Original subtitles

In the weeks that followed the disastrous Meryton Assembly,

I buried myself in my books,

hoping to stave off the pangs of shame and humiliation.

It was all part of my plan for a new Mary.

I needed a clear mind, unclouded by strong emotion.

I was working on gravitas.

From now on, I would be a steady, informed and rational woman.

Books would be my guide.

I would think more and feel less.

CHICKEN CLUCKS

What could possibly go wrong?

Well?

I hope you have ordered a good dinner this evening.

We shall have a guest. I knew it would be so!

JANE SNEEZES

It's not Mr Bingley.

It's my cousin.

Mr Collins? The very same.

The man next in the entail? Who?!

The man who, once I am dead,

will turn you out of the house as soon as he pleases.

He proposes himself as a guest here at Longbourn?

In point of composition, his letter does not seem entirely defective.

Entirely defective?!

Mary, are you quite all right?

"I regret deeply the breach which has existed between us for so long.

"As a clergyman, I feel it my duty to promote the blessings of peace

"in all families within my influence."

Blessings of peace in this house? HE LAUGHS

He must be an oddity.

I cannot make him out. Can he be a sensible man, sir?

He is a very sensible man, thank you, Elizabeth.

Very sensible indeed.

Oh, can you not all see? He is looking for a wife.

Do you really think so?

Lizzy, you must prepare yourself.

But, Mama...!

We shall find out just what kind of man he is this afternoon.

I have great hopes of his being extremely foolish.

He sounds insufferably boring.

A clergyman... BOTH: Urgh!

Is it right to condemn him before we've even met him?

Oh, please, Mary!

I was agreeing with you. It's the way you say things!

I am looking forward to meeting Mr Collins this afternoon.

What do you keep under your hat?

We've got new ribbons.

We do not sparkle as they do, you and I.

Oh, I hope my honesty did not offend.

My goodness, no... No.

Your sisters seem most agitated this morning.

My father's cousin, Mr Collins, is to visit Longbourn

and they've all decided he's a terrible bore.

Mother believes he comes looking for a wife. A wife? Apparently.

What is your cousin's profession? A clergyman. Oh.

A modest income, then, I imagine.

Do you know what my advice would be to you?

If my father's cousin was coming to stay

and I knew he was looking for a wife, I would do everything,

within the bounds of propriety, to attract him.

Well, I have decided none of this is for me.

I will live alone, with knowledge...

Look, Mary, you cannot seriously believe

the life of an old maid is to be preferred.

I do not think Mama has me in mind.

Jane and Lizzy won't settle so low. Anyway, Jane is nearly taken.

So that leaves you.

You speak nothing of...

..love.

CHARLOTTE LAUGHS What has love to do with anything?

Of course. Of course, you are right.

For an educated woman, raised to be genteel, as we have been,

the future holds no other prospect than marriage.

Marriage or misery, Mary.

Marriage or misery.

I should know.

MR COLLINS GROANS

Mr Collins! I'm here. We meet at last.

Erm, this...

This is Jane, our eldest.

Well, I had no idea.

She is soon to be engaged but, erm, the others are not.

Oh...

This is Elizabeth.

Whoa...

Hmm...

A pleasure.

And, erm, Mary... How do you do?

Oh... This is Kitty. And our youngest, Lydia.

Ah! Ha-ha!

Well, now, I don't know that I will be able to tell the difference

between you two! Yes.

HE LAUGHS

Mm.

Hmm...

The good looks of my fair cousins far exceed

even the most enthusiastic of reports.

THEY SNIGGER

Oh, erm...

No, I'm... I'm terribly sorry.

I... I certainly did not mean to cause any offence.

Oh, you caused no offence, Mr Collins.

Of course you didn't.

Allow me to show you the house. Hmm...

Oh, splendid. Splendid.

Erm, much smaller than one imagined but, with a few minor modifications,

will suffice my meagre needs!

I'm pleased you think so.

LAUGHTER

I am not worthy...

..of the crumbs...

..which fall from thy table... Amen.

..and yet Thou gives unto me the bread of life.

Evermore give me that bread that I may eat thereof...

..and...and not die...

..eternally.

Yes, exactly. ALL: Amen.

Mr Bennet!

What a magnificent dining table. Even with the heavy curtains

and the lack of natural light in here, one can still see its quality.

How generous of you. Mm.

Shall we?

Hmm!

Mr Collins?

Mr Bennet, I expect your daughters will be quickly

and advantageously disposed of in marriage.

Disposed?!

It is very good of you to say so. MR COLLINS BREAKS WIND

I am happy on every occasion to offer

those delicate little compliments that are agreeable to ladies.

Thank you, Mr Collins. Mm.

And may I commend your reading of grace. Oh!

It has very much stayed with me.

It is most unfortunate that our girls have no proper portion

to bring to their husbands... MR BENNET COUGHS

Please excuse me.

You allude perhaps to the entail of this estate?

It is a most vexing situation.

If only there was some satisfactory way to amend it.

Hmm... Mm...

I... I could say much on the subject.

