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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Lady Windermere's Fan, by Oscar Wilde
+(#5 in our series by Oscar Wilde)
+
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+Title: Lady Windermere's Fan
+
+Author: Oscar Wilde
+
+Release Date: January, 1997  [EBook #790]
+[This file was first posted on January 25, 1997]
+[Most recently updated: September 17, 2002]
+
+Edition: 10
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN ***
+
+
+
+
+Transcribed from the 1917 Methuen & Co. Ltd edition by David Price,
+email ccx074@coventry.ac.uk
+
+
+
+
+LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN
+
+
+
+
+THE PERSONS OF THE PLAY
+
+Lord Windermere
+Lord Darlington
+Lord Augustus Lorton
+Mr. Dumby
+Mr. Cecil Graham
+Mr. Hopper
+Parker, Butler
+
+Lady Windermere
+The Duchess of Berwick
+Lady Agatha Carlisle
+Lady Plymdale
+Lady Stutfield
+Lady Jedburgh
+Mrs. Cowper-Cowper
+Mrs. Erlynne
+Rosalie, Maid
+
+
+THE SCENES OF THE PLAY
+
+
+ACT I.    Morning-room in Lord Windermere's house.
+ACT II.   Drawing-room in Lord Windermere's house.
+ACT III.  Lord Darlington's rooms.
+ACT IV.   Same as Act I.
+
+TIME:      The Present
+PLACE:     London.
+
+The action of the play takes place within twenty-four hours,
+beginning on a Tuesday afternoon at five o'clock, and ending the
+next day at 1.30 p.m.
+
+
+LONDON:  ST. JAMES'S THEATRE
+
+
+Lessee and Manager:  Mr. George Alexander
+February 22nd, 1892.
+
+Lord Windermere, Mr. George Alexander.
+Lord Darlington, Mr. Nutcombe Gould.
+Lord Augustus Lorton, Mr. H. H. Vincent.
+Mr. Cecil Graham, Mr. Ben Webster.
+Mr. Dumby, Mr. Vane-Tempest.
+Mr. Hopper, Mr. Alfred Holles.
+Parker (Butler), Mr. V. Sansbury.
+Lady Windermere, Miss Lily Hanbury.
+The Duchess of Berwick, Miss Fanny Coleman.
+Lady Agatha Carlisle, Miss Laura Graves.
+Lady Plymdale, Miss Granville.
+Lady Jedburgh, Miss B. Page.
+Lady Stutfield, Miss Madge Girdlestone.
+Mrs. Cowper-Cowper, Miss A. de Winton.
+Mrs. Erlynne, Miss Marion Terry.
+Rosalie (Maid), Miss Winifred Dolan.
+
+
+
+FIRST ACT
+
+
+
+SCENCE
+
+Morning-room of Lord Windermere's house in Carlton House Terrace.
+Doors C. and R.  Bureau with books and papers R.  Sofa with small
+tea-table L.  Window opening on to terrace L.  Table R.
+
+
+[LADY WINDERMERE is at table R., arranging roses in a blue bowl.]
+
+[Enter PARKER.]
+
+PARKER.  Is your ladyship at home this afternoon?
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Yes--who has called?
+
+PARKER.  Lord Darlington, my lady.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Hesitates for a moment.]  Show him up--and I'm
+at home to any one who calls.
+
+PARKER.  Yes, my lady.
+
+[Exit C.]
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  It's best for me to see him before to-night.  I'm
+glad he's come.
+
+[Enter PARKER C.]
+
+PARKER.  Lord Darlington,
+
+[Enter LORD DARLINGTON C.]
+
+[Exit PARKER.]
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  How do you do, Lady Windermere?
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  How do you do, Lord Darlington?  No, I can't
+shake hands with you.  My hands are all wet with these roses.
+Aren't they lovely?  They came up from Selby this morning.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  They are quite perfect.  [Sees a fan lying on the
+table.]  And what a wonderful fan!  May I look at it?
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Do.  Pretty, isn't it!  It's got my name on it,
+and everything.  I have only just seen it myself.  It's my
+husband's birthday present to me.  You know to-day is my birthday?
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  No?  Is it really?
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Yes, I'm of age to-day.  Quite an important day
+in my life, isn't it?  That is why I am giving this party to-night.
+Do sit down.  [Still arranging flowers.]
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  [Sitting down.]  I wish I had known it was your
+birthday, Lady Windermere.  I would have covered the whole street
+in front of your house with flowers for you to walk on.  They are
+made for you.  [A short pause.]
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Lord Darlington, you annoyed me last night at the
+Foreign Office.  I am afraid you are going to annoy me again.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  I, Lady Windermere?
+
+[Enter PARKER and FOOTMAN C., with tray and tea things.]
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Put it there, Parker.  That will do.  [Wipes her
+hands with her pocket-handkerchief, goes to tea-table, and sits
+down.]  Won't you come over, Lord Darlington?
+
+[Exit PARKER C.]
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  [Takes chair and goes across L.C.]  I am quite
+miserable, Lady Windermere.  You must tell me what I did.  [Sits
+down at table L.]
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Well, you kept paying me elaborate compliments
+the whole evening.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  [Smiling.]  Ah, nowadays we are all of us so hard
+up, that the only pleasant things to pay ARE compliments.  They're
+the only things we CAN pay.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Shaking her head.]  No, I am talking very
+seriously.  You mustn't laugh, I am quite serious.  I don't like
+compliments, and I don't see why a man should think he is pleasing
+a woman enormously when he says to her a whole heap of things that
+he doesn't mean.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  Ah, but I did mean them.  [Takes tea which she
+offers him.]
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Gravely.]  I hope not.  I should be sorry to
+have to quarrel with you, Lord Darlington.  I like you very much,
+you know that.  But I shouldn't like you at all if I thought you
+were what most other men are.  Believe me, you are better than most
+other men, and I sometimes think you pretend to be worse.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  We all have our little vanities, Lady Windermere.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Why do you make that your special one?  [Still
+seated at table L.]
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  [Still seated L.C.]  Oh, nowadays so many
+conceited people go about Society pretending to be good, that I
+think it shows rather a sweet and modest disposition to pretend to
+be bad.  Besides, there is this to be said.  If you pretend to be
+good, the world takes you very seriously.  If you pretend to be
+bad, it doesn't.  Such is the astounding stupidity of optimism.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Don't you WANT the world to take you seriously
+then, Lord Darlington?
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  No, not the world.  Who are the people the world
+takes seriously?  All the dull people one can think of, from the
+Bishops down to the bores.  I should like YOU to take me very
+seriously, Lady Windermere, YOU more than any one else in life.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Why--why me?
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  [After a slight hesitation.]  Because I think we
+might be great friends.  Let us be great friends.  You may want a
+friend some day.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Why do you say that?
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  Oh!--we all want friends at times.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  I think we're very good friends already, Lord
+Darlington.  We can always remain so as long as you don't -
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  Don't what?
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Don't spoil it by saying extravagant silly things
+to me.  You think I am a Puritan, I suppose?  Well, I have
+something of the Puritan in me.  I was brought up like that.  I am
+glad of it.  My mother died when I was a mere child.  I lived
+always with Lady Julia, my father's elder sister, you know.  She
+was stern to me, but she taught me what the world is forgetting,
+the difference that there is between what is right and what is
+wrong.  SHE allowed of no compromise.  _I_ allow of none.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  My dear Lady Windermere!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Leaning back on the sofa.]  You look on me as
+being behind the age.--Well, I am!  I should be sorry to be on the
+same level as an age like this.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  You think the age very bad?
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Yes.  Nowadays people seem to look on life as a
+speculation.  It is not a speculation.  It is a sacrament.  Its
+ideal is Love.  Its purification is sacrifice.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  [Smiling.]  Oh, anything is better than being
+sacrificed!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Leaning forward.]  Don't say that.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  I do say it.  I feel it--I know it.
+
+[Enter PARKER C.]
+
+PARKER.  The men want to know if they are to put the carpets on the
+terrace for to-night, my lady?
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  You don't think it will rain, Lord Darlington, do
+you?
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  I won't hear of its raining on your birthday!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Tell them to do it at once, Parker.
+
+[Exit PARKER C.]
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  [Still seated.]  Do you think then--of course I
+am only putting an imaginary instance--do you think that in the
+case of a young married couple, say about two years married, if the
+husband suddenly becomes the intimate friend of a woman of--well,
+more than doubtful character--is always calling upon her, lunching
+with her, and probably paying her bills--do you think that the wife
+should not console herself?
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Frowning]  Console herself?
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  Yes, I think she should--I think she has the
+right.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Because the husband is vile--should the wife be
+vile also?
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  Vileness is a terrible word, Lady Windermere.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  It is a terrible thing, Lord Darlington.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  Do you know I am afraid that good people do a
+great deal of harm in this world.  Certainly the greatest harm they
+do is that they make badness of such extraordinary importance.  It
+is absurd to divide people into good and bad.  People are either
+charming or tedious.  I take the side of the charming, and you,
+Lady Windermere, can't help belonging to them.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Now, Lord Darlington.  [Rising and crossing R.,
+front of him.]  Don't stir, I am merely going to finish my flowers.
+[Goes to table R.C.]
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  [Rising and moving chair.]  And I must say I
+think you are very hard on modern life, Lady Windermere.  Of course
+there is much against it, I admit.  Most women, for instance,
+nowadays, are rather mercenary.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Don't talk about such people.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  Well then, setting aside mercenary people, who,
+of course, are dreadful, do you think seriously that women who have
+committed what the world calls a fault should never be forgiven?
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Standing at table.]  I think they should never
+be forgiven.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  And men?  Do you think that there should be the
+same laws for men as there are for women?
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Certainly!
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  I think life too complex a thing to be settled by
+these hard and fast rules.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  If we had 'these hard and fast rules,' we should
+find life much more simple.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  You allow of no exceptions?
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  None!
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  Ah, what a fascinating Puritan you are, Lady
+Windermere!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  The adjective was unnecessary, Lord Darlington.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  I couldn't help it.  I can resist everything
+except temptation.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  You have the modern affectation of weakness.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  [Looking at her.]  It's only an affectation, Lady
+Windermere.
+
+[Enter PARKER C.]
+
+PARKER.  The Duchess of Berwick and Lady Agatha Carlisle.
+
+[Enter the DUCHESS OF BERWICK and LADY AGATHA CARLISLE C.]
+
+[Exit PARKER C.]
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  [Coming down C., and shaking hands.]  Dear
+Margaret, I am so pleased to see you.  You remember Agatha, don't
+you?  [Crossing L.C.]  How do you do, Lord Darlington?  I won't let
+you know my daughter, you are far too wicked.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  Don't say that, Duchess.  As a wicked man I am a
+complete failure.  Why, there are lots of people who say I have
+never really done anything wrong in the whole course of my life.
+Of course they only say it behind my back.
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  Isn't he dreadful?  Agatha, this is Lord
+Darlington.  Mind you don't believe a word he says.  [LORD
+DARLINGTON crosses R.C.]  No, no tea, thank you, dear.  [Crosses
+and sits on sofa.]  We have just had tea at Lady Markby's.  Such
+bad tea, too.  It was quite undrinkable.  I wasn't at all
+surprised.  Her own son-in-law supplies it.  Agatha is looking
+forward so much to your ball to-night, dear Margaret.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Seated L.C.]  Oh, you mustn't think it is going
+to be a ball, Duchess.  It is only a dance in honour of my
+birthday.  A small and early.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  [Standing L.C.]  Very small, very early, and very
+select, Duchess.
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  [On sofa L.]  Of course it's going to be
+select.  But we know THAT, dear Margaret, about YOUR house.  It is
+really one of the few houses in London where I can take Agatha, and
+where I feel perfectly secure about dear Berwick.  I don't know
+what society is coming to.  The most dreadful people seem to go
+everywhere.  They certainly come to my parties--the men get quite
+furious if one doesn't ask them.  Really, some one should make a
+stand against it.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  _I_ will, Duchess.  I will have no one in my
+house about whom there is any scandal.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  [R.C.]  Oh, don't say that, Lady Windermere.  I
+should never be admitted!  [Sitting.]
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  Oh, men don't matter.  With women it is
+different.  We're good.  Some of us are, at least.  But we are
+positively getting elbowed into the corner.  Our husbands would
+really forget our existence if we didn't nag at them from time to
+time, just to remind them that we have a perfect legal right to do
+so.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  It's a curious thing, Duchess, about the game of
+marriage--a game, by the way, that is going out of fashion--the
+wives hold all the honours, and invariably lose the odd trick.
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.   The odd trick?  Is that the husband, Lord
+Darlington?
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  It would be rather a good name for the modern
+husband.
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  Dear Lord Darlington, how thoroughly depraved
+you are!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Lord Darlington is trivial.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  Ah, don't say that, Lady Windermere.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Why do you TALK so trivially about life, then?
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  Because I think that life is far too important a
+thing ever to talk seriously about it.  [Moves up C.]
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  What does he mean?  Do, as a concession to my
+poor wits, Lord Darlington, just explain to me what you really
+mean.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  [Coming down back of table.]  I think I had
+better not, Duchess.  Nowadays to be intelligible is to be found
+out.  Good-bye!  [Shakes hands with DUCHESS.]  And now--[goes up
+stage] Lady Windermere, good-bye.  I may come to-night, mayn't I?
+Do let me come.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Standing up stage with LORD DARLINGTON.]  Yes,
+certainly.  But you are not to say foolish, insincere things to
+people.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  [Smiling.]  Ah! you are beginning to reform me.
+It is a dangerous thing to reform any one, Lady Windermere.  [Bows,
+and exit C.]
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  [Who has risen, goes C.]  What a charming,
+wicked creature!  I like him so much.  I'm quite delighted he's
+gone!  How sweet you're looking!  Where DO you get your gowns?  And
+now I must tell you how sorry I am for you, dear Margaret.
+[Crosses to sofa and sits with LADY WINDERMERE.]  Agatha, darling!
+
+LADY AGATHA.  Yes, mamma.  [Rises.]
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  Will you go and look over the photograph album
+that I see there?
+
+LADY AGATHA.  Yes, mamma.  [Goes to table up L.]
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  Dear girl!  She is so fond of photographs of
+Switzerland.  Such a pure taste, I think.  But I really am so sorry
+for you, Margaret
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Smiling.]  Why, Duchess?
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  Oh, on account of that horrid woman.  She
+dresses so well, too, which makes it much worse, sets such a
+dreadful example.  Augustus--you know my disreputable brother--such
+a trial to us all--well, Augustus is completely infatuated about
+her.  It is quite scandalous, for she is absolutely inadmissible
+into society.  Many a woman has a past, but I am told that she has
+at least a dozen, and that they all fit.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Whom are you talking about, Duchess?
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  About Mrs. Erlynne.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Mrs. Erlynne?  I never heard of her, Duchess.
+And what HAS she to do with me?
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  My poor child!  Agatha, darling!
+
+LADY AGATHA.  Yes, mamma.
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  Will you go out on the terrace and look at the
+sunset?
+
+LADY AGATHA.  Yes, mamma.  [Exit through window, L.]
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  Sweet girl!  So devoted to sunsets!  Shows
+such refinement of feeling, does it not?  After all, there is
+nothing like Nature, is there?
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  But what is it, Duchess?  Why do you talk to me
+about this person?
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  Don't you really know?  I assure you we're all
+so distressed about it.  Only last night at dear Lady Jansen's
+every one was saying how extraordinary it was that, of all men in
+London, Windermere should behave in such a way.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  My husband--what has HE got to do with any woman
+of that kind?
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  Ah, what indeed, dear?  That is the point.  He
+goes to see her continually, and stops for hours at a time, and
+while he is there she is not at home to any one.  Not that many
+ladies call on her, dear, but she has a great many disreputable men
+friends--my own brother particularly, as I told you--and that is
+what makes it so dreadful about Windermere.  We looked upon HIM as
+being such a model husband, but I am afraid there is no doubt about
+it.  My dear nieces--you know the Saville girls, don't you?--such
+nice domestic creatures--plain, dreadfully plain, but so good--
+well, they're always at the window doing fancy work, and making
+ugly things for the poor, which I think so useful of them in these
+dreadful socialistic days, and this terrible woman has taken a
+house in Curzon Street, right opposite them--such a respectable
+street, too!  I don't know what we're coming to!  And they tell me
+that Windermere goes there four and five times a week--they SEE
+him.  They can't help it--and although they never talk scandal,
+they--well, of course--they remark on it to every one.  And the
+worst of it all is that I have been told that this woman has got a
+great deal of money out of somebody, for it seems that she came to
+London six months ago without anything at all to speak of, and now
+she has this charming house in Mayfair, drives her ponies in the
+Park every afternoon and all--well, all--since she has known poor
+dear Windermere.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Oh, I can't believe it!
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  But it's quite true, my dear.  The whole of
+London knows it.  That is why I felt it was better to come and talk
+to you, and advise you to take Windermere away at once to Homburg
+or to Aix, where he'll have something to amuse him, and where you
+can watch him all day long.  I assure you, my dear, that on several
+occasions after I was first married, I had to pretend to be very
+ill, and was obliged to drink the most unpleasant mineral waters,
+merely to get Berwick out of town.  He was so extremely
+susceptible.  Though I am bound to say he never gave away any large
+sums of money to anybody.  He is far too high-principled for that!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Interrupting.]  Duchess, Duchess, it's
+impossible!  [Rising and crossing stage to C.]  We are only married
+two years.  Our child is but six months old.  [Sits in chair R. of
+L. table.]
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  Ah, the dear pretty baby!  How is the little
+darling?  Is it a boy or a girl?  I hope a girl--Ah, no, I remember
+it's a boy!  I'm so sorry.  Boys are so wicked.  My boy is
+excessively immoral.  You wouldn't believe at what hours he comes
+home.  And he's only left Oxford a few months--I really don't know
+what they teach them there.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Are ALL men bad?
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  Oh, all of them, my dear, all of them, without
+any exception.  And they never grow any better.  Men become old,
+but they never become good.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Windermere and I married for love.
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  Yes, we begin like that.  It was only
+Berwick's brutal and incessant threats of suicide that made me
+accept him at all, and before the year was out, he was running
+after all kinds of petticoats, every colour, every shape, every
+material.  In fact, before the honeymoon was over, I caught him
+winking at my maid, a most pretty, respectable girl.  I dismissed
+her at once without a character.--No, I remember I passed her on to
+my sister; poor dear Sir George is so short-sighted, I thought it
+wouldn't matter.  But it did, though--it was most unfortunate.
+[Rises.]  And now, my dear child, I must go, as we are dining out.
+And mind you don't take this little aberration of Windermere's too
+much to heart.  Just take him abroad, and he'll come back to you
+all right.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Come back to me?  [C.]
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.   [L.C.]  Yes, dear, these wicked women get our
+husbands away from us, but they always come back, slightly damaged,
+of course.  And don't make scenes, men hate them!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  It is very kind of you, Duchess, to come and tell
+me all this.  But I can't believe that my husband is untrue to me.
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  Pretty child!  I was like that once.  Now I
+know that all men are monsters.  [LADY WINDERMERE rings bell.]  The
+only thing to do is to feed the wretches well.  A good cook does
+wonders, and that I know you have.  My dear Margaret, you are not
+going to cry?
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  You needn't be afraid, Duchess, I never cry.
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  That's quite right, dear.  Crying is the
+refuge of plain women but the ruin of pretty ones.  Agatha,
+darling!
+
+LADY AGATHA.  [Entering L.]  Yes, mamma.  [Stands back of table
+L.C.]
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  Come and bid good-bye to Lady Windermere, and
+thank her for your charming visit.  [Coming down again.]  And by
+the way, I must thank you for sending a card to Mr. Hopper--he's
+that rich young Australian people are taking such notice of just at
+present.  His father made a great fortune by selling some kind of
+food in circular tins--most palatable, I believe--I fancy it is the
+thing the servants always refuse to eat.  But the son is quite
+interesting.  I think he's attracted by dear Agatha's clever talk.
+Of course, we should be very sorry to lose her, but I think that a
+mother who doesn't part with a daughter every season has no real
+affection.  We're coming to-night, dear.  [PARKER opens C. doors.]
+And remember my advice, take the poor fellow out of town at once,
+it is the only thing to do.  Good-bye, once more; come, Agatha.
+
+[Exeunt DUCHESS and LADY AGATHA C.]
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  How horrible!  I understand now what Lord
+Darlington meant by the imaginary instance of the couple not two
+years married.  Oh! it can't be true--she spoke of enormous sums of
+money paid to this woman.  I know where Arthur keeps his bank book-
+-in one of the drawers of that desk.  I might find out by that.  I
+WILL find out.  [Opens drawer.]  No, it is some hideous mistake.
+[Rises and goes C.]  Some silly scandal!  He loves ME!  He loves
+ME!  But why should I not look?  I am his wife, I have a right to
+look!  [Returns to bureau, takes out book and examines it page by
+page, smiles and gives a sigh of relief.]  I knew it! there is not
+a word of truth in this stupid story.  [Puts book back in dranver.
+As the does so, starts and takes out another book.]  A second book-
+-private--locked!  [Tries to open it, but fails.  Sees paper knife
+on bureau, and with it cuts cover from book.  Begins to start at
+the first page.]  'Mrs. Erlynne--600 pounds--Mrs. Erlynne--700
+pounds--Mrs. Erlynne--400 pounds.'  Oh! it is true!  It is true!
+How horrible!  [Throws book on floor.]  [Enter LORD WINDERMERE C.]
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Well, dear, has the fan been sent home yet?
+[Going R.C.  Sees book.]  Margaret, you have cut open my bank book.
+You have no right to do such a thing!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  You think it wrong that you are found out, don't
+you?
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  I think it wrong that a wife should spy on her
+husband.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  I did not spy on you.  I never knew of this
+woman's existence till half an hour ago.  Some one who pitied me
+was kind enough to tell me what every one in London knows already--
+your daily visits to Curzon Street, your mad infatuation, the
+monstrous sums of money you squander on this infamous woman!
+[Crossing L.]
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Margaret! don't talk like that of Mrs. Erlynne,
+you don't know how unjust it is!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Turning to him.]  You are very jealous of Mrs.
+Erlynne's honour.  I wish you had been as jealous of mine.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Your honour is untouched, Margaret.  You don't
+think for a moment that--[Puts book back into desk.]
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  I think that you spend your money strangely.
+That is all.  Oh, don't imagine I mind about the money.  As far as
+I am concerned, you may squander everything we have.  But what I DO
+mind is that you who have loved me, you who have taught me to love
+you, should pass from the love that is given to the love that is
+bought.  Oh, it's horrible!  [Sits on sofa.]  And it is I who feel
+degraded! YOU don't feel anything.  I feel stained, utterly
+stained.  You can't realise how hideous the last six months seems
+to me now--every kiss you have given me is tainted in my memory.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [Crossing to her.]  Don't say that, Margaret.  I
+never loved any one in the whole world but you.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Rises.]  Who is this woman, then?  Why do you
+take a house for her?
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  I did not take a house for her.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  You gave her the money to do it, which is the
+same thing.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Margaret, as far as I have known Mrs. Erlynne -
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Is there a Mr. Erlynne--or is he a myth?
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Her husband died many years ago.  She is alone in
+the world.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  No relations?  [A pause.]
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  None.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Rather curious, isn't it?  [L.]
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [L.C.]  Margaret, I was saying to you--and I beg
+you to listen to me--that as far as I have known Mrs. Erlynne, she
+has conducted herself well.  If years ago -
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Oh!  [Crossing R.C.]  I don't want details about
+her life!
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [C.]  I am not going to give you any details
+about her life.  I tell you simply this--Mrs. Erlynne was once
+honoured, loved, respected.  She was well born, she had position--
+she lost everything--threw it away, if you like.  That makes it all
+the more bitter.  Misfortunes one can endure--they come from
+outside, they are accidents.  But to suffer for one's own faults--
+ah!--there is the sting of life.  It was twenty years ago, too.
+She was little more than a girl then.  She had been a wife for even
+less time than you have.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  I am not interested in her--and--you should not
+mention this woman and me in the same breath.  It is an error of
+taste.  [Sitting R. at desk.]
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Margaret, you could save this woman.  She wants
+to get back into society, and she wants you to help her.  [Crossing
+to her.]
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Me!
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Yes, you.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  How impertinent of her!  [A pause.]
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Margaret, I came to ask you a great favour, and I
+still ask it of you, though you have discovered what I had intended
+you should never have known that I have given Mrs. Erlynne a large
+sum of money.  I want you to send her an invitation for our party
+to-night.  [Standing L. of her.]
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  You are mad!  [Rises.]
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  I entreat you.  People may chatter about her, do
+chatter about her, of course, but they don't know anything definite
+against her.  She has been to several houses--not to houses where
+you would go, I admit, but still to houses where women who are in
+what is called Society nowadays do go.  That does not content her.
+She wants you to receive her once.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  As a triumph for her, I suppose?
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  No; but because she knows that you are a good
+woman--and that if she comes here once she will have a chance of a
+happier, a surer life than she has had.  She will make no further
+effort to know you.  Won't you help a woman who is trying to get
+back?
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  No!  If a woman really repents, she never wishes
+to return to the society that has made or seen her ruin.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  I beg of you.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Crossing to door R.]  I am going to dress for
+dinner, and don't mention the subject again this evening.  Arthur
+[going to him C.], you fancy because I have no father or mother
+that I am alone in the world, and that you can treat me as you
+choose.  You are wrong, I have friends, many friends.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [L.C.]  Margaret, you are talking foolishly,
+recklessly.  I won't argue with you, but I insist upon your asking
+Mrs. Erlynne to-night.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [R.C.]  I shall do nothing of the kind.
+[Crossing L. C.]
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  You refuse?  [C.]
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Absolutely!
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Ah, Margaret, do this for my sake; it is her last
+chance.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  What has that to do with me?
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  How hard good women are!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  How weak bad men are!
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Margaret, none of us men may be good enough for
+the women we marry--that is quite true--but you don't imagine I
+would ever--oh, the suggestion is monstrous!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Why should YOU be different from other men?  I am
+told that there is hardly a husband in London who does not waste
+his life over SOME shameful passion.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  I am not one of them.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  I am not sure of that!
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  You are sure in your heart.  But don't make chasm
+after chasm between us.  God knows the last few minutes have thrust
+us wide enough apart.  Sit down and write the card.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Nothing in the whole world would induce me.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [Crossing to bureau.]  Then I will!  [Rings
+electric bell, sits and writes card.]
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  You are going to invite this woman?  [Crossing to
+him.]
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Yes.  [Pause.  Enter PARKER.]  Parker!
+
+PARKER.  Yes, my lord.  [Comes down L.C.]
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Have this note sent to Mrs. Erlynne at No. 84A
+Curzon Street.  [Crossing to L.C. and giving note to PARKER.]
+There is no answer!
+
+[Exit PARKER C.]
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Arthur, if that woman comes here, I shall insult
+her.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Margaret, don't say that.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  I mean it.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Child, if you did such a thing, there's not a
+woman in London who wouldn't pity you.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  There is not a GOOD woman in London who would not
+applaud me.  We have been too lax.  We must make an example.  I
+propose to begin to-night.  [Picking up fan.]  Yes, you gave me
+this fan to-day; it was your birthday present.  If that woman
+crosses my threshold, I shall strike her across the face with it.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Margaret, you couldn't do such a thing.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  You don't know me!  [Moves R.]
+
+[Enter PARKER.]
+
+Parker!
+
+PARKER.  Yes, my lady.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  I shall dine in my own room.  I don't want
+dinner, in fact.  See that everything is ready by half-past ten.
+And, Parker, be sure you pronounce the names of the guests very
+distinctly to-night.  Sometimes you speak so fast that I miss them.
+I am particularly anxious to hear the names quite clearly, so as to
+make no mistake.  You understand, Parker?
+
+PARKER.  Yes, my lady.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  That will do!
+
+[Exit PARKER C.]
+
+[Speaking to LORD WINDERMERE]  Arthur, if that woman comes here--I
+warn you -
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Margaret, you'll ruin us!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Us!  From this moment my life is separate from
+yours.  But if you wish to avoid a public scandal, write at once to
+this woman, and tell her that I forbid her to come here!
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  I will not--I cannot--she must come!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Then I shall do exactly as I have said.  [Goes
+R.]  You leave me no choice.  [Exit R.]
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [Calling after her.]  Margaret!  Margaret!  [A
+pause.]  My God!  What shall I do?  I dare not tell her who this
+woman really is.  The shame would kill her.  [Sinks down into a
+chair and buries his face in his hands.]
+
+ACT DROP
+
+
+
+SECOND ACT
+
+
+
+SCENE
+
+Drawing-room in Lord Windermere's house.  Door R.U. opening into
+ball-room, where band is playing.  Door L. through which guests are
+entering.  Door L.U. opens on to illuminated terrace.  Palms,
+flowers, and brilliant lights.  Room crowded with guests.  Lady
+Windermere is receiving them.
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  [Up C.]  So strange Lord Windermere isn't
+here.  Mr. Hopper is very late, too.  You have kept those five
+dances for him, Agatha?  [Comes down.]
+
+LADY AGATHA.  Yes, mamma.
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  [Sitting on sofa.]  Just let me see your card.
+I'm so glad Lady Windermere has revived cards.--They're a mother's
+only safeguard.  You dear simple little thing!  [Scratches out two
+names.]  No nice girl should ever waltz with such particularly
+younger sons!  It looks so fast!  The last two dances you might
+pass on the terrace with Mr. Hopper.
+
+[Enter MR. DUMBY and LADY PLYMDALE from the ball-room.]
+
+LADY AGATHA.  Yes, mamma.
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  [Fanning herself.]  The air is so pleasant
+there.
+
+PARKER.  Mrs. Cowper-Cowper.  Lady Stutfield.  Sir James Royston.
