PRIDE & PREJUDICE

Scene 1: The Meryton Assembly

(Music is heard – on the piano, the P&P theme. It rises then fades as the curtain opens, Elizabeth
Bennet in the spotlight.)
Elizabeth: It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good
fortune, must be in want of a wife.
(Music begins, lights up full on main cast in a lively dance. The dance showcases the Bennet
girls, with various partners, Mrs. Bennet gossiping and pointing to her girls from the side, Mr.
Bennet casually sipping a drink, ignoring the entertainment. An imposing group enters — it is
Bingley and Darcy, they are introduced, as Darcy observes the proceedings with detached
indifference. The dance ends with the Bennets congregating around Mr. Bennet. They are all
terribly excited, especially Mrs. Bennet.)
Mrs. Bennet: Mr. Bennet, Mr. Bennet, wonderful news! Netherfield Park is set at last. It is taken
by a single man of large fortune from the North of England. (Mr. Bennet is disinterested.) His
name is Bingley, and he has 5,000 a year! What a fine thing for our girls!
Mr. Bennet: (finally looking up at her, amused) How so? How can it affect them?
Mrs. Bennet: Oh, Mr. Bennet! How can you be so tiresome! You must know that I am thinking of
him marrying one of them.
Lydia and Kitty: (giggling) I should laugh if he were to choose me!
Mr. Bennet: (shaking his head) So that is his design in settling here. To marry one of our
daughters?
Mrs. Bennet: Design? Oh, how can you talk such nonsense! But he may very likely fall in love
with one of them. And he has come tonight! So you must introduce us directly.
(She points in the direction of the Bingley party.)
Elizabeth: Mama, please, he will see you.
Mr. Bennet: (rising, with irony) I’ll tell you what I will do. I shall tell Mr. Bingley that I have
five daughters and he is welcome to any of them. They are silly and ignorant like other girls. But
then, he may prefer a stupid wife. There, will that do?
Mrs. Bennet: (holding him back now) No, no, I beg you not
To go if… (She realizes he is teasing) Oh, you take delight in teasing me. You have no
compassion on my poor nerves!
Mr. Bennet: (sitting again) You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They
have been my old friends these twenty years at least.
Mrs. Bennet: Now you see, Jane, he will not be prevailed upon, he’ll see us all ruined. Oh, if
only we’d been able to have sons!
(At this point Bingley and Darcy walk over to the Bennets.)
Mrs. Bennet: Oh, Jane, Lizzy, they’re coming over! Smile, girls, smile…
(They exchange bows/curtsy).
Mrs. Bennet: This is Jane, my eldest, and Elizabeth, and Mary sits over there, and Kitty and
Lydia, my youngest. Do you like to dance, sir?
Mr. Bingley: There is nothing I love better, madam. And (looking at Jane) if Miss Bennet is not
otherwise engaged, may I be so bold as to claim the next two dances?
Jane: I am not engaged, sir.
Mr. Bingley: Good.
Mrs. Bennet: (to Darcy) And you, sir, are you fond of dancing, too?
Mr. Bingley: Oh, I beg your pardon. Mrs. Bennet, may I present my friend, Mr. Darcy.
(Darcy bows, the women curtsy.)
Mrs. Bennet: I hope you have come here eager to dance as your friend has, sir.
Mr. Darcy: Thank you, madam, I rarely dance. (Darcy abruptly turns and leaves.)
Mr. Bingley: Oh…well… excuse me. (He goes after Darcy.)
Mrs. Bennet: Well, did you ever meet such a proud, disagreeable man?
Elizabeth: Mama, he will hear you!
Mrs. Bennet: I do not care if he does! Who is he to think himself so far above his company?
Lady Lucas: He is Mr. Bingley’s oldest friend, and he has a mighty fortune and a great estate in
Derbyshire. Bingley’s wealth is nothing to his. Ten thousand a year at least!
Mrs. Bennet: (now impressed) Well! Don’t you think he is the handsomest man you’ve ever
seen, girls?
Elizabeth: (with an edge) I wonder if he’d be so handsome if he was not so rich.
 (A new dance begins, Jane dancing with Mr. Bingley. Darcy stands aloof, watching Elizabeth
dance. At the end, Bingley confronts Darcy. Elizabeth is in range to overhear their conversation.)
Mr. Bingley:
Come, Darcy, I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about in this stupid manner.
Mr. Darcy: I certainly shall not. At an assembly such as this? It would be insupportable.
Mr. Bingley: Good God, Darcy, I’ve
Never met so many pleasant girls in my life.Several of them are uncommonly pretty.
Mr. Darcy: You have been dancing with the only handsome girl in the room.
Mr. Bingley: Darcy, she is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld! (Looking around,he spots
Elizabeth) Look, look, there is one of her sisters. She is very pretty, too.
Mr. Darcy: She is tolerable, I suppose. But she is not handsome enough to tempt me.Go back to
your partner and enjoy her smiles. You’re wasting your time on me. (Bingley notices Elizabeth,
makes a small embarrassed bow, and returns to Jane. Bingley
Takes Jane’s hand and a new dance begins, Mrs. Bennet gossiping and pointing on the side.
Darcy follows Elizabeth’s
Movements closely, till the dance ends.)

