Pride and Prejudice, a play by Mary Keith Medbery Mackaye Part 46

[_Gaily._] Miss Bennet is going to show me the Hermitage. We shall be back directly.

[JANE _and_ BINGLEY _go out_.]

DARCY.

[_Looking anxiously at_ ELIZABETH, _who remains silent_.] Forgive my intrusion. I will go.

[_He starts to go away._]

ELIZABETH.

[_Recovering herself._] No--stay, Mr. Darcy. Excuse my own incivility.

Your aunt's visit has excited me. I shall be myself in a moment. [DARCY _stands by, miserable. At length she speaks in a calmer tone._] Mr.

Darcy, your aunt has told me of our overwhelming obligation to you. You must let me thank you for your unexampled kindness to my poor sister.

DARCY.

[_Exploding and banging his whip against his knees._]

d.a.m.n!--Oh, I beg your pardon, Miss Bennet. I _beg_ your pardon. What right has my aunt to meddle in my affairs? How _dare_ she give you such distress?

ELIZABETH.

It is far better that we know the truth, Mr. Darcy. For my part, I can never express to you our obligation.

DARCY.

Oh, Miss Bennet--I beg of you! The obligation was entirely my own. I only did what was my decent, plain duty. [_Faltering._] You remember--I told you--if I had spoken, this would never have happened.

ELIZABETH.

Yes, I remember. But you exaggerated your responsibility. I--we--of course my father will see you about your loan to us. I would not have Lady Catherine think----

DARCY.

[_Furious again._] Oh, I will settle matters with Lady Catherine! Have no fears on that score, Miss Bennet. _She_ shall be set right, I a.s.sure you.

ELIZABETH.

Thank you. And for all your trouble--your kindness--my family can never repay you.

DARCY.

Your family owes me nothing. If I had any thought beyond my duty, it was a thought of--you. [ELIZABETH _turns away_.] Oh, pardon me. Perhaps, I ought not to say all this--but I owe you a great deal, Miss Bennet--more than you can know; and I want you to understand me better.

I really am not the pretentious prig I must have seemed to you. I wish you could forgive my abominable pride.

ELIZABETH.

[_Looking at him with a half smile._] I will, on one condition.

DARCY.

Name it.

ELIZABETH.

That you forget my unwarrantable prejudice.

DARCY.

Oh, Miss Bennet! [_He goes impetuously forward--then restraining himself, smiles and looks down at her._] I really think, after all, I shall have to be grateful to my aunt. She has done us an enormous service.

ELIZABETH.

[_Smiling still more._] Well, Lady Catherine loves to be useful!

[_At the back of the scene_ BINGLEY _and_ JANE, _absorbed in each other, pa.s.s by, hand in hand_. ELIZABETH _looks at them, then turns to_ DARCY.]

ELIZABETH.

[_Archly._] Is _that_ by your permission?

DARCY.

[_Ruefully._] Yes, I told you I had been kinder to my friend than to myself.

[ELIZABETH, _silent, still looks after_ BINGLEY _and_ JANE.]

DARCY.

[_Continues in a discouraged tone._] Well, I deserve it. It is my own fault. My selfish conceit has wounded you past help. Every sentiment of your nature has felt it--seen it.

ELIZABETH.