Pride and Prejudice, a play by Mary Keith Medbery Mackaye Part 8

DARCY.

And that they have another in London who lives somewhere near Cheapside.

BINGLEY.

[_With irritation._] If they had uncles enough to fill all Cheapside, it wouldn't make them one jot less handsome.

DARCY.

But it must materially lessen their chances of marrying men of any consideration in the world.

BINGLEY.

Of marrying? You go fast, Darcy.

DARCY.

Perhaps. But I am in no humour to give consequence to young ladies. I am here to please you, Bingley--and--[_He smiles meaningly._] knowing your disposition, I think it is just as well that I came.

[BINGLEY _is about to reply when the door opens and_ MRS. BENNET _enters, followed by_ JANE _and_ ELIZABETH. _The two young men make ceremonious bows._ MRS. BENNET _curtsies and then advances with delighted fussiness_.]

MRS. BENNET.

Good morning, gentlemen. I am so sorry that Mr. Bennet has gone for his walk.

[_As she looks a little puzzled from one to the other_, BINGLEY _advances_.]

BINGLEY.

Good morning, Mrs. Bennet. I am Mr. Bingley, your new neighbour at Netherfield. This is my friend, Mr. Darcy, of Pendleton, Derbys.h.i.+re.

[_All bow and curtsy._] Mr. Bennet has been so kind as to call upon us, and we are most happy to have the honour of waiting upon the ladies of his family.

MRS. BENNET.

We are delighted to see you, I am sure! Mr. Bingley--Mr.

Darcy--[_Indicating_ JANE]--my eldest daughter, Miss Bennet.

[_Indicating_ ELIZABETH]--Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

[_The girls make low curtsies--the gentlemen bow._]

Will not you be seated, gentlemen? [_The guests and ladies seat themselves._] I am sure you must like Netherfield, Mr. Bingley. I do not know a place in the country that is equal to Netherfield. You will not think of quitting it in a hurry, I hope, though you have but a short lease.

BINGLEY.

Whatever I do is done in a hurry, Mrs. Bennet, and therefore if I should resolve to quit Netherfield I should probably be off in five minutes. At present, however, [_looking intently at_ JANE] I consider myself as quite fixed here.

JANE.

It is very pleasant to have Netherfield open once more, although you must both miss London. There is so much gaiety in London.

DARCY.

Yes, in a country neighbourhood you move in a confined and unvarying society.

[MRS. BENNET _looks vexed at this speech_.]

ELIZABETH.

But people themselves alter so much that there is something new to be observed in them forever.

[DARCY _turns and looks at_ ELIZABETH _with surprise and interest_.]

BINGLEY.

Then you are a student of character, Miss Elizabeth. It must be an amusing study.

MRS. BENNET.

Yes, Lizzy always likes to watch people. [_Looking at_ DARCY.] And there are plenty of people about, even if you do live in the country. The country is a vast deal pleasanter than London, is not it, Mr. Bingley?

BINGLEY.

When I am in the country I never wish to leave it, and when I am in town it is pretty much the same. They have each their advantages and I am equally happy in either.

MRS. BENNET.

Ay--that is because _you_ have the right disposition. [_Looking at_ DARCY.] But that gentleman seemed to think the country was nothing at all.

ELIZABETH.

[_Quickly._] Indeed, mamma, you are mistaken. You quite mistook Mr.

Darcy. He only meant that there is not such a variety of people to be met with in the country as in town, which you must acknowledge to be true.