Well , dear , one is always given to understand that they do , women — ladies of her profession . We must n't judge hardly , dear . Besides , dear , we do n't know yet that she does . He did n't mention her age , I remember . I do hope she is . We may be able to mould her . We must get to understand her .Perhaps , dear , we may get to like her . THE ELDER MISS WETHERELLWe might TRY , dear . For Vernon 's sake . The poor boy seems so much in love with her . We must - Bennet has entered . He is the butler . Thank you , Bennet . Will you please tell him that we shall be down in a few minutes ? I must just finish these flowers . A good idea . Please ask him , Bennet , if he would mind coming up to us here .Oh , Bennet ! You will remind Charles to put a footwarmer in the carriage ! Thank you , Bennet . One 's feet are always so cold after a railway journey . Ah , it is an age of luxury ! I wish I knew which were her favourite flowers . It is so nice to be greeted by one 's favourite flowers . And they are so appropriate to a bride . So - Announced by Bennet , Dr. Freemantle bustles in . He is a dapper little man , clean-shaven , with quick brisk ways . She has been sleeping much better . You see , doctor , it was all so sudden . And these actresses — if all one hears is true - The dying sun is throwing his last beams across the room . No . She married him , thinking him to be a plain Mr. Wetherell , an artist . He 's not going to break it to her till they reach here this evening . THE ELDER MISS WETHERELLYes . “ I shall not break it to her before we reach home . We were married quietly at the Hotel de Ville , and she has no idea I am anything else than plain Vernon James Wetherell , a fellow-countryman of her own , and a fellow-artist . The dear creature has never even inquired whether I am rich or poor . ” I like her for that . Her uncle was a bishop . Well , evidently . People go about so much nowadays . We thought it better . You see , one hardly regards them as servants . They have been in the family so long . Three generations of them . Of course , he does n't say much . You see , they have always been a religious family . Yes . CHARLES Bennet 's daughter . No , no , I do n't really think we have . Oh , yes — that new girl Mrs. Bennet engaged last week for the dairy . What is her name ? Ah , yes , Arnold . Only a second cousin . He 's so alive . Jane ! That is true , dear . Who is that hammering in her ladyship 's bedroom ? It is so good of you — only , you — you will be careful there is nothing she could regard as a PERSONAL allusion . You see , coming , as she does , from a good family - And patient , Bennet . No , Bennet , oh no ! I should leave them up . Very thoughtful of you , indeed . I am so anxious it should turn out well . He was so fond of us both . Do you remember when he was recovering from the measles , his crying for us to bath him instead of Mrs. Bennet ? I have always reproached myself that we refused . I think we might have stretched a point in a case of illness . The room has grown very dark . The door has been softly opened ; Vernon and Fanny have entered noiselessly . Fanny remains near the door hidden by a screen , Vernon has crept forward . At this point the two ladies become aware that somebody is in the room . They are alarmed . Vernon ! But we did n't expect you - My dear , I am sure we shall . We were afraid — you know , dear , boys —sometimes fall in love with women much older than themselves — especially women —We are so relieved that you — that you are yourself , dear , Vernon ! And you know I was always your favourite ! No dear , Edith . It is by Hoppner . We were not expecting you so soon . You said in your telegram - I had better tell —VERNONOh , let them alone . Plenty of time for all that fuss .Sit down and talk . Have n't I been clever ?You thought I had made an ass of myself , did n't you ? Did you get all my letters ? I think so , dear . FANNYDo you know I 've never had a love-letter from you ? It must be a hard life for a woman . I suppose your family were very much opposed to it ? But your uncle ? You will be wanting a quiet talk together . We shall see you at dinner . Half past seven . I understand , dear . It 's all been so sudden .She 'll be all the better alone . We three will go on .FANNYDo n't you get betting . Yes . There really is . It 's your expression — when you are serious . FANNYI must try to be more serious . And the Engells . She 'll like the Engells . All the Engell girls are so pretty .Thank you , dear . THE ELDER MISS WETHERELLAnd they 'll like you , dear , ALL of them . FANNYI hope so . Of course it was such a change for you . And at firstwe were a little anxious about her , were n't we ? Fanny has returned to them with the cake-basket . THE ELDER MISS WETHERELLBennetwas saying only yesterday that he had great hopes of you . THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELLThank you , dear . Vernon did n't wish to go this year . He thought you would prefer - Not at all , dear . It IS a bit close . If it was n't for the evenings . Here 's Doctor Freemantle . Fanny comes from the window . She 's a dear girl . A holiday ? I 'd no idea he was giving a party . Did you , dear ? FANNY Yes . It 's a prayer meeting . The whole family , I expect , has been summoned . In a van ? What 's the matter , dear ? My dear - Dear ! You will see him ? No . Of course .Her ladyship is tired . To-morrow - FANNYNeither to-morrow — nor any other day .You 've just missed some old friends of yours . Bennet did n't like the idea of her receiving them . There 's something we want to tell dear Vernon — before he says anything to Fanny . It 's so important that we should tell him before he sees Fanny . If she only had n't - We hope you slept all right . But they have all been discharged . We can n't ask them to do anything . THE ELDER MISS WETHERELLAnd the Grimstones are coming to lunch with the new curate . Vernon asked them on Sunday . Perhaps there 's something cold . And dear Vernon is so sensitive . But how can she ? We 're not feeling hungry . She was so pretty . One would never have known she was an actress . We are sure you would , Bennet . But you see , under the circumstances , we — we hardly liked to trouble you . BENNETMy duty , Miss Edith , I have never felt to be a trouble to me . And so adaptable . VERNONAh , it was the deception . THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELLWhat would you have done , dear , if she had told you — at first ? VERNONI do n't know . She danced with George III . He was quite a little butcher . We felt you ought to know .