MR BENNET: I hope, my dear, that you have ordered a good dinner today.
I have reason to expect an addition to our family party.
Mr Bingley! Why, Jane!
You never dropped a word! And not a bit of fish to be got!
Lydia, I must speak to Hill directly!
It is not Mr Bingley. It is a person I never saw in the course of my life!
Colonel Forster! Captain Carter! I know, Denny!
About a month ago, >
I received this letter.
About a fortnight ago, I answered it - for it required early action!
It is from my cousin, Mr Collins, who, when I'm dead, may turn you ALL out of this house as he pleases.
My dear, don't mention that odious man!
I cannot believe that your estate should be entailed away from your own children.
Nothing can clear Mr Collins of the crime of inheriting Longbourne.
But listen, and you may be a little softened.
"My dear sir.
"The disagreements between yourself and my late father,
"always gave me uneasiness, and since I've had the misfortune to lose him...
"..to lose him, I have frequently wished to heal the breach."
There! "My mind, however,
"is now made up on the subject, for, having received my ordination...
VOICE CHANGES "I am honoured by the patronage of Lady Catherine de Bourgh...
"..whose beneficence has preferred me to the rectory at Hunsford,
"where it is my endeavour to demean myself with grateful respect towards her Ladyship.
"As a clergyman, it is my duty to promote and establish
"the blessing of peace in ALL families within my influence.
"I therefore flatter myself that my overture of goodwill is commendable
"and will not lead you to reject the offered olive branch.
"I am conscious of being the means of injuring your amiable daughters,
"and assure you of my readiness to make them every possible amends.
"I propose the satisfaction of waiting on your family on Monday 18,
"and shall probably trespass on your hospitality
"till Saturday seven night following.
"I shall travel to the turnpike
"in my own modest equipage,
"where I hope to catch the Bromley Post at 10.35,
"and thence to Watford,
"from whence I shall engage a hired carriage to take me to Longbourne
"where you may expect me by four."
And here he comes!
He must be an oddity, don't you think?
MRS BENNET: Well, I shan't discourage him.
Can he be a sensible man, sir? I think not, my dear.
Indeed, I have great hopes of finding him quite the reverse!
MR BENNET: Mr Collins!
Welcome!
My DEAR Mr and Mrs Bennet!
You seem very...fortunate
in your patroness, sir. >
Lady Catherine de Bourgh!
Indeed I am, sir.
I have been treated with such affability as I would never have hoped for.
I have been invited twice to dine at Rosings Park.
Is that so? Amazing(!)
Does she live near you, sir?
The garden in which rests my humble abode is separated only by a lane from Rosings Park.
Only a lane? Fancy that, Lizzy(!)
< You said she was a widow, sir.
Has she any family?
She has one daughter, the heiress of Rosings and of extensive property.
And has she been presented at court?
She is of a sickly constitution which prevents her being in town.
And by that means, as I told Lady Catherine myself one day,
she has deprived the British court of its BRIGHTEST ornament.
You may imagine, sir, how happy I am on every occasion
to offer compliments which are always acceptable to ladies!
Oh!
You possess an extraordinary talent for flattering with delicacy.
May I ask whether these pleasing attentions >
proceed from the impulse of the moment, or are the result of previous study?
They arise chiefly from what is passing, sir.
I sometimes amuse myself by writing down little compliments to be adapted to ordinary occasions!
But I do give them an unstudied air!
Excellent!
Excellent! >
THEY GIGGLE LOUDLY
MR COLLINS: I must confess myself quite overwhelmed at the charms of your daughters, Mrs Bennet.
You are very kind, sir. They are sweet girls, though I say it myself.
Perhaps, especially the eldest Miss Bennet?
Yes! Jane is admired wherever she goes.
But I should say that it is very likely she will be very soon engaged.
Ah. As for my younger daughters,
if any of them... In their case, I know of no prior attachment at all.
Ah!
We're going to Meryton, Mamma, to see if Denny's returned from town.
Would you care for a little exercise, Mr Collins?
Indeed, I would, Mrs Bennet.
Cousin Elizabeth!
Would you do me the great honour of walking with me into town?
MR COLLINS PANTS
MR COLLINS: You visit your Aunt Philips frequently, cousin?
