00:01In the weeks that followed the disastrous Meriton Assembly, I buried myself in my books, hoping to stave off the
00:09pangs of shame and humiliation.
00:12It was all part of my plan for a new Meriton. I needed a clear mind, unclouded by strong emotion.
00:20I was working on gravitas.
00:24From now on, I would be a steady, informed and rational woman. Books would be my guide. I would think
00:33more and feel less.
00:40What could possibly go wrong?
00:51Well?
01:02I hope you've ordered a good dinner this evening. We shall have a guest.
01:07I knew it would be so.
01:08Look, it's not Mr Bingley. It's my cousin.
01:14Mr Collins?
01:15The very same.
01:16The man next in the end tale? Who?
01:18The man who, once I am dead, will turn you out of the house as soon as he pleases.
01:23He proposes himself as a guest here at Longbourn?
01:26In point of composition, his letter does not seem entirely defective.
01:30Entirely defective? Mary, are you quite all right?
01:33I regret deeply the breach which has existed between us for so long. As a clergyman, I feel it my
01:39duty to promote the blessings of peace in all families within my influence.
01:44Blessings of peace in this house?
01:47He must be an oddity.
01:50I cannot make him out. Can he be a sensible man, sir?
01:53He is a very sensible man. Thank you, Elizabeth. Very sensible indeed.
01:59Oh, can you not all see? He is looking for a wife.
02:03Do you really think so?
02:04Lizzie, you must prepare yourself.
02:07But, Mama...
02:08We shall find out just what kind of man he is this afternoon. I have great hopes of his being
02:13extremely foolish.
02:14He sounds insufferably boring. A clergyman.
02:19It's a right to condemn him before we've even met him.
02:21Please, Mary.
02:23I was agreeing with you.
02:24It's the way you say things.
02:32I am looking forward to meeting Mr. Collins this afternoon.
02:41What do you keep under your hat?
02:52We do not spark as they do, you and I.
02:58Oh, I hope my honesty did not affect her.
03:00My goodness, no. No.
03:03Your sister seemed most agitated this morning.
03:06My father's cousin, Mr. Collins, is to visit Longbourn and they've all decided he's a terrible ball.
03:12Mother believes he comes looking for a wife.
03:13A wife?
03:14Apparently.
03:16What is your cousin's profession?
03:17A clergyman.
03:19Oh.
03:19A modest income then, I imagine.
03:23Do you know what my advice would be to you?
03:26If my father's cousin was coming to stay and I knew he was looking for a wife, I would do
03:31everything within the bounds of propriety to attract him.
03:36Well, I have decided none of this is for me.
03:39I will live alone with knowledge.
03:41Mary, you cannot seriously believe the life of an old maid is to be preferred.
03:47I do not think Mama has me in mind.
03:49Jane and Lizzie won't settle so low.
03:51Anyway, Jane has nearly taken.
03:53So that leaves you.
03:56You speak nothing of love.
03:59Love.
04:01What is love to do with anything?
04:02Of course.
04:03Of course.
04:03You're right.
04:04Of course.
04:05For an educated woman, raised to be genteel as we have been, the future holds no other prospect than marriage.
04:12Marriage or misery, Mary?
04:15Marriage or misery?
04:19I should know.
04:47Mr. Colin, here.
04:49I'm here.
04:49Meet it last.
04:57Uh, this...
05:01This is Jane, our eldest.
05:06Well, I have no idea.
05:08Mm.
