| [00:00.56] | 6 Elizabeth visits Mr and Mrs Collins6 |
| [00:05.57] | The following Monday |
| [00:07.87] | Mrs Bennet had the pleasure of receiving her brother and his wife， who came as usual to spend Christmas at Longbourn. |
| [00:15.5] | Mr Gardiner was a sensible， gentlemanlike man. |
| [00:18.56] | The Netherfield ladies would have had difficulty in believing |
| [00:22.60] | that a man who lived by buying and selling could be so well-mannered and agreeable. |
| [00:26.94] | Mrs Gardiner， who was several years younger than Mrs Bennet and Mrs Philips， |
| [00:31.86] | was a pleasant，intelligent，elegant woman， |
| [00:34.55] | and a grest favourite with her Longbourn nieces， |
| [00:37.43] | especially the two eldest， who often stayed with her in London. |
| [00:41.78] | When Mrs Gardiner had given the presents she had brought with her， |
| [00:44.89] | and described the newest fashions， |
| [00:46.84] | she was obliged to listen to Mrs Bennet's complaints. |
| [00:50.21] | ‘I've suffered greatly since your last visit， sister!’cried Mrs Bennet. “ |
| [00:55.28] | ‘Just imagine!Two of my daughters were very close to marriage—and then—nothing! “ |
| [01:00.22] | I do not blame Jane， who would have got Mr Bingley if she could， but Lizzy! |
| [01:05.45] | Oh，sister! It is hard to think |
| [01:08.19] | she might have been Mrs Collins by now，if she hadn't been so obstinate! |
| [01:11.80] | The result is that Lady Lucas will have a daughter married before me. |
| [01:16.71] | It makes me quite ill， to have such a disobedient daughter and such selfish neighbours. |
| [01:22.42] | But your coming just now is a great comfort to me， |
| [01:25.84] | and I am very glad to hear what you tell us，about long sleeves.’ |
| [01:29.58] | Mrs Gardiner made a suitably sympathetic reply to her sister-in-law， |
| [01:34.59] | and later that day |
| [01:36.81] | found the opportunity to discuss the matter in more detail with Elizabeth，alone. |
| [01:40.18] | ‘I am sorry for Jane，’she said kindly，“ |
| [01:43.82] | ‘but，Lizzy，these things happen often! “ |
| [01:46.27] | A young man like Mr Bingley frequently falls in love with a pretty girl， |
| [01:50.12] | and when chance separates them， he forgets her very quickly.’ |
| [01:53.41] | ‘Yes， aunt，’said Elizabeth，‘but in this case it was not chance，“ |
| [01:58.86] | but the young man's interfering friends，who separated Jane and Mr Bingley. |
| [02:03.18] | I'm sure he was violently in love with her.’ |
| [02:06.29] | ‘Poor Jane!She's so sensitive. “ |
| [02:09.64] | I'm afraid she may not get over it for some time. |
| [02:12.67] | Now，if it had been you，Lizzy， you would have recovered more quickly， |
| [02:16.32] | by finding humour in the situation. |
| [02:18.11] | But do you think I could persuade Jane to come back with us to London? |
| [02:21.71] | Perhaps a change of air would make her feel better.’ |
| [02:24.51] | Elizabeth was extremely grateful to her aunt for this kind suggestion， |
| [02:28.68] | and felt sure Jane would gladly agree. |
| [02:31.57] | ‘I hope，’added Mrs Gardiner，“ |
| [02:34.11] | ‘that she will not be influenced by the hope of seeing the young man. “ |
| [02:37.36] | We live in such a different part of town that it is very unlikely they will meet， |
| [02:42.36] | unless he actually comes to see her.’ |
| [02:44.52] | ‘that is quite impossible，“ |
| [02:47.0] | because his friend Mr Darcy would not allow him to visit so unfashionable an address!’ |
| [02:51.15] | But despite her protest， |
| [02:53.81] | Elizabeth secretly thought that Jane might see Bingley in London |
| [02:57.69] | and that a meeting would probably reawaken his affection for her. |
| [03:00.78] | The Gardiners stayed at Longbourn for a week， |
| [03:04.70] | and MrsBennet made sure there was always some entertainment for her brother and sister-in-law. |
| [03:09.70] | Whenever there was a dinner party at Longbourn House， |
| [03:12.55] | some of the officers were always invited. |
| [03:14.94] | Mrs Gardiner，who had noticed that Mr Wickham was a very frequent visitor |
| [03:19.95] | and that Elizabeth spoke admiringly of him， took care to observe them both. |
| [03:24.7] | She saw enough to make her a little anxious， |
| [03:27.10] | and decided to speak to Elizabeth about him when they were alone. |
| [03:30.28] | ‘Lizzy，’she began，‘I can see that you and Mr Wickham like each other. “ |
| [03:36.71] | But I must warn you not to get seriously involved with him. |
| [03:39.81] | I admit he's a most interesting young man， but sadly he has no fortune. |
| [03:45.0] | You are a sensible girl， |
| [03:46.74] | and must realize that you would disappoint your father by agreeing to marry a penniless young man.’ |
| [03:51.81] | ‘My dear aunt， do not worry. “ |
| [03:54.68] | I’ll take care of myself， and Mr Wickham too. |
| [03:57.91] | He won't be in love with me，if I can prevent it.’ |
| [04:00.44] | ‘Elizabeth，be serious.’“ |
| [04:03.18] | ‘I'm sorry，aunt，I’ll try again. “ |
| [04:06.64] | At present I'm certainly not in love with him. |
| [04:10.71] | But he is by far the most agreeable man I've ever met， |
| [04:13.98] | and if he really loved me… |
| [04:16.24] | But I would hate to disappoint my father |
| [04:19.27] | or make any of you unhappy. |
| [04:20.62] | I cannot promise what I will do， |
| [04:22.83] | but I will really try to do what I think is wisest. |
| [04:25.95] | I hope you are satisfied with that.’ |
| [04:28.17] | Her aunt replied that she was， and received Elizabeth's thanks for her kind advice. |
| [04:33.84] | Several days after this， the Gardiners returned to London， taking Jane with them. |
| [04:39.85] | The day of Mr Collins’wedding soon arrived， |
| [04:44.23] | and Mrs Bennet had to watch Charlotte Lucas become Mrs Collins. |
| [04:49.2] | Before the bride left Longbourn for Hunsford，however， |
| [04:53.6] | she asked Elizabeth to come and visit her in her new home as soon as possible. |
| [04:57.5] | Elizabeth could not refuse， although she did not imagine it would be an enjoyable visit. |
| [05:02.34] | It was arranged that |
| [05:04.0] | Elizabeth would accompany Sir William Lucas and Maria，one of his other daughters，on their intended visit to Hunsford in March. |
| [05:11.38] | A week after Jane's departure， Elizabeth received a letter from her sister， |
| [05:14.45] | saying that she had seen Miss Bingley， |
| [05:18.40] | and hoped to continue their friendship. |
| [05:20.29] | Elizabeth shook her head over this. |
| [05:22.88] | She was not surprised to hear from Jane a few weeks later that Caroline Bingley had made no further attempts to communicate with her former dear friend. |
| [05:31.77] | Elizabeth was sad- dened to read of Jane's disappointment， |
| [05:35.98] | but felt more cheerful when she told herself that Jane would no longer be deceived， by the sister at least. |
| [05:43.7] | All expectation from the brother was now absolutely over. |
| [05:47.64] | As a punishment for him， |
| [05:50.11] | she seriously hoped he would soon marry Mr Darcy's sister， |
| [05:53.58] | who，according to Wickham， |
| [05:55.13] | would make him quickly regret what he had thrown away. |
| [05:58.23] | At about this time， |
| [06:01.52] | Elizabeth also received a letter from Mrs Gardiner， |
| [06:04.57] | asking about Wickham， |
| [06:06.56] | and she was able to reply quite honestly that |
| [06:09.1] | there was no danger of her marrying him. |
| [06:11.69] | He had transferred his affections to a Miss King， |
| [06:14.71] | who had recently inherited ten thousand pounds. |
| [06:18.39] | Elizabeth saw exactly what was happening， |
| [06:20.81] | but her heart had only been slightly touched， |
| [06:23.77] | and she was able to convince herself |
