Becoming Jane Page #2

"Nevertheless, she was..."

And may I introduce my young nephew

Mr Thomas Lefroy?

Oh.

And he's more than welcome.

Join us, sir, join us.

Green velvet coat. Vastly fashionable.

You'll find this vastly amusing.

"His addresses were...

"The boundaries of propriety

were vigorously assaulted,

"as was only right, but not quite breached,

as was also right.

"Nevertheless, she was not pleased.

"Her taste was refined, her sentiments noble,

her person lovely, her figure elegant."

Good God, there's writing

on both sides of those pages.

Shh. Damn it, man.

"'It was only yesterday I repelled Lord Graham

and his six million,

"'which would have lasted me

almost a twelvemonth,

"'with economies... '

"'... a treasure

"'greater than all the jewels in India,

an adoring heart.'"

God!

"'A nd pray, madam,

what am I to expect in return? '

"'Expect? Well, you may expect

to have me pleased from time to time.'"

Is this who I am?

"And a sweet, gentle, pleading, innocent,

"delicate, sympathetic, loyal, untutored,

adoring female heart."

The end.

- Bravo, Jane.

Well done, Jane.

Bravo.

Well done.

She speaks so well.

Well, excessively charming, I thought.

Well, accomplished enough, perhaps,

but a metropolitan mind may be

less susceptible to extended, juvenile self-regard.

Well, thank you.

We're both very proud.

# In airy dreams

#... absent love to see

# Dear you, oh, to think

# On thee #

Careful there, old fellow.

Fine piece, Mr Lefroy.

Handled a gun before, have you, Tom?

Mmm.

- Tom!

Jesus!

- Tom.

- Uncle?

Why not try a walk?

There's some very fine country round about.

Very fine.

A walk.

Miss!

Miss! Miss!

Miss! Miss, I...

Miss?

Miss?

- Miss...

- Austen.

Mr Lefroy.

Yes, I know, but I am alone.

- Except for me.

- Exactly.

Oh, come!

What rules of conduct apply

in this rural situation?

We have been introduced, have we not?

What value is there in an introduction

when you cannot even remember my name?

Indeed, can barely stay awake in my presence.

Madam.

These scruples must seem very provincial

to a gentleman with such elevated airs,

but I do not devise these rules.

I am merely obliged to obey them.

I have been told

there is much to see upon a walk

but all I've detected so far is a general

tendency to green above and brown below.

Yes, well, others have detected more.

It is celebrated.

- There's even a book about Selborne Wood.

- Oh.

A novel, perhaps?

Novels?

Being poor, insipid things, read by mere women,

even, God forbid, written by mere women?

I see, we're talking of your reading.

As if the writing of women did not display

the greatest powers of mind,

knowledge of human nature,

the liveliest effusions of wit and humour

and the best-chosen language imaginable?

- Was I deficient in rapture?

- In consciousness.

It was...

It was accomplished.

It was ironic.

- And you're sure I've not offended you?

- Not at all.

My lords, ladies and gentlemen,

the Grand Vizier's Flight.

- May I have the honour?

- How kind, cousin.

- Miss Austen.

- Mr Wisley.

May I have the pleasure of this next dance?

Oh, no, we're so late.

Take care.

Oh, thank you, Tom.

Hurry.

Lucy.

Oh!

I am mortified.

I practised, but it won't stick.

What a lovely pair they make.

Ah, Sister.

What do you make of Mr Lefroy?

We're honoured by his presence.

You think?

He does, with his preening, prancing,

Irish-cum-Bond-Street airs.

Jane.

Well, I call it very high indeed, refusing

to dance when there are so few gentleman.

- Henry, are all your friends so disagreeable?

- Jane.

Where exactly in Ireland

does he come from, anyway?

Limerick, Miss Austen.

I would regard it as a mark of extreme favour

if you would stoop

to honour me with this next dance.

Being the first to dance with me, madam,

I feel it only fair to inform you

that you carry the standard

for Hampshire hospitality.

Ah, then your country reputation

depends on my report.

This, by the way, is called a country dance,

after the French, contredanse.

Not because it is exhibited

at an uncouth rural assembly

with glutinous pies,

execrable Madeira

and truly anarchic dancing.

You judge the company severely, madam.

- I was describing what you'd be thinking.

- Allow me to think for myself.

Gives me leave to do the same, sir,

and come to a different conclusion.

- Will you give so much to a woman?

- It must depend on the woman

and what she thinks of me.

But you are above being pleased.

And I think that you, miss, what was it?

- Austen. Mr...?

- Lefroy.

I think that you, Miss Austen,

consider yourself a cut above the company.

Me?

You, ma'am,

secretly.

How many times did you stand up

with that gentleman, Jane?

Was it twice?

- Twice would have been partial.

- Thrice would have been absolutely...

Flagrant.

Careful, Jane, Lucy is right.

Mr Lefroy does have a reputation.

Presumably as the most disagreeable...

"...insolent, arrogant, impudent,

"insufferable, impertinent of men."

Too many adjectives.

What is she trying to say?

On your toes, gentlemen. No singles.

Bowler's end, bowler's end.

Again!

Run for more.

I never feel more French

than when I watch cricket.

- Out.

- Not out.

- No?

- No.

Is he out?

I begin to suspect

you're flirting with my brother, cousin.

Flirting is a woman's trade.

One must keep in practice.

You're gone.

Well played, Tom.

We're depending on you.

Oh, it's Mr Warren's... turn.

Best of luck!

John Warren!

Good luck, Mr Warren.

John never was very good, though.

Easy!

Run, Warren, run!

Quickly, hurry!

Run!

Jolly good show!

Watch.

You're out.

- Yah!

You're gone, Mr Warren.

- Oh, dear.

Prodigious, Tom, prodigious.

Thank you, Warren. On your way.

Same again, Tom.

Well done, Mr Warren.

- Bad ball. It's a terrible wicket.

I hope you're not too disappointed, Miss Austen.

Four more to win, Wisley.

Who's next?

Come on!

She can't...

- Jane!

What on earth are you going to do?

Irrepressible.

she can.

Move in!

Go easy, Tom.

Be gentle, Lefroy!

Run, Jane, run!

- Move!

- Run!

Only four more to win.

Bowler's end! Move yourself, you lout!

One more!

Quickly!

Go, go, go!

Not out.

Bad luck, Lefroy.

See?

She was so good.

- You've played this game before?

- No choice, you see. She was raised by brothers.

Time for a swim, I think.

Well played, Henry.

I dedicate our victory to La Comtesse de Feuillide.

- Now, there's a decent bit of river over the hill.

- Oh, yes?

Careful!

Come on, let's go!

Wait!

- Not this time, Lefroy.

- Huh?

You think not?

Down, boy.

- Father, have you seen Tom?

- No, Lucy, I've not.

Besotted. Natural enough at 15.

Love and sense are enemies at any age.

- Mrs Lefroy, may I explore your library?

- Of course.

Lucy would marry him tomorrow,

and what a terrible husband he would make.

I suppose you mean his reputation.

Experience can recommend a man.

- Miss Austen.

- Oh, Mr Lefroy.

- And reading.

- Yes.

I've been looking through your book of the wood.

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