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

Miss Bingley

Yes, and therefore we resent these falsehoods and this presumption on the part of George Wickham. But, really, considering his descent, we could not expect much better. He has evidently forgotten to tell you that he is the son of old Wickham, steward to the late Mr. Darcy.

Elizabeth

[Angrily.] His guilt and his descent appear by your account to be the same. I have heard you accuse him of nothing worse than of being the son of Mr. Darcy's steward, and of that, I can assure you, he informed me himself.

Miss Bingley

[With a sneer.] Oh! I beg your pardon. Excuse my interference; it was kindly meant.

[She goes out.]

Elizabeth

Insolent girl! You are much mistaken if you expect to influence me by such a paltry attack at this. I see nothing in it but your own wilful ignorance and the malice of Mr. Darcy.

[Footmen now come in with small tables, which they place about the stage. Bingley comes in and directs them. Darcy follows him.]

Bingley

[To Elizabeth, Jane, his sister, and others who have entered.] I thought it would be pleasant to have some of the tables here. [To Jane.] We must have places together.

[With some bustle, all seat themselves. At the table on one side are seated Darcy, Elizabeth, Bingley and Jane: A little behind them are Miss Bingley with Colonel Forster, Charlotte Lucas with an officer. At the table on the opposite side is Mrs. Bennet with Sir William and Lady Lucas. Behind them are more tables at which other guests are seated.]

Lydia

[Entering with Denny, much excited, goes to Mrs. Bennet.] Mamma, have you heard the news? Mr. Denny has just told me that the regiment is to leave Meryton, and go to Brighton! Good heavens! What is to become of us, mamma?

Mrs. Bennet

[Sympathetically.] Are they really going? Well, my love, it is too bad! I know how you feel. I am sure I cried for two days together when Colonel Millar's regiment went away, five-and-twenty years ago. I thought I should have broken my heart.

Lydia

I am sure I shall break mine. [Coaxingly.] Mamma, might we not all go to Brighton?

Mrs. Bennet

Oh, if we only could! But I fear your father will not hear of it.

Lydia

Oh, papa is so disagreeable! I am sure a little sea-bathing would set me up forever! Wouldn't it, Mr. Denny?

Denny

Surely, Miss Lydia. Oh, you must manage it in some way.

[They move off and take their places at one of the tables.]

Mrs. Bennet

[Looking after them.] Well, Lady Lucas, it is hard for a lively young girl like my Lydia to be cooped up in a place where there is so little going on. However, [Looking at Bingley and Jane.] we are not likely to have it so very dull in the future. [In a loud whisper to Lady Lucas.] You know what I mean – [Nudging her and laughing.] Jane and Bingley!

Lady Lucas

Ah! Indeed!

Mrs. Bennet

[With importance and in a still louder tone.] Oh, yes! It's quite settled. Such a charming young man – and Netherfield only three miles from Longbourn! And Jane's marrying will be a fine thing for my other girls. They will be sure to meet other rich men who will fall in love with them.

Elizabeth

[Who has heard the beginning of this conversation, makes a pretext to go to arrange her mother's scarf and says in low tones.] Oh, mamma! Be careful, I beg. Mr. Darcy can hear you!

Mrs. Bennet

What is Mr. Darcy to me, pray, that I should be afraid of him? I am sure we owe him no such particular civility as to be obliged to say nothing he may not like to hear!

Elizabeth

[In distress.] For heaven's sake, Madam, speak lower! What advantage can it be to you to offend Mr. Darcy? You will never recommend yourself to his friend by so doing.

Mrs. Bennet

That is enough, Lizzy! I think I can take care of myself. I never knew before that it was a crime to speak to one's friends about what everybody can see plainly enough, who has eyes in his head. [Turning to Sir William.] Did you, Sir William?

Sir William

[Smiling.] Our friends usually have very sharp eyes for what is going on, Mrs. Bennet! [Significantly.] I have, indeed, sometimes expected that you would observe what has been going on in our own household of late.

Mrs. Bennet

[Sharply.] Going on? What has been going on, Sir William?

Sir William

[With an important air.] It is only this, Mrs. Bennet, that Lady Lucas and myself have to ask your congratulations on our very great satisfaction in the recent engagement of our daughter, Charlotte.

Mrs. Bennet

Charlotte! Engaged! Why, who in the world is going to marry her?

[Sir William draws himself up with offended dignity; Lady Lucas bridles.]

Sir William