PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Adapted by Christina Calvit
LATW Performance Script 7.9.2012
CHARACTERS (with doubling)
Narrator, Kitty, Mrs. Gardiner
Mrs. Bennet, Lady Catherine
Mr. Bennet, Sir William, Forster, Fitzwilliam, Mr. Gardiner
Lydia, Caroline
Jane, Charlotte
Lizzy
Bingley, Mr. Collins, Mr. Wickham
Mary, Female Guest, Miss De Bourgh, Servant
Darcy
1
(OPENING MUSIC UP AND UNDER.)
NARRATOR
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a
good fortune must be in want of a wife. However little known the feelings of
such a man may be on his first entering a neighborhood, this truth is so well
fixed in the minds of the surrounding families that he is considered as the
rightful property of some one or other of their daughters.
(ENTER MR. AND MRS. BENNET.)
MRS. BENNET
(GREATLY EXCITED.) My dear Mr. Bennet! Have you heard that
Netherfield Park is let at last?
MR. BENNET
I have not.
MRS. BENNET
Do not you want to know who has taken it?
MR. BENNET
You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it.
MRS. BENNET
Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken by
a young man of large fortune and he is to take possession before
Michaelmas.
MR. BENNET
What is his name?
MRS. BENNET
Bingley. What a fine thing for our girls!
MR. BENNET
How so? How can it affect them?
2
MRS. BENNET
My dear Mr. Bennet, how can you be so tiresome! You must know that I am
thinking of his marrying one of them.
MR. BENNET
Is that his design in settling here?
MRS. BENNET
Design! Nonsense! But it is very likely that he may fall in love with one of
them, and therefore you must visit him as soon as he comes.
MR. BENNET
I see no occasion for that. You and the girls may go, or you may send them
by themselves, which perhaps will be still better, for as you are as handsome
as any of them, Mr. Bingley might like you the best of the party.
MRS. BENNET
My dear, you flatter me. I certainly have had my share of beauty, but I do
not pretend to be anything extraordinary now. When a woman has five
grown up daughters, she ought to give over thinking of her own beauty.
MR. BENNET
In such cases, a woman has not often much beauty to think of.
MRS. BENNET
But my dear, you must indeed go and see Mr. Bingley.
MR. BENNET
It is more than I engage for, I assure you.
MRS. BENNET
But consider your daughters. Only think what an establishment it would be
for one of them. Indeed you must go, for it will be impossible for us to visit
him if you do not.
MR. BENNET
You are over scrupulous surely. I dare say Mr. Bingley will be very glad to
see you; and I will send a few lines by you to assure him of my hearty
consent to his marrying whichever he chooses of the girls; though I must
throw in a good word for my little Lizzy.
3
MRS. BENNET
I desire you will do no such thing. Lizzy is not a bit better than the others;
but you are always giving her the preference. You have no compassion on
my poor nerves.
MR. BENNET
You mistake me, my dear. They are my old friends. I have heard you
mention them with consideration these twenty years at least.
(TRANSITIONAL MUSIC UP. EXIT MRS. BENNET, ENTER NARRATOR.)
NARRATOR
Mr. Bennet was, in fact among the earliest of those who waited on Mr.
Bingley. He had always intended to visit him...
MR. BENNET
...though to the last, always assuring his wife that he should not go.
(EXITS.)
MRS. BENNET
(ENTERING WITH ALL FIVE OF HER DAUGHTERS. THEY ARE
PREPARING FOR THE BALL.) Ah, I knew I should persuade him. Your
father loves you girls too well to neglect such an acquaintance! Jane, you
look in rare beauty.
LYDIA
Mrs. Melton told Maria Lucas that Mr. Bingley brings eight ladies to the ball
tonight—Eight ladies! Lord!
JANE
Lydia.
LIZZY
That is a grievous number of ladies, indeed. Mr. Bingley is quite sunk in my
estimation.
4
MRS. BENNET
I beg you will not be so pert, Lizzy! (THE NARRATOR COMES
FORWARD WITH AN OUTRAGEOUS HAIR RIBBON.) Kitty, fix your hair
ribbons.
NARRATOR/KITTY
Yes, Mamma. (NARRATOR RETREATS.)
MRS. BENNET
And Lydia, pull your bodice up, for mercy's sake. Mary. (SHE SIGHS. TO
LYDIA, MORE CHEERFULLY.) Though you are the youngest, Lydia, I
daresay Mr. Bingley will dance with you, too.
LYDIA
I’m not afraid. Kitty and I have been practicing our steps. But listen—
besides eight ladies, my Aunt Phillips said Mr. Bingley is to bring two
gentlemen.
MARY
Far be it from me, sister, to dispute your information—but to my certain
knowledge Mr. Bingley has only six guests. His five sisters and a cousin.
LYDIA
Ten.
MARY
Six.
LYDIA
Ten.
MARY
Six...
(TRANSITION INTO BALL. MUSIC UP AND UNDER, WITH THE SOUND
OF CONVERSATION AND LAUGHTER. ENTER MR. BINGLEY AND
PARTY. )
5
NARRATOR
But when Mr. Bingley's party entered the ballroom, it consisted of only three
altogether.
MARY AND LYDIA
(DISAPPOINTED.) Oh.
NARRATOR
There was Mr. Bingley, good-looking and gentlemanlike; with easy,
unaffected manners. There was his sister—
MISS BINGLEY
Miss Caroline Bingley.
NARRATOR
And there was his friend, Mr. Darcy, who soon drew the attention of the
room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien—and the
report, spread about by Sir William Lucas—
SIR WILLIAM
He has ten thousand a year.
LYDIA
A fine figure of a man.
MRS. BENNET
Much handsomer than Mr. Bingley!
NARRATOR
And he was looked at with great admiration, until—
SIR WILLIAM
Mr. Darcy! Pray, sir—may I introduce you to some of the lovely ladies that
are here among us? There must be some here you would wish to be made
known to.
DARCY
(COLDLY.) None, I thank you. (BEAT.)
6
LYDIA
What a horrid man!
FEMALE GUEST
He has the most forbidding, disagreeable countenance.
SIR WILLIAM
His manners certainly don't compare to Mr. Bingley's.
MRS. BENNET
He is the proudest, most conceited man in the world!
NARRATOR
And everybody hoped he would never come there again.
(BINGLEY MOVES TO DARCY.)
BINGLEY
Come Darcy— I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid
manner. You had much better dance.
DARCY
I certainly shall not. You know how I detest it, unless I am particularly
acquainted with my partner. In such an assembly as this, it would be
insupportable.
BINGLEY
I would not be so fastidious as you are for a kingdom! Upon my honor, I
never met with so many pleasant girls in all my life as I have this evening
and there are several of them you see uncommonly pretty.
DARCY
You were dancing with the only handsome girl in the room.
BINGLEY
Oh! You mean Miss Jane Bennet. She is the most beautiful creature I ever
beheld! But there is one of her sisters sitting down just behind you, Miss
Elizabeth Bennet, who is very pretty. Do let me ask my partner to introduce
you.
7
DARCY
Who do you mean? (BEAT, AS HE LOOKS BACK AT ELIZABETH.) She is
tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me. You had better return to
your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me.
CHARLOTTE
Poor Lizzy. To be only just tolerable. But one cannot wonder that so very
fine a young man with family, fortune, everything in his favor, should think
highly of himself. He has a right to be proud.
LIZZY
That is very true, Charlotte. And I could easily forgive his pride, if he had
not mortified mine.
(MARY, OVERHEARING, JOINS THEM.)
MARY
Pride is a very common failing, I believe. By all that I have ever read, I am
convinced that human nature is particularly prone to it. Pride and vanity are
very different things, however. (CHARLOTTE AND LIZZY EXIT, WITH
MARY FOLLOWING, STILL TALKING.) Pride relates more to our opinion
of ourselves, vanity to what we would have other think of us. Self-esteem,
on the other hand—
NARRATOR
In spite of the shocking rudeness of Mr. Darcy Mrs. Bennet was in
transports. Jane had been much admired by Mr. Bingley.
(JANE AND LIZZY ENTER, IN INTIMATE CONVERSATION.)
JANE
He is just what a young man ought to be...sensible, good humored, lively—
LIZZY
He is also handsome, which a young man ought to likewise to be, if he
possibly can.
8
JANE
I was very flattered by his asking me to dance a second time. I did not expect
such a compliment.
LIZZY
Did not you? I did for you. But that is one great difference between us.
Compliments always take you by surprise, and me never. Well, he is
certainly very agreeable, and I give you leave to like him. You have liked
many a stupider person.
JANE
Dear Lizzy!
LIZZY
Oh! You are a great deal too apt, you know, to like people in general. You
never see a fault in anybody.
JANE
I always speak what I think.
LIZZY
I know you do; and it is that which makes me wonder. With your good
sense, to be so honestly blind to the follies of others! And so, you like Miss
Bingley too, do you? Her manners are not equal to his.
JANE
Certainly not—at first. But she is a very pleasing woman when you converse
with her.
(LIGHTS DOWN ON LIZZY AND JANE. UP ON THE BINGLEY PARTY.)
MISS BINGLEY
What a dull, tedious, insupportable evening that was. And the
conversation...really, there was hardly a person worth speaking to—do you
not agree, Mr. Darcy?
MR. DARCY
There was no one worth speaking to.
9
MR. BINGLEY
Well, I never met with pleasanter people, or prettier girls in all my life.
Come, Darcy. You must admit the elder Miss Bennet to be an angel.
MR. DARCY
She is certainly pretty. But she smiles too much.
MISS BINGLEY
A sweet girl. Though the mother is atrocious. And her uncle is in trade.And
she has another uncle, an attorney, who lives somewhere near Cheapside.
(LAUGHING.) Isn’t that capital!
MR. BINGLEY
If they had uncles to fill all Cheapside, it would not make them one jot less
agreeable.
MR. DARCY
But it would very materially lessen their chance of marrying men of any
consideration in the world.
MR. BINGLEY
Really now—
MISS BINGLEY
Oh, Charles—all are agreed that Miss Jane Bennet is a paragon. Indeed, I
quite look forward to meeting her again. One must entertain oneself
somehow.
(UNDER THIS NEXT, BALLROOM MUSIC UP FOR THE SECOND BALL.
ENTER ALL, WITH BINGLEY AND JANE, IN DEEP CONVERSATION.)
NARRATOR
It was generally evident, whenever Bingley and Jane met, that he did admire
her. And it was equally evident to Elizabeth that Jane was in a way to be
very much in love. It was at the home of Sir William Lucas, where a large
party was assembled, that she related this observation to Charlotte.
10
CHARLOTTE
Bingley likes your sister undoubtedly; but he may never do more than like
her, if she does not help him on.
LIZZY
But Charlotte, she does help him on...as much as her nature will allow. If I
can perceive her regard for him, he must be a simpleton indeed not to
discover it too.
CHARLOTTE
He does not know Jane's disposition as you do.
LIZZY
True. And as yet, she cannot even be certain of the degree of her own regard,
nor of its reasonableness. She has known him only a fortnight.
CHARLOTTE
Well, I wish Jane success with all my heart; and if she were married to him
tomorrow, I should think she had as good a chance of happiness as if she
were to be studying his character for a twelve-month. Happiness in marriage
is entirely a matter of chance, and it is better to know as little as possible of
the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life.
LIZZY
You make me laugh, Charlotte; but it is not sound. You know it is not sound,
and that you would never act this way yourself.
NARRATOR
Occupied in observing Mr. Bingley's attention to her sister, Elizabeth was
far from suspecting that she was herself becoming an object of some interest
in the eyes of his friend. Mr. Darcy had at first scarcely allowed her to be
pretty; and when next they met—
DARCY
He looked at her only to criticize.
NARRATOR
But no sooner had he made it clear to himself and his friends that she had
hardly a good feature in her face—
11
DARCY
Than he began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the
beautiful expression in her dark eyes.
SIR WILLIAM
Ah, Mr. Darcy! You are most welcome sir, to my humble abode. There is
nothing like dancing after all. I consider it as one of the first refinements of
polished societies.
