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. [Parker closes doors]

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 drawers.) 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 drawer. As she 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—Mrs Erlynne—£700—Mrs Erlynne—£400.’ 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. Someone who pitied me was kind enough to tell me what everyone 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 realize 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 anyone 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—