Pride & Prejudice Page #4

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He will consider it an impertinence.

Mr Darcy.

Mr Darcy.

Mr Darcy. Good evening...

What interesting relatives you have.

Mary, dear,

you've delighted us long enough.

Let the other young ladies have a turn.

... since I was a child,

and then she died.

I have a beautiful grey.

Of course, Caroline's

a much better rider than I, of course.

Oh, yes. We fully expect

a most advantageous marriage.

And my Jane, marrying so grand,

must throw her sisters in the way.

Clearly my family are seeing who can

expose themselves to the most ridicule.

- At least Bingley has not noticed.

- No.

- I think he likes her very much.

- But does she like him?

Few of us are secure enough to be

in love without proper encouragement.

Bingley likes her enormously,

but might not do more

if she does not help him on.

She's just shy. If he cannot

perceive her regard, he is a fool.

We are all fools in love.

He does not know

her character as we do.

She should move fast

and snap him up.

There is plenty of time

for us to get to know him afterwards.

I can't help feeling

that someone's going to produce a piglet

and make us chase it.

- Oh, dear!

- I do apologise, sir.

I'm awfully sorry. Do forgive me.

Emily, please!

Mary, my dear Mary.

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

- I've been practising all week.

- I know, my dear.

I hate balls.

Mr Bennet, wake up.

Oh, I've never had such a good time!

Charles, you cannot be serious.

We'll have a wedding here in less than

three months if you ask me, Mr Bennet.

Mr Bennet!

Mary, please.

Thank you, Mr Hill.

Mrs Bennet, I was hoping,

if it would not trouble you,

that I might solicit

a private audience with Miss Elizabeth.

Oh, certainly,

Lizzie would be very happy indeed.

Everyone, out. Mr Collins would like

a private audience with your sister.

Wait, Mr Collins can have nothing

to say to me that anybody need not hear.

I desire you will stay where you are.

Everyone else to the drawing room.

- Mr Bennet.

- But...

Now.

- Jane. Jane, don't... Jane!

- Jane.

Papa, stay.

Dear Miss Elizabeth,

My attentions have been

too marked to be mistaken.

Almost as soon

as I entered the house,

I singled you out

as the companion of my future life.

But before I am run away

with my feelings,

perhaps I may state

my reasons for marrying.

Firstly, that it is

the duty of a clergyman

to set the example

of matrimony in his parish.

Secondly, I am convinced

it will add greatly to my happiness.

And thirdly,

that it is at the urging

of my esteemed patroness,

Lady Catherine,

that I select a wife.

My object in coming to Longbourn

was to choose such a one

from among Mr Bennet's daughters,

for I am to inherit the estate

and such an alliance will surely...

...suit everyone.

And now nothing remains but for me to

assure you in the most animated language

- of the violence of my affections.

- Mr Collins!

And no reproach

on the subject of fortune

- will cross my lips once we're married.

- You forget I have given no answer.

Lady Catherine will

thoroughly approve when I speak to her

of your modesty, economy

and other amiable qualities.

Sir, I am honoured by your proposal,

but I regret that I must decline it.

I know ladies

don't seek to seem too eager...

Mr Collins, I am perfectly serious.

You could not make me happy.

And I'm the last woman

in the world who could make you happy.

I flatter myself that your refusal

is merely a natural delicacy.

Besides, despite manifold attractions,

it is by no means certain another offer

of marriage will ever be made to you.

I must conclude that you simply seek

to increase my love by suspense,

according to the usual practice

of elegant females.

I am not the sort of female

to torment a respectable man.

Please understand me,

I cannot accept you.

Headstrong, foolish child.

Don't worry, Mr Collins. We'll have this

little hiccup dealt with immediately.

Lizzie. Lizzie!

Mr Bennet, we're all in an uproar!

You must come

and make Lizzie marry Mr Collins.

Mr Collins has proposed to Lizzie,

but she vowed she will not have him,

and now the danger is

Mr Collins may not have Lizzie.

- What am I to do?

- Well, come and talk to her.

Now!

- Tell her you insist they marry.

- Papa, please.

You will have this house

and save your sisters from destitution.

- I can't marry him.

- Go and say you've changed your mind.

- Think of your family.

- You cannot make me.

Mr Bennet, say something.

Your mother insists

upon you marrying Mr Collins.

Yes, or I shall never see her again.

From this day onward, you must be

a stranger to one of your parents.

Who will maintain you

when your father is dead?

Your mother will never see you again

if you do not marry Mr Collins,

and I will never see you again

if you do.

Thank you, Papa.

Ungrateful child!

I shall never speak to you again.

Not that I take

much pleasure in talking.

People who suffer as I do

from nervous complaints

can have no pleasure

in talking to anybody.

Jane!

What's the matter? Jane?

I don't understand

what would take him from Netherfield.

Why does he not know when he'll return?

Read it.

"Mr Darcy is impatient to see his sister

and we are scarcely less eager.

I do not think Georgiana Darcy

has her equal for beauty,

elegance and accomplishment.

I hope to call her hereafter my sister."

Is that not clear enough?

Caroline sees her brother

in love with you

and has taken him off

to persuade him otherwise.

But I know her to be incapable

of wilfully deceiving anyone.

- It's more likely he does not love me.

- He loves you. Do not give up.

Go to our aunt and uncle's in London,

let it be known you are there

and I am sure he will come to you.

Give my love to my sister

and try not to be a burden, dear.

Poor Jane.

Still, a girl likes to be

crossed in love now and then.

It gives her something to think of

and a sort of distinction

amongst her companions.

- I'm sure that will cheer her up, Papa.

- It's your turn now, Lizzie.

You've turned down Collins.

You're free to go off

and be jilted yourself.

What about Mr Wickham?

He's a pleasant fellow

and he'd do the job credibly.

- Father...

- And you have an affectionate mother

who would make the most of it.

- Charlotte!

- My dear Lizzie.

I've come her to tell you the news.

Mr Collins and I are... engaged.

- Engaged?

- Yes.

- To be married?

- What other kind of engaged is there?

For heaven's sake, Lizzie,

don't look at me like that.

I should be

as happy with him as any other.

- But he's ridiculous.

- Oh, hush.

Not all of us can afford to be romantic.

I've been offered

a comfortable home and protection.

There's a lot to be thankful for.

I'm 27 years old.

I've no money and no prospects.

I'm already a burden to my parents.

And I'm frightened.

So dont judge me, Lizzie.

Don't you dare judge me.

Dear Charlotte,

thank you for your letter.

I'm glad the house,

furniture and roads are to your taste,

and that Lady Catherine's behaviour

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