SCENE

_Same as Act II_.

[LORD GORING _is standing by the fireplace with his hands in hispockets_. _He is looking rather bored_.]

LORD GORING. [_Pulls out his watch_, _inspects it_, _and rings thebell_.] It is a great nuisance. I can’t find any one in this house totalk to. And I am full of interesting information. I feel like thelatest edition of something or other.

[_Enter servant_.]

JAMES. Sir Robert is still at the Foreign Office, my lord.

LORD GORING. Lady Chiltern not down yet?

JAMES. Her ladyship has not yet left her room. Miss Chiltern has justcome in from riding.

LORD GORING. [_To himself_.] Ah! that is something.

JAMES. Lord Caversham has been waiting some time in the library for SirRobert. I told him your lordship was here.

LORD GORING. Thank you! Would you kindly tell him I’ve gone?

JAMES. [_Bowing_.] I shall do so, my lord.

[_Exit servant_.]

LORD GORING. Really, I don’t want to meet my father three days running.It is a great deal too much excitement for any son. I hope to goodnesshe won’t come up. Fathers should be neither seen nor heard. That is theonly proper basis for family life. Mothers are different. Mothers aredarlings. [_Throws himself down into a chair_, _picks up a paper andbegins to read it_.]

[_Enter_ LORD CAVERSHAM.]

LORD CAVERSHAM. Well, sir, what are you doing here? Wasting your timeas usual, I suppose?

LORD GORING. [_Throws down paper and rises_.] My dear father, when onepays a visit it is for the purpose of wasting other people’s time, notone’s own.

LORD CAVERSHAM. Have you been thinking over what I spoke to you aboutlast night?

LORD GORING. I have been thinking about nothing else.

LORD CAVERSHAM. Engaged to be married yet?

LORD GORING. [_Genially_.] Not yet: but I hope to be before lunch-time.

LORD CAVERSHAM. [_Caustically_.] You can have till dinner-time if itwould be of any convenience to you.

LORD GORING. Thanks awfully, but I think I’d sooner be engaged beforelunch.

LORD CAVERSHAM. Humph! Never know when you are serious or not.

LORD GORING. Neither do I, father.

[_A pause_.]

LORD CAVERSHAM. I suppose you have read _The Times_ this morning?

LORD GORING. [_Airily_.] The Times? Certainly not. I only read _TheMorning Post_. All that one should know about modern life is where theDuchesses are; anything else is quite demoralising.

LORD CAVERSHAM. Do you mean to say you have not read _The Times_ leadingarticle on Robert Chiltern’s career?

LORD GORING. Good heavens! No. What does it say?

LORD CAVERSHAM. What should it say, sir? Everything complimentary, ofcourse. Chiltern’s speech last night on this Argentine Canal scheme wasone of the finest pieces of oratory ever delivered in the House sinceCanning.

LORD GORING. Ah! Never heard of Canning. Never wanted to. And did . . .did Chiltern uphold the scheme?

LORD CAVERSHAM. Uphold it, sir? How little you know him! Why, hedenounced it roundly, and the whole system of modern political finance.This speech is the turning-point in his career, as _The Times_ pointsout. You should read this article, sir. [_Opens_ The Times.] ‘SirRobert Chiltern . . . most rising of our young statesmen . . . BrilliantOrator . . . Unblemished career . . . Well-known integrity of character. . . Represents what is best in English public life . . . Noble contrastto the lax morality so common among foreign politicians.’ They willnever say that of you, sir.

LORD GORING. I sincerely hope not, father. However, I am delighted atwhat you tell me about Robert, thoroughly delighted. It shows he has gotpluck.

LORD CAVERSHAM. He has got more than pluck, sir, he has got genius.

LORD GORING. Ah! I prefer pluck. It is not so common, nowadays, asgenius is.

LORD CAVERSHAM. I wish you would go into Parliament.

LORD GORING. My dear father, only people who look dull ever get into theHouse of Commons, and only people who are dull ever succeed there.

LORD CAVERSHAM. Why don’t you try to do something useful in life?

LORD GORING. I am far too young.

LORD CAVERSHAM. [_Testily_.] I hate this affectation of youth, sir. Itis a great deal too prevalent nowadays.

