Sir Robert Chiltern She must have had some curious hold over Baron Arnheim. I wonder what it was.

Lord Goring (smiling) I wonder.

Sir Robert Chiltern I will fight her to the death, as long as my wife knows nothing.

Lord Goring (strongly) Oh, fight in any case—in any case.

Sir Robert Chiltern (with a gesture of despair) If my wife found out, there would be little left to fight for. Well, as soon as I hear from Vienna, I shall let you know the result. It is a chance, just a chance, but I believe in it. And as I fought the age with its own weapons, I will fight her with her weapons. It is only fair, and she looks like a woman with a past, doesn’t she?

Lord Goring Most pretty women do. But there is a fashion in pasts just as there is a fashion in frocks. Perhaps Mrs Cheveley’s past is merely a slight décolleté° one, and they are excessively popular nowadays. Besides, my dear Robert, I should not build too high hopes on frightening Mrs Cheveley. I should not fancy Mrs Cheveley is a woman who would be easily frightened. She has survived all her creditors, and she shows wonderful presence of mind.

Sir Robert Chiltern Oh! I live on hopes now. I clutch at every chance. I feel like a man on a ship that is sinking. The water is round my feet, and the very air is bitter with storm. Hush! I hear my wife’s voice.

Enter Lady Chiltern in walking dress°

Lady Chiltern Good afternoon, Lord Goring!

Lord Goring Good afternoon, Lady Chiltern! Have you been in the Park?

Lady Chiltern No; I have just come from the Woman’s Liberal Association,° where, by the way, Robert, your name was received with loud applause, and now I have come in to have my tea. [To Lord Goring] You will wait and have some tea, won’t you?

Lord Goring I’ll wait for a short time, thanks.

Lady Chiltern I will be back in a moment. I am only going to take my hat off.

Lord Goring (in his most earnest manner) Oh! please don’t. It is so pretty. One of the prettiest hats I ever saw. I hope the Woman’s Liberal Association received it with loud applause.

Lady Chiltern (with a smile) We have much more important work to do than look at each other’s bonnets, Lord Goring.

Lord Goring Really? What sort of work?

Lady Chiltern Oh! dull, useful, delightful things,° Factory Acts, Female Inspectors, the Eight Hours’ Bill, the Parliamentary Franchise.… Everything, in fact, that you would find thoroughly uninteresting.

Lord Goring And never bonnets?

Lady Chiltern (with mock indignation) Never bonnets, never!

Lady Chiltern goes through the door leading to her boudoir

Sir Robert Chiltern (takes Lord Goring’s hand) You have been a good friend to me, Arthur, a thoroughly good friend.