Lady Chiltern I could not have done so.

Mrs Cheveley: I see that after all these years you have not changed a bit, Gertrude.°

Lady Chiltern I never change.

Mrs Cheveley (elevating her eyebrows) Then life has taught you nothing?

Lady Chiltern It has taught me that a person who has once been guilty of a dishonest and dishonourable action may be guilty of it a second time, and should be shunned.

Mrs Cheveley Would you apply that rule to everyone?

Lady Chiltern Yes, to everyone, without exception.

Mrs Cheveley Then I am sorry for you, Gertrude, very sorry for you.

Lady Chiltern You see now, I am sure, that for many reasons any further acquaintance between us during your stay in London is quite impossible?

Mrs Cheveley (leaning back in her chair) Do you know, Gertrude, I don’t mind your talking morality a bit. Morality is simply the attitude we adopt towards people whom we personally dislike. You dislike me. I am quite aware of that. And I have always detested you. And yet I have come here to do you a service.

Lady Chiltern (contemptuously) Like the service you wished to render my husband last night, I suppose. Thank heaven, I saved him from that.

Mrs Cheveley (starting to her feet) It was you who made him write that insolent letter to me? It was you who made him break his promise?

Lady Chiltern Yes.

Mrs Cheveley Then you must make him keep it. I give you till tomorrow morning—no more. If by that time your husband does not solemnly bind himself to help me in this great scheme in which I am interested—

Lady Chiltern This fradulent speculation—

Mrs Cheveley Call it what you choose. I hold your husband in the hollow of my hand, and if you are wise you will make him do what I tell him.

Lady Chiltern (rising and going towards her) You are impertinent. What has my husband to do with you? With a woman like you?

Mrs Cheveley (with a bitter laugh) In this world like meets with like. It is because your husband is himself fradulent and dishonest that we pair so well together. Between you and him there are chasms. He and I are closer than friends. We are enemies linked together. The same sin binds us.

Lady Chiltern How dare you class my husband with yourself? How dare you threaten him or me? Leave my house. You are unfit to enter it.

Sir Robert Chiltern enters from behind.° He hears his wife’s last words, and sees to whom they are addressed. He grows deadly pale

Mrs Cheveley Your house! A house bought with the price of dishonour. A house, everything in which has been paid for by fraud. (Turns round and sees Sir Robert Chiltern) Ask him what the origin of his