SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. Ah! why did you not add you loved me?
LADY CHILTERN. [_Taking his hand_.] Because I loved you.
[LORD GORING _pa.s.ses into the conservatory_.]
SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. [_Kisses her_.] Gertrude, you don"t know what I feel. When Montford pa.s.sed me your letter across the table-he had opened it by mistake, I suppose, without looking at the handwriting on the envelope-and I read it-oh! I did not care what disgrace or punishment was in store for me, I only thought you loved me still.
LADY CHILTERN. There is no disgrace in store for you, nor any public shame. Mrs. Cheveley has handed over to Lord Goring the doc.u.ment that was in her possession, and he has destroyed it.
SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. Are you sure of this, Gertrude?
LADY CHILTERN. Yes; Lord Goring has just told me.
SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. Then I am safe! Oh! what a wonderful thing to be safe! For two days I have been in terror. I am safe now. How did Arthur destroy my letter? Tell me.
LADY CHILTERN. He burned it.
SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. I wish I had seen that one sin of my youth burning to ashes. How many men there are in modern life who would like to see their past burning to white ashes before them! Is Arthur still here?
LADY CHILTERN. Yes; he is in the conservatory.
SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. I am so glad now I made that speech last night in the House, so glad. I made it thinking that public disgrace might be the result. But it has not been so.
LADY CHILTERN. Public honour has been the result.
SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. I think so. I fear so, almost. For although I am safe from detection, although every proof against me is destroyed, I suppose, Gertrude ... I suppose I should retire from public life? [_He looks anxiously at his wife_.]
LADY CHILTERN. [_Eagerly_.] Oh yes, Robert, you should do that. It is your duty to do that.
SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. It is much to surrender.
LADY CHILTERN. No; it will be much to gain.
[SIR ROBERT CHILTERN _walks up and down the room with a troubled expression_. _Then comes over to his wife_, _and puts his hand on her shoulder_.]
SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. And you would be happy living somewhere alone with me, abroad perhaps, or in the country away from London, away from public life? You would have no regrets?
LADY CHILTERN. Oh! none, Robert.
SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. [_Sadly_.] And your ambition for me? You used to be ambitious for me.
LADY CHILTERN. Oh, my ambition! I have none now, but that we two may love each other. It was your ambition that led you astray. Let us not talk about ambition.
[LORD GORING _returns from the conservatory_, _looking very pleased with himself_, _and with an entirely new b.u.t.tonhole that some one 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 wife looking at him with her clear_, _candid eyes_.
_He then realises 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 d.a.m.ned 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 taking such ... Will you kindly do that, Lady Chiltern?
LADY CHILTERN. I think my husband in right in his determination, Lord Caversham. I approve of it.
LORD CAVERSHAM. You approve of it? Good heavens!
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.