| [00:01.49] | 5 Mr Collins proposes twice5 |
| [00:05.37] | At Longbourn the next day， |
| [00:09.19] | soon after breakfast， |
| [00:10.40] | Mr Collins asked Mrs Bennet |
| [00:12.79] | for permission to speak prvately to Elizabeth |
| [00:15.83] | Mrs Bennet was delighted， |
| [00:17.32] | and hurried the other girls out of the room， |
| [00:19.78] | so that Elizabeth and Mr Collins |
| [00:21.11] | were left alone together. |
| [00:23.89] | Elizabeth did not want to stay， |
| [00:26.7] | and got up to leave， |
| [00:27.25] | but after a moment's thought， |
| [00:29.52] | sat down again quietly， |
| [00:31.60] | determined to listen and reply politely. |
| [00:34.78] | ‘My dear Miss Elizabeth，“ |
| [00:36.39] | said Mr Collins seriously， |
| [00:38.0] | ‘this little unwillingness to hear me，“ |
| [00:41.39] | this modesty of yours， |
| [00:42.90] | can only add to your other charms. |
| [00:45.54] | You can hardly doubt the purpose of my speech. |
| [00:49.60] | Almost as soon as I entered the house， |
| [00:52.14] | I chose you as the companion of my future life. |
| [00:55.55] | But before I am carried away by my feelings， |
| [00:58.46] | I think I should state my reasons for marrying. |
| [01:01.95] | Elizabeth was trying so hard not to laugh |
| [01:05.84] | at the idea of Mr Collins being carried away by his feelings |
| [01:09.5] | that she was unable to reply. |
| [01:11.49] | ‘First，’he continued， |
| [01:14.10] | ‘it is right for a priest to marry， “ |
| [01:16.55] | as an example to other people |
| [01:18.67] | Secondly，I'm sure marriage will |
| [01:22.87] | add greatly to my happiness， |
| [01:25.35] | and thirdly， |
| [01:26.84] | which perhaps I should have mentioned earlier， |
| [01:29.86] | my generous patron |
| [01:31.23] | has advised me to marry. |
| [01:35.64] | “Find an active，useful sort of person，” ‘ |
| [01:37.44] | she told me， |
| [01:38.56] | “a woman who can make a small income go a long way. ‘ |
| [01:41.99] | Bring her to Hunsford as your wife， |
| [01:44.69] | and I’ll visit her.” |
| [01:46.31] | So I decided to choose a wife from among my Bennet cousins， |
| [01:50.50] | to lessen the loss to the family when the sad event of your father's death takes place. |
| [01:55.39] | I flatter myself that you will appreciate my motives. |
| [01:58.54] | And now，nothing remains |
| [02:01.38] | but to convince you of the violence of my affection. |
| [02:04.56] | I am quite indifferent to the fact that you bring little money with you into our marringe， |
| [02:10.6] | and promise you that |
| [02:11.42] | I shall make no ungenerous reference to this after we are married.’ |
| [02:14.62] | It was absolutely necessary to interrupt him now. |
| [02:18.53] | ‘Sir，you forget I have given no answer. “ |
| [02:21.59] | Accept my thanks for the compliment you are paying me， |
| [02:24.96] | but it is impossible for me to accept your proposal.’ |
| [02:28.31] | ‘Of course I understand，’said Mr Collins，“ |
| [02:32.7] | ‘that young ladies often do not accept a proposal of marriage the first time. “ |
| [02:37.11] | I am therefore not at all discouraged， |
| [02:39.47] | and sincerely hope we shall be married soon.’ |
| [02:42.52] | ‘Sir，’cried Elizabeth，“ |
| [02:44.69] | ‘your hope is rather extraordinary after what I've said! “ |
| [02:48.33] | I am perfectly serious. |
| [02:50.42] | You could not make me happy， |
| [02:52.95] | and I'm convinced I'm the last woman in the world who would make you happy. |
| [02:57.30] | And I'm sure that if Lady Catherine knew me， |
| [03:00.40] | she would find me poorly qualified for the situation.’ |
| [03:03.20] | ‘If I knew Lady Catherine thought so—’“ |
| [03:07.20] | began Mr Collins，looking very worried. |
| [03:09.82] | ‘But I cannot imagine she would disapprove of you. “ |
| [03:12.38] | And when I have the honour of seeing her again， |
| [03:14.79] | I shall certainly tell her how modest，economical and practical you are.’ |
| [03:19.34] | ‘Indeed，Mr Collins，all praise of me will be unnecessary. “ |
| [03:23.75] | Pay me the compliment of believing what I say. |
| [03:26.69] | I hope you will be very happy and very rich， |
| [03:29.84] | but I cannot accept your proposal.’ |
| [03:32.14] | She got up and was going to leave the room， |
| [03:35.27] | but Mr Collins was speaking to her again. |
| [03:37.94] | ‘I am far from accusing you of cruelty in refusing me，“ |
| [03:41.54] | as I know it is the custom with elegant ladies in society |
| [03:45.0] | to refuse a gentleman the first time. |
| [03:47.48] | I hope to receive a more favourable answer next time I speak to you of marriage.’ |
| [03:52.16] | ‘Really，Mr Collins，’cried Elizabeth with some warmth，“ |
| [03:55.62] | ‘you do puzzle me! ’ “ |
| [03:57.47] | I do not know how to express my refusal so that it convinces you! |
| [04:02.13] | ‘You must allow me to flatter myself，dear cousin，“ |
| [04:05.36] | that you do not intend to refuse me for long. |
| [04:08.50] | My situation in life， |
| [04:10.7] | my connections with the de Bourgh family， |
| [04:12.29] | and my relationship to your own， |
| [04:14.58] | all make my proposal a very suitable one. |
| [04:17.68] | And you should remember that |
| [04:20.50] | in spite of your many admirable qualities， |
| [04:22.19] | it is not certain that you will receive any other offer of marriage， |
| [04:25.43] | as you have very little money of your own.’ |
| [04:28.11] | ‘Sir，thank you again for the honour you have done me，“ |
| [04:33.31] | but to accept your proposal is absolutely impossible. |
| [04:36.11] | Can I speak plainer than that? |
| [04:38.30] | Don't think of me as an elegant female， |
| [04:41.67] | but as a thinking creature speaking the truth from her heart!’ |
| [04:45.95] | ‘You are charming!he cried，“ |
| [04:48.82] | ‘and I'm sure that when both your excellent parents agree，“ |
| [04:52.42] | you will accept my proposal!’ |
| [04:54.84] | Elizabeth did not reply， |
| [04:58.0] | but left the room silently， |
| [05:00.11] | determined to ask her father， |
| [05:02.5] | if necessary， |
| [05:02.98] | to make her refusal clear to the self-deceiving Mr Collins. |
| [05:07.24] | Mrs Bennet had been waiting eagerly for |
| [05:11.74] | the end of the interview， |
| [05:14.24] | and when she saw Elizabeth leave the room， |
| [05:17.22] | she hurried into offer her congratulations to Mr Collins. |
| [05:17.68] | He received them with pleasure， |
| [05:19.74] | adding that he was sure his cousin's refusal |
| [05:21.42] | was a natural result of her modesty and delicacy of character. |
| [05:25.92] | ‘Refusal?’repeated Mrs Bennet，shocked. “ |
| [05:28.90] | ‘Lizzy refused you?Do not worry，Mr Collins. “ |
| [05:33.7] | I shall speak to her at once. |
| [05:34.98] | She's a very obstinate，foolish girl， |
| [05:37.20] | but I’ll make her accept you. |
| [05:39.19] | ‘Pardon me，madam，’cried Mr Collins，“ |
| [05:42.4] | ‘but if she's really obstinate and foolish，“ |
| [05:44.52] | I do not think she would be a suitable wife for a man in my situation.’ |
| [05:48.25] | ‘Sir，you quite misunderstand me，“ |
| [05:51.48] | ’said Mrs Bennet， alarmed. |
| [05:53.22] | ‘She's only obstinate in a matter like this. “ |
| [05:56.11] | In everything else she is very agreeable. |
| [05:58.92] | I’ll see Mr Bennet |
| [06:00.83] | and we’ll arrange it with her，I'm sure.’ |
| [06:03.4] | She did not give him time to reply， |
| [06:05.95] | but hurried to the library， |
| [06:07.64] | where she knew she would find her husband. |
| [06:09.39] | ‘Oh，Mr Bennet，we need you urgently! “ |
| [06:11.66] | We're all in such confusion! |
| [06:13.81] | You must come and make Lizzy marry Mr Collins!’ |
| [06:16.36] | Mr Bennet raised his eyes from his book as she entered， |
| [06:20.65] | and stared at her with calm unconcern、 |
| [06:22.93] | ‘I do not have the pleasure of understanding you，’“ |
| [06:25.84] | he said.‘What are you talking about?’ |
| [06:29.4] | ‘Lizzy declares she won't have him，“ |
| [06:32.69] | and if you don't hurry， |
| [06:33.51] | he’ll change his mind and not have her.’ |
| [06:35.67] | ‘So what should I do? “ |
| [06:37.88] | It seems a hopeless business.’ |
| [06:39.36] | ‘Speak to her about yourself. “ |
| [06:41.55] | Tell her you insist on her marrying him.’ |
| [06:44.21] | ‘Call her in here.She shall hear my opinion.’“ |
| [06:47.42] | Mrs Bennet gladly rang the bell， |
| [06:50.58] | and the servant brought Elizabeth into the library. |
| [06:52.75] | ‘Come here，child， |
