Lord Illingworth Why?

Mrs Allonby She told me yesterday, and in quite a loud voice too, that she was only eighteen. It was most annoying.

Lord Illingworth One should never trust a woman who tells one her real age. A woman who would tell one that would tell one anything.

Mrs Allonby She is a Puritan besides—

Lord Illingworth Ah, that is inexcusable. I don’t mind plain women being Puritans. It is the only excuse they have for being plain. But she is decidedly pretty.° I admire her immensely.

Looks steadfastly at Mrs Allonby

Mrs Allonby What a thoroughly bad man you must be!

Lord Illingworth What do you call a bad man?

Mrs Allonby The sort of man who admires innocence.

Lord Illingworth And a bad woman?

Mrs Allonby Oh! the sort of woman a man never gets tired of.

Lord Illingworth You are severe—on yourself.

Mrs Allonby Define us as a sex.

Lord Illingworth Sphinxes without secrets.

Mrs Allonby Does that include the Puritan women?

Lord Illingworth Do you know, I don’t believe in the existence of Puritan women? I don’t think there is a woman in the world who would not be a little flattered if one made love to her. It is that which makes women so irresistibly adorable.

Mrs Allonby You think there is no woman in the world who would object to being kissed?

Lord Illingworth Very few.

Mrs Allonby Miss Worsley would not let you kiss her.

Lord Illingworth Are you sure?

Mrs Allonby Quite.

Lord Illingworth What do you think she’d do if I kissed her?

Mrs Allonby Either marry you, or strike you across the face with her glove. What would you do if she struck you across the face with her glove?

Lord Illingworth Fall in love with her, probably.

Mrs Allonby Then it is lucky you are not going to kiss her!

Lord Illingworth Is that a challenge?