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 tonight, 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 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?