DARCY
Certainly, Sir William; and it has the advantage also of being in vogue
amongst the less polished societies of the world. Every savage can dance.
SIR WILLIAM
But Miss Eliza—why are not you dancing? Mr. Darcy, you must allow me to
present this young lady to you as a very desirable partner.
LIZZY
Indeed sir, I have not the least intention of dancing. I entreat you not to
suppose that I moved this way in order to beg for a partner.
DARCY
I would be most obliged if you would honor me, Miss Elizabeth.
LIZZY
Truly sir, I do not mean to dance.
SIR WILLIAM
You excel so much in the dance, Miss Eliza, that it is cruel to deny me the
happiness of seeing you; and though this gentleman dislikes the amusement
in general, he can have no objection, I am sure, to oblige us for one half
hour?
LIZZY
Mr. Darcy is all politeness.
12
SIR WILLIAM
He is indeed—but considering the inducement, we cannot wonder at his
complaisance; for who would object to such a partner. Miss Eliza? (LIZZY
WALKS AWAY.) Humph. Well. Excuse me, sir.
(MISS BINGLEY APPROACHES MR. DARCY.)
MISS BINGLEY
I can guess the subject of your reverie, Mr. Darcy.
DARCY
I should imagine not.
MISS BINGLEY
You are considering how insupportable it would be to pass
many evenings in this manner—in such society.
DARCY
My mind was more agreeably engaged, Miss Bingley. I have been
meditating on the great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a
pretty woman can bestow.
MISS BINGLEY
And what lady has the credit of inspiring such reflections?
DARCY
Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
MISS BINGLEY
Miss Elizabeth Bennet! I am all astonishment. How long has she been such
a favorite. And pray—when am I to wish you joy? Oh! You will have a
charming mother-in-law, indeed.
(SHE PASSES JANE A LETTER AS SHE STARTS TO EXIT. MUSIC OUT.
MRS.BENNET FOLLOWS JANE CLOSELY.)
MRS. BENNET
Well, Jane, who is that letter from! What does Mr. Bingley say??
13
JANE
It is from Miss Bingley. She says—
MISS BINGLEY
(SHE POSES AND RECITES.) —my dear friend: if you are not so
compassionate as to dine to-day with me, I shall be in danger of falling into
a complete decline. My brother and Mr. Darcy are away, visiting the
officers.
LYDIA
Visiting the officers!
NARRATOR
The militia regiment was a recent arrival in the neighborhood and was to
remain in Meryton the whole winter.
LYDIA
Oh, I do hope we will see Captain Carter today!
MR. BENNET
Lydia, from all that I can collect by your manner of talking, you must be the
silliest girl in the country. I have long since suspected it, but now I am
convinced.
JANE
Father, can I have the carriage?
MRS. BENNET
No Jane, you had better go on horseback, because it seems likely to rain, and
then you must stay the night.
LIZZY
That would be a good scheme, if you were sure that they would not offer to
send her home.
MRS. BENNET
Ah, but the gentlemen will have Mr. Bingley's carriage to go to town.
14
JANE
I had much rather go in the coach.
MRS. BENNET
But, my dear, your father cannot spare the horses, I am sure. They are
wanted in the farm, Mr. Bennet, are not they? (MR. BENNET GESTURES
RESIGNEDLY.)
NARRATOR
Jane was therefore obliged to go on horseback—
MRS. BENNET
We will hope for rain!
NARRATOR
Mrs. Bennet’s hopes were soon answered; Jane had not been gone long
before it...(SFX - THUNDER, THEN RAIN.) ...rained hard.
MRS. BENNET
This was a lucky idea of mine, indeed.
NARRATOR
Til the next morning’s post, however, she was not aware of all the felicity of
her arrangement. (SHE HANDS A LETTER TO ELIZABETH, WHO READS
IT.)
JANE
(SNEEZING.) My dearest mamma and papa. I am very unwell which I
suppose is to be imputed to my getting wet through yesterday. My kind
friends will not hear of me leaving until I am better.
MR. BENNET
Well, Mrs. Bennet. If your daughter should have a dangerous fit of illness, if
she should die, it would be a comfort to know that it was all in pursuit of Mr.
Bingley and under your orders.
MRS. BENNET
People do not die of little trifling colds. As long as she stays there, it is all
very well.
15
LIZZY
I am sure she is very ill or she would have come home. I must see her.
MRS. BENNET
Lizzy, the horses are at the farm.
LIZZY
Then I will walk to Netherfield.
MRS. BENNET
Walk! Through three miles of mud?! You will not be fit to be seen when you
get there!
LIZZY
I shall be very fit to see Jane—which is all I want.
(BENNETS EXIT. MUSIC UP AS LIZZY ENERGETICALLY MAKES HER
WAY TO NETHERFIELD, WHERE MISS BINGLEY, DARCY AND
BINGLEY ARE GATHERED.)
MR. BINGLEY
Miss Elizabeth. You are welcome to Netherfield.
MISS BINGLEY
How kind of you to attend your dear sister! And to come all this way. In
such dirt.
LIZZY
It is nothing, I assure you. How is Jane?
BINGLEY
Miss Bennet slept ill last night, I am afraid. She is very feverish and not well
enough to leave her room.
LIZZY
Then, with your permission, I will go to her. (EXIT LIZZY.)
16
MISS BINGLEY
Really, she looked almost wild. Her hair so untidy, so blowsy! And her
petticoat. Six inches deep in mud, I am absolutely certain.
BINGLEY
I thought Miss Elizabeth Bennet looked remarkably well when she came into
the room.
MISS BINGLEY
I am afraid, Mr. Darcy, that this adventure has rather affected your
admiration of her fine eyes.
DARCY
Not at all. They were brightened by the exercise.
(FOCUS TO LIZZY AND JANE. MISS BINGLEY JOINS THEM.)
NARRATOR
Elizabeth would not quit her sister at all, but late in the afternoon she felt she
should go, and very unwillingly said so. Miss Bingley was quite
disconsolate.
CAROLINE
(CHEERFULLY.) I'm so sorry you can't stay longer—would you like to take
our carriage?
JANE
(TO LIZZY.) You must leave, I know...but I have felt so much more
recovered with you here, I don’t know how it is…Miss Bingley, I pray you
forgive me.
LIZZY
Jane, hush. You must lie quietly.
MISS BINGLEY
Oh dear. It quite torments me to see you in such distress, dear friend. (TO
LIZZY.) Perhaps you had better stay, Miss Eliza. For the present.
(EXITING.) And when you have made your sister more comfortable, I do
hope you will join us in the drawing room.
17
(TRANSITION, DRAWING ROOM. DARCY, MISS BINGLEY AND MR.
BINGLEY ARE ASSEMBLED. LIZZY ENTERS.)
BINGLEY
Will you play at faro, Miss Bennet?
LIZZY
No, thank you. I shall read, if you don't mind.
MISS BINGLEY
Miss Eliza Bennet despises cards. She is a great reader and has no pleasure
in anything else.
LIZZY
I deserve neither such praise nor such censure. I am not a great reader and I
have pleasure in many things.
BINGLEY
In nursing your sister I am sure you have pleasure, and I hope it will soon be
increased by seeing her quite well.
MISS BINGLEY
(TO DARCY.) Is Miss Darcy grown since spring? Will she be as tall as I am?
DARCY
I think she will. She is now about Miss Elizabeth Bennet's height, or rather
taller.
MISS BINGLEY
How I long to see her again. Such a countenance, such manners! And so
extremely accomplished for her age!
BINGLEY
It is amazing to me how young ladies can all be so very accomplished.
MISS BINGLEY
All young ladies accomplished? My dear Charles, what do you mean?
18
BINGLEY
They all paint tables, cover screens and net purses. I am sure I never hear a
young lady spoken of for the first time without being informed that she is
very accomplished.
DARCY
I cannot boast of knowing more than half a dozen, in the whole range of my
acquaintance, that are really accomplished.
MISS BINGLEY
Nor I, I am sure.
LIZZY
Then you must comprehend a great deal in your idea of an accomplished
woman.
DARCY
I do.
MISS BINGLEY
Oh, certainly! A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music,
singing, drawing, dancing, all the modern languages, to deserve the word—
DARCY
And to all this she must add something more substantial, in the improvement
of her mind by extensive reading.
LIZZY
I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished women. I
rather wonder now at your knowing any.
MISS BINGLEY
Bye the bye, Charles, are you really serious in meditating a dance at
Netherfield? I am much mistaken if there are not some among us now to
whom a ball would be rather a punishment than a pleasure.
BINGLEY
If you mean Darcy—he may go to bed, if he chooses. But as for the ball, it is
quite a settled thing.
19
MISS BINGLEY
I should like balls infinitely better if they were carried on in a different
manner. It would surely be more rational if conversation instead of dancing
made the order of the day.
BINGLEY
Much more rational, my dear Caroline, but it would not be near so much like
a ball.
MISS BINGLEY
Miss Eliza Bennet, let me persuade you to follow my example and take a
turn about the room. I assure you it is very refreshing after sitting so long in
one attitude.
LIZZY
Thank you. (THEY WALK, MR. DARCY WATCHES.)
MISS BINGLEY
Mr. Darcy, will you join us?
MR. DARCY
I can imagine only two motives for your choosing to walk together, and with
either of those motives my joining you would interfere.
MISS BINGLEY
What can he mean? I am dying to know his meaning. Do you understand
him?
LIZZY
No. But depend upon it, he means to be severe on us, and our surest way of
disappointing him will be to ask nothing about it.
MISS BINGLEY
Mr. Darcy, explain!
NARRATOR
(DRILY.) Miss Bingley was incapable of disappointing Mr. Darcy in
anything.
20
MR. DARCY
You either choose this method of passing the evening because you have
secret affairs to discuss, or because you are conscious that your figures
appear to the greatest advantage in walking. If the first, I should be
completely in your way; and if the second, I can admire you much better as I
sit here.
MISS BINGLEY
Oh! Shocking! How shall we punish him for such a speech?
LIZZY
Nothing so easy, if you have but the inclination. Tease him—laugh at him.
Intimate as you are, you must know how it is to be done.
MISS BINGLEY
But upon my honor, I do not. Tease calmness of temper and presence of
mind? And as to laughter, we must not attempt to laugh without a subject.
LIZZY
Mr. Darcy is not to be laughed at! That is an uncommon advantage, and
uncommon I hope it will continue. I dearly love a laugh.
DARCY
Miss Bingley has given me credit for more than can be. The wisest and best
of men may be rendered ridiculous by a person whose first object in life is a
joke.
LIZZY
I hope I never ridicule what is wise or good. Follies and nonsense do divert
me, I own and I laugh at them whenever I can. But these, I suppose, are
precisely what you are without.
DARCY
Perhaps that is not possible for anyone. But it has been the study of my life
to avoid those weaknesses which often expose a strong understanding to
ridicule.
21
LIZZY
Such as vanity and pride?
DARCY
Yes, vanity is a weakness indeed. But pride, where there is a real superiority
of mind, pride will be always under good regulation.
MISS BINGLEY
Your examination of Mr. Darcy is over, I presume. And pray what is the
result?
LIZZY
I am perfectly convinced by it that Mr. Darcy has no defect. He owns it
himself.
DARCY
No, I have made no such pretension. I have faults enough. My temper would
perhaps be called resentful. My good opinion once lost is lost forever.
LIZZY
That is a failing indeed! Implacable resentment is a shade on a character. But
you have chosen your fault well. I really cannot laugh at it. You are safe
from me.
DARCY
There is, I believe, in every disposition a tendency to some particular evil
which not even the best education can overcome.
LIZZY
And your defect is a propensity to hate everybody.
DARCY
And yours is willfully to misunderstand them.
MISS BINGLEY
Do let us have a little music.
(MUSIC UP. TRANSITION, CONTINUING UNDER.)
22
NARRATOR
Elizabeth and Jane stayed four days, until Jane was feeling completely
recovered, at which time, Elizabeth wrote her mother to beg that the carriage
might bad. (ENTER MRS. BENNET.) But Mrs. Bennet’s answer was not
propitious.
MRS. BENNET
They must remain at Netherfield until the following Tuesday, which will
exactly finish Jane's week!
