(Back at Longbourne. Mr. Bennett has gone to London to look for his daughter, Lydia. Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardener are just arriving. Jane and Kitty are seated on stage. The door bell rings and Elizabeth and her Aunt enter the room. L. with the maid who waits until Mrs. Bennett enter, then exits)

Jane: Oh, Lizzie.

Elizabeth: We came right away. Have you had any news from Father?

Jane: Not a word!

(Mrs. Bennett comes down the stairs)

Mrs. Bennett: Oh, Lizzie, it’s you. Do you bring any news? And my sister Gardener….where is my brother?

Elizabeth: Uncle Gardener stopped in London to help father. We came on at once.

Mrs. Bennett: Oh! Your father has gone to London to find the villain and bring back his innocent child. I plead with him, but he would not listen! He shall be killed in a duel, I am sure. In fact, he could be dead at this moment. And the Collins’ will come and turn us out of the house before he is cold in his grave.

(doorbell rings and maid crosses entrance to outside door)

Mrs. Bennett: What! Have they come already?

(Mr. Bennett enters) (Left) (Maid crosses back to study)

The girls: Papa!! (not in unison)

Mrs. Bennett: Mr. Bennett! Then you are not dead after all.

Mr. Bennett: No! No! Not quite, no thanks to your imagination.

Elizabeth: Have you any news?

Kitty: Have you found Lydia?

Mr. Bennett: Come and sit down. I’ve been riding all morning and I’m tired. (they go and sit down; Mrs. Bennett on the sofa and Mr. Bennett in his chair)

Mrs. Bennett: Please, Mr. Bennett, how can you keep us hanging on like this? Tell us at once the dreadful news! Tell me my child is lost and ruined.

Mr. Bennett: If you like, but first let me tell what has happened. Things have turned out as well as can be expected, under the circumstances. Mr. Wickham and your daughter have been found.

Mrs. Bennett: Oh!

Jane: Please, papa, go on.

Mr. Bennett: They were married this morning and will be coming here today. I didn’t stay for the wedding. I came on to tell you.

Mrs. Bennett: Found and married! (rises) But what did she do for a wedding gown? Married without a wedding dress!

Lizzie: Please, mother.

Mrs. Bennett: You are right. I shouldn’t complain. I have a daughter married, and to such an amiable gentleman. Did you stop and tell the Lucas’s? I should go at once and tell them the good news.

Jane: Please, mama. If Lydia is coming today, hadn’t we ought to get ready for her?

Mrs. Bennett: Oh, yes, to be sure. What a time we will have. Parties! Visits! We’ll find a suitable house near by…..

Mr. Bennett: My dear, calm yourself. They will only stop for a few minutes, for Mr. Wickham is expected in Newcastle at once. He has to join his regiment there.

Mrs. Bennett: Only a minute. But, it’s not to be bourne!

Mr. Bennett: You’d better bare it. It was for your sake that I allowed her to come at all. My first impulse was to refuse to ever let her come home again.

Mrs. Bennett: Oh! Can you be so cruel. (she exits upstairs with the other girls and Mrs. Gardener, leaving Lizzie and her father alone)

Elizabeth: (goes to him) You look very tired, papa. You must have had a terrible time.

Mr. Bennett: I have, Lizzie. Mr. Wickham agreed to marry her. But, I’m sure it was because your Uncle bribed him to do it. He must have given Wickham at least ten thousand pounds, and I can’t imagine how I will ever pay him back.

Elizabeth: How good of Uncle Gardener!

Mr. Bennett: Yes, it was good of him. But, now I will be in debt all my life.

(Mrs. Bennett rushes down the stairs with Jane and Kitty)

(Voices in the vestibule: Maid: Oh, Miss Lydia! Enter Lydia, Wickham and Gardener) (Left)

Lydia: Mama! Mama! Just imagine! I am married. Think of it, Kitty! I told you so, then didn’t I?

