00:20the anxiety i felt over my mother's sudden illness was quite overwhelming losing one parent had
00:27turned my life to lose the other was unthinkable though my mother's presence had always loomed
00:38large in my life i could not imagine myself without her top of the stairs miss bennett
01:18you're here well don't stand in the doorway you're letting the heat out
01:22mother
01:29you look
01:33well doesn't she are you a physician all of a sudden no i uh i'm just i'm i'm relieved
01:42to see that you're um improved you look like you haven't slept in days and whose dress are you wearing
01:51uh my my own mary i am so pleased to see you
01:58oh it has been far too long oh i cannot be expected to stand
02:05hello mary come here
02:19i see the london air has taken a terrible toll on your complexion
02:24and your hair i am sure being back in the country will help looks beyond repair to me
02:36i had undertaken such a long journey and yet here i was back where i started
02:53from mother's letter i i thought that she was gravely ill i we all did
02:59oh has she actually been ill at all she thought it might be influenza or smallpox
03:05but she has made a miraculous recovery perhaps she rallied at the news that i was on my way
03:10i for one am pleased we are all back together
03:12yes i was thinking perhaps we could um play graces or charades after dinner this evening
03:18nobody plays graces mary
03:19oh on the contrary it's quite fashionable in london how is london mary yes i want to hear all about
03:25it
03:26yes um london is um kitty it's it's um kitty i cannot reach the preserves
03:36how are the gardeners are you enjoying being their governess
03:39i uh yes it's uh most rewarding have you made many new acquaintances
03:45uh my sister-in-law caroline is in london for the summer
03:48have you crossed paths
03:51oh gosh there's so many people
03:53um i know she can be a little stiff at first but
03:57i'm sure it'd be interesting company for you
03:59i have company
04:01there's a plethora of choice really for interesting company in london
04:04do you mean your books
04:11that's from our bell
04:12she wants you mary
04:13i've only just been up there
04:14i will send a servant to attend to her
04:20mrs bennett would like miss bennett to attend to her
04:26she probably wants to hear all about london
04:30walk the duchess to the edge of the fountain and no further
04:33if you feel the wind picking up you must bring her inside immediately and give her warm water and
04:38chopped meat
04:39do not let cook give her the leftovers
04:42only fresh chopped beef
04:44after 30 minutes you may return her to me
04:47for she is the only member of this family upon whom i can depend these days
04:57oh and tell lizzie i wish to be moved to the drawing room
05:04do you think you'll be happier convalescing in here mama
05:06well you might remember to visit me if i'm here
05:10now where is my bell
05:13do not trouble yourselves waiting for me i'm fine
05:17thank it mother
05:20and these pillows will not do
05:23you uh... us and us mothers
05:27maybe... some toasted cheese
05:30i don't know... terribly weak this morning
05:33i don't know yet
05:35and a book
05:36you'll perhaps worry that you won't move
05:39i was hoping for something readable
05:41not joining us mr darcy
05:43mary
05:44my
05:46my
05:47my
05:48my
05:48my
05:49my
05:51my
05:52and
06:01my
06:07my
06:16Miss Bennet, a letter for you.
06:31Mary!
06:36Mary, where on earth have you been all this time?
06:39I was walking the dog.
06:42Mama.
06:43Please.
06:58Who's the letter from?
07:00Mary.
07:00From one of my friends in London.
07:04What friend is that, Mary?
07:06Lydia.
07:08What friend is that, Mary?
07:12Her name is Miss Baxter.
07:14Anne Baxter.
07:15I've never heard of Miss Baxter.
07:17Then she surely does not exist.
07:19She most probably does not.
07:21Lydia is being most unkind.
07:22I'll be with you in her mind.
07:24Mama.
08:09Something seems to be troubling you, Mary.
08:13You seem full of concerns every time we mention London.
08:17Do I?
08:19I thought you would be eager to return.
08:25Does Mother's dog in any way remind you of Mother?
08:33Oh, Lizzie.
08:34Oh.
08:36I embarrassed myself terribly when I left London.
08:40Caroline Bingley was there.
08:42She was determined to humiliate me.
08:44And I left in such a flurry.
08:47I smashed a bell jar of great sentimental value to its owner, a new friend, Mr Ryder.
08:55And everyone stared.
08:57Stared, I...
