Pride and Prejudice, a play by Mary Keith Medbery Mackaye - LightNovelsOnl.com
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[_Peeps in--then enters._] Isn't this pretty! Come in here for a moment, Eliza. I want to tell you something.
ELIZABETH.
[_Following her._] Why _did_ I promise to dance with Mr. Darcy just now!
Why did not I have more presence of mind!
[_They sit on the bench together while they talk; the guests, at the back, pa.s.s to and from the drawing-room and ball-room, and the sound of music is heard faintly._]
CHARLOTTE.
I dare say you will find him very agreeable.
ELIZABETH.
Heaven forbid! That would be the greatest misfortune of all. To find a man agreeable whom one is determined to hate! Do not wish me such an evil.
CHARLOTTE.
I wouldn't be a simpleton, Eliza. You are angry because Wickham is not here, but I wouldn't allow my fancy for him to make me unpleasant in the eyes of a man of ten times his consequence.
ELIZABETH.
My _fancy_ for Wickham, as you choose to call it, is simply my sympathy for a most ill-used man: also the relief of meeting with good manners and a good understanding after the insufferable pride of Mr. Darcy, and the stupid pomposity of that _dreadful_ Mr. Collins! [CHARLOTTE _starts_.] Oh, my dear Charlotte, I have never thanked you half enough for helping us to endure that man. It was so good-natured in you to sacrifice yourself by listening to those interminable speeches of his.--I am more obliged to you than I can express. But oh, what a relief it is to know that he is really gone!
CHARLOTTE.
[_Who has listened to all this tirade in increasing embarra.s.sment._] Oh, don't! Don't, Eliza! You are making it so terribly hard for me.
But,--but I must tell you.--I am engaged to Mr. Collins!
[ELIZABETH _is stupefied with surprise and looks at_ CHARLOTTE _for a moment in silent and incredulous amazement. Then with difficulty she speaks._]
ELIZABETH.
Engaged! Engaged to--to Mr. Collins! Oh, my dear Charlotte--_impossible_! [_Hopefully._] You are joking!
CHARLOTTE.
[_With spirit._] No, indeed, Eliza, I am in most serious earnest. Why should you be so surprised? Do you think it incredible that Mr. Collins should be able to procure _any_ woman's good opinion, because he was not so happy as to succeed with you?
ELIZABETH.
[_Confused._] Oh, no--no--of course not. And,--and you must forgive all I have just said. I couldn't possibly have imagined----
CHARLOTTE.
[_More sweetly._] No, Eliza, indeed you could not. [_She puts her hand on_ ELIZABETH'S _shoulder_.] And we shall be friends still?
ELIZABETH.
Why, of course, of course, dear Charlotte. It was only the--the surprise. You know how fond I am of you. You know I wish you all imaginable happiness.
CHARLOTTE.
Yes, I am sure of it. You must be surprised--very much surprised, so lately as Mr. Collins was wis.h.i.+ng to marry you. But, dear Eliza, when you have had time to think it all over, I hope you will be satisfied with what I have done. I am not romantic. I ask only a comfortable home, and, considering Mr. Collins' situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state.
ELIZABETH.
[_In an absent manner._] Undoubtedly.
CHARLOTTE.
[_Looking at Elizabeth affectionately and wistfully._] And you will come to visit me sometimes? I could not bear to lose you, Eliza!
ELIZABETH.
[_Looking up, and patting_ CHARLOTTE'S _hand_.] Surely, Charlotte!
[_Smiling._] We are to be cousins, you know.
CHARLOTTE.
[_Cheerfully._] Why, so we are!
[COLONEL FORSTER _comes from the ball-room_. LYDIA _and_ DENNY _enter from the drawing-room_.]
COLONEL FORSTER.
[_Hurriedly going to_ CHARLOTTE.] I am to have the honour of this reel, I believe, Miss Lucas.
CHARLOTTE.
Oh yes, Colonel Forster.
[_She goes out with_ FORSTER, _leaving_ ELIZABETH _alone, still seated_. LYDIA _and_ DENNY _approach_ ELIZABETH.]
