Пожалуй, это лучшее, что попадалось мне на просторах интернета в последнее время. Чтобы и сценарий почитать (а я люблю читать сценарии, чтобы лучше разбираться в том, как устроены истории), и английский подтянуть, и в знакомую, любимую историю еще раз окунуться.
Pride and Prejudice
Screenplay by Deborah Moggach
Shooting script 28th June 2004
1 EXT. LONGBOURN HOUSE - DAY.
FADE UP ON: A YOUNG WOMAN, as she walks through a field of tall, meadow grass. She is reading a novel entitled 'First Impressions'.
This is LIZZIE BENNET, 20, good humoured, attractive, and nobody's fool. She approaches Longbourn, a fairly run down 17th Century house with a small moat around it. Lizzie jumps up onto a wall and crosses the moat by walking a wooden plank duck board, a reckless trick learnt in early childhood. She walks passed the back of the house where, through an open window to the library, we see her mother and father, MR and MRS BENNET.
MRS BENNET: My dear Mr Bennet, have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?
We follow Lizzie into the house, but still overhear her parents' conversation.
MRS BENNET: (cont'd) Do you not want to know who has taken it? MR BENNET: As you wish to tell me, I doubt I have any choice in the matter.
2 INT. LONGBOURN - CONTINUOUS.
As Lizzie walks through the hallway, we hear the sound of piano scales plodding through the afternoon. She walks down the entrance hall past the room where MARY (18) the bluestocking of the family, is practising, and finds KITTY (16) and LYDIA (15) are listening at the door to the library. Lizzie pokes Lydia.
LIZZIE: Liddy! Kitty - what have I told you about listening at - LYDIA: Never mind that, there's a Mr Bingley arrived from the North
KITTY: - with more than one chaise
LYDIA: - and five thousand a year!
LIZZIE: Really?
LYDIA: And he's single!
JANE, the eldest and very beautiful if rather naive sister, materializes at Lizzie's elbow.
JANE: Who's single?
LIZZIE: A Mr Bingley, apparently.
KITTY: Shhhh!
She clamps her ear to the door.
LIZZIE: Oh, really Kitty.
Lydia leans in, whilst Jane and Lizzie strain to hear without appearing t_.
3 INT. LIBRARY - LONGBOURN - CONTINUOUS.
Mr Bennet is trying to ignore Mrs Bennet.
MRS BENNET: What a fine thing for our girls!
MR BENNET: How can it affect them?
MRS BENNET: My dear Mr Bennet, how can you be so tiresome! You know that he must marry one of them.
MR BENNET: Oh, so that is his design in settling here?
Mr Bennet takes a plant he's been looking at from his table and walks out of the library into the corridor, where the girls are gathered, Mrs Bennet following.
MR BENNET (cont'd) Good heavens. People.
4 INT. CORRIDOR - LONGBOURN - THE SAME.
He walks through the girls to the drawing room pursued by Mrs Bennet.
MRS BENNET: - So you must go and visit him at once.
5 INT. DRAWING ROOM - LONGBOURN - THE SAME.
Mr Bennet walks to a table and places the plant in the light. Mary is still practising the piano. The girls flock behind him.
LYDIA: Are you listening? You never listen.
KITTY: You must, Papa!
MRS BENNET: At once!
MR BENNET: There is no need, for I already have.
The piano stops. A frozen silence. They all stare.
MRS BENNET: You have?
JANE: When?
MRS BENNET: How can you tease me, Mr Bennet? Have you no compassion for my poor nerves?
MR BENNET: You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for them; they have been my constant companions these twenty years.
MRS BENNET Is he amiable?
MARY: Who?
KITTY Is he handsome?
MARY: Who?
LYDIA: He's sure to be handsome.
LIZZIE: ( ironically) With five thousand a year, would not matter if he had warts and a leer.
MR BENNET: I will give my hearty consent to his marrying whichever of the girls he chooses. Warts and all.
MARY: Who's got warts?
LYDIA: So will he come to the ball tomorrow?
MR BENNET: I believe so.
Lydia and Kitty shriek with excitement and jump up and down.
KITTY: (to Jane) I have to have your spotted muslin, Jane!
LYDIA: No, I need it! It makes Kitty look like a pudding.
KITTY: - Oh please Jane, I'll lend you my green slippers.
They both look' onto Jane and pull at her arms. Mr Bennet winks at Lizzie.
6 EXT. LONGBOURN HOUSE - DAY.
A wide shot of the house as we continue to hear the girls argue over what they will wear.
7 INT. ASSEMBLY ROOMS - MERYTON VILLAGE - NIGHT.
The local subscription dance is in full swing, (Dance 1) . It's a rough-and-ready, though enthusiastic affair: yeoman farmers, small-time squires with their ruddy-cheeked daughters.
Lydia and Kitty are dancing.
LYDIA: I can't breathe. How am I going to dance all night if I can't breathe?
KITTY: My toes hurt already.
Lizzie and Jane are a little apart from their family. Jane looks breathtaking.
LIZZIE: Well, if every man in this room does not end the evening in love with you then I am no judge of beauty.
JANE: Or men.
LIZZIE: Oh, they are far too easy to judge.
JANE: They are not all bad.
LIZZIE: Humourless poppycocks, in my limited experience.
JANE: One of these days, Lizzie, someone will catch your eye and then you'll have to watch your tongue.
She stops speaking and stares. A dazzling group enters the room: George Bingley (25) a good hearted soul but prone to bumbling embarrassment when his enthusiasms get the better of him, his sister Caroline (23) a victim of every latest fashion, counting herself superior to most company she encounters, and finally, Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy (27) dashing, brooding with an introversion which could be misconstrued as hauteur. They are dressed in the highest modes.
The music and dancing stops as the local people turn and stare. The newcomers - creatures from another world - make quite a stir. Darcy surveys the hall. He catches lizzie's eye. She stares, with a kind of surprised shock. Caroline Bingley turns to Darcy.
CAROLINE: Oh dear, we are a long way from Grosvenor Square, are we not, Mr Darcy?
He does indeed look superior to the assembled company.
SIR WILLIAM LUCAS (53) a hale but unsophisticated member of the self-made gentry, hurries to greet the new arrivals. He leads them down the center of the dance floor towards the best seats in the room, stopping occasionally to introduce them to various parties.
Lizzie's great friend Charlotte Lucas, Sir william's daughter - an intelligent, sensible woman in her late twenties, comes to Lizzie's side.
LIZZIE: So which of the painted peacocks is our Mr Bingley?
CHARLOTTE: He is on the right, and on the left is his sister.
LIZZIE: And the person with the quizzical brow?
CHARLOTTE: That is his good friend, 'Mr Darcy.
LIZZIE: He looks miserabIe, poor soul.
CHARLOTTE: MiserabIe he may be, but poor he most certainly is not.
LIZZIE: TeIl me.
CHARLOTTE: Ten thousand a year and he owns half of Derbyshire.
LIZZIE The miserable half?
They share a complicit giggle.
Sir William Lucas arrives with Darcy and the Bingley's to introduce his daughter Charlotte and the Bennet family. Behind them the music and dancing re-start where they left off.
SIR WILLIAM: (to Mr Bingley) My eldest daughter you know, Mrs Bennet, Miss Jane Bennet, Elizabeth and Miss Mary Bennet.
MRS BENNET: It is a pleasure. I have two others but they are already dancing.
