Lord Darlington If I know you at all, I know that you can’t live with a man who treats you like this! What sort of life would you have with him? You would feel that he was lying to you every moment of the day. You would feel that the look in his eyes was false, his voice false, his touch false, his passion false. He would come to you when he was weary of others; you would have to comfort him. He would come to you when he was devoted to others; you would have to charm him. You would have to be to him the mask of his real life, the cloak to hide his secret.

  Lady Windermere You are right—you are terribly right. But where am I to turn? You said you would be my friend, Lord Darlington.—Tell me, what am I to do? Be my friend now.

  Lord Darlington Between men and women there is no friendship possible. There is passion, enmity, worship, love, but no friendship. I love you—

  Lady Windermere No, no! Rises.

  Lord Darlington Yes, I love you! You are more to me than anything in the whole world. What does your husband give you? Nothing. Whatever is in him he gives to this wretched woman, whom he has thrust into your society, into your home, to shame you before everyone. I offer you my life—

  Lady Windermere Lord Darlington!

  Lord Darlington My life—my whole life. Take it, and do with it what you will. … I love you—love you as I have never loved any living thing. From the moment I met you I loved you, loved you blindly, adoringly, madly! You did not know it then—you know it now! Leave this house tonight. I won’t tell you that the world matters nothing, or the world’s voice, or the voice of society. They matter a great deal. They matter far too much. But there are moments when one has to choose between living one’s own life, fully, entirely, completely—or dragging out some false, shallow, degrading existence that the world in its hypocrisy demands. You have that moment now. Choose! Oh, my love, choose.

  Lady Windermere Moving slowly away from him, and looking at him with startled eyes. I have not the courage.

  Lord Darlington Following her. Yes; you have the courage. There may be six months of pain, of disgrace even, but when you no longer bear his name, when you bear mine, all will be well. Margaret, my love, my wife that shall be some day—yes, my wife! You know it! What are you now? This woman has the place that belongs by right to you. Oh! go—go out of this house, with head erect, with a smile upon your lips, with courage in your eyes. All London will know why you did it; and who will blame you? No one. If they do, what matter? Wrong? What is wrong? It’s wrong for a man to abandon his wife for a shameless woman. It is wrong for a wife to remain with a man who so dishonours her. You said once you would make no compromise with things. Make none now. Be brave! Be yourself!

  Lady Windermere I am afraid of being myself. Let me think! Let me wait! My husband may return to me. Sits down on sofa.

  Lord Darlington And you would take him back! You are not what I thought you were. You are just the same as every other woman. You would stand anything rather than face the censure of a world, whose praise you would despise. In a week you will be driving with this woman in the Park. She will be your constant guest—your dearest friend. You would endure anything rather than break with one blow this monstrous tie. You are right. You have no courage; none!

  Lady Windermere Ah, give me time to think. I cannot answer you now. Passes her hand nervously over her brow.

  Lord Darlington It must be now or not at all.

  Lady Windermere Rising from the sofa. Then, not at all! A pause.

  Lord Darlington You break my heart!

  Lady Windermere Mine is already broken. A pause.

  Lord Darlington Tomorrow I leave England. This is the last time I shall ever look on you. You will never see me again. For one moment our lives met—our souls touched. They must never meet or touch again. Goodbye, Margaret. Exit.

  Lady Windermere How alone I am in life! How terribly alone!

  The music stops. Enter the The Duchess of Berwick and Lord Paisley laughing and talking. Other guests come on from ballroom.

  The Duchess of Berwick Dear Margaret, I’ve just been having such a delightful chat with Mrs. Erlynne. I am so sorry for what I said to you this afternoon about her. Of course, she must be all right if you invite her. A most attractive woman, and has such sensible views on life. Told me she entirely disapproved of people marrying more than once, so I feel quite safe about poor Augustus. Can’t imagine why people speak against her. It’s those horrid nieces of mine—the Saville girls—they’re always talking scandal. Still, I should go to Homburg, dear, I really should. She is just a little too attractive. But where is Agatha? Oh, there she is: Lady Agatha and Mr. Hopper enter from terrace L.U.E. Mr. Hopper, I am very, very angry with you. You have taken Agatha out on the terrace, and she is so delicate.

