00:17It is a sad fact of life that if a young woman is unlucky enough to come into the world
00:22without expectations,
00:23she had better do all she can to ensure that she is beautiful.
00:30To be poor and handsome is misfortune enough, but to be penniless and plain is a hard fate indeed.
00:41Or so my mother taught us.
00:44Mr. Bennet, have you heard Netherfield Park is lit at last?
00:49I have not.
00:54Do you want to know who has taken it?
00:57You want to tell me and I have no objection to hearing it.
01:00I would like to know.
01:03It has been lent to a Mr. Bingley, a single man of large fortune.
01:09Four or five thousand a year.
01:13I heard someone came down on Monday in a chaise and four.
01:17From whom did you hear this?
01:19Girls, you must prepare yourselves.
01:23Mrs. Long told me he is from the north of England.
01:26He saw Netherfield Park, fell in love with it and snapped it up straight away.
01:30In order to understand my mother's enthusiasm for this stranger's arrival, we must start at the beginning.
01:38With cake.
01:41In Meriton, England.
01:46Where a wealthy boy met beautiful girl.
01:51Father, meet mother.
01:53Sadly, the happiness of this union was to be undone by an archaic entail that meant only a male heir
01:59could inherit my father's estate.
02:01And what followed was girl, after girl, after girl, after girl, after girl.
02:12That's his fortune, and her beauty were worthless.
02:17Mother spent her days trying to involve father in how to overcome their dire situation.
02:22But father hid in his newspaper, indifferent to the cause.
02:26Why should he engage?
02:27When the time comes...
02:28I'll be dead anyway.
02:32Our mother, not known for giving up easily, found a chink of light.
02:36A saving grace.
02:38Each of her children possessed a certain je ne sais quoi.
02:42Be it Jane's beauty, Lizzie's wit, Kitty's good humour, or Lydia's spirit.
02:54Mary!
02:55If she could secure advantageous marriages for each of us girls, it would be enough to save us all from
03:00destitution.
03:03Although I had not found my own best quality, I was quite sure that I would.
03:10My fault, Mary.
03:12Until the day my mother's true opinion of me was confirmed.
03:15Mary has an awfully ruddy complexion.
03:19She does not have the complexion of her sisters, that is true.
03:23And she is clumsy.
03:25Ungainly.
03:26Maladroite, as they say.
03:28Four good marriages will have to do.
03:31I only hope she does not ruin her sister's chances.
03:40Alive.
03:43Well, over the last few years, it will be left.
03:46Well, over the last few years, I have to take your choice.
03:47It is all that she goes.
03:49It is all good.
04:00I need to take care of your sister.
04:03I could not take care of your sister's present.
04:11if you're not the beautiful one the quick-witted one or the ones that are good at games and full
04:18of youthful energy then who are you and what can you do if you're the odd one out
04:27is it possible you'll ever find a way to fit in
04:33worse i think
04:47worse still do not fret miss bennett
05:01oh have we found it i think we have mr sparrow oh thank goodness for that
05:14you see the lenses here correct your vision by bending light rays well i never
05:35do you really do look very well in your spectacles
05:39especially when you smile
05:44ah i do not think my mother will agree but i have a great passion for reading and i
05:49i would have been sad to stop
05:53i hope they will help you better enjoy the upcoming merriton assembly an assembly
05:57yes in a month i heard this morning my sisters will be pleased
06:05perhaps i shall see you there
06:10oh
06:35miss mary you ought to get
06:36yes
06:40so it will
06:47how might i secure a partner for dancing i've always wondered
06:51oh mary i'm sure your clever mind can work out something as simple as dance partners
06:55do not fret
06:56not not fretting
07:23i'm going to fill my card for dances
07:25jane do you think i shall be allowed to dance
07:27mary move
07:28do you hope you're not going to stand this close at the assembly
07:31oh we should have taken the long route
07:33oh these are my good boots
07:36all for you for wearing them
07:45do you think russet would be too harsh for my complexion
07:48i don't see why it should
07:50it would match my eyes i suppose
07:52your eyes are green
07:54you are so inattentive
08:00mr thompson told me himself i was the first to know that the ball is confirmed
08:04we were the first
08:05i was the first he was stood a little behind me
08:07it is wonderful what will i wear
08:09are kitty and lydia allowed to attend the ball father
08:12why would we not be i was the one that found out about it
08:14am i allowed
08:16jane lizzie you'll of course go and mary
