Exploring Pride and Prejudice (Includes Jane Austen's Original Novel): A Journey through the 1995 TV Series Starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle

By Huw Thomas and Jane Austen

An enhanced edition of "Pride and Prejudice" aimed at lovers of the 1995 BBC TV Series, adapted by Andrew Davies and starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. This edition comprises a linked treatment exploring the TV series and its characters, showing how the drama relates to Jane Austen's original novel. The ebook is packed with illustrative quotes and provides hyperlinked jumping-off points for exploring the novel, which is also included in full.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Oct 31, 2014
• ISBN: 9781905605460

Huw Thomas

Huw Thomas is a former headteacher of Welsh-medium comprehensive schools and an Adjunct Member of the LPPR Unit at Cardiff University. Colin Williams is Research Professor and Director of the Language, Policy and Planning Research Unit at the School of Welsh, Cardiff University.

Book preview

One

Episode 1 (Part 1) - A Truth Universally Acknowledged

Countryside near Netherfield Hall; Longbourn House; Outside Longbourn Village Church

Episode 1: 00:31

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.

Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune from the north of England … he came down on Monday in a chaise and four to see the place, and was so much delighted with it, that he agreed with Mr. Morris immediately; that he is to take possession before Michaelmas, and some of his servants are to be in the house by the end of next week.

Darcy and Bingley ride out to view the great house of Netherfield Hall, where Bingley is considering settling down. They discuss the house and despite Darcy’s warnings about the savage country society, Bingley wins his friend’s approval — which he clearly needs before he can feel comfortable in proceeding.

Elizabeth (Lizzy) Bennet is out for a country walk and watches the riders from a nearby vantage point. She is not seen by them. Arriving home from her walk, she is greeted by raised voices as Kitty and Lydia (Lizzy’s youngest sisters) squabble over a bonnet. Mary, the middle sister, sits reading as the argument goes on around her. Lizzy pauses outside her father’s study window and catches his eye; they exchange a resigned smile over the sisters’ behaviour.

Mrs Bennet complains of her nerves and then calls for her two eldest daughters, Jane and Lizzy.

The scene changes and we see the Bennets outside Longbourn Village church. Mrs Bennet informs her husband that Netherfield Park has been let to Mr Bingley, and discusses that young man’s fortune and his possible marital choices. Mr Bennet is humorously dismissive, while Kitty and Lydia chatter excitedly, each one imagining herself as the future Mrs Bingley.

This part is taken from Chapter One, though the initial introductory scenes (the viewing of Netherfield Hall by Bingley and Darcy, and Lizzy’s walk and return home) are dramatic additions.

Episode 1 (Part 2) - A Visit is Refused

Longbourn House: Downstairs Hall and Drawing Room

Episode 1: 05:13

You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these last twenty years at least.

Mrs Bennet wishes to engineer marital opportunities for her daughters, but Mr Bennet insists he will not visit Mr Bingley. Instead, he jokingly offers to write with the offer of any of the five daughters; Mrs Bennet begs him not to do so. Mr Bennet responds with some more good-natured (if subtly cutting) remarks that only serve to agitate his wife further.

This part is taken from Chapter One.

Episode 1 (Part 3) - On Marital Prospects and Entailment

Longbourn House: Jane’s Bedroom and Upstairs Hallway

Episode 1: 07:10

Mr. Bennet’s property consisted almost entirely in an estate of two thousand a year, which, unfortunately for his daughters, was entailed, in default of heirs male, on a distant relation; and their mother's fortune, though ample for her situation in life, could but ill supply the deficiency of his.

In Jane’s bedroom, Lizzy and Jane discuss their marital prospects in the context of the entailment on the Bennet’s estate of Longbourn.

This entailment stipulates that the property can only pass to a male heir. No such heir exists within the family, so Longbourn and its income will eventually go to a distant male relative, leaving the Bennet females impoverished. Thus at least one of the sisters needs to marry well; Lizzy believes it will have to be Jane, the prettiest. She herself is determined to marry only for love. The sisters part and Lizzy bids her mother and other sisters goodnight.

This scene does not occur in the novel, but the information it delivers is explained in Chapter Seven and referred to in several other places.

Episode 1 (Part 4) - A Visit is Confirmed

Longbourn House: the Drawing Room

Episode 1: 09:42

I am sick of Mr. Bingley, cried his wife. — I am sorry to hear that; but why did not you tell me that before? If I had known as much this morning I certainly would not have called on him. It is very unlucky; but as I have actually paid the visit, we cannot escape the acquaintance now.

Lydia and Kitty prattle on about the newly-arrived Mr Bingley, his numerous servants, and his fine clothes … and also the fact that he has declared he will bring a large party of ladies and gentlemen (though fewer gentlemen than ladies) to the next ball, to be held at the assembly rooms the following Saturday. Mrs Bennet begs that the chatter should cease since the subject of Mr Bingley now pains her — to which Mr Bennet replies that if he had known that, he’d never have called on the gentleman in question, and that now it is too late to escape the acquaintance.

