"Mother, you cannot allow it! My younger sister should not come out until after I am married!"

"My dear, you've had several seasons and you know your sister is of an age to have her come out now. It would be wrong to make her wait, she deserves a season just as you do. You will see it will all work out for the best, now you will be able to attend events together and you can teach her the goings on in ballrooms and drawing rooms."

"I suppose I do know more about how to act than a much younger sister could."

"Mother! It cannot be! My sister engaged to be married, the first sister to marry? And really, charming, dear George, what could he possibly see in such a young girl? Have not we been friends for several years now? How did this happen? Whyever did he not pick me?"

"My dearest daughter, I know you are disappointed now, but it will all work out for the best. Dear George was only ever your friend, but surely you must see he fell in love with your younger sister? You will have a man fall in love with you too one day, just you wait and see."

"Fell in love! How could he? He should have fallen in love with me! I am ever so much better than my younger sister and I will show him!"

"Now my dear, calm yourself. This vehemence is unbecoming. You will not importune your sister's betrothed, unless you should wish to raise your father's ire. Do not jeopardise the match dear, your father quite depends upon it."

"If he depended on it so much, he should have betrothed me to dear George years ago. I would have made him an admirable wife."

"They did not choose to do so, nor have you ever hinted at any interest over the past years. No use crying over spilt milk now, George will wed your sister and you will be happy for them both!"

"My Lady, why the long face?"

"Priscilla Hayes. How have you been my dearest friend? I hear you've engaged yourself to Lord Metcalf."

"So I have. He is a good man, he is wealthy and he respects me. It is a very good match, I am sure."

"He is also twice your age, widowed twice over and still in need of an heir. I imagine your duties will be taking all your time very soon. " *sniggers*

"Even so, I shall happily submit and I shall give him his heir and as many spares as he wishes. I shall be comfortably ensconced in his very lovely and very large estate in Kent, I shall have no reason to repine. I am sure I will think of you, my oldest friend, and wish you may be as fortunate soon. Tell me again, my friend, how many proposals have you received?"

"You know very well. Neither did you, until recently. And by such a man. I will do better than that, you may rely on it."

"Certainly, my dear Lady. By the by, I hear your sister is with child again?"

"Yes, after two still born sons. Undoubtedly my brother now sees how poorly he has chosen. I would have given him two healthy sons by now, I should have been most proficient. My younger sister, well, it is unfortunate that my brother did not see clearly who the superior woman was. My sister is an utter failure in her marriage and while her husband still dotes on her – he has no choice I believe, he does need an heir – I am certain it cannot last. His eyes must have opened by now, after all the misery she put him through and her undeniable dereliction of her duties."

"My my, that smacks of bitterness, my dear, dear friend. Do not let your envy consume you, dear. It does not become you. Oh, there is my betrothed with one of his neighbours. Do let me introduce you, dear!"

"Sir, you are the perfect man, most suited to my qualities. Our alliance will be revered, admired by all. Also, your good friend is married to my good friend. Therefore, you must marry me. We will wed in six weeks, from Rotherham. You may kneel now to make your proposals."

"Lady Catherine! I am not going to propose to you, now please excuse me."

"Wait! Not so hasty, if you please!"

"You can be at no loss, Sir Lewis, to understand the reason of my following you hither. Your own heart, your own conscience, must tell you why I come."

"Indeed, you are mistaken, madam. I have not been at all able to account for the honour of seeing you here."

"Sir Lewis, you ought to know that I am not to be trifled with. But, however insincere you may choose to be, you shall not find me so. My character has ever been celebrated for its sincerity and frankness, and in a cause of such moment as this I shall certainly not depart from it."

"Madam, if I may…."

"I will not be interrupted! Hear me in silence. We are formed for each other. I am descended from a most noble line; you, from a respectable, honourable, and ancient, though untitled family. Our fortune on both sides is splendid. What is to divide us?"

"There certainly is something… MMMMPPHHFF!"

"DE BOURGH! What are you doing here with my daughter?"

"Papa, you must congratulate us for we are to be married."

"No, my Lord, I beg your forgiveness, this all a misunderstanding!"

"A misunderstanding, de Bourgh? Am I misunderstanding that you are here, alone, with my unmarried daughter, mauling her whilst your hands are on her buttocks? Tell me man, how I may be misunderstanding all this, tomorrow at dawn!"

"My Lord!"

"Papa!"

"I see we understand one another, de Bourgh. I wish you joy. Come see me in two days with your settlement."

"Yes, my Lord."