05:10she is soon to be engaged but um the others are not oh this is elizabeth whoa
05:21a pleasure
05:25and uh mary how do you do this is kitty and our youngest lydia ah
05:31well now i don't know that i will be able to tell the difference between you two
05:41the good looks of my fair cousins far exceed even the most enthusiastic of reports
05:49oh um no uh i'm i'm terribly sorry i i certainly didn't mean to cause any offense
05:57you caused no offense mr collins of course you didn't allow me to show you the house
06:04hmm oh splendid splendid uh much smaller than one imagined but with a few minor modifications
06:12will suffice my meek needs
06:22i am not worthy of the crumbs which fall from my table
06:30amen and yet that gives unto me the bread of life
06:34evermore give me that bread that that i may eat thereof and and not die
06:44deadly yes exactly
06:45amen mr bennett what a magnificent dining table even with the uh heavy curtains and the lack
06:53of natural light in here one can still see its quality how generous of you
06:57hmm
07:00shall we
07:09mr collins
07:16mr bennett i expect your daughters will be quickly and advantageously disposed of in marriage
07:22disposed it is very good of you to say so
07:24oh oh i'm happy on every occasion to offer those delicate little compliments that are agreeable to ladies
07:31thank you mr collins and may i commend your reading of grace it is very much stayed with me
07:38and it is most unfortunate that our girls have no proper portion to bring to their husbands
07:44please excuse me you allude perhaps to the entail of this estate it is a most vexing situation
07:51if only there was some satisfactory way to amend it
07:56hmm
07:58hmm
07:59i i could say much on the subject
08:01but i am cautious of appearing forward and um precipitate
08:07i can assure the young ladies that i come prepared to admire them
08:16have you read dr fordice
08:19sir
08:20hmm
08:21i certainly have a cousin elizabeth
08:23what make you the sermons
08:26i'm sure i haven't had time to read them sir
08:28so busy have i been merely being a woman
08:31i haven't had a moment to read up on how i should go about it
08:36i think i'm the only one who's
08:38truly interested in fordice sermons
08:41more wine mr collins
08:43hmm
08:48i will
08:49let women adorn themselves with sobriety
08:53let your speech be always
08:56be always
08:57with grace
08:58seasoned
09:04with salt
09:08this has been wonderful
09:10but now you must let us entertain you mr collins
09:14lizzie
09:15won't you play for us
09:17ah
09:23ah
10:06Bravo, Lizzie.
10:07Very good.
10:08If you were to practice properly, you really might master it.
10:11It seems a great shame to bring all the pleasure out of music.
10:13A few false notes seems a small price to pay in exchange.
10:17Great shame to waste a gift, let it go.
10:20Quite right.
10:22Why don't you show us how it is done, Mary?
10:32Oh, Lord.
10:33Good morning.
10:35Good morning.
10:38Good morning.
10:47Good morning.
11:21My congratulations, cousin. You play with such exactness. I imagine you practice a great deal.
11:29I practice often, which is true.
11:32Yes, it is. It is only through hard work that anything of any value has to be achieved.
11:37Yes, um, yes, I, I, Mr. Collins, perhaps Elizabeth could take you on a walk around the gardens.
11:53Mary.
11:55Mother.
11:58I do not want any confusion regarding Mr. Collins and, uh, future prospects.
12:05I'm not sure I understand.
12:06It is Lizzie in whom Mr. Collins has expressed an interest. Are we clear?
12:11Don't you worry, Mama, that Lizzie won't accept Mr. Collins. I have no particular feelings for him.
12:18But he and I have similar interests, and I am at least prepared to seek out the good in him.
12:24Mary, I cannot pass the man around the family like a sherry trifle.
12:28Well, your name has not come up.
12:42Cousins!
12:43Come on.
12:44Ready?
12:44Come on, hit it.
12:45I bring news. There is to be, there is to be a ball next week at Neverfield.
12:53Oh, I knew Mr. Bingley would find the perfect excuse to see Jane again.
12:57And my brother and his wife shall be visiting.
12:59They might even be here when the engagement is announced.
13:02We have some way off that.
13:05Mr. and Mrs. Gardner shall be joining us. They're coming down from London.
13:09Up.
13:12They're coming up from London.
13:14That is what I said.
13:16Spend it.
13:17Spend it.
13:18A real family affair.
13:20I will need new ribbons.
13:22Perhaps, Miss Bennet, you would take the first dance with me?
13:27Oh, how wonderful.
13:29Maybe I should play a little something on the piano?
