Pride and Prejudice(1995) - Episode3 - 1/6

News that Mr. Collins has proposed to Charlotte Lucas and that she has accepted mortifies Elizabeth. Concerned that her best friend is marrying one of the stupidest men in England, Charlotte imparts to Elizabeth that she is not romantic but seeks a comfortable and secure home. The friends make up and Elizabeth promises to visit Charlotte at her new home.

The Netherfield party also departs for London which upsets Mrs. Bennet's plans. Jane is saddened at the letter Caroline sends her which reveals Caroline's plans for an alliance between her brother and Darcy's sister, Georgiana Darcy. Elizabeth suggests Jane stay with their London relatives, the Gardiners. In London, Jane calls upon the Bingleys' at their imposing townhouse at Grosvenor Square. She is coldly received by Caroline and Mrs. Hurst. Nevertheless, Caroline returns her call at the relatively modest Gardiner home in Cheapside. Both encounters leave Jane the impression that she has overestimated her friendship with Caroline and that Mr. Bingley's interest in her has waned.

In the interim, Mr. Wickham proves to be a very popular and sociable fellow. He and Elizabeth share little conversations but a friendship, rather than romance, prevails. Mr. Wickham is interested in pursuing women with income which Elizabeth wholly appreciates stating what her younger sister do not know is that young men like Mr. Wickham also need a fortune to live on.

Elizabeth departs for The Collinses with Sir William Lucas and his daughter Maria Lucas. The Collinses live in a lodge next to the great estate of Rosings Park, home of the formidable Lady Catherine de Burgh. Lady Catherine is the sister of Mr. Darcy's mother and therefore his aunt. Lady Catherine has a daughter Anne, who is intended for marriage to her cousin Mr. Darcy. Anne is sickly and quiet.

Lady Catherine's two nephews, Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam (the younger son of the Earl of Matlock) visits Rosings Park and the Lucases. Colonel Fitzwilliam is complimentary to Elizabeth saying that he had heard good things about her from Darcy. This good opinion of Darcy's surprises Elizabeth and she dismisses this as mischiefmaking.

Elizabeth plays the piano at Rosings Park and there she parries with Darcy. She tells Colonial Fitzwilliam about Darcy's unsocial behaviour in Hertfordshire. Darcy reveals to her that he is not comfortable in introducing himself to strangers. Elizabeth mocks this as she believes that he has all the good fortune and education of a wealthy man. He says that she likes to profess opinions that are not her own. She counters this is mere laziness on his part as he does not practice enough to be sociable.

During her stay at Rosings, Elizabeth takes walks around the estate. She encounters Darcy while he is on horseback but he says nothing to her. Darcy also visits her at the Collinses while she is alone but he is mute and does not say much. At another walk she meets with Colonel Fitzwilliam who reveals that Darcy has congratulated himself on saving a good friend from an imprudent marriage. Elizabeth realises that Darcy is talking about Bingley and Jane and that Darcy has involved himself to separate them both. Elizabeth feigns a headache, returns to the Collinses and excuses herself from a dinner with Lady Catherine.

Darcy pays a call at the Collinses and proposes to Elizabeth. Darcy states that despite all circumstances that will make his alliance with Elizabeth a reprehensible connection, he cannot but admit that he ardently admires and loves her. Taken aback by this revelation and bearing in mind his role in stunting her sister's romance, Elizabeth flatly rejects him. Darcy and Elizabeth argue — he, about her family's appalling lack of etiquette; she, about his arrogant, disagreeable and proud character. She relates his role in her sister's romance and Mr. Wickham's misfortune. Darcy starts at the mention of Wickham and is surprised that this is what Elizabeth thinks of him.

He points out her own character flaws and states that if he had flattered her that would not have been his true character. He leaves her, wishing her the best of health and happiness. She is left feeling distressed as she had always thought her dislike of him was mutual.

Technorati: 1995 adrian alison and bbc bennet colin darcy ehle elizabeth firth fitzwilliam jennifer lukis prejudice pride steadman