  Hopper Awfully sorry, Duchess. We went out for a moment and then got chatting together.

  The Duchess of Berwick C. Ah, about dear Australia, I suppose?

  Hopper Yes!

  The Duchess of Berwick Agatha, darling! Beckons her over.

  Lady Agatha Yes, mamma!

  The Duchess of Berwick Aside. Did Mr. Hopper definitely—

  Lady Agatha Yes, mamma.

  The Duchess of Berwick And what answer did you give him, dear child?

  Lady Agatha Yes, mamma.

  The Duchess of Berwick Affectionately. My dear one! You always say the right thing. Mr. Hopper! James! Agatha has told me everything. How cleverly you have both kept your secret.

  Hopper You don’t mind my taking Agatha off to Australia, then, Duchess?

  The Duchess of Berwick Indignantly. To Australia? Oh, don’t mention that dreadful vulgar place.

  Hopper But she said she’d like to come with me.

  The Duchess of Berwick Severely. Did you say that, Agatha?

  Lady Agatha Yes, mamma.

  The Duchess of Berwick Agatha, you say the most silly things possible. I think on the whole that Grosvenor Square would be a more healthy place to reside in. There are lots of vulgar people live in Grosvenor Square, but at any rate there are no horrid kangaroos crawling about. But we’ll talk about that tomorrow. James, you can take Agatha down. You’ll come to lunch, of course, James. At half-past one, instead of two. The Duke will wish to say a few words to you, I am sure.

  Hopper I should like to have a chat with the Duke, Duchess. He has not said a single word to me yet.

  The Duchess of Berwick I think you’ll find he will have a great deal to say to you tomorrow. Exit Lady Agatha with Mr. Hopper. And now good night, Margaret. I’m afraid it’s the old, old story, dear. Love—well, not love at first sight, but love at the end of the season, which is so much more satisfactory.

  Lady Windermere Good night, Duchess.

  Exit the The Duchess of Berwick on Lord Paisley’s arm.

  Lady Plymdale My dear Margaret, what a handsome woman your husband has been dancing with! I should be quite jealous if I were you! Is she a great friend of yours?

  Lady Windermere No!

  Lady Plymdale Really? Good night, dear. Looks at Mr. Dumby and exit.

  Dumby Awful manners young Hopper has!

  Cecil Graham Ah! Hopper is one of Nature’s gentlemen, the worst type of gentleman I know.

  Dumby Sensible woman, Lady Windermere. Lots of wives would have objected to Mrs. Erlynne coming. But Lady Windermere has that uncommon thing called common sense.

  Cecil Graham And Windermere knows that nothing looks so like innocence as an indiscretion.

  Dumby Yes; dear Windermere is becoming almost modern. Never thought he would. Bows to Lady Windermere and exit.

  Lady Jedburgh Good night, Lady Windermere. What a fascinating woman Mrs. Erlynne is! She is coming to lunch on Thursday, won’t you come too? I expect the Bishop and dear Lady Merton.

  Lady Windermere I am afraid I am engaged, Lady Jedburgh.

  Lady Jedburgh So sorry. Come, dear. Exeunt Lady Jedburgh and Miss Graham.

  Enter Mrs. Erlynne and Lord Windermere.

  Mrs. Erlynne Charming ball it has been! Quite reminds me of old days. Sits on sofa. And I see that there are just as many fools in society as there used to be. So pleased to find that nothing has altered! Except Margaret. She’s grown quite pretty. The last time I saw her—twenty years ago, she was a fright in flannel. Positive fright, I assure you. The dear Duchess! and that sweet Lady Agatha! Just the type of girl I like! Well, really, Windermere, if I am to be the Duchess’s sister-in-law—

  Lord Windermere Sitting L. of her. But are you—?