Mr Bingley is transfixed by Jane and gazes openly at her.
MR BINGLEY: Delighted to make your acquaintance.
SIR WILLIAM: And may I introduce Mr Darcy. (Significant look) - of Pemberley, in Derbyshire!
A stiff bow from Darcy, Lizzie smiles, Darcy does not.
8 INT. ASSEMBERLY ROOMS - ME RYTON VILLAGE - NIGHT.
Moments later. Lizzie is standing in a small group with Jane, Bingley, Miss Bingley and Darcy.
JANE: How do you like it here in Hertfordshire, Mr Bingley?
MR BINGLEY: (smiling at Jane shyly) Very much.
LIZZIE: The library at Netherfield, I've heard, is one of the finest in the country.
MR BINGLEY: Yes, it fills me with guilt.
He looks at Jane and a little blush starts around his collar.
BINGLEY: Not a good reader, you see. I prefer being out of doors. I mean, I can read, of course and, and I'm not suggesting you can't read outdoors - of course JANE: I wish I read more, but there always seems so many other things to do.
BINGLEY: That's exactly what I meant.
He beams at Jane, gratefully. The first dance ends. Lydia and Kitty rush past in a state of high excitement.
LYDIA: Mama! You will never ever ever ever believe what I'm about to tell you! MR BENNET: You've decided to take the veil?
Lydia ignores him.
MRS BENNET: Tell me quickly, my love
LYDIA: ( shrieking) The regiment are coming!
Mrs Bennet shrieks too. Mr Bennet winces.
KITTY: They're to be stationed the whole winter! Stationed in the village, just right there!
Now all three Bennet females shriek and Lydia actually jumps up and down.
LYDIA: Officers! Officers as far as the eye can see!
KITTY: How will we meet them?
LYDIA: It's easy. You just walk up and down in front of them and drop something.
Lydia pantomimes the actions for Kitty.
LYDIA (cont' d) They pick it up. You say 'Oh thank you sir' and blush prettily and then you're introduced!
Couples begin to form for the next dance. Mr Bingley turns to Jane.
MR BINGLEY: May I have the honour?
They leave to dance (Dance 2). Lizzie addresses Darcy as much to distract him from her family as for any other reason.
LIZZIE: Do you dance Mr Darcy?
DARCY: Not if I can help it.
Lizzie, Darcy and Miss Bingley stand in uncompanionable silence.
On the dance floor Mr Bingley is dancing with Jane. Ris ears are bright pink. Mrs Bennet, with a group of other mothers, watches the young couple with rather too obvious a satisfaction.
MRS BENNET: That dress becomes her does it not. Though of course my Jane needs little help from couturiers.
Lizzie wanders through the throng. She looks at Bingley and Jane dancing - Jane is calm and demure, Bingley clearly smitten
9 INT. ASSEMBERLY ROOMS - MERYTON VILLAGE - NIGRT
Later. Darcy is joined by an exhilarated Bingley.
MR BINGLEY: Upon my word I've never seen so many pretty girls in my life.
DARCY: You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room.
BINGLEY: Oh, she is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld, but her sister Lizzie is very agreeable.
They have stopped at the edge of the dance floor but have not seen Lizzie and Charlotter who are hiding behind a pillar. Lizzie starts to smile.
DARCY: Perfectly tolerable, I dare say, but not handsome enough to tempt me.
Lizzie stops smiling.
DARCY: (cont' d) You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me.
Bingley goes off.
CUT TO: Lizzie and Charlotte.
CHARLOTTE: Count your blessings, Lizzie. If he liked you, you'd have to talk to him.
LIZZIE: Precisely. As it is, I would not dance with him for all of Derbyshire, let alone the miserable half.
Charlotte smiles at her friend, but sees nonetheless that she is stung.
10 INT. ASSEMBLY ROOMS - MERYTON VILLAGE - NIGHT.
Later, (Dance 3). Bingley politely dancing with Charlotte. As he does so, he catches sight of Jane dancing with somebody else. A look of pure longing, but he cannot dance every dance wit4 her. Lizzie too is dancing and clocks this.
Lydia and Kitty are exuberantly dancing too, laughing and chatting. Darcy stands watching, a look of infinitely superior boredom on his fine features. .
11 INT. ASSEMBLY ROOMS - MERYTON VILLAGE - NIGHT
Bingley is standing with Jane, Lizzie, Mrs Bennet and Da_cy. (Dance 4) .
BINGLEY: (to Lizzie) Your friend Miss Lucas is a most amusing young woman.
LIZZIE: Yes! I adore her.
MRS BENNET: It is a pity she is not more handsome.
LIZZIE: Mama!
MRS BENNET: But Lizzie will never admit she is plain. (to Bingley) Of course it is my Jane Who is considered the beauty of the county.
JANE: Oh! Mama, please!
MRS BENNET: When she was only fifteen there was a gentleman so much in love with her that I was sure he would make her an offer. However, he did write her some very pretty verses.
LIZZIE: (impatiently) And that put paid to it. I wonder who first discovered the power of poetry in driving away love?
DARCY: I thought that poetry was the food of love.
LIZZIE: Of a fine, stout love it may. But if it is only a vague inclination, I am convinced that one poor sonnet will kill it stone dead.
Darcy looks at Lizzie with a glimmering of interest.
DARCY: So what do you recommend, to encourage affection?
Lizzie turns and looks at Darcy square on.
LIZZIE: Dancing. Even if ones partner is barely tolerable.
She gives him a dazzling smile. Darcy looks startled. He has no idea she heard him. Now it is histurn to blush.
End on a wide shot of the assembly rooms and the dance continuing.
12 INT. LIZZIE & JANE'S BEDROOM - LONGBOURN - NIGHT.
Lizzie and Jane are both in the same bed under the covers. They are too excited to sleep. Jane puts on an extra pair of socks to keep herself warm.
JANE: Mr Bingley is just what a young man ought to be: Sensible, good humoured LIZZIE: (completing the list) Handsome, conveniently rich
JANE: You know perfectly weIl I do not believe marriage should be driven by thoughts of money.
LIZZIE: I agree entirely, only the deepest love will persuade me into matrimony, which is why I will end up an old maid.
JANE: Do you really believe he liked me, Lizzie?
LIZZIE: Jane, he danced with you most of the night and stared at you for the rest of it. But I give you leave to like him. You've liked many a stupider person.
JANE: Lizzie!
LIZZIE: You're a great deal too apt to like people in general, you know. All the world is good and agreeable in your eyes.
JANE: Not his friend. I still cannot believe what he said about you.
LIZZIE: Mr Darcy? I could more easily forgive his vanity had he not wounded mine. But no matter. I doubt we shall ever speak again.
We move away from the bed and out through the window to take in the starry night sky.
13 INT. DINING ROOM - LONGBOURN - DAY.
Mrs Bennet presides over breakfast with an endless description of the ball. Mary is doing some needle work, whilst Lydia, Kitty and Jane blearily eat.
MRS BENNET: ...and then he danced the third with Miss Lucas. Poor thing, it is a shame she is not more handsome. There's a spinster in the making and no mistake. The fourth with a Miss King of little standing. And the fifth again with Jane.
MR BENNET: If he'd had any compassion for me he would have sprained his ankle in the first set.
MRS BENNET: Oh, Mr Bennet! The way you carry on, anybody would think the girls looked forward to a grand inheritance.
Lizzie rolls her eyes at Mr Bennet, they've heard this speech many times before.
