Act One, Pt.6
Jane: How is it we’ve never seen you in Meryton before, Mr. Wickham?
Mr. Wickham: I’ve just accepted a commission in the court.
This was exactly as it should be, for the young man wanted only a uniform to make him completely charming.
Lydia: Lizzy, Jane, look over there, is that horrid man Mr. Darcy?
Darcy was beginning to determine not to fix his eyes on Elizabeth,
when they were suddenly arrested by the sight of Mr. Wickham.
Both changed colour, one looked white, the other red. In another minute, Darcy was gone.
Elizabeth: What could be the meaning of it? -- It was impossible to imagine;
It was impossible not to wish to know.
Elizabeth: Mr. Wickham, you are most welcome to Meryton. Do you find it to your taste?
Mr. Wickham: Yes, indeed. Everything I see pleases me.
My friend Forster first tempted me here with prospect of a good society,
which I own is necessary to me. Distraction is vital to one whose hopes have been… preyed.
Excuse me, perhaps I should not speak of it, but have you know that gentleman long?
Elizabeth: Mr. Darcy? About a month, He is a man of very large property in Derbyshire, I understand.
Mr. Wickham: You could not have met with a person more capable of giving you certain information on that head than myself.
Oh, you look surprised, Miss Eliza, (at such an) assertion, (after seeing,) as you might, the very cold manner of our meeting.
Miss Eliza, a military life was not what I was intended for. The church ought to have been my profession,
and I should at now have been in possession of a most valuable living, had it pleased the gentleman we were speaking of just now.
Elizabeth: Indeed.
Mr. Wickham: His father, the late Mr. Darcy was my godfather, one of the best men that ever lived and excessively attached to me.
My father had given up everything to be of use to the old Mr. Darcy, and devoted all his time to the care of the Pemberley estate.
In gratitude to him and because of his affection to me, the old Mr. Darcy bequeathed me upon his death the best church living in his gift;
but when it came time for me to take it, it was given elsewhere.
Elizabeth: but how could his will be disregarded?
Mr. Wickham: There was just such an informality in the terms of the bequest as to give me no hope from law.
A man of honor could not have doubted the intention, but Mr. Darcy chose to doubt it.
Elizabeth: How abominable! To treat you in such way, the godson, the favorite of his father!
She might have added, "And one too whose very countenance must vouch for his being amiable"
-- but she contented herself with "And one who had probably been his own companion since childhood, connected in the closest manner.
What can have been his motive?"
Mr. Wickham: I have a warm, unguarded temper, and I may have spoken my opinion of him too freely on occasion.
And I often thought had the old Mr. Darcy liked me less, his son may have borne with me better.
Elizabeth: I hope your plans in favor of the call will not be affected by his being in the neighborhood.
He is not at all liked here. Everyone is disgusted with his pride.
Mr. Wickham: Oh! no -- it is not for me to be driven away by Mr. Darcy.
Elizabeth: It is quite shocking! -- He deserves to be publicly disgraced.
Mr. Wickham: Some time or other he will be -- but it shall not be by me.
Till I can forget his father, I can never defy or expose him.
Lydia: Mr. Wickham, come here at once! I want your opinion of this delicious bonnet!
Mr. Wickham: (Laugh)Brave! Excuse me.
Elizabeth left with her head full of him.
Whatever Mr. Wickham said was well said;
whatever he did was done gracefully.
However, there were additional things to consider besides the infamous conduct of Mr. Darcy.
The date for the long awaited Netherfield ball finally came.
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