MR. GARDINER
Well, it's done, Mr. Darcy. I can hardly believe it. Allow me to
thank you once again on behalf of the Bennet family.
DARCY
Mr. Gardiner, if you thank me one more time I'll send you a bill.
MR. GARDINER
Ha, ha. All right, Mr. Darcy. No more thank-yous. But I can't
promise that my wife won't thank you a few more times.
DARCY
Anyway, I should be off. I must say I've enjoyed your company
immensely. And your wife's.
MR. GARDINER
But wait, sir. You can't go without having some dinner with
us. The children are making you a gift in return for building the
teeter totter.
DARCY
Oh, that's not necessary, sir.
MR. GARDINER
Well, then, you go tell the children that you won't be
staying for dinner. And try to convince my wife.
DARCY
Ha, ha. You are driving a hard bargain, Mr. Gardiner.
MR. GARDINER
Now come over here and have another brandy. ...Um, Mr. Darcy,
may I speak frankly?
DARCY
Well certainly, sir. What is it?
MR. GARDINER
My wife believes that you have done our family this service not only
to appease your own conscience regarding Wickham, but also because
you have a certain regard for one of our nieces.
DARCY
Oh, well, no, no, I really wouldn't say, ...no, um ... oh,
for heaven's sake, is it really that obvious?
MR. GARDINER
To my wife it is.
DARCY
Well, I must say, I've never met anyone in my entire life quite like
Miss Elizabeth. A lovely young woman without pretense, no silly
flattery, no fluttering eyelashes, just wit and grace, kindness and
consideration. And so beautiful. ...But she has no regard for
me, however. In fact, she despises me.
MR. GARDINER
What? That can't be.
DARCY
I'm afraid it's the truth. She made that perfectly clear when I saw her
last April.
MR. GARDINER
But she seemed to get along with you quite well when we were all at
Pemberley. What makes you think she feels that way?
DARCY
Well, she told me to my face that I was the last man on earth that she
could ever be prevailed upon to marry.
MR. GARDINER
Oh, my word. I'm not sure I want to know the context in which
that message was delivered. But let me say, not wishing to
give you false hope, that her opinion of you did change quite
materially while we were at Pemberley. Originally we had to
drag her there. She only entered the house when your
housekeeper insisted that you were not at home. But later my wife
and I saw her smiling whenever we spoke of you or your
sister. In any case, when Lizzy finds out what you've done for
Lydia I think you'll see a difference.
DARCY
No! She can't find out. I don't want her to think that I'm
trying to curry favour with her.
MR. GARDINER
But you are, aren't you?
DARCY
No. I... I just didn't want Miss Elizabeth's life ruined by the
actions of her sister. She deserves so much more.
MR. GARDINER
But we must tell her. How can we keep such a thing secret?
DARCY
Just don't tell her. Tell no one. I've already told Miss Lydia, er,
Mrs. You-Know, to keep quiet. I said that if her family found out about
my involvement then her husband's commission would be forfeit.
MR. GARDINER
Well that should keep her quiet.
DARCY
I hope so.
MR. GARDINER
In any case, Mr. Darcy, my own silence comes at a great price.
DARCY
A price? Mr. Gardiner! I never expected... What, then? What is
it you want?
MR. GARDINER
Another day of fishing at Pemberley, sir.
DARCY
Ha, ha. Any time, sir.
MR. GARDINER
Ah, here comes my wife.
...My dear, Mr. Darcy was thinking of leaving us before dinner.
MRS. GARDINER
Oh, I'm afraid Mr. Darcy isn't going anywhere just now. Dinner's
ready in five minutes.
MR. GARDINER
Good-bye, my dear.
DARCY
I must say, Mr. Gardiner, that your wife is an extraordinary woman.
Very perceptive, too.
And she had quite an effect on the Bingley sisters last month.
MR. GARDINER
I dare say I see a lot of her in Lizzy.
DARCY
Really.
MR. GARDINER
I hope that doesn't affect any of your plans, sir.