Arnold. And then they never let people forget them. If they’d lived quietly in Florence and not made a fuss the scandal would have died down. But those constant actions between Lord and Lady Porteous kept on reminding everyone.
Teddie. What were they having actions about?
Arnold. Of course my father divorced his wife, but Lady Porteous refused to divorce Porteous. He tried to force her by refusing to support her and turning her out of her house, and heaven knows what. They were constantly wrangling in the law courts.
Anna. I think it was monstrous of Lady Porteous.
Arnold. She knew he wanted to marry my mother, and she hated my mother. You can’t blame her.
Anna. It must have been very difficult for them.
Arnold. That’s why they’ve lived in Florence. Porteous has money. They found people there who were willing to accept the situation.
Elizabeth. This is the first time they’ve ever come to England.
Arnold. My father will have to be told, Elizabeth.