Scene 2

Jane: Father, I have been invited to Netherfield to dine tomorrow evening with Caroline Bingley
and Mrs. Hurst.
Mrs. Bennet: Not Mr. Bingley?
Jane: The gentlemen will be in a shooting party. May I have the carriage, father?
Mrs. Bennet: The carriage? No indeed! You must go on horseback, for it looks like rain. Then
you will have to stay the night.
Jane: Papa!
Mr. Bennet: Let us leave the matter for tomorrow, shall we? Come Lydia, Kitty, Mary.
(He exits, followed by Lydia, Kitty and Mary.)
Mrs. Bennet: (to Jane) Don’t look at me like that!
Would you go all the way to Netherfield and back without seeing Mr. Bingley? No indeed. You
will go on Nelly. That will do very well, indeed.
(Jane exits, flustered.)
You will see, Lizzy. It will all work out,
Just as I’ve planned!
(They exit to theme music, lights out.)

Scene 3

(The Bennets sit in the drawing room. Enter Mr. Bennet with a letter.)
Mrs. Bennet: Whatever are you reading, Mr. Bennet?
Mr. Bennet: Why, nothing, my dear, only a letter which tells me your eldest daughter Jane is sick
in bed at Netherfield. Congratulations, Mrs. Bennet – if Jane should die of her fever it will be a
comfort to know it was all in pursuit of Mr. Bingley, and under your orders.
Mrs. Bennet: Oh, nonsense! People do not die of trifling colds! She will be very well taken care
of.
Elizabeth: Mama, I think I must go to Netherfield.
Mr. Bennet: I suppose that is a hint for me to send for the carriage.
Elizabeth: Oh, no indeed, father, for I would much rather walk. It is barely three miles to
Netherfield and I’ll be back for dinner.
Mrs. Bennet: Walk three miles in all that dirt! You’ll not be fit to be seen.
Elizabeth: I shall be fit to see Jane, which is all I want. I’m quite determined, Mother.
(Exit Elizabeth, to theme music, as lights dim.)
Scene 4

(A servant leads Elizabeth into a room where Darcy, Bingley, and Caroline sit. Darcy and
Bingley stand abruptly.)
Mr. Bingley/Mr. Darcy: Miss Bennet!
Elizabeth: Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy! I am coming to enquire after my sister.
Mr. Darcy: On foot?
Elizabeth: As you see. I must go find her.
(She passes through the seated company. All eyes follow Elizabeth as she exits.)
Caroline: What does she mean by scampering about the country because her sister has a cold?
Absurdly long way to walk, if you ask me. Did you see her hair? And her petticoat? She looks
almost wild!
Mr. Bingley: I think she looks remarkably well.
Caroline: Mr. Darcy, I’m inclined to think you wouldn’t wish your sister to make such an
exhibition.
Mr. Darcy: Certainly not.
Caroline: It seems to me to show an abominable sort of conceited independence.
Mr. Bingley: It shows an affection for her sister which is very pleasing.
(Elizabeth re-enters. She has cleaned up a little.)
Mr. Bingley: Miss Bennet, how is your sister? Is she any better?
Elizabeth: She seems improved from her earlier state, sir, I thank you.
Mr. Bingley: Excellent! I am pleased to hear it. Won’t you sit down?
(Elizabeth sits and begins to read. Darcy is at a table writing.)
Caroline: (to Darcy)
What do you do so secretly, sir?
Mr. Darcy: It’s no secret. I am writing to my sister.
Caroline: Oh, dear Georgiana! Oh, I long to see her. She is so accomplished! Herperformance at
the pianoforte is exquisite. Do you play, Miss Bennet?
Elizabeth: Aye, but very ill indeed.
Mr. Bingley: All young ladies are accomplished. They sing, they draw, they dance,speak French
and German, and I know not what.
Mr. Darcy: But not half a dozen would satisfy my notion of an accomplished woman.
Caroline: Oh, certainly. No woman can be really esteemed accomplished who does notalso
possess a certain something in her air, in her manner of walking, and in the tone ofher voice.
Mr. Darcy: And to all this she must yet add something more substantial in theimprovement of her
mind by extensive reading.
Elizabeth: I’m no longer surprised at you knowing only six accomplished women, Mr.Darcy. I
rather wonder at your knowing any.
Caroline: Miss Bennet, let me caution you. It is impossible to mock Mr. Darcy. He is a man
without fault.
Elizabeth: Is he, indeed? A man without fault?
Mr. Darcy: That is not possible for any one.(Pause) I have faults enough, Miss Bennet.My
temper I cannot vouch for. It might be called resentful. My good opinion once lost is lost forever.
Servant: A Mrs. Bennet and a Miss Bennet, sir.
(Enter Mrs. Bennet and Lydia. Caroline rolls her eyes in disgust. Bingley rises to greet them.)
Mr. Bingley: Mrs. Bennet! What a pleasant surprise – you are very welcome. I hope you will not
find Miss Bennet worse than you expected.
Mrs. Bennet: Oh, sir! I understand she is very ill indeed and suffers a vast deal, thoughwith the
greatest patience, for she has the sweetest temper in the world, Mr. Bingley.
Lydia: (seizing the moment) Mr. Bingley, did you not promise to give a ball at Netherfield? It
will be a great scandal if you don’t keep your word.
Mr. Bingley: I am perfectly ready to keep my engagement. Shall we say next Saturday evening?
Mrs. Bennet: Oh, there now, Lydia, that’s a fair promise for you. That’s what I call gentlemanly
behaviour. (Indirectly to Darcy) And those persons who fancy themselves very important and
never open their mouths quite mistake the matter.
(Jane walks in.)
Mr. Bingley:
Oh, Miss Bennet!
Jane: Mr. Bingley. (Pause) Mama, I feel I may be well enough to travel, now.
Mrs. Bennet: Thank the gentleman, Jane, for his kind hospitality. I’m afraid we must be
On our way, Mr. Bingley.
(She curtsies, as do the girls, giggling, and they exit.)
Mr. Bingley: Good bye, Mrs. Bennet. (To Jane) Miss Bennet. (He bows.)
Jane: (makes a small curtsy) Mr. Bingley.
(She moves with Elizabeth toward the door.)
Elizabeth: Oh, Jane! Notwithstanding your excellent Mr. Bingley, I have never been so glad to
leave a place in all my life!
(They exit)
Caroline: What an absolute pleasure to have one’s house to one’s self again! To be invaded by all
the Bennets at one time — it’s intolerable, really!
(Caroline shakes her head scornfully, Darcy frowns and broods, and Bingley looks after Jane’s
exit, then follows. Lights out to music.)

