成为简_奥斯丁--英文台词--全

—Affection is desirable, money is absolutely indispensable.
—爱情是值得追求的，金钱是不可或缺的。
—Nothing destroys like poverty.
—没有什么比贫穷更能摧毁意志的了。
—How can you have him? Even with his thousands and his houses, how can you, of all people, dispose of yourself without affection?How can I dispose of myself with it? You are leaving tomorrow.
—你怎么能接受他的求婚？就算他有万贯家财，你怎么能和其他人一样和不爱的人结婚？有了爱又怎么样？你明天就要走了。
—I have no money, no property, I am entirely dependent upon that bizarre old lunatic, my uncle. I cannot yet offer marriage, but you must know what I feel. Jane, I'm yours. Gah, I'm yours, I'm yours, heart and soul. Much good that is.Let me decide that.
—我既没钱，又没房产，完全仰赖我那个古怪的疯子舅舅，我还不能像你求婚，但我要你明白我的心意。简，我是你的，我是你的，是你的，全心全意，也许不值一提。这让我来决定。
—What value will there be in life if we are not together? Run away with me.
—如果我们不能在一起，生活还有什么意义？跟我私奔吧。
—No! No, Jane. I will never give you up. Don't speak or think. Just love me, do you love me?Yes. But if our love destroys your family, it will destroy itself. In a long, slow degradation of guilt and regret and blame. Truth, made from contradiction. But it must come with a smile. Or else I shall count it as false and shall have had no love at all.Please.Good bye.
—别！别，简，我永远不放弃你。别说也别去想，爱我就行，你爱我吗？我爱你。但如果我们的爱情毁了你的家庭，它最终会毁了它自己。在漫长岁月中因内疚，后悔和自责而不断消逝。这是事实，矛盾的事实，但必须微笑面对。否则这就不是事实，我们宁可没爱过。求你了。再见。即使过去很多年，他的眼神依旧没有改变，说话的时候声音微微颤动。而她的朗读却不似年少时那般快乐活泼，更多了一分沉稳。是岁月磨平了棱角，却没有让他遗忘爱情。



1

(CLOCK TICKING)

2

JANE: "Boundaries of...

3

"propriety...

4

"vigorously assaulted...

5

"...propriety were... "

6

(EXCLAIMS)

7

(PLAYING PIANO SOFTLY)

8

"The boundaries of propriety were

vigorously assaulted.

9

"The boundaries of propriety were

vigorously assaulted, as was only right,

10

"but not quite breached, as was also right.

11

"Nevertheless,

12

"she was not pleased."

13

(PIANO PLAYING LOUDLY)

14

-What is it?

-Jane.

15

Oh.

16

Jane!

17

Oh, dear me.

18

That girl needs a husband.

19

And who's good enough? Nobody.

20

I blame you for that.

21

Being too much the model of perfection.

22

(LAUGHS SARCASTICALLY)

23

I've shared your bed for

32 years

24

and perfection is something

I have not encountered.

25

Yet.

26

No. Stop it. Mr Austen, it's Sunday!

Stop, no, it's...

27

(CHUCKLES)

28

The utmost of a woman's character

is expressed in the duties of daughter,

29

sister and, eventually, wife and mother.

30

It is secured by soft attraction, virtuous love

and quiet in the early morning.

31

If a woman happens

to have a particular superiority,

32

for example, a profound mind,

it is best kept a profound secret.

33

Humour is liked more, but wit? No.

34

It is the most treacherous talent of them all.

35

Now, Georg e, old fellow,

you know you have to stay.

36

-Jenny!

-George, George.

37

MRS AUSTEN: Hurry along, Jane! We'll be late!

38

JANE: When Her Ladyship calls, we must obey.

39

MRS AUSTEN: Come along, Jane.

40

Lady Gresham,

may I introduce my niece Comtesse De Feuillide

41

and Mr Fowle, Cassandra's fianc?

42

-Comtesse? Then you presume to be French?

-By marriage.

43

Monsieur le Comte is not here

to pay his respects?

44

A prior engagement, ma'am,

45

Monsieur le Comte was obliged

to pay his respects to Madame le Guillotine.

46

Oh!

47

I see your nephew is with us again.

48

Mr Wisley.

49

Wisley is indispensable to my happiness.

50

Well, do sit down.

51

Mr Fowle and Cassandra

are only recently engaged.

52

When shall you marry?

53

-Not for some time, Your Ladyship.

-Why not?

54

I'm also engaged to go to the West Indies

55

with Lord Craven's expedition

against the French, as chaplain.

56

-What has Craven offered you?

-I've hopes of a parish on my return.

57

How much is it worth?

58

Enough to marry on, in a modest way.

59

Mr Wisley, did you know

the Basingstoke assemblies resume?

60

Very soon, I believe.

61

-Jane does enjoy a ball.

-Wisley can't abide them.

62

But, sir,

63

a ball is an indispensable blessing

to the juvenile part of the neighbourhood.

64

Everything agreeable in the way of talking

and sitting down together

65

all managed with the utmost decorum.

66

An amiable man could not object.

67

Then I find I'm converted.

68

JANE: Displayed like a brood mare.

69

-Mr Wisley is a highly eligible young gentleman.

-Oh, Mother!

70

-You know our situation, Jane.

-Oh!

71

And he is Lady Gresham's

favourite nephew and heir.

72

One day, he shall inherit this.

73

Excellent prospects!

74

-His small fortune will not buy me.

-What will buy you, cousin?

75

MAN: More wary in the world, Mr Lefroy.

76

(LAUGHING)

77

You can pay me for that later.

78

-Huzzah! Huzzah!

-MAN: Come on, Mr Lefroy.

79

Come on, man, hit him!

80

Lefroy!

81

-WOMAN: Glass of wine with you, sir?

-Madam.

82

(GROANING)

83

-Displaying to advantage, I see, Lefroy.

-Like the sword, Austen.

84

How long before you have

to get back to the sticks?

85

A day.

86

So soon?

87

Doghouse, debts, but one must cut

some sort of a figure even in the militia.

88

Especially when condemned to a parsonage,

my friend.

89

Yes.

90

Still, who is this sour-faced little virgin?

91

Your pardon, ma'am.

92

Mr Tom Lefroy, may I present Mr John Warren?

93

Joining me in Hampshire,

my father is preparing us both for holy orders.

94

I understand you've visited Hampshire, Mr Lefroy.

