00:01In the weeks that followed the disastrous Meriton Assembly, I buried myself in my books,
00:07hoping to stave off the pangs of shame and humiliation.
00:11It was all part of my plan for a new Meriton.
00:15I needed a clear mind, unclouded by strong emotion.
00:19I was working on gravitas.
00:23From now on, I would be a steady, informed, and rational woman.
00:28Books would be my guide.
00:31I would think more and feel less.
00:39What could possibly go wrong?
00:49Well?
01:00I hope you've ordered a good dinner this evening. We shall have a guest.
01:05I knew it would be so.
01:07It's not Mr Bingley.
01:11It's my cousin.
01:12Mr Collins?
01:13So very same.
01:14The man next in the entail.
01:15Who?
01:16The man who, once I am dead, will turn you out of the house as soon as he pleases.
01:21He proposes himself as a guest here at Longboard.
01:23In point of composition, his letter does not seem entirely defective.
01:27Entirely defective?
01:29Mary, are you quite all right?
01:30I regret deeply the breach which has existed between us for so long.
01:35As a clergyman, I feel it my duty to promote the blessings of peace in all families within my influence.
01:41Blessings of peace in this house?
01:44He must be an oddity.
01:46I cannot make him out.
01:48Can he be a sensible man, sir?
01:49He is a very sensible man.
01:51Thank you, Elizabeth.
01:53Very sensible indeed.
01:55Oh, can you not all see?
01:57He is looking for a wife.
01:59Do you really think so?
02:01Lizzie, you must prepare yourself.
02:03But, Mama...
02:04We shall find out just what kind of man he is this afternoon.
02:07I have great hopes of his being extremely foolish.
02:11He sounds insufferably boring.
02:13A clergyman.
02:15It's a right to condemn him before we've even met him.
02:17Oh, please, Mary.
02:19I was agreeing with you.
02:20It's the way you say things.
02:28I am looking forward to meeting Mr. Collins this afternoon.
02:37What should he keep under your hat?
02:46Who's got any ribbons?
02:47We have...
02:47We do not sparkle as they do, you and I.
02:53Oh, I hope my honesty did not offend him.
02:55Oh, my goodness.
02:55No.
02:56No.
02:58Your sisters seem most agitated this morning.
03:01My father's cousin, Mr. Collins, is to visit Longbourn,
03:04and they've all decided he's a terrible bull.
03:06Mother believes he comes looking for a wife.
03:08A wife?
03:09Apparently.
03:10What is your cousin's profession?
03:12A clergyman.
03:13Oh.
03:14A mortis income, then, I imagine.
03:18Do you know what my advice would be to you?
03:20If my father's cousin was coming to stay
03:22and I knew he was looking for a wife,
03:24I would do everything.
03:27Within the bounds of propriety,
03:29to attract him.
03:30I have decided none of this is for me.
03:32I will live alone with knowledge.
03:35Mary cannot seriously believe
03:37the life of an old maid is to be preferred.
03:41I do not think my mind has me in mind.
03:43Jane and Lizzie won't settle so low.
03:45Anyway, Jane is nearly taken.
03:46So that leaves you.
03:50You speak nothing of...
03:52love.
03:54What does love to do with anything?
03:56Of course, of course, you're right.
03:58For an educated woman,
03:59raised to be genteel as we have been,
04:01the future holds no other prospect than marriage.
04:05Marriage or misery, Mary?
04:08Marriage or misery?
04:12I should know.
04:39Mr. Colin!
04:40I'm here!
04:41Leave it lost.
04:53This is Jane, our eldest.
04:57Well, I have no idea.
05:01She is soon to be engaged,
05:03but the others are not.
05:05Oh.
05:06This is Elizabeth.
05:12A pleasure.
05:16And, uh...
05:17Mary.
05:17How do you do?
05:18This is Kitty.
05:19And our youngest, Lydia.
05:21Ah.
05:22Well now, I don't know
05:24that I will be able to tell the difference
05:25between you two.
05:32The good looks of my fair cousins far exceed
05:35even the most enthusiastic of reports.
05:40Oh, um...
05:41No, I'm terribly sorry.
05:44I certainly didn't mean to cause any offence.
