_The atmosphere is somewhat that of a sheepfold before a thunderstorm_. _The Misses Wetherell are still clinging to one another_. _Vernon and Dr. Freemantle are both watching Fanny_. _Jane_, _Honoria_, _and Ernest are still busy about the room_. _Suddenly_, _to Newte—who is standing apart—the whole thing comes with a rush_. _But it is too late for him to interfere_. _Mrs. Bennet_, _followed by Bennet_, _are entering the room_. _He shrugs his shoulders and turns away_. MRS. BENNET. Your ladyship sent for me? FANNY. Yes. [_She half turns—holds out a paper_.] This wages sheet is quite correct, I take it? It is your own. MRS. BENNET [_she takes it_]. Quite correct. FANNY [_she tears out a cheque she has written—hands it to Mrs. Bennet_]. You will find there two months’ wages for the entire family. I have made it out in a lump sum payable to your husband. The other month is in lieu of notice. [_A silence_. _The thing strikes them all dumb_. _She puts the cheque-book back and closes the drawer_. _She rises_.] I’m sorry. There’s been a misunderstanding. It’s time that it ended. It has been my own fault. [_To Vernon_] I deceived you about my family— NEWTE. If there’s been any deceit— FANNY. My scene, please, George. [_Newte_, _knowing her_, _returns to silence_.] I have no relations outside this country that I know of. My uncle is Martin Bennet, your butler. Mrs. Bennet is my aunt. I’m not ashamed of them. If they’d had as much respect for me as I have for them, this trouble would not have arisen. We don’t get on together, that’s all. And this seems to me the only way out. As I said before, I’m sorry. VERNON [_recovering speech_]. But why did you—?