00:00A
00:00A
00:01B
00:15B
00:16B
00:16B
00:16B
00:17B
00:17B
00:17B
00:32B
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.
01:06Mr. Bennet, have you heard Netherfield Park is let 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, we must start at the beginning.
02:03With cake.
02:06In Meryton, 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 girl, after girl, after girl, after girl, after girl.
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, found a chink of light.
03:04A saving grace.
03:06Each of her children possessed a certain je ne sais quoi.
03:09Be it Jane's beauty.
03:14Lizzy'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, it would be enough to save us all from
03:29destitution.
03:32Although I had not found my own best quality, I 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 ruddy complexion.
03:49She does not have the complexion of her sisters, that is true.
03:52And she is clumsy.
03:55Ungamely.
03:56Maladroite, as they say.
03:59Four good marriages will have to do.
04:02I only hope she does not ruin her sister's chances.
04:05I only hope she does not ruin her sister's chances.
04:08I only hope she does not ruin her sister's chances.
04:11But for me she cannot ruin her sister's chances.
04:13To me she goes to her sister's chances.
04:44if you're not the beautiful one the quick-witted one or the ones that are good at games and full
04:51of youthful energy then who are you and 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 do not fret miss bennett
05:37have we found it
05:39i think we have mr sparrow oh thank goodness for that
05:51you see the lenses here correct your vision by bending light rays
05:55well i never
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 but i have a great passion for reading and i i
06:27would have been sad to stop
06:30i hope they will help you better enjoy the upcoming merriton assembly
06:34an assembly
06:35yes in a month i heard this morning
06:39my sisters will be pleased
06:43perhaps i shall see you there
06:51miss mary you ought to get on
06:53oh of course he'll i'll settle affairs here
06:55thank you
06:56thank you
06:57thank you and thank you mr sparrow
07:07i have news
07:11there's going to be an assembly in merriton 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 i've always wondered
07:31oh mary i'm sure your clever mind can work out something as simple as dance partners
07:36do not fret
07:37do not not fretting
08:08do 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
08:14oh we should have taken the long route
08:16oh
08:17these are my good boots
08:19oh
08:19all for you for wearing them
08:23damn
08:28do you think russet would be too harsh for my complexion
08:31i don't see why it should
08:33would match my eyes i suppose
08:35your 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
08:56why would we not be
08:57i was the one that found out about it
08:59am i allowed
09:01jane
09:01lizzie
09:02you will of course go
09:03and mary
09:04father
09:05i shall die if i do not go
09:07i'll probably die too
09:08very much does that
09:09mr bennett
09:10kitty 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
09:20those horrible sweaty affairs
09:23mary
09:24you will attend
09:27oh
09:29oh well of course mother if you
09:31wish
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 bennett
09:38i told you
09:38i will not attend another of those insufferable muddy little dancers
09:42oh
09:43i wonder if mr bingley will be going to the meritan assembly
09:47oh he must be
09:48who would admit it
09:50me apparently
09:52you shall all go to the ball
09:53as long as i am obliged to hear no more about it
09:58i shall never be with 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
10:05quite ridiculous oh mary we're only indulging ourselves
10:15mary is wearing spectacles
10:18what
10:18on
10:19earth
10:20very good
10:21i hope you find them most useful mary
10:23i do father
10:24thank you
10:25mr bennett
10:26did you know about this
10:27we discussed this
10:29at 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
10:39but she is a woman
10:42nevertheless
10:43she ought to be able to see
10:45i think they look very well
10:49potatoes mary
10:54in case she couldn't see them
10:57i think you're very brave to be prepared to look so ugly
11:00did you
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 is that
11:19mama
11:20kitty and i will meet your dresses before
11:22i do
11:50now
12:10Maybe I could help you pick out a dress
12:13for the Meriton Assembly, Miss Mary.
12:15Oh, hell.
12:18What am I to do at a dance?
12:21Dance?
12:23Oh, what 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, but on its own there is much to be admired.
12:46Now I am tall and yellow.
12:48Miss 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!
13:26I've lost my ribbon!
13:30Found it!
13:38Madam, please remain still, if you can.
13:47Does the gold make me look like...
13:52A little.
13:55Kitty!
13:56What is it?
13:57Those are my books, Lydia.
13:59I cannot reach my jewelry box.
14:01I need something to stand on.
14:03This is important, Mary.
14:04You 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.
14:32Should we eat beforehand?
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 behind a screen in front of everyone?
14:42Listen.
14:43Hey, don't icon一ご来的!
14:48Oh,這一回 noticed.
14:49Yeah.
14:53Hmm.
14:55Eh?
14:56Mm-hmm.
15:00OK.
15:01You should answer.
15:01Bye, bye now.
15:19Is it too fine for me, do you think?
