Lady Chiltern (taking her husband’s hand) I admire him for it. I admire him immensely for it. I have never admired him so much before. He is finer than even I thought him. (To Sir Robert Chiltern) You will go and write your letter to the Prime Minister now, won’t you? Don’t hesitate about it, Robert.

Sir Robert Chiltern (with a touch of bitterness) I suppose I had better write it at once. Such offers are not repeated. I will ask you to excuse me for a moment, Lord Caversham.

Lady Chiltern I may come with you, Robert, may I not?

Sir Robert Chiltern Yes, Gertrude.

Lady Chiltern goes out with him

Lord Caversham What is the matter with the family? Something wrong here, eh? (Tapping his forehead) Idiocy? Hereditary, I suppose. Both of them, too. Wife as well as husband. Very sad. Very sad indeed! And they are not an old family.° Can’t understand it.

Lord Goring It is not idiocy, father, I assure you.

Lord Caversham What is it then, sir?

Lord Goring (after some hesitation) Well, it is what is called nowadays a high moral tone, father. That is all.

Lord Caversham Hate these new-fangled names. Same thing as we used to call idiocy fifty years ago. Shan’t stay in this house any longer.

Lord Goring (taking his arm) Oh! just go in here for a moment, father. Second palm tree° to the left, the usual palm tree.

Lord Caversham What, sir?

Lord Goring I beg your pardon, father, I forgot. The conservatory, father, the conservatory—there is someone there I want you to talk to.

Lord Caversham What about, sir?

Lord Goring About me, father.

Lord Caversham (grimly) Not a subject on which much eloquence is possible.

Lord Goring No, father; but the lady is like me. She doesn’t care much for eloquence in others. She thinks it a little loud.

Lord Caversham goes into the conservatory. Lady Chiltern enters

Lord Goring Lady Chiltern, why are you playing Mrs Cheveley’s cards?°

Lady Chiltern (startled) I don’t understand you.

Lord Goring Mrs Cheveley made an attempt to ruin your husband. Either to drive him from public life, or to make him adopt a dishonourable position. From the latter tragedy you saved him. The former you are now thrusting on him. Why should you do him the wrong Mrs Cheveley tried to do and failed?

Lady Chiltern Lord Goring?