Mrs. Bennett: Oh, my dear child. You look radiant. And my son…(she clasps Wickham’s hands warmly) Welcome to our house. (Mr. Bennett says nothing, merely shakes Wickham’s hand)

(They sit down)

Lydia: Just think of it. It’s been so long since I’ve been home. Do the neighbors all know I am married? I passed Lady Lucas in her carriage ad held my hand like this so she could see the ring, then bowed and waved like everything!

Mr. Wickham: How is Lady Lucas? (completely at ease)

Elizabeth: Fine, I believe.

Lydia: I must tell you all about the wedding. Dear me, the last minute I did have such a fright, for Uncle Gardener was to give me away and he was late! He didn’t get there till the very last minute. Of course, I shouldn’t have worried for Mr. Darcy would have done as well.

Elizabeth: Mr. Darcy!

Lydia: Yes—he came with Wickham, you know, but, gracious me! I forgot. It was a secret! (giggles) I promised not to tell.

Jane: Then don’t say another word about it. We won’t ask any more questions.

Elizabeth: Oh! (burning with curiosity) Of course.

Mr. Bennett: Shouldn’t you be on your way?

Wickham: Yes, sir, I believe we should. Come, Lydia, kiss your sweet mother good-bye and let’s be going. (He says good-bye charmingly to the ladies, kissing their hands)

Lydia: Come and see us soon at Newcastle, all of you—and I shall find husbands for all of my sisters. (They all exit L except for Mr. Gardener and Elizabeth. Mr. Bennett exits to the study.)

Elizabeth: May I speak with you Uncle?

Mr. Gardener: Of course.

Elizabeth: I know I shouldn’t ask, but I must know. What was Mr. Darcy doing at Lydia’s wedding?

Mr. Gardener: And I suppose I shouldn’t answer, but I thought you knew.

Elizabeth: Knew what?

Mr. Gardener: I had not been in London more than a few hours, when Mr. Darcy arrived at our house. He informed me that he had found Mr. Wickham and Lydia. He made me promise to keep his interference quiet, but I assumed that you knew. I assumed that you had enlisted his help.

Elizabeth: No!

Mr. Gardener: Then I think you should know. Mr. Darcy felt responsible. It seems he has known for some time that Wickham was a scoundrel, but he kept it to himself to avoid exposing his own personal affairs to the public. He felt that what Wickham did was partly his fault. When he found Wickham, he had no intention of marrying your sister. He planned to marry a wealthy woman. In short, Mr. Darcy agreed to pay Mr. Wickham’s debts, to buy him a commission in the army and to settle a sizable sum on Lydia in return, Wickham would marry Lydia. Darcy was at the wedding to enforce the bargain.

Elizabeth: Then we owe everything to him!

Mr. Gardener: He made me promise not to tell your father. Evidently, he didn’t mean for you to know either. Frankly, I assumed that he did it because of you, for you—with your knowledge.

Elizabeth: No, I had no idea.

Mr. Gardener: I hope I’ve done the right thing in telling you.

Elizabeth: Yes, I think you have.

Mr. Gardener: Excuse me now, I want to talk to your father. (exits study)

Elizabeth: Of course.

Jane: (enters before the others) Lizzie, I haven’t had a chance to tell you—three days ago, Mr. Bingley returned to Netherfield. He has been here every day, and I expect him to come any moment.

Elizabeth: Oh, Jane! I can see by your face. You don’t have to tell me.

Jane: I haven’t said anything to anyone. I couldn’t wait for you to get back. He’s coming to speak to Father today.

Elizabeth: Oh, Jane, I’m so happy for you.

Jane: Don’t say anything until after it’s all settled. I don’t want to disappoint mother again.

Elizabeth: But, you’re really very sure of yourself.

Jane: Yes, I am.

Mrs. Bennett: (enters L with Kitty and Mrs. Gardener. Mrs. Gardener goes up stairs) Jane, Jane, your Mr. Bingley is coming up the road. Oh! Lizzie, no one has told you in all the excitement. Mr. Bingley and his sister have come back. And Mr. Bingley has been most attentive. Door knock…she turns as he comes in with the maid.

Maid: Mr. Bingley, Madame.