But I am cautious of appearing forward and, erm...

..precipitate.

I can assure the young ladies that I come prepared to admire them.

Have you read Dr Fordyce, sir?

Mm, I certainly have.

Cousin Elizabeth, what make you of the sermons?

I'm sure I haven't had time to read them, sir.

So busy have I been merely being a woman,

I haven't had a moment to read up on how I should go about it.

MR BENNET LAUGHS

I think I'm the only one who is

truly interested in Fordyce's sermons.

Yes... More wine, Mr Collins?

I will...

..that women adorn themselves with sobriety.

Let your speech be always...

Be always with grace, seasoned...

..with salt.

ELIZABETH SNIGGERS

This has been wonderful... Ooh...

..but now you must let us entertain you, Mr Collins.

Lizzy, won't you play for us?

Ah.

LIZZY PLAYS 'PIANO SONATINA' BY CLEMENTI

HE HUMS ALONG

SHE PLAYS A WRONG NOTE

Ah!

'PIANO SONATINA' CONTINUES

WRONG NOTES

Oh.

Bravo, Lizzy.

Yes. Very good, Lizzy.

If you were to practise properly, you really might master it.

It seems a great shame to wring all the pleasure out of music.

A few false notes seems a small price to pay in exchange.

A great shame to waste a gift, that is all.

Hmm, quite right.

Why don't you show us how it is done, Mary?

LOUD SIGH

MARY PLAYS 'SARABANDE' BY HANDEL

Oh, lord.

MRS BENNET EXHALES LOUDLY

SNORING

MRS BENNET SIGHS

My congratulations, cousin. You play with such exactness.

I, hmm...

I imagine you practise a great deal.

I practise often, it is true. MARY CHUCKLES

Yes, it is...

It is only through hard work that anything of any value

is to be achieved. Yes. Erm...

Yes! I... I...

Mr Collins, perhaps Elizabeth

could take you on a walk around the gardens.

Ooh!

DOOR OPENS

Mary.

Mother!

I do not want any confusion regarding Mr Collins and, erm...

..future prospects.

I'm not sure I understand.

It is Lizzy in whom Mr Collins has expressed an interest.

Are we clear?

Don't you worry, Mama, that Lizzy won't accept Mr Collins?

I have no particular feelings for him,

but he and I have similar interests

and I am at least prepared to seek out the good in him.

Mary, I cannot pass the man around the family like a sherry trifle!

Your name has not come up.

DOOR CLOSES

MARY SIGHS

Cousins!

Come on. Ready? Come on, hit it.

I bring news! There... There is to be...

Ahem.

There is to be a ball next week at Netherfield. Oh!

I knew Mr Bingley would find the perfect excuse to see Jane again.

And my brother and his wife shall be visiting.

They might even be here when the engagement is announced.

We are some way off that!

LAUGHTER

And Mr and Mrs Gardiner shall be joining us.

They're coming down from London. BOTH: Up!

They're coming up from London. That is what I said.

Splendid. Splendid! Ha!

A real family affair.

I will need new ribbons. Ah! Perhaps, Miss Bennet, erm...

..you would...would take the first dance with me?

Oh, how wonderful!

Maybe I should play a little something on the piano.

Yes... Yes, yes, you should indeed!

What about you, Miss Elizabeth?

Do you sing?

There is nothing I admire more than a woman with a...

..wide vocal range.

LYDIA SNORTS

MARY PLAYS 'BEGONE, DULL CARE'

Very good, Miss Mary.

Your playing is coming along nicely.

Thank you, Hill.

Mr Collins thinks I'm a very good player.

Oh. I'm planning to play at the assembly.

At Netherfield? Yes.

I was even thinking I might sing.

Sing, Miss Mary?

It will be a surprise to them all.

Short and sweet. That would be my advice.

And, erm, maybe don't sing.

MARY SIGHS

Hill! I've lost my shoes!

Hill!

Found them!

MARY DOES VOCAL EXERCISES

CONTINUES VOCAL EXERCISES

The earlier we arrive, the earlier we can leave.

Oh!

MRS BENNET GASPS

Oh!

Ah!

I don't play as well as she does. I'm sure you're just being modest.

Lady Lucas, Charlotte, please meet my brother

and his dear wife, Mr and Mrs Gardiner.

They're down from London. Up.

What? Up from London.

And this is my very distant cousin, Mr Collins.

Shall we, dear?

Something of a challenge to find husbands for five daughters...

This is a beautiful dining room.

..but if Jane were to get a proposal...

Mama, please!

As I say, if Jane...

Lizzy seems very keen to distance herself from your cousin.

She's not at all happy about his interest.

LIZZY PLAYS PIANO

What is he like?

Tolerable forearms, I noticed.

Have you made your interest in him clear?

I am trying, but...

Your mother seems terribly keen for Lizzy to be matched

with a man of a modest income. I cannot think why.

He is THE cousin.

The one from the entail.

It's Mr Collins who stands to inherit Longbourn -

the house, the estate, the income, all of it.

So my father cannot stand the man,

while my mother wants Lizzy to marry him.

Oh.