Mrs Bennet’s mood changes instantly, and she begins to plan how all her daughters will dance with Mr Bingley at the coming ball.

This part is taken from Chapter Two.

Episode 1 (Part 5) - The Meryton Assembly

The Assembly Rooms at Meryton

Episode 1: 11:37

Come, Darcy, said he, I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You had much better dance.

"She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me."

Bingley, Darcy, and Bingley’s relatives (his sisters Miss Caroline Bingley and Mrs Louisa Hurst, and his brother-in-law Mr Hurst) arrive at the assembly. Mrs Bennet gushes about Darcy’s wealth.

Sir William Lucas ushers the two gentlemen over and Mrs Bennet introduces her daughters to Bingley. Bingley takes an instant liking to Jane and asks her to dance. Darcy declines to join in, saying he seldom dances, which annoys Mrs Bennet and leads to some ill-mannered comments from her.

Later, Bingley again tries to persuade his friend to dance, suggesting Lizzy as a suitable partner. Lizzy overhears Darcy’s slighting refusal of her. She goes to her friend Charlotte Lucas and they laugh together.

This part is taken from Chapter Three.

Episode 1 (Part 6) - After the Meryton Assembly (Longbourn)

Longbourn House: the Drawing Room

Episode 1: 21:28

But I can assure you, she added, "that Lizzy does not lose much by not suiting his fancy; for he is a most disagreeable, horrid man, not at all worth pleasing. So high and so conceited that there was no enduring him! He walked here, and he walked there, fancying himself so very great! Not handsome enough to dance with! I wish you had been there, my dear, to have given him one of your set-downs. I quite detest the man."

Later, back at Longbourn, Mr Bennet sits by the drawing room fire reading a book (an activity that he apparently preferred to attending the assembly himself), while Mrs Bennet tells him how much Jane was admired and how Bingley repeatedly chose her as his dance partner. She then praises Bingley’s sisters and launches into a discussion of the lace on Mrs Hurst’s gown, at which point her husband begs her to cease.

Mrs Bennet then changes the subject to Darcy, who she finds horrid and disobliging because of the way he slighted Lizzy. Lizzy herself says that she is not concerned by the matter since she didn’t care for Darcy either; she believes she may safely promise never to dance with him, even if he should ask.

This part is taken from Chapters Three and Five.

Episode 1 (Part 7) - After the Meryton Assembly (Netherfield)

Netherfield: the Drawing Room

Episode 1: 22:52

"She a beauty!—I should as soon call her mother a wit."

The post-assembly discussion at Netherfield takes a rather different tone to the one at Longbourn. Bingley’s sisters are politely disrespectful of the Bennet girls and their mother, while Bingley declares them to have been both pleasant and pretty — an attitude that Darcy cannot understand as he declares Lizzy to be no more a beauty than her mother is a wit. Bingley refuses to think ill of Jane Bennet, and both his sisters concede that she is a sweet girl with unfortunate relations, and that they would not be sorry to know her better.

Mr Hurst, who has apparently been sleeping off the effects of the wine he imbibed during the ball, brings the scene to a humorous close by waking up and declaring the event to have been a tedious waste of an evening.

This scene includes material (told in recollection in the novel, in a scene at Pemberley, but played out here for dramatic purposes) from Chapter 45.

Episode 1 (Part 8) - On the Character, Appearance and Acquaintances of Mr Bingley

Longbourn Park

Episode 1: 24:14

He is just what a young man ought to be, said she, sensible, good-humoured, lively; and I never saw such happy manners!—so much ease, with such perfect good breeding! — He is also handsome, replied Elizabeth, which a young man ought likewise to be, if he possibly can. His character is thereby complete.

Lizzy and Jane have been gathering lavender and other flowers in the gardens at Longbourn. Jane expresses her admiration of Bingley. Lizzy also approves of him. However, she is not so sure about his sisters and friends.

Jane disagrees. Even Darcy, she suggests, might improve on closer acquaintance.

Lizzy mockingly repeats the slights Darcy gave her, and Jane agrees that it was very wrong of him to speak so.

Back at the courtyard before the house, Lizzy runs to greet her friend Charlotte Lucas who has just arrived. Charlotte announces that her father, Sir William Lucas, is to give a party at Lucas Lodge and that they are all invited.

This part is taken from Chapter Four.

Episode 1 (Part 9) - The Ball at Lucas Lodge

Lucas Lodge

Episode 1: 25:44

My dear Miss Eliza, why are you not dancing? Mr. Darcy, you must allow me to present this young lady to you as a very desirable partner. You cannot refuse to dance, I am sure, when so much beauty is before you. And, taking her hand, he would have given it to Mr. Darcy, who, though extremely surprised, was not unwilling to receive it…

Sir William Lucas welcomes Miss Caroline Bingley and Mrs Louisa Hurst to Lucas Lodge, while Mrs Bennet holds forth (rather loudly) to Lady Lucas on the subject of Bingley’s five thousand a year. Colonel and Mrs Forster come over; the presence of the regiment and its supply of officers is highly welcome to Mrs Bennet and her younger daughters.

