Pride and Prejudice, a play by Mary Keith Medbery Mackaye Part 36

You have said quite enough, Madam! I perfectly comprehend your feelings and have now only to be ashamed of what my own have been. Forgive me for having taken up so much of your time, and accept my best wishes for your health and happiness. [DARCY _hastily leaves the room_.]

ELIZABETH.

[_Sinking into a chair, then getting up and walking excitedly about the room._] To insult my family! To think I was ready to fall on my knees, in grat.i.tude for his condescension! To calmly dispose of Jane's happiness! [_Stopping in her walk and with a half-amused smile._] And yet really to be in love with me in spite of every obstacle. [_Throwing herself again into the chair, half laughing, half crying._] Oh, Jane, Jane! I wish you were here!

MARTHA.

[_Enters with a letter._] Here is a letter, Miss. The express has just brought it.

ELIZABETH.

A letter? For me?

MAID.

Yes, Miss--[_She gives_ ELIZABETH _the letter; curtsies and goes out_.]

ELIZABETH.

[_Looking at the letter._] Why, it is from Jane! What can be the matter?

[_She opens the letter hurriedly and reads._] "Dearest Lizzy--I have bad news for you, and it cannot be delayed. An express came to us last night from Colonel Forster. He told us that Lydia had run away from Brighton with one of his officers:--to own the truth--with Wickham!"

ELIZABETH.

Oh! Wickham! [_Going on with the letter._] "He first thought they had gone to Scotland, but, oh, Lizzy, it is far worse than that! We now know that Wickham never intended to go there, or to marry Lydia at all!"

ELIZABETH.

Oh! [_Reading again._] "Colonel Forster has been here to-day. He says Wickham is not a man to be trusted! He has left Brighton terribly in debt, and his record is bad in every way. Oh, Lizzy, our distress is very great! My father is going to London with Colonel Forster instantly to try to discover the fugitives. It is hard to ask you to shorten your visit, but we are in such distress that----" [_Darting from her seat._]

Oh where--where is the express? I must write. No--I must go. Oh, Lydia and Wickham! I must go at once! I must send someone for a carriage.

[_She rushes to the garden door calling._] Martha, Martha! The express!

[_Suddenly she calls again._] Oh, Colonel Fitzwilliam, is that you?

COLONEL FITZWILLIAM.

[_Appearing in the garden._] What is the matter, Miss Bennet?

ELIZABETH.

[_Wildly._] Oh, Colonel Fitzwilliam--the express--or can you get me a carriage? I have bad news from home. I must return at once and Mr.

Collins is away. Will you be so kind? [_She falls, half-fainting, upon a chair near the door._]

COLONEL FITZWILLIAM.

[_With concern._] Certainly, my dear Miss Bennet--of course--but---- [_Calling off._] Darcy, don't wait for me. I can't join you now. Miss Bennet is in distress.

DARCY.

[_Entering._] Miss Bennet? Good G.o.d! What is the matter?

COLONEL FITZWILLIAM.

Miss Bennet has just had bad news from home. She wishes to return, and desires a carriage.

DARCY.

[_In a decided tone._] Do you go for the carriage, Fitzwilliam. Get one from the stables. [FITZWILLIAM _hesitates_.]

DARCY.

Go. I will remain with Miss Bennet.

[FITZWILLIAM _goes out_.]

DARCY.

[_To_ ELIZABETH _very gently_.] Shall I call the maid, Miss Bennet? A gla.s.s of wine? Shall I get it for you? You are very ill.

ELIZABETH.

[_Hardly able to speak._] No, I thank you: there is nothing the matter with me. I am quite well. I am only distressed by some dreadful news which I have just received from Longbourn. [_She bursts into tears._]

DARCY.

[_Helplessly._] I am sorry, very indeed!

ELIZABETH.

[_After a short silence._] I have just had a letter from Jane with such _dreadful_ news! It cannot be concealed from anyone.

DARCY.