Pride and Prejudice - Act Two, Pt. 3

Act Two, Pt.3

Elizabeth: Uh! Why did I come? Why did he come?

It must seem as if I purposely throw myself in his way again!

Mr. Darcy: Miss Bennet, would you do me the honor of introducing me to your friends?

Elizabeth: Yes, of course, Mr. Darcy. May I present my uncle Mr. Gardiner and my aunt—

Mr. Darcy: Ah, I’m happy to make your acquaintance.

Mrs. Gardiner: You have a beautiful property, Mr. Darcy.

I do not think we have seen its equal in all our travel this summer.

Mr. Darcy: Thank you.

Mr. Gardiner: We were just conjecturing upon the date of the building.

The stonework leads my wife to believe that it must have been constructed during the restoration, but I believe it dates earlier.

Mrs. Gardiner: I am hoping you can prove him wrong.

Mr. Darcy: I’m afraid, Mrs. Gardiner, that I must disappoint you.

Elizabeth: He is so altered, so civil to my uncle and aunt.

From what can it proceed? It cannot be for my sake that his manner is soften.

Mr. Gardiner: Oh, Mrs. Gardiner, look by the river --Did you see that trout?

Mrs. Gardiner: Oh, dear! Had I known your stream contains fish, Mr. Darcy,

I should never have allowed Mr. Gardiner to walk this way. He is a veteran angler.

Mr. Darcy: Ah, if you enjoy this pool, Mr. Gardiner, I invite you to fish as often as you choose.

Mr. Gardiner: I thank you, sir, your offer is most kind.

Elizabeth: We did not think to intrude upon your homecoming, Mr. Darcy.

We are informed that you certainly would not be here until tomorrow.

Mr. Darcy: Oh, that is very true. Some business with my steward occasioned my coming a day earlier than the rest of my party.

Perhaps you would like to come to the house, for some refreshment?

Mrs. Gardiner: Oh, you're very kind, but we must not impose on such manner.

Mr. Darcy: Then I must hope to have the pleasure of your company in Pemberley on another day.

Mr. Gardiner: Well, Mr. Darcy seems perfectly well-behaved and polite.

Mrs. Gardiner: Yes, there is something a little stately in him, to be sure.

But it is confined to his air, and is not unbecoming.

Mr. Gardiner: Lizzy, how came you to tell us that he was so disagreeable?

Elizabeth: I have never seen him so pleasant as this morning.

Mrs. Gardiner: From what we have seen of him, I should not have thought that he could have behaved in so cruelly to Mr. Wickham.

Elizabeth: I think Mr. Darcy is not so very bad, nor Mr. Wickham so very good. –thus, we have previously thought.

Maid: Miss Bennet, a letter for you. At least it jointly looks to be for you, the writing is not very plain.

Elizabeth: Oh, it’s… from Jane, thank you. Gracious, I’m surprised to receive it at all, Jane wrote the direction very ill.

……Oh, most unexpected and serious occurrence! Lydia has run off with Mr. Wickham!

Jane: And Lizzy, imprudent as that match would be, we're anxious, very anxious as it takes place,

for we have reason to fear that Mr. Wickham does not mean to marry Lydia at all.

Mrs. Bennet: Oh!

Jane: Our distress is very great. My father is going to London with Colonel Forster instantly, to try to discover her.

What he means to do, I am sure I know not.

Mrs. Bennet: He will fight Wickham wherever he meets him, and then he will be killed,

and the Collinses will turn us out, before he is cold in his grave.

Jane: My poor mother is really ill and keeps her room. Could she exert herself it would be better?

But this is not to be expected. I cannot tell but honestly begging you all to come here as soon as possible.

Elizabeth: Oh, where is my uncle?

Maid: Mr. Darcy, ma’am.

Elizabeth: Oh, Mr. Darcy, I beg your pardon, but I must leave you.

I must find Mr. Gardiner this moment—I have not an instant to lose.

Mr. Darcy: Good God, what's the matter?

I will not detain you a minute, or let the servant go after Mr. Gardiner. You are not well enough.

Fetch Mr. Gardiner here immediately.

Maid: Yes, sir.

Mr. Darcy: Let me call your maid, you are very ill.

Elizabeth: No, I… I thank you. There is nothing the matter with me.

I… I'm only distressed by some news from Longbourn, (Sigh), and it cannot be concealed from anyone.

My youngest sister has eloped with Mr. Wickham, and you know him too well to doubt the rest.

She has no money. She has nothing to tempt him to marry her. And when I think that I might have prevented it!

Mr. Darcy: I am grieved, indeed. But is it certain, absolutely certain?

Elizabeth: Yes. Jane has written to beg my uncle’s immediate assistance,

and we will be off, I hope, in half an hour, but nothing can be done. I have not the smallest hope.

Mr. Darcy: I am afraid you have been long desiring my absence,

nor have I anything to plead in excuse of my stay, but real though unavailing concern. Goodbye.

Elizabeth felt how improbable it was that they should ever see each other again on terms of cordiality.

Elizabeth: Regard could never withstand such a proof of family weakness.

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