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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.
00:56But 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.
04:26AaagGH!
04:34No Costa...
04:35Don't be��ers!
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
07:45yeah
07:49yes I
07:50I
07:52I
07:52I
07:58I
08:02I
08:05I
08:06I
08:06잘
08:09I
08:32m
08:33I
08:33is
08:33ang
08:33It would 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?
08:57Why would we not be?
08:57I was the one that found out about it.
08:59Am I allowed?
09:01Jane, Lizzie,
09:02you'll of course go.
09:04And Mary.
09:04Father,
09:06I shall die if I do not go.
09:07I'll probably die too.
09:08I very much doubt that.
09:09Mr. Bennet,
09:11Kitty 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.
09:23Mary,
09:24you will attend.
09:27Oh.
09:29Oh, well, of course, Mother,
09:30if you wish.
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,
09:39I will not attend another of those insufferable, muddy little dancers.
09:43Oh.
09:44I 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,
09:54as 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.
10:15Mary is wearing spectacles.
10:18What on earth?
10:20Very good.
10:21I hope you find them most useful, Mary.
10:23I do, Father.
10:25Mr. Bennet.
10:26Did 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 she would actually need to wear glasses.
10:36You seem to forget, my dear,
10:37that 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 is that.
11:15Is it a shame?
11:15No, not really a shame.
11:16Yes, that is a shame.
11:17Hello, Lizzie.
11:19Mama?
11:20Come get in and I will meet new dresses before.
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?
12:23What 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.
12:39A 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.
12:49Miss 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!
13:31Found it!
13:38Madam, please remain still, if you can.
13:48What does 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.
14:17That's not fair, I'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!
14:44Hey!
14:45Hey!
14:47Hey!
14:48Hey!
14:48Hey!
14:49Hey!
14:50Hey!
14:51Hey!
14:53Hey!
14:56Hey!
14:57Hey!
14:57Hey!
14:58Hey!
14:58Hey!
14:59Hey!
15:00Hey!
15:01Hey!
15:02Hey!
15:04Hey!
15:19Is it too fine for me, do you think?
15:22You look very handsome in it.
15:35Katie, we have taken a perfume.
15:38Miss Lillian, you have plenty of perfume.
15:41But we have a tent.
16:33The
16:55I like your dress, Mary.
16:58Oh, Charlotte.
17:01What's on about?
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 partners.
17:09I thought the very same thing.
17:45Mr. Bingley, welcome.
17:47These 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 if I could start this.
18:40Oh, God, I did.
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.
19:38Who said of me,
19:40She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me.
19:53Around we go!
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. Barrow.
20:10Perhaps I may be permitted to help you find what you're looking for.
20:14I was looking for, uh, my sister.
20:19Take his hand.
20:22Quite 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 honour 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 disdain.
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.
21:28Oh, 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 Morpheus.
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.
22:17I have not mentioned it to anyone before you, but I have not mentioned it to anyone before you.
22:20I have not mentioned it to anyone before you, but I am sure it's up for you.
22:24You have not mentioned it to anyone before you, but I can tell it to anyone before you, but I
22:41can tell it to anyone.
22:44I guess I'll choose a high school under God.
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!
23:34Here we go!
23:38Here we go!
23:42Here we go!
23:55Here we go!
24:03Oh, yes, that's an excellent idea. Thank you.
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.
24:44Two 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.
25:23He's quite the 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.
25:39You 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, not 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.
27:18I'm sorry.
27:19I'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.
27:56Please go again, Sue.
27:57Yes.
27:58I danced with two soldiers.
28:00I'm 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
28:10sense 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, ball gowns, or dance cards.
28:45The 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.
29:15Fearless, fraught and affectionate family life with the Walsh sisters.
29:18Fearless, fraught and affectionate family life with the Walsh sisters.
29:21Fearless, fraught and affectionate family life with the Walsh sisters.
29:22Fearless, fraught and affectionate family life with the Walsh sisters.
29:26Fearless, fraught and affectionate family life with the Walsh sisters.
29:28Fearless, fraught and affectionate family life with the Walsh sisters.
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