Pride and Prejudice, a play founded on Jane Austen's novel

[She goes off laughing and mingles with the guests. Colonel Forster bows and leaves Elizabeth with her mother. Bingley enters with Jane from the drawing-room. He sees Darcy, who is standing where Miss Bingley left him, and comes to him.

Bingley

I thought this next dance was the one you liked so much, Darcy. Let me find you a partner.

Darcy

[Starting, as if from a reverie..] So it is. Thank you – I have a partner.

[He goes to Elizabeth, bows, and they go into the ball-room together. Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Long follow them.]

Bingley

[Looking after Darcy with a smile, turns to Jane.] You must be tired, Miss Bennet. I propose that we sit quietly through this dance. Do you agree?

Jane

Yes, indeed. [She sits on the bench.] It will be very pleasant. [Looking about her.] How very prettily you have arranged all the rooms, Mr. Bingley.

Bingley

I am so glad you think so. I feared they were rather inconvenient for so large a party.

Jane

Oh, I find them delightful!

Bingley

You are always charitable, Miss Bennet. It seems to me you always manage to see the best side of everything. I never knew you to say an ill word about a person or a place.

Jane

[Smiling.] Oh, I fear that is not quite exact. I only try to see things in their best light, perhaps.

Bingley

That is just it. The rest of us rarely try to see things in that way. So you see I have proved my case. You are too amiable.

Jane

Not for to-night, Mr. Bingley. Everybody is of one mind to-night. There is but one point of view – you are giving nothing but pleasure.

Bingley

[Soberly.] I wish it were so – but – [With impulsive earnestness.] Dear Miss Bennet, I wish to tell you – I must tell you —

[He is interrupted by the people coming in again from the dance. Darcy and Elizabeth enter with Sir William Lucas and others. Bingley and Jane rise from their seats and walk slowly toward the back of the room. Darcy escorts Elizabeth to a seat and stands by her. They are both silent for a moment.]

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 rooms, or the number of couples.

Darcy

[Smiling.] I assure you I will say whatever you wish.

Elizabeth

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.

Darcy

Do you talk by rule then?

Elizabeth

Sometimes. One must speak a little, you know, – 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 the present case, or do you imagine that you are gratifying mine?

Elizabeth

[Archly.] Both, for I have always 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.

Darcy

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. You think it a faithful portrait, undoubtedly.

Elizabeth

I shall not decide on my own performance. [There is a short silence; then, as if with an effort, Elizabeth speaks.] I am surprised not to see Mr. Wickham here to-night. I find that he is a great favourite with the officers. He has made many friends among them.

Darcy

[With great hauteur.] 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.

Elizabeth

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

[They are both silent.]

Sir William Lucas

[Coming up to them all urbanity and smiles.] What a charming amusement for young people this dancing is, Mr. Darcy! I consider it as one of the first refinements of polished societies.

Darcy

Certainly, sir, and it has the advantage also of being in vogue amongst the less polished societies of the world: every savage can dance.

Sir William

[Smiling.] Do you often dance at St. James?

Darcy

Never, sir.

Sir William

You have a house in town, I conclude.

[Mr. Darcy bows, but does not speak.]

Sir William

I had once some thoughts of fixing in town myself: but I did not feel quite certain that the air of London would agree with Lady Lucas.

[Mr. Darcy bows in silence again– Elizabeth is amused.]

Sir William

But I must not further interrupt you, sir! I only wish to tell you once more how highly gratified I have been by your superior dancing; allow me also to say that your fair partner does not disgrace you. It is a great pleasure to see you together. I must hope to – to have this pleasure often repeated, especially when a certain desirable event, my dear Miss Eliza, [Glancing at Bingley and Jane, who are talking earnestly together at the back of the scene.] shall take place. What congratulations will then flow in: but let me not interrupt you – you will not thank me, Mr. Darcy, for detaining you from the bewitching converse of that young lady, whose bright eyes are also upbraiding me!