LORD GORING. Youth isn’t an affectation. Youth is an art.

LORD CAVERSHAM. Why don’t you propose to that pretty Miss Chiltern?

LORD GORING. I am of a very nervous disposition, especially in themorning.

LORD CAVERSHAM. I don’t suppose there is the smallest chance of heraccepting you.

LORD GORING. I don’t know how the betting stands to-day.

LORD CAVERSHAM. If she did accept you she would be the prettiest fool inEngland.

LORD GORING. That is just what I should like to marry. A thoroughlysensible wife would reduce me to a condition of absolute idiocy in lessthan six months.

LORD CAVERSHAM. You don’t deserve her, sir.

LORD GORING. My dear father, if we men married the women we deserved, weshould have a very bad time of it.

[_Enter_ MABEL CHILTERN.]

MABEL CHILTERN. Oh! . . . How do you do, Lord Caversham? I hope LadyCaversham is quite well?

LORD CAVERSHAM. Lady Caversham is as usual, as usual.

LORD GORING. Good morning, Miss Mabel!

MABEL CHILTERN. [_Taking no notice at all of_ LORD GORING, _andaddressing herself exclusively to_ LORD CAVERSHAM.] And Lady Caversham’sbonnets . . . are they at all better?

LORD CAVERSHAM. They have had a serious relapse, I am sorry to say.

LORD GORING. Good morning, Miss Mabel!

MABEL CHILTERN. [_To_ LORD CAVERSHAM.] I hope an operation will not benecessary.

LORD CAVERSHAM. [_Smiling at her pertness_.] If it is, we shall have togive Lady Caversham a narcotic. Otherwise she would never consent tohave a feather touched.

LORD GORING. [_With increased emphasis_.] Good morning, Miss Mabel!

MABEL CHILTERN. [_Turning round with feigned surprise_.] Oh, are youhere? Of course you understand that after your breaking your appointmentI am never going to speak to you again.

LORD GORING. Oh, please don’t say such a thing. You are the one personin London I really like to have to listen to me.

MABEL CHILTERN. Lord Goring, I never believe a single word that eitheryou or I say to each other.

LORD CAVERSHAM. You are quite right, my dear, quite right . . . as faras he is concerned, I mean.

MABEL CHILTERN. Do you think you could possibly make your son behave alittle better occasionally? Just as a change.

LORD CAVERSHAM. I regret to say, Miss Chiltern, that I have no influenceat all over my son. I wish I had. If I had, I know what I would makehim do.

MABEL CHILTERN. I am afraid that he has one of those terribly weaknatures that are not susceptible to influence.

LORD CAVERSHAM. He is very heartless, very heartless.

LORD GORING. It seems to me that I am a little in the way here.

MABEL CHILTERN. It is very good for you to be in the way, and to knowwhat people say of you behind your back.

LORD GORING. I don’t at all like knowing what people say of me behind myback. It makes me far too conceited.

LORD CAVERSHAM. After that, my dear, I really must bid you good morning.

MABEL CHILTERN. Oh! I hope you are not going to leave me all alone withLord Goring? Especially at such an early hour in the day.

LORD CAVERSHAM. I am afraid I can’t take him with me to Downing Street.It is not the Prime Minster’s day for seeing the unemployed.

[_Shakes hands with_ MABEL CHILTERN, _takes up his hat and stick_, _andgoes out_, _with a parting glare of indignation at_ LORD GORING.]

MABEL CHILTERN. [_Takes up roses and begins to arrange them in a bowl onthe table_.] People who don’t keep their appointments in the Park arehorrid.

LORD GORING. Detestable.

MABEL CHILTERN. I am glad you admit it. But I wish you wouldn’t look sopleased about it.

LORD GORING. I can’t help it. I always look pleased when I am with you.

MABEL CHILTERN. [_Sadly_.] Then I suppose it is my duty to remain withyou?

LORD GORING. Of course it is.

MABEL CHILTERN. Well, my duty is a thing I never do, on principle. Italways depresses me. So I am afraid I must leave you.

LORD GORING. Please don’t, Miss Mabel. I have something very particularto say to you.

MABEL CHILTERN. [_Rapturously_.] Oh! is it a proposal?