Yes. But I am afraid you will find her gatherings poor affairs after Rosings Park.
I think not.
I believe I possess the happy knack of a clergyman
of adapting myself to every kind of society, whether high or low.
That is fortunate, indeed. Indeed!
And though it IS a gift of nature,
constant study has enabled me - I flatter myself - to make an art of it.
HORSES WHINNY
There! It's new in since Friday. Don't you think I'd look well in it?
Not as well as me! Come on! No, I shan't! Jane! Come here.
Look at this.
Jane, I'm determined to have this bonnet. Look, there's Denny.
Where? There! Look!
Who's with him? I don't know. He's handsome. If he were in regimentals!
A man looks nothing without regimentals. They're looking over.
Lizzy, is he not handsome? DENNY!
Lydia!
We thought you were still in town.
There was nothing amusing enough for us there.
Let me introduce George Wickham.
Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, Miss Mary Bennet, Miss Katherine Bennet and Miss Lydia Bennet.
­ This is our cousin, Mr Collins.
Will you stay long, Mr Wickham?
All winter, I'm happy to say. I have a commission in the regiment.
So he WILL be dressed in regimentals!
And lend them much distinction! Out-swagger us all, eh?
Denny, you misrepresent me!
Shall you come with us to our Aunt Philips? Denny is coming, you know.
I'm afraid I've not been invited by Mr and Mrs Philips.
No-one cares about that nowadays.
If Mrs Philips invited me, I should be delighted.
Look, Jane!
It's Mr Bingley.
How fortunate! We were on our way to ask after your health.
JANE: You are very kind, sir. I'm quite recovered.
I'm very glad to know it.
POLITE CONVERSATION CONTINUES
There's Denny! And Chamberlayne.
MR COLLINS: ..such a variety of social intercourse.
What a charming apartment you have, Mrs Philips.
It reminds me greatly of the small summer breakfast room at Rosings.
Does it indeed, sir? I'm much obliged, I'm sure(!)
Mr Collins wishes to pay a compliment, Aunt.
Does he? I see. Rosings Park, >
we must understand, is very grand.
Oh, INDEED it is!
If you thought I intended a slight on your excellent and comfortable arrangements, I am mortified.
Rosings Park is the residence of my noble patroness,
Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Oh! Now, I understand.
MR COLLINS: The chimneypiece in the second drawing room cost £800!
MRS PHILIPS: Now I see! There's no offence at all!
Will you oblige me and sit down to a game of whist?
I confess, I know little of the game.
But I shall be glad to improve myself.
IF my fair cousin consents to release me.
With all my heart, sir.
FORTEPIANO BEGINS TO PLAY: "Nel cor piu non mi sento" by Beethoven
Oh! Mr COLLINS! What were trumps again?
Hearts, Mr Collins. Hearts.
I must confess, I thought I should never escape your younger sisters.
They are very determined! Lydia, especially.
They're pleasant girls. Indeed, I find that society in Hertfordshire exceeds my expectations.
I don't see Mr Bingley and his friends here.
Some of Mr Bingley's friends would consider it beneath their dignity.
Really?
Um...have you known Mr Darcy long?
About a month. I've known him all my life.
We played together as children.
But... Yes, you're surprised.
Perhaps you noticed the cold manner of our greeting.
I confess I did.
Do you...?
Are you much acquainted with Mr Darcy?
As much as I ever wish to be!
I've spent three days in the same house and I find him disagreeable.
There are few who'd share that opinion...except myself.
He's not at all liked in Hertfordshire.
Everybody is disgusted with his pride.
Do you know...? Does he intend to stay long at Netherfield?
I do not know.
But I hope it does not affect your plans to stay.
Thank you. But it is not for ME to be driven away by Mr Darcy.
If he wishes to avoid seeing me, HE must go.
We are not on friendly terms, but it was HE who did ME great wrong.
His father, Miss Bennet, was my godfather
and one of the best men that ever breathed.
My father was his steward, and when he died, old Mr Darcy cared for me,
provided for me, loved me as though I were his own son.
He intended me for the Church.
It was my dearest wish to enter that profession, but after he died,
the living he'd promised me fell vacant,
and the son refused point-blank to honour his father's promises.
So, you see, I have to make my own way in the world.
This is shocking! I had not thought him as bad as this.
