honour in store for us.

MRS. BENNET. Yes, why didn't she write?

FANNY. Because I didn't know. Do you think--[she rises]--that if I
had I would ever have married him--to be brought back here and put in
this ridiculous position? Do you think that I am so fond of you all
that I couldn't keep away from you, at any price?

MRS. BENNET. But you must have known that Lord Bantock -

FANNY. I didn't know he was Lord Bantock. I only knew him as Mr.
Wetherell, an artist. He wanted to feel sure that I was marrying him
for himself alone. He never told me--[Ernest Bennet, a very young
footman, has entered in answer to Bennet's ring of a minute ago. He
has come forward step by step, staring all the while open-mouthed at
Fanny. Turning, she sees him beside her.] Hulloa, Ernie. How are
the rabbits? [She kisses him.]

BENNET. Don't stand there gaping. I rang for some wood. Tell your
brother dinner will be at a quarter to eight.

Ernest, never speaking, still staring at Fanny, gets clumsily out
again.

FANNY. Well, I suppose I'd better see about dressing? Do I dine
with his lordship or in the servants' hall?

MRS. BENNET [turns to her husband]. You see! Still the old
impertinence.