LORD GORING. [_Somewhat taken aback_.] Well, yes, it is—I am bound tosay it is.

MABEL CHILTERN. [_With a sigh of pleasure_.] I am so glad. That makesthe second to-day.

LORD GORING. [_Indignantly_.] The second to-day? What conceited asshas been impertinent enough to dare to propose to you before I hadproposed to you?

MABEL CHILTERN. Tommy Trafford, of course. It is one of Tommy’s daysfor proposing. He always proposes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, during theSeason.

LORD GORING. You didn’t accept him, I hope?

MABEL CHILTERN. I make it a rule never to accept Tommy. That is why hegoes on proposing. Of course, as you didn’t turn up this morning, I verynearly said yes. It would have been an excellent lesson both for him andfor you if I had. It would have taught you both better manners.

LORD GORING. Oh! bother Tommy Trafford. Tommy is a silly little ass. Ilove you.

MABEL CHILTERN. I know. And I think you might have mentioned it before.I am sure I have given you heaps of opportunities.

LORD GORING. Mabel, do be serious. Please be serious.

MABEL CHILTERN. Ah! that is the sort of thing a man always says to agirl before he has been married to her. He never says it afterwards.

LORD GORING. [_Taking hold of her hand_.] Mabel, I have told you that Ilove you. Can’t you love me a little in return?

MABEL CHILTERN. You silly Arthur! If you knew anything about . . .anything, which you don’t, you would know that I adore you. Every one inLondon knows it except you. It is a public scandal the way I adore you.I have been going about for the last six months telling the whole ofsociety that I adore you. I wonder you consent to have anything to sayto me. I have no character left at all. At least, I feel so happy thatI am quite sure I have no character left at all.

LORD GORING. [_Catches her in his arms and kisses her_. _Then there isa pause of bliss_.] Dear! Do you know I was awfully afraid of beingrefused!

MABEL CHILTERN. [_Looking up at him_.] But you never have been refusedyet by anybody, have you, Arthur? I can’t imagine any one refusing you.

LORD GORING. [_After kissing her again_.] Of course I’m not nearly goodenough for you, Mabel.

MABEL CHILTERN. [_Nestling close to him_.] I am so glad, darling. Iwas afraid you were.

LORD GORING. [_After some hesitation_.] And I’m . . . I’m a little overthirty.

MABEL CHILTERN. Dear, you look weeks younger than that.

LORD GORING. [_Enthusiastically_.] How sweet of you to say so! . . .And it is only fair to tell you frankly that I am fearfully extravagant.

MABEL CHILTERN. But so am I, Arthur. So we’re sure to agree. And now Imust go and see Gertrude.

LORD GORING. Must you really? [_Kisses her_.]

MABEL CHILTERN. Yes.

LORD GORING. Then do tell her I want to talk to her particularly. Ihave been waiting here all the morning to see either her or Robert.

MABEL CHILTERN. Do you mean to say you didn’t come here expressly topropose to me?

LORD GORING. [_Triumphantly_.] No; that was a flash of genius.

MABEL CHILTERN. Your first.

LORD GORING. [_With determination_.] My last.

MABEL CHILTERN. I am delighted to hear it. Now don’t stir. I’ll beback in five minutes. And don’t fall into any temptations while I amaway.

LORD GORING. Dear Mabel, while you are away, there are none. It makesme horribly dependent on you.

[_Enter_ LADY CHILTERN.]

LADY CHILTERN. Good morning, dear! How pretty you are looking!

MABEL CHILTERN. How pale you are looking, Gertrude! It is mostbecoming!

LADY CHILTERN. Good morning, Lord Goring!

LORD GORING. [_Bowing_.] Good morning, Lady Chiltern!

MABEL CHILTERN. [_Aside to_ LORD GORING.] I shall be in theconservatory under the second palm tree on the left.

LORD GORING. Second on the left?

MABEL CHILTERN. [_With a look of mock surprise_.] Yes; the usual palmtree.

[_Blows a kiss to him_, _unobserved by_ LADY CHILTERN, _and goes out_.]

LORD GORING. Lady Chiltern, I have a certain amount of very good news totell you. Mrs. Cheveley gave me up Robert’s letter last night, and Iburned it. Robert is safe.

