Aug 6, 1812
Elizabeth comes to tea at Pemberley and speaks with Georgiana
ELIZABETH
Miss Darcy, would you be kind enough to show me the view to the north? I have a question about the grounds.
GEORGIANA
Oh, certainly, Miss Bennet. This window over here is best.
ELIZABETH
Yes, it is a lovely view. I wanted to ask you how far the grounds extend.
GEORGIANA
Oh, for about three miles in this direction. I believe you walked a good deal of it two days ago.
ELIZABETH
Yes, I did. ...I'm sorry for my little subterfuge, Miss Darcy, but I wanted to talk to you without disturbing Miss Bingley.
GEORGIANA
Oh, I understand. She does like to take an active part in other people's conversations.
ELIZABETH
Pemberley is so lovely, Miss Darcy. You must be very happy here.
GEORGIANA
Thank you. Yes, it is a nice place to live, but a bit lonely sometimes. ...Miss Elizabeth, would it be too impertinent of me to ask you about your sisters?
ELIZABETH
No, not at all.
GEORGIANA
It must be wonderful to have so many sisters. I'll bet they all come to you for advice. And you even have an older sister to give you advice.
ELIZABETH
Well, it's not always quite like that. My older sister Jane is more like a twin to me. We both give one another all sorts of advice. And not always good advice.
GEORGIANA
Oh, but to have a sister to confide in.
ELIZABETH
Yes, Jane and I are very close. But my younger sisters seldom take my advice.
GEORGIANA
Oh, but they must be such fun.
ELIZABETH
Well, in a way, yes. But none of us have an older brother. I must admit that I am very envious of you, you know.
GEORGIANA
Oh, yes. Fitzwilliam is wonderful. He's all I have, really. And I'm all he has, so far at least. And he's so delighted that you're here.
ELIZABETH
Well, he had told me about you, and I must say that it's such a pleasure to have met you at last. And also to see Mr. Bingley again. He left Hertfordshire so suddenly last year.
GEORGIANA
Yes. But he misses it, I'm sure.
ELIZABETH
Well, I suspect that perhaps the novelty of a country home had worn off and he was anxious to return to his more dear friends.
GEORGIANA
Well, I'm not so sure. I believe he did leave behind someone that he misses a great deal.
ELIZABETH
Oh. Well, perhaps some day he'll be able to renew that acquaintance.
GEORGIANA
I hope so.
ELIZABETH
Well...
GEORGIANA
Pardon me, Miss Bennet, but you must know that I'm talking about your sister Jane. Mr. Bingley has told me how much he admires her and misses her.
ELIZABETH
Oh, but I thought... Oh Miss Darcy, I had been given the distinct impression by Miss Bingley that you and Mr. Bingley were, um...
GEORGIANA
Oh, heavens no. I like him very much, of course, but only as a friend. He's such a nice man. I can't understand how his sisters can have turned out so differently.
ELIZABETH
Oh, yes. But we mustn't start making disparaging remarks about Miss Bingley or else we'll be here for a long while.
GEORGIANA
Oh dear. Now our laughter is disturbing her.
ELIZABETH
We'd better talk about something safer.
GEORGIANA
Yes, indeed. Oh, Miss Bennet, my brother was so delighted to see you the other day. Yesterday he came to me as soon as I arrived and insisted that we go and see you. I'm sorry for the lack of warning.
ELIZABETH
Oh, no. It was a wonderful surprise. But he was so mortified when he first saw me here. I can't blame him. I never intended to intrude on you.
GEORGIANA
Oh, but I'm so glad you did. You know, you could spend the remainder of the summer here if you wish. Fitzwilliam will agree to it I'm sure.
ELIZABETH
Oh, well, I'm not sure if --
GEORGIANA
Perhaps some of your sisters could come and join us. How old is your youngest?
Next dialogue: With Mrs. Gardiner at Pemberley
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