|
Mrs. Bennet: How well you dance, Mr. Bingley. My daughter Jane is a
splendid dancer, is she
not?
Bingley: She is indeed. (to Elizabeth) Your friend
Miss Lucas is a most amusing young woman.
Elizabeth: Oh, yes, I
adore her.
Mrs. Bennet: It is a pity she's not more handsome.
Elizabeth: Mama!
Mrs. Bennet: Oh, but Lizzie would never admit that
she's plain. Of course it's my Jane who's considered the
beauty of the county.
Elizabeth & Jane: No, Mama, please!
Mrs. Bennet: When she was 15, a gentleman was so much
in love with her, that I was sure he would make her an offer.
However, he did write her some very pretty verses.
Elizabeth: And that put paid to it. I wonder who discovered the
power of poetry in driving away love.
Darcy: I thought the poetry was the food of love.
Elizabeth: Of a fine, stout love, it may. But
if it is only a vague inclination ,I'm convinced one
poor
sonnet will
kill it stone dead.
Darcy: So what do you recommend to encourage
affection?
Elizabeth: Dancing. Even if one's partner is barely
tolerable.
Jane: Mr Bingley is just what a young man ought to
be. Sensible, good-humoured...
Elizabeth: Handsome, conveniently rich...
Jane: You know perfectly well I do not believe
marriage should be driven
by thoughts of money.
Elizabeth: I agree entirely. Only the deepest love
will persuade me into matrimony, which is why I'll
end up an
old maid.
Jane: Do you really believe he liked me, Lizzie?
Elizabeth: Jane, he danced with you most of the
night, and stared at you for the rest of it. But I give
you leave to like him. You've liked many a stupider
person. You're a great deal too apt to like people in
general, you know. All the world is good and agreeable
in your eyes.
Jane: Not his friend. I still can't believe what he
said about you.
Elizabeth: Mr. Darcy? I could more easily forgive his
vanity had he not wounded mine. But no matter, I doubt
we shall ever speak again. |
