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.
05:14I 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 no idea.
05:43She is soon to be engaged, but the others are not.
05:47Ah, this is Elizabeth.
05:51Oh.
05:52Hmm.
05:55A pleasure.
05:59And, uh, Mary.
06:01How do you do?
06:01This is Kitty.
06:02And 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, ha.
06:12Ha, ha, ha, ha.
06:13Hmm.
06:15Hmm.
06:17Yeah, the good looks of my fair cousins far exceed even the most enthusiastic of reports.
06:22Oh.
06:24Oh, um, no, uh, I'm terribly sorry.
06:30I certainly didn't mean to cause any offence.
06:32Oh, you caused no offence, Mr. Collins?
06:35Of course you didn't.
06:38Uh, allow me to show you the house.
06:40Hmm.
06:41Oh, splendid.
06:43Splendid.
06:44Ah, much 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.
07:12Nevermore give me that bread that I may eat thereof and not die.
07:19Hmm.
07:21Dudley.
07:23Yes, exactly.
07:24Oh, man.
07:25Mr. Bennet.
07:27What a magnificent dining table.
07:29Even with the, uh, heavy curtains and the lack of natural light in here, one can still see its quality.
07:35How 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.
08:02Disposed?
08:02It is very good of you to say so.
08:04Hmm.
08:05Oh.
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.
08:14And may I commend your reading of grace?
08:16It is very much, hmm, 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.
08:38Hmm.
08:39Hmm.
08:41Hmm.
08:41I, I, I could say much on the subject.
08:43But I, 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.
08:59Have you read Dr. Fordyce, sir?
09:03Hmm.
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 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, more 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.
09:55Hmm.
09:56But now you must let us entertain you, Mr. Collins.
10:00Lizzie, won't you play for us?
10:05Ah.
10:22Ah.
10:26Ah.
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.
11:08Quite right.
11:11Why don't you show us how it is done, Mary?
11:22Oh, Lord.
11:22Oh, good to have me.
12:24Yes, it is.
12:26It's only through hard work that anything of any value has to be achieved.
12:30Yes, um...
12:32Yes, I...
12:33Mr 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, uh, 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, and 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.
13:27Your 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.
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.
14:20Perhaps, 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?
14:32Yes, you should indeed.
14:34What 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.
15:07Thank you, Hill.
15:09Mr Collins thinks I'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.
15:27Short and sweet.
15:29That would be my advice.
15:33And, er, maybe don't sing.
15:38Huh.
15:43Help!
15:44Help!
15:45Hello, Spais face!
15:46Help!
15:48Help!
15:51Mm-a!
15:53Mm-a!
15:53Mm-a!
15:55Mm-a!
15:55Mm-a!
15:56Mm-a!
16:11the earlier we arrive
16:12the earlier we can leave
16:16oh
16:42lady lucas charlotte please meet my brother
16:45and his dear wife mr and mrs gardner
16:50they're down from london up
16:52what up from london and
16:56this is my very distant
16:59cousin mr collins
17:02shall we do
17:06something for the challenge to
17:10find husbands for five daughters beautiful dining room but if
17:14jane were to get a proposal
17:17please
17:22as i say if jane lizzie seems very keen to distance
17:25herself from your cousin she'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 i am
17:40trying but
17:43your mother seems terribly keen for lizzie to
17:45match with a man of a modest income
17:47i cannot think why
17:49he is the cousin
17:52the one from the end tale
17:53it's mr collins who stands to inherit longbournes the house the estate
17:57the income
17:59so
18:00my father cannot stand the man
18:01while my mother wants to marry him
18:08oh
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 summit 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
19:05i beg you do not have the meal
19:26You and I shall never agree
19:30Be gone, don't care
19:37Lydia, be gone, I won't do it
19:40Be gone, don't care
19:44Be gone, don't care
19:49You 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
20:15Thou never shalt have thy will
20:30I have another piece, Father, one that's more lively.
20:35Mary, 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 him.
21:06Please have got it, stop.
21:08Take a breath, take a breath.
21:10Nobody noticed but you.
21:30Mary, it was you that told Father to stop me playing, wasn't it?
21:33Mary, I didn't want you to ever excite yourself.
21:36You insult me.
21:38We both know that isn't true.
21:42Mary, I 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
21:53Without needing to try
21:56Whereas I try
21:58So 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
22:33Mary!
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 if 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 has withdrawn his pretensions to Lizzie's favour
23:45I 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 and will not renew his pursuit
24:12Thank you, Hill
24:23Thank you, Hill
24:24Mary, since Lizzie was so selfish as to refuse Mr. Collins
24:29I have turned my mind towards you
24:36I think you understand me
24:38Mama, less than a week ago you were adamant that I...
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...
25:10rocks
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, so much joy
25:52I wish you joy
25:52Thank you all
25:55Did you know he is a clergyman?
25:57Yes, I am
25:57You really love to be a sort of man
25:59They are...
26:03Mr. Collins
26:27If 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, Mama.
26:52Good night, Kitty.
26:54I told you no one would marry you if you wore spectacles.
27:15It wouldn't be for much longer, wait, that we Bennet sisters lived 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.
27:48But I was trapped.
27:52Unable to escape the loveless world of my parents,
28:03my options were limited.
28:10And I found my books offered me no instruction
28:14and little comfort.
28:17I searched desperately for answers.
28:22I clung on to hope.
28:32But in a moment,
28:34my life was upturned.
28:38Mr. Bennet?
28:40Fetch the doctor.
28:41Please, ma'am.
28:43They're bringing the carriage round.
28:45Go!
28:45Yes, ma'am. Right 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
29:07of the other Bennet sister on iPlayer,
29:10where Birmingham's dark underbelly
29:12also rears its head in the period gangster saga Peaky Blinders.
29:17Seeing is deceiving next here on BBC One.
29:21Cameras and conspiracy in the capture.
29:25Cameras and conspiracy in the capture.
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