| [06:26.14] | that it was quite natural for such an agreeable young man to wish for fortune and independence. |
| [06:31.58] | January and February passed， 1 |
| [06:35.53] | and the time for Elizabeth's visit to Mr and Mrs Collins approached. |
| [06:38.94] | She had improved the plan， |
| [06:41.24] | by arranging to spend a night in London at her uncle and aunt's house， |
| [06:45.21] | before continuing the journey into Kent. |
| [06:47.73] | She was very much looking forward to seeing Jane， |
| [06:50.32] | who was still staying with the Gardiners. |
| [06:52.47] | The journey seemed long to Elizabeth， |
| [06:55.66] | because Sir William and Maria had nothing to say worth hearing. |
| [06:59.7] | But when the coach arrived at the Gardiners house’at lunch-time， |
| [07:02.59] | Elizabeth was delighted to see that her sister looked as healthy and lovely as before. |
| [07:07.38] | In a private conversation with her aunt later， however， |
| [07:11.70] | Elizabeth discovered that Jane had been suffering from periods of depression， |
| [07:16.3] | although she always tried bravely to appear cheerful. |
| [07:20.65] | The afternoon and evening passed only too quickly， |
| [07:23.47] | and the next day Elizabeth and the other travellers set off again. |
| [07:27.24] | When the coach arrived in Hunsford， |
| [07:30.6] | they were all quite excited to see，on one side of the road，Lady Catherine's great park， which they had heard so much about. |
| [07:37.35] | At last， on the other side， they came to the Rectory， |
| [07:41.39] | where they were warmly welcomed by Mr Collins and Charlotte. |
| [07:44.96] | Elizabeth was more and more pleased she had come， |
| [07:49.51] | when she found herself so affectionately received. |
| [07:52.28] | She saw instantly that marriage had not changed her cousin's manners. |
| [07:56.91] | He insisted on greeting them all with formal politeness and long speeches， |
| [08:01.54] | and showed them round the house， |
| [08:03.58] | explaining its many good points in exhausting detail. |
| [08:06.63] | Elizabeth could not help thinking |
| [08:09.87] | that perhaps he was speaking particularly to her， |
| [08:11.70] | as if wishing to make her feel what she had lost in refusing him. |
| [08:15.20] | But although everything seemed neat and comfortable， |
| [08:18.35] | she was unable to please him with a sigh of regret. |
| [08:21.58] | In fact， she wondered how Charlotte could look so cheerful， with such a companion. |
| [08:26.11] | But whenever Mr Collins said anything of which his wife might be ashamed，which was quite often， |
| [08:32.17] | Charlotte wisely did not appear to be listening. |
| [08:34.84] | And when Mr Collins showed them proudly round his garden， |
| [08:38.44] | in which he himself enjoyed working， |
| [08:40.64] | Elizabeth admired the serious way in which Charlotte praised gardening as a most healthy exercise， |
| [08:46.86] | and admitted encouraging her husband to work outdoors as much as possible. |
| [08:51.59] | Elizabeth had to confess to herself that， surprisingly， |
| [08:55.50] | Charlotte really appeared to be happy. |
| [08:58.28] | When Mr Collins could be forgotten， |
| [09:00.83] | the house seemed very pleasant and comfortable， |
| [09:03.94] | and from Charlotte's evident enjoyment of her home， |
| [09:06.47] | Elizabeth supposed he must often be forgotten. |
| [09:09.53] | The visitors had only been in the house for a day |
| [09:13.27] | when a message came form Lady Catherine， |
| [09:15.99] | inviting them all to dinner at Rosings Park the next day. |
| [09:19.34] | Mr Collins was delighted， and congratulated his guests on their good luck. |
| [09:24.90] | ‘I confess that I might have expected her ladyship to invite us all to drink tea at Rosings on Sunday，’ “ |
| [09:31.90] | he said.‘But to invite the whole party to dinner! |
| [09:35.39] | So soon after your arrival，too! |
| [09:38.35] | What a generous and considerate lady she is!’ |
| [09:41.41] | The whole of the rest of that day and the next morning |
| [09:45.84] | were spent discussing their visit to Rosings. |
| [09:48.64] | This made Sir William and Maria quite nervous when the moment came to walk across the park and enter the great lady's house. |
| [09:55.57] | Elizabeth，however， was unimpressed by what she had heard of Lady Catherine， |
| [10:00.56] | and remained calm. |
| [10:02.15] | She was interested to see that Lady Catherine |
| [10:06.12] | was a tall， large woman， who held herself stiffly and proudly， |
| [10:10.80] | and received her guests with an air of disdain. |
| [10:13.72] | She spoke loudly and decidedly on every matter， |
| [10:17.84] | and was clearly convinced of her superiority over other people. |
| [10:21.53] | Her daughter， Anne，was completely different— |
| [10:25.5] | a small， thin， ill-looking lady， |
| [10:27.90] | who spoke very little， and only in a whisper. |
| [10:30.83] | The dinner was very good， |
| [10:33.39] | and was highly praised by Mr Collins. |
| [10:36.14] | His repeated compliments，which Elizabeth thought were embarrassing， |
| [10:39.76] | appeared to please Lady Catherine very much. |
| [10:42.9] | After dinner her ladyship talked continuously， |
| [10:45.94] | giving her opinions without any fear of contradiction or even comment. |
| [10:49.10] | She then asked Elizabeth many detailed questions |
| [10:53.75] | about her education， her sisters，and her father's income. |
| [10:57.55] | Although Elizabeth considered these questions extremely personal and almost rude， |
| [11:01.71] | she answered them politely and calmly. |
| [11:04.93] | At the end of the long evening， |
| [11:06.44] | the visitors were driven home in Lady Catherine's carriage， |
| [11:09.45] | while Mr Collins praised his patron for her elegance，intelligence and hospitality. |
| [11:16.7] | This visit was repeated twice a week， |
| [11:19.67] | but there was little other entertainment in Hunsford. |
| [11:22.75] | Elizabeth had pleasant conversations with Charlotte， |
| [11:27.27] | or read books， |
| [11:29.87] | or walked along a narrow path by Lady Catherine's park， |
| [11:30.87] | which no one else seemed to use. |
| [11:33.87] | It was a quiet life， but she was satisfied with it. |
| [11:36.98] | However， two weeks after her arrival in Hunsford， |
| [11:41.75] | she heard that some visitors were coming to stay at Rosings. |
| [11:45.62] | Lady Catherine's nephew， Mr Darcy， was expected soon， |
| [11:49.41] | accompanied by his cousin， Colonel Fitzwilliam. |
| [11:52.55] | The next day， the two gentlemen arrived， |
| [11:56.20] | and came almost immediately to the Rectory. |
| [11:58.84] | Colonel Fitzwilliam was about thirty， not handsome， |
| [12:03.1] | but very gentlemanly，and he talked pleasantly to the ladies. |
| [12:06.95] | But Mr Darcy looked as cold and proud as ever， |
| [12:10.93] | and after greeting Mrs Collins， |
| [12:13.19] | spoke only a few stiffly polite words to Elizabeth. |
| [12:16.75] | She took the opportunity of |
| [12:19.0] | asking him if he had by any chance seen Jane in London recently， |
| [12:23.24] | and thought he looked a little confused when he answered that he had not had that pleasure. |
| [12:28.19] | Soon after that， the two gentlemen returned to Rosings. |
| [12:32.36] | Colonel Fitzwilliam's manners were very much admired by the ladies， |
| [12:37.99] | who felt that he would add considerably to the enjoyment of their evenings at Rosings. |
| [12:42.40] | But it was not until Easter Day that they received an invitation from Lady Catherine， |
| [12:48.5] | and when they arrived in her sitting-room， |
| [12:50.30] | it was clear that she was far more interested in her nephews than in her other guests. |
| [12:55.29] | Colonel Fitzwilliam，however，seemed really glad to see them， |
