MRS. BENNET
Oh, my goodness, Mr. Darcy. How nice to see you ...again.
May I offer you some tea?
DARCY
No, thank you, madam.
MRS. BENNET
Well, then, perhaps some cake that Cook has just baked.
DARCY
No, thank you.
MRS. BENNET
Well, Mr. Darcy, allow me to find my daughter Elizabeth. Perhaps the
two of you would like to take a walk to Oakham --
DARCY
Mrs. Bennet, your daughter is in the library speaking with her father.
MRS. BENNET
Oh, let me fetch her.
DARCY
No, please Mrs. Bennet. She is speaking to her father about...
um, ...
MRS. BENNET
They could be in there for hours, playing chess or backgammon or
something. I'd better fetch her. I'm sure she is most anxious to
show you the view from Oakham Mount.
DARCY
Mrs. Bennet, she is talking with him about a ...well, a most
serious matter.
MRS. BENNET
A serious matter? And, if I may ask, how have you become
aware of a serious matter between Lizzy and her father?
DARCY
Well, um, Mrs. Bennet, a few moments ago I asked Mr. Bennet for Miss
Elizabeth's hand in marriage.
MRS. BENNET
Oh, ...oh, ... oh, Mr. Darcy. I see. Yes, ...I
see. Let me go talk some sense into the girl at once.
DARCY
No, Mrs. Bennet, please. Your daughter has accepted my hand, but I
think her father is still somewhat skeptical.
MRS. BENNET
Well, then, I must go talk some sense into her father.
DARCY
No, please. I'm sure that everything will be fine. Actually, madam, I
would indeed like some tea. And cake.
MRS. BENNET
Oh, my word. Hill! Hill! Some tea! And cake! ...
DARCY
...
MRS. BENNET
There, tea is coming. Um, Mr. Darcy, I know that I have
occasionally been rude to you in the past. I do hope you will be
able to forgive me.
DARCY
Of course, madam. It is all forgotten. I have to admit that I myself
have been, at times, quite, well --
MRS. BENNET
Three daughters married. My word. Oh, my nerves! Mr. Darcy, as to
dinner tonight. Do you like mutton? Or pheasant perhaps?