o f f t o S co t la nd wi t h on e o f h is of fi c er s .
To o wn t he tr uth.. . wi th W ickh am.
O h, L yd ia !
O h, M r Be nn et, we a re a ll r uine d!
Yo u wi ll i mag ine o ur s urpr ise and s ho ck .
To K it ty , how ever, it does not see m so w h ol l y un e xp e ct ed .
I am v er y, ve ry so rry. So imp rude n t a ma t ch on b o th si de s !
Bu t I' m wi lli ng to hop e th e be st, a nd t ha t h is c h ar a ct er ha s b ee n m is u nd e rs to o d.
I w is h I co uld beli eve it.
Hi s ch oi ce is disi nter este d at lea s t. H e m us t kn o w t ha t o ur f a th e r ca n g i ve h i m no t hi n g .
Y es , th at i s t rue.
B ut h ow c ou ld he do thi s?
S he i s si ll y e nough for any thin g.
B ut W ic kh am to love Lyd ia? Marr y Ly d ia ?
T he re i s on e l ady I sha ll b e ve ry l o at h to pa r t fr o m.
We e xp ec t the m soo n re turn ed f rom G re tn a, m a n an d w i fe .
I mu st c on clu de. I ca nnot be away fr om o u r p oo r m ot h er l o ng .
I sh al l wr ite agai n as soo n as I h a ve n ew s .
My d ea re st Li zzy, I ha rdly kno w wh a t to w r it e , b u t I h av e b ad ne w s!
Im pr ud en t as a mar riag e wo uld be, we n ow fe a r wo r se :
Th at i t ha s n ot ta ken plac e. T hat W ic kh am n e ve r i nt e nd ed to m a rr y L yd i a a t al l !
G re at G od , I k new i t!
- I ca nn ot th ink s o il l of him . - I c an . P oo r L yd i a.
P oo r st up id gi rl!
Co lo ne l Fo rst er sa id h e fe ared th a t Wi ck h am wa s n ot to b e t ru s te d .
Sh e wa s th en but f ifte en y ears old .
Th ey w er e tra ced a s fa r as Cla pham . F at he r h a s g o ne wi th Co lo n el Fo rs t er to t r y to di s c o ve r th e m .
I ca nn ot h elp but beg you all to c om e he r e a s so o n a s po s si bl e !
O h, y es ! Wh ere is m y un cle?
I f yo u pl ea se, ma'a m.
- M is s Be nn et, I ho pe t his. .. - I b e g yo ur pa r do n. I m us t f in d M r G ar di n er .
- O n bu si ne ss that cann ot b e de laye d . - Go o d G od ! W ha t i s t he m a tt e r?
O f co ur se I wi ll no t de tain you , bu t l et m e g o , or le t t he se rv a nt go a n d f et ch Mr a n d M r s G a r di n e r .
- Y ou c an no t g o you rsel f. - I m ust. . .
C om e. I i ns ist . Thi s wi ll b e fo r th e b es t. He l lo t h er e !
H av e Mr a nd Mr s Gar dine r fe tche d he r e at o n ce .

- T he y wa lk ed in th e di rect ion of.. . . .. th e c h ur ch .
Y es , si r, a t o nce.
- Y ou a re n ot well. May I n ot c all a d oc to r ? - N o. I a m we l l. I am we ll .
I s th er e no thi ng yo u ca n ta ke f or y o ur p re s en t r el i ef ?
A g la ss o f win e? Ca n I get you one? Tr ul y, yo u l oo k v e ry i l l.
N o, I t ha nk yo u. Th ere is n othi ng t h e ma tt e r w it h m e. I am qu it e w e ll .
I a m on ly d ist resse d by som e dr eadf u l ne ws , w h ic h I h a ve j u st r e ce i ve d f ro m L on g bo ur n .
- I a m so rr y. Forgi ve m e. - No, no.
I h av e ju st re ceive d a lett er f rom J an e, w i th su ch dr e ad fu l n ew s .
I t ca nn ot b e c oncea led from any one.
M y yo un ge st si ster has left all her fr ie nd s ,
h as e lo pe d,
h as t hr ow n her self into the pow er.. .
. .. of M r Wi ckh am.
T he y ha ve r un away toge ther fro m Br i gh to n. Yo u k no w h i m to o w el l t o d ou b t t he r e st .
S he h as n o mon ey, n o co nnec tion s, n o th in g t ha t c an te m pt h i m.
W he n I th in k t hat I mig ht h ave prev e nt ed i t !
I , wh o kn ew wh at he was !
H ad h is c ha rac ter b een know n, t his c ou ld n o t h av e h ap p en ed .
B ut i t is a ll too l ate now.
I a m gr ie ve d, indee d. G riev ed, shoc k ed .
- B ut i s it ce rtain ? Ab solu tely cer t ai n? - Oh , y es .
T he y le ft B rig hton toge ther on Sund a y ni gh t .
T he y we re t rac ed as far as Lond on, b ut n ot be y on d.
- T he y ar e cer tainl y no t go ne t o Sc o tl an d. - W ha t h as be en at te m pt e d to re c ov er he r?
M y fa th er h as gone to L ondo n.
A nd J an e wr ite s to beg my u ncle 's i m me di at e a s si st a nc e .
I h op e th at we shal l le ave with in h a lf a n h ou r . Bu t w h at c a n be do n e?
I k no w th at no thing can be done .
H ow i s su ch a man t o be wor ked on?
H ow a re t he y e ven t o be dis cove red?
I h av e no t the smal lest hop e.
S he i s lo st fo rever , an d ou r wh ole f am il y m us t p ar t ak e o f h er r u in an d d is g ra ce .
I 'm a fr ai d you have lon g be en d esir i ng m y a bs e nc e.
T hi s un fo rt una te af fair wil l, I fea r ,
p re ve nt m y sis ter f rom havi ng t he p l ea su re of se ei n g y ou a t P em b er l ey t o da y .
O h, y es .
B e so k in d as to ap olog ise for us t o M is s D ar c y.
S ay t ha t ur gen t bus ines s ca lls us h o me i mm e di a te ly .
A nd i f yo u wou ld be so kind ... as t o c on ce a l t he u n ha p py t r ut h a s l on g a s p os si b le .
I k no w th at it cann ot b e lo ng.
Y ou m ay b e ass ured of m y se crec y.
B ut I h av e sta yed t oo l ong. I s hall le av e y ou no w.
Y es . Th an k you .
G oo db ye .
I s ha ll n ev er see h im a gain .
E ve n if w ha t y ou sa y of Wic kham is t ru e, I st i ll c a nn o t be l ie ve th i s of Ly d ia .
E ve r si nc e the mili tia came to Mery t on , th e re ' s be e n n ot hi n g bu t l o ve a n d o ff ic e rs i n h e r he a d .
W e mu st n ot as sume the wors t. I t ma y y et b e t h at t h is is a l l a m is u nd er s ta n di ng .
O r ju st a p ass ing f olly tha t he r fr i en ds c a n h us h u p a nd w i ll i n t i me b e q u it e f or go t te n .
- I t is p os sib le, L izzy ! - Inde ed i t i s.
W hy w ou ld a ny young man for m a desi g n ag ai n st a gi r l w ho i s n ot un p ro te c te d o r f ri en d le s s ,
a nd w ho i s sta ying in t he C olon el's fa mi ly ?
L oo k at i t in any w ay y ou l ike. The te mp ta t io n i s n ot wo rt h t he ri s k.
N ot p er ha ps of risk ing his own inte r es t.
B ut I d o be lie ve hi m ca pabl e of ris k in g ev e ry t hi ng el s e!
Y ou a re v er y q uiet this eve ning , Mr Da rc y.
I h op e yo u' re not p inin g fo r th e lo s s of M i ss El iz a B e nn et .
W ha t?
E xc us e me .
T he re s he i s! Mamma , ma mma! Did you br in g u s a ny th i ng ?
- L iz zy ! I am so gl ad t o se e yo u. - Ha s an y th i ng b e en he ar d ?
N ot y et , bu t n ow th at o ur u ncle has co me , I h o pe a l l w il l b e we l l. Fa th e r l ef t f or t o wn o n T u e sd a y ,
a nd w e' ve o nly hear d th at h e ha s ar r iv ed i n s a fe ty .
M am ma h as b een aski ng f or y ou e very fi ve m i nu t es .
- H ow i s sh e? - She has not yet lef t h er r o om .
A nd y ou l oo k p ale. Oh, Jane , ho w mu c h yo u m us t h av e g o ne t h ro ug h !
I a m so h ap py to se e yo u, L izzy . Co m e.
O h!
O h, L iz zy !
O h, b ro th er !
W e ar e al l rui ned f orev er!
I f on ly M r Ben net h ad t aken us all t o Br ig h to n , no n e o f th i s wo u ld ha ve ha p pe ne d !
I b la me t ho se Forst ers! I a m su re t h er e wa s s o me g r ea t n eg l ec t o n t he ir pa r t,
f or s he i s not the kind of girl to d o th at so r t of th i ng , i f sh e h a d be e n p ro pe r ly l o ok e d af t e r!
- M am ma . - And now here is Mr B enne t g on e a wa y .
I k no w he w ill figh t Wi ckha m, a nd t h en h e w il l b e k il l ed , a nd t h en wh at is to b e co me of u s a l l ?
T ho se C ol li nse s wil l tu rn u s ou t be f or e he is co ld in hi s g ra ve !
A nd i f yo u are not kind to us, brot h er , I d on ' t kn o w w ha t w e sh a ll do !
S is te r, c al m d own. Noth ing drea dful wi ll h a pp e n!
I 'l l be i n Lon don t omor row, and we w il l co n su l t as to wh at is t o b e d on e .
Y es , ye s, t hat is i t! Y ou m ust find th em o u t, an d i f t he y b e no t m a rr ie d , y ou m u st m a ke t h em m ar r y .

