Pride and Prejudice, a play founded on Jane Austen's novel

Darcy

[Disgusted, turns from him to Bingley.] We are already very late, Bingley.

Bingley

Yes, – we have no time to lose.

[Darcy and Bingley give passing bows and go out by the glass doors. Mr. Collins keeps by Darcy's side and, as they pass out of sight, is seen still talking to him, to his evident annoyance. All the time that the party is bidding good-bye to Bingley and Darcy, Wickham has been moodily standing by the fireplace. Elizabeth has evidently been concerned about him, for throughout the foregoing interview with Mr. Collins, she has looked at Wickham from time to time.]

Hill

[Enters at the door leading to the hall.] May I speak to you, Madam?

Mrs. Bennet

Yes, Hill, yes. [To the gentlemen.] Excuse me for a moment. I will return directly. [Mrs. Bennet and Hill go out.]

Colonel Forster

Oh, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth! Your aunt, Mrs. Phillips, has sent word by me that her card-party is to be on Wednesday. She hopes you will surely be there.

Elizabeth

[In a pre-occupied way, looking towards Wickham.] Oh, yes, we shall go.

Colonel Forster

[As he passes the piano, and looking at some music which is on the rack.] Ah! Here is the song you have promised to sing to me. Pray sing it now, Miss Elizabeth.

Elizabeth

Really, Colonel Forster, you must excuse me for to-day. Jane will play for you, instead.

Jane

Indeed, I cannot, Lizzy.

Elizabeth

[Looking meaningly at her.] Please, Jane.

Colonel Forster

Oh, do, I beg – Miss Bennet.

[All through the following interview between Elizabeth and Wickham, the tinkle of the instrument is heard. During their conversation Jane's back isturned – also Colonel Forster's as he looks over her music – so that Elizabeth and Wickham are practically alone. Elizabeth returns to her embroidery. There is an awkward pause for a moment. Wickham finally breaks it.]

Wickham

How long has Mr. Darcy been in Hertfordshire, Miss Elizabeth?

Elizabeth

Only for a very short time, I believe. He comes from Derbyshire, I understand, and has a very large property there.

Wickham

Yes, his estate is a noble one. A clear ten thousand per annum. I am well informed on this head – [Hesitates.] I have been connected with Mr. Darcy's family in a particular manner since my infancy.

Elizabeth

[Surprised.] Indeed?

Wickham

You may well be surprised, Miss Elizabeth, at this assertion after seeing the very cold manner of our meeting just now. [After a pause.] Are you much acquainted with Mr. Darcy?

Elizabeth

No. Though I have heard of him, I met him for the first time to-day, but even on this short acquaintance I should take him to be an ill-tempered man.

Wickham

[As if he had come to a sudden decision.] Miss Elizabeth, you have been a witness of Mr. Darcy's treatment of me to-day, and therefore I feel that I must, for my own justification, acquaint you with the facts of my past connection with him.

Elizabeth

I shall respect your confidence, Mr. Wickham.

Wickham

I am sure of it. [After a short pause.] Mr. Darcy and I were born in the same parish. My own father, who, to be frank, was steward of the Darcy estates, gave up everything to serve the interests of the Darcy family. Mr. Darcy's father was excessively attached to me: – indeed, I was his godson. He meant to provide for me amply, and thought he had done so. I was destined for the church and Mr. Darcy's father left to me a most valuable living. But the present Mr. Darcy chose to ignore his father's will and gave the living to another man. This closed for me the career for which I was most fitted and left me with almost no means of support.

Elizabeth

Good heavens! But how could that be? Why did not you seek legal redress?

Wickham

There was an informality in the terms of the will which gave me no hope from the law. Mr. Darcy's father had relied implicitly upon the honour of his son.

Elizabeth

But – this is quite shocking. Mr. Darcy deserves to be publicly disgraced!

Wickham

Sometime or other he will be, but not by me. Till I can forget his father, I can never defy or expose him.