Pride and Prejudice act 1

It is a truth

Universally acknowledged

What an excellent father you have! Wonderful news!

What is it, Mamma?

I should be very well pleased

Yes

I could never love a man who was out of his wits!

I think… that a marriage where one partner couldn’t love or respect the other… could not be agreeable to either party

Beggers cannot be choosers

We are not so very poor, Lizzy

I fear it’ll have to be you

But I should like… I do so wish to marry for love

But take care you fall in love with a man of good fortune!

And what about you?

Well? What does he say?

It is from Miss Bingley

You must go, of course, and make of it what you can.

May I have the carriage Mamma?

I see!

We were just about to walk into Meryton, Mr. Collins. Perhaps you’d care to come with us, if you’re not too tired from your journey?

We were just on our way to enquire after your health, Miss Bennet.

I am well, as you see. I hope you will still be able to come and take tea with us at Longbourn.

Lights up

I cannot believe it, Lizzy. Mr. Darcy may be proud and disagreeable but to behave in such an un-Christian manner! No, I cannot believe it!

And he bears his suffering cheerfully, with such a manly spirit.

I think you like Mr. Wickham, Lizzy

Lady Anne is destined to be Mr. Darcy’s wife?

No, I did not. …Poor Miss Bingley!

She has become proud and disdainful like her brother

That is sad, if its the truth

Can’t you say I’m out for a walk or in the bath?

She knows you’re here.

Tell me, are you quite recovered?

Quite, thank you!

What? I don’t believe it!

I’ve just received this note from Miss Bingley.

Have they really gone away?

Yes, to London, and they do not expect to return for some time.

Nothing from Mr. Bingley?

No—and his sisters says that—that—he is very likely to become engaged to Mr. Darcy’s sister, Georgiana! Lizzy, perhaps he never cared for me at all.

But I am still convinced he will break free one day soon.

Please, Lizzy, don’t give me false hope. It is over. He may live in my memory as—the most amiable man of my acquaintance, but that is all. I have nothing to hope or fear, and nothing, thank God, to reproach him for.