Mrs. Bennett: Oh, Mr. Bingley, you remember my second daughter Elizabeth/

Bingley: Yes, indeed.

Mrs. Bennett: Well, sit down Mr. Bingley, do sit down. You must excuse me. Come Kitty—come along, I want to speak to you. (She tries to motion to Elizabeth. Kitty giggles and she and Kitty go up stairs. In a second she looks down again.) Lizzie, dear, I want to speak to you. (Maid exits, but looks again when Mrs. Bennett looks down. She gets caught at peeking and leaves quickly—visual humor)

Elizabeth: (rising) Excuse me! (exits stairs)

Jane: It seems we’ve been left alone.

Mr. Bingley: Yes, So I see. Is your father here?

Jane: Yes, he is.

Bingley: Then if you haven’t changed your mind…?

Jane: Oh no, I haven’t.

Bingley: How can anyone be as happy as I am? But, now for your father.

Jane: Don’t be nervous! He’s very kind. Let me run and find him.

Bingley: Please. Then we can enjoy the afternoon.

(Jane exits and returns)

Jane: Mr. Bingley, won’t you please step into his study.

Bingley: With all my heart. (he exits to study)

(Elizabeth comes down stairs)

Jane: Oh! He’s with father.

Elizabeth: Wonderful!

Jane: I’ll go tell mother. I’m so happy. (she goes up)

(Bingley comes out from study, nervous but happy)

Bingley: Where is your sister?

(Before Elizabeth can answer, Mrs. Bennett comes down stairs followed by Kitty and Jane)

Mrs. Bennett: My dear, Mr. Bingley. How happy I am. How can I tell you? My fondest wishes…a mother’s prayers…Oh, my dear Jane, what a day! To have two daughters married. What a joy! You must dine with us Mr. Bingley. Tonight, and bring your sister.

Mr. Bingley: Thank you. And now if Jane and perhaps Miss Kitty and Miss Elizabeth will accompany me for a drive home, we will announce our engagement to my sister, who as yet, knows nothing about it.

Mrs. Bennett: With all my heart. Wear your bonnet, Kitty. Come, Lizzie.

Kitty: Yes, mama.

Elizabeth: Please pardon me. I’m weary from my long trip this morning.

Jane: Of course. (they go off—Bingley, Jane and Kitty, left)

(Mrs. Bennett goes to the window to wave at them as they drive away)

Mrs. Bennett: Good-bye, my dears! Oh, Lizzie, someone else is coming. Has the sun ever shone on such another day! It’s a perfectly strange carriage. Oh, my! Four horses and a footman. My goodness, who can it be?

(Elizabeth goes to the window)

Elizabeth: Let me see. Oh my! Why Mother, it’s Lady Catherine de Bourgh!

Mrs. Bennett: Good Heavens!! My nerves! Lady Catherine stopping to see us.

Elizabeth: Perhaps she’s dropping a letter from Charlotte or Mr. Collins.

Mrs. Bennett: But, she’s getting out. Just look at her bonnet. How elegant!

Elizabeth: Come away from the window!

Mrs. Bennett: Oh, my yes. (Loud knocking is heard. She is knocking on the door with her walking stick. The maid meets her in the hall as she has let herself in. the maid lingers a moment to hear what is happening, but she exits before L. Catherine speaks.)

(L. Catherine enters and goes to the sofa and sits down)

Elizabeth: Lady Catherine, My mother…..

(after a moment of silence) (exit maid)

Lady Catherine: I hope you are well, Miss Bennett. That lady, I suppose is your mother.

Elizabeth: She is. (Mrs. Bennett beams)

Lady Catherine: You have a very small house here.

Mrs. Bennett: I’m sure it is nothing compared to yours, my lady. I dare say, but I assure you that it’s much larger than Sir William Lucas’. (L. Catherine looks at Mrs. Bennett as if to wilt her)

Mrs. Bennett: May I take the liberty of asking your ladyship whether you left Mr. and Mrs. Collins well?