| [06:55.7] | said her father as she appeared. |
| [06:56.99] | ‘I've sent for you on a very important matter. “ |
| [07:00.1] | I understand that Mr Collins has made you an offer of marriage， |
| [07:04.59] | and you have refused?’ |
| [07:06.2] | When Elizabeth nodded，he continued, |
| [07:09.26] | Very well. Now，your mother insists on your accepting. “ |
| [07:14.27] | Isn't that right， Mrs Bennet?’ |
| [07:16.22] | ‘Yes，or I’ll never see her again.’“ |
| [07:19.14] | ‘You now have an unhappy choice to make，Elizabeth. “ |
| [07:23.1] | From this day on， |
| [07:25.2] | you must be a stranger to one of your parents. |
| [07:27.58] | Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr Collins， |
| [07:31.86] | and I will never see you again if you do.’ |
| [07:34.63] | Elizabeth could not help smiling， |
| [07:37.51] | but Mrs Bennet，who had been sure her husband supported her， |
| [07:41.5] | was very disappointed. |
| [07:42.62] | ‘What do you mean，Mr Bennet? “ |
| [07:44.41] | You promised me you would insist on her marrying him.’ |
| [07:47.57] | ‘My dear，’replied her husband，“ |
| [07:51.24] | ‘I have two small requests to make. “ |
| [07:54.70] | First，that you will accept that I know what I promised or did not promise， |
| [08:00.80] | and secondly，that you will all leave me in peace as soon as possible.’ |
| [08:06.28] | That afternoon，Charlotte Lucas came to visit Elizabeth， |
| [08:11.51] | and found the family still in great confusion. |
| [08:14.26] | The younger girls were quite excited by the news of Mr Collins’proposal， |
| [08:17.91] | and Mrs Bennet was most annoyed with Elizabeth. |
| [08:21.42] | ‘Oh dear Miss Lucas，’cried Mrs Bennet，“ |
| [08:23.98] | can't you persuade Elizabeth to accept Mr Collins? “ |
| [08:26.81] | Nobody else wants to help me!Oh，how ill I feel! |
| [08:30.96] | And look at Lizzy now!She's so unconcerned! |
| [08:34.67] | But I tell you，Miss Lizzy， |
| [08:36.69] | if you go on refusing every offer of marriage like this， |
| [08:39.86] | you’ll never get a husband at all! |
| [08:41.75] | And I won't be able to provide for you when your father is dead，I warn you now. |
| [08:47.34] | I told you in the library that I wouldn't speak to you again，and I won't. |
| [08:51.83] | I have no pleasure in talking to an undutiful child like you. |
| [08:55.84] | Not that I have much pleasure in talking to anybody，with my headaches. |
| [09:00.76] | Nobody knows how I suffer! |
| [09:03.60] | But of course those who do not complain are never pitied.’ |
| [09:08.14] | Her daughters listened in silence， |
| [09:11.4] | aware that any attempt to calm her would only increase her annoyance. |
| [09:15.9] | Elizabeth，however，was determined not to marry Mr Collins, |
| [09:20.12] | and in the end Mrs Bennet was obliged to accept that fact. |
| [09:24.91] | When Mr Collins realized that Elizabeth had meant what she said， |
| [09:28.82] | his manner towards her became coldly and stiffly polite. |
| [09:32.49] | His long speeches and flattering compliments were transferred for the rest of the day to kind Charlotte Lucas， |
| [09:39.29] | who took on herself the trouble of listening to him， |
| [09:41.90] | for which all the Bennets were very grateful. |
| [09:44.63] | The next day a letter was delivered to Jane from Netherfield |
| [09:49.98] | Elizabeth saw her sister's expression change as she read it， |
| [09:53.72] | and when they were alone， |
| [09:55.50] | she asked about it. |
| [09:56.99] | ‘It's from Caroline Bingley，’said Jane，“ |
| [09:59.30] | ‘and it has surprised me very much. “ |
| [10:02.8] | The whole party have left Netherfield， |
| [10:04.95] | and are on their way back to London， |
| [10:06.95] | probably for the winter. |
| [10:08.68] | They may not return to Netherfield at all. |
| [10:11.22] | She says the only thing she sincerely regrets is leaving me behind in Hertfordshire， |
| [10:16.20] | and promises!to write very frequently.’ |
| [10:18.33] | Elizabeth did not trust Miss Bingley's apparent affection for Jane. |
| [10:22.39] | ‘I really don't think their departure matters very much，she said. “ |
| [10:32.6] | ‘Mr Bingley won't be kept in London by his sisters. “ |
| [10:34.94] | I'm sure he’ll be back at Netherfield soon.’ |
| [10:35.58] | ‘But perhaps he prefers to stay in London，“ |
| [10:37.30] | where many of his friends are. |
| [10:40.61] | But I haven't told you everything yet. |
| [10:41.24] | Let me read you the part which particularly hurts me—’ |
| [10:43.85] | Mr Darcy is impatient to see his sister， |
| [10:47.71] | and we confess we are also eager to see her again |
| [10:50.53] | Nobody is more beautiful，elegant or accomplished than Georgiana Darcy. |
| [10:55.45] | Louisa and I have great affection for her， |
| [10:58.34] | and hope one day to call her sister. |
| [11:00.91] | My brother admires her very much. |
| [11:03.45] | He will have frequent opportunities of seeing her， |
| [11:06.42] | and although I am his sister I must say I think |
| [11:09.61] | he is most capable of winning any woman's heart. |
| [11:12.44] | ‘What do you think of this，dear Lizzy? “ |
| [11:15.48] | Isn't it clear enough? |
| [11:16.96] | Caroline doesn't wish or expect me to become her sister-in- law; |
| [11:20.35] | she's convinced of her brother's indifference towards me， |
| [11:23.28] | and，perhaps because she suspects my feelings for him， |
| [11:26.60] | she (most kindly!)warns me that he's very likely to marry someone else!’ |
| [11:31.25] | ‘I have a totally different opinion. “ |
| [11:34.31] | Miss Bingley sees her brother is in love with you， |
| [11:36.97] | while she wants him to marry Miss Darcy. |
| [11:39.0] | We aren't rich enough or grand enough for them， |
| [11:42.18] | and she is eager to have a family connection with the Darcys， |
| [11:45.23] | so that it may be easier for her to marry Mr Darcy. |
| [11:48.58] | So she follows her brother to London， |
| [11:51.15] | hoping to keep him there， |
| [11:52.29] | and tries to persuade you |
| [11:53.93] | he doesn't care about you. |
| [11:55.30] | But of course he's in love with you!’ |
| [11:57.21] | ‘I really can't agree with you about Caroline. “ |
| [12:00.47] | I think she's incapable of deceiving anyone. |
| [12:03.25] | But Lizzy，my dear sister， |
| [12:05.35] | even if she's wrong about her brother， |
| [12:07.67] | and he does care for me， |
| [12:09.44] | could I be happy in accepting a man whose sisters and friends all wish him to marry someone else?’ |
| [12:14.78] | ‘You must decide for yourself，“ |
| [12:18.11] | and if you consider it more important to do what his sisters want，than to gain the happiness of being his wife， |
| [12:23.50] | I certainly advise you to refuse him.’ |
| [12:26.30] | ‘How can you say that?’said Jane，smiling a little. “ |
| [12:30.32] | ‘You know I wouldn't hesitate，“ |
| [12:32.23] | although I'd be sad if they disapproved of me. |
| [12:35.10] | But，oh dear，if he doesn't come back to Netherfield， |
| [12:38.61] | I’ll never have to make the decision!’ |
| [12:41.20] | But Elizabeth was sure Mr Bingley could not be kept away from Jane by his sisters， |
| [12:46.66] | and soon persuaded Jane to take a more hopeful view of the situation. |
| [12:51.24] | That day the Bennets，with Mr Collins， |
| [12:55.26] | went to dinner with the Lucas family at Lucas Lodge. |
| [12:58.38] | Again it was Charlotte who spent most of the evening listening to Mr Collins. |
| [13:02.38] | Elizabeth was very relieved， |
| [13:04.80] | and thanked her friend gratefully for the trouble she was taking. |
| [13:08.27] | But Charlotte's kindness had a particular aim， |
| [13:12.99] | which Elizabeth was unaware of. |
| [13:14.25] | Her plan was to encourage Mr Collins |
| [13:17.10] | to transfer his attentions to herself. |
| [13:19.55] | In fact， she was managing so well that， |
| [13:22.83] | when she said goodnight to him after dinner， |
| [13:25.62] | she would have felt sure of success if he had been staying in Hertfordshire for another week. |
| [13:30.66] | But she did not fully appreciate the fire and independence of his character， |
| [13:35.68] | which caused him to get up very early the next morning and escape from Longbourn House， |
| [13:39.37] | in a great hurry to reach Lucas Lodge and throw himself at her feet. |
| [13:45.72] | She did not keep him waiting for an answer， |
| [13:48.64] | and the happy couple found themselves engaged as quickly as Mr Collins’long speeches would allow. |