Sir William offers to introduce Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst at St James’s Court. The sisters politely cut him off. Miss Bingley expresses sympathy for Darcy, who is standing nearby, apparently brooding.

Lizzy makes small talk with Colonel Forster and expresses the hope that he will soon give a ball — a suggestion that receives much support. Lydia tells Mary (at the piano) to play something jolly. This leads to a vocal family dispute, causing raised eyebrows among several guests, including Bingley’s party. Sir William comes to the rescue with some face saving words for Mary. The dancers move to a clear area of the room.

Lizzy and Charlotte discuss Jane’s developing relationship with Bingley, and also Darcy’s apparent interest in Lizzy (he is watching her).

Sir William approaches Darcy to discuss the dancing, an activity that Sir William finds more charming than Darcy does.

Lizzy decides that she needs to go and restrain Lydia’s boisterous behaviour, which is exposing the family to ridicule. As she passes nearby, Sir William accosts her and tries to pair her off with Darcy. Darcy says he would be happy if she did him the honour of dancing with him, but Lizzy refuses. After a brief conversation, she makes her excuses and walks away.

Darcy is now approached by Miss Bingley, who hazards that she can guess his thoughts. Darcy replies that he imagines not. She persists and he tells her that he was reflecting on the pleasure that a fine pair of female eyes can bestow. Miss Bingley asks whose eyes he has in mind and is astonished when he replies, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

This part is taken from Chapter Six, though Colonel Forster’s marital status is changed for dramatic purposes; in the novel he is a bachelor at this point and his wedding plans are only mentioned at the end of Chapter Twelve. This is significant in that Mrs Forster is firmly established as a very young newlywed when she later invites Lydia to Brighton.

Episode 1 (Part 10) - A Letter from Netherfield

Longbourn House: the Dining Room

Episode 1: 32:27

MY DEAR FRIEND, — If you are not so compassionate as to dine to-day with Louisa and me, we shall be in danger of hating each other for the rest of our lives, for a whole day’s téte-à-téte between two women can never end without a quarrel. Come as soon as you can on receipt of this. My brother and the gentlemen are to dine with the officers. — Yours ever, CAROLINE BINGLEY

The Bennet family are at breakfast in the dining room at Longbourn. Jane has received a letter — from Miss Bingley, she says. Mrs Bennet gets up and snatches the letter before Jane can read it, then returns to her place where she announces the salient point: the letter is an invitation for Jane to dine with Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst at Netherfield that evening, the gentlemen being away.

Jane asks her father if she can use the carriage but before he can reply, Mrs Bennet insists that she must go on horseback since it looks like rain and thus Jane will have to stay overnight. Jane looks horrified. A low peal of thunder sounds; a storm is on the way. Mr Bennet turns to the window to glance outside; plainly he does not consider it wise for Jane to be out riding in such weather. But Mrs Bennet insists that there is no point in Jane going all the way to Netherfield unless she can see Bingley, which will not happen unless her return is delayed. It is all going, Mrs Bennet says, exactly as she planned.

This part is taken from Chapter Seven. A subtle difference is that in the novel, Mr Bennet reluctantly confirms what his wife already hopes: that the horses for the carriage are needed on the farm that day. Thus the drama allows Mrs Bennet to overrule her husband in a way that does not happen in the novel.

Episode 1 (Part 11) - Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst Show Their Quality

Netherfield: the Dining Room

Episode 1: 33:28

Jane had not been gone long before it rained hard. Her sisters were uneasy for her, but her mother was delighted. The rain continued the whole evening without intermission; Jane certainly could not come back.

Jane rides to Netherfield through the rain. Over dinner, Mrs Hurst quizzes Jane about her relations, firstly discussing Mr Phillips who is a respectable local attorney, then moving on to Mrs Bennet’s brother who lives in London’s Gracechurch Street. Miss Bingley inquires knowingly about the precise location of Gracechurch Street (in Cheapside, an unfashionable part of town). Mortified and ill from her soaking, Jane is unable to answer. Mrs Hurst watches blandly as her guest comes close to fainting at the table. Miss Bingley calmly turns to Fosset, a footman, and orders him to fetch help.

In the novel, Bingley’s sisters do not express their disapproval of Jane’s Cheapside connections to her face, however they do sneer at them while in the company of Darcy and Bingley, in Chapter Eight.

Episode 1 (Part 12) - Reactions at Longbourn

Longbourn House: the Dining Room

Episode 1: 34:50

Well, my dear, said Mr. Bennet, when Elizabeth had read the note aloud, if your daughter should have a dangerous fit of illness—if she should die, it would be a comfort to know that it was all in pursuit of Mr. Bingley, and under your orders.