+Mr. Guy Berkeley.
+
+[These people enter as announced.]
+
+DUMBY.  Good evening, Lady Stutfield.  I suppose this will be the
+last ball of the season?
+
+LADY STUTFIELD.  I suppose so, Mr. Dumby.  It's been a delightful
+season, hasn't it?
+
+DUMBY.  Quite delightful!  Good evening, Duchess.  I suppose this
+will be the last ball of the season?
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  I suppose so, Mr. Dumby.  It has been a very
+dull season, hasn't it?
+
+DUMBY.  Dreadfully dull!  Dreadfully dull!
+
+MR. COWPER-COWPER.  Good evening, Mr. Dumby.  I suppose this will
+be the last ball of the season?
+
+DUMBY.  Oh, I think not.  There'll probably be two more.  [Wanders
+back to LADY PLYMDALE.]
+
+PARKER.  Mr. Rufford.  Lady Jedburgh and Miss Graham.  Mr. Hopper.
+
+[These people enter as announced.]
+
+HOPPER.  How do you do, Lady Windermere?  How do you do, Duchess?
+[Bows to LADY AGATHA.]
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  Dear Mr. Hopper, how nice of you to come so
+early.  We all know how you are run after in London.
+
+HOPPER.  Capital place, London!  They are not nearly so exclusive
+in London as they are in Sydney.
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  Ah! we know your value, Mr. Hopper.  We wish
+there were more like you.  It would make life so much easier.  Do
+you know, Mr. Hopper, dear Agatha and I are so much interested in
+Australia.  It must be so pretty with all the dear little kangaroos
+flying about.  Agatha has found it on the map.  What a curious
+shape it is!  Just like a large packing case.  However, it is a
+very young country, isn't it?
+
+HOPPER.  Wasn't it made at the same time as the others, Duchess?
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  How clever you are, Mr. Hopper.  You have a
+cleverness quite of your own.  Now I mustn't keep you.
+
+HOPPER.  But I should like to dance with Lady Agatha, Duchess.
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  Well, I hope she has a dance left.  Have you a
+dance left, Agatha?
+
+LADY AGATHA.  Yes, mamma.
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  The next one?
+
+LADY AGATHA.  Yes, mamma.
+
+HOPPER.  May I have the pleasure?  [LADY AGATHA bows.]
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  Mind you take great care of my little
+chatterbox, Mr. Hopper.
+
+[LADY AGATHA and MR. HOPPER pass into ball-room.]
+
+[Enter LORD WINDERMERE.]
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Margaret, I want to speak to you.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  In a moment.  [The music drops.]
+
+PARKER.  Lord Augustus Lorton.
+
+[Enter LORD AUGUSTUS.]
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  Good evening, Lady Windermere.
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  Sir James, will you take me into the ball-
+room?  Augustus has been dining with us to-night.  I really have
+had quite enough of dear Augustus for the moment.
+
+[SIR JAMES ROYSTON gives the DUCHESS his aim and escorts her into
+the ball-room.]
+
+PARKER.  Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Bowden.  Lord and Lady Paisley.  Lord
+Darlington.
+
+[These people enter as announced.]
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  [Coming up to LORD WINDERMERE.]  Want to speak to
+you particularly, dear boy.  I'm worn to a shadow.  Know I don't
+look it.  None of us men do look what we really are.  Demmed good
+thing, too.  What I want to know is this.  Who is she?  Where does
+she come from?  Why hasn't she got any demmed relations?  Demmed
+nuisance, relations!  But they make one so demmed respectable.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  You are talking of Mrs. Erlynne, I suppose?  I
+only met her six months ago.  Till then, I never knew of her
+existence.
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  You have seen a good deal of her since then.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [Coldly.]  Yes, I have seen a good deal of her
+since then.  I have just seen her.
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  Egad! the women are very down on her.  I have been
+dining with Arabella this evening!  By Jove! you should have heard
+what she said about Mrs. Erlynne.  She didn't leave a rag on her.
+. . [Aside.]  Berwick and I told her that didn't matter much, as
+the lady in question must have an extremely fine figure.  You
+should have seen Arabella's expression! . . . But, look here, dear
+boy.  I don't know what to do about Mrs. Erlynne.  Egad!  I might
+be married to her; she treats me with such demmed indifference.
+She's deuced clever, too!  She explains everything.  Egad! she
+explains you.  She has got any amount of explanations for you--and
+all of them different.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  No explanations are necessary about my friendship
+with Mrs. Erlynne.
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  Hem!  Well, look here, dear old fellow.  Do you
+think she will ever get into this demmed thing called Society?
+Would you introduce her to your wife?  No use beating about the
+confounded bush.  Would you do that?
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Mrs. Erlynne is coming here to-night.
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  Your wife has sent her a card?
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Mrs. Erlynne has received a card.
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  Then she's all right, dear boy.  But why didn't you
+tell me that before?  It would have saved me a heap of worry and
+demmed misunderstandings!
+
+[LADY AGATHA and MR. HOPPER cross and exit on terrace L.U.E.]
+
+PARKER.  Mr. Cecil Graham!
+
+[Enter MR. CECIL GRAHAM.]
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  [Bows to LADY WINDERMERE, passes over and shakes
+hands with LORD WINDERMERE.]  Good evening, Arthur.  Why don't you
+ask me how I am?  I like people to ask me how I am.  It shows a
+wide-spread interest in my health.  Now, to-night I am not at all
+well.  Been dining with my people.  Wonder why it is one's people
+are always so tedious?  My father would talk morality after dinner.
+I told him he was old enough to know better.  But my experience is
+that as soon as people are old enough to know better, they don't
+know anything at all.  Hallo, Tuppy!  Hear you're going to be
+married again; thought you were tired of that game.
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  You're excessively trivial, my dear boy,
+excessively trivial!
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  By the way, Tuppy, which is it?  Have you been twice
+married and once divorced, or twice divorced and once married?  I
+say you've been twice divorced and once married.  It seems so much
+more probable.
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  I have a very bad memory.  I really don't remember
+which.  [Moves away R.]
+
+LADY PLYMDALE.  Lord Windermere, I've something most particular to
+ask you.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  I am afraid--if you will excuse me--I must join
+my wife.
+
+LADY PLYMDALE.  Oh, you mustn't dream of such a thing.  It's most
+dangerous nowadays for a husband to pay any attention to his wife
+in public.  It always makes people think that he beats her when
+they're alone.  The world has grown so suspicious of anything that
+looks like a happy married life.  But I'll tell you what it is at
+supper.  [Moves towards door of ball-room.]
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [C.]  Margaret!  I MUST speak to you.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Will you hold my fan for me, Lord Darlington?
+Thanks.  [Comes down to him.]
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [Crossing to her.]  Margaret, what you said
+before dinner was, of course, impossible?
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  That woman is not coming here to-night!
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [R.C.]  Mrs. Erlynne is coming here, and if you
+in any way annoy or wound her, you will bring shame and sorrow on
+us both.  Remember that!  Ah, Margaret! only trust me!  A wife
+should trust her husband!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [C.]  London is full of women who trust their
+husbands.  One can always recognise them.  They look so thoroughly
+unhappy.  I am not going to be one of them.  [Moves up.]  Lord
+Darlington, will you give me back my fan, please?  Thanks. . . . A
+useful thing a fan, isn't it? . . . I want a friend to-night, Lord
+Darlington:  I didn't know I would want one so soon.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  Lady Windermere!  I knew the time would come some
+day; but why to-night?
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  I WILL tell her.  I must.  It would be terrible
+if there were any scene.  Margaret . . .
+
+PARKER.  Mrs. Erlynne!
+
+[LORD WINDERMERE starts.  MRS. ERLYNNE enters, very beautifully
+dressed and very dignified.  LADY WINDERMERE clutches at her fan,
+then lets it drop on the door.  She bows coldly to MRS. ERLYNNE,
+who bows to her sweetly in turn, and sails into the room.]
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  You have dropped your fan, Lady Windermere.
+[Picks it up and hands it to her.]
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [C.]  How do you do, again, Lord Windermere?  How
+charming your sweet wife looks!  Quite a picture!
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [In a low voice.]  It was terribly rash of you to
+come!
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [Smiling.]  The wisest thing I ever did in my life.
+And, by the way, you must pay me a good deal of attention this
+evening.  I am afraid of the women.  You must introduce me to some
+of them.  The men I can always manage.  How do you do, Lord
+Augustus?  You have quite neglected me lately.  I have not seen you
+since yesterday.  I am afraid you're faithless.  Every one told me
+so.
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  [R.]  Now really, Mrs. Erlynne, allow me to
+explain.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [R.C.]  No, dear Lord Augustus, you can't explain
+anything.  It is your chief charm.
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  Ah! if you find charms in me, Mrs. Erlynne -
+
+[They converse together.  LORD WINDERMERE moves uneasily about the
+room watching MRS. ERLYNNE.]
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  [To LADY WINDERMERE.]  How pale you are!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Cowards are always pale!
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  You look faint.  Come out on the terrace.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Yes.  [To PARKER.]  Parker, send my cloak out.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [Crossing to her.]  Lady Windermere, how beautifully
+your terrace is illuminated.  Reminds me of Prince Doria's at Rome.
+
+[LADY WINDERMERE bows coldly, and goes off with LORD DARLINGTON.]
+
+Oh, how do you do, Mr. Graham?  Isn't that your aunt, Lady
+Jedburgh?  I should so much like to know her.
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  [After a moment's hesitation and embarrassment.]
+Oh, certainly, if you wish it.  Aunt Caroline, allow me to
+introduce Mrs. Erlynne.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  So pleased to meet you, Lady Jedburgh.  [Sits beside
+her on the sofa.]  Your nephew and I are great friends.  I am so
+much interested in his political career.  I think he's sure to be a
+wonderful success.  He thinks like a Tory, and talks like a
+Radical, and that's so important nowadays.  He's such a brilliant
+talker, too.  But we all know from whom he inherits that.  Lord
+Allandale was saying to me only yesterday, in the Park, that Mr.
+Graham talks almost as well as his aunt.
+
+LADY JEDBURGH.  [R.]  Most kind of you to say these charming things
+to me!  [MRS.  ERLYNNE smiles, and continues conversation.]
+
+DUMBY.  [To CECIL GRAHAM.]  Did you introduce Mrs. Erlynne to Lady
+Jedburgh?
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  Had to, my dear fellow.  Couldn't help it!  That
+woman can make one do anything she wants.  How, I don't know.
+
+DUMBY.  Hope to goodness she won't speak to me!  [Saunters towards
+LADY PLYMDALE.]
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [C.  To LADY JEDBURGH.]  On Thursday?  With great
+pleasure.  [Rises, and speaks to LORD WINDERMERE, laughing.]  What
+a bore it is to have to be civil to these old dowagers!  But they
+always insist on it!
+
+LADY PLYMDALE.  [To MR. DUMBY.]  Who is that well-dressed woman
+talking to Windermere?
+
+DUMBY.  Haven't got the slightest idea!  Looks like an edition de
+luxe of a wicked French novel, meant specially for the English
+market.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  So that is poor Dumby with Lady Plymdale?  I hear
+she is frightfully jealous of him.  He doesn't seem anxious to
+speak to me to-night.  I suppose he is afraid of her.  Those straw-
+coloured women have dreadful tempers.  Do you know, I think I'll
+dance with you first, Windermere.  [LORD WINDERMERE bits his lip
+and frowns.]  It will make Lord Augustus so jealous!  Lord
+Augustus!  [LORD AUGUSTUS comes down.]  Lord Windermere insists on
+my dancing with him first, and, as it's his own house, I can't well
+refuse.  You know I would much sooner dance with you.
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  [With a low bow.]  I wish I could think so, Mrs.
+Erlynne.
+
+MRS ERLYNNE.  You know it far too well.  I can fancy a person
+dancing through life with you and finding it charming.
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  [Placing his hand on his white waistcoat.]  Oh,
+thank you, thank you.  You are the most adorable of all ladies!
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  What a nice speech!  So simple and so sincere!  Just
+the sort of speech I like.  Well, you shall hold my bouquet.  [Goes
+towards ball-room on LORD WINDERMERE'S arm.]  Ah, Mr. Dumby, how
+are you?  I am so sorry I have been out the last three times you
+have called.  Come and lunch on Friday.
+
+DUMBY.  [With perfect nonchalance.]  Delighted!
+
+[LADY PLYMDALE glares with indignation at MR. DUMBY.  LORD AUGUSTUS
+follows MRS. ERLYNNE and LORD WINDERMERE into the ball-room holding
+bouquet]
+
+LADY PLYMDALE.  [To MR. DUMBY.]  What an absolute brute you are!  I
+never can believe a word you say!  Why did you tell me you didn't
+know her?  What do you mean by calling on her three times running?
+You are not to go to lunch there; of course you understand that?
+
+DUMBY.  My dear Laura, I wouldn't dream of going!
+
+LADY PLYMDALE.  You haven't told me her name yet!  Who is she?
+
+DUMBY.  [Coughs slightly and smooths his hair.]  She's a Mrs.
+Erlynne.
+
+LADY PLYMDALE.  That woman!
+
+DUMBY.  Yes; that is what every one calls her.
+
+LADY PLYMDALE.  How very interesting!  How intensely interesting!
+I really must have a good stare at her.  [Goes to door of ball-room
+and looks in.]  I have heard the most shocking things about her.
+They say she is ruining poor Windermere.  And Lady Windermere, who
+goes in for being so proper, invites her!  How extremely amusing!
+It takes a thoroughly good woman to do a thoroughly stupid thing.
+You are to lunch there on Friday!
+
+DUMBY.  Why?
+
+LADY PLYMDALE.  Because I want you to take my husband with you.  He
+has been so attentive lately, that he has become a perfect
+nuisance.  Now, this woman is just the thing for him.  He'll dance
+attendance upon her as long as she lets him, and won't bother me.
+I assure you, women of that kind are most useful.  They form the
+basis of other people's marriages.
+
+DUMBY.  What a mystery you are!
+
+LADY PLYMDALE.  [Looking at him.]  I wish YOU were!
+
+DUMBY.  I am--to myself.  I am the only person in the world I
+should like to know thoroughly; but I don't see any chance of it
+just at present.
+
+[They pass into the ball-room, and LADY WINDERMERE and LORD
+DARLINGTON enter from the terrace.]
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Yes.  Her coming here is monstrous, unbearable.
+I know now what you meant to-day at tea-time.  Why didn't you tell
+me right out?  You should have!
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  I couldn't!  A man can't tell these things about
+another man!  But if I had known he was going to make you ask her
+here to-night, I think I would have told you.  That insult, at any
+rate, you would have been spared.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  I did not ask her.  He insisted on her coming--
+against my entreaties--against my commands.  Oh! the house is
+tainted for me!  I feel that every woman here sneers at me as she
+dances by with my husband.  What have I done to deserve this?  I
+gave him all my life.  He took it--used it--spoiled it!  I am
+degraded in my own eyes; and I lack courage--I am a coward!  [Sits
+down on sofa.]
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  If I know you at all, I know that you can't live
+with a man who treats you like this!  What sort of life would you
+have with him?  You would feel that he was lying to you every
+moment of the day.  You would feel that the look in his eyes was
+false, his voice false, his touch false, his passion false.  He
+would come to you when he was weary of others; you would have to
+comfort him.  He would come to you when he was devoted to others;
+you would have to charm him.  You would have to be to him the mask
+of his real life, the cloak to hide his secret.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  You are right--you are terribly right.  But where
+am I to turn?  You said you would be my friend, Lord Darlington.--
+Tell me, what am I to do?  Be my friend now.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  Between men and women there is no friendship
+possible.  There is passion, enmity, worship, love, but no
+friendship.  I love you -
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  No, no!  [Rises.]
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  Yes, I love you!  You are more to me than
+anything in the whole world.  What does your husband give you?
+Nothing.  Whatever is in him he gives to this wretched woman, whom
+he has thrust into your society, into your home, to shame you
+before every one.  I offer you my life -
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Lord Darlington!
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  My life--my whole life.  Take it, and do with it
+what you will. . . . I love you--love you as I have never loved any
+living thing.  From the moment I met you I loved you, loved you
+blindly, adoringly, madly!  You did not know it then--you know it
+now!  Leave this house to-night.  I won't tell you that the world
+matters nothing, or the world's voice, or the voice of society.
+They matter a great deal.  They matter far too much.  But there are
+moments when one has to choose between living one's own life,
+fully, entirely, completely--or dragging out some false, shallow,
+degrading existence that the world in its hypocrisy demands.  You
+have that moment now.  Choose!  Oh, my love, choose.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Moving slowly away from him, and looking at him
+with startled eyes.]  I have not the courage.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  [Following her.]  Yes; you have the courage.
+There may be six months of pain, of disgrace even, but when you no
+longer bear his name, when you bear mine, all will be well.
+Margaret, my love, my wife that shall be some day--yes, my wife!
+You know it!  What are you now?  This woman has the place that
+belongs by right to you.  Oh! go--go out of this house, with head
+erect, with a smile upon your lips, with courage in your eyes.  All
+London will know why you did it; and who will blame you?  No one.
+If they do, what matter?  Wrong?  What is wrong?  It's wrong for a
+man to abandon his wife for a shameless woman.  It is wrong for a
+wife to remain with a man who so dishonours her.  You said once you
+would make no compromise with things.  Make none now.  Be brave!
+Be yourself!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  I am afraid of being myself.  Let me think!  Let
+me wait!  My husband may return to me.  [Sits down on sofa.]
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  And you would take him back!  You are not what I
+thought you were.  You are just the same as every other woman.  You
+would stand anything rather than face the censure of a world, whose
+praise you would despise.  In a week you will be driving with this
+woman in the Park.  She will be your constant guest--your dearest
+friend.  You would endure anything rather than break with one blow
+this monstrous tie.  You are right.  You have no courage; none!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Ah, give me time to think.  I cannot answer you
+now.  [Passes her hand nervously over her brow.]
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  It must be now or not at all.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Rising from the sofa.]  Then, not at all!  [A
+pause.]
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  You break my heart!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Mine is already broken.  [A pause.]
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  To-morrow I leave England.  This is the last time
+I shall ever look on you.  You will never see me again.  For one
+moment our lives met--our souls touched.  They must never meet or
+touch again.  Good-bye, Margaret.  [Exit.]
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  How alone I am in life!  How terribly alone!
+
+[The music stops.  Enter the DUCHESS OF BERWICK and LORD PAISLEY
+laughing and talking.  Other guests come on from ball-room.]
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  Dear Margaret, I've just been having such a
+delightful chat with Mrs. Erlynne.  I am so sorry for what I said
+to you this afternoon about her.  Of course, she must be all right
+if YOU invite her.  A most attractive woman, and has such sensible
+views on life.  Told me she entirely disapproved of people marrying
+more than once, so I feel quite safe about poor Augustus.  Can't
+imagine why people speak against her.  It's those horrid nieces of
+mine--the Saville girls--they're always talking scandal.  Still, I
+should go to Homburg, dear, I really should.  She is just a little
+too attractive.  But where is Agatha?  Oh, there she is:   [LADY
+AGATHA and MR. HOPPER enter from terrace L.U.E.]  Mr. Hopper, I am
+very, very angry with you.  You have taken Agatha out on the
+terrace, and she is so delicate.
+
+HOPPER.  Awfully sorry, Duchess.  We went out for a moment and then
+got chatting together.
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  [C.]  Ah, about dear Australia, I suppose?
+
+HOPPER.  Yes!
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  Agatha, darling!  [Beckons her over.]
+
+LADY AGATHA.  Yes, mamma!
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  [Aside.]  Did Mr. Hopper definitely -
+
+LADY AGATHA.  Yes, mamma.
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  And what answer did you give him, dear child?
+
+LADY AGATHA.  Yes, mamma.
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  [Affectionately.]  My dear one!  You always
+say the right thing.  Mr. Hopper!  James!  Agatha has told me
+everything.  How cleverly you have both kept your secret.
+
+HOPPER.  You don't mind my taking Agatha off to Australia, then,
+Duchess?
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  [Indignantly.]  To Australia?  Oh, don't
+mention that dreadful vulgar place.
+
+HOPPER.  But she said she'd like to come with me.
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  [Severely.]  Did you say that, Agatha?
+
+LADY AGATHA.  Yes, mamma.
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  Agatha, you say the most silly things
+possible.  I think on the whole that Grosvenor Square would be a
+more healthy place to reside in.  There are lots of vulgar people
+live in Grosvenor Square, but at any rate there are no horrid
+kangaroos crawling about.  But we'll talk about that to-morrow.
+James, you can take Agatha down.  You'll come to lunch, of course,
+James.  At half-past one, instead of two.  The Duke will wish to
+say a few words to you, I am sure.
+
+HOPPER.  I should like to have a chat with the Duke, Duchess.  He
+has not said a single word to me yet.
+
+DUCHESS OF BERWICK.  I think you'll find he will have a great deal
+to say to you to-morrow.  [Exit LADY AGATHA with MR. HOPPER.]  And
+now good-night, Margaret.  I'm afraid it's the old, old story,
+dear.  Love--well, not love at first sight, but love at the end of
+the season, which is so much more satisfactory.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Good-night, Duchess.
+
+[Exit the DUCHESS OF BERWICK on LORD PAISLEY'S arm.]
+
+LADY PLYMDALE.  My dear Margaret, what a handsome woman your
+husband has been dancing with!  I should be quite jealous if I were
+you!  Is she a great friend of yours?
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  No!
+
+LADY PLYMDALE.  Really?  Good-night, dear.  [Looks at MR. DUMBY and
+exit.]
+
+DUMBY.  Awful manners young Hopper has!
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  Ah!  Hopper is one of Nature's gentlemen, the worst
+type of gentleman I know.
+
+DUMBY.  Sensible woman, Lady Windermere.  Lots of wives would have
+objected to Mrs. Erlynne coming.  But Lady Windermere has that
+uncommon thing called common sense.
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  And Windermere knows that nothing looks so like
+innocence as an indiscretion.
+
+DUMBY.  Yes; dear Windermere is becoming almost modern.  Never
+thought he would.  [Bows to LADY WINDERMERE and exit.]
+
+LADY JEDBURGH.  Good night, Lady Windermere.  What a fascinating
+woman Mrs. Erlynne is!  She is coming to lunch on Thursday, won't
+you come too?  I expect the Bishop and dear Lady Merton.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  I am afraid I am engaged, Lady Jedburgh.
+
+LADY JEDBURGH.  So sorry.  Come, dear.  [Exeunt LADY JEDBURGH and
+MISS GRAHAM.]
+
+[Enter MRS. ERLYNNE and LORD WINDERMERE.]
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Charming ball it has been!  Quite reminds me of old
+days.  [Sits on sofa.]  And I see that there are just as many fools
+in society as there used to be.  So pleased to find that nothing
+has altered!  Except Margaret.  She's grown quite pretty.  The last
+time I saw her--twenty years ago, she was a fright in flannel.
+Positive fright, I assure you.  The dear Duchess! and that sweet
+Lady Agatha!  Just the type of girl I like!  Well, really,
+Windermere, if I am to be the Duchess's sister-in-law
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [Sitting L. of her.]  But are you--?
+
+[Exit MR. CECIL GRAHAM with rest of guests.  LADY WINDERMERE
+watches, with a look of scorn and pain, MRS. ERLYNNE and her
+husband.  They are unconscious of her presence.]
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Oh, yes!  He's to call to-morrow at twelve o'clock!
+He wanted to propose to-night.  In fact he did.  He kept on
+proposing.  Poor Augustus, you know how he repeats himself.  Such a
+bad habit!  But I told him I wouldn't give him an answer till to-
+morrow.  Of course I am going to take him.  And I dare say I'll
+make him an admirable wife, as wives go.  And there is a great deal
+of good in Lord Augustus.  Fortunately it is all on the surface.
+Just where good qualities should be.  Of course you must help me in
+this matter.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  I am not called on to encourage Lord Augustus, I
+suppose?
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Oh, no!  I do the encouraging.  But you will make me
+a handsome settlement, Windermere, won't you?
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [Frowning.]  Is that what you want to talk to me
+about to-night?
+
+MRS ERLYNNE.  Yes.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [With a gesture of impatience.]  I will not talk
+of it here.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [Laughing.]  Then we will talk of it on the terrace.
+Even business should have a picturesque background.  Should it not,
+Windermere?  With a proper background women can do anything.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Won't to-morrow do as well?
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  No; you see, to-morrow I am going to accept him.
+And I think it would be a good thing if I was able to tell him that
+I had--well, what shall I say?--2000 pounds a year left to me by a
+third cousin--or a second husband--or some distant relative of that
+kind.  It would be an additional attraction, wouldn't it?  You have
+a delightful opportunity now of paying me a compliment, Windermere.
+But you are not very clever at paying compliments.  I am afraid
+Margaret doesn't encourage you in that excellent habit.  It's a
+great mistake on her part.  When men give up saying what is
+charming, they give up thinking what is charming.  But seriously,
+what do you say to 2000 pounds?  2500 pounds, I think.  In modern
+life margin is everything.  Windermere, don't you think the world
+an intensely amusing place?  I do!
+
+[Exit on terrace with LORD WINDERMERE.  Music strikes up in ball-
+room.]
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  To stay in this house any longer is impossible.
+To-night a man who loves me offered me his whole life.  I refused
+it.  It was foolish of me.  I will offer him mine now.  I will give
+him mine.  I will go to him!  [Puts on cloak and goes to the door,
+then turns back.  Sits down at table and writes a letter, puts it
+into an envelope, and leaves it on table.]  Arthur has never
+understood me.  When he reads this, he will.  He may do as he
+chooses now with his life.  I have done with mine as I think best,
+as I think right.  It is he who has broken the bond of marriage--
+not I.  I only break its bondage.
+
+[Exit.]
+
+[PARKER enters L. and crosses towards the ball-room R.  Enter MRS.
+ERLYNNE.]
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Is Lady Windermere in the ball-room?
+
+PARKER.  Her ladyship has just gone out.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Gone out?  She's not on the terrace?
+
+PARKER.  No, madam.  Her ladyship has just gone out of the house.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [Starts, and looks at the servant with a puzzled
+expression in her face.]  Out of the house?
+
+PARKER.  Yes, madam--her ladyship told me she had left a letter for
+his lordship on the table.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  A letter for Lord Windermere?
+
+PARKER.  Yes, madam.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Thank you.
+
+[Exit PARKER.  The music in the ball-room stops.]  Gone out of her
+house!  A letter addressed to her husband!  [Goes over to bureau
+and looks at letter.  Takes it up and lays it down again with a
+shudder of fear.]  No, no!  It would be impossible!  Life doesn't
+repeat its tragedies like that!  Oh, why does this horrible fancy
+come across me?  Why do I remember now the one moment of my life I
+most wish to forget?  Does life repeat its tragedies?  [Tears
+letter open and reads it, then sinks down into a chair with a
+gesture of anguish.]  Oh, how terrible!  The same words that twenty
+years ago I wrote to her father! and how bitterly I have been
+punished for it!  No; my punishment, my real punishment is to-
+night, is now!  [Still seated R.]
+
+[Enter LORD WINDERMERE L.U.E.]
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Have you said good-night to my wife?  [Comes C.]
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [Crushing letter in her hand.]  Yes.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Where is she?
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  She is very tired.  She has gone to bed.  She said
+she had a headache.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  I must go to her.  You'll excuse me?
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [Rising hurriedly.]  Oh, no!  It's nothing serious.
+She's only very tired, that is all.  Besides, there are people
+still in the supper-room.  She wants you to make her apologies to
+them.  She said she didn't wish to be disturbed.  [Drops letter.]
+She asked me to tell you!
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [Picks up letter.]  You have dropped something.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Oh yes, thank you, that is mine.  [Puts out her hand
+to take it.]
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [Still looking at letter.]  But it's my wife's
+handwriting, isn't it?
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [Takes the letter quickly.]  Yes, it's--an address.
+Will you ask them to call my carriage, please?
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Certainly.
+
+[Goes L. and Exit.]
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Thanks!  What can I do?  What can I do?  I feel a
+passion awakening within me that I never felt before.  What can it
+mean?  The daughter must not be like the mother--that would be
+terrible.  How can I save her?  How can I save my child?  A moment
+may ruin a life.  Who knows that better than I?  Windermere must be
+got out of the house; that is absolutely necessary.  [Goes L.]  But
+how shall I do it?  It must be done somehow.  Ah!
+
+[Enter LORD AUGUSTUS R.U.E. carrying bouquet.]
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  Dear lady, I am in such suspense!  May I not have
+an answer to my request?
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Lord Augustus, listen to me.  You are to take Lord
+Windermere down to your club at once, and keep him there as long as
+possible.  You understand?
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  But you said you wished me to keep early hours!
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [Nervously.]  Do what I tell you.  Do what I tell
+you.
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  And my reward?
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Your reward?  Your reward?  Oh! ask me that to-
+morrow.  But don't let Windermere out of your sight to-night.  If
+you do I will never forgive you.  I will never speak to you again.
+I'll have nothing to do with you.  Remember you are to keep
+Windermere at your club, and don't let him come back to-night.
+
+[Exit L.]
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  Well, really, I might be her husband already.
+Positively I might.  [Follows her in a bewildered manner.]
+
+ACT DROP.
+
+
+
+THIRD ACT
+
+
+
+SCENE
+
+Lord Darlington's Rooms.  A large sofa is in front of fireplace R.
+At the back of the stage a curtain is drawn across the window.
+Doors L. and R.  Table R. with writing materials.  Table C. with
+syphons, glasses, and Tantalus frame.  Table L. with cigar and
+cigarette box.  Lamps lit.
