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

the dark eyes – she is uncommonly pretty. Don't you think so?

Darcy

      She is tolerable, but fine eyes cannot change family connections.

Bingley

      [Quickly.] What do you mean?

Darcy

      I think I have heard you say that their uncle is an attorney in Meryton.

Bingley

      [Shortly.] Yes.

Darcy

      And that they have another in London who lives somewhere near Cheapside.

Bingley

      [With irritation.] If they had uncles enough to fill all Cheapside, it wouldn't make them one jot less handsome.

Darcy

      But it must materially lessen their chances of marrying men of any consideration in the world.

Bingley

      Of marrying? You go fast, Darcy.

Darcy

      Perhaps. But I am in no humour to give consequence to young ladies. I am here to please you, Bingley – and – [He smiles meaningly.] knowing your disposition, I think it is just as well that I came.

      [Bingley is about to reply when the door opens and Mrs. Bennet enters, followed by Jane and Elizabeth. The two young men make ceremonious bows. Mrs. Bennet curtsies and then advances with delighted fussiness.]

Mrs. Bennet

      Good morning, gentlemen. I am so sorry that Mr. Bennet has gone for his walk.

      [As she looks a little puzzled from one to the other, Bingley advances.]

Bingley

      Good morning, Mrs. Bennet. I am Mr. Bingley, your new neighbour at Netherfield. This is my friend, Mr. Darcy, of Pendleton, Derbyshire. [All bow and curtsy.] Mr. Bennet has been so kind as to call upon us, and we are most happy to have the honour of waiting upon the ladies of his family.

Mrs. Bennet

      We are delighted to see you, I am sure! Mr. Bingley – Mr. Darcy – [Indicating Jane] – my eldest daughter, Miss Bennet. [Indicating Elizabeth] – Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

      [The girls make low curtsies – the gentlemen bow.]

      Will not you be seated, gentlemen? [The guests and ladies seat themselves.] I am sure you must like Netherfield, Mr. Bingley. I do not know a place in the country that is equal to Netherfield. You will not think of quitting it in a hurry, I hope, though you have but a short lease.

Bingley

      Whatever I do is done in a hurry, Mrs. Bennet, and therefore if I should resolve to quit Netherfield I should probably be off in five minutes. At present, however, [looking intently at Jane] I consider myself as quite fixed here.

Jane

      It is very pleasant to have Netherfield open once more, although you must both miss London. There is so much gaiety in London.

Darcy

      Yes, in a country neighbourhood you move in a confined and unvarying society.

      [Mrs. Bennet looks vexed at this speech.]

Elizabeth

      But people themselves alter so much that there is something new to be observed in them forever.

      [Darcy turns and looks at Elizabeth with surprise and interest.]

Bingley

      Then you are a student of character, Miss Elizabeth. It must be an amusing study.

Mrs. Bennet

      Yes, Lizzy always likes to watch people. [Looking at Darcy.] And there are plenty of people about, even if you do live in the country. The country is a vast deal pleasanter than London, is not it, Mr. Bingley?

Bingley

      When I am in the country I never wish to leave it, and when I am in town it is pretty much the same. They have each their advantages and I am equally happy in either.

Mrs. Bennet

      Ay – that is because you have the right disposition. [Looking at Darcy.] But that gentleman seemed to think the country was nothing at all.

Elizabeth

      [Quickly.] Indeed, mamma, you are mistaken. You quite mistook Mr. Darcy. He only meant that there is not such a variety of people to be met with in the country as in town, which you must acknowledge to be true.

Mrs. Bennet

      Certainly, my dear, nobody said there was – but as to not meeting with many people in this neighbourhood, I believe there are few neighbourhoods larger. I know we dine with four-and-twenty families.

      [As all become embarrassed at this speech, Bingley comes to the rescue.]

Bingley

      Yes, there are many fine estates hereabout. Can you see Sir William Lucas' place from the garden? I am not quite sure I have placed it.

Mrs. Bennet

      Oh, yes, there is a fine view of the chimneys from the terrace. Sir William is our nearest neighbour. Such an agreeable man – so genteel, and so easy – [Rising, she goes toward the glass doors.] Come, Jane, we must show Mr. Bingley Sir William's chimneys.

      [Mrs. Bennet, Bingley, and Jane go out upon the terrace.]

Elizabeth

      [Smiling mischievously.] Would not you also like to see the chimneys, Mr. Darcy?

Darcy

      Thank you. Like yourself, I prefer people to places.

Elizabeth

      Did I say that?

Darcy

      Not precisely. But I have drawn that conclusion.

Elizabeth

      [Gathering her sewing materials, begins to embroider.] Well, I can laugh at people better than places, and I dearly love a laugh.

Darcy

      Isn't that rather a dangerous trait, Miss Bennet? The wisest and the best of men may be rendered ridiculous by a person whose first object in life is a joke.

Elizabeth

      Certainly. But I hope I never ridicule what is wise or good. Whims and inconsistencies do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can. [Mischievously.] But these, I suppose, are precisely what you are without.

Darcy

      Perhaps that is not possible for anyone. But it has been the study of my life to avoid those weaknesses which often expose a strong understanding to ridicule.

Elizabeth

      And in your list of weaknesses do you include such faults as vanity and pride, for instance?

Darcy

      Yes, vanity is a weakness, indeed, but pride, where there is a real superiority of mind – pride will be always under good regulation.

Elizabeth

      I am perfectly convinced, Mr. Darcy, that you have no defect.

Darcy

      I have made no such pretension, Miss Bennet. I have faults enough. My temper I dare not vouch for. I cannot forget the follies and vices of others against myself. My good opinion once lost is lost forever.

Elizabeth

      That is a failing, indeed. Implacable resentment is a shade in a character. But you have chosen your fault well. I really cannot laugh at it. You are safe from me.

Darcy

      There is, I believe, in every disposition a tendency to some particular evil – a natural defect which not even the best education can overcome.

Elizabeth

      And your defect is a propensity to hate everybody.

Darcy

      [Smiling.] And yours to wilfully misunderstand them.

      [Voices are heard outside. Elizabeth applies herself to her embroidery. Bingley, Jane, and Mrs. Bennet return from the terrace.]

Bingley

      The surrounding country is really charming, Mrs. Bennet.

Mrs. Bennet

      We think so. But you must give us a ball at Netherfield, Mr. Bingley, and then you will see that some of the people who live here are worth knowing.

Elizabeth

      [Distressed.]