MR BENNET: Kitty, be so kind as to pass the butter.
MRS BENNET: As you well know, Mr Bennet, when/ you die, which may in fact be very soon
MR BENNET: As soon as I can manage it.
MRS BENNET: - our girls will be left without a roof over their head nor a penny to their name. LIZZIE: Oh Mother, please! It's ten in the morning.
Betsy, the maid, enters the room and interrupts Mrs Bennet's babbling.
BETSY: A letter addressed to Miss Bennet, Ma'am. From Netherfield Hall.
MRS BENNET: Praise the Lord! We are saved.
Mrs Hill gives the letter to Jane.
MRS BENNET (cont'd) Make haste, Jane, make haste. 0 happy day!
Mrs Bennet takes Jane's toast from her hand and whips her napkin off.
JANE: It is from Caroline.
Mrs Bennet is stopped in her tracks.
JANE: (cont'd) She has invited me to dine with her. (pause) Her brother will be dining out.
MRS BENNET Dining out?
JANE: Can I take the carriage?
MRS BENNET: Out where? Let me see that.
She tweaks the letter from Jane's grasp.
JANE: It is too far too walk.
MRS BENNET: Unaccountable of him. Dining out, indeed.
LIZZIE: Mama! The carriage? For Jane? MRS BENNET Certainly not. She'll go on horseback.
LIZZIE/JANE Horseback?
14 EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - DAY.
Jane rides through the countryside. A distant rumble of thunder. She looks up...
15 SCENE DELETED
16 SCENE DELETED
17 EXT. GARDEN - DAY
A louder rumble of thunder. Betsy hastily pulls clothes from a line, it's bucketing down heavily now. Lizzie runs through the garden. She pulls a towel from the washing line as she passes.
18 EXT/INT. HALL/DINING ROOM. LONGBOURN - DAY.
Mr and Mrs Bennet look out at the pouring rain. Lizzie rushes in with the towel and begins drying her hair with it. Through in the kitchen we can see Mr and Mrs Hill
MRS BENNET: Excellent. Now she will have to stay the night. Exactly as I predicted.
MR BENNET: Good grief, woman. Your matchmaking skills are becoming positively occult.
LIZZIE: Though I don't think, Mama, you can reasonably take credit for making it rain. Let's hope she doesn't catch her death.
19 INT. NETHERFIELD � DAY
A footman opens the great doors to find Jane standing there soaked. She sneezes.
20 INT. KITCHEN ROOM - LONGBOURN - DAY.
Lizzie reads a letter. Kitty and Lydia are also present.
LIZZIE: "And my kind friends will not hear of me returning home until I am better - but do not be alarmed excepting a sore throat, a fever, and a headache there is nothing wrong with me." I hope you're satisfied, Mother.
MR BENNET: Well, my dear, if your daughter does die it will be a comfort to know it was all in pursuit of Mr Bingley.
MRS BENNET: People do not die of colds.
LIZZIE: Though she might well perish with the shame of having such a mother.
Mr Bennet laughs, but Lizzie is genuinely angry.
LIZZIE: (cont'd) I am going to Netherfield at once.
She stomps out.
21 EXT. COUNTRYSIDE/NETHERFIELD - DAY.
Lizzie strides _cross vast muddy fields, slipping as she goes. Netherfield is in view on the horizon. She s_ops to take it in, then carries on down an even more muddy track.
22 INT. NETHERFIELD - BREAKFAST ROOM - DAY.
In the large grand dining room Caroline and Darcy are eating breakfast. It's very formal, in fact frigid, compared to the volatile Bennet household. Darcy is reading the newspaper, Caroline is reading a letter.
CAROLINE: (puts down the letter) Apparently, -Lady Bathurst is redecorating her ballroom in the French style. A little unpatriotic, don't you think?
Mr Darcy is about to answer when the door opens. A footman appears, his face rigid with disapproval.
FOOTMAN: Miss Lizzie Bennet.
Lizzie comes in, her face flushed, her skirt covered in mud. She looks ravishing. Darcy stares at her, then guickly rises to his feet. Caroline Bingley, astonished, looks her up and down.
CAROLINE: Good Lord, Miss Bennet. Have you walked here?
LIZZIE: I have. I'm so sorry. How is my sister?
DARCY: (more kindly) She�s upstairs. (to footman) Show Miss Bennet the way, Alfred.
Lizzie leaves. A beat.
CAROLINE: Goodness, did you see her petticoat? Six inches deep in mud!
No response.
CAROLINE (cont'd) And her hair, so blowsy and untidy!
DARCY: I think her concern for her sister does her credit.
A little pause, Caroline recovers.
CAROLINE: Oh yes, it's shocking to have a bad cold. I dislike excessively being ill myself.
23 INT. NETHERFIELD STAIRS - DAY.
Lizzie races up the stairs to meet Bingley half way. His face lights up when he sees her.
BINGLEY: Miss Lizzie! Oh I'm so glad to see you
LIZZIE: How is she?
BINGLEY: She has a violent cold, but we shall get the better of it. I will have a bed made up for you. You must be our guest here until Jane recovers.
24 INT. NETHERFIELD - JANE'S BEDROOM - DAY.
Lizzie goes into the bedroom where Jane lies in bed, feverish and ill. The blinds are drawn.
LIZZIE: Jane!
Jane's face lights up. Lizzie kisses her.
JANE: Lizzie! Oh, your face is so cold. They're being so kind to me, I feel such a terrible imposition.
LIZZIE: Don't worry. I don't know who is more pleased at your being here, Mama or Mr Bingley.
Bingley enters.
LIZZIE (cont'd) Thank you, for tending to my sister so diligently, it seems she is in better comfort here than she would be at home.
BINGLEY: It is a pleasure - I mean - not a pleasure that she's ill, of course not, but a pleasure that she's here - being ill.
25 INT. STAIRCASE - NETHERFIELD - DAY.
Caroline berates her brother.
CAROLINE: Stay!? She is a perfectly sweet girl but save being an excellent walker, there is very little to recommend her as a house-guest.
BINGLEY: I thought she showed remarkable spirit coming all this way.
CAROLINE: The eldest Miss Bennet, as you know, I hold in excessive regard but as for the rest of them
She walks down two steps and then turns back.
CAROLINE: (cont'd) You do realise their uncle is in trade? In Cheapside?
BINGLEY: (irritably) If they had uncles enough to fill all Cheapside it would not make them one jot less agreeable, Caroline.
26 EXT. YARD - LONGBOURN - DAY.
Mr Bennet is admiring a huge boar which has been delivered to cover his sows. Mr Hill, the manservant stands with him. Mrs Bennet bustles up looking smug.
MRS BENNET: It's all going according to plan. He's head-over-heels already, now all he needs is a little encouragement.
MR BENNET: Who's that, my blossom?
MRS BENNET: Oh don't torment me, Mr Bennet. I mean Mr Bingley, as you well know, and he doesn't mind a bit that she hasn't a penny for he has enough for the two of them.
Kitty and Lydia rush past as the distant sounds of drums and trumpet mingle with the snipping of Giles's shears.
MRS BENNET (cont'd) Wait for me!
Mr Bennet gazes at their departing figures, sucking his teeth with relief. He turns back to the boar.