| [13:54.20] | Charlotte's parents were delighted to agree to the marriage， |
| [13:58.32] | and Lady Lucas began to work out，with more interest than she had ever felt before |
| [14:02.45] | how many more years Mr Bennet was likely to live. |
| [14:04.81] | Charlotte herself was quite satisfied. |
| [14:08.19] | Mr Collins，certainly， was neither sensible nor agreeable， |
| [14:12.8] | but still he would be a husband. |
| [14:15.6] | She did not think highly of men or of marriage， |
| [14:18.57] | but she had always intended to marry. |
| [14:20.93] | Although marriage might not always bring happiness， |
| [14:23.76] | it was the only honourable way in which a well-educated woman with little income could provide a home for herself. |
| [14:31.65] | Now twenty-seven， and lacking beauty， |
| [14:34.33] | she felt she was lucky to have found a husband. |
| [14:37.38] | She knew，however，that Elizabeth，whose friendship she greatly valued， |
| [14:41.92] | would be astonished and possibly disapproving. |
| [14:44.73] | So she decided to go to Longbourn House to tell her friend the news herself. |
| [14:49.56] | Elizabeth was indeed shocked at first， |
| [14:53.74] | and could not help crying out in surprise， |
| [14:55.86] | but when Charlotte explained her reasons for accepting Mr Collins， |
| [14:59.40] | Elizabeth tried hard to understand. |
| [15:01.93] | When the rest of the Bennet family heard the news，they were also astonished. |
| [15:06.73] | Mrs Bennet was quite horrified， |
| [15:08.53] | and could not stop complaining bitterly about Charlotte's wickedness， |
| [15:12.93] | Mr Collins'stupidity and Elizabeth's obstinacy. |
| [15:16.39] | Mr Bennet was much calmer， |
| [15:18.68] | only saying he was pleased to discover that Charlotte， whom he used to consider quite sensible， was as foolish as his wife， |
| [15:25.88] | and more foolish than his daughter! |
| [15:27.49] | That day was Mr Collins’last at Longbourn， |
| [15:32.58] | and he left with many speeches of thanks， |
| [15:35.11] | as well as a promise to return very soon. |
| [15:37.39] | Mr Bennet warned him to be careful |
| [15:41.63] | not to offend his patron， |
| [15:43.99] | by being absent from his duties too often， |
| [15:45.98] | but Mr Collins，although extremely grateful for this sign of Mr Bennet's cousinly affection for him， |
| [15:50.43] | was naturally eager to return to Hertfordshire， |
| [15:53.7] | to see his future wife. |
| [15:55.37] | Only two weeks later he did，in fact， |
| [15:58.89] | come back to stay at Longbourn， |
| [16:00.49] | but spent most of his time at Lucas Lodge， |
| [16:02.54] | making arrangements for the wedding.， |
| [16:04.81] | Mrs Bennet still felt very offended by him， |
| [16:08.54] | but she was now becoming anxious about something even more important— |
| [16:12.1] | Mr Bingley's continued absence. |
| [16:15.81] | Day after day had passed with no news since the arrival of Caroline Bingley’ s letter. |
| [16:20.95] | Elizabeth was now rather worried， |
| [16:23.87] | and Jane feared the worst. |
| [16:26.2] | Finally a second letter arrived from Caroline Bingley， |
| [16:30.15] | and when Jane read it， |
| [16:32.1] | she realized that all hope was over. |
| [16:34.37] | The Bingley family were staying in London for the whole winter， |
| [16:37.96] | and Georgiana Darcy was a frequent member of their circle. |
| [16:42.6] | Miss Bingley boasted joyfully of this friendship， |
| [16:45.48] | and looked forward to her brother's probable marriage to Miss Darcy. |
| [16:48.98] | Although she was deeply upset， |
| [16:51.83] | Jane bravely tried to control her feelings. |
| [16:55.20] | ‘Do not worry，Lizzy，“ |
| [16:56.79] | I shall be able to forget him in a while. |
| [16:59.79] | I have nothing to complain of， |
| [17:02.23] | as he made no promises to me. |
| [17:04.11] | I just thought he cared for me， |
| [17:06.48] | but I was wrong. |
| [17:07.95] | Luckily， no one is hurt except myself.’ |
| [17:10.29] | ‘My dear Jane!’ said Elizabeth. “ |
| [17:13.90] | ‘You are too good. “ |
| [17:15.53] | You always think the best of everybody. |
| [17:17.91] | Now I think the worst of most people， |
| [17:20.8] | and do not see much real value or common sense around me. |
| [17:23.70] | Mr Bingley， for example. |
| [17:25.34] | He may not be intending to hurt you， |
| [17:27.60] | but misery can be caused by someone being just weak and indecisive. |
| [17:32.2] | I'm convinced his sisters and his friend， Mr Darcy， are trying to influence him against you. |
| [17:37.88] | Another example is Charlotte. |
| [17:40.36] | I can't understand how she could agree to marry such a self-important， proud， silly man!’ |
| [17:45.43] | ‘Dear Lizzy，’said Jane，“ |
| [17:48.6] | ‘we must respect Charlotte's decision. “ |
| [17:50.54] | She may well be happy with Mr Collins. |
| [17:53.10] | And as for Mr Bingley， |
| [17:57.6] | we shouldn't expect a sociable young man to be so careful of his behaviour. |
| [18:00.1] | Women often imagine admiration means more than it really does.’ |
| [18:04.19] | ‘And men want that to happen.’“ |
| [18:07.49] | ‘I prefer to believe that I was mistaken in thinking he cared for me，“ |
| [18:11.40] | and that his sisters love him |
| [18:14.27] | and approve of his wish to marry Miss Darcy. |
| [18:16.41] | I don't want to think badly of him or his sisters. |
| [18:19.23] | That would be worse than anything.’ |
| [18:21.68] | Elizabeth had to accept Jane's wishes， |
| [18:25.3] | and from then on，Mr Bingley's name was seldom mentioned between them. |
| [00:01.49] | 5 Mr Collins proposes twice5 |
| [00:05.37] | At Longbourn the next day, |
| [00:09.19] | soon after breakfast, |
| [00:10.40] | Mr Collins asked Mrs Bennet |
| [00:12.79] | for permission to speak prvately to Elizabeth |
| [00:15.83] | Mrs Bennet was delighted, |
| [00:17.32] | and hurried the other girls out of the room, |
| [00:19.78] | so that Elizabeth and Mr Collins |
| [00:21.11] | were left alone together. |
| [00:23.89] | Elizabeth did not want to stay, |
| [00:26.7] | and got up to leave, |
| [00:27.25] | but after a moment' s thought, |
| [00:29.52] | sat down again quietly, |
| [00:31.60] | determined to listen and reply politely. |
| [00:34.78] | ' My dear Miss Elizabeth," |
| [00:36.39] | said Mr Collins seriously, |
| [00:38.0] | ' this little unwillingness to hear me," |
| [00:41.39] | this modesty of yours, |
| [00:42.90] | can only add to your other charms. |
| [00:45.54] | You can hardly doubt the purpose of my speech. |
| [00:49.60] | Almost as soon as I entered the house, |
| [00:52.14] | I chose you as the companion of my future life. |
| [00:55.55] | But before I am carried away by my feelings, |
| [00:58.46] | I think I should state my reasons for marrying. |
| [01:01.95] | Elizabeth was trying so hard not to laugh |
| [01:05.84] | at the idea of Mr Collins being carried away by his feelings |
| [01:09.5] | that she was unable to reply. |
| [01:11.49] | ' First,' he continued, |
| [01:14.10] | ' it is right for a priest to marry, " |
| [01:16.55] | as an example to other people |
| [01:18.67] | Secondly, I' m sure marriage will |
| [01:22.87] | add greatly to my happiness, |
| [01:25.35] | and thirdly, |
| [01:26.84] | which perhaps I should have mentioned earlier, |
| [01:29.86] | my generous patron |
| [01:31.23] | has advised me to marry. |
| [01:35.64] | " Find an active, useful sort of person," ' |
| [01:37.44] | she told me, |
| [01:38.56] | " a woman who can make a small income go a long way. ' |
| [01:41.99] | Bring her to Hunsford as your wife, |
| [01:44.69] | and I' ll visit her." |
| [01:46.31] | So I decided to choose a wife from among my Bennet cousins, |
| [01:50.50] | to lessen the loss to the family when the sad event of your father' s death takes place. |
| [01:55.39] | I flatter myself that you will appreciate my motives. |
| [01:58.54] | And now, nothing remains |
| [02:01.38] | but to convince you of the violence of my affection. |
| [02:04.56] | I am quite indifferent to the fact that you bring little money with you into our marringe, |
| [02:10.6] | and promise you that |
| [02:11.42] | I shall make no ungenerous reference to this after we are married.' |
| [02:14.62] | It was absolutely necessary to interrupt him now. |
| [02:18.53] | ' Sir, you forget I have given no answer. " |
| [02:21.59] | Accept my thanks for the compliment you are paying me, |
| [02:24.96] | but it is impossible for me to accept your proposal.' |
| [02:28.31] | ' Of course I understand,' said Mr Collins," |