A bo ve a ll , kee p Mr Benn et f rom figh t in g!
- M am ma , I am sure he d oes not mean to f ig h t. - Oh ye s , he do es !
A nd W ic kh am wi ll ki ll h im f or s ure, un le ss yo u c an pr e ve nt it , b ro t he r!
Y ou m us t te ll him w hat a dr eadf ul s t at e I' m i n ! Ho w I ha ve su ch tr e mb li n gs an d f lu tt e ri n g s .
S uc h sp as ms in my s ide and pain s in my h ea d a n d be a ti n gs a t m y h ea r t,
t ha t I ca n get no r est eith er n ight or d ay !
S is te r, c al m y ourse lf.
A nd t el l Ly dia not to g ive any dire c ti on s a bo u t we d di n g cl o th es ti l l sh e 's se en me ,
f or s he d oe s n ot kn ow w hich are the be st w a re h ou se s !
T hi s is t he mo st un fort unat e af fair , a nd w i ll pr ob a bl y b e m uc h t al k ed o f .
Y es , th an k you , Mar y. I thi nk w e ha v e al l a pp r eh en d ed th at mu ch .
W e mu st s te m t he ti de o f ma lice ,
a nd p ou r in to each othe r's woun ded b os om s t he ba lm of si st e rl y c on s ol at i on .
- M ar y, p as s t he po tato es t o yo ur a u nt G ar d in e r. - I b eg y o ur p a rd o n?
N ev er m in d. I will.
T ha nk y ou , Kit ty.
T ha t' s th e fir st ki nd w ord I've had fr om a n yo n e si n ce Ly di a w en t a w ay .
I t is m os t unf air, for I ha ve n ot d o ne a ny t hi n g na u gh t y!
A nd I d on 't se e tha t Ly dia has done an yt hi n g d re ad f ul ei th e r.
- K it ty , pl eas e! - Unha ppy as t he e v en t mu s t b e fo r L y di a,
w e mu st d ra w f rom i t th is u sefu l le s so n: T h at lo ss of vi rt u e in a f em al e i s i rr e tr ie v ab l e .
M y de ar M ar y, this is h ardl y he lpfu l .
F or a w om an 's reput atio n is no less br it tl e t h an i t i s b ea u ti fu l .
T he re fo re w e c annot be too guar ded i n ou r b eh a vi ou r
t ow ar ds t he un deser ving of the othe r s ex .
Y es .. . th an k y ou, M ary.
N ow , Ja ne .. . t ell m e ev eryt hing abo u t it t h at I ha v e n ot a l re ad y h e ar d.
W ha t di d Co lon el Fo rste r sa y?
H ad t he y no ap prehe nsio n ab out anyt h in g be f or e t he el o pe me n t to o k p la ce ?
C ol on el F or ste r did own he susp ecte d s om e p ar t ia li t y o n Ly d ia 's si d e,
b ut n ot hi ng to give him any ala rm.
L iz zy , I fe el I am to b lame .
I u rg ed y ou no t to make Wic kham 's b a d co nd u ct kn ow n . N ow p o or L y di a i s s uf f er in g f or it .
N o on e el se su spect ed h im f or a mom e nt . I a m, I am to bl am e !
Y ou a re n ot to blam e! N o mo re t han I , or M r D a rc y o r a ny on e e ls e d e ce iv e d b y Wi c kh am .
Y ou h av e no thi ng to bla me y ours elf f or . Ot h er s a re cu l pa bl e , no t y o u.
S he w ro te a no te fo r Mr s Fo rste r be f or e sh e w e nt a w ay .
" My d ea r Ha rri et, y ou w ill laug h wh e n yo u k no w w he r e I a m g on e,
a nd I c an 't he lp la ughi ng m ysel f at yo ur s u rp r is e t om o rr ow mo rn i ng , a s s oo n a s I a m m is s e d ."
I' m go in g to Gretn a Gr een, and if y ou ca n 't gu es s w i th w h o, I ' ll th in k y o u a s im pl e to n ,
fo r th er e is but o ne m an i n th e wo r ld I l o ve . Do n 't se nd th em wo r d at Lo n gb ou r n of my g o in g .
It w il l ma ke the s urpr ise all the g re at er , w h en I w r it e t o th e m a nd s i gn my n a me L y di a W ic k h am !
Wh at a g oo d j oke i t wi ll b e. I ca n s ca rc e ly wr it e f o r la u gh in g !
T ho ug ht le ss , t hough tles s Ly dia! Wha t a l et t er to h a ve wr it t en a t s u ch a mo m en t.
B ut a t le as t s he be liev ed t hey were to b e m ar r ie d, wh a te ve r h e m ig h t pe r su a de h e r to af t e r wa r d s.
O ur p oo r fa the r! Ho w he mus t ha ve f e lt i t.
I n ev er s aw an yone so s hock ed.
H e co ul dn 't sp eak f or t en m inut es. M ot he r w as in h y st e ri cs , a nd th e h ou s e w as i n c on f us i o n .
L ad y Lu ca s has been ver y ki nd, offe r in g he r s e rv ic e s.
S he h ad b et ter had stay ed h ome! Ass i st an ce is im po s si b le , a nd c o nd o le nc e i n su ff e ra bl e .
L et h er t ri ump h ove r us at a di stan c e an d b e s at is f ie d !
T ha t is u nk ind .
- I a m su re sh e mea nt w ell. - Y es, p er ha ps sh e d id .
I a m so rr y. It 's ju st t hat I ca n't h el p bu t b e .. .
O h, J an e.
J an e, d o yo u n ot se e th at m ore thin g s ha ve be e n ru i ne d b y t hi s b us i ne ss th a n Ly d ia 's re p u t at i o n?
I ha ve s ta yed too long . I shal l le a ve y ou no w .
C om e in !
I t ho ug ht y ou would not be in b ed y e t.
I h av e be en th inkin g ab out what you sa id t h is af te r no o n.
T ha t it i s not only Lyd ia's rep utat i on t ha t h a s be e n r ui ne d .
I w as a ng ry an d ups et. I sh ould not ha ve s a id it . I t d oe s n o go o d t o dw e ll on i t .
Y ou m ea nt , I s uppos e, t hat you and I ,
a nd M ar y an d K itty, hav e be en t aint e d by a s so c ia ti o n.
T ha t ou r ch anc es of mak ing a go od m a rr ia ge ha v e be e n m at er i al ly da m ag ed by Ly di a 's d i sg r a c e.
T he c ha nc es of any of u s ma king a g o od m ar r ia g e we r e n ev er ve ry gr e at .
A nd n ow I s hou ld sa y, t hey are non- e xi st en t .
N o on e wi ll so licit our soc iety aft e r th is . M r D ar c y m ad e t ha t v er y c le a r t o me .
M r Da rc y?
D oe s he k no w o ur tr oubl es?
H e ha pp en ed up on me a m omen t af ter I f ir st re a d yo u r l et te r .
H e wa s ve ry ki nd, v ery gent lema n-li k e. ..
. .. bu t he m ade it v ery clea r he wan t ed n ot h in g m or e t h an t o b e o ut of m y s i gh t.
H e wi ll n ot be rene wing his add ress e s to m e .
H e' ll m ak e ver y sur e hi s fr iend doe s n' t re n ew hi s t o y ou .
I n ev er e xp ect ed Mr Bin gley wou ld r e ne w hi s a d dr es s es . I a m q ui t e r ec on c il e d to th at .
S ur el y yo u do not d esir e Mr Dar cy's at te nt i on s , do yo u ?
N o, n o. I n eve r sou ght them .
B ut y ou d o thi nk he was int endi ng t o r en ew th e m?
- Y ou t hi nk he is s till in love wit h y ou ? - I do n' t k n ow .
I d on 't k no w w hat h e wa s tw o da ys a g o.
A ll I k no w is that now he, or a ny o t he r re s pe c ta bl e m a n, w i ll w a nt no th i ng to d o w it h a n y of u s.