Such maliciousness - he deserves public disgrace.
Some day. But till I forget his father, I can never defy or expose him.
LOUD, RAUCOUS LAUGHTER
The abominable pride of this man! You are more temperate than I should be in your situation.
Well, I've not the resentful temper that some men have.
And my situation is not so bad! At present I've every cause for cheer!
I can't bear to be idle and I have active employment,
my fellow officers are excellent men, and now I find myself in a society
as agreeable as any I've known.
I absolutely forbid you to feel sorry for me! Lizzy!
Why should you feel sorry for Mr Wickham? Why? Because...
Because I have not had a dance in three months! Oh! Poor Mr Wickham!
Well you shall have one now! Mary! The Barley Mow!
MRS PHILIPS: Oh! Mr Collins!
MUSIC: "The Barley Mow"
I cannot believe it, Lizzy.
Mr Darcy would respect his father too much to behave so unchristianly.
And Lizzy, how could his most intimate friends be so deceived?
I could more easily imagine Mr Bingley being imposed upon than Mr Wickham inventing such a history.
I believe you LIKE Mr Wickham, Lizzy.
I confess! I do like him.
I do not see how anyone could NOT like him.
There is something very open and artless in his manner.
He feels deeply, I believe,
and yet has a natural merriment and energy despite all this.
Yes, Jane. I like him very much.
But after so short an acquaintance,
do you think we should believe him so implicitly?
How could he be doubted?
He gave me all the circumstances - names, facts -
and everything without ceremony.
Let Mr Darcy contradict it! Besides, there was truth in all his looks!
It is difficult, indeed.
It is distressing. One doesn't know what to think.
I beg your pardon! One knows EXACTLY what to think.
MRS BENNET: Girls! We have all been invited to a ball at Netherfield.
Good! I LOVE a ball!
This is a compliment to YOU, Jane.
The invitation includes you, Mr Collins!
But shall you accept, sir?
Would your bishop approve?
Your scruples do you credit, cousin.
But I am of the opinion that a ball given by a man of good character
to respectable people
can have no evil tendency.
I am so far from objecting to dancing myself
that I hope to be honoured with the hands of ALL my fair cousins!
And I take this opportunity of soliciting yours...Miss Elizabeth,
for the first two dances.
HE HUMS A MERRY TUNE
THE GIRLS LAUGH
You will be able to imagine the scope of the whole, Mr Wickham,
when I say that the chimneypiece in the second drawing room
cost all of eight hundred pounds!
Eight hundred pounds, sir? It must be a very large one.
It is very large indeed, sir!
Her Ladyship's fond of a good blaze, then?
Mr Collins! >
How fortunate.
Mary's found a passage in Fordyce's sermons she cannot make out at all.
Well, I... It is of great doctrinal import!
Well, in THAT case.
You're very kind, sir. She's in the drawing room.
Mr Collins's conversation is very...
wholesome.
And there is plenty to be had of it, I assure you!
Have you made Mr Bingley's acquaintance yet?
No. But I'm already disposed to approve of him.
He issued an invitation to all the officers for his ball - which has caused great joy!
He must be a very amiable gentleman. Oh, yes.
He is eager to approve of everyone - yet has taste and judgment.
I wonder how Mr Darcy could impose upon him. He cannot know what Mr Darcy is.
Mr Darcy can please what he chooses if he thinks it's worth his while.
Among his equals in consequence he can be liberal-minded, honourable, even agreeable.
I wonder you can speak of him so tolerantly.
He's not wholly bad. THE GIRLS LAUGH
Tell me, what sort of girl is Miss Darcy?
I wish I could call her amiable.
As a child she was affectionate and pleasing and fond of me.
I devoted hours to her amusement.
But she has grown too much like her brother - very proud.
I never see her. Since her father's death, her home has been in London.
She is but...16 years old. Your sister Lydia's age.
Lydia is 15! Oh.
I was amused by your cousin's talk of Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
She is Mr Darcy's aunt. Her daughter Anne, who'll inherit a large fortune, is destined to be Mr Darcy's bride.
Really?
Poor Miss Bingley(!)
Ahh! You look very well, Lizzy!
You'll never be as pretty as Jane, but you look very well indeed!
Thank you, Mamma!
