DR. FREEMANTLE. Got them their title. Made the name of Bantock of importance in the history of the Georges. Clever woman. FANNY [_leaning over a chair_, _she is staring into the eyes of the first Lady Bantock_]. I wonder what she would have done if she had ever got herself into a really first-class muddle? DR. FREEMANTLE. One thing’s certain. [_Fanny turns to him_.] She’d have got out of it. FANNY [_addresses the portrait_]. I do wish you could talk. _Vernon bursts into the room_. _He has been riding_. _He throws aside his hat and stick_. VERNON. Hulloa! This is good of you. [_He shakes hands with the Doctor_.] How are you? [_Without waiting for any reply_, _he goes to Fanny_, _kisses her_.] Good morning, dear. How have you been getting on together, you two? Has she been talking to you? DR. FREEMANTLE. Oh, yes. VERNON. Doesn’t she talk well? I say, what have you been doing to yourself? FANNY. Jane thought this style—[_with a gesture_]—more appropriate to Lady Bantock. VERNON. Um! Wonder if she’s right? [_To the Doctor_] What do you think? DR. FREEMANTLE. I think it a question solely for Lady Bantock. VERNON. Of course it is. [_To Fanny_] You know, you mustn’t let them dictate to you. Dear, good, faithful souls, all of them. But they must understand that you are mistress. FANNY [_she seizes eagerly at the chance_]. You might mention it to them, dear. It would come so much better from you. VERNON. No, you. They will take more notice of you. FANNY. I’d so much rather you did it. [_To Dr. Freemantle_] Don’t you think it would come better from him? DR. FREEMANTLE [_laughs_]. I’m afraid you’ll have to do it yourself. VERNON. You see, dear, it might hurt them, coming from me. It would seem like ingratitude. Mrs. Bennet—Why, it wasn’t till I began to ask questions that I grasped the fact that she _wasn’t_ my real mother. As for old Bennet, ever since my father died—well, I hardly know how I could have got on without him. It was Charles Bennet that taught me to ride; I learned my letters sitting on Jane’s lap. FANNY. Yes. Perhaps I had better do it myself. VERNON. I’m sure it will be more effective. Of course I shall support you. FANNY. Thank you. Oh, by the by, dear, I shan’t be able to go with you to-day. VERNON. Why not? FANNY. I’ve rather a headache. VERNON. Oh, I’m so sorry. Oh, all right, we’ll stop at home. I’m not so very keen about it. FANNY. No, I want you to go, dear. Your aunts are looking forward to it. I shall get over it all the sooner with everybody out of the way. VERNON. Well, if you really wish it. _The Misses Wetherell steal in_. _They are dressed for driving_. _They exchange greetings with the Doctor_. FANNY. You know you promised to obey. [_Tickles his nose with a flower_.] VERNON [_laughing—to the Doctor_]. You see what it is to be married? DR. FREEMANTLE [_laughs_]. Very trying.