Pride & Prejudice Page #5

---

is friendly and obliging.

What with your departure,

Jane's to London

and the militia to the North

with the colourful Mr Wickham,

I must confess, the view

from where I sit has been rather grey.

As for the favour you ask,

it is no favour at all.

I would be happy to visit you

at your earliest convenience.

Welcome to our humble abode.

My wife encourages me to spend time

in the garden for my health.

I think our guest is tired

after her journey.

I plan many improvements. I intend to

throw out a bough and plant a lime walk.

I flatter myself

that any young lady would be happy

to be the mistress of such a house.

We shan't be disturbed here.

This parlour is for

my own particular use.

Oh, Lizzie, it's such a pleasure

to run my own home.

- Charlotte, come here!

- What's happened?

Has the pig escaped again?

Oh, it's Lady Catherine.

Come and see, Lizzie.

Great news.

We received an invitation to Rosings

from Lady Catherine.

How wonderful!

Do not make yourself uneasy

about your apparel.

Just put on the best you've brought.

Lady Catherine's never been averse

to the truly humble.

One of the most extraordinary

sights in all of Europe.

The glazing alone

costs upwards of 20,000.

Come along. Come along.

A little later we'll play cards.

Your Ladyship.

Miss de Bourgh.

- So, you are Elizabeth Bennet?

- I am, your Ladyship.

This is my daughter.

- It's kind of you to ask us to dine.

- The rug alone cost upwards of 300.

Mr Darcy.

What are you doing here?

Mr Darcy,

I had no idea we had the honour.

- Miss Elizabeth, I'm a guest here.

- You know my nephew?

I had the pleasure

of meeting your nephew in Hertfordshire.

Colonel Fitzwilliam. How do you do?

Mr Collins, you can't sit

next to your wife. Move. Over there.

Harvey, I wonder,

could you get me the fish course...

I trust your family is in good health,

Miss Elizabeth?

They are, thank you.

My eldest sister is in London.

Perhaps you saw her there.

I haven't been fortunate enough...

Do you play the pianoforte,

Miss Bennet?

- A little, ma'am, and very poorly.

- Do you draw?

No, not at all.

Your sisters, do they draw?

Not one.

That's very strange.

I suppose you had no opportunity.

Your mother should've taken you to town

for the benefit of the masters.

My mother wouldn't have minded,

but my father hates town.

- Has your governess left you?

- We never had a governess.

No governess? Five daughters

brought up at home without a governess?

I never heard such a thing. Your mother

must've been a slave to your education.

Not at all, Lady Catherine.

Your younger sisters,

are they out in society?

- Yes, ma'am, all.

- All?

What, all five out at once?

That's very odd.

And you second. The younger ones

out before the elders are married?

Your youngest sisters

must be very young.

Yes, my youngest is not 16.

But it would be hard on younger sisters

not to have their amusement

because the elder is still unmarried.

It would hardly encourage

sisterly affection.

Upon my word, you give your opinion

very decidedly for so young a person.

Pray, what is your age?

With three younger sisters grown up,

you can hardly expect me to own to it.

Come, Miss Bennet, and play for us.

- No, I beg you.

- For music is my delight.

In fact,

there are few people in England

who have more true enjoyment of music.

Or better natural taste.

If I had ever learnt,

I should've been a great proficient.

So would Anne,

if her health would've allowed her.

I'm not afflicted with false

modesty, when I say I play poorly...

Come, Lizzie, her Ladyship demands it.

How does Georgiana get along, Darcy?

- She plays very well.

- I hope she practises.

No excellence can be acquired

without constant practice.

I've told Mrs Collins this.

Though you have no instrument,

you're welcome to come to Rosings

and play on the pianoforte

in the housekeeper's room.

You'll be in nobody's way

in that part of the house.

You mean to frighten me

by coming in all your state to hear me.

But I won't be alarmed,

even if your sister does play so well.

I know that I cannot alarm you

even should I wish it.

What was my friend like

in Hertfordshire?

You really care to know?

Prepare yourself

for something very dreadful.

The first time I saw him,

he danced with nobody,

though gentlemen were scarce

and there was more than

one lady without a partner.

- I knew nobody beyond my own party.

- Nobody can be introduced at a ball.

Fitzwilliam, I need you.

I do not have the talent

of conversing easily

with people I have never met before.

Perhaps you should take

your aunt's advice and practise.

Dear Jane...

Mr Darcy.

Please, do be seated.

Mr and Mrs Collins

have gone to the village.

This is a charming house.

I believe my aunt did a great deal

to it when Mr Collins first arrived.

I believe so.

She could not have bestowed

her kindness on a more grateful subject.

- Shall I call for some tea?

- No, thank you.

Good day, Miss Elizabeth,

it's been a pleasure.

What on earth have you done

to poor Mr Darcy?

I have no idea.

Every mind must have some counsellor

to whom it may apply

for consolation in distress.

There are many conveniences which

others can supply and we cannot procure.

I have in view those objects

which are only

to be obtained through intercourse...

Forgive me, through the intercourse

of friendship or civility.

On such occasions, the proud man steps

forth to meet you not with cordiality,

but with the suspicion of one

who reconnoitres an enemy...

- How long do you plan to stay?

- As long as Darcy chooses.

- I am at his disposal.

- Everyone appears to be.

I wonder he does not marry and secure

a lasting convenience of that kind.

- She would be a lucky woman.

- Really?

Darcy is a most loyal companion.

He recently came to the

rescue of one of his friends.

What happened?

He saved him

from an imprudent marriage.

Who's the man?

His closest friend, Charles Bingley.

Did Mr Darcy give a reason

for this interference?

There were apparently

strong objections to the lady.

What kind of objections?

Her lack of fortune?

I think it was her family

that was considered unsuitable.

- So he separated them?

- I believe so. I know nothing else.

Miss Elizabeth.

I have struggled in vain

and can bear it no longer.

These past months have been a torment.

I came to Rosings only to see you.

I have fought against

judgement, my family's expectation,

the inferiority of your birth,

my rank.

I will put them aside

and ask you to end my agony.

- I don't understand.

- I love you.

Most ardently.

Please do me the honour

of accepting my hand.

Sir, I appreciate the struggle

you have been through,

and I am very sorry

to have caused you pain.

It was unconsciously done.

- Is this your reply?

- Yes, sir.

- Are you laughing at me?

- No.

Are you rejecting me?

I'm sure the feelings which hindered

your regard will help you overcome it.

Might I ask why with so little civility

Rate this script:4.5 / 2 votes