Lord Goring returns from the conservatory, looking very pleased with himself, and with an entirely new buttonhole° that someone has made for him

Sir Robert Chiltern (going towards him) Arthur, I have to thank you for what you have done for me. I don’t know how I can repay you. (Shakes hands with him)

Lord Goring My dear fellow, I’ll tell you at once. At the present moment, under the usual palm tree… I mean in the conservatory…

Enter Mason

Mason Lord Caversham.

Lord Goring That admirable father of mine really makes a habit of turning up at the wrong moment. It is very heartless of him, very heartless indeed.

Enter Lord Caversham. Mason goes out

Lord Caversham Good morning, Lady Chiltern! Warmest congratulations to you, Chiltern, on your brilliant speech last night. I have just left the Prime Minister, and you are to have the vacant seat in the Cabinet.

Sir Robert Chiltern (with a look of joy and triumph) A seat in the Cabinet?

Lord Caversham Yes; here is the Prime Minister’s letter. (Hands letter)

Sir Robert Chiltern (takes letter and reads it) A seat in the Cabinet!

Lord Caversham Certainly, and you well deserve it too. You have got what we want so much in political life nowadays—high character, high moral tone, high principles. (To Lord Goring) Everything that you have not got, sir, and never will have.

Lord Goring I don’t like principles, father. I prefer prejudices.

Sir Robert Chiltern is on the brink of accepting the Prime Minister’s offer, when he sees his wife looking at him with her clear, candid eyes. He then realizes that it is impossible

Sir Robert Chiltern I cannot accept this offer, Lord Caversham. I have made up my mind to decline it.

Lord Caversham Decline it, sir!

Sir Robert Chiltern My intention is to retire at once from public life.

Lord Caversham (angrily) Decline a seat in the Cabinet, and retire from public life? Never heard such damned nonsense in the whole course of my existence. I beg your pardon,° Lady Chiltern. Chiltern, I beg your pardon. (To Lord Goring) Don’t grin like that, sir.

Lord Goring No, father.

Lord Caversham Lady Chiltern, you are a sensible woman, the most sensible woman in London, the most sensible woman I know. Will you kindly prevent your husband from making such a… from talking such… Will you kindly do that, Lady Chiltern?

Lady Chiltern I think my husband is right in his determination, Lord Caversham. I approve of it.

Lord Caversham You approve of it? Good Heavens!