DARCY
Lizzy, where the devil are we?
LIZZY
We're almost there.
DARCY
I'm exhausted. That was quite a hill we just climbed. I hope this view
is worth the trouble.
LIZZY
Oh, it is. Much more spectacular than Oakham Mount.
DARCY
I need to rest a while. Goodness, you are quite the hiker.
LIZZY
One more minute... There. Here we are.
DARCY
My god, Lizzy, you were right. It's breathtaking. Is that Netherfield?
I should've brought a telescope.
LIZZY
Yes. And Fallowfield Park is over there. And you can even see
Lucas Lodge on a clear day.
DARCY
Is that Bingley and your sister behind a bush down there?
LIZZY
Oh, Mr. Darcy. Jane would never... Oh, my. Jane does have a
dress of that colour.
DARCY
How often do you come here? It's quite an effort.
LIZZY
Oh, I come quite often. No one knows of this spot. I haven't even
told Jane.
DARCY
I am absolutely worn out. What is in this picnic basket? An
entire goose? I should've brought another shirt.
LIZZY
Another shirt?
DARCY
Yes. I'm rather drenched.
LIZZY
What would your valet have said if you had asked him for an extra
shirt?
DARCY
Yes, you're quite right. I'd never hear the end of it. Snelgrove is
quite prudish, you know. At least around me he is.
LIZZY
It would have been quite interesting to watch you change your shirt
out here in the forest.
DARCY
Would you have turned around and given me some privacy?
LIZZY
Not a chance.
DARCY
Of course I like to bathe before changing clothes. I should have
brought a bathtub with me. It would've been easier to carry than that
picnic basket.
LIZZY
Well, there's no need, actually. Just over there there's a little,
um, ...
DARCY
Yes? There's a what?
LIZZY
Oh, nothing.
DARCY
Lizzy. What is there?
LIZZY
Well, you see that tall tree over there? Just past it there's a...
but it's probably all dried up by now. I used to, um...
DARCY
Do you mean to tell me that you used to bathe up here in the wilderness?
LIZZY
Well, it is a rather grueling hike. And no one ever comes up here.
DARCY
What in heaven's name is this? Who packed three bottles of
wine in this basket? Why didn't you let Snelgrove help me carry
all of this?
LIZZY
Well, Mr. Darcy sir, I wanted to be alone with my betrothed. Is
that so unusual? And besides, how would your valet have amused
himself while you and I were picnicking?
DARCY
You think that pond is really dried up? I'm rather sw..., um, damp.
LIZZY
Well, it might not be. A few weeks ago, um...
DARCY
What? Lizzy, when were you here last?
LIZZY
I can't remember.
DARCY
Come to think of it, Lizzy, a few weeks ago, the very day after I
returned from London, no one could find you for a few hours. I had come
over to walk with you to Oakham Mount.
LIZZY
Hmm. Let me think.
DARCY
You devil. I had to sit in your parlour and get glared at by your
mother for half an hour.
LIZZY
Oh, she quite likes you now. She really does. She packed the wine
herself.
DARCY
Lizzy, were you sitting in that pond while I was scouring the
countryside looking for you?
LIZZY
Perhaps. I needed to cool off. After all, I couldn't get my mind
off you, my dear.
DARCY
All right then. Let's have a look at this pond of yours.
LIZZY
No, not yet. Let's open a bottle of wine first.