Pride and Prejudice-Mr. Darcy

Bingley: Yes, Caroline, all. I have never heard a young lady spoken of for the first time without being informed that she was very accomplished.

I fear I cannot boast knowing more than a half dozen in the whole range of my acquaintance that are really accomplished.

Elizabeth: I am almost afraid of asking you what you thought of me when we met at Pemberly. You blamed me for coming?

I felt only the pleasure of surprise. My object then was to show you by every civility in my power that your reproofs had been attended to. How soon any other wishes introduced themselves I can hardly tell, but I believe in about half an hour after I had seen you.

Elizabeth: Did you speak from your own observation, or merely from my information last spring?

I had narrowly observed her, and I was convinced of her affection.

Elizabeth: You shall hear then, but prepare for something very dreadful. The first time of ever my seeing him was at a ball and he refused to dance, and more than one young lady was sitting down in want of a partner.

I had not the honour of knowing any lady in the assembly and I am ill qualified to recommend myself to strangers.

Miss Bingley: Oh?

I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow.

Collins: Mr. Collins, sir.

Delighted.

Elizabeth: Very well, that reply will do for the present, now we may be silent.

Do you talk by the rule then when you are dancing?

Elizabeth: Knowing his misfortunes who would not feel an interest in him?

His misfortunes!

Elizabeth: No, I thank you. Only dreadful news. My younger sister has left all her friends, has eloped, under the power of... of Mr. Wickham. You know him too well to doubt the rest... she is lost forever.

I am grieved... shocked, but is it absolutely certain?

Elizabeth: I am delighted by this compliment.

Ah.

Elizabeth: My health, Mr. Darcy, meets all the usual standards.

Ah.

Elizabeth: Yes.

Ah.

Elizabeth: I sincerely beg your pardon. You have not yet learned to be laughed at, but it was rather too early to begin. (She kisses him. He kisses her.)

Ah. Pray excuse me, I must speak to your father.

Elizabeth: "She was then but fifteen and was persuaded to believe herself in love and consented to an elopement." (Georgiana and Wickham kiss.)

Fortunately, regarding me as almost a second father, she confessed her plans.

Elizabeth: Oh! Where, is my aunt? I must find her this moment on business that cannot be delayed.

Good God, what is the matter?

Elizabeth: In such cases as this, it is, I believe, the established mode to express a sense of obligation for the sentiments avowed however unequally they may be returned. It is natural that obligation should be felt, 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. The feelings which you tell me have long prevented the acknowledgment of your regard can have little difficulty in overcoming it after this explanation.

And this is all the reply which I am to have the honour of expecting! I might, perhaps, wish to be informed why, with so little endeavor with civility, I am thus rejected?

Elizabeth: And of your infliction. You have withheld the advantages which you must know to have been designed for him and yet you treat the mention of his misfortunes with contempt.

And this is your opinion of me! I thank you for explaining it so fully. These bitter accusations might have been suppressed had I, with greater policy flattered you in the belief of my being impelled by unqualified, unalloyed inclination. But disguise of every sort is my abhorrence.

Miss Bingley: She must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, languages and a certain something in her air and manner, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions or the word will be but half deserved.

And to all this she must yet add something more substantial in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading.

Miss Bingley: Has been greatly excited.

And we were alike sensible that... Darcy and Miss Bingley: No time should be lost in detaching him.

Elizabeth: Merely to the illustration of your character. I am trying to make it out.

And what is your success?

Mr. Lucas: Welcome ladies and gentlemen all to my hearth and home. What more charming amusement for young people than the dance, eh? I consider it one of the first refinements of polished societies.

Any savage can dance sir.

Elizabeth: My health?

As I've not... encountered you these past days I thought... I come to... enquire of your health.

Elizabeth: The conduct of neither, if strictly examined, will be irreproachable; but since then we have both, I hope, improved in civility.

