Sep 17, 1812
Back at Netherfield
BINGLEY
Ah, back at Netherfield. I thought I'd never see this place again.
DARCY
Think of the times we spent in this parlour, Bingley, talking with Elizabeth...
BINGLEY
...talking to Jane...
DARCY
...listening to her voice...
BINGLEY
...listening to her voice...
DARCY
...admiring her figure...
BINGLEY
...toasting her good health...
DARCY
...listening to her demolish my best arguments on the current political situation...
BINGLEY
...looking into her eyes...
DARCY
...listening to her make sport of Caroline without your sister even noticing...
BINGLEY
...smelling her perfume...
DARCY
Well, Bingley, it's do or die.
BINGLEY
Do or die?
DARCY
It's now or never, Bingley. Let's face it. We've each met the most suitable marriage partner we could possibly imagine, and now we have only to secure their affections with some measure of permanence.
BINGLEY
Always the romantic, aren't you, Darcy?
DARCY
I think you should propose to Jane immediately. No time to lose.
BINGLEY
Me first?
DARCY
Of course.
BINGLEY
Why me?
DARCY
Let's make a wager then. The first one of us to win our lady's hand will receive one hundred pounds from the other.
BINGLEY
Now that we're here, I'm not sure I have the nerve to actually do the deed.
DARCY
But it's so simple. Just tell her how you feel about her and ask for her hand. Short and sweet.
BINGLEY
Since when are you qualified to give advice, Darcy? How many times have you ever proposed marriage to a woman?
DARCY
For all you know, Bingley, I might have proposed to a dozen different women by now.
BINGLEY
If you've been turned down that many times, Darcy, then any advice you have can't be worth much.
DARCY
Well, I suppose you'd be learning from my mistakes then.
BINGLEY
As if anyone would ever turn you down. I, on the other hand, don't have a huge fortune or an ancient estate to help bolster my offer.
DARCY
I'm quite sure that Miss Jane doesn't care for old estates, Bingley. Just ask her the question.
BINGLEY
Why are you so anxious for my success? Do you think that Elizabeth will follow her sister's lead?
DARCY
Well, it certainly wouldn't hurt my chances if --
BINGLEY
Why don't you just ask her today? Short and sweet. No one in her right mind would ever turn you down.
Next dialogue: visiting Longbourn
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