Scene 5

(Enter Jane and Elizabeth.)

Mr. Wickham: (He picks up a handkerchief on the ground.) Yours, I believe? (he says to
Elizabeth.)
(Elizabeth accepts the handkerchief.)
(Enter Lydia and Kitty, behind Mr. Wickham.)
Lydia: Oh, Mr. Wickham! How perfect you are!
Kitty: He picked up my handkerchief too! Did you drop yours on purpose, Lizzy?
Lydia: Mr. Wickham’s a lieutenant!
Mr. Wickham: An enchanted lieutenant. (As he looks at Elizabeth.)
Jane: (scolding) What are you up to, Liddy?
Lydia: We just happen to be looking for some ribbons.
Kitty: White, for the ball!
Mr. Wickham: (Still looking at Elizabeth.) Shall we all look for some ribbon together?
(Elizabeth smiles at him and they enter the shop, the girls giggling.)
Mr. Wickham: I shan’t even look around. I can’t be trusted, I have poor taste in ribbons.
Elizabeth: Only a man truly confident in himself would admit that.
Mr. Wickham: It’s true. And buckles. When it comes to buckles, I’m lost.
Elizabeth (sarcastic): Dear oh dear, you must be the shame of the regiment.
Mr. Wickham: a laughingstock!
Elizabeth: What do your superiors do with you?
(Mr. Wickham chuckles)
Mr. Wickham: Ignore me. I am next to no importance so it’s easily done.
Lydia: Lizzy, lend me some money.
Elizabeth: You already owe me a fortune, Liddy.
Mr. Wickham: Allow me to oblige.
Elizabeth: No, Mr. Wickham, please—
Mr. Wickham: I insist.
(They all exit and the lights dim)
(Bingley and Darcy enter. Bingley approaches Jane, but Darcy stops on seeing Wickham — They
stare each other down, and Darcy turns and exits)
Kitty: Look, Jane, it’s Mr. Bingley.
Mr. Bingley: How very fortunate! Do you know, we were just on our way to Longbourn to ask
after your health.
Jane: You are very kind, sir. I’m quite recovered, as you see.
Mr. Bingley: Good. I’m very glad to know it.
Jane: I hope you will soon come to Longbourn and have tea with us.
Mr. Bingley:
I shall be very happy to, Miss Bennet. (He turns, looks for Darcy, puzzled.) Excuse me.
(Bingley exits after Darcy. Wickham and Elizabeth move downstage.)
Mr. Wickham: Are you much acquainted with Mr. Darcy?
Elizabeth: As much as I ever wish to be. From the short time I’ve spent in his presence,
I think him very disagreeable. In truth, everybody is disgusted with his pride.
Mr. Wickham: I’ve known him all my life.
Elizabeth: But …
Mr. Wickham: Yes, you’re surprised. Perhaps you might have noticed the cold manner of our
greeting.
Elizabeth: I confess I did.
Mr. Wickham: He has done me great wrong, Miss Bennet. His father, the late Mr.Darcy, was my
godfather. My father was his steward, and when he died, old Mr. Darcy cared for me, provided
for me, loved me, I believe, as though I were his own son. He intended me for the church. But
after he died, his son refused to honour his father’s promises. And so, you see, I’m left to make
my own way in the world.
(Elizabeth looks shocked as the lights dim.)

