DARCY
Miss Bingley, can I help you find a book?
MISS BINGLEY
My, the smell in here is terrible. What could it be? Perhaps we
should get a servant to open a window.
DARCY
It's just the smell of the books, I believe.
MISS BINGLEY
I'll wager your library at Pemberley doesn't smell like this.
DARCY
Well, your brother's books are perhaps a little musty after all those
years cooped up in boxes.
MISS BINGLEY
Mr. Darcy, I must ask you. What do you think of our guest's
behaviour?
DARCY
Miss Bennet's? Why, I find her quite charming.
MISS BINGLEY
But her dress! I must say, the fashions that these provincial
ladies think are appropriate for evening wear. Appalling!
DARCY
What do you mean? I thought she looked quite, um, --
MISS BINGLEY
Did you not find that her dress last night was somewhat
revealing?
DARCY
Well, the two of you do walk about the room every evening, with your
motive evidently to be for me to admire your figures.
MISS BINGLEY
You would never wish your sister to appear in such a garment, I
dare say.
DARCY
Well, Miss Bennet doesn't have much choice of apparel. She has to rely
upon whatever clothing was sent over from Longbourn.
MISS BINGLEY
Yes, I imagine her mother selected that clothing very carefully.
DARCY
If it will put you at ease, Miss Bingley, I promise to pay no attention
whatsoever to Miss Bennet when the two of you take your turn about the
room tonight. Or perhaps I'll join the two of you.
MISS BINGLEY
I certainly am not competing with Miss Eliza, if
that's what you're getting at.
DARCY
Well then, why don't we repair to the parlour?
MISS BINGLEY
Oh, goodness me! I seem to have a small stain on my dress.
DARCY
Where?
MISS BINGLEY
I'll have to change. Give me five..., no, ten minutes.
MISS BINGLEY
There. How is this dress, Mr. Darcy?
DARCY
Oh, good grief. It's certainly different, I must say.
MISS BINGLEY
Well, Mr. Darcy, when in Rome,...