27 EXT. MERYTON VILLAGE - DAY. _ Mrs Bennet and her two daughters rush down the street into the village. Dogs bark, children run alongside as a regiment of soldiers march through the street. Geese scatter, shopkeepers stand in their doorways. The two Bennet girls simper at the hands of the young soldiers. Mrs Bennet, flushed and excited, runs panting behind them. Lydia deliberately drops her handkerchief. One of the soldiers stands on it. She is appalled.
28 INT. DRAWING ROOM - NETHERFIELD - EVENING.
Lizzie is reading a book. Darcy is writing a letter. Bingley is sat nervously. Caroline, obviously bored, wanders the room looking for distraction. She looks over Darcy's shoulder.
CAROLINE: You write uncommonly fast, Mr Darcy.
DARCY: (without looking up) You are mistaken. I write rather slowly.
Caroline lingers, annoyingly.
CAROLINE: How many letters you must have occasion to write, Mr Darcy. Letters of business too. How odious I should think them!
DARCY: It is fortunate, then, that they fall to my lot instead of yours.
CAROLINE: Please tell your sister that I long to see her.
DARCY: I have already told her once, by your desire.
Lizzie looks across from her book.
CAROLINE: I do dote on her, I was quite in raptures at her beautiful little design for a table.
DARCY: Perhaps you will give me leave to defer your raptures till I write again. At present I have not enough room to do them justice.
Mr Bingley now pacing anxiously around the room.
BINGLEY: It's amazing, how young ladies have the patience to be so accomplished.
CAROLINE: What do you mean, Charles?
BINGLEY: They all paint tables, and embroider cushions and play the piano. I never heard of a young lady, but people say she is accomplished.
DARCY: The word is indeed applied too liberally. I cannot boast of knowing more than half a dozen women, in all my acquaintance, that are truly accomplished.
CAROLINE: Nor I, to be sure!
LIZZIE: Goodness! You must comprehend a great deal in the idea.
DARCY: I do.
CAROLINE: Absolutely. She must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing and the modern languages, to deserve the word. And something in her air and manner of walking.
DARCY: And of course she must improve her mind by extensive reading.
Lizzie closes her book.
LIZZIE: I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished w6men. I rather wonder now at your knowing any.
DARCY: Are you so severe on your own sex?
LIZZIE: I never saw such a woman. She would certainly be a fearsome thing to behold.
Pause. Darcy goes back to his letter. Caroline picks up a book. Pauses. Puts it down. She walks over to Lizzie.
CAROLINE: Miss Bennet, let us take a turn about the room.
Lizzie, surprised, gets up. Caroline links her arm and they start walking up and down.
CAROLINE: (cont'd) It's refreshing, is it not, after sitting so long in one attitude?
LIZZIE: And it's a small kind of accomplishment, I suppose.
Darcy meets Lizzie's eye, briefly. He doesn't know how to cope with the idea that she's laughing at him. Caroline turns to Darcy.
CAROLINE: Mr Darcy, will you join us?
DARCY: (shakes his head) You can only have two motives, Caroline, and I would interfere with either.
CAROLINE: (to Lizzie, archly) What can he mean?
LIZZIE: Our surest way of disappointing him will be to ask nothing about it. CAROLINE: (to Darcy) Please tell us!
DARCY: Either you are in each other's confidence and have secret affairs to discuss, or you are conscious that your figures appear to the greatest advantage by walking. If the first, I should get in your way. If the second, I can admire you much better from here.
CAROLINE: Oh, shocking! How shall we punish him for such a speech?
LIZZIE: We could always laugh at him.
CAROLINE: Oh no, Mr Darcy is not to be teased! LIZZIE: Are you too proud, Mr Darcy? And would you consider pride a fault or a virtue?
DARCY: That I couldn't say.
LIZZIE: Because we're doing our best to find a fault in you.
DARCY: Maybe, it's that I find it hard to forgive the follies and vices of others, or their offences against myself. My good opinion, once lost, is lost forever.
LIZZIE: Oh dear, I cannot tease you about that. What a shame, for I dearly love to laugh. CAROLINE: (small smile) A family trait I think.
Lizzie smiles, sweetly. Caroline glances at Darcy, expecting to have triumphed, but he's just looking put-out.
29 INT. JANE'S BEDROOM - NETHERFIELD - MORNING. Jane is asleep in bed. Lizzie is awake in a small cot bed next to Jane. She gets up.
30 EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - MORNING. Darcy gallops through the countrysidel still looking putout.
31 EXT. BACK LAWN TO PARK LAND - NETHERFIELD - MORNING.
Lizzie stands on the edge of the formal garden looking out onto to the rustic parkland. Suddenly Darcy emerges over the crest of a hilI and gallops towards the house. He pulls the horse to a halt as he sees Lizzie. With his wet hair flattened against his head and his face soaked in sweat he looks for a second like a mysterious and beautiful boy. They lock eyes for a brief moment before Lizzie turns in a shiver and walks away.
32 INT. JANE�S BEDROOM - NETHERFIELD - MORNING.
Lizzie enters the room and goes to Jane's bed. Jane is waking up.
LIZZIE: Jane, do you think you might feel weIl enough to leave today?
33 INT. DRAWING ROOM - NETHERFIELD - DAY.
The doors open. The Footman as before:
FOOTMAN: A Mrs Bennet, a Miss Bennet, a Miss Bennet and a Miss Bennet, sir.
CAROLINE: Are we to receive every Bennet in the country?
Mrs Bennet, Lydia, Mary and Kitty are introduced to Caroline, Bingley and Darcy. Lizzie holds her breath as her mother launches into familiar form.
MRS BENNET: What an excellent room you have sir. Such expensive furnishings. I hope you intend to stay here, Mr Bingley.
BINGLEY: Absolutely I find the country very diverting. Don't you agree, Darcy?
DARCY: I find it perfectly adequate even if society is a little less varied than in town.
MRS BENNET: Less varied? Not at all! We dine with four and twenty families of all shapes and sizes. Sir William Lucas for instance is a very agreeable man. A good deal less self-important than some people of half his rank.
Lizzie cringes.
LYDIA: Mr Bingley, is it true that you have promised to hold a ball here at Netherfield?
BINGLEY: A ball?
LYDIA: It would be an excellent way to meet new friends. You could invite the militia. They are excellent company.
KITTY: Oh do hold a ball.
LIZZIE: (trying to stop Bingley being bamboozled) Kitty�
BINGLEY: When your sister has recovered you shall name the day.
MARY: I think a Ball is a perfectly irrational way to gain new acquaintance. It would be better if conversation instead of dancing were the order of the day.
CAROLINE: Indeed much more rational but rather less like a ball.
LIZZIE: Thank you, Mary.
BINGLEY: (to Mrs Bennet) Please let me show you to Jane, you will find her quite recovered.
34 EXT. DRIVE - NETHERFIELD - DAY.
The Bennet's carriage awaits. The Bingleys are gathered to see the Bennets off. Jane is radiant - in the peak of the health that only love brings.
JANE: (to the Bingleys) I don't know how to thank you.
Bingley beams bashfully.
BINGLEY: You're welcome anytime you feel the least bit poorly. I mean - you're welcome at any time, but not any less welcome if you know you're -
He hands her into the carriage, still babbling. Jane remains demure.
LIZZIE: (to Caroline) Thank you, for such stimulating company. It has been most instructive.
CAROLINE: Not at all. The pleasure is all mine.
Lizzie looks at Darcy, who bows wordlessly.
LIZZIE: Mr Darcy.
DARCY Miss Bennet.