| [12:59.36] | and he came at once to sit beside Elizabeth. |
| [13:02.14] | They talked so agreeably and amusingly together |
| [13:05.70] | that Mr Darcy turned his eyes towards them and looked curiously at them several times. |
| [13:11.36] | When her ladyship also noticed， |
| [13:14.11] | she called loudly across the room， |
| [13:16.90] | ‘Fitzwilliam，what are you talking about with Miss Bennet? “ |
| [13:20.87] | Let me hear what it is.’ |
| [13:23.11] | ‘We're speaking of music，madam，’“ |
| [13:26.20] | he said，when no longer able to avoid a reply. |
| [13:29.34] | ‘Of music!Then please speak to all of us. “ |
| [13:33.85] | I must have my share in the conversation，if you are speaking of music. |
| [13:39.64] | There are few people in England，I suppose， who have more true enjoyment of music than myself， |
| [13:47.31] | or a better natural taste. |
| [13:55.48] | But I often tell young ladies，practice is very important. |
| [14:00.59] | I have told Miss Bennet several times that she will never play really well unless she practises more. |
| [14:07.77] | And she is very welcome to come to Rosings |
| [14:11.36] | and practise on the piano in the servants’hall. |
| [14:14.55] | She won't be in anyone's way there，I can promise her.’ |
| [14:18.71] | Mr Darcy looked a little ashamed of his aunt’s insensitive words. |
| [14:24.89] | Meanwhile， Colonel Fitzwilliam had persuaded Elizabeth to play some music， |
| [14:30.20] | and she sat down at the piano. |
| [14:31.82] | But when she had started playing， |
| [14:34.15] | Mr Darcy went to stand in front of the piano， |
| [14:37.26] | where he had a good view of her face. |
| [14:38.76] | At the end of her first piece of music， Elizabeth said，smiling， |
| [14:43.13] | ‘You intend to frighten me， Mr Darcy， by coming to listen to me? “ |
| [14:47.80] | But I'm obstinate， and won't be frightened.’ |
| [14:50.45] | ‘I don't think you really believe I intend to alarm you，“ |
| [14:54.9] | and I've had the pleasure of knowing you long enough |
| [14:57.35] | to be aware that you occasionally enjoy stating opinions which are not your own. |
| [15:01.60] | Elizabeth laughed at this picture of herself， |
| [15:06.80] | and said to Colonel Fitzwilliam， |
| [15:08.10] | ‘Your cousin will teach you not to believe a word I say. “ |
| [15:11.18] | Indeed，Mr Darcy，it is very ungenerous of you to mention all my faults， |
| [15:16.41] | and perhaps rather foolish too， |
| [15:18.90] | because I may take my revenge， |
| [15:20.98] | and tell things about you which your relations will be shocked to hear.’ |
| [15:24.67] | ‘I am not afraid of you，’said Darcy，smiling.“ |
| [15:28.0] | ‘But let me hear your accusation，’cried Colonel Fitzwilliam. “ |
| [15:32.84] | ‘I'd like to hear how he behaves among strangers.’ “ |
| [15:36.20] | ‘Well， prepare yourself for something very dreadful. “ |
| [15:41.23] | The first time I ever saw him was at a ball in Hertfordshire， |
| [15:45.3] | and at this ball， what do you think he did? |
| [15:48.66] | He danced only four dances! |
| [15:52.13] | I'm sorry to cause you pain，but that is what happened. |
| [15:56.9] | He danced only four dances，although gentlemen were scarce，and to my certain knowledge，more than one young lady was sitting down， waiting for a partner |
| [16:05.76] | Mr Darcy， you must admit it.’ |
| [16:08.81] | ‘I had not at that time the honour of knowing anybody at the ball， “ |
| [16:13.98] | apart from my own group of friends. |
| [16:15.85] | I should perhaps have asked to be introduced， |
| [16:19.8] | but I do not like to recommend myself to strangers. |
| [16:21.57] | I do not find it easy to talk to people I don't know.’ |
| [16:25.92] | ‘You don't want to take the trouble to do it， |
| [16:28.88] | Darcy，that’s why!’said Colonel Fitzwilliam.“ |
| [16:31.50] | ‘I cannot play this piano as well as some other women，’said Elizabeth，“ |
| [16:36.34] | ‘but I've always assumed it is my own faultbecause “ |
| [16:40.44] | I don't take the trouble to practise. |
| [16:42.43] | I know that I am capable of playing as well as anyone.’ |
| [16:45.61] | Darcy smiled and said，‘You are perfectly right. |
| [16:49.65] | You have spent your time in a much better way. |
| [16:52.66] | No one who hears you could imagine any possible improvement. |
| [16:56.62] | We neither of us perform to strangers.’ |
| [17:00.28] | Just then Lady Catherine interrupted them，to comment on Elizabeth's playing. |
| [17:05.90] | ‘Miss Bennet would play quite well，if she had a London teacher. “ |
| [17:10.89] | Of course，Anne would have been a delightful performer，if her health had allowed her to learn.’ |
| [17:17.41] | Elizabeth looked at Darcy to see his reaction to Anne de Bourgh's name， |
| [17:23.89] | but neither at that moment nor at any other |
| [17:26.93] | could she observe any sign of love or even interest in his cousin. |
| [17:31.61] | Lady Catherine continued to give Miss Bennet advice on her playing， |
| [17:36.20] | but at the request of the gentlemen， |
| [17:38.73] | Elizabeth stayed at the piano for the rest of the evening. |
| [00:00.56] | 6 Elizabeth visits Mr and Mrs Collins6 |
| [00:05.57] | The following Monday |
| [00:07.87] | Mrs Bennet had the pleasure of receiving her brother and his wife, who came as usual to spend Christmas at Longbourn. |
| [00:15.5] | Mr Gardiner was a sensible, gentlemanlike man. |
| [00:18.56] | The Netherfield ladies would have had difficulty in believing |
| [00:22.60] | that a man who lived by buying and selling could be so wellmannered and agreeable. |
| [00:26.94] | Mrs Gardiner, who was several years younger than Mrs Bennet and Mrs Philips, |
| [00:31.86] | was a pleasant, intelligent, elegant woman, |
| [00:34.55] | and a grest favourite with her Longbourn nieces, |
| [00:37.43] | especially the two eldest, who often stayed with her in London. |
| [00:41.78] | When Mrs Gardiner had given the presents she had brought with her, |
| [00:44.89] | and described the newest fashions, |
| [00:46.84] | she was obliged to listen to Mrs Bennet' s complaints. |
| [00:50.21] | ' I' ve suffered greatly since your last visit, sister!' cried Mrs Bennet. " |
| [00:55.28] | ' Just imagine! Two of my daughters were very close to marriage and then nothing! " |
| [01:00.22] | I do not blame Jane, who would have got Mr Bingley if she could, but Lizzy! |
| [01:05.45] | Oh, sister! It is hard to think |
| [01:08.19] | she might have been Mrs Collins by now, if she hadn' t been so obstinate! |
| [01:11.80] | The result is that Lady Lucas will have a daughter married before me. |
| [01:16.71] | It makes me quite ill, to have such a disobedient daughter and such selfish neighbours. |
| [01:22.42] | But your coming just now is a great comfort to me, |
| [01:25.84] | and I am very glad to hear what you tell us, about long sleeves.' |
| [01:29.58] | Mrs Gardiner made a suitably sympathetic reply to her sisterinlaw, |
| [01:34.59] | and later that day |
| [01:36.81] | found the opportunity to discuss the matter in more detail with Elizabeth, alone. |
| [01:40.18] | ' I am sorry for Jane,' she said kindly," |
| [01:43.82] | ' but, Lizzy, these things happen often! " |
| [01:46.27] | A young man like Mr Bingley frequently falls in love with a pretty girl, |
| [01:50.12] | and when chance separates them, he forgets her very quickly.' |
| [01:53.41] | ' Yes, aunt,' said Elizabeth,' but in this case it was not chance," |
| [01:58.86] | but the young man' s interfering friends, who separated Jane and Mr Bingley. |
| [02:03.18] | I' m sure he was violently in love with her.' |
| [02:06.29] | ' Poor Jane! She' s so sensitive. " |
| [02:09.64] | I' m afraid she may not get over it for some time. |
| [02:12.67] | Now, if it had been you, Lizzy, you would have recovered more quickly, |
