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