+
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Standing by the fireplace.]  Why doesn't he
+come?  This waiting is horrible.  He should be here.  Why is he not
+here, to wake by passionate words some fire within me?  I am cold--
+cold as a loveless thing.  Arthur must have read my letter by this
+time.  If he cared for me, he would have come after me, would have
+taken me back by force.  But he doesn't care.  He's entrammelled by
+this woman--fascinated by her--dominated by her.  If a woman wants
+to hold a man, she has merely to appeal to what is worst in him.
+We make gods of men and they leave us.  Others make brutes of them
+and they fawn and are faithful.  How hideous life is! . . . Oh! it
+was mad of me to come here, horribly mad.  And yet, which is the
+worst, I wonder, to be at the mercy of a man who loves one, or the
+wife of a man who in one's own house dishonours one?  What woman
+knows?  What woman in the whole world?  But will he love me always,
+this man to whom I am giving my life?  What do I bring him?  Lips
+that have lost the note of joy, eyes that are blinded by tears,
+chill hands and icy heart.  I bring him nothing.  I must go back--
+no; I can't go back, my letter has put me in their power--Arthur
+would not take me back!  That fatal letter!  No!  Lord Darlington
+leaves England to-morrow.  I will go with him--I have no choice.
+[Sits down for a few moments.  Then starts up and puts on her
+cloak.]  No, no!  I will go back, let Arthur do with me what he
+pleases.  I can't wait here.  It has been madness my coming.  I
+must go at once.  As for Lord Darlington--Oh! here he is!  What
+shall I do?  What can I say to him?  Will he let me go away at all?
+I have heard that men are brutal, horrible . . . Oh!  [Hides her
+face in her hands.]
+
+[Enter MRS. ERLYNNE L.]
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Lady Windermere!  [LADY WINDERMERE starts and looks
+up.  Then recoils in contempt.]  Thank Heaven I am in time.  You
+must go back to your husband's house immediately.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Must?
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [Authoritatively.]  Yes, you must!  There is not a
+second to be lost.  Lord Darlington may return at any moment.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Don't come near me!
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Oh!  You are on the brink of ruin, you are on the
+brink of a hideous precipice.  You must leave this place at once,
+my carriage is waiting at the corner of the street.  You must come
+with me and drive straight home.
+
+[LADY WINDERMERE throws off her cloak and flings it on the sofa.]
+
+What are you doing?
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Mrs. Erlynne--if you had not come here, I would
+have gone back.  But now that I see you, I feel that nothing in the
+whole world would induce me to live under the same roof as Lord
+Windermere.  You fill me with horror.  There is something about you
+that stirs the wildest--rage within me.  And I know why you are
+here.  My husband sent you to lure me back that I might serve as a
+blind to whatever relations exist between you and him.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Oh!  You don't think that--you can't.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Go back to my husband, Mrs. Erlynne.  He belongs
+to you and not to me.  I suppose he is afraid of a scandal.  Men
+are such cowards.  They outrage every law of the world, and are
+afraid of the world's tongue.  But he had better prepare himself.
+He shall have a scandal.  He shall have the worst scandal there has
+been in London for years.  He shall see his name in every vile
+paper, mine on every hideous placard.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  No--no -
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Yes! he shall.  Had he come himself, I admit I
+would have gone back to the life of degradation you and he had
+prepared for me--I was going back--but to stay himself at home, and
+to send you as his messenger--oh! it was infamous--infamous.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [C.]  Lady Windermere, you wrong me horribly--you
+wrong your husband horribly.  He doesn't know you are here--he
+thinks you are safe in your own house.  He thinks you are asleep in
+your own room.  He never read the mad letter you wrote to him!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [R.]  Never read it!
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  No--he knows nothing about it.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  How simple you think me!  [Going to her.]  You
+are lying to me!
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [Restraining herself.]  I am not.  I am telling you
+the truth.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  If my husband didn't read my letter, how is it
+that you are here?  Who told you I had left the house you were
+shameless enough to enter?  Who told you where I had gone to?  My
+husband told you, and sent you to decoy me back.  [Crosses L.]
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [R.C.]  Your husband has never seen the letter.  I--
+saw it, I opened it.  I--read it.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Turning to her.]  You opened a letter of mine to
+my husband?  You wouldn't dare!
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Dare!  Oh! to save you from the abyss into which you
+are falling, there is nothing in the world I would not dare,
+nothing in the whole world.  Here is the letter.  Your husband has
+never read it.  He never shall read it.  [Going to fireplace.]  It
+should never have been written.  [Tears it and throws it into the
+fire.]
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [With infinite contempt in her voice and look.]
+How do I know that that was my letter after all?  You seem to think
+the commonest device can take me in!
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Oh! why do you disbelieve everything I tell you?
+What object do you think I have in coming here, except to save you
+from utter ruin, to save you from the consequence of a hideous
+mistake?  That letter that is burnt now WAS your letter.  I swear
+it to you!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Slowly.]  You took good care to burn it before I
+had examined it.  I cannot trust you.  You, whose whole life is a
+lie, could you speak the truth about anything?  [Sits down.]
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [Hurriedly.]  Think as you like about me--say what
+you choose against me, but go back, go back to the husband you
+love.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Sullenly.]  I do NOT love him!
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  You do, and you know that he loves you.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  He does not understand what love is.  He
+understands it as little as you do--but I see what you want.  It
+would be a great advantage for you to get me back.  Dear Heaven!
+what a life I would have then!  Living at the mercy of a woman who
+has neither mercy nor pity in her, a woman whom it is an infamy to
+meet, a degradation to know, a vile woman, a woman who comes
+between husband and wife!
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [With a gesture of despair.]  Lady Windermere, Lady
+Windermere, don't say such terrible things.  You don't know how
+terrible they are, how terrible and how unjust.  Listen, you must
+listen!  Only go back to your husband, and I promise you never to
+communicate with him again on any pretext--never to see him--never
+to have anything to do with his life or yours.  The money that he
+gave me, he gave me not through love, but through hatred, not in
+worship, but in contempt.  The hold I have over him -
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Rising.]  Ah! you admit you have a hold!
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Yes, and I will tell you what it is.  It is his love
+for you, Lady Windermere.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  You expect me to believe that?
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  You must believe it!  It is true.  It is his love
+for you that has made him submit to--oh! call it what you like,
+tyranny, threats, anything you choose.  But it is his love for you.
+His desire to spare you--shame, yes, shame and disgrace.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  What do you mean?  You are insolent!  What have I
+to do with you?
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [Humbly.]  Nothing.  I know it--but I tell you that
+your husband loves you--that you may never meet with such love
+again in your whole life--that such love you will never meet--and
+that if you throw it away, the day may come when you will starve
+for love and it will not be given to you, beg for love and it will
+be denied you--Oh! Arthur loves you!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Arthur?  And you tell me there is nothing between
+you?
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Lady Windermere, before Heaven your husband is
+guiltless of all offence towards you!  And I--I tell you that had
+it ever occurred to me that such a monstrous suspicion would have
+entered your mind, I would have died rather than have crossed your
+life or his--oh! died, gladly died!  [Moves away to sofa R.]
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  You talk as if you had a heart.  Women like you
+have no hearts.  Heart is not in you.  You are bought and sold.
+[Sits L.C.]
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [Starts, with a gesture of pain.  Then restrains
+herself, and comes over to where LADY WINDERMERE is sitting.  As
+she speaks, she stretches out her hands towards her, but does not
+dare to touch her.]  Believe what you choose about me.  I am not
+worth a moment's sorrow.  But don't spoil your beautiful young life
+on my account!  You don't know what may be in store for you, unless
+you leave this house at once.  You don't know what it is to fall
+into the pit, to be despised, mocked, abandoned, sneered at--to be
+an outcast! to find the door shut against one, to have to creep in
+by hideous byways, afraid every moment lest the mask should be
+stripped from one's face, and all the while to hear the laughter,
+the horrible laughter of the world, a thing more tragic than all
+the tears the world has ever shed.  You don't know what it is.  One
+pays for one's sin, and then one pays again, and all one's life one
+pays.  You must never know that.--As for me, if suffering be an
+expiation, then at this moment I have expiated all my faults,
+whatever they have been; for to-night you have made a heart in one
+who had it not, made it and broken it.--But let that pass.  I may
+have wrecked my own life, but I will not let you wreck yours.  You-
+-why, you are a mere girl, you would be lost.  You haven't got the
+kind of brains that enables a woman to get back.  You have neither
+the wit nor the courage.  You couldn't stand dishonour!  No!  Go
+back, Lady Windermere, to the husband who loves you, whom you love.
+You have a child, Lady Windermere.  Go back to that child who even
+now, in pain or in joy, may be calling to you.  [LADY WINDERMERE
+rises.]  God gave you that child.  He will require from you that
+you make his life fine, that you watch over him.  What answer will
+you make to God if his life is ruined through you?  Back to your
+house, Lady Windermere--your husband loves you!  He has never
+swerved for a moment from the love he bears you.  But even if he
+had a thousand loves, you must stay with your child.  If he was
+harsh to you, you must stay with your child.  If he ill-treated
+you, you must stay with your child.  If he abandoned you, your
+place is with your child.
+
+[LADY WINDERMERE bursts into tears and buries her face in her
+hands.]
+
+[Rushing to her.]  Lady Windermere!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Holding out her hands to her, helplessly, as a
+child might do.]  Take me home.  Take me home.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [Is about to embrace her.  Then restrains herself.
+There is a look of wonderful joy in her face.]  Come!  Where is
+your cloak?  [Getting it from sofa.]  Here.  Put it on.  Come at
+once!
+
+[They go to the door.]
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Stop!  Don't you hear voices?
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  No, no!  There was no one!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Yes, there is!  Listen!  Oh! that is my husband's
+voice!  He is coming in!  Save me!  Oh, it's some plot!  You have
+sent for him.
+
+[Voices outside.]
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Silence!  I'm here to save you, if I can.  But I
+fear it is too late!  There! [Points to the curtain across the
+window.]  The first chance you have, slip out, if you ever get a
+chance!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  But you?
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Oh! never mind me.  I'll face them.
+
+[LADY WINDERMERE hides herself behind the curtain.]
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  [Outside.]  Nonsense, dear Windermere, you must not
+leave me!
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Lord Augustus!  Then it is I who am lost!
+[Hesitates for a moment, then looks round and sees door R., and
+exits through it.]
+
+ [Enter LORD DARLINGTON, MR. DUMBY, LORD WINDERMERE, LORD AUGUSTUS
+LORTON, and MR. CECIL GRAHAM.
+
+DUMBY.  What a nuisance their turning us out of the club at this
+hour!  It's only two o'clock.  [Sinks into a chair.]  The lively
+part of the evening is only just beginning.  [Yawns and closes his
+eyes.]
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  It is very good of you, Lord Darlington, allowing
+Augustus to force our company on you, but I'm afraid I can't stay
+long.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  Really!  I am so sorry!  You'll take a cigar,
+won't you?
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Thanks!  [Sits down.]
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  [To LORD WINDERMERE.]  My dear boy, you must not
+dream of going.  I have a great deal to talk to you about, of
+demmed importance, too.  [Sits down with him at L. table.]
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  Oh!  We all know what that is!  Tuppy can't talk
+about anything but Mrs. Erlynne.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Well, that is no business of yours, is it, Cecil?
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  None!  That is why it interests me.  My own business
+always bores me to death.  I prefer other people's.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  Have something to drink, you fellows.  Cecil,
+you'll have a whisky and soda?
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  Thanks.  [Goes to table with LORD DARLINGTON.]  Mrs.
+Erlynne looked very handsome to-night, didn't she?
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  I am not one of her admirers.
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  I usen't to be, but I am now.  Why! she actually
+made me introduce her to poor dear Aunt Caroline.  I believe she is
+going to lunch there.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  [In Purple.]  No?
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  She is, really.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  Excuse me, you fellows.  I'm going away to-
+morrow.  And I have to write a few letters.  [Goes to writing table
+and sits down.]
+
+DUMBY.  Clever woman, Mrs. Erlynne.
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  Hallo, Dumby!  I thought you were asleep.
+
+DUMBY.  I am, I usually am!
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  A very clever woman.  Knows perfectly well what a
+demmed fool I am--knows it as well as I do myself.
+
+[CECIL GRAHAM comes towards him laughing.]
+
+Ah, you may laugh, my boy, but it is a great thing to come across a
+woman who thoroughly understands one.
+
+DUMBY.  It is an awfully dangerous thing.  They always end by
+marrying one.
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  But I thought, Tuppy, you were never going to see
+her again!  Yes! you told me so yesterday evening at the club.  You
+said you'd heard -
+
+[Whispering to him.]
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  Oh, she's explained that.
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  And the Wiesbaden affair?
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  She's explained that too.
+
+DUMBY.  And her income, Tuppy?  Has she explained that?
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  [In a very serious voice.]  She's going to explain
+that to-morrow.
+
+[CECIL GRAHAM goes back to C. table.]
+
+DUMBY.  Awfully commercial, women nowadays.  Our grandmothers threw
+their caps over the mills, of course, but, by Jove, their
+granddaughters only throw their caps over mills that can raise the
+wind for them.
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  You want to make her out a wicked woman.  She is
+not!
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  Oh!  Wicked women bother one.  Good women bore one.
+That is the only difference between them.
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  [Puffing a cigar.]  Mrs. Erlynne has a future
+before her.
+
+DUMBY.  Mrs. Erlynne has a past before her.
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  I prefer women with a past.  They're always so
+demmed amusing to talk to.
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  Well, you'll have lots of topics of conversation
+with HER, Tuppy.  [Rising and going to him.]
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  You're getting annoying, dear-boy; you're getting
+demmed annoying.
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  [Puts his hands on his shoulders.]  Now, Tuppy,
+you've lost your figure and you've lost your character.  Don't lose
+your temper; you have only got one.
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  My dear boy, if I wasn't the most good-natured man
+in London -
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  We'd treat you with more respect, wouldn't we,
+Tuppy?  [Strolls away.]
+
+DUMBY.  The youth of the present day are quite monstrous.  They
+have absolutely no respect for dyed hair.  [LORD AUGUSTUS looks
+round angrily.]
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  Mrs. Erlynne has a very great respect for dear
+Tuppy.
+
+DUMBY.  Then Mrs. Erlynne sets an admirable example to the rest of
+her sex.  It is perfectly brutal the way most women nowadays behave
+to men who are not their husbands.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Dumby, you are ridiculous, and Cecil, you let
+your tongue run away with you.  You must leave Mrs. Erlynne alone.
+You don't really know anything about her, and you're always talking
+scandal against her.
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  [Coming towards him L.C.]  My dear Arthur, I never
+talk scandal.  _I_ only talk gossip.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  What is the difference between scandal and
+gossip?
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  Oh! gossip is charming!  History is merely gossip.
+But scandal is gossip made tedious by morality.  Now, I never
+moralise.  A man who moralises is usually a hypocrite, and a woman
+who moralises is invariably plain.  There is nothing in the whole
+world so unbecoming to a woman as a Nonconformist conscience.  And
+most women know it, I'm glad to say.
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  Just my sentiments, dear boy, just my sentiments.
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  Sorry to hear it, Tuppy; whenever people agree with
+me, I always feel I must be wrong.
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  My dear boy, when I was your age -
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  But you never were, Tuppy, and you never will be.
+[Goes up C.]  I say, Darlington, let us have some cards.  You'll
+play, Arthur, won't you?
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  No, thanks, Cecil.
+
+DUMBY.  [With a sigh.]  Good heavens! how marriage ruins a man!
+It's as demoralising as cigarettes, and far more expensive.
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  You'll play, of course, Tuppy?
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  [Pouring himself out a brandy and soda at table.]
+Can't, dear boy.  Promised Mrs. Erlynne never to play or drink
+again.
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  Now, my dear Tuppy, don't be led astray into the
+paths of virtue.  Reformed, you would be perfectly tedious.  That
+is the worst of women.  They always want one to be good.  And if we
+are good, when they meet us, they don't love us at all.  They like
+to find us quite irretrievably bad, and to leave us quite
+unattractively good.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  [Rising from R. table, where he has been writing
+letters.]  They always do find us bad!
+
+DUMBY.  I don't think we are bad.  I think we are all good, except
+Tuppy.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  No, we are all in the gutter, but some of us are
+looking at the stars.  [Sits down at C. table.]
+
+DUMBY.  We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the
+stars?  Upon my word, you are very romantic to-night, Darlington.
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  Too romantic!  You must be in love.  Who is the
+girl?
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  The woman I love is not free, or thinks she
+isn't.  [Glances instinctively at LORD WINDERMERE while he speaks.]
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  A married woman, then!  Well, there's nothing in the
+world like the devotion of a married woman.  It's a thing no
+married man knows anything about.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  Oh! she doesn't love me.  She is a good woman.
+She is the only good woman I have ever met in my life.
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  The only good woman you have ever met in your life?
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  Yes!
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  [Lighting a cigarette.]  Well, you are a lucky
+fellow!  Why, I have met hundreds of good women.  I never seem to
+meet any but good women.  The world is perfectly packed with good
+women.  To know them is a middle-class education.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  This woman has purity and innocence.  She has
+everything we men have lost.
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  My dear fellow, what on earth should we men do going
+about with purity and innocence?  A carefully thought-out
+buttonhole is much more effective.
+
+DUMBY.  She doesn't really love you then?
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  No, she does not!
+
+DUMBY.  I congratulate you, my dear fellow.  In this world there
+are only two tragedies.  One is not getting what one wants, and the
+other is getting it.  The last is much the worst; the last is a
+real tragedy!  But I am interested to hear she does not love you.
+How long could you love a woman who didn't love you, Cecil?
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  A woman who didn't love me?  Oh, all my life!
+
+DUMBY.  So could I.  But it's so difficult to meet one.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  How can you be so conceited, DUMBY?
+
+DUMBY.  I didn't say it as a matter of conceit.  I said it as a
+matter of regret.  I have been wildly, madly adored.  I am sorry I
+have.  It has been an immense nuisance.  I should like to be
+allowed a little time to myself now and then.
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  [Looking round.]  Time to educate yourself, I
+suppose.
+
+DUMBY.  No, time to forget all I have learned.  That is much more
+important, dear Tuppy.  [LORD AUGUSTUS moves uneasily in his
+chair.]
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  What cynics you fellows are!
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  What is a cynic?  [Sitting on the back of the sofa.]
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  A man who knows the price of everything and the
+value of nothing.
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  And a sentimentalist, my dear Darlington, is a man
+who sees an absurd value in everything, and doesn't know the market
+price of any single thing.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  You always amuse me, Cecil.  You talk as if you
+were a man of experience.
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  I am.  [Moves up to front off fireplace.]
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  You are far too young!
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  That is a great error.  Experience is a question of
+instinct about life.  I have got it.  Tuppy hasn't.  Experience is
+the name Tuppy gives to his mistakes.  That is all.  [LORD AUGUSTUS
+looks round indignantly.]
+
+DUMBY.  Experience is the name every one gives to their mistakes.
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  [Standing with his back to the fireplace.]  One
+shouldn't commit any.  [Sees LADY WINDERMERE'S fan on sofa.]
+
+DUMBY.  Life would be very dull without them.
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  Of course you are quite faithful to this woman you
+are in love with, Darlington, to this good woman?
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  Cecil, if on really loves a woman, all other
+women in the world become absolutely meaningless to one.  Love
+changes one--_I_ am changed.
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  Dear me!  How very interesting!  Tuppy, I want to
+talk to you.  [LORD AUGUSTUS takes no notice.]
+
+DUMBY.  It's no use talking to Tuppy.  You might just as well talk
+to a brick wall.
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  But I like talking to a brick wall--it's the only
+thing in the world that never contradicts me!  Tuppy!
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  Well, what is it?  What is it?  [Rising and going
+over to CECIL GRAHAM.]
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  Come over here.  I want you particularly.  [Aside.]
+Darlington has been moralising and talking about the purity of
+love, and that sort of thing, and he has got some woman in his
+rooms all the time.
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  No, really! really!
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  [In a low voice.]  Yes, here is her fan.  [Points to
+the fan.]
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  [Chuckling.]  By Jove!  By Jove!
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [Up by door.]  I am really off now, Lord
+Darlington.  I am sorry you are leaving England so soon.  Pray call
+on us when you come back!  My wife and I will be charmed to see
+you!
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  [Up sage with LORD WINDERMERE.]  I am afraid I
+shall be away for many years.  Good-night!
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  Arthur!
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  What?
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  I want to speak to you for a moment.  No, do come!
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [Putting on his coat.]  I can't--I'm off!
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  It is something very particular.  It will interest
+you enormously.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [Smiling.]  It is some of your nonsense, Cecil.
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  It isn't!  It isn't really.
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  [Going to him.]  My dear fellow, you mustn't go
+yet.  I have a lot to talk to you about.  And Cecil has something
+to show you.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [Walking over.]  Well, what is it?
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  Darlington has got a woman here in his rooms.  Here
+is her fan.  Amusing, isn't it?  [A pause.]
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Good God!  [Seizes the fan--DUMBY rises.]
+
+CECIL GRAHAM.  What is the matter?
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Lord Darlington!
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  [Turning round.]  Yes!
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  What is my wife's fan doing here in your rooms?
+Hands off, Cecil.  Don't touch me.
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  Your wife's fan?
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Yes, here it is!
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  [Walking towards him.]  I don't know!
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  You must know.  I demand an explanation.  Don't
+hold me, you fool.  [To CECIL GRAHAM.]
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  [Aside.]  She is here after all!
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Speak, sir!  Why is my wife's fan here?  Answer
+me!  By God!  I'll search your rooms, and if my wife's here, I'll--
+[Moves.]
+
+LORD DARLINGTON.  You shall not search my rooms.  You have no right
+to do so.  I forbid you!
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  You scoundrel!  I'll not leave your room till I
+have searched every corner of it!  What moves behind that curtain?
+[Rushes towards the curtain C.]
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [Enters behind R.]  Lord Windermere!
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Mrs. Erlynne!
+
+[Every one starts and turns round.  LADY WINDERMERE slips out from
+behind the curtain and glides from the room L.]
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  I am afraid I took your wife's fan in mistake for my
+own, when I was leaving your house to-night.  I am so sorry.
+[Takes fan from him.  LORD WINDERMERE looks at her in contempt.
+LORD DARLINGTON in mingled astonishment and anger.  LORD AUGUSTUS
+turns away.  The other men smile at each other.]
+
+ACT DROP.
+
+
+
+FOURTH ACT
+
+
+
+SCENE--Same as in Act I.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Lying on sofa.]  How can I tell him?  I can't
+tell him.  It would kill me.  I wonder what happened after I
+escaped from that horrible room.  Perhaps she told them the true
+reason of her being there, and the real meaning of that--fatal fan
+of mine.  Oh, if he knows--how can I look him in the face again?
+He would never forgive me.  [Touches bell.]  How securely one
+thinks one lives--out of reach of temptation, sin, folly.  And then
+suddenly--Oh!  Life is terrible.  It rules us, we do not rule it.
+
+[Enter ROSALIE R.]
+
+ROSALIE.  Did your ladyship ring for me?
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Yes.  Have you found out at what time Lord
+Windermere came in last night?
+
+ROSALIE.  His lordship did not come in till five o'clock.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Five o'clock?  He knocked at my door this
+morning, didn't he?
+
+ROSALIE.  Yes, my lady--at half-past nine.  I told him your
+ladyship was not awake yet.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Did he say anything?
+
+ROSALIE.  Something about your ladyship's fan.  I didn't quite
+catch what his lordship said.  Has the fan been lost, my lady?  I
+can't find it, and Parker says it was not left in any of the rooms.
+He has looked in all of them and on the terrace as well.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  It doesn't matter.  Tell Parker not to trouble.
+That will do.
+
+[Exit ROSALIE.]
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Rising.]  She is sure to tell him.  I can fancy
+a person doing a wonderful act of self-sacrifice, doing it
+spontaneously, recklessly, nobly--and afterwards finding out that
+it costs too much.  Why should she hesitate between her ruin and
+mine? . . . How strange!  I would have publicly disgraced her in my
+own house.  She accepts public disgrace in the house of another to
+save me. . . . There is a bitter irony in things, a bitter irony in
+the way we talk of good and bad women. . . . Oh, what a lesson! and
+what a pity that in life we only get our lessons when they are of
+no use to us!  For even if she doesn't tell, I must.  Oh! the shame
+of it, the shame of it.  To tell it is to live through it all
+again.  Actions are the first tragedy in life, words are the
+second.  Words are perhaps the worst.  Words are merciless. . . Oh!
+[Starts as LORD WINDERMERE enters.]
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [Kisses her.]  Margaret--how pale you look!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  I slept very badly.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [Sitting on sofa with her.]  I am so sorry.  I
+came in dreadfully late, and didn't like to wake you.  You are
+crying, dear.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Yes, I am crying, for I have something to tell
+you, Arthur.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  My dear child, you are not well.  You've been
+doing too much.  Let us go away to the country.  You'll be all
+right at Selby.  The season is almost over.  There is no use
+staying on.  Poor darling!  We'll go away to-day, if you like.
+[Rises.]  We can easily catch the 3.40.  I'll send a wire to
+Fannen.  [Crosses and sits down at table to write a telegram.]
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Yes; let us go away to-day.  No; I can't go to-
+day, Arthur.  There is some one I must see before I leave town--
+some one who has been kind to me.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [Rising and leaning over sofa.]  Kind to you?
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Far more than that.  [Rises and goes to him.]  I
+will tell you, Arthur, but only love me, love me as you used to
+love me.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Used to?  You are not thinking of that wretched
+woman who came here last night?  [Coming round and sitting R. of
+her.]  You don't still imagine--no, you couldn't.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  I don't.  I know now I was wrong and foolish.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  It was very good of you to receive her last
+night--but you are never to see her again.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Why do you say that?  [A pause.]
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [Holding her hand.]  Margaret, I thought Mrs.
+Erlynne was a woman more sinned against than sinning, as the phrase
+goes.  I thought she wanted to be good, to get back into a place
+that she had lost by a moment's folly, to lead again a decent life.
+I believed what she told me--I was mistaken in her.  She is bad--as
+bad as a woman can be.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Arthur, Arthur, don't talk so bitterly about any
+woman.  I don't think now that people can be divided into the good
+and the bad as though they were two separate races or creations.
+What are called good women may have terrible things in them, mad
+moods of recklessness, assertion, jealousy, sin.  Bad women, as
+they are termed, may have in them sorrow, repentance, pity,
+sacrifice.  And I don't think Mrs. Erlynne a bad woman--I know
+she's not.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  My dear child, the woman's impossible.  No matter
+what harm she tries to do us, you must never see her again.  She is
+inadmissible anywhere.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  But I want to see her.  I want her to come here.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Never!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  She came here once as YOUR guest.  She must come
+now as MINE.  That is but fair.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  She should never have come here.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Rising.]  It is too late, Arthur, to say that
+now.  [Moves away.]
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [Rising.]  Margaret, if you knew where Mrs.
+Erlynne went last night, after she left this house, you would not
+sit in the same room with her.  It was absolutely shameless, the
+whole thing.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Arthur, I can't bear it any longer.  I must tell
+you.  Last night -
+
+[Enter PARKER with a tray on which lie LADY WINDERMERE'S fan and a
+card.]
+
+PARKER.  Mrs. Erlynne has called to return your ladyship's fan
+which she took away by mistake last night.  Mrs. Erlynne has
+written a message on the card.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Oh, ask Mrs. Erlynne to be kind enough to come
+up.  [Reads card.]  Say I shall be very glad to see her.  [Exit
+PARKER.]  She wants to see me, Arthur.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [Takes card and looks at it.]  Margaret, I BEG
+you not to.  Let me see her first, at any rate.  She's a very
+dangerous woman.  She is the most dangerous woman I know.  You
+don't realise what you're doing.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  It is right that I should see her.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  My child, you may be on the brink of a great
+sorrow.  Don't go to meet it.  It is absolutely necessary that I
+should see her before you do.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Why should it be necessary?
+
+[Enter PARKER.]
+
+PARKER.  Mrs. Erlynne.
+
+[Enter MRS. ERLYNNE.]
+
+[Exit PARKER.]
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  How do you do, Lady Windermere?  [To LORD
+WINDERMERE.]  How do you do?  Do you know, Lady Windermere, I am so
+sorry about your fan.  I can't imagine how I made such a silly
+mistake.  Most stupid of me.  And as I was driving in your
+direction, I thought I would take the opportunity of returning your
+property in person with many apologies for my carelessness, and of
+bidding you good-bye.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Good-bye?  [Moves towards sofa with MRS. ERLYNNE
+and sits down beside her.]  Are you going away, then, Mrs. Erlynne?
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Yes; I am going to live abroad again.  The English
+climate doesn't suit me.  My--heart is affected here, and that I
+don't like.  I prefer living in the south.  London is too full of
+fogs and--and serious people, Lord Windermere.  Whether the fogs
+produce the serious people or whether the serious people produce
+the fogs, I don't know, but the whole thing rather gets on my
+nerves, and so I'm leaving this afternoon by the Club Train.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  This afternoon?  But I wanted so much to come and
+see you.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  How kind of you!  But I am afraid I have to go.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Shall I never see you again, Mrs. Erlynne?
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  I am afraid not.  Our lives lie too far apart.  But
+there is a little thing I would like you to do for me.  I want a
+photograph of you, Lady Windermere--would you give me one?  You
+don't know how gratified I should be.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Oh, with pleasure.  There is one on that table.
+I'll show it to you. [Goes across to the table.]
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [Coming up to MRS. ERLYNNE and speaking in a low
+voice.]  It is monstrous your intruding yourself here after your
+conduct last night.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [With an amused smile.]  My dear Windermere, manners
+before morals!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Returning.]  I'm afraid it is very flattering--I
+am not so pretty as that.  [Showing photograph.]
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  You are much prettier.  But haven't you got one of
+yourself with your little boy?
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  I have.  Would you prefer one of those?
