Elizabeth Bennet Refuses Mr. Collins' Proposal (Clip) | Pride and Prejudice (1940) | TCM

Believe me, my dear Miss Elizabeth, your modesty does you no disservice in my eyes. Oh wait, you can hardly doubt the purport of my discourse. My attention's been too marked to be mistaken. I have singled you out as the companion of my future life. Please, before my feelings run away with me, let me state my reasons for marrying you. First, I regard it as the duty of every gentleman in easy circumstances to marry. Secondly, I'm convinced it will add greatly to my happiness. And thirdly, I think it only right that since I am to inherit your father's estate, I should try and keep it in the family. And fourthly, it is the particular wish of that very noble lady whom I have the honor to call my patroness, Lady Catherine III. These, dear Miss Elizabeth, are my motives. And now, for nothing remains but for me to assure you of the violence of my affair. Why, you are too hasty, sir. You forget that I have made no answer. Let me do so at once. I appreciate the honor of your proposal. Oh, my dear Miss Elizabeth. But I must decline with thanks. I understand, my dear Miss Elizabeth, that it is the delicate and charming custom of young ladies to say no when they mean yes, even to three and four refusals. I am therefore by no means discouraged by what you have said. Upon my word, sir, you are very hard to discourage. Ah, my dear. Mr. Collins, you have made your offer. I have refused it. You can therefore take possession of this estate without the least compunction or self-approach whenever it falls to you. Now let's regard the incident as closed. Well, my dear Miss Elizabeth, I think you ought to take into consideration that in spite of your loveliness and amiable qualifications, you are practically penitent. And it is by no means certain that another offer of marriage may ever be made to you. Well, by all... So I must therefore attribute your refusal of me to your wish of increasing my love by submission, which is, I am told, the usual practice of elegant females. Believe me, sir, I am not one of those elegant females who take pleasure in tormenting a respectable man. I am a rational creature. Speaking the truth, Papa. Ah, thank you. You make me feel certain that when my proposal is sanctioned by the authority of your parents, you will plainly say yes. Oh! Lizzie! Oh, Papa, dear, I must tell you... Come in the library. Lizzie! My dear future son-in-law, let me be the first to wish you joy. Oh, thank you, madam. Indeed, I trust I have every reason for joy. Of course, I know that my cousin's refusal unnaturally springs from her bashful modesty. Refusal? With Lizzie, that does not mean bashful modesty. But never mind, Mr. Cullens. She's a very foolish, headstrong girl and does not know her own interests. Foolish? Headstrong? Dear me, those failings will not make her a very desirable wife. Oh, don't you quite misunderstand, Mr. Cullens. Lizzie is only headstrong in matters such as these. You just wait, Mr. Cullens. Mr. Bennet always brings her to reason. Headstrong? Foolish? Dear me, Lady Catherine will never approve. Mr. Bennet, we are all on the rock floor. Lizzie has refused to marry Mr. Cullens. You must force her to change her mind immediately. Or he'll change his and not have her. In which event, my dear, the matter will be settled to the satisfaction of both. Please be serious. Speak to her. Tell her you insist upon her marrying him. Lizzie? Yes, Papa? Your mother insists that you accept Mr. Cullens. Isn't that so, Mrs. Bennet? Or else I shall never see her again. An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Cullens. And I will never see you again if you do. Dear me!