Scene 6: The Netherfield Ball

(Lights up on a fine ballroom as the theme is heard. Elizabeth enters, looking for someone. She
runs into Captain Carter who bows.)
Captain Carter: I’m sorry convey to you, Miss Bennet, my friend Wickham’s most particular
regrets that he’s been prevented from attending the ball.
(Elizabeth finds Charlotte.)
Elizabeth: Charlotte! I have so much to acquaint you with.(She pulls her aside and they chat for a
moment, while music plays. Darcy stares at them intently.)
Elizabeth: Well, Charlotte?
Charlotte: It’s extraordinary news, Lizzy. And … are you sure it’s true?
Elizabeth: How can it be otherwise? Everyone knows Mr. Darcy to be a resentful,
Proud…
(Darcy approaches, unseen.)
Charlotte: Lizzy!
Elizabeth: What?
Mr. Darcy: If you’re not otherwise engaged, would you do me the honour of dancing the next
with me, Miss Bennet?
Elizabeth: Why, I … I had not … I thank you, yes. (Darcy abruptly bows and leaves.) Why could
I not think of an excuse? Hateful man! I promised myself I would never dance with him.
(The dance begins. They execute several steps before Elizabeth speaks.)
Elizabeth: I believe we must have some conversation, Mr. Darcy. You should say something
about the dance perhaps. I might remark on the number of couples.
Mr. Darcy: Do you talk by rule then when you are dancing?
Elizabeth: Yes, sometimes it is best. Then we may enjoy the advantage of saying aslittle as
possible.
(They dance a while in silence.)
Mr. Darcy: Do you often walk into Meryton?
Elizabeth: Yes, quite often. When you met us the other day we had just been forming anew
acquaintance.
Mr. Darcy: Mr. Wickham has the happy manners that enable him to make friends. Whether he is
equally capable of keeping them is less certain.
Elizabeth: He has been so unlucky as to lose your friendship in a way which he is likely to suffer
from all his life. I remember hearing you once say that you hardly ever forgave. You are very
careful, are you not, in allowing your resentment to be created?
Mr. Darcy: I am.
Elizabeth: And you never allow yourself to be blinded by prejudice?
Mr. Darcy: I hope not. May I ask to what these questions tend?
Elizabeth: Merely to the illustration of your character. I’m trying to make it out.
Mr. Darcy: And what is your success?
Elizabeth: I do not get on at all. I hear such different accounts of you as to puzzle me
exceedingly.
Mr. Darcy: I wish, Miss Bennet, that you would not attempt to sketch my character at the
present moment.
Elizabeth: But if I don’t take your likeness now, I may never have another opportunity.
Mr. Darcy: I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours.
(Here the dance ends, Darcy bows and abruptly leaves her. Elizabeth, puzzled, moves downstage
as lights dim.)

Scene 7: Longbourn

Mrs. Bennet: Nothing turns out the way it should! Now Mr. Bingley,of whom we all had such
expectations, is gone forever!
Elizabeth: What? I cannot believe it!
Jane: It’s true.I’ve heard from Caroline Bingley. It is now quite definite that they will stay in
town for the whole winter.
Mrs. Bennet: I don’t know what will become of us all. That I should live to see Charlotte Lucas
take my place as mistress of this house!
Mr. Bennet: My dear, do not give way to such gloomy thoughts. Let us hope for better things.
Let us flatter ourselves that I might outlive you. (He exits grinning.)
Mrs. Bennet: Oh Mr. Bennet! (She flutters away, as Elizabeth moves to Jane.)
Elizabeth: Jane, what if you were to go to town? I’m sure Aunt and Uncle Gardiner would be
very happy to take you back to Gracechurch Street with them after Christmas.
Jane: Why would you have me go to London, Lizzy?
Elizabeth: No reason. I myself shall be visiting Charlotte, so we shall each, in our own
Way, be making discoveries. And if yours should lead you to Mr. Bingley, well….
Jane: Oh, Lizzy!
(They exit, arm in arm.)
Scene 8: Rosings

Elizabeth: Mr. Darcy. (Surprised) What are you doing here?

(They curtsy/bow to each other.)
Mr. Darcy: Miss Elizabeth, I am a guest here.
Colonel Fitzwilliam: Colonel Fitzwilliam. How do you do?