Over lunch the next day, the Bennet family discusses Jane’s illness. Mr Bennet blames (without saying so directly) Mrs Bennet for making Jane ride to Netherfield in the rain. Mrs Bennet responds that people do not die of trifling colds, and that Jane will be well taken care of.

Lizzy declares that she wishes to go to Netherfield to be with Jane, an idea that her mother rejects, advising Lizzy to go instead to Meryton with her sisters in pursuit of officers. Lizzy persists and Mr Bennet asks if he should send for the carriage — but Lizzy prefers to walk, despite the fact that the ground is still waterlogged from so much rain.

Kitty offers that she and Lydia should go with Lizzy as far as Meryton and Lydia agrees, saying that they will be able to call on Denny (one of the officers) before he is dressed — a prospect that makes the younger sisters giggle. Mr Bennet reflects that one of the few distinctions of his and Mrs Bennet’s life is that they have produced two of the silliest girls in the country.

This part is taken from Chapter Seven. In the novel, the coach horses are still not available so Lizzy has no choice but to walk; the dramatisation turns necessity into a virtue for Lizzy by emphasising her active and energetic nature.

Episode 1 (Part 13) - Miss Elizabeth Bennet Visits Netherfield

Netherfield

Episode 1: 36:08

Mr. Hurst looked at her with astonishment. Do you prefer reading to cards? said he; that is rather singular. — Miss Eliza Bennet, said Miss Bingley, despises cards. She is a great reader, and has no pleasure in anything else. — I deserve neither such praise nor such censure, cried Elizabeth; "I am not a great reader, and I have pleasure in many things."

Lizzy arrives at Netherfield and goes upstairs to tend her sick sister. In the dining room over breakfast, Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst criticise Lizzy’s wild and muddy state. Bingley defends Lizzy and (to Miss Bingley’s chagrin) Darcy expresses appreciation of how the exercise brightened her eyes. The sisters bring up the subject of their guests’ uncle in Cheapside, and Darcy states that with such a connection, the Bennet girls have little chance of marrying well.

Lizzy enters. Jane, she says, is quite unwell. Bingley insists that Lizzy should stay until Jane is recovered.

Mr Hurst asks whether there will be any sport that day and later, we briefly see the gentlemen out shooting. Lizzy returns to Jane’s room. The day passes.

Lizzy goes downstairs and Fosset (the footman) tells her that Bingley is in the drawing room. Unsure of her bearings, Lizzy accidentally goes to the billiards room where Darcy is practising alone. He bows politely but she turns on her heel and leaves.

Later in the drawing room, Lizzy reads, Darcy prowls, and the others play at cards (Mr Hurst is winning). Darcy approaches Lizzy and asks after her sister. Lizzy thanks him and says she believes Jane is a little better; Darcy says he is glad to hear it. Miss Bingley tries to engage Darcy, who ignores her and goes to a writing desk. Lizzy declines to join the game. Mr Hurst expresses his astonishment that she could prefer reading to cards, and Miss Bingley adds that Lizzy is a great reader who takes pleasure in nothing else. Lizzy denies that she is a great reader and declares that she takes pleasure in many things.

Miss Bingley returns her attention to Darcy, who is writing to his sister. This leads to a discussion of female accomplishment. Darcy pays Lizzy an indirect compliment by saying he considers the improvement of the mind through extensive reading to be a more substantial accomplishment than any of the others.

Lizzy responds with surprise that Darcy, considering the high standards he professes, knows any accomplished women at all. Miss Bingley suggests that Lizzy’s experience of society is too limited; their circle includes many accomplished young women. Mr Hurst interjects that they are neglecting the card game, which now resumes (to a collective groan from the losing players).

This part is taken from Chapters Seven and Eight. The discussion (behind her back) of Lizzy’s muddy state and undesirable connections is moved from the evening to the breakfast scene, since in the dramatisation Lizzy is present in the other scenes.

Episode 1 (Part 14) - Mrs Bennet Visits Netherfield

Netherfield

Episode 1: 44:10

You may depend upon it, Madam, said Miss Bingley, with cold civility, that Miss Bennet will receive every possible attention while she remains with us.

The following day, Mrs Bennet arrives with Lydia and Kitty to see Jane; after visiting the sick room, she says her daughter is too ill to be moved. Bingley readily agrees to this and is his usual friendly, helpful self, but Darcy expresses dissatisfaction with the local country society — at which Mrs Bennet takes noisy offence, ignoring Lizzy’s embarrassed attempts to quiet her.

Lydia reminds Bingley that he has promised to give a ball, and he agrees that it shall take place once Jane is recovered.

This part is taken from Chapter Nine.

Episode 1 (Part 15) - Miss Elizabeth Bennet Learns More of Mr Darcy

Netherfield

Episode 1: 46:57

I have faults enough, but they are not, I hope, of understanding. My temper I dare not vouch for. It is, I believe, too little yielding—certainly too little for the convenience of the world. I cannot forget the follies and vices of others so soon as I ought, nor their offenses against myself. My feelings are not puffed about with every attempt to move them. My temper would perhaps be called resentful. My good opinion once lost, is lost forever.

