Pride and Prejudice, a play founded on Jane Austen's novel

Mrs. Bennet

[With a sigh of relief.] How providential!

Elizabeth

[Looking back.] But I have brought someone else with me.

[Mr. Wickham and Charlotte Lucas come in gaily.]

All

[Exclaiming.] Oh, Mr. Wickham!

Wickham

[To Mrs. Bennet.] How do you do, Mrs. Bennet? This is indeed a pleasure. [Going over to Jane.] Miss Bennet, I am so glad to see you. [Reproachfully.] You were not with our party! [To Lydia.] Why do you never come to Meryton, Miss Lydia? Mr. Denny is quite downcast.

Lydia

[Pouting.] La, Mr. Denny!

Wickham

And many others beside him, Miss Lydia.

[Lydia giggles. Wickham returns to Mrs. Bennet.]

Mrs. Bennet

Well, 'tis an age since we saw you, Mr. Wickham. What have you been doing?

Wickham

Colonel Forster keeps me so busy that I have no time for enjoyment.

Elizabeth

Yes, Mr. Wickham bears all the marks of an harassed and overworked man.

Wickham

[Bowing to Elizabeth.] Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. You have given me the very terms I needed. [To Mrs. Bennet.] You see before you, Mrs. Bennet, an harassed and overworked man. Miss Elizabeth will bear witness that I was on my way to a business appointment when I yielded to temptation and went off for a walk with her and Miss Lucas and their irreproachable escort.

Elizabeth

And Miss Elizabeth will also testify that you yielded with the celerity and ease of long practice.

Wickham

[Laughing; to Elizabeth.] But in this case who was the tempter?

Elizabeth

Oh, I will admit that Mr. Collins was partially responsible.

[All laugh.]

Mrs. Bennet

Come, Lizzy, you have been talking to Mr. Wickham all the morning. Now, let some of the rest of us have a chance. [Turning to Wickham.] You must stay to dinner, Mr. Wickham.

Wickham

I wish I might. That is indeed a temptation. But you know Miss Elizabeth has just reminded me of my duty.

Mrs. Bennet

Oh, nobody ever minds Lizzy!

Wickham

Truly, I cannot to-day, Mrs. Bennet. It is too bad, but I am to meet Colonel Forster [Smiling at Elizabeth] on important business at the Drake Farm.

Mrs. Bennet

Well, I am very sorry.

Wickham

[Hesitatingly.] I might perhaps bring Colonel Forster in for a few moments on the way back – that is, if we return this way.

All

Oh, yes, do.

Mrs. Bennet

Yes, indeed. Tell Colonel Forster we should be delighted to see him.

Wickham

Thank you, I will. But now I really must be gone. [Bowing brightly to Jane and Lydia.] Good morning.

[To Charlotte Lucas.] Good morning, Miss Lucas. You must let me hear more about those clever plans of yours. I am vastly interested in them. [To Elizabeth.] Good morning, Miss Elizabeth. [Laughing.] You must try to temper your justice with mercy the next time I join you in a walk. [Pausing, he looks at Mrs. Bennet, who is standing between her daughters.] Do you know, Mrs. Bennet, that you always remind me of one of my old schoolboy phrases. Filiæ pulchræ! – Mater pulchrior! Good-bye.

[He runs off laughing. He has only gone a few steps when Lydia, who has been standing close to the door, runs out and calls to him.]

Lydia