Page 72 of May I Have the Pleasure
(Catherine looks similarly alarmed)
CATHERINE
I can see your point nephew. Leaving aside the obvious problem of putting his personal business in writing where it could be revealed, if he wrote a letter and she accepted it, then this entire debacle must come to its natural conclusion.
ELIZABETH
Now we are coming to the crux of the matter, your ladyship.
CATHERINE
Fortunately, there is no confusion. They must be married. It is as simple as that.
(Elizabeth looks alarmed)
ELIZABETH
Married? Just for writing and reading a letter?
CATHERINE
Yes, particularly one of such private nature. The rules of propriety are quite clear on this score. They must be married.
ELIZABETH
That seems extreme, Lady Catherine.
CATHERINE
Be that as it may, it is the rule of society. They must be made to marry. There can be no two opinions on the subject.
(Fitzwilliam looks alarmed)
FITZWILLIAM
Yes, but the last man in the world?
DARCY
This seems extreme. Nobody but the lady and the gentleman know about the letter—and the three of us now.
(Catherine sits back down gracefully)
CATHERINE
Yes, yes, they must marry. Their propriety violations are sufficient to make my head spin. I would need to get pen and paper and start all over to evenkeep score.
FITZWILLIAM
I can see your point, and that is without even including the second and third gentlemen, neither of whom are exactly covering themselves in glory.
CATHERINE
Miss Bennet, is there any more to this story?
ELIZABETH
Perhaps the most shocking part of all.