Do pay Mr Collins every courtesy. He's been very attentive to you!
KITTY: Your gown is very unbecoming!
Lizzy will bear me out! Lydia, dear! Go back in your room and dress yourself!
I have to ask Lizzy something. Oh!
Lizzy? Lizzy, look! What do you think?
I think it becomes me very well. I wonder that you ask me, then!
You look very nice. Thank you.
I hope you'll not keep Wickham to yourself ALL night. I promise.
Even if I wished to, I could not. I have to dance with Mr Collins.
Lord! He's threatened to dance with us all!
HE HUMS TO HIMSELF
DOOR OPENS
SHE SNORTS AND GIGGLES
GIRLS SQUEAL WITH LAUGHTER
MUSIC REVERBERATES
Allow me, cousin Elizabeth.
EXCITED HUBBUB
My dear, Jane. Delighted to see you.
How pleasant.
­ Louisa and I have been desolate without you. Haven't we, Mr Hurst?
Oh, Mrs Bennet.
Mr Bennet.
­ Mrs Bennet. Mr Bennet. Delighted. And ALL your daughters.
Denny! And Chamberlayne!
MR COLLINS: May I congratulate you on your elegant arrangements, ma'am?
It puts me in mind greatly of...
Miss Bennet?
Miss Bennet, you look remarkably well.
Thank you. I am to convey Wickham's regrets that he's been prevented from attending the ball.
He's been obliged to go to town on urgent business,
though I imagine it only urgent in order to avoid a certain gentleman!
Denny! I hope you're prepared to dance with us!
Forgive us, ma'am. I would dance with both your sisters, but... Come on, Denny!
Charlotte! I have so much to acquaint you with...
Charlotte, may I present our cousin, Mr Collins. Miss Lucas.
How do you do, sir? < Miss Lucas.
I am honoured to meet you. So many agreeable young ladies.
< I'm quite enraptured.
MUSIC: "The Shrewsbury Lasses"
Other way, Mr Collins! A thousand apologies!
My dear cousin, I apologise.
..in fact, rather stout...
MUSIC ENDS
MUSIC: "Wildboar's Maggot"
It's extraordinary! And are you sure it is true?
How could it be otherwise? Mr Darcy has boasted to me of his resentful, implacable...
Lizzy!
Would you do me an honour and dance the next with me, Miss Bennet?
Why, I...had not...
Thank you, yes.
WHY had I no excuse? I promised myself I would never dance with him!
He pays you a great compliment, Lizzy. Think what you are doing.
You'd be a simpleton if you let your fancy for Wickham lead you to slight a man of ten times his consequence.
MUSIC: "Mr Beveridge's Maggot"
We must have SOME conversation, Mr Darcy.
A very little will suffice.
You should say something about the dance, perhaps.
I might remark on the other couples.
You talk by rule while dancing? Yes!
We may enjoy the advantage of saying as little as possible.
You consult your own feelings in this case, or seek to gratify mine?
Both, I imagine.
We are each unwilling to speak unless to say something that will amaze the whole room.
That is no striking resemblance of YOUR character!
Er, do you often walk into Meryton?
Yes, quite often.
The other day, we were forming a new acquaintance.
Mr Wickham has the manners to enable him to make friends.
Whether he is capable of keeping them is less certain.
He has lost YOUR friendship in a way he is likely to suffer from all his life.
May I congratulate you, sir? Such superior dancing is rarely seen, and your fair partner is worthy of you.
I hope it is often repeated, especially when a certain "desirable event" takes place.
Eh, Miss Lizzy?
Congratulations will then flow! Sir, I...
Nay! I'll not detain you from your bewitching partner!
A great pleasure, sir. Capital!
I remember you once said that you hardly ever forgave,
that your resentment was implacable.
You ARE careful in creating your resentment? I am.
And never allow yourself to be blinded by prejudice? I hope not.
To what do these questions tend?
Merely to the illustration of your character. And what is your success?
None at all. I hear many different accounts that puzzle me exceedingly.
I wish that you would not attempt to sketch my character at the present.
The performance would reflect no credit on either of us. But I may never have another opportunity!
I would not suspend your pleasure.
So, Miss Eliza, I hear you're quite delighted with George Wickham.
No doubt he forgot to tell you, among his other communications,
that he's merely the son of the late Mr Darcy's steward.
