DR. FREEMANTLE [_talking as he enters_]. Wonderful! Wonderful! I don’t really think I ever remember so fine a spring. BENNET [_he is making up the fire_]. I’m afraid we shall have to pay for it later on. DR. FREEMANTLE. I expect so. Law of the universe, you know, Bennet—law of the universe. Everything in this world has got to be paid for. BENNET. Except trouble. [_The doctor laughs_.] The Times? [_He hands it to him_.] DR. FREEMANTLE. Thanks. Thanks. [_Seats himself_.] Won’t be long—his lordship, will he? BENNET. I don’t think so. I told him you would be here about eleven. DR. FREEMANTLE. Um—what do you think of her? BENNET. Of—of her ladyship? DR. FREEMANTLE. What’s she like? BENNET. [_They have sunk their voices_.] Well, it might have been worse. DR. FREEMANTLE. Ah! There’s always that consolation, isn’t there? BENNET. I think her ladyship—with _management_—may turn out very satisfactory. DR. FREEMANTLE. You like her? BENNET. At present, I must say for her, she appears willing to be taught. DR. FREEMANTLE. And you think it will last? BENNET. I think her ladyship appreciates the peculiarity of her position. I will tell the Miss Wetherells you are here. DR. FREEMANTLE. Ah, thanks! BENNET. I fancy her ladyship will not herself be visible much before lunch time. I understand she woke this morning with a headache. [_He goes out_.] _The Doctor reads a moment_. _Then the door of the dressing-room opens_, _and Fanny enters_. _Her dress is a wonderful contrast to her costume of last evening_. _It might be that of a poor and demure nursery governess_. _Her hair is dressed in keeping_. _She hardly seems the same woman_. FANNY [_seeing the Doctor_, _she pauses_]. Oh! DR. FREEMANTLE [_rises_]. I beg pardon, have I the pleasure of seeing Lady Bantock? FANNY. Yes. DR. FREEMANTLE. Delighted. May I introduce myself—Dr. Freemantle? I helped your husband into the world. FANNY. Yes. I’ve heard of you. You don’t mind my closing this door, do you? [_Her very voice and manner are changed_.] DR. FREEMANTLE [_a little puzzled_]. Not at all. FANNY [_she closes the door and returns_]. Won’t—won’t you be seated? DR. FREEMANTLE. Thanks. [_They both sit_.] How’s the headache? FANNY. Oh, it’s better. DR. FREEMANTLE. Ah! [_A silence_.] Forgive me—I’m an old friend of the family. You’re not a bit what I expected. FANNY. But you like it? I mean you think this—[_with a gesture_]—is all right? DR. FREEMANTLE. My dear young lady, it’s charming. You couldn’t be anything else. FANNY. Thank you. DR. FREEMANTLE. I merely meant that—well, I was not expecting anything so delightfully demure. FANNY. That’s the idea—“seemly.” The Lady Bantocks have always been “seemly”? [_She puts it as a question_.]