08:19father i shall die if i do not go
08:22i'll probably die too
08:23i very much doubt that
08:24mr bennett kitty and lydia will also need to find husbands
08:29after jane and lizzie of course
08:33i don't see what the fuss is all about
08:35those horrible sweaty affairs
08:38mary you will attend
08:42oh oh well of course mother if you wish
08:46lady lucas and i will need someone to fetch us our drinks
08:48as long as i am not expected to attend
08:51mr bennett
08:51i told you i will not attend another of those insufferable muddy little dancers
08:57i wonder if mr bingley will be going to the meritan assembly
09:00oh he must be who would miss it me apparently
09:04you shall all go to the ball as long as i am obliged to hear no more about you
09:10i shall never be rid of you otherwise
09:13perhaps i shall dance with bingley too
09:15hi me
09:15what's excitement over a man you've never set eyes on quite ridiculous
09:18oh mary we're only indulging ourselves
09:27mary is wearing spectacles
09:29what on earth
09:32very good i hope you find the most useful mary
09:34thank you father thank you mr bennett did you know about this
09:39we discussed this at length mary was to visit the optician
09:42yes but i did not know that she would actually need to wear glasses
09:46you seem to forget my dear that i wear spectacles myself
09:50but she is a woman nevertheless she ought to be able to see
09:55i think they look very well
10:00potatoes mary
10:03in case you couldn't see them
10:07i think you're very brave to be prepared to look so ugly
10:09did you but papa who is going to dance with mary with those things on her face
10:12pleased to be able to read
10:16oh i do hope you are to meet him surely we must
10:20spectacles indeed
10:22i wonder if it is
10:28mama kitty and i will need new dresses for the walk
11:11oh
11:14oh that's fine
11:17maybe i could help you pick out a dress for the merriton assembly miss mary
11:21oh hell
11:24what am i to do at a dance
11:27dance
11:29but what if
11:30no one wants to dance with me
11:33and you'll eat lots of ices
11:36such fripperies are not for me
11:38i wonder miss mary if you don't see yourself clearly
11:41if you're saying i don't bear comparison to my sisters i've known that for years
11:44a daffodil might look plain next to a lily
11:48but on its own there is much to be admired
11:50now i am tall and yellow
11:53miss mary
11:55i wonder if you wouldn't be a little happier if you went out in the world and saw yourself how
12:01other people see you
12:03outside of your family
12:08well that's decided
12:10i am picking you out a new dress for the assembly
12:14and i will not hear another word on the subject
12:28help i've lost my ribbon
12:33i will not hear another word on the subject
12:40madam please remain still if you can
12:49does the gold make me look like
12:54a little
12:57pity
12:57what is it
12:58those are my books lydia
13:00i cannot preach my jewelry box
13:01i need something to stand on
13:03this is important mary
13:05you need to start getting ready miss mary
13:15jane is first
13:17that's not fair
13:18i'm always last
13:19mary
13:20you're last
13:24do you think i'll be able to dance on it
13:26does it still hurt
13:27yes
13:28it was two weeks ago
13:29i know
13:31should we eat beforehand
13:33perhaps a very small meal
13:34and don't drink too much
13:36but what if i'm thirsty
13:37lydia i don't suppose you want to relieve yourself behind a screen in front of everyone
13:41you
14:16Is it too fine for me, do you think?
14:19You look very handsome in it.
14:32Katie, you have taken my party.
14:34I have, I have.
14:35Miss Lydia, you have plenty of party.
14:37What in that scent?
14:41...
14:44...
14:45...
14:49...
14:55...
14:56...
14:56...
15:48I like your dress, Mary.
15:51Oh, Charlotte.
15:53What's up about?
15:54I swear, the crowd gets bigger every season.
15:57I should limit entry to those young ladies, fortunate enough to have secured partners.
16:00Yes, I thought the very same thing.
16:16Oh, yes.
16:25Oh, yes.
16:35Mr. Bingley, welcome.
16:37These are my sisters, Louisa, and this is Caroline.
16:41This is Mr. Hurst and Mr. Darcy.
16:44And if I may present, Mrs. Bennet.
16:49Mrs. Jane Bennet, Mrs. Elizabeth Bennet, Kitty and Lydia.
17:00Oh, and this is Mrs. Mary Bennet, who's accomplished girl in the whole neighborhood.
17:09That is a great achievement, to be sure.
17:13Study clearly trumps all other considerations in your mind.
17:16What an example to us all.
17:26If I could be so proud of Mr. Marston, first of all.
17:28Oh, hell, it's an idiot.
17:37Oh, hell, it's an idiot.
17:50Oh, hey, babe.
17:53Oh, hey, babe.
17:55Oh, hey, babe.
17:57Oh, hey.
18:08You will not believe the insufferable company that Mr Bingley keeps.
18:13What has happened?