Scene 9: Rosings Park

(Elizabeth walks, in front of the curtain, admiring the grounds. Enter Fitzwilliam. )
Colonel Fitzwilliam: Miss Bennet!
Elizabeth: Colonel Fitzwilliam!!
Colonel Fitzwilliam: Shall we take a tour of the park together?
Elizabeth: With pleasure! (Pause.) Do you know Mr. Bingley and his sisters?
Colonel Fitzwilliam: I know him a little. Bingley is a pleasant gentleman. He is a great friend of
Darcy’s.
Elizabeth: Yes. It seems Mr. Darcy takes great care of him.
Colonel Fitzwilliam: Oh, yes. I understand that he congratulates himself on having lately saved
Mr. Bingley the inconvenience of a most imprudent marriage.
Elizabeth: (startled, and angry) Did Mr. Darcy give a reason for his interference?
Colonel Fitzwilliam: I understand there were some very strong objections to the lady.
Elizabeth: And what right did Mr. Darcy have to determine in what manner his friend was to be
happy? (softer) But perhaps there was not much affection in the case.
Colonel Fitzwilliam: No, perhaps not. But if that were the case it would lessen the honour of my
cousin’s triumph very sadly, don’t you think? (Elizabeth has turned away.) Oh, Miss Bennet, are
you unwell?
Elizabeth: A sudden headache. Perhaps I’ve walked too far today.
Colonel Fitzwilliam: Let us take the shorter way back.
(They exit.)

Scene 10: Hunsford

(Elizabeth sits, reading. Enter Mr. Darcy.)
(Elizabeth gasps upon seeing Darcy.)
Mr. Darcy: Miss Elizabeth. I have struggled in vain and I can bear it no longer. These past
months have been a torment. I went to Rosings only to see you. I had to see you. I fought against
my better judgment, my family’s expectations, the inferiority of your birth, my rank and
circumstance, but I am willing to put all of this aside and ask you to end my agony.
Elizabeth: I don’t understand.
Mr. Darcy: I love you. Most ardently. (Pause) Please do me the honor of accepting my hand.
Elizabeth: (Pause.) I have never desired your good opinion and you have certainly bestowed it
most unwillingly. I am sorry to cause pain to anyone, but it was most unconsciously done and, I
hope, will be of short duration.
Mr. Darcy: Is this your reply? Are you rejecting me?
Elizabeth: And I might wonder why with so evident a desire to offend and insult me you chose to
tell me that you liked me against your will! Was this not some excuse for incivility if I was
uncivil? Do you think any consideration would tempt me to accept the man who has been the
means of ruining the happiness of a most beloved sister? Can you deny that you have done it?
Mr. Darcy: I do not deny it. I did everything in my power to separate my friend from your sister.
Elizabeth: And long before I discovered that, my dislike of you was decided when I heard Mr.
Wickham’s story of your dealings with him.
Mr. Darcy: You take an eager interest in that man’s concerns!
Elizabeth: Who that knows what his misfortunes have been can help feeling an interest in him?
Mr. Darcy: His misfortunes! Yes, his misfortunes have been great indeed!
Elizabeth: And of your infliction! You have reduced him to his present state of poverty and yet
you can treat his misfortunes with contempt and ridicule.
Mr. Darcy: And this is your opinion of me? My faults by this calculation are heavy indeed! But I
am not ashamed of the feelings I related – they were natural and just! Did you expect me to
rejoice in the inferiority of your connections? To congratulate myself on the hope of relations
whose condition in life is so decidedly below my own?
Elizabeth: You are mistaken, Mr. Darcy! The mode of your declaration merely spared me any
concern I might have felt in refusing you, had you behaved in a more gentlemanlike manner. You
could not have made me the offer of your hand in any possible way that would have tempted me
to accept it. From the very beginning your manners impressed me with the fullest belief of your
arrogance, your conceit and your selfish disdain for the feelings of others! I had not known you a
month before I felt you were the last man in the world whom I could ever marry!
(Pause.)
Mr. Darcy: You have said quite enough, madam. Please forgive me for having taken up your
time.
(Darcy storms out of the room, leaving Elizabeth in shock. Theme music and curtain.)