05:47Oh, you caused no offence, Mr. Collins?
05:50Of course you didn't.
05:52Allow me to show you the house.
05:54Oh, splendid.
05:57Splendid.
05:57Much smaller than one imagined,
05:59but with a few minor modifications
06:02will suffice my mid-means.
06:04In case you think so.
06:12I am not worthy
06:15of the crumbs
06:17which fall from my table.
06:19Oh, man.
06:19And yet that gives unto me
06:20the bread of life.
06:22Evermore
06:24give me that bread
06:24that I may eat
06:27thereof
06:28and not die
06:32deadly.
06:33Yes, exactly.
06:34Oh, man.
06:36Mr. Benny, hear it?
06:38What a magnificent dining table.
06:39Even with the
06:41heavy curtains
06:41and the lack of natural light
06:43in here,
06:43one can still see its quantity.
06:44How generous of you.
06:49Shall we?
06:57Mr. Collins?
07:04Mr. Benny, I expect the daughters
07:06will be quickly and advantageously
07:07disposed of in marriage.
07:09Disposed?
07:10It is very good of you to say so.
07:12Oh, I'm happy on every occasion
07:14to offer those
07:14delicate little compliments
07:16that are available to ladies.
07:18Thank you, Mr. Collins.
07:20And may I commend your reading of grace?
07:22It has very much
07:24stayed with me.
07:25It is most unfortunate
07:27that our girls
07:28have no proper portion
07:29to bring to their husbands.
07:31Please excuse me.
07:32You allude perhaps
07:33to the entail
07:35of this estate?
07:36It is a most vexing situation.
07:38If only there was some
07:41satisfactory way
07:42to amend it.
07:43Hmm.
07:45Hmm.
07:46I could say much
07:47on the subject.
07:47but I am cautious
07:49of appearing forward
07:50and, um,
07:51precipitate.
07:53I can assure the young ladies
07:54that I come prepared
07:55to admire them.
08:02Have you read
08:04Dr. Fordyce, sir?
08:07Hmm.
08:07I certainly have.
08:08Uh, Cousin Elizabeth?
08:09What make you the sermons?
08:12I'm sure I haven't had time
08:13to read them, sir.
08:14So busy have I been
08:16merely being a woman,
08:17and I haven't had a moment
08:18to read up on
08:19how I should go about it.
08:20Ha, ha, ha.
08:22I think I'm the only one
08:23who's truly interested
08:25in Fordyce's sermons.
08:26Yeah, and more wine,
08:28Mr. Collins.
08:29Hmm.
08:34I will let women
08:36adorn themselves
08:36with sobriety.
08:38Let your speech
08:39be always,
08:41be always,
08:42with grace,
08:44seasoned.
08:49with salt.
08:52This
08:53has been wonderful.
08:55But now you must let us
08:57entertain you,
08:57Mr. Collins.
08:59Lizzie,
09:00won't you play for us?
09:03Ah.
09:07Ah.
09:09Yeah.
09:17Uh.
09:23Uh.
09:29Uh.
09:32Uh.
09:49Bravo, Lizzie!
09:50Very good, Lizzie. If you were to practice properly, you really might master it.
09:54It seems a great shame to bring all the pleasure out of music.
09:56A few false notes seems a small price to pay in exchange.
10:00Great shame to waste a gift, like it all.
10:02Quite right.
10:04Why don't you show us how to start Mary?
10:14Oh, Lord.
10:15Good night.
10:16Good night.
10:17Good night.
11:02My congratulations, cousin. You play with such exactness. I imagine you practice a great deal.
11:10I practice often, which is true.
11:12Yes, it is. Is it only through hard work that anything of any value has been achieved?
11:18Yes, um... Yes, I... Mr. Collins, perhaps Elizabeth could take you on a walk around the gardens.
11:34Mary.
11:35Mother.
11:38I do not want any confusion regarding Mr. Collins and future prospects.
11:45I'm not sure I understand.
11:46It is Lizzie in whom Mr. Collins has expressed an interest. Are we clear?
11:51Don't you worry, Mama, that Lizzie won't accept Mr. Collins. I have no particular feelings for him, but he and
11:59I have similar interests, and I am at least prepared to seek out the good in him.