Maintaining his glacial exterior, Darcy moves forward and, before Bingley can do so, hands Lizzie into her carriage.
She gives him a surprised glance as their hands meet and then, unaccountably, blushes. Bingley starts to wave violently as the carriage draws off. Darcy turns without a second glance. Caroline watches him narrowly.
BINGLEY: Goodbye. Goodbye.
35 INT. CARRIAGE - LEAVING NETHERFIELD - THE SAME.
The family are all squeezed in rather too tightly.
MRS BENNET: What a high and mighty man that Mr Darcy is, quite eaten up with pride.
Lizzie is still confused by the touch of his hand and frowns to herself.
36 EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - DAY.
The Bennet's carriage is stopped in its tracks by a company of the Militia who are crossing in front of them.
37 INT. CARRIAGE - COUNTRY ROAD - DAY.
A few of the soldiers look in at the Bennet girls with some interest. Leading them is WICKHAM, a very handsome blonde officer. Lydia spots him and swoons.
LYDIA: I can't believe it! They're close enough to touch! KITTY: I think one of them just winked at me_ LYDIA: Oh! See! The blonde! Oh, be still my beating heart!
LIZZIE: (to the coachman) Thomas, can't you drive around them?
To loud protest from Lydia and Kitty the carriage veers off.
38 INT. LONGBOURN - HERTFORDSHIRE - DAY.
As the Bennet girls come into the house, Lydia eulogizing the Militia, they meet Mr Bennet.
LYDIA: There was one with great long lashes, like a cow, did you see him? He looked right at me.
MR BENNET: I hope, my dear, that you have ordered a good dinner today, because I have reason to expect an addition to our family party.
Mr Bennet holds up a letter. 39 INT. CARRIAGE - COMING THROUGH MERYTON - DAY.
MR COLLINS (late twenties) an overweening sychophant, nervous and unctuous in equal measure, sits in his black garb, hunched uncomfortably as he comes through town.
MR COLLINS (V.O.) Dear sir, the disagreement over the entail to me of the Longbourn estate, has been a subject of torment which I wish to heal. Having received ordination this Easter and being so fortunately distinguished by the patronage of the Right Honorable Lady Catherine de Bourgh..."
Mr Collins's voice fades out as his carriage wipes through frame revealing Lizzie and Charlotte on their way to the butchers.
LIZZIE: His name is Mr Collins. He's the dreaded cousin.
CHARLOTTE: Who's to inherit?
LIZZIE: Indeed. Everything, apparently. He may leave us our stays, but even my piano stool belongs to Mr Collins.
CHARLOTTE When?
LIZZIE: He can turn us out of the house as soon as he pleases.
CHARLOTTE: But why?
LIZZIE: Because the estate is entailed to him and not to us poor females.
A cart passes, crammed with sheep going to slaughter. They baa plaintively.
40 INT. HALLWAY - LONGBOURN - DAY.
Mr Collins is ushered in by the manservant, Giles. He looks around his fut ure home with interest.
Mr and Mrs Bennet greet him.
MR COLLINS: (deep bow ) Mr Collins, at your service.
41 INT. DINING ROOM - LONGBOURN - EVENING.
The Bennets and Mr Collins are seated formally for supper. Mr Collins is served some food.
MR COLLINS What a superbly featured room and what excellent boiled potatoes. It is many years since I had such an exemplary vegetable. To which of my fair cousins should I compliment the excellence of the cooking?
MRS BENNET: Mr Collins, we are perfectly able to keep a cook.
MR COLLINS: What a blessing.l am honoured to have, as my patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourg, you have heard of her, I presume?
Mrs Bennet shakes her head.
MR COLLINS: (cont'd) My small rectory abuts her estate, Rosings Park, and she of ten condescends to drive by my humble dwelling in her little phaeton and ponies.
A pause. Lizzie catches her father's eye.
MRS BENNET: Does she have any family?
MR COLLINS: One daughter, the heiress of it all and a creature of such superior graces she seems born to greatness. (little cough) These are the kind of little, delicate compliments that are always acceptable to ladies, and which I conceive myself particularly bound to pay.
MR BENNET: (gravely) How happy for you, Mr Collins, to possess the talent for flattering with such delicacy.
Mr Collins nods with satisfaction.
LIZZIE: Do these pleasing attentions proceed from the impulse of the moment or are they the result of previous study?
Jane kicks Lizzie under the table. Lizzie tries not to laugh at Mr Collins' answer.
MR COLLINS: They arise chiefly from what is passing at the time, and though I sometimes amuse myself with arranging such little elegant compliments, I always wish to give them as unstudied an air as possible.
LIZZIE: Believe me, no one would suspect your manners to be rehearsed.
Lydia suddenly lets off a little explosion of hysteria. A fierce look from Lizzie quells it and Kitty pats her on the back solicitously.
MR COLLINS: After dinner I thought I might read to you all for an hour or two. I have with me Fordyce's sermons, which speak eloquently on all matters moral. (to Jane) Do you know Fordyce's sermons Miss Bennet?
42 INT. CORRIDOR/DRAWING ROOM - LONGBOURN - LATER.
We can see the girls and Mr Bennet gathered by the fire through the doorway. Mr Collins leaves the room and takes Mrs Bennet aside to a very discreet conference, out of hearing of anyone else.
MR COLLINS: Mrs Bennet. You do know I have been bestowed by the good grace of Lady Catherine de Bourg a parsonage of no mean size.
MRS BENNET: I have become aware of the facto
MR COLLINS: Well, it is my avowed hope that soon I may find a mistress for it, and I have to inform you that the eldest Miss Bennet has captured my special attention.
Mr Collins looks lasciviously into the room.
MRS BENNET: Mr Collins, unfortunately it incumbent on me to hint that eldest Miss Bennet is - very soon to be engaged.
MR COLLINS: Engaged!
MRS BENNET: But Miss Lizzie next to her in both age and beauty would make anyone an excellent partner. Do not you agree, Mr Collins?
Mr Collins looks through the doorway at Lizzie
MR COLLINS: Indeed. Indeed. A very agreeable alternative.
42. EXT. BACK GARDEN MEADOW - LONGBOURN - DAY.4
Mr Collins appears through a door to the yard. He spots Jane and Lizzie and advance towards them.
LlZZIE: No, no! Quick! This way!
She pulls Jane across the duck board spanning the moat. Mr Collins comes out into the back garden. The girls are nowhere to be seen. He looks around, puzzled, as we reveal Lizzie and Jane hiding behind the moat wall.
43 EXT. MERYTON VILLAGE - DAY.
Lizzie, holding Jane's hand, is still running and laughing as she goes. Jane is grumbling, holding onto her bonnet.
JANE: Oh do stop, Lizzie, l've got no more breath!
Lizzie slows, turning around to laugh at Jane, then turning back and practically winding the tall, blonde officer spotted earlier by Lydia. He stands before her, holding a handkerchief that's down fluttered from her sleeve, a witty curl on his exquisite mouth.
WICKHAM Yours, I believe?
Lizzie is, for a moment, speechless, but then nods and takes the kerchief as Kitty and Lydia rush up from behind Wickham.
LYDIA: Oh how perfect you are, Mr Wickham!
KITTY: He picked up my glove, too. Did you drop yours on purpose, Lizzie? LYDIA: Mr Wickham's a lieutenant.
WICKHAM: An enchanted lieutenant.
JANE: What are you up to, Liddy?