08:59No one else will have given it a second thought.
09:02It will seem worse to you, I'm sure.
09:05What person has not done something regrettable in their lives?
09:08You?
09:09You, Jane, Kitty, Lydia.
09:12Lydia?
09:14Oh, no.
09:15No.
09:15Lydia has.
09:17I can assure you, we all have.
09:22Anne wrote to tell me not to worry.
09:25You see?
09:26She's become a dear friend.
09:28She has something of an understanding with another good friend of mine, Mr Tom Haywood.
09:35But, Mr Haywood is, he's, he's just the kind, kindest man.
09:44I see.
09:47And have you met any gentlemen that have taken your eye?
09:51Me?
09:51No.
09:52Oh, no.
09:53No.
09:54London, it's actually entirely without any eligible men.
09:58And I think I believe I'm not, I'm not really the marrying sort.
10:03Nonsense, Mary.
10:12A visitor for Miss Mary Bennet.
10:19Mr Ryder?
10:21What are you doing here?
10:23Miss Bennet.
10:24I hope you and your family won't consider this a great imposition, but you left London with such haste.
10:31I was most worried about your mother and wanted to offer my support in your hour of need.
10:38How do you do, Mr Ryder?
10:41Mrs. Bennet?
10:43Why, it is a pleasure to see you looking so well.
10:47Oh, I usually look much better than this, though my recovery has been quite extraordinary.
10:54Wow.
10:55I'm glad to hear it.
10:59Miss Bennet, won't you introduce me to your sisters?
11:02Uh, uh, um, yes, uh, this is Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy.
11:07Um, this is, this is Kitty Boncock.
11:10How do you do?
11:11Mrs. Jane Bingley and Mrs. Lydia Wickham.
11:13Enchanted to meet you all.
11:15How do you know Mary?
11:17Miss Bennet and I met at a soiree in London and share a similar taste in despicable crime pamphlets.
11:25Oh!
11:28Anyway, I was en route to visit my aunt, Lady Catherine de Burr, and wanted to pay my respects.
11:34Well, let us not stand upon ceremony.
11:38Elizabeth will arrange for us to take tea in the garden.
11:41Uh, Mr Ryder, do join us.
11:43No, I'm, I'm sure Mr Ryder will have more important matters to attend to.
11:48I have time.
11:51Are you well enough, Mama?
11:52Yes, thank you, Jane. I am perfectly well enough.
11:56Uh, Mary, take Mr Ryder to the garden.
12:00Uh, Lydia will deal with the dog.
12:02What?
12:03Mr Ryder, if this is part of the jar, I'm not.
12:05Come along, Mr Ryder.
12:10I have always felt that what a lady puts in her garden is so terribly important.
12:16Yes.
12:17Roses, of course.
12:18Of course.
12:18Your favourite flower?
12:20Well, I must say, I think we're all right.
12:30My turn!
12:34I see you forgot to mention Mr Ryder in your reports from London.
12:39You also forgot to mention how handsome he is.
12:42I mean, I've not really noticed his looks.
12:46I'm sure.
12:47He's come an awfully long way to see you.
12:50He's probably just thirsty.
12:52And nearby.
12:54What?
12:56Oh, you must stay with us, Mr Ryder.
12:59Especially with the weather turning as it may well do.
13:02Do you not agree, Lizzie?
13:03You would be most welcome, Mr Ryder.
13:05That is very kind.
13:08Come, Miss Bennet.
13:09Show us your skills.
13:16That's not what I would like to say.
13:19Excellent!
13:21Well done, Mary!
13:23Yes.
13:24Bravo!
13:25Well done, Mary.
13:26Oh, great.
13:26Well done.
13:29I was sorry to see you leave London in such a hurry.
13:35Sir Ryder, have...
13:38Have you come here to discuss, you know, the...
13:42Yes!
13:44Yes, Miss Bennet.
13:45I believe I have.
13:46I've been wondering whether to write to you on the subject.
13:49Oh, I wouldn't expect you to lead the conversation, Miss Bennet.
13:52Mr Ryder, are you here to talk about the bell jar?
13:59The bell jar?
14:00What did you say?
14:02Miss Bennet!
14:03Please, do not trouble yourself over that.
14:06But it was your father's.
14:08I thought you'd be upset.
