01x07 - Chapter 7

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Miss Bennet.

You are quite unlike anyone I have
ever met.

You speak your mind with
a refreshing directness and...

..and you do not force yourself
to conform to society's ideals.

I imagine it will come
as no surprise

when I say I...

..have developed
the greatest affection for you.

I cannot understand why a man such
as Mr Ryder

would propose to Mary. Oh, shush!

Perhaps he won't.

Mother may have got her hopes up
for nothing.

We shall never know his intentions
if you two keep talking.

What is happening?
Mr Ryder and Mary are in the library

and appear to be having
a serious conversation.

I suppose most women
of better looks and
livelier character
were already taken.

It cannot be a match
driven by passion.

Not all matches driven by passion
turn out well.

Sh! Lizzie, I cannot hear
what they are saying.

Oh, will you all just be quiet?!

In these past few days, I...

..have felt a deeper
understanding between us.

I believe you've felt it too. I...

I took to heart the things
that you said.

And you must.

For I believe we should be
very happy together.

Miss Bennet, I have a mind
to go abroad, to Italy.

Somewhere with a lake in front of me
and a mountain behind.

Lakes are usually found
in mountainous areas.

No, although some are found
in dormant volcanic craters.

I cannot imagine going to Italy
without you, Miss Bennet,

and therefore I wondered
whether you might do me...

..the greatest honour

of coming with me.

Well, I... We could read poetry
all day and drink wine all evening.

Oh, I do, I like poetry
and I like wine.

What we have loved others will love
and we will teach them how.

Let us teach each other.

I don't speak any Italian,
but I suppose I could learn.

That's the spirit, Miss Bennet!

This is why
we are such a strong match.

You have the courage
of my convictions.

How so?

You understand the appeal
of living boldly.

Living with freedom, unburdened
by the shackles of marriage.

Sorry, just to be very clear.

So you're suggesting
that I live with you in Italy?

But, um...that we remain unmarried.

Yes, exactly.

Together...

..but free.

For what woman wants to be owned
in such a way?

What do you say?

I don't know what to say.

Of course, of course.
You must sleep on it.

But if you accept, we could leave
for London tomorrow

and plan our trip to Italy.

Well... Mary. Come, Mary, dear.

Who would have thought you'd make
such an excellent match?

No. I, I... He didn't propose, Mama.

What do you mean,
he did not propose?

I mean that, uh,

he called me in there to talk about,

um...a sermon on...uh, good works.

Mary, this is no time for one
of your poor attempts at humour.

Mama... Mr Ryder
showered you with attention,

only to pull you aside
to discuss a sermon?!

Well, we shall see about that.

I am sure Mr Ryder will make his
intentions clear in his own time.

Yes. Yes, he will.

Mary...

..I shall choose your dress
for supper,

perhaps something of Lizzy's. Mm.
Mm.

Interestingly...

Ah! Charlotte!

ALL: Oh! Mr Collins.

It looks as though
you were all waiting for us.

We were not.

Mrs Bennet, I am pleased
to see you looking so well.

I see you didn't
rush to pay your respects.

I...did not wish to impose.
How are you...all?

I long to know everything.

Well, there is something of
a situation involving Mary.

Thank you, Lydia.

We were just getting ready
for supper.

Come.

Ha! Yes.

Do sit up straight, dear.

Mary is looking very well tonight,
Mr Ryder. Do you not agree?

I do indeed.

My daughters are a handsome set...
They most certainly are.

More wine, Mama?
This is the wine you requested.

..and only one unmarried.

Did you hear Charlotte's news
of Longbourn, Mama?

In the drawing room,
we have opened up an orangery.

How did you enjoy your ride
this afternoon, Mr Ryder?

Mm. It was very pleasant.

Excellent company.

Mother, Mr Darcy and I are thinking
of holding a dinner

in honour of your recovery.

Very good idea, Lizzie.

Was it your horse, Miss Bennet,

that picked these blackberries
we're eating?

Is that
what she was doing this afternoon?

Well, if it is,
I feel quite terrible now,

for having dragged her away.

So you should.
They're rather delicious.

Have you always lived in London,
Mr Ryder?

I have, although my plan is to move
to Italy quite soon.

Italy?! How long for?

To settle for the rest of my days,
or for as long as my fancy takes me.

Well, wherever you choose,

you will need a knowledgeable
companion by your side.

As you know,
Mary reads a great deal.

She has a very well-informed mind.

Though, do not let that put you off.

Miss Bennet is an extraordinary
young woman.

Young! Why Italy?

For its history,

its beauty, to wake up each morning
to a view of a mountain.

Ah! In reality,

mountainous regions play havoc
with one's rheumatism.

Well, I think
that sounds quite perfect.

It really does.

You find Longbourn tedious
with its draughts.

I hardly think you would cope
in mountains.

I will never know, will I?