Scene 11: Rosings/Hunsford split stage

(Lights up on Darcy as he composes a letter, stage right in spot.)
Mr. Darcy: To Miss Elizabeth Bennet. (Pause) Please allow me to defend myself against the
charges you have laid at my door. In particular those relating to Mr. Wickham, which if true,
would indeed be grievous, but which are wholly without foundation. Mr. Wickham is the son of a
very respectable man, who had the management of our estates. After his father’s early death, my
father supported him at Cambridge, and hoped he would make the church his profession. But
when my own excellent father died five years ago, Mr. Wickham declined any interest in the
church as a career, but requested the sum of 3,000 pounds instead of the living. (Here Darcy rises
and moves downstage.) All connection between us seemed now dissolved. But last summer our
paths crossed again, under the most painful circumstances. My younger sister, Georgiana, had
always been fond of Mr. Wickham. Upon his return, she was persuaded to believe herself in love,
and to consent to an elopement. She was then but fifteen years old. A day or two before the
intended elopement, I joined them unexpectedly. You may imagine what I felt and how I acted.
Mr. Wickham left immediately. He relinquished his object, which was my sister’s fortune of
30,000 pounds. A secondary motive must have been to revenge himself on me. Had he
succeeded, his revenge would have been complete indeed.
(Lights up on Elizabeth, stage left, as servant enters.)
Servant: This letter has just arrived for you, miss.
(Exit.)
Elizabeth: Thank you. (She reads it over, then aloud) “This, madam, is a faithful narrative of all
my dealings with Mr. Wickham. And for its truth I can appeal to the testimony of Colonel
Fitzwilliam.” Could Wickham be such a man? (She continues to read the letter.) “The other
charge levelled at me, is that I detached Mr. Bingley from your sister. I have no wish to deny this,
nor can I blame myself for any of my actions in this matter.”
(Here Elizabeth grows angry. Darcy takes over.)
Mr. Darcy: I had not long been in Hertfordshire before I saw that Bingley admired your sister.
His partiality was clear, but though she received his attentions with pleasure, I did not detect any
symptoms of peculiar regard. When my friend left Netherfield for London, I pointed out to him
the certain evils of his choice of your sister as a prospective bride. It was not difficult to convince
him of your sister’s indifference to him. There is but one part of my conduct in the affair on
which I do not reflect with satisfaction. That I concealed from him your sister’s being in town. It
was done, however, for the best, and for this I have no apology to offer.
(Lights dim and theme music.)

