[LADY CATHERINE]
You know why I am here
Miss Bennet
[ELIZABETH]
Indeed, I do not
[LADY CATHERINE]
Miss Bennet
I am not to be trifled with
Two days ago your elder sister
Made an advantageous match
And will soon be married
I also heard alarming news
Which I have come to bury
That you
Miss Bennet
And my own nephew
Miss Bennet
Very soon will be united too!
Though I know it to be a most scandalous falsehood
Has my nephew made an offer?
[ELIZABETH]
Lady Catherine
You have claimed it can't be true
[LADY CATHERINE]
If enticed by your allurements he forgot his sense
You may have drawn him in, Miss Bennet
[ELIZABETH]
If I have then I shall be
The last one to confess it
[LADY CATHERINE]
Do you know who I am, Miss Bennet?
Let me be understood!
Mr. Darcy is engaged to my daughter!
[ELIZABETH]
But you said he made me
An offer
[LADY CATHERINE]
The engagement is of a peculiar kind
Both mothers planned that the fortunes combine
[ELIZABETH]
Not bound by the wishes of aunt and mother
Mr. Darcy is free to choose another
And if he wants to marry me
Why may I not accept him freely?
[LADY CATHERINE]
Because honor forbids it!
And you will not receive or deserve my attention
By family and friends your name will not be mentioned
[ELIZABETH]
Those are heavy misfortunes
Lady Catherine
But his wife, she could ignore them
Lady Catherine
[LADY CATHERINE]
Obstinate, obstinate, headstrong girl!
My nephew and daughter
Are fated to be
Are you to de-bind them
From their destiny?
You have no connections
You know I’m sincere
Come now, be sensible
Don't quit your sphere
[ELIZABETH]
If I should marry him
I would not consider it
Quitting my sphere
I'm a gentleman’s daughter
Your nephew knows
I am more worthy
Than you could suppose
[LADY CATHERINE]
Tell me once and for all
Are you engaged?
(Music stops.)
[ELIZABETH]
I am not
(Music resumes.)
[LADY CATHERINE]
And you now must promise me
To never, ever marry him
[ELIZABETH]
You cannot tell me what to do
My life won't be defined by you
[LADY CATHERINE]
But what about your younger sister?
[ELIZABETH]
What about her?
[LADY CATHERINE]
Patched-up business
Her allotment
Such a girl to be my niece
Her husband to be Darcy's brother!
Heaven and earth!
Are the shades of Pemberley
To be thus polluted?
[ELIZABETH]
I have nothing to say
Lady Catherine
You insult in every way
[LADY CATHERINE]
Are you then resolved to have him?
[ELIZABETH]
I'm resolved
To be happy
Without reference to you
[LADY CATHERINE]
Very well
I shall know what to do
(Music stops.)
[LADY CATHERINE, spoken]
I take no leave of you. I send no compliments to your mother!
(sung)
Miss Bennet!