Pride and Prejudice, a play by Mary Keith Medbery Mackaye Part 20

DARCY.

That is exactly the question which I expected you to ask. A lady's imagination is very rapid: it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment. I knew you would be wishing me joy.

MISS BINGLEY.

Nay, if you are so serious about it I shall consider the matter as absolutely settled. You will have a charming mother-in-law! Of course she will always be at Pemberley with you. Perhaps you might give her a few hints as to the advantage of holding her tongue.

DARCY.

Thank you. Have you anything else to propose for my domestic felicity?

MISS BINGLEY.

Oh, yes! Let the portrait of your uncle, the attorney, be placed next to your great uncle, the Judge. They are in the same profession, you know, only in different lines. As for your Elizabeth's picture, you must not attempt to have it taken, for what painter could do justice to those beautiful eyes!

DARCY.

It would not be easy, indeed, to catch their expression; but their colour and shape, and the eyelashes, so remarkably fine, might be copied.

MISS BINGLEY.

[_Sarcastically._] Oh, I fear not--[ELIZABETH _and_ COLONEL FORSTER, _with others, enter from the ball-room_--MRS. BENNET _with_ LADY LUCAS _from the drawing-room_.] Here comes the fair one--[_Seeing_ MRS.

BENNET.]--and mamma-in-law as well. I will not intrude on the family party.

[_She goes off laughing and mingles with the guests._ COLONEL FORSTER _bows and leaves_ ELIZABETH _with her mother_. BINGLEY _enters with_ JANE _from the drawing-room_. _He sees_ DARCY, _who is standing where_ MISS BINGLEY _left him, and comes to him_.

BINGLEY.

I thought this next dance was the one you liked so much, Darcy. Let me find you a partner.

DARCY.

[_Starting, as if from a reverie._.] So it is. Thank you--I have a partner.

[_He goes to_ ELIZABETH, _bows, and they go into the ball-room together_. MRS. BENNET _and_ MRS. LONG _follow them_.]

BINGLEY.

[_Looking after_ DARCY _with a smile, turns to_ JANE.] You must be tired, Miss Bennet. I propose that we sit quietly through this dance. Do you agree?

JANE.

Yes, indeed. [_She sits on the bench._] It will be very pleasant.

[_Looking about her._] How very prettily you have arranged all the rooms, Mr. Bingley.

BINGLEY.

I am so glad you think so. I feared they were rather inconvenient for so large a party.

JANE.

Oh, I find them delightful!

BINGLEY.

You are always charitable, Miss Bennet. It seems to me you always manage to see the best side of everything. I never knew you to say an ill word about a person or a place.

JANE.

[_Smiling._] Oh, I fear that is not quite exact. I only try to see things in their best light, perhaps.

BINGLEY.

That is just it. The rest of us rarely try to see things in that way. So you see I have proved my case. You are too amiable.

JANE.

Not for to-night, Mr. Bingley. Everybody is of one mind to-night. There is but one point of view--you are giving nothing but pleasure.

BINGLEY.

[_Soberly._] I wish it were so--but---- [_With impulsive earnestness._]

Dear Miss Bennet, I wish to tell you--I must tell you----

[_He is interrupted by the people coming in again from the dance._ DARCY _and_ ELIZABETH _enter with_ SIR WILLIAM LUCAS _and others_.

BINGLEY _and_ JANE _rise from their seats and walk slowly toward the back of the room_. DARCY _escorts_ ELIZABETH _to a seat and stands by her. They are both silent for a moment._]

ELIZABETH.

It is your turn to say something now, Mr. Darcy. I talked about the dance, and you ought to make some kind of remark on the size of the rooms, or the number of couples.

DARCY.

[_Smiling._] I a.s.sure you I will say whatever you wish.