Sep 3, 1812
Darcy returns from the Wickham affair and has to explain himself to Georgiana
DARCY
Georgiana! When did you get here?
GEORGIANA
About an hour ago. Tell me what happened. Are they married?
DARCY
Is who married?
GEORGIANA
I forced Mrs. Reynolds to tell me why Miss Elizabeth and you had to leave so suddenly. I can't believe Wickham has become so desperate.
DARCY
Oh, dearest, I'm so sorry. I was hoping you'd never have to hear his name uttered out loud again.
GEORGIANA
Oh, for goodness sakes, Fitzwilliam. Do you think I'm still pining for him? He's a cad and I hope he's finally been taken down.
DARCY
Yes, they're married. Good grief, what a fortnight.
GEORGIANA
You did this for Miss Elizabeth, didn't you?
DARCY
Well, in a way, yes.
GEORGIANA
Mrs. Reynolds also let slip about your proposal last April.
DARCY
How the devil did she know about that?
GEORGIANA
Miss Elizabeth rejected you? Why?
DARCY
Well, it's somewhat complicated.
GEORGIANA
Oh, no. What did you say to her?
DARCY
Well, I said that I was willing to put aside her lack of, well --
GEORGIANA
Oh, no. You didn't. You couldn't.
DARCY
Georgiana, I haven't exactly had much practice at proposing marriage.
GEORGIANA
All you had to do was treat her nicely. Tell her how you felt about her. Tell her how lonely your sister is.
DARCY
I was going to try all that, but it didn't come out as I had hoped. The heat of battle, you know.
GEORGIANA
You do tend to say the wrong thing at times, brother.
DARCY
Why do you think I'm so quiet around strangers?
GEORGIANA
Well, when she finds out what you did for her younger sister then maybe she'll change her mind about you.
DARCY
No. She mustn't find out.
GEORGIANA
You're not going to tell her? Can you at least write her a letter?
DARCY
No, no. Not another letter.
GEORGIANA
Well, I'm going to tell her myself. Where's a quill?
DARCY
No, Georgiana. I forbid it.
GEORGIANA
Oh, Fitzwilliam. She was so wonderful. I hated to see her go. Do you have any idea what it was like being alone again with Miss Bingley?
DARCY
I'm sorry, dearest. I'm afraid there's nothing to be done.
GEORGIANA
Well, I'm going to Hertfordshire to straighten out this whole mess.
DARCY
Oh no you're not.
GEORGIANA
Well then, you had better go back to Hertfordshire yourself. And take Mr. Bingley with you. I'm sure he'll be willing to propose to Miss Jane.
DARCY
Back to Hertfordshire?
GEORGIANA
I dare say he won't make a mess of things.
DARCY
I'll wager Mrs. Reynolds told you about the proposal so that you'd force me into something like this.
GEORGIANA
And don't you dare come back here until you're engaged.
Next dialogue: persuading Bingley to return to Netherfield
Please let Ed know your thoughts by sending him a little comment:
Comment:
(optional)Your name:
Return to the Darcy Dialogue list