BENNET. I thought I would let you know he had arrived, in case you might be getting anxious about him. I propose giving him a glass of beer and sending him away again. FANNY [_flares up_]. Look here, uncle, you and I have got to understand one another. I may put up with being bullied myself—if I can’t see any help for it—but I’m not going to stand my friends being insulted. You show Mr. Newte up here. _A silence_. BENNET. I shall deem it my duty to inform his lordship of Mr. Newte’s visit. FANNY. There will be no need to. Mr. Newte, if his arrangements permit, will be staying to dinner. BENNET. That, we shall see about. [_He goes out_.] FANNY [_following him to door_]. And tell them I shall want the best bedroom got ready in case Mr. Newte is able to stay the night. I’ve done it. [_She goes to piano_, _dashes into the_ “_Merry Widow Waltz_,” _or some other equally inappropriate but well-known melody_, _and then there enters Newte_, _shown in by Bennet_. _Newte is a cheerful person_, _attractively dressed in clothes suggestive of a successful bookmaker_. _He carries a white pot hat and tasselled cane_. _His gloves are large and bright_. _He is smoking an enormous cigar_.] BENNET. Mr. Newte. FANNY [_she springs up and greets him_. _They are evidently good friends_]. Hulloa, George! NEWTE. Hulloa, Fan—I beg your pardon, Lady Bantock. [_Laughs_.] Was just passing this way— FANNY [_cutting him short_]. Yes. So nice of you to call. NEWTE. I said to myself—[_His eye catches Bennet_; _he stops_.] Ah, thanks. [_He gives Bennet his hat and stick_, _but Bennet does not seem satisfied_. _He has taken from the table a small china tray_. _This he is holding out to Newte_, _evidently for Newte to put something in it_. _But what_? _Newte is puzzled_, _he glances at Fanny_. _The idea strikes him that perhaps it is a tip Bennet is waiting for_. _It seems odd_, _but if it be the custom—he puts his hand to his trousers pocket_.] BENNET. The smoking-room is on the ground-floor. NEWTE. Ah, my cigar. I beg your pardon. I couldn’t understand. [_He puts it on the tray—breaks into a laugh_.] BENNET. Thank you. Her ladyship is suffering from a headache. If I might suggest—a little less boisterousness. [_He goes out_.] NEWTE [_he watches him out_]. I say, your Lord Chamberlain’s a bit of a freezer! FANNY. Yes. Wants hanging out in the sun. How did you manage to get here so early? [_She sits_.] NEWTE. Well, your telegram rather upset me. I thought—correct etiquette for me to sit down here, do you think? FANNY. Don’t ask me. Got enough new tricks of my own to learn. [_Laughs_.] Should chance it, if I were you. NEWTE. Such a long time since I was at Court. [_He sits_.] Yes, I was up at five o’clock this morning. FANNY [_laughs_]. Oh, you poor fellow! NEWTE. Caught the first train to Melton, and came on by cart. What’s the trouble? FANNY. A good deal. Why didn’t you tell me what I was marrying?