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.
04:57I should know.
05:07I should know.
05:18Mr Collins
05:20I'm here
05:21Meet at last
05:29This
05:30This is Jane
05:36Our eldest
05:37Well
05:39I had no idea
05:43She is soon to be engaged
05:45But the others are not
05:48This
05:49Is Elizabeth
05:54A pleasure
05:59And Mary
06:00This is Kitty
06:02And our youngest Lydia
06:06Well now
06:07I don't know that I will be able to tell the difference
06:09Between you two
06:10Yeah
06:13Hmm
06:14Hmm
06:16The good looks of my fair cousins
06:19Far exceed even the most enthusiastic of reports
06:24Oh
06:25Oh um
06:27No
06:28I'm terribly sorry
06:29I certainly didn't mean to cause any offence
06:32Oh you caused no offence Mr Collins
06:35Of course you didn't
06:38Allow me to show you the house
06:40Hmm
06:41Oh splendid
06:42Splendid
06:43Splendid
06:44Much smaller than one imagined
06:46But with a few minor modifications
06:48Will suffice my meek needs
06:51In case you think so
07:00I am not worthy
07:02Of the crumbs
07:05Which fall from thy table
07:07Farmer
07:08And yet that gives unto me the bread of life
07:11Evermore
07:12Give me that bread that I may eat
07:15Thereof
07:17And
07:17And not die
07:21Eternally
07:22Yes exactly
07:23Oh man
07:25Mr Bennet
07:27What a magnificent dining table
07:29Even with the
07:30Heavy curtains
07:31And the lack of natural light in here
07:33One can still see its quality
07:34How generous of you
07:35Hmm
07:39Shall we
07:40Hmm
07:48Mr Collins
07:56Mr Bennet
07:57I expect your daughters will be quickly
07:58And advantageously disposed of
08:00In marriage
08:02Disposed?
08:02It is very good of you to say so
08:04Hmm
08:04Oh
08:05Oh I'm happy on every occasion
08:06To offer those
08:07Delicate little compliments
08:08That are agreeable to ladies
08:11Thank you Mr Collins
08:12Hmm
08:13And may I commend your reading of grace
08:16Hmm
08:16It is very much
08:17Hmm
08:18Stayed with me
08:19And uh
08:20It is most unfortunate that our girls have no proper portion to bring to their husbands
08:24Please 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
08:36Satisfactory way to amend it
08:38Hmm
08:39Hmm
08:40Hmm
08:41I could say much on the subject
08:43But I am cautious of appearing forward
08:45And um
08:47Precipitate
08:47Hmm
08:49I can assure the young ladies
08:50That I come prepared to admire them
08:56Hmm
08:59Have you read
09:00Dr Fordyce
09:01Sir
09:03Hmm
09:04I certainly have
09:05Uh
09:05Cousin Elizabeth
09:06What make you of the sermons?
09:09I'm sure I haven't had time to read them sir
09:11Hmm
09:12So busy have I been merely being a woman
09:14I haven't had a moment to read up on how I should go about it
09:18Ha ha ha
09:19I think I'm the only one who's
09:22Truly interested in Fordyce's sermons
09:24Yeah
09:25More wine
09:26Mr Collins
09:27Hmm
09:32I will
09:34I will
09:34Let women adorn themselves with sobriety
09:37Let your speech be always
09:40Be always
09:42With grace
09:43Seasoned
09:49With salt
09:53This has been wonderful
09:55But now you must let us entertain you Mr Collins
10:00Lizzie
10:01Won't you play for us?
10:05Ah
10:11Oh
10:12Ah
10:13Oh
10:22Hmm
10:25Hmm
10:26Ah
10:27Hmm
10:30Ah
10:31Hmm
10:33Hmm
10:34Hmm
10:35Hmm
10:35Hmm
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.
11:02A few false notes seems a small price to pay in exchange.
11:05A great 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.
11:42Oh, Lord.
11:46Oh, Lord.
12:04Bye.
12:12My congratulations, cousin. You play with such exactness.
12:19I imagine you practice a great deal.
12:22I practice often, which is true.
12:24Yes, it is.
12:27Is it only through hard work that anything of any value has to be achieved?