Catherine: Very well. I saw them the night before last. Mrs. Bennett, I have come on purpose to speak privately with your daughter.

Mrs. Bennett: (rising) Why yes, your ladyship. Pray, excuse me. It’s been a strenuous day having one daughter married and another engaged…all in one day.

Catherine: (looks alarmed for a moment, then smiles. Mrs. Bennett exits) Miss Bennett, I’m fully aware of the circumstances surrounding your younger sister’s marriage. Perhaps, you can enlighten me further about the engagement your mother referred to.

Elizabeth: My oldest sister, Jane, is engaged to Mr. Bingley. Perhaps you are acquainted with him?

Catherine: (seems relieved) Yes, I’ve heard the name. Well, you can be at no loss, Miss Bennett, to understand the reason of my journey hither. I’m sure your conscience must tell you why I am here.

Elizabeth: You are mistaken, madame. I’ve no idea why you are here.

Catherine: (angry) Miss Bennett, I see you choose to be insincere, but you shall not find me so. My character has always been known for its sincerity and frankness. A rumor of a most alarming nature reached me two days ago. I was told, that you, Miss Elizabeth Bennett, was likely to become engaged….to my nephew, my own nephew, Miss Bennett, Mr. Darcy. I know that it is a scandalous lie and impossible. But, I felt I should come here at once and make my feelings known to you.

Elizabeth: If you know that it is impossible, I’m surprised that your ladyship took the trouble of coming so far.

Catherine: I wish to have this report universally contradicted.

Elizabeth: I’ve never heard any such report.

Catherine: Can you declare that there is no foundation for it?

Elizabeth: While you may ask whatever you please, there are some questions I choose not to answer.

Catherine: Obstinate, headstrong girl! I am ashamed of you! Is this your gratitude for my attention to you so recently? You know, of course, that my daughter and Mr. Darcy are engaged.

Elizabeth: I am fully aware of the nature of that arrangement, Lady Catherine, and I’ve seen no evidence that it can be called an engagement.

Catherine: I have come here, Miss Bennett, to carry out my purpose. I am not in the habit of being disappointed. Tell me once and for all, are you engaged to him?

Elizabeth: (after a pause; walks to chair R and sits) I am not.

Catherine: (smiling and relieved) And will you promise me never to become engaged to him?

Elizabeth: I will promise no such thing!

Catherine: (sit) Miss Bennett, I am shocked and astonished. I shall not go away until you have given me the assurance I require. After this disgraceful business of your sister’s marriage can you imagine that my nephew should become her brother, and that her husband, the son of Mr. Darcy’s steward should become his brother? Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?

Elizabeth: You can’t have anything more to say, now that you have insulted me in every possible way. Good afternoon, your Ladyship. (Elizabeth rises) (she rings a bell and the maid enters and waits by the door)

Catherine: (rising) You have no regard then for the honor or credit of my nephew. Unfeeling, selfish girl! You will disgrace him in the eyes of everyone. Very well! I came to test you. Don’t think for one minute that I will ever allow this to come to pass. I will not say good-bye to you, Miss Bennett. I do not send my compliments to your mother. I am seriously displeased. (she leaves in a huff)

Elizabeth: (to the maid) Please show her ladyship to the door.

(Elizabeth walks around the room until her mother re-enters.)

Mrs. Bennett: Didn’t her Ladyship wish to stay for tea?

Elizabeth: I’m sure she did not. She had to leave.

Mrs. Bennett: Just a friendly visit, how nice. Forgive me, if I sit down. I wonder if I shall survive the joys of this day. What’s that, a horse coming. (she goes to the window) Upon my word, Lizzie, if that disagreeable Mr. Darcy is not coming here. What shall we do with him? You must sit with him, Lizzie, for I’ve a headache and must go rest my nerves.

(Door knock)

Elizabeth: But, mother…..

Mrs. Bennett: Do this for me, Lizzie. Perhaps he will only stay a moment. (she goes up stairs) (Mr. Darcy enters the room and Elizabeth stands to greet him.)

Maid: A gentleman to see you, Miss. (she exits)

Elizabeth: Mr. Darcy!

