Pride and Prejudice, a play by Mary Keith Medbery Mackaye Part 10

The surrounding country is really charming, Mrs. Bennet.

MRS. BENNET.

_We_ think so. But you must give us a ball at Netherfield, Mr. Bingley, and then you will see that some of the people who live here are worth knowing.

ELIZABETH.

[_Distressed._] Oh, mamma!

JANE.

Mamma!

BINGLEY.

Certainly, Mrs. Bennet. I had already decided upon it. I told Mr. Darcy only yesterday that as soon as my sister, Miss Bingley, arrived, and Nicholas could make white soup enough, I should send out my cards. Did not I, Darcy?

DARCY.

[_Very stiffly._] I believe you did.

MRS. BENNET.

Well, that is vastly good in you, Mr. Bingley; and then, perhaps, your friend may change his mind about the country. [_To_ DARCY.] You didn't come to admire Sir William's chimneys, Mr. Darcy.

DARCY.

I was admiring your daughter's work, Madam.

MRS. BENNET.

Oh, you should see Jane's work. Lizzy is all for books, like her father.

She is a great reader and has no pleasure in anything else. Jane, show your embroidered parrot to Mr. Bingley.

JANE.

I do not think Mr. Bingley would be interested, ma'am.

BINGLEY.

[_Eagerly._] Oh, indeed, I should, Miss Bennet; I am very much interested in parrots.--Pray show it to me.

MRS. BENNET.

Yes, and the new hand-screen. I will find it for you.

[_All three withdraw, leaving_ ELIZABETH _and_ DARCY _together_.]

DARCY.

And so you are a great reader and take no pleasure in anything else?

ELIZABETH.

Mamma does not understand. I deserve neither such praise nor such censure. I am _not_ a great reader, and I have pleasure in many things.

DARCY.

So I should have thought.

BINGLEY.

[_Looking at the screen which he holds in his hand._]

It is amazing to me how young ladies can have patience to be so very accomplished as they are; to think how you all paint tables and cover screens and net purses. It is quite wonderful.

ELIZABETH.

Do you agree with your friend, Mr. Darcy?

DARCY.

His list of the common extent of accomplishments has too much truth. But I cannot boast of knowing more than half a dozen young ladies in the whole range of my acquaintance that are really accomplished.

ELIZABETH.

Then you must comprehend a great deal in your idea of an accomplished woman.

DARCY.