Scene 12: Longbourn, a few days later

(The Bennets sit in the drawing room.)
Kitty: Mama! Mama, look! I think he’s coming! Mr. Bingley!
Mrs. Bennet: Is it really him? I believe it must be! He is come, Jane! Put on your blue
Gown. No, stay where you are!
Kitty: Who’s with him? It looks like that man who used to be with him before. Mr…you
Know, that tall proud one.
Mrs. Bennet: Mr. Darcy! I believe it is. Well, any friend of Mr. Bingley’s will always be
Welcome here, to be sure. But I must say I hate the sight of him!
(Bingley and Darcy enter.)
Servant: Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, ma’am.
Mrs. Bennet: Mr. Bingley, you are very, very welcome.
Mr. Bingley: How do you do, Mrs. Bennet. I…
Mrs. Bennet: It’s far too long since you were here, and very kind of you to call. (stiffly)
And Mr. Darcy, you are welcome, too. (Back to Bingley) We began to be afraid you
Would never come back. People did say, you meant to quit the place entirely, but I hope
That is not true.
Mr. Bingley: Well, no, I…
Mrs. Bennet: I expect you’ve heard Mr. Wickham’s gone into the regulars. Thank
Heaven he has some friends, though perhaps not as many as he deserves! Do you
Mean to stay long in the neighbourhood on this visit?
Mr. Bingley: Our plans are not yet settled, but I hope, we shall stay some weeks. At the
Very least.
Mrs. Bennet: When you’ve killed your own birds, I beg you would come here and shoot
As many as you please on Mr. Bennet’s manor. I’m sure he’ll be happy to oblige you!
(stiffly, again) I suppose you may bring your friends, if you will.
Mr. Bingley: Thank you, Mrs. Bennet. (He and Darcy rise, bow to her, then Jane,
Before exiting.) Miss Bennet.
Mrs. Bennet: Oh, Jane! This is such good news! I must tell Aunt Philips!
(She exits, as Elizabeth crosses to Jane and takes her by the hand.)
Elizabeth: Jane, take care.
Jane: Don’t think me to be in any danger now, Lizzy.
Elizabeth: I think you are in very great danger of making him as much in love with you
As ever.
(Lights dim on centre stage, and up on centre balcony, where Darcy and Bingley enter.)
Mr. Bingley: You tell me now that she was in London all those months? And you
Concealed it from me?
Mr. Darcy: Yes. I can offer no justification. It was an arrogant presumption, based on a
Failure to recognize your true feelings and Miss Bennet’s. I should never have interfered.
It was wrong of me, Bingley, and I apologize.
Mr. Bingley: You admit that you were in the wrong?
Mr. Darcy: Utterly and completely.
Mr. Bingley: Then… I have your blessing?
Mr. Darcy: Do you need my blessing?
Mr. Bingley: No. But I should like to know I have it all the same.
Mr. Darcy: Then go to it.
(Darcy exits, and Bingley nervously adjusts his outft, then follows, as lights dim above
And rise centre stage on Jane, Elizabeth, Mary and Kitty. Mrs. Bennet returns.)
Mrs. Bennet: Jane! Jane! Oh, my dear Jane! He is come!
Jane: Who is come?
Mrs. Bennet: Mr. Bingley, of course!
(Enter a Servant leading Mr. Bingley.)
Servant: Mr. Bingley, ma’am.
Mrs. Bennet: Mr. Bingley! It is ever so nice to see you again so soon! Do sit down.
Mr. Bingley: Thank you, Mrs. Bennet. (He is staring at Jane, and practically misses the
Chair.)
Mrs. Bennet: So Mr. Darcy is gone to town? (She winks at Kitty.)
Mr. Bingley: Yes, ma’am.
Kitty: What’s the matter, mama? Why do you keep winking at me? What am I to do?
Mrs. Bennet: Wink at you? Why should I wink at you, child? What a notion! But now
You ask, I do have something I would speak to you about. Come, come with me. And
You, Mary. Come!
(They exit, Jane and Bingley sit nervously, and Elizabeth tries to avoid looking at them.
A moment later, a voice breaks the silence.)
Mrs. Bennet: (calling offstage) Lizzy! Lizzy!. Need you upstairs, at once!
(Reluctantly, Elizabeth curtsies to Bingley, glances at Jane, and leaves,)
Mr. Bingley: First, Miss Bennet, I must confess..I have committed the most unpardonable error
in judgment.
Jane: Yes?
Mr. Bingley: That is to say..at least…you must forgive me..
Jane: For what, Mr. Bingley?
Mr. Bingley: For being blinded by folly. From the very first time we met, Miss Bennet, I
Have been most sincerely in love with you. If I had not been so stupid as to accept some
Astonishingly poor advice, I should never have left Netherfield last November.
Jane: And yet I came to London..in the faint hope of seeing you there…did not your
Sister tell you?
Mr. Bingley: I am very sorry to say no. And once I learned of that concealment, I could
Only speculate on what else had been withheld from me. I had been convinced of your
Indifference, when I had hoped you felt all along as I did..that you loved me…?
Jane: I did…I do… am sorry you have been led so astray.
(Bingley moves to her swiftly on one knee.)
Mr. Bingley: Miss Bennet…would you do me the great honour of becoming my wife?
Jane: I will, sir.
(He rises, but before they can embrace, Elizabeth enters the room. Bingley suddenly
Breaks away from Jane.)
Elizabeth: Oh, I am so sory.
Mr. Bingley: Excuse me. I must at once to your good father, without delay!
Elizabeth: (to Jane, as the Bennets spill into the room) Well?
Jane: Oh, Lizzy! Mama! I’m so happy! Why can’t everyone be as happy as I am? He
Loves me, Lizzy. He loves me!
Elizabeth: Of course he does!
Mrs. Bennet: Oh, Jane! Jane! Did I not tell you it would be so?
Jane: He told me he loved me all the time. He didn’t think me in love with him! He is
Gone to papa already! Oh, Lizzy, could you believe things would end in this happy way?
Elizabeth: Yes, Jane – only because you deserve it so.
(Re-enter Bingley with Mr. Bennet.)
Mr. Bennet: Come back tomorrow, sir, if you can bear to. Come and shoot with me.
There are few men whose society I can tolerate well. I believe you may be one of them.
Mr. Bingley: Thank you, sir. I shall be very happy to.
Mr. Bennet: Very well, very well. Get along with you.
Mr. Bingley: Till tomorrow, then! (Bingley exits)
Mr. Bennet: Jane, congratulations. You will be a very happy woman.
Jane: Thank you, father. I believe I shall.
Mrs. Bennet: Oh, my dear, dear Jane! I am so happy! Oh, I knew how it would be! I
Was sure you could not be so beautiful for nothing. He is the handsomest man that was
Ever seen!
(She exits on the arm of Mr. Bennet, Mary and Kitty following.)
Jane: Oh, Lizzy. If there were only such another man for you.
Elizabeth: If you were to give me forty such men…. Could never be as happy as you.
(They exit, laughing and hugging one another.)