LIZZY
Against staying longer, however, Elizabeth was positively resolved, so she
urged Jane to borrow Mr. Bingley's carriage immediately.
MISS BINGLEY
Miss Bingley was happy to comply. (EXITS.)
(MUSIC ENDS, JANE AND LIZZY MOVE TO MEET THE FAMILY.)
MR. BENNET
I hope, my dear, that you have ordered a good dinner today, because I have
reason to expect an addition to our family party.
MRS. BENNET
What do you mean, my dear? I know of nobody coming—
MR. BENNET
The person of whom I speak is a gentleman and a stranger.
MRS. BENNET
A gentleman and a stranger! It is Mr. Bingley, I am sure! Why, Jane - you
never dropped a hint of this, you sly thing!
MR. BENNET
It is not Mr. Bingley. It is a person whom I never saw in the whole course of
my life.
(GENERAL ASTONISHMENT FROM THE GIRLS AND MRS. BENNET.)
23
MR. BENNET
Not too long ago, I received this letter. It is from my cousin, Mr. Collins,
who, when I am dead, may turn you all out of this house as soon as he
pleases.
MRS. BENNET
Oh! Pray do not talk of that odious man. It is the hardest thing in the world
that your estate must be willed away from your own children; and I am sure
if I had been you, I should have tried long ago to do something about it.
MR. BENNET
It certainly is a most iniquitous affair. But Mr. Collins's letter suggests some
peace-making propensities. I propose, Mrs. Bennet, that we receive him with
kindness. (EXITS.)
NARRATOR
Mr. Collins was punctual to his time, and was received with great politeness
by the whole family.
MR. COLLINS
I had heard much of much of your daughters' beauty, Mrs. Bennet, but in
this instance, fame has fallen short of the truth. I have no doubt of your
seeing them all in due time well disposed of in marriage.
NARRATOR/KITTY
How very odd.
MRS. BENNET
Quiet, Kitty. Upstairs girls. (THE GIRLS EXIT.) You are very kind, Mr.
Collins, I am sure; and I wish with all my heart it may prove so; for else they
will be destitute enough. Things are settled so oddly.
MR. COLLINS
You allude perhaps to the entail of this estate?
MRS. BENNET
Ah! Sir, I do indeed.
24
MR. COLLINS
As a clergyman, Mrs. Bennet, and one who has been so fortunate as to be
distinguished by the patronage of the Honorable Lady Catherine de Bourgh,
widow of Sir Lewis De Bourgh, I feel it my duty to promote and establish
the blessing of peace in all families within the reach of my influence. I
therefore flatter myself that the circumstance of my being in line to inherit
the Longbourne estate will be kindly overlooked on your side and not lead
you to reject my proffered olive branch.
MRS. BENNET
(CONFUSED.) To be sure, Mr. Collins.
MR. COLLINS
I am sensible, madam, of the hardship to my fair cousins...but I assure the
young ladies I come prepared to admire them.
MRS. BENNET
(FINALLY GETTING THE HINT.) Ah....
MR. COLLINS
I have a tidy living, a prosperous congregation and—(HERE HE IS
SILENCED FOR A MOMENT BY THE ENORMITY OF HIS FEELINGS.) a
most gracious patroness. Dare I hope, ma'am, that a mistress for my
parsonage might be found here at Longbourn. Miss Jane Bennet, perhaps?
MRS. BENNET
Mr. Collins. My dear Mr. Collins. As to my younger daughters I can not
say—I can not positively answer—but my eldest, my dear Jane—I must
mention, I feel it is incumbent upon me to hint...Jane is likely to be very
soon engaged.
NARRATOR
Mr. Collins had only to change from Jane to Elizabeth.
MR. COLLINS
And it was soon done.
NARRATOR
That day, Lydia wished to walk to Meryton.
25
LYDIA
To enquire after some of her acquaintance there.
NARRATOR
And Mr. Collins kindly agreed to escort them into town.
(OUTDOOR SFX UP AND UNDER.)
MR. COLLINS
What a lovely place is Meryton. Such fine straight roads. Almost as straight
as those on the estate of my esteemed patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
Perhaps I have mentioned her...
LYDIA
Oh, look! It's Colonel Forster. Who is that with him? (CALLING OUT.)
Colonel Forster?
(COLONEL FORSTER AND WICKHAM MOVE FORWARD.)
FORSTER
Ah, the Miss Bennets. Mr. Wickham, let me introduce you to the lovely
Miss Bennets.
JANE
How is it we have never seen you in Meryton before, Mr. Wickham?
WICKHAM
I have just accepted a commission in the corps.
NARRATOR
This was exactly as it should be, for the young man wanted only a uniform
to make him completely charming.
(ENTER DARCY.)
LYDIA
Lizzy, Jane—look over there! It’s that horrid man, Mr. Darcy.
26
NARRATOR
Darcy was beginning to determine not to fix his eyes on Elizabeth when they
were suddenly arrested by the sight of Mr. Wickham.
LIZZY
Both changed color—one white, the other red.
NARRATOR
In another minute Darcy was gone.
LIZZY
What could be the meaning of it? It was impossible to imagine.
NARRATOR
It was impossible not to wish to know.
LIZZY
Mr. Wickham, you are most welcome to Meryton. Do you find it to your
taste?
WICKHAM
Yes, indeed. Everything I see pleases me. My friend Forster first tempted me
here with the prospect of good society...which I own is necessary to me.
Distraction is vital to one whose hopes have been—(PAUSE. HE APPEARS
TO BE STRUGGLING WITH SOMETHING.) Forgive me. Perhaps I should
not speak of it...but have you known that gentleman long?
LIZZY
Mr. Darcy? About a month. (BEAT.) He is a man of very large property in
Derbyshire, I understand.
WICKHAM
You could not have met with a person more capable of giving you certain
information on that head than myself. You look surprised, Miss Elizabeth, at
the assertion, as you probably might, from the very cold manner of our
meeting. Miss Eliza, a military life was not what I was intended for. The
church ought to have been my profession, and I should at this time have
been in possession of a most valuable living, had it pleased the gentleman
we were speaking of just now.
27
LIZZY
Indeed!
MR. WICKHAM
His father, the late Mr. Darcy, was my godfather—one of the best men that
ever lived and excessively attached to me. My father had given up
everything to be of use to the old Mr. Darcy and devoted all his time to the
care of the Pemberley estate. In gratitude to him—and because of his
affection to me—the old Mr. Darcy bequeathed me, upon his death, the best
church living in his gift. But when it came time for me to take it, it was
given elsewhere.
LIZZY
But how could his will be disregarded?
MR. WICKHAM
There was just such an informality in the terms of the bequest as to give me
no hope from the law. A man of honor could not have doubted the intention,
but Mr. Darcy chose to doubt it.
LIZZY
How abominable! To treat in such a way the godson, the favorite of his
father—
NARRATOR
She might have added—
LIZZY
—and one, too, whose very countenance must vouch for his being amiable.
NARRATOR
But she contented herself with—
LIZZY
(TO WICKHAM.) —and one who had probably been his own companion
from childhood, connected in the closest manner. What can have been his
motive?
28
WICKHAM
I have a warm unguarded temper and may have spoken my opinion of him
too freely upon occasion. And I have often thought, too, had the late Mr.
Darcy liked me less, his son might have borne with me better.
LIZZY
I hope your plan in favor of the corps will not be affected by his being in the
neighborhood. He is not at all liked here. Everyone is disgusted with his
pride.
MR. WICKHAM
Oh! No, it is not for me to be driven away by Mr. Darcy.
LIZZY
It is quite shocking. He deserves to be publicly disgraced.
WICKHAM
Some time or other he will be—but it shall not be by me. Till I can forget
his father, I can never defy or expose him.
LYDIA
Mr. Wickham! Come here at once. I want your opinion of this delicious
bonnet.
WICKHAM
Pray, excuse me. (EXITS.)
NARRATOR
Elizabeth left with her head full of him. Whatever Mr. Wickham said—
LIZZY
—was well said.
NARRATOR
Whatever he did—
LIZZY
—was done gracefully.
29
NARRATOR
However, there were additional things to consider besides the infamous
conduct of Mr. Darcy. The date for the long awaited Netherfield ball finally
came— (TRANSITION INTO NETHERFIELD BALL, MUSIC UP.) —and
until Elizabeth looked in vain for Mr. Wickham—
LIZZY
—a doubt of his being there had never occurred to her.
(ENTER LYDIA.)
LYDIA
Why, Lizzy, is Wickham not here?! Oh, it's like my rotten luck. I’d set my
mind to flirt with him all night! (EXITS.)
(ENTER DARCY.)
DARCY
Miss Elizabeth, I hope you will give me the pleasure of this next dance.
LIZZY
(SURPRISED, WITHOUT THINKING.) What?! Oh—why, of course, Mr.
Darcy. Will you excuse me, I must speak to Miss Lucas. (ENTER
CHARLOTTE.) Charlotte! Mr. Darcy has asked me to dance.
CHARLOTTE
Really? I dare say you will find him very agreeable.
LIZZY
Heaven forbid! That would be the greatest misfortune of all—to find a man
agreeable whom one is determined to hate!
(DANCE MUSIC UP AND UNDER. NOTE: IF DANCING CAN BE
SUGGESTED DURING THIS NEXT SCENE, THAT WOULD BE IDEAL.)
CHARLOTTE
Lizzy, I beg you not to be a simpleton. Don't allow your fancy for Mr.
Wickham make you appear unpleasant to a man ten times his consequence.
Go. He’s waiting.
30
MR. DARCY
Miss Elizabeth.
LIZZY
Mr. Darcy. (A LONG MOMENT OF SILENCE.) It is a very fine ball, is it
not?
DARCY
Indeed. (SILENCE.)
LIZZY
It is your turn to say something now, Mr. Darcy. I talked about the dance,
and you ought to make some kind of remark on the size of the room, or the
number of couples.
DARCY
Whatever you wish me to say, I shall.
LIZZY
Very well. That reply will do for the present. Perhaps by and by I may
observe that private balls are much pleasanter than public ones. But now we
may be silent.
DARCY
Do you talk by rule, then, while you are dancing?
LIZZY
Sometimes. One must speak a little, you know. It would look odd to be
entirely silent for half an hour together, and yet for the advantage of some,
conversation ought to be so arranged that they may have the trouble of
saying as little as possible.
DARCY
Are you consulting your own feelings in this case, or do you imagine that
you are gratifying mine?
31
LIZZY
Both, for I have seen a great similarity in the turn of our minds. We are each
of an unsocial, taciturn disposition, unwilling to speak, unless we expect to
say something that will amaze the whole room.
DARCY
That is no very striking resemblance to your own character, I am sure. How
near it may be to mine I cannot pretend to say. You think it is a faithful
portrait undoubtedly.
LIZZY
I must not decide on my own performance. (PAUSE.) When you met us in
Meryton the other day, we had just been forming a new acquaintance.
DARCY
(PAUSE.) Mr. Wickham is blessed with such happy manners as may insure
his making friends—whether he may be equally capable of retaining them is
less certain.
LIZZY
He has been so unlucky as to lose your friendship and in a manner which he
is likely to suffer from all his life.
(THE MUSIC STOPS. ALL APPLAUD.)
DARCY
I'm sorry. I forget what we were talking of.
LIZZY
I do not think we were speaking at all. There could not be any two people
who had less to say for themselves. I remember hearing you once say, Mr.
Darcy, that your resentment, once created, was unappeasable. You are very
cautious, I suppose, as to its being created.
DARCY
I am.
LIZZY
And never allow yourself to be blinded by prejudice.
32
DARCY
I hope not.
LIZZY
It is particularly incumbent on those who never change their opinion to be
secure of judging properly at first.
DARCY
May I ask to what these questions tend?
LIZZY
Merely to the illustration of your character. I am trying to make it out.
DARCY
And what is your success?
LIZZY
I do not get on at all.
DARCY
I could wish, Miss Bennet, that you were not to sketch my character at the
present, as there is reason to fear that the performance would reflect no
credit to either.
LIZZY
But if I do not take your likeness now, I may never have another
opportunity.