| [02:16.32] | by finding humour in the situation. |
| [02:18.11] | But do you think I could persuade Jane to come back with us to London? |
| [02:21.71] | Perhaps a change of air would make her feel better.' |
| [02:24.51] | Elizabeth was extremely grateful to her aunt for this kind suggestion, |
| [02:28.68] | and felt sure Jane would gladly agree. |
| [02:31.57] | ' I hope,' added Mrs Gardiner," |
| [02:34.11] | ' that she will not be influenced by the hope of seeing the young man. " |
| [02:37.36] | We live in such a different part of town that it is very unlikely they will meet, |
| [02:42.36] | unless he actually comes to see her.' |
| [02:44.52] | ' that is quite impossible," |
| [02:47.0] | because his friend Mr Darcy would not allow him to visit so unfashionable an address!' |
| [02:51.15] | But despite her protest, |
| [02:53.81] | Elizabeth secretly thought that Jane might see Bingley in London |
| [02:57.69] | and that a meeting would probably reawaken his affection for her. |
| [03:00.78] | The Gardiners stayed at Longbourn for a week, |
| [03:04.70] | and MrsBennet made sure there was always some entertainment for her brother and sisterinlaw. |
| [03:09.70] | Whenever there was a dinner party at Longbourn House, |
| [03:12.55] | some of the officers were always invited. |
| [03:14.94] | Mrs Gardiner, who had noticed that Mr Wickham was a very frequent visitor |
| [03:19.95] | and that Elizabeth spoke admiringly of him, took care to observe them both. |
| [03:24.7] | She saw enough to make her a little anxious, |
| [03:27.10] | and decided to speak to Elizabeth about him when they were alone. |
| [03:30.28] | ' Lizzy,' she began,' I can see that you and Mr Wickham like each other. " |
| [03:36.71] | But I must warn you not to get seriously involved with him. |
| [03:39.81] | I admit he' s a most interesting young man, but sadly he has no fortune. |
| [03:45.0] | You are a sensible girl, |
| [03:46.74] | and must realize that you would disappoint your father by agreeing to marry a penniless young man.' |
| [03:51.81] | ' My dear aunt, do not worry. " |
| [03:54.68] | I' ll take care of myself, and Mr Wickham too. |
| [03:57.91] | He won' t be in love with me, if I can prevent it.' |
| [04:00.44] | ' Elizabeth, be serious.'" |
| [04:03.18] | ' I' m sorry, aunt, I' ll try again. " |
| [04:06.64] | At present I' m certainly not in love with him. |
| [04:10.71] | But he is by far the most agreeable man I' ve ever met, |
| [04:13.98] | and if he really loved me |
| [04:16.24] | But I would hate to disappoint my father |
| [04:19.27] | or make any of you unhappy. |
| [04:20.62] | I cannot promise what I will do, |
| [04:22.83] | but I will really try to do what I think is wisest. |
| [04:25.95] | I hope you are satisfied with that.' |
| [04:28.17] | Her aunt replied that she was, and received Elizabeth' s thanks for her kind advice. |
| [04:33.84] | Several days after this, the Gardiners returned to London, taking Jane with them. |
| [04:39.85] | The day of Mr Collins' wedding soon arrived, |
| [04:44.23] | and Mrs Bennet had to watch Charlotte Lucas become Mrs Collins. |
| [04:49.2] | Before the bride left Longbourn for Hunsford, however, |
| [04:53.6] | she asked Elizabeth to come and visit her in her new home as soon as possible. |
| [04:57.5] | Elizabeth could not refuse, although she did not imagine it would be an enjoyable visit. |
| [05:02.34] | It was arranged that |
| [05:04.0] | Elizabeth would accompany Sir William Lucas and Maria, one of his other daughters, on their intended visit to Hunsford in March. |
| [05:11.38] | A week after Jane' s departure, Elizabeth received a letter from her sister, |
| [05:14.45] | saying that she had seen Miss Bingley, |
| [05:18.40] | and hoped to continue their friendship. |
| [05:20.29] | Elizabeth shook her head over this. |
| [05:22.88] | She was not surprised to hear from Jane a few weeks later that Caroline Bingley had made no further attempts to communicate with her former dear friend. |
| [05:31.77] | Elizabeth was sad dened to read of Jane' s disappointment, |
| [05:35.98] | but felt more cheerful when she told herself that Jane would no longer be deceived, by the sister at least. |
| [05:43.7] | All expectation from the brother was now absolutely over. |
| [05:47.64] | As a punishment for him, |
| [05:50.11] | she seriously hoped he would soon marry Mr Darcy' s sister, |
| [05:53.58] | who, according to Wickham, |
| [05:55.13] | would make him quickly regret what he had thrown away. |
| [05:58.23] | At about this time, |
| [06:01.52] | Elizabeth also received a letter from Mrs Gardiner, |
| [06:04.57] | asking about Wickham, |
| [06:06.56] | and she was able to reply quite honestly that |
| [06:09.1] | there was no danger of her marrying him. |
| [06:11.69] | He had transferred his affections to a Miss King, |
| [06:14.71] | who had recently inherited ten thousand pounds. |
| [06:18.39] | Elizabeth saw exactly what was happening, |
| [06:20.81] | but her heart had only been slightly touched, |
| [06:23.77] | and she was able to convince herself |
| [06:26.14] | that it was quite natural for such an agreeable young man to wish for fortune and independence. |
| [06:31.58] | January and February passed, 1 |
| [06:35.53] | and the time for Elizabeth' s visit to Mr and Mrs Collins approached. |
| [06:38.94] | She had improved the plan, |
| [06:41.24] | by arranging to spend a night in London at her uncle and aunt' s house, |
| [06:45.21] | before continuing the journey into Kent. |
| [06:47.73] | She was very much looking forward to seeing Jane, |
| [06:50.32] | who was still staying with the Gardiners. |
| [06:52.47] | The journey seemed long to Elizabeth, |
| [06:55.66] | because Sir William and Maria had nothing to say worth hearing. |
| [06:59.7] | But when the coach arrived at the Gardiners house' at lunchtime, |
| [07:02.59] | Elizabeth was delighted to see that her sister looked as healthy and lovely as before. |
| [07:07.38] | In a private conversation with her aunt later, however, |
| [07:11.70] | Elizabeth discovered that Jane had been suffering from periods of depression, |
| [07:16.3] | although she always tried bravely to appear cheerful. |
| [07:20.65] | The afternoon and evening passed only too quickly, |
| [07:23.47] | and the next day Elizabeth and the other travellers set off again. |
| [07:27.24] | When the coach arrived in Hunsford, |
| [07:30.6] | they were all quite excited to see, on one side of the road, Lady Catherine' s great park, which they had heard so much about. |
| [07:37.35] | At last, on the other side, they came to the Rectory, |
| [07:41.39] | where they were warmly welcomed by Mr Collins and Charlotte. |
| [07:44.96] | Elizabeth was more and more pleased she had come, |
| [07:49.51] | when she found herself so affectionately received. |
| [07:52.28] | She saw instantly that marriage had not changed her cousin' s manners. |
| [07:56.91] | He insisted on greeting them all with formal politeness and long speeches, |
| [08:01.54] | and showed them round the house, |
| [08:03.58] | explaining its many good points in exhausting detail. |
| [08:06.63] | Elizabeth could not help thinking |
| [08:09.87] | that perhaps he was speaking particularly to her, |
| [08:11.70] | as if wishing to make her feel what she had lost in refusing him. |
| [08:15.20] | But although everything seemed neat and comfortable, |
| [08:18.35] | she was unable to please him with a sigh of regret. |
| [08:21.58] | In fact, she wondered how Charlotte could look so cheerful, with such a companion. |
| [08:26.11] | But whenever Mr Collins said anything of which his wife might be ashamed, which was quite often, |
| [08:32.17] | Charlotte wisely did not appear to be listening. |