As a child I was taught what was right but I was not taught to correct my temper. I was given good principles, but left to follow them only in pride and conceit. By you I was properly humbled. I came to you without a doubt of my reception. You showed me how insufficient were all my pretensions to please a woman worthy of being pleased.

Elizabeth: Mr. Darcy, I am a very selfish creature, and for the sake of giving relief to my own feelings care not much how I may be wounding yours. I can no longer help thanking you for your unexampled kindness to my poor sister. We're it known to the rest of my family I should not have merely my own gratitude to express.

I am sorry, exceedingly sorry that you have been informed of what may, in a mistaken light, have given you uneasiness. I did not think Mrs. Gardiner was so little to be trusted.

Elizabeth: In all regards... well.

I am very pleased to hear so. Would you do me the honour of introducing me to your friends?

Elizabeth: I remember hearing you say Mr. Darcy that you hardly ever forgave, that your resentment once created was unappeasable. You are very cautious, I suppose as to its being created?

I am.

Elizabeth: Exactly.

I am...

Elizabeth: You are?

I am... yes, very much so. (They both smile.) I believe my aunt has been to see you.

Elizabeth: I do not get on at all. I hear such different accounts of you as to puzzle me exceedingly.

I can readily believe that reports may vary greatly with respect to me; and I could wish, Miss Bennett, that you would not sketch my character at present, as there is reason to fear that the performance would reflect no credit on either.

Miss Bingley: I confess I am all astonishment. How long has she been such a favourite? And pray when am I to wish you joy?

I expected as much. A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love to matrimony, in a moment.

Elizabeth: And never allow yourself to be blinded by prejudice.

May I ask to what these questions tend?

Elizabeth: Indeed... most welcome.

May I enquire of your well being and that of your family?

Elizabeth: I might title them "dances of mortification".

May I hope for the next Miss Bennett?

Elizabeth: Mr. Darcy.

May I... would it be suitable if I... enquired of your health.

Elizabeth: That is a failing indeed. But you have chosen your fault well. I really cannot laugh at it. You are safe from me.

There is, I believe, in every disposition a tendency to some particular evil, a natural defect, which even the best education cannot overcome.

Elizabeth: I have always, Mr. Darcy, 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, and be handed down to posterity with all the éclat of a proverb.

This is no very striking resemblance of your own character, I am sure. How near it may be to mine I cannot pretend to say.

Elizabeth: "Bingley has great natural modestly with a stronger dependence on my judgement than on his own."

To convince him he has deceived himself was not difficult. Darcy and Elizabeth: "On this subject I have nothing more to say and no apology to offer." With respect to that other, more weighty accusation of having injured Mr. Wickham, that I will attempt to refute.

Elizabeth: Did you not think Mr. Darcy, that I expressed myself uncommonly well just now when I was teasing Colonel Forster to give us a ball at Meryton?

With great energy, but it is a subject which always makes a lady energetic.

Elizabeth: Most kind but...

Would to heaven that anything could be said or done on my part, that might offer consolation to such distress.

Miss Bingley: (Looks for agreement to Darcy. He remains silent.) I particularly recollect your saying one night "She a beauty, I should as soon call her mother a wit." But afterwards she seemed to improve on you. I believe you thought her rather pretty at one time?

Yes, but that was only when I first knew her, for I know consider her the most handsomest woman of my acquaintance.

Elizabeth: Such as vanity and pride?

Yes, vanity is a weakness indeed. But pride— where there is a real superiority of mind— pride will be always under good regulation. I have faults enough but they are not, I hope, of understanding. My temper I dare not vouch for. It is, I believe, too little yielding and perhaps resentful. My good opinion once lost is lost forever.

Elizabeth: No...I...no...

You are very ill.

Elizabeth: (Darcy stationed close to observe her.) You mean to frighten me, Mr. Darcy but my courage always rises with every attempt to intimidate me.

You could not really believe me to entertain any design of alarming you. 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.

