10.
BINGLEY
Oh, she is the most beautiful creature I
ever beheld, but her sister Elizabeth is
very agreeable.
They have stopped at the edge of the dance floor and have
not seen Elizabeth and charlotte who are standing close
behind them. Elizabeth smirks as she overhears their
conversation.
DARCY
Perfectly tolerable, I dare say, but not
handsome enough to tempt me.
Elizabeth's smile drops.
DARCY (CONT'D)
You had better return to your partner and
enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting
your time with me.
Bingley goes off.
CUT TO:
Elizabeth and Charlotte, who have overheard Darcy and
Bingley's exchange.
CHARLOTTE
Ignore him, Lizzie, he is such a
disagreeable man it would be a misfortune
to be liked by him.
ELIZABETH
Don't worry. I would not dance with him
for half of Derbyshire.
CUT TO:
Later. Bingley politely dancing with Charlotte. As he
does so, he catches sight of Jane dancing with somebody
else. A look of pure longing, but he cannot dance every
dance with her. Lizzie too is dancing and clocks this.
Lydia and Kitty are exuberantly dancing too, laughing and
chatting. Darcy stands watching, a look of infinitely
superior boredom on his fine features.
CUT TO:
Bingley is standing with Jane, Elizabeth, Mrs Bennet and
Darcy.
BINGLEY
(TO LIZZIE)
Your friend Miss Lucas is a most amusing
young woman.
11.
ELIZABETH
• Yes! I adore her.
MRS BENNET
It is a pity she is not more handsome.
ELIZABETH
Mama!
MRS BENNET
But Lizzie will never admit she is plain.
(TO BINGLEY)
Of course it's my Jane who's considered
the beauty of the county.
JANE
Oh, Mama, please!
MRS BENNET
When she was only fifteen there was a
gentleman so much in love with her that I
was sure he would make her an offer.
However, he did write her some very
pretty verses.
ELIZABETH
(IMPATIENTLY)
And so ended their affection. I wonder
• who first discovered the power of poetry
in driving away love?
DARCY
I thought that poetry was the food of
love.
ELIZABETH
Of a fine, stout love it may. Everything
nourishes what is strong already. But if
it is only a thin, slight sort of
inclination, I'm convinced that one good
sonnet will starve it away entirely.
Darcy looks at Elizabeth with surprise. A glimmering of
interest.
DARCY
So what do you recommend, to encourage
affection?
ELIZABETH
Oh dancing, of course. Even if ones
partner is barely tolerable.
She gives him a dazzling smile. Darcy looks startled. He
has no idea she heard him. He blushes.
€¢
CUT TO:
12.
Elizabeth is dancing happily in a round, Jane and Bingley
• are also in the same dance. At the edge of the dance
floor Darcy is watching.
7 INT. BEDROOM -- LONGBOURN - NIGHT. 7
Elizabeth and Jane are both tucked up in the same bed,
but are too excited to sleep.
JANE
Mr Bingley is just what a young man ought
to be. Sensible, good humoured -
ELIZABETH
(completing the list)
Handsome, conveniently rich -
JANE
You know perfectly well I do not believe
marriage should be driven by thoughts of
money.
ELIZABETH
I agree entirely, only the deepest love
will persuade me into matrimony, which is
why I will end up an old maid.
JANE
Do you really believe he liked me,
Lizzie?
ELIZABETH
Jane, he danced with you most of the
night.
JANE
I was flattered, I must admit. I did not
expect such a compliment.
ELIZABETH
That is one great difference between us.
Compliments always take you by surprise.
Well, Mr Bingley is certainly very
amiable, and I give you leave to like
him. You've liked many a stupider person.
JANE
Lizzie!
ELIZABETH
You're a great deal too apt to like
people in general, you know. All the
world is good and agreeable in your eyes.
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