I did not know you spoke Italian,
Mr Ryder.

Poco.

Bless you.

I am quite looking forward to

the peace and stillness
of a foreign land.

Yes. Yes, it would be most welcome.

Mary.

I remember very well being
the subject of Mother's plotting.

It is quite a lot to bear.

It is indeed.

Engagements can take time.

It is no small decision,
and important not to rush.

If Mr Ryder does not propose,

you must not think it is
a reflection on you.

Mr Ryder has already proposed.

Mary!

That is excellent news, isn't it?

It was a kind of proposal. Oh?

Mr Ryder proposed

that I live with him in Italy,

reading poetry and drinking wine.

That sounds quite perfect.
It does, doesn't it?

It does. I think
I'd very much like to travel.

I would certainly rise to
the challenge of a new language.

I am to give him my decision
tomorrow morning.

Well, what did you mean by
a "kind of proposal"?

Mr Ryder believes that we should
go to Italy...

..but remain unmarried.

He proposed that
you should be his mistress?

Not in those words.

I have never heard such a suggestion
in my life!

Oh, well, sadly, Lizzie, I think
most of us will never find ourselves

in a romantic situation
as perfect as yours.

But he insults you.

He does not! No. Mr Ryder believes
that women shouldn't be owned
in such a way as marriage,
so he prefers a modern arrangement.

I'm sure he does, one that is
far more convenient for him.

If he tires of this arrangement,
he can easily move on,

whilst your reputation
is ruined forever.

Do you think he will tire of me?

Of course not, Mary. I...

Marriage is the only thing a woman
has to protect herself
against such difficulties.

Tell me you are
not seriously considering his offer.

I mean, I've begun to think
I'm not...

..I'm not much suited
to conventional life.

I've always been the odd one out.

Oh, I know, I know
the scandal would be huge.

I know Mother would be mortified.

But, Mr Ryder, he treats me well.

He makes me laugh.

He is...he is interested in ME.

And I could escape.

Mr Ryder is clearly fond of you.

And it is admirable that he has
his own way of seeing the world.

But you deserve better
than this offer.

Lizzie...

..you have grown up
with no shortage of suitors.

At home, too, you have...
You've always been...

Oh, Mary, we've had largely
the same upbringing.

No! No. We may have grown up
in the same house

with the same mother and father
and the same sisters,

but your experience of life
has been wholly different to my own.

You were celebrated and you were...
You were respected.

I was not.
I mean, for the rest of you,

even in your worst moments
growing up,

you could look to me
and think, "At least I'm not Mary."

That's not true.
It's absolutely true.

But I always admired your strength,

that you never cared what Mother
or any of us thought.

Of course I cared!
You always did things your own way.

That was the only way I knew!

Mary, all I want is to protect you.
Oh!

Or protect yourself...

..from whatever shame I might bring
on the family.

How could you think such a thing?

Do you love Mr Ryder?

There you are, sir.

Yes.

Yes.

Ah, good morning, Miss Bennet.
Good morning.

And it is a perfect morning
for travelling.

I have enjoyed these last few days
with you enormously.

You have been a beam of light
in the darkness,

and I do not know what I would have
done without your company.

I have felt the same way.

But I...I-I cannot accept your...

..interesting proposal.

I thought that
you and I were aligned.

I appreciate how important
your ideas are to you.

I know how strongly you feel

about freedom in love.

But...

Well, I'm still very much bound by
the expectations of society.

And the expectations I have
for myself.

Of course.

I see.

Goodbye, Mr Ryder.

My best wishes to your family.

Good morning, Mary.

Mother.

I trust you slept well last night.

I did, yes. Thank you.

You must keep up your strength,
for who knows what today may bring.

Ah, here he is.

Oh! What are you doing here?
Oh, I was...

Do join us, cousin.

Where on earth is Mr Ryder?

Ah! Uh, Mr Ryder has left.

Don't be ridiculous, Mr Collins.

He has no plans to leave.
I saw him.

I saw him climb into his carriage
and go.

Mary? Yes, Mr Ryder has left.
He's left Pemberley.

Did he make you an offer
of marriage?

I will not be marrying Mr Ryder.

I will not be marrying anyone.

What did you do?

I'm sure Mary didn't DO anything.

Why is everything with you
so relentlessly disappointing?

Ugh! Beautiful morning.

Mother.

I am sorry if I have
disappointed you.

I sometimes think
you delight in vexing me.

I do not.

It is not too late.

Too late for what, Mother?

To write to Mr Ryder
and beg his forgiveness.

His forgiveness.

For whatever it is you did
that drove him away.

Oh, do you really believe a man
of such means will come along again
for you?

But... Do you think the Gardiners
will have you back

when they hear what you have done
to Mr Ryder?

Mother... If you will not write to
him and ask him to return,

then I shall write to my brother
and tell him

you are obliged to stay here
with me.