| [02:32.7] | ' that young ladies often do not accept a proposal of marriage the first time. " |
| [02:37.11] | I am therefore not at all discouraged, |
| [02:39.47] | and sincerely hope we shall be married soon.' |
| [02:42.52] | ' Sir,' cried Elizabeth," |
| [02:44.69] | ' your hope is rather extraordinary after what I' ve said! " |
| [02:48.33] | I am perfectly serious. |
| [02:50.42] | You could not make me happy, |
| [02:52.95] | and I' m convinced I' m the last woman in the world who would make you happy. |
| [02:57.30] | And I' m sure that if Lady Catherine knew me, |
| [03:00.40] | she would find me poorly qualified for the situation.' |
| [03:03.20] | ' If I knew Lady Catherine thought so'" |
| [03:07.20] | began Mr Collins, looking very worried. |
| [03:09.82] | ' But I cannot imagine she would disapprove of you. " |
| [03:12.38] | And when I have the honour of seeing her again, |
| [03:14.79] | I shall certainly tell her how modest, economical and practical you are.' |
| [03:19.34] | ' Indeed, Mr Collins, all praise of me will be unnecessary. " |
| [03:23.75] | Pay me the compliment of believing what I say. |
| [03:26.69] | I hope you will be very happy and very rich, |
| [03:29.84] | but I cannot accept your proposal.' |
| [03:32.14] | She got up and was going to leave the room, |
| [03:35.27] | but Mr Collins was speaking to her again. |
| [03:37.94] | ' I am far from accusing you of cruelty in refusing me," |
| [03:41.54] | as I know it is the custom with elegant ladies in society |
| [03:45.0] | to refuse a gentleman the first time. |
| [03:47.48] | I hope to receive a more favourable answer next time I speak to you of marriage.' |
| [03:52.16] | ' Really, Mr Collins,' cried Elizabeth with some warmth," |
| [03:55.62] | ' you do puzzle me! ' " |
| [03:57.47] | I do not know how to express my refusal so that it convinces you! |
| [04:02.13] | ' You must allow me to flatter myself, dear cousin," |
| [04:05.36] | that you do not intend to refuse me for long. |
| [04:08.50] | My situation in life, |
| [04:10.7] | my connections with the de Bourgh family, |
| [04:12.29] | and my relationship to your own, |
| [04:14.58] | all make my proposal a very suitable one. |
| [04:17.68] | And you should remember that |
| [04:20.50] | in spite of your many admirable qualities, |
| [04:22.19] | it is not certain that you will receive any other offer of marriage, |
| [04:25.43] | as you have very little money of your own.' |
| [04:28.11] | ' Sir, thank you again for the honour you have done me," |
| [04:33.31] | but to accept your proposal is absolutely impossible. |
| [04:36.11] | Can I speak plainer than that? |
| [04:38.30] | Don' t think of me as an elegant female, |
| [04:41.67] | but as a thinking creature speaking the truth from her heart!' |
| [04:45.95] | ' You are charming! he cried," |
| [04:48.82] | ' and I' m sure that when both your excellent parents agree," |
| [04:52.42] | you will accept my proposal!' |
| [04:54.84] | Elizabeth did not reply, |
| [04:58.0] | but left the room silently, |
| [05:00.11] | determined to ask her father, |
| [05:02.5] | if necessary, |
| [05:02.98] | to make her refusal clear to the selfdeceiving Mr Collins. |
| [05:07.24] | Mrs Bennet had been waiting eagerly for |
| [05:11.74] | the end of the interview, |
| [05:14.24] | and when she saw Elizabeth leave the room, |
| [05:17.22] | she hurried into offer her congratulations to Mr Collins. |
| [05:17.68] | He received them with pleasure, |
| [05:19.74] | adding that he was sure his cousin' s refusal |
| [05:21.42] | was a natural result of her modesty and delicacy of character. |
| [05:25.92] | ' Refusal?' repeated Mrs Bennet, shocked. " |
| [05:28.90] | ' Lizzy refused you? Do not worry, Mr Collins. " |
| [05:33.7] | I shall speak to her at once. |
| [05:34.98] | She' s a very obstinate, foolish girl, |
| [05:37.20] | but I' ll make her accept you. |
| [05:39.19] | ' Pardon me, madam,' cried Mr Collins," |
| [05:42.4] | ' but if she' s really obstinate and foolish," |
| [05:44.52] | I do not think she would be a suitable wife for a man in my situation.' |
| [05:48.25] | ' Sir, you quite misunderstand me," |
| [05:51.48] | ' said Mrs Bennet, alarmed. |
| [05:53.22] | ' She' s only obstinate in a matter like this. " |
| [05:56.11] | In everything else she is very agreeable. |
| [05:58.92] | I' ll see Mr Bennet |
| [06:00.83] | and we' ll arrange it with her, I' m sure.' |
| [06:03.4] | She did not give him time to reply, |
| [06:05.95] | but hurried to the library, |
| [06:07.64] | where she knew she would find her husband. |
| [06:09.39] | ' Oh, Mr Bennet, we need you urgently! " |
| [06:11.66] | We' re all in such confusion! |
| [06:13.81] | You must come and make Lizzy marry Mr Collins!' |
| [06:16.36] | Mr Bennet raised his eyes from his book as she entered, |
| [06:20.65] | and stared at her with calm unconcern |
| [06:22.93] | ' I do not have the pleasure of understanding you,'" |
| [06:25.84] | he said.' What are you talking about?' |
| [06:29.4] | ' Lizzy declares she won' t have him," |
| [06:32.69] | and if you don' t hurry, |
| [06:33.51] | he' ll change his mind and not have her.' |
| [06:35.67] | ' So what should I do? " |
| [06:37.88] | It seems a hopeless business.' |
| [06:39.36] | ' Speak to her about yourself. " |
| [06:41.55] | Tell her you insist on her marrying him.' |
| [06:44.21] | ' Call her in here. She shall hear my opinion.'" |
| [06:47.42] | Mrs Bennet gladly rang the bell, |
| [06:50.58] | and the servant brought Elizabeth into the library. |
| [06:52.75] | ' Come here, child, |
| [06:55.7] | said her father as she appeared. |
| [06:56.99] | ' I' ve sent for you on a very important matter. " |
| [07:00.1] | I understand that Mr Collins has made you an offer of marriage, |
| [07:04.59] | and you have refused?' |
| [07:06.2] | When Elizabeth nodded, he continued, |
| [07:09.26] | Very well. Now, your mother insists on your accepting. " |
| [07:14.27] | Isn' t that right, Mrs Bennet?' |
| [07:16.22] | ' Yes, or I' ll never see her again.'" |
| [07:19.14] | ' You now have an unhappy choice to make, Elizabeth. " |
| [07:23.1] | From this day on, |
| [07:25.2] | you must be a stranger to one of your parents. |
| [07:27.58] | Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr Collins, |
| [07:31.86] | and I will never see you again if you do.' |
| [07:34.63] | Elizabeth could not help smiling, |
| [07:37.51] | but Mrs Bennet, who had been sure her husband supported her, |
| [07:41.5] | was very disappointed. |
| [07:42.62] | ' What do you mean, Mr Bennet? " |
| [07:44.41] | You promised me you would insist on her marrying him.' |
| [07:47.57] | ' My dear,' replied her husband," |
| [07:51.24] | ' I have two small requests to make. " |
| [07:54.70] | First, that you will accept that I know what I promised or did not promise, |
| [08:00.80] | and secondly, that you will all leave me in peace as soon as possible.' |
| [08:06.28] | That afternoon, Charlotte Lucas came to visit Elizabeth, |
| [08:11.51] | and found the family still in great confusion. |
| [08:14.26] | The younger girls were quite excited by the news of Mr Collins' proposal, |
| [08:17.91] | and Mrs Bennet was most annoyed with Elizabeth. |
| [08:21.42] | ' Oh dear Miss Lucas,' cried Mrs Bennet," |
| [08:23.98] | can' t you persuade Elizabeth to accept Mr Collins? " |
| [08:26.81] | Nobody else wants to help me! Oh, how ill I feel! |
| [08:30.96] | And look at Lizzy now! She' s so unconcerned! |
| [08:34.67] | But I tell you, Miss Lizzy, |
| [08:36.69] | if you go on refusing every offer of marriage like this, |
| [08:39.86] | you' ll never get a husband at all! |
| [08:41.75] | And I won' t be able to provide for you when your father is dead, I warn you now. |
| [08:47.34] | I told you in the library that I wouldn' t speak to you again, and I won' t. |
| [08:51.83] | I have no pleasure in talking to an undutiful child like you. |
| [08:55.84] | Not that I have much pleasure in talking to anybody, with my headaches. |
| [09:00.76] | Nobody knows how I suffer! |
| [09:03.60] | But of course those who do not complain are never pitied.' |
| [09:08.14] | Her daughters listened in silence, |
| [09:11.4] | aware that any attempt to calm her would only increase her annoyance. |
| [09:15.9] | Elizabeth, however, was determined not to marry Mr Collins, |
| [09:20.12] | and in the end Mrs Bennet was obliged to accept that fact. |
| [09:24.91] | When Mr Collins realized that Elizabeth had meant what she said, |