| [08:34.84] | And when Mr Collins showed them proudly round his garden, |
| [08:38.44] | in which he himself enjoyed working, |
| [08:40.64] | Elizabeth admired the serious way in which Charlotte praised gardening as a most healthy exercise, |
| [08:46.86] | and admitted encouraging her husband to work outdoors as much as possible. |
| [08:51.59] | Elizabeth had to confess to herself that, surprisingly, |
| [08:55.50] | Charlotte really appeared to be happy. |
| [08:58.28] | When Mr Collins could be forgotten, |
| [09:00.83] | the house seemed very pleasant and comfortable, |
| [09:03.94] | and from Charlotte' s evident enjoyment of her home, |
| [09:06.47] | Elizabeth supposed he must often be forgotten. |
| [09:09.53] | The visitors had only been in the house for a day |
| [09:13.27] | when a message came form Lady Catherine, |
| [09:15.99] | inviting them all to dinner at Rosings Park the next day. |
| [09:19.34] | Mr Collins was delighted, and congratulated his guests on their good luck. |
| [09:24.90] | ' I confess that I might have expected her ladyship to invite us all to drink tea at Rosings on Sunday,' " |
| [09:31.90] | he said.' But to invite the whole party to dinner! |
| [09:35.39] | So soon after your arrival, too! |
| [09:38.35] | What a generous and considerate lady she is!' |
| [09:41.41] | The whole of the rest of that day and the next morning |
| [09:45.84] | were spent discussing their visit to Rosings. |
| [09:48.64] | This made Sir William and Maria quite nervous when the moment came to walk across the park and enter the great lady' s house. |
| [09:55.57] | Elizabeth, however, was unimpressed by what she had heard of Lady Catherine, |
| [10:00.56] | and remained calm. |
| [10:02.15] | She was interested to see that Lady Catherine |
| [10:06.12] | was a tall, large woman, who held herself stiffly and proudly, |
| [10:10.80] | and received her guests with an air of disdain. |
| [10:13.72] | She spoke loudly and decidedly on every matter, |
| [10:17.84] | and was clearly convinced of her superiority over other people. |
| [10:21.53] | Her daughter, Anne, was completely different |
| [10:25.5] | a small, thin, illlooking lady, |
| [10:27.90] | who spoke very little, and only in a whisper. |
| [10:30.83] | The dinner was very good, |
| [10:33.39] | and was highly praised by Mr Collins. |
| [10:36.14] | His repeated compliments, which Elizabeth thought were embarrassing, |
| [10:39.76] | appeared to please Lady Catherine very much. |
| [10:42.9] | After dinner her ladyship talked continuously, |
| [10:45.94] | giving her opinions without any fear of contradiction or even comment. |
| [10:49.10] | She then asked Elizabeth many detailed questions |
| [10:53.75] | about her education, her sisters, and her father' s income. |
| [10:57.55] | Although Elizabeth considered these questions extremely personal and almost rude, |
| [11:01.71] | she answered them politely and calmly. |
| [11:04.93] | At the end of the long evening, |
| [11:06.44] | the visitors were driven home in Lady Catherine' s carriage, |
| [11:09.45] | while Mr Collins praised his patron for her elegance, intelligence and hospitality. |
| [11:16.7] | This visit was repeated twice a week, |
| [11:19.67] | but there was little other entertainment in Hunsford. |
| [11:22.75] | Elizabeth had pleasant conversations with Charlotte, |
| [11:27.27] | or read books, |
| [11:29.87] | or walked along a narrow path by Lady Catherine' s park, |
| [11:30.87] | which no one else seemed to use. |
| [11:33.87] | It was a quiet life, but she was satisfied with it. |
| [11:36.98] | However, two weeks after her arrival in Hunsford, |
| [11:41.75] | she heard that some visitors were coming to stay at Rosings. |
| [11:45.62] | Lady Catherine' s nephew, Mr Darcy, was expected soon, |
| [11:49.41] | accompanied by his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam. |
| [11:52.55] | The next day, the two gentlemen arrived, |
| [11:56.20] | and came almost immediately to the Rectory. |
| [11:58.84] | Colonel Fitzwilliam was about thirty, not handsome, |
| [12:03.1] | but very gentlemanly, and he talked pleasantly to the ladies. |
| [12:06.95] | But Mr Darcy looked as cold and proud as ever, |
| [12:10.93] | and after greeting Mrs Collins, |
| [12:13.19] | spoke only a few stiffly polite words to Elizabeth. |
| [12:16.75] | She took the opportunity of |
| [12:19.0] | asking him if he had by any chance seen Jane in London recently, |
| [12:23.24] | and thought he looked a little confused when he answered that he had not had that pleasure. |
| [12:28.19] | Soon after that, the two gentlemen returned to Rosings. |
| [12:32.36] | Colonel Fitzwilliam' s manners were very much admired by the ladies, |
| [12:37.99] | who felt that he would add considerably to the enjoyment of their evenings at Rosings. |
| [12:42.40] | But it was not until Easter Day that they received an invitation from Lady Catherine, |
| [12:48.5] | and when they arrived in her sittingroom, |
| [12:50.30] | it was clear that she was far more interested in her nephews than in her other guests. |
| [12:55.29] | Colonel Fitzwilliam, however, seemed really glad to see them, |
| [12:59.36] | and he came at once to sit beside Elizabeth. |
| [13:02.14] | They talked so agreeably and amusingly together |
| [13:05.70] | that Mr Darcy turned his eyes towards them and looked curiously at them several times. |
| [13:11.36] | When her ladyship also noticed, |
| [13:14.11] | she called loudly across the room, |
| [13:16.90] | ' Fitzwilliam, what are you talking about with Miss Bennet? " |
| [13:20.87] | Let me hear what it is.' |
| [13:23.11] | ' We' re speaking of music, madam,'" |
| [13:26.20] | he said, when no longer able to avoid a reply. |
| [13:29.34] | ' Of music! Then please speak to all of us. " |
| [13:33.85] | I must have my share in the conversation, if you are speaking of music. |
| [13:39.64] | There are few people in England, I suppose, who have more true enjoyment of music than myself, |
| [13:47.31] | or a better natural taste. |
| [13:55.48] | But I often tell young ladies, practice is very important. |
| [14:00.59] | I have told Miss Bennet several times that she will never play really well unless she practises more. |
| [14:07.77] | And she is very welcome to come to Rosings |
| [14:11.36] | and practise on the piano in the servants' hall. |
| [14:14.55] | She won' t be in anyone' s way there, I can promise her.' |
| [14:18.71] | Mr Darcy looked a little ashamed of his aunt' s insensitive words. |
| [14:24.89] | Meanwhile, Colonel Fitzwilliam had persuaded Elizabeth to play some music, |
| [14:30.20] | and she sat down at the piano. |
| [14:31.82] | But when she had started playing, |
| [14:34.15] | Mr Darcy went to stand in front of the piano, |
| [14:37.26] | where he had a good view of her face. |
| [14:38.76] | At the end of her first piece of music, Elizabeth said, smiling, |
| [14:43.13] | ' You intend to frighten me, Mr Darcy, by coming to listen to me? " |
| [14:47.80] | But I' m obstinate, and won' t be frightened.' |
| [14:50.45] | ' I don' t think you really believe I intend to alarm you," |
| [14:54.9] | and I' ve had the pleasure of knowing you long enough |
| [14:57.35] | to be aware that you occasionally enjoy stating opinions which are not your own. |
| [15:01.60] | Elizabeth laughed at this picture of herself, |
| [15:06.80] | and said to Colonel Fitzwilliam, |
| [15:08.10] | ' Your cousin will teach you not to believe a word I say. " |
| [15:11.18] | Indeed, Mr Darcy, it is very ungenerous of you to mention all my faults, |
| [15:16.41] | and perhaps rather foolish too, |
| [15:18.90] | because I may take my revenge, |
| [15:20.98] | and tell things about you which your relations will be shocked to hear.' |