Collins: Ah, Mr. Darcy, you are if I am not mistaken the nephew of my eminent patroness Lady Catherine de Bourgh who secured for me the living at Hunsford Parsonage this allow me to observe that I consider the clerical office as equal in point of dignity with the highest rank in the kingdom— provided that a proper humility of behaviour is at the same time maintained.

You have neglected your name sir.

Elizabeth: The mode of your declaration has not affected me Mr. Darcy. 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 your arrogance and selfish disdain for the feelings of others have built an immovable dislike. You are Mr. Darcy the last man whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry.

You have said quite enough, Madam. I perfectly comprehend your feelings. Forgive me for having taken so much of your time, and accept my best wishes for your health and happiness.

Collins: (Taken aback) Have I?

You have.

Bingley: Come, Darcy, I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You had much better dance.

You know how I detest it unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. Your sister is engaged, and there is not another woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with.

Elizabeth: Quite clearly said. But it's not merely this affair on which my dislike is founded. Your character was unfolded in the recital which I received many months ago from Mr. Wickham.

You take an eager interest in that gentleman's concerns.

Elizabeth: (Away from the letter.) Indeed on both sides this is only an assertion and yet every line confuses my belief in Mr. Darcy's infamy. (Back to letter.)

You will hardly blame me for refusing his entreaty and his resentment was so great...

Miss Bingley: The insipidity, the noise, the nothingness and yet the self-importance of all these people! What I would give to hear your strictures on them.

Your conjecture is totally wrong, I assure you.

Bingley: I would not be so fastidious as you are for a kingdom! I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life and several uncommonly pretty.

Your partner, the eldest Miss Bennett is the only handsome girl in the room.

Elizabeth: "Before I observed my friend's behaviour and perceived his most surprising partiality..."

Your sister I also watched...

Elizabeth: Indeed sir, I have not the least intention of dancing. I entreat you not to suppose I moved this way in order to beg for a partner.

Might I have the honour of your hand for the next, Miss Bennett?

Lady Catherine: .... A word Mr. Collins. (Darcy and Fitzwilliam enter)

Miss Bennett, I had not hoped to see you here.

Elizabeth: Oh. Mr. Gardiner: Ah. (An uncomfortable pause.)

Miss Bennett, this is a... most welcome surprise.

(Elizabeth is now back at the parsonage. Darcy enters.)

Miss Bennett.

Mrs. Bennett: Mr. Darcy is here Elizabeth, and most and most expressly to see you. (The parents exchange an amazed look and exit. Darcy enters.)

Miss Bennett.

Elizabeth: A Mr. Wickham.

Mr. Wickham is blessed with such happy manners as May ensure his making friends— whether he may be equally capable of retaining them, is less certain.

Elizabeth: And is Mr. Darcy not to be laughed at?

The wisest and best of men may be rendered ridiculous by a person whose first object in life is a joke.

Mr. Wickham: (Everyone leaves, Wickham remains.) In short, is behavior to me has been scandalous.

My father was not only find of this man's society but hoped the church would be his profession.

Elizabeth: She has.

My feelings, you may know, are exactly contrariwise. I hope you spoke to her quite frankly?

Elizabeth: "And though her manners were open and engaging there was no symptom of warm regard or sentiment. She received is attentions but remained, to my eye, indifferent." (Jane and Bingley stop dancing and leave.)

My objections to the marriage proceeded also from cause of repugnance. Your family's want of propriety betrayed by your mother's manners, your younger sisters' forward mess, and even forgive me your father's misplaced wit. All confirmed my scene...

(Elizabeth and Mr. Gardiner are outside. Darcy suddenly appears.)

Oh.

Elizabeth: (Smiles.) And Mr. Bingley?

On the evening of my going to London, I told him all that occurred to make my former interference in his affairs absurd and impertinent. I told him moreover that I believed myself mistaken in supposing your sister was indifferent to him; and as I could easily perceive that his attachment to her was unabated, I felt no doubt of their happiness together.