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Yes.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  I'll go and get it for you, if you'll excuse me
+for a moment.  I have one upstairs.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  So sorry, Lady Windermere, to give you so much
+trouble.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Moves to door R.]  No trouble at all, Mrs.
+Erlynne.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Thanks so much.
+
+[Exit LADY WINDERMERE R.]  You seem rather out of temper this
+morning, Windermere.  Why should you be?  Margaret and I get on
+charmingly together.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  I can't bear to see you with her.  Besides, you
+have not told me the truth, Mrs. Erlynne.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  I have not told HER the truth, you mean.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [Standing C.]  I sometimes wish you had.  I
+should have been spared then the misery, the anxiety, the annoyance
+of the last six months.  But rather than my wife should know--that
+the mother whom she was taught to consider as dead, the mother whom
+she has mourned as dead, is living--a divorced woman, going about
+under an assumed name, a bad woman preying upon life, as I know you
+now to be--rather than that, I was ready to supply you with money
+to pay bill after bill, extravagance after extravagance, to risk
+what occurred yesterday, the first quarrel I have ever had with my
+wife.  You don't understand what that means to me.  How could you?
+But I tell you that the only bitter words that ever came from those
+sweet lips of hers were on your account, and I hate to see you next
+her.  You sully the innocence that is in her. [Moves L.C.]  And
+then I used to think that with all your faults you were frank and
+honest.  You are not.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Why do you say that?
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  You made me get you an invitation to my wife's
+ball.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  For my daughter's ball--yes.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  You came, and within an hour of your leaving the
+house you are found in a man's rooms--you are disgraced before
+every one.  [Goes up stage C.]
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Yes.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [Turning round on her.]  Therefore I have a right
+to look upon you as what you are--a worthless, vicious woman.  I
+have the right to tell you never to enter this house, never to
+attempt to come near my wife -
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [Coldly.]  My daughter, you mean.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  You have no right to claim her as your daughter.
+You left her, abandoned her when she was but a child in the cradle,
+abandoned her for your lover, who abandoned you in turn.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [Rising.]  Do you count that to his credit, Lord
+Windermere--or to mine?
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  To his, now that I know you.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Take care--you had better be careful.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Oh, I am not going to mince words for you.  I
+know you thoroughly.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [Looks steadily at him.]  I question that.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  I DO know you.  For twenty years of your life you
+lived without your child, without a thought of your child.  One day
+you read in the papers that she had married a rich man.  You saw
+your hideous chance.  You knew that to spare her the ignominy of
+learning that a woman like you was her mother, I would endure
+anything.  You began your blackmailing,
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [Shrugging her shoulders.]  Don't use ugly words,
+Windermere.  They are vulgar.  I saw my chance, it is true, and
+took it.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Yes, you took it--and spoiled it all last night
+by being found out.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [With a strange smile.]  You are quite right, I
+spoiled it all last night.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  And as for your blunder in taking my wife's fan
+from here and then leaving it about in Darlington's rooms, it is
+unpardonable.  I can't bear the sight of it now.  I shall never let
+my wife use it again.  The thing is soiled for me.  You should have
+kept it and not brought it back.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  I think I shall keep it.  [Goes up.]  It's extremely
+pretty.  [Takes up fan.]  I shall ask Margaret to give it to me.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  I hope my wife will give it you.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Oh, I'm sure she will have no objection.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  I wish that at the same time she would give you a
+miniature she kisses every night before she prays--It's the
+miniature of a young innocent-looking girl with beautiful DARK
+hair.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Ah, yes, I remember.  How long ago that seems!
+[Goes to sofa and sits down.]  It was done before I was married.
+Dark hair and an innocent expression were the fashion then,
+Windermere!  [A pause.]
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  What do you mean by coming here this morning?
+What is your object?  [Crossing L.C. and sitting.]
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [With a note of irony in her voice.]  To bid good-
+bye to my dear daughter, of course.  [LORD WINDERMERE bites his
+under lip in anger.  MRS. ERLYNNE looks at him, and her voice and
+manner become serious.  In her accents at she talks there is a note
+of deep tragedy.  For a moment she reveals herself.]  Oh, don't
+imagine I am going to have a pathetic scene with her, weep on her
+neck and tell her who I am, and all that kind of thing.  I have no
+ambition to play the part of a mother.  Only once in my life like I
+known a mother's feelings.  That was last night.  They were
+terrible--they made me suffer--they made me suffer too much.  For
+twenty years, as you say, I have lived childless,--I want to live
+childless still.  [Hiding her feelings with a trivial laugh.]
+Besides, my dear Windermere, how on earth could I pose as a mother
+with a grown-up daughter?  Margaret is twenty-one, and I have never
+admitted that I am more than twenty-nine, or thirty at the most.
+Twenty-nine when there are pink shades, thirty when there are not.
+So you see what difficulties it would involve.  No, as far as I am
+concerned, let your wife cherish the memory of this dead, stainless
+mother.  Why should I interfere with her illusions?  I find it hard
+enough to keep my own.  I lost one illusion last night.  I thought
+I had no heart.  I find I have, and a heart doesn't suit me,
+Windermere.  Somehow it doesn't go with modern dress.  It makes one
+look old.  [Takes up hand-mirror from table and looks into it.]
+And it spoils one's career at critical moments.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  You fill me with horror--with absolute horror.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [Rising.]  I suppose, Windermere, you would like me
+to retire into a convent, or become a hospital nurse, or something
+of that kind, as people do in silly modern novels.  That is stupid
+of you, Arthur; in real life we don't do such things--not as long
+as we have any good looks left, at any rate.  No--what consoles one
+nowadays is not repentance, but pleasure.  Repentance is quite out
+of date.  And besides, if a woman really repents, she has to go to
+a bad dressmaker, otherwise no one believes in her.  And nothing in
+the world would induce me to do that.  No; I am going to pass
+entirely out of your two lives.  My coming into them has been a
+mistake--I discovered that last night.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  A fatal mistake.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [Smiling.]  Almost fatal.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  I am sorry now I did not tell my wife the whole
+thing at once.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  I regret my bad actions.  You regret your good ones-
+-that is the difference between us.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  I don't trust you.  I WILL tell my wife.  It's
+better for her to know, and from me.  It will cause her infinite
+pain--it will humiliate her terribly, but it's right that she
+should know.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  You propose to tell her?
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  I am going to tell her.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [Going up to him.]  If you do, I will make my name
+so infamous that it will mar every moment of her life.  It will
+ruin her, and make her wretched.  If you dare to tell her, there is
+no depth of degradation I will not sink to, no pit of shame I will
+not enter.  You shall not tell her--I forbid you.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Why?
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [After a pause.]  If I said to you that I cared for
+her, perhaps loved her even--you would sneer at me, wouldn't you?
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  I should feel it was not true.  A mother's love
+means devotion, unselfishness, sacrifice.  What could you know of
+such things?
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  You are right.  What could I know of such things?
+Don't let us talk any more about it--as for telling my daughter who
+I am, that I do not allow.  It is my secret, it is not yours.  If I
+make up my mind to tell her, and I think I will, I shall tell her
+before I leave the house--if not, I shall never tell her.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [Angrily.]  Then let me beg of you to leave our
+house at once.  I will make your excuses to Margaret.
+
+[Enter LADY WINDERMERE R.  She goes over to MRS. ERLYNNE with the
+photograph in her hand.  LORD WINDERMERE moves to back of sofa, and
+anxiously watches MRS. ERLYNNE as the scene progresses.]
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  I am so sorry, Mrs. Erlynne, to have kept you
+waiting.  I couldn't find the photograph anywhere.  At last I
+discovered it in my husband's dressing-room--he had stolen it.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [Takes the photograph from her and looks at it.]  I
+am not surprised--it is charming.  [Goes over to sofa with LADY
+WINDERMERE, and sits down beside her.  Looks again at the
+photograph.]  And so that is your little boy!  What is he called?
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Gerard, after my dear father.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [Laying the photograph down.]  Really?
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Yes.  If it had been a girl, I would have called
+it after my mother.  My mother had the same name as myself,
+Margaret.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  My name is Margaret too.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Indeed!
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Yes.  [Pause.]  You are devoted to your mother's
+memory, Lady Windermere, your husband tells me.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  We all have ideals in life.  At least we all
+should have.  Mine is my mother.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Ideals are dangerous things.  Realities are better.
+They wound, but they're better.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Shaking her head.]  If I lost my ideals, I
+should lose everything.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Everything?
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Yes.  [Pause.]
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Did your father often speak to you of your mother?
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  No, it gave him too much pain.  He told me how my
+mother had died a few months after I was born.  His eyes filled
+with tears as he spoke.  Then he begged me never to mention her
+name to him again.  It made him suffer even to hear it.  My father-
+-my father really died of a broken heart.  His was the most ruined
+life know,
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [Rising.]  I am afraid I must go now, Lady
+Windermere.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Rising.]  Oh no, don't.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  I think I had better.  My carriage must have come
+back by this time.  I sent it to Lady Jedburgh's with a note.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Arthur, would you mind seeing if Mrs. Erlynne's
+carriage has come back?
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Pray don't trouble, Lord Windermere.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Yes, Arthur, do go, please.
+
+[LORD WINDERMERE hesitated for a moment and looks at MRS. ERLYNNE.
+She remains quite impassive.  He leaves the room.]
+
+[To MRS. ERLYNNE.]  Oh!  What am I to say to you?  You saved me
+last night?  [Goes towards her.]
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Hush--don't speak of it.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  I must speak of it.  I can't let you think that I
+am going to accept this sacrifice.  I am not.  It is too great.  I
+am going to tell my husband everything.  It is my duty.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  It is not your duty--at least you have duties to
+others besides him.  You say you owe me something?
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  I owe you everything.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Then pay your debt by silence.  That is the only way
+in which it can be paid.  Don't spoil the one good thing I have
+done in my life by telling it to any one.  Promise me that what
+passed last night will remain a secret between us.  You must not
+bring misery into your husband's life.  Why spoil his love?  You
+must not spoil it.  Love is easily killed.  Oh! how easily love is
+killed.  Pledge me your word, Lady Windermere, that you will never
+tell him.  I insist upon it.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [With bowed head.]  It is your will, not mine.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Yes, it is my will.  And never forget your child--I
+like to think of you as a mother.  I like you to think of yourself
+as one.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Looking up.]  I always will now.  Only once in
+my life I have forgotten my own mother--that was last night.  Oh,
+if I had remembered her I should not have been so foolish, so
+wicked.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [With a slight shudder.]  Hush, last night is quite
+over.
+
+[Enter LORD WINDERMERE.]
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Your carriage has not come back yet, Mrs.
+Erlynne.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  It makes no matter.  I'll take a hansom.  There is
+nothing in the world so respectable as a good Shrewsbury and
+Talbot.  And now, dear Lady Windermere, I am afraid it is really
+good-bye.  [Moves up C.]  Oh, I remember.  You'll think me absurd,
+but do you know I've taken a great fancy to this fan that I was
+silly enough to run away with last night from your ball.  Now, I
+wonder would you give it to me?  Lord Windermere says you may.  I
+know it is his present.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Oh, certainly, if it will give you any pleasure.
+But it has my name on it.  It has 'Margaret' on it.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  But we have the same Christian name.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Oh, I forgot.  Of course, do have it.  What a
+wonderful chance our names being the same!
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  Quite wonderful.  Thanks--it will always remind me
+of you.  [Shakes hands with her.]
+
+[Enter PARKER.]
+
+PARKER.  Lord Augustus Lorton.  Mrs. Erlynne's carriage has come.
+
+[Enter LORD AUGUSTUS.]
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  Good morning, dear boy.  Good morning, Lady
+Windermere.  [Sees MRS. ERLYNNE.]  Mrs. Erlynne!
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  How do you do, Lord Augustus?  Are you quite well
+this morning?
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  [Coldly.]  Quite well, thank you, Mrs. Erlynne.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  You don't look at all well, Lord Augustus.  You stop
+up too late--it is so bad for you.  You really should take more
+care of yourself.  Good-bye, Lord Windermere. [Goes towards door
+with a bow to LORD AUGUSTUS.  Suddenly smiles and looks back at
+him.]  Lord Augustus!  Won't you see me to my carriage?  You might
+carry the fan.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Allow me!
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  No; I want Lord Augustus.  I have a special message
+for the dear Duchess.  Won't you carry the fan, Lord Augustus?
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  If you really desire it, Mrs. Erlynne.
+
+MRS. ERLYNNE.  [Laughing.]  Of course I do.  You'll carry it so
+gracefully.  You would carry off anything gracefully, dear Lord
+Augustus.
+
+[When she reaches the door she looks back for a moment at LADY
+WINDERMERE.  Their eyes meet.  Then she turns, and exit C. followed
+by LORD AUGUSTUS.]
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  You will never speak against Mrs. Erlynne again,
+Arthur, will you?
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [Gravely.]  She is better than one thought her.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  She is better than I am.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [Smiling as he strokes her hair.]  Child, you and
+she belong to different worlds.  Into your world evil has never
+entered.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  Don't say that, Arthur.  There is the same world
+for all of us, and good and evil, sin and innocence, go through it
+hand in hand.  To shut one's eyes to half of life that one may live
+securely is as though one blinded oneself that one might walk with
+more safety in a land of pit and precipice.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  [Moves down with her.]  Darling, why do you say
+that?
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Sits on sofa.]  Because I, who had shut my eyes
+to life, came to the brink.  And one who had separated us -
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  We were never separated.
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  We never must be again.  O Arthur, don't love me
+less, and I will trust you more.  I will trust you absolutely.  Let
+us go to Selby.  In the Rose Garden at Selby the roses are white
+and red.
+
+[Enter LORD AUGUSTUS C.]
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  Arthur, she has explained everything!
+
+[LADY WINDERMERE looks horribly frightened at this.  LORD
+WINDERMERE starts.  LORD AUGUSTUS takes WINDERMERE by the arm and
+brings him to front of stage.  He talks rapidly and in a low voice.
+LADY WINDERMERE stands watching them in terror.]  My dear fellow,
+she has explained every demmed thing.  We all wronged her
+immensely.  It was entirely for my sake she went to Darlington's
+rooms.  Called first at the Club--fact is, wanted to put me out of
+suspense--and being told I had gone on--followed--naturally
+frightened when she heard a lot of us coming in--retired to another
+room--I assure you, most gratifying to me, the whole thing.  We all
+behaved brutally to her.  She is just the woman for me.  Suits me
+down to the ground.  All the conditions she makes are that we live
+entirely out of England.  A very good thing too.  Demmed clubs,
+demmed climate, demmed cooks, demmed everything.  Sick of it all!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Frightened.]  Has Mrs. Erlynne--?
+
+LORD AUGUSTUS.  [Advancing towards her with a low bow.]  Yes, Lady
+Windermere-- Mrs. Erlynne has done me the honour of accepting my
+hand.
+
+LORD WINDERMERE.  Well, you are certainly marrying a very clever
+woman!
+
+LADY WINDERMERE.  [Taking her husband's hand.]  Ah, you're marrying
+a very good woman!
+
+CURTAIN
+
+
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN ***
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+<html>
+<head>
+<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=US-ASCII" />
+<title>Lady Windermere's Fan</title>
+</head>
+<body>
+<h2>
+<a href="#startoftext">Lady Windermere's Fan, by Oscar Wilde</a>
+</h2>
+<pre>
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Lady Windermere's Fan, by Oscar Wilde
+(#5 in our series by Oscar Wilde)
+
+Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the
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+**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts**
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+**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971**
+
+*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!*****
+
+
+Title: Lady Windermere's Fan
+
+Author: Oscar Wilde
+
+Release Date: January, 1997  [EBook #790]
+[This file was first posted on January 25, 1997]
+[Most recently updated: September 17, 2002]
+
+Edition: 10
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+</pre>
+<p><a name="startoftext"></a></p>
+<p>Transcribed from the 1917 Methuen &amp; Co. Ltd edition by David
+Price, email ccx074@coventry.ac.uk</p>
+<div class="GutenbergBlankLines3"><br /><br /><br /></div>
+<h1>LADY WINDERMERE&rsquo;S FAN</h1>
+<div class="GutenbergBlankLines3"><br /><br /><br /></div>
+<p>THE PERSONS OF THE PLAY</p>
+<p>Lord Windermere<br />Lord Darlington<br />Lord Augustus Lorton<br />Mr.
+Dumby<br />Mr. Cecil Graham<br />Mr. Hopper<br />Parker, Butler</p>
+<p>Lady Windermere<br />The Duchess of Berwick<br />Lady Agatha Carlisle<br />Lady
+Plymdale<br />Lady Stutfield<br />Lady Jedburgh<br />Mrs. Cowper-Cowper<br />Mrs.
+Erlynne<br />Rosalie, Maid</p>
+<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div>
+<p>THE SCENES OF THE PLAY</p>
+<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div>
+<pre>ACT I.&nbsp; &nbsp; </pre>
+<pre><i>Morning-room in Lord Windermere&rsquo;s house.<br /></i></pre>
+<pre>ACT II.&nbsp;  </pre>
+<pre><i>Drawing-room in Lord Windermere&rsquo;s house.<br /></i></pre>
+<pre>ACT III.&nbsp; </pre>
+<pre><i>Lord Darlington&rsquo;s rooms.<br /></i></pre>
+<pre>ACT IV.&nbsp;  </pre>
+<pre><i>Same as Act I.</i></pre>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<pre>TIME:&nbsp; &nbsp;  </pre>
+<pre><i>The Present<br /></i></pre>
+<pre>PLACE:&nbsp; &nbsp; </pre>
+<pre><i>London</i></pre>
+<pre>.</pre>
+<p><i>The action of the play takes place within twenty-four hours, beginning
+on a Tuesday afternoon at five o&rsquo;clock, and ending the next day
+at</i> 1.30 <i>p.m.</i></p>
+<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div>
+<p>LONDON: ST. JAMES&rsquo;S THEATRE</p>
+<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div>
+<p><i>Lessee and Manager: Mr. George Alexander<br />February</i> 22<i>nd</i>,
+1892.</p>
+<p>Lord Windermere, Mr. George Alexander.<br />Lord Darlington, Mr.
+Nutcombe Gould.<br />Lord Augustus Lorton, Mr. H. H. Vincent.<br />Mr.
+Cecil Graham, Mr. Ben Webster.<br />Mr. Dumby, Mr. Vane-Tempest.<br />Mr.
+Hopper, Mr. Alfred Holles.<br />Parker (<i>Butler</i>), Mr. V. Sansbury.<br />Lady
+Windermere, Miss Lily Hanbury.<br />The Duchess of Berwick, Miss Fanny
+Coleman.<br />Lady Agatha Carlisle, Miss Laura Graves.<br />Lady Plymdale,
+Miss Granville.<br />Lady Jedburgh, Miss B. Page.<br />Lady Stutfield,
+Miss Madge Girdlestone.<br />Mrs. Cowper-Cowper, Miss A. de Winton.<br />Mrs.
+Erlynne, Miss Marion Terry.<br />Rosalie (<i>Maid</i>), Miss Winifred
+Dolan.</p>
+<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div>
+<h2>FIRST ACT</h2>
+<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div>
+<p>SCENCE</p>
+<p><i>Morning-room of Lord Windermere&rsquo;s house in Carlton House
+Terrace.&nbsp; Doors C. and R.&nbsp; Bureau with books and papers R.&nbsp;
+Sofa with small tea-table L.&nbsp; Window opening on to terrace L.&nbsp;
+Table R.</i></p>
+<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div>
+<p>[LADY WINDERMERE is at table R., arranging roses in a blue bowl.]</p>
+<p>[Enter PARKER.]</p>
+<p>PARKER.&nbsp; Is your ladyship at home this afternoon?</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Yes - who has called?</p>
+<p>PARKER.&nbsp; Lord Darlington, my lady.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Hesitates for a moment.]&nbsp; Show him up
+- and I&rsquo;m at home to any one who calls.</p>
+<p>PARKER.&nbsp; Yes, my lady.</p>
+<p>[Exit C.]</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; It&rsquo;s best for me to see him before to-night.&nbsp;
+I&rsquo;m glad he&rsquo;s come.</p>
+<p>[Enter PARKER C.]</p>
+<p>PARKER.&nbsp; Lord Darlington,</p>
+<p>[Enter LORD DARLINGTON C.]</p>
+<p>[Exit PARKER.]</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; How do you do, Lady Windermere?</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; How do you do, Lord Darlington?&nbsp; No,
+I can&rsquo;t shake hands with you.&nbsp; My hands are all wet with
+these roses.&nbsp; Aren&rsquo;t they lovely?&nbsp; They came up from
+Selby this morning.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; They are quite perfect.&nbsp; [Sees a fan
+lying on the table.]&nbsp; And what a wonderful fan!&nbsp; May I look
+at it?</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Do.&nbsp; Pretty, isn&rsquo;t it!&nbsp; It&rsquo;s
+got my name on it, and everything.&nbsp; I have only just seen it myself.&nbsp;
+It&rsquo;s my husband&rsquo;s birthday present to me.&nbsp; You know
+to-day is my birthday?</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; No?&nbsp; Is it really?</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Yes, I&rsquo;m of age to-day.&nbsp; Quite
+an important day in my life, isn&rsquo;t it?&nbsp; That is why I am
+giving this party to-night.&nbsp; Do sit down.&nbsp; [Still arranging
+flowers.]</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; [Sitting down.]&nbsp; I wish I had known it
+was your birthday, Lady Windermere.&nbsp; I would have covered the whole
+street in front of your house with flowers for you to walk on.&nbsp;
+They are made for you.&nbsp; [A short pause.]</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Lord Darlington, you annoyed me last night
+at the Foreign Office.&nbsp; I am afraid you are going to annoy me again.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; I, Lady Windermere?</p>
+<p>[Enter PARKER and FOOTMAN C., with tray and tea things.]</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Put it there, Parker.&nbsp; That will do.&nbsp;
+[Wipes her hands with her pocket-handkerchief, goes to tea-table, and
+sits down.]&nbsp; Won&rsquo;t you come over, Lord Darlington?</p>
+<p>[Exit PARKER C.]</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; [Takes chair and goes across L.C.]&nbsp; I
+am quite miserable, Lady Windermere.&nbsp; You must tell me what I did.&nbsp;
+[Sits down at table L.]</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Well, you kept paying me elaborate compliments
+the whole evening.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; [Smiling.]&nbsp; Ah, nowadays we are all of
+us so hard up, that the only pleasant things to pay <i>are</i> compliments.&nbsp;
+They&rsquo;re the only things we <i>can</i> pay.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Shaking her head.]&nbsp; No, I am talking
+very seriously.&nbsp; You mustn&rsquo;t laugh, I am quite serious.&nbsp;
+I don&rsquo;t like compliments, and I don&rsquo;t see why a man should
+think he is pleasing a woman enormously when he says to her a whole
+heap of things that he doesn&rsquo;t mean.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; Ah, but I did mean them.&nbsp; [Takes tea
+which she offers him.]</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Gravely.]&nbsp; I hope not.&nbsp; I should
+be sorry to have to quarrel with you, Lord Darlington.&nbsp; I like
+you very much, you know that.&nbsp; But I shouldn&rsquo;t like you at
+all if I thought you were what most other men are.&nbsp; Believe me,
+you are better than most other men, and I sometimes think you pretend
+to be worse.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; We all have our little vanities, Lady Windermere.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Why do you make that your special one?&nbsp;
+[Still seated at table L.]</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; [Still seated L.C.]&nbsp; Oh, nowadays so
+many conceited people go about Society pretending to be good, that I
+think it shows rather a sweet and modest disposition to pretend to be
+bad.&nbsp; Besides, there is this to be said.&nbsp; If you pretend to
+be good, the world takes you very seriously.&nbsp; If you pretend to
+be bad, it doesn&rsquo;t.&nbsp; Such is the astounding stupidity of
+optimism.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Don&rsquo;t you <i>want</i> the world to take
+you seriously then, Lord Darlington?</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; No, not the world.&nbsp; Who are the people
+the world takes seriously?&nbsp; All the dull people one can think of,
+from the Bishops down to the bores.&nbsp; I should like <i>you</i> to
+take me very seriously, Lady Windermere, <i>you</i> more than any one
+else in life.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Why - why me?</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; [After a slight hesitation.]&nbsp; Because
+I think we might be great friends.&nbsp; Let us be great friends.&nbsp;
+You may want a friend some day.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Why do you say that?</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; Oh! - we all want friends at times.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I think we&rsquo;re very good friends already,
+Lord Darlington.&nbsp; We can always remain so as long as you don&rsquo;t
+-</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; Don&rsquo;t what?</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Don&rsquo;t spoil it by saying extravagant
+silly things to me.&nbsp; You think I am a Puritan, I suppose?&nbsp;
+Well, I have something of the Puritan in me.&nbsp; I was brought up
+like that.&nbsp; I am glad of it.&nbsp; My mother died when I was a
+mere child.&nbsp; I lived always with Lady Julia, my father&rsquo;s
+elder sister, you know.&nbsp; She was stern to me, but she taught me
+what the world is forgetting, the difference that there is between what
+is right and what is wrong.&nbsp; <i>She</i> allowed of no compromise.&nbsp;
+<i>I</i> allow of none.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; My dear Lady Windermere!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Leaning back on the sofa.]&nbsp; You look
+on me as being behind the age. - Well, I am!&nbsp; I should be sorry
+to be on the same level as an age like this.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; You think the age very bad?</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Yes.&nbsp; Nowadays people seem to look on
+life as a speculation.&nbsp; It is not a speculation.&nbsp; It is a
+sacrament.&nbsp; Its ideal is Love.&nbsp; Its purification is sacrifice.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; [Smiling.]&nbsp; Oh, anything is better than
+being sacrificed!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Leaning forward.]&nbsp; Don&rsquo;t say that.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; I do say it.&nbsp; I feel it - I know it.</p>
+<p>[Enter PARKER C.]</p>
+<p>PARKER.&nbsp; The men want to know if they are to put the carpets
+on the terrace for to-night, my lady?</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; You don&rsquo;t think it will rain, Lord Darlington,
+do you?</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; I won&rsquo;t hear of its raining on your
+birthday!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Tell them to do it at once, Parker.</p>
+<p>[Exit PARKER C.]</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; [Still seated.]&nbsp; Do you think then -
+of course I am only putting an imaginary instance - do you think that
+in the case of a young married couple, say about two years married,
+if the husband suddenly becomes the intimate friend of a woman of -
+well, more than doubtful character - is always calling upon her, lunching
+with her, and probably paying her bills - do you think that the wife
+should not console herself?</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Frowning]&nbsp; Console herself?</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; Yes, I think she should - I think she has
+the right.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Because the husband is vile - should the wife
+be vile also?</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; Vileness is a terrible word, Lady Windermere.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; It is a terrible thing, Lord Darlington.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; Do you know I am afraid that good people do
+a great deal of harm in this world.&nbsp; Certainly the greatest harm
+they do is that they make badness of such extraordinary importance.&nbsp;
+It is absurd to divide people into good and bad.&nbsp; People are either
+charming or tedious.&nbsp; I take the side of the charming, and you,
+Lady Windermere, can&rsquo;t help belonging to them.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Now, Lord Darlington.&nbsp; [Rising and crossing
+R., front of him.]&nbsp; Don&rsquo;t stir, I am merely going to finish
+my flowers.&nbsp; [Goes to table R.C.]</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; [Rising and moving chair.]&nbsp; And I must
+say I think you are very hard on modern life, Lady Windermere.&nbsp;
+Of course there is much against it, I admit.&nbsp; Most women, for instance,
+nowadays, are rather mercenary.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Don&rsquo;t talk about such people.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; Well then, setting aside mercenary people,
+who, of course, are dreadful, do you think seriously that women who
+have committed what the world calls a fault should never be forgiven?</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Standing at table.]&nbsp; I think they should
+never be forgiven.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; And men?&nbsp; Do you think that there should
