00:05Music
00:07Music
00:07Music
00:07Music
00:07Music
00:09Music
00:38It is a sad fact of life
00:40that if a young woman is unlucky enough to come into the world without expectations,
00:45she 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 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.
01:29A single man of large fortune.
01:33Four 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.
02:03With cake.
02:06In Meriton, England.
02:11Where 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
02:23that meant only a male heir could 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.
02:52Why should he engage?
02:54When the time comes...
02:55I'll be dead anyway.
02:59Our mother, not known for giving up easily,
03:03found 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 spirit.
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 ruddy complexion.
03:49She does not have the complexion of her sisters, that is true.
03:53And she is clumsy, ungainly, maladroite, as they say.
03:59Four good marriages will have to do.
04:02I only hope she does not ruin her sister's chances.
04:21And now take your help.
04:26A lot of times...
04:30We'll take my help.
04:33Take your help.
04:34Continue taking gifts
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
05:36oh have we found it I think we have mr. Sparrow oh thank goodness for that
05:51you see the lenses here correct your vision by bending light rays well I never
06:12you really do look very well in your spectacles especially when you smile
06:21ah I do not think my mother will agree but I have a great passion for reading
06:26and I I would have been sad to stop
06:30I hope they will help you better enjoy the upcoming Meryton assembly
06:34an assembly yes in a month I heard this morning my sisters will be pleased
06:43perhaps I shall see you there
06:51miss Mery you ought to get on of course he'll I'll settle affairs here
06:56thank you thank you thank you and thank you mr. Sparrow
07:07I have news
07:11there's going to be an assembly in Meryton in a month we know I'm going to be the one to
07:16tell mama
07:17this will mark my first assembly my first venture into society so it will
07:28how would I secure a partner for dancing I've always wondered oh Mary I'm sure
07:33your clever mind can work out something as simple as dance partners do not fret
07:37not not fretting
07:49yes I thought
08:05I'm going to fill my card for dances Jane do you think I shall be allowed to dance
08:09Mary move do you hope you're not going to stand this close at the assembly
08:14oh we should have taken the long route
08:16oh these 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 marry
09:04father
09:05I shall die if I do not go
09:07I'll probably die too
09:08I very much does that
09:09Mr. Bennet
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
09:30if 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. Bennet
09:38I told you
09:38I will not attend another of those insufferable muddy little dancers
09:43I wonder if Mr. Bingley will be going to the Meryton 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 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
10:05is 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
10:24thank you
10:25Mr. Bennet
10:26did you know about this?
10:28we discussed this
10:29at length
10:30Mary was to visit the optician
10:31yes
10:32but I did not know that she would actually need to wear glasses
10:36you seem to forget
10:37my dear
10:37that 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
10:50potatoes Mary
10:50in 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 is that
11:14I'm not really ashamed
11:15I'm not really ashamed
11:16I'm just ashamed
11:19Mama
11:20Kitty and I will meet new dresses before
11:25I'm not really ashamed
11:29Papaide
11:29I'll
11:29wait Harper I
11:29will
11:29see you I will
11:29hear you I willas
11:30up to me
11:52to
12:10Maybe I could help you pick out a dress for 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 and saw
12:57yourself 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!
13:30Found 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.
14:17I'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 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!
15:19Is it too fine for me, do you think?
15:22You look very handsome in it.
15:35Kitty!
15:36We have tea!
15:37We're a party!
15:38We have, we are.
15:39Miss Lydia, you have plenty of party.
15:41We have a tent.
15:42Mama is fine.
15:55We have tea in the Shawn Witch.
15:56You have plenty of food in the room.
16:09I'm not sure.
16:10You didn't some things.
16:10Whoo!!!
16:11simplesmente ignore it.
16:55I like your dress, Mary.
16:58Oh, Charlotte.
17:01What's on route?
17:02I swear, the crowd gets bigger every season.
17:04You should limit entry to those young ladies fortunate enough with secured partners.
17:09I thought the very same thing.
17:36I think this is where I got to.
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.
18:38If I could be silver, I would have to ask you if I start.
18:40Oh, God.
18:41I did.
19:04Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!
19:07Hey, hey!
19:07Go!
19:09Go!
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.
19:35A Mr. Darcy, who 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 sisters.
20:21I'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 session?
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 dissing.
21:06I am delighted to hear that.
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.
21:29Oh, 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.
21:37Barts or maybe Norfields.
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 should speak of it to no one.
22:20Let's hear.
22:21Oh, it's 100 in that way.
22:24Oh, thank you to all.
22:27Oh, and that will sound generous,
22:30Oh, and that will sound intense.
22:38Exactly room after you get all?
22:38Stay tall tomorrow.
22:40Stay tall, come down around and you're wearing your hands.
22:42So if you're with your hands we're wearing a mask.
22:43Oh, boy!
23:01I'm regretting visiting the supper table so early.
23:04I should have had less oyster patties.
23:08It's fewer.
23:10It's fewer oyster patties.
23:15Here we go!
23:19Here we go!
23:34Here we go!
23:38Here we go!
23:40Here we go!
23:51Here we go!
23:54Here we go!
23:55Here we go!
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.
24:44Two dances in succession suggest a liking.
24:46Three might imply something more.
24:52I'm very happy dancing with him.
25:07I 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?
25:30With 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,
25:42but I will not have you ruin your sister's chances of a match.
26:08Would you care to dance again, Miss Bennet,
26:11once 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.
26:31Not 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?
26:47Uh, um, for my sisters and I.
26:50Um, it's important that we make an, uh, appropriate social, um...
26:56One might say, uh, financially, um...
27:00Well, a suitable match.
27:03Miss Bennet, there is no need for an explanation.
27:05I shall not pursue the matter.
27:07I've enjoyed...
27:08I've enjoyed my time with, um...
27:10Good evening to you.
27:14I'm sorry.
27:15I'm sorry.
27:17I'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 not going to go against you.
27:58I dance 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, 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.
29:15F
29:17MÁCE
29:19F
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