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 Fedburgh 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 the 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 tomorrow at twelve o’clock! He wanted to propose tonight. 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 tomorrow. 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.