00:07Music
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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,
00:57but 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, 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,
01:59we must start at the beginning with cake in 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.
03:41Until 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.
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.
04:17I will never remember.
04:17I have no clue what she did.
04:17I have no clue what she did.
04:21I still have no clue what she did.
04:33I have no clue what she did to her sister.
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
06:56i hope they will help you
06:58thank you mr sparrow
07:07i have news
07:11there's going to be an assembly in maryton in a month
07:13we know i'm going to be the one to tell mama
07:17this will mark my first assembly my first venture into society
07:24so it will
07:28how would i secure a partner for dancing i've 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
07:37i'm not fretting
07:39not fretting
07:49oh
07:50yes i thought it was
07:50yeah
08:05I'm going to fill my card with dancers.
08:08Jane, do 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?
08:14We should have taken the long route.
08:16Oh, these are my good boots.
08:19Oh, I'm all for you for wearing them.
08:23Dan.
08:25What are you going to wear?
08:26I've got to wear the green dress.
08:27The green dress.
08:28Do you think russet would be too harsh for my complexion?
08:32I don't see why it should.
08:33It would match my eyes, I suppose.
08:36Your 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.
08:50He 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?
08:57Why would we not be?
08:57I was the one that found out about it.
08:59Am I allowed?
09:01Jane, Lizzie, you will of course go.
09:04And Mary.
09:04Father, I shall die if I do not go.
09:07I'll probably die too.
09:08I very much doubt that.
09:09Mr. Bennet, Kitty 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.
09:21Those horrible, sweaty affairs.
09:24Mary, you will attend.
09:27Oh.
09:29Oh, well, of course, Mother, if you wish.
09:33Lady 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, I will not attend another of those insufferable muddy little dancers.
09:43Oh.
09:43I wonder if Mr. Bingley will be going to the Meryton Assembly.
09:47Oh, he must be.
09:49Who would admit it?
09:50Me, apparently.
09:52You shall all go to the ball, as 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 is quite ridiculous.
10:06Oh, Mary, we're only indulging ourselves.
10:16Mary is wearing spectacles.
10:18What on earth?
10:20Very good.
10:21I hope you find them most useful, Mary.
10:23I do, Father.
10:25Mr. Bennet, did you know about this?
10:28We discussed this at length.
10:30Mary was to visit the optician.
10:31Yes.
10:32But I did not know that you would actually need to wear glasses.
10:36You seem to forget, my dear, that I wear spectacles myself.
10:40But she is a woman.
10:42Nevertheless, she ought to be able to see.
10:45I think they look very well.
10:50Potatoes, Mary.
10:54In 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 he is.
11:20Mama, Kitty and I will meet you in your dress this before.
11:27I'm not going to не Kissing.
11:34That's my wonderful house right there.
11:35I think she is.
11:35I wonder how beautiful you are.
11:36Who is helping her speaking to her don't have those things?
11:37I really wonder who I'm willing.
11:37Tell me I didn't come out!
11:38Ain't it how far away she felt as an an artist.
11:40I'm not sp Bold man, but that I buy her.
11:41I love him, but I cannot say I do not picture him.
11:42How do you feel good?
11:42I do not know that I love him and that I do everything.
11:43Follow me now.
11:48You think that's my view, how you doора?
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!
13:26I've lost my ribbon!
13:31Found them!
13:33Madam!
13:38Madam, please remain still if you can.
13:47Does the gold make me look like...
13:53A little.
13:56Kitty!
13:56What 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.
14:16That'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.
14:43Hey.
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.
15:41We have a cent.
16:09We have plenty of party.
16:12We have plenty of party.
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.
17:06Fortunate enough, we'll secure the parties.
17:09I thought the very same thing.
17:26I thought the very same thing.
17:45Mr. Bingley, welcome.
17:48These are my sisters, Louisa, and this is Caroline.
17:51This is Mr. Hurst and Mr. Darcy.
17:54And if I may present, Mrs. Bennet.
18:00Miss Jane Bennet.
18:03Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
18:04I do.
18:07Kitty 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.
18:31What an example to us all.
18:38If I can be so broke, it's the last few of us.
18:40I'll have a bit of my ideas.
19:04I'll have a bit of my idea.
19:05Give me a bit of my advice.
19:05We'll be ready.
19:07Thank you for me.
19:22you will not believe the insufferable company that mr bingley keeps what has happened i overheard
19:29quite 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 bennett i do not mean to intrude
20:04but it is very bad for your eyes to screw them up in such a fashion
20:10perhaps i may be permitted to help you find what you're looking for
20:14i was looking for uh my sisters
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 do me the honor of standing up with me
20:34for the next dance
20:35actually i'm now feeling much rested and i would be delighted
20:39well then i thank you
20:46shall we remain here until the next session
20:49that's exactly what i thought
21:00how are your spectacles very well yes um i'm able to study for hours without dissing
21:05i 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 mccauley has written a wonderful account of british history
21:26it's a fascinating read i will seek it out
21:28oh are you a scholar sir i like to read but science rather than history
21:34i have a plan to study medicine in london
21:36barts or maybe morpheus
21:40what a noble ambition but it is not a thing widely known
21:43i have not mentioned it to anyone before you
21:48i just speak of it to no one
21:58thank you
21:58thank you
21:59thank you
22:00thank you
22:12thank you
22:14thank you
22:20thank you
22:21thank you
22:56thank you
23:01i'm regretting visiting the supper table so early i should have had less
23:05oyster patties
23:28oh
23:30okay
23:30oh
23:35oh
24:01Would you like a cold drink, Miss Bennet?
24:03Oh, yes, 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?
24:26Yes, the optician's son.
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.
24:43Two dances in succession suggest a liking, three 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. He's quite the gentleman.
25:25Mary, his father owns a shop.
25:29Yes?
25:31With a bell.
25:35Mother, I have danced with him twice. I have no wish to marry him.
25:39You 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.
25:59We always ask the same thing.
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...
26:28I hope I have not offended you.
26:30No, no, no, not at all, sir.
26:32I've...
26:32Oh, I've...
26:33I've...
26:34I've...
26:35Very much...
26:36Enjoyed...
26:36Dancing with you.
26:38It's, um...
26:40That is to say, that, um...
26:44My mother is...
26:46Concerned.
26:47Concerned?
26:47Uh...
26:48Um...
26:48For my sisters...
26:50And I.
26:51Um...
26:52It's important that we make an...
26:53Uh...
26:54Appropriate...
26:55Social...
26:56Um...
26:56One might say...
26:58Uh...
26:58Financially...
26:59Um...
27:00Well...
27:01A suitable match.
27:03Miss 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 with...
27:10Um...
27:10Good evening, to you.
27:14I'm sorry.
27:15I'm...
27:16Sorry.
27:48James stood up with him twice.
27:51I had little time for his friend.
27:54Please do not hold that against Mr. Bingley.
27:56Do you want me to go against you?
27:57Yes.
27:58I dance with tea 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.
28:19Who 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.
28:33As 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.
28:48I would transform into the intellectual one.
28:52That was how I would stand out.
28:55As 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.
29:15Fearless, fraught and affectionate family life with the Walsh sisterhood through Irish eyes.
29:26Fearless, fraught and affectionate family life with the Walsh sisterhood through Irish eyes.
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