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?
04:50I should know.
05:19Mr. Collins!
05:20I'm here!
05:21Meet at last.
05:29Ah, this...
05:34This is Jane, our eldest.
05:38Well, I had an idea.
05:43She is soon to be engaged, but the others are not.
05:47This is Elizabeth.
05:54A pleasure.
05:59And Mary, this is Kitty, and our youngest, Lydia.
06:05Ah!
06:06Well, now, I don't know that I will be able to tell the difference between you two.
06:09Ha, ha, ha.
06:11Yeah.
06:12Ha, ha, ha, ha.
06:13Hmm.
06:15Hmm.
06:17The good looks of my fair cousins far exceed even the most enthusiastic of reports.
06:24Oh, um, no, I'm terribly sorry.
06:29I certainly didn't mean to cause any offence.
06:32Oh, you caused no offence, Mr. Collins.
06:36Of course you didn't.
06:38Uh, allow me to show you the house.
06:40Hmm.
06:41Oh, splendid.
06:43Splendid.
06:44Ah, ha, ha.
06:45Smaller than one imagined, but with a few minor modifications will suffice my meek needs.
06:51Oh, ha, ha, ha.
06:51In case you think so.
06:54Ha, ha, ha, ha.
07:00I am not worthy of the crumbs which fall from my table.
07:07Amen.
07:08And yet that gives unto me the bread of life.
07:12Nevermore give me that bread that I may eat thereof and not die eternally.
07:23Yes, exactly.
07:24Amen.
07:25Mr. Bennet, what a magnificent dining table.
07:29Even with the, uh, heavy curtains and the lack of natural light in here, one can still see its quantity.
07:34How generous of you.
07:36Hmm.
07:39Shall we?
07:40Hmm.
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.
08:04Hmm.
08:05Oh, I am happy on every occasion to offer those delicate little compliments that are agreeable to ladies.
08:11Thank you, Mr. Collins.
08:13Hmm.
08:13And may I commend your reading of grace?
08:16It is, it's very much, hmm, stayed with me.
08:19And, uh...
08:20It is most unfortunate that our girls have no proper portion to bring to their husbands.
08:25Please excuse me.
08:26You 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.
08:38Hmm.
08:39Hmm.
08:41Hmm.
08:41Hmm.
08:41I could say much on the subject.
08:43But I am cautious of appearing forward and, um, precipitate.
08:48Hmm.
08:49I can assure the young ladies that I come prepared to admire them.
08:56Hmm.
08:59Hmm.
08:59Hmm.
08:59Have you read Dr. Fordyce, sir?
09:03Hmm.
09:04Hmm.
09:04I certainly have.
09:05Uh, cousin Elizabeth.
09:06What make you of the sermons?
09:09I'm sure I haven't had time to read them, sir.
09:12Hmm.
09:12So busy have I been merely being a woman, I haven't had a moment to read up on how I
09:17should
09:17go about it.
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.
09:32I will let women adorn themselves with sobriety.
09:38Let your speech be always, be always with grace, seasoned with salt.
09:52This has been wonderful.
09:55Hmm.
09:55But now you must let us entertain you, Mr. Collins.
10:00Lizzie, won't you play for us?
10:05Ah.
10:08Ah.
10:11Hmm.
10:13Or, isn't he?
10:13Or, is he?
10:27No...
10:28Yeah.
10:54Bravo, Lizzie.
10:55Yeah.
10:56Very good.
10:56Lizzie, if you were to practice properly,
10:58you really might master it.
10:59It seems a great shame to bring all the pleasure out of music.
11:02A few false notes seems a small price to pay in exchange.
11:06Great shame to waste a gift, that is all.
11:08Hmm.
11:09Quite right.
11:11Why don't you show us how it is done, Mary?
11:22Oh, Lord.
11:22Oh, God.
11:30Oh.
12:12My congratulations, cousin. You play with such exactness. I imagine you practice a great deal.
12:22I practice often, which is true.
12:24Yes, it is. It's only through hard work that anything of any value has to be achieved.
12:30Yes. Yes, I... Mr. Collins, perhaps Elizabeth could take you on a walk around the gardens.
12:38Hmm.
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. Are we clear?
13:05Yeah. Don't you worry, Mama, that Lizzie won't accept Mr. Collins. I have no particular feelings for him. But he
13:14and I have similar interests. And I am at least prepared to seek out the good in him.
13:19Barry, I cannot pass the man around the family like a sherry trifle.
13:27Your 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...
13:46There 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. They're coming down from London.
14:06Up.
14:10They're coming up from London.
14:11That 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.
14:27Maybe I should play a little something on the piano?
14:32Yes, you 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.
15:04Your playing is coming along nicely.
15:06Thank you, Hill.
15:09Mr. Collins.
15:09Thanks.
15:10I'm a very good player.
15:12Huh?
15:13I'm planning to play at the Assembly.
15:15At Netherfield?
