Act Drop
SCENE
Drawing-room in Lord Windermere’s house.Door R.U. opening into ball-room,where band is playing.Door L. through which guests are entering.Door L.U. opens on to illuminated terrace.Palms,flowers,and brilliant lights.Room crowded with guests.Lady Windermere is receiving them.
Duchess of Berwick. [Up C.] So strange Lord Windermere isn’t here. Mr. Hopper is very late, too. You have kept those five dances for him, Agatha? [Comes down.]
Lady Agatha. Yes, mamma.
Duchess of Berwick. [Sitting on sofa.] Just let me see your card. I’m so glad Lady Windermere has revived cards.—