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
05:44a
05:52and
06:00at
06:02a
06:02a
06:16Miss Bandit, a letter for you.
06:31Mary!
06:36Mary, where on earth have you been all this time?
06:39I was walking the dog, Mama.
06:43Please.
06:59Who's the letter from, Mary?
07:01From 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.
07:22It is just a moment.
07:31Anne Baxter, Mr.
07:31Steve.
07:38Anne Baxter, Edward.
07:51We were having a city of Vancouver.
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, oh.
08:36I embarrassed myself terribly when I left London.
08:40Caroline Bingley was there. She 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 at us.
08:58Mary.
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. No, Lydia has.
09:17I can assure you, we all have.
09:22Anne wrote to tell me not to worry.
09:25You see?
09:26Mm.
09:27She's become a dear friend.
09:28She has something of an understanding with another good friend of mine.
09:33Um, Mr. Tom Haywood.
09:37Mr. Haywood is...
09:40He's, uh, 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, 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?
10:21What are you doing here?
10:23Miss Bennet.
10:24I hope you and your family won't consider this a great imposition, but...
10:29You left London with such haste.
10:31I was most worried about your mother and wanted to offer my support in your hour of meet.
10:38How do you do, Mr. Ryder?
10:41Mrs. Bennet?
10:44Why...
10:45It is a pleasure to see you looking so well.
10:48I usually look much better than this.
10:51Though my recovery has been quite extraordinary.
10:54I am.
10:55I'm glad to hear it.
10:59Miss Bennet, won't you introduce me to your sisters?
11:03Uh, uh, um, yes, uh, this is Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy.
11:08Um, 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.
11:42Mr. Ryder, do join us.
11:43I know, I'm sure Mr. Ryder will have more important matters to attend to.
11:48I have time.
11:51Are you well enough, Mama?
11:53Yes, 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 about the other jar...
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...
12:29My 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.
12:43I mean, I've not really noticed his looks, I'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.
13:05Oh, that is very kind.
13:08Come, Miss Bennet.
13:09Show us your skills.
13:14No!
13:16That's not what I...
13:19Excellent!
13:21Well done, Mary!
13:23Yes.
13:24Bravo!
13:25Well done, Mary.
13:26I agree.
13:26Well done.
13:29I was sorry to see you leave London in such a hurry.
13:35Mr. Ryder, have...
13:38Have you come here to discuss, you know, the...
13:42Yes!
13:44Yes, Miss Bennet, I 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...
13:56Our connection.
13:56The bell jar.
13:59The bell jar?
14:00What, what, what did you say?
14:02Miss Bennet!
14:04Please, 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, I am much more...
14:38Um...
14:38I find it most refreshing that you do not fawn over potential husbands or...
14:44Have your mind constantly set on finding a match?
14:49Well...
14:50No, no, I 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...
15:00false polish of the world.
15:03Gosh, these are...
15:05observations of a very, very personal nature.
15:07Well, I have a very low opinion of the petty rules to which we submit ourselves in the name of
15:12good 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 is one of the great curses of our
15:25age.
15:26We hide behind a thousand disguises that we like to call politeness.
15:31Hmm.
15:48Mr. Darcy sends his apologies. He has a seasonal headache.
15:52Oh. Hmm.
15:54Mr. Ryder, tell us about yourself.
15:57Mary mentioned you are an avid reader.
15:59Oh.
16:00Of 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. She does.
16:24I 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.
16:45Are you joking?
16:47No, there are many interesting minds in London, all eager for thoughtful conversation.
16:53None as interesting as yours.
17:07Hello?
17:10Mother.
17:12I came to wish you good night.
17:18Here.
17:32Mr. Ryder would make an excellent match.
17:39Mr. Ryder would make an excellent match.
17:47He has.
17:49Señor how cute he is.
17:50I do not know Maman.
17:51A sizeable one, I am sure.
17:56Good night Maman.
18:02Good night, Mary
18:54Sorry, don't let me distract you
18:59What are you reading, Mr. Ryder?
19:02A rather fascinating book
19:04Um
19:07Uh, Jesus
19:08Right, it's upside down
19:09Ah, so it is
19:12What are you reading, Miss Bennet?
