Pride & Prejudice Page #3

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as unstudied an air as possible.

Oh, believe me, no one would suspect

your manners to be rehearsed.

After dinner, I thought

I might read to you for an hour or two.

I have with me Fordyce's Sermons

which speak very eloquently

on all matters moral.

Are you familiar with Fordyce's Sermons,

Miss Bennet?

Mrs Bennet, I have been bestowed by the

good grace of Lady Catherine de Bourgh

a parsonage of no mean size.

I have become aware of the fact.

It is my avowed hope

that soon I may find a mistress for it.

And I have to inform you

that the eldest Miss Bennet

has captured my special attention.

Oh, Mr Collins.

Unfortunately, it is incumbent upon me

to hint that the eldest Miss Bennet

is very soon to be engaged.

Engaged.

But Miss Lizzie,

next to her in age and beauty,

would make anyone an excellent partner.

Do not you agree? Mr Collins?

Indeed. Indeed.

A very agreeable alternative.

Mr Collins is a man who

makes you despair at the entire sex.

- Yours, I believe.

- Oh, Mr Wickham, how perfect you are.

He picked up my handkerchief.

Did you drop yours on purpose?

Mr Wickham is a lieutenant.

- An enchanted lieutenant.

- What are you up to, Liddy?

- We happened to be looking for ribbon.

- White, for the ball.

Shall we all look

for some ribbon together?

- Good afternoon, Mr James.

- Miss Lydia, Miss Bennet.

I shan't even browse.

I can't be trusted.

I have poor taste in ribbons.

Only a truly confident man

would admit that.

No, it's true.

And buckles.

When it comes to buckles, I'm lost.

- You must be the shame of the regiment.

- The laughing stock.

What do your superiors do with you?

Ignore me. I'm of next to no importance,

so it's easily done.

- Lizzie, lend me some money.

- You already owe me a fortune.

- Allow me to oblige.

- No, Mr Wickham, please...

I insist.

- I pity the French.

- So do I.

- Look, Mr Bingley.

- Mr Bingley!

I was just on my way to your house.

How do you like

my ribbons for your ball?

- Very beautiful.

- She is. Look, she's blooming.

Oh, Lydia.

Be sure to invite Mr Wickham.

He is a credit to his profession.

You can't invite people

to other people's balls.

Of course, you must come, Mr Wickham.

If you'll excuse me,

ladies, enjoy the day.

Do you plan to go

to the Netherfield ball, Mr Wickham?

Perhaps. How long

has Mr Darcy been a guest there?

About a month.

Forgive me, but are you

acquainted with him, with Mr Darcy?

Indeed, I've been connected

with his family since infancy.

You may well be surprised,

given our cold greeting this afternoon.

I hope your plans in favour

of Meryton will not be affected

- by your relations with the gentleman.

- It is not for me to be driven away.

If he wishes to avoid seeing me,

he must go, not I.

I must ask, what is the manner

of your disapproval of Mr Darcy?

My father managed his estate.

We grew up together, Darcy and I.

His father treated me like a second son,

loved me like a son.

We were both with him the day he died.

With his last breath,

his father bequeathed me

the rectory in his estate.

He knew I had my heart set

on joining the Church.

But Darcy ignored his wishes

and gave the living to another man.

- But why?

- Jealousy.

His father...

Well, he loved me better

and Darcy couldn't stand it.

- How cruel.

- So now I'm a poor foot-soldier.

Too lowly even to be noticed.

- Breathe in!

- I can't anymore. You're hurting.

Betsy.

Betsy!

- There must've been a misunderstanding.

- Jane, you never think ill of anybody.

How could Mr Darcy do such a thing?

I will discover the truth

from Mr Bingley this evening.

Let Mr Darcy contradict it himself.

Till he does,

I hope never to encounter him.

Poor, unfortunate, Mr Wickham.

Wickham is twice the man Darcy is.

And, let us hope,

a rather more willing dancer.

There they are, look.

- Oh, yes.

- Billy.

Jane Martin is here.

May I say what an immense pleasure

it is to see you again.

- Mrs Bennet.

- Miss Bingley.

Charming.

I'm so pleased you're here.

So am I.

And how are you? Miss Elizabeth?

Are you looking for someone?

No, not at all, I was just admiring

the general splendour.

- It is breathtaking, Mr Bingley.

- Good.

You might have passed

a few pleasantries with Mr Bingley.

I've never met a

more pleasant gentleman in all my years.

Did you see how he dotes on her?

Dear Jane,

always doing what's best for her family.

- Charlotte!

- Lizzie!

- Have you seen Mr Wickham?

- No. Perhaps he's through here.

Lizzie, Mr Wickham is not here.

Apparently, he's been detained.

Detained where? He must be here.

- There you are.

- Mr Collins.

Perhaps you will do me the honour,

Miss Elizabeth.

Oh, I did not think you danced,

Mr Collins.

I do not think it incompatible

with the office of a clergyman.

Several people, her Ladyship

included, have complimented me

on my lightness of foot.

Apparently, your Mr Wickham has

been called on some business to town.

Dancing is of little consequence

to me, but it does...

...but it does afford

the opportunity to lavish...

...upon one's partner attentions...

- My informer tells me...

...that he would be less inclined

to be engaged, were it not for...

...the presence

of a certain gentleman.

Which is my primary object.

That gentleman barely warrants the name.

It is my intention, if I may be so bold,

to remain close to you

throughout the evening.

May I have the next dance,

Miss Elizabeth?

You may.

- Did I agree to dance with Mr Darcy?

- I dare say you will find him amiable.

It would be most inconvenient since I've

sworn to loathe him for all eternity.

- I love this dance.

- Indeed. Most invigorating.

It is your turn to say something,

Mr Darcy.

I talked about the dance.

Now you ought to remark on the size

of the room or the number of couples.

I'm perfectly happy to oblige.

What would you like most to hear?

That reply will do for present.

Perhaps by and by I may observe

that private balls

are much pleasanter than public ones.

For now, we may remain silent.

Do you talk as a rule while dancing?

No. No, I prefer to be

unsociable and taciturn.

Makes it all so much more enjoyable,

don't you think?

Tell me, do you and your sisters

very often walk to Meryton?

Yes, we often walk to Meryton.

It's a great opportunity

to meet new people.

When you met us, we'd just had the

pleasure of forming a new acquaintance.

Mr Wickham's blessed with such happy

manners, he's sure of making friends.

Whether he's capable

of retaining them is less so.

He's been so unfortunate as to lose

your friendship. That is irreversible?

- It is. Why do you ask such a question?

- To make out your character.

- What have you discovered?

- Very little.

I hear such different accounts

of you as puzzle me exceedingly.

I hope to afford you more clarity

in the future.

- Is that Mr Darcy of Pemberley?

- I believe so.

I must make myself known to him.

He's a nephew of my patroness,

Lady Catherine.

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