P&p

Front 1

He's here

Back 1

You have a fine family of daughters, Mrs Bennet. I have heard much of their beauty, but in this instance, fame falls short of the truth. I do not doubt seeing them all in due time well disposed of in marriage.

Front 2

I wish with all my heart it may prove so otherwise they will. E destitute enough. Things are settled so oddly.

Back 2

I am very sensible, madam, to the hardship to my three fair cousins.

Front 3

Jane and Elizabeth enter

Back 3

And here they be. Miss Bennet, Miss Bennet

Front 4

Ah! Dinner.

Back 4

Fish?

Front 5

My cousin is quite as absurd as I had hoped

Back 5

I commend your dining room and all it's furniture. And what a highly admirable dinner- I beg to know to which of my fair cousins the excellence of this cooking is owing

Front 6

I assure you, Mr Collins, that we are very well able to keep a good cook. My daughters have nothing to do in the kitchen.

Back 6

I do beg your pardon if I have displeased you.

Front 7

I am not at all offended, Mr Collins.

Back 7

Please accept my unreserved apologies Mrs Bennet

Front 8

No need, Mr Collins

Back 8

Apologies, Mrs Bennet

Front 9

You seem very fortunate in your patroness Mr Collins

Back 9

Indeed: I protest that I have never in my life witnessed such affability and condescension in a person of rank as I have done in Lady Catherine. She is reckoned proud by many people I know, but she has spoken to me as she would to any other gentlemen; she has asked me twice to dine at Rossings

Front 10

You said she is a widow? Has she any family?

Back 10

She has only one daughter, the hairless of Rosings, and of very extensive property

Front 11

Then she is better off than many girls. And is she a handsome young lady?

Back 11

Most charming. That is that in Miss Annabel de Bourgh's features which marks her of a distinguished birth. She is unfortunately of a sickly constitution which prevents her making progress in many accomplishments which she could not otherwise have failed of.

Front 12

Is it large or small your parsonage house mr Collins?

Back 12

It is a good house, Mrs Bennet and I have a very sufficient income. I intend to mart and in short, in seeking a reconciliation with Mr Bennet,s family, I have a wife in view.

Front 13

Congratulations on the happy prospect of your near connection

Back 13

"Near connection" is the truth of it. Miss Elizabeth has refused, naturally as one of such bashful modesty and genuine delicacy of character would on proposal.

Front 14

Oh she is a very headstrong foolish girl and does not know her own interest but I will make her know it you can depend.

Back 14

Pardon me for interrupting you, Madam; but if she is really headstrong and foolish, I know not whether she would altogether be so very desirable a wife. If she actually persists in rejecting my suit, perhaps it were better not to force her, because liable to such defects of temper, she could not contribute much to my felicity.

Front 15

Lizzy!

Back 15

And I shall retire from this familial scene.

Front 16

Mr Collins

Back 16

Mrs Bennet f

Front 17

Daughters leave the table (they leave)

Back 17

On seeing your eldest, her lovely face has confirmed my views.

Front 18

That she is likely soon to be engaged.

Back 18

Ah

Front 19

As to my younger daughters I can not take it upon myself to say I can not positively answer but I do not know it any prepossession

Back 19

Then might I not shift from the eldest to the next, eaqual in birth and beauty?

Front 20

I trust I may soon have two daughters married!

Back 20

May I have private audience with Mrs Elizabeth

Front 21

Now sir

Back 21

Yes sir

Front 22

Lizzy I insist upon you staying and hearing mr Collins mr Bennet

Back 22

Mrs Elizabeth. Your modesty, so far from doing you any disservice, rather adds to your perfections. Almost as soon as I entered the entered this splendid house I singled you out as the companion of my future life. But before I run away with my feelings on this subject, perhaps it will be advisable for me to state my reasons for marrying and moreover for coming to Hertfordshire with the design of selecting a wife.

First: every clergyman should set the example of matrimony in his parish;

Secondly it will add very greatly to my happiness;

Thirdly and perhaps I ought to have mentioned this earlier- it is the advice and recommendation of my patroness lady Catherine that I marry as soon as I can, (provided I do so with discreation). Your wit and vivacity I think will be acceptable to her, especially when tempered with the silence and respect which her rank will inevitably excite.

And now nothing remains but to assure you in the most animated language of the violence of my affection- through no ungenerous reproach shall ever pass my lips when you are my wife

Front 23

Third it is impossible for me to otherwise than decline them m

Back 23

I know it is not unusual for young ladies to reject the addresses of the man whom they secretly mean to accept; sometimes the refusal is repeated a second or even a third time. I am therefore by no means discouraged by what you have just said, and shall hope to lead you to the alter before long .

Front 24

And by refusing your hand do all in my power to prevent you being otherwise

Back 24

It does not appear to me that my hand is unworthy of your acceptance, or that the establishment that I can offer you would be anything ofter than highly desirable l. And you should take it into your further consideration that in spite of your manifold attractions, it is by no means certain that another offer of marriage may ever be made to you. I must therefore conclude that you are not serious in your rejection of me.

Front 25

Can I speak plainer?

Back 25

You are uniformly charming! And I am persuaded that my proposals will be sanctioned by the express authority of your excellent parents