DARCY
(COLDLY.) I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours. Pray
excuse me. (EXITS.)
NARRATOR
They parted in silence. Meanwhile, her mother was talking to Charlotte
Lucas—loudly and openly and of nothing else but—
(ENTER MRS. BENNET AND CHARLOTTE.)
MRS. BENNET
I am in daily expectation of Jane's receiving Mr. Bingley's proposal.
33
NARRATOR
She spoke long and eloquently—it was an animating subject.
MRS. BENNET
Such a charming young man, and so rich. And it is such a comfort to think
how fond—
LIZZY
Mama, please speak a little lower.
MRS. BENNET
Be quiet, Lizzy. How fond his sister is of Jane. And such a promising
thing—
LIZZY
Mama, everyone can hear you.
MRS. BENNET
(LOUDER.) And such a promising thing for my younger daughters, as Jane's
marrying so greatly must throw them in the way of other rich men.
LIZZY
I am persuaded that Mr. Darcy can hear you quite clearly.
MRS. BENNET
What is Mr. Darcy to me, pray, that I should be afraid of him?
NARRATOR
Nothing she could say had any influence. Then—
(FOCUS TO BINGLEY.)
MR. BINGLEY
Let us have some singing!
34
NARRATOR
Singing was talked of.
(MARY MOVES FORWARD.)
MR. BINGLEY
Ah, Miss Mary. You leapt right up. Very well then.
(MARY SINGS A FEW STANZAS, WEAKLY.)
LIZZY
Elizabeth was in agonies. She looked to her father to entreat his
interference...
(MR. BENNET BEGINS TO CLAP, THOUGH MARY HAS NOT FINISHED)
MR. BENNET
That will do extremely well, child. You have delighted us long enough.
LIZZY
Oh, my wretched relations. What more could befall me!
NARRATOR
The rest of the evening brought Elizabeth little amusement. She was teased
by Mr. Collins—
MR. COLLINS
Miss Elizabeth! Miss Elizabeth!
NARRATOR
—who continued—
LIZZY
—most perseveringly—
NARRATOR
—by her side, and she owed her greatest relief to her friend, Charlotte—
35
CHARLOTTE
Mr. Collins, perhaps you might give me your opinion of Fordyce's sermons?
NARRATOR
Who good-naturedly engaged Mr. Collins's conversation to herself.
NARRATOR
But Mrs. Bennet, at least, was perfectly satisfied.
MRS. BENNET
Allowing for the preparation of settlements, new carriages and wedding
clothes, Jane will undoubtedly be settled in Netherfield in the course of three
of four months. Ah! My dearest Jane. I knew she could be born so
beautiful for nothing!
(MUSIC TRANSITION. LIZZY, MARY AND MRS. BENNET.
ENTER MR. COLLINS.)
NARRATOR
The next day opened a new scene at Longbourne.
MR. COLLINS
May I hope, madam, for the honor of soliciting a private audience with your
fair daughter Elizabeth?
MRS. BENNET
Oh dear! Yes—certainly! I am sure Lizzy will be very happy—come Mary, I
want you upstairs.
LIZZY
Dear Ma'am, do not go. Mr. Collins can have nothing to say to me that
anybody may not hear. Indeed, I am going away myself.
MRS. BENNET
Lizzy, I insist upon your staying and hearing Mr. Collins.
(EXIT MRS. BENNET AND KITTY.)
36
MR. COLLINS
Believe me, my dear Miss Elizabeth, that your modesty, so far from doing
you any disservice, rather adds to your other perfections. But allow me to
assure you that I have your respected mother's permission for this address.
(TAKING A POSE.) Miss Elizabeth, almost as soon as I entered this house I
singled you out as the companion of my future life. But before I am run
away with by my feelings on this subject, perhaps it will be advisable for me
to state my reasons for marrying. First, I think it a right thing for every
clergyman in easy circumstances (like myself) to set the example of
matrimony in his parish. Secondly, I am convinced it will add greatly to my
happiness. Thirdly, which perhaps I ought to have mentioned earlier, it is the
particular advice of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, my most noble patroness.
These have been my motives, my dear Miss Elizabeth, and now nothing
remains for me but to assure you in the most animated language of the
violence of my affection...(HE GOES DOWN ON HIS KNEE.)
LIZZY
Mr. Collins! I am very sensible of the honor of your proposals, but it is
impossible for me to do otherwise than decline them.
MR. COLLINS
(PERHAPS HE PURSUES HER.) I am not now to learn that it is usual with
you ladies to reject the addresses of the man whom you secretly mean to
accept, when he first applies for your favor—
LIZZY
Upon my word sir! I do assure you that I am not one of those young ladies
who are so daring as to risk their happiness on the chance of being asked a
second time. (MR. COLLINS CONTINUES TO PURSUE HER.) Nay, were
Lady Catherine to know me, I am persuaded she would find me in every
respect ill qualified for the situation.
MR. COLLINS
(GRAVELY.) Were it certain that Lady Catherine would think so...but I
cannot imagine that her ladyship would at all disapprove of you—and
perhaps you have even now said as much as a delicate young lady might to
encourage my suit.
37
LIZZY
If what I have said can appear to you in the form of encouragement, I know
not how to express my refusal in such a way as may convince you of its
being one!
MR. COLLINS
You are uniformly charming! And I am persuaded that when sanctioned by
the express authority of both your excellent parents, my proposals will not
fail of being acceptable.
(EXIT LIZZY, IN DESPAIR. ENTER MRS. BENNET.)
MRS. BENNET
Mr. Collins! Oh, Mr. Collins—congratulations!
MR. COLLINS
Thank you, my dear Madam. As yet, of course, Miss Elizabeth has not
accepted my humble suit—
MRS. BENNET
What?! Not accepted you, Mr. Collins? Depend upon it, Lizzy will be
brought to reason. She is a very headstrong foolish girl and—
MR. COLLINS
Pardon me for interrupting you, Madam, but if she is really headstrong and
foolish, I know not whether she would altogether be a desirable wife.
MRS. BENNET
(ALARMED.) Sir, you quite misunderstand me! Lizzy! Lizzy! (TO MR.
COLLINS.) Lizzy is only headstrong in such matters as these. I will go
directly to Mr. Bennet and shall very soon settle it. Mr. Bennet! (EXIT MR.
COLLINS. MRS. BENNET MOVES TO MR. BENNET, WHO IS WITH
LIZZY.) Mr. Bennet, you are wanted immediately! Mr. Collins wishes to
marry Lizzy, but Lizzy declares she will not have Mr. Collins and Mr.
Collins begins to say that he will not have Lizzy.
MR. BENNET
And what am I to do on the occasion? It seems a hopeless business.
38
MRS. BENNET
Tell Lizzy that you insist upon her marrying him!
MR. BENNET
(TO LIZZY, STERNLY.) Child, I understand that Mr. Collins has made you
an offer of marriage and this offer you have refused.
LIZZY
I have, sir.
MR. BENNET
Your mother insists upon your accepting it. Is it not so, Mrs. Bennet?
MRS. BENNET
Yes, or I will never speak to her again.
MR. BENNET
An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. Your mother will never see
you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if
you do.
MRS. BENNET
Mr. Bennet—you promised me to insist upon her marrying him!
MR. BENNET
My dear, I have two favors to request. First, that you will allow me the free
use of my understanding on the present occasion; and secondly, of my room.
I shall be glad to have the library to myself as soon as may be.
(LIZZY MOVES FROM MIKE TO MIKE, MRS. BENNET PURSUES HER.)
MRS. BENNET
I told you, Miss Lizzy, that I should never speak to you again, and you will
find me as good as my word. I have no pleasure in talking to undutiful
children. Not that I have much pleasure indeed in talking to anybody—
except you, dear Jane.
JANE
Mamma!
39
MRS. BENNET
Oh, nobody can tell what I suffer! (AS SHE EXITS.) But it is always so.
Those who do not complain are never pitied.
SERVANT
A letter for you, Miss Bennet. From Miss Bingley.
JANE
Thank you. (SFX: OPENING LETTER AND READING IN INCREASING
DISTRESS.) My brother's business in London kept him longer than we
expected...in fact, today we follow him there, and do not expect to be back. I
cannot pretend to miss anything except your company, dear friend. Mr.
Darcy is impatient to see his dear sister, and we are scarcely less so...My
brother admires Miss Darcy greatly...and I feel I am not precipitous in
predicting that a certain interesting event—their marriage, in fact—may
soon take place. Dear friend, can you join me in hoping for their union, an
attachment that would secure the happiness of so many? (CALLING.) Lizzy!
Lizzy!!
(MUSICAL TRANSITION, TRAGEDY. IT IS ONE WEEK LATER AT
LONGBOURNE.)
NARRATOR
Hope was over, entirely over. Mr. Collins withdrew his suit...
MRS. BENNET
Oh, Mr. Collins!
NARRATOR
And a second letter from Miss Bingley conveyed the intelligence that she
and her brother...
MRS. BENNET
Oh, Mr. Bingley!
NARRATOR
...were definitely ensconced in London, probably never to return. And there
was an additional blow. Charlotte Lucas was to marry Mr. Collins.
40
MRS. BENNET
To think that Charlotte Lucas will be mistress of this house. And that I may
live to see it.
MR. BENNET
Well, Mrs. Bennet, we must hope for better things. Let us flatter ourselves
that I may be the survivor.
NARRATOR
In the midst of these unhappy events, Mr. Wickham was of material
assistance in dispelling the gloom of the Bennet household. His story was
soon made public and the entire neighborhood was pleased to know how
much they disliked Mr. Darcy before they knew anything about the matter.
(CHRISTMAS MUSIC UP.) However, the advent of the holidays brought a
new diversion, Mrs. Bennet's brother and his charming wife. (AS SHE’S
PUTTING ON A HAT OR SOME OTHER DISTINGUISHING COSTUME
PIECE.) Miss Bingley would have had difficulty believe that the Gardiners,
who lived by trade, could be so well bred and agreeable. (BECOMING
MRS. G. AND MOVING TO LIZZY.) Well, my dear. You look in spirits. For
a girl who has refused an offer of marriage.
LIZZY
Thank you, Aunt. I fear I am happy, much to my mother's dismay.
MRS. GARDINER
I have a proposal which I hope will make you happier still. Your uncle and I
wish to invite you to tour with us this summer. Perhaps to the lakes!
LIZZY
My dear, dear Aunt! What delight! What felicity! Adieu to disappointment
and spleen. Oh, what are men to rocks and mountains!
WICKHAM
(CALLING OUT FROM A DISTANCE.) My dear Miss Elizabeth, will you
not delight the present company with a song. Nothing sings so sweet as
sweetness.
41
LIZZY
Mr. Wickham, your praise daunts me. (TO HER AUNT.) You see how
ridiculous he is.
NARRATOR/ MRS. GARDINER
Lizzy.You are far too sensible a girl to fall in love merely because you are
warned against it; and therefore, I am not afraid to speaking openly.
Seriously, I would have you be on your guard with Mr. Wickham. Do not
involve yourself in an affection which the want of fortune would make so
very imprudent.
LIZZY
Very well. Mr. Wickham shall not be in love with me. If I can prevent it.
NARRATOR/ MRS. GARDINER
Elizabeth, you are not serious now.
LIZZY
I beg your pardon. I will try again. At present I am not in love with Mr.
Wickham, no. But he is, beyond all comparison, the most agreeable man I
ever saw, and—oh, I see the imprudence of it. That abominable Mr. Darcy!
All I can promise you, dear aunt, is not to be in a hurry. I will not be in a
hurry to believe myself his first object. When I am in company with him, I
will not be wishing. In short, I will do my best.
NARRATOR/ MRS. GARDINER
Then I am satisfied.
MRS. BENNET
(CALLING OUT TO MRS. GARDINER.) Come sister—we are going to open
gifts!
LYDIA
Yes, leave Lizzy to think of all the clever things she is going to say to Lady
Catherine de Bourgh when she finally meets her.
MRS. GARDINER
Lady Catherine de Bourgh? You are going to see Charlotte?
42
LIZZY
She asked me most particularly to visit. I am to leave in a fortnight.