  Exit Mr. Cecil Graham with rest of guests. Lady Windermere watches, with a look of scorn and pain, Mrs. Erlynne and her husband. They are unconscious of her presence.

  Mrs. Erlynne Oh, yes! He’s to call tomorrow at twelve o’clock! He wanted to propose tonight. In fact he did. He kept on proposing. Poor Augustus, you know how he repeats himself. Such a bad habit! But I told him I wouldn’t give him an answer till tomorrow. Of course I am going to take him. And I dare say I’ll make him an admirable wife, as wives go. And there is a great deal of good in Lord Augustus. Fortunately it is all on the surface. Just where good qualities should be. Of course you must help me in this matter.

  Lord Windermere I am not called on to encourage Lord Augustus, I suppose?

  Mrs. Erlynne Oh, no! I do the encouraging. But you will make me a handsome settlement, Windermere, won’t you?

  Lord Windermere Frowning. Is that what you want to talk to me about tonight?

  Mrs. Erlynne Yes.

  Lord Windermere With a gesture of impatience. I will not talk of it here.

  Mrs. Erlynne Laughing. Then we will talk of it on the terrace. Even business should have a picturesque background. Should it not, Windermere? With a proper background women can do anything.

  Lord Windermere Won’t tomorrow do as well?

  Mrs. Erlynne No; you see, tomorrow I am going to accept him. And I think it would be a good thing if I was able to tell him that I had—well, what shall I say?—£2,000 a year left to me by a third cousin—or a second husband—or some distant relative of that kind. It would be an additional attraction, wouldn’t it? You have a delightful opportunity now of paying me a compliment, Windermere. But you are not very clever at paying compliments. I am afraid Margaret doesn’t encourage you in that excellent habit. It’s a great mistake on her part. When men give up saying what is charming, they give up thinking what is charming. But seriously, what do you say to £2,000? £2,500, I think. In modern life margin is everything. Windermere, don’t you think the world an intensely amusing place? I do!

  Exit on terrace with Lord Windermere. Music strikes up in ballroom.

  Lady Windermere To stay in this house any longer is impossible. Tonight a man who loves me offered me his whole life. I refused it. It was foolish of me. I will offer him mine now. I will give him mine. I will go to him! Puts on cloak and goes to the door, then turns back. Sits down at table and writes a letter, puts it into an envelope, and leaves it on table. Arthur has never understood me. When he reads this, he will. He may do as he chooses now with his life. I have done with mine as I think best, as I think right. It is he who has broken the bond of marriage—not I. I only break its bondage.

  Exit.

  Parker enters L. and crosses towards the ballroom R. Enter Mrs. Erlynne.

  Mrs. Erlynne Is Lady Windermere in the ballroom?

  Parker Her ladyship has just gone out.

  Mrs. Erlynne Gone out? She’s not on the terrace?

  Parker No, madam. Her ladyship has just gone out of the house.

  Mrs. Erlynne Starts, and looks at the servant with a puzzled expression in her face. Out of the house?

  Parker Yes, madam—her ladyship told me she had left a letter for his lordship on the table.

  Mrs. Erlynne A letter for Lord Windermere?

  Parker Yes, madam.

  Mrs. Erlynne Thank you.

  Exit Parker. The music in the ballroom stops. Gone out of her house! A letter addressed to her husband! Goes over to bureau and looks at letter. Takes it up and lays it down again with a shudder of fear. No, no! It would be impossible! Life doesn’t repeat its tragedies like that! Oh, why does this horrible fancy come across me? Why do I remember now the one moment of my life I most wish to forget? Does life repeat its tragedies? Tears letter open and reads it, then sinks down into a chair with a gesture of anguish. Oh, how terrible! The same words that twenty years ago I wrote to her father! and how bitterly I have been punished for it! No; my punishment, my real punishment is tonight, is now! Still seated R.

  Enter Lord Windermere L.U.E.

  Lord Windermere Have you said good night to my wife? Comes C.