95

Last year.

-Long visit, was it?

-Very long, Mr Warren. Almost three hours.

97

Mr Austen, you're devilishly handsome.

A kiss, a kiss.

98

Oops!

99

So, Tom, where should we go? Vauxhall Gardens?

100

Been there.
101

Lefroy, there's a Tahitian Love Fest on at White's.

102

Seen it.

103

-Crockford's?

-Crockford's? Done that.

104

Or did it do me?

105

Wh-wh-wh-what is a Tahitian Love Fest?

106

Warren!

107

HENRY: I humbly beg your pardon, sir.

108

Theft of one pig is a crime, heinous to be sure,

but two pigs...

109

Two pigs is a violent assault

on the very sanctity of private property itself.

110

(WHISPERING) Excuse me.

111

You and your kind

are a canker on the body social.

112

And cankers are cut out.

113

Transportation for life. Next.

114

(GAVEL BANGS)

115

-Why are you here in London, sir?

-To learn the law.

116

-Which has no other end but what?

-The preservation of the rights of property.

117

-Against?

-The mob.

118

Therefore, order is kept because we have...

119

-A standing army?

-Good manners, sir, and prudence.

120

-Do you know that word? Prudence?

-Yes.

121

Consider myself.

122

I was born rich, certainly, but I remain rich

by virtue of exceptional conduct.

123

I have shown restraint.

124

Your mother, my sister, became poor

because she did not...

125

She married my father because she loved him.

126

Yes, and that's why you have so many

brothers and sisters back there in...

127

-Limerick.

-Mmm.

128

If you hope, I say hope...

129

If you aspire to inherit my property,

130

you must prove yourself more worthy.

131

But what do we find? We find dissipation

132

wild enough to glut the imaginings

of a Hottentot braggadocio.

133

Wild companions, gambling,

134

running around St James's

like a neck-or-nothing young blood of the fancy.

135

-What kind of lawyer will that make?

-Typical.

136

Humour?

137

Well, you're going to need that

because I'm teaching you a lesson.

138

I'm sending you to stay with your other relations,

the Lefroys.

139

-Uncle, they live in the country.

-Deep in the country.

140

(LANGLOIS CHUCKLING)

141

-Jane?

-Mmm?

142

Can you?

143

Thank you.

144

I think you two

quite the prettiest sisters in England.

145

Mr Fowle will be enchanted.

146

San Domingo is half a world away.

147

He'll forget me.

148

Impossible.

Look at the memory you're giving him tonight.

149

(CHUCKLES)

150

Cassie.

151

His heart will stop at the very sight of you

or he doesn't deserve to live.

152

And, yes, I'm aware of the contradiction

embodied in that sentence.

153

(CARRIAGE APPROACHING)

154

Is it?

155

-Jane!

-Henry!

156

You look wonderful.

157

Well, hello, John. It's very good to see you.

158

-Nice to see you.

-Oh, John!

159

George!

160

(EXCLAIMING)

161

MRS AUSTEN: Leave your brother alone.

162

Jane! Jane? Have you heard?

My father's nephew is staying with us.

163

From London.

164

-He is a...

-A brilliant young lawyer.

165

-Lucy, please.

-With a reputation.

166

For lateness?

167

(CLINKING)

168

MRS AUSTEN: Hat off, George.

Hat off, Father's ready.

169

-Thank you, John.

-Please.

170

REVEREND AUSTEN: The family is always moving

in great ways and small.

171

Firstly, the small.

Henry is back from Oxford with his degree,

172

-thank goodness.

-Well done.

173

And our friend John, my new student.

Then the great.

174

Cassandra, who is forsaking us for her

brother Edward and his family at the coast

175

whilst Robert voyages to the West Indies

with Lord Craven's expedition.

176

And then, together, they can embark on

that most great and most serious journey of life.

177

Miss Austen, I understand

you will be favouring us with a reading?

178

-Do, Jane.

-WOMAN: Do.

179

MAN: Oh, please, Miss Jane.

WOMAN: Oh, yes, Jane, do.

180

Please, Jane.

181

"Advice from a young lady on the engagement

of her beloved sister Cassandra

182

"to a Fowle."

183

(ALL LAUGHING)

184

"His addresses were offered in a manner

violent enough to be flattering.

185

"The boundaries of propriety

were vigorously assaulted, as was only right,

186

"but not quite breached, as was also right.

187

"Nevertheless, she was..."

188

And may I introduce my young nephew

Mr Thomas Lefroy?

189

WOMAN: Oh.

190

REVEREND AUSTEN: And he's more than welcome.

Join us, sir, join us.

191

Green velvet coat. Vastly fashionable.

192

You'll find this vastly amusing.

193

"His addresses were...

194

"The boundaries of propriety

were vigorously assaulted,

195

"as was only right, but not quite breached,

as was also right.

196

"Nevertheless, she was not pleased.

197

"Her taste was refined, her sentiments noble,

her person lovely, her figure elegant."

198

(LAUGHING)

199

Good God, there's writing

on both sides of those pag

es.

200

Shh. Damn it, man.
201

"'It was only yesterday I repelled Lord Graham

and his six million,

202

"'which would have lasted me

almost a twelvemonth,

203

"'with economies...'

204

"'...a treasure

205

"'greater than all the jewels in India,

an adoring heart.'"

206

God!

207

"'And pray, madam,

what am I to expect in return? '

208

"'Expect? Well, you may expect

to have me pleased from time to time.'"

209

Is this who I am?

210

"And a sweet, gentle, pleading, innocent,

211

"delicate, sympathetic, loyal, untutored,

adoring female heart."

212

The end.

213

(ALL LAUGH)

214

-Bravo, Jane.

-WOMAN: Well done, Jane.

215

(ALL APPLAUDING)

216

MAN: Bravo.

217

Well done.

218

WOMAN: She speaks so well.

219

Well, excessively charming, I thought.

220

Well, accomplished enough, perhaps,

221but a metropolitan mind may be

less susceptible to extended, juvenile self-regard.

222

REVEREND AUSTEN: Well, thank you.

We're both very proud.

223

# In airy dreams

224

(EXCLAIMS)

225

#...absent love to see

226

# Dear you, oh, to think

227

# On thee #

228

MR LEFROY: Careful there, old fellow.

229

TOM: Fine piece, Mr Lefroy.

230

Handled a gun before, have you, Tom?

