Sir Robert Chiltern No. I felt that I had fought the century with its own weapons, and won.

Lord Goring (sadly) You thought you had won?

[A long pause]

Sir Robert Chiltern I thought so. Arthur, do you despise me for what I have told you?

Lord Goring (with deep feeling in his voice) I am very sorry for you, Robert, very sorry indeed.

Sir Robert Chiltern I don’t say that I suffered any remorse. I didn’t. Not remorse in the ordinary, rather silly sense of the word. But I have paid conscience money many times. I had a wild hope that I might disarm destiny. The sum Baron Arnheim gave me I have distributed twice over in public charities since then.

Lord Goring (looking up) In public charities? Dear me! what a lot of harm you must have done, Robert!

Sir Robert Chiltern Oh, don’t say that, Arthur; don’t talk like that!

Lord Goring Never mind what I say, Robert. I am always saying what I shouldn’t say. In fact, I usually say what I really think. A great mistake nowadays. It makes one so liable to be misunderstood. As regards this dreadful business, I will help you in whatever way I can. Of course you know that.

Sir Robert Chiltern Thank you, Arthur, thank you. But what is to be done? What can be done?

Lord Goring (leaning back with his hands in his pockets) Well, the English can’t stand a man who is always saying he is in the right, but they are very fond of a man who admits that he has been in the wrong. It is one of the best things in them. However, in your case, Robert, a confession would not do. The money, if you will allow me to say so, is… awkward. Besides, if you did make a clean breast of the whole affair, you would never be able to talk morality again. And in England a man who can’t talk morality twice a week to a large, popular, immoral audience is quite over as a serious politician. There would be nothing left for him as a profession except Botany° or the Church. A confession would be of no use. It would ruin you.

Sir Robert Chiltern It would ruin me. Arthur, the only thing for me to do now is to fight the thing out.

Lord Goring (rising from his chair)° I was waiting for you to say that, Robert. It is the only thing to do now. And you must begin by telling your wife the whole story.

Sir Robert Chiltern That I will not do.

Lord Goring Robert, believe me, you are wrong.

Sir Robert Chiltern I couldn’t do it. It would kill her love for me. And now about this woman, this Mrs Cheveley. How can I defend myself against her? You knew her before, Arthur, apparently.

Lord Goring Yes.

Sir Robert Chiltern Did you know her well?

Lord Goring (arranging his necktie) So little that I got engaged to be married° to her once, when I was staying at the Tenbys’. The affair lasted for three days… nearly.

Sir Robert Chiltern Why was it broken off?

Lord Goring (airily) Oh, I forget. At least, it makes no matter. By the way, have you tried her with money? She used to be confoundedly fond of money.