Part 4
[_Approaching_ DARCY.] I can guess the subject of your reverie.
DARCY.
I should imagine not.
MISS BINGLEY.
You are considering how insufferable it would be to pass many evenings in such society. Indeed, I am quite of your opinion. I was never more annoyed. The insipidity and yet the noise;--the nothingness and yet the self-importance of all these people! What would I give to hear your strictures on them!
DARCY.
Your conjecture is totally wrong. I assure you, my mind was more agreeably engaged. I was meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow.
MISS BINGLEY.
[_Looking at him very meaningly and sweetly, speaks with coquetry._] Indeed! And will not you tell me what lady has the credit of inspiring such reflections?
DARCY.
[_With great intrepidity._] Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
MISS BINGLEY.
[_Taken aback._] Miss Elizabeth Bennet! I am all astonishment! How long has she been such a favourite? Pray when am I to wish you joy?
DARCY.
That is exactly the question which I expected you to ask. A lady's imagination is very rapid: it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment. I knew you would be wishing me joy.
MISS BINGLEY.
Nay, if you are so serious about it I shall consider the matter as absolutely settled. You will have a charming mother-in-law! Of course she will always be at Pemberley with you. Perhaps you might give her a few hints as to the advantage of holding her tongue.
DARCY.
Thank you. Have you anything else to propose for my domestic felicity?
MISS BINGLEY.
Oh, yes! Let the portrait of your uncle, the attorney, be placed next to your great uncle, the Judge. They are in the same profession, you know, only in different lines. As for your Elizabeth's picture, you must not attempt to have it taken, for what painter could do justice to those beautiful eyes!
DARCY.
It would not be easy, indeed, to catch their expression; but their colour and shape, and the eyelashes, so remarkably fine, might be copied.
MISS BINGLEY.
[_Sarcastically._] Oh, I fear not--[ELIZABETH _and_ COLONEL FORSTER, _with others, enter from the ball-room_--MRS. BENNET _with_ LADY LUCAS _from the drawing-room_.] Here comes the fair one--[_Seeing_ MRS. BENNET.]--and mamma-in-law as well. I will not intrude on the family party.
[_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.