12:04Mary, I cannot pass the man around the family like a sherry trifle.
12:10Mary, your name has not come up.
12:21Cousins?
12:22Come on.
12:23Ready?
12:23Come on, hit it.
12:24I'll bring yous.
12:26There is to me...
12:28There is to your ball next week at Neverfield.
12:31Oh, then you, Mr. Bingley, would find the perfect excuse to see Jane again, and my brother and his wife
12:36shall be visiting.
12:37They might even be here when the engagement is announced.
12:40We have some way off that.
12:43Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner shall be joining us. They're coming down from London.
12:47Up.
12:50They're coming up from London.
12:52That is what I said.
12:54Spend it.
12:55Spend it!
12:56A real family affair.
12:58I will need new ribbons.
12:59Perhaps, Miss Bennet, you would take the first dance with me?
13:05Oh, how wonderful.
13:07Maybe I should play a little something on the piano?
13:11Yes, yes, you should indeed.
13:13What about you, Miss Elizabeth?
13:16Do you sing?
13:17There is nothing I admire more than a woman with a wide vocal ring.
13:39Very good, Miss Mary.
13:41Your playing is coming along nicely.
13:43Thank you, Hill.
13:45Mr. Collins thinks I'm a very good player.
13:48What?
13:48I'm planning to play at the Assembly.
13:51At Netherfield?
13:52Yes.
13:52I was even thinking I might sing.
13:56Sing?
13:57Miss Mary?
13:58It will be a surprise to them all.
14:02Short and sweet.
14:04That would be my advice.
14:08And, uh, maybe don't sing.
14:12Huh.
14:16Mm-hmm.
14:18Help!
14:18I don't like you!
14:20Help!
14:21Run!
14:23Run!
14:23Mm-hmm!
14:24Mm-hmm!
14:25Mm-hmm!
14:27Mmm-hmm!
14:29Mm-hmm!
14:38Mm-hmm!
14:42The earlier we arrive, the earlier we leave.
14:46Oh.
14:49Oh.
14:54Oh.
14:56Oh.
14:56Oh.
14:56Oh.
14:57Oh.
14:59Oh.
15:02Oh.
15:06Oh.
15:07So, Lady Lucas, Charlotte, please meet my brother and his dear wife, Mr. and Mrs. Gardner.
15:18They're down from London.
15:20Up.
15:21What?
15:21Up from London.
15:23And this is my very distant cousin, Mr. Collins.
15:29Shall we do?
15:30Well, something of a challenge to find a husband's wife.
15:38This is a beautiful diary, but if Jane were to get a proposal...
15:43Come on, please.
15:48As I say, if Jane...
15:50Lizzie seems very keen to distance herself from your cousin.
15:53She's not at all happy about his interest.
15:57What is he like?
15:59Tolerable forearms, I noticed.
16:02Have you made your interest in him clearly?
16:04I am trying, but...
16:08Your mother seems terribly keen for Lizzie to match with a man of a modest income.
16:12I cannot think why.
16:13He is the cousin.
16:16The one from the Entail.
16:17It's Mr. Collins who stands to inherit Lombard.
16:19The house, the estate, the income, all right.
16:23So, my father cannot stand the man, while my mother wants Lizzie to marry him.
16:32Perhaps I will not play tonight.
16:35Mary, you must.
16:38I had prepared a little something, but...
16:42Now this time it's here, I'm not sure I have the stomach writ.
16:44Nonsense, Mary.
16:46Mr. Collins is sure to be impressed.
16:48I think it is time you get yourself noticed.
16:54I think it is time you get yourself noticed.
17:07I beg you to not make it long.
17:23Be gone, don't care.
17:29I pray thee be gone from me.
17:36Be gone, don't care.
17:42You and I shall never agree.
17:48Be gone, don't care.
17:52I pray thee be gone, don't care.
18:04I pray thee be gone, don't care.
18:06You and I shall never agree.
18:12Long time hast thou been tarrying me.
18:19And faith thou would me kill.
18:23Please, I can.
18:25My faith don't care.
18:30Thou never shall have thy will.
18:42I, um, I have another piece, father.
