Elizabeth Bennet

And it will be your fault, Mary.

It will be your own fault, for flirting with the dancing-master and not paying attention to your lesson.

Kitty Bingley.

Lydia Bingley!

What nonsense - you haven’t even seen him!

You must go and visit him at once, Mr. Bennett, to stake a claim for one of our daughters! The Lucases will be desperate to marry their Charlotte to him, though I’m sure he could not admire such a very plain girl -

Mama!

I hope our Eliza has been taking many good, long, thoughtful walks.

I have.

Oh, here comes Charlotte Lucas. Hoping to steal Mr Bingley away, no doubt. Too late, my dear, too late!

Mother.

Eliza!

What a lovely flush you have to your cheeks, Charlotte. I believe you have been dancing!

Would you believe I danced the first two with Mr. Bingley?

Well, la! Did you hear, Mama? Charlotte danced the first two with Mr. Bingley.

Hm? Well, of course, we have not yet arrived, and he would have to dance the first two with someone.

What is he like?

Very handsome and very agreeable.

And with a good fortune too, do not forget.

But I see he’s found a new partner.

No matter, for he is not our type.

No matter, for he is not our type.

Who is that gentleman over there?

She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me. Now go back to your partner and enjoy her smiles, you are wasting your time with me.

Ha!

Pity, poor Eliza! Not handsome enough to dance with!

Now, now, Charlotte, he did own that I was tolerable!

He’s looking! Shocking!

No doubt he has found an additional defect in me to criticize.

Oh Darcy, you do make me laugh - u thought for a moment you were serious! Tell me then, when am I to wish you joy?

What a vain and disagreeable man!

My mother heard that he has ten thousand a year and one of the grandest estates in the country … so he has a right to be proud.

I could easily forgive his pride if he had not mortified mine.

So there will be plenty of partners for everyone!

Even for you, Charlotte!

Lydia! I’ll have you know Charlotte was Mr. Bingley’s first choice!

I was very flattered that he asked me to dance a second time.

He could not help seeing that you were five times as pretty as every other woman in the room.

Dear Lizzie!

Well, I permit you to like him. You have liked many a stupider person. But you never see a fault in anybody - I’ve never heard you speak I’ll of another human being.

I always speak what I think!

And they, dear Jane, is the wonder. With your good sense, to be blind to the follies and nonsense of others. I suppose you like his sister, Miss Bingley?

She is beautiful, don’t you think? And very charming when you converse with her.

Really Jane, charming? She seemed to me very conceited and proud.

You must not judge people so hastily, Lizzie.

Well, Mr. Darcy judged me rather harshly this evening.

If I may interject, you may find it useful to remember this: Judge not lest ye be judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged.

Yes, thank you, Mary

Few men have heart enough to really fall n love without encouragement.

But she does help him on, as much as her nature will allow.

Jane, you are too good at concealing your feelings. Once you have secured him, there will be time to fall in love as much as you like.

You make me laugh, Charlotte; but it is not sound. You know it is not sound, and you would never act in this way yourself.

I would like to believe I would not. But remember - I’m twenty-seven. I am a burden to my family.

What nonsense.

I think it is going to rain. Jane! I have such a good idea. You must go to visit the Bingley’s tomorrow on horseback, because it is likely to rain, and then they will insist that you stay all night at Netherfield, and how could they send you home in the rain, when you might catch your death of cold!

If you don’t catch it on your way there.

Charles, sh! Miss Eliza Bennet. What a surprise. We did not hear your carriage on the path.

It is only a short walk - I’m happy for the exercise.

You walked? I am all astonishment. Mr. Darcy, don’t you think that this is astonishing? So very out-of-doorsy. Will you take some refreshment?

Thank you, but I’ve only come to enquire after my sister.

Miss Jane was very feverish last night and could not sleep. I was on my way to fetch you -

Poor thing! Jane, it’s Lizzie.

Oh, Lizzie, I’m so glad you have come! What a terrible guest I have been! Mr. Bingley has been so kind. I tried to come down for breakfast…

I’ll take you home.

Nonsense. Miss Jane must remain here until she is quite well. Please tell me you will join us for dinner.

Thank you, Mr. Bingley. Jane, we should get you to bed. Could you show me the way?

Or can I fetch you a book? You do have a bookish air about you. Or shall we play cards? I am wild for vingt un.

A book would be fine.

I see. Miss Eliza Bennet despises cards. She is a great reader, and has no pleasure in anything else.

I deserve neither such praise nor such censure. I am not a great reader, and I have pleasure in many things.

And it’s only what, Darcy? Three days journey?

Hm.

I have not been that far north. Though my aunt lived for a time in Lambton.

And where does she live now?

London. Cheapside. My uncle is in trade.

My ideas flow so rapidly that I have not time to express them - and so sometimes my letters convey no ideas at all.

Your humility is unimpeachable, Mr. Bingley.

What can he mean, do you think, Miss Bennet?

I think he means to be severe with us - and the best way to disappoint him will be to ask nothing about it.

Oh! Shocking! I never heard anything so abominable. How shall we punish him?

Nothing so easy - tease him. Laugh at him. You must know his weaknesses.

What? Laugh at Mr. Darcy? I think not. He is a fortress, impenetrable!

In a fortress, impenetrability is a strength indeed. But in a person? I would argue that this is a weakness.

I avoid those weaknesses that expose a strong understanding to ridicule.

Such as vanity and pride?

Vanity is a weakness indeed. But where there is a real superiority of mind - pride will always be under good regulation.

Well then, I am perfectly convinced that Mr. Darcy has no defect. He admits it himself.

I have faults enough. I cannot forget the ollies and vices of others so soon as I ought, not their offences against myself. My temper would perhaps be called resentful. My good opinion, once lost, is lost for ever.

You have chosen your faults well. I really cannot laugh at them. You are safe from me.

Every disposition has a tendency to some defect.

And your defect is a propensity to hate everybody.

Oh, listen to the two of you, sparring away like young lovers.

I must check on Jane.

May I have this dance, Miss Bennet?

Do not suppose I move this way in order to beg a partner. I have no intention of dancing.

Is your sister feeling better?

Yes, she is just getting dressed and feels quite well enough to return home. I am only here to ask Mr. Bingley if we might go in his carriage.

My carriage is at your disposal. It’s larger.

I’m sure Mr. Bingley’s carriage will be perfectly adequate.

As you will.

Are you ready? Oh Jane, I must confess, I have never been so happy to leave a place.

Oh! I see! It is my fault is it? My fault that I was so unlucky as to have five daughters!

Mother.

126 lines in Act 2