+be the same laws for men as there are for women?</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Certainly!</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; I think life too complex a thing to be settled
+by these hard and fast rules.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; If we had &lsquo;these hard and fast rules,&rsquo;
+we should find life much more simple.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; You allow of no exceptions?</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; None!</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; Ah, what a fascinating Puritan you are, Lady
+Windermere!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; The adjective was unnecessary, Lord Darlington.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; I couldn&rsquo;t help it.&nbsp; I can resist
+everything except temptation.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; You have the modern affectation of weakness.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; [Looking at her.]&nbsp; It&rsquo;s only an
+affectation, Lady Windermere.</p>
+<p>[Enter PARKER C.]</p>
+<p>PARKER.&nbsp; The Duchess of Berwick and Lady Agatha Carlisle.</p>
+<p>[Enter the DUCHESS OF BERWICK and LADY AGATHA CARLISLE C.]</p>
+<p>[Exit PARKER C.]</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; [Coming down C., and shaking hands.]&nbsp;
+Dear Margaret, I am so pleased to see you.&nbsp; You remember Agatha,
+don&rsquo;t you?&nbsp; [Crossing L.C.]&nbsp; How do you do, Lord Darlington?&nbsp;
+I won&rsquo;t let you know my daughter, you are far too wicked.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; Don&rsquo;t say that, Duchess.&nbsp; As a
+wicked man I am a complete failure.&nbsp; Why, there are lots of people
+who say I have never really done anything wrong in the whole course
+of my life.&nbsp; Of course they only say it behind my back.</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; Isn&rsquo;t he dreadful?&nbsp; Agatha,
+this is Lord Darlington.&nbsp; Mind you don&rsquo;t believe a word he
+says.&nbsp; [LORD DARLINGTON crosses R.C.]&nbsp; No, no tea, thank you,
+dear.&nbsp; [Crosses and sits on sofa.]&nbsp; We have just had tea at
+Lady Markby&rsquo;s.&nbsp; Such bad tea, too.&nbsp; It was quite undrinkable.&nbsp;
+I wasn&rsquo;t at all surprised.&nbsp; Her own son-in-law supplies it.&nbsp;
+Agatha is looking forward so much to your ball to-night, dear Margaret.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Seated L.C.]&nbsp; Oh, you mustn&rsquo;t
+think it is going to be a ball, Duchess.&nbsp; It is only a dance in
+honour of my birthday.&nbsp; A small and early.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; [Standing L.C.]&nbsp; Very small, very early,
+and very select, Duchess.</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; [On sofa L.]&nbsp; Of course it&rsquo;s
+going to be select.&nbsp; But we know <i>that</i>, dear Margaret, about
+<i>your</i> house.&nbsp; It is really one of the few houses in London
+where I can take Agatha, and where I feel perfectly secure about dear
+Berwick.&nbsp; I don&rsquo;t know what society is coming to.&nbsp; The
+most dreadful people seem to go everywhere.&nbsp; They certainly come
+to my parties - the men get quite furious if one doesn&rsquo;t ask them.&nbsp;
+Really, some one should make a stand against it.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; <i>I</i> will, Duchess.&nbsp; I will have
+no one in my house about whom there is any scandal.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; [R.C.]&nbsp; Oh, don&rsquo;t say that, Lady
+Windermere.&nbsp; I should never be admitted!&nbsp; [Sitting.]</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; Oh, men don&rsquo;t matter.&nbsp; With
+women it is different.&nbsp; We&rsquo;re good.&nbsp; Some of us are,
+at least.&nbsp; But we are positively getting elbowed into the corner.&nbsp;
+Our husbands would really forget our existence if we didn&rsquo;t nag
+at them from time to time, just to remind them that we have a perfect
+legal right to do so.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; It&rsquo;s a curious thing, Duchess, about
+the game of marriage - a game, by the way, that is going out of fashion
+- the wives hold all the honours, and invariably lose the odd trick.</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp;  The odd trick?&nbsp; Is that the husband,
+Lord Darlington?</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; It would be rather a good name for the modern
+husband.</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; Dear Lord Darlington, how thoroughly depraved
+you are!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Lord Darlington is trivial.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; Ah, don&rsquo;t say that, Lady Windermere.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Why do you <i>talk</i> so trivially about
+life, then?</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; Because I think that life is far too important
+a thing ever to talk seriously about it.&nbsp; [Moves up C.]</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; What does he mean?&nbsp; Do, as a concession
+to my poor wits, Lord Darlington, just explain to me what you really
+mean.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; [Coming down back of table.]&nbsp; I think
+I had better not, Duchess.&nbsp; Nowadays to be intelligible is to be
+found out.&nbsp; Good-bye!&nbsp; [Shakes hands with DUCHESS.]&nbsp;
+And now - [goes up stage] Lady Windermere, good-bye.&nbsp; I may come
+to-night, mayn&rsquo;t I?&nbsp; Do let me come.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Standing up stage with LORD DARLINGTON.]&nbsp;
+Yes, certainly.&nbsp; But you are not to say foolish, insincere things
+to people.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; [Smiling.]&nbsp; Ah! you are beginning to
+reform me.&nbsp; It is a dangerous thing to reform any one, Lady Windermere.&nbsp;
+[Bows, and exit C.]</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; [Who has risen, goes C.]&nbsp; What a charming,
+wicked creature!&nbsp; I like him so much.&nbsp; I&rsquo;m quite delighted
+he&rsquo;s gone!&nbsp; How sweet you&rsquo;re looking!&nbsp; Where <i>do</i>
+you get your gowns?&nbsp; And now I must tell you how sorry I am for
+you, dear Margaret.&nbsp; [Crosses to sofa and sits with LADY WINDERMERE.]&nbsp;
+Agatha, darling!</p>
+<p>LADY AGATHA.&nbsp; Yes, mamma.&nbsp; [Rises.]</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; Will you go and look over the photograph
+album that I see there?</p>
+<p>LADY AGATHA.&nbsp; Yes, mamma.&nbsp; [Goes to table up L.]</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; Dear girl!&nbsp; She is so fond of photographs
+of Switzerland.&nbsp; Such a pure taste, I think.&nbsp; But I really
+am so sorry for you, Margaret</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Smiling.]&nbsp; Why, Duchess?</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; Oh, on account of that horrid woman.&nbsp;
+She dresses so well, too, which makes it much worse, sets such a dreadful
+example.&nbsp; Augustus - you know my disreputable brother - such a
+trial to us all - well, Augustus is completely infatuated about her.&nbsp;
+It is quite scandalous, for she is absolutely inadmissible into society.&nbsp;
+Many a woman has a past, but I am told that she has at least a dozen,
+and that they all fit.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Whom are you talking about, Duchess?</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; About Mrs. Erlynne.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Mrs. Erlynne?&nbsp; I never heard of her,
+Duchess.&nbsp; And what <i>has</i> she to do with me?</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; My poor child!&nbsp; Agatha, darling!</p>
+<p>LADY AGATHA.&nbsp; Yes, mamma.</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; Will you go out on the terrace and look
+at the sunset?</p>
+<p>LADY AGATHA.&nbsp; Yes, mamma.&nbsp; [Exit through window, L.]</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; Sweet girl!&nbsp; So devoted to sunsets!&nbsp;
+Shows such refinement of feeling, does it not?&nbsp; After all, there
+is nothing like Nature, is there?</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; But what is it, Duchess?&nbsp; Why do you
+talk to me about this person?</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; Don&rsquo;t you really know?&nbsp; I assure
+you we&rsquo;re all so distressed about it.&nbsp; Only last night at
+dear Lady Jansen&rsquo;s every one was saying how extraordinary it was
+that, of all men in London, Windermere should behave in such a way.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; My husband - what has <i>he</i> got to do
+with any woman of that kind?</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; Ah, what indeed, dear?&nbsp; That is the
+point.&nbsp; He goes to see her continually, and stops for hours at
+a time, and while he is there she is not at home to any one.&nbsp; Not
+that many ladies call on her, dear, but she has a great many disreputable
+men friends - my own brother particularly, as I told you - and that
+is what makes it so dreadful about Windermere.&nbsp; We looked upon
+<i>him</i> as being such a model husband, but I am afraid there is no
+doubt about it.&nbsp; My dear nieces - you know the Saville girls, don&rsquo;t
+you? - such nice domestic creatures - plain, dreadfully plain, but so
+good - well, they&rsquo;re always at the window doing fancy work, and
+making ugly things for the poor, which I think so useful of them in
+these dreadful socialistic days, and this terrible woman has taken a
+house in Curzon Street, right opposite them - such a respectable street,
+too!&nbsp; I don&rsquo;t know what we&rsquo;re coming to!&nbsp; And
+they tell me that Windermere goes there four and five times a week -
+they <i>see</i> him.&nbsp; They can&rsquo;t help it - and although they
+never talk scandal, they - well, of course - they remark on it to every
+one.&nbsp; And the worst of it all is that I have been told that this
+woman has got a great deal of money out of somebody, for it seems that
+she came to London six months ago without anything at all to speak of,
+and now she has this charming house in Mayfair, drives her ponies in
+the Park every afternoon and all - well, all - since she has known poor
+dear Windermere.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Oh, I can&rsquo;t believe it!</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; But it&rsquo;s quite true, my dear.&nbsp;
+The whole of London knows it.&nbsp; That is why I felt it was better
+to come and talk to you, and advise you to take Windermere away at once
+to Homburg or to Aix, where he&rsquo;ll have something to amuse him,
+and where you can watch him all day long.&nbsp; I assure you, my dear,
+that on several occasions after I was first married, I had to pretend
+to be very ill, and was obliged to drink the most unpleasant mineral
+waters, merely to get Berwick out of town.&nbsp; He was so extremely
+susceptible.&nbsp; Though I am bound to say he never gave away any large
+sums of money to anybody.&nbsp; He is far too high-principled for that!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Interrupting.]&nbsp; Duchess, Duchess, it&rsquo;s
+impossible!&nbsp; [Rising and crossing stage to C.]&nbsp; We are only
+married two years.&nbsp; Our child is but six months old.&nbsp; [Sits
+in chair R. of L. table.]</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; Ah, the dear pretty baby!&nbsp; How is
+the little darling?&nbsp; Is it a boy or a girl?&nbsp; I hope a girl
+- Ah, no, I remember it&rsquo;s a boy!&nbsp; I&rsquo;m so sorry.&nbsp;
+Boys are so wicked.&nbsp; My boy is excessively immoral.&nbsp; You wouldn&rsquo;t
+believe at what hours he comes home.&nbsp; And he&rsquo;s only left
+Oxford a few months - I really don&rsquo;t know what they teach them
+there.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Are <i>all</i> men bad?</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; Oh, all of them, my dear, all of them,
+without any exception.&nbsp; And they never grow any better.&nbsp; Men
+become old, but they never become good.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Windermere and I married for love.</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; Yes, we begin like that.&nbsp; It was only
+Berwick&rsquo;s brutal and incessant threats of suicide that made me
+accept him at all, and before the year was out, he was running after
+all kinds of petticoats, every colour, every shape, every material.&nbsp;
+In fact, before the honeymoon was over, I caught him winking at my maid,
+a most pretty, respectable girl.&nbsp; I dismissed her at once without
+a character. - No, I remember I passed her on to my sister; poor dear
+Sir George is so short-sighted, I thought it wouldn&rsquo;t matter.&nbsp;
+But it did, though - it was most unfortunate.&nbsp; [Rises.]&nbsp; And
+now, my dear child, I must go, as we are dining out.&nbsp; And mind
+you don&rsquo;t take this little aberration of Windermere&rsquo;s too
+much to heart.&nbsp; Just take him abroad, and he&rsquo;ll come back
+to you all right.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Come back to me?&nbsp; [C.]</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp;  [L.C.]&nbsp; Yes, dear, these wicked women
+get our husbands away from us, but they always come back, slightly damaged,
+of course.&nbsp; And don&rsquo;t make scenes, men hate them!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; It is very kind of you, Duchess, to come and
+tell me all this.&nbsp; But I can&rsquo;t believe that my husband is
+untrue to me.</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; Pretty child!&nbsp; I was like that once.&nbsp;
+Now I know that all men are monsters.&nbsp; [LADY WINDERMERE rings bell.]&nbsp;
+The only thing to do is to feed the wretches well.&nbsp; A good cook
+does wonders, and that I know you have.&nbsp; My dear Margaret, you
+are not going to cry?</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; You needn&rsquo;t be afraid, Duchess, I never
+cry.</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; That&rsquo;s quite right, dear.&nbsp; Crying
+is the refuge of plain women but the ruin of pretty ones.&nbsp; Agatha,
+darling!</p>
+<p>LADY AGATHA.&nbsp; [Entering L.]&nbsp; Yes, mamma.&nbsp; [Stands
+back of table L.C.]</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; Come and bid good-bye to Lady Windermere,
+and thank her for your charming visit.&nbsp; [Coming down again.]&nbsp;
+And by the way, I must thank you for sending a card to Mr. Hopper -
+he&rsquo;s that rich young Australian people are taking such notice
+of just at present.&nbsp; His father made a great fortune by selling
+some kind of food in circular tins - most palatable, I believe - I fancy
+it is the thing the servants always refuse to eat.&nbsp; But the son
+is quite interesting.&nbsp; I think he&rsquo;s attracted by dear Agatha&rsquo;s
+clever talk.&nbsp; Of course, we should be very sorry to lose her, but
+I think that a mother who doesn&rsquo;t part with a daughter every season
+has no real affection.&nbsp; We&rsquo;re coming to-night, dear.&nbsp;
+[PARKER opens C. doors.]&nbsp; And remember my advice, take the poor
+fellow out of town at once, it is the only thing to do.&nbsp; Good-bye,
+once more; come, Agatha.</p>
+<p>[Exeunt DUCHESS and LADY AGATHA C.]</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; How horrible!&nbsp; I understand now what
+Lord Darlington meant by the imaginary instance of the couple not two
+years married.&nbsp; Oh! it can&rsquo;t be true - she spoke of enormous
+sums of money paid to this woman.&nbsp; I know where Arthur keeps his
+bank book - in one of the drawers of that desk.&nbsp; I might find out
+by that.&nbsp; I <i>will</i> find out.&nbsp; [Opens drawer.]&nbsp; No,
+it is some hideous mistake.&nbsp; [Rises and goes C.]&nbsp; Some silly
+scandal!&nbsp; He loves <i>me</i>!&nbsp; He loves <i>me</i>!&nbsp; But
+why should I not look?&nbsp; I am his wife, I have a right to look!&nbsp;
+[Returns to bureau, takes out book and examines it page by page, smiles
+and gives a sigh of relief.]&nbsp; I knew it! there is not a word of
+truth in this stupid story.&nbsp; [Puts book back in dranver.&nbsp;
+As the does so, starts and takes out another book.]&nbsp; A second book
+- private - locked!&nbsp; [Tries to open it, but fails.&nbsp; Sees paper
+knife on bureau, and with it cuts cover from book.&nbsp; Begins to start
+at the first page.]&nbsp; &lsquo;Mrs. Erlynne - &pound;600 - Mrs. Erlynne
+- &pound;700 - Mrs. Erlynne - &pound;400.&rsquo;&nbsp; Oh! it is true!&nbsp;
+It is true!&nbsp; How horrible!&nbsp; [Throws book on floor.]&nbsp;
+[Enter LORD WINDERMERE C.]</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Well, dear, has the fan been sent home yet?&nbsp;
+[Going R.C.&nbsp; Sees book.]&nbsp; Margaret, you have cut open my bank
+book.&nbsp; You have no right to do such a thing!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; You think it wrong that you are found out,
+don&rsquo;t you?</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I think it wrong that a wife should spy on
+her husband.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I did not spy on you.&nbsp; I never knew of
+this woman&rsquo;s existence till half an hour ago.&nbsp; Some one who
+pitied me was kind enough to tell me what every one in London knows
+already - your daily visits to Curzon Street, your mad infatuation,
+the monstrous sums of money you squander on this infamous woman!&nbsp;
+[Crossing L.]</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Margaret! don&rsquo;t talk like that of Mrs.
+Erlynne, you don&rsquo;t know how unjust it is!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Turning to him.]&nbsp; You are very jealous
+of Mrs. Erlynne&rsquo;s honour.&nbsp; I wish you had been as jealous
+of mine.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Your honour is untouched, Margaret.&nbsp;
+You don&rsquo;t think for a moment that - [Puts book back into desk.]</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I think that you spend your money strangely.&nbsp;
+That is all.&nbsp; Oh, don&rsquo;t imagine I mind about the money.&nbsp;
+As far as I am concerned, you may squander everything we have.&nbsp;
+But what I <i>do</i> mind is that you who have loved me, you who have
+taught me to love you, should pass from the love that is given to the
+love that is bought.&nbsp; Oh, it&rsquo;s horrible!&nbsp; [Sits on sofa.]&nbsp;
+And it is I who feel degraded! <i>you</i> don&rsquo;t feel anything.&nbsp;
+I feel stained, utterly stained.&nbsp; You can&rsquo;t realise how hideous
+the last six months seems to me now - every kiss you have given me is
+tainted in my memory.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Crossing to her.]&nbsp; Don&rsquo;t say that,
+Margaret.&nbsp; I never loved any one in the whole world but you.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Rises.]&nbsp; Who is this woman, then?&nbsp;
+Why do you take a house for her?</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I did not take a house for her.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; You gave her the money to do it, which is
+the same thing.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Margaret, as far as I have known Mrs. Erlynne
+-</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Is there a Mr. Erlynne - or is he a myth?</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Her husband died many years ago.&nbsp; She
+is alone in the world.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; No relations?&nbsp; [A pause.]</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; None.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Rather curious, isn&rsquo;t it?&nbsp; [L.]</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [L.C.]&nbsp; Margaret, I was saying to you
+- and I beg you to listen to me - that as far as I have known Mrs. Erlynne,
+she has conducted herself well.&nbsp; If years ago -</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Oh!&nbsp; [Crossing R.C.]&nbsp; I don&rsquo;t
+want details about her life!</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [C.]&nbsp; I am not going to give you any
+details about her life.&nbsp; I tell you simply this - Mrs. Erlynne
+was once honoured, loved, respected.&nbsp; She was well born, she had
+position - she lost everything - threw it away, if you like.&nbsp; That
+makes it all the more bitter.&nbsp; Misfortunes one can endure - they
+come from outside, they are accidents.&nbsp; But to suffer for one&rsquo;s
+own faults - ah! - there is the sting of life.&nbsp; It was twenty years
+ago, too.&nbsp; She was little more than a girl then.&nbsp; She had
+been a wife for even less time than you have.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I am not interested in her - and - you should
+not mention this woman and me in the same breath.&nbsp; It is an error
+of taste.&nbsp; [Sitting R. at desk.]</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Margaret, you could save this woman.&nbsp;
+She wants to get back into society, and she wants you to help her.&nbsp;
+[Crossing to her.]</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Me!</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Yes, you.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; How impertinent of her!&nbsp; [A pause.]</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Margaret, I came to ask you a great favour,
+and I still ask it of you, though you have discovered what I had intended
+you should never have known that I have given Mrs. Erlynne a large sum
+of money.&nbsp; I want you to send her an invitation for our party to-night.&nbsp;
+[Standing L. of her.]</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; You are mad!&nbsp; [Rises.]</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I entreat you.&nbsp; People may chatter about
+her, do chatter about her, of course, but they don&rsquo;t know anything
+definite against her.&nbsp; She has been to several houses - not to
+houses where you would go, I admit, but still to houses where women
+who are in what is called Society nowadays do go.&nbsp; That does not
+content her.&nbsp; She wants you to receive her once.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; As a triumph for her, I suppose?</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; No; but because she knows that you are a good
+woman - and that if she comes here once she will have a chance of a
+happier, a surer life than she has had.&nbsp; She will make no further
+effort to know you.&nbsp; Won&rsquo;t you help a woman who is trying
+to get back?</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; No!&nbsp; If a woman really repents, she never
+wishes to return to the society that has made or seen her ruin.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I beg of you.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Crossing to door R.]&nbsp; I am going to
+dress for dinner, and don&rsquo;t mention the subject again this evening.&nbsp;
+Arthur [going to him C.], you fancy because I have no father or mother
+that I am alone in the world, and that you can treat me as you choose.&nbsp;
+You are wrong, I have friends, many friends.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [L.C.]&nbsp; Margaret, you are talking foolishly,
+recklessly.&nbsp; I won&rsquo;t argue with you, but I insist upon your
+asking Mrs. Erlynne to-night.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [R.C.]&nbsp; I shall do nothing of the kind.&nbsp;
+[Crossing L. C.]</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; You refuse?&nbsp; [C.]</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Absolutely!</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Ah, Margaret, do this for my sake; it is her
+last chance.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; What has that to do with me?</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; How hard good women are!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; How weak bad men are!</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Margaret, none of us men may be good enough
+for the women we marry - that is quite true - but you don&rsquo;t imagine
+I would ever - oh, the suggestion is monstrous!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Why should <i>you</i> be different from other
+men?&nbsp; I am told that there is hardly a husband in London who does
+not waste his life over <i>some</i> shameful passion.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I am not one of them.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I am not sure of that!</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; You are sure in your heart.&nbsp; But don&rsquo;t
+make chasm after chasm between us.&nbsp; God knows the last few minutes
+have thrust us wide enough apart.&nbsp; Sit down and write the card.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Nothing in the whole world would induce me.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Crossing to bureau.]&nbsp; Then I will!&nbsp;
+[Rings electric bell, sits and writes card.]</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; You are going to invite this woman?&nbsp;
+[Crossing to him.]</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Yes.&nbsp; [Pause.&nbsp; Enter PARKER.]&nbsp;
+Parker!</p>
+<p>PARKER.&nbsp; Yes, my lord.&nbsp; [Comes down L.C.]</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Have this note sent to Mrs. Erlynne at No.
+84A Curzon Street.&nbsp; [Crossing to L.C. and giving note to PARKER.]&nbsp;
+There is no answer!</p>
+<p>[Exit PARKER C.]</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Arthur, if that woman comes here, I shall
+insult her.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Margaret, don&rsquo;t say that.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I mean it.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Child, if you did such a thing, there&rsquo;s
+not a woman in London who wouldn&rsquo;t pity you.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; There is not a <i>good</i> woman in London
+who would not applaud me.&nbsp; We have been too lax.&nbsp; We must
+make an example.&nbsp; I propose to begin to-night.&nbsp; [Picking up
+fan.]&nbsp; Yes, you gave me this fan to-day; it was your birthday present.&nbsp;
+If that woman crosses my threshold, I shall strike her across the face
+with it.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Margaret, you couldn&rsquo;t do such a thing.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; You don&rsquo;t know me!&nbsp; [Moves R.]</p>
+<p>[Enter PARKER.]</p>
+<p>Parker!</p>
+<p>PARKER.&nbsp; Yes, my lady.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I shall dine in my own room.&nbsp; I don&rsquo;t
+want dinner, in fact.&nbsp; See that everything is ready by half-past
+ten.&nbsp; And, Parker, be sure you pronounce the names of the guests
+very distinctly to-night.&nbsp; Sometimes you speak so fast that I miss
+them.&nbsp; I am particularly anxious to hear the names quite clearly,
+so as to make no mistake.&nbsp; You understand, Parker?</p>
+<p>PARKER.&nbsp; Yes, my lady.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; That will do!</p>
+<p>[Exit PARKER C.]</p>
+<p>[Speaking to LORD WINDERMERE]&nbsp; Arthur, if that woman comes here
+- I warn you -</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Margaret, you&rsquo;ll ruin us!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Us!&nbsp; From this moment my life is separate
+from yours.&nbsp; But if you wish to avoid a public scandal, write at
+once to this woman, and tell her that I forbid her to come here!</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I will not - I cannot - she must come!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Then I shall do exactly as I have said.&nbsp;
+[Goes R.]&nbsp; You leave me no choice.&nbsp; [Exit R.]</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Calling after her.]&nbsp; Margaret!&nbsp;
+Margaret!&nbsp; [A pause.]&nbsp; My God!&nbsp; What shall I do?&nbsp;
+I dare not tell her who this woman really is.&nbsp; The shame would
+kill her.&nbsp; [Sinks down into a chair and buries his face in his
+hands.]</p>
+<p>ACT DROP</p>
+<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div>
+<h2>SECOND ACT</h2>
+<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div>
+<p>SCENE</p>
+<p>Drawing-room in Lord Windermere&rsquo;s house.&nbsp; Door R.U. opening
+into ball-room, where band is playing.&nbsp; Door L. through which guests
+are entering.&nbsp; Door L.U. opens on to illuminated terrace.&nbsp;
+Palms, flowers, and brilliant lights.&nbsp; Room crowded with guests.&nbsp;
+Lady Windermere is receiving them.</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; [Up C.]&nbsp; So strange Lord Windermere
+isn&rsquo;t here.&nbsp; Mr. Hopper is very late, too.&nbsp; You have
+kept those five dances for him, Agatha?&nbsp; [Comes down.]</p>
+<p>LADY AGATHA.&nbsp; Yes, mamma.</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; [Sitting on sofa.]&nbsp; Just let me see
+your card.&nbsp; I&rsquo;m so glad Lady Windermere has revived cards.
+- They&rsquo;re a mother&rsquo;s only safeguard.&nbsp; You dear simple
+little thing!&nbsp; [Scratches out two names.]&nbsp; No nice girl should
+ever waltz with such particularly younger sons!&nbsp; It looks so fast!&nbsp;
+The last two dances you might pass on the terrace with Mr. Hopper.</p>
+<p>[Enter MR. DUMBY and LADY PLYMDALE from the ball-room.]</p>
+<p>LADY AGATHA.&nbsp; Yes, mamma.</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; [Fanning herself.]&nbsp; The air is so
+pleasant there.</p>
+<p>PARKER.&nbsp; Mrs. Cowper-Cowper.&nbsp; Lady Stutfield.&nbsp; Sir
+James Royston.&nbsp; Mr. Guy Berkeley.</p>
+<p>[These people enter as announced.]</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; Good evening, Lady Stutfield.&nbsp; I suppose this will
+be the last ball of the season?</p>
+<p>LADY STUTFIELD.&nbsp; I suppose so, Mr. Dumby.&nbsp; It&rsquo;s been
+a delightful season, hasn&rsquo;t it?</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; Quite delightful!&nbsp; Good evening, Duchess.&nbsp;
+I suppose this will be the last ball of the season?</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; I suppose so, Mr. Dumby.&nbsp; It has been
+a very dull season, hasn&rsquo;t it?</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; Dreadfully dull!&nbsp; Dreadfully dull!</p>
+<p>MR. COWPER-COWPER.&nbsp; Good evening, Mr. Dumby.&nbsp; I suppose
+this will be the last ball of the season?</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; Oh, I think not.&nbsp; There&rsquo;ll probably be two
+more.&nbsp; [Wanders back to LADY PLYMDALE.]</p>
+<p>PARKER.&nbsp; Mr. Rufford.&nbsp; Lady Jedburgh and Miss Graham.&nbsp;
+Mr. Hopper.</p>
+<p>[These people enter as announced.]</p>
+<p>HOPPER.&nbsp; How do you do, Lady Windermere?&nbsp; How do you do,
+Duchess?&nbsp; [Bows to LADY AGATHA.]</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; Dear Mr. Hopper, how nice of you to come
+so early.&nbsp; We all know how you are run after in London.</p>
+<p>HOPPER.&nbsp; Capital place, London!&nbsp; They are not nearly so
+exclusive in London as they are in Sydney.</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; Ah! we know your value, Mr. Hopper.&nbsp;
+We wish there were more like you.&nbsp; It would make life so much easier.&nbsp;
+Do you know, Mr. Hopper, dear Agatha and I are so much interested in
+Australia.&nbsp; It must be so pretty with all the dear little kangaroos
+flying about.&nbsp; Agatha has found it on the map.&nbsp; What a curious
+shape it is!&nbsp; Just like a large packing case.&nbsp; However, it
+is a very young country, isn&rsquo;t it?</p>
+<p>HOPPER.&nbsp; Wasn&rsquo;t it made at the same time as the others,
+Duchess?</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; How clever you are, Mr. Hopper.&nbsp; You
+have a cleverness quite of your own.&nbsp; Now I mustn&rsquo;t keep
+you.</p>
+<p>HOPPER.&nbsp; But I should like to dance with Lady Agatha, Duchess.</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; Well, I hope she has a dance left.&nbsp;
+Have you a dance left, Agatha?</p>
+<p>LADY AGATHA.&nbsp; Yes, mamma.</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; The next one?</p>
+<p>LADY AGATHA.&nbsp; Yes, mamma.</p>
+<p>HOPPER.&nbsp; May I have the pleasure?&nbsp; [LADY AGATHA bows.]</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; Mind you take great care of my little chatterbox,
+Mr. Hopper.</p>
+<p>[LADY AGATHA and MR. HOPPER pass into ball-room.]</p>
+<p>[Enter LORD WINDERMERE.]</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Margaret, I want to speak to you.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; In a moment.&nbsp; [The music drops.]</p>
+<p>PARKER.&nbsp; Lord Augustus Lorton.</p>
+<p>[Enter LORD AUGUSTUS.]</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; Good evening, Lady Windermere.</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; Sir James, will you take me into the ball-room?&nbsp;
+Augustus has been dining with us to-night.&nbsp; I really have had quite
+enough of dear Augustus for the moment.</p>
+<p>[SIR JAMES ROYSTON gives the DUCHESS his aim and escorts her into
+the ball-room.]</p>
+<p>PARKER.&nbsp; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Bowden.&nbsp; Lord and Lady Paisley.&nbsp;
+Lord Darlington.</p>
+<p>[These people enter as announced.]</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; [Coming up to LORD WINDERMERE.]&nbsp; Want to
+speak to you particularly, dear boy.&nbsp; I&rsquo;m worn to a shadow.&nbsp;
+Know I don&rsquo;t look it.&nbsp; None of us men do look what we really
+are.&nbsp; Demmed good thing, too.&nbsp; What I want to know is this.&nbsp;
+Who is she?&nbsp; Where does she come from?&nbsp; Why hasn&rsquo;t she
+got any demmed relations?&nbsp; Demmed nuisance, relations!&nbsp; But
+they make one so demmed respectable.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; You are talking of Mrs. Erlynne, I suppose?&nbsp;
+I only met her six months ago.&nbsp; Till then, I never knew of her
+existence.</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; You have seen a good deal of her since then.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Coldly.]&nbsp; Yes, I have seen a good deal
+of her since then.&nbsp; I have just seen her.</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; Egad! the women are very down on her.&nbsp;
+I have been dining with Arabella this evening!&nbsp; By Jove! you should
+have heard what she said about Mrs. Erlynne.&nbsp; She didn&rsquo;t
+leave a rag on her.&nbsp; . . [Aside.]&nbsp; Berwick and I told her
+that didn&rsquo;t matter much, as the lady in question must have an
+extremely fine figure.&nbsp; You should have seen Arabella&rsquo;s expression!
