HONORIA [_checking her outburst_]. But then, dear—you will excuse my speaking plainly—there is a slight difference between the two cases. [_She seats herself on the settee_. _Fanny is standing near the desk_.] You see, what we all feel about you, dear, is—that you are—well, hardly a fit wife for his lordship. [_Fanny’s hands are itching to box the girl’s ears_. _To save herself_, _she grinds out through her teeth the word_ “_Tack_!”] Of course, dear, it isn’t altogether your fault. FANNY. Thanks. HONORIA. Your mother’s marriage was most unfortunate. FANNY [_her efforts to suppress her feelings are just—but only just—successful_.] Need we discuss that? HONORIA. Well, he was an Irishman, dear, there’s no denying it. [_Fanny takes a cushion from a chair—with her back to Honoria_, _she strangles it_. _Jane has entered and is listening_.] Still, perhaps it is a painful subject. And we hope—all of us—that, with time and patience, we may succeed in eradicating the natural results of your bringing-up. JANE. Some families, finding themselves in our position, would seek to turn it to their own advantage. _We_ think only of your good. FANNY. Yes, that’s what I feel—that you are worrying yourselves too much about me. You’re too conscientious, all of you. You, in particular, Jane, because you know you’re not strong. _You’ll_ end up with a nervous breakdown. [_Mrs. Bennet has entered_. _Honoria slips out_. _Fanny turns to her aunt_.] I was just saying how anxious I’m getting about Jane. I don’t like the look of her at all. What she wants is a holiday. Don’t you agree with me? MRS. BENNET. There will be no holiday, I fear, for any of us, for many a long day. FANNY. But you must. You must think more of yourselves, you know. _You’re_ not looking well, aunt, at all. What you both want is a month—at the seaside. MRS. BENNET. Your object is too painfully apparent for the subject to need discussion. True solicitude for us would express itself better in greater watchfulness upon your own behaviour. FANNY. Why, what have I done? _Bennet enters_, _followed_, _unwillingly_, _by Ernest_. MRS. BENNET. Your uncle will explain. BENNET. Shut that door. [_Ernest does so_. _They group round Bennet—Ernest a little behind_. _Fanny remains near the desk_.] Sit down. [_Fanny_, _bewildered_, _speechless_, _sits_.] Carry your mind back, please, to the moment when, with the Bradshaw in front of you, you were considering, with the help of your cousin Ernest, the possibility of your slipping out unobserved, to meet and commune with a person you had surreptitiously summoned to visit you during your husband’s absence. FANNY. While I think of it, did he have anything to eat before he went? I told Ernest to—ask you to see that he had a glass of champagne and a—