Part 26 (1/2)

[_The_ FOOTMEN _remove the tables_.]

MISS BINGLEY.

Oh, yes, capital! [_With meaning, to_ DARCY.] Do not you think so, Mr.

Darcy?

[DARCY _bows stiffly, without speaking_.]

COLONEL FORSTER.

Miss Bingley, may I have the pleasure?

[_She bows, looks daggers at_ DARCY, _and takes her place in the dance_.]

BINGLEY.

[_To_ JANE.] Miss Bennet, will you grant me the happiness? [DARCY _gives him a look which_ ELIZABETH _sees_.] The--the _final_ happiness of my stay at Netherfield.

JANE.

[_Curtsies, a tremor in her voice._] Thank you.

[_They begin to form a set with_ MISS BINGLEY _and_ COLONEL FORSTER, LYDIA _and_ DENNY.]

DARCY.

[_Crossing to_ ELIZABETH.] May I have the honour, Miss Elizabeth?

ELIZABETH.

[_Looking at him with frank hauteur._] Thank you, Mr. Darcy, I am indisposed.

[DARCY _bows, reddens, and crosses to the other side of the room.

The music begins. Amid embarra.s.sed astonishment_, SIR WILLIAM _and_ CHARLOTTE LUCAS _fill the quadrille set. As the dance commences_, ELIZABETH _and_ DARCY, _standing at either side of the dancers, exchange a glance of the keenest pride and prejudice_.]

ACT III

_The parlour of_ MR. COLLINS'S _parsonage at Hunsford. At the back of the room is an open door. This door leads directly into the garden, beyond which is seen, through an opening in the trees of the park opposite, ”the prospect of Rosings”--the residence of_ LADY CATHERINE DE BOURG--”_a handsome, modern building on rising ground.” A wide cottage window, also at the back of the room, gives a plain view of the pa.s.sers-by. On either side of the parlour is a door, leading to other parts of the house._ ELIZABETH _is discovered standing at the open door and looking up at some one outside who is evidently climbing the trellis_.

A VOICE (_outside._)