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

Darcy

Go. I will remain with Miss Bennet.

[Fitzwilliam goes out.]

Darcy

[To Elizabeth very gently.] Shall I call the maid, Miss Bennet? A glass of wine? Shall I get it for you? You are very ill.

Elizabeth

[Hardly able to speak.] No, I thank you: there is nothing the matter with me. I am quite well. I am only distressed by some dreadful news which I have just received from Longbourn. [She bursts into tears.]

Darcy

[Helplessly.] I am sorry, very indeed!

Elizabeth

[After a short silence.] I have just had a letter from Jane with such dreadful news! It cannot be concealed from anyone.

Darcy

I am grieved, Miss Bennet. Grieved indeed!

Elizabeth

Oh, Mr. Darcy, you were right. If I had only believed you! You, and others! But I could not believe it. [She sobs.]

Darcy

[Greatly moved.] What is it, my dear Miss Bennet? What has happened?

Elizabeth

[Wildly.] Oh, I cannot tell it, and yet everyone must know! My sister Lydia – has – has eloped – has thrown herself into the power of – of Mr. Wickham! She has no money, nothing that can tempt him to – she is lost forever! [She sobs again.]

Darcy

Good God, Miss Bennet! Your sister and Wickham! Oh, this is my fault. I should have realised this danger – I should have spoken. My own wretched experience with this man should have been told.

Elizabeth

[Wonderingly.] Your experience!

Darcy

Yes – I – you remember. I hinted it to you – to-day. But I should long ago have spoken boldly.

Elizabeth

What do you mean?

Darcy

Mr. Wickham attempted this same plan with my own sister – two years ago. She was an ignorant, innocent, trusting girl of fifteen. Happily, his villainy was discovered and prevented. But oh, I should have told you! Had his character been known, this could not have happened.

Elizabeth

You tried to tell me, Mr. Darcy. Everybody has tried to warn me. But I could not believe it, and now – it is too late, too late!

Darcy

Let us hope not. Is what you have told me certain – absolutely certain?

Elizabeth

Oh, yes. They left Brighton together on Sunday night. They are certainly not gone to Scotland.

Darcy

And what has been done, or attempted, to recover your sister?

Elizabeth

My father has gone to London. He will beg my uncle Gardiner's assistance. But nothing can be done! I know very well that nothing can be done. How is such a man to be worked on? How are they ever to be discovered? I have not the smallest hope. It is all horrible!

Darcy

Miss Bennet, I have made a wretched mistake in all this. Would to Heaven that anything could be said or done on my part that might make you reparation, or offer consolation to such distress!

[Elizabeth sinks sobbing into a chair while Darcy walks up and down in deep thought. In a moment a carriage is heard outside – then voices.]

Darcy

[Looking out.] Mr. and Mrs. Collins are returning. What would you wish me to do?

Elizabeth

Oh, I do not know! I do not know!

Darcy

[Returning to Elizabeth, speaks quickly and in deep concern.] You really wish to return home at once?

Elizabeth

[Rising from her chair.] Oh, yes, yes – at once. [Reaching her hand to him appealingly.] Take me home, Mr. Darcy! Take me home!