LYDIA
Give our love to Mr. Collins.
NARRATOR
(TRANSITIONING TO NARRATOR AGAIN.) March saw Elizabeth at
Hunsford, where she was met with great cordiality by Mr. and Mrs. Collins.
(MUSIC UP AND UNDER.)
MR. COLLINS
Walk this way, Miss Elizabeth. This is Hunsford parsonage. My...our
humble abode.
LIZZY
Elizabeth was taken into the house, prepared to see him in his glory. She
could not help fancying that in displaying the—
MR. COLLINS
...good proportion of the rooms...
LIZZY
—the—
MR. COLLINS
—neatness of its entrance—
LIZZY
—its aspect and—
MR. COLLINS
—its furniture!
LIZZY
That he addressed himself particularly to her, as if wishing to make her feel
what she had lost in refusing him.
43
MR. COLLINS
And, Miss Elizabeth, you will have the honor of seeing Lady Catherine de
Bourgh tomorrow evening. I see your looks of astonishment—who could
have foreseen such an attention as this. But it is true— Lady Catherine is all
affability and condescension. We dine at Rosings twice every week and are
never allowed to walk home. Her ladyship's carriage is regularly ordered for
us. I should say, one of her carriages, for she has several.
CHARLOTTE
Lady Catherine is a very respectable, sensible woman indeed, and a most
attentive neighbor.
MR. COLLINS
Very true, my dear, that is exactly what I say. She is the sort of woman one
cannot regard with too much deference.
(STATELY MUSIC UP. LADY CATHERINE AND MISS DE BOURGH
COME FORWARD.)
MR. COLLINS
Lady Catherine. May I beg the honor of introducing Miss Elizabeth Bennet?
(LADY CATHERINE NODS.) Miss de Bourgh——may I introduce Miss
Elizabeth Bennet?
MISS DE BOURGH
(COUGHS.)
LADY CATHERINE
Do you play and sing, Miss Bennet?
LIZZY
A little.
LADY CATHERINE
Oh! Then sometime or other we shall be happy to hear you. Do your sisters
play and sing?
LIZZY
One of them does.
44
LADY CATHERINE
Why did not you all learn? The Miss Webbs all play, and their father has
not so good an income as yours. Do you draw?
LIZZY
No, not at all.
LADY CATHERINE
What, none of you? Are any of your younger sisters out, Miss Bennet?
LIZZY
Yes, ma'am, all.
LADY CATHERINE
All five out at once? Very odd! The younger ones out before the elder are
married! Your younger sisters must be very young.
LIZZY
Yes, my youngest is not sixteen. But really, ma'am, I think it would be very
hard upon younger sisters that they should not have their share of
amusement because the elder may not have the means or inclination to
marry early.
LADY CATHERINE
Upon my word, you give your opinion very decidedly for so young a person.
Pray, what is your age?
LIZZY
With three younger sisters grown up, your ladyship can hardly expect me to
own it.
LADY CATHERINE
You cannot be more than twenty, I am sure—therefore you need not conceal
your age.
LIZZY
I am not one and twenty.
45
NARRATOR
This entertainment of dining at Rosings was repeated about twice a week,
and every such entertainment was the counterpart of the first.
LIZZY
There was dinner, followed by whist, followed by the pronouncements of
Lady Catherine, followed by—
MR. COLLINS
Miss Elizabeth. You cannot imagine who has just arrived at Rosings!
(COLONEL FITZWILLIAM AND DARCY MOVE FORWARD.)
LIZZY
My wretched luck.
LADY CATHERINE
Miss Bennet, pray let me introduce you to Colonel Fitzwilliam.
LIZZY
I am pleased to make your acquaintance, sir.
FITZWILLIAM
And I am delighted to make yours, Miss Bennet.
LADY CATHERINE
...and my nephew, Mr. Darcy. Miss Bennet, Mr. Darcy.
LIZZY
Mr. Darcy and I are already acquainted.
LADY CATHERINE
(DISAPPROVING.) Indeed.
DARCY
I, too, am delighted to see you again, Miss Bennet.
46
LIZZY
How very suddenly you all quitted Netherfield last November, Mr. Darcy. It
must have been a most agreeable surprise to Mr. Bingley to see you all after
him so soon; for if I recollect right, he went but the day before. He and his
sisters were well, I hope, when you left London?
DARCY
Perfectly so—I thank you.
LIZZY
I think I have understood that Mr. Bingley has not much idea of ever
returning to Netherfield again?
DARCY
I have never heard him say so; but it is probable that he may spend very little
of his time there in the future. He is at a time of life when friends and
engagements are continually increasing.
LIZZY
It would perhaps be better for the neighborhood, then. that he should give up
the place entirely, for we might possibly get a settled family there. But
perhaps Mr. Bingley did not take the house so much for the convenience of
the neighborhood as for his own, and we must expect him to keep it or quit it
on the same principle.
DARCY
I believe that—
LADY CATHERINE
What are you speaking of, Darcy. What are you saying? I must know what it
is.
DARCY
We were speaking of Hertfordshire, Ma'am.
FITZWILLIAM
Miss Bennet—Mrs. Collins tells us that you play and sing beautifully. I hope
you will indulge us in a song.
47
LIZZY
Gladly. I only hope my poor fingers will not prove Mrs. Collins' praise
unworthy.
(PIANO MUSIC UP AND UNDER.)
LADY CATHERINE
Ah, music. It is of all things my delight. There are few people in England, I
suppose, who have more true enjoyment of music than myself, or a better
natural taste. If I had ever learned, I should have been a great proficient. And
Anne would have performed delightfully, if her health had allowed her to
apply.
MISS DE BOURGH
(COUGHS.)
LADY CATHERINE
How goes Georgiana get on, Darcy?
DARCY
Very well. I have never heard her equal—for her age.
LADY CATHERINE
Pray tell her from me that she cannot expect to excel if she does not practice.
I have told Miss Bennet several times that she will never play really well,
unless she practices more. Darcy! Where are you going! Darcy!!
LIZZY
You mean to frighten me, Mr. Darcy, by coming in all this state to hear me?
But I will not be alarmed, though your sister does play so well. There is a
stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of
others.
DARCY
I shall not say that you are mistaken, because you could not really believe
me to entertain any design of alarming you; and I have had the pleasure of
your acquaintance long enough to know that you find great enjoyment in
occasionally professing opinions which in fact are not your own.
48
LIZZY
Colonel, your cousin will give you a very pretty notion of me, and teach you
not to believe a word I say. Indeed, Mr. Darcy, it is very ungenerous in you
to mention all that you knew to my disadvantage in Hertfordshire—and, give
me leave to say, very impolitic, too. For it is provoking me to retaliate, and
such things may come out as will shock your relations to hear.
DARCY
(SMILING.) I am not afraid of you.
FITZWILLIAM
Let me hear what you have to accuse him of! I should like to know how he
behaves among strangers.
LIZZY
You shall hear then—but prepare yourself for something very dreadful. The
first time of my ever seeing him in Hertfordshire was at a ball—and at this
ball, what do you think he did? He danced only four dances. I am sorry to
pain you—but so it was. He danced only four dances, though gentlemen
were scarce and, to my certain knowledge, more than one young lady was
sitting down in want of a partner. Mr. Darcy, you cannot deny the fact.
DARCY
I had not at that time the honor of knowing any lady in the assembly beyond
my own party.
LIZZY
True; and nobody can ever be introduced in a ballroom. Well, Colonel
Fitzwilliam, what do I play next? My fingers await your orders.
DARCY
Perhaps I should have judged better, had I sought an introduction, but I am
ill qualified to recommend myself to strangers.
49
LIZZY
Colonel Fitzwilliam, shall we ask your cousin the reason of this? Shall we
ask him why a man of sense and education is ill qualified to recommend
himself to strangers?
FITZWILLIAM
I can answer your question without applying to him. It is because he will
not give himself the trouble.
DARCY
I certainly have not the talent which some people possess of conversing
easily with those I have never seen before. I cannot catch their tone of
conversation, or appear interested in their concerns, as I have often seen
done.
LIZZY
My fingers do not move over this instrument in the masterly manner which I
see so many women's do. They have not the same force and do not produce
the same expression. But then I have always supposed it to be my own fault
—because I would not practice. It is not that I do not believe my fingers as
capable as any other woman's of superior execution.
DARCY
You are perfectly right. You have employed your time much better. No one
admitted to the privilege of hearing you can think anything wanting.
LADY CATHERINE
(CALLING.) Darcy! Fitzwilliam! Of what are you speaking now?
(EXIT ALL EXCEPT NARRATOR, LIZZY AND PERHAPS DARCY.)
NARRATOR
More than once did Elizabeth meet Mr. Darcy at the parsonage and—
LIZZY
—even stranger—
NARRATOR
—in her morning walks within the park.
50
LIZZY
Elizabeth took care to inform him at first that it was a favorite haunt of hers.
How it could occur a second time therefore was very odd.
NARRATOR
Yet it did, and even a third. He never said a great deal...
LIZZY
...but it struck her that he was asking some odd unconnected
questions…about her pleasure in being at Hunsford, her opinion of Mr. and
Mrs. Collins happiness—
NARRATOR
—and when speaking of Rosings he seemed to expect that whenever she
came into Kent again she would be staying there too.
LIZZY
Could he have Colonel Fitzwilliam in his thoughts?
(ENTER FITZWILLIAM.)
FITZWILLIAM
Ah! Miss Bennet! I have been making the tour of the park. Are you going
farther?
LIZZY
No, I should have turned in a moment. Do you certainly leave Kent on
Saturday?
FITZWILLIAM
Yes, if Darcy does not put it off again. But we must be leaving soon. He has
an engagement to keep with Mr. Bingley. I think you have said you know
him? He is a great friend of Darcy's.
LIZZY
(DRILY.) Oh! Yes. Mr. Darcy takes a prodigious deal of care of him.
51
FITZWILLIAM
I really believe Darcy does take care of him. From something that he told me
in our journey hither, I have reason to think Bingley very much indebted to
him.
LIZZY
What is it you mean?
FITZWILLIAM
Well...what he told me was this: that he congratulated himself on having
lately saved a friend from the inconveniences of a most imprudent marriage,
but without mentioning names or any particulars; and I only suspected it to
be Bingley from believing him the kind of young man to get into a scrape of
that sort.
LIZZY
Did Mr. Darcy give you his reasons for this interference?
FITZWILLIAM
I understood there were some very strong objections to the lady. Goodbye
Miss Elizabeth. I shall see you at Rosings tonight, I hope? (PAUSE.) Miss
Elizabeth?
LIZZY
What? Oh, yes! Goodbye. (EXIT FITZ. MUSIC UNDER.) He was the
cause! His pride and caprice were the cause of all that Jane has suffered —
still suffers! "There were some very strong objections to the lady" ...the
objections of her having one uncle who is a country attorney and one who is
in business! Oh, he has done this out of the worst kind of pride!
(CHARLOTTE AND COLLINS COME FORWARD.)
CHARLOTTE
Eliza! Where have you been? We have been wanting to leave for Rosings
this past quarter hour.
LIZZY
Charlotte...I do not think...that is I...Charlotte—I am very unwell!
(SHE EXITS.)
52
MR. COLLINS
Unwell! Is she not coming?! I fear Lady Catherine will be very put out. Miss
Elizabeth? Miss Elizabeth??
CHARLOTTE
Leave her, Mr. Collins. We can make her excuses.
NARRATOR
Elizabeth chose for her evening’s employment the examination of all of
Jane's letters. It was an absorbing task.
LIZZY
They contained no actual complaint, but in all, there was a want of that
cheerfulness which had been used to characterize her style, and which—
(SFX: KNOCK. ENTER MR. DARCY)
LIZZY
Come in.
DARCY
Miss Bennet.
LIZZY
Mr. Darcy.
DARCY
(HURRIEDLY.) Excuse the interruption, Miss Bennet. Mrs. Collins told me
you were ill, and I wished to—I have come—in hopes of finding you better.
LIZZY
(COLDLY.) I am completely recovered, thank you. (PAUSE.)
53
DARCY
In vain have I struggled. lt will not do. My feelings will not be repressed.