LYDIA: We just happened to be looking for some ribbon
KITTY: White, for the ball!
WICKHAM: Shall we all look for some ribbon together?
Wickham's wry tone tells Lizzie that he perfectly understands her silly sisters.
45 INT. MILLINER'S SHOP - DAY.
They come into the shop. The others go towards the counter. Wickham hangs back, and smiles a complicit, witty smile at Lizzie.
WICKHAM: I shan't even browse. I can't be trusted. I have very poor taste in ribbons.
LIZZIE: (gravely) Only a man truly confident of himself would admit that.
WICKHAM: No, it's true. And buckles. When it comes to buckles, I'm lost.
LIZZIE: Dear oh dear. You must be the shame of the regiment.
WICKHAM: A laughing-stock.
LIZZIE: What do your superiors do with you?
WICKHAM: Ignore me. I'm of next to no importance, so it's easily done.
On the contrary, Wickham is almost impossible to ignore. Lizzie tears her eyes from his winsome features as Lydia grabs her sleeve. .
LYDIA: Lizzie, lend me some money!
LIZZIE: You already owe me a fortune, Liddy.
WICKHAM: Allow me to oblige.
LIZZIE: No! Please - Mr Wickham
Wickham gives Lizzie a smile and moves away to the counter.
46 EXT. ROAD TO MERYTON - DAY.
Wickham is escorting the girls home. He's scything down cow-parsley with his sword, as Lydia and Kitty wave yards of ribbon about. It's impossible not to admire the cut of Wickham's jib as darts athletically about the undergrowth. Lizzy is almost as fizzly as her sisters. Jane watches them all with her benevolent smile.
WICKHAM: Take that, you cur! And that, and that!
More cow-parsley bites the dust.
LIZZIE: I pity the French.
WICKHAM: Oh so do I. Miserable bunch. Small, swarthy and that tinvEmperor.
Lizzie laughs.
JANE Look! Mr Bingley.
Mr Bingley and Darcy are riding towards them. Bingley pulls in his horse, jumps down and hurries over, his open friendly face filled with delight. Darcy stays astride, staring at Wickham, who suddenly sheaths his sword and looks at the ground. Lizzie watches him. His eyes dart up to Darcy and away again. Darcy's face is dark and closed.
BINGLEY: I was on my way to your house.
LYDIA: Mr Bingley, how do you like my ribbons for your ball?
Bingley is gazing at Jane.
BINGLEY Very beautiful.
LYDIA: She is! Look at her! She's blooming
JANE: Lydia!
But Lydia dances around Bingley like Squirrel Nutkin, waving her ribbons in his face.
LYDIA: Be sure to invite Mr Wickham, he's a credit to his profession.
Darcy turns and rides off without a word. Lizzie watches, fascinated as Wickham recovers himself.
JANE: Lydia you can't invite people to other people's ball.
BINGLEY: Of course you must come, Mr Wickham. Ladies, excuse me. Enjoy the day.
Bingley bows, principally to Jane, and jumps back on his horse. Lizzie turns to Wickham, but he has walked ahead. The mood of the day has changed completely and Lizzie starts to follow him thoroughly puzzled. 47 EXT. ROAD TO MERYTON - DAY.
Rather tired after their strenuous flirting, Lydia and Kitty haved linked arms with Jane and moaning about the walk as they pass us.
KITTY: My feet hurt.
LYDIA: I hate this walk. It's always too far.
JANE: Nearly there.
Lizzie is walking next to Wickham, who's looking depressed.
LIZZIE: Will you come to the Netherfield ball then, Mr Wickham?
WICKHAM: Ah. Perhaps. How long has Mr Darcy been a guest there?
LIZZIE: About a month. Forgive me but are you acquainted with him? With Mr Darcy?
WICKHAM: Indeed, I have been connected with his family since infancy.
Lizzie is genuinely surprised.
WICKHAM: (cont'd) You may well be surprised, Miss Bennet, especially given our cold greeting this afternoon.
LIZZIE: I hope your plans in favour of Meryton will not be affected by your difficult relations with the gentleman.
WICKHAM: Oh no - it is not for me to be driven away. If he wishes to avoid seeing me, he must go not I.
Pause.
LIZZIE: I must ask you Mr Wickham, what is the manner of your disapproval of Mr Darcy?
WICKHAM: Do you really want to hear?
Lizzie tries not to nod too vehemently.
WICKHAM (cont'd) He ruined me.
She stares at him.
LIZZIE: How so?
WICKHAM: My father managed his estate. We grew up together, Darcy and I. His father treated me like a second son. Oh he was the kindest of men and bequeathed me the best living in his gift, for I had my heart set on joining the church. But when he died Darcy ignored his wishes and gave the living to another man.
LIZZIE: Why did he do that?
WICKHAM: Out of jealousy, for his father loved me more than he loved him.
LIZZIE: Cruel! Cruel! Are you sure?
WICKHAM: (nods) And out of pride, for he considered me too lowly to be worth his consideration.
Pause. Lizzie gazes at him with horror and sympathy.
48 INT. KITTY & LYDIA'S BEDROOM - LONGBOURN - DAY.
We pan through the bedrooms as the Bennet girls prepare for the Netherfield balI. Betsy is helping Lydia and Kitty into their dresses, they are both wearing white.
LYDIA: Aggghh!
KITTY Breathe in!
49 INT. LIZZIE & JANE'S BEDROOM - LONGBOURN - DAY.
We move to the quieter preparations of Jane and Lizzie. Jane is taking the curlers out of Lizzie's hair. We have never seen Lizzie pay such attention to her appearance.
JANE: - I still think there must have been a misunderstanding.
LIZZIE: (exasperated laugh) Oh Jane, do you never think ill of anybody?
JANE: How could Mr Darcy do such a thing? I will discover the truth from Mr Bingley at the balI this evening.
LIZZIE: If it is not true let Mr Darcy contradict it himself. But until he does, I hope never to encounter him.
JANE: Poor, unfortunate Mr Wickham.
LIZZIE: On the contrary, he is twice the man Darcy is.
JANE: And let us hope, a rather more willing dancer.
Jane leaves Lizzie at the mirror taking very particular care of her toilette. She smiles to herself.
50 EXT/INT. NETHERFIELD - DUSK.
A long queue has formed to gain entrance to the ball. There are hundreds of guests. All the women are dressed in shades of off-white. The men are either in red officer uniform or dressed in black and white. We move up the queue to the front door where Bingley and Caroline are greeting their guests.
The Bennets are next in line and step up. Bingley beams at Jane.
BINGLEY: You're here! I'm so pleased.
JANE: And so am I.
BINGLEY: How are you, Miss Elizabeth?
Lizzie is not paying attention, instead she is searching over Mr Bingley's shoulder for a sight of Wickham.
BINGLEY: (cont'd) Are you looking for someone?
LIZZIE: No, no not at all, admiring the general splendour.
JANE: It is breath-taking, Mr Bingley.
The Bennet's are forced to move on into the house. Mrs Bennet talks while we focus on Lizzie searching the sea of red coats.
MRS BENNET: I dare say, I have never met a more pleasant gentleman in all my years. Did you see how he dotes on her! Dear, dear Jane. Always doing what is best for her family.
Lizzie slips away into the next room. She walks into the dining room, which has been converted into a ball room and where numerous couples are dancing while others crowd the edges to watch. Lizzie thinks she sees Mr Wickham among the dancers, she moves to get a clearer view. The MAN turns round - but is not Wickham.
