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

Sir William

But only for a time, Mr. Bingley! Let us hope it will only be a – a temporary separation.

Mrs. Bennet

Why, surely, Mr. Bingley, you will be back again very soon.

Bingley

[In a dogged manner.] No – no. I am afraid my returning at all is extremely uncertain. In fact, I – I expect to leave Netherfield permanently.

[Great consternation. Jane looks down. Elizabeth looks at Darcy. Miss Bingley has a triumphant smile.]

Colonel Forster

[Incredulously.] Oh, my dear Mr. Bingley!

Sir William

[Solemnly.] This is, indeed, a calamity.

Mrs. Bennet

[To Elizabeth.] Good Lord, Lizzy, poor Jane! What —

Elizabeth

Oh, hush, mamma!

Bingley

[Looks again at Darcy, who remains perfectly calm through all this commotion. This time the sight of him seems to make Bingley somewhat angry, and he pulls himself together and speaks in a firmer tone and in a more cheerful manner.] But, my friends, nobody knows what may happen. We shall undoubtedly all meet again sometime, and meanwhile, you must not let what I have said spoil your pleasure. [The music is now heard again in the ball-room.] There is the music. We must have another dance together.

[There is a general movement among the guests. Those at the back of the room begin to go into the ball-room.]

Bingley

[To Jane, Colonel Forster, and others near him.] Let us make up a set here; I think there will be room.

Colonel Forster

Capital idea!

[The Footmen remove the tables.]

Miss Bingley

Oh, yes, capital! [With meaning, to Darcy.] Do not you think so, Mr. Darcy?

[Darcy bows stiffly, without speaking.]

Colonel Forster

Miss Bingley, may I have the pleasure?

[She bows, looks daggers at Darcy, and takes her place in the dance.]

Bingley

[To Jane.] Miss Bennet, will you grant me the happiness? [Darcy gives him a look which Elizabeth sees.] The – the final happiness of my stay at Netherfield.

Jane

[Curtsies, a tremor in her voice.] Thank you.

[They begin to form a set with Miss Bingley and Colonel Forster, Lydia and Denny.]

Darcy

[Crossing to Elizabeth.] May I have the honour, Miss Elizabeth?

Elizabeth

[Looking at him with frank hauteur.] Thank you, Mr. Darcy, I am indisposed.

[Darcy bows, reddens, and crosses to the other side of the room. The music begins. Amid embarrassed astonishment, Sir William and Charlotte Lucas fill the quadrille set. As the dance commences, Elizabeth and Darcy, standing at either side of the dancers, exchange a glance of the keenest pride and prejudice.]

ACT III

The parlour of Mr. Collins's parsonage at Hunsford. At the back of the room is an open door. This door leads directly into the garden, beyond which is seen, through an opening in the trees of the park opposite, "the prospect of Rosings" – the residence of Lady Catherine de Bourg – "a handsome, modern building on rising ground." A wide cottage window, also at the back of the room, gives a plain view of the passers-by. On either side of the parlour is a door, leading to other parts of the house. Elizabeth is discovered standing at the open door and looking up at some one outside who is evidently climbing the trellis.

A Voice (outside.)

Is this the cluster you wish, Miss Bennet?

Elizabeth

[Mischievously.] No, Colonel Fitzwilliam. Those are buds; the ones higher still. There – by the eaves.

[Elizabeth laughingly watches Colonel Fitzwilliam until he appears with a cluster of half opened roses, which he presents to her with a gallant air.]

Elizabeth

[Taking the roses and putting them in her girdle.]

Thank you.

Colonel Fitzwilliam