| [09:28.82] | his manner towards her became coldly and stiffly polite. |
| [09:32.49] | His long speeches and flattering compliments were transferred for the rest of the day to kind Charlotte Lucas, |
| [09:39.29] | who took on herself the trouble of listening to him, |
| [09:41.90] | for which all the Bennets were very grateful. |
| [09:44.63] | The next day a letter was delivered to Jane from Netherfield |
| [09:49.98] | Elizabeth saw her sister' s expression change as she read it, |
| [09:53.72] | and when they were alone, |
| [09:55.50] | she asked about it. |
| [09:56.99] | ' It' s from Caroline Bingley,' said Jane," |
| [09:59.30] | ' and it has surprised me very much. " |
| [10:02.8] | The whole party have left Netherfield, |
| [10:04.95] | and are on their way back to London, |
| [10:06.95] | probably for the winter. |
| [10:08.68] | They may not return to Netherfield at all. |
| [10:11.22] | She says the only thing she sincerely regrets is leaving me behind in Hertfordshire, |
| [10:16.20] | and promises! to write very frequently.' |
| [10:18.33] | Elizabeth did not trust Miss Bingley' s apparent affection for Jane. |
| [10:22.39] | ' I really don' t think their departure matters very much, she said. " |
| [10:32.6] | ' Mr Bingley won' t be kept in London by his sisters. " |
| [10:34.94] | I' m sure he' ll be back at Netherfield soon.' |
| [10:35.58] | ' But perhaps he prefers to stay in London," |
| [10:37.30] | where many of his friends are. |
| [10:40.61] | But I haven' t told you everything yet. |
| [10:41.24] | Let me read you the part which particularly hurts me' |
| [10:43.85] | Mr Darcy is impatient to see his sister, |
| [10:47.71] | and we confess we are also eager to see her again |
| [10:50.53] | Nobody is more beautiful, elegant or accomplished than Georgiana Darcy. |
| [10:55.45] | Louisa and I have great affection for her, |
| [10:58.34] | and hope one day to call her sister. |
| [11:00.91] | My brother admires her very much. |
| [11:03.45] | He will have frequent opportunities of seeing her, |
| [11:06.42] | and although I am his sister I must say I think |
| [11:09.61] | he is most capable of winning any woman' s heart. |
| [11:12.44] | ' What do you think of this, dear Lizzy? " |
| [11:15.48] | Isn' t it clear enough? |
| [11:16.96] | Caroline doesn' t wish or expect me to become her sisterin law |
| [11:20.35] | she' s convinced of her brother' s indifference towards me, |
| [11:23.28] | and, perhaps because she suspects my feelings for him, |
| [11:26.60] | she most kindly! warns me that he' s very likely to marry someone else!' |
| [11:31.25] | ' I have a totally different opinion. " |
| [11:34.31] | Miss Bingley sees her brother is in love with you, |
| [11:36.97] | while she wants him to marry Miss Darcy. |
| [11:39.0] | We aren' t rich enough or grand enough for them, |
| [11:42.18] | and she is eager to have a family connection with the Darcys, |
| [11:45.23] | so that it may be easier for her to marry Mr Darcy. |
| [11:48.58] | So she follows her brother to London, |
| [11:51.15] | hoping to keep him there, |
| [11:52.29] | and tries to persuade you |
| [11:53.93] | he doesn' t care about you. |
| [11:55.30] | But of course he' s in love with you!' |
| [11:57.21] | ' I really can' t agree with you about Caroline. " |
| [12:00.47] | I think she' s incapable of deceiving anyone. |
| [12:03.25] | But Lizzy, my dear sister, |
| [12:05.35] | even if she' s wrong about her brother, |
| [12:07.67] | and he does care for me, |
| [12:09.44] | could I be happy in accepting a man whose sisters and friends all wish him to marry someone else?' |
| [12:14.78] | ' You must decide for yourself," |
| [12:18.11] | and if you consider it more important to do what his sisters want, than to gain the happiness of being his wife, |
| [12:23.50] | I certainly advise you to refuse him.' |
| [12:26.30] | ' How can you say that?' said Jane, smiling a little. " |
| [12:30.32] | ' You know I wouldn' t hesitate," |
| [12:32.23] | although I' d be sad if they disapproved of me. |
| [12:35.10] | But, oh dear, if he doesn' t come back to Netherfield, |
| [12:38.61] | I' ll never have to make the decision!' |
| [12:41.20] | But Elizabeth was sure Mr Bingley could not be kept away from Jane by his sisters, |
| [12:46.66] | and soon persuaded Jane to take a more hopeful view of the situation. |
| [12:51.24] | That day the Bennets, with Mr Collins, |
| [12:55.26] | went to dinner with the Lucas family at Lucas Lodge. |
| [12:58.38] | Again it was Charlotte who spent most of the evening listening to Mr Collins. |
| [13:02.38] | Elizabeth was very relieved, |
| [13:04.80] | and thanked her friend gratefully for the trouble she was taking. |
| [13:08.27] | But Charlotte' s kindness had a particular aim, |
| [13:12.99] | which Elizabeth was unaware of. |
| [13:14.25] | Her plan was to encourage Mr Collins |
| [13:17.10] | to transfer his attentions to herself. |
| [13:19.55] | In fact, she was managing so well that, |
| [13:22.83] | when she said goodnight to him after dinner, |
| [13:25.62] | she would have felt sure of success if he had been staying in Hertfordshire for another week. |
| [13:30.66] | But she did not fully appreciate the fire and independence of his character, |
| [13:35.68] | which caused him to get up very early the next morning and escape from Longbourn House, |
| [13:39.37] | in a great hurry to reach Lucas Lodge and throw himself at her feet. |
| [13:45.72] | She did not keep him waiting for an answer, |
| [13:48.64] | and the happy couple found themselves engaged as quickly as Mr Collins' long speeches would allow. |
| [13:54.20] | Charlotte' s parents were delighted to agree to the marriage, |
| [13:58.32] | and Lady Lucas began to work out, with more interest than she had ever felt before |
| [14:02.45] | how many more years Mr Bennet was likely to live. |
| [14:04.81] | Charlotte herself was quite satisfied. |
| [14:08.19] | Mr Collins, certainly, was neither sensible nor agreeable, |
| [14:12.8] | but still he would be a husband. |
| [14:15.6] | She did not think highly of men or of marriage, |
| [14:18.57] | but she had always intended to marry. |
| [14:20.93] | Although marriage might not always bring happiness, |
| [14:23.76] | it was the only honourable way in which a welleducated woman with little income could provide a home for herself. |
| [14:31.65] | Now twentyseven, and lacking beauty, |
| [14:34.33] | she felt she was lucky to have found a husband. |
| [14:37.38] | She knew, however, that Elizabeth, whose friendship she greatly valued, |
| [14:41.92] | would be astonished and possibly disapproving. |
| [14:44.73] | So she decided to go to Longbourn House to tell her friend the news herself. |
| [14:49.56] | Elizabeth was indeed shocked at first, |
| [14:53.74] | and could not help crying out in surprise, |
| [14:55.86] | but when Charlotte explained her reasons for accepting Mr Collins, |
| [14:59.40] | Elizabeth tried hard to understand. |
| [15:01.93] | When the rest of the Bennet family heard the news, they were also astonished. |
| [15:06.73] | Mrs Bennet was quite horrified, |
| [15:08.53] | and could not stop complaining bitterly about Charlotte' s wickedness, |
| [15:12.93] | Mr Collins' stupidity and Elizabeth' s obstinacy. |
| [15:16.39] | Mr Bennet was much calmer, |
| [15:18.68] | only saying he was pleased to discover that Charlotte, whom he used to consider quite sensible, was as foolish as his wife, |
| [15:25.88] | and more foolish than his daughter! |
| [15:27.49] | That day was Mr Collins' last at Longbourn, |
| [15:32.58] | and he left with many speeches of thanks, |
| [15:35.11] | as well as a promise to return very soon. |
| [15:37.39] | Mr Bennet warned him to be careful |
| [15:41.63] | not to offend his patron, |
| [15:43.99] | by being absent from his duties too often, |
| [15:45.98] | but Mr Collins, although extremely grateful for this sign of Mr Bennet' s cousinly affection for him, |
| [15:50.43] | was naturally eager to return to Hertfordshire, |
| [15:53.7] | to see his future wife. |
| [15:55.37] | Only two weeks later he did, in fact, |
| [15:58.89] | come back to stay at Longbourn, |
| [16:00.49] | but spent most of his time at Lucas Lodge, |
| [16:02.54] | making arrangements for the wedding., |
| [16:04.81] | Mrs Bennet still felt very offended by him, |
| [16:08.54] | but she was now becoming anxious about something even more important |
| [16:12.1] | Mr Bingley' s continued absence. |