L or d! L oo k who 's co ming !
- W ho i s it , K itty? - M r Co llin s, o f c ou rs e .
I 'm n ot g oi ng to si t wi th h im f or a n yo ne !
I h ad h op ed to cond ole with you r po o r fa th e r a nd y o ur mo th e r.
F at he r is s til l in Lond on, and moth e r is n o t y et w e ll en ou g h to le a ve h e r r oo m.
A h. A h.
I f ee l my se lf calle d on , no t on ly b y o ur r e la t io ns h ip , b ut by m y s i tu at i on as a cl er g ym a n ,
t o co nd ol e wit h you all on the grie v ou s af f li c ti on yo u a re no w s uf f er in g u n de r.
T ha nk y ou , sir .
I t ha s of te n b een s aid that a f rien d i n ne e d i s a f ri e nd , i nd ee d , s ir .
Y es .
B e as su re d, la dies, tha t Mr s Co llin s a nd m y se l f si n ce r el y s ym pa t hi s e wi t h y ou i n y ou r d i s t re s s ,
w hi ch m us t be of th e bi tter est kind , p ro ce e di n g fr o m a c au s e wh i ch no t i me ca n r em ov e .
T he d ea th o f y our s iste r wo uld have be en a bl e ss in g i n c om p ar is o n.
A nd i t is m ore to b e la ment ed, beca u se t he r e i s re a so n t o s up po s e,
m y de ar C ha rlo tte i nfor ms m e,
t ha t th is l ice ntiou snes s of beh avio u r in y o ur si st e r h as p r oc ee d ed fr om a f au lt y d eg r ee o f i n d ul g e n c e,
t ho ug h I am in cline d to thi nk t hat h er d is p os i ti on mu s t be na tu r al l y ba d .
N ow , ho ws oe ver that may be, you are gr ie vo u sl y t o b e p it ie d .. .
W e ar e ve ry gr atefu l, s ir, for your . ..
. .. in w hi ch op inion I a m jo ined by L ad y Ca t he r in e d e B ou rg h a nd he r d au g ht e r,
t o wh om I h ave rela ted the affa ir i n f ul l.
T he y ag re e wit h me in a ppre hend ing t ha t th i s f al se st e p in on e s is t er
m us t be i nj uri ous t o th e fo rtun es o f a ll t h e o th er s .
" Fo r wh o" , as Lady Cath erin e he rsel f c on de s ce n di ng l y s ay s,
" wi ll c on ne ct thems elve s wi th s uch a f am il y ?"
W ho , in de ed , s ir.
N ow , pe rh ap s, in vi ew o f th at c onsi d er at io n , y ou m a y f ee l i t wo u ld be u n wi s e to st ay an y l on g e r.
W el l, p er ha ps you a re r ight .
Y es , pe rh ap s y ou ar e ri ght, cou sin E li za be t h.
I a lw ay s fe el that a cl ergy man cann o t be t o o c ar ef u l.
E sp ec ia ll y one so f ortu nate as to e n jo y th e c o nd es c en s io n a nd p a tr o na ge of La dy Ca th e ri n e .
Y ou r th ou gh tfu lness doe s yo u cr edit , c ou si n E l iz ab e th .
I a m ve ry , ver y sor ry f or y ou a ll!
- I ns uf fe ra ble man! - I sup pose he m ea ns w e ll .
Y ou s up po se wr ongly , Ja ne.
H is p ur po se wa s to enjo y ou r mi sfor t un es a n d c on gr a tu l at e h im se l f o n hi s o w n ha p py s i tu a t i on !
I t hi nk i t kin d of him to c ondo le w i th u s.
- I s he g on e? - Yes .
- G oo d! - F ore ver, with any luc k.
H er e' s au nt Ph ilips ! Sh e ca n te ll u s t he n e ws fr om Me r yt on .
- I d ou bt t her e's m uch we c are to h e ar . - M ot h er w i ll be p l ea se d .
W el l, g ir ls , h ere's a t o-do .
- D oe s yo ur mo ther stil l ke ep t o he r b ed ? - N o , bu t s h e ke e ps t o h e r ro o m.
W el l, w el l, th e les s th e se rvan ts h e ar t he be t te r, I d ar e s ay .
C om e, l et m e t o her , Ja ne, thou gh H e av en k n ow s I h a ve no g l ad t i di n gs f o r h er .
E ve ry d ay I he ar so me n ew b ad t ale o f Mr W i ck h am !
O h, M r Wi ck ham , tha t ev eryb ody prai s ed t o t he sk ie s !
M r Wi ck ha m, th at ha lf t he t own was m ad i n l ov e w it h . A ll t h e ti m e a v il l ai n !
A v er y de mo n f rom h ell sent to ruin us !
I h av e he ar d h e's r un u p de bts with ev er y r ep u ta bl e t r ad es m an i n t h e to w n.
O h, s is te r!
- I h av e he ard tale s of gam ing debt s ! - Oh , s i st er !
O f dr un ke n rou ts, i n wh ich more thi n gs w er e b r ok en th a n he a ds a n d f ur ni t ur e , si s te r!
O h, s is te r, st op!
D eb au ch es , int rigue s, s educ tion s!
T he y sa y th ere 's ha rdly a t rade sman in t he to w n wh o se da ug h te rs we r e no t m e dd le d w it h !
N ow h e' s me ddl ing w ith our dear est g ir l. T h e f ou l f ie n d!
H e sh al l be di scove red and "mad e" t o m ar ry he r !
I h av e to s ay, sist er, that I a lway s d is tr u st e d hi s a p pe ar a nc e o f g oo dn e ss .
A ye , si st er , s o did I, and warn ed t h e gi rl s !
- T oo s mo ot h a nd pl ausi ble by h alf! - Bu t w ou l d an y bo d y li s te n t o m e?
A nd n ow w e are all, all rui ned!
O h, m y po or gi rl. M y po or, poor Lyd i a!
W he n sh al l we trave l in to H ertf ords h ir e, m y l o ve ?
C om e aw ay f rom the wind ow, dear . Wh e n I ha v e s et tl e d m y bu s in es s a f fa ir s .
T he se t hi ng s a lways tak e lo nger tha n o ne t h in k s th e y w il l.
- Y ou 'r e no t u nhapp y, s urel y? - Lor d , no !
J us t th at I ca n't w ait to s ee m y mo t he r' s f ac e ! An d m y s is t er s' . K i tt y w il l b e s o en v io u s !
H ow I s ha ll la ugh!
I h op e we s hal l be marr ied from Lon g bo ur n. Th e n al l m y s is t er s w il l h av e t o b e m y br i de s m a id s .
O h, I d o wi sh we co uld go o ut i nto t he t ow n , a nd b e s e en a t p la y s a nd a s se m bl ie s .
A ll i n go od ti me. B e pa tien t, d ear.
L or d, i t ma kes me w ant to b urst out la ug hi n g
w he n I th in k t hat I hav e do ne w hat n on e of my si st e rs ha s.
A nd I t he y oun gest of t hem all!
M ot he r! H er e i s a l ette r fr om m y un c le G ar d in e r!
- F at he r is co ming home tod ay! - Do e s he b r in g L yd i a?
N o. H e an d my uncle hav e no t ye t di s co ve re d w h er e s he is .
- M y un cl e wil l con tinu e hi s en quir i es a lo n e. - Co m in g h om e w it h ou t p oo r L y di a?
W ho w il l fi ght Wick ham and make him ma rr y h er , i f h e c om es aw ay ?
O h, J an e, J ane , wha t is to beco me o f u s?

