Sir Robert Chiltern Gertrude, there is nothing in my past life that you might not know.

Lady Chiltern I was sure of it, Robert, I was sure of it. But why did you say those dreadful things, things so unlike your real self? Don’t let us ever talk about the subject again. You will write, won’t you, to Mrs Cheveley, and tell her that you cannot support this scandalous scheme of hers? If you have given her any promise you must take it back, that is all!

Sir Robert Chiltern Must I write and tell her that?

Lady Chiltern Surely, Robert! What else is there to do?

Sir Robert Chiltern I might see her personally. It would be better.

Lady Chiltern You must never see her again, Robert. She is not a woman you should ever speak to. She is not worthy to talk to a man like you. No; you must write to her at once, now, this moment, and let your letter show her that your decision is quite irrevocable!

Sir Robert Chiltern Write this moment!

Lady Chiltern Yes.

Sir Robert Chiltern But it is so late. It is close on twelve.

Lady Chiltern That makes no matter. She must know at once that she has been mistaken in you—and that you are not a man to do anything base or underhand or dishonourable. Write here, Robert. Write that you decline to support this scheme of hers, as you hold it to be a dishonest scheme. Yes—write the word dishonest. She knows what that word means (Sir Robert Chiltern sits down and writes a letter. His wife takes it up and reads it) Yes; that will do. (Rings bell) And now the envelope. (He writes the envelope slowly)

Enter Mason

Have this letter sent at once to Claridge’s Hotel. There is no answer.

Exit Mason. Lady Chiltern kneels down beside her husband and puts her arms round him

Robert, love gives one a sort of instinct to things. I feel tonight that I have saved you from something that might have been a danger to you, from something that might have made men honour you less than they do. I don’t think you realize sufficiently, Robert, that you have brought into the political life of our time a nobler atmosphere, a finer attitude towards life, a freer air of purer aims and higher ideals—I know it, and for that I love you, Robert.

Sir Robert Chiltern Oh, love me always, Gertrude, love me always!

Lady Chiltern I will love you always, because you will always be worthy of love. We needs must love the highest° when we see it!

Kisses him and rises and goes out. Sir Robert Chiltern walks up and down for a moment; then sits down and buries his face in his hands. The Servant enters and begins putting out the lights. Sir Robert Chiltern looks up

Sir Robert Chiltern Put out the lights, Mason, put out the lights!°

The Servant puts out the lights. The room becomes almost dark. The only light there is comes from the great chandelier that hangs over the staircase and illumines the tapestry of the Triumph of Love