Becoming Jane Page #5

of Pemberley Woods.

"The happiness which this reply produced...

"It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed."

- Good morning, sir.

- Good morning?

- Has the world turned topsy?

- Sir?

I trust the countess is enjoying her visit?

- I gather she is, sir. I...

- Fine woman, very fine woman.

Indeed.

- I'd hoped to discuss a certain matter.

- Your allowance is beyond negotiation.

Now that you have had the opportunity

to become acquainted with Miss Austen yourself,

I am sure you will find, as I do,

that she is a remarkable young woman.

- This is an outrage!

- lf you will allow me to speak, sir.

There is no need.

This letter makes it absolutely clear.

Letter?

Now I know what you were at down in Hampshire.

- It is from Steventon.

- Is it true

that you have practiced upon me with this chit?

I wished you to know the young lady.

I wished to introduce her

to your affections discreetly.

Aye! Blind me with the rich widow and then

insinuate that penniless little husband-hunter!

- Moderation, sir, I beg you!

- That ironical little authoress.

I wished you to know her for yourself.

I was certain her merit would speak for her.

- Consider, sir, my happiness is in your hands.

- Happiness?

Damn it, nephew,

I had rather you were a whore-mongering

blackguard with a chance of reform

than a love-sick whelp sunk in a bad marriage.

My uncle has refused to give his consent.

- The letter has done its work.

- Who sent it?

Lady Gresham?

Or her nephew.

They think that they can do what they like

with us, but I will not accept this.

We have no choice.

Of course we do.

I...

I depend entirely upon...

Upon your uncle.

Mmm.

And I depend on you.

So what will you do?

What I must.

I have a duty to my family, Jane.

I must think of them as well as...

Tom...

Is that... Is that all you have to say to me?

Goodbye, Mr Lefroy.

The sentence of this court is that you be taken

to the place whence you came

and thence to a place of execution,

and that you be there hanged by the neck

until you are dead.

May the Lord have mercy on your soul.

Next.

He has behaved so ill to you, Jane.

Perhaps soon we can return home to Steventon.

Is there any news of Robert?

He has arrived in San Domingo at last.

Good.

Good.

Glass of wine with you, sir?

Yes.

Yes, a toast from one member

of the profession to another.

I'm sorry to have been so disobliging in the past.

Mr Wisley?

So, the infamous Mrs Radcliffe.

Was she really as gothic as her novels?

Not in externals,

but her inner landscape is quite picturesque,

I suspect.

True of us all.

There's a message

for Reverend Austen.

- Message for Reverend Austen.

- Thank you.

Uncle?

What is it?

It seemed he died very soon

after landing in San Domingo.

My God, he was hardly there.

What was the disease?

Yellow fever. Lord Craven, he wrote.

He said that if he had known

he was engaged to be married,

he would never have taken him.

Jane, there's something else.

Mr Lefroy, Tom.

What?

I would keep this from you if I could.

He's here visiting Mrs Lefroy and I...

He is engaged.

So soon?

A letter?

No.

It's something I began in London.

It is the tale of a young woman.

Two young women.

Better than their circumstances.

So many are.

And two young gentlemen who receive

much better than their deserts

as so very many do.

Mmm.

How does the story begin?

- Badly.

- And then?

It gets worse.

With, I hope, some humour.

How does it end?

They both make triumphant, happy endings.

Brilliant marriages?

Incandescent marriages

to very rich men.

You asked me a question.

I am ready to give you an answer.

But there is one matter to be settled.

I cannot make you out, Mr Wisley.

At times, you are

the most gentlemanlike man I know

and yet you would...

"Yet". What a sad word.

And yet, you write yourself

most tellingly to great effect.

- I'm speaking, of course, of your letter.

- What letter?

Was your aunt the correspondent on your behalf?

What matter?

One way or another,

passion makes fools of us all.

I hope, in time,

passion may regain your better opinion.

The emotion is absurd.

When you consider

the sex to whom it is often directed,

indistinguishable from folly.

I thank you for the honour of your proposal.

I accept. Good day.

George, George.

Mr Wisley is... He's an honourable man.

You'll always have a place with me.

Miss Austen.

Mr Lefroy.

Sir.

I believe I must congratulate you, Mr Lefroy.

And you've come to visit an old friend

at such a time. How considerate.

I have come

to offer an explanation, belatedly,

for my conduct. I cannot think how to describe it.

Tell me about your lady, Mr Lefroy.

From where does she come?

She's from County Wexford.

Your own country. Excellent.

What was it that won her?

Your manner, smiles and pleasing address?

No, no, not at all.

No, had I really experienced that emotion,

I should, at present, detest the very sight of him.

And you are mistaken.

I'm even impartial towards

the gloriously endowed Miss Wexford...

I cannot do this.

And so you would marry Wisley?

Please?

If there is a shred of truth

or justice inside of you,

- you cannot marry him.

- Oh no, Mr Lefroy.

Justice, by your own admission,

you know little of, truth even less.

Jane, I have tried.

I have tried and I cannot live this lie.

Can you?

Jane, can you?

What value will there be in life

if we are not together?

Run away with me.

An elopement?

That is exactly what I propose.

We'll post to London,

by Friday be in Scotland, and man and wife.

- Leave everything?

- Everything.

It is the only way we can be together.

You'll lose everything.

Family, place. For what?

A lifetime of drudgery on a pittance?

A child every year

and no means to lighten the load?

- How will you write, Jane?

- I do not know.

But happiness is within my grasp

and I cannot help myself.

There is no sense in this.

If you could have your Robert back, even like this,

would you do it?

- Please conceal my departure as long as possible.

- Wait.

Here.

Take these. Now go, quickly.

Come. If we hurry,

we can still make the morning coach.

You are sure?

Be careful.

- Is it coming?

- Not yet.

Take my hand. All right?

Hurry. I can hear it approaching.

Here it is.

Whoa.

Two to London. We'll settle at first rest.

- Yes?

- Right you are, sir.

Hampshire, your home county.

It was.

Stuck. Everybody out,

ladies and gentlemen, please.

- We need to lighten the load.

- No, let me, let me.

I shall require you gentlemen

to give me a hand, put your shoulders into it.

Now, sir, if you can push on the coach itself.

Excuse me, sir. Young gentleman?

- Yes, yes.

- You on the other side, sir, thank you.

- Young gentleman, please come along.

- All right.

Mind helping us? Thank you.

Right, all together now then, sirs, please?

One, two,

and a three and push!

Come on.

"Dear Tom.

"How timely was the arrival

of the money you sent. "

One, two and three!

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