| [16:15.81] | Day after day had passed with no news since the arrival of Caroline Bingley' s letter. |
| [16:20.95] | Elizabeth was now rather worried, |
| [16:23.87] | and Jane feared the worst. |
| [16:26.2] | Finally a second letter arrived from Caroline Bingley, |
| [16:30.15] | and when Jane read it, |
| [16:32.1] | she realized that all hope was over. |
| [16:34.37] | The Bingley family were staying in London for the whole winter, |
| [16:37.96] | and Georgiana Darcy was a frequent member of their circle. |
| [16:42.6] | Miss Bingley boasted joyfully of this friendship, |
| [16:45.48] | and looked forward to her brother' s probable marriage to Miss Darcy. |
| [16:48.98] | Although she was deeply upset, |
| [16:51.83] | Jane bravely tried to control her feelings. |
| [16:55.20] | ' Do not worry, Lizzy," |
| [16:56.79] | I shall be able to forget him in a while. |
| [16:59.79] | I have nothing to complain of, |
| [17:02.23] | as he made no promises to me. |
| [17:04.11] | I just thought he cared for me, |
| [17:06.48] | but I was wrong. |
| [17:07.95] | Luckily, no one is hurt except myself.' |
| [17:10.29] | ' My dear Jane!' said Elizabeth. " |
| [17:13.90] | ' You are too good. " |
| [17:15.53] | You always think the best of everybody. |
| [17:17.91] | Now I think the worst of most people, |
| [17:20.8] | and do not see much real value or common sense around me. |
| [17:23.70] | Mr Bingley, for example. |
| [17:25.34] | He may not be intending to hurt you, |
| [17:27.60] | but misery can be caused by someone being just weak and indecisive. |
| [17:32.2] | I' m convinced his sisters and his friend, Mr Darcy, are trying to influence him against you. |
| [17:37.88] | Another example is Charlotte. |
| [17:40.36] | I can' t understand how she could agree to marry such a selfimportant, proud, silly man!' |
| [17:45.43] | ' Dear Lizzy,' said Jane," |
| [17:48.6] | ' we must respect Charlotte' s decision. " |
| [17:50.54] | She may well be happy with Mr Collins. |
| [17:53.10] | And as for Mr Bingley, |
| [17:57.6] | we shouldn' t expect a sociable young man to be so careful of his behaviour. |
| [18:00.1] | Women often imagine admiration means more than it really does.' |
| [18:04.19] | ' And men want that to happen.'" |
| [18:07.49] | ' I prefer to believe that I was mistaken in thinking he cared for me," |
| [18:11.40] | and that his sisters love him |
| [18:14.27] | and approve of his wish to marry Miss Darcy. |
| [18:16.41] | I don' t want to think badly of him or his sisters. |
| [18:19.23] | That would be worse than anything.' |
| [18:21.68] | Elizabeth had to accept Jane' s wishes, |
| [18:25.3] | and from then on, Mr Bingley' s name was seldom mentioned between them. |
| [00:01.49] | 5 Mr Collins proposes twice5 |
| [00:05.37] | At Longbourn the next day, |
| [00:09.19] | soon after breakfast, |
| [00:10.40] | Mr Collins asked Mrs Bennet |
| [00:12.79] | for permission to speak prvately to Elizabeth |
| [00:15.83] | Mrs Bennet was delighted, |
| [00:17.32] | and hurried the other girls out of the room, |
| [00:19.78] | so that Elizabeth and Mr Collins |
| [00:21.11] | were left alone together. |
| [00:23.89] | Elizabeth did not want to stay, |
| [00:26.7] | and got up to leave, |
| [00:27.25] | but after a moment' s thought, |
| [00:29.52] | sat down again quietly, |
| [00:31.60] | determined to listen and reply politely. |
| [00:34.78] | ' My dear Miss Elizabeth," |
| [00:36.39] | said Mr Collins seriously, |
| [00:38.0] | ' this little unwillingness to hear me," |
| [00:41.39] | this modesty of yours, |
| [00:42.90] | can only add to your other charms. |
| [00:45.54] | You can hardly doubt the purpose of my speech. |
| [00:49.60] | Almost as soon as I entered the house, |
| [00:52.14] | I chose you as the companion of my future life. |
| [00:55.55] | But before I am carried away by my feelings, |
| [00:58.46] | I think I should state my reasons for marrying. |
| [01:01.95] | Elizabeth was trying so hard not to laugh |
| [01:05.84] | at the idea of Mr Collins being carried away by his feelings |
| [01:09.5] | that she was unable to reply. |
| [01:11.49] | ' First,' he continued, |
| [01:14.10] | ' it is right for a priest to marry, " |
| [01:16.55] | as an example to other people |
| [01:18.67] | Secondly, I' m sure marriage will |
| [01:22.87] | add greatly to my happiness, |
| [01:25.35] | and thirdly, |
| [01:26.84] | which perhaps I should have mentioned earlier, |
| [01:29.86] | my generous patron |
| [01:31.23] | has advised me to marry. |
| [01:35.64] | " Find an active, useful sort of person," ' |
| [01:37.44] | she told me, |
| [01:38.56] | " a woman who can make a small income go a long way. ' |
| [01:41.99] | Bring her to Hunsford as your wife, |
| [01:44.69] | and I' ll visit her." |
| [01:46.31] | So I decided to choose a wife from among my Bennet cousins, |
| [01:50.50] | to lessen the loss to the family when the sad event of your father' s death takes place. |
| [01:55.39] | I flatter myself that you will appreciate my motives. |
| [01:58.54] | And now, nothing remains |
| [02:01.38] | but to convince you of the violence of my affection. |
| [02:04.56] | I am quite indifferent to the fact that you bring little money with you into our marringe, |
| [02:10.6] | and promise you that |
| [02:11.42] | I shall make no ungenerous reference to this after we are married.' |
| [02:14.62] | It was absolutely necessary to interrupt him now. |
| [02:18.53] | ' Sir, you forget I have given no answer. " |
| [02:21.59] | Accept my thanks for the compliment you are paying me, |
| [02:24.96] | but it is impossible for me to accept your proposal.' |
| [02:28.31] | ' Of course I understand,' said Mr Collins," |
| [02:32.7] | ' that young ladies often do not accept a proposal of marriage the first time. " |
| [02:37.11] | I am therefore not at all discouraged, |
| [02:39.47] | and sincerely hope we shall be married soon.' |
| [02:42.52] | ' Sir,' cried Elizabeth," |
| [02:44.69] | ' your hope is rather extraordinary after what I' ve said! " |
| [02:48.33] | I am perfectly serious. |
| [02:50.42] | You could not make me happy, |
| [02:52.95] | and I' m convinced I' m the last woman in the world who would make you happy. |
| [02:57.30] | And I' m sure that if Lady Catherine knew me, |
| [03:00.40] | she would find me poorly qualified for the situation.' |
| [03:03.20] | ' If I knew Lady Catherine thought so'" |
| [03:07.20] | began Mr Collins, looking very worried. |
| [03:09.82] | ' But I cannot imagine she would disapprove of you. " |
| [03:12.38] | And when I have the honour of seeing her again, |
| [03:14.79] | I shall certainly tell her how modest, economical and practical you are.' |
| [03:19.34] | ' Indeed, Mr Collins, all praise of me will be unnecessary. " |
| [03:23.75] | Pay me the compliment of believing what I say. |
| [03:26.69] | I hope you will be very happy and very rich, |
| [03:29.84] | but I cannot accept your proposal.' |
| [03:32.14] | She got up and was going to leave the room, |
| [03:35.27] | but Mr Collins was speaking to her again. |
| [03:37.94] | ' I am far from accusing you of cruelty in refusing me," |
| [03:41.54] | as I know it is the custom with elegant ladies in society |
| [03:45.0] | to refuse a gentleman the first time. |
| [03:47.48] | I hope to receive a more favourable answer next time I speak to you of marriage.' |
| [03:52.16] | ' Really, Mr Collins,' cried Elizabeth with some warmth," |
| [03:55.62] | ' you do puzzle me! ' " |
| [03:57.47] | I do not know how to express my refusal so that it convinces you! |
| [04:02.13] | ' You must allow me to flatter myself, dear cousin," |
| [04:05.36] | that you do not intend to refuse me for long. |
| [04:08.50] | My situation in life, |
| [04:10.7] | my connections with the de Bourgh family, |
| [04:12.29] | and my relationship to your own, |
| [04:14.58] | all make my proposal a very suitable one. |
| [04:17.68] | And you should remember that |
| [04:20.50] | in spite of your many admirable qualities, |
| [04:22.19] | it is not certain that you will receive any other offer of marriage, |
| [04:25.43] | as you have very little money of your own.' |
| [04:28.11] | ' Sir, thank you again for the honour you have done me," |
| [04:33.31] | but to accept your proposal is absolutely impossible. |
| [04:36.11] | Can I speak plainer than that? |
| [04:38.30] | Don' t think of me as an elegant female, |
| [04:41.67] | but as a thinking creature speaking the truth from her heart!' |