Darcy is bathing, attended by a servant. Afterward, he puts on a dressing gown and goes to his bathroom window. In the garden below, Lizzy happily plays with a Spotted Great Dane, unaware that she is being observed.

That evening, Lizzy and the rest of the party gather in the drawing room. Miss Bingley invites Lizzy to take a turn about the room with her, and then asks Darcy to join them as well. He refuses and this leads to a discussion (largely between Darcy and Lizzy) of Darcy’s prideful character.

The next morning, Lizzy and Jane (now recovered) depart for home. Bingley comes out to see them off. Inside, the rest of the party is at breakfast. Miss Bingley expresses relief at having the house to themselves again, while Darcy watches the departing carriage from the dining room window. In the carriage, Lizzy tells Jane that (the excellent Bingley aside), she has never been so happy to leave a place in her life.

This part is largely taken from Chapter Eleven.

Episode Two

Episode 2 (Part 1) - As Absurd as He Had Hoped

Longbourn House

Episode 2: 00:31

Mr. Bennet’s expectations were fully answered. His cousin was as absurd as he had hoped, and he listened to him with the keenest enjoyment, maintaining at the same time the most resolute composure of countenance, and, except in an occasional glance at Elizabeth, requiring no partner in his pleasure.

Mr Bennet has received a conciliatory letter from Mr Collins, who stands to inherit the Longbourn estate due to its entailment on a male heir. Mr Collins announces his intention of visiting Longbourn and of doing everything possible to make amends to the Bennet girls.

Mr Collins arrives as promised and is welcomed by the family. Over dinner, his obsequious nature becomes steadily more apparent (as does Mr Bennet’s playful teasing) as Mr Collins discusses his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and her great estate of Rosings, and the condescension she shows to him.

The next morning, all the family except for Mr Bennet are in the garden. Mr Collins walks with Mrs Bennet and discusses her daughters, indicating his particular interest in Jane. Mrs Bennet informs him that Jane is soon likely to be engaged but that her younger daughters have no such attachments. Mr Collins quickly studies each of the younger girls in turn, with his gaze finally coming to rest on Lizzy.

Lydia announces that they are walking to town in search of Denny, and Mrs Bennet encourages Mr Collins to join them. He readily agrees and simperingly summons Cousin Elizabeth to walk with him.

This part is taken from Chapters Thirteen, Fourteen and Fifteen.

Episode 2 (Part 2) - A Young Man of Most Gentlemanlike Appearance

Meryton

Episode 2: 08:17

Elizabeth happening to see the countenance of both as they looked at each other, was all astonishment at the effect of the meeting. Both changed colour, one looked white, the other red. Mr. Wickham, after a few moments, touched his hat—a salutation which Mr. Darcy just deigned to return. What could be the meaning of it? It was impossible to imagine; it was impossible not to long to know.

In Meryton, Lydia spots Denny and an unknown man, and calls the pair over. Denny introduces his friend as Mr George Wickham. The sisters are planning to attend a gathering at the home of their Aunt Phillips that evening, and Lydia invites Mr Wickham to join them. After some hesitation about attending without an invitation, he allows himself to be persuaded.

Bingley and Darcy ride up and Bingley dismounts, saying that they were just riding to Longbourn in order to ask after the sisters’ health. Darcy remains on his horse; he and Mr Wickham exchange a cool glance. Mr Wickham nods and touches his hat but Darcy does not acknowledge the gesture; he simply rides off.

This part is taken from Chapter Fifteen.

Episode 2 (Part 3) - Mrs Phillips Entertains

The Home of Mrs Phillips

Episode 2: 11:37

"A military life is not what I was intended for, but circumstances have now made it eligible. The church ought to have been my profession—I was brought up for the church, and I should at this time have been in possession of a most valuable living, had it pleased the gentleman we were speaking of just now."

Mr Collins gushes embarrassingly to Mrs Phillips, who goes from being offended to being diverted as she comes to understand his obsequious nature. To Lizzy’s relief, Mrs Phillips takes Mr Collins off to play cards (a pastime at which he does not shine).

Mr Wickham approaches Lizzy. They discuss Darcy, and Mr Wickham relates the tale of how he was promised a living in the Church by Darcy’s father, and how Darcy refused to honour this pledge, instead giving the position to someone else. Lizzy expresses her shock at this; Darcy is even worse than she had imagined. Mr Wickham says she must not feel sorry for him since his position now is not so bad … particularly the society in which he now finds himself.

Lydia interrupts the conversation and drags Mr Wickham away to dance.

This part is taken from Chapters Fifteen and Sixteen. The dramatisation combines two separate events hosted by Mrs Phillips; in the novel, rather than intruding into the first gathering, Mr Wickham waits for a formal invitation to the follow-up, which is held the next evening.