LADY CHILTERN. [_Sinking on the sofa_.] Safe! Oh! I am so glad ofthat. What a good friend you are to him—to us!

LORD GORING. There is only one person now that could be said to be inany danger.

LADY CHILTERN. Who is that?

LORD GORING. [_Sitting down beside her_.] Yourself.

LADY CHILTERN. I? In danger? What do you mean?

LORD GORING. Danger is too great a word. It is a word I should not haveused. But I admit I have something to tell you that may distress you,that terribly distresses me. Yesterday evening you wrote me a verybeautiful, womanly letter, asking me for my help. You wrote to me as oneof your oldest friends, one of your husband’s oldest friends. Mrs.Cheveley stole that letter from my rooms.

LADY CHILTERN. Well, what use is it to her? Why should she not have it?

LORD GORING. [_Rising_.] Lady Chiltern, I will be quite frank with you.Mrs. Cheveley puts a certain construction on that letter and proposes tosend it to your husband.

LADY CHILTERN. But what construction could she put on it? . . . Oh! notthat! not that! If I in—in trouble, and wanting your help, trusting you,propose to come to you . . . that you may advise me . . . assist me . . .Oh! are there women so horrible as that . . .? And she proposes to sendit to my husband? Tell me what happened. Tell me all that happened.

LORD GORING. Mrs. Cheveley was concealed in a room adjoining my library,without my knowledge. I thought that the person who was waiting in thatroom to see me was yourself. Robert came in unexpectedly. A chair orsomething fell in the room. He forced his way in, and he discovered her.We had a terrible scene. I still thought it was you. He left me inanger. At the end of everything Mrs. Cheveley got possession of yourletter—she stole it, when or how, I don’t know.

LADY CHILTERN. At what hour did this happen?

LORD GORING. At half-past ten. And now I propose that we tell Robertthe whole thing at once.

LADY CHILTERN. [_Looking at him with amazement that is almost terror_.]You want me to tell Robert that the woman you expected was not Mrs.Cheveley, but myself? That it was I whom you thought was concealed in aroom in your house, at half-past ten o’clock at night? You want me totell him that?

LORD GORING. I think it is better that he should know the exact truth.

LADY CHILTERN. [_Rising_.] Oh, I couldn’t, I couldn’t!

LORD GORING. May I do it?

LADY CHILTERN. No.

LORD GORING. [_Gravely_.] You are wrong, Lady Chiltern.

LADY CHILTERN. No. The letter must be intercepted. That is all. Buthow can I do it? Letters arrive for him every moment of the day. Hissecretaries open them and hand them to him. I dare not ask the servantsto bring me his letters. It would be impossible. Oh! why don’t you tellme what to do?

LORD GORING. Pray be calm, Lady Chiltern, and answer the questions I amgoing to put to you. You said his secretaries open his letters.

LADY CHILTERN. Yes.

LORD GORING. Who is with him to-day? Mr. Trafford, isn’t it?

LADY CHILTERN. No. Mr. Montford, I think.

LORD GORING. You can trust him?

LADY CHILTERN. [_With a gesture of despair_.] Oh! how do I know?

LORD GORING. He would do what you asked him, wouldn’t he?

LADY CHILTERN. I think so.

LORD GORING. Your letter was on pink paper. He could recognise itwithout reading it, couldn’t he? By the colour?

LADY CHILTERN. I suppose so.

LORD GORING. Is he in the house now?

LADY CHILTERN. Yes.

LORD GORING. Then I will go and see him myself, and tell him that acertain letter, written on pink paper, is to be forwarded to Robertto-day, and that at all costs it must not reach him. [_Goes to thedoor_, _and opens it_.] Oh! Robert is coming upstairs with the letter inhis hand. It has reached him already.

LADY CHILTERN. [_With a cry of pain_.] Oh! you have saved his life;what have you done with mine?

[_Enter_ SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. _He has the letter in his hand_, _and isreading it_. _He comes towards his wife_, _not noticing_ LORD GORING’S_presence_.]

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. ‘I want you. I trust you. I am coming to you.Gertrude.’ Oh, my love! Is this true? Do you indeed trust me, and wantme? If so, it was for me to come to you, not for you to write of comingto me. This letter of yours, Gertrude, makes me feel that nothing thatthe world may do can hurt me now. You want me, Gertrude?