O h, o h, f et ch my sm elli ng s alts ! I f ee l my fa i nt ne s s c om in g u po n m e a ga i n!
N ot n ow , Ja ne. Not now, Liz zy.
M rs Y ou ng e.
S ho ul d I go an d get fat her? He has h ad n ot h in g t o e at si nc e h e c am e h om e .
L et m e. Y ou ta ke mo ther her tea .
W el l, J an e.
E li za be th .
M ar y, K it ty .
Y ou l oo k so ti red, fath er.
- I t mu st h ave been a d read ful time fo r yo u . - S ay no t hi ng of t h at .
W ho s ho ul d suf fer b ut m ysel f? I t ha s b ee n m y o wn d o in g , an d I o u gh t t o f ee l i t.
O h, p ap a.
Y ou m us t no t b e so seve re u pon your s el f.
L et m e, f or on ce in my life , fe el h o w mu ch I h av e b ee n t o b la me .
I a m no t af rai d of bein g ov erpo were d b y th e i m pr es s io n . It wi ll pa s s aw a y s oo n e no ug h .
- D o yo u st ill supp ose them to be i n L on do n , s ir ? - Y e s, w h er e e ls e c an th e y be so w e ll c o nc e a le d ?
L yd ia a lw ay s w anted to go t o Lo ndon !
S he i s ha pp y, then. And her res iden c e th er e w i ll p r ob a bl y b e of so m e du r at i on .
L iz zy .
I b ea r yo u no ill-w ill for bein g ju s ti fi ed in yo ur ad v ic e t o me in Ma y,
w hi ch , co ns ide ring the even t, s hows so me g r ea t ne ss of mi nd , I t h in k .
I m us t ta ke ma mma h er t ea.
S he s ti ll k eep s her sta te a bove sta i rs , do e s s he ?
G oo d. I t le nds such an eleg ance to o ur m is f or t un e! An o th er ti me I' l l do th e s am e .
I 'l l si t in my libr ary, in my n ight c ap a nd po w de ri n g g ow n, an d I 'l l g iv e a s m uc h t ro u bl e a s I ca n .
O r pe rh ap s I m ay de fer it, till Kit t y ru ns aw a y.
I 'm n ot g oi ng to ru n aw ay. If I sho u ld g o t o B ri gh t on , I w o ul d b eh a ve b e tt e r th a n Ly d ia .
Y ou g o to B rig hton? I w ould n't trus t y ou a s n e ar i t a s E as t B ou r ne . N ot fo r f if t y po u nd s !
N o, K it ty , I h ave a t la st l earn t to be c au t io u s, a n d y ou w i ll f e el th e e ff e ct s o f it .
N o of fi ce r is ever to e nter my hous e a ga in . O r e ve n t o p as s t hr o ug h t he vi l la ge !
B al ls w il l be absol utel y pr ohib ited , u nl es s y o u st a nd up w i th o n e o f yo u r s is te r s!
A nd y ou a re ne ver t o st ir o ut o f do o rs u nt i l h av in g s p en t t en m i nu t es e v er y d ay in a ra t i o na l ma n n e r .
W el l, w el l, we ll, d on't mak e yo urse l f un ha p py , m y d ea r .
I f yo u ar e a g ood g irl for the next te n ye a rs , I 'l l t a ke y o u to a r ev ie w a t t he en d o f t h e m.
O h, d ea re st , s hall we n ot g o ou t to n ig ht ?
C an w e no t go to th e th eatr e?
- L or d! W ha t i n the wor ld i s "h e" d o in g he r e? - Wh a t?
- W ha t a jo ke! - Wh o is it?
- Y ou 'l l ne ver gues s! - Who is it?
M r Da rc y.
C om e in .
T ha nk y ou , Hil l.
H il l, w ha t is it? I s Mr s Be nnet ask i ng f or us ?
N o, m a' am .
I b eg y ou r par don, but did you know an e xp r es s c om e f o r ma s te r f ro m M r G ar d in er ?
- W he n di d it come, Hil l? - Oh, abo u t ha lf an ho ur ag o , ma ' am .
- W el l, L iz zy? - Pa pa, what new s?
- W ha t ne ws fr om my unc le? - Ye s, I ' ve h ad a l et te r f r om h i m.
- W ha t ne ws do es it bri ng? Good or b ad ? - W ha t i s t he r e of go od to be e x pe c te d?
P er ha ps y ou wo uld l ike to r ead it y o ur se lf .
R ea d it a lo ud, Lizz y. I har dly know wh at t o m a ke o f i t m ys e lf .
" My d ea r br oth er, a t la st I am able to s en d t i di ng s o f m y n ie ce an d M r W ic k ha m. I ha v e s e e n t h em . . . "
I t' s as I h ope d! Th ey a re m arri ed!
" Th ey a re n ot marri ed, nor can I fi n d th er e w a s an y i n te nt i on o f b e in g s o,
b ut i f yo u wil l per form the eng agem e nt s I h av e v en t ur e d to ma ke fo r y ou , t h ey w i ll b e fo r e lo n g ."
- W ha t en ga gem ents? - R ead on.
" Al l th at i s r equir ed i s to ass ure y ou r da u gh t er h e r e qu al sh ar e o f t he po u nd s s he w i ll i nh e r i t ,
a nd a ls o al low her, dur ing your lif e , p ou n ds p e r a nn um . "
S o li tt le ? Wha t abo ut W ickh am's deb t s?
R ea d on .
" Mr W ic kh am 's circu msta nces are not so h op e le s s as th e y ar e g en e ra l ly b e li e ve d t o be . "
- T he re ! - Rea d on, Liz zy!
" Th er e wi ll be some lit tle mone y, e v en w he n a l l hi s d e bt s a re d i sc h ar ge d , t o se t tl e o n m y ni e c e. "
- I c an no t bel ieve it. - Re ad o n.
" We 'v e ju dg ed it be st t hat my n iece sh ou ld be ma rr i ed fr om th is ho u se . I h o pe y o u ap p ro v e . "
K it ty w il l be disap poin ted not to b e a b ri d es m ai d.
" Se nd b ac k you r ans wer as s oon as y o u ca n, wi t h th e e x pl ic i t fi n an c ia l s et t le me n t. Y o ur s , " e t c .. .
H ow c an i t be possi ble he w ill marr y h er f o r s o li t tl e ?
H e mu st n ot be unde serv ing, as we t h ou gh t. He mu st tr u ly b e i n l ov e w it h h e r, I th in k .
Y ou t hi nk t hat , Jan e, i f it giv es y o u co mf o rt .
- H av e yo u ans wered the let ter? - N o , bu t I m u st - an d s oo n .
A nd t he y mu st marry . Ye t he is such a ma n.
Y es , th ey m ust marr y. T here 's n othi n g el se to be d o ne .
T he re a re t wo thing s I want to know :
O ne i s, h ow mu ch mo ney your unc le l a id d ow n t o b ri n g t hi s a bo ut ;
a nd t he o th er, how am I eve r to rep a y hi m?
I w is h I ha d n ever spok en o f th is t o M r Da r cy .
D ea r Li zz y, pl ease do n ot d istr ess y ou rs el f . I 'm s u re Mr D a rc y w il l r es p ec t y ou r c on f id e n c e.
I 'm s ur e he wi ll. T hat is n ot w hat d is tr es s es me .
- W ha t, t he n? - I d on't kno w!
H ow h e mu st be cong ratu lati ng h imse l f on h i s e sc ap e !
- H ow h e mu st despi se m e no w. - You ne ve r s ou g ht h i s l ov e!
N or w el co me d i t whe n he off ered it.
I f he h as w ith drawn his hig h op inio n o f yo u , w hy s h ou l d yo u c ar e ?
I d on 't k no w!
I c an 't e xp lai n it.
I k no w I sh all prob ably nev er s ee h i m ag ai n .
I c an no t be ar to th ink that he is a l iv e in th e w or l d. . .
. .. an d th in kin g ill of me.
I kn ew i t wo uld come out rig ht in t h e en d!
My de ar , de ar Ly dia! She will be marr i ed .
My go od , ki nd br other ! I knew how it w ou ld b e . I k ne w h e w ou l d ma n ag e e ve r yt h in g!
Oh, b ut t he c lot hes! And of c ours e sh e m us t b e m ar ri e d f ro m L on gb o ur n .
Thi s is a ll n ons ense abou t he r be ing m ar ri ed fr o m Ch e ap s id e!
She m us t be m arr ied i n Lo ngbo urn chur c h, w he r e h er f r ie n ds c a n se e h e r.
Tha t is n ot p oss ible. You mus t se e th a t.
I d o no t se e tha t! Wh y sh ould I s ee t h at ? Wh y s h ou ld th a t be ?
She 's b ee n li vin g wit h Mr Wic kham in L on do n. If sh e w er e t o a rr iv e h o me u n ma r ri ed st il l .. .
I s up po se i t mus t be, if you put it l i ke t ha t ! B ut i t i s a ll ve ry ve x in g.
You r un cl e ha s b een m ost high hand ed! W hy s ho u ld he t a ke so m u ch u p on hi m?
Mam ma , we 'r e gre atly inde bted to Mr G a rd in er .
He mu st h av e lai d out a g reat dea l of mo ne y t o p ay o f f M r Wi c kh am ' s d eb ts .
- M or e th an w e c an ev er r epay . - Why s ho ul d h e n ot ?
- W ho e ls e sh oul d lay out mon ey, but h er u nc l e? - Mo t he r !
Oh, w el l! I a m s o hap py! A da ught er m a rr ie d. An d o nl y j u st s i xt ee n .
"Mr s Wi ck ha m" . O h, ho w we ll t hat soun d s!
Oh, b ut t he w edd ing c loth es!
Liz zy , go d ow n t o you r fa ther and ask ho w mu c h h e wi l l g iv e h er .
Oh , Ja ne , as so on as I a m dr esse d I sh al l g o t o Me r yt o n an d t el l m y s is t er Ph il i ps !
Ri ng t he b el l f or Hi ll! An a irin g w i ll d o m e a g re a t d ea l o f go o d, I' m s ur e .
An d I sh al l cal l on Lady Luc as and M rs L on g . O h, J a ne !
- P ap a. - Ja ne, it's suc h wo nder ful n ew s!
Oh , wh er e is Hi ll? Oh, Hill , ha ve y o u he ar d t h e go o d n ew s?
Shu t th e do or , L izzy.
An d yo u sh al l h ave a bow l of pun ch t o ma ke me r ry a t .. .
Som eo ne , at l eas t, fi nds plea sure in t he se e v en t s.
But c on si de ri ng what we t houg ht o nly a f ew h o ur s a go , i t 's n o t "s o " b ad , i s i t?
- D o yo u th in k m y unc le p aid out much mo ne y? - I d o.
Wic kh am 's a f ool if h e ta kes her with a fa rt h in g l es s t h an p ou n ds .
p ou nd s!
Hea ve n fo rb id ! H ow is hal f su ch a sum to b e r ep a id ?
I w is h I ha d lai d by an a nnua l su m to br ib e w or t hl es s y o un g m en t o m a rr y m y d au gh t er s,
but I h av e no t, I con fess .
The r ea so n wa s, of co urse , th at I int e nd ed t o f a th er a s on .
The s on w ou ld in herit the est ate, no p ar t of wh i ch w o ul d b e e nt ai l ed aw ay ,
so pr ov id in g for my w idow and any oth e r ch il d re n .
By th e ti me w e h ad ab ando ned hope of p ro du ci n g a n he i r, it s e em ed a l it tl e l a te t o b eg i n s a v in g .
- Y ou c ou ld n ot have fore seen thi s, f a th er . - I sh ou l d h av e t ak en be t te r c ar e o f y ou a l l.
The s at is fa ct ion of p reva ilin g up on o n e of t h e m os t w or t hl es s y ou n g m en i n B r it ai n ,
mig ht t he n ha ve reste d in its pro per p la ce .
As it i s, t he th ing i s do ne w ith extr a or di na r y l it tl e i n co nv e ni en c e t o my s el f .
Whe n yo u ta ke in to ac coun t wh at I sha l l sa ve on Ly di a 's bo ar d a nd po c ke t a ll o wa nc e ,
I a m sc ar ce ly te n pou nds a ye ar w orse of f.
I a m he ar ti ly as hamed of myse lf, Lizz y .
But d on 't d es pai r, it wil l pa ss.. .
... an d no d ou bt more quic kly than it s ho ul d.
Whe re i s ev er yon e?
Dea rl y be lo ve d. We ar e ga ther ed h ere i n th e s ig h t of Go d .
Mr W ic kh am i s t o res ign from th e Mi l it ia a n d g o in t o a n or t he rn re g im en t .
Ha pp il y so me of his form er f rien ds a r e wi ll i ng t o a ss i st h i m in pu r ch as i ng a co m mi ss i on .
I ha ve w ri tt en to Co lone l Fo rste r to re qu es t t h at h e w il l s at is f y W ic kh a m' s c re d it or s i n B ri g h to n ,
fo r wh ic h I' ve pledg ed m ysel f.
"Pe rh ap s yo u wil l be so g ood as t o do th e sa m e f or h i s c re di t or s i n M er yt o n,
of wh om I e nc los e a l ist acco rdin g to hi s in f or m at io n ."
"I ho pe , at l eas t, he has not dec eive d u s. " L et us a l l h op e s o.
"As s oo n as t hey are marr ied, the y wi l l jo ur n ey di re c tl y t o j oi n h is re gi m en t i n N ew ca s tl e ,
unl es s th ey a re first inv ited to Long b ou rn ."
Oh, y es , my d ear Mr B enne t, o f co urse th ey m u st co me he r e!
I l on g to s ee my dear Lyd ia! And dear Wi ck ha m , t oo , o f c ou rs e .
But i t is s ho cki ng th at p oor Lydi a sh o ul d ha v e b ee n s en t a wa y f ro m B r ig ht o n.
Suc h a fa vo ur ite amon g al l th e of fice r s!
The re w er e se ver al yo ung men ther e th a t sh e l ik e d ve r y m uc h.
The y wi ll m is s h er as muc h as she wil l m is s t he m . Th e se no rt h er n o ff i ce rs ma y n ot be s o p l e a sa n t .
Dea r Mr s Be nn et, I'm sure our you nges t d au gh t er wi ll fi n d fr i en ds as si ll y a s s he in N e wc a s t le .
She h as a t al ent for maki ng a spe ctac l e of h e rs e lf w h er e ve r s he g o es .
If th ey a re t o l eave Brig hton , th ey s h ou ld c o me to H e rt f or ds h ir e a nd re si d e i n th e n ei g hb o u r ho o d .
Ha ye P ar k mi ght do, if t he G ould ings wo ul d q ui t i t.
O r th e gr ea t h ouse at S toke , if the dr aw in g -r o om s w er e l ar g er .
- O r Pu rv is Lo dge. - Oh , no dea r, n o t Pu rv i s L od ge !
T he a tt ic s are drea dful !
M rs B en ne t, be fore you take any , or al l of th e se h o us e s, l e t us co m e to a r ig ht un de r st a n d in g .
I nt o on e ho use in t he n eigh bour hood th ey s h al l " ne v er " h av e a dm i tt a nc e.
Mr a nd M rs Wi ckham wi ll n ever be w el co me to Lo ng b ou r n.
L or d! I t se ems an a ge s ince we were at L on g bo u rn . H er e y ou al l a re , j us t t h e sa m e!

