ELIZABETH.

[_With indifference._] Ah!

MISS BINGLEY.

Yes, and therefore we resent these falsehoods and this presumption on the part of George Wickham. But, really, considering his descent, we could not expect much better. He has evidently forgotten to tell you that he is the son of old Wickham, steward to the late Mr. Darcy.

ELIZABETH.

[_Angrily._] His guilt and his descent appear by your account to be the same. I have heard you accuse him of nothing worse than of being the son of Mr. Darcy's steward, and of _that_, I can a.s.sure you, he informed me himself.

MISS BINGLEY.

[_With a sneer._] Oh! I beg your pardon. Excuse my interference; it was kindly meant.

[_She goes out._]

ELIZABETH.

Insolent girl! You are much mistaken if you expect to influence me by such a paltry attack at this. I see nothing in it but your own wilful ignorance and the malice of Mr. Darcy.

[FOOTMEN _now come in with small tables, which they place about the stage_. BINGLEY _comes in and directs them_. DARCY _follows him_.]

BINGLEY.

[To ELIZABETH, JANE, _his sister, and others who have entered_.] I thought it would be pleasant to have some of the tables here. [_To_ JANE.] We must have places together.

[_With some bustle, all seat themselves. At the table on one side are seated_ DARCY, ELIZABETH, BINGLEY _and_ JANE: _A little behind them are_ MISS BINGLEY _with_ COLONEL FORSTER, CHARLOTTE LUCAS _with an officer. At the table on the opposite side is_ MRS. BENNET _with_ SIR WILLIAM _and_ LADY LUCAS. _Behind them are more tables at which other guests are seated._]

LYDIA.

[_Entering with_ DENNY, _much excited, goes to_ MRS. BENNET.] Mamma, have you heard the news? Mr. Denny has just told me that the regiment is to leave Meryton, and go to Brighton! Good heavens! What is to become of us, mamma?

MRS. BENNET.

[_Sympathetically._] Are they really going? Well, my love, it _is_ too bad! I know how you feel. I am sure I cried for two days together when Colonel Millar's regiment went away, five-and-twenty years ago. I thought I should have broken my heart.

LYDIA.

I am sure I shall break mine. [_Coaxingly._] Mamma, might we not _all_ go to Brighton?

MRS. BENNET.

Oh, if we only could! But I fear your father will not hear of it.

LYDIA.

Oh, papa is so disagreeable! I am sure a little sea-bathing would set me up forever! Wouldn't it, Mr. Denny?

DENNY.

Surely, Miss Lydia. Oh, you must manage it in some way.

[_They move off and take their places at one of the tables._]

MRS. BENNET.

[_Looking after them._] Well, Lady Lucas, it is hard for a lively young girl like my Lydia to be cooped up in a place where there is so little going on. However, [_Looking at_ BINGLEY _and_ JANE.] we are not likely to have it so very dull in the future. [_In a loud whisper to_ LADY LUCAS.] You know what I mean--[_Nudging her and laughing._] Jane and Bingley!

LADY LUCAS.

Ah! Indeed!

MRS. BENNET.

[_With importance and in a still louder tone._] Oh, yes! It's quite settled. Such a charming young man--and Netherfield only three miles from Longbourn! And Jane's marrying will be a fine thing for my other girls. They will be sure to meet other rich men who will fall in love with them.

ELIZABETH.

[_Who has heard the beginning of this conversation, makes a pretext to go to arrange her mother's scarf and says in low tones._] Oh, mamma! Be careful, I beg. Mr. Darcy can hear you!

MRS. BENNET.

What is Mr. Darcy to me, pray, that I should be afraid of him? I am sure we owe him no such particular civility as to be obliged to say nothing _he_ may not like to hear!

ELIZABETH.

[_In distress._] For heaven's sake, Madam, speak lower! What advantage can it be to you to offend Mr. Darcy? You will never recommend yourself to his friend by so doing.

MRS. BENNET.

That is enough, Lizzy! I think I can take care of myself. I never knew before that it was a crime to speak to one's friends about what everybody can see plainly enough, who has eyes in his head. [_Turning to_ SIR WILLIAM.] Did _you_, Sir William?