Becoming Jane Page #3

Well done, Jane.

Bravo.

Well done.

She speaks so well.

Well, excessively charming, I thought.

Well, accomplished enough, perhaps,

but a metropolitan mind may be

less susceptible to extended, juvenile self-regard.

Well, thank you.

We're both very proud.

# In airy dreams

#... absent love to see

# Dear you, oh, to think

# On thee #

Careful there, old fellow.

Fine piece, Mr Lefroy.

Handled a gun before, have you, Tom?

Mmm.

- Tom!

Jesus!

- Tom.

- Uncle?

Why not try a walk?

There's some very fine country round about.

Very fine.

A walk.

Miss!

Miss! Miss!

Miss! Miss, I...

Miss?

Miss?

- Miss...

- Austen.

Mr Lefroy.

Yes, I know, but I am alone.

- Except for me.

- Exactly.

Oh, come!

What rules of conduct apply

in this rural situation?

We have been introduced, have we not?

What value is there in an introduction

when you cannot even remember my name?

Indeed, can barely stay awake in my presence.

Madam.

These scruples must seem very provincial

to a gentleman with such elevated airs,

but I do not devise these rules.

I am merely obliged to obey them.

I have been told

there is much to see upon a walk

but all I've detected so far is a general

tendency to green above and brown below.

Yes, well, others have detected more.

It is celebrated.

- There's even a book about Selborne Wood.

- Oh.

A novel, perhaps?

Novels?

Being poor, insipid things, read by mere women,

even, God forbid, written by mere women?

I see, we're talking of your reading.

As if the writing of women did not display

the greatest powers of mind,

knowledge of human nature,

the liveliest effusions of wit and humour

and the best-chosen language imaginable?

- Was I deficient in rapture?

- In consciousness.

It was...

It was accomplished.

It was ironic.

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

- Not at all.

My lords, ladies and gentlemen,

the Grand Vizier's Flight.

- May I have the honour?

- How kind, cousin.

- Miss Austen.

- Mr Wisley.

May I have the pleasure of this next dance?

Oh, no, we're so late.

Take care.

Oh, thank you, Tom.

Hurry.

Lucy.

Oh!

I am mortified.

I practised, but it won't stick.

What a lovely pair they make.

Ah, Sister.

What do you make of Mr Lefroy?

We're honoured by his presence.

You think?

He does, with his preening, prancing,

Irish-cum-Bond-Street airs.

Jane.

Well, I call it very high indeed, refusing

to dance when there are so few gentleman.

- Henry, are all your friends so disagreeable?

- Jane.

Where exactly in Ireland

does he come from, anyway?

Limerick, Miss Austen.

I would regard it as a mark of extreme favour

if you would stoop

to honour me with this next dance.

Being the first to dance with me, madam,

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