Episode 2 (Part 4) - On the Truthfulness of Mr Wickham

Longbourn House: Jane’s Bedroom

Episode 2: 17:23

I can much more easily believe Mr. Bingley’s being imposed on, than that Mr. Wickham should invent such a history of himself as he gave me last night; names, facts, everything mentioned without ceremony. If it be not so, let Mr. Darcy contradict it. Besides, there was truth in his looks.

Jane and Lizzy have been discussing Mr Wickham’s story of his mistreatment by Darcy. Jane says she cannot believe that Darcy would have behaved in such a way but Lizzy is more inclined to imagine it true; she confesses that she likes Mr Wickham … very much. In any case, she says, there was truth in his looks.

Jane still finds it difficult and distressing to believe; she doesn’t know what to think. Lizzy, on the other hand, knows exactly what to think.

This part is taken from Chapter Seventeen.

Episode 2 (Part 5) - An Invitation to the Netherfield Ball

Longbourn House: the Drawing Room

Episode 2: 18:40

I am by no means of the opinion, I assure you, said he, that a ball of this kind, given by a young man of character, to respectable people, can have any evil tendency; and I am so far from objecting to dancing myself, that I shall hope to be honoured with the hands of all my fair cousins in the course of the evening; and I take this opportunity of soliciting yours, Miss Elizabeth, for the two first dances especially…

Mrs Bennet excitedly informs her daughters that they have all been invited to a ball at Netherfield. She goes on to say that the invitation also includes Mr Collins, who indicates his willingness to attend. Lizzy attempts to discourage him, asking whether it would be proper. Mr Collins replies that while her scruples do her credit, he expects the ball to be a respectable affair at which he plans to dance with all of the sisters … and that he intends to have the first two dances with Lizzy herself.

This part is taken from Chapter Seventeen.

Episode 2 (Part 6) - A Conversible Companion

Longbourn Park

Episode 2: 19:39

Mr. Darcy can please where he chooses. He does not want abilities. He can be a conversible companion if he thinks it worth his while. Among those who are at all his equals in consequence, he is a very different man from what he is to the less prosperous.

Mr Wickham and two other officers have called to visit the Bennet girls in Longbourn Park. The other officers entertain Lydia and Kitty at the park’s tree-swing, while Mr Wickham walks with Lizzy and Mr Collins. Mr Collins takes the opportunity to educate Mr Wickham about the splendour of Rosings (the home of his patroness) and about the grandeur of the fire places there.

Jane arrives to distract Mr Collins, who reluctantly accompanies her back to the house leaving Lizzy alone with Mr Wickham. They discuss Bingley and his friendship with Darcy, a friendship that seems incomprehensible to Lizzy given what she now knows of Darcy. Mr Wickham explains that Darcy can please as he chooses and that he can even be agreeable to people he considers to be his equals.

They then discuss Darcy’s young sister, who Mr Wickham says was once very fond of him but has now grown proud, too much like her brother. Miss Darcy is sixteen, which Mr Wickham takes to be Lydia’s age; Lizzy informs him that her sister is in fact only fifteen.

Mr Wickham mentions that Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Mr Collins’s patroness; is Darcy’s aunt, and that Darcy himself is engaged to her daughter, Miss Anne de Bourgh.

The substance of this part is taken from Chapter Sixteen; it draws on the disclosures that Mr Wickham made to Lizzy at the home of Mrs Phillips. Note that despite visiting the park at Longbourn in the current episode, Mr Wickham is not introduced to Mr and Mrs Bennet until Lizzy invites him for tea in Episode 3.

Episode 2 (Part 7) - Prelude to the Netherfield Ball

Longbourn House: Lizzy’s Bedroom and Upstairs Hallway

Episode 2: 22:55

If there had not been a Netherfield ball to prepare for and talk of, the younger Miss Bennets would have been in a very pitiable state at this time, for from the day of the invitation, to the day of the ball, there was such a succession of rain as prevented their walking to Meryton once.

Lizzy is in her bedroom preparing for the Netherfield ball. Mrs Bennet instructs her to repay Mr Collins’s attentiveness to her, by paying him every courtesy that evening. Lydia enters to ask Lizzy’s opinion of her gown, which she has not yet put on. Returning to her own room she bumps into Mr Collins, who is mortified at seeing her in her slip. He covers his eyes with his hand and goes downstairs.

While this scene does not occur in the novel, it is arguably a dramatic expression of the final paragraphs from Chapter Seventeen.

Episode 2 (Part 8) - The Netherfield Ball

Netherfield

Episode 2: 24:21

"One must speak a little, you know. It would look odd to be entirely silent for half an hour together; and yet for the advantage of some, conversation ought to be so arranged, as that they may have the trouble of saying as little as possible. — Are you consulting your own feelings in the present case, or do you imagine that you are gratifying mine? — Both, replied Elizabeth archly; for I have always seen a great similarity in the turn of our minds. We are each of an unsocial, taciturn disposition, unwilling to speak, unless we expect to say something that will amaze the whole room, and be handed down to posterity with all the eclat of a proverb."

