Mrs Arbuthnot And we women know life too late. That is the difference between men and women.

A pause°

Lord Illingworth Rachel, I want my son. My money may be of no use to him now. I may be of no use to him, but I want my son. Bring us together, Rachel. You can do it if you choose. (Sees letter on table)

Mrs Arbuthnot There is no room in my boy’s life for you. He is not interested in you.

Lord Illingworth Then why does he write to me?

Mrs Arbuthnot What do you mean?

Lord Illingworth What letter is this?

Takes up letter

Mrs Arbuthnot That—is nothing. Give it to me.

Lord Illingworth It is addressed to me.

Mrs Arbuthnot You are not to open it. I forbid you to open it.

Lord Illingworth And in Gerald’s handwriting.

Mrs Arbuthnot It was not to have been sent. It is a letter he wrote to you this morning before he saw me. But he is sorry now he wrote it, very sorry. You are not to open it. Give it to me.

Lord Illingworth It belongs to me. (Opens it, sits down, and reads it slowly.° Mrs Arbuthnot watches him all the time) You have read this letter, I suppose, Rachel?

Mrs Arbuthnot No.

Lord Illingworth You know what is in it?

Mrs Arbuthnot Yes!

Lord Illingworth I don’t admit for a moment that the boy is right in what he says. I don’t admit that it is any duty of mine to marry you. I deny it entirely. But to get my son back I am ready—yes, I am ready to marry you, Rachel—and to treat you always with the deference and respect due to my wife. I will marry you as soon as you choose. I give you my word of honour.

Mrs Arbuthnot You made that promise to me once before and broke it.

Lord Illingworth I will keep it now. And that will show you that I love my son, at least as much as you love him. For when I marry you, Rachel, there are some ambitions I shall have to surrender. High ambitions, too, if any ambition is high.

Mrs Arbuthnot I decline to marry you, Lord Illingworth.

Lord Illingworth Are you serious?

Mrs Arbuthnot Yes.

Lord Illingworth Do tell me your reasons. They would interest me enormously.

Mrs Arbuthnot I have already explained them to my son.