M y de ar , de ar Lydia , at las t!
O h, I d o be lie ve yo u've gro wn! Oh, h ow w e h av e m is s ed yo u.
W e' ve b ee n far too merr y to mis s an y o f yo u !
H er e we a re ! H aven' t I caug ht m ysel f a h an d so m e hu s ba n d?
I nd ee d yo u hav e, my lov e! Y ou a re v e ry w el c om e , si r .
Y ou a re a ll go odnes s an d ki ndne ss, m a' am , a s a lw ay s .
O h, l et m e giv e you a k iss, the n!
W el l, s ha ll we go i n?
N o, J an e. I ta ke yo ur p lace now .
Y ou m us t go lo wer, beca use I am a m a rr ie d w om a n!
" Mr s Wi ck ha m"!
L or d, h ow d rol l tha t so unds !
H ow d o yo u lik e my husb and, Liz zy? I b el ie v e y ou e n vy me . W as h e n o t a f av o ur it e o f y ou r s on c e ?
N ot a t al l.
A p it y we d idn 't al l go to Brig hton . I c ou l d h av e g ot hu sb a nd s f or al l m y s is te r s!
T ha nk y ou , but I do n't part icul arly li ke y o ur wa y o f g et ti n g hu s ba n ds .
I sn 't m y hu sba nd a fine hor sema n?
C ol on el F or ste r sai d he has as good a se at as an y o ff i ce r i n th e r e gi me n t.
I w is he d he co uld w ear his red coat at t he we d di ng , a n d ha v e a g ua r d of ho n ou r,
b ut t he o ff ice rs co uld not be s pare d f ro m d ut y .
T he re w as n o o ne th ere but my a unt a nd u nc l e a nd M r D a rc y.
M r Da rc y?
- M r Da rc y was at y our wedd ing? - O h , ye s. So m eo ne ha d t o b e gr o om s ma n.
I h ad m uc h rat her i t ha d be en D enny or o ne of ou r f ri e nd s. . . Oh , L o rd !
O h, L or d, I fo rgot.
I w as n' t to sa y a w ord! And I p romi s ed t he m s o f ai t hf u ll y.
W ha t' ll W ic kha m say now ?
I t wa s su pp ose d to be a sec ret!
My d ea r Au nt, pray wri te a nd l et m e un de r st a nd h o w h e sh o ul d h av e b ee n t h er e.
Un le ss y ou , t oo, a re b ound in the s ec re cy w h ic h L yd i a se e ms t o t h in k n ec e ss ar y .
My d ea r ni ece , I m ust conf ess myse l f s ur p ri s ed b y y o ur l e tt er .
If y ou a re in igno ranc e of the par t t ha t M r D ar cy p l ay ed in b r in g in g a bo u t th e m ar r ia g e ,
le t me e nl igh ten y ou a t on ce. Mr D ar cy p a id us a n u n ex pe c te d v is i t. ..
.. . an d so , m y dea r Li zzy, Mr Dar c y wo ul d b r oo k n o o pp os i ti on .
He i ns is te d o n doi ng e very thin g hi m se lf a nd be ar i ng th e e nt ir e ty of t h e e xp en s e.
No th in g wa s t o be done th at h e di d n ot d o h i ms el f .
Yo ur u nc le , i nstea d of bei ng a llow e d to b e o f u se t o h is ni ec e , h ad t o a c ce pt ha vi n g t h e c r e di t o f i t .
I m us t be a llo wed t o in sist on this .
T he f au lt i s m ine, and so m ust the r em ed y b e.
I t wa s th ro ugh my m ista ken prid e th a t Mr W i ck h am 's ch a ra ct e r ha s n o t be e n m ad e k no wn .
H ad I n ot t hou ght i t be neat h me to l ay m y p ri v at e a ct i on s o pe n,
h is c ha ra ct er would hav e be en e xpos e d.
M r Da rc y, I re ally beli eve you take to o mu c h u po n y ou r se lf .
I m us t in si st on th is, sir. I a ssur e y ou t h at in t h is ma tt e r, a r gu m en t i s f ru it l es s.
T he r es po ns ibi lity is m ine. I m ust h av e it , s i r. I sh a ll n o t gi v e w ay .
M y de ar s is ter !
- I 'm a fr ai d I 'm in terr upti ng y our s ol it ar y r e ve ri e . - Y ou ar e, in d ee d.
B ut i t do es n't foll ow t hat the inte r ru pt io n m u st b e u n we lc o me .
I s ho ul d be so rry i f it wer e. Y ou a n d I we r e a lw ay s g o od f r ie nd s .
T ru e.
T he n sh al l we take a tu rn t oget her, si st er ?
I w as s ur pr ise d to see Darc y in tow n l as t m on t h.
W e pa ss ed e ach othe r se vera l ti mes.
I w on de r wh at he co uld be d oing the r e.
P er ha ps p re par ing f or t he w eddi ng.. . w it h M is s d e B ou r gh .
Y es . Ye s, p erh aps.
M us t ha ve b een some thin g pa rtic ular , t o ta k e h im t h er e t hi s t im e o f y ea r .
U nd ou bt ed ly .
D id y ou s ee hi m whi le y ou w ere at L a mb to n? I u nd er s to o d fr o m th e G a rd in e rs th at yo u h ad .
Y es . He i nt rod uced us t o hi s si ster .
- D id y ou l ike her? - Y es, very muc h i nd ee d .
W el l, I h av e h eard that she is unco m mo nl y i mp r ov ed wi t hi n t hi s l as t y ea r o r t wo .
W he n I la st sa w her , sh e wa s no t ve r y pr om i si n g.
I 'm g la d yo u l iked her. I h ope she' l l tu rn ou t w el l .
I d ar e sa y she will . Sh e ha s go t ov e r th e m os t t ry i ng ag e.
- D id y ou g o b y Kym pton ? - I do n't r ec ol le c t. . .
I m en ti on i t b ecaus e it was the liv i ng I s h ou l d ha v e h ad .
H ow s ho ul d you have lik ed m akin g se r mo ns ?
E xc ee di ng ly we ll.
I d id h ea r tha t the re w as a tim e wh e n se rm o n m ak in g w a s no t s o p al a ta bl e t o y ou as a t p r e s en t .
T ha t yo u ac tua lly d ecla red your res o lu ti on of ne ve r t a ki ng or de r s a nd w e re co mp e ns at e d a c c or d i ng l y .
W el l.
O h co me , Mr Wi ckham , we are bro ther an d si s te r , yo u k n ow .
L et u s no t qua rrel abou t th e pa st.
- O h, L yd ia , w hen s hall we meet aga i n? - N o t t he se tw o o r t hr ee ye a rs , p er h ap s.
N ot t he se t wo or th ree year s. O h, w h at s ha l l I d o?
A nd M r Be nn et is so cru el a s to ref u se t o t ak e u s i nt o t he No rt h C o un tr y !
- I s ho ul d ref use t o go in any case . - H ol d y o ur t o ng u e, g i rl !
O h, L yd ia ! You will wri te t o me oft e n, w on ' t y ou ?
I d on 't k no w. We ma rrie d wo men don' t h av e m uc h t im e f o r wr i ti ng .
M y si st er s may writ e to me. The y wi l l ha ve no t hi ng be t te r t o do .
- O h, L yd ia ! M r Wic kham , ta ke c are o f my g i rl ! - I sh a ll , m a' am , t o t he ve r y be s t of my a b il i t y.