Darcy: Miss Bennett.

Elizabeth: Please sit down. My mother is not well, please excuse her.

(he sits in Mrs. B’s chair)

Darcy: Certainly. (they sit in silence for a while)

Elizabeth: Mr. Darcy, I am a very selfish creature, and simply to relieve my own feelings….I must thank you for your kindness to my poor sister.

Darcy: I’m sorry that you were informed. I didn’t think your uncle was so little to be trusted.

Elizabeth: Don’t blame him. It was Lydia that first hinted at it and I couldn’t rest until I knew the truth. I want to thank you for my family.

Darcy: Don’t thank me for your family. As much as I respect them, I was thinking only of you.

(Elizabeth is embarrassed)

Darcy: Miss Bennett, you are too honest to trifle with my feelings. If you still feel the way you did at your cousin’s, please tell me at once. My feelings and wishes are not changed, but one word from you, and I will drop the subject forever.

Elizabeth: (rises and goes behind sofa) But, my feelings have changed. That is, I can now gratefully and willingly receive what you have just said.

Darcy: Your manner at Pemberly, allowed me to hope….

Elizabeth: From the moment I read your letter I began to realize what my feelings really were.

Darcy: Do I dare renew my proposal and ask you once more to become my wife? (he stands up)

Elizabeth: (standing up) Yes, and I will accept at once. Mr. Darcy, I find that I love you with all my heart.

Darcy: (relieved and very happy) Elizabeth. How can I begin to tell you how happy you make me. Let’s settle the whole matter at once and get rid of all the uncertainties. Is your father here?

Elizabeth: (pointing) In his study. (Darcy exits)

Mrs. Bennett: (comes down stairs and sits) Is that odious Mr. Darcy gone? Good!

Elizabeth: No. He is speaking to father.

Mrs. Bennet: Oh! Now he will be tiring your father and getting him out of sorts. (Mr. Darcy comes in and smiles as he passes her he speaks softly)

Darcy: Go to your father, he wants you in the study. (Elizabeth rises and exits)

Mrs. Bennett: I suppose you know, Mr. Darcy, that my youngest daughter, Lydia, was married today to Mr. Wickham?

Darcy: Yes, I do.

Mrs. Bennett: But, did you also know that my oldest daughter Jane is this day engaged to Mr. Bingley? (very proudly)

Darcy: (bowing to her) Indeed, madam. May I congratulate you.

(Elizabeth comes in, smiles at Darcy. As she passes her mother, she says to her)

Elizabeth: Mother, Father wishes to speak to you in the library.

Mrs. Bennett: Oh! I knew he would be out of sorts. Excuse me, Mr. Darcy. (she rises and leaves)

Elizabeth: Oh, I am so happy.

Darcy: I’m twice as happy as you are and I don’t want to be contradicted.

Elizabeth: I won’t say a word, even though I know you’re wrong.

(A screech of delight comes from the study—Mrs. Bennett bursts in, in full power.)

Mrs. Bennett: Good gracious! Heaven bless me! Only think!! Dear me! Mr. Darcy, who would have thought it? Is it really true? Oh, my sweetest Lizzie. How rich and how great you will be. What spending money, what jewels, what carriages you will have! Mr. Bingley is nothing to this—nothing at all! Oh, I’m so pleased, so happy! Such a charming man, so handsome, so tall. Dear Lizzie, a house in town, everything that is charming. Three daughters married. Ten thousand a year!! Oh, mercy! What will become of me—How can I bare it? But, my dearest love, tell me what dish Mr. Darcy is particularly fond of, that I may have it for dinner tonight.

CURTAIN

Mr. Bennett: (in front of curtain) Well, I must say Lizzie took me by surprise. Though secretly, I’ve always admired the man.

And Lizzie, tells me that it is Mr. Darcy that I have to thank for helping Lydia, and not my brother-in-law. This will do wonders for Mrs. Bennett’s nerves, and if there are any young men here, who wish to speak to me about Kitty, I’ll be in my study.