SIR WILLIAM. Nothing-by a miracle. [He breaks away from the fire and walks up and down] My family goes back to the thirteenth century. Nowadays they laugh at that! I don't! Nowadays they laugh at everything--they even laugh at the word lady. I married you, and I don't .... Married his mother's maid! By George! Dorothy! I don't know what we've done to deserve this; it's a death blow! I'm not prepared to sit down and wait for it. By Gad! I am not. [With sudden fierceness] There are plenty in these days who'll be glad enough for this to happen; plenty of these d---d Socialists and Radicals, who'll laugh their souls out over what they haven't the bowels to sees a--tragedy. I say it would be a tragedy; for you, and me, and all of us. You and I were brought up, and we've brought the children up, with certain beliefs, and wants, and habits. A man's past--his traditions--he can't get rid of them. They're--they're himself! [Suddenly] It shan't go on. LADY CHESHIRE. What's to prevent it? SIR WILLIAM. I utterly forbid this piece of madness. I'll stop it. LADY CHESHIRE. But the thing we can't stop. SIR WILLIAM. Provision must be made. LADY CHESHIRE. The unwritten law! SIR WILLIAM. What! [Suddenly perceiving what she is alluding to] You're thinking of young--young----[Shortly] I don't see the connection. LADY CHESHIRE. What's so awful, is that the boy's trying to do what's loyal--and we--his father and mother----! SIR WILLIAM. I'm not going to see my eldest son ruin his life. I must think this out. LADY CHESHIRE. [Beneath her breath] I've tried that--it doesn't help. SIR WILLIAM. This girl, who was born on the estate, had the run of the house--brought up with money earned from me--nothing but kindness from all of us; she's broken the common rules of gratitude and decency--she lured him on, I haven't a doubt! LADY CHESHIRE. [To herself] In a way, I suppose. SIR WILLIAM. What! It's ruin. We've always been here. Who the deuce are we if we leave this place? D'you think we could stay? Go out and meet everybody just as if nothing had happened? Good-bye to any prestige, political, social, or anything! This is the sort of business nothing can get over. I've seen it before. As to that other matter--it's soon forgotten--constantly happening--Why, my own grandfather----! LADY CHESHIRE. Does he help? SIR WILLIAM. [Stares before him in silence-suddenly] You must go to the girl. She's soft. She'll never hold out against you. LADY CHESHIRE. I did before I knew what was in front of her--I said all I could. I can't go again now. I can't do it, Bill. SIR WILLIAM. What are you going to do, then--fold your hands? [Then as LADY CHESHIRE makes a move of distress.] If he marries her, I've done with him. As far as I'm concerned he'll cease to exist. The title--I can't help. My God! Does that meet your wishes?