Darcy

[Murmurs to himself.] So! [Looking earnestly at Bingley and Jane, he seems much impressed by what Sir William has said. Elizabeth notices this. Recovering himself, Darcy turns to her again.] Sir William's interruption has made me forget what we were talking of.

Elizabeth

I do not think we were speaking at all. Sir William could not have interrupted any two people who had less to say for themselves. We have tried two or three subjects already without success, and what we are to talk of next, I cannot imagine.

Darcy

[Smiling.] What think you of books?

Elizabeth

Books? Oh no: I am sure we never read the same, or not with the same feelings.

Darcy

I am sorry you think so, but if that be the case, there can at least be no want of subject. We may compare our different opinions of them.

Elizabeth

No, I cannot talk of books at a ball – my head is always full of something else.

Darcy

The present always occupies you in such scenes, does it?

Elizabeth

[In an absent manner.] Yes, always. [Suddenly.] I remember hearing you once 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?

Darcy

[Firmly.] I am.

Elizabeth

And never allow yourself to be blinded by prejudice?

Darcy

I hope not.

Elizabeth

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 lead?

Elizabeth

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

Darcy

And what is your success?

Elizabeth

[Shaking her head.] I do not get on at all. I hear such different accounts of you as puzzle me exceedingly.

Darcy

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

Elizabeth

But if I do not take your likeness now I may never have another opportunity.

Darcy

[Very stiffly.] I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours.

[Miss Bingley enters from the ball-room. She comes directly to Darcy and Elizabeth.]

Miss Bingley

Oh, Mr. Darcy – would you be so good as to go to Charles? He wishes very much to consult with you about some of the table arrangements. You will find him in the dining-parlour. [With exaggerated politeness to Elizabeth.] That is, if Miss Bennet will permit you.

Elizabeth

[Carelessly.] Oh, certainly.

[Darcy bows and goes out.]

Miss Bingley

[To Elizabeth, after a moment's silence.] So, Miss Bennet, I hear that you are quite delighted with George Wickham. He must have told you all a pretty tale. As to Mr. Darcy's using him ill, it is perfectly false. I do not know the particulars, but I do know that George Wickham has treated Mr. Darcy in a most infamous manner. His coming into the county at all is a most insolent thing. I feel very strongly on this point, Miss Bennet, as Mr. Darcy's interests are so intimately associated with our own. [She watches Elizabeth.] We hope Miss Georgiana Darcy may some day be my sister. My brother admires her greatly.

Elizabeth

[With indifference.] Ah!

Miss Bingley

Yes, and therefore we resent these falsehoods and this presumption on the part of George Wickham. But, really, considering his descent, we could not expect much better. He has evidently forgotten to tell you that he is the son of old Wickham, steward to the late Mr. Darcy.

Elizabeth

[Angrily.] His guilt and his descent appear by your account to be the same. I have heard you accuse him of nothing worse than of being the son of Mr. Darcy's steward, and of that, I can assure you, he informed me himself.

Miss Bingley

[With a sneer.] Oh! I beg your pardon. Excuse my interference; it was kindly meant.

[She goes out.]

Elizabeth

Insolent girl! You are much mistaken if you expect to influence me by such a paltry attack at this. I see nothing in it but your own wilful ignorance and the malice of Mr. Darcy.

[Footmen now come in with small tables, which they place about the stage. Bingley comes in and directs them. Darcy follows him.]

Bingley

[To Elizabeth, Jane, his sister, and others who have entered.] I thought it would be pleasant to have some of the tables here. [To Jane.] We must have places together.

[With some bustle, all seat themselves. At the table on one side are seated Darcy, Elizabeth, Bingley and Jane: A little behind them are Miss Bingley with Colonel Forster, Charlotte Lucas with an officer. At the table on the opposite side is Mrs. Bennet with Sir William and Lady Lucas. Behind them are more tables at which other guests are seated.]

Lydia

[Entering with Denny, much excited, goes to Mrs. Bennet.] Mamma, have you heard the news? Mr. Denny has just told me that the regiment is to leave Meryton, and go to Brighton! Good heavens! What is to become of us, mamma?