13:33Yes, yes. You should indeed.
13:36What about you, Miss Elizabeth?
13:38Do you sing?
13:40There is nothing I admire more than a woman with a wide vocal ring.
14:02Very good, Miss Mary.
14:04Your playing is coming along nicely.
14:07Thank you, Hill.
14:08Mr. Collins thinks I'm a very good player.
14:12What?
14:12I'm planning to play at the Assembly.
14:14At Netherfield?
14:15Yes.
14:16I was even thinking I might sing.
14:20Sing?
14:21Miss Mary?
14:22It will be a surprise to them all.
14:26Short and sweet.
14:28That would be my advice.
14:32And, er, maybe don't sing.
14:41Hey, Elf?
14:42I lost my shoes.
14:44Hey, Elf!
14:46No, no, no, no!
14:49Mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm.
14:53Mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm.
15:03Mm-mm-mm-mm-mm.
15:07The earlier we arrive, the earlier we can leave.
15:12Oh!
15:14Oh!
15:17Oh!
15:19Oh!
15:21Oh!
15:37Lady Lucas, Charlotte, please meet my brother and his dear wife, Mr. and Mrs. Gardner.
15:45They're down from London.
15:46Up.
15:47What?
15:48Up from London.
15:48And this is my very distant cousin, Mr. Collins.
15:56Shall we do?
16:01Something of a challenge to find husbands for five daughters.
16:05This is a beautiful dining room.
16:07But if Jane were to get a proposal...
16:10Come on.
16:11Please.
16:13Huh.
16:15As I say, if Jane...
16:17Lizzie seems very keen to distance herself from your cousin.
16:20She's not at all happy about his interest.
16:24What is he like?
16:27Tolerable forearms, I noticed.
16:29Have you made your interest in him clear?
16:32I am trying, but...
16:35Your mother seems terribly keen for Lizzie to have matched with a man of a modest income.
16:39I cannot think why.
16:41He is the cousin.
16:44The one from the end tale.
16:45It's Mr. Collins who stands to inherit Lombourne.
16:47The house, the estate, the income, all of it.
16:51So, my father cannot stand the man, while my mother wants Lizzie to marry him.
17:01Perhaps I will not play tonight.
17:03Mary, you must.
17:06I had prepared a little something, but...
17:11Now the time is here, I'm not sure I have the stomach for it.
17:13Nonsense, Mary.
17:15Mr. Collins is sure to be impressed.
17:17I think it is time you get yourself noticed.
17:37I beg you, do not make it long.
17:53Be gone, don't care.
18:00I pray thee be gone from me.
18:05Be gone, don't care.
18:12You and I shall never agree.
18:18Be gone, don't care.
18:24Lizzie, he's calling me.
18:26I really be gone from me.
18:30Be gone, don't care.
18:35Be gone, don't care.
18:37You and I shall never agree.
18:43Long time hast thou been tarrying me.
18:50And faith thou wouldst me kill.
18:55Please, I will. Thank you.
18:57My faith don't care.
19:02Thou never shalt have thy will.
19:14I have another piece, Father.
19:17One that's more lively.
19:19Mary, you have delighted us on enough.
19:30Oh, Miss Bennet, that was truly unforgettable.
19:40It was a beautiful rendition of a difficult song.
19:45Everybody saw it.
19:48It's a god song.
19:50Take a birthday.
19:53Nobody noticed but you.
20:08Mary.
20:12It was you that told Father to stop me playing, wasn't it?
20:15I didn't want you to overexcite yourself.
20:17You insult me.
20:19We both know that isn't true.
20:23Mary.
20:26I have had a terrible evening.
20:28And yet you always appear to handle everything with such ease.
20:31What do you mean?
20:32You always care what you want.
20:34Without needing to try.
20:36Whereas I try.
20:37Whereas I try.
20:39So hard.
20:43And it's all for nothing.
20:45Don't say that.
20:47There is much you have achieved.
20:55I'm sorry.
20:57I'm truly sorry.
21:15Mary!