231

-TOM: Mmm.

-Tom!

232

(LUCY SCREAMS)

233

MR LEFROY: Jesus!

234

-Tom.

-Uncle?

235

Why not try a walk?

236

There's some very fine country round about.

Very fine.

237

A walk.

238

Miss!

239

Miss! Miss!

240

Miss! Miss, I...

241

Miss?

242

Miss?

243

-Miss...

-Austen.

244

Mr Lefroy.

245

Yes, I know, but I am alone.

246

-Except for me.

-Exactly.

247

Oh, come!

248

What rules of conduct apply

in this rural situation?

249

We have been introduced, have we not?

250

What value is there in an introduction

when you cannot even remember my name?

251

Indeed, can barely stay awake in my presence.

252

Madam.

253

These scruples must seem very provincial

to a gentleman with such elevated airs,

254

but I do not devise these rules.

I am merely obliged to obey them.

255

I have been told

there is much to see upon a walk

256

but all I've detected so far is a general

tendency to green above and brown below.

257

Yes, well, others have detected more.

It is celebrated.

258

-There's even a book about Selborne Wood.

-Oh.

259

A novel, perhaps?

260

Novels?

261

Being poor, insipid things, read by mere women,

even, God forbid, written by mere women?

262

I see, we're talking of your reading.

263

As if the writing of women did not display

the greatest powers of mind,

264

knowledge of human nature,

the liveliest effusions of wit and humour

265

and the best-chosen language imaginable?

266

-Was I

deficient in rapture?

-In consciousness.

267

It was...

268

It was accomplished.

269

It was ironic.

270

-And you're sure I've not offended you?

-Not at all.

271

My lords, ladies and gentlemen,

the Grand Vizier's Flight.

272

-May I have the honour?

-How kind, cousin.

273

-Miss Austen.

-Mr Wisley.

274

May I have the pleasure of this next dance?

275

(CHATTERING)

276

LUCY: Oh, no, we're so late.

MRS LEFROY: Take care.

277

Oh, thank you, Tom.

278

LUCY: Hurry.

MRS LEFROY: Lucy.

279

(EXCLAIMS)

280

WISLEY: Oh!

281

I am mortified.

282

I practised, but it won't stick.

283

HENRY: What a lovely pair they make.

284

Ah, Sister.

285

ELIZA: What do you make of Mr Lefroy?

JANE: We're honoured by his presence.

286

You think?

287

He does, with his preening, prancing,

Irish-cum-Bond-Street airs.

288

Jane.

289

Well, I call it very high indeed, refusing

to dance when there are so few gentleman.

290

-Henry, are all your friends so disagreeable?

-Jane.

291

Where exactly in Ireland

does he come from, anyway?

292

Limerick, Miss Austen.

293

I would regard it as a mark of extreme favour

294

if you would stoop

to honour me with this next dance.

295

(COUNTRY DANCE MUSIC PLAYING)

296

Being the first to dance with me, madam,

I feel it only fair to inform you

297

that you carry the standard

for Hampshire hospitality.

298

Ah, then your country reputation

depends on my report.

299

This, by the way, is called a country dance,

after the French, contredanse.

300

Not because it is exhibited

at an uncouth rural assembly.
301

with glutinous pies,

302

execrable Madeira

303

and truly anarchic dancing.

304

You judge the company severely, madam.

305

-I was describing what you'd be thinking.

-Allow me to think for myself.

306

Gives me leave to do the same, sir,

and come to a different conclusion.

307

-Will you give so much to a woman?

-It must depend on the woman

308

and what she thinks of me.

309

But you are above being pleased.

310

And I think that you, miss, what was it?

311

-Austen. Mr...?

-Lefroy.

312

I think that you, Miss Austen,

consider yourself a cut above the company.

313

Me?

314

You, ma'am,

315

secretly.

316

(ALL APPLAUDING)

317

How many times did you stand up

with that gentleman, Jane?

318

-LUCY: Was it twice?

-Twice would have been partial.

319

-Thrice would have been absolutely...

-LUCY: Flagrant.

320

Careful, Jane, Lucy is right.

Mr Lefroy does have a reputation.

321

Presumably as the most disagreeable...

322

"...insolent, arrogant, impudent,

323

"insufferable, impertinent of men. "

324

Too many adjectives.

325

What is she trying to say?

326

On y

our toes, gentlemen. No singles.

327

(GRUNTS)

328

(ALL CHEERING)

329

Bowler's end, bowler's end.

330

MAN 1 : Again!

MAN 2: Run for more.

331

I never feel more French

than when I watch cricket.

332

-Out.

-Not out.

333

-No?

-No.

334

MRS AUSTEN: Is he out?

335

I begin to suspect

you're flirting with my brother, cousin.

336

Flirting is a woman's trade.

One must keep in practice.

337

(EXCLAIMS)

338

You're gone.

339

MAN: Well played, Tom.

340

We're depending on you.

341

MRS AUSTEN: Oh, it's Mr Warren's...turn.

342

MAN: Best of luck!

343

John Warren!

344

MAN: Good luck, Mr Warren.

345

John never was very good, though.

346

MAN: Easy!

347

MAN: Run, Warren, run!

348

MAN 1 : Quickly, hurry!

MAN 2: Run!

349

Jolly good show!

350

Watch.

351

-UMPIRE: You're out.

-Yah!

352

-UMPIRE: You're gone, Mr Warren.

-Oh, dear.

353

Prodigious, Tom, prodigious.

354

(LAUGHING)

355

Thank you, Warren. On your way.

356

MAN: Same again, Tom.

357

-MRS AUSTEN: Well done, Mr Warren.

-Bad ball. It's a terrible wicket.

358

I hope you're not too disappointed, Miss Austen.

359

Four more to win, Wisley.

360

MAN 1 : Who's next?

MAN 2: Come on!

361

-LUCY: She can't...

-Jane!

362

What on earth are you going to do?

363

WOMAN 1 : Irrepressible.

WOMAN 2:...she can.

364

(CROWD APPLAUDING)

365

MAN 1 : Move in!

366

MAN 2: Go easy, Tom.

367

MAN 3: Be gentle, Lefroy!

368

(GRUNTS)

369

(ALL EXCLAIM)

370

Run, Jane, run!

371

-Move!

-Run!

372

Only four more to win.

373

MAN: Bowler's end! Move yourself, you lout!

