Sep 26, 1811
A gathering at Lucas Lodge
BINGLEY
Darcy, stop eavesdropping on Miss Elizabeth.
DARCY
I'm not.
BINGLEY
Leave her alone.
DARCY
I was eavesdropping on Colonel Forster.
BINGLEY
Go talk to Caroline before she insults Lady Lucas again. Egads, sometimes my sister is almost as bad as you are.
DARCY
Wait. Miss Elizabeth is coming my way.
BINGLEY
Well watch your tongue, Darcy.



MISS ELIZABETH
Did not you think, Mr. Darcy, that I expressed myself uncommonly well just now, when I was teazing Colonel Forster to give us a ball at Meryton?
DARCY
With great energy; but it is a subject which always makes a lady energetic.
MISS ELIZABETH
You are severe on us.
DARCY
Not at all, Miss Bennet. I only meant that the subject of dancing always adds a sparkle to a young lady's eyes.
MISS ELIZABETH
I hope you don't think that young ladies are only concerned with frivolous activities such as dancing and parties.
DARCY
Oh no, I certainly don't, but dancing is quite a serious and universal endeavour, Miss Elizabeth, practiced by almost all human societies, even the most primitive ones. I remember reading a book about --
MISS ELIZABETH
Primitive? I suppose the inhabitants of Hertfordshire must indeed appear rather primitive compared to the fashionable crowd that you're accustomed to, Mr. Darcy.
MISS LUCAS
Now Lizzy...
DARCY
No, no, I didn't mean --
MISS ELIZABETH
Oh, I'm just teazing, Mr. Darcy.
MISS LUCAS
It will be her turn soon to be teazed. I am going to open the instrument, Eliza, and you know what follows.



BINGLEY
Why can't you stay away from Miss Elizabeth like I asked you to?
DARCY
She came over to speak to me, Bingley. I couldn't avoid her.
BINGLEY
Why don't you just find a corner to hide in?
DARCY
Quiet. She's about to play on the pianoforte.
BINGLEY
Oh, good heavens. Captain Carter is pestering Jane again. I'll be right back.



BINGLEY
I thought you were going to be dancing tonight, Darcy.
DARCY
Well, I did ask Miss Elizabeth. Sir William forced the issue.
BINGLEY
Oh-oh.
DARCY
She refused me.
BINGLEY
Oh no. What did you say to her this time?



MISS BINGLEY
Miss Elizabeth Bennet! I am all astonishment. How long has she been such a favourite? -- and pray, when am I to wish you joy?
DARCY
That is exactly the question which I expected you to ask. A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony, in a moment. I knew you would be wishing me joy.
MISS BINGLEY
Nay, if you are so serious about it, I shall consider the matter as absolutely settled. You will have a charming mother-in-law, indeed; and, of course, she will be always at Pemberley with you.
DARCY
Really, Miss Bingley. There's no need to let your fancy run wild like this.
MISS BINGLEY
The younger Misses Bennet will make marvelous companions for your sister. I'm sure Georgiana has much to learn from them.
DARCY
Perhaps you've had a bit too much of Sir William's sherry.
MISS BINGLEY
And Miss Mary Bennet will be an immense aid to your librarian. She'll make sure that Pemberley is well stocked with big thick tomes full of lessons on temperance and moral rectitude.
DARCY
Oh, look. I think Lady Lucas wants to show you something.
MISS BINGLEY
And you can invite the Lucases for the Christmas season. Just imagine Sir William's lively conversation.
DARCY
Miss Bingley, I don't appreciate these idiotic speculations of yours.
MISS BINGLEY
Now if only the militia could set up camp near Lambton.



MISS ELIZABETH
Mr. Darcy, I'm told that you're leaving us soon.
DARCY
Yes I am.
MISS ELIZABETH
I hope it was nothing I said.
DARCY
No, of course not. I just have some business to attend to in town.
MISS ELIZABETH
And will you be returning home to Derbyshire afterwards?
DARCY
Probably, as long as certain business transactions go as smoothly as expected.
MISS ELIZABETH
Then we won't see you again before the Christmas season. If at all.
DARCY
Well, I may return to Hertfordshire before then.
MISS ELIZABETH
Well, please don't rush back until all of your affairs have been fully dealt with. Are you taking Miss Bingley with you?
DARCY
Oh, certainly not.
MISS ELIZABETH
I've gotten the impression that there's very little in Hertfordshire that would tempt you to return.
DARCY
Well, I wouldn't want Bingley to get too lonely.
MISS ELIZABETH
Oh, I think he's the sort of man who can easily find ways to amuse himself.
DARCY
I wouldn't want him to make a nuisance of himself.
MISS ELIZABETH
Don't feel that you need to come back only for his sake.
DARCY
Well, I did make him a promise.
MISS ELIZABETH
He's already made many good friends in the Meryton area. If he gets lonely, there are many, many people that he can turn to.
DARCY
I do expect to be back before Christmas.
MISS ELIZABETH
I know several people who find him to be a most excellent dance partner.
DARCY
In November, in fact.
MISS ELIZABETH
Well, Mr. Darcy, in case you don't return to Hertfordshire and I never see you again for the rest of my entire life, allow me to thank you for the stimulating glimpses of London high society that you've given us.
DARCY
Early November.



BINGLEY
Well, I see you left Miss Elizabeth in quite a good mood.
DARCY
Yes, I think she's happy that I'm leaving Hertfordshire.
BINGLEY
So you are leaving after all.
DARCY
I don't think she wants me to come back.
BINGLEY
Well, you needn't worry about me, Darcy. Mrs. Bennet has given me an open invitation to dine at Longbourn any time I wish.
DARCY
I'll be back as soon as I can, Bingley. Don't do anything rash while I'm gone.
Next dialogue: Darcy arrives back at Netherfield
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