Page 64 of May I Have the Pleasure
CATHERINE
By my reckoning, we have two supposed gentlemen and one more-or-less lady acting very badly, and one lady evening the score, but with less decorum than might be ideal. It sounds like quite a muddle.
(Fitzwilliam nods)
(Darcy remains silent but watches Elizabeth closely)
FITZWILLIAM
I find myself in agreement with my aunt, Miss Bennet. Is that an accurate depiction?
ELIZABETH
Perhaps I should clarify. The second ostensible lady, the one that wrote the letter, was quite wealthy, but her family came from trade, so perhaps she was not taught proper manners in her expensive seminary.
I imagine she should get some small bit of clemency based on her inadequate background.
(Darcy shakes himself to speak)
DARCY
Do you hold that tradespeople are less worthy than the gently born?
(Elizabeth focuses on Darcy)
ELIZABETH
Not in the least! Far from it! In fact, my own most genteel, fashionable, and intelligent relatives are in trade themselves. I was simply stating that some ladies aspire to heights for which they are unprepared.
(Darcy huffs and looks at her carefully)
DARCY
I see. Do you believe ladies should not aspire to higher social positions?
ELIZABETH
Not at all! I contend that anybody can earn a better social position, but a rise in social position should require better manners, not worse.
DARCY
I quite agree, though your tale indicates the good manners do not necessarily follow the higher position—based on your descriptions so far.
ELIZABETH
No sir, they do not.
CATHERINE
I agree as well, Miss Bennet. Have we finally reached the end ofthis debacle?
(Elizabeth looks back towards Catherine)
ELIZABETH
Not quite. You see, yet a third gentleman was involved. About four months later, the first lady was visiting a friend, and this third gentleman mentioned that the first gentleman—the author the slight at the assembly—boasted of his friend’s success at separating the second gentleman from the lady’s sister.
The first gentleman apparently considered the sister a fortune hunter just because she demonstrated decorum and did not display her every feeling for the world to see.