[LORD GORING, _unseen by_ SIR ROBERT CHILTERN, _makes an imploring signto_ LADY CHILTERN _to accept the situation and_ SIR ROBERT’S _error_.]

LADY CHILTERN. Yes.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. You trust me, Gertrude?

LADY CHILTERN. Yes.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. Ah! why did you not add you loved me?

LADY CHILTERN. [_Taking his hand_.] Because I loved you.

[LORD GORING _passes into the conservatory_.]

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. [_Kisses her_.] Gertrude, you don’t know what Ifeel. When Montford passed me your letter across the table—he had openedit by mistake, I suppose, without looking at the handwriting on theenvelope—and I read it—oh! I did not care what disgrace or punishment wasin store for me, I only thought you loved me still.

LADY CHILTERN. There is no disgrace in store for you, nor any publicshame. Mrs. Cheveley has handed over to Lord Goring the document thatwas in her possession, and he has destroyed it.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. Are you sure of this, Gertrude?

LADY CHILTERN. Yes; Lord Goring has just told me.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. Then I am safe! Oh! what a wonderful thing to besafe! For two days I have been in terror. I am safe now. How didArthur destroy my letter? Tell me.

LADY CHILTERN. He burned it.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. I wish I had seen that one sin of my youth burningto ashes. How many men there are in modern life who would like to seetheir past burning to white ashes before them! Is Arthur still here?

LADY CHILTERN. Yes; he is in the conservatory.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. I am so glad now I made that speech last night inthe House, so glad. I made it thinking that public disgrace might be theresult. But it has not been so.

LADY CHILTERN. Public honour has been the result.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. I think so. I fear so, almost. For although I amsafe from detection, although every proof against me is destroyed, Isuppose, Gertrude . . . I suppose I should retire from public life? [_Helooks anxiously at his wife_.]

LADY CHILTERN. [_Eagerly_.] Oh yes, Robert, you should do that. It isyour duty to do that.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. It is much to surrender.

LADY CHILTERN. No; it will be much to gain.

[SIR ROBERT CHILTERN _walks up and down the room with a troubledexpression_. _Then comes over to his wife_, _and puts his hand on hershoulder_.]

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. And you would be happy living somewhere alone withme, abroad perhaps, or in the country away from London, away from publiclife? You would have no regrets?

LADY CHILTERN. Oh! none, Robert.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. [_Sadly_.] And your ambition for me? You used tobe ambitious for me.

LADY CHILTERN. Oh, my ambition! I have none now, but that we two maylove each other. It was your ambition that led you astray. Let us nottalk about ambition.

[LORD GORING _returns from the conservatory_, _looking very pleased withhimself_, _and with an entirely new buttonhole that some one has made forhim_.]

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. [_Going towards him_.] Arthur, I have to thank youfor what you have done for me. I don’t know how I can repay you.[_Shakes hands with him_.]

LORD GORING. My dear fellow, I’ll tell you at once. At the presentmoment, under the usual palm tree . . . I mean in the conservatory . . .

[_Enter_ MASON.]

MASON. Lord Caversham.

LORD GORING. That admirable father of mine really makes a habit ofturning up at the wrong moment. It is very heartless of him, veryheartless indeed.

[_Enter_ LORD CAVERSHAM. MASON _goes out_.]

LORD CAVERSHAM. Good morning, Lady Chiltern! Warmest congratulations toyou, Chiltern, on your brilliant speech last night. I have just left thePrime Minister, and you are to have the vacant seat in the Cabinet.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. [_With a look of joy and triumph_.] A seat in theCabinet?

LORD CAVERSHAM. Yes; here is the Prime Minister’s letter. [_Handsletter_.]

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. [_Takes letter and reads it_.] A seat in theCabinet!

LORD CAVERSHAM. Certainly, and you well deserve it too. You have gotwhat we want so much in political life nowadays—high character, highmoral tone, high principles. [_To_ LORD GORING.] Everything that youhave not got, sir, and never will have.

LORD GORING. I don’t like principles, father. I prefer prejudices.