19:14Fordyce's Sermons to Young Women
19:16Oh, insufferable, rulemaking pedant
19:18Would you like me to put it in the fire for you?
19:22It's not quite how I remember it
19:24I'll admit
19:40What are they talking about?
19:45Barry sounds serious
19:46She is boring him, I know it
19:49I think you should read Mrs. McCauley
19:51She will help you to better understand the world
19:54I am no good at all
19:56At wasting my energy on anything
19:58That does not either move or please me
20:01I think that is a shame, sir
20:09You know, my father was a scholar
20:12He devoted all his time to studying insects
20:15Winged beetles, mostly
20:17Of course, yes
20:18The beetle in the jar
20:20It's fascinating stuff
20:22Really
20:23Well
20:25I'm not so sure
20:26But it 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
20:43He
20:46Died quite suddenly
20:49Oh
20:51I'm sorry, I'm sorry
20:53A few days after his death
20:56I sat in his dark study
20:59And
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 learnt more
21:18About the point of human existence
21:20In that moment
21:20Than my father learnt
21:22In a lifetime of study
21:25From then on
21:26I devoted myself
21:28To the pursuit of joy
21:31Tell me, Miss Bennett
21:35What makes you happy?
21:40Sorry, um
21:41Nobody ever asked me such a question
21:43Then you must consider it now
21:46Uh
21:47Well, um
21:50Reading
21:52Reading
21:52Learning
21:53Teaching
21:55And
21:57What of
22:00Friendship
22:03Of love
22:07Uh, yes
22:09No, of course
22:10That
22:11Life is short
22:13Miss Bennett
22:16Everything
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
22:59What are his intentions?
23:01To ride a horse
23:02I think
23:14Oh, no
23:20Oh, dear, oh, dear
23:25Um
23:26You're quite all right, Miss Bennett
23:27I'm perfectly fine
23:28Thank you
23:29Yes
23:32There we go
23:34There we go
23:35Now, I've been thinking
23:37About your argument
23:39That, uh
23:40That we should say more honestly
23:42What we think and feel
23:43Oh, excellent
23:45I knew you'd agree
23:46Oh, I don't know that I do
23:49I mean, surely even you must admit
23:52There may be occasions when
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?
24:09Yes
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 a 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 among
24:42Excuse me
24:45No
24:47Please, take your time
24:55She dwelt
24:56Among the untrodden ways
24:59Beside the springs of dove
25:01A maid
25:03Whom 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
25:26I think you see me as a lonely figure
25:29I was brought up in Hertfordshire, sir
25:31So the road to London
25:32Was 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 to 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
26:13Oh!
26:18You're unnatural, Miss Bennett
26:19Oh, I'm not
26:21I know
26:26Our conversation has made me very happy, Miss Bennett
26:33Me too, Miss Rida
26:49Walk on!
26:51Oh!
26:53Oh!
26:53Oh!
26:54Oh!
26:54Oh!
26:55Oh!
26:55Oh!
26:59Mary, there you are
27:00What is the matter?
27:01What happened on the ride?
27:04We rode horses
27:06Hmm
27:07And mine was most unruly
27:09And it had a taste for brambles
27:10As if it had a mine of its own
27:11Really
27:12And my saddle was not at all comfortable
27:13Yeah, Mary
27:14That's not a slight on the quality
27:15Mary
27:15It's merely the design
27:16Mary!
27:20It appears Mr. Ryder does have some sort of affection for you
27:23And I believe he is about to propose
27:31Mother, I'm not completely sure that you are right
27:34And I 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, won'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 Merritt?
28:05Are you quite all right?
28:08Oh, it's nothing
28:09Nothing at all
28:11May I speak with you in private?
28:14I have something very important I want to discuss with you
28:35Mother had told me to prepare myself
28:40But nothing could prepare me
28:43For what happened next
28:51You can watch the next episode on iPlayer
28:54Just press red now
28:55Step into the world of pride and prejudice
28:58In Jane Austen stories
29:00Narrated by Julie Andrews
29:01On Sounds Now
29:03Alex, your eyes may deceive you
29:05Everybody's a suspect
29:07As the capture continues in just a moment
29:16Well, you can see
29:17Okay
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