GEORGE (_very uncomfortable yet lovingly taking her hands with his left hand_). Yes, yes, my dear, I know, I know. You must have had a terrible time. I can hardly bear to think about it. My only hope is that I have made up to you for it in some degree. (_She places her left cheek lovingly on his head_.) (_Dropping her hands_.) But I don't see what bearing it has upon Dinah's case. OLIVIA. Oh, none, except that _my_ father _liked_ Jacob's political opinions and his views on art. (_Moving slowly round_ L.C. _table to below stool at foot_.) I expect that that was why he chose him for me. GEORGE. You seem to think that I wish to choose a husband for Dinah. I don't at all. Let her choose whom she likes as long as he can support her and there's a chance of their being happy together. Now, with regard to this fellow-- OLIVIA. You mean Brian? GEORGE. Well, he's got no money, and he's been brought up in quite a different way from Dinah. Dinah may be prepared to believe that--er--all cows are blue, and that--er--waves are square, but she won't go on believing it for ever. OLIVIA. Neither will Brian. GEORGE (_moving to_ R. _end of settee_). Well, that's what I keep telling him, only he won't see it. Just as I keep telling you about those ridiculous curtains. (_Points to cupboard with pipe in right hand over his left shoulder_.) It seems to me that I am the only person in the house with any eyesight left. OLIVIA. Perhaps you are, darling; but you must let us find out our own mistakes for ourselves. (_Sits on stool_ L.C.) At any rate, Brian is a gentleman; he loves Dinah, Dinah loves him; he's earning enough to support himself, and you are earning enough to support Dinah. GEORGE (_amazed_). What? OLIVIA. I think it's worth risking, George. GEORGE (_stiffly_). I can only say the whole question demands much more anxious thought than you seem to have given it. You say that he is a gentleman. He knows how to behave, I admit; but if his morals are as topsy-turvy as his tastes and--er--politics, as I've no doubt they are (_rising and moving to_ L.), then-er--In short, I do _not_ approve of Brian Strange as a husband for my niece and ward. (_Knocks pipe out down_ L.) OLIVIA (_looking at him thoughtfully_). You _are_ a curious mixture, George. You were so very unconventional when you married me, and you're so very conventional when Brian wants to marry Dinah.... George Marden to marry the widow of a convict! GEORGE (_advancing_). Convict! What do you mean? OLIVIA. Jacob Telworthy, convict--I forget his number--surely I told you all this, dear, when we got engaged? GEORGE. Never! OLIVIA. Oh, but I told you how he carelessly put the wrong signature to a cheque for a thousand pounds in England; how he made a little mistake about two or three companies he'd promoted in Australia; and how-- GEORGE. Yes, yes (_crossing slowly to_ C. _below_ OLIVIA), but you never told me he'd been--er--well--_convicted_! OLIVIA. What difference does it make?