If you are
incapable of taking advantage of

the opportunities London society
offers you in finding you a match...

..then you shall remain here
with me instead.

Goodbye, Jane. Goodbye.

I'll be thinking of you.

Goodbye.

Good luck with Mother.

You make it worse!

Mary, don't do that.

Sorry, Mother.

You endlessly try my patience.

INDISTINCTLY: Enough. But please...

Do not leave on my account,
Miss Bennet.

Oh, I'm sorry,
I cannot provide good company today.

I've noticed
you've been most subdued of late.

If I can be of any help, do say.

We men of the cloth can offer
the most useful counsel.

Thank you, Mr Collins.

I am... I'm often alone myself.

Mrs Collins has so many duties
and preoccupations

that she has very little time left
to spend with me.

It seems I have the habit of
frustrating her...

..as I tend to do everyone.

No. Not at all, Mr Collins.

My father often commented
that I was worthless.

I thought a great deal about turning
myself into something different.

Someone easy and obliging, but...

Somehow I can't.

I've always struck the wrong note
with people...

..even in childhood.

I've felt the same way many times.
Um...

I... I think you have much to offer,
Mr Collins.

Uh, I... Excuse me.

I realise I'm now burdening you
with my troubles.

No, not at all. Hm.

What are you reading? Mm? Oh. Um...

Aristotle.

I'm looking into
the question of happiness.

Happiness? Mm.

What it is...

..how one might find it.

Do you... Do you have an answer?

I'm not quite sure.

I've found some points of interest.

Please, would you tell me
what you know, Mr Collins?

Oh, um... What I've discovered
seems to suggest that

it is only through self-knowledge

that genuine happiness
is experienced.

Through self-knowledge. Mm.

I think it is only
when we have examined

and understood our strengths
and weaknesses,

and been honest enough about
what we truly desire from life...

..only then do we have any chance
at all of attaining happiness.

So, what Aristotle is saying
is that our happiness...

..is in our own hands?

Yes.

Ah. I think so, yes.

Interesting thought, isn't it?

It's most interesting.

Mary! It is him!

It must be Mr Ryder
coming back to try again.

Uncle! Mary!

Jane.

You reminded us of the importance
of protecting our health.

And so Edward and I
have decided to spend

some much needed time in the Lakes.

Mm. Wonderful. Quite wonderful.

All that wind would play havoc
with my nerves.

And we were wondering
whether Mary might join us.

Mary?! MR GARDINER:
Yes. We thought perhaps

Mary could join us in the Lakes
and then return with us to London.

Elizabeth wrote to us,

explaining that Mary
was without much to occupy her here.

She has a very good occupation.
She is my companion.

I think it's a very sensible
idea for Mary to get some fresh air.

Oh, do you now?
What do you think, Mary?

Mary will not leave me.

She knows
I do not have many years left.

And she wants to spend
this precious time at my side.

Isn't that right, Mary?

Mother...

..Mr Darcy and I have arranged
a new companion for you.

She's called Susan.

Susan!

Am I to be looked after by a Susan?!

We very much enjoy Mary's company.

As do I! And knowing her passion
for Wordsworth...

She is forbidden to leave.

Aunt...

..Uncle, thank you
for your invitation.

I would be delighted to join you.

What do you mean?
I think, dear sister,

she means she will be joining us
in the Lake District.

What a good idea.
A good decision, Mary.

WHISPERING: Well done.

MR COLLINS: A most excellent
decision.

Always good to challenge oneself.

Oh, do be quiet, Mr Collins.

Well done, Mary!

Well done. I should probably
go and pack.

I will help.

I envy you.

You envy me?

The Lakes, London...
I never did experience much of life.

It is a bold and brave decision,
Mary.

And for what it's worth,
I think it's the right one.

Forgive me, Charlotte.

I don't want to speak out of turn.

I mean, I often have.

Only you seem...

..quite unhappy.

When my mother told me the only

choice for a woman was marriage
or misery,

she negated to tell me it was

possible to be both married
and miserable.

Yes, well, my father let us in on
that particular secret
some years ago.

But I do believe that if you look
a little under the surface...

..you will find more to
Mr Collins than you imagine.

Goodbye, Mother.

I will write.

As you wish.

Susan.

Susan!

Mary, I'm so sorry

if you have ever felt
that I was ashamed of you...

..for I'm not.

I am very proud of you.

I'm scared, Lizzy.

What if I made
all the wrong decisions?

Mary, you will flourish.

I had made my escape
and would not look back.

I did not know what was next,

but I knew that I could not return
to live with my family ever again.

Miss Bennet! Miss Bennet.

I have something for you.

Thank you, Mr Collins.

Could it be that I decide my future?

I felt sure
that the Lakes would offer me

a chance for peace and reflection.

Oh, Mary, I ought to have told you.

Tom Hayward will be joining us
in the Lakes.

I should have known that
my life was never that simple.