Mrs Cheveley Thanks. Isn’t that Miss Chiltern? I should like so much to know her.

Lady Chiltern Mabel, Mrs Cheveley wishes to know you.

Mabel Chiltern gives a little nod

Mrs Cheveley (sitting down) I thought your frock so charming last night, Miss Chiltern. So simple and … suitable.

Mabel Chiltern Really? I must tell my dressmaker. It will be such a surprise to her. Good-bye, Lady Markby!

Lady Markby Going already?

Mabel Chiltern I am so sorry but I am obliged to. I am just off to rehearsal. I have got to stand on my head in some tableaux.

Lady Markby On your head, child? Oh! I hope not. I believe it is most unhealthy. (Takes a seat on the sofa next Lady Chiltern)

Mabel Chiltern But it is for an excellent charity: in aid of the Undeserving,° the only people I am really interested in. I am the secretary, and Tommy Trafford is treasurer.

Mrs Cheveley And what is Lord Goring?

Mabel Chiltern Oh! Lord Goring is president.

Mrs Cheveley The post should suit him admirably, unless he has deteriorated since I knew him first.

Lady Markby (reflecting) You are remarkably modern, Mabel. A little too modern, perhaps. Nothing is so dangerous as being too modern. One is apt to grow old-fashioned quite suddenly. I have known many instances of it.

Mabel Chiltern What a dreadful prospect!

Lady Markby Ah! my dear, you need not be nervous. You will always be as pretty as possible. That is the best fashion there is, and the only fashion that England succeeds in setting.

Mabel Chiltern (with a curtsey) Thank you so much, Lady Markby, for England … and myself.

Goes out

Lady Markby (turning to Lady Chiltern) Dear Gertrude, we just called to know if Mrs Cheveley’s diamond brooch has been found.

Lady Chiltern Here?

Mrs Cheveley Yes. I missed it when I got back to Claridge’s, and I thought I might possibly have dropped it here.

Lady Chiltern I have heard nothing about it. But I will send for the butler and ask. (Touches the bell)

Mrs Cheveley Oh, pray don’t trouble, Lady Chiltern. I dare say I lost it at the Opera,° before we came on here.

Lady Markby Ah yes, I suppose it must have been at the Opera. The fact is, we all scramble and jostle so much nowadays that I wonder we have anything at all left on us at the end of an evening. I know