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FINAL SCRIPT<br />
Lizzy?<br />
ELIZABETH<br />
Engaged to Mr. Collins! My dear Charlotte—impossible!<br />
CHARLOTTE<br />
Why should you be surprised, my dear Eliza? Do you think it incredible that Mr. Collins should<br />
be able to procure any woman's good opinion, because he was not so happy as to succeed with<br />
you? I am not romantic, you know; I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering<br />
Mr. Collins's character, connection, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of<br />
happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state.<br />
MARY<br />
Undoubtedly.<br />
JANE<br />
Mr. Collins's present circumstances make this a most eligible match. Congratulations, Charlotte.<br />
MARY<br />
I rate his abilities much higher than my sisters; there is a solidity in his reflection which has often<br />
struck me, and though he is by no means so clever as myself, I think that if encouraged to read<br />
and improve himself he might become a very agreeable companion.<br />
CHARLOTTE<br />
I shall depend on hearing from you very often, Eliza.<br />
ELIZABETH<br />
That you certainly shall.<br />
CHARLOTTE<br />
Will you come and see me?<br />
ELIZABETH<br />
We shall often meet, I hope, in Hertfordshire.<br />
CHARLOTTE<br />
I am not likely to leave Kent for some time. Promise me, therefore, to come to Hunsford.<br />
ELIZABETH<br />
I promise. (Charlotte exits.)(Silence) (Mrs. Benne, Lydia and Kitty enter.)<br />
MRS. BENNET<br />
(Holding a letter.) Oh, Jane. Mrs. Gardiner has invited you to town this winter.<br />
JANE<br />
I accepted Aunt Gardiner's invitation with pleasure. I might occasionally spend a morning with<br />
Caroline, without any danger of seeing her brother.<br />
MRS. BENNET<br />
Lydia, tell Lizzy that her aunt also invites her to accompany her uncle and aunt in a tour of<br />
pleasure which they propose on taking in the summer.<br />
ELIZABETH<br />
Lydia, tell mother I accept.<br />
MARY<br />
Who do you think Mr. Collins proposed to just this morning, Mother? Charlotte Lucas.<br />
MRS. BENNET<br />
Charlotte Lucas! This is your doing Elizabeth. It is very hard to think that Charlotte Lucas should<br />
ever be mistress of this house, that I should be forced to make way for her, and live to see her<br />
take my place in it!<br />
MR. BENNET<br />
(Enters) My dear, do not give way to such gloomy thoughts. Let us hope for better things. Let us<br />
flatter ourselves that I may be the survivor.<br />
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