Elizabeth: Other wishes?

Other wishes, yes.

Elizabeth: Certainly there are such people, it I hope I am not of them them. I hope I never ridicule what is wise and good. Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies, do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can. But these, I suppose, are precisely what you are without.

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.

Elizabeth: Mr. Darcy. (A pause.) Mr. Darcy, my feelings... (A pause.) have undergone so material a change since the period you allude to as to... as to make me receive with gratitude your... your...

Present assurances.

Mr. Gardiner: Wonderful stream, Mr. Darcy, capital angling I suspect?

Quite satisfactory Mr. Gardiner, should you continue in the neighborhood please do me the pleasure of fishing here as often as you choose. I can easily provide the recommend tackle and direct you to those parts of the stream where there is usually most sport.

Mr. Bennett: You have been quite silent, Mr. Darcy, I hope you are well.

Quite well. (A pause.) Very well.

Bingley: Just there, whom I dare say is very agreeable. Allow me to ask my partner to introduce you.

She is tolerable, but that is insufficient to tempt me. Pray return to Miss Bennett, you are wasting your time with me.

Bingley: I say, sister, would you perhaps take to the pianoforte and favour is with a lovely scotch air?

Splendid. And perhaps Miss Bennett will then seize the opportunity to show us a "fling". (No answer) Simple seeming, but difficult in the execution. (Plays pianoforte) Will you essay Miss Bennett?

Elizabeth: My uncle and aunt.

That of course, only adds to the honour.

Elizabeth: And what do you narrowly observe in me, Mr. Darcy?

That something, I am not sure what, is expected. (Elizabeth laughs.) What have I done?

Elizabeth: "...that I must preserve my friend from a most unhappy connection." (Miss Bingley appears.)

In London I found his sister's uneasiness...

Elizabeth: (Silence)

In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you... how ardently... I admire... and love you.

Miss Bennett: How very ill Eliza Bennett looked this morning, Mr. Darcy. I never in my life saw someone so much altered as she is since the winter. She is grown so brown and coarse!

It is, perhaps, no miraculous consequence of traveling in the summer.

Charlotte: Do not be a simpleton and allow your fancy for Wickham to make you appear unpleasant in the eyes of a man of ten times his consequence.

(Charlotte pushes Elizabeth back to you. The stage clears, leaving you alone.) Well then.

Miss Bingley: Dear me, your company has seems to have fled the grounds in disarray.

(Lost in thought.) Your pardon?

Elizabeth: (To herself.) In this light his attentions to Miss King seem now the consequence of views solely and hatefully mercenary.

(Moved close behind Elizabeth.) This Madam, is a faithful narrative of every event. If your abhorrence of me should make my assertions valueless, I direct you to Colonel Fitzwilliam, also guardian of Georgiana who is fully aware of every particular described above. Elizabeth and Darcy: God bless you.

Elizabeth: (Alone) Next morning I awoke to the same thoughts that had kept sleep long at bay and resolved to see what air and exercise might do for my meditations this proceeded to my favourite walk.

(She walks. Darcy blocks her path.) I have been wandering in the grove some time in the hope of meeting you. Will you do me the honour of reading this letter?

Elizabeth: And your defect is a propensity to hate everybody.

(Smiling) And yours is willfully to misunderstand them.

Elizabeth: (To Fitzwilliam) Your cousin will give you a very pretty notion of me and teach you not to believe a word I say. Take care sir, for you are provoking me to retaliate and such things may come out as will shock your relations to hear.

(Smiling) I am not afraid of you.

Elizabeth: "The business was soon settled. He resigned all claim to assistance in the church..."

...and accepted in return three thousand pounds. Three years later he applied to me again having found the law being an unprofitable study and being then again resolved to be ordained.

Wickham: (Direct to Darcy.) You betray your father's wishes and your own honour sir.

...that every appearance of acquaintance was dropped.

