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.