ANNE
Oh, Darcy, I still can't believe it.
DARCY
Yes, she rejected me.
ANNE
No, no. I mean I can't believe that you actually proposed to
her.
DARCY
Well, you weren't expecting me to propose to you, were you?
ANNE
Oh, certainly not. But to ask for her hand right under my mother's
nose?
DARCY
Her nose?
ANNE
Oh, my mother could easily have a spy working as one of the maids
inside Hunsford.
DARCY
Oh, I don't care any more.
ANNE
So what will you do now? How are you going to be able to dine here
while Miss Bennet is sitting at the same table?
DARCY
Richard and I are leaving tomorrow. And she's not dining at Rosings
tonight.
ANNE
But why did she reject you? Is she insane?
DARCY
Well, our cousin the good Colonel had just informed her of a
few sordid details from my recent past. Unwittingly.
ANNE
My goodness, if I were in her position I'd grab that
fortune of yours faster than you could say "a corset from
Dorset".
DARCY
I'm sure you would.
ANNE
I'd even be willing to put up with you as a husband just to
get my hands on Pemberley.
DARCY
Thank goodness for all of us then that you already have Rosings.
ANNE
Oh, Darcy. I am fond of you, I hope you know that. I do want
you to be happy. Should I try to say something to Miss Bennet? Not
that I've been able to speak more than five words to her yet.
DARCY
No, there's nothing to be done.
ANNE
Well then, couldn't you leave Richard here for a few more weeks?