Pride and Prejudice, a play by Mary Keith Medbery Mackaye Part 24

SIR WILLIAM.

[_Smiling._] Our friends usually have very sharp eyes for what is going on, Mrs. Bennet! [_Significantly._] I have, indeed, sometimes expected that _you_ would observe what has been going on in our own household of late.

MRS. BENNET.

[_Sharply._] Going on? What _has_ been going on, Sir William?

SIR WILLIAM.

[_With an important air._] It is only this, Mrs. Bennet, that Lady Lucas and myself have to ask your congratulations on our very great satisfaction in the recent engagement of our daughter, Charlotte.

MRS. BENNET.

Charlotte! Engaged! Why, who in the world is going to marry _her_?

[SIR WILLIAM _draws himself up with offended dignity_; LADY LUCAS _bridles_.]

SIR WILLIAM.

The gentleman whom my daughter has honoured with her hand is your husband's cousin--Mr. Collins!

MRS. BENNET.

[_Rising in rage and amazement._] Mr. Collins! Marry your Charlotte?

Good Lord, Sir William, how can you tell such a story! Do not you know that Mr. Collins is going to marry my Lizzy--or--or one of my other girls!

LADY LUCAS.

Well, really, Mrs. Bennet!

SIR WILLIAM.

[_Offended._] What I have told you is quite true, nevertheless, Mrs.

Bennet. The whole matter was settled before Mr. Collins returned to Hunsford. I am sorry we are not to receive your good wishes.

ELIZABETH.

[_Hastily._] Oh, but you _are_, Sir William! Charlotte has already told me all about her engagement, and we shall be most happy to welcome her as a cousin.

SIR WILLIAM.

[_Mollified and with gallantry._] Thank you, Miss Elizabeth! I am sure other congratulations will shortly be in order.

[_He glances significantly at_ DARCY; ELIZABETH _draws herself up_.

SIR WILLIAM, _smiling, makes a little bow and then turns to the table, where he and_ LADY LUCAS _busy themselves with their supper_.]

MRS. BENNET.

[_To_ ELIZABETH.] So Charlotte has told you, has she? I don't believe a word of it!

ELIZABETH.

Oh, mamma!

MRS. BENNET.

I am sure Mr. Collins has been taken in. Well, I trust they will never be happy together, and I hope the match will be broken off.

ELIZABETH.

[_Imploringly._] Mamma!

MRS. BENNET.

[_Turning on_ ELIZABETH _in a rage_.] And _you_ are the cause of the whole mischief, Lizzy! I think I have been barbarously used by you all!

[_While this conversation has been going on, the other guests have been taking their supper._ COLONEL FORSTER _now rises with a gla.s.s of wine in his hand_.]

COLONEL FORSTER.

Ladies and gentlemen---- [_The buzz of conversation ceases._] Ladies and gentlemen, I should like to propose the health of Mr. Bingley.

ALL.

Mr. Bingley!

COLONEL FORSTER.

[_Raising his gla.s.s._] To Mr. Bingley--may the pleasure which he has given us all to-night be but a foretaste of the future happiness which he will both _receive_ and _give_ in this community.

ALL.