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