y. He places it on
a table.
FANNY [she has risen, she goes over to him]. Good morning, uncle.
[She puts up her face. He stares, but she persists. Bennet kisses
her.] Lord Bantock--[she looks at Vernon]--has a request to make to
you. He wishes me to remain here as his wife. I am willing to do
so, provided you give your consent.
VERNON. Quite right, Bennet. I ought to have asked for it before.
I apologise. Will you give your consent to my marriage with your
niece?
FANNY. One minute. You understand what it means? From the moment
you give it--if you do give it--I shall be Lady Bantock, your
mistress.
BENNET. My dear Fanny! My dear Vernon! I speak, for the first and
last time, as your uncle. I am an old-fashioned person, and my
ideas, I have been told, are those of my class. But observation has
impressed it upon me that success in any scheme depends upon each
person being fit for their place. Yesterday, in the interests of you
both, I should have refused my consent. To-day, I give it with
pleasure, feeling sure I am handing over to Lord Bantock a wife in
every way fit for her position. [Kissing her, he gives her to
Vernon, who grips his hand. He returns to the table.] Breakfast,
your ladyship, is quite ready.
They take their places at the table. Fanny takes off her hat, Bennet
takes off the covers.
[CURTAIN]
End of Project Gutenberg Etext Fanny and the Servant Problem, by Jerome
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