As the Bennets and Mr Collins arrive outside Netherfield Hall, Lizzy glances up and sees Darcy through a window. Inside, Bingley and his sisters greet them, after which Bingley escorts Jane and Lizzy into the ball room. Lizzy studies the group of officers who have gathered together; Mr Wickham is not among them. She does, however, see Darcy. One of the officers (Denny) comes over and conveys Mr Wickham’s regret that he has been called away to town on urgent business. Denny then suggests that the urgency of the business was related to Mr Wickham’s desire to avoid a certain gentleman — Darcy.

Lydia and Kitty and another officer (Chamberlayne) rush over and drag Denny away to dance, after which Lizzy joins her friend Charlotte Lucas. Mr Collins immediately intrudes so that Lizzy is forced to introduce him to Charlotte and then to dance with him. Mr Collins proves to be an inept dancer. Bingley dances with Jane. Darcy watches but does not join the dance himself.

Later, Lizzy and Charlotte discuss Mr Wickham’s ill-treatment by Darcy. Charlotte questions whether the story can be true but Lizzy has no doubt that it is. She brings up Darcy’s self-confessed qualities of resentfulness and implacability just as the gentleman himself comes up to ask her for the next dance. She is too flustered to refuse.

The music strikes up and the couples take their places. Darcy and Lizzy dance in silence at first, until Lizzy initiates a conversation that covers the art of making small talk at a ball; an oblique reference to Mr Wickham; and Darcy’s character — which he asks her not to try to make out.

Later, while most of the guests are seated for dinner, Miss Bingley approaches Lizzy and warns her not to believe everything that Mr Wickham says. She claims that it was Mr Wickham who was at fault but says she cannot remember the details. Lizzy rebuffs her; Miss Bingley coldly apologises for her interference and departs.

Jane follows Lizzy to the punch bowl, where Lizzy complains of Miss Bingley’s attack on Mr Wickham. Jane informs her that Bingley also fears that Mr Wickham is not respectable. Lizzy objects that since Bingley does not know Mr Wickham himself, he will only have heard Darcy’s side of the story.

Bingley calls for some music and a song and invites Miss Bingley to oblige — but Mary preempts her by hurrying to the piano. An embarrassingly mediocre performance ensues. As the song continues, Mr Collins sidles up to Darcy and introduces himself. Darcy listens for a moment and then cuts Mr Collins off in mid-flow by the simple expedient of rising from his chair and walking away.

Outside, a dog howls in response to Mary’s singing. Mary launches into a second recital, to the evident dismay of many in the assembly. Mr Bennet rescues them (and spares further embarrassment to his family) by telling Mary that she should give the other girls a chance. Mr Collins immediately volunteers himself to sing while implying that he cannot, and goes to stand at the piano expectantly. Mrs Hurst heads him off by launching into a Mozart concerto at such a rapid clip that Mr Collins is reduced to keeping time with his clutched handkerchief.

Mrs Bennet holds forth loudly on Mr Collins’s good qualities and on how he has taken a shine to Lizzy despite the fact that he originally favoured Jane — who will, Mrs Bennet informs everyone in earshot, be married to Bingley. Lydia and Kitty, too, makes spectacles of themselves due to their boisterous and unseemly behaviour with the officers.

This part is taken from Chapter Eighteen. Darcy’s cutting-off of Mr Collins is entertainingly played up in the drama compared to his behaviour in the novel: ‘Mr. Darcy was eyeing him with unrestrained wonder, and when at last Mr. Collins allowed him time to speak, replied with an air of distant civility. Mr. Collins, however, was not discouraged from speaking again, and Mr. Darcy’s contempt seemed abundantly increasing with the length of his second speech, and at the end of it he only made him a slight bow, and moved another way. Mr. Collins then returned to Elizabeth.’

Episode 2 (Part 9) - Mr Collins Is by No Means Discouraged

Longbourn House: the Drawing Room

Episode 2: 42:49

I am not now to learn, replied Mr. Collins, with a formal wave of the hand, that it is usual with young ladies to reject the addresses of the man whom they secretly mean to accept, when he first applies for their favour; and that sometimes the refusal is repeated a second, or even a third time. I am therefore by no means discouraged by what you have just said, and shall hope to lead you to the altar ere long.

Mr Collins has asked Mrs Bennet to arrange a private interview between himself and Lizzy, who thus finds herself unable to avoid being alone with him. Mr Collins broaches the subject of marriage, ignoring Lizzy’s repeated attempts to stop him; he outlines the advantages of his situation (particularly in comparison to hers) and his reasons for wishing to marry (which mainly turn on the fact that his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, has told him to do so). He does not go so far as to actually ask for Lizzy’s hand; instead he assumes that she will automatically agree to have him.