| [04:45.95] | ' You are charming! he cried," |
| [04:48.82] | ' and I' m sure that when both your excellent parents agree," |
| [04:52.42] | you will accept my proposal!' |
| [04:54.84] | Elizabeth did not reply, |
| [04:58.0] | but left the room silently, |
| [05:00.11] | determined to ask her father, |
| [05:02.5] | if necessary, |
| [05:02.98] | to make her refusal clear to the selfdeceiving Mr Collins. |
| [05:07.24] | Mrs Bennet had been waiting eagerly for |
| [05:11.74] | the end of the interview, |
| [05:14.24] | and when she saw Elizabeth leave the room, |
| [05:17.22] | she hurried into offer her congratulations to Mr Collins. |
| [05:17.68] | He received them with pleasure, |
| [05:19.74] | adding that he was sure his cousin' s refusal |
| [05:21.42] | was a natural result of her modesty and delicacy of character. |
| [05:25.92] | ' Refusal?' repeated Mrs Bennet, shocked. " |
| [05:28.90] | ' Lizzy refused you? Do not worry, Mr Collins. " |
| [05:33.7] | I shall speak to her at once. |
| [05:34.98] | She' s a very obstinate, foolish girl, |
| [05:37.20] | but I' ll make her accept you. |
| [05:39.19] | ' Pardon me, madam,' cried Mr Collins," |
| [05:42.4] | ' but if she' s really obstinate and foolish," |
| [05:44.52] | I do not think she would be a suitable wife for a man in my situation.' |
| [05:48.25] | ' Sir, you quite misunderstand me," |
| [05:51.48] | ' said Mrs Bennet, alarmed. |
| [05:53.22] | ' She' s only obstinate in a matter like this. " |
| [05:56.11] | In everything else she is very agreeable. |
| [05:58.92] | I' ll see Mr Bennet |
| [06:00.83] | and we' ll arrange it with her, I' m sure.' |
| [06:03.4] | She did not give him time to reply, |
| [06:05.95] | but hurried to the library, |
| [06:07.64] | where she knew she would find her husband. |
| [06:09.39] | ' Oh, Mr Bennet, we need you urgently! " |
| [06:11.66] | We' re all in such confusion! |
| [06:13.81] | You must come and make Lizzy marry Mr Collins!' |
| [06:16.36] | Mr Bennet raised his eyes from his book as she entered, |
| [06:20.65] | and stared at her with calm unconcern |
| [06:22.93] | ' I do not have the pleasure of understanding you,'" |
| [06:25.84] | he said.' What are you talking about?' |
| [06:29.4] | ' Lizzy declares she won' t have him," |
| [06:32.69] | and if you don' t hurry, |
| [06:33.51] | he' ll change his mind and not have her.' |
| [06:35.67] | ' So what should I do? " |
| [06:37.88] | It seems a hopeless business.' |
| [06:39.36] | ' Speak to her about yourself. " |
| [06:41.55] | Tell her you insist on her marrying him.' |
| [06:44.21] | ' Call her in here. She shall hear my opinion.'" |
| [06:47.42] | Mrs Bennet gladly rang the bell, |
| [06:50.58] | and the servant brought Elizabeth into the library. |
| [06:52.75] | ' Come here, child, |
| [06:55.7] | said her father as she appeared. |
| [06:56.99] | ' I' ve sent for you on a very important matter. " |
| [07:00.1] | I understand that Mr Collins has made you an offer of marriage, |
| [07:04.59] | and you have refused?' |
| [07:06.2] | When Elizabeth nodded, he continued, |
| [07:09.26] | Very well. Now, your mother insists on your accepting. " |
| [07:14.27] | Isn' t that right, Mrs Bennet?' |
| [07:16.22] | ' Yes, or I' ll never see her again.'" |
| [07:19.14] | ' You now have an unhappy choice to make, Elizabeth. " |
| [07:23.1] | From this day on, |
| [07:25.2] | you must be a stranger to one of your parents. |
| [07:27.58] | Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr Collins, |
| [07:31.86] | and I will never see you again if you do.' |
| [07:34.63] | Elizabeth could not help smiling, |
| [07:37.51] | but Mrs Bennet, who had been sure her husband supported her, |
| [07:41.5] | was very disappointed. |
| [07:42.62] | ' What do you mean, Mr Bennet? " |
| [07:44.41] | You promised me you would insist on her marrying him.' |
| [07:47.57] | ' My dear,' replied her husband," |
| [07:51.24] | ' I have two small requests to make. " |
| [07:54.70] | First, that you will accept that I know what I promised or did not promise, |
| [08:00.80] | and secondly, that you will all leave me in peace as soon as possible.' |
| [08:06.28] | That afternoon, Charlotte Lucas came to visit Elizabeth, |
| [08:11.51] | and found the family still in great confusion. |
| [08:14.26] | The younger girls were quite excited by the news of Mr Collins' proposal, |
| [08:17.91] | and Mrs Bennet was most annoyed with Elizabeth. |
| [08:21.42] | ' Oh dear Miss Lucas,' cried Mrs Bennet," |
| [08:23.98] | can' t you persuade Elizabeth to accept Mr Collins? " |
| [08:26.81] | Nobody else wants to help me! Oh, how ill I feel! |
| [08:30.96] | And look at Lizzy now! She' s so unconcerned! |
| [08:34.67] | But I tell you, Miss Lizzy, |
| [08:36.69] | if you go on refusing every offer of marriage like this, |
| [08:39.86] | you' ll never get a husband at all! |
| [08:41.75] | And I won' t be able to provide for you when your father is dead, I warn you now. |
| [08:47.34] | I told you in the library that I wouldn' t speak to you again, and I won' t. |
| [08:51.83] | I have no pleasure in talking to an undutiful child like you. |
| [08:55.84] | Not that I have much pleasure in talking to anybody, with my headaches. |
| [09:00.76] | Nobody knows how I suffer! |
| [09:03.60] | But of course those who do not complain are never pitied.' |
| [09:08.14] | Her daughters listened in silence, |
| [09:11.4] | aware that any attempt to calm her would only increase her annoyance. |
| [09:15.9] | Elizabeth, however, was determined not to marry Mr Collins, |
| [09:20.12] | and in the end Mrs Bennet was obliged to accept that fact. |
| [09:24.91] | When Mr Collins realized that Elizabeth had meant what she said, |
| [09:28.82] | his manner towards her became coldly and stiffly polite. |
| [09:32.49] | His long speeches and flattering compliments were transferred for the rest of the day to kind Charlotte Lucas, |
| [09:39.29] | who took on herself the trouble of listening to him, |
| [09:41.90] | for which all the Bennets were very grateful. |
| [09:44.63] | The next day a letter was delivered to Jane from Netherfield |
| [09:49.98] | Elizabeth saw her sister' s expression change as she read it, |
| [09:53.72] | and when they were alone, |
| [09:55.50] | she asked about it. |
| [09:56.99] | ' It' s from Caroline Bingley,' said Jane," |
| [09:59.30] | ' and it has surprised me very much. " |
| [10:02.8] | The whole party have left Netherfield, |
| [10:04.95] | and are on their way back to London, |
| [10:06.95] | probably for the winter. |
| [10:08.68] | They may not return to Netherfield at all. |
| [10:11.22] | She says the only thing she sincerely regrets is leaving me behind in Hertfordshire, |
| [10:16.20] | and promises! to write very frequently.' |
| [10:18.33] | Elizabeth did not trust Miss Bingley' s apparent affection for Jane. |
| [10:22.39] | ' I really don' t think their departure matters very much, she said. " |
| [10:32.6] | ' Mr Bingley won' t be kept in London by his sisters. " |
| [10:34.94] | I' m sure he' ll be back at Netherfield soon.' |
| [10:35.58] | ' But perhaps he prefers to stay in London," |
| [10:37.30] | where many of his friends are. |
| [10:40.61] | But I haven' t told you everything yet. |
| [10:41.24] | Let me read you the part which particularly hurts me' |
| [10:43.85] | Mr Darcy is impatient to see his sister, |
| [10:47.71] | and we confess we are also eager to see her again |
| [10:50.53] | Nobody is more beautiful, elegant or accomplished than Georgiana Darcy. |
| [10:55.45] | Louisa and I have great affection for her, |
| [10:58.34] | and hope one day to call her sister. |
| [11:00.91] | My brother admires her very much. |
| [11:03.45] | He will have frequent opportunities of seeing her, |
| [11:06.42] | and although I am his sister I must say I think |
| [11:09.61] | he is most capable of winning any woman' s heart. |
| [11:12.44] | ' What do you think of this, dear Lizzy? " |
| [11:15.48] | Isn' t it clear enough? |
| [11:16.96] | Caroline doesn' t wish or expect me to become her sisterin law |
| [11:20.35] | she' s convinced of her brother' s indifference towards me, |
| [11:23.28] | and, perhaps because she suspects my feelings for him, |
| [11:26.60] | she most kindly! warns me that he' s very likely to marry someone else!' |
| [11:31.25] | ' I have a totally different opinion. " |
| [11:34.31] | Miss Bingley sees her brother is in love with you, |
| [11:36.97] | while she wants him to marry Miss Darcy. |
