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