You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.
(ELIZABETH IS ASTONISHED.) I have come to tell you that I have felt —
have long felt you to be the most agreeable, charming woman of my
acquaintance. I do not know how my affection began, and though I have
tried to suppress it, I could not. Throughout, my reason opposed my
inclination. My knowledge of your family obstacles, which should have
precluded any attachment, have long prevented the acknowledgment of my
regard for you. But, Miss Bennet, this knowledge...my very character —
must bow to the strength of my regard. Your beauty, your spirit have
completely overcome my sense of the inferiority of your connections. I care
not that the world may see this union as beneath me...Miss Bennet...may I
say — Elizabeth...in spite of all, I do love you, and I anxiously await the
words of your acceptance, words that will make me the happiest of all men.
LIZZY
In such cases as these, it is, I believe, the established mode to express a
sense of gratitude for the sentiments avowed, however unequally they may
be returned. And if I could feel gratitude, I would now thank you. But I
cannot — I have never desired your good opinion and you have certainly
bestowed it most unwillingly. I am sorry if this causes you pain, but it is to
be hoped that the feelings, which, you tell me, have long prevented this
proposal will soon overcome any regret you now feel.
DARCY
(BEAT.) And this is all the reply which I am to have the honor of expecting!
I might, perhaps, wish to be informed why, with so little endeavor at civility,
I am thus rejected. But it is of small importance.
LIZZY
I might as well inquire why with so evident a design of insulting me you
chose to tell me that you liked me against your will, against your reason —
even against your character? But I have other provocations — you know I
have. Do you think any consideration would tempt me to accept the man
who has been the means of ruining, perhaps forever, the happiness of a most
beloved sister? You cannot deny you have been the principal means of
dividing them from each other. Can you deny that you have done it!!
54
DARCY
I have no wish of denying it. Towards him I have been kinder than towards
myself.
LIZZY
And it is not merely this affair on which my dislike is founded! On the
subject of Mr. Wickham, what can you have to say?
DARCY
You take an eager interest in that gentleman's concerns!
LIZZY
Who that knows his misfortunes can help it!
DARCY
His misfortunes! Yes, his misfortunes have been great indeed.
LIZZY
And of your infliction!
DARCY
So this is your opinion of me. I thank you for explaining it so fully. But
perhaps these offenses might have been overlooked, had not your pride been
hurt by my honest confession of the scruples that had long prevented my
forming any serious design. Had I flattered you—but disguise of every sort
is my abhorrence. Did you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your
connections?
LIZZY
You are mistaken, Mr. Darcy, if you suppose the mode of your declaration
affected me, except that it spared me the concern which I might have felt in
refusing you, had you behaved in a more gentlemanlike manner. You could
not have made me the offer of your hand in any possible way that would
have tempted me to accept it. From the very beginning of my acquaintance
with you, your arrogance, your conceit, your selfish disdain for the feelings
of others built so immovable a dislike...that...that I had not known you a
month before I felt that you were the last man in the world I could ever be
prevailed on to marry!
55
DARCY
You have said quite enough, madam. Forgive me for having taken up so
much of your time and accept my best wishes for your health and happiness.
(SFX: DOOR SHUTTING. ELIZABETH BURSTS INTO TEARS.)
NARRATOR
Elizabeth awoke the next morning to the same thoughts and meditations
which had at length closed her eyes. Totally indisposed for employment—
LIZZY
She resolved soon after breakfast to indulge herself in air and exercise.
(SFX: OUTDOOR NOISES. ENTER DARCY.)
DARCY
Miss Bennet.
LIZZY
Mr. Darcy!
DARCY
I have been walking in the grove some time in the hope of meeting you.
Would you do me the honor of reading this letter? (HE EXITS LIZZY
SPACE, BUT HE SHOULD STILL BE IN SCENE.)
NARRATOR
He left, and Elizabeth opened the letter.
LIZZY
(READING.) My dear Miss Bennet. I write without any intention of paining
you—or of renewing that offer which last night was so disgusting to you.
DARCY
But you have laid to my charge two offenses...two offenses of a very
different nature which must be answered.
LIZZY
(TO NARRATOR.) Answered? Impossible!
56
DARCY
As to the first—that I willfully detached Mr. Bingley from your sister—I can
say only this. I watched Bingley. His partiality for your sister was beyond
what I had ever witnessed in him. Your sister I watched, too. Her look and
manners were open, cheerful and engaging as ever—but without any
symptom of real regard.
LIZZY
(TO NARRATOR.) Contemptible!
DARCY
If you have not been mistaken here, I must have been in error. That I was
desirous of believing her indifferent is certain—
LIZZY
Certain indeed.
DARCY
But I will venture to say that my decisions are not usually influenced by my
hopes. But there were other causes. The situation of your mother's family
was nothing in comparison to the total want of propriety so frequently
betrayed by herself, by your three younger sisters and even by your father.
Pardon me—it pains me to offend you. If I have wounded your sister's
feelings, it was unknowingly done. With respect to that other accusation, of
having injured Mr. Wickham, I can only refute it by laying before you the
whole of his connection with my family. Mr. Wickham's vicious
propensities...
LIZZY
That must be false!
DARCY
—and his want of principle—
LIZZY
That cannot be true!
57
DARCY
—which he was careful to guard from my father, could not escape the
observation of a young man so close in age to himself. My excellent father
died about five years ago; and his attachment to Mr. Wickham was to the
last so steady—
LIZZY
—that he bequeathed him in his will a valuable family living.
DARCY
Shortly thereafter, Mr. Wickham came to inform me that—
(ENTER WICKHAM.)
WICKHAM
Having finally resolved against going into the church, I hope you will not
think it unreasonable for me to expect some more immediate monetary
advantage. I have some intention of studying the law.
DARCY
The business was soon settled. He resigned all claim to assistance in the
church and accepted in return—
NARRATOR & LIZZY
— three thousand pounds!
LIZZY
That is generous indeed!
DARCY
But three years later, he applied to me again.
WICKHAM
My circumstances—
DARCY
He assured me, and I had no difficulty believing it—
58
WICKHAM
—are exceedingly bad. I have found law a most unprofitable study and am
now absolutely resolved on being ordained.
DARCY
You will hardly blame me for refusing to comply with this entreaty.
LIZZY
After this period, every appearance of acquaintance was dropped. How he
lived I know not. But last summer he was again most painfully obtruded on
my notice.
DARCY
Concerning this next circumstance, I feel no doubt of your secrecy. About a
year ago, my sister was taken from school and an establishment set up for
her in London. Thither also went Mr. Wickham.
WICKHAM
I so recommended myself to Georgiana—
DARCY
—whose affectionate heart retained a strong impression of his kindness to
her as a child.
WICKHAM
—that she was persuaded to believe herself in love—and to consent to an
elopement.
DARCY
Wickham's chief object was unquestionably my sister's fortune, which is
thirty thousand pounds, but I cannot help supposing that the hope of
revenging himself on me was a strong inducement. Had they not been
discovered, his revenge would have been complete indeed.
NARRATOR
Elizabeth perfectly remembered everything that had passed in her first
conversation with Mr. Wickham.
59
LIZZY
She was now struck with the impropriety of such communications to a
stranger.
NARRATOR
She remembered that he had boasted of having no fear of seeing Mr.
Darcy—
LIZZY
Yet he had avoided the Netherfield ball the very next week.
NARRATOR
And as for Jane—
LIZZY
—she could not help remembering what Charlotte's opinion had always
been.
NARRATOR
And her family, spoken of in terms of such mortifying—
LIZZY
—yet merited reproach...the justice of that charge struck her too forcibly for
denial.
DARCY
You may wonder why all this was not told to you last night. But I was not
then master enough of myself to know what could or ought to be revealed. I
will only add, God bless you...Fitzwilliam Darcy.
LIZZY
How despicably I have acted! I, who prided myself on my discernment!
Had I been in love, I could not have been more wretchedly blind! Til this
moment, I have never known myself.
(MUSIC UP AND UNDER, TRANSITION. ENTER LYDIA AND KITTY.)
60
NARRATOR
It was the second week in May when Elizabeth came back home to
Meryton—and to the news that Lydia was to go to the seaside town of
Brighton.
LYDIA
The militia are to leave Meryton—they are to be encamped in Brighton for
the summer—and Mrs. Forster has asked me to stay with her there!
LIZZY
Elizabeth represented to her father all the evils attendant upon such a
situation, but Mr. Bennet would not intervene.
MR. BENNET
We shall have no peace at Longbourn if Lydia does not go to Brighton.
Colonel Forster will keep her out of any real mischief. And at any rate, she
cannot grow many degrees worse without authorizing us to lock her up for
the rest of her life.
KITTY
(WHINY.) I do not see why Mrs. Forster should not have asked me as well
as Lydia.
LYDIA
Lord, Kitty, I daresay she'll ask you next year. At any rate, you must all say
goodbye to dear Wickham, but I shall be sure to give him a kiss from you all
when I see him next in Brighton.
LIZZY
Lydia!
LYDIA
La, Lizzy! Don't be such a prude!
KITTY
It's too unfair. Why is Lydia allowed to go to Brighton? And why must all
the officers and Mr. Wickham go there too?
(ENTER WICKHAM.)
61
WICKHAM
I am happy to have the opportunity to bid you farewell.
LIZZY
Yes. Farewell.
WICKHAM
I shall think of you often. (SHE DOES NOT REPLY.) How was your time at
Hunsford? Did you find Lady Catherine everything I said?
LIZZY
She entertained us frequently. Especially after Mr. Darcy arrived.
WICKHAM
Mr. Darcy? He was at Rosings?
LIZZY
We saw him almost every day.
WICKHAM
(LAUGHING.) Oh hapless fate.
LIZZY
Not at all. Mr. Darcy improves on acquaintance.
WICKHAM
Indeed? Is it in address that he improves? For I dare not hope that he is
improved in essentials.
LIZZY
Oh no. In essentials, I believe, he is very much what he ever was.
(ENTER KITTY, CARRYING A LARGE BUNDLE.)
KITTY
And now Lizzy is going to Derbyshire! Why cannot I go to Derbyshire?
(EXIT KITTY. FOCUS TO WICKHAM AND LIZZY.)
62
LIZZY
We were to visit the Lakes, but it was impossible for my uncle to leave as
early as we had hoped.
WICKHAM
And now you are to go to Derbyshire instead.
LIZZY
My aunt wished it.
WICKHAM
My, my. While you are there, you must pay a visit to Pemberley.
LIZZY
I cannot think we will.
WICKHAM
You must. You can see the parish I should have had. And of course, pay a
call on Mr. Darcy.
(EXIT WICKHAM. ENTER KITTY, LUGGING A HEAVY TRUNK.)
KITTY
Lydia is to go to Brighton. Lizzy is to go to Darbyshire. And Mary took the
last muffin at breakfast. Why does everyone else always get everything??
(EXIT KITTY. TRANSITION. ENTER MR. GARDINER WITH MAP AND
MRS. GARDINER.)
MR. GARDINER
(REFERRING TO MAP.) My love, look at this. Pemberley. Just a few miles
off. We could visit it tomorrow.
MRS. GARDINER
Lizzy, should not you like to see Mr. Darcy’s home?
63
LIZZY
Oh! Dear no! I really would rather not tour another great house—we have
been through so many.
MRS. GARDINER
If it were merely a fine house richly furnished, I should not care about it
myself.
MR. GARDINER
But the grounds are delightful!
MRS. GARDINER
They have some of the finest woods in the country.
LIZZY
To Pemberley, therefore, they were to go.
(MUSIC TRANSITION TO PEMBERLEY.)
NARRATOR/ MRS. GARDINER
Mr. Darcy’s estate is magnificent—
MR. GARDINER
—neither formal nor falsely adorned.
LIZZY
But Elizabeth saw nothing. Her spirits were in a complete agitation—until
she learned that the master of the house was not expected until the next day.
MRS. GARDINER
What do you think, Lizzy?
LIZZY
Never have I seen a place for which nature has done more or where natural
beauty has been so little counteracted by an awkward taste. (TO HERSELF.)
To be mistress of Pemberley might have been something.