| [15:24.67] | ' I am not afraid of you,' said Darcy, smiling." |
| [15:28.0] | ' But let me hear your accusation,' cried Colonel Fitzwilliam. " |
| [15:32.84] | ' I' d like to hear how he behaves among strangers.' " |
| [15:36.20] | ' Well, prepare yourself for something very dreadful. " |
| [15:41.23] | The first time I ever saw him was at a ball in Hertfordshire, |
| [15:45.3] | and at this ball, what do you think he did? |
| [15:48.66] | He danced only four dances! |
| [15:52.13] | I' m sorry to cause you pain, but that is what happened. |
| [15:56.9] | He danced only four dances, although gentlemen were scarce, and to my certain knowledge, more than one young lady was sitting down, waiting for a partner |
| [16:05.76] | Mr Darcy, you must admit it.' |
| [16:08.81] | ' I had not at that time the honour of knowing anybody at the ball, " |
| [16:13.98] | apart from my own group of friends. |
| [16:15.85] | I should perhaps have asked to be introduced, |
| [16:19.8] | but I do not like to recommend myself to strangers. |
| [16:21.57] | I do not find it easy to talk to people I don' t know.' |
| [16:25.92] | ' You don' t want to take the trouble to do it, |
| [16:28.88] | Darcy, that' s why!' said Colonel Fitzwilliam." |
| [16:31.50] | ' I cannot play this piano as well as some other women,' said Elizabeth," |
| [16:36.34] | ' but I' ve always assumed it is my own faultbecause " |
| [16:40.44] | I don' t take the trouble to practise. |
| [16:42.43] | I know that I am capable of playing as well as anyone.' |
| [16:45.61] | Darcy smiled and said,' You are perfectly right. |
| [16:49.65] | You have spent your time in a much better way. |
| [16:52.66] | No one who hears you could imagine any possible improvement. |
| [16:56.62] | We neither of us perform to strangers.' |
| [17:00.28] | Just then Lady Catherine interrupted them, to comment on Elizabeth' s playing. |
| [17:05.90] | ' Miss Bennet would play quite well, if she had a London teacher. " |
| [17:10.89] | Of course, Anne would have been a delightful performer, if her health had allowed her to learn.' |
| [17:17.41] | Elizabeth looked at Darcy to see his reaction to Anne de Bourgh' s name, |
| [17:23.89] | but neither at that moment nor at any other |
| [17:26.93] | could she observe any sign of love or even interest in his cousin. |
| [17:31.61] | Lady Catherine continued to give Miss Bennet advice on her playing, |
| [17:36.20] | but at the request of the gentlemen, |
| [17:38.73] | Elizabeth stayed at the piano for the rest of the evening. |
| [00:00.56] | 6 Elizabeth visits Mr and Mrs Collins6 |
| [00:05.57] | The following Monday |
| [00:07.87] | Mrs Bennet had the pleasure of receiving her brother and his wife, who came as usual to spend Christmas at Longbourn. |
| [00:15.5] | Mr Gardiner was a sensible, gentlemanlike man. |
| [00:18.56] | The Netherfield ladies would have had difficulty in believing |
| [00:22.60] | that a man who lived by buying and selling could be so wellmannered and agreeable. |
| [00:26.94] | Mrs Gardiner, who was several years younger than Mrs Bennet and Mrs Philips, |
| [00:31.86] | was a pleasant, intelligent, elegant woman, |
| [00:34.55] | and a grest favourite with her Longbourn nieces, |
| [00:37.43] | especially the two eldest, who often stayed with her in London. |
| [00:41.78] | When Mrs Gardiner had given the presents she had brought with her, |
| [00:44.89] | and described the newest fashions, |
| [00:46.84] | she was obliged to listen to Mrs Bennet' s complaints. |
| [00:50.21] | ' I' ve suffered greatly since your last visit, sister!' cried Mrs Bennet. " |
| [00:55.28] | ' Just imagine! Two of my daughters were very close to marriage and then nothing! " |
| [01:00.22] | I do not blame Jane, who would have got Mr Bingley if she could, but Lizzy! |
| [01:05.45] | Oh, sister! It is hard to think |
| [01:08.19] | she might have been Mrs Collins by now, if she hadn' t been so obstinate! |
| [01:11.80] | The result is that Lady Lucas will have a daughter married before me. |
| [01:16.71] | It makes me quite ill, to have such a disobedient daughter and such selfish neighbours. |
| [01:22.42] | But your coming just now is a great comfort to me, |
| [01:25.84] | and I am very glad to hear what you tell us, about long sleeves.' |
| [01:29.58] | Mrs Gardiner made a suitably sympathetic reply to her sisterinlaw, |
| [01:34.59] | and later that day |
| [01:36.81] | found the opportunity to discuss the matter in more detail with Elizabeth, alone. |
| [01:40.18] | ' I am sorry for Jane,' she said kindly," |
| [01:43.82] | ' but, Lizzy, these things happen often! " |
| [01:46.27] | A young man like Mr Bingley frequently falls in love with a pretty girl, |
| [01:50.12] | and when chance separates them, he forgets her very quickly.' |
| [01:53.41] | ' Yes, aunt,' said Elizabeth,' but in this case it was not chance," |
| [01:58.86] | but the young man' s interfering friends, who separated Jane and Mr Bingley. |
| [02:03.18] | I' m sure he was violently in love with her.' |
| [02:06.29] | ' Poor Jane! She' s so sensitive. " |
| [02:09.64] | I' m afraid she may not get over it for some time. |
| [02:12.67] | Now, if it had been you, Lizzy, you would have recovered more quickly, |
| [02:16.32] | by finding humour in the situation. |
| [02:18.11] | But do you think I could persuade Jane to come back with us to London? |
| [02:21.71] | Perhaps a change of air would make her feel better.' |
| [02:24.51] | Elizabeth was extremely grateful to her aunt for this kind suggestion, |
| [02:28.68] | and felt sure Jane would gladly agree. |
| [02:31.57] | ' I hope,' added Mrs Gardiner," |
| [02:34.11] | ' that she will not be influenced by the hope of seeing the young man. " |
| [02:37.36] | We live in such a different part of town that it is very unlikely they will meet, |
| [02:42.36] | unless he actually comes to see her.' |
| [02:44.52] | ' that is quite impossible," |
| [02:47.0] | because his friend Mr Darcy would not allow him to visit so unfashionable an address!' |
| [02:51.15] | But despite her protest, |
| [02:53.81] | Elizabeth secretly thought that Jane might see Bingley in London |
| [02:57.69] | and that a meeting would probably reawaken his affection for her. |
| [03:00.78] | The Gardiners stayed at Longbourn for a week, |
| [03:04.70] | and MrsBennet made sure there was always some entertainment for her brother and sisterinlaw. |
| [03:09.70] | Whenever there was a dinner party at Longbourn House, |
| [03:12.55] | some of the officers were always invited. |
| [03:14.94] | Mrs Gardiner, who had noticed that Mr Wickham was a very frequent visitor |
| [03:19.95] | and that Elizabeth spoke admiringly of him, took care to observe them both. |
| [03:24.7] | She saw enough to make her a little anxious, |
| [03:27.10] | and decided to speak to Elizabeth about him when they were alone. |
| [03:30.28] | ' Lizzy,' she began,' I can see that you and Mr Wickham like each other. " |
| [03:36.71] | But I must warn you not to get seriously involved with him. |
| [03:39.81] | I admit he' s a most interesting young man, but sadly he has no fortune. |
| [03:45.0] | You are a sensible girl, |
| [03:46.74] | and must realize that you would disappoint your father by agreeing to marry a penniless young man.' |
| [03:51.81] | ' My dear aunt, do not worry. " |
| [03:54.68] | I' ll take care of myself, and Mr Wickham too. |
| [03:57.91] | He won' t be in love with me, if I can prevent it.' |
| [04:00.44] | ' Elizabeth, be serious.'" |
| [04:03.18] | ' I' m sorry, aunt, I' ll try again. " |
| [04:06.64] | At present I' m certainly not in love with him. |
| [04:10.71] | But he is by far the most agreeable man I' ve ever met, |
| [04:13.98] | and if he really loved me |
| [04:16.24] | But I would hate to disappoint my father |
