Edward
"All I want — all I have ever wanted — is the quiet of a private life but my mother is determined to see me distinguished."
Elinor
"As?"
Edward
"She hardly knows. Any fine figure will suit — a great orator, a leading politician, even a barrister would serve, but only on the condition that I drive my own barouche and dine in the first circles."
His tone is light but there is an underlying bitterness to it.
Elinor
"And what do you wish for?"
Edward
"I always preferred the church, but that is not smart enough for my mother — she prefers the army, but that is a great deal too smart for me."
Elinor
"Would you stay in London?"
Edward
"I hate London. No peace. A country living is my ideal — a small parish where I might do some good, keep chickens and give very short sermons."
30 EXT. FIELDS NEAR NORLAND. DAY.
Edward and Elinor are on horseback. The atmosphere is intimate, the quality of the conversation rooted now in their affections.
Elinor
"You talk of feeling idle and useless — imagine how that is compounded when one has no choice and no hope whatsoever of any occupation."
Edward nods and smiles at the irony of it.
Edward
"Our circumstances are therefore precisely the same."
Elinor
"Except that you will inherit your fortune."
He looks at her slightly shocked but enjoying her boldness.
Elinor (cont.)
"We cannot even earn ours."
Edward
"Perhaps Margaret is right."
Elinor
"Right?"
Edward
"Piracy is our only option."
