Pride and Prejudice, a play by Mary Keith Medbery Mackaye - LightNovelsOnl.com
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ELIZABETH.
Very well, Mr. Collins.
[MRS. BENNET _makes a sudden awed gesture of silence to the girls, who fail to understand._ ELIZABETH _enters by the gla.s.s doors. She is dressed in winter walking costume: a large hat,--fur-trimmed pelerine, and a large m.u.f.f. She stops in the doorway and looks at_ MRS. BENNET, _half puzzled and smiling._]
ELIZABETH.
Well, what is it, mamma? What is the matter?
MRS. BENNET.
Nothing. Hus.h.!.+ What have you done with Mr. Collins?
ELIZABETH.
[_Laughing._] Oh, Mr. Collins is safe! He has gone round to the library.
MRS. BENNET.
[_With a sigh of relief._] How providential!
ELIZABETH.
[_Looking back._] But I have brought someone else with me.
[MR. WICKHAM _and_ CHARLOTTE LUCAS _come in gaily._]
ALL.
[_Exclaiming._] Oh, Mr. Wickham!
WICKHAM.
[_To_ MRS. BENNET.] How do you do, Mrs. Bennet? This is indeed a pleasure. [_Going over to_ JANE.] Miss Bennet, I am _so_ glad to see you. [_Reproachfully._] You were not with our party! [_To_ LYDIA.] Why do you never come to Meryton, Miss Lydia? Mr. Denny is quite downcast.
LYDIA.
[_Pouting._] La, Mr. Denny!
WICKHAM.
And many others beside him, Miss Lydia.
[LYDIA _giggles._ WICKHAM _returns to_ MRS. BENNET.]
MRS. BENNET.
Well, 'tis an age since we saw you, Mr. Wickham. What _have_ you been doing?
WICKHAM.
Colonel Forster keeps me so busy that I have no time for enjoyment.
ELIZABETH.
Yes, Mr. Wickham bears all the marks of an hara.s.sed and overworked man.
WICKHAM.
[_Bowing to_ ELIZABETH.] Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. You have given me the very terms I needed. [_To_ MRS. BENNET.] You see before you, Mrs.
Bennet, an hara.s.sed and overworked man. Miss Elizabeth will bear witness that I was on my way to a business appointment when I yielded to temptation and went off for a walk with her and Miss Lucas and their irreproachable escort.
ELIZABETH.
And Miss Elizabeth will also testify that you yielded with the celerity and ease of long practice.
WICKHAM.
[_Laughing; to_ ELIZABETH.] But in this case who was the tempter?
ELIZABETH.
Oh, I will admit that Mr. Collins was partially responsible.
[_All laugh._]
MRS. BENNET.
Come, Lizzy, you have been talking to Mr. Wickham all the morning. Now, let some of the rest of us have a chance. [_Turning to_ WICKHAM.] You must stay to dinner, Mr. Wickham.