18:13I also heard, quite accidentally, Mr Bingley talking to that conceited gentleman learned
18:19against the wall there, a Mr Darcy, who said of me, she is tolerable, but not handsome
18:28enough to tempt me.
18:37And round we go!
18:43Excuse me, Miss Bennet.
18:46I do not mean to intrude, but it is very bad for your eyes to screw them up in such
18:51a fashion.
18:52Mr Sparrow!
18:53Perhaps I may be permitted to help you find what you're looking for.
18:57I was looking for, uh, my sisters.
19:02Take his hand.
19:04I'm quite exhausted from all the dancing.
19:07I just chose to sit this one out.
19:10That is a shame.
19:13I was going to ask if you would do me the honour of standing up with me for the next
19:16dance.
19:18Actually, I'm now feeling much rested.
19:20And I would be delighted.
19:22Well then, I thank you.
19:25Oh, yes.
19:28Shall we remain here until the next second?
19:30Of course.
19:31That's exactly what I thought.
19:41How are your spectacles?
19:43Very well.
19:43Yes, I'm unable to study for hours without issue.
19:47I am delighted to hear that.
19:50It's my turn!
19:55Perhaps you could recommend a book to me.
19:57What do you read with such enjoyment?
20:02Mrs Catherine Macaulay has written a wonderful account of British history.
20:06It's a fascinating read.
20:07I will seek it out.
20:08Are you a scholar, sir?
20:10I like to read, but science rather than history.
20:14I have a plan to study medicine in London.
20:16Arts or maybe morphine's.
20:19What a noble ambition.
20:21But it is not a thing widely known.
20:23I have not mentioned it to anyone before you.
20:27I should speak of it to no one.
21:43It's fewer.
21:45It's fewer oyster patties.
21:50Here we go!
21:51Oh my God!
21:54Oh my God!
22:03Oh my God!
22:06Oh my God!
22:06Oh my God!
22:08Oh my God!
22:09Oh my God!
22:10Oh my God!
22:10Oh my God!
22:10Oh my God!
22:10Oh my God!
22:12Oh my God!
22:15Oh my God!
22:33Would you like a cold drink, Miss Bellis?
22:37Yes, that's an excellent idea. Thank you.
22:49It looks as though you are enjoying yourself, Mary.
22:54Your partner is the young John Sparrow, isn't he?
22:57Yes, the optician's son.
23:00And you have danced with him twice.
23:04Mary, you are very young, and perhaps do not fully appreciate how things are understood.
23:11If you are to dance with him again, it will be remarked upon.
23:13Two dances in succession suggest a liking. Three might imply something more.
23:22I'm very happy dancing with him.
23:36I see that you have stood up twice with the Sparrow boy.
23:40Yes, Mama.
23:43You will not dance with him again.
23:48But, Mother, he's been most attentive. He's quite the gentleman.
23:53Mary, his father owns a shop.
23:57Yes?
23:59With a bell.
24:03Mother, I have danced with him twice. I have no wish to marry him.
24:07You may not object to lowering yourself, but I will not have you ruin your sister's chances of a match.
24:34Would you care to dance again, Miss Bennet, once we have finished our ices?
24:40Mr. Sparrow, I am afraid that I shall not be able to stand up with you again this evening.
24:48Oh.
24:49But I thought...
24:51I thought...
24:54I hope I have not offended you.
24:55No, no, no, not at all, sir.
24:57I have very much enjoyed dancing with you.
25:05It is to say that my mother is concerned.
25:11Concerned?
25:12For my sisters and I.
25:14Um, it's important that we make an appropriate social, um, one might say, uh, financially, um, well, a suitable match.
25:26Yes, Bennet, there is no need for an explanation. I shall not pursue the matter.
25:30I've enjoyed, I've enjoyed my time.
25:33Um...
25:34Good evening to you.
25:37I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
26:08I'm sorry.
26:09James stood up with him twice.
26:12I have little time for his friend.
26:15Please do not hold that against Mr. Bingley.
26:17She's not going to go against you.
26:18Yes.
26:19I danced with two soldiers.
26:21I'm not very good with faces, so I'm not sure how many times I stood up with anyone.
26:25Ew!
26:26As my mother and sisters happily dissected every moment of the ball, I felt a terrible sense of shame.
26:33I had caused hurt to a man whose only crime was being kind to me.
26:40Who was I?
26:42A coward who lacked the courage to follow her own inclinations.
26:46It was time to find my own way, to look for a new version of myself as a serious-minded
26:54woman.
26:56From now on, knowledge and reason would be my guide.
27:00No more ribbons, ball gowns, or dance cards.
27:04The old Mary would be no more.
27:07I would transform into the intellectual one.
27:11That was how I would stand out as the other Bennet sister.
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