Mrs. Bennet

[Sympathetically.] Are they really going? Well, my love, it is too bad! I know how you feel. I am sure I cried for two days together when Colonel Millar's regiment went away, five-and-twenty years ago. I thought I should have broken my heart.

Lydia

I am sure I shall break mine. [Coaxingly.] Mamma, might we not all go to Brighton?

Mrs. Bennet

Oh, if we only could! But I fear your father will not hear of it.

Lydia

Oh, papa is so disagreeable! I am sure a little sea-bathing would set me up forever! Wouldn't it, Mr. Denny?

Denny

Surely, Miss Lydia. Oh, you must manage it in some way.

[They move off and take their places at one of the tables.]

Mrs. Bennet

[Looking after them.] Well, Lady Lucas, it is hard for a lively young girl like my Lydia to be cooped up in a place where there is so little going on. However, [Looking at Bingley and Jane.] we are not likely to have it so very dull in the future. [In a loud whisper to Lady Lucas.] You know what I mean – [Nudging her and laughing.] Jane and Bingley!

Lady Lucas

Ah! Indeed!

Mrs. Bennet

[With importance and in a still louder tone.] Oh, yes! It's quite settled. Such a charming young man – and Netherfield only three miles from Longbourn! And Jane's marrying will be a fine thing for my other girls. They will be sure to meet other rich men who will fall in love with them.

Elizabeth

[Who has heard the beginning of this conversation, makes a pretext to go to arrange her mother's scarf and says in low tones.] Oh, mamma! Be careful, I beg. Mr. Darcy can hear you!

Mrs. Bennet

What is Mr. Darcy to me, pray, that I should be afraid of him? I am sure we owe him no such particular civility as to be obliged to say nothing he may not like to hear!

Elizabeth

[In distress.] For heaven's sake, Madam, speak lower! What advantage can it be to you to offend Mr. Darcy? You will never recommend yourself to his friend by so doing.

Mrs. Bennet

That is enough, Lizzy! I think I can take care of myself. I never knew before that it was a crime to speak to one's friends about what everybody can see plainly enough, who has eyes in his head. [Turning to Sir William.] Did you, Sir William?

Sir William

[Smiling.] Our friends usually have very sharp eyes for what is going on, Mrs. Bennet! [Significantly.] I have, indeed, sometimes expected that you would observe what has been going on in our own household of late.

Mrs. Bennet

[Sharply.] Going on? What has been going on, Sir William?

Sir William

[With an important air.] It is only this, Mrs. Bennet, that Lady Lucas and myself have to ask your congratulations on our very great satisfaction in the recent engagement of our daughter, Charlotte.

Mrs. Bennet

Charlotte! Engaged! Why, who in the world is going to marry her?

[Sir William draws himself up with offended dignity; Lady Lucas bridles.]

Sir William

The gentleman whom my daughter has honoured with her hand is your husband's cousin – Mr. Collins!

Mrs. Bennet

[Rising in rage and amazement.] Mr. Collins! Marry your Charlotte? Good Lord, Sir William, how can you tell such a story! Do not you know that Mr. Collins is going to marry my Lizzy – or – or one of my other girls!

Lady Lucas

Well, really, Mrs. Bennet!

Sir William

[Offended.] What I have told you is quite true, nevertheless, Mrs. Bennet. The whole matter was settled before Mr. Collins returned to Hunsford. I am sorry we are not to receive your good wishes.

Elizabeth

[Hastily.] Oh, but you are, Sir William! Charlotte has already told me all about her engagement, and we shall be most happy to welcome her as a cousin.

Sir William

[Mollified and with gallantry.] Thank you, Miss Elizabeth! I am sure other congratulations will shortly be in order.

[He glances significantly at Darcy; Elizabeth draws herself up. Sir William, smiling, makes a little bow and then turns to the table, where he and Lady Lucas busy themselves with their supper.]

Mrs. Bennet

[To Elizabeth.] So Charlotte has told you, has she? I don't believe a word of it!

Elizabeth

Oh, mamma!

Mrs. Bennet

I am sure Mr. Collins has been taken in. Well, I trust they will never be happy together, and I hope the match will be broken off.