Elizabeth: Nor I.

Allow me to present Colonel Fitzwilliam.

Mr. Gardiner: (Hard of hearing.) Eh?

Best sport.

Elizabeth: I might as well enquire, why, with so evident a design of offending and insulting me you chose to tell me that you liked me against your will, against your reason and even against your character? Was not this some excuse for incivility, if I was uncivil? But I have other provocations, you know I have. Do you think that any consideration would tempt me to accept the man who has been the means of ruining, perhaps forever, the happiness of a beloved sister? You divided Mr. Bingley and Jane from each other, or at the very least yours was the principal means, involving them both in misery of the acutest kind. Can you deny that you have done it?

I have no wish to deny that I did everything in my power to separate my friend from your sister, or that I rejoice in my success. Towards him I have been kinder than towards myself.

Elizabeth: Shall we ask him why a man of sense and education who has lived in the world is ill qualified to recommend himself to strangers?

I have not the talent of conversing easily with those I have never seen before.

Mr. Gardiner: Please exempt our forwardness in walking the grounds. Your housekeeper informed us you would certainly not be here until tomorrow.

I have preceded my party to arrange their comfort. (To Elizabeth.) Among them are some who will claim acquaintance with you... Mr. Bingley and his sister, and one who more particularly wishes to be known to you. Will you allow me, or do I ask too much, to introduce my sister to your acquaintance during your stay at Lambton?

Elizabeth: (She doesn't speak.)

I have spoken ill but mean well, Miss Bennett.

Elizabeth: 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.

I quite assure you that whatever you wish me to say will be said.

Elizabeth: (Startled, looks down.)

I see I dismay you. I am slow, even dilatory. I should have declared myself at an earlier date. But there were, of course, the family obstacles which judgement always opposed to inclination. The general sense of your social inferiority, of being a degradation of the line. I could not forget my responsibility to an estate, a way of life, a pride of place which might given your circumstances disinclude you and thus the very ardency I described took place against my will and reason, or rather in opposition to my character and inclination, but the very strength of my attachment has made it impossible for me to conquer my feelings and I can only express the hope that these feelings will now be rewarded by your acceptance of my hand. There.

Miss Bingley: Mr. Darcy. I can guess the subject of your reverie.

I should imagine not.

Elizabeth: I have not an instant to lose.

I will send a servant, you cannot go alone. A glass of wine; shall I get you one?

Elizabeth: "You may imagine what I felt and how I acted."

I wrote to Mr. Wickham in undisguised heat and he left London immediately and alone. (Wickham and Georgina exit.) His chief object had questionably been my sister's fortune of thirty thousand pounds and the hope, I think of revenging himself on me.

Elizabeth: Certain. My father is gone to London and I am sure Mr. Gardiner will assist but how is such a man to be worked on, how are they even to be discovered?

If there is anything...

Elizabeth: You must not blame my aunt. My sister's thoughtlessness dirt betrayed me to your involvement. Let me thank you again and again.

If you will thank me, let it be for yourself alone. Your family owes me nothing. Much as I respect them, I believe I thought only if you. (Elizabeth embarrassed, does not speak.) So. Indeed. Well. (A 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 affections and wishes are unchanged; but one word from you will silence me forever.

Elizabeth: Mr. Darcy is all politeness but I must deny myself the pleasure. (Miss Bingley approaches.)

Miss Bingley.

Miss Bingley: Truly? Pray tell me what lady has the credit of inspiring such reflections?

Miss Elizabeth Bennett.

Elizabeth: (Colours and laughs.) Yes, you know enough of my frankness to believe me capable of that. After a using you so abominably to your face, I could have no scruple in abusing you to all your relations.

What did you say of me that did not deserve? My previous behavior to you has merited the severest reproof. It was unpardonable.

Elizabeth: He has been so unlucky as to lose your friendship, and in a manner in which he is likely to suffer from all his life.

What think you of books Miss Elizabeth?