Pride and Prejudice, a play founded on Jane Austen's novel. Джейн ОÑтин
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shall never know him.
Jane.
[Smiling.] But you forget, mamma, that we shall meet him at the assemblies, and Lady Lucas has promised to introduce him.
Mrs. Bennet.
I do not believe Lady Lucas will do any such thing. She has daughters of her own. She is a selfish, hypocritical woman, and I have no opinion of her.
Mr. Bennet.
No more have I, and I am glad to find that you do not depend on her serving you.
Mrs. Bennet.
I may have to depend on her after all, Mr. Bennet, since you will do nothing to help me. [Fretfully to Lydia, who has been yawning and coughing.] Don't keep coughing, Lydia, for Heaven's sake! Have a little compassion on my nerves.
[Lydia pouts and looks unutterable things.]
Mr. Bennet.
Lydia has no discretion in her coughs. She times them ill.
Lydia.
I do not cough for my own amusement, papa. Jane, when is your next ball?
Jane.
To-morrow fortnight.
Mrs. Bennet.
[Starting excitedly.] Ay, so it is—and Lady Lucas does not come back till the day before. So you see it will be impossible for her to introduce Mr. Bingley, for she will not know him herself.
Mr. Bennet.
Then, my dear, you may have the advantage of your friend, and you can introduce Mr. Bingley to her.
Mrs. Bennet.
Impossible, Mr. Bennet, when I am not acquainted with him myself. How can you be so teasing?
Mr. Bennet.
I honour your circumspection. A fortnight's acquaintance is certainly very little. But if we do not venture, somebody else will, and if you decline the office I will take it upon myself.
Mrs. Bennet.
[As the two girls stare at their father.] Oh, nonsense—nonsense! I am sick of Mr. Bingley!
Mr. Bennet.
I am sorry to hear that; but why did not you tell me so before? If I had known as much a week ago, I certainly should not have called upon him.
Mrs. Bennet.
[Springing from her chair and throwing her arms about Mr. Bennet's neck.] What! You have really called upon him? Oh, how good in you, my dear Mr. Bennet!
Mr. Bennet.
It is very unlucky; but as I have actually paid the visit—and as he will very likely return it at any time, and bring his friend, Mr. Darcy, with him—we cannot now avoid the acquaintance of Mr. Bingley and his party.
Mrs. Bennet.
Oh, my dear Mr. Bennet, I was sure you loved your girls too well to neglect such an acquaintance. [Mr. Bennet deftly takes her hands from his shoulders. She stands looking fondly at him.] Well, how pleased I am! And it was such a good joke that you should have already paid Mr. Bingley a visit and never said a word about it.
Mr. Bennet.
Yes. Yes. Well, I must go to the library. [He goes to the door, but stops for a moment.] Now, Lydia, you can cough as much as you choose. [He goes out.]
Mrs. Bennet.
[Looking after Mr. Bennet.] What an excellent father you have, girls! [Turns to the girls.] I do not know how you will ever make him amends for his kindness, or me either, for that matter. At our time of life it is not so pleasant to be making new acquaintances every day. But for your sakes we would do anything. [Looking about her.] Where is Lizzy? Lydia, my love, where is your sister?
Lydia.
Oh, she is out walking with Charlotte Lucas and that dismal Mr. Collins.
Mrs. Bennet.
Lizzy—out walking with Mr. Collins? Why didn't you go, Jane?
Jane.
I had to practise with Lydia.
Lydia.
I'm sure I would have excused you. But what is Mr. Collins here for, mamma? I am sure I caught Mr. Wickham and Colonel Forster laughing at him the day we went to Meryton. Why does papa have a cousin like that?
Mrs. Bennet.
He really cannot help it. It is the entail, my love—[Mysteriously.] But I hope that all you girls will be very civil to him, Jane especially.
Jane.
I—mamma?
Mrs. Bennet.
[Embarrassed.] Yes—my love.—You see——
[She is interrupted by the sound of laughter outside, and Elizabeth's voice.]
Elizabeth.
Very well, Mr. Collins.
[Mrs. Bennet makes a sudden awed gesture of silence to the girls, who fail to understand. Elizabeth enters by the glass doors. She is dressed in winter walking costume: a large hat—fur-trimmed pelerine, and a large muff. She stops in the doorway and looks at Mrs. Bennet, half puzzled and smiling.]
Elizabeth.
Well, what is it, mamma? What is the matter?
Mrs. Bennet.
Nothing. Hush! What have you done with Mr. Collins?
Elizabeth.
[Laughing.] Oh, Mr. Collins is safe! He has gone round to the library.
Mrs. Bennet.
[With a sigh of relief.] How providential!
Elizabeth.
[Looking back.] But I have brought someone else with me.
[Mr. Wickham and Charlotte Lucas come in gaily.]
All.
[Exclaiming.] Oh, Mr. Wickham!
Wickham.
[To Mrs. Bennet.] How do you do, Mrs. Bennet? This is indeed a pleasure. [Going over to Jane.] Miss Bennet, I am so glad to see you. [Reproachfully.] You were not with our party! [To Lydia.] Why do you never come to Meryton, Miss Lydia? Mr. Denny is quite downcast.
Lydia.
[Pouting.] La, Mr. Denny!
Wickham.
And many others beside him, Miss Lydia.
[Lydia giggles. Wickham returns to Mrs. Bennet.]
Mrs. Bennet.
Well, 'tis an age since we saw you, Mr. Wickham. What have you been doing?
Wickham.
Colonel Forster keeps me so busy that I have no time for enjoyment.
Elizabeth.
Yes, Mr. Wickham bears all the marks of an harassed and overworked man.
Wickham.
[Bowing to Elizabeth.] Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. You have given me the very terms I needed. [To Mrs. Bennet.] You see before you, Mrs. Bennet, an harassed and overworked man. Miss Elizabeth will bear witness that I was on my way to a business appointment when I yielded to temptation and went off for a walk with her and Miss Lucas and their irreproachable escort.
Elizabeth.