Lizzy makes it very clear that she will not agree but Mr Collins refuses to believe her, choosing instead to interpret her unwillingness as female delicacy. Try as she might, Lizzy cannot make him believe that she means what she says.

This part is taken from Chapter Nineteen.

Episode 2 (Part 10) - An Unhappy Alternative

Longbourn House

Episode 2: 48:44

"An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do."

Mrs Bennet bursts into Mr Bennet’s study to tell him that Lizzy will not have Mr Collins and that Mr Collins is now minded not to have Lizzy. Mr Benent, she says, must make Lizzy agree to marry. Mr Bennet listens in puzzlement and then agrees to speak to Lizzy, who now enters the study. He asks her if she has refused Mr Collins; she confirms this. He then says that Lizzy’s mother insists that she accepts. Mrs Bennet agrees, saying she will otherwise never see Lizzy again. Mr Bennet tells Lizzy that she now faces the unhappy alternative of being a stranger to one or the other of her parents, since he will never see her again if she accepts.

Mrs Bennet gives a frustrated shriek and collapses onto a chair.

Meanwhile, Lydia and Kitty are on their way out, with Mrs Bennet’s wailing sounding behind them. They meet Charlotte Lucas who has come to see Lizzy. Kitty tells Charlotte of Lizzy’s rejection of Mr Collins, and that Mr Collins now refuses to spend another night at Longbourn. Charlotte offers to invite Mr Collins to dine at Lucas Lodge that evening, a suggestion that Lydia wholeheartedly supports. Kitty and Lydia continue on their way while Charlotte, after a moment of reflection, enters the house. A little later, we see Mr Collins with his hat, coat and luggage, preparing to depart. Mrs Bennet flutters around him to no avail. He coldly takes his leave and goes off with Charlotte.

This part is taken from Chapters Twenty and Twenty One, though Mr Collins’s hurried departure is a dramatic addition. Charlotte provides Mr Collins with a welcome distraction from the injury of rejection, but he does not leave with her.

Episode Three

Episode 3 (Part 1) - Mr Collins is by Every Means Encouraged

Longbourn House

Episode 3: 00:32

The stupidity with which he was favoured by nature must guard his courtship from any charm that could make a woman wish for its continuance; and Miss Lucas, who accepted him solely from the pure and disinterested desire of an establishment, cared not how soon that establishment were gained.

The episode opens with Lydia and Kitty hurrying back to Longbourn House in great excitement and calling for Lizzy and Jane as they arrive. They announce that Mr Collins has proposed to Charlotte Lucas, and that Charlotte has accepted him. Lizzy is stunned at the news that her friend has agreed to marry Mr Collins, and declares it to be impossible.

This brief scene does not appear in the novel, however the circumstances of Charlotte’s swift engagement to Mr Collins are described in Chapter Twenty Two, which also relates how Charlotte privately relays the news to Lizzy at Longbourn. The formal announcement to the Bennet family is made by Sir William Lucas in Chapter Twenty Three. Another aspect that is not explored in the drama is how the Lucases immediately begin calculating how they will eventually benefit from the entailment of the Longbourn estate on their son-in-law to be.

Episode 3 (Part 2) - Mr Collins Is the Happiest of Men

Lucas Lodge

Episode 3: 01:06

I see what you are feeling, replied Charlotte. You must be surprised, very much surprised—so lately as Mr. Collins was wishing to marry you. But when you have had time to think it over, I hope you will be satisfied with what I have done. I am not romantic, you know; I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collins’s character, connection, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state.

Lizzy visits Charlotte at Lucas Lodge and they sit talking. In the background, Mr Collins expounds to Sir William Lucas on the grandeur of the fireplaces at Rosings.

Charlotte questions why Lizzy should be surprised at her engagement to Mr Collins, and Lizzy says that she is surprised, but also delighted if Mr Collins has been able to secure Charlotte’s affections. Charlotte explains that she is not romantic (implying that affections do not come into it). She is only interested in a comfortable situation, which she believes she can secure through Mr Collins.

Mr Collins approaches and declares himself to be the happiest of men.

This part is taken from Chapter Twenty Two; the setting however is moved from Longbourn to Lucas Lodge.

Episode 3 (Part 3) - A Warning from Netherfield

Longbourn House: the Drawing Room

Episode 3: 2:06

But, my dear sister, can I be happy, even supposing the best, in accepting a man whose sisters and friends are all wishing him to marry elsewhere? — You must decide for yourself, said Elizabeth; and if, upon mature deliberation, you find that the misery of disobliging his two sisters is more than equivalent to the happiness of being his wife, I advise you by all means to refuse him.

Back at Longbourn, Lizzy and Jane discuss Charlotte’s engagement to Mr Collins. Lizzy cannot believe her friend is marrying one of the stupidest men in England. Jane is more understanding of the match.

Hill, the housekeeper, brings a letter to Jane. The letter is from Miss Bingley