374

MAN: One more!

WOMAN: Quickly!

375

Go, go, go!

376

UMPIRE: Not out.

377

Bad luck, Lefroy.

378

See?

379

WOMAN: She was so good.

380

-You've played this game before?

-No choice, you see. She was raised by brothers.

381

Time for a swim, I think.

382

MRS AUSTEN: Well played, Henry.

383

I dedicate our victory to La Comtesse de Feuillide.

384

-Now, there's a decent bit of river over the hill.

-Oh, yes?

385

(EXCLAIMING)

386

Careful!

387

Come on, let's go!

388

Wait!

389

-Not this time, Lefroy.

-Huh?

390

You think not?

391

(WHOOPING)

392

(DOG BARKS)

393

Down, boy.

394

-Father, have you seen Tom?

-No, Lucy, I've not.

395

Besotted. Natural enough at 1 5.

396

Love and sense are enemies at any age.

397

-Mrs Lefroy, may I explore your library?

-Of course.

398

Lucy would marry him tomorrow,

and what a terrible husband he would make.

399

I suppose you mean his reputation.

Experience can recommend a man.

400

(MAN CHUCKLING)
401

-Miss Austen.

-Oh, Mr Lefroy.

402

-And reading.

-Yes.

403

I

've been looking through your book of the wood.

Mr White's Natural History.

404

Oh.

405

-Well, how do you like it?

-I cannot get on. It is too disturbing.

406

-Disturbing?

-Mmm.

407

Take this observation.

408

(CLEARS THROAT)

409

"Swifts on a fine morning in May,

flying this way, that way,

410

"sailing around at a great height

perfectly happily. Then...

411

"Then one leaps onto the back of another,

grasps tightly,

412

"and forgetting to fly, they both sink

down and down in a great, dying fall,

413

"fathom after fathom, until the female utters..."

414

Yes?

415

"...the female utters a loud, piercing cry

416

"of ecstasy."

417

Is this conduct commonplace

in the natural history of Hampshire?

418

(STUTTERS)

419

Your ignorance is understandable

since you lack... What shall we call it?

420

The history?

421

Propriety commands me to ignorance.

422

Condemns you to it and your writing

to the status of female accomplishment.

423

If you wish to practise the art of fiction,

to be the equal of a masculine author,

424

experience is vital.

425

I see.

426

And what qualifies you to offer this advice?

427

I know more of the world.

428

(LAUGHS SARCASTICALLY)

429

A great deal more, I gather.

430

Enough to know

that your horizons must be...widened

431

by an extraordinary young man.

432

By a very dangerous young man,

433

one who has, no doubt,

infected the hearts of many a young...

434

-Young woman with the soft corruption...

-Read this

435

and you will understand.

436

"When the philosopher heard that the fortress

of virtue had already been subdued,

437

"he began to give a large scope to his desires.

438

"His appetite was not of that squeamish kind

which cannot feed on a dainty

439

- "because another... "

-TOM: "Another has tasted it. "

440

-He' s not tasting this dainty.

-What, dear?

441

JANE: "...nor had her face

much appearance of beauty.

442

"But her clothes being torn

from all the upper part of her body... "

443

TOM: "...her breasts, which were well formed

and extremely white,

444

"attracted the eyes of her deliverer,

and for a few moments they stood silent... "

445

JANE: "...and gazing at each other. "

446

(CHURCH BELL TOLLING)

447

I have read your book.

448

-I have read your book and disapprove.

-Of course you do.

449

-But of what? The scenes? Characters? The prose?

-No, all good.

450

-The morality?

-Flawed.

451

(LAUGHING) Well, of course, it is. But why?

452

Vice leads to difficulty, virtue to reward.

Bad characters come to bad ends.

453

Exactly. But in life, bad characters often thrive.

Take yourself.

454

(TOM LAUGHING)

455

And a novel must show how the world truly is,

456

how characters genuinely think,

how events actually occur.

457

A novel should somehow reveal

the true source of our actions.

458

What of my hero's feelings?


459

Well, it seems to me, sir,

that your hero's very vigorous feelings

460

caused him and everyone connected with him

a great deal of trouble.

461

Ah, well, if the book has troubled you...

462

-Oh, but an orphan must know trouble.

-What sort of trouble?

463

All sorts of trouble.

464

Laverton Fair. Vastly entertaining.

Monstrous good idea, Jane.

465

Yes, Miss Austen, not exactly

your usual society, I'd say.

466

Show a little imagination, Mr Lefroy.

467

Trouble here enough.

468

And freedom, the freedom of men.

469

Do not you envy it?

470

But I have the intense pleasure

of observing it so closely.

471

Ah.

472

Now, there's a fool,

to go to it with a professional.

473

(GRUNTING)

474

-You know about this, of course.

-Of course.

475

Yes, a vastly fashionable pastime in London.

476

Beating a man to a pulp. What are you doing?

477

Mr Lefroy, stop!

478

TOM: Make way!

479

(GRUNTING)

480

-Stop!

-Let us see how you fare against me, sir.

481

Coming through.

482

Five shillings on the gent. Who will take it?

You, sir? That's the ticket.

483

Have that.

484

Thank you.

485

Go on, hit him!

486

Come on, Lefroy, hit him, man!

487

Tom, you must stop.

488

Come on, Lefroy!

489

Up, sir.

490

Tom!

491

(EXCLAIMS)

492

Lucy.

493

(EXCLAIMING)

494

-That's twice he's done that to me.

-You spend money like water.

495

I'm afraid it's damn low water with me.

496

-I'm afraid I'm short, sir.

-Take it.

497

How embarrassing.

498

Yeh!

499

Mr Lefroy? Mr Lefroy? Mr Lefroy?

500

Was I deficient in propriety?
501

Why did you do that?

502

Couldn't waste

all those expensive boxing lessons.

503

Forgive me if I suspect in you a sense of justice.

504

(CHUCKLING)

505

I am a lawyer. Justice plays no part in the law.

506

Is that what you believe?

507

I believe it. I must.

508

I beg your leave.

509

-Her heart is stirred.

-It's a summer squall.

510

Mr Lefroy will soon be gone.

And Mr Wisley will still be waiting, I hope.

511

-The man's a booby.

-Oh, he will grow out of that.

512

And she could fix him with very little trouble.

513

You could persuade her.

514

To sacrifice her happiness?

515

Jane should have not the man

who offers the best price, but the man she wants.