Charlotte approaches her through the crowd.
LIZZIE: Have you seen Mr Wickham?
Charlotte shakes her head.
CHARLOTTE Perhaps he is through here.
51 INT. NETHERFIELD - DRAWING ROOM - NIGHT
Lizzie and Charlotte enter the drawing room. Jane appears and catches lizzie's arm.
JANE: He's not here. Apparently otherwise detained.
The disappointment is palpable.
LIZZIE: Detained?
Mr Collins arrives, breathless. He smiles eagerly at Lizzie.
MR COLLINS: There you are.
LIZZIE: Mr Collins. What a pleasant surprise.
MR COLLINS Perhaps you will do me the honour, Miss Lizzie?
LIZZIE: Oh. I didn't think you danced, Mr Collins.
MR COLLINS: I do not consider it incompatible with the office of a clergyman to indulge in such an innocent diversion.
Lizzie tries to smile politely.
MR COLLINS: (cont'd) In fact several people, her ladyship included, have complimented me on my lightness of foot.
Lizzie's smile congeals.
52 INT. DINING ROOM/BALLROOM - NETHERFIELD - NIGHT
Lizzie dances with Mr Collins. The style of the dance is not unlike English Country dancing.
MR COLLINS: To be sure/ dancing is of little consequence to me, but it does afford the opportunity to lavish one's partner with delicate attentions which is my primary object of the evening.
Lizzie turns as part of the dance and for a moment she dances beside Jane.
JANE: Apparently your Mr Wickham has been called on some business to town, though my informer told me he would have been less inclined to be engaged had it not been for the presence at Netherfield of a certain gentleman.
Jane indicates towards where Darcy stands watching them.
LIZZIE: That gentleman barely warrants the name.
The dance leads Lizzie back to Mr Collins.
MR COLLINS: It is my intention, if I may be so bold to remain close to you throughout the evening.
53 INT. STAIRCASE - NETHERFIELD - NIGHT.
Lizzie and Charlotte come out of the drawing room laughing and run straight into Mr Darcy.
DARCY: May I have the next dance, Miss Elizabeth?
Lizzie is stunned.
LIZZIE: You may.
Darcy walks away.
LIZZIE: (cont'd) Did I just agree to dance with Mr Darcy?
CHARLOTTE: I dare say you will find him very amiable, Lizzie.
LIZZIE: Which would be most inconvenient since I have sworn to loathe him for all eternity.
54 INT. DINING ROOM/BALLROOM - NETHERFIELD - NIGHT.
Lizzie dances face to face with Darcy. Neither can speak. They dance for a moment in silence.
LIZZIE: I love a Sarabande.
DARCY: Indeed. Most invigorating.
They continue, for a moment, in silence.
LIZZIE It is your turn to say something, Mr Darcy - I talked about the dance, now you ought to remark on the size of the room or the number of couples.
DARCY: I am perfectly happy to oblige, please advise me of what you would like most to hear.
LIZZIE: That reply will do for the present. Perhaps by and bye I may observe that private balls are much pleasanter than public ones. But for now we may be silent.
DARCY: Do you talk as a rule while dancing?
LIZZIE: (slightly irritable) No, no - I prefer to be unsociable and taciturn. That makes it all so much more enjoyable, don't you think?
Darcy ponders this critique of his social skills a moment.
DARCY: Tell me, do you and your sisters very of ten walk to Meryton?
They are suddenly parted by the choreography of the dance. We stay with Lizzie who is whisked round the floor by AN ELDERLY MAN, who smiles at her toothlessly. Lizzie looks back at Darcy who is dancing with Lydia. He stare at Lizzie as he dances. Lizzie smiles at her current partner in embarrassment.
LIZZIE: Very mild weather we've been having.
ELDERLY MAN: (deaf as a post) I prefer them soft-boiled.
The dance spins again and she is back with Darcy.
LIZZIE: Yes, we of ten walk to Meryton it is a great opportunity to meet new people. In fact when you met us we had just had the pleasure of forming a new acquaintance.
DARCY: Mr Wickham is blessed with such happy manners he is sure of making friends - whether he is capable of retaining them is less certain.
LIZZIE: He has been so unlucky as to lose your friendship. And I dare say that is an irreversible event?
DARCY: It is.
Darcy's face is closing up. But he can't help himself.
DARCY: (cont'd) Why do you ask such a question?
LIZZIE: To make out your character, Mr Darcy.
DARCY: And what have you discovered?
LIZZIE: Very little.
The dance finishes.
LIZZIE: (cont'd) I hear such different accounts of you as puzzle me exceedingly.
DARCY: I hope to afford you more clarity in the future.
They bow to each other, the tension between them almost palpable. Lizzie moves quickly away, deeply unsettled. A breathless Mr Collins appears.
MR COLLINS: Is that Mr Darcy, of Pemberley in Derbyshire?
LIZZIE I believe so.
MR COLLINS: But I must make myself known to him immediately!
LIZZIE: But sir
MR COLLINS: He is the nephew of my esteemed patroness, Lady Catherine.
LIZZIE: (surprised) He is?
Mr Collins starts making his way determinedly towards Darcy.
LIZZIE: (cont'd) Please, Mr Collins! He'll consider it an impertinence
Lizzie watches from a distance, with acute embarrassment, as Mr Collins interrupts Darcy. Darcy does not notice him, so Mr Collins raises his voice.
MR COLLINS: Mr Darcy!
The room around him stops. Darcy is surprised and turns round. In dumbshow we see, during the conversation, Mr Collins point Lizzie out to Darcy, who looks horrified by Mr Collins's obsequiousness.
Caroline sidles up to Lizzie.
CAROLINE: What interesting relatives you have, Miss Bennet.
Lizzie walks away into another room.
55 INT. NETHERFIELD - NIGHT.
MONTAGE: A blurry vision of the goings-on as the night passes. Kitty and Lydia giggling insanely. Mary singing, badly, at the piano. Mrs Bennett tipping a glass of punch over someone. Mr Bennett snoozing behind a pillar. Mrs Bennett watching Jane and Bingley. Darcy passes behind her and overhears.
MRS BENNETT: Oh yes, we fully expect a most advantageous marriage.
Bingley staring at, Jane, who sits, demure as ever, watching a dance. Elizabeth and Charlotte watching Jane.
CHARLOTTE: She should move fast. Snap him up. There is plenty of time to get to know them after you're married.
Caroline dancing with Darcy. She chats on. He is silent. Mr Collins following Lizzie about like some ancient duckling. Lizzie escaping onto the terrace and trying to calm down and breathe.
56 SCENE DELETED
57 INT. ENTRANCE HALL - NETHERFIELD - THE WEE HOURS
Day light creeps through the curtains. Lydia and Kitty have dragged the last surviving fiddle player into hall and propped against door frame. He now plays as they dance with each other. Mrs Bennet is sprawled on a sofa. Jane sitting demurely. Collins looking longingly at Lizzie. Bingley is standing, the perfect host, but obviously willing the Bennets to leave. Mrs Bennet holds court.
MRS BENNET: I have never had such a good time in my life. Mr Bingley you must have such a ball once a month at least.
Caroline who is standing with her brother, yawns ostentatiously.
LIZZIE: Mother. I really think it is time to go.