But, Eliza,
as a friend, I recommend you not to give credit to all his assertions.
He treated Darcy in an infamous manner.
Did he? How? I don't remember the particulars.
But Mr Darcy was not in the least to blame.
I pity you, Eliza, for the discovery of your favourite's guilt.
But with his descent, one could not expect much better!
His "guilt" and his descent appear to be the same.
You say he is the son of a steward - he informed me of that himself.
I beg your pardon.
Excuse my interference.
It was kindly meant.
Insolent girl. Lizzy!
I see nothing in her attack but ignorance and the malice of Mr Darcy. Yes, but, Lizzy!
Mr Bingley did say that he fears that Mr Wickham is by no means a respectable young man.
Does he know Mr Wickham himself? Not at all. Then his account is from Mr Darcy.
Of course he believes his friend - it does him credit.
As to the other gentlemen, I shall think of them both as before. Let us have music!
I have a great desire for a song. Caroline, can we persuade you?
Oh! Miss Mary Bennet.
You've anticipated me!
SHE PLAYS: "Ombra Mai Fu'Bra" by Handel
BADLY # Slu-u-u-umber, dear maid
# Green boughs wi-hi-hi-ll cover thee
# Calmness breathe over thee
# Where thou art laid
# Slumber, dear maid... # SHE CONTINUES
Lizzy! Look!
They haven't been introduced. Can we not prevent him? Too late!
Mr Darcy, I have made a remarkable, I must say, an amazing discovery -
you are the nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh of Rosings Park.
Mr Darcy, I'm in the happy position of being able to inform you
that her Ladyship was in the BEST of health...eight days ago.
I'm glad to hear it.
And what is your name, sir?
My name is William Collins, Mr Darcy, and I have the VERY great honour...
Well.
Well!
# ..Green boughs will co-o-ver thee
# Calmness breathe... #
HORSE WHINNIES
DOG HOWLS
Rowley!
# ..laid
# Where thou art laid. #
SHE FINISHES
POLITE, SPORADIC APPLAUSE
SHE STARTS PLAYING
# My mother bids me, bind my hair
# With bands of rosy hue... #
You do extremely well, child. You've...delighted us long enough.
Let the other young ladies have time to exhibit.
If I were so fortunate as to be able to sing
I should take pleasure in obliging the company with an air. Indeed, I should!
I consider music an innocent diversion, and perfectly compatible with the profession of a clergyman.
SHE PLAYS: "Rondo Alla Turka" by Mozart
SHE PLAYS WELL
BOOMING: Mr Collins is such a respectable young man and has taken a fancy to Lizzy -
and he couldn't find a better wife.
He favoured Jane first, but Bingley was there before him!
Now, THERE will be a great marriage. And that will throw the girls into the path of OTHER rich men.
< Lydia!
Denny, fetch me some wine! I can scarce draw breath, I'm so fagged!
LYDIA LAUGHS RAUCOUSLY
SHE FINISHES TRIUMPHANTLY
KITTY: ..then Denny again. Lydia only danced with him twice!
Mary sounded VERY ill. Oh, yes. Poor Mary! She is determined to do it!
More fool her. Mr Collins trod on my frock and tore it.
MRS BENNET: Lizzy, my dear! Oh, Mr Collins.
There can be no objection!
Kitty, don't leave me!
Lizzy, dear! KITTY: It's only Mr Collins.
Kitty, come upstairs. Mr Collins has something to say to Lizzy.
Dear Mamma, don't go. Mr Collins can have nothing to say that anyone could not hear... Lizzy!
I INSIST that you STAY where you ARE and HEAR Mr Collins.
Come, Kitty. Come along.
Ah-ha-ha. Ha-ha.
Believe me, my dear Miss Elizabeth,
that your modesty adds to your other perfections.
But you can hardly doubt the object of my discourse -
however your feminine delicacy may lead you to dissemble.
For, almost as soon as I entered the house,
I singled you out as the companion of my future life.
But, before I am run away by my feelings, perhaps it would be advisable
for me to state My Reasons For Marrying.
Mr Collins... Mmmm!
My Reasons For Marrying are:
First, that I think it right for a clergyman to set the example of matrimony in his parish.
Secondly, that I am convinced it will add greatly to my happiness.