15:16Yes.
15:17I was even thinking I might sing.
15:21Sing?
15:22Miss Mary?
15:23It will be a surprise to them all.
15:28Short and sweet.
15:29That would be my advice.
15:33And, er, maybe don't sing.
15:43Help!
15:44I love my shoes!
15:46Help!
16:11The earlier we arrive, the earlier we can leave.
16:16Oh!
16:18Oh!
16:23Oh!
16:25Oh!
16:29Oh!
16:37As well as she does.
16:39I'm sure you've just been honest.
16:40So, Lady 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...
17:16A ma?
17:17Please.
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 match 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.
18:08Oh.
18:09Perhaps I will not play tonight.
18:12I won't marry 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.
18:31Oh.
18:48I beg you, do not make it long.
19:01I beg you, do not make it long.
19:05Be gone, don't care
19:11I pray thee be gone from me
19:18Be gone, don't care
19:24You and I shall never agree
19:31Be gone, don't care
19:37Lydia, be gone, don't care
19:39I really be gone from me
19:44Be gone, don't care
19:46Be gone, don't care
19:49Be gone, don't care
19:51You and I shall never agree
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, one that's more lively
20:34Mary, you have denied us on enough.
20:46Oh, Miss Bennett, that was truly unforgettable.
20:57It was a beautiful rendition of a difficult song.
21:03Everybody saw him.
21:05Please, I can't stop.
21:07Take a breath, take 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.
21:47And yet you always appear to handle everything with such ease.
21:50What do you mean?
21:51You always get what you want without needing to try.
21:56Whereas I try so hard.
22:03And it's always for nothing.
22:05Don't say that.
22:07There is much you have achieved.
22:15I'm sorry.
22:18I'm truly sorry.
22:35I'm truly sorry.
22:36Mary.
22:38Mary.
22:39You must get dressed and come downstairs.
22:41There has been such an upset, you won't believe it.
22:43You can't imagine what's happened.
22:47Well, Mr. Collins has made Lizzie an offer.
22:51And she has refused him.
22:53Can you imagine?
22:54Mama is furious and says Lizzie will have him.
22:57But 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.
23:13You must come.
23:14So what happens now?
23:15What if Mr. Collins?
23:17Papa thinks he would choose someone else.
23:20I 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.
23:29As you wish.
23:30Oh, Mr. Collins!
23:31I have resigned, Madam.
23:33Mr. Collins, this is just a misunderstanding.
23:39Mr. Collins has withdrawn his pretensions to Lizzie's favour.
23:45I'm 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 and will not renew his pursuit.
23:55Oh!
23:56Oh!
24:12Thank you, Hill.
24:22I have been thinking, Mary, since Lizzie was so selfish as to refuse Mr. Collins, I have
24:30turned my mind towards you.
24:36I think you understand me.
24:38Mama, less than a week ago you were adamant that I was...
24:41Mary, please.
24:43He will not ask me now.
24:45I need to be sure that you will accept him when he offers.
24:49He will not choose me, Mama.
24:52Oh, Mary, he 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...
25:09rocks.
25:31One had, uh, obviously hoped for a slightly more capacious dining room, however.
25:35I think it's quite sweet we found each other.
25:38Mr. Bennet?
25:40Mr. Collins has made Miss Charlotte Lucas an offer of marriage.
25:45And she has accepted.
25:48We wish you joy.
25:50Yes.
25:51So much joy.
25:52I wish you joy.
25:53Thank you all.
25:55Did you know he is a clergyman?
25:57Yes.
25:57You really love to me.
25:59This is all the men.
26:02They are...
26:03Mr. Collins.
26:05All those men are...
26:06...signs.
26:07...cleric.
26:16And he...
26:19Yes.
26:22Never.
26:27If I had any doubts as to whether I'd done the right thing, they vanished when I told my family
26:32of his offer I am too old to be generous I'm afraid I told you no one
26:55would marry you if you wore spectacles
27:14it wouldn't be for much longer wait that we Bennett sisters live together
27:24as each of my sisters left home
27:29my future felt increasingly uncertain
27:36I often thought back to the events in that period of my life
27:40and wondered if I could have done anything differently
27:47but I was trapped unable to escape the loveless world of my parents
28:04my options were limited
28:10and I found my books offered me no instruction
28:14and little comfort
28:16I searched desperately for answers
28:21I clung on
28:23to hope
28:32but in a moment
28:34my life
28:35was upturned
28:38Mr Bennett
28:39fetch the doctor
28:43I'm bringing the carriage round
28:45go
28:45yes ma'am
28:46right away
28:53father had found a way out
28:55leaving mother and I with nothing
28:59except each other
29:04press red now to watch the next episode of the other Bennett sister on iPlayer
29:09where Birmingham's dark underbelly also rears its head in the period gangster saga Peaky Blinders
29:16seeing is deceiving next here on BBC One
29:20cameras and conspiracy in the capture
29:23you
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