64
MR. GARDINER
(WALKING US, BACK TO AUDIENCE. MRS. GARDINER FOLLOWS.)
How old a home do you think is Pemberley, my dear....
(ENTER MR. DARCY. LIZZY TURNS, THEY SEE EACH OTHER.)
LIZZY
Mr. Darcy! You…are here.
DARCY
(HE IS MUCH GENTLER THAN WE HAVE SEEN HIM.) Miss Bennet, I...I
am delighted to see you again. (BEAT.) I...your family—at Longbourn—
they are quite well, I hope?
LIZZY
Yes. (PAUSE.) Thank you. Yes, they are all quite well.
DARCY
I had not thought—that is, I did not know you were to be in Derbyshire.
How long do you mean to stay?
LIZZY
Not long at all.
DARCY
I see. (PAUSE.) Well. (PAUSE.) Good day, Miss Bennet. (HE MOVES
AWAY.)
LIZZY
(TO AUDIENCE.) Oh, why did I come—why did he come—it must seem as
if I purposely threw myself in his way again!
(DARCY SEEMS TO CHANGE HIS MIND AND RETURNS TO
ELIZABETH.)
DARCY
Miss Bennet, will you do me the honor of introducing me to your friends?
65
LIZZY
(AMAZED.) Yes, of course. Mr. Darcy, may I present my uncle, Mr.
Gardiner. And my aunt.
DARCY
I am happy to make your acquaintance.
MRS. GARDINER
You have a beautiful property, Mr. Darcy. I do not think we have seen its
equal in all our travels this summer.
DARCY
Thank you.
MR. GARDINER
We were just conjecturing upon the date of the building. The stonework
leads my wife to believe that it must have been constructed during the
Restoration. But I believe it dates earlier.
MRS. GARDINER
I am hoping that you can prove him wrong.
DARCY
I am afraid, Mrs. Gardiner, that I must disappoint you.
(DARCY, MR. AND MRS. GARDINER TURN UPSTAGE TO EXAMINE
BUILDING. LIZZY SPEAKS TO AUDIENCE.)
LIZZY
(TO AUDIENCE.) He is so altered, so civil to my uncle and aunt. From what
can it proceed? It cannot be for my sake that his manners are thus softened.
MR. GARDINER
Mrs. Gardiner! Look by the river. Did you see that trout?!
MRS. GARDINER
Oh dear. Had I known your stream contained fish, Mr. Darcy, I should never
have allowed Mr. Gardiner to walk this way. He is an inveterate angler.
66
MR. DARCY
If you enjoy the sport, Mr. Gardiner, I invite you to fish here as often as you
choose
MR. GARDINER
I thank you, sir. Your offer is most kind.
LIZZY
We did not think to intrude upon your homecoming, Mr. Darcy. We were
informed that you would certainly not be here til tomorrow.
DARCY
That is true. Some business with my steward occasioned my coming a day
earlier than the rest of my party. Perhaps you would like to come into the
house for some refreshment?
MRS. GARDINER
You are very kind, but we must not impose in such a manner.
DARCY
Then I must hope to have the pleasure of your company at Pemberley on
another date. (EXITS.)
MR. GARDINER
Well. Mr. Darcy seems perfectly well behaved and polite.
MRS. GARDINER
There is something a little stately in him to be sure, but it is confined to his
air and is not unbecoming.
MR. GARDINER
Lizzy, how came you to tell us that he was so disagreeable?
LIZZY
I—I have never seen him so pleasant as this morning.
MRS. GARDINER
From what we have seen of him, I should not have thought that he could
have behaved so cruelly to Mr. Wickham.
67
LIZZY
I think Mr. Darcy is not so very bad, nor Mr. Wickham so very good as we
had previously thought. (EXIT MR. AND MRS. GARDINER.)
(TRANSITION. ENTER A SERVANT WITH LETTER.)
SERVANT
Miss Bennet. A letter for you. Leastwise, Miss, it looks to be for you.
(HANDING HER THE LETTER.) The writing is not very plain.
LIZZY
Oh, it’s from Jane. Thank you. (EXIT SERVANT.) Gracious, I am surprised
to have received it at all—Jane wrote the direction very ill. (SHE TRAILS
OFF, READING THE LETTER. THEN, ALOUD.)...a most unexpected and
serious occurrence! Lydia has run off with…Mr. Wickham!
(ENTER JANE, WITH MARY TENDING TO AN AILING MRS. BENNET IN
THE BACKGROUND.)
JANE
And Lizzy, imprudent as that match would be, we are anxious, very anxious
that it take place—for we have reason to fear that Mr. Wickham does not
mean to marry Lydia at all—
MRS. BENNET
Ohhhhhh!
JANE
Our distress is very great. My father is going to London with Colonel Forster
instantly to try to discover her. What he means to do I am sure I know not—
MRS. BENNET
He will fight Wickham wherever he meets him, and then he will be killed,
and the Collinses will turn us out before he is cold in his grave!
68
JANE
My poor mother is really ill and keeps her room. Could she exert herself it
would be better...(A LONG MOAN FROM MRS. BENNET.)...but this is not
to be expected. I cannot help earnestly begging you all to come here as soon
as possible!
LIZZY
Oh! Where is my uncle?
(SFX: DOOR OPENING.)
SERVANT
Mr. Darcy, ma’am.
LIZZY
Oh, Mr. Darcy! I beg your pardon, but I must leave you. I must find Mr.
Gardiner this moment, I have not an instant to lose!
DARCY
Good God! What is the matter! (THEN, MORE QUIETLY.) I will not detain
you a minute, or let the servant go after Mr. Gardiner. You are not well
enough. (TO SERVANT.) Fetch Mr. Gardiner here immediately.
SERVANT
Yes, sir. (EXITS.)
DARCY
Let me call your maid. You are very ill.
LIZZY
No, I thank you. There is nothing the matter with me. I am only distressed
by some news from Longbourne. (SHE BURSTS INTO TEARS.) It cannot
be concealed from anyone. My youngest sister has eloped—with Mr.
Wickham. You know him too well to doubt the rest. She has no money,
nothing that can tempt him to marry her. When I consider that I might have
prevented it!
DARCY
I am grieved, indeed. But is it certain—absolutely certain?
69
LIZZY
Yes. Jane has written to beg my uncle's immediate assistance, and we shall
be off, I hope, in half an hour. But nothing can be done. I have not the
smallest hope.
DARCY
I am afraid you have been long desiring my absence, nor have I anything to
plead in excuse of my stay but real, though unavailing, concern. Goodbye.
NARRATOR
Elizabeth felt how improbable it was that they should ever see each other
again on terms of cordiality.
LIZZY
Regard could never withstand such a proof of family weakness.
(TRANSITION, MUSIC UP.)
NARRATOR
They reached Longbourn the very next day and Mr. Gardiner left to join Mr.
Bennet in London. Mr. Gardiner wrote regularly.
(ENTER MR. GARDINER, WITH LETTER.)
MR. GARDINER
There is no word of them. We have searched all the principal hotels. Mr.
Wickham's gaming debts...
MRS. BENNET
(WITH LETTER.) Oh! My heart!
MR. GARDINER
...are a powerful motive for secrecy. The ill success of all our endeavors has
finally enabled me to persuade my brother to return home. I will continue
the search alone. (EXITS.)
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MRS. BENNET
What! Is Mr. Bennet coming home then, and without poor Lydia?? Who is
to fight Wickham, and make him marry her, if he comes away?
(ENTER MR. BENNET, MUSIC OUT.)
LIZZY
Sir, I am very sorry for what you have suffered.
MR. BENNET
Who should suffer but myself. It has been my doing and I ought to feel it.
LIZZY
Do you suppose them to still be in London?
MR. BENNET
Yes, for where else can they be so well concealed?
MARY
Misfortunate as the event must be for Lydia, we may draw from it this useful
lesson: loss of virtue in a female is irretrievable. That one false step involves
her in endless ruin. And that she cannot be too much guarded in her behavior
towards the undeserving of the other sex
(ENTER JANE, WITH A LETTER WHICH SHE GIVES TO MR. BENNET.)
JANE
Father, we were just going upstairs, when you received this letter from my
uncle.
LIZZY
Sir, what news does it bring? Good or bad?!
MR. BENNET
Read it aloud, for I hardly know myself what it is about.
LIZZY
(READING.) “My dear brother, at last I am able to send you some tidings of
my niece and such as I may hope will give you satisfaction.”
71
JANE
It is as we hoped, they are married.
LIZZY
“They are not married, but I hope they soon will be. All that is required of
you is $1,000 pounds after the decease of yourself, and allowing her during
your life one hundred pounds a year.” (SHE LOOKS UP.) Can it be possible
that he will marry her?
MR. BENNET
There are two things that I want very much to know. One is, how much
money your uncle has given to bring this about; and the other, how I am ever
to pay him.
JANE
What do you mean, sir?
MR. BENNET
I mean that Wickham's a fool if he takes her with a farthing less than ten
thousand pounds. Indeed, I should be sorry to think so ill of him in the very
beginning of our relationship.
LIZZY
Ten thousand pounds!
JANE
Heaven forbid! How is half such a sum to be repaid?
MR. BENNET
I am sure I do not know.
LIZZY
Father, may we tell my mother?
MR. BENNET
Just as you please.
(TRANSITION, MUSIC UP.)
72
MRS. BENNET
Oh! Oh! My dear, dear Lydia! This is delightful indeed! She will be
married. Married at sixteen! How I long to see her — and dear Wickham
too! Oh, how merry we shall be together when we meet!
NARRATOR
The newlyweds came at last, and the family assembled in the breakfast-room
to meet them.
LIZZY
Lydia was Lydia still.
LYDIA
Mamma! Only think of its being three months since I went away; it seems
but a fortnight I declare! I am sure I had no more idea of being married til I
came back again! Though I thought it would be very good fun if I was.
MRS. BENNET
Very true, my dear. And Mr. Wickham.
MR. WICKHAM
Dear Ma’am.
MRS. BENNET
Mr. Bennet, come greet your daughter—Mr. Bennet, where are you going.
Well. (TO LYDIA.) Never mind him, dearest. Shall we go in?
LYDIA
Yes. Oh! Jane! I take your place now, and you must go in second—because I
am a married woman.
LIZZY
Elizabeth now regretted that she told Mr. Darcy of their fears for her sister.
NARRATOR
For since Lydia's wedding would so shortly give the proper termination to
the elopement—
73
LIZZY
—they might hope to conceal its unfavorable beginning from all those who
were not immediately on the spot. What a triumph for him, could he know
that the proposals which she had so proudly spurned would now be gladly
and gratefully received.
NARRATOR
She now began to comprehend that he was exactly the man who in
disposition and temper would have answered all her wishes. By her ease
and liveliness...
LIZZY
(WISTFULLY.) His manner might have been improved.
NARRATOR
And from his knowledge of the world—
LIZZY
She must have received benefit. But no such happy marriage could now
teach the admiring multitude what connubial felicity really was.
NARRATOR
A union of a different tendency, which precluded the possibility of the other,
had taken place.
(MUSIC OUT. ENTER LYDIA.)
LYDIA
Lizzy, where have you been? We have just finished our tea. I was telling
everyone an account of my wedding. Are you not curious to hear how it was
managed?
LIZZY
Not really. I think there cannot be too little said on the subject.
74
LYDIA
La! You are so strange! But I must tell you how it went off. We were to be
married, you know, at St. Clement's. We breakfasted at 10; I thought that
would never be over; for, by the by, my aunt and uncle were reading me
sermons that morning, as they did all the time I was with them. Well, and so,
just as the carriage came to the door, my uncle was called away upon
business with that horrid lawyer, Mr. Stone. Well, I was so frightened, for
my uncle was to give me away, and if we were beyond the hour, we could
not be married all day. However, I recollected afterwards that if he had been
prevented going, Mr. Darcy might have done as well. And so, as it
happened...
LIZZY
Mr. Darcy!
LYDIA
Oh yes! He was to come there with Wickham, you know. Oh, but gracious
me! I quite forgot! It was to be such a secret!
MRS. BENNET
(CALLING OFF.) Lydia! The new muslins have arrived!