516

Oh, Mr Austen.

517

Must we have this conversation

day in and day out?

518

We'll end up in the gutter if we carry on like this.

519

MRS AUSTEN: Jenny! Mr Austen!

520

Where are you?

521

(DOORBELL DINGS)

522

So kind of you to

return the call.

523

-Will you take a dish of tea, ma'am?

-Green tea?

524

-Brown, Your Ladyship.

-Then no.

525

Where is your youngest daughter?

526

She's visiting the poor, ma'am.

527

Jane? Jane!

528

At last. Lady Gresham and Mr Wisley

have come to call. Where have you been?

529

Ma'am. Sir.

530

Well, perhaps... Perhaps the young people

would like to take a walk?

531

I see there's a pretty little wilderness

at the side of the house.

532

Excuse me.

533

Jane?

534

-What is she doing?

-Writing.

535

Can anything be done about it?

536

Miss Austen, you may know

537

that I have known you

538

for some considerable time

during my visits to Steventon.

539

The garden is so affecting in this season.

540

Indeed.

541

-The impression you have given me has always...

-The flowers particularly.

542

What I'm trying to say is that I...

543

I have a respectable property of 2,000 a year

544

in addition to even greater expectations

as Lady Gresham's heir,

545

-to which it may be indelicate to refer.

-Oh, indelicate, yes.

546

It's yours. If we marry, all of it, yours.

547

Mr Wisley...

548

Your offer is most sincere, I can see,

and gentlemanlike, and it honours me, truly.

549

But for all you are, and all you offer, I...

550

Yes.

551

(CLEARS THROAT)

552

Sometimes affection is a shy flower

that takes time to blossom.

553

Lying to tradesmen,

mending, scratching, scraping.

554

Endlessly, endlessly making do!

555

I understand

that our circumstances are difficult, ma'am.

556

-There is no money for you.

-Surely something could be done.

557

What we can put by must go to your brothers.

You will have nothing, unless you marry.

558

Well, then, I will have nothing. For I will not

marry without affection, like my mother!

559

And now I have to dig my own damn potatoes!

560

Would you rather be a poor old maid?

Ridiculous, despised, the butt of jokes?

561

The legitimate sport of any village lout

with a stone and an impudent tongue?

562

Affection is desirable.

563

Money is absolutely indispensable.

564

I could live by my...

565

Your what?

566

-I could live by my...

-Pen?

567

Let's knock that notion on the head

once and for all.

568

What's this?

569

Trouble amongst my women?

570

Come,

571

take hands and there's an end.

572

-Where are you going? Miss!

-To feed the pigs, ma'am.

573

He could give you a splendid home.

574

-A comfortable life.

-Father.

575

Consider.

576

This is likely to be your best offer.

577

Wisley?

578

It is true, so far he has not impressed...

579

-A booby.

-He should grow out of that.

580

Nothing destroys spirit

581

Iike poverty.

582

I saw Queen Mar

ie Antoinette

wear something the same at a ball once.

583

Am I making a show? I am, I know.

584

What trouble we take to make them like us

when we like them.

585

Henry?

586

-Eliza, my brother is much younger than you.

-And poorer.

587

He knows that I care for him sincerely.

588

I know that he is handsome...

589

And the handsome young men must have

something to live on as well as the plain.

590

You encourage him to take you for money?

591

-Men do.

-That does not make it honourable.

592

Well, I'm a sensible woman.

593

I thank God I am not, by your description.

594

If you were, you might have ascertained

that your Irish friend has no money, not a penny

595

and could not be expected to marry without it.

596

Consider that at the ball tonight.

597

In any event, he'll be gone tomorrow back

to Bond Street where he can do no more harm.

598

Good evening, Miss Austen.

599

Yes, yes.

600

(SLOW MUSIC PLAYING)

601

Miss Jane Austen.

602

Pleasure.

603

WOMAN: We're very honoured

to be here at your aunt's ball.

604

TOM: You dance with passion.

605

No sensible woman would demonstrate passion

if the purpose were to attract a husband.

606

-As opposed to a lover?

-Hmm.

607

Rest easy, Mr Lefroy.

608

-I have no expectation on either account.

-I did not mean to offend or hurt...

609

Oh, no, no, of course not.

Excuse me, I'm just over warm.

610

Pardon me.

611

-Ah, Miss Austen.

-Excuse me.

612

HENRY: This is unbearable.

My father is pressing for an early ordination,

613

while my own inclination is to the scarlet of

a captaincy in His Majesty's regulars.

614

But I do not have the money to purchase one.

615

I do.

616

-Well, that, of course is impossible.

-Oh, Henry, do not disguise yourself, not to me.

617

The scarlet will suit you very well.

618

Miss Austen? There you are.

619

Miss Austen, I cannot believe I am obliged

to have this conversation.

620

Your Ladyship?

621

Mr Wisley's mother,

my own dear sister, died young.

622

I have no children of my own.

623

I hope you never come to understand

the pain of that condition.

624

Let us simply say my nephew's wishes

are close to my heart,

625

however extraordinary they may be.

626

Well,

627

your health seems robust.

628

You have the usual accomplishments.

629

Your person is agreeable.

630

But when a young woman such as yourself

receives the addresses

631

from a gentleman such as my nephew,

it is her duty to accept at once.

632

But what do we find?

633

-Independent thought?

-Exactly.

634

My nephew, Miss Austen, condescends far indeed

635

in offering to the daughter of an obscure

and impecunious clergyman.

636

Impecunious? Your Ladyship is mista

ken.

637

I am never mistaken.

638

Your father is in grave financial difficulties.

639

But all is not lost.

640

He has a daughter

upon whom fortune has smiled.

641

Mr Wisley is a good opportunity for Jane.

642

She should accept him at once.

643

Do not you think?

644

-Lucy, let us take some refreshments.

-What? Mother.

645

I have learned of Mr Wisley's marriage proposal.

646

My congratulations.

647

Is there an alternative for

a well-educated young woman of small fortune?

648

How can you have him?

649

Even with his thousands and his houses,

650

how can you, of all people,

dispose of yourself without affection?

651

How can I dispose of myself with it?

652

You are leaving tomorrow.

653

-Did I do that well?

-Very, very well.

654

I wanted, just once, to do it well.

655

(MEN CHATTERING)

656

I have no money, no property,

657

I am entirely dependent

upon that bizarre old lunatic, my uncle.