18:45One that's more lively.
18:47Mary, you delighted us.
18:57Oh, Miss Bennet, that was truly unforgettable.
19:07It was a beautiful rendition of a difficult song.
19:13Everybody saw me.
19:15Everybody saw me.
19:16There's a console.
19:17Take my thing.
19:19No liberty noticed but you.
19:34Mary.
19:38It was you that told father to stop me playing, wasn't it?
19:41I didn't want you to overexcite yourself.
19:43You insult me.
19:45We both know that isn't true.
19:49Mary.
19:52I have had a terrible evening.
19:53And yet you always appear to handle everything with such ease.
19:56What do you mean?
19:57You always get what you want.
19:59Without needing to try.
20:02Whereas I try.
20:04So hard.
20:08And it's always for nothing.
20:10Don't say that.
20:12There is much you have achieved.
20:19I'm sorry.
20:22I'm truly sorry.
20:39Mary.
20:40Mary.
20:42You must get dressed and come downstairs.
20:44There has been such an upset you won't believe it.
20:45You can't imagine what's happened.
20:49Well, Mr. Collins has made Lizzie an offer.
20:53And she has refused him.
20:55Can you imagine?
20:56Mama is furious and says Lizzie will have him.
20:58But Papa told Lizzie that her choice was a sad one.
21:00Because Mother will never see her again if she doesn't marry Collins.
21:04And Papa will never see her again if she does.
21:06And now everyone is so utterly cross.
21:08Mr. Collins has stormed off.
21:09Lizzie won't say anything at all.
21:10Mama is beside herself.
21:11And Papa has shut himself in the library.
21:13He must come.
21:14So what happens now?
21:15What if Mr. Collins...
21:17Papa thinks he will choose someone else.
21:19I don't know.
21:20Well, it's more likely to be me than you.
21:25No, I have resigned.
21:26This minute I shall take my...
21:27As you wish.
21:29Oh, Mr. Collins.
21:30I have resigned, Madam.
21:32Mr. Collins, this is just a misund...
21:38Mr. Collins has withdrawn his pretensions to Lizzie's favour.
21:43I'm very glad to hear it.
21:45I don't think I could have borne much more of his good opinion.
21:48He says he's resigned and will not renew his pursuit.
22:08Thank you, Hill.
22:17I have been thinking, Mary, since Lizzie was so selfish as to refuse Mr. Collins, I have turned my mind
22:26towards you.
22:30I think you understand me.
22:32Mama, less than a week ago you were adamant...
22:35Mary, please.
22:36He will not ask me now.
22:39I need to be sure that you will accept him when he offers.
22:42He will not choose me, Mama.
22:45Oh, Mary, he will.
22:47Or who else will marry him?
22:52What are you reading?
22:56Uh, Theory of the Earth.
22:58It's about rocks.
22:59Just types of...
23:01Rocks.
23:06Uh...
23:25Mr. Collins has made Miss Charlotte Lucas an offer of marriage.
23:34And she has accepted.
23:37We wish you joy.
23:39Yes.
23:40So much joy.
23:40I wish you joy.
23:41Thank you all.
23:43Did you know he is a clergyman?
23:45Yes.
23:50Yes.
24:05Yes.
24:13If I had any doubts as to whether I'd done the right thing, they vanished when I told my family
24:18of his offer.
24:19I am too old to be generous, I'm afraid.
24:26Charlotte, come out, let me spook.
24:33Good night, Jane. Good night, Lizzie.
24:35Good night, Lisa.
24:36Good night, my mum.
24:36Good night, Kitty.
24:38I told you no one would marry you if you wore spectacles.
24:57It wouldn't be for much longer, wait, that we Bennett sisters lived together.
25:06As each of my sisters left home, my future felt increasingly uncertain.
25:17I often thought back to the events in that period of my life and wondered if I could have done
25:23anything differently.
25:28But I was trapped, unable to escape the loveless world of my parents.
25:42My options were limited.
25:48And I found my books offered me no instruction and little comfort.
25:55I searched desperately for answers.
26:08But in a moment, my life was upturned.
26:28Father had found a way out, leaving Mother and I with nothing, except each other.
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