14:09Not at all.
14:10Please, think no more of it.
14:23It is a pleasure to meet your family.
14:26Yes, my sisters are exceptional, I know.
14:31As are you, Miss Bennet.
14:34Oh, no.
14:35I am much more...
14:38I find it most refreshing that you do not fawn over potential husbands
14:43or have your mind constantly set on finding a match.
14:49Well, no, no.
14:51I don't really...
14:52I don't give it much thought.
14:55You lack artifice.
14:56Your qualities shine out.
14:58They're not corrupted by the false polish of the world.
15:04She's, uh...
15:05Observations of a very, very personal nature.
15:08Well, I have a very low opinion of the petty rules to which we submit ourselves
15:12in the name of good manners.
15:14Did you know that?
15:15I think you may have mentioned it once or twice.
15:18I believe, Miss Bennet, that our inability to say what we mean
15:23is one of the great curses of our age.
15:26We hide behind a thousand disguises that we like to call politeness.
15:32Hmm.
15:48Mr. Darcy sends his apologies.
15:50He has a seasonal headache.
15:52Oh.
15:53Hmm.
15:54Mr. Ryder, tell us about yourself.
15:57Mary mentioned you are an avid reader.
15:59Oh, uh, of poetry, perhaps.
16:02I find longer works are usually not for me.
16:05Really?
16:06I think the brevity of poetry is one of its principal attractions.
16:10I agree.
16:11Wholeheartedly.
16:13I only wish I had the fine mind of your sister.
16:16Miss Bennet has such an astute understanding of a wide range of literature.
16:21She does.
16:22She does.
16:24Miss Bennet, I do not know whether she gets it from me or her father.
16:28From you, mother, I am sure.
16:30Oh.
16:32There are very few people who have the insight of Miss Bennet.
16:35I could talk to you all day.
16:39I must admit, London has been a little grey without you.
16:46Are you joking?
16:47No, there are many interesting minds in London, all eager for thoughtful conversation.
16:53None as interesting as yours.
17:07Hello?
17:11Mother.
17:13I came to wish you goodnight.
17:19Here.
17:33Mr. Ryder would make an excellent match.
17:43I wonder what kind of endowment he has.
17:49I do not know, Mum.
17:51A sizable one, I'm sure.
17:55Good night, Mumma.
18:02Good night, Mary.
18:05Good night.
18:26Good night.
18:38Good night.
18:43Good night.
18:54sorry don't don't let me distract you
18:59what are you reading mr rider a rather fascinating book um
19:07uh jesus right it's upside down yeah so it is what are you reading miss bennett
19:14fordice's sermons to young women oh it's sufferable rulemaking pedant would you like me to put it in
19:19the fire for you it's not quite how i remember it i'll admit
19:40what are they talking about
19:45barry sounds serious she is boring him i know it i think you should read mrs mccauley
19:51she will help you to better understand the world i am no good at all at wasting my energy on
19:58anything
19:58that does not either move or please me i think that is a shame sir
20:08you know my father was a scholar he devoted all his time to studying insects winged beetles mostly
20:16of course yes the beetle in the jar it's fascinating stuff really well i'm not so sure but
20:26it occupied his every waking hour
20:30he rarely emerged from his study
20:34we hardly ever saw him
20:38when i was 15 years old
20:45he died quite suddenly oh i'm sorry i'm sorry i'm sorry a few days after his death
20:56i sat in his dark study and
21:01i thought about all the hours he'd spent in there
21:05away from his family
21:07away from life
21:09and for what
21:10for your father must have derived
21:12a great deal of pleasure from his work
21:15perhaps
21:16but i think i learned more about the point of human existence in that moment
21:20than my father learned
21:22in a lifetime of study
21:24from then on
21:26i devoted myself
21:28to the pursuit of joy
21:31tell me miss benet
21:34what makes you
21:36happy
21:40sorry um
21:41nobody ever asked me
21:43such a question
21:43then you must consider it now
21:46uh
21:47well um
21:51reading
21:52reading
21:52reading
21:53learning
21:54teaching
21:56and
21:58what of
22:00friendship
22:04of love
22:07uh
22:08yes
22:09of course
22:10no of course
22:10that
22:12life is short
22:13miss benet
22:16everything turns to dust