Scene 13: Longbourn, a few days later

(Elizabeth and Jane sit in the parlour. A servant enters, leading in Bingley and Darcy.)
Servant: Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, ma‘am.
Mr. Bingley: This is a fine day for a walk. Shall we? (The four exit.)
(Lights dim; up on Jane and Bingley, entering opposite, and followed by Darcy and Elizabeth,
who move center stage.)
Elizabeth: Mr. Darcy— I can go no longer without thanking you for your kindness to my poor
sister. Ever since | have known of it, I’ve been most anxious to tell you how grateful I am, for my
family and for myself. | know what trouble it must have cost you. Please allow me to thank you,
on behalf of all my family, since they don’t know to whom they are indebted.
Mr. Darcy: If you will thank me, let it be for yourself alone. Your family owes me nothing. As
much as I respect them, I believe I thought only of you. (Pause.) You’re too generous to trifle
with me. If your feelings are unchanged, tell me so. My affections and wishes are the same. But
one word from you will silence me on this subject forever.
Elizabeth: Oh, my feelings…My feelings are…I am ashamed to remember what I felt then. My
feelings are so different. In fact, they are quite the opposite.
Mr. Darcy: What did you say of me that I did not deserve? My behaviour at the time was
unpardonable. Your reproof I shall never forget. “Had you behaved in a more gentleman-like
manner.” How those words have tortured me!
Elizabeth: I had no idea of their being taken such a way.
Mr. Darcy: I can easily believe it. You said I could not have addressed you in any way that would
have induced you to accept me.
Elizabeth: Do not repeat what I said then!
Mr. Darcy: No, | have been a selfish being all my Ife. As a child I was given good principles, but
was left to follow them in pride and conceit. And such I might still have been —but for you.
(Bingley interrupts as he draws near.)
Mr. Bingley: Well, Darcy? How goes it? Shall we return to Netherfield?
Mr. Darcy: With one stop at Longbourn on the way, | should think. Good day, Miss
Bennet….Miss Bennet.
(He and Bingley exit with bows. Jane comes up to Lizzy.)
Jane: Whatever could Mr. Darcy mean, to stop at Longbourn?
Elizabeth: Jane….oh Jane….we are engaged!
Jane: Engaged to Mr. Darcy! No, you are joking. It is impossible!
Elizabeth: This is a wretched beginning! If you don’t believe me, I’m sure no one else will.
Indeed, I am in earnest. He still loves me, and we are engaged.
Jane: It can’t be true. I know how much you dislike him!
Elizabeth: No, it is all forgotten! Perhaps I didn’t always love him as well as I do now. But… in
such cases as these a good memory is unpardonable.
Jane: Oh, Lizzy!
(They exit, laughing, as lights dim to music.)

Scene 14: Longbourn, some time later

(Darcy exits the stage, nearly bumping into Elizabeth as she enters. Mr. Bennet sits in his chair,
fidgeting.)
Elizabeth: Father…?
Mr. Bennet: Are you out of your senses to be accepting this man, Lizzy? Have you not always
hated him?
Elizabeth: Papa…
Mr. Bennet: I’ve given him my consent. He’s the kind of man. Indeed. To whom I should never
dare refuse anything. But let me advise you to think the better of it. I know your disposition,
Lizzy. My child, let me not have the gnef of seeing you unable to respect your partner in life.He
is rich, but will he make you happy?
Elizabeth: Have you any objections apart from your belief in my indifference?
Mr. Bennet: None whatever. We all know him to be a proud, unpleasant sort of man — but this
would be nothing, if you really liked him.
Elizabeth: I do. I do like him. I love him. Indeed, he has no improper pride. He is perfectly
amiable. If you only knew his generous nature. | didn’t always love him, but | love him now so
very dearly. He is truly the best man | have ever known.
Mr. Bennet: (Pause.) Well, my dear, if this be the case, he deserves you. I could not have parted
with you to anyone less worthy. (He embraces her.)
Elizabeth: There is one more thing I must tell you. Papa. It was Mr. Darcy, not my uncle
Gardiner, who was responsible for rescuing Lydia and saving our family name.
Mr. Bennet: (startled) So, Mr. Darcy did everything? So much the better. It will save me a world
of trouble. Had it been your uncle’s doing, I must and would have paid him; but these violent
young lovers carry everything their own way. | shall offer to pay him tomorrow — he will rant
and storm about his love for you, and there will be an end of the matter.
Elizabeth: (laughing) Father…if you please. ..he would not want you to know, so it is just as well
kept between us.
Mr. Bennet: Very well, my dear, very well.
(Elizabeth rushes back to him for a final hug, then exits, as Mr. Bennet takes up his book tn his
favourite chair. The curtains close slowly to music, as Darcy and Ehzabeth enter on the apron,
opposite one another. They slowly close up space during their dialogue.)
Elizabeth: Mr. Darcy…!
Mr. Darcy: Miss Bennet.
Elizabeth: I’ve just come from my father…and | just have to say… have to ask…when did you
first begin to love me?
Mr. Darcy: I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the
foundation. | was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.
Elizabeth: My beauty you had early withstood. And as for my manners — my behaviour to you
was at least always bordering on the uncivil. Now be sincere; did you admire me for my
impertinence?
Mr. Darcy: For the liveliness of your mind, I did.
Elizabeth: But what made you so shy of mewhen you first called? Why, especially, when you
called, did you look as if you did not care about me?
Mr. Darcy: Because you were grave and silent, and gave me no encouragement.
Elizabeth: But I was embarrassed.
Mr. Darcy: And so was I.
Elizabeth: Still — you might have talked to me more.
Mr. Darcy: A man who felt less, might have.
Elizabeth: (She draws closer to him, playfully) What did you come down to Netherfieid for? Was
it merely to ride to Longbourn and be embarrassed? Or had you intended any more serious
consequence?
Mr. Darcy: (Stepping closer to her.) My real purpose was to see you, and to judge whether I
might ever hope to make you love me.
Elizabeth: (Drawing up close) And…what have you decded?
Mr. Darcy: (Holding her head in his hands.) That as a single man, in possession of a large
fortune, all I will ever need, my loveliest Elizabeth — is you.
(They kiss. Lights dim to theme, then up as curtain opens to curtain call.)