[It stops her. What she really did was to leave the marriage
arrangements in the hands of her business manager, George P. Newte.
As agent for a music-hall star, he is ideal, but it is possible that
in answering Lord Bantock's inquiries concerning Fanny's antecedents
he may not have kept strictly to the truth.]

FANNY. I never did. I've never told him anything about my family.

BENNET. Curious. I was given to understand it was rather a classy
affair.

FANNY. I can't help what other people may have done. Because some
silly idiot of a man may possibly--[She will try a new tack. She
leaves the door and comes to him.] Uncle, dear, wouldn't it be
simpler for you all to go away? He's awfully fond of me. He'll do
anything I ask him. I could merely say that I didn't like you and
get him to pension you off. You and aunt could have a little
roadside inn somewhere--with ivy.

BENNET. Seeing that together with the stables and the garden there
are twenty-three of us -

FANNY. No, of course, he couldn't pension you all. You couldn't
expect -

BENNET. I think his lordship might prefer to leave things as they
are. Good servants nowadays are not so easily replaced. And neither
your aunt nor I are at an age when change appeals to one.