+. . . But, look here, dear boy.&nbsp; I don&rsquo;t know what to do
+about Mrs. Erlynne.&nbsp; Egad!&nbsp; I might be married to her; she
+treats me with such demmed indifference.&nbsp; She&rsquo;s deuced clever,
+too!&nbsp; She explains everything.&nbsp; Egad! she explains you.&nbsp;
+She has got any amount of explanations for you - and all of them different.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; No explanations are necessary about my friendship
+with Mrs. Erlynne.</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; Hem!&nbsp; Well, look here, dear old fellow.&nbsp;
+Do you think she will ever get into this demmed thing called Society?&nbsp;
+Would you introduce her to your wife?&nbsp; No use beating about the
+confounded bush.&nbsp; Would you do that?</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Mrs. Erlynne is coming here to-night.</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; Your wife has sent her a card?</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Mrs. Erlynne has received a card.</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; Then she&rsquo;s all right, dear boy.&nbsp;
+But why didn&rsquo;t you tell me that before?&nbsp; It would have saved
+me a heap of worry and demmed misunderstandings!</p>
+<p>[LADY AGATHA and MR. HOPPER cross and exit on terrace L.U.E.]</p>
+<p>PARKER.&nbsp; Mr. Cecil Graham!</p>
+<p>[Enter MR. CECIL GRAHAM.]</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; [Bows to LADY WINDERMERE, passes over and shakes
+hands with LORD WINDERMERE.]&nbsp; Good evening, Arthur.&nbsp; Why don&rsquo;t
+you ask me how I am?&nbsp; I like people to ask me how I am.&nbsp; It
+shows a wide-spread interest in my health.&nbsp; Now, to-night I am
+not at all well.&nbsp; Been dining with my people.&nbsp; Wonder why
+it is one&rsquo;s people are always so tedious?&nbsp; My father would
+talk morality after dinner.&nbsp; I told him he was old enough to know
+better.&nbsp; But my experience is that as soon as people are old enough
+to know better, they don&rsquo;t know anything at all.&nbsp; Hallo,
+Tuppy!&nbsp; Hear you&rsquo;re going to be married again; thought you
+were tired of that game.</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; You&rsquo;re excessively trivial, my dear boy,
+excessively trivial!</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; By the way, Tuppy, which is it?&nbsp; Have you
+been twice married and once divorced, or twice divorced and once married?&nbsp;
+I say you&rsquo;ve been twice divorced and once married.&nbsp; It seems
+so much more probable.</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; I have a very bad memory.&nbsp; I really don&rsquo;t
+remember which.&nbsp; [Moves away R.]</p>
+<p>LADY PLYMDALE.&nbsp; Lord Windermere, I&rsquo;ve something most particular
+to ask you.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I am afraid - if you will excuse me - I must
+join my wife.</p>
+<p>LADY PLYMDALE.&nbsp; Oh, you mustn&rsquo;t dream of such a thing.&nbsp;
+It&rsquo;s most dangerous nowadays for a husband to pay any attention
+to his wife in public.&nbsp; It always makes people think that he beats
+her when they&rsquo;re alone.&nbsp; The world has grown so suspicious
+of anything that looks like a happy married life.&nbsp; But I&rsquo;ll
+tell you what it is at supper.&nbsp; [Moves towards door of ball-room.]</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [C.]&nbsp; Margaret!&nbsp; I <i>must</i> speak
+to you.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Will you hold my fan for me, Lord Darlington?&nbsp;
+Thanks.&nbsp; [Comes down to him.]</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Crossing to her.]&nbsp; Margaret, what you
+said before dinner was, of course, impossible?</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; That woman is not coming here to-night!</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [R.C.]&nbsp; Mrs. Erlynne is coming here,
+and if you in any way annoy or wound her, you will bring shame and sorrow
+on us both.&nbsp; Remember that!&nbsp; Ah, Margaret! only trust me!&nbsp;
+A wife should trust her husband!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [C.]&nbsp; London is full of women who trust
+their husbands.&nbsp; One can always recognise them.&nbsp; They look
+so thoroughly unhappy.&nbsp; I am not going to be one of them.&nbsp;
+[Moves up.]&nbsp; Lord Darlington, will you give me back my fan, please?&nbsp;
+Thanks. . . . A useful thing a fan, isn&rsquo;t it? . . . I want a friend
+to-night, Lord Darlington: I didn&rsquo;t know I would want one so soon.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; Lady Windermere!&nbsp; I knew the time would
+come some day; but why to-night?</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I <i>will</i> tell her.&nbsp; I must.&nbsp;
+It would be terrible if there were any scene.&nbsp; Margaret . . .</p>
+<p>PARKER.&nbsp; Mrs. Erlynne!</p>
+<p>[LORD WINDERMERE starts.&nbsp; MRS. ERLYNNE enters, very beautifully
+dressed and very dignified.&nbsp; LADY WINDERMERE clutches at her fan,
+then lets it drop on the door.&nbsp; She bows coldly to MRS. ERLYNNE,
+who bows to her sweetly in turn, and sails into the room.]</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; You have dropped your fan, Lady Windermere.&nbsp;
+[Picks it up and hands it to her.]</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [C.]&nbsp; How do you do, again, Lord Windermere?&nbsp;
+How charming your sweet wife looks!&nbsp; Quite a picture!</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [In a low voice.]&nbsp; It was terribly rash
+of you to come!</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [Smiling.]&nbsp; The wisest thing I ever did
+in my life.&nbsp; And, by the way, you must pay me a good deal of attention
+this evening.&nbsp; I am afraid of the women.&nbsp; You must introduce
+me to some of them.&nbsp; The men I can always manage.&nbsp; How do
+you do, Lord Augustus?&nbsp; You have quite neglected me lately.&nbsp;
+I have not seen you since yesterday.&nbsp; I am afraid you&rsquo;re
+faithless.&nbsp; Every one told me so.</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; [R.]&nbsp; Now really, Mrs. Erlynne, allow me
+to explain.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [R.C.]&nbsp; No, dear Lord Augustus, you can&rsquo;t
+explain anything.&nbsp; It is your chief charm.</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; Ah! if you find charms in me, Mrs. Erlynne -</p>
+<p>[They converse together.&nbsp; LORD WINDERMERE moves uneasily about
+the room watching MRS. ERLYNNE.]</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; [To LADY WINDERMERE.]&nbsp; How pale you are!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Cowards are always pale!</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; You look faint.&nbsp; Come out on the terrace.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Yes.&nbsp; [To PARKER.]&nbsp; Parker, send
+my cloak out.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [Crossing to her.]&nbsp; Lady Windermere, how
+beautifully your terrace is illuminated.&nbsp; Reminds me of Prince
+Doria&rsquo;s at Rome.</p>
+<p>[LADY WINDERMERE bows coldly, and goes off with LORD DARLINGTON.]</p>
+<p>Oh, how do you do, Mr. Graham?&nbsp; Isn&rsquo;t that your aunt,
+Lady Jedburgh?&nbsp; I should so much like to know her.</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; [After a moment&rsquo;s hesitation and embarrassment.]&nbsp;
+Oh, certainly, if you wish it.&nbsp; Aunt Caroline, allow me to introduce
+Mrs. Erlynne.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; So pleased to meet you, Lady Jedburgh.&nbsp;
+[Sits beside her on the sofa.]&nbsp; Your nephew and I are great friends.&nbsp;
+I am so much interested in his political career.&nbsp; I think he&rsquo;s
+sure to be a wonderful success.&nbsp; He thinks like a Tory, and talks
+like a Radical, and that&rsquo;s so important nowadays.&nbsp; He&rsquo;s
+such a brilliant talker, too.&nbsp; But we all know from whom he inherits
+that.&nbsp; Lord Allandale was saying to me only yesterday, in the Park,
+that Mr. Graham talks almost as well as his aunt.</p>
+<p>LADY JEDBURGH.&nbsp; [R.]&nbsp; Most kind of you to say these charming
+things to me!&nbsp; [MRS.&nbsp; ERLYNNE smiles, and continues conversation.]</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; [To CECIL GRAHAM.]&nbsp; Did you introduce Mrs. Erlynne
+to Lady Jedburgh?</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; Had to, my dear fellow.&nbsp; Couldn&rsquo;t
+help it!&nbsp; That woman can make one do anything she wants.&nbsp;
+How, I don&rsquo;t know.</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; Hope to goodness she won&rsquo;t speak to me!&nbsp;
+[Saunters towards LADY PLYMDALE.]</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [C.&nbsp; To LADY JEDBURGH.]&nbsp; On Thursday?&nbsp;
+With great pleasure.&nbsp; [Rises, and speaks to LORD WINDERMERE, laughing.]&nbsp;
+What a bore it is to have to be civil to these old dowagers!&nbsp; But
+they always insist on it!</p>
+<p>LADY PLYMDALE.&nbsp; [To MR. DUMBY.]&nbsp; Who is that well-dressed
+woman talking to Windermere?</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; Haven&rsquo;t got the slightest idea!&nbsp; Looks like
+an <i>&eacute;dition de luxe</i> of a wicked French novel, meant specially
+for the English market.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; So that is poor Dumby with Lady Plymdale?&nbsp;
+I hear she is frightfully jealous of him.&nbsp; He doesn&rsquo;t seem
+anxious to speak to me to-night.&nbsp; I suppose he is afraid of her.&nbsp;
+Those straw-coloured women have dreadful tempers.&nbsp; Do you know,
+I think I&rsquo;ll dance with you first, Windermere.&nbsp; [LORD WINDERMERE
+bits his lip and frowns.]&nbsp; It will make Lord Augustus so jealous!&nbsp;
+Lord Augustus!&nbsp; [LORD AUGUSTUS comes down.]&nbsp; Lord Windermere
+insists on my dancing with him first, and, as it&rsquo;s his own house,
+I can&rsquo;t well refuse.&nbsp; You know I would much sooner dance
+with you.</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; [With a low bow.]&nbsp; I wish I could think
+so, Mrs. Erlynne.</p>
+<p>MRS ERLYNNE.&nbsp; You know it far too well.&nbsp; I can fancy a
+person dancing through life with you and finding it charming.</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; [Placing his hand on his white waistcoat.]&nbsp;
+Oh, thank you, thank you.&nbsp; You are the most adorable of all ladies!</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; What a nice speech!&nbsp; So simple and so sincere!&nbsp;
+Just the sort of speech I like.&nbsp; Well, you shall hold my bouquet.&nbsp;
+[Goes towards ball-room on LORD WINDERMERE&rsquo;S arm.]&nbsp; Ah, Mr.
+Dumby, how are you?&nbsp; I am so sorry I have been out the last three
+times you have called.&nbsp; Come and lunch on Friday.</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; [With perfect nonchalance.]&nbsp; Delighted!</p>
+<p>[LADY PLYMDALE glares with indignation at MR. DUMBY.&nbsp; LORD AUGUSTUS
+follows MRS. ERLYNNE and LORD WINDERMERE into the ball-room holding
+bouquet]</p>
+<p>LADY PLYMDALE.&nbsp; [To MR. DUMBY.]&nbsp; What an absolute brute
+you are!&nbsp; I never can believe a word you say!&nbsp; Why did you
+tell me you didn&rsquo;t know her?&nbsp; What do you mean by calling
+on her three times running?&nbsp; You are not to go to lunch there;
+of course you understand that?</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; My dear Laura, I wouldn&rsquo;t dream of going!</p>
+<p>LADY PLYMDALE.&nbsp; You haven&rsquo;t told me her name yet!&nbsp;
+Who is she?</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; [Coughs slightly and smooths his hair.]&nbsp; She&rsquo;s
+a Mrs. Erlynne.</p>
+<p>LADY PLYMDALE.&nbsp; That woman!</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; Yes; that is what every one calls her.</p>
+<p>LADY PLYMDALE.&nbsp; How very interesting!&nbsp; How intensely interesting!&nbsp;
+I really must have a good stare at her.&nbsp; [Goes to door of ball-room
+and looks in.]&nbsp; I have heard the most shocking things about her.&nbsp;
+They say she is ruining poor Windermere.&nbsp; And Lady Windermere,
+who goes in for being so proper, invites her!&nbsp; How extremely amusing!&nbsp;
+It takes a thoroughly good woman to do a thoroughly stupid thing.&nbsp;
+You are to lunch there on Friday!</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; Why?</p>
+<p>LADY PLYMDALE.&nbsp; Because I want you to take my husband with you.&nbsp;
+He has been so attentive lately, that he has become a perfect nuisance.&nbsp;
+Now, this woman is just the thing for him.&nbsp; He&rsquo;ll dance attendance
+upon her as long as she lets him, and won&rsquo;t bother me.&nbsp; I
+assure you, women of that kind are most useful.&nbsp; They form the
+basis of other people&rsquo;s marriages.</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; What a mystery you are!</p>
+<p>LADY PLYMDALE.&nbsp; [Looking at him.]&nbsp; I wish <i>you</i> were!</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; I am - to myself.&nbsp; I am the only person in the
+world I should like to know thoroughly; but I don&rsquo;t see any chance
+of it just at present.</p>
+<p>[They pass into the ball-room, and LADY WINDERMERE and LORD DARLINGTON
+enter from the terrace.]</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Yes.&nbsp; Her coming here is monstrous, unbearable.&nbsp;
+I know now what you meant to-day at tea-time.&nbsp; Why didn&rsquo;t
+you tell me right out?&nbsp; You should have!</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; I couldn&rsquo;t!&nbsp; A man can&rsquo;t
+tell these things about another man!&nbsp; But if I had known he was
+going to make you ask her here to-night, I think I would have told you.&nbsp;
+That insult, at any rate, you would have been spared.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I did not ask her.&nbsp; He insisted on her
+coming - against my entreaties - against my commands.&nbsp; Oh! the
+house is tainted for me!&nbsp; I feel that every woman here sneers at
+me as she dances by with my husband.&nbsp; What have I done to deserve
+this?&nbsp; I gave him all my life.&nbsp; He took it - used it - spoiled
+it!&nbsp; I am degraded in my own eyes; and I lack courage - I am a
+coward!&nbsp; [Sits down on sofa.]</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; If I know you at all, I know that you can&rsquo;t
+live with a man who treats you like this!&nbsp; What sort of life would
+you have with him?&nbsp; You would feel that he was lying to you every
+moment of the day.&nbsp; You would feel that the look in his eyes was
+false, his voice false, his touch false, his passion false.&nbsp; He
+would come to you when he was weary of others; you would have to comfort
+him.&nbsp; He would come to you when he was devoted to others; you would
+have to charm him.&nbsp; You would have to be to him the mask of his
+real life, the cloak to hide his secret.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; You are right - you are terribly right.&nbsp;
+But where am I to turn?&nbsp; You said you would be my friend, Lord
+Darlington. - Tell me, what am I to do?&nbsp; Be my friend now.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; Between men and women there is no friendship
+possible.&nbsp; There is passion, enmity, worship, love, but no friendship.&nbsp;
+I love you -</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; No, no!&nbsp; [Rises.]</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; Yes, I love you!&nbsp; You are more to me
+than anything in the whole world.&nbsp; What does your husband give
+you?&nbsp; Nothing.&nbsp; Whatever is in him he gives to this wretched
+woman, whom he has thrust into your society, into your home, to shame
+you before every one.&nbsp; I offer you my life -</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Lord Darlington!</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; My life - my whole life.&nbsp; Take it, and
+do with it what you will. . . . I love you - love you as I have never
+loved any living thing.&nbsp; From the moment I met you I loved you,
+loved you blindly, adoringly, madly!&nbsp; You did not know it then
+- you know it now!&nbsp; Leave this house to-night.&nbsp; I won&rsquo;t
+tell you that the world matters nothing, or the world&rsquo;s voice,
+or the voice of society.&nbsp; They matter a great deal.&nbsp; They
+matter far too much.&nbsp; But there are moments when one has to choose
+between living one&rsquo;s own life, fully, entirely, completely - or
+dragging out some false, shallow, degrading existence that the world
+in its hypocrisy demands.&nbsp; You have that moment now.&nbsp; Choose!&nbsp;
+Oh, my love, choose.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Moving slowly away from him, and looking
+at him with startled eyes.]&nbsp; I have not the courage.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; [Following her.]&nbsp; Yes; you have the courage.&nbsp;
+There may be six months of pain, of disgrace even, but when you no longer
+bear his name, when you bear mine, all will be well.&nbsp; Margaret,
+my love, my wife that shall be some day - yes, my wife!&nbsp; You know
+it!&nbsp; What are you now?&nbsp; This woman has the place that belongs
+by right to you.&nbsp; Oh! go - go out of this house, with head erect,
+with a smile upon your lips, with courage in your eyes.&nbsp; All London
+will know why you did it; and who will blame you?&nbsp; No one.&nbsp;
+If they do, what matter?&nbsp; Wrong?&nbsp; What is wrong?&nbsp; It&rsquo;s
+wrong for a man to abandon his wife for a shameless woman.&nbsp; It
+is wrong for a wife to remain with a man who so dishonours her.&nbsp;
+You said once you would make no compromise with things.&nbsp; Make none
+now.&nbsp; Be brave!&nbsp; Be yourself!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I am afraid of being myself.&nbsp; Let me
+think!&nbsp; Let me wait!&nbsp; My husband may return to me.&nbsp; [Sits
+down on sofa.]</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; And you would take him back!&nbsp; You are
+not what I thought you were.&nbsp; You are just the same as every other
+woman.&nbsp; You would stand anything rather than face the censure of
+a world, whose praise you would despise.&nbsp; In a week you will be
+driving with this woman in the Park.&nbsp; She will be your constant
+guest - your dearest friend.&nbsp; You would endure anything rather
+than break with one blow this monstrous tie.&nbsp; You are right.&nbsp;
+You have no courage; none!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Ah, give me time to think.&nbsp; I cannot
+answer you now.&nbsp; [Passes her hand nervously over her brow.]</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; It must be now or not at all.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Rising from the sofa.]&nbsp; Then, not at
+all!&nbsp; [A pause.]</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; You break my heart!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Mine is already broken.&nbsp; [A pause.]</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; To-morrow I leave England.&nbsp; This is the
+last time I shall ever look on you.&nbsp; You will never see me again.&nbsp;
+For one moment our lives met - our souls touched.&nbsp; They must never
+meet or touch again.&nbsp; Good-bye, Margaret.&nbsp; [Exit.]</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; How alone I am in life!&nbsp; How terribly
+alone!</p>
+<p>[The music stops.&nbsp; Enter the DUCHESS OF BERWICK and LORD PAISLEY
+laughing and talking.&nbsp; Other guests come on from ball-room.]</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; Dear Margaret, I&rsquo;ve just been having
+such a delightful chat with Mrs. Erlynne.&nbsp; I am so sorry for what
+I said to you this afternoon about her.&nbsp; Of course, she must be
+all right if <i>you</i> invite her.&nbsp; A most attractive woman, and
+has such sensible views on life.&nbsp; Told me she entirely disapproved
+of people marrying more than once, so I feel quite safe about poor Augustus.&nbsp;
+Can&rsquo;t imagine why people speak against her.&nbsp; It&rsquo;s those
+horrid nieces of mine - the Saville girls - they&rsquo;re always talking
+scandal.&nbsp; Still, I should go to Homburg, dear, I really should.&nbsp;
+She is just a little too attractive.&nbsp; But where is Agatha?&nbsp;
+Oh, there she is:&nbsp; [LADY AGATHA and MR. HOPPER enter from terrace
+L.U.E.]&nbsp; Mr. Hopper, I am very, very angry with you.&nbsp; You
+have taken Agatha out on the terrace, and she is so delicate.</p>
+<p>HOPPER.&nbsp; Awfully sorry, Duchess.&nbsp; We went out for a moment
+and then got chatting together.</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; [C.]&nbsp; Ah, about dear Australia, I
+suppose?</p>
+<p>HOPPER.&nbsp; Yes!</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; Agatha, darling!&nbsp; [Beckons her over.]</p>
+<p>LADY AGATHA.&nbsp; Yes, mamma!</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; [Aside.]&nbsp; Did Mr. Hopper definitely
+-</p>
+<p>LADY AGATHA.&nbsp; Yes, mamma.</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; And what answer did you give him, dear
+child?</p>
+<p>LADY AGATHA.&nbsp; Yes, mamma.</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; [Affectionately.]&nbsp; My dear one!&nbsp;
+You always say the right thing.&nbsp; Mr. Hopper!&nbsp; James!&nbsp;
+Agatha has told me everything.&nbsp; How cleverly you have both kept
+your secret.</p>
+<p>HOPPER.&nbsp; You don&rsquo;t mind my taking Agatha off to Australia,
+then, Duchess?</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; [Indignantly.]&nbsp; To Australia?&nbsp;
+Oh, don&rsquo;t mention that dreadful vulgar place.</p>
+<p>HOPPER.&nbsp; But she said she&rsquo;d like to come with me.</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; [Severely.]&nbsp; Did you say that, Agatha?</p>
+<p>LADY AGATHA.&nbsp; Yes, mamma.</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; Agatha, you say the most silly things possible.&nbsp;
+I think on the whole that Grosvenor Square would be a more healthy place
+to reside in.&nbsp; There are lots of vulgar people live in Grosvenor
+Square, but at any rate there are no horrid kangaroos crawling about.&nbsp;
+But we&rsquo;ll talk about that to-morrow.&nbsp; James, you can take
+Agatha down.&nbsp; You&rsquo;ll come to lunch, of course, James.&nbsp;
+At half-past one, instead of two.&nbsp; The Duke will wish to say a
+few words to you, I am sure.</p>
+<p>HOPPER.&nbsp; I should like to have a chat with the Duke, Duchess.&nbsp;
+He has not said a single word to me yet.</p>
+<p>DUCHESS OF BERWICK.&nbsp; I think you&rsquo;ll find he will have
+a great deal to say to you to-morrow.&nbsp; [Exit LADY AGATHA with MR.
