DARCY
How clever of you, Miss Bingley, to invite Miss Bennet to dine at
Netherfield when your brother and I were away.
MISS BINGLEY
Why thank you, Mr. Darcy.
DARCY
All the appearance of civility without the risk of fueling your
brother's besottment.
MISS BINGLEY
Yes. I thought it was most ingenious. It was Louisa's
idea. My word, leave it to Charles to become infatuated in
less than a week.
DARCY
However, your plan seems to have backlashed somewhat.
MISS BINGLEY
Well, who rides horseback in the rain these days?
DARCY
I wonder if the rain was indeed an accident.
MISS BINGLEY
Are you suggesting that Miss Bennet is more devious than we thought?
Yes, perhaps she is even feigning her ailment.
DARCY
No, the doctor assures me that she is indeed quite ill. But I
wouldn't put it past her mother to have engaged in a bit of
skulduggery.
MISS BINGLEY
Oh, yes, indeed. Mrs. Bennet, yes
... Oh, what is it now, Rutherford? Another
Miss Bennet is here? Well, Mr. Darcy, we'd best join
Charles and Louisa in the parlour to receive her. Oh, wait,
Mr. Darcy, not so fast. Wait for me.
... Oh, Miss Eliza Bennet! How good to see
you. But did you actually walk all the way here?
MISS BINGLEY
My goodness, what a condition she was in. Do you not agree,
Mr. Darcy, that her appearance was most extraordinary?
DARCY
Yes, but her eyes were quite brightened by the exercise.
MISS BINGLEY
Excuse me, Mr. Darcy?
DARCY
Yes, her fine eyes, her fine, ...um
MISS BINGLEY
Her fine what, Mr. Darcy?
DARCY
Her fine ...
MISS BINGLEY
Yes?
DARCY
... hair.
MISS BINGLEY
Her hair? That blowsy mess that was strewn all about her
shoulders like a wet mop? You would never wish your sister
to be seen in such a state, I dare say.
DARCY
Oh, most certainly not.
MISS BINGLEY
Shall I send my maid to help tidy up her hair?
DARCY
No, no, I think her hair looks quite..., um, well
...
MISS BINGLEY
I'm sending my maid. Martha! Martha!