Lord Darlington Well then, setting mercenary people aside, 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 exception?

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 tonight, 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, someone should make a stand against it.