658

I cannot yet offer marriage.

But you must know what I feel.

659

Jane, I'm yours.

660

Gah, I'm yours. I'm yours, heart and soul.

661

Much good that is.

662

Let me decide that.

663

(MEN LAUGHING)

664

What will we do?

665

What we must.

666

JANE: "My dearest Cassandra,

my heart has wings.

667

"Doubts and deliberations are ended.

668

"Soon I shall escape the attentions

of that great lady and her scintillating nephew.

669

"Eliza, Henry and I will join you at the coast,

670

"but we are obliged

to break our journey in London.

671

"Tom has cleverly secured an invitation

to stay with his uncle, the judge.

672

"Let us hope

we can convince him of my eligibility.

673

"Please destroy this disgraceful letter

674

"the moment you have recovered

from your astonishment.

675

"Yours affectionately, and in haste, Jane. "

676

T om! Our guests have arrived.

677

Decorum.

678

Countess.

679

Sir.

680

-Welcome...

-Madame le Comtesse.

681

Madame le Comtesse. Seldom, too seldom,

my house receives the presence of nobility.

682

And, of course, its friends. Please.

683

Your stay is short. There's not a moment to lose.

684

My nephew has devised a plan

of metropolitan amusement.

685

Pleasure is, as you would say, Madame, his forte.

686

ELIZA: Ah, is it?

687

Which battle was it, Tom?

688

Villers-en-Cauchies.

689

Very good.

Thousands slain. Served those Frenchies out.

690

Oh. Saving your presence, ma'am.

691

Be not afraid of abusing

the Jacobins on my account, Judge.

692

-They guillotined my husband.

-Oh, savages. Beasts.

693

-And his property?

-Confiscated.

694

A disaster.

695

Of course, by then,

much of my wealth was portable, so...

696

(CHUCKLING)

697

Yes, portable property

is

happiness in a pocketbook.

698

(LAUGHING)

699

Do I detect you in irony?

700

It is my considered opinion

that irony is insult with a smiling face.
701

HENRY: (LAUGHING) Indeed.

702

No.

703

No?

704

No, irony is the bringing together

of contradictory truths

705

to make out of the contradiction a new truth

with a laugh or a smile,

706

and I confess that a truth

must come with one or the other,

707

or I account it as false and a denial

of the very nature of humanity itself.

708

(CHUCKLES)

709

My cousin is a writer.

710

-Of what?

-Jane?

711

Novels.

712

A young woman of family?

713

Yes, uncle, and tomorrow

we go and visit another, Mrs Radcliffe.

714

She keeps herself to herself, almost a recluse,

but I know her husband through the law.

715

-Who?

-The authoress, Mrs Radcliffe.

716

-As writing is her profession.

-Her what?

717

?00, uncle, for the last novel,

The Mysteries of Udolpho.

718

-And ?00, I believe, for her next.

-The Italian.

719

Above ?,000?

720

The times, the times.

721

You live so quietly.

722

And yet your novels are filled

with romance, danger, terror.

723

Everything my life is not.

724

Apparently.

725

Of what do you wish to write?

726

Of the heart.

727

Do you know it?

728

Not all of it.

729

In time, you will.

730

But even if that fails,

that's what the imagination is for.

731

Your imagination has brought you independence.

732

At a cost to myself and to my husband.

733

Poor William.

734

To have a wife who has a mind

is considered not quite proper.

735

To have a wife with a literary reputation

nothing short of scandalous.

736

But it must be possible?

737

-To live as both wife and author?

-Oh.

738

I think so.

739

Though never easy.

740

(SNORING)

741

Could I really have this?

742

What, precisely?

743

(LAUGHS) You.

744

Me, how?

745

-This life with you.

-Yes.

746

HENRY: Lefroy.

747

-Hush. The judge.

-The man's like a rampant dog.

748

(SIGHS)

749

He will be generous. I'm sure of it.

750

-You'll speak with him?

-Tomorrow, I promise.

751

I really must say good night.

752

-Good night.

-Good night.

753

-Miss Austen?

-Yes?

754

Good night.

755

You know, I think my mother is right.

A husband, and the sooner, the better.

756

(BELL TOLLING)

757

Five girls of little fortune.

758

JANE: "...sensibly and as warmly as a man

violently in love can be supposed to do.

759

"Mr Wickham was the happy man towards

whom almost every female eye was turned.

760

"...partial, prejudiced, absurd.

761

"Watch for the first appearance

of Pemberley Woods.

762

"The happiness which this reply produced...

76

3

"It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. "

764

(CLOCK CHIMING)

765

-Good morning, sir.

-Good morning?

766

-Has the world turned topsy?

-Sir?

767

I trust the countess is enjoying her visit?

768

-(STAMMERING) I gather she is, sir. I...

-Fine woman, very fine woman.

769

TOM: Indeed.

770

-I'd hoped to discuss a certain matter.

-Your allowance is beyond negotiation.

771

Now that you have had the opportunity

to become acquainted with Miss Austen yourself,

772

I am sure you will find, as I do,

that she is a remarkable young woman.

773

(EXCLAIMS)

774

-This is an outrage!

-If you will allow me to speak, sir.

775

There is no need.

This letter makes it absolutely clear.

776

Letter?

777

Now I know what you were at down in Hampshire.

778

-It is from Steventon.

-Is it true

779

that you have practiced upon me with this chit?

780

I wished you to know the young lady.

781

I wished to introduce her

to your affections discreetly.

782

Aye! Blind me with the rich widow and then

insinuate that penniless little husband-hunter!

783

-Moderation, sir, I beg you!

-That ironical little authoress.

784

I wished you to know her for yourself.

785

I was certain her merit would speak for her.

786

-Consider, sir, my happiness is in your hands.

-Happiness?

787

Damn it, nephew,

788

I had rather you were a whore-mongering

blackguard with a chance of reform

789

than a love-sick whelp sunk in a bad marriage.

790

My uncle has refused to give his consent.

791

-The letter has done its work.

-Who sent it?

792

Lady Gresham?

793

Or her nephew.

794

They think that they can do what they like

with us, but I will not accept this.

795

We have no choice.

796

Of course we do.

797

I...

798

I depend entirely upon...

799

Upon your uncle.

800

Mmm.801

And I depend on you.

802

So what will you do?

803

What I must.

804

I have a duty to my family, Jane.

