Sep 24, 1811
Darcy meets Elizabeth on the street in Meryton after the assembly ball
DARCY
Oh, pardon me, miss. ...Oh, Miss Elizabeth Bennet!
ELIZABETH
Oh, I'm so sorry. Good day.
DARCY
Oh, but, but... We haven't been introduced.
ELIZABETH
Yes, that is true, sir. Perhaps you'd be willing to rectify that oversight at the next assembly ball.
DARCY
Oh, but please, I'm Fitzwilliam Darcy, at your service.
ELIZABETH
Please pardon my clumsiness, sir. I'm just a little fatigued.
DARCY
Yes, perhaps by all the dancing last night. ...I mean, I believe I did notice you dancing once or twice. ...I mean, of course everyone was dancing quite vigourously.
ELIZABETH
Yes, most of us were. You yourself don't look the least bit tired, however.
DARCY
Actually, I am a bit worn out. I was out riding this morning.
ELIZABETH
I see. Your horse finds Hertfordshire to be tolerable?
DARCY
Yes, quite. However, I lost my riding crop. I wonder if I'll be able to find an establishment in Meryton that has a good selection of --
ELIZABETH
Flanny's. I'm sure he has one that will tempt you.
DARCY
Well, the one I lost was a gift from my father. It's rather a precious --
ELIZABETH
I'm sure your new one will always provide you with fond memories of your brief excursion into Hertfordshire.
DARCY
Brief?
ELIZABETH
I could tell from the look on your face last night that our society isn't handsome enough to tempt you to stay.
DARCY
Oh, good grief. I see what's happened.
ELIZABETH
Excuse me, Mr. Darcy?
DARCY
I can see that you overheard a little remark that I made to Bingley last night. Would I be allowed to explain my meaning?
ELIZABETH
Oh, your meaning was quite apparent to everyone.
DARCY
Everyone?
ELIZABETH
Well, I told my friend Charlotte Lucas, and my mother. We all found it quite amusing.
DARCY
But the remark was intended only for Bingley's ear.
ELIZABETH
I'm sorry, sir, but I'm not accustomed to being insulted by a total stranger who refuses to be introduced to anyone in the room.
DARCY
But no insult was intended. What I had meant was, um... Please, Miss Elizabeth. I tend to be rather, well, reserved around strangers. I can't carry on an impromptu conversation the way that Bingley can, and --
ELIZABETH
Well, dancing doesn't require any exceptional wit, sir. All you have to do is hop about the room a little bit.
DARCY
Believe it or not, Miss Elizabeth, I have danced with new acquaintances in the past, but as often as not my partner has attached undue significance to the honour.
ELIZABETH
The honour?
DARCY
Well, what I mean is --
ELIZABETH
I'm sorry, Mr. Darcy, if I appear to be such a predatory female. It was not intentional.
DARCY
Oh, good heavens, no, Miss Bennet, of course not, I would never suggest --
ELIZABETH
You could have feigned a sore leg or a bruised knee instead of insulting me. No one likes to be thought of as ugly, even by someone who --
DARCY
Ugly?! Miss Bennet! I never used that word! Can I not make a private remark to a friend without it being broadcast all over town?
ELIZABETH
I suppose that such an intimate remark to a close friend must have expressed your true feelings.
DARCY
No, not at all, Miss Bennet. You could hardly expect me to say to Bingley that you were the most beautiful woman I had ever seen but that I was too shy to ask you to dance.
ELIZABETH
Well, that would have been more --
DARCY
I've met women who would have taken that remark as tantamount to a marriage proposal.
ELIZABETH
I assure you, Mr. Darcy, that if I were so anxious to get married to the first rich man who came along --
DARCY
And I can assure you, Miss Bennet, that if I were so anxious to become attached to every beautiful woman that catches my eye --
ELIZABETH
I'm sorry, Mr. Darcy, but my family is waiting for me. Good day.
DARCY
Oh. Good day then.

DARCY
Bingley, where in blazes have you been?
BINGLEY
Ah, Darcy. I see you've met Miss Elizabeth Bennet. And how is she this morning?
DARCY
She's just dandy. Look, Bingley, the next time we go to a ball, don't try to get to me to --
BINGLEY
Well, it's nice that she took the trouble to introduce herself to you. You see, Darcy. You've made a conquest already.
DARCY
Oh, good heavens.
BINGLEY
Oh, there she is with Miss Jane. I think I'll run over and invite them to tea. Maybe I can wangle an invitation to Longbourn. Coming?
DARCY
Um, no. I have to find a place called Flanny's for a new riding crop.
BINGLEY
Let's ask the Bennet sisters. They'll know where it is.
DARCY
Well, no, I'd rather just... Oh, wait. I think I see it over there.
BINGLEY
Where?
DARCY
Around that corner.
BINGLEY
Darcy! Enough of this nonsense! Let's go and catch them before they enter that dress shop.
Next dialogue: in the dress shop
Please let Ed know your thoughts by sending him a little comment:
Comment:
(optional)Your name:
Return to the Darcy Dialogue list