Wives and Daughters1999

Lady Cumnor:
Now Claire, when I think a thing I say it out loud. I don't beat about the bush. You have spoiled that girl of yours until she does not know her own mind. She has behaved abominably to Mr Pweston and it is all due to the faults in her education. You have much to answer for.

Claire Gibson:
Cynthia... and Mr Preston?

Lady Cumnor:
Claire! Do you mean to tell me you don't know. Your daughter has been engaged to Mr Pweston for some time. Years I believe. And has now decided to break it off. To be a "jilting jessie" as we used to call it.

Lady Harriet Cumnor:
Mr Preston did not want it spoken of.

Lady Cumnor:
She has used the Gibson girl as a cat's paw and made her and herself the butt of all the gossip in Hollingford.