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, uh, Mary, this is Kitty, and our youngest, Lydia.
06:05Ah!
06:05Yeah.
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.
06:17Yeah, the good looks of my fair cousins far exceed even the most enthusiastic of reports.
06:24Oh, um, no, uh, I'm terribly sorry.
06:29I, uh, I 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.
06:43Spended.
06:43Spended.
06:44Uh, much smaller than one imagined, but with a few minor modifications will suffice my
06:50meek needs.
06:51Ha, ha, ha.
06:51In case you think so.
06:54Ha, 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.
07:11Evermore give me that bread that I may eat thereof and not die eternally.
07:22Yes, 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
07:33see its quality.
07:35How generous of you.
07:36Hmm.
07:39Shall we?
07:40Hmm.
07:48Mr. Collins.
07:56Hmm.
07:56Mr. Bennet, I expect your daughters will be quickly and advantageously disposed of in
08:01marriage.
08:01Disposed?
08:02It is very good of you to say so.
08:04Hmm.
08:04Oh.
08:05Oh, I am happy on every occasion to offer those delicate little compliments that are agreeable
08:09to ladies.
08:11Thank you, Mr. Collins.
08:13Hmm.
08:23Hmm.
08:36Hmm.
08:41Hmm.
08:41Hmm.
08:42I 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.
08:59Have 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 fundraiser salmons.
09:25More wine, Mr. Collins.
09:33I will let women adorn themselves with sobriety.
09:37Let your speech be always, be always with grace, seasoned.
09:49With salt.
09:53This has been wonderful.
09:55But now you must let us entertain you, Mr. Collins.
10:00Lizzie, won't you play for us?
10:05Ah.
10:25Ah.
10:33Ah.
10:36Ah.
10:43Ah.
10:54Bravo, Lizzie.
10:55Yay.
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.
11:06Great shame to waste a gift, that is all.
11:08Quite right.
11:11Why don't you show us how it is done, Mary?
11:21Oh, Lord.
11:22Oh, Lord.
11:25Oh, Lord.
11:33Oh, Lord.
11:45Oh, Lord.
11:55Oh, Lord.
12:15Play 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, um, yes, I, I...
12:33Mr. Collins, perhaps 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, uh, future prospects.
12:59I'm not sure I understand.
13:01It 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, but he and I have similar interests and I am at least prepared
13:17to 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.
13:40Uh...
13:40Ready?
13:41Come on, hit it.
13:41I bring news.
13:43There is to be...
13:45Hmm.
13:46There is to be a ball.
13:47Next 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, um...
14:22You, uh, 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.
15:04Your playing is coming along nicely.
15:07Thank you, Hill.
15:09Mr. Collins thinks I'm a very good player.
15:12Huh?
15:12I'm planning to play at the Assembly.
15:15At Netherfield?
15:16Yes.
15:17I was even thinking...
15:19I 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, uh, maybe don't sing.
15:42Help!
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.
16:41Oh!
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...
17:16Am I?
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.
18:12Oh, 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.
18:48I beg you, do not make it long.
18:58I beg you, do not make it long.
19:05I beg you, do not make it long.
19:27Mr. Collins?
19:37Lydia.
19:38Be calm, I want to.
19:39I will really be gone from me.
19:44Be gone from me.
19:47Be gone, don't care.
19:49I beg you, do not care.
19:51You and I shall never agree.
19:57Long time hast thou been tarrying here, and faith thou wouldst me kill.
20:09Please.
20:11I will.
20:12Faith, don't care.
20:17Thou never shalt have thy will.
20:30I have another piece, Father.
20:33One that's more lively.
20:34Mary.
20:35Mary, you have denied us on enough.
20:46Oh, Miss Bennet, that was truly unforgettable.
20:58It was a beautiful rendition of a difficult song.
21:03Everybody saw it.
21:05Please have got it so much.
21:08Take a breath, take a breath.
21:10No one knows.
21:11Nobody noticed but you.
21:25No one knows.
21:26Oh, Miss Bennet.
21:30It was you that told Father to stop me playing, wasn't it?
21:33I didn't want you to overexate yourself.
21:36You insult me.
21:38We both know that isn't true.
21:43Mary...
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.
21:53Without needing to try.
21:56Whereas I try...
21:59so hard.
22:03It is always for nothing.
22:05Don't say that.
22:07There is much you have achieved.
22:15I'm sorry.
22:18I am truly sorry.
22:33No!
22:35Mary!
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.
23:13No!
23:13You must come!
23:14So, so 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.
23:24Please!
23:25No, I am resigned.
23:27Mr. Bennett, I shall take my seat.
23:29As you wish.
23:30Oh, Mr. Collins!
23:31I am resigned, madam.
23:33Mr. Collins, this is just a misunderstanding.
23:40Mr. 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.
23:54Oh!
24:12Thank 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...
24:41Mary, please.
24:43He will not ask me now.
24:45I need to be sure that you will accept him when he offers.
24:50He will not choose me, Mama.
24:52Oh, Mary, he will.
24:55Who else will marry him?
25:00What are you reading?
25:05A theory of the earth.
25:06It's about rocks.
25:07Just types of...
25:10rocks.
25:23The earth is...
25:24The earth is plenty new, sir.
25:29The earth is plenty new.
25:29The earth is plenty new.
25:30The earth is 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. Mr. Collins has made Miss Charlotte Lucas an offer of marriage and
25:46she has accepted. We wish you joy. Yes, so much joy. I wish you joy. Thank you all.
26:27If I had any doubts as to whether I'd done the right thing, they vanished when I told
26:32my family of his offer. I am too old to be generous, I'm afraid.
26:39Charlotte! Come marvel at this oak.
26:49Good night, Jane. Good night, Lizzie. Good night, Lina. Good night, Mama.
26:52Good night, Kitty. I told you no one would marry you if you wore spectacles.
27:14It wouldn't be for much longer, wait, that we Bennet sisters live 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. Hmm. But I was trapped. Unable to escape the loveless world of my parents.
27:56Thank you! Thank you! I've now kept being quiet.
28:04My options were limited.
28:10And I found my books offered me no instruction and little comfort. I searched desperately for answers.
28:21I clung on to hope.
28:32But in a moment, my life was upturned.
28:38Mr Bennet? Fetch the doctor!
28:43I'm bringing the carriage round. Go!
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 of the other Bennet sister on iPlayer.
29:10Where Birmingham's dark underbelly also rears its head in the period gangster saga Peaky Blinders.
29:17Seeing is deceiving next here on BBC One. Cameras and conspiracy in the capture.
29:23Thank you!
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