| [04:19.27] | or make any of you unhappy. |
| [04:20.62] | I cannot promise what I will do, |
| [04:22.83] | but I will really try to do what I think is wisest. |
| [04:25.95] | I hope you are satisfied with that.' |
| [04:28.17] | Her aunt replied that she was, and received Elizabeth' s thanks for her kind advice. |
| [04:33.84] | Several days after this, the Gardiners returned to London, taking Jane with them. |
| [04:39.85] | The day of Mr Collins' wedding soon arrived, |
| [04:44.23] | and Mrs Bennet had to watch Charlotte Lucas become Mrs Collins. |
| [04:49.2] | Before the bride left Longbourn for Hunsford, however, |
| [04:53.6] | she asked Elizabeth to come and visit her in her new home as soon as possible. |
| [04:57.5] | Elizabeth could not refuse, although she did not imagine it would be an enjoyable visit. |
| [05:02.34] | It was arranged that |
| [05:04.0] | Elizabeth would accompany Sir William Lucas and Maria, one of his other daughters, on their intended visit to Hunsford in March. |
| [05:11.38] | A week after Jane' s departure, Elizabeth received a letter from her sister, |
| [05:14.45] | saying that she had seen Miss Bingley, |
| [05:18.40] | and hoped to continue their friendship. |
| [05:20.29] | Elizabeth shook her head over this. |
| [05:22.88] | She was not surprised to hear from Jane a few weeks later that Caroline Bingley had made no further attempts to communicate with her former dear friend. |
| [05:31.77] | Elizabeth was sad dened to read of Jane' s disappointment, |
| [05:35.98] | but felt more cheerful when she told herself that Jane would no longer be deceived, by the sister at least. |
| [05:43.7] | All expectation from the brother was now absolutely over. |
| [05:47.64] | As a punishment for him, |
| [05:50.11] | she seriously hoped he would soon marry Mr Darcy' s sister, |
| [05:53.58] | who, according to Wickham, |
| [05:55.13] | would make him quickly regret what he had thrown away. |
| [05:58.23] | At about this time, |
| [06:01.52] | Elizabeth also received a letter from Mrs Gardiner, |
| [06:04.57] | asking about Wickham, |
| [06:06.56] | and she was able to reply quite honestly that |
| [06:09.1] | there was no danger of her marrying him. |
| [06:11.69] | He had transferred his affections to a Miss King, |
| [06:14.71] | who had recently inherited ten thousand pounds. |
| [06:18.39] | Elizabeth saw exactly what was happening, |
| [06:20.81] | but her heart had only been slightly touched, |
| [06:23.77] | and she was able to convince herself |
| [06:26.14] | that it was quite natural for such an agreeable young man to wish for fortune and independence. |
| [06:31.58] | January and February passed, 1 |
| [06:35.53] | and the time for Elizabeth' s visit to Mr and Mrs Collins approached. |
| [06:38.94] | She had improved the plan, |
| [06:41.24] | by arranging to spend a night in London at her uncle and aunt' s house, |
| [06:45.21] | before continuing the journey into Kent. |
| [06:47.73] | She was very much looking forward to seeing Jane, |
| [06:50.32] | who was still staying with the Gardiners. |
| [06:52.47] | The journey seemed long to Elizabeth, |
| [06:55.66] | because Sir William and Maria had nothing to say worth hearing. |
| [06:59.7] | But when the coach arrived at the Gardiners house' at lunchtime, |
| [07:02.59] | Elizabeth was delighted to see that her sister looked as healthy and lovely as before. |
| [07:07.38] | In a private conversation with her aunt later, however, |
| [07:11.70] | Elizabeth discovered that Jane had been suffering from periods of depression, |
| [07:16.3] | although she always tried bravely to appear cheerful. |
| [07:20.65] | The afternoon and evening passed only too quickly, |
| [07:23.47] | and the next day Elizabeth and the other travellers set off again. |
| [07:27.24] | When the coach arrived in Hunsford, |
| [07:30.6] | they were all quite excited to see, on one side of the road, Lady Catherine' s great park, which they had heard so much about. |
| [07:37.35] | At last, on the other side, they came to the Rectory, |
| [07:41.39] | where they were warmly welcomed by Mr Collins and Charlotte. |
| [07:44.96] | Elizabeth was more and more pleased she had come, |
| [07:49.51] | when she found herself so affectionately received. |
| [07:52.28] | She saw instantly that marriage had not changed her cousin' s manners. |
| [07:56.91] | He insisted on greeting them all with formal politeness and long speeches, |
| [08:01.54] | and showed them round the house, |
| [08:03.58] | explaining its many good points in exhausting detail. |
| [08:06.63] | Elizabeth could not help thinking |
| [08:09.87] | that perhaps he was speaking particularly to her, |
| [08:11.70] | as if wishing to make her feel what she had lost in refusing him. |
| [08:15.20] | But although everything seemed neat and comfortable, |
| [08:18.35] | she was unable to please him with a sigh of regret. |
| [08:21.58] | In fact, she wondered how Charlotte could look so cheerful, with such a companion. |
| [08:26.11] | But whenever Mr Collins said anything of which his wife might be ashamed, which was quite often, |
| [08:32.17] | Charlotte wisely did not appear to be listening. |
| [08:34.84] | And when Mr Collins showed them proudly round his garden, |
| [08:38.44] | in which he himself enjoyed working, |
| [08:40.64] | Elizabeth admired the serious way in which Charlotte praised gardening as a most healthy exercise, |
| [08:46.86] | and admitted encouraging her husband to work outdoors as much as possible. |
| [08:51.59] | Elizabeth had to confess to herself that, surprisingly, |
| [08:55.50] | Charlotte really appeared to be happy. |
| [08:58.28] | When Mr Collins could be forgotten, |
| [09:00.83] | the house seemed very pleasant and comfortable, |
| [09:03.94] | and from Charlotte' s evident enjoyment of her home, |
| [09:06.47] | Elizabeth supposed he must often be forgotten. |
| [09:09.53] | The visitors had only been in the house for a day |
| [09:13.27] | when a message came form Lady Catherine, |
| [09:15.99] | inviting them all to dinner at Rosings Park the next day. |
| [09:19.34] | Mr Collins was delighted, and congratulated his guests on their good luck. |
| [09:24.90] | ' I confess that I might have expected her ladyship to invite us all to drink tea at Rosings on Sunday,' " |
| [09:31.90] | he said.' But to invite the whole party to dinner! |
| [09:35.39] | So soon after your arrival, too! |
| [09:38.35] | What a generous and considerate lady she is!' |
| [09:41.41] | The whole of the rest of that day and the next morning |
| [09:45.84] | were spent discussing their visit to Rosings. |
| [09:48.64] | This made Sir William and Maria quite nervous when the moment came to walk across the park and enter the great lady' s house. |
| [09:55.57] | Elizabeth, however, was unimpressed by what she had heard of Lady Catherine, |
| [10:00.56] | and remained calm. |
| [10:02.15] | She was interested to see that Lady Catherine |
| [10:06.12] | was a tall, large woman, who held herself stiffly and proudly, |
| [10:10.80] | and received her guests with an air of disdain. |
| [10:13.72] | She spoke loudly and decidedly on every matter, |
| [10:17.84] | and was clearly convinced of her superiority over other people. |
| [10:21.53] | Her daughter, Anne, was completely different |
| [10:25.5] | a small, thin, illlooking lady, |
| [10:27.90] | who spoke very little, and only in a whisper. |
| [10:30.83] | The dinner was very good, |
| [10:33.39] | and was highly praised by Mr Collins. |
| [10:36.14] | His repeated compliments, which Elizabeth thought were embarrassing, |
| [10:39.76] | appeared to please Lady Catherine very much. |
| [10:42.9] | After dinner her ladyship talked continuously, |