| [11:39.0] | We aren' t rich enough or grand enough for them, |
| [11:42.18] | and she is eager to have a family connection with the Darcys, |
| [11:45.23] | so that it may be easier for her to marry Mr Darcy. |
| [11:48.58] | So she follows her brother to London, |
| [11:51.15] | hoping to keep him there, |
| [11:52.29] | and tries to persuade you |
| [11:53.93] | he doesn' t care about you. |
| [11:55.30] | But of course he' s in love with you!' |
| [11:57.21] | ' I really can' t agree with you about Caroline. " |
| [12:00.47] | I think she' s incapable of deceiving anyone. |
| [12:03.25] | But Lizzy, my dear sister, |
| [12:05.35] | even if she' s wrong about her brother, |
| [12:07.67] | and he does care for me, |
| [12:09.44] | could I be happy in accepting a man whose sisters and friends all wish him to marry someone else?' |
| [12:14.78] | ' You must decide for yourself," |
| [12:18.11] | and if you consider it more important to do what his sisters want, than to gain the happiness of being his wife, |
| [12:23.50] | I certainly advise you to refuse him.' |
| [12:26.30] | ' How can you say that?' said Jane, smiling a little. " |
| [12:30.32] | ' You know I wouldn' t hesitate," |
| [12:32.23] | although I' d be sad if they disapproved of me. |
| [12:35.10] | But, oh dear, if he doesn' t come back to Netherfield, |
| [12:38.61] | I' ll never have to make the decision!' |
| [12:41.20] | But Elizabeth was sure Mr Bingley could not be kept away from Jane by his sisters, |
| [12:46.66] | and soon persuaded Jane to take a more hopeful view of the situation. |
| [12:51.24] | That day the Bennets, with Mr Collins, |
| [12:55.26] | went to dinner with the Lucas family at Lucas Lodge. |
| [12:58.38] | Again it was Charlotte who spent most of the evening listening to Mr Collins. |
| [13:02.38] | Elizabeth was very relieved, |
| [13:04.80] | and thanked her friend gratefully for the trouble she was taking. |
| [13:08.27] | But Charlotte' s kindness had a particular aim, |
| [13:12.99] | which Elizabeth was unaware of. |
| [13:14.25] | Her plan was to encourage Mr Collins |
| [13:17.10] | to transfer his attentions to herself. |
| [13:19.55] | In fact, she was managing so well that, |
| [13:22.83] | when she said goodnight to him after dinner, |
| [13:25.62] | she would have felt sure of success if he had been staying in Hertfordshire for another week. |
| [13:30.66] | But she did not fully appreciate the fire and independence of his character, |
| [13:35.68] | which caused him to get up very early the next morning and escape from Longbourn House, |
| [13:39.37] | in a great hurry to reach Lucas Lodge and throw himself at her feet. |
| [13:45.72] | She did not keep him waiting for an answer, |
| [13:48.64] | and the happy couple found themselves engaged as quickly as Mr Collins' long speeches would allow. |
| [13:54.20] | Charlotte' s parents were delighted to agree to the marriage, |
| [13:58.32] | and Lady Lucas began to work out, with more interest than she had ever felt before |
| [14:02.45] | how many more years Mr Bennet was likely to live. |
| [14:04.81] | Charlotte herself was quite satisfied. |
| [14:08.19] | Mr Collins, certainly, was neither sensible nor agreeable, |
| [14:12.8] | but still he would be a husband. |
| [14:15.6] | She did not think highly of men or of marriage, |
| [14:18.57] | but she had always intended to marry. |
| [14:20.93] | Although marriage might not always bring happiness, |
| [14:23.76] | it was the only honourable way in which a welleducated woman with little income could provide a home for herself. |
| [14:31.65] | Now twentyseven, and lacking beauty, |
| [14:34.33] | she felt she was lucky to have found a husband. |
| [14:37.38] | She knew, however, that Elizabeth, whose friendship she greatly valued, |
| [14:41.92] | would be astonished and possibly disapproving. |
| [14:44.73] | So she decided to go to Longbourn House to tell her friend the news herself. |
| [14:49.56] | Elizabeth was indeed shocked at first, |
| [14:53.74] | and could not help crying out in surprise, |
| [14:55.86] | but when Charlotte explained her reasons for accepting Mr Collins, |
| [14:59.40] | Elizabeth tried hard to understand. |
| [15:01.93] | When the rest of the Bennet family heard the news, they were also astonished. |
| [15:06.73] | Mrs Bennet was quite horrified, |
| [15:08.53] | and could not stop complaining bitterly about Charlotte' s wickedness, |
| [15:12.93] | Mr Collins' stupidity and Elizabeth' s obstinacy. |
| [15:16.39] | Mr Bennet was much calmer, |
| [15:18.68] | only saying he was pleased to discover that Charlotte, whom he used to consider quite sensible, was as foolish as his wife, |
| [15:25.88] | and more foolish than his daughter! |
| [15:27.49] | That day was Mr Collins' last at Longbourn, |
| [15:32.58] | and he left with many speeches of thanks, |
| [15:35.11] | as well as a promise to return very soon. |
| [15:37.39] | Mr Bennet warned him to be careful |
| [15:41.63] | not to offend his patron, |
| [15:43.99] | by being absent from his duties too often, |
| [15:45.98] | but Mr Collins, although extremely grateful for this sign of Mr Bennet' s cousinly affection for him, |
| [15:50.43] | was naturally eager to return to Hertfordshire, |
| [15:53.7] | to see his future wife. |
| [15:55.37] | Only two weeks later he did, in fact, |
| [15:58.89] | come back to stay at Longbourn, |
| [16:00.49] | but spent most of his time at Lucas Lodge, |
| [16:02.54] | making arrangements for the wedding., |
| [16:04.81] | Mrs Bennet still felt very offended by him, |
| [16:08.54] | but she was now becoming anxious about something even more important |
| [16:12.1] | Mr Bingley' s continued absence. |
| [16:15.81] | Day after day had passed with no news since the arrival of Caroline Bingley' s letter. |
| [16:20.95] | Elizabeth was now rather worried, |
| [16:23.87] | and Jane feared the worst. |
| [16:26.2] | Finally a second letter arrived from Caroline Bingley, |
| [16:30.15] | and when Jane read it, |
| [16:32.1] | she realized that all hope was over. |
| [16:34.37] | The Bingley family were staying in London for the whole winter, |
| [16:37.96] | and Georgiana Darcy was a frequent member of their circle. |
| [16:42.6] | Miss Bingley boasted joyfully of this friendship, |
| [16:45.48] | and looked forward to her brother' s probable marriage to Miss Darcy. |
| [16:48.98] | Although she was deeply upset, |
| [16:51.83] | Jane bravely tried to control her feelings. |
| [16:55.20] | ' Do not worry, Lizzy," |
| [16:56.79] | I shall be able to forget him in a while. |
| [16:59.79] | I have nothing to complain of, |
| [17:02.23] | as he made no promises to me. |
| [17:04.11] | I just thought he cared for me, |
| [17:06.48] | but I was wrong. |
| [17:07.95] | Luckily, no one is hurt except myself.' |
| [17:10.29] | ' My dear Jane!' said Elizabeth. " |
| [17:13.90] | ' You are too good. " |
| [17:15.53] | You always think the best of everybody. |
| [17:17.91] | Now I think the worst of most people, |
| [17:20.8] | and do not see much real value or common sense around me. |
| [17:23.70] | Mr Bingley, for example. |
| [17:25.34] | He may not be intending to hurt you, |
| [17:27.60] | but misery can be caused by someone being just weak and indecisive. |
| [17:32.2] | I' m convinced his sisters and his friend, Mr Darcy, are trying to influence him against you. |
| [17:37.88] | Another example is Charlotte. |
| [17:40.36] | I can' t understand how she could agree to marry such a selfimportant, proud, silly man!' |
| [17:45.43] | ' Dear Lizzy,' said Jane," |
| [17:48.6] | ' we must respect Charlotte' s decision. " |
| [17:50.54] | She may well be happy with Mr Collins. |
| [17:53.10] | And as for Mr Bingley, |
| [17:57.6] | we shouldn' t expect a sociable young man to be so careful of his behaviour. |
| [18:00.1] | Women often imagine admiration means more than it really does.' |
| [18:04.19] | ' And men want that to happen.'" |
| [18:07.49] | ' I prefer to believe that I was mistaken in thinking he cared for me," |
| [18:11.40] | and that his sisters love him |
| [18:14.27] | and approve of his wish to marry Miss Darcy. |
| [18:16.41] | I don' t want to think badly of him or his sisters. |
| [18:19.23] | That would be worse than anything.' |
| [18:21.68] | Elizabeth had to accept Jane' s wishes, |
| [18:25.3] | and from then on, Mr Bingley' s name was seldom mentioned between them. |
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