Pride and Prejudice 1995

Episode Two - Mr Collins and a Cold Encounter

I. Mr Collins

[EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - DAY]

[Elizabeth goes for a walk.]

--

[INT. LONGBOURN, DINING ROOM - DAY]

[The Bennet family dines together.]

MR BENNET: I hope, my dear, you've organised a good dinner today because I believe we are expecting a visitor.

MRS BENNET: Mr Bingley! Why, Jane, you sly thing. You never dropped a word.

[Jane looks at Elizabeth, not having received any such news about Bingley visiting. Elizabeth raises her eyebrows at their mother's antics.]

MRS BENNET: Oh, and we don't have a single bit of fish in the kitchen, oh Lord. Lydia, my love, ring the bell. I must speak to Hill this moment.

[Lydia stands up and walks past her mother.]

MR BENNET: It isn't Mr Bingley.

[Lydia stops.]

MR BENNET: It's someone I've never seen my entire life.

LYDIA (gasps): Colonel Forster.

KITTY: Captain Carter.

LYDIA: No, I know – Denny.

[Lydia, Kitty, and Mrs Bennet giggle. Mr Bennet looks at them sternly and Lydia sits down.]

MR BENNET: About a month ago I received this letter. And about a fortnight ago, I answered it, for I thought it was something delicate that required early attention.

[Elizabeth smiles.]

MR BENNET: It's from my cousin, Mr Collins, who may kick you all out of his house whenever he wants once I'm dead.

MRS BENNET: Oh, my dear, please don't mention that revolting man. I think it's the worst thing in the world that your estate should be passed to him, away from your own poor children.

MR BENNET: Indeed, my dear, nothing can excuse Mr Collins of the unjust crime of inheriting Longbourn, but if you will listen to his letter, you may start thinking a little better of him.

[Mr Bennet puts on his glasses.]

MR BENNET: "My dear sir, the disagreements existing between yourself and my late honoured father always gave me much uneasiness; and since I have had the misfortune to lose him..."

[Lydia snorts. Mr Bennet looks up sternly.]

MR BENNET: "... to lose him, I have frequently wished to heal the rift." There, Mrs Bennet. "My mind, however, now is made up on the subject..."

--

[EXT. ROSINGS CHURCH - DAY]

[Mr Bennet's voice fades into Mr Collins's voice as the scene changes to parishioners exiting a church.]

MR COLLINS: "...subject, because since I've been ordained at Easter, I've been very fortunate as to be noticed by the patronage of the Right Honourable Lady Catherine de Bourgh,"

[Mr Collins bows to Lady Catherine as she exits the church.]

MR COLLINS: "whose money and kindness has landed me at the valuable rectory at Hunsford, where it is my sincere endeavour to serve with grateful respect towards her ladyship. As a clergyman, moreover, I feel it my duty to promote and establish the blessing of peace in all families that I can; and because of this, I flatter myself, that my present proposals of good will are highly commendable, and will not lead you to reject the offered olive branch of peace negotiations. I am, sir, keenly conscious of my position where I could easily hurt the futures of your amiable daughters, and want to assure you of my readiness to make every possible fair decision. Now I graciously put myself forward and hope to serve you and your family on Monday, the eighteenth..."