22:17in the end
22:22we might as well experience some joy
22:24before that happens
22:31let's go riding
22:36yes
22:37let's
22:44ladies
22:47what a waste
22:50well
22:50well what
22:51are you going out walking again mary
22:53no mr rider and i are going riding
22:54on a horse
22:55yes that's generally the idea
22:56but you hate horses
22:58mary
22:58what are his intentions
23:00to ride a horse
23:02i think
23:13oh
23:14nope
23:18oh dear
23:21oh dear
23:25um
23:26you're quite all right this minute
23:27i'm
23:28perfectly fine
23:28thank you
23:29yes
23:31no
23:31oh
23:32there we go
23:34there we go
23:35now
23:36i've been thinking
23:37about your argument
23:39that uh
23:40that we should say
23:42more honestly
23:42what we think and feel
23:43oh
23:44excellent
23:45i knew you'd agree
23:46oh
23:48don't know that i do
23:49i mean surely
23:51even you must admit
23:52there may be occasions
23:53when
23:53well for all manner of reasons
23:55some things are best left unsaid
23:57i cannot concur
23:59i intend to live my life
24:00by bolder principles
24:02in fact
24:02that is why i came here
24:04to put that belief into practice
24:07oh really
24:08yes
24:09i came here to commit
24:11the great impropriety
24:12of telling you honestly
24:13what i think of you
24:16mr rider
24:17i can assure you
24:18there's no need
24:18i attempted to scribble
24:20a few lines
24:20but
24:21but then i thought of
24:22some verses of mr wordsworth
24:24that
24:25captured your spirit perfectly
24:29may i be allowed
24:30to recite them to you
24:34of course mr rider
24:35please
24:40she dwelt
24:41am
24:42excuse me
24:44no
24:47please take your time
24:55she dwelt
24:56among the untrodden ways
24:58beside the springs of dove
25:01a maid
25:02whom there were none to praise
25:04and very few to love
25:07a violet
25:08by a mossy stone
25:10half hidden from the eye
25:14fair as a star
25:15when only one
25:17is shining in the sky
25:25i think you see me as a lonely figure
25:29i was brought up in hartfordshire sir
25:31so the road to london was barely five miles away
25:34it is possible to feel oneself alone
25:36even in such close proximity to town
25:38yes but
25:39in my village
25:40it was quite untrue to say
25:42that there were none to praise
25:43and very few to love
25:44there were scores of people
25:46very eager
25:48to praise my sisters
25:49perhaps living with your family
25:50in meryton
25:52kept you
25:54half hidden from the eye
25:57but now you've broken out on your own
26:00you can be seen at last
26:01as you deserve
26:03fair as a star
26:04when only one
26:06is shining in the sky
26:18you're an actual miss bennett
26:19oh i'm not
26:21i know
26:26our conversation has made me very happy miss bennett
26:33me too mr rider
26:50walk on
26:59mary there you are
27:00what is the matter
27:01what happened on the ride
27:04we rode horses
27:07and mine was most unruly
27:09and it had a taste for brambles
27:10as if it had a mine
27:11it was only
27:11really
27:12and my saddle was not at all comfortable
27:13that's not a slight on the quality
27:15mary
27:15merely the design
27:16mary
27:20it appears mr rider
27:22does have some sort of affection for you
27:23and i believe
27:25he is about to propose
27:30mother
27:31i'm not completely sure
27:33that you were right
27:34and i
27:34i really would hate to cause you any further disappointment
27:36this is an opportunity that cannot be overlooked
27:40he's a very eligible gentleman
27:44you will say yes
27:45won't you
27:50there you are
27:50what happened
27:51what did he say
27:52did he ask you
27:52he's not going to ask her
27:54there's you
28:01miss berrin
28:05are you
28:07quite all right
28:07oh it's
28:08it's
28:08nothing
28:09nothing at all
28:11may i speak with you in private
28:14i have something very important i want to discuss with you
28:36mother had told me to prepare myself
28:40but nothing could prepare me
28:43for what happened next
28:50you can watch the next episode on iplayer
28:53just press red now
28:55step into the world of pride and prejudice
28:58in jane austen stories
29:00narrated by julie andrews on sounds now
29:03it makes your eyes may deceive you
29:05everybody's a suspect
29:07thanks as the capture continues in just a moment
Comments