[SIR ROBERT CHILTERN _is on the brink of accepting the Prime Minister’soffer_, _when he sees wife looking at him with her clear_, _candid eyes_._He then realises that it is impossible_.]

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. I cannot accept this offer, Lord Caversham. I havemade up my mind to decline it.

LORD CAVERSHAM. Decline it, sir!

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. My intention is to retire at once from public life.

LORD CAVERSHAM. [_Angrily_.] Decline a seat in the Cabinet, and retirefrom public life? Never heard such damned nonsense in the whole courseof my existence. I beg your pardon, Lady Chiltern. Chiltern, I beg yourpardon. [_To_ LORD GORING.] Don’t grin like that, sir.

LORD GORING. No, father.

LORD CAVERSHAM. Lady Chiltern, you are a sensible woman, the mostsensible woman in London, the most sensible woman I know. Will youkindly prevent your husband from making such a . . . from taking such. . . Will you kindly do that, Lady Chiltern?

LADY CHILTERN. I think my husband in right in his determination, LordCaversham. I approve of it.

LORD CAVERSHAM. You approve of it? Good heavens!

LADY CHILTERN. [_Taking her husband’s hand_.] I admire him for it. Iadmire him immensely for it. I have never admired him so much before.He is finer than even I thought him. [_To_ SIR ROBERT CHILTERN.] Youwill go and write your letter to the Prime Minister now, won’t you?Don’t hesitate about it, Robert.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. [_With a touch of bitterness_.] I suppose I hadbetter write it at once. Such offers are not repeated. I will ask youto excuse me for a moment, Lord Caversham.

LADY CHILTERN. I may come with you, Robert, may I not?

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. Yes, Gertrude.

[LADY CHILTERN _goes out with him_.]

LORD CAVERSHAM. What is the matter with this family? Something wronghere, eh? [_Tapping his forehead_.] Idiocy? Hereditary, I suppose.Both of them, too. Wife as well as husband. Very sad. Very sad indeed!And they are not an old family. Can’t understand it.

LORD GORING. It is not idiocy, father, I assure you.

LORD CAVERSHAM. What is it then, sir?

LORD GORING. [_After some hesitation_.] Well, it is what is callednowadays a high moral tone, father. That is all.

LORD CAVERSHAM. Hate these new-fangled names. Same thing as we used tocall idiocy fifty years ago. Shan’t stay in this house any longer.

LORD GORING. [_Taking his arm_.] Oh! just go in here for a moment,father. Third palm tree to the left, the usual palm tree.

LORD CAVERSHAM. What, sir?

LORD GORING. I beg your pardon, father, I forgot. The conservatory,father, the conservatory—there is some one there I want you to talk to.

LORD CAVERSHAM. What about, sir?

LORD GORING. About me, father,

LORD CAVERSHAM. [_Grimly_.] Not a subject on which much eloquence ispossible.

LORD GORING. No, father; but the lady is like me. She doesn’t care muchfor eloquence in others. She thinks it a little loud.

[LORD CAVERSHAM _goes out into the conservatory_. LADY CHILTERN_enters_.]

LORD GORING. Lady Chiltern, why are you playing Mrs. Cheveley’s cards?

LADY CHILTERN. [_Startled_.] I don’t understand you.

LORD GORING. Mrs. Cheveley made an attempt to ruin your husband. Eitherto drive him from public life, or to make him adopt a dishonourableposition. From the latter tragedy you saved him. The former you are nowthrusting on him. Why should you do him the wrong Mrs. Cheveley tried todo and failed?

LADY CHILTERN. Lord Goring?

LORD GORING. [_Pulling himself together for a great effort_, _andshowing the philosopher that underlies the dandy_.] Lady Chiltern, allowme. You wrote me a letter last night in which you said you trusted meand wanted my help. Now is the moment when you really want my help, nowis the time when you have got to trust me, to trust in my counsel andjudgment. You love Robert. Do you want to kill his love for you? Whatsort of existence will he have if you rob him of the fruits of hisambition, if you take him from the splendour of a great political career,if you close the doors of public life against him, if you condemn him tosterile failure, he who was made for triumph and success? Women are notmeant to judge us, but to forgive us when we need forgiveness. Pardon,not punishment, is their mission. Why should you scourge him with rodsfor a sin done in his youth, before he knew you, before he knew himself?A man’s life is of more value than a woman’s. It has larger issues,wider scope, greater ambitions. A woman’s life revolves in curves ofemotions. It is upon lines of intellect that a man’s life progresses.Don’t make any terrible mistake, Lady Chiltern. A woman who can keep aman’s love, and love him in return, has done all the world wants ofwomen, or should want of them.