  Mrs. Erlynne Crushing letter in her hand. Yes.

  Lord Windermere Where is she?

  Mrs. Erlynne She is very tired. She has gone to bed. She said she had a headache.

  Lord Windermere I must go to her. You’ll excuse me?

  Mrs. Erlynne Rising hurriedly. Oh, no! It’s nothing serious. She’s only very tired, that is all. Besides, there are people still in the supper-room. She wants you to make her apologies to them. She said she didn’t wish to be disturbed. Drops letter. She asked me to tell you!

  Lord Windermere Picks up letter. You have dropped something.

  Mrs. Erlynne Oh yes, thank you, that is mine. Puts out her hand to take it.

  Lord Windermere Still looking at letter. But it’s my wife’s handwriting, isn’t it?

  Mrs. Erlynne Takes the letter quickly. Yes, it’s—an address. Will you ask them to call my carriage, please?

  Lord Windermere Certainly.

  Goes L. and Exit.

  Mrs. Erlynne Thanks! What can I do? What can I do? I feel a passion awakening within me that I never felt before. What can it mean? The daughter must not be like the mother—that would be terrible. How can I save her? How can I save my child? A moment may ruin a life. Who knows that better than I? Windermere must be got out of the house; that is absolutely necessary. Goes L. But how shall I do it? It must be done somehow. Ah!

  Enter Lord Augustus R.U.E. carrying bouquet.

  Lord Augustus Dear lady, I am in such suspense! May I not have an answer to my request?

  Mrs. Erlynne Lord Augustus, listen to me. You are to take Lord Windermere down to your club at once, and keep him there as long as possible. You understand?

  Lord Augustus But you said you wished me to keep early hours!

  Mrs. Erlynne Nervously. Do what I tell you. Do what I tell you.

  Lord Augustus And my reward?

  Mrs. Erlynne Your reward? Your reward? Oh! ask me that tomorrow. But don’t let Windermere out of your sight tonight. If you do I will never forgive you. I will never speak to you again. I’ll have nothing to do with you. Remember you are to keep Windermere at your club, and don’t let him come back tonight.

  Exit L.

  Lord Augustus Well, really, I might be her husband already. Positively I might. Follows her in a bewildered manner.

  Act Drop

  Act III

  Scene: Lord Darlington’s Rooms. A large sofa is in front of fireplace R. At the back of the stage a curtain is drawn across the window. Doors L. and R. Table R. with writing materials. Table C. with syphons, glasses, and Tantalus frame. Table L. with cigar and cigarette box. Lamps lit.

  Lady Windermere Standing by the fireplace. Why doesn’t he come? This waiting is horrible. He should be here. Why is he not here, to wake by passionate words some fire within me? I am cold—cold as a loveless thing. Arthur must have read my letter by this time. If he cared for me, he would have come after me, would have taken me back by force. But he doesn’t care. He’s entrammelled by this woman—fascinated by her—dominated by her. If a woman wants to hold a man, she has merely to appeal to what is worst in him. We make gods of men and they leave us. Others make brutes of them and they fawn and are faithful. How hideous life is! … Oh! it was mad of me to come here, horribly mad. And yet, which is the worst, I wonder, to be at the mercy of a man who loves one, or the wife of a man who in one’s own house dishonours one? What woman knows? What woman in the whole world? But will he love me always, this man to whom I am giving my life? What do I bring him? Lips that have lost the note of joy, eyes that are blinded by tears, chill hands and icy heart. I bring him nothing. I must go back—no; I can’t go back, my letter has put me in their power—Arthur would not take me back! That fatal letter! No! Lord Darlington leaves England tomorrow. I will go with him—I have no choice. Sits down for a few moments. Then starts up and puts on her cloak. No, no! I will go back, let Arthur do with me what he pleases. I can’t wait here. It has been madness my coming. I must go at once. As for Lord Darlington—Oh! here he is! What shall I do? What can I say to him? Will he let me go away at all? I have heard that men are brutal, horrible … Oh! Hides her face in her hands.