15:22You look very handsome in it.
15:35Katie, we have taken a party.
15:38We have, we have.
15:39Miss Lydia, you have plenty of party.
15:41But we have a sense.
16:18We have a sense.
16:19We have a sense.
16:19I don't know.
16:20I don't know.
16:28I don't know.
16:41I don't know.
16:43I don't know.
16:43I don't know.
16:43I don't know.
16:44I don't know.
16:44I don't know.
16:45I don't know.
16:45I don't know.
16:46I don't know.
16:58I don't know.
17:07I don't know.
17:21I don't know.
17:23I don't know.
17:25I don't know.
17:27I don't know.
17:34I don't know.
18:02I don't know.
18:07I don't know.
18:22I don't know.
18:23I don't know.
18:24I don't know.
18:26I don't know.
18:30I don't know.
18:32I don't know.
18:33I don't know.
18:53I don't know.
18:57I don't know.
19:22You will not believe the insufferable company that Mr. Bingley keeps.
19:27What has happened? I overheard, quite accidentally, Mr. Bingley talking to that conceited gentleman lent against the wall there, a
19:35Mr. Darcy, who said of me, she is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me.
20:00Excuse me, Ms. Bennet. I do not mean to intrude, but it is very bad for your eyes to screw
20:06them up in such a fashion.
20:08Mr. Farrow. Perhaps I may be permitted to help you find what you are looking for.
20:14I was looking for, uh, my sister.
20:19Take his hand.
20:22I'm quite exhausted from all the dancing. I just chose to sit this one out.
20:28That is a shame. I was going to ask if you would do me the honor of standing up with
20:34me for the next dance.
20:35Actually, I'm now feeling much rested. And 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.
20:51Yeah.
21:00How are your spectacles?
21:02Very well.
21:02Yes, um, I'm able to study for hours without dissing.
21:06I am delighted to hear that.
21:09My turn!
21:15Perhaps you could recommend a book to me. What do you read with such enjoyment?
21:22Well, Mrs. Catherine Macaulay has written a wonderful account of British history. It's a fascinating read.
21:27I will seek it out.
21:29Oh, are you a scholar, sir?
21:31I like to read, but science rather than history.
21:34I have a plan to study medicine in London. Barts or maybe Morpheus.
21:40What a noble ambition.
21:42But it is not a thing widely known. I have not mentioned it to anyone before you.
21:48I should speak of it to no one.
22:04arrive is also a scholar.
22:09The
22:20soldier
22:33Gr increrio
22:34Chronic
22:34J
22:34words
23:01I regretting visiting the supper table so early.
23:04I should have had less oyster patties.
23:08It's fewer oyster patties.
23:16Here we go!
23:34Here we go!
23:40Here we go!
23:44Here we go!
23:53Here we go!
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?
24:25Yes, the optician's done.
24:29And you have danced with him twice.
24:33Mary, you are very young, and perhaps do not fully appreciate how things are understood.
24:41If you are to dance with him again, it will be remarked upon.
24:44Two dances in succession suggest a liking, three 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 the gentleman.
25:25Mary, his father owns a shop.
25:29Yes?
25:30With a bell.
25:35Mother, I have danced with him twice.
25:37I have no wish to marry him.
25:40You may not object to lowering yourself, but I will not have you ruin your sister's chances of a match.
25:45I have no wish.
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...
26:26I thought...
26:29I hope I have not offended you.
26:30No, no, no, not at all, sir.
26:32I've...
26:32Oh, I've...
26:34I've very much enjoyed dancing with you.
26:37It's, um...
26:40That is to say that, um...
26:44My mother is concerned.
26:46Concerned?
26:47Um, for my sisters and I.
26:51Um...
26:52It's important that we make an appropriate social, um...
26:56One might say, uh, financially, um...
27:00Well...
27:01A suitable match.
27:03Mrs. Bennet, there is no need for an explanation.
27:05I shall not pursue the matter.
27:07I've...
27:08Enjoyed.
27:08I've enjoyed my time.
27:10Um...
27:10Good evening to you.
27:14I'm sorry.
27:15I'm...
27:16Sorry.
27:16I'm sorry.
27:18Bye.
27:28Listen.
27:30Come on!
27:31Hi!
27:33I'm sorry.
27:36I'm sorry.
27:48James stood up with him twice.
27:51I had little time for his friend.
27:54Please do not hold that against Mr. Bingley.
27:56I'm still going to go against you.
27:57Yes.
27:58I danced with two soldiers.
28:00They're 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, ball gowns, or dance cards.
28:46The old Mary would be no more.
28:49I would transform into the intellectual one.
28:52That was how I would stand out, as the other Bennett sister.
28:57Wow.
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.
29:27Music plays
29:27That was the first time I was told.
Comments