Well, Fanny, you see I have come to see you, although we had words last night.

I pity your bad passions, Tilda, but I bear no malice. I am above it.

Don't be cross, Fanny. I have come to tell you something that I know will please you.

(Pretending to be disinterested) What may that be, Tilda?

This... after we left here last night, John and I had a dreadful quarrel.

(Relaxing into a smile) That doesn't please me.

Lor! I wouldn't think so bad of you as to suppose it did. That's not it.

(Relapsing into melancholy) Oh! Go on.

After a great deal of wrangling, and saying we would never see each other any more, we made it up, and this morning John went and wrote our names down to be put up for the first time next Sunday, so we shall be married in three weeks, and I give you notice to get your frock made.

(After a silence) Yes, thank you. Of course I will get the frock made at once. I do hope that you will be very happy- but don't build too much store on this, for men are strange creatures and I know that a great many married women are very miserable, and wished they were single again with all their hearts!

But come now, Fanny. I want to have a word or two with you about young Mr Nickleby.

(With slight hysteria) He is nothing to me. I despise him too much!

Oh, you don't mean that, I am sure? Confess, Fanny; don't you like him now?

(Bursting into a paroxysm of spiteful tears) I feel that I am a wretched, neglected, miserable castaway. I hate everybody, and I wish that everybody was dead - that I do.

Dear, dear! You are not serious, I am sure.

Yes, I am. And I wish I was dead too. There.

Oh! You'll think very differently in another five minutes. How much better to take him into favour again, than to hurt yourself by going on in that way; wouldn't it be much nicer now to have him all to yourself on good terms, in a company keeping, love-making, pleasant sort of manner?

(Sobbing) I don't know but what it would. Oh! Tilda, how could you have acted so mean and dishonourable! I wouldn't have believed it of you if anybody had told me.

(Giggling) One would suppose I had been murdering somebody at least.

(Passionately) Very nigh as bad.

And all this because I happen to have enough of good looks to make people civil to me. Persons don't make their own faces, and it's no more my fault if theirs is a bad one.

(Shrieking with fury) Hold your tongue, or you'll make me slap you, Tilda, and afterwards I should be sorry for it.

(Bursting into tears) I have never been spoken to in such a way!

(Also bursting into tears) And I have never been spoken to in such a way!

Oh, Fanny!

Oh, Tilda!

Forgive me, dearest Fanny, I meant nothing by it...

Forgive me, dearest Tilda, I meant nothing by it... Come, let us talk about the garments we shall need - I shall need - only three weeks before you enter into the state of matrimony! We have much to discuss and a great deal to organise...