Moves away with her

Mabel Chiltern How horrid you have been! You have never talked to me the whole evening!

Lord Goring How could I? You went away with the child-diplomatist.°

Mabel Chiltern You might have followed us. Pursuit would have been only polite. I don’t think I like you at all this evening!

Lord Goring I like you immensely.

Mabel Chiltern Well, I wish you’d show it in a more marked way!

They go downstairs°

Mrs Marchmont Olivia, I have a curious feeling of absolute faintness. I think I should like some supper very much. I know I should like some supper.

Lady Basildon I am positively dying for supper, Margaret!

Mrs Marchmont Men are so horribly selfish, they never think of these things.

Lady Basildon Men are grossly material, grossly material!

The Vicomte de Nanjac enters from the music-room with [Mr Montford and] some other guests. After having carefully examined all the people present, he approaches Lady Basildon

Vicomte de Nanjac May I have the honour of taking you down to supper, Comtesse?

Lady Basildon (coldly) I never take supper, thank you, Vicomte. (The Vicomte is about to retire. Lady Basildon, seeing this, rises at once and takes his arm) But I will come down with you with pleasure.

Vicomte de Nanjac I am so fond of eating! I am very English in all my tastes.

Lady Basildon You look quite English, Vicomte, quite English.

They pass out. Mr Montford, a perfectly groomed young dandy, approaches Mrs Marchmont

Mr Montford Like some supper, Mrs Marchmont?

Mrs Marchmont (languidly) Thank you, Mr Montford, I never touch supper. (Rises hastily and takes his arm) But I will sit beside you, and watch you.

Mr Montford I don’t know that I like being watched when I am eating!

Mrs Marchmont Then I will watch someone else.

Mr Montford I don’t know that I should like that either.

Mrs Marchmont (severely) Pray, Mr Montford, do not make these painful scenes of jealousy in public!

They go downstairs with the other guests, passing Sir Robert Chiltern and Mrs Cheveley, who now enter

Sir Robert Chiltern And are you going to any of our country houses before you leave England, Mrs Cheveley?