MRS BENNET: Don't be impertinent. Our hosts are perfectly happy with our company, are you not, Mr Bingley? I hope I can entice you to Longbourn to sample our hospitality. We would make sure you had 3 or 4 courses at least.
She holds out her glass for a top up and carries on.
MRS BENNET: (cont'd) So tell me Mr Bingley. Whom did you like least of all your guests this evening?
LIZZIE Really. This is enough.
Darcy looking down at Lizzie from a staircase. He turns and walks away.
58 EXT. NETHERFIELD DRIVE - HERTFORDSHIRE - MORNING.
Bingley and Caroline are waving off the Bennett carriage. Bingley is grey with fatigue. Caroline looks at his plaintive expression and then looks at the departing carriage
CAROLINE: My dear Charles - you can't be serious.
Bingley shoots her a look and goes into the house in a huff.
MRS BENNET: (V.O.) We will be having a wedding here at Netherfield in less than three months, if you ask me. Mr Bennet? Mr Bennet!
59 INT. BREAKFAST ROOM - LONGBOURN - DAY.
The Bennets eat in silence. Jane yawns. Mrs Bennet moans she is hungover. Mr Collins comes in, in a state of agitation. They look at him. He sits, hesitates, then asks:
MR COLLINS: Mrs Bennet - I was hoping, if it would not trouble you, that I might solicit a private audience with Miss Lizzie in the course of the morning.
Lizzie is open mouthed.
MRS BENNET: Oh! Yes. Certainly - Lizzie would be very happy indeed. Everyone. Out. Mr Collins would like a private audience with your sister.
Everyone looks in amazement.
LIZZIE: Wait. I beg you. Mr Collins can have nothing to say to me that anybody need not hear.
MRS BENNET: No. Nonsense, Lizzy. I desire you will stay where you are. Everyone else, to the drawing room. Mr Bennet.
MR BENNET: But...
MRS BENNET: Now!
Mrs Bennet whooshes everyone out, winks at Mr Collins then shuts the door before Lizzie has time to do anything. Lizzie looks at Mr Collins who looks at her earnestly. There is a horrible pause of intense embarrassment.
MR COLLINS: Dear Miss Elizabeth, 1 am sure my attentions have been too marked to be mistaken. Almost as soon as I entered the house I singled you out as the companion of my future life.
Lizzie stares at him, astonished.
MR COLLlNS: (cont'd) But before I am run away with my feelings perhaps I may state my reasons for marrying. Firstly, that it is the duty of a clergyman to set the example of matrimony in his parish. Secondly, that I am convinced it will add greatly to my happiness, and, thirdly, that it is at the urging of my esteemed patroness Lady Catherine that I select a wife.
We hear a kick and Kitty screech from behind the door.
MRS BENNET: (V.O.) Sshhh.
MR COLLINS My object in coming to Longbourn was to choose such a one from Mr Bennet's daughters, for I am to inherit the estate and such an alliance will surely suit everyone. (drops to his knee) And now nothing remains for me but to assure you in the most animated language of the violence of my affections.
LIZZIE: Mr Collins
MR COLLINS: And that no reproach on the subject of fortune will cross my lips once we are married.
LIZZIE: You are too hasty, sir! You forget that I have made no answer.
MR COLLINS: (unperturbed) I must add, that Lady Catherine will thoroughly approve, when I speak to her of your modesty, economy and other amiable qualities.
LIZZIE: Sir, I am honoured by your proposal, but regret I must decline it.
MR.COLLINS: (momentarily taken aback, but recovering) I know ladies don't seek to seem too eager.
LIZZIE: (in some desperation) Mr Collins, I am perfectly serious. You could not make happy and I'm convinced I'm the last woman in the world who could make you happy.
MR COLLINS: (pause) I flatter myself, cousin, that your refusal is merely a natural delicacy. And as it is by no means certain that another offer of marriage may ever be made to you.
LIZZIE: (rising, deeply affronted) Mr Collins -
MR COLLINS: I must conclude that you simply seek to increase my love by suspense, according to the usual practice of elegant females.
LIZZIE: Sir! I am not the sort of female to torment a respectable man. Please understand me - I cannot accept you!
Lizzie storms out of the room and out of the house. Mrs Bennet crashes in through another door, hot on the tail of Lizzie.
MRS BENNET: Oh headstrong, foolish child
MR COLLINS: Head strong?
MRS BENNET: - don't worry Mr Collins, we shall have this little hiccup dealt with immediately.
Mrs Bennet goes after Lizzie. Mr Collins watches through a window as Lizzie is pursued by her mother. 60 INT. LIBRARY - LONGBOURN - THE SAME.
Mrs Bennet marches into the library. Mr Bennet looks up in shock.
MRS BENNET: Oh Mr Bennet. We are all in a uproar. You must come and make Lizzie marry Mr Collins, for she vows she will not have him.
Mr Bennet stares at Mrs Bennet blankly.
MRS BENNET: (cont'd) Mr Collins has proposed to Lizzie. But Lizzie declares she will not have him, and now the danger is Mr Collins may not have Lizzie.
MR BENNET: And what am I to do?
Mrs Bennet drags Mr Bennet to his feet.
MRS BENNET Speak to Lizzie.
They march to find Lizzie, passing Mr Collins in the dining room.
61 INT. DRAWING ROOM - LONGBOURN - THE SAME.
Mr Bennet and Mrs Bennet confront Lizzie, who has been waiting in the drawing room. Perhaps the other girls form an audience from the stairs, Mr Collins looks on sheepishly from the breakfast room.
MRS BENNET: Tell her that you insist upon them marrying.
LIZZIE: Papa, please - !
MRS BENNET: You will have this house!
LIZZIE: I can't marry him!
MRS BENNET: You'll save y6ur sisters from destitution!
LIZZIE: I can't!
MRS BENNET: Go back now and say you've changed your mind!
LIZZIE: No!
MRS BENNET Think of your family!
LIZZIE: You can/t make me!
MRS BENNET: Mr Bennet, say something!
MR BENNET: (to Lizzie) SO, your mother insists on you marrying Mr Collins.
MRS BENNET: Yes, or I shall never see her again!
MR BENNET: Well Lizzie. From this day on 'you must be a stranger to one of your parents.
MRS BENNET: (to Lizzie) - who will maintain you when your father is dead?
MR BENNET: Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr Collins, and I will never see you again if you do.
MRS BENNET: Mr Bennet!
LIZZIE: Thank you, papa.
Lizzie turns around and walks into the hall.
62 INT. HALL STAIRS - LONGBOURN - THE SAME
Lizzie walks through the other sisters who are gathered at the door but stops when she reaches Jane sitting on the stairs. Her face is white. There's a letter in her hand. Mrs Bennet charges out and speaks to anyone who will listen.
MRS BENNET: Oh, ungrateful child! I shall never speak to her again! Not that I have much pleasure in talking to anybody. People who suffer as I do from nervous complaints can have no inclination for talking. Nobody can tell what I suffer...
She jabbers on but her voice fades. We're with Jane, rereading the letter.
LIZZIE: What's wrong, Jane?
Close on Jane's pale face. She's staring at the letter.
MRS BENNET: (distant) But it is always so. Those who complain are never pitied. . .
INT. CARRIAGE - LEAVING NETHERFIELD - THE SAME.
Bingley, Caroline and Darcy sit grimly in a carriage as it drives away from Netherfield. Darcy looks severe and stern, Caroline can't help a little smirk on her face. Bingley looks back longingly.
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