Perhaps I will not play tonight.

Oh, Mary, you must.

I had prepared a little something,

but now the time is here, I'm not sure I have the stomach for it.

Nonsense, Mary.

Mr Collins is sure to be impressed.

I think it is time you get yourself noticed.

MR COLLINS GROANS

APPLAUSE

I beg you, do not make it long.

MARY EXHALES LOUDLY

# Begone, dull care

# I prithee begone from me

# Begone, dull care

# You and I shall... # Mr Collins.

# Never agree.

# Begone, dull care... #

Lydia! Be kind.

# I prithee begone from me

# Begone, dull care

# You and I shall never... #

LAUGHTER

# Long time hast though

# Been tarrying here... #

Papa, this is gone too far, and if you don't step in, I will.

# Kill. #

Please. I will. Thank you.

# Faith, dull care

# Thou never shall have thy will. #

APPLAUSE

I, erm... I have another piece, Father.

One that's more lively.

Mary, you have delighted us long enough.

Oh, Miss Bennet, that was...

..truly unforgettable.

That was a beautiful rendition of a difficult song.

Everybody saw.

SHE SOBS

Mr Collins saw.

Take a breath, take a breath.

Nobody noticed but you.

Sh.

It's OK.

Mary.

It was you that told Father to stop me playing, wasn't it?

I didn't want you to over-exert yourself.

You insult me.

We both know that isn't true.

Mary...

..I have had a terrible evening.

And yet you always appear to handle everything with such ease.

What do you mean? You always get what you want.

Without needing to try.

Whereas I try...

..so hard...

..and it's always for nothing.

Don't say that. There is much you have achieved.

I'm sorry.

I am truly sorry.

LAUGHTER

Mary!

Mary, you must get dressed and come downstairs.

There has been such an upset you won't believe it.

You can't imagine what's happened.

Well? Mr Collins has made Lizzy an offer.

And she has refused him. Can you imagine?

Mama is furious and says Lizzy will have him.

But Papa told Lizzy that her choice was a sad one because

mother will never see her again if she doesn't marry Collins...

..and Papa will never see her again if she does!

And now everyone is so utterly cross. Mr Collins has stormed off,

Lizzy won't say anything at all, Mama is beside herself

and Papa has shut himself in the library. You must come!

So... So what happens now? What of Mr Collins?

Papa thinks he will choose someone else.

Oh, no!

Well, it's more likely to be me than you.

Mr Collins, please...

No, I am resigned. Mr Bennet, I shall take my leave.

As you wish.

Oh, Mr Collins! I am resigned, Madam.

Oh, Mr Collins, this is just a misunderstanding.

No, it is not.

MARY EXHALES LOUDLY

Mr Collins has withdrawn his pretensions to Lizzy's favour.

MRS BENNET GASPS

I'm very glad to hear it.

I don't think I could have borne much more of his good opinion.

He says he's resigned and will not renew his pursuit.

Argh!

Thank you, Hill.

I have been thinking, Mary.

Since Lizzy was so selfish as to refuse Mr Collins,

I have turned my mind towards you.

I think you understand me.

Mama, less than a week ago you were adamant that I...

Mary, please.

He will not ask me now.

I need to be sure that you will accept him when he offers.

He will not choose me, Mama.

Oh, Mary, he will.

Who else will marry him?

What are you reading?

Erm, Theory of the Earth. It's about rocks.

Just types of...

..rocks.

MARY SIGHS

Ah!

Yes, splendid news, sir. Splendid.

One had obviously hoped for a slightly more

capacious dining room, however.

I think it's quite sweet they found each other.

Mr Bennet.

Mr Collins has made Miss Charlotte Lucas an offer of marriage...

..and she has accepted.

We wish you joy!

Yes, so much joy. I wish you joy.

Thank you all.

You do know he's a clergyman? Yes.

FEINT CHATTER

If I had any doubts as to whether I had done the right thing,

they vanished when I told my family of his offer.

I am too old to be generous, I'm afraid.

Charlotte!

SISTERS GIGGLE

Charlotte, come marvel at this oak.

Good night, Jane. Good night, Lizzy.

Good night, Mama.

I told you no-one would marry you if you wore spectacles.

DOOR SLAMS

CHURCH BELLS RING

It wouldn't be for much longer...

Wave!

..that we Bennet sisters lived together.

As each of my sisters left home...

..my future felt increasingly uncertain.

I often thought back to the events in that period of my life

and wondered if I could have done anything...

MRS BENNET SIGHS

..differently.

But I was trapped.

Unable to escape the loveless world of my parents...

Hill!

Thank you! I am now deaf in one ear!

MARY SIGHS

..my options were limited.

And I found my books offered me no instruction...

..and little comfort.

I searched desperately for answers.

I clung on to hope.

But, in a moment, my life was upturned.

Urgh!

LOUD THUD

Mr Bennet?

Fetch the doctor!

They're bringing the carriage 'round. Go! Yes, Ma'am. Right away.

MRS BENNET SOBS

Father had found a way out,

leaving mother and I with nothing

except each other.