| [10:45.94] | giving her opinions without any fear of contradiction or even comment. |
| [10:49.10] | She then asked Elizabeth many detailed questions |
| [10:53.75] | about her education, her sisters, and her father' s income. |
| [10:57.55] | Although Elizabeth considered these questions extremely personal and almost rude, |
| [11:01.71] | she answered them politely and calmly. |
| [11:04.93] | At the end of the long evening, |
| [11:06.44] | the visitors were driven home in Lady Catherine' s carriage, |
| [11:09.45] | while Mr Collins praised his patron for her elegance, intelligence and hospitality. |
| [11:16.7] | This visit was repeated twice a week, |
| [11:19.67] | but there was little other entertainment in Hunsford. |
| [11:22.75] | Elizabeth had pleasant conversations with Charlotte, |
| [11:27.27] | or read books, |
| [11:29.87] | or walked along a narrow path by Lady Catherine' s park, |
| [11:30.87] | which no one else seemed to use. |
| [11:33.87] | It was a quiet life, but she was satisfied with it. |
| [11:36.98] | However, two weeks after her arrival in Hunsford, |
| [11:41.75] | she heard that some visitors were coming to stay at Rosings. |
| [11:45.62] | Lady Catherine' s nephew, Mr Darcy, was expected soon, |
| [11:49.41] | accompanied by his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam. |
| [11:52.55] | The next day, the two gentlemen arrived, |
| [11:56.20] | and came almost immediately to the Rectory. |
| [11:58.84] | Colonel Fitzwilliam was about thirty, not handsome, |
| [12:03.1] | but very gentlemanly, and he talked pleasantly to the ladies. |
| [12:06.95] | But Mr Darcy looked as cold and proud as ever, |
| [12:10.93] | and after greeting Mrs Collins, |
| [12:13.19] | spoke only a few stiffly polite words to Elizabeth. |
| [12:16.75] | She took the opportunity of |
| [12:19.0] | asking him if he had by any chance seen Jane in London recently, |
| [12:23.24] | and thought he looked a little confused when he answered that he had not had that pleasure. |
| [12:28.19] | Soon after that, the two gentlemen returned to Rosings. |
| [12:32.36] | Colonel Fitzwilliam' s manners were very much admired by the ladies, |
| [12:37.99] | who felt that he would add considerably to the enjoyment of their evenings at Rosings. |
| [12:42.40] | But it was not until Easter Day that they received an invitation from Lady Catherine, |
| [12:48.5] | and when they arrived in her sittingroom, |
| [12:50.30] | it was clear that she was far more interested in her nephews than in her other guests. |
| [12:55.29] | Colonel Fitzwilliam, however, seemed really glad to see them, |
| [12:59.36] | and he came at once to sit beside Elizabeth. |
| [13:02.14] | They talked so agreeably and amusingly together |
| [13:05.70] | that Mr Darcy turned his eyes towards them and looked curiously at them several times. |
| [13:11.36] | When her ladyship also noticed, |
| [13:14.11] | she called loudly across the room, |
| [13:16.90] | ' Fitzwilliam, what are you talking about with Miss Bennet? " |
| [13:20.87] | Let me hear what it is.' |
| [13:23.11] | ' We' re speaking of music, madam,'" |
| [13:26.20] | he said, when no longer able to avoid a reply. |
| [13:29.34] | ' Of music! Then please speak to all of us. " |
| [13:33.85] | I must have my share in the conversation, if you are speaking of music. |
| [13:39.64] | There are few people in England, I suppose, who have more true enjoyment of music than myself, |
| [13:47.31] | or a better natural taste. |
| [13:55.48] | But I often tell young ladies, practice is very important. |
| [14:00.59] | I have told Miss Bennet several times that she will never play really well unless she practises more. |
| [14:07.77] | And she is very welcome to come to Rosings |
| [14:11.36] | and practise on the piano in the servants' hall. |
| [14:14.55] | She won' t be in anyone' s way there, I can promise her.' |
| [14:18.71] | Mr Darcy looked a little ashamed of his aunt' s insensitive words. |
| [14:24.89] | Meanwhile, Colonel Fitzwilliam had persuaded Elizabeth to play some music, |
| [14:30.20] | and she sat down at the piano. |
| [14:31.82] | But when she had started playing, |
| [14:34.15] | Mr Darcy went to stand in front of the piano, |
| [14:37.26] | where he had a good view of her face. |
| [14:38.76] | At the end of her first piece of music, Elizabeth said, smiling, |
| [14:43.13] | ' You intend to frighten me, Mr Darcy, by coming to listen to me? " |
| [14:47.80] | But I' m obstinate, and won' t be frightened.' |
| [14:50.45] | ' I don' t think you really believe I intend to alarm you," |
| [14:54.9] | and I' ve had the pleasure of knowing you long enough |
| [14:57.35] | to be aware that you occasionally enjoy stating opinions which are not your own. |
| [15:01.60] | Elizabeth laughed at this picture of herself, |
| [15:06.80] | and said to Colonel Fitzwilliam, |
| [15:08.10] | ' Your cousin will teach you not to believe a word I say. " |
| [15:11.18] | Indeed, Mr Darcy, it is very ungenerous of you to mention all my faults, |
| [15:16.41] | and perhaps rather foolish too, |
| [15:18.90] | because I may take my revenge, |
| [15:20.98] | and tell things about you which your relations will be shocked to hear.' |
| [15:24.67] | ' I am not afraid of you,' said Darcy, smiling." |
| [15:28.0] | ' But let me hear your accusation,' cried Colonel Fitzwilliam. " |
| [15:32.84] | ' I' d like to hear how he behaves among strangers.' " |
| [15:36.20] | ' Well, prepare yourself for something very dreadful. " |
| [15:41.23] | The first time I ever saw him was at a ball in Hertfordshire, |
| [15:45.3] | and at this ball, what do you think he did? |
| [15:48.66] | He danced only four dances! |
| [15:52.13] | I' m sorry to cause you pain, but that is what happened. |
| [15:56.9] | He danced only four dances, although gentlemen were scarce, and to my certain knowledge, more than one young lady was sitting down, waiting for a partner |
| [16:05.76] | Mr Darcy, you must admit it.' |
| [16:08.81] | ' I had not at that time the honour of knowing anybody at the ball, " |
| [16:13.98] | apart from my own group of friends. |
| [16:15.85] | I should perhaps have asked to be introduced, |
| [16:19.8] | but I do not like to recommend myself to strangers. |
| [16:21.57] | I do not find it easy to talk to people I don' t know.' |
| [16:25.92] | ' You don' t want to take the trouble to do it, |
| [16:28.88] | Darcy, that' s why!' said Colonel Fitzwilliam." |
| [16:31.50] | ' I cannot play this piano as well as some other women,' said Elizabeth," |
| [16:36.34] | ' but I' ve always assumed it is my own faultbecause " |
| [16:40.44] | I don' t take the trouble to practise. |
| [16:42.43] | I know that I am capable of playing as well as anyone.' |
| [16:45.61] | Darcy smiled and said,' You are perfectly right. |
| [16:49.65] | You have spent your time in a much better way. |
| [16:52.66] | No one who hears you could imagine any possible improvement. |
| [16:56.62] | We neither of us perform to strangers.' |
| [17:00.28] | Just then Lady Catherine interrupted them, to comment on Elizabeth' s playing. |
| [17:05.90] | ' Miss Bennet would play quite well, if she had a London teacher. " |
| [17:10.89] | Of course, Anne would have been a delightful performer, if her health had allowed her to learn.' |
| [17:17.41] | Elizabeth looked at Darcy to see his reaction to Anne de Bourgh' s name, |
| [17:23.89] | but neither at that moment nor at any other |
| [17:26.93] | could she observe any sign of love or even interest in his cousin. |
| [17:31.61] | Lady Catherine continued to give Miss Bennet advice on her playing, |
| [17:36.20] | but at the request of the gentlemen, |
| [17:38.73] | Elizabeth stayed at the piano for the rest of the evening. |
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