+HOPPER.]&nbsp; And now good-night, Margaret.&nbsp; I&rsquo;m afraid
+it&rsquo;s the old, old story, dear.&nbsp; Love - well, not love at
+first sight, but love at the end of the season, which is so much more
+satisfactory.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Good-night, Duchess.</p>
+<p>[Exit the DUCHESS OF BERWICK on LORD PAISLEY&rsquo;S arm.]</p>
+<p>LADY PLYMDALE.&nbsp; My dear Margaret, what a handsome woman your
+husband has been dancing with!&nbsp; I should be quite jealous if I
+were you!&nbsp; Is she a great friend of yours?</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; No!</p>
+<p>LADY PLYMDALE.&nbsp; Really?&nbsp; Good-night, dear.&nbsp; [Looks
+at MR. DUMBY and exit.]</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; Awful manners young Hopper has!</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; Ah!&nbsp; Hopper is one of Nature&rsquo;s gentlemen,
+the worst type of gentleman I know.</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; Sensible woman, Lady Windermere.&nbsp; Lots of wives
+would have objected to Mrs. Erlynne coming.&nbsp; But Lady Windermere
+has that uncommon thing called common sense.</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; And Windermere knows that nothing looks so like
+innocence as an indiscretion.</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; Yes; dear Windermere is becoming almost modern.&nbsp;
+Never thought he would.&nbsp; [Bows to LADY WINDERMERE and exit.]</p>
+<p>LADY JEDBURGH.&nbsp; Good night, Lady Windermere.&nbsp; What a fascinating
+woman Mrs. Erlynne is!&nbsp; She is coming to lunch on Thursday, won&rsquo;t
+you come too?&nbsp; I expect the Bishop and dear Lady Merton.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I am afraid I am engaged, Lady Jedburgh.</p>
+<p>LADY JEDBURGH.&nbsp; So sorry.&nbsp; Come, dear.&nbsp; [Exeunt LADY
+JEDBURGH and MISS GRAHAM.]</p>
+<p>[Enter MRS. ERLYNNE and LORD WINDERMERE.]</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Charming ball it has been!&nbsp; Quite reminds
+me of old days.&nbsp; [Sits on sofa.]&nbsp; And I see that there are
+just as many fools in society as there used to be.&nbsp; So pleased
+to find that nothing has altered!&nbsp; Except Margaret.&nbsp; She&rsquo;s
+grown quite pretty.&nbsp; The last time I saw her - twenty years ago,
+she was a fright in flannel.&nbsp; Positive fright, I assure you.&nbsp;
+The dear Duchess! and that sweet Lady Agatha!&nbsp; Just the type of
+girl I like!&nbsp; Well, really, Windermere, if I am to be the Duchess&rsquo;s
+sister-in-law</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Sitting L. of her.]&nbsp; But are you - ?</p>
+<p>[Exit MR. CECIL GRAHAM with rest of guests.&nbsp; LADY WINDERMERE
+watches, with a look of scorn and pain, MRS. ERLYNNE and her husband.&nbsp;
+They are unconscious of her presence.]</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Oh, yes!&nbsp; He&rsquo;s to call to-morrow at
+twelve o&rsquo;clock!&nbsp; He wanted to propose to-night.&nbsp; In
+fact he did.&nbsp; He kept on proposing.&nbsp; Poor Augustus, you know
+how he repeats himself.&nbsp; Such a bad habit!&nbsp; But I told him
+I wouldn&rsquo;t give him an answer till to-morrow.&nbsp; Of course
+I am going to take him.&nbsp; And I dare say I&rsquo;ll make him an
+admirable wife, as wives go.&nbsp; And there is a great deal of good
+in Lord Augustus.&nbsp; Fortunately it is all on the surface.&nbsp;
+Just where good qualities should be.&nbsp; Of course you must help me
+in this matter.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I am not called on to encourage Lord Augustus,
+I suppose?</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Oh, no!&nbsp; I do the encouraging.&nbsp; But
+you will make me a handsome settlement, Windermere, won&rsquo;t you?</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Frowning.]&nbsp; Is that what you want to
+talk to me about to-night?</p>
+<p>MRS ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Yes.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [With a gesture of impatience.]&nbsp; I will
+not talk of it here.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [Laughing.]&nbsp; Then we will talk of it on
+the terrace.&nbsp; Even business should have a picturesque background.&nbsp;
+Should it not, Windermere?&nbsp; With a proper background women can
+do anything.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Won&rsquo;t to-morrow do as well?</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; No; you see, to-morrow I am going to accept him.&nbsp;
+And I think it would be a good thing if I was able to tell him that
+I had - well, what shall I say? - &pound;2000 a year left to me by a
+third cousin - or a second husband - or some distant relative of that
+kind.&nbsp; It would be an additional attraction, wouldn&rsquo;t it?&nbsp;
+You have a delightful opportunity now of paying me a compliment, Windermere.&nbsp;
+But you are not very clever at paying compliments.&nbsp; I am afraid
+Margaret doesn&rsquo;t encourage you in that excellent habit.&nbsp;
+It&rsquo;s a great mistake on her part.&nbsp; When men give up saying
+what is charming, they give up thinking what is charming.&nbsp; But
+seriously, what do you say to &pound;2000?&nbsp; &pound;2500, I think.&nbsp;
+In modern life margin is everything.&nbsp; Windermere, don&rsquo;t you
+think the world an intensely amusing place?&nbsp; I do!</p>
+<p>[Exit on terrace with LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Music strikes up in
+ball-room.]</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; To stay in this house any longer is impossible.&nbsp;
+To-night a man who loves me offered me his whole life.&nbsp; I refused
+it.&nbsp; It was foolish of me.&nbsp; I will offer him mine now.&nbsp;
+I will give him mine.&nbsp; I will go to him!&nbsp; [Puts on cloak and
+goes to the door, then turns back.&nbsp; Sits down at table and writes
+a letter, puts it into an envelope, and leaves it on table.]&nbsp; Arthur
+has never understood me.&nbsp; When he reads this, he will.&nbsp; He
+may do as he chooses now with his life.&nbsp; I have done with mine
+as I think best, as I think right.&nbsp; It is he who has broken the
+bond of marriage - not I.&nbsp; I only break its bondage.</p>
+<p>[Exit.]</p>
+<p>[PARKER enters L. and crosses towards the ball-room R.&nbsp; Enter
+MRS. ERLYNNE.]</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Is Lady Windermere in the ball-room?</p>
+<p>PARKER.&nbsp; Her ladyship has just gone out.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Gone out?&nbsp; She&rsquo;s not on the terrace?</p>
+<p>PARKER.&nbsp; No, madam.&nbsp; Her ladyship has just gone out of
+the house.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [Starts, and looks at the servant with a puzzled
+expression in her face.]&nbsp; Out of the house?</p>
+<p>PARKER.&nbsp; Yes, madam - her ladyship told me she had left a letter
+for his lordship on the table.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; A letter for Lord Windermere?</p>
+<p>PARKER.&nbsp; Yes, madam.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Thank you.</p>
+<p>[Exit PARKER.&nbsp; The music in the ball-room stops.]&nbsp; Gone
+out of her house!&nbsp; A letter addressed to her husband!&nbsp; [Goes
+over to bureau and looks at letter.&nbsp; Takes it up and lays it down
+again with a shudder of fear.]&nbsp; No, no!&nbsp; It would be impossible!&nbsp;
+Life doesn&rsquo;t repeat its tragedies like that!&nbsp; Oh, why does
+this horrible fancy come across me?&nbsp; Why do I remember now the
+one moment of my life I most wish to forget?&nbsp; Does life repeat
+its tragedies?&nbsp; [Tears letter open and reads it, then sinks down
+into a chair with a gesture of anguish.]&nbsp; Oh, how terrible!&nbsp;
+The same words that twenty years ago I wrote to her father! and how
+bitterly I have been punished for it!&nbsp; No; my punishment, my real
+punishment is to-night, is now!&nbsp; [Still seated R.]</p>
+<p>[Enter LORD WINDERMERE L.U.E.]</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Have you said good-night to my wife?&nbsp;
+[Comes C.]</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [Crushing letter in her hand.]&nbsp; Yes.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Where is she?</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; She is very tired.&nbsp; She has gone to bed.&nbsp;
+She said she had a headache.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I must go to her.&nbsp; You&rsquo;ll excuse
+me?</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [Rising hurriedly.]&nbsp; Oh, no!&nbsp; It&rsquo;s
+nothing serious.&nbsp; She&rsquo;s only very tired, that is all.&nbsp;
+Besides, there are people still in the supper-room.&nbsp; She wants
+you to make her apologies to them.&nbsp; She said she didn&rsquo;t wish
+to be disturbed.&nbsp; [Drops letter.]&nbsp; She asked me to tell you!</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Picks up letter.]&nbsp; You have dropped
+something.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Oh yes, thank you, that is mine.&nbsp; [Puts
+out her hand to take it.]</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Still looking at letter.]&nbsp; But it&rsquo;s
+my wife&rsquo;s handwriting, isn&rsquo;t it?</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [Takes the letter quickly.]&nbsp; Yes, it&rsquo;s
+- an address.&nbsp; Will you ask them to call my carriage, please?</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Certainly.</p>
+<p>[Goes L. and Exit.]</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Thanks!&nbsp; What can I do?&nbsp; What can I
+do?&nbsp; I feel a passion awakening within me that I never felt before.&nbsp;
+What can it mean?&nbsp; The daughter must not be like the mother - that
+would be terrible.&nbsp; How can I save her?&nbsp; How can I save my
+child?&nbsp; A moment may ruin a life.&nbsp; Who knows that better than
+I?&nbsp; Windermere must be got out of the house; that is absolutely
+necessary.&nbsp; [Goes L.]&nbsp; But how shall I do it?&nbsp; It must
+be done somehow.&nbsp; Ah!</p>
+<p>[Enter LORD AUGUSTUS R.U.E. carrying bouquet.]</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; Dear lady, I am in such suspense!&nbsp; May
+I not have an answer to my request?</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Lord Augustus, listen to me.&nbsp; You are to
+take Lord Windermere down to your club at once, and keep him there as
+long as possible.&nbsp; You understand?</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; But you said you wished me to keep early hours!</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [Nervously.]&nbsp; Do what I tell you.&nbsp;
+Do what I tell you.</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; And my reward?</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Your reward?&nbsp; Your reward?&nbsp; Oh! ask
+me that to-morrow.&nbsp; But don&rsquo;t let Windermere out of your
+sight to-night.&nbsp; If you do I will never forgive you.&nbsp; I will
+never speak to you again.&nbsp; I&rsquo;ll have nothing to do with you.&nbsp;
+Remember you are to keep Windermere at your club, and don&rsquo;t let
+him come back to-night.</p>
+<p>[Exit L.]</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; Well, really, I might be her husband already.&nbsp;
+Positively I might.&nbsp; [Follows her in a bewildered manner.]</p>
+<p>ACT DROP.</p>
+<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div>
+<h2>THIRD ACT</h2>
+<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div>
+<p>SCENE</p>
+<p>Lord Darlington&rsquo;s Rooms.&nbsp; A large sofa is in front of
+fireplace R.&nbsp; At the back of the stage a curtain is drawn across
+the window.&nbsp; Doors L. and R.&nbsp; Table R. with writing materials.&nbsp;
+Table C. with syphons, glasses, and Tantalus frame.&nbsp; Table L. with
+cigar and cigarette box.&nbsp; Lamps lit.</p>
+<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Standing by the fireplace.]&nbsp; Why doesn&rsquo;t
+he come?&nbsp; This waiting is horrible.&nbsp; He should be here.&nbsp;
+Why is he not here, to wake by passionate words some fire within me?&nbsp;
+I am cold - cold as a loveless thing.&nbsp; Arthur must have read my
+letter by this time.&nbsp; If he cared for me, he would have come after
+me, would have taken me back by force.&nbsp; But he doesn&rsquo;t care.&nbsp;
+He&rsquo;s entrammelled by this woman - fascinated by her - dominated
+by her.&nbsp; If a woman wants to hold a man, she has merely to appeal
+to what is worst in him.&nbsp; We make gods of men and they leave us.&nbsp;
+Others make brutes of them and they fawn and are faithful.&nbsp; How
+hideous life is! . . . Oh! it was mad of me to come here, horribly mad.&nbsp;
+And yet, which is the worst, I wonder, to be at the mercy of a man who
+loves one, or the wife of a man who in one&rsquo;s own house dishonours
+one?&nbsp; What woman knows?&nbsp; What woman in the whole world?&nbsp;
+But will he love me always, this man to whom I am giving my life?&nbsp;
+What do I bring him?&nbsp; Lips that have lost the note of joy, eyes
+that are blinded by tears, chill hands and icy heart.&nbsp; I bring
+him nothing.&nbsp; I must go back - no; I can&rsquo;t go back, my letter
+has put me in their power - Arthur would not take me back!&nbsp; That
+fatal letter!&nbsp; No!&nbsp; Lord Darlington leaves England to-morrow.&nbsp;
+I will go with him - I have no choice.&nbsp; [Sits down for a few moments.&nbsp;
+Then starts up and puts on her cloak.]&nbsp; No, no!&nbsp; I will go
+back, let Arthur do with me what he pleases.&nbsp; I can&rsquo;t wait
+here.&nbsp; It has been madness my coming.&nbsp; I must go at once.&nbsp;
+As for Lord Darlington - Oh! here he is!&nbsp; What shall I do?&nbsp;
+What can I say to him?&nbsp; Will he let me go away at all?&nbsp; I
+have heard that men are brutal, horrible . . . Oh!&nbsp; [Hides her
+face in her hands.]</p>
+<p>[Enter MRS. ERLYNNE L.]</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Lady Windermere!&nbsp; [LADY WINDERMERE starts
+and looks up.&nbsp; Then recoils in contempt.]&nbsp; Thank Heaven I
+am in time.&nbsp; You must go back to your husband&rsquo;s house immediately.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Must?</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [Authoritatively.]&nbsp; Yes, you must!&nbsp;
+There is not a second to be lost.&nbsp; Lord Darlington may return at
+any moment.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Don&rsquo;t come near me!</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Oh!&nbsp; You are on the brink of ruin, you are
+on the brink of a hideous precipice.&nbsp; You must leave this place
+at once, my carriage is waiting at the corner of the street.&nbsp; You
+must come with me and drive straight home.</p>
+<p>[LADY WINDERMERE throws off her cloak and flings it on the sofa.]</p>
+<p>What are you doing?</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Mrs. Erlynne - if you had not come here, I
+would have gone back.&nbsp; But now that I see you, I feel that nothing
+in the whole world would induce me to live under the same roof as Lord
+Windermere.&nbsp; You fill me with horror.&nbsp; There is something
+about you that stirs the wildest - rage within me.&nbsp; And I know
+why you are here.&nbsp; My husband sent you to lure me back that I might
+serve as a blind to whatever relations exist between you and him.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Oh!&nbsp; You don&rsquo;t think that - you can&rsquo;t.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Go back to my husband, Mrs. Erlynne.&nbsp;
+He belongs to you and not to me.&nbsp; I suppose he is afraid of a scandal.&nbsp;
+Men are such cowards.&nbsp; They outrage every law of the world, and
+are afraid of the world&rsquo;s tongue.&nbsp; But he had better prepare
+himself.&nbsp; He shall have a scandal.&nbsp; He shall have the worst
+scandal there has been in London for years.&nbsp; He shall see his name
+in every vile paper, mine on every hideous placard.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; No - no -</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Yes! he shall.&nbsp; Had he come himself,
+I admit I would have gone back to the life of degradation you and he
+had prepared for me - I was going back - but to stay himself at home,
+and to send you as his messenger - oh! it was infamous - infamous.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [C.]&nbsp; Lady Windermere, you wrong me horribly
+- you wrong your husband horribly.&nbsp; He doesn&rsquo;t know you are
+here - he thinks you are safe in your own house.&nbsp; He thinks you
+are asleep in your own room.&nbsp; He never read the mad letter you
+wrote to him!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [R.]&nbsp; Never read it!</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; No - he knows nothing about it.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; How simple you think me!&nbsp; [Going to her.]&nbsp;
+You are lying to me!</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [Restraining herself.]&nbsp; I am not.&nbsp;
+I am telling you the truth.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; If my husband didn&rsquo;t read my letter,
+how is it that you are here?&nbsp; Who told you I had left the house
+you were shameless enough to enter?&nbsp; Who told you where I had gone
+to?&nbsp; My husband told you, and sent you to decoy me back.&nbsp;
+[Crosses L.]</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [R.C.]&nbsp; Your husband has never seen the
+letter.&nbsp; I - saw it, I opened it.&nbsp; I - read it.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Turning to her.]&nbsp; You opened a letter
+of mine to my husband?&nbsp; You wouldn&rsquo;t dare!</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Dare!&nbsp; Oh! to save you from the abyss into
+which you are falling, there is nothing in the world I would not dare,
+nothing in the whole world.&nbsp; Here is the letter.&nbsp; Your husband
+has never read it.&nbsp; He never shall read it.&nbsp; [Going to fireplace.]&nbsp;
+It should never have been written.&nbsp; [Tears it and throws it into
+the fire.]</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [With infinite contempt in her voice and look.]&nbsp;
+How do I know that that was my letter after all?&nbsp; You seem to think
+the commonest device can take me in!</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Oh! why do you disbelieve everything I tell you?&nbsp;
+What object do you think I have in coming here, except to save you from
+utter ruin, to save you from the consequence of a hideous mistake?&nbsp;
+That letter that is burnt now <i>was</i> your letter.&nbsp; I swear
+it to you!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Slowly.]&nbsp; You took good care to burn
+it before I had examined it.&nbsp; I cannot trust you.&nbsp; You, whose
+whole life is a lie, could you speak the truth about anything?&nbsp;
+[Sits down.]</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [Hurriedly.]&nbsp; Think as you like about me
+- say what you choose against me, but go back, go back to the husband
+you love.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Sullenly.]&nbsp; I do <i>not</i> love him!</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; You do, and you know that he loves you.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; He does not understand what love is.&nbsp;
+He understands it as little as you do - but I see what you want.&nbsp;
+It would be a great advantage for you to get me back.&nbsp; Dear Heaven!
+what a life I would have then!&nbsp; Living at the mercy of a woman
+who has neither mercy nor pity in her, a woman whom it is an infamy
+to meet, a degradation to know, a vile woman, a woman who comes between
+husband and wife!</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [With a gesture of despair.]&nbsp; Lady Windermere,
+Lady Windermere, don&rsquo;t say such terrible things.&nbsp; You don&rsquo;t
+know how terrible they are, how terrible and how unjust.&nbsp; Listen,
+you must listen!&nbsp; Only go back to your husband, and I promise you
+never to communicate with him again on any pretext - never to see him
+- never to have anything to do with his life or yours.&nbsp; The money
+that he gave me, he gave me not through love, but through hatred, not
+in worship, but in contempt.&nbsp; The hold I have over him -</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Rising.]&nbsp; Ah! you admit you have a hold!</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Yes, and I will tell you what it is.&nbsp; It
+is his love for you, Lady Windermere.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; You expect me to believe that?</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; You must believe it!&nbsp; It is true.&nbsp;
+It is his love for you that has made him submit to - oh! call it what
+you like, tyranny, threats, anything you choose.&nbsp; But it is his
+love for you.&nbsp; His desire to spare you - shame, yes, shame and
+disgrace.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; What do you mean?&nbsp; You are insolent!&nbsp;
+What have I to do with you?</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [Humbly.]&nbsp; Nothing.&nbsp; I know it - but
+I tell you that your husband loves you - that you may never meet with
+such love again in your whole life - that such love you will never meet
+- and that if you throw it away, the day may come when you will starve
+for love and it will not be given to you, beg for love and it will be
+denied you - Oh! Arthur loves you!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Arthur?&nbsp; And you tell me there is nothing
+between you?</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Lady Windermere, before Heaven your husband is
+guiltless of all offence towards you!&nbsp; And I - I tell you that
+had it ever occurred to me that such a monstrous suspicion would have
+entered your mind, I would have died rather than have crossed your life
+or his - oh! died, gladly died!&nbsp; [Moves away to sofa R.]</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; You talk as if you had a heart.&nbsp; Women
+like you have no hearts.&nbsp; Heart is not in you.&nbsp; You are bought
+and sold.&nbsp; [Sits L.C.]</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [Starts, with a gesture of pain.&nbsp; Then restrains
+herself, and comes over to where LADY WINDERMERE is sitting.&nbsp; As
+she speaks, she stretches out her hands towards her, but does not dare
+to touch her.]&nbsp; Believe what you choose about me.&nbsp; I am not
+worth a moment&rsquo;s sorrow.&nbsp; But don&rsquo;t spoil your beautiful
+young life on my account!&nbsp; You don&rsquo;t know what may be in
+store for you, unless you leave this house at once.&nbsp; You don&rsquo;t
+know what it is to fall into the pit, to be despised, mocked, abandoned,
+sneered at - to be an outcast! to find the door shut against one, to
+have to creep in by hideous byways, afraid every moment lest the mask
+should be stripped from one&rsquo;s face, and all the while to hear
+the laughter, the horrible laughter of the world, a thing more tragic
+than all the tears the world has ever shed.&nbsp; You don&rsquo;t know
+what it is.&nbsp; One pays for one&rsquo;s sin, and then one pays again,
+and all one&rsquo;s life one pays.&nbsp; You must never know that. -
+As for me, if suffering be an expiation, then at this moment I have
+expiated all my faults, whatever they have been; for to-night you have
+made a heart in one who had it not, made it and broken it. - But let
+that pass.&nbsp; I may have wrecked my own life, but I will not let
+you wreck yours.&nbsp; You - why, you are a mere girl, you would be
+lost.&nbsp; You haven&rsquo;t got the kind of brains that enables a
+woman to get back.&nbsp; You have neither the wit nor the courage.&nbsp;
+You couldn&rsquo;t stand dishonour!&nbsp; No!&nbsp; Go back, Lady Windermere,
+to the husband who loves you, whom you love.&nbsp; You have a child,
+Lady Windermere.&nbsp; Go back to that child who even now, in pain or
+in joy, may be calling to you.&nbsp; [LADY WINDERMERE rises.]&nbsp;
+God gave you that child.&nbsp; He will require from you that you make
+his life fine, that you watch over him.&nbsp; What answer will you make
+to God if his life is ruined through you?&nbsp; Back to your house,
+Lady Windermere - your husband loves you!&nbsp; He has never swerved
+for a moment from the love he bears you.&nbsp; But even if he had a
+thousand loves, you must stay with your child.&nbsp; If he was harsh
+to you, you must stay with your child.&nbsp; If he ill-treated you,
+you must stay with your child.&nbsp; If he abandoned you, your place
+is with your child.</p>
+<p>[LADY WINDERMERE bursts into tears and buries her face in her hands.]</p>
+<p>[Rushing to her.]&nbsp; Lady Windermere!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Holding out her hands to her, helplessly,
+as a child might do.]&nbsp; Take me home.&nbsp; Take me home.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [Is about to embrace her.&nbsp; Then restrains
+herself.&nbsp; There is a look of wonderful joy in her face.]&nbsp;
+Come!&nbsp; Where is your cloak?&nbsp; [Getting it from sofa.]&nbsp;
+Here.&nbsp; Put it on.&nbsp; Come at once!</p>
+<p>[They go to the door.]</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Stop!&nbsp; Don&rsquo;t you hear voices?</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; No, no!&nbsp; There was no one!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Yes, there is!&nbsp; Listen!&nbsp; Oh! that
+is my husband&rsquo;s voice!&nbsp; He is coming in!&nbsp; Save me!&nbsp;
+Oh, it&rsquo;s some plot!&nbsp; You have sent for him.</p>
+<p>[Voices outside.]</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Silence!&nbsp; I&rsquo;m here to save you, if
+I can.&nbsp; But I fear it is too late!&nbsp; There! [Points to the
+curtain across the window.]&nbsp; The first chance you have, slip out,
+if you ever get a chance!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; But you?</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Oh! never mind me.&nbsp; I&rsquo;ll face them.</p>
+<p>[LADY WINDERMERE hides herself behind the curtain.]</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; [Outside.]&nbsp; Nonsense, dear Windermere,
+you must not leave me!</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Lord Augustus!&nbsp; Then it is I who am lost!&nbsp;
+[Hesitates for a moment, then looks round and sees door R., and exits
+through it.]</p>
+<p>&nbsp;[Enter LORD DARLINGTON, MR. DUMBY, LORD WINDERMERE, LORD AUGUSTUS
+LORTON, and MR. CECIL GRAHAM.</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; What a nuisance their turning us out of the club at
+this hour!&nbsp; It&rsquo;s only two o&rsquo;clock.&nbsp; [Sinks into
+a chair.]&nbsp; The lively part of the evening is only just beginning.&nbsp;
+[Yawns and closes his eyes.]</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; It is very good of you, Lord Darlington, allowing
+Augustus to force our company on you, but I&rsquo;m afraid I can&rsquo;t
+stay long.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; Really!&nbsp; I am so sorry!&nbsp; You&rsquo;ll
+take a cigar, won&rsquo;t you?</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Thanks!&nbsp; [Sits down.]</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; [To LORD WINDERMERE.]&nbsp; My dear boy, you
+must not dream of going.&nbsp; I have a great deal to talk to you about,
+of demmed importance, too.&nbsp; [Sits down with him at L. table.]</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; Oh!&nbsp; We all know what that is!&nbsp; Tuppy
+can&rsquo;t talk about anything but Mrs. Erlynne.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Well, that is no business of yours, is it,
+Cecil?</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; None!&nbsp; That is why it interests me.&nbsp;
+My own business always bores me to death.&nbsp; I prefer other people&rsquo;s.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; Have something to drink, you fellows.&nbsp;
+Cecil, you&rsquo;ll have a whisky and soda?</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; Thanks.&nbsp; [Goes to table with LORD DARLINGTON.]&nbsp;
+Mrs. Erlynne looked very handsome to-night, didn&rsquo;t she?</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; I am not one of her admirers.</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; I usen&rsquo;t to be, but I am now.&nbsp; Why!
+she actually made me introduce her to poor dear Aunt Caroline.&nbsp;
+I believe she is going to lunch there.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; [In Purple.]&nbsp; No?</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; She is, really.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; Excuse me, you fellows.&nbsp; I&rsquo;m going
+away to-morrow.&nbsp; And I have to write a few letters.&nbsp; [Goes
+to writing table and sits down.]</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; Clever woman, Mrs. Erlynne.</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; Hallo, Dumby!&nbsp; I thought you were asleep.</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; I am, I usually am!</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; A very clever woman.&nbsp; Knows perfectly well
+what a demmed fool I am - knows it as well as I do myself.</p>
+<p>[CECIL GRAHAM comes towards him laughing.]</p>
+<p>Ah, you may laugh, my boy, but it is a great thing to come across
+a woman who thoroughly understands one.</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; It is an awfully dangerous thing.&nbsp; They always
+end by marrying one.</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; But I thought, Tuppy, you were never going to
+see her again!&nbsp; Yes! you told me so yesterday evening at the club.&nbsp;
+You said you&rsquo;d heard -</p>
+<p>[Whispering to him.]</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; Oh, she&rsquo;s explained that.</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; And the Wiesbaden affair?</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; She&rsquo;s explained that too.</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; And her income, Tuppy?&nbsp; Has she explained that?</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; [In a very serious voice.]&nbsp; She&rsquo;s
+going to explain that to-morrow.</p>
+<p>[CECIL GRAHAM goes back to C. table.]</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; Awfully commercial, women nowadays.&nbsp; Our grandmothers
+threw their caps over the mills, of course, but, by Jove, their granddaughters
+only throw their caps over mills that can raise the wind for them.</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; You want to make her out a wicked woman.&nbsp;
+She is not!</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; Oh!&nbsp; Wicked women bother one.&nbsp; Good
+women bore one.&nbsp; That is the only difference between them.</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; [Puffing a cigar.]&nbsp; Mrs. Erlynne has a
+future before her.</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; Mrs. Erlynne has a past before her.</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; I prefer women with a past.&nbsp; They&rsquo;re
+always so demmed amusing to talk to.</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; Well, you&rsquo;ll have lots of topics of conversation
+with <i>her</i>, Tuppy.&nbsp; [Rising and going to him.]</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; You&rsquo;re getting annoying, dear-boy; you&rsquo;re
+getting demmed annoying.</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; [Puts his hands on his shoulders.]&nbsp; Now,
+Tuppy, you&rsquo;ve lost your figure and you&rsquo;ve lost your character.&nbsp;
+Don&rsquo;t lose your temper; you have only got one.</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; My dear boy, if I wasn&rsquo;t the most good-natured
+man in London -</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; We&rsquo;d treat you with more respect, wouldn&rsquo;t
+we, Tuppy?&nbsp; [Strolls away.]</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; The youth of the present day are quite monstrous.&nbsp;
+They have absolutely no respect for dyed hair.&nbsp; [LORD AUGUSTUS
+looks round angrily.]</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; Mrs. Erlynne has a very great respect for dear
+Tuppy.</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; Then Mrs. Erlynne sets an admirable example to the rest
+of her sex.&nbsp; It is perfectly brutal the way most women nowadays
+behave to men who are not their husbands.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Dumby, you are ridiculous, and Cecil, you
+let your tongue run away with you.&nbsp; You must leave Mrs. Erlynne
+alone.&nbsp; You don&rsquo;t really know anything about her, and you&rsquo;re
+always talking scandal against her.</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; [Coming towards him L.C.]&nbsp; My dear Arthur,
+I never talk scandal.&nbsp; <i>I</i> only talk gossip.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; What is the difference between scandal and
+gossip?</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; Oh! gossip is charming!&nbsp; History is merely
+gossip.&nbsp; But scandal is gossip made tedious by morality.&nbsp;
+Now, I never moralise.&nbsp; A man who moralises is usually a hypocrite,
+and a woman who moralises is invariably plain.&nbsp; There is nothing
+in the whole world so unbecoming to a woman as a Nonconformist conscience.&nbsp;
+And most women know it, I&rsquo;m glad to say.</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; Just my sentiments, dear boy, just my sentiments.</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; Sorry to hear it, Tuppy; whenever people agree
+with me, I always feel I must be wrong.</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; My dear boy, when I was your age -</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; But you never were, Tuppy, and you never will
+be.&nbsp; [Goes up C.]&nbsp; I say, Darlington, let us have some cards.&nbsp;
+You&rsquo;ll play, Arthur, won&rsquo;t you?</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; No, thanks, Cecil.</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; [With a sigh.]&nbsp; Good heavens! how marriage ruins
+a man!&nbsp; It&rsquo;s as demoralising as cigarettes, and far more
+expensive.</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; You&rsquo;ll play, of course, Tuppy?</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; [Pouring himself out a brandy and soda at table.]&nbsp;
+Can&rsquo;t, dear boy.&nbsp; Promised Mrs. Erlynne never to play or
+drink again.</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; Now, my dear Tuppy, don&rsquo;t be led astray
+into the paths of virtue.&nbsp; Reformed, you would be perfectly tedious.&nbsp;
+That is the worst of women.&nbsp; They always want one to be good.&nbsp;
+And if we are good, when they meet us, they don&rsquo;t love us at all.&nbsp;
+They like to find us quite irretrievably bad, and to leave us quite
+unattractively good.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; [Rising from R. table, where he has been writing
+letters.]&nbsp; They always do find us bad!</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; I don&rsquo;t think we are bad.&nbsp; I think we are
+all good, except Tuppy.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; No, we are all in the gutter, but some of
+us are looking at the stars.&nbsp; [Sits down at C. table.]</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking
+at the stars?&nbsp; Upon my word, you are very romantic to-night, Darlington.</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; Too romantic!&nbsp; You must be in love.&nbsp;
+Who is the girl?</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; The woman I love is not free, or thinks she
+isn&rsquo;t.&nbsp; [Glances instinctively at LORD WINDERMERE while he
+speaks.]</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; A married woman, then!&nbsp; Well, there&rsquo;s
+nothing in the world like the devotion of a married woman.&nbsp; It&rsquo;s
+a thing no married man knows anything about.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; Oh! she doesn&rsquo;t love me.&nbsp; She is
+a good woman.&nbsp; She is the only good woman I have ever met in my
+life.</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; The only good woman you have ever met in your
+life?</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; Yes!</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; [Lighting a cigarette.]&nbsp; Well, you are a
+lucky fellow!&nbsp; Why, I have met hundreds of good women.&nbsp; I
+never seem to meet any but good women.&nbsp; The world is perfectly
+packed with good women.&nbsp; To know them is a middle-class education.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; This woman has purity and innocence.&nbsp;
+She has everything we men have lost.</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; My dear fellow, what on earth should we men do
+going about with purity and innocence?&nbsp; A carefully thought-out
+buttonhole is much more effective.</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; She doesn&rsquo;t really love you then?</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; No, she does not!</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; I congratulate you, my dear fellow.&nbsp; In this world
+there are only two tragedies.&nbsp; One is not getting what one wants,
+and the other is getting it.&nbsp; The last is much the worst; the last
+is a real tragedy!&nbsp; But I am interested to hear she does not love
+you.&nbsp; How long could you love a woman who didn&rsquo;t love you,
+Cecil?</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; A woman who didn&rsquo;t love me?&nbsp; Oh, all
+my life!</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; So could I.&nbsp; But it&rsquo;s so difficult to meet
+one.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; How can you be so conceited, DUMBY?</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; I didn&rsquo;t say it as a matter of conceit.&nbsp;
+I said it as a matter of regret.&nbsp; I have been wildly, madly adored.&nbsp;
+I am sorry I have.&nbsp; It has been an immense nuisance.&nbsp; I should
+like to be allowed a little time to myself now and then.</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; [Looking round.]&nbsp; Time to educate yourself,
+I suppose.</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; No, time to forget all I have learned.&nbsp; That is
+much more important, dear Tuppy.&nbsp; [LORD AUGUSTUS moves uneasily
+in his chair.]</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; What cynics you fellows are!</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; What is a cynic?&nbsp; [Sitting on the back of
+the sofa.]</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; A man who knows the price of everything and
+the value of nothing.</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; And a sentimentalist, my dear Darlington, is
+a man who sees an absurd value in everything, and doesn&rsquo;t know
+the market price of any single thing.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; You always amuse me, Cecil.&nbsp; You talk
+as if you were a man of experience.</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; I am.&nbsp; [Moves up to front off fireplace.]</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; You are far too young!</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; That is a great error.&nbsp; Experience is a
+question of instinct about life.&nbsp; I have got it.&nbsp; Tuppy hasn&rsquo;t.&nbsp;
+Experience is the name Tuppy gives to his mistakes.&nbsp; That is all.&nbsp;
+[LORD AUGUSTUS looks round indignantly.]</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; Experience is the name every one gives to their mistakes.</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; [Standing with his back to the fireplace.]&nbsp;
+One shouldn&rsquo;t commit any.&nbsp; [Sees LADY WINDERMERE&rsquo;S
+fan on sofa.]</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; Life would be very dull without them.</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; Of course you are quite faithful to this woman
+you are in love with, Darlington, to this good woman?</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; Cecil, if on really loves a woman, all other
+women in the world become absolutely meaningless to one.&nbsp; Love
+changes one - <i>I</i> am changed.</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; Dear me!&nbsp; How very interesting!&nbsp; Tuppy,
+I want to talk to you.&nbsp; [LORD AUGUSTUS takes no notice.]</p>
+<p>DUMBY.&nbsp; It&rsquo;s no use talking to Tuppy.&nbsp; You might
+just as well talk to a brick wall.</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; But I like talking to a brick wall - it&rsquo;s
+the only thing in the world that never contradicts me!&nbsp; Tuppy!</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; Well, what is it?&nbsp; What is it?&nbsp; [Rising
+and going over to CECIL GRAHAM.]</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; Come over here.&nbsp; I want you particularly.&nbsp;
+[Aside.]&nbsp; Darlington has been moralising and talking about the
+purity of love, and that sort of thing, and he has got some woman in
+his rooms all the time.</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; No, really! really!</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; [In a low voice.]&nbsp; Yes, here is her fan.&nbsp;
+[Points to the fan.]</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; [Chuckling.]&nbsp; By Jove!&nbsp; By Jove!</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Up by door.]&nbsp; I am really off now, Lord
+Darlington.&nbsp; I am sorry you are leaving England so soon.&nbsp;
+Pray call on us when you come back!&nbsp; My wife and I will be charmed
+to see you!</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; [Up sage with LORD WINDERMERE.]&nbsp; I am
+afraid I shall be away for many years.&nbsp; Good-night!</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; Arthur!</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; What?</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; I want to speak to you for a moment.&nbsp; No,
+do come!</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Putting on his coat.]&nbsp; I can&rsquo;t
+- I&rsquo;m off!</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; It is something very particular.&nbsp; It will
+interest you enormously.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Smiling.]&nbsp; It is some of your nonsense,
+Cecil.</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; It isn&rsquo;t!&nbsp; It isn&rsquo;t really.</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; [Going to him.]&nbsp; My dear fellow, you mustn&rsquo;t
+go yet.&nbsp; I have a lot to talk to you about.&nbsp; And Cecil has
+something to show you.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Walking over.]&nbsp; Well, what is it?</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; Darlington has got a woman here in his rooms.&nbsp;
+Here is her fan.&nbsp; Amusing, isn&rsquo;t it?&nbsp; [A pause.]</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Good God!&nbsp; [Seizes the fan - DUMBY rises.]</p>
+<p>CECIL GRAHAM.&nbsp; What is the matter?</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Lord Darlington!</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; [Turning round.]&nbsp; Yes!</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; What is my wife&rsquo;s fan doing here in
+your rooms?&nbsp; Hands off, Cecil.&nbsp; Don&rsquo;t touch me.</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; Your wife&rsquo;s fan?</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Yes, here it is!</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; [Walking towards him.]&nbsp; I don&rsquo;t
+know!</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; You must know.&nbsp; I demand an explanation.&nbsp;
+Don&rsquo;t hold me, you fool.&nbsp; [To CECIL GRAHAM.]</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; [Aside.]&nbsp; She is here after all!</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Speak, sir!&nbsp; Why is my wife&rsquo;s fan
+here?&nbsp; Answer me!&nbsp; By God!&nbsp; I&rsquo;ll search your rooms,
+and if my wife&rsquo;s here, I&rsquo;ll -&nbsp; [Moves.]</p>
+<p>LORD DARLINGTON.&nbsp; You shall not search my rooms.&nbsp; You have
+no right to do so.&nbsp; I forbid you!</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; You scoundrel!&nbsp; I&rsquo;ll not leave
+your room till I have searched every corner of it!&nbsp; What moves
+behind that curtain?&nbsp; [Rushes towards the curtain C.]</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [Enters behind R.]&nbsp; Lord Windermere!</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Mrs. Erlynne!</p>
+<p>[Every one starts and turns round.&nbsp; LADY WINDERMERE slips out
+from behind the curtain and glides from the room L.]</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; I am afraid I took your wife&rsquo;s fan in mistake
+for my own, when I was leaving your house to-night.&nbsp; I am so sorry.&nbsp;
+[Takes fan from him.&nbsp; LORD WINDERMERE looks at her in contempt.&nbsp;
+LORD DARLINGTON in mingled astonishment and anger.&nbsp; LORD AUGUSTUS
+turns away.&nbsp; The other men smile at each other.]</p>
+<p>ACT DROP.</p>
+<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div>
+<h2>FOURTH ACT</h2>
+<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div>
+<p>SCENE - Same as in Act I.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Lying on sofa.]&nbsp; How can I tell him?&nbsp;
+I can&rsquo;t tell him.&nbsp; It would kill me.&nbsp; I wonder what
+happened after I escaped from that horrible room.&nbsp; Perhaps she
+told them the true reason of her being there, and the real meaning of
+that - fatal fan of mine.&nbsp; Oh, if he knows - how can I look him
+in the face again?&nbsp; He would never forgive me.&nbsp; [Touches bell.]&nbsp;
+How securely one thinks one lives - out of reach of temptation, sin,
+folly.&nbsp; And then suddenly - Oh!&nbsp; Life is terrible.&nbsp; It
+rules us, we do not rule it.</p>
+<p>[Enter ROSALIE R.]</p>
+<p>ROSALIE.&nbsp; Did your ladyship ring for me?</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Yes.&nbsp; Have you found out at what time
+Lord Windermere came in last night?</p>
+<p>ROSALIE.&nbsp; His lordship did not come in till five o&rsquo;clock.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Five o&rsquo;clock?&nbsp; He knocked at my
+door this morning, didn&rsquo;t he?</p>
+<p>ROSALIE.&nbsp; Yes, my lady - at half-past nine.&nbsp; I told him
+your ladyship was not awake yet.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Did he say anything?</p>
+<p>ROSALIE.&nbsp; Something about your ladyship&rsquo;s fan.&nbsp; I
+didn&rsquo;t quite catch what his lordship said.&nbsp; Has the fan been
+lost, my lady?&nbsp; I can&rsquo;t find it, and Parker says it was not
+left in any of the rooms.&nbsp; He has looked in all of them and on
+the terrace as well.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; It doesn&rsquo;t matter.&nbsp; Tell Parker
+not to trouble.&nbsp; That will do.</p>
+<p>[Exit ROSALIE.]</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Rising.]&nbsp; She is sure to tell him.&nbsp;
+I can fancy a person doing a wonderful act of self-sacrifice, doing
+it spontaneously, recklessly, nobly - and afterwards finding out that
+it costs too much.&nbsp; Why should she hesitate between her ruin and
+mine? . . . How strange!&nbsp; I would have publicly disgraced her in
+my own house.&nbsp; She accepts public disgrace in the house of another
+to save me. . . . There is a bitter irony in things, a bitter irony
+in the way we talk of good and bad women. . . . Oh, what a lesson! and
+what a pity that in life we only get our lessons when they are of no
+use to us!&nbsp; For even if she doesn&rsquo;t tell, I must.&nbsp; Oh!
