FANNY. You would, you think -

HONORIA [checking her outburst]. But then, dear--you will excuse my
speaking plainly--there is a slight difference between the two cases.
[She seats herself on the settee. Fanny is standing near the desk.]
You see, what we all feel about you, dear, is--that you are--well,
hardly a fit wife for his lordship. [Fanny's hands are itching to
box the girl's ears. To save herself, she grinds out through her
teeth the word "Tack!"] Of course, dear, it isn't altogether your
fault.

FANNY. Thanks.

HONORIA. Your mother's marriage was most unfortunate.

FANNY [her efforts to suppress her feelings are just--but only just--
successful.] Need we discuss that?

HONORIA. Well, he was an Irishman, dear, there's no denying it.
[Fanny takes a cushion from a chair--with her back to Honoria, she
strangles it. Jane has entered and is listening.] Still, perhaps it
is a painful subject. And we hope--all of us--that, with time and
patience, we may succeed in eradicating the natural results of your
bringing-up.

JANE. Some families, finding themselves in our position, would seek
to turn it to their own advantage. WE think only of your good.

FANNY. Yes, that's what I feel--that you are worrying yourselves too