I must think of them as well as...

805

Tom...

806

Is that... Is that all you have to say to me?

807

Goodbye, Mr Lefroy.

808

The sentence of this court is that you be taken

to the place whence you came

809

and thence to a place of execution,

810

and that you be there hanged by the neck

until you are dead.

811

May the Lord have mercy on your soul.

812

Next.

813

He has behaved so ill to you, Jane.

814

Perhaps soon we can return home to Steventon.

815

Is there any news of Robert?

816

He has arrived in San Domingo at last.

817

Good.

818

Good.

819

Glass of wine with you, sir?

820

Yes.

821

Yes, a toast from one member

of the profession to another.

822

I'm sorry to have been so disobliging in the past.

823

Mr Wisley?

824

So, the infamo

us Mrs Radcliffe.

825

Was she really as gothic as her novels?

826

Not in externals,

827

but her inner landscape is quite picturesque,

I suspect.

828

True of us all.

829

(WHISPERING) There's a message

for Reverend Austen.

830

-(WHISPERING) Message for Reverend Austen.

-Thank you.

831

ELIZA: Uncle?

832

What is it?

833

(SOBBING)

834

(GASPING)

835

It seemed he died very soon

after landing in San Domingo.

836

My God, he was hardly there.

837

What was the disease?

838

Yellow fever. Lord Craven, he wrote.

839

He said that if he had known

he was engaged to be married,

840

he would never have taken him.

841

Jane, there's something else.

842

Mr Lefroy, Tom.

843

What?

844

I would keep this from you if I could.

845

He's here visiting Mrs Lefroy and I...

846

He is engaged.

847

So soon?

848

A letter?

849

No.

850

It's something I began in London.

851

It is the tale of a young woman.

852

Two young women.

853

Better than their circumstances.

854

So many are.

855

And two young gentlemen who receive

856

much better than their deserts

as so very many do.

857

Mmm.

858

How does the story begin?

859

-Badly.

-And then?

860

It gets worse.

861

With, I hope, some humour.

862

How does it end?

863

They both make triumphant, happy endings.

864

Brilliant marriages?

865

Incandescent marriages

866

to very rich men.

867

You asked me a question.

868

I am ready to give you an answer.

But there is one matter to be settled.

869

I cannot make you out, Mr Wisley.

870

At times, you are

871

the most gentlemanlike man I know

and yet you would...

872

"Yet". What a sad word.

873

And yet, you write yourself

most tellingly to great effect.

874

-I'm speaking, of course, of your letter.

-What letter?

875

Was your aunt the correspondent on your behalf?

876

What matter?

877

One way or another,

passion makes fools of us all.

878

I hope, in time,

passion may regain your better opinion.

879

The emotion is absurd.

880

When you consider

the sex to whom it is often directed,

881

indistinguishable from folly.

882

I thank you for the honour of your proposal.

I accept. Good day.

883

George, George.

884

Mr Wisley is... He's an honourable man.

885

You'll always have a place with me.

886

(GRUNTS)

887

Miss Austen.

888

Mr Lefroy.

889

Sir.

890

I believe I must congratulate you, Mr Lefroy.

891

And you've come to visit an old friend

at such a time. How considerate.

892

I have come

893

to offer an explanation, belatedly,

894

for my conduct. I cannot think how to describe it.

895

Tell me about your lady, Mr Lefroy.

896

From where does she come?

897

She's from County Wexford.

898

Your own country. Excellent.

899

What was it that won her?

Your manner, smiles and pleasing address?

900

No, no, not at all.
901

No, had I really experienced that emotion,

I should, at present, detest the very sight of him.

902

And you are mistaken.

903

I'm even impartial towards

the gloriously endowed Miss Wexford...

904

I cannot do this.

905

And so you would marry Wisley?

906

(WHISPERS) Please?

907

If there is a shred of truth

or justice inside of you,

908

-you cannot marry him.

-Oh no, Mr Lefroy.

909

Justice, by your own admission,

you know little of, truth even less.

910

Jane, I have tried.

I have tried and I cannot live this lie.

911

Can you?

912

Jane, can you?

913

What value will there be in life

if we are not together?

914

Run away with me.

915

An elopement?

916

That is exactly what I propose.

917

We'll post to London,

by Friday be in Scotland, and man and wife.

918

-Leave everything?

-Everything.

919

It is the only way we can be together.

920

You'll lose everything.

921

Family, place. For what?

922

A lifetime of drudgery on a pittance?

923

A child every year

and no means to lighten the load?

924

-How will you write, Jane?

-I do not know.

925

But happiness is within my grasp

and I cannot help myself.

926

There is no sense in this.

927

If you could have your Robert back, even like this,

928

would you do it?

929

(EXCLAIMS)

930

-Please conceal my departure as long as possible.

-Wait.

931

Here.

932

Take these. Now go, quickly.

933

Come. If we hurry,

we can still make the morning coach.

934

You are sure?

935

Be careful.

936

-Is it coming?

-Not yet.

937

Take my hand. All right?

938

Hurry. I can hear it approaching.

939

Here it is.

940

Whoa.

941

Two to London. We'll settle at first rest.

942

-Yes?

-Right you are, sir.

943

Hampshire, your home county.

944

It was.

945

(LAUGHING)

946

(RUMBLING)

947

Stuck. Everybody out,

ladies and gentlemen, please.

948

-We need to lighten the load.

-No, let me, let me.

949

COACHMAN: I shall require you gentlemen

to give me a hand, put your shoulders into it.

950

Now, sir, if you can push on the coach itself.

Excuse me, sir. Young gentleman?

951

-Yes, yes.

-You on the other side, sir, thank you.

952

-Young gentleman, please come along.

-All right.

953

COACHMAN: Mind helping us? Thank you.

954

Right, all together now then, sirs, please?

955

(MEN GRUNTING)

956

One, two,

957

and a three and push!

958

Come on.

959

MRS LEFROY: "Dear Tom.

960

"How timely was the arrival

of the money you sent. "

961

COACHMAN: One, two and three!

962

"It was so very much appreciated

by your father and I.

963

"You're so kind to share your uncle's allowance.

964

"Indeed, I do not dare think

how we would survive without it. "

965

(GRUNTS)

966

Well done. Thank you, sirs.

967

All right, ladies and gentlemen, back on

the coach as soon as you can, thank you.

968

We are ready.

