DR. FREEMANTLE. Old! Good Lord no! First Lord Bantock was only
Vernon's great-grandfather. That is the woman that did it all. [He
is looking at the Hoppner.]

FANNY. How do you mean?

DR. FREEMANTLE. Got them their title. Made the name of Bantock of
importance in the history of the Georges. Clever woman.

FANNY [leaning over a chair, she is staring into the eyes of the
first Lady Bantock]. I wonder what she would have done if she had
ever got herself into a really first-class muddle?

DR. FREEMANTLE. One thing's certain. [Fanny turns to him.] She'd
have got out of it.

FANNY [addresses the portrait]. I do wish you could talk.

Vernon bursts into the room. He has been riding. He throws aside
his hat and stick.

VERNON. Hulloa! This is good of you. [He shakes hands with the
Doctor.] How are you? [Without waiting for any reply, he goes to
Fanny, kisses her.] Good morning, dear. How have you been getting
on together, you two? Has she been talking to you?

DR. FREEMANTLE. Oh, yes.

VERNON. Doesn't she talk well? I say, what have you been doing to
yourself?