Pride and Prejudice, a play by Mary Keith Medbery Mackaye - BestLightNovel.com
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CHARLOTTE.
Well, Eliza, if you wouldn't mind, I should like you to put on your sprigged muslin. In spite of what Mr. Collins says, I know it would please him. I have no time to change. Is my cap straight? Oh, here she is. [_To the maid, who stands staring, with her arms full._] Why, Martha! Are you still there? Go! Go! [_She bustles the maid out of one door, then runs to the other, calling her husband._] Mr. Collins! Mr.
Collins!
[_She then rushes into the garden, followed immediately by_ MR.
COLLINS _in the same state of excitement_. ELIZABETH, _as she looks after them, is convulsed with laughter_.]
ELIZABETH.
So, at last--her high and only mightiness! No tremors, Elizabeth! Now is the time for all your courage. [_She runs laughing out of the room._]
[_Sounds of voices are heard, and_ LADY CATHERINE _appears escorted up the path by_ CHARLOTTE _and_ COLLINS.]
LADY CATHERINE.
[_As she reaches the door._] You keep too many hens, Mrs. Collins. There is just a certain number which are profitable--beyond that there is waste. [LADY CATHERINE _sits on the sofa_.] A clergyman's wife should set an example of thrift. You should have asked my advice.
MR. COLLINS.
Mrs. Collins will in the future regulate her poultry-yard according to your directions, Lady Catherine, if you will be so condescending as to give them.
CHARLOTTE.
Yes, thank you, Lady Catherine.
MR. COLLINS.
Will your Ladys.h.i.+p not take some refreshment?
CHARLOTTE.
Oh, yes--let me fetch you a cup of tea?
LADY CATHERINE.
No, no--I wish nothing. [_To_ MR. COLLINS.] But you may go, Mr. Collins, and see if Jones is walking the horses up and down. I do not trust Jones.
MR. COLLINS.
With great pleasure, your Ladys.h.i.+p. [MR. COLLINS _goes out_.]
LADY CATHERINE.
[_To_ CHARLOTTE.] I thought you had a visitor, Mrs. Collins.
CHARLOTTE.
Yes, your Ladys.h.i.+p--I have. It is my friend, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. She is a cousin of Mr. Collins and a neighbour of ours in Hertfords.h.i.+re.
LADY CATHERINE.
I have heard about her. Fitzwilliam says she is a very genteel, pretty kind of girl.
CHARLOTTE.
[_Pleased._] Indeed she is, Lady Catherine.
LADY CATHERINE.
Well, where is she?
CHARLOTTE.
She has gone to make a little change in her dress, before presenting herself to your Ladys.h.i.+p.
LADY CATHERINE.
Oh! very proper--very proper!
CHARLOTTE.
I am delighted to hear that Miss de Bourg is better, Lady Catherine.
LADY CATHERINE.
Yes, thank you. She is very greatly improved. [_After a slight pause, with impatience_.] Well, Miss Bennet takes her time!
CHARLOTTE.
[_Anxiously._] I am sure she will be here in a moment. [ELIZABETH _enters_.] Oh, here she is. [_Presenting_ ELIZABETH.] Lady Catherine, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. [ELIZABETH _curtsies_.]