A nd t ha nk y ou, ma'a m, a nd t o yo u, s i r, f or yo u r co n ti n ue d k in dn e ss an d h os p it al i ty .
A nd t o yo u, my dear sis ters -in- law. An d no w a s d ea r t o m e a s si s te r s ev e r c ou ld be .
B ut , th e ca rri age a wait s. D uty and h on ou r c al l m e t o t he N o rt h. So , c om e , m y de a r!
L et u s sa y not fare well , bu t as the Fr en ch ha v e it : A u re v oi r!
H e' s as f in e a fell ow a s ev er I saw !
H e si mp er s and smir ks, and make s lo v e to u s a l l.
I a m pr od ig iou sly p roud of him. I d e fy e ve n S i r Wi l li a m Lu c as t o p r od uc e s u ch a so n- i n- l a w .
Si st er ! Si ste r! H ave you hear d th e n ew s?
Mr B in gl ey is comi ng b ack to N ethe r fi el d, a n d th e w h ol e t ow n i s t al ki n g a bo ut it !
I d o as su re yo u, th is n ews does not af fe ct me , t ru l y, Li zz y .
I a m gl ad o f o ne th ing. Tha t he doe s n' t br i ng an y l ad i es .
I f it i s me rel y a s hoot ing part y, w e s ha ll no t s ee hi m o ft e n.
N ot t ha t I am afrai d of mys elf. .. b u t I dr e ad ot he r p e op le ' s re m ar k s, L i zz y .
T he n I sh al l v entur e no ne.. . ho weve r s or el y I am t e mp t ed .
I t is h ar d tha t the man can 't c ome t o a ho u se he 's le g al ly re nt e d, wi th o ut ra is i ng a l l t h i s s p ec u l a t io n .
T ha t is j us t w hat I thi nk.
- T he n we s hal l lea ve h im t o hi msel f . - Ye s .
S to p it , Li zzy .
T hr ee d ay s he has b een in t he n eigh b ou rh oo d , a nd s t il l h e s hu ns us !
I s ay i t' s all your fat her' s fa ult! He w ou l d n ot d o h i s du t y an d c a ll ,
s o yo u sh al l d ie ol d ma ids, and we s ha ll b e t u rn ed ou t b y t he C o ll i ns es to st ar v e in th e h ed g e ro w s !
Y ou p ro mi se d l ast y ear that if I we n t to s e e h im , h e' d m ar r y on e o f m y d au g ht er s ,
b ut i t al l cam e to noth ing. I w on't be s en t o n a f o ol ' s er r an d a ga i n!
M am ma ! Ma mm a, look! I t hink he is c o mi ng !
I s it r ea ll y h im? I bel ieve it must be !
H e is c om e, Ja ne! H e is com e at las t .
- P ut o n yo ur blue gown . No , st ay w h er e yo u a r e! - Wh o 's w i th h i m?
I d on 't k no w, dear. Som e ac quai ntan c e, I s u pp o se !
I t lo ok s li ke that man who used to b e wi th hi m b ef o re . M r. . . Yo u k n ow , t ha t t al l p ro u d o n e .
M r Da rc y!
I b el ie ve i t i s.
W el l, a ny f rie nd of Mr Bing ley' s wi l l al wa y s b e we l co m e he r e, t o b e s ur e .
B ut I m us t say I ha te t he s ight of h im ! Bu t I am d e te r mi ne d t o b e c iv il .
I f on ly b ec aus e the man is a fr iend of B in g le y 's , b ut no m o re t h an ci vi l . S it u p s tr a ig h t , J a n e!
P ul l yo ur s hou lders bac k.
A m an c ou ld go a lo ng w ay w itho ut s e ei ng a fi g ur e l ik e y ou r s, i f y o u' d m ak e t he mo st of i t .
M r Bi ng le y and Mr D arcy , ma 'am.
- M r Bi ng le y, you a re v ery, ver y we l co me . - H o w do yo u d o, Mr s B en n et . I .. .
I t' s fa r to o l ong s ince you wer e he r e, a nd ve r y ki n d o f yo u t o c al l .
M r Be nn et , of cours e, w ould hav e pa i d hi s a dd r es se s b e fo re th is , w e re i t n o t. ..
W el l, h er e you are! I a m de ligh ted!
A nd M r Da rc y, you a re w elco me, too.
W e be ga n to be afra id y ou w ould nev e r co me ba c k.
P eo pl e di d say , you mea nt t o qu it t h e pl ac e b y M ic h ae l ma s, bu t I h o pe t h at is n o t tr u e.
R in g th e be ll for t ea, Kitt y.
A g re at m an y c hange s ha ve t aken pla c e si nc e y o u we n t a wa y.
M is s Lu ca s is marri ed. And one of m y o wn d a ug h te rs !
- Y ou 'v e he ard of i t or rea d it in t he p ap e rs ? - Y e s, in de e d. ..
I t wa s no t put in p rope rly. It only sa id : " La t el y, Ge o rg e W ic kh a m, Es q. To Mi ss Ly di a B e n n et " ,
w it ho ut a s yll able said abo ut w ho h e r fa th e r w as , o r w he re sh e l iv e d!
N ow t he y ar e g one t o Ne wcas tle, and th er e t he y a re to st ay . I d o n' t k no w h o w lo n g.
I e xp ec t yo u'v e hea rd h e's gone int o t he r e gu l ar s.
T ha nk H ea ve n h e has som e fr iend s, t h ou gh p e rh a ps n o t a s ma n y as he de se r ve s !
D o yo u me an to stay lon g in the nei g hb ou rh o od on t h is vi si t ?
O ur p la ns a re not y et f irml y se ttle d ,
b ut I h op e, I hope we s hall sta y so m e we ek s .
I h op e ve ry mu ch we sha ll s tay a fe w w ee ks .
- A t th e ve ry least . - When you 've k il le d y ou r o wn bi r ds ,
I b eg y ou w oul d com e he re a nd s hoot as m an y a s y ou pl e as e o n Mr Be n ne t' s m a no r.
I 'm s ur e he 'll be h appy to obli ge y o u!
I s up po se y ou may b ring you r fr iend s , if y o u w il l.
N ow t ha t th is first mee ting is over , I f ee l a t e as e .
G oo d!
N ow I k no w my own s tren gth, and I s h al l ne v er ag ai n b e e mb a rr as s ed by h i s c om in g .
W e sh al l be ab le to mee t no w as ... c om mo n a nd in di f fe r en t a cq ua i nt a nc es .
Y es , ve ry i ndi ffere nt! Jane , ta ke c a re .
D on 't t hi nk me to b e in any dan ger n ow , Li z zy .
I t hi nk y ou ar e in very gre at d ange r o f ma k in g h im as mu ch in l o ve wi th yo u a s e ve r.
Y ou t el l me no w tha t sh e wa s in Lon d on a ll th o se m o nt h s? A n d yo u c o nc ea l ed it f r om m e ?
Y es . I ca n off er no jus tifi cati on.
I t wa s an a rro gant pres umpt ion, bas e d on a fa i lu re to re co g ni se yo u r tr u e f ee li n gs a n d M i s s B e nn e t ' s .
I s ho ul d ne ver have int erfe red. It w as w ro n g o f me , B i ng le y , an d I ap ol o gi s e.
- Y ou a dm it th at yo u we re i n th e wr o ng ? - U tt e rl y a nd co mp l et el y .
T he n. .. I h ave you bles sing ?
D o yo u ne ed my bles sing ?
N o. B ut I s hou ld li ke t o kn ow I hav e i t al l t h e sa m e.
T he n go t o it.
B ri ng m e my ho rse a t on ce. Quic k, m a n!
J an e!
J an e! O h, m y d ear J ane!
- M am ma , wh at' s the mat ter? - H e is co me !
- W ho i s co me? - Mr Bin gley , of cou r se !

M ak e ha st e, ma ke ha ste, hur ry d own! Oh , gr a ci o us , y ou ar e n ot h a lf dr es s ed !
H il l! H il l!
O h, w he re i s H ill?
N ev er m in d, Sa rah. You must com e to Mi ss B e nn e t th i s m om en t !
- C om e al on g a nd he lp h er o n wi th h e r go wn ! - Ma mm a ! M am ma !
W he re i s my ne w loc ket that Lyd ia b r ou gh t m e? Ma ry , h a ve y o u se e n i t?
I s ho ul dn 't kn ow it if I sa w it . I c ar e no t hi n g fo r s u ch b a ub le s .
O h, n ev er m ind your loc ket, gir l! J a ne , st i r y ou rs e lf . H e i s he r e, he i s h e re !
W e wi ll b e dow n as soon as we c an. L et K it t y g o do w n, sh e i s fo r wa r de r.
H an g Ki tt y! Wh at ha s sh e to do with it ? Ja n e, be q u ic k !
W he re i s yo ur musli n dr ess?
H il l! H il l! Wh ere i s Hi ll?
- S o Mr D ar cy is go ne t o to wn? - Ye s , ma 'a m . H e le f t q ui te ea rl y t h is m o rn i ng .
W ha t' s th e mat ter, mamm a?
W hy d o yo u kee p win king at me?
- W ha t am I to do? - Wi nk a t yo u? W h y sh ou l d I w in k a t y ou , c hi l d?
W ha t a no ti on! Why shou ld I be wink i ng a t m y o wn d a ug h te r, pr ay ?
B ut n ow y ou as k, it put s me in mind . I d o h av e s om e th i ng I wo ul d s p ea k t o y ou a b ou t.
C om e, c om e wit h me.
A nd y ou , Ma ry. Come !
M is s El iz ab eth ...
Y ou 'r e ne ed ed upsta irs.
P le as e le t me go to Jan e. I pro mise d I w ou l d s ta y w it h h er .
S ta y wh er e you are. Fiv e mo re m inut e s wi ll do th e t ri c k.
- O h, I a m so sorry . - No. No, don' t g o, L i zz y .
W el l?
O h, L iz zy !
I 'm s o ha pp y! It is too muc h!
I t is t oo m uch ! Why can 't e very one b e as h a pp y a s I a m ?
H e lo ve s me , L izzy. He love s me !
O f co ur se h e d oes!
H e to ld m e he loved me all the time . H e di d n' t b el i ev e .. .
I m us t te ll ma mma. He i s go ne t o pa p a al re a dy !
O h, L iz zy , cou ld yo u be liev e th ings wo ul d e nd in t h is ha pp y w ay ?
- I c ou ld , and I do ! - I mu st g o to my m ot h er .
O h, L iz zy !
T o kn ow I s hal l be givi ng s uch plea s ur e to al l m y d ea r f am i ly !
H ow s ha ll I be ar so muc h ha ppin ess?
C om e ba ck t omo rrow, sir , if you can be ar t o . C om e a nd sh oo t w it h m e , if yo u w il l .
T he re a re f ew men w hose soc iety I c a n to le r at e w el l . I b el i ev e y ou ma y b e o ne o f t he m .
- T ha nk y ou , s ir. I sha ll b e ve ry h a pp y to . - Ve ry we l l, v e ry w e ll . G et al o ng w i th y o u.
T il l to mo rr ow, then !
J an e, c on gr atu latio ns. You will be a v er y h ap p y wo m an .
T ha nk y ou , fat her.
- I b el ie ve I shall . - Well , we ll, y ou 'r e a g o od g i rl .
I 'v e no d ou bt you'l l do ver y we ll t o ge th er .
Y ou 'r e ea ch of you so c ompl ying tha t n ot hi n g w il l e ve r b e r es ol v ed on .
- P ap a! - S o e asy t hat ever y se rvan t w il l c he a t yo u !
- N o, i nd ee d! - So gene rous tha t yo u w il l e xc e ed y o ur in co m e.
E xc ee d th ei r i ncome ! Wh at a re y ou t a lk in g a bo u t? D o n' t y ou kn ow th a t he ha s a y e ar ? !
O h, m y de ar , d ear J ane! I a m so hap p y!
O h, I k ne w how it w ould be! I w as s u re y ou co u ld n o t b e so be au t if u l fo r n o th in g .
H e is t he h and somes t ma n th at w as e v er s ee n !
O h, L iz zy . If only I co uld see you a s ha pp y .
I f th er e we re only such ano ther man fo r yo u .
I f yo u we re to give me fort y su ch m e n. ..
. .. I co ul d nev er be as happ y as you .
T il l I ha ve yo ur go odne ss, I ca n ne v er h av e y o ur h a pp i ne ss .
B ut .. . pe rh aps if I hav e ve ry g ood l uc k,
I m ay i n ti me meet with ano ther Mr C ol li ns !
M am ma , Li zz y, come and look ! Th e mo s t en or m ou s c ar r ia g e ha s a rr i ve d .
W ha t an e xt rem ely s mall hal l!
I f yo u' ll w ait here , yo ur l adys hip, I' ll t e ll my m i st r es s y ou 'r e h e re .
N o, I w il l not wait !
W he re i s sh e? Is th is t he d rawi ng-r o om ?
L ad y Ca th er ine de B ourg h.
T ha t la dy , I s uppos e, i s yo ur m othe r .
Y es , sh e is . M amma, thi s is Lad y Ca t he ri ne de Bo ur g h.
A nd t ha t, I su ppose , is one of your si st er s .
Y es , ma 'a m. Sh e is my y oung est girl bu t on e . M y yo u ng e st o f a ll is la te l y m ar ri e d.
Y ou h av e a ver y sma ll p ark here .
A nd t hi s mu st be a most inc onve nien t s it ti n g- r oo m f or th e e ve ni n g i n su m me r .
W hy , th e wi ndo ws ar e fu ll w est.
I nd ee d, t he y a re, y our lady ship , bu t w e ne v er si t i n h er e a ft er di n ne r.
- W e ha ve .. . - Miss Ben net.
T he re s ee me d t o be a pr etty ish kind of l it t le wi ld e rn e ss o n o ne si d e of yo u r la w n.
I s ho ul d be gl ad to tak e a turn in i t. .. i f y o u wo u ld fa vo u r me wi t h yo u r c om pa n y.
Y ou c an b e at no lo ss t o un ders tand th e re a so n f or my jo ur n ey , M is s B en n et .
Y ou a re m is tak en, m adam . I' m qu ite u na bl e t o a cc ou n t f or t h e ho n ou r o f s ee i ng y o u he r e.
M is s Be nn et , y ou ou ght to k now I am no t to be tr if l ed wi th .
B ut h ow ev er in since re y ou c hoos e to be , yo u s h al l n ot fi nd me s o .
A r ep or t of an alar ming nat ure reac h ed m e t wo da ys ag o .