LYDIA
Coming, mama! (EXITS.)
LIZZY
Mr. Darcy at Lydia's marriage!
NARRATOR
Conjectures as to the meaning of it, rapid and wild, hurried into her brain.
She quickly wrote a short letter to her aunt. to request an explanation—
LIZZY
(RELUCTANTLY.) —if it were compatible with the secrecy which had been
intended.
75
NARRATOR
She received an answer as soon as she possibly could. Mrs. Gardiner
confirmed that it had been Mr. Darcy who found Wickham and Lydia, Mr.
Darcy who negotiated and paid the whole of Wickham's terms, in short...
LIZZY
Mr. Darcy had settled everything.
NARRATOR
His said his motive was his conviction of its being owing to himself that
Wickham's worthlessness was not well known. If he had another motive—
LIZZY
No. I cannot believe it.
(NEW MUSIC UP.)
NARRATOR
Wickham and Lydia left Hertfordshire the next day for a regiment in
Newcastle. The spiritless condition in which this left Mrs. Bennet was soon
relieved—
MRS. BENNET
Mr. Bennet, Mr. Bennet!
NARRATOR
—by some very interesting news.
MRS. BENNETT
Such news! Mr. Bingley has returned to Netherfield! You must visit him, my
dear.
MR. BENNET
Oh, no. Last year, you promised if I went to see him, that he should marry
one of my daughters. But it all ended in nothing, and I will not be sent on a
fool's errand again. (EXIT MR. BENNET AND MRS. BENNET.)
76
NARRATOR
But Mrs. Bennet prevailed and Mr. Bingley was invited to Tuesday dinner.
Mr. Darcy was to attend him there.
(ENTER LIZZY, JANE, BINGLEY AND DARCY. PERHAPS THEY HAVE
SOME SYMBOLIC MOVEMENT FOR THIS NEXT SCENE.)
NARRATOR
Mrs. Bennet's dinner was a splendid success.
JANE
Mr. Bingley was most attentive.
LIZZY
Mr. Darcy said nothing.
NARRATOR
Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy came again to the Bennet home on Thursday.
JANE
Mr. Bingley was everything that was pleasant.
LIZZY
Mr. Darcy said nothing. Why, if he comes to be silent, does he come at all?
(ENTER BINGLEY, MRS. BENNET, MARY AND JANE.)
NARRATOR
A few days after that visit, Mr. Bingley called again. He was in remarkably
good spirits.
MRS. BENNET
Ah, Mr. Binlgey, won’t you come in. And where is your friend—ah, you are
alone. Well sit, sit. Isn’t this pleasant. (BEAT.)
MARY
What is the matter Mamma? Why do you keep winking at me?
77
MRS. BENNET
Nothing Mary. I did not wink at you. (PAUSE.) Come with me, my love. I
wish to speak to you. (SFX: DOOR OPENING AND CLOSING. DOOR
OPENS.) Lizzy, my dear, I want to speak with you.
LIZZY
In a moment, ma'am.
MRS. BENNET
Now.
(SFX: DOOR CLOSING.)
MRS. BENNET
(CONSPIRATORIALLY.) Lizzy, we may as well leave them by themselves.
Mary and I are going upstairs to sit in my dressing room. (EXITS.)
NARRATOR
Elizabeth returned immediately to the drawing room, but she soon
apprehended that her mother had been too ingenious for her. For Jane and
Mr. Bingley were most earnestly engaged. (BINGLEY AND JANE ARE
KISSING.)
LIZZY
Oh!
BINGLEY
Congratulate me, Miss Elizabeth. I am the happiest of men! I am going at
once to your father. (EXITS.)
JANE
Oh, Lizzy! I do not deserve it. Why is not everybody as happy?
LIZZY
Jane—I am so glad for you, so very glad.
78
NARRATOR
The situation of affairs in the Longbourne family could not be long a secret.
The Bennets were speedily pronounced the luckiest family in the world,
though only a few weeks ago, when Lydia had first run away, they had been
generally thought to be marked for misfortune.
LADY CATHERINE
(FROM OFFSTAGE.) Wait for me there. And don't let those horses stand
as you did last time, Brown. Walk 'em. Walk 'em!
(ENTER LADY CATHERINE.)
LIZZY
Lady Catherine! This is an unexpected pleasure. Will you walk into the
house?
LADY CATHERINE
I see no reason for that. It is you I have come to see. You must know why.
LIZZY
Indeed you are mistaken. I am not able at all to account for the honor of
seeing you here. Unless some message from Mrs. Collins...
LADY CATHERINE
Message from Mrs. Collins?! Psah! A report of a most alarming nature
reached me two days ago. I was told that you, that Miss Elizabeth Bennet
would, in all likelihood, be united to my nephew, my own nephew, Mr.
Darcy. Though I know this to be impossible, I have ridden here that I might
make my sentiments known to you.
LIZZY
If you believed it impossible, I wonder you took the trouble of coming so
far.
LADY CATHERINE
Impertinence! Mr. Darcy is engaged to my daughter. Now what have you to
say?
79
LIZZY
Only this; that if he is so, you can have no reason to suppose he will make an
offer to me.
LADY CATHERINE
If you were sensible of your own good, Miss Bennet, you would not wish to
quit the sphere in which you have been brought up.
LIZZY
He is a gentleman. I am a gentleman's daughter. So far we are equal.
LADY CATHERINE
True. You are a gentleman's daughter. But who was your mother? Who are
your uncles and aunts? Do not imagine me ignorant of their condition.
LIZZY
Whatever their condition may be, if your nephew does not object to them,
they can be nothing to you!
LADY CATHERINE
Tell me once and for all, are you engaged to him?
LIZZY
(BEAT.) No.
LADY CATHERINE
And will you promise me never to enter into such an engagement?
LIZZY
I will make no promise of the kind. (SHE BEGINS TO EXIT.)
LADY CATHERINE
Not so hasty, if you please. I am no stranger to the particulars of your
youngest sister's infamous elopement. Is such a girl to be my nephew's
sister? Is her husband, the son of his late father's steward, to be his brother?
Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?!?
80
LIZZY
You have now insulted me in every possible method. I must beg to return to
the house.
LADY CATHERINE
I take no leave of you, Miss Bennet. I send no compliments to your mother.
You deserve no such attention. I am most seriously displeased. (EXITS.)
NARRATOR
For the next hour, Elizabeth could not stop thinking about this extraordinary
scene—
LIZZY
Mr. Darcy was to visit them here, today. Lady Catherine would most
certainly meet him, coming from town. With his notions of dignity, he will
probably feel that Lady Catherine's arguments contain much good sense. If
an excuse from him comes, I shall know how to understand it. I shall give
over every hope of his affection. I shall—
MRS. BENNET
(OFF MIKE.) Lizzy! Lizzy! (ENTERING.) Lizzy—Mr. Bingley is here
and of course that dreadful Mr. Darcy with him.
LIZZY
Oh!
MRS. BENNET
I know you dislike the man, but pray walk with them, for they should like to
be alone and they cannot with that horrible man.
NARRATOR
Mr. Bingley and Jane soon moved ahead—and Elizabeth went boldly on
with Mr. Darcy. Alone.
LIZZY
Mr. Darcy, I am a very selfish creature; and, for the sake of giving relief to
my own feelings, care not how much I may be wounding yours. I can no
longer help thanking you for your unexampled kindness to my poor sister.
81
DARCY
I am sorry—exceedingly sorry that you have ever been informed of what
may have given you uneasiness. I did not think Mrs. Gardiner was so little
to be trusted.
LIZZY
You must not blame my aunt. Lydia's thoughtlessness first betrayed to me
that you had been concerned in the matter; and, of course, I could not rest til
I knew the particulars. Let me thank you again and again, in the name of all
my family.
DARCY
If you will thank me, let it be for yourself alone. Your family owe me
nothing. Much as I respect them, I believe, I thought only of you.
(PAUSE.) You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still
what they were last April, tell me so at once. My wishes are unchanged, but
one word from you will silence me forever.
LIZZY
I....my wishes are changed. That is, I...
(MUSIC UP, THEY KISS. ENTER MRS. BENNET.)
MRS. BENNET
Good gracious! Lord ! Only think! Dear me! Mr. Darcy! Is it really true?
Oh my dearest Lizzy. How rich she will be! What pin money! Jane's is
nothing to it! Such a charming man—so tall! I hope he will overlook my
having disliked him so much before!
NARRATOR
Happy for all her maternal feelings was the day on which Mrs. Bennet got
rid of her two most deserving daughters. I wish I could say that the
accomplishment of her most earnest desire made her a sensible, amiable,
well-informed woman—
MRS. BENNET
Three daughters married! Ten thousand a year! Oh, Lord! I shall go
distracted!!
82
NARRATOR
But this did not occur. And perhaps it was lucky for Mr. Bennet—
MR. BENNET
—who might not have relished domestic felicity in so unusual a form.
MISS BINGLEY
Miss Bingley's congratulations to her brother on his approaching marriage
were all that was affectionate—
NARRATOR
—and insincere. She wrote even to Jane on the occasion—
MISS BINGLEY
—to express her delight.
NARRATOR
Jane was not deceived—
JANE
But she was affected, and could not help giving her a kinder answer—
NARRATOR
—than she knew she deserved.
BINGLEY
Mr. Bingley and Jane remained at Netherfield only a twelvemonth.
NARRATOR
So near a vicinity to her mother was not desirable even to his easy temper.
LIZZY
And so the darling wish of Miss Bingley was then gratified; he bought an
estate in Derbyshire.
NARRATOR
And Jane and Elizabeth, in addition to every other source of happiness—
83
JANE
—were within thirty miles of each other.
KITTY
Kitty spent the chief of her time with her two elder sisters.
JANE
Her improvement was great.
LIZZY
And she became, by proper attention and management—
MR. BENNET
—less irritable, less ignorant, and less insipid.
LYDIA
My dearest Lizzy—I wish you joy. If you love Mr. Darcy half as well as I do
my dear Wickham, you must be very happy. It is a great comfort to have
you so rich, and when you have nothing else to do—
WICKHAM
—I hope you will think of us.
MARY
Mary was the only daughter who remained at home.
NARRATOR
But since she was no longer mortified by comparisons between her sister's
beauty and her own—
MARY
—and she could still moralize over every morning visit...
MR. BENNET
It was suspected by her father that she submitted to the change without much
reluctance. Mr. Bennet missed his second daughter exceedingly.
84
NARRATOR
His affection for her drew him oftener from home than anything else could
do. He delighted in going to Pemberley.
MR. BENNET
Especially when he was least expected. (WITH A SMALL CALL FOR
ATTENTION, HE READS HIS LETTER.) My dear Mr. Collins: Elizabeth
will soon be the wife of Mr. Darcy. Console Lady Catherine as best you
can. But, if I were you, I would stand by the nephew. He has more to give.
NARRATOR
But before any answer could arrive from Mr. Collins—
MR. COLLINS
The Collinses themselves came back to visit Hertfordshire.
NARRATOR
The reason for this removal was soon evident.
MR. COLLINS
Lady Catherine had been rendered so exceedingly angry by the knowledge
of her nephew's marriage—
NARRATOR
—that Charlotte—
CHARLOTTE
—really rejoicing in the match—
NARRATOR
—was anxious to get away til the storm was blown over.
LADY CATHERINE
Lady Catherine was extremely indignant on the marriage of her nephew.
NARRATOR
And as she gave way to all the genuine frankness of her character—
85
DARCY
—for some time all intercourse was at an end.
LIZZY
But at length by Elizabeth's persuasion—
DARCY
—he was prevailed on to overlook the offense and seek a reconciliation.
LADY CATHERINE
And after a little farther resistance she condescended to wait on them at
Pemberley—
LIZZY
—in spite of the pollution which its woods had received.
NARRATOR
With the Gardiners, they were always on the most intimate of terms.
DARCY
Darcy, as well as Elizabeth—
LIZZY
—really loved them.
DARCY
And they were both very sensible of the warmest gratitude towards the
persons who—
LIZZY
—by bringing her into Derbyshire—
NARRATOR
—had been the means of uniting them.
86