VERNON [_turning to his aunts_]. Fanny isn’t coming with us. THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL [_to Fanny_]. Oh, my dear! FANNY. It’s only a headache. [_She takes her aside_.] I’m rather glad of it. I want an excuse for a little time to myself. THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL. I understand, dear. It’s all been so sudden. [_She kisses her—then to the room_] She’ll be all the better alone. We three will go on. [_She nods and signs to her sister_.] FANNY [_kissing the Elder Miss Wetherell_]. Don’t you get betting. THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL. Oh no, dear, we never do. It’s just to see the dear horses. [_She joins her sister_. _They whisper_.] VERNON [_to the Doctor to whom he has been talking_]. Can we give you a lift? DR. FREEMANTLE. Well, you might as far as the Vicarage. Good-bye, Lady Bantock. FANNY [_shaking hands_]. Good-bye, Doctor. VERNON. Sure you won’t be lonely? FANNY [_laughs_]. Think I can’t exist an hour without you? Mr. Conceited! VERNON [_laughs and kisses her_]. Come along. [_He takes the Doctor and his younger Aunt towards the door_.] THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL [_who is following last_]. I like you in that frock. FANNY [_laughs_]. So glad. It’s Ernest who attends to the fires, isn’t it? THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL. Yes, dear. FANNY. I wish you’d send him up. [_At door—calls after them_] Hope you’ll all enjoy yourselves! VERNON [_from the distance_]. I shall put you on a fiver. FANNY. Mind it wins. [_She listens a moment—closes door_, _comes back to desk_, _and takes a Bradshaw_.] Five-six-three—five-six-three. [_Finds page_.] St. Pancras, eight o’clock. Oh, Lord! Stamford, 10.45. Leave Stamford—[_Ernest has entered_.] Is that you, Ernest? ERNEST. Yes. FANNY. Shut the door. Sure it went off last night, that telegram? ERNEST. Yes. FANNY. If he doesn’t catch that eight o’clock, he can’t get here till nearly four. That will be awkward. [_To Ernest_] What time is it now? ERNEST [_looks at clock_]. Twenty past eleven. FANNY. If he does, he’ll be here about twelve—I believe I’ll go and meet him. Could I get out without being seen? ERNEST. You’ll have to pass the lodge. FANNY. Who’s at the lodge now? ERNEST. Mother. FANNY. Damn! _Bennet has entered unnoticed and drawn near_. _At this point from behind_, _he boxes Ernest’s ears_. ERNEST. Here, steady! BENNET. On the occasions when your cousin forgets her position, you will remember it and remind her of it. Get out! [_Ernest_, _clumsily as ever_, “_gets out_.”] A sort of person has called who, according to his own account, “happened to be passing this way,” and would like to see you. FANNY [_who has been trying to hide the Bradshaw—with affected surprise_.] To see me! BENNET [_drily_]. Yes. I thought you would be surprised. He claims to be an old friend of yours—Mr. George Newte. FANNY [_still keeping it up_]. George Newte! Of course—ah, yes. Do you mind showing him up?