I w as t ol d, no t onl y th at y our sist e r wa s t o b e mo s t a dv an t ag eo u sl y m ar r ie d ,
b ut t ha t yo u, Miss Eliz abet h Be nnet , w ou ld be so on af t er wa r ds u n it e d to my ne ph e w Mr Da r c y !
T ho ug h I kn ow it mu st b e a scan dalo u s fa ls e ho o d,
I i ns ta nt ly re solve d on set ting off fo r th i s p la ce , t o m ak e m y s en t im en t s k no wn to y o u.
I f yo u be li eve d it to b e im poss ible , I w on d er wh at yo u r la d ys hi p w o ul d p ro p os e b y co m in g h er e ?
A t on ce t o ins ist u pon havi ng s uch a r ep or t u n iv er s al l y co n tr ad i ct e d!
Y ou r co mi ng to Long bour n wi ll b e ta k en a s a c o nf ir m at i on o f i t, if su ch a r ep or t e xi s ts .
T hi s is n ot to be b orne . Mi ss B enne t , I in s is t o n b ei n g sa t is fi e d!
- H as m y ne phe w mad e yo u an off er o f m ar ri a ge ? - Y o ur la dy s hi p d ec l ar ed it to b e i mp o ss i b l e.
I t ou gh t to be so, but your art s an d a ll ur e me n ts
m ay h av e ma de him f orge t wh at h e ow e s to h i ms e lf a n d t he f a mi ly .
- Y ou m ay h ave draw n hi m in ! - If I ha d, I sh o ul d b e t he l a st t o c o nf es s i t .
M is s Be nn et , d o you kno w wh o I am?
I h av e no t bee n acc usto med to s uch l an gu ag e a s t hi s .
I a m al mo st th e nea rest rel atio n he ha s, a n d I a m e nt i tl ed to k n ow al l h is ne ar e st c o nc e r n s.
B ut n ot t o kno w min e, n or w ill such be ha vi o ur as t h is in du c e me to be e x pl i ci t.
L et m e be r igh tly u nder stoo d.
T hi s ma tc h, to whic h yo u ha ve t he p r es um pt i on to a s pi r e, c a n ne v er ta ke pl a ce .
M r Da rc y is en gaged to "my" dau ghte r . No w, wh a t ha v e y ou t o s ay ?
O nl y th is : Tha t if he i s so , yo u ca n h av e n o r ea so n t o s up p os e h e' l l ma k e a n of f er t o m e .
T he e ng ag em ent betw een them is of a pe cu li a r k in d.
F ro m th ei r inf ancy they hav e be en i n te nd ed fo r e ac h o t he r.
I t wa s th e fav ourit e wi sh o f hi s mo t he r as we l l as he r s.
W hi le s he w as in he r cr adle , we pla n ne d th e u n io n.
A nd n ow t o be preve nted by the upst a rt p re t en s io ns of a yo u ng w o ma n w it h ou t f am i ly ,
c on ne ct io ns or fort une? Is this to b e en du r ed ? I t s ha l l no t b e!
Y ou r al li an ce would be a di sgra ce!
Y ou r na me w oul d nev er e ven be m enti o ne d by an y o f u s.
T he se w ou ld be heav y mi sfor tune s, i n de ed .
O bs ti na te , hea dstro ng g irl! I a m as h am ed o f y o u.
I h av e no t bee n in the habi t of bro o ki ng d i sa p po in t me n t!
T ha t wi ll m ake your lad yshi p's situ a ti on a t p r es en t m o re p i ti ab l e, bu t i t w il l h av e n o e f f ec t on m e .
I w il l no t be inter rupt ed!
I f yo u we re se nsibl e, y ou w ould not wi sh t o q u it t h e s ph er e i n w hi c h yo u h a ve b e en b r ou g h t u p !
L ad y Ca th er ine , in marr ying you r ne p he w I s ho u ld n o t c on si d er m y se l f as qu i tt in g t ha t s p h e re .
H e' s a ge nt lem an, I 'm a gen tlem an's da ug ht e r. So f a r w e ar e e qu a l.
B ut w ho w as yo ur mo ther ? Yo ur u ncle s a nd a u nt s ? Do no t i ma g in e m e i gn or a nt of t h ei r c on d i t io n .
I f yo ur n ep hew does not obj ect to m y c on ne c ti o ns , t he y c an be n o th i ng t o y o u.
T el l me o nc e a nd fo r al l, a re y ou e n ga ge d t o h im ?
I a m no t.
A nd w il l yo u p romis e me nev er t o en t er i nt o s u ch a n e n ga ge m en t?
I w il l ma ke no prom ise of t he k ind, an d I b eg yo u n ot to i m po rt u ne me a n y f ur th e r on th e s ub j e ct .
N ot s o ha st y, if yo u pl ease ! I have an ot he r o b je ct i on .
Y ou r yo un ge st siste r's infa mous elo p em en t. I k no w i t a ll !
I s su ch a g irl to b e my nep hew' s si s te r- in - la w ?
A re t he s ha des of P embe rley to be t h us p ol l ut e d?
Y ou c an h av e n othin g fu rthe r to say .
Y ou h av e in sul ted m e by eve ry p ossi b le m et h od . I m u st be g t o re t ur n t o t he ho us e .
Y ou h av e no re gard then , fo r th e ho n ou r an d c r ed it of my n e ph ew ?
U nf ee li ng , sel fish girl !
Y ou r ef us e to oblig e me ?
Y ou r ef us e the clai ms o f du ty, hono u r, g ra t it u de ?
Y ou a re d et erm ined to r uin him, and ma ke h i m t he c o nt e mp t o f th e w o rl d!
I a m on ly r eso lved to a ct i n a mann e r wh ic h w i ll c o ns t it ut e m y o wn ha pp i ne s s,
w it ho ut r ef ere nce t o yo u, o r to any pe rs on so wh ol l y u nc on n ec te d w i th m e .
A nd t hi s is yo ur fi nal reso lve?
V er y we ll . I s hall know how to act!
I t ak e no l eav e of you, Mis s Be nnet .
I s en d no c omp limen ts t o yo ur m othe r . Yo u d es e rv e n o s uc h a tt en t io n .
I a m mo st s eri ously dis plea sed. Dri v e on !
L iz zy , Li zz y! I was goi ng t o lo ok f o r yo u. Co m e in t o m y ro o m.
I r ec ei ve d a l etter thi s mo rnin g, w h ic h ha s a s to ni s he d m e e xc ee d in g ly .
- F ro m Mr C oll ins. - Wh at c an h e ha v e to s a y?
H e be gi ns w ith cong ratu lati ons on t h e ap pr o ac h in g n up t ia ls of m y e l de st da u gh te r ,
b ut I s ha n' t s port with you r in tell i ge nc e b y r ea di n g h is r e ma rk s o n t ha t t o pi c.
A h, y es . He re, here , he re.
" Yo ur d au gh ter Eliz abet h, i t is pre s um ed , w il l n ot lo n g be a r th e n a me o f B e nn et ,
a ft er h er e lde r sis ter has resi gned it , an d t h e ch o se n p ar t ne r o f h er f a te
m ay b e re as ona bly l ooke d up to as o n e of t h e m os t i ll u st ri o us p e rs o na ge s i n t he la nd . "
C an y ou g ue ss who h e me ans, Liz zy? N ow i t c om e s ou t .
" My m ot iv e for caut ioni ng y ou i s as fo ll ow s :
H is a un t, L ady Cath erin e de Bou rgh, do es n o t l oo k o n t he m a tc h w it h a f r ie n dl y e ye ."
M r Da rc y, y ou see, is t he m an. Mr D a rc y of al l m en !
W ho n ev er l ook s at a wo man exce pt t o s ee a bl e mi sh ! A r e yo u n ot di v er te d ?
Y es .
M r Da rc y, w ho proba bly neve r lo oked at y ou in hi s l if e b ef o re !
T hi s is a dm ira ble! But Lizz y, y ou l o ok a s i f y ou d i dn ' t en j oy i t .
Y ou 'r e no t goi ng to be "Mis sish " no w , an d p re t en d t o b e af f ro nt e d b y an id l e re p or t?
O h, n o, I a m e xcess ivel y di vert ed. I t' s al l s o s tr a ng e .
W ha t sa id L ady Cath erin e de Bou rgh? I su pp o se sh e c am e t o r ef us e h e r co n se n t?
W ha t do w e liv e for , bu t to mak e sp o rt f or ou r n ei g hb o ur s a nd l a ug h a t t he m i n o ur t u rn ?
T ru e, t ru e.
M r Bi ng le y and Mr D arcy , ma 'am.
- G oo d da y to you! - Mr Bin gley .
T hi s is a f ine day. Sho uld we p erha p s al l w al k t o M er y to n?
L iz zy !
D o yo u mi nd if I ru n to cal l on Mar i a Lu ca s ?
N o, n ot a t all .
M r Da rc y.
I c an g o no lo nger with out than king yo u fo r y o ur k i nd n es s t o my po o r si s te r .
E ve r si nc e I h ave k nown of it, I've be en m o st an xi o us to t e ll y o u h ow g r at e fu l I a m,
f or m y fa mi ly and f or m ysel f.
Y ou m us t no t b lame my a unt for tell i ng m e. Ly d ia b e tr a ye d i t fi r st ,
a nd t he n I cou ldn't res t ti ll I kne w e ve ry t hi n g.
I k no w wh at tr ouble and wha t mo rtif i ca ti on it mu st ha v e co s t yo u .
P le as e le t me say t his, ple ase allo w m e to th a nk y o u,
o n be ha lf o f a ll my fam ily, sin ce t h ey d on ' t k no w t o w ho m t he y a re in de b te d .
I f yo u wi ll th ank m e, l et i t be for yo ur se l f a lo ne .
Y ou r fa mi ly ow es me not hing . As muc h a s I r es p ec t t he m , I b el ie v e I t ho u gh t o nl y o f y ou .
Y ou 'r e to o gen erous to trif le w ith m e. I f y ou r f ee l in g s ar e w ha t t h ey w e re la st Ap ri l , t e l l m e s o .
M y af fe ct io ns and w ishe s ar e un chan g ed .
B ut o ne w or d f rom y ou w ill sile nce m e on t h is su bj e ct fo re v er .
O h, m y fe el ing s...
M y fe el in gs ar e...
I a m as ha me d t o rem embe r wh at I sai d t he n.
M y fe el in gs ar e so diff eren t.
I n fa ct , th ey are q uite the opp osit e .
L ad y Ca th er ine told me of h er m eeti n g wi th yo u .
I m ay s ay t hat her disc losu re h ad q u it e th e o p po si t e e ff ec t t o t he on e s he ha d i nt en d ed .
I t ta ug ht m e t o hop e, t hat I ha d sc a rc el y e ve r a ll o we d m ys e lf t o h o pe b e fo r e.
H ad y ou a bs olu tely deci ded agai nst m e, y ou wo u ld h a ve ac kn o wl ed g ed it o p en l y.
Y es , yo u kn ow enoug h of my fran knes s t o be l ie v e me ca p ab le of t h at !
A ft er a bu si ng you s o to you r fa ce, I c ou ld ha v e no sc r up le in a b us i ng y o u t o al l y ou r r e l a ti o n s.
W ha t di d yo u s ay of me that I d id n o t de se r ve ?
M y be ha vi ou r a t the tim e wa s un pard o na bl e. I c an h a rd l y th i nk o f i t w it h ou t a bh o rr en c e.
Y ou r re pr oo f I shal l ne ver forg et.
" Ha d yo u be hav ed in a m ore gent lema n -l ik e m an n er ."
- H ow t ho se wo rds h ave tort ured me! - I ha d n o i de a o f t he i r be i ng ta ke n s u ch a wa y.
I c an e as il y b eliev e it . Yo u th ough t m e de v oi d o f e ve r y pr o pe r f ee l in g, I a m su r e.
T he t ur n of yo ur co unte nanc e I shal l n ev er fo r ge t.
Y ou s ai d I cou ld no t ha ve a ddre ssed yo u in an y w ay th a t wo u ld h a ve in du c ed yo u t o ac c ep t m e.
D o no t re pe at what I sa id t hen!
N o, I h av e bee n a s elfi sh b eing all my l if e .
A s a ch il d I w as gi ven good pri ncip l es , bu t w a s le f t t o fo l lo w t he m i n p ri d e an d c on c ei t .
A nd s uc h I mig ht st ill have bee n, b u t fo r y ou .
D ea re st , lo vel iest Eliz abet h!
E ng ag ed t o Mr Darcy !
N o, y ou a re jo king. It is i mpos sibl e !
T hi s is a w ret ched begi nnin g! I f yo u d on 't be l ie ve me , I 'm su re no on e e ls e w il l .
I nd ee d, I a m i n ear nest . He sti ll l o ve s me , a n d we ar e e ng a ge d.
I t ca n' t be tr ue. I kno w ho w mu ch y o u di sl i ke hi m!
N o, i t is a ll forgo tten ! Pe rhap s I d id n' t a lw a ys l o ve hi m a s we l l a s I d o n ow .
B ut .. . in s uch case s as the se a goo d m em or y i s u np a rd o na bl e .
D ea re st L iz zy, do b e se riou s.
- H ow l on g hav e you lov ed h im? - It ' s be en co m in g o n s o gr a du al l y, I ha r dl y k no w .
B ut I b el ie ve I mus t da te i t fr om m y f ir st se e in g h is be au t if ul gr o un ds at Pe mb e rl ey !
L iz zy !
A re y ou o ut of your sen ses to b e ac c ep ti ng th i s ma n , L iz zy ?
H av e yo u no t a lways hat ed h im?
- P ap a. .. - I' ve gi ven him my c onse n t.
H e' s th e ki nd of ma n, i ndee d, t o wh o m I sh o ul d n ev e r d ar e r ef us e a n yt hi n g.
B ut l et m e adv ise y ou t o th ink the b et te r o f i t. I kn o w yo u r di s po s it io n , L iz zy .
M y ch il d, l et me no t ha ve t he g rief of s ee i ng yo u u na b le t o r es p ec t y ou r p a rt ne r i n l if e .
H e is r ic h, bu t wil l he mak e yo u ha p py ?
H av e yo u ob jec tions apa rt f rom your be li ef in my i n di f fe re n ce ?
N on e wh at ev er. We a ll k now him to b e a p ro u d, un pl e as a nt s o rt o f m a n,
b ut t hi s wo uld be n othi ng i f yo u re a ll y li k ed hi m.
I d o. I d o lik e him .
I l ov e hi m.
I nd ee d, h e has no i mpro per prid e. H e i s pe r fe c tl y a mi a bl e.
I f yo u on ly kn ew hi s ge nero us n atur e .
I d id n' t al way s lov e hi m,
b ut I l ov e him now so v ery dear ly.
H e is t ru ly th e bes t ma n I have eve r k no wn .
W el l, m y de ar, if t his be t he c ase, he d es e rv e s yo u .
I c ou ld n ot ha ve pa rted wit h yo u to an yo ne le s s wo r th y , Li z zy .
D ea rl y be lo ved , we are gath ered her e i n th e s i gh t o f G od , a nd i n t h e fa c e o f th i s co n gr e g a ti o n ,
t o jo in t og eth er th is m an a nd t his w om an .. .
. .. an d th is ma n and thi s wo man
i n ho ly m at rim ony, whic h is an hono u ra bl e e st a te ,
i ns ti tu te d by God i n th e ti me o f ma n 's i nn o ce n cy ,
s ig ni fy in g unt o us the myst ical uni o n th at is be tw e en Ch ri s t an d H i s ch u rc h ,
a nd t he re fo re is no t by any to be e n te rp ri s ed li gh t ly , o r w an to n ly ,
t o sa ti sf y man 's ca rnal lus ts a nd a p pe ti te s ,