969

-Worried?

-No.

970

-Is it the loss of your reputation?

-No.

971

The loss of yours.

972

-I do not...

-Please, sir, come along, the coach is departing.

973

Come.

974

COACHMAN: Changing horses.

Twenty minutes only.

975

House of office at the back of the inn.

All down, quick as you like.

976

How many brothers and sisters

do you have in Limerick, Tom?

977

Enough. Why?

978

What are the names of your brothers and sisters?

979

They...

980

On whom do they depend?

981

(SIGHS)

982

Your reputation is destroyed.

983

Your profligacy is a beautiful sham.

984

-I can earn money.

-It will not be enough.

985

I will rise.

986

With a High Court Judge as your enemy?

And a penniless wife?

987

God knows how many mouths depending on you?

988

My sweet, sweet friend,

you will sink, and we will all sink with you.

989

-I will...

-COACHMAN: Hampshire Flyer.

990

Hampshire Flyer's leaving in five minutes.

991

No! No, Jane.

992

I will never give you up.

993

-Tom...

-Don't speak or think.

994

Just love me. Do you love me?

995

Yes.

996

But if our love destroys your family,

it will destroy itself.

997

-No.

-Yes.

998

In a long, slow degradation

of guilt and regret and blame.

999

That is nonsense.

1000

Truth
1001

Made from contradiction.

1002

But it must come with a smile.

1003

Or else I shall count it as false

and we shall have had no love at all.

1004

Please.

1005

Goodbye.

1006

Typical bloody runaway. "Will I, won't I? "

1007

Miss. Miss.

1008

All right, off you go.

1009

(CLOCK TICKING)

1010

Hello?

1011

-Where is everyone?

-Looking for you, Miss. Looking everywhere.

1012

-Thank you, Jenny.

-Mr Warren.

1013

Your family tried to keep the matter

from the servants, but...

1014

Where is that blackguard Lefroy?

My God, if Henry finds him, he'll kill him.

1015

He won't find him.

1016

If he does, he won't kill him.

1017

There's no need.

1018

What happened?

1019

Nothing happened.

1020

I see. I see.

1021

Jane,

1022

I may have less personal charm than Lefroy.

1023

Superficial charm to some eyes.

To others, it is mere affectation, but I...

1024

-I have no hopes.

-Hopes?

1025

You cannot begin to imagine.

1026

Thank you for the great honour of your offer,

1027

but are there no other women in Hampshire?

1028

It was

you who wrote the judge.

1029

You must consider

how much I have always loved you.

1030

(PLAYING SLOW SONG ON PIANO)

1031

Well?

1032

You came back to us.

1033

Leave it.

1034

Mr Austen, I must inform you

that I shall not attend service today.

1035

-Not in the presence of this young woman.

-Indeed...

1036

-If I must speak plainly...

-Aunt.

1037

I believe your youngest daughter

has been on a journey.

1038

-Her Ladyship considers travel a crime?

-Unsanctioned travel.

1039

Furthermore, be aware that my nephew

has withdrawn his addresses

1040

to someone without family, fortune, importance

1041

and fatally tainted by suspicion.

1042

-Oh, she has family, madam.

-REVEREND AUSTEN: Indeed she has.

1043

Importance may depend upon other matters

than Your Ladyship can conceive.

1044

As to fortune, a young woman

might depend upon herself.

1045

An interesting notion, Miss Austen.

1046

(EXCLAIMING)

1047

Oblige me a walk along the river

to enlarge upon the topic.

1048

Wisley?

1049

I am sorry if my conduct

has disappointed you, Mr Wisley.

1050

It seems you cannot bring yourself

to marry without affection.

1051

Or even with it.

1052

I respect you for that

and share your opinion. Neither can I.

1053

I'd always hoped to win your love in time,

1054

but I am vain enough to want to be loved

for myself rather than my money.

1055

Do we part as friends?

1056

We do.

1057

-So, you will live...

-By my pen. Yes.

1058

Will all your stories have happy endings?

1059

My characters will have,

1060

after a little bit of trouble,

1061

all that they desire.

1062

The good do not always come to good ends.

1063

It is a truth universally acknowledged.

1064

JANE: "... that a single man

in possession of a good fortune

1065

"must be in want of a wife. "

1066

(ALL CHEERING)

1067

"However little known the feelings

or views of such a man may be

1068

"on his first entering a neighbourhood,

1069

"this truth is so well fixed

in the minds of the surrounding families,

1070

"that he is considered as the rightful property

of some one or other of their daughters.

1071

"'My dear Mr Bennet, '

said his lady to him, one day,

1072

"'Have you heard

that Netherfield Park is let at last? '

1073

"Mr Bennet replied that he had not.

1074

"'But it is, ' returned she... "

1075

(WOMAN SINGING OPERA)

1076

Is it Miss Austen? The Miss Austen?

1077

No, Madam. That courtesy,

according to the customs of precedence,

1078

belongs to my elder sister.

1079

Miss Jane Austen,

the authoress of Pride and Prejudice?

1080

My sister wishes to remain anonymous,

but your kind regard is much appreciated.

1081

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

1082

Plea

se, come through.

1083

I shall never forgive Henry for this.

1084

Yes, you will.

We always forgive him for everything.

1085

Jane, an old friend.

1086

Late as ever.

1087

Madame le Comtesse, Miss Austen.

1088

Mr Lefroy.

1089

Please allow me to introduce to you

1090

your most avid of admirers,

my daughter, Miss Lefroy.

1091

Miss Austen, what a pleasure to meet you.

1092

Will you read for us this evening?

1093

Ah, well, you see, my sister never reads.

1094

Otherwise, how else is she

supposed to remain anonymous?

1095

-But...

-Jane.

1096

I will make an exception

1097

if my new friend wishes it.

1098

Come, sit by me.

1099

She is lovely, Tom.

1100

"She began now to comprehend

1101

"that he was exactly the man who,

in disposition and talents,

1102

"would most suit her.

1103

"His understanding and temper,

though unlike her own,

1104

"would have answered all her wishes.

1105

"It was an union that must have been

to the advantage of both.

1106

"By her ease and liveliness,

1107

"his mind might have been softened,

his manners improved,

1108

"and from his judgment,

information and knowledge of the world,

1109

"she must have received benefit

of greater importance.

1110

"But no such happy marriage

could now teach the admiring multitude

1111

"what connubial felicity really was."