12:30Yes. Yes, I... Mr. Collins, perhaps.
12:35Elizabeth 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. Are 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. Gardiner 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.
14:27Maybe 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.
15:07Thank 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.
15:34And, er, maybe don't sing.
15:36Pickin.
15:42Help!
15:44I can't watch anything.
15:46Hey, Mom!
15:48Ow!
15:50Ow!
15:51Ow!
15:53Ow!
15:55Ow!
15:56Ow!
16:10The earlier we arrive, the earlier we can leave.
16:16Oh.
16:20Oh.
16:23Oh.
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.
16:57Is my very distant cousin, Mr. Collins.
17:02Shall we do?
17:06Something 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.
17:21As 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, but your mother seems terribly keen for Lizzie to be matched with a man of a modest
17:46income.
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.
18:09Oh, perhaps 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.
18:31Oh.
18:48I beg you, do not make it long.
19:05I beg you, do not make it long.
19:12I pray thee be gone from me.
19:19Be gone, dull care.
19:25You and I shall never agree.
19:32Be gone, dull care.
19:36You 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
20:16Thou never shalt have thy will
20:30I, um, I have another piece, Father, one that's more lively.
20:35Mary, you have denied us own enough.
20:44Oh, Miss Bennet, that was truly unforgettable.
20:58It was a beautiful rendition of a difficult song.
21:03Everybody saw it.
21:05Please, I've got it so much.
21:08Take a breath, take a breath.
21:10Nobody noticed but you.
21:13Oh, Miss Bennet, it 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.
21:44Mary, 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...
21:57So hard.
22:02And 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.
22:30I'm 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.
23:13So, so 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.
23:29As you wish.
23:30Oh, Mr. Collins!
23:31I am resigned, madam.
23:33Oh, Mr. Collins, this is just a misunderstanding.
23:39Mr. 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.
24:14Thank you, Hill.
24:22I have been thinking, Mary, since Lizzie was so selfish as to refuse Mr. Collins, I have turned my mind
24:31towards 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.
24:54Or who 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.
25:12Ah!
25:31One had obviously hoped for a slightly more capacious dining room, however.
25:35I think it's quite sweet we found each other.
25:38Mr. 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.
25:53Thank you all.
25:55You do know he is a clergyman, isn't he?
25:57Yes, I am.
25:58You really can't do it.
25:59This is a local man.
26:00It's a good story to have you, sir.
26:02They are...
26:03Mr. Collins.
26:05Well, they are...
26:06Sorry.
26:07I don't know.
26:10I don't know.
26:12I don't know.
26:13I don't know.
26:15I don't know.
26:16I don't know.
26:16I don't know.
26:17I don't know.
26:18It's worth it.
26:19I don't know.
26:20I don't know.
26:20I just want to tell you.
26:22Okay.
26:28If I had any doubts as to whether I'd done the right thing, they vanished when I told
26:32my family of his offer.
26:34I am too old to be generous, I'm afraid.
26:36I don't know.
26:37I don't know.
26:39Charlotte!
26:42Come marvel at this oak.
26:49Good night, Jane.
26:50Good night, Lizzie.
26:51Good night, Lina.
26:52Good night, Mama.
26:52Good night, Kitty.
26:54I told you no-one would marry you if you wore spectacles.
27:12What can you pick up?
27:15It wouldn't be for much longer, wait, that we Bennet sisters lived together.
27:24As each of my sisters left home, my future felt increasingly un-sir.
27:36I often thought back to the events in that period of my life and wondered if I could have done
27:42anything differently, but I was trapped, unable to escape the loveless world of my parents.
28:04My options were limited, and I found my books offered me no instruction and little comfort.
28:16But I searched desperately for answers.
28:22I clung on to hope.
28:32But in a moment, my life was upturned.
28:38Mr Bennet?
28:40Fetch the doctor.
28:41Please, ma'am.
28:43They're bringing the carriage round, go.
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 Bennet Sister on iPlayer,
29:10where Birmingham's dark underbelly also rears its head in the period gangster.
29:15And the saga Peaky Blinders.
29:17Seeing is deceiving next here on BBC One.
29:21Cameras and conspiracy in the capture.
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