Elizabeth

[Imploringly.] Mamma!

Mrs. Bennet

[Turning on Elizabeth in a rage.] And you are the cause of the whole mischief, Lizzy! I think I have been barbarously used by you all!

[While this conversation has been going on, the other guests have been taking their supper. Colonel Forster now rises with a glass of wine in his hand.]

Colonel Forster

Ladies and gentlemen – [The buzz of conversation ceases.] Ladies and gentlemen, I should like to propose the health of Mr. Bingley.

All

Mr. Bingley!

Colonel Forster

[Raising his glass.] To Mr. Bingley – may the pleasure which he has given us all to-night be but a foretaste of the future happiness which he will both receive and give in this community.

All

Mr. Bingley – Colonel Forster! – Mr. Bingley!

[All drink as Bingley bows.]

Sir William

[Rising.] And may I be allowed to still farther express the sentiments of this community, by proposing another toast in which I am sure you will all join me with enthusiasm? [Raising his glass.] To the Master of Netherfield! May he retain that title from his present fortunate youth, to his future green and honoured old age!

All

[Drinking.] Mr. Bingley! Sir William! Mr. Bingley!

Bingley

[Rising.] Ladies and gentlemen! Friends!

All

Hear! Hear!

Bingley

I – I really cannot tell you how much I am touched by the very kind words of Colonel Forster and Sir William! And – and I only wish that I deserved them.

All

Indeed, you do!

Bingley

[Embarrassed and looking toward Darcy, who with folded arms, is staring at the ceiling.] No, I do not. I – I did not like to speak of such a painful thing on an occasion like this, and so I have told no one of the fact that I am about to – to leave Netherfield.

All

Leave Netherfield! Oh! Oh!

Bingley

[Still more ill at ease.] Yes. – It is a very sudden decision, but – but important interests have made it necessary for me to – [Lamely.] to leave Netherfield.

Sir William

But only for a time, Mr. Bingley! Let us hope it will only be a – a temporary separation.

Mrs. Bennet

Why, surely, Mr. Bingley, you will be back again very soon.

Bingley

[In a dogged manner.] No – no. I am afraid my returning at all is extremely uncertain. In fact, I – I expect to leave Netherfield permanently.

[Great consternation. Jane looks down. Elizabeth looks at Darcy. Miss Bingley has a triumphant smile.]

Colonel Forster

[Incredulously.] Oh, my dear Mr. Bingley!

Sir William

[Solemnly.] This is, indeed, a calamity.

Mrs. Bennet

[To Elizabeth.] Good Lord, Lizzy, poor Jane! What —

Elizabeth

Oh, hush, mamma!

Bingley

[Looks again at Darcy, who remains perfectly calm through all this commotion. This time the sight of him seems to make Bingley somewhat angry, and he pulls himself together and speaks in a firmer tone and in a more cheerful manner.] But, my friends, nobody knows what may happen. We shall undoubtedly all meet again sometime, and meanwhile, you must not let what I have said spoil your pleasure. [The music is now heard again in the ball-room.] There is the music. We must have another dance together.

[There is a general movement among the guests. Those at the back of the room begin to go into the ball-room.]

Bingley

[To Jane, Colonel Forster, and others near him.] Let us make up a set here; I think there will be room.

Colonel Forster

Capital idea!

[The Footmen remove the tables.]

Miss Bingley

Oh, yes, capital! [With meaning, to Darcy.] Do not you think so, Mr. Darcy?

[Darcy bows stiffly, without speaking.]

Colonel Forster

Miss Bingley, may I have the pleasure?

[She bows, looks daggers at Darcy, and takes her place in the dance.]

Bingley

[To Jane.] Miss Bennet, will you grant me the happiness? [Darcy gives him a look which Elizabeth sees.] The – the final happiness of my stay at Netherfield.

Jane

[Curtsies, a tremor in her voice.] Thank you.

[They begin to form a set with Miss Bingley and Colonel Forster, Lydia and Denny.]

