FANNY. At once. [_She is looking at him_. _He struggles—looks at
Vernon_. _But Vernon is evidently inclined to support Fanny_. _Bennet
goes out_. _She crosses and seats herself at the desk_. _She takes from
a drawer some neatly folded papers_. _She busies herself with figures_.]
VERNON [_he crosses to his Aunts_]. Whatever’s the matter?
THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL. She is excited. She has had a very trying
time.
THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL. Bennet didn’t like the idea of her receiving
them.
NEWTE. It was that minx Judy’s doing. They’ll have the rough side of my
tongue when I get back—all of them.
VERNON. What does she want with Mrs. Bennet?
THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL. I can’t think.
_The atmosphere is somewhat that of a sheepfold before a thunderstorm_.
_The Misses Wetherell are still clinging to one another_. _Vernon and
Dr. Freemantle are both watching Fanny_. _Jane_, _Honoria_, _and Ernest
are still busy about the room_.
_Suddenly_, _to Newte—who is standing apart—the whole thing comes with a
rush_. _But it is too late for him to interfere_.
_Mrs. Bennet_, _followed by Bennet_, _are entering the room_. _He shrugs
his shoulders and turns away_.
MRS. BENNET. Your ladyship sent for me?
FANNY. Yes. [_She half turns—holds out a paper_.] This wages sheet is
quite correct, I take it? It is your own.
MRS. BENNET [_she takes it_]. Quite correct.
FANNY [_she tears out a cheque she has written—hands it to Mrs. Bennet_].
You will find there two months’ wages for the entire family. I have made
it out in a lump sum payable to your husband. The other month is in lieu
of notice. [_A silence_. _The thing strikes them all dumb_. _She puts
the cheque-book back and closes the drawer_. _She rises_.] I’m sorry.
There’s been a misunderstanding. It’s time that it ended. It has been
my own fault. [_To Vernon_] I deceived you about my family—