21:16Mary!
21:18The musket dressing come downstairs.
21:19There has been such an upset you won't believe it.
21:21You can't imagine what's happened.
21:25Well, Mr. Collins has made Lizzie an offer.
21:29And she has refused him.
21:31Can you imagine?
21:31Mama is furious and says Lizzie will have him.
21:34But Papa told Lizzie that her choice was a sad one.
21:36Because Mother will never see her again if she doesn't marry Collins.
21:40And Papa will never see her again if she does.
21:42And now everyone is so utterly cross.
21:44Mr. Collins has stormed off.
21:45Lizzie won't say anything at all.
21:46Mama is beside herself.
21:47And Papa has shut himself in the library.
21:49He must come.
21:50So what happens now?
21:51What if Mr. Collins...
21:54Papa thinks he will choose someone else.
21:56I don't know.
21:57Well, it's more likely to be me than you.
22:01No, I am resigned.
22:03Mr. Collins...
22:04I shall take my...
22:05As you wish.
22:06Oh, Mr. Collins!
22:07I have resigned, madam.
22:09Oh, Mr. Collins!
22:09This is just a misunderstanding!
22:15Mr. Collins has withdrawn his pretensions to Lizzie's favour.
22:20I'm very glad to hear it.
22:22I don't think I could have borne much more of his good opinion.
22:25He says he's resigned and will not renew his pursuit.
22:29Oh!
22:46Thank you, Hill.
22:55I have been thinking, Mary, since Lizzie was so selfish as to refuse Mr. Collins, I have turned my mind
23:04towards you.
23:06Well...
23:09I think you understand me.
23:11Mama, less than a week ago you were adamant...
23:13Mary, please.
23:15He will not ask me now.
23:18I need to be sure that you will accept him when he offers.
23:21He will not choose me, Mama.
23:24Oh, Mary, he will.
23:27Who else will marry him?
23:32What are you reading?
23:36Uh, Theory of the Earth. It's about rocks.
23:38Just types of...
23:41rocks.
23:43Ah!
23:54Thanks.
23:57Yes, splendid news, sir.
24:01One had obviously hoped for a slightly more capacious dining room, however...
24:05I think it's quite sweet.
24:07Mr. Benich?
24:09Mr. Collins has made Miss Charlotte Lucas an offer of marriage.
24:15And she has accepted.
24:17We wish you joy.
24:19Yes, so much joy.
24:21I wish you joy.
24:22Thank you all.
24:24You do know he is a clergyman, sir?
24:26Yes.
24:31There you are.
24:33All these are in the office.
24:38Here.
24:39More problems.
24:44Yes.
24:44Ha-ha!
24:47There you are.
24:55If I had any doubts as to whether I had done the right thing...
24:57They vanished when I told my family of his offer.
25:01I am too old to be generous, I'm afraid.
25:06Charlotte!
25:08Charlotte, come marvel at this book.
25:15Good night, Jane. Good night, Lizzie.
25:17Good night, Lydia. Good night, Mama.
25:19Good night, Kitty.
25:20I told you no one would marry you if you wore spectacles.
25:40It wouldn't be for much longer
25:42that we Bennet sisters lived together.
25:49As each of my sisters left home,
25:53my future felt increasingly uncertain.
26:00I often thought back to the events in that period of my life
26:04and wondered if I could have done anything differently.
26:12But I was trapped.
26:16Unable to escape the loveless world of my parents.
26:22I cannot get it, Mr. Laird.
26:24I can't get it, please.
26:27My options were limited.
26:33And I found my books offered me no instruction
26:36and little comfort.
26:39I searched desperately for answers.
26:44I clung on to hope.
26:54But in a moment, my life was upturned.
26:59Mr. Bennet?
27:01Thanks for your turn.
27:02Please, ma'am.
27:04They're running the carriage round.
27:06Go.
27:06Yes, ma'am.
27:07Right away.
27:13Father had found a way out,
27:16leaving Mother and I with nothing
27:19except each other.
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