Pride and Prejudice, a play by Mary Keith Medbery Mackaye Part 15

[_Rising and approaching nearer to_ ELIZABETH.] Still one moment more!

And now nothing remains for me but to a.s.sure you, in the most animated language, of the violence of my affection. To fortune I am perfectly indifferent, and you may a.s.sure yourself that no ungenerous reproach on that score shall ever pa.s.s my lips when we are married.

ELIZABETH.

[_Rising in her turn._] You are too hasty, sir! You forget that I have made no answer. Accept my thanks for the compliment you are paying me. I am very sensible of the honour of your proposals, but it is impossible for me to do otherwise than decline them.

MR. COLLINS.

[_With another formal wave of the hand._] I am not unmindful of the fact that sometimes a young lady's refusal is repeated a second or even a third time. I am, therefore, by no means discouraged by what you have just said, and I shall hope to lead you to the altar ere long.

ELIZABETH.

Upon my word, sir, your hope is rather an extraordinary one after my declaration! You must pay me the compliment of believing what I say. I wish you very happy, and very rich, and, by refusing your hand, do all in my power to prevent your being otherwise. This matter may be considered, therefore, as definitely settled.

[_She is about to leave the room when_ MR. COLLINS _detains her_.]

MR. COLLINS.

One moment. When I do myself the honour of speaking to you next on this subject, I shall hope to receive a more favourable answer.

ELIZABETH.

[_Becoming angry._] Really, Mr. Collins, you puzzle me exceedingly. I know not how to express my refusal in such a way as may convince you of its being one.

MR. COLLINS.

You must give me leave to flatter myself, my dear cousin, that your refusals of my address are merely words, of course. I shall choose to attribute them to your wish of increasing my love by suspense, according to the usual practice of elegant females.

ELIZABETH.

[_Very decidedly._] Please do not consider me now as an 'elegant female'; I would rather be paid the compliment of being believed sincere. To accept your proposal is absolutely impossible. Can I speak plainer?

MR. COLLINS.

[_With awkward gallantry._] You are uniformly charming; but I am persuaded that when my proposals are sanctioned by both your parents they will not fail of being acceptable. Meanwhile I may perhaps best serve my cause by leaving you to consider the matter by yourself for a while.

[_He bows and withdraws to the door._ ELIZABETH _with a gesture as if she gave the whole matter up in despair, and yet half amused, goes to the fireplace. Just as_ MR. COLLINS _reaches the door_ MRS.

BENNET _opens it_.]

MRS. BENNET.

Well, Mr. Collins, are we to congratulate each other? [_Looking doubtfully at_ ELIZABETH.] Has all gone as you could wish?

MR. COLLINS.

I have every reason to be satisfied, Madam. My cousin has indeed steadily refused this, my first offer, and with considerable warmth, but this refusal would naturally flow from her bashful modesty. With your influence behind me, I have no doubt of my ultimate success.

MRS. BENNET.

Yes, you may depend upon me, Mr. Collins. I will speak to Lizzy myself directly. She is a very headstrong, foolish girl and does not know her own interest. But I will make her know it.

MR. COLLINS.

[_Alarmed._] Pardon me, Madam, but if she is really headstrong and foolish, I know not whether she would altogether be a very desirable wife to a man in my situation. If, therefore, Miss Elizabeth persists in rejecting my suit, perhaps it were better not to force her into accepting me.

MRS. BENNET.

[_Alarmed in her turn._] Sir, you quite misunderstand me. Lizzy is only headstrong in such matters as these. In everything else she is as good-natured a girl as ever lived. Let me see her alone for a moment.

That will be the best.

MR. COLLINS.

But Madam--I----

MRS. BENNET.

[_Almost forcing_ MR. COLLINS _out of the room_.] Oh, I shall very soon settle it with her, I am sure. [MR. COLLINS _goes out_. MRS. BENNET _goes quickly to_ ELIZABETH.] Lizzy, what is the meaning of all this?

Have you refused Mr. Collins?

ELIZABETH.

Yes, mamma, but please listen----

MRS. BENNET.

[_Angrily._] No, I will not listen. I tell you what, Miss Lizzy, if you take it into your head to go on refusing every offer of marriage in this way, you will never get a husband at all. I am going at once to the library and speak to your father. You will listen _to him_ perhaps.

[MRS. BENNET _starts to go when she sees_ MR. BENNET _outside pa.s.sing the gla.s.s doors. He is just returning from his walk and carries a book under his arm_.]

MRS. BENNET.

Oh, there he is now! [_She runs to the door, and opens it._] Oh, Mr.

Bennet--Mr. Bennet! [MR. BENNET _turns_. MRS. BENNET _runs out, takes him by the arm, and tries to pull him into the room by main force_. MR.

BENNET, _puzzled, submits_.]