LADY CHILTERN. [_Troubled and hesitating_.] But it is my husbandhimself who wishes to retire from public life. He feels it is his duty.It was he who first said so.

LORD GORING. Rather than lose your love, Robert would do anything, wreckhis whole career, as he is on the brink of doing now. He is making foryou a terrible sacrifice. Take my advice, Lady Chiltern, and do notaccept a sacrifice so great. If you do, you will live to repent itbitterly. We men and women are not made to accept such sacrifices fromeach other. We are not worthy of them. Besides, Robert has beenpunished enough.

LADY CHILTERN. We have both been punished. I set him up too high.

LORD GORING. [_With deep feeling in his voice_.] Do not for that reasonset him down now too low. If he has fallen from his altar, do not thrusthim into the mire. Failure to Robert would be the very mire of shame.Power is his passion. He would lose everything, even his power to feellove. Your husband’s life is at this moment in your hands, yourhusband’s love is in your hands. Don’t mar both for him.

[_Enter_ SIR ROBERT CHILTERN.]

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. Gertrude, here is the draft of my letter. Shall Iread it to you?

LADY CHILTERN. Let me see it.

[SIR ROBERT _hands her the letter_. _She reads it_, _and then_, _with agesture of passion_, _tears it up_.]

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. What are you doing?

LADY CHILTERN. A man’s life is of more value than a woman’s. It haslarger issues, wider scope, greater ambitions. Our lives revolve incurves of emotions. It is upon lines of intellect that a man’s lifeprogresses. I have just learnt this, and much else with it, from LordGoring. And I will not spoil your life for you, nor see you spoil it asa sacrifice to me, a useless sacrifice!

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. Gertrude! Gertrude!

LADY CHILTERN. You can forget. Men easily forget. And I forgive. Thatis how women help the world. I see that now.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. [_Deeply overcome by emotion_, _embraces her_.] Mywife! my wife! [_To_ LORD GORING.] Arthur, it seems that I am always tobe in your debt.

LORD GORING. Oh dear no, Robert. Your debt is to Lady Chiltern, not tome!

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. I owe you much. And now tell me what you weregoing to ask me just now as Lord Caversham came in.

LORD GORING. Robert, you are your sister’s guardian, and I want yourconsent to my marriage with her. That is all.

LADY CHILTERN. Oh, I am so glad! I am so glad! [_Shakes hands with_LORD GORING.]

LORD GORING. Thank you, Lady Chiltern.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. [_With a troubled look_.] My sister to be yourwife?

LORD GORING. Yes.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. [_Speaking with great firmness_.] Arthur, I amvery sorry, but the thing is quite out of the question. I have to thinkof Mabel’s future happiness. And I don’t think her happiness would besafe in your hands. And I cannot have her sacrificed!

LORD GORING. Sacrificed!

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. Yes, utterly sacrificed. Loveless marriages arehorrible. But there is one thing worse than an absolutely lovelessmarriage. A marriage in which there is love, but on one side only;faith, but on one side only; devotion, but on one side only, and in whichof the two hearts one is sure to be broken.

LORD GORING. But I love Mabel. No other woman has any place in my life.

LADY CHILTERN. Robert, if they love each other, why should they not bemarried?

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. Arthur cannot bring Mabel the love that shedeserves.

LORD GORING. What reason have you for saying that?

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. [_After a pause_.] Do you really require me totell you?

LORD GORING. Certainly I do.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. As you choose. When I called on you yesterdayevening I found Mrs. Cheveley concealed in your rooms. It was betweenten and eleven o’clock at night. I do not wish to say anything more.Your relations with Mrs. Cheveley have, as I said to you last night,nothing whatsoever to do with me. I know you were engaged to be marriedto her once. The fascination she exercised over you then seems to havereturned. You spoke to me last night of her as of a woman pure andstainless, a woman whom you respected and honoured. That may be so. ButI cannot give my sister’s life into your hands. It would be wrong of me.It would be unjust, infamously unjust to her.