And, thirdly...which, perhaps, I should have mentioned first,
that it is the particular recommendation of my noble patroness,
Lady Catherine de Bourgh! "Mr Collins," she said. "You MUST marry.
"Choose properly," she said.
"A gentlewoman for my sake, and for your own,
"let her be an active, useful sort of person, not brought up too high.
"Find such a woman as soon as you can, bring her to Hunsford, and I will visit her."
And your...wit and...vivacity
I think, must be acceptable to her -
when tempered with the respect which her rank will inevitably excite...
Yes...
So much for my general intention in favour of matrimony.
Now, as to my particular choice, my DEAR cousin.
Being, as I am, to inherit all this estate
I could not satisfy myself without resolving to choose a wife from among your father's daughters.
And now,
nothing remains...
but to assure you, in the most animated language, of the violence of my affections.
Mr Collins, please... To fortune, I am perfectly indifferent.
I am aware that £1,000 in the four per cents is all you may be entitled to,
but I shall never reproach you on that score when we are married!
You are too hasty...sir.
You forget that I have not answered. Let me do so now.
I thank you for your compliments.
I am very sensible of the honour of your proposals but...it is impossible for me to accept them.
I am by no means discouraged - indeed not!
It is usual for young ladies to reject the man they secretly mean to accept
when he first applies.
Therefore,
I hope, dear cousin, to lead you to the altar before long.
Upon my word, your hope is extraordinary
in view of my declaration.
My refusal was perfectly serious.
You could not make me happy, and I am the last woman in the world who could make you so. Miss Elizabeth!
My situation, my connection with the noble family of de Bourgh are circumstances
highly in my favour.
And it is by no means certain that another offer of marriage may EVER be made to you.
Your rejection cannot be serious.
I must attribute it to your wish of increasing my love by suspense,
in the usual manner of elegant females!
I assure you, sir, that I have not the kind of elegance which consists in tormenting a respectable man.
I thank you for your proposal, but to accept is absolutely impossible!
My feelings forbid it in every respect. Can I speak plainer?
Oh, you are uniformly charming.
And I am persuaded that, when sanctioned by your excellent parents...
..my proposals...will not fail of being...acceptable.
DOOR OPENS MRS BENNET: Oh! Mr Bennet!
You are wanted immediately! We are ALL in uproar.
You must make Lizzy marry Mr Collins!
She vows she will not have him, and if you do not make haste Mr Collins will not have HER. >
I'm afraid I do not understand. Of what are you talking?
Of...Mr Collins and Lizzy!
Lizzy will not have Mr Collins, and Mr Collins begins to say he will not have Lizzy.
But what am I to do? Seems a hopeless business.
Oh! Speak to Lizzy about it yourself! >
Tell her you insist upon her marrying him!
Let her come in.
DOOR OPENS MRS BENNET: Lizzy!
Lizzy! Your father wishes to speak to you!
Come here, my child.
I, um...
I understand Mr Collins has made you, um...an offer of marriage.
Is this true? Yes, sir. Right, very well.
And this offer of marriage, you have refused? I have.
< I see...
We now come to the point. Your mother insists on your accepting it.
Is it not so, Mrs Bennet?
Yes...or I will NEVER see her again.
An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth.
You must be a stranger to one of your parents.
Your mother will never see you again if you do NOT marry Mr Collins,
and...er...
I will never see you again... if you DO.
Oh...Mr Bennet!
MRS BENNET: Sit down, Miss Lizzy. I insist upon you marrying Mr Collins...
Charlotte, what do you do here? I am come to see Elizabeth.
Mr Collins has made Lizzy an offer, and she won't have him!
Then I am very sorry for him. Though I am not surprised.
Lizzy, I will never see you again! >
MR COLLINS: I do not wish to discuss the matter...
Mamma's beside herself. He won't stay another night.
Shall I invite him to dine with us this evening?
Do! Take him and feed him! He has been in high dudgeon all morning!
Oh, Mr Collins! I am resigned.
Resignation is never so perfect as when the blessing denied loses part of its value in our estimation.
Until tomorrow, then, Madam.
I take my leave.
Oh, Mr Collins!
Subtitles by Fran Welland BBC - 1995
E-mail us at subtitling@bbc.co.uk