+the shame of it, the shame of it.&nbsp; To tell it is to live through
+it all again.&nbsp; Actions are the first tragedy in life, words are
+the second.&nbsp; Words are perhaps the worst.&nbsp; Words are merciless.
+. . Oh!&nbsp; [Starts as LORD WINDERMERE enters.]</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Kisses her.]&nbsp; Margaret - how pale you
+look!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I slept very badly.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Sitting on sofa with her.]&nbsp; I am so
+sorry.&nbsp; I came in dreadfully late, and didn&rsquo;t like to wake
+you.&nbsp; You are crying, dear.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Yes, I am crying, for I have something to
+tell you, Arthur.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; My dear child, you are not well.&nbsp; You&rsquo;ve
+been doing too much.&nbsp; Let us go away to the country.&nbsp; You&rsquo;ll
+be all right at Selby.&nbsp; The season is almost over.&nbsp; There
+is no use staying on.&nbsp; Poor darling!&nbsp; We&rsquo;ll go away
+to-day, if you like.&nbsp; [Rises.]&nbsp; We can easily catch the 3.40.&nbsp;
+I&rsquo;ll send a wire to Fannen.&nbsp; [Crosses and sits down at table
+to write a telegram.]</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Yes; let us go away to-day.&nbsp; No; I can&rsquo;t
+go to-day, Arthur.&nbsp; There is some one I must see before I leave
+town - some one who has been kind to me.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Rising and leaning over sofa.]&nbsp; Kind
+to you?</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Far more than that.&nbsp; [Rises and goes
+to him.]&nbsp; I will tell you, Arthur, but only love me, love me as
+you used to love me.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Used to?&nbsp; You are not thinking of that
+wretched woman who came here last night?&nbsp; [Coming round and sitting
+R. of her.]&nbsp; You don&rsquo;t still imagine - no, you couldn&rsquo;t.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I don&rsquo;t.&nbsp; I know now I was wrong
+and foolish.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; It was very good of you to receive her last
+night - but you are never to see her again.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Why do you say that?&nbsp; [A pause.]</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Holding her hand.]&nbsp; Margaret, I thought
+Mrs. Erlynne was a woman more sinned against than sinning, as the phrase
+goes.&nbsp; I thought she wanted to be good, to get back into a place
+that she had lost by a moment&rsquo;s folly, to lead again a decent
+life.&nbsp; I believed what she told me - I was mistaken in her.&nbsp;
+She is bad - as bad as a woman can be.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Arthur, Arthur, don&rsquo;t talk so bitterly
+about any woman.&nbsp; I don&rsquo;t think now that people can be divided
+into the good and the bad as though they were two separate races or
+creations.&nbsp; What are called good women may have terrible things
+in them, mad moods of recklessness, assertion, jealousy, sin.&nbsp;
+Bad women, as they are termed, may have in them sorrow, repentance,
+pity, sacrifice.&nbsp; And I don&rsquo;t think Mrs. Erlynne a bad woman
+- I know she&rsquo;s not.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; My dear child, the woman&rsquo;s impossible.&nbsp;
+No matter what harm she tries to do us, you must never see her again.&nbsp;
+She is inadmissible anywhere.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; But I want to see her.&nbsp; I want her to
+come here.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Never!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; She came here once as <i>your</i> guest.&nbsp;
+She must come now as <i>mine</i>.&nbsp; That is but fair.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; She should never have come here.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Rising.]&nbsp; It is too late, Arthur, to
+say that now.&nbsp; [Moves away.]</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Rising.]&nbsp; Margaret, if you knew where
+Mrs. Erlynne went last night, after she left this house, you would not
+sit in the same room with her.&nbsp; It was absolutely shameless, the
+whole thing.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Arthur, I can&rsquo;t bear it any longer.&nbsp;
+I must tell you.&nbsp; Last night -</p>
+<p>[Enter PARKER with a tray on which lie LADY WINDERMERE&rsquo;S fan
+and a card.]</p>
+<p>PARKER.&nbsp; Mrs. Erlynne has called to return your ladyship&rsquo;s
+fan which she took away by mistake last night.&nbsp; Mrs. Erlynne has
+written a message on the card.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Oh, ask Mrs. Erlynne to be kind enough to
+come up.&nbsp; [Reads card.]&nbsp; Say I shall be very glad to see her.&nbsp;
+[Exit PARKER.]&nbsp; She wants to see me, Arthur.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Takes card and looks at it.]&nbsp; Margaret,
+I <i>beg</i> you not to.&nbsp; Let me see her first, at any rate.&nbsp;
+She&rsquo;s a very dangerous woman.&nbsp; She is the most dangerous
+woman I know.&nbsp; You don&rsquo;t realise what you&rsquo;re doing.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; It is right that I should see her.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; My child, you may be on the brink of a great
+sorrow.&nbsp; Don&rsquo;t go to meet it.&nbsp; It is absolutely necessary
+that I should see her before you do.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Why should it be necessary?</p>
+<p>[Enter PARKER.]</p>
+<p>PARKER.&nbsp; Mrs. Erlynne.</p>
+<p>[Enter MRS. ERLYNNE.]</p>
+<p>[Exit PARKER.]</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; How do you do, Lady Windermere?&nbsp; [To LORD
+WINDERMERE.]&nbsp; How do you do?&nbsp; Do you know, Lady Windermere,
+I am so sorry about your fan.&nbsp; I can&rsquo;t imagine how I made
+such a silly mistake.&nbsp; Most stupid of me.&nbsp; And as I was driving
+in your direction, I thought I would take the opportunity of returning
+your property in person with many apologies for my carelessness, and
+of bidding you good-bye.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Good-bye?&nbsp; [Moves towards sofa with MRS.
+ERLYNNE and sits down beside her.]&nbsp; Are you going away, then, Mrs.
+Erlynne?</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Yes; I am going to live abroad again.&nbsp; The
+English climate doesn&rsquo;t suit me.&nbsp; My - heart is affected
+here, and that I don&rsquo;t like.&nbsp; I prefer living in the south.&nbsp;
+London is too full of fogs and - and serious people, Lord Windermere.&nbsp;
+Whether the fogs produce the serious people or whether the serious people
+produce the fogs, I don&rsquo;t know, but the whole thing rather gets
+on my nerves, and so I&rsquo;m leaving this afternoon by the Club Train.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; This afternoon?&nbsp; But I wanted so much
+to come and see you.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; How kind of you!&nbsp; But I am afraid I have
+to go.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Shall I never see you again, Mrs. Erlynne?</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; I am afraid not.&nbsp; Our lives lie too far
+apart.&nbsp; But there is a little thing I would like you to do for
+me.&nbsp; I want a photograph of you, Lady Windermere - would you give
+me one?&nbsp; You don&rsquo;t know how gratified I should be.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Oh, with pleasure.&nbsp; There is one on that
+table.&nbsp; I&rsquo;ll show it to you. [Goes across to the table.]</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Coming up to MRS. ERLYNNE and speaking in
+a low voice.]&nbsp; It is monstrous your intruding yourself here after
+your conduct last night.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [With an amused smile.]&nbsp; My dear Windermere,
+manners before morals!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Returning.]&nbsp; I&rsquo;m afraid it is
+very flattering - I am not so pretty as that.&nbsp; [Showing photograph.]</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; You are much prettier.&nbsp; But haven&rsquo;t
+you got one of yourself with your little boy?</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I have.&nbsp; Would you prefer one of those?</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Yes.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I&rsquo;ll go and get it for you, if you&rsquo;ll
+excuse me for a moment.&nbsp; I have one upstairs.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; So sorry, Lady Windermere, to give you so much
+trouble.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Moves to door R.]&nbsp; No trouble at all,
+Mrs. Erlynne.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Thanks so much.</p>
+<p>[Exit LADY WINDERMERE R.]&nbsp; You seem rather out of temper this
+morning, Windermere.&nbsp; Why should you be?&nbsp; Margaret and I get
+on charmingly together.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I can&rsquo;t bear to see you with her.&nbsp;
+Besides, you have not told me the truth, Mrs. Erlynne.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; I have not told <i>her</i> the truth, you mean.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Standing C.]&nbsp; I sometimes wish you had.&nbsp;
+I should have been spared then the misery, the anxiety, the annoyance
+of the last six months.&nbsp; But rather than my wife should know -
+that the mother whom she was taught to consider as dead, the mother
+whom she has mourned as dead, is living - a divorced woman, going about
+under an assumed name, a bad woman preying upon life, as I know you
+now to be - rather than that, I was ready to supply you with money to
+pay bill after bill, extravagance after extravagance, to risk what occurred
+yesterday, the first quarrel I have ever had with my wife.&nbsp; You
+don&rsquo;t understand what that means to me.&nbsp; How could you?&nbsp;
+But I tell you that the only bitter words that ever came from those
+sweet lips of hers were on your account, and I hate to see you next
+her.&nbsp; You sully the innocence that is in her. [Moves L.C.]&nbsp;
+And then I used to think that with all your faults you were frank and
+honest.&nbsp; You are not.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Why do you say that?</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; You made me get you an invitation to my wife&rsquo;s
+ball.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; For my daughter&rsquo;s ball - yes.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; You came, and within an hour of your leaving
+the house you are found in a man&rsquo;s rooms - you are disgraced before
+every one.&nbsp; [Goes up stage C.]</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Yes.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Turning round on her.]&nbsp; Therefore I
+have a right to look upon you as what you are - a worthless, vicious
+woman.&nbsp; I have the right to tell you never to enter this house,
+never to attempt to come near my wife -</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [Coldly.]&nbsp; My daughter, you mean.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; You have no right to claim her as your daughter.&nbsp;
+You left her, abandoned her when she was but a child in the cradle,
+abandoned her for your lover, who abandoned you in turn.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [Rising.]&nbsp; Do you count that to his credit,
+Lord Windermere - or to mine?</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; To his, now that I know you.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Take care - you had better be careful.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Oh, I am not going to mince words for you.&nbsp;
+I know you thoroughly.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [Looks steadily at him.]&nbsp; I question that.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I <i>do</i> know you.&nbsp; For twenty years
+of your life you lived without your child, without a thought of your
+child.&nbsp; One day you read in the papers that she had married a rich
+man.&nbsp; You saw your hideous chance.&nbsp; You knew that to spare
+her the ignominy of learning that a woman like you was her mother, I
+would endure anything.&nbsp; You began your blackmailing,</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [Shrugging her shoulders.]&nbsp; Don&rsquo;t
+use ugly words, Windermere.&nbsp; They are vulgar.&nbsp; I saw my chance,
+it is true, and took it.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Yes, you took it - and spoiled it all last
+night by being found out.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [With a strange smile.]&nbsp; You are quite right,
+I spoiled it all last night.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; And as for your blunder in taking my wife&rsquo;s
+fan from here and then leaving it about in Darlington&rsquo;s rooms,
+it is unpardonable.&nbsp; I can&rsquo;t bear the sight of it now.&nbsp;
+I shall never let my wife use it again.&nbsp; The thing is soiled for
+me.&nbsp; You should have kept it and not brought it back.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; I think I shall keep it.&nbsp; [Goes up.]&nbsp;
+It&rsquo;s extremely pretty.&nbsp; [Takes up fan.]&nbsp; I shall ask
+Margaret to give it to me.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I hope my wife will give it you.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Oh, I&rsquo;m sure she will have no objection.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I wish that at the same time she would give
+you a miniature she kisses every night before she prays - It&rsquo;s
+the miniature of a young innocent-looking girl with beautiful <i>dark</i>
+hair.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Ah, yes, I remember.&nbsp; How long ago that
+seems!&nbsp; [Goes to sofa and sits down.]&nbsp; It was done before
+I was married.&nbsp; Dark hair and an innocent expression were the fashion
+then, Windermere!&nbsp; [A pause.]</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; What do you mean by coming here this morning?&nbsp;
+What is your object?&nbsp; [Crossing L.C. and sitting.]</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [With a note of irony in her voice.]&nbsp; To
+bid good-bye to my dear daughter, of course.&nbsp; [LORD WINDERMERE
+bites his under lip in anger.&nbsp; MRS. ERLYNNE looks at him, and her
+voice and manner become serious.&nbsp; In her accents at she talks there
+is a note of deep tragedy.&nbsp; For a moment she reveals herself.]&nbsp;
+Oh, don&rsquo;t imagine I am going to have a pathetic scene with her,
+weep on her neck and tell her who I am, and all that kind of thing.&nbsp;
+I have no ambition to play the part of a mother.&nbsp; Only once in
+my life like I known a mother&rsquo;s feelings.&nbsp; That was last
+night.&nbsp; They were terrible - they made me suffer - they made me
+suffer too much.&nbsp; For twenty years, as you say, I have lived childless,
+- I want to live childless still.&nbsp; [Hiding her feelings with a
+trivial laugh.]&nbsp; Besides, my dear Windermere, how on earth could
+I pose as a mother with a grown-up daughter?&nbsp; Margaret is twenty-one,
+and I have never admitted that I am more than twenty-nine, or thirty
+at the most.&nbsp; Twenty-nine when there are pink shades, thirty when
+there are not.&nbsp; So you see what difficulties it would involve.&nbsp;
+No, as far as I am concerned, let your wife cherish the memory of this
+dead, stainless mother.&nbsp; Why should I interfere with her illusions?&nbsp;
+I find it hard enough to keep my own.&nbsp; I lost one illusion last
+night.&nbsp; I thought I had no heart.&nbsp; I find I have, and a heart
+doesn&rsquo;t suit me, Windermere.&nbsp; Somehow it doesn&rsquo;t go
+with modern dress.&nbsp; It makes one look old.&nbsp; [Takes up hand-mirror
+from table and looks into it.]&nbsp; And it spoils one&rsquo;s career
+at critical moments.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; You fill me with horror - with absolute horror.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [Rising.]&nbsp; I suppose, Windermere, you would
+like me to retire into a convent, or become a hospital nurse, or something
+of that kind, as people do in silly modern novels.&nbsp; That is stupid
+of you, Arthur; in real life we don&rsquo;t do such things - not as
+long as we have any good looks left, at any rate.&nbsp; No - what consoles
+one nowadays is not repentance, but pleasure.&nbsp; Repentance is quite
+out of date.&nbsp; And besides, if a woman really repents, she has to
+go to a bad dressmaker, otherwise no one believes in her.&nbsp; And
+nothing in the world would induce me to do that.&nbsp; No; I am going
+to pass entirely out of your two lives.&nbsp; My coming into them has
+been a mistake - I discovered that last night.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; A fatal mistake.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [Smiling.]&nbsp; Almost fatal.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I am sorry now I did not tell my wife the
+whole thing at once.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; I regret my bad actions.&nbsp; You regret your
+good ones - that is the difference between us.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I don&rsquo;t trust you.&nbsp; I <i>will</i>
+tell my wife.&nbsp; It&rsquo;s better for her to know, and from me.&nbsp;
+It will cause her infinite pain - it will humiliate her terribly, but
+it&rsquo;s right that she should know.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; You propose to tell her?</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I am going to tell her.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [Going up to him.]&nbsp; If you do, I will make
+my name so infamous that it will mar every moment of her life.&nbsp;
+It will ruin her, and make her wretched.&nbsp; If you dare to tell her,
+there is no depth of degradation I will not sink to, no pit of shame
+I will not enter.&nbsp; You shall not tell her - I forbid you.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Why?</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [After a pause.]&nbsp; If I said to you that
+I cared for her, perhaps loved her even - you would sneer at me, wouldn&rsquo;t
+you?</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I should feel it was not true.&nbsp; A mother&rsquo;s
+love means devotion, unselfishness, sacrifice.&nbsp; What could you
+know of such things?</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; You are right.&nbsp; What could I know of such
+things?&nbsp; Don&rsquo;t let us talk any more about it - as for telling
+my daughter who I am, that I do not allow.&nbsp; It is my secret, it
+is not yours.&nbsp; If I make up my mind to tell her, and I think I
+will, I shall tell her before I leave the house - if not, I shall never
+tell her.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Angrily.]&nbsp; Then let me beg of you to
+leave our house at once.&nbsp; I will make your excuses to Margaret.</p>
+<p>[Enter LADY WINDERMERE R.&nbsp; She goes over to MRS. ERLYNNE with
+the photograph in her hand.&nbsp; LORD WINDERMERE moves to back of sofa,
+and anxiously watches MRS. ERLYNNE as the scene progresses.]</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I am so sorry, Mrs. Erlynne, to have kept
+you waiting.&nbsp; I couldn&rsquo;t find the photograph anywhere.&nbsp;
+At last I discovered it in my husband&rsquo;s dressing-room - he had
+stolen it.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [Takes the photograph from her and looks at it.]&nbsp;
+I am not surprised - it is charming.&nbsp; [Goes over to sofa with LADY
+WINDERMERE, and sits down beside her.&nbsp; Looks again at the photograph.]&nbsp;
+And so that is your little boy!&nbsp; What is he called?</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Gerard, after my dear father.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [Laying the photograph down.]&nbsp; Really?</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Yes.&nbsp; If it had been a girl, I would
+have called it after my mother.&nbsp; My mother had the same name as
+myself, Margaret.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; My name is Margaret too.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Indeed!</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Yes.&nbsp; [Pause.]&nbsp; You are devoted to
+your mother&rsquo;s memory, Lady Windermere, your husband tells me.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; We all have ideals in life.&nbsp; At least
+we all should have.&nbsp; Mine is my mother.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Ideals are dangerous things.&nbsp; Realities
+are better.&nbsp; They wound, but they&rsquo;re better.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Shaking her head.]&nbsp; If I lost my ideals,
+I should lose everything.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Everything?</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Yes.&nbsp; [Pause.]</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Did your father often speak to you of your mother?</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; No, it gave him too much pain.&nbsp; He told
+me how my mother had died a few months after I was born.&nbsp; His eyes
+filled with tears as he spoke.&nbsp; Then he begged me never to mention
+her name to him again.&nbsp; It made him suffer even to hear it.&nbsp;
+My father - my father really died of a broken heart.&nbsp; His was the
+most ruined life know,</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [Rising.]&nbsp; I am afraid I must go now, Lady
+Windermere.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Rising.]&nbsp; Oh no, don&rsquo;t.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; I think I had better.&nbsp; My carriage must
+have come back by this time.&nbsp; I sent it to Lady Jedburgh&rsquo;s
+with a note.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Arthur, would you mind seeing if Mrs. Erlynne&rsquo;s
+carriage has come back?</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Pray don&rsquo;t trouble, Lord Windermere.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Yes, Arthur, do go, please.</p>
+<p>[LORD WINDERMERE hesitated for a moment and looks at MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp;
+She remains quite impassive.&nbsp; He leaves the room.]</p>
+<p>[To MRS. ERLYNNE.]&nbsp; Oh!&nbsp; What am I to say to you?&nbsp;
+You saved me last night?&nbsp; [Goes towards her.]</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Hush - don&rsquo;t speak of it.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I must speak of it.&nbsp; I can&rsquo;t let
+you think that I am going to accept this sacrifice.&nbsp; I am not.&nbsp;
+It is too great.&nbsp; I am going to tell my husband everything.&nbsp;
+It is my duty.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; It is not your duty - at least you have duties
+to others besides him.&nbsp; You say you owe me something?</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; I owe you everything.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Then pay your debt by silence.&nbsp; That is
+the only way in which it can be paid.&nbsp; Don&rsquo;t spoil the one
+good thing I have done in my life by telling it to any one.&nbsp; Promise
+me that what passed last night will remain a secret between us.&nbsp;
+You must not bring misery into your husband&rsquo;s life.&nbsp; Why
+spoil his love?&nbsp; You must not spoil it.&nbsp; Love is easily killed.&nbsp;
+Oh! how easily love is killed.&nbsp; Pledge me your word, Lady Windermere,
+that you will never tell him.&nbsp; I insist upon it.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [With bowed head.]&nbsp; It is your will,
+not mine.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Yes, it is my will.&nbsp; And never forget your
+child - I like to think of you as a mother.&nbsp; I like you to think
+of yourself as one.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Looking up.]&nbsp; I always will now.&nbsp;
+Only once in my life I have forgotten my own mother - that was last
+night.&nbsp; Oh, if I had remembered her I should not have been so foolish,
+so wicked.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [With a slight shudder.]&nbsp; Hush, last night
+is quite over.</p>
+<p>[Enter LORD WINDERMERE.]</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Your carriage has not come back yet, Mrs.
+Erlynne.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; It makes no matter.&nbsp; I&rsquo;ll take a hansom.&nbsp;
+There is nothing in the world so respectable as a good Shrewsbury and
+Talbot.&nbsp; And now, dear Lady Windermere, I am afraid it is really
+good-bye.&nbsp; [Moves up C.]&nbsp; Oh, I remember.&nbsp; You&rsquo;ll
+think me absurd, but do you know I&rsquo;ve taken a great fancy to this
+fan that I was silly enough to run away with last night from your ball.&nbsp;
+Now, I wonder would you give it to me?&nbsp; Lord Windermere says you
+may.&nbsp; I know it is his present.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Oh, certainly, if it will give you any pleasure.&nbsp;
+But it has my name on it.&nbsp; It has &lsquo;Margaret&rsquo; on it.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; But we have the same Christian name.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Oh, I forgot.&nbsp; Of course, do have it.&nbsp;
+What a wonderful chance our names being the same!</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; Quite wonderful.&nbsp; Thanks - it will always
+remind me of you.&nbsp; [Shakes hands with her.]</p>
+<p>[Enter PARKER.]</p>
+<p>PARKER.&nbsp; Lord Augustus Lorton.&nbsp; Mrs. Erlynne&rsquo;s carriage
+has come.</p>
+<p>[Enter LORD AUGUSTUS.]</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; Good morning, dear boy.&nbsp; Good morning,
+Lady Windermere.&nbsp; [Sees MRS. ERLYNNE.]&nbsp; Mrs. Erlynne!</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; How do you do, Lord Augustus?&nbsp; Are you quite
+well this morning?</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; [Coldly.]&nbsp; Quite well, thank you, Mrs.
+Erlynne.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; You don&rsquo;t look at all well, Lord Augustus.&nbsp;
+You stop up too late - it is so bad for you.&nbsp; You really should
+take more care of yourself.&nbsp; Good-bye, Lord Windermere. [Goes towards
+door with a bow to LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; Suddenly smiles and looks back
+at him.]&nbsp; Lord Augustus!&nbsp; Won&rsquo;t you see me to my carriage?&nbsp;
+You might carry the fan.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Allow me!</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; No; I want Lord Augustus.&nbsp; I have a special
+message for the dear Duchess.&nbsp; Won&rsquo;t you carry the fan, Lord
+Augustus?</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; If you really desire it, Mrs. Erlynne.</p>
+<p>MRS. ERLYNNE.&nbsp; [Laughing.]&nbsp; Of course I do.&nbsp; You&rsquo;ll
+carry it so gracefully.&nbsp; You would carry off anything gracefully,
+dear Lord Augustus.</p>
+<p>[When she reaches the door she looks back for a moment at LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp;
+Their eyes meet.&nbsp; Then she turns, and exit C. followed by LORD
+AUGUSTUS.]</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; You will never speak against Mrs. Erlynne
+again, Arthur, will you?</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Gravely.]&nbsp; She is better than one thought
+her.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; She is better than I am.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Smiling as he strokes her hair.]&nbsp; Child,
+you and she belong to different worlds.&nbsp; Into your world evil has
+never entered.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Don&rsquo;t say that, Arthur.&nbsp; There
+is the same world for all of us, and good and evil, sin and innocence,
+go through it hand in hand.&nbsp; To shut one&rsquo;s eyes to half of
+life that one may live securely is as though one blinded oneself that
+one might walk with more safety in a land of pit and precipice.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Moves down with her.]&nbsp; Darling, why
+do you say that?</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Sits on sofa.]&nbsp; Because I, who had shut
+my eyes to life, came to the brink.&nbsp; And one who had separated
+us -</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; We were never separated.</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; We never must be again.&nbsp; O Arthur, don&rsquo;t
+love me less, and I will trust you more.&nbsp; I will trust you absolutely.&nbsp;
+Let us go to Selby.&nbsp; In the Rose Garden at Selby the roses are
+white and red.</p>
+<p>[Enter LORD AUGUSTUS C.]</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; Arthur, she has explained everything!</p>
+<p>[LADY WINDERMERE looks horribly frightened at this.&nbsp; LORD WINDERMERE
+starts.&nbsp; LORD AUGUSTUS takes WINDERMERE by the arm and brings him
+to front of stage.&nbsp; He talks rapidly and in a low voice.&nbsp;
+LADY WINDERMERE stands watching them in terror.]&nbsp; My dear fellow,
+she has explained every demmed thing.&nbsp; We all wronged her immensely.&nbsp;
+It was entirely for my sake she went to Darlington&rsquo;s rooms.&nbsp;
+Called first at the Club - fact is, wanted to put me out of suspense
+- and being told I had gone on - followed - naturally frightened when
+she heard a lot of us coming in - retired to another room - I assure
+you, most gratifying to me, the whole thing.&nbsp; We all behaved brutally
+to her.&nbsp; She is just the woman for me.&nbsp; Suits me down to the
+ground.&nbsp; All the conditions she makes are that we live entirely
+out of England.&nbsp; A very good thing too.&nbsp; Demmed clubs, demmed
+climate, demmed cooks, demmed everything.&nbsp; Sick of it all!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Frightened.]&nbsp; Has Mrs. Erlynne - ?</p>
+<p>LORD AUGUSTUS.&nbsp; [Advancing towards her with a low bow.]&nbsp;
+Yes, Lady Windermere -&nbsp; Mrs. Erlynne has done me the honour of
+accepting my hand.</p>
+<p>LORD WINDERMERE.&nbsp; Well, you are certainly marrying a very clever
+woman!</p>
+<p>LADY WINDERMERE.&nbsp; [Taking her husband&rsquo;s hand.]&nbsp; Ah,
+you&rsquo;re marrying a very good woman!</p>
+<p>CURTAIN</p>
+<div class="GutenbergBlankLines3"><br /><br /><br /></div>
+<p>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN ***</p>
+<pre>
+
+******This file should be named lwfan10h.htm or lwfan10h.zip******
+Corrected EDITIONS of our EBooks get a new NUMBER, lwfan11h.htm
+VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, lwfan10ah.htm
+
+Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we usually do not
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