LORD GORING. I have nothing more to say.

LADY CHILTERN. Robert, it was not Mrs. Cheveley whom Lord Goringexpected last night.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. Not Mrs. Cheveley! Who was it then?

LORD GORING. Lady Chiltern!

LADY CHILTERN. It was your own wife. Robert, yesterday afternoon LordGoring told me that if ever I was in trouble I could come to him forhelp, as he was our oldest and best friend. Later on, after thatterrible scene in this room, I wrote to him telling him that I trustedhim, that I had need of him, that I was coming to him for help andadvice. [SIR ROBERT CHILTERN _takes the letter out of his pocket_.]Yes, that letter. I didn’t go to Lord Goring’s, after all. I felt thatit is from ourselves alone that help can come. Pride made me think that.Mrs. Cheveley went. She stole my letter and sent it anonymously to youthis morning, that you should think . . . Oh! Robert, I cannot tell youwhat she wished you to think. . . .

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. What! Had I fallen so low in your eyes that youthought that even for a moment I could have doubted your goodness?Gertrude, Gertrude, you are to me the white image of all good things, andsin can never touch you. Arthur, you can go to Mabel, and you have mybest wishes! Oh! stop a moment. There is no name at the beginning ofthis letter. The brilliant Mrs. Cheveley does not seem to have noticedthat. There should be a name.

LADY CHILTERN. Let me write yours. It is you I trust and need. You andnone else.

LORD GORING. Well, really, Lady Chiltern, I think I should have back myown letter.

LADY CHILTERN. [_Smiling_.] No; you shall have Mabel. [_Takes theletter and writes her husband’s name on it_.]

LORD GORING. Well, I hope she hasn’t changed her mind. It’s nearlytwenty minutes since I saw her last.

[_Enter_ MABEL CHILTERN _and_ LORD CAVERSHAM.]

MABEL CHILTERN. Lord Goring, I think your father’s conversation muchmore improving than yours. I am only going to talk to Lord Caversham inthe future, and always under the usual palm tree.

LORD GORING. Darling! [_Kisses her_.]

LORD CAVERSHAM. [_Considerably taken aback_.] What does this mean, sir?You don’t mean to say that this charming, clever young lady has been sofoolish as to accept you?

LORD GORING. Certainly, father! And Chiltern’s been wise enough toaccept the seat in the Cabinet.

LORD CAVERSHAM. I am very glad to hear that, Chiltern . . . Icongratulate you, sir. If the country doesn’t go to the dogs or theRadicals, we shall have you Prime Minister, some day.

[_Enter_ MASON.]

MASON. Luncheon is on the table, my Lady!

[MASON _goes out_.]

MABEL CHILTERN. You’ll stop to luncheon, Lord Caversham, won’t you?

LORD CAVERSHAM. With pleasure, and I’ll drive you down to Downing Streetafterwards, Chiltern. You have a great future before you, a greatfuture. Wish I could say the same for you, sir. [_To_ LORD GORING.]But your career will have to be entirely domestic.

LORD GORING. Yes, father, I prefer it domestic.

LORD CAVERSHAM. And if you don’t make this young lady an ideal husband,I’ll cut you off with a shilling.

MABEL CHILTERN. An ideal husband! Oh, I don’t think I should like that.It sounds like something in the next world.

LORD CAVERSHAM. What do you want him to be then, dear?

MABEL CHILTERN. He can be what he chooses. All I want is to be . . . tobe . . . oh! a real wife to him.

LORD CAVERSHAM. Upon my word, there is a good deal of common sense inthat, Lady Chiltern.

[_They all go out except_ SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. _He sinks in a chair_,_wrapt in thought_. _After a little time_ LADY CHILTERN _returns to lookfor him_.]

LADY CHILTERN. [_Leaning over the back of the chair_.] Aren’t youcoming in, Robert?

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. [_Taking her hand_.] Gertrude, is it love you feelfor me, or is it pity merely?

LADY CHILTERN. [_Kisses him_.] It is love, Robert. Love, and onlylove. For both of us a new life is beginning.

CURTAIN