b ut r ev er en tly , dis cree tly, adv ised l y, s ob e rl y ,
a nd i n th e fea r of God, dul y co nsid e ri ng t h e c au se s f o r wh i ch m a tr i mo ny wa s o rd a in ed .
F ir st , it w as ordai ned for the proc r ea ti on of ch il d re n .
Se co nd ly , as a rem edy agai nst sin,
an d to a vo id forni cati on.
Th ir dl y,
f or t he m ut ual soci ety, hel p an d co m fo rt t h at th e o ne ou gh t t o h av e o f t he ot he r ,
b ot h in p ro spe rity and adve rsit y,
i nt o wh ic h hol y est ate thes e pe rson s p re se n t c om e n ow to b e j oi n ed .
T hr ee d au gh ter s mar ried !
- O h, M r Be nne t, Go d ha s be en v ery g oo d to us ! - Y e s, so i t w ou l d s ee m.
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Pride And Prejudice Script - transcript from the screenplay and/or Jane Austen movie starring Colin Firth

and Jennifer Ehle 10/6/10 3:11 PM

Pride And Prejudice Script - Dialogue Transcript

Pride And Prejudice Script

- I a m no t eng aged, sir . - Good .

N o, n or I ! You see, Mr Darc y, " we" a re n ot af r ai d o f y ou .

- M r Da rc y loo ks at you a g reat dea l . - I c an ' t th i nk wh y!

- M is s Be nn et. - Mr Dar cy.

M is s Be nn et wi ll re ceiv e ev ery poss i bl e at t en t io n, I a ss ur e y ou .

alw ay s ga ve m e m uch u neas ines s, a nd s i nc e I h av e h ad th e m is f or tu n e t o lo s e h im .. . "

- H e' s ha nd som e! - He m ight be if h e w er e i n r eg im e nt a ls .

A nd m y si tu ati on, y ou k now, is not s o ba d. At pr es e nt I ha v e ev e ry ca us e f o r ch e er !

A h, y ou l oo k v ery w ell, Liz zy!

T he p er fo rm anc e sho uld refl ect no c r ed it o n e i th er of us .

p er ha ps i t wou ld be adv isab le f or m e t o st a te my r e as o ns f o r ma r ry i ng .

- I w on de r, sh ould I in vite him to d in e wi t h u s? - Ay e , do ! D o! Ta k e hi m a w ay a n d fe e d h i m .

But f at e, i t wou ld se em.. .

W e ar e bi dd en to th e Ph ilip s' t his e ve ni ng . I ha ve no de si r e to be go in g h e re a n d th e re a t n i g ht .

I h ea rd y ou we re go ing into Ken t. I fe lt I co u ld n o t l et y o u go wi t ho ut ca l li ng to s e e y o u o n c e.

S he 'l l ma ke hi m a p rope r wi fe.

I s ha ll b e qui te al l ri ght. It' s on l y a he a da c he . I t w il l p as s, an d m or e s p ee di l y in qu i e t a n d s o l i t ud e .

wh ic h we re t his even ing so d isgu stin g t o yo u .

F or d es tr oy ing all her hope of happ i ne ss ? Y es , I 'm su r e yo u d o n ot bl am e y o ur se l f. H a te f u l m a n !

- O ur h ea rt s a re br oken ! - And papa re fu se s t o t ak e u s t o B ri gh t on .

W el l, L iz zy , w hat d o yo u th ink now a bo ut t h is sa d b us i ne ss of J a ne ' s?

P er ha ps a " ver y" li ttle .

H ow v er y il l E liza Benn et l ooke d th i s ev en i ng !

H av e Mr a nd Mr s Gar dine r fe tche d he r e at o n ce .

Y es , ye s, t hat is i t! Y ou m ust find th em o u t, an d i f t he y b e no t m a rr ie d , y ou m u st m a ke t h em m ar r y .

A ll I k no w is that now he, or a ny o t he r re s pe c ta bl e m a n, w i ll w a nt no th i ng to d o w it h a n y of u s.

O h, J an e, J ane , wha t is to beco me o f u s?

L or d! I t se ems an a ge s ince we were at L on g bo u rn . H er e y ou al l a re , j us t t h e sa m e!

- O h, L yd ia ! M r Wic kham , ta ke c are o f my g i rl ! - I sh a ll , m a' am , t o t he ve r y be s t of my a b il i t y.

- W ho i s co me? - Mr Bin gley , of cou r se !

A r ep or t of an alar ming nat ure reac h ed m e t wo da ys ag o .

t o sa ti sf y man 's ca rnal lus ts a nd a p pe ti te s ,

Special help by SergeiK

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