Darcy

[Crossing to Elizabeth.] May I have the honour, Miss Elizabeth?

Elizabeth

[Looking at him with frank hauteur.] Thank you, Mr. Darcy, I am indisposed.

[Darcy bows, reddens, and crosses to the other side of the room. The music begins. Amid embarrassed astonishment, Sir William and Charlotte Lucas fill the quadrille set. As the dance commences, Elizabeth and Darcy, standing at either side of the dancers, exchange a glance of the keenest pride and prejudice.]

ACT III

The parlour of Mr. Collins's parsonage at Hunsford. At the back of the room is an open door. This door leads directly into the garden, beyond which is seen, through an opening in the trees of the park opposite, "the prospect of Rosings" – the residence of Lady Catherine de Bourg – "a handsome, modern building on rising ground." A wide cottage window, also at the back of the room, gives a plain view of the passers-by. On either side of the parlour is a door, leading to other parts of the house. Elizabeth is discovered standing at the open door and looking up at some one outside who is evidently climbing the trellis.

A Voice (outside.)

Is this the cluster you wish, Miss Bennet?

Elizabeth

[Mischievously.] No, Colonel Fitzwilliam. Those are buds; the ones higher still. There – by the eaves.

[Elizabeth laughingly watches Colonel Fitzwilliam until he appears with a cluster of half opened roses, which he presents to her with a gallant air.]

Elizabeth

[Taking the roses and putting them in her girdle.]

Thank you.

Colonel Fitzwilliam

May not I have one, as my reward, Miss Bennet?

Elizabeth

Is not accomplishment its own reward?

Colonel Fitzwilliam

And is not the power to be generous the highest reward that can be given to any accomplishment?

Elizabeth

Oh, surely! And so you would have to be generous and get me some more roses: then we should each of us have to invent new speeches, and so we should never be done till we were ready to print a phrase book. However, you have certainly won your rose. [She gives it to him.]

Colonel Fitzwilliam

Thank you! That phrase-book is a capital idea, Miss Bennet. Nothing could please me better than just such an occupation. It would really be a charity, for Darcy is such a dull fellow these days that I really don't know what to do with myself.

Elizabeth

But we should hardly have the time for such a project. You say that you and Mr. Darcy are to leave Lady Catherine on Saturday.

Colonel Fitzwilliam

Yes, if Darcy doesn't put it off again. He has already paid our aunt a much longer visit than ever before. I am at his disposal, you know. He arranges the business just as he pleases.

Elizabeth

I do not know anybody who seems more to enjoy the power of doing what he pleases than Mr. Darcy.

Colonel Fitzwilliam

He likes to have his own way very well, but so do we all. It is only that he has better means of having it than many others. [Looking at his watch.] I suppose I ought to go and look for him now. I expected to find him here, [With a meaning smile.] as not unfrequently happens. But since he is not, he probably expects me to meet him at the Crossroads.

Elizabeth

I imagine your cousin brought you down with him chiefly for the sake of having somebody at his disposal. I wonder he does not marry to secure a lasting convenience of that kind. But perhaps his sister does as well for the present, – and, as she is under his sole care, he may do what he likes with her.

Colonel Fitzwilliam

No – that is an advantage which he must share with me. I am joined with him in the guardianship of Miss Darcy.

Elizabeth

Are you, indeed? And pray what sort of a guardian do you make? Does your charge give you much trouble? Young ladies of her age are sometimes a little difficult to manage. And, if she has the true Darcy spirit, she may like to have her own way.

[Colonel Fitzwilliam looks at Elizabeth very suspiciously as she makes this last remark.]

Colonel Fitzwilliam

Why – what? – Why do you suppose Miss Darcy is likely to give us any uneasiness, Miss Bennet?

Elizabeth

[Carelessly.] Oh, nothing at all! You need not be frightened! I never heard any harm of her; she is a great favourite with a lady of my acquaintance – Miss Bingley. I think I have heard you say that you knew Miss Bingley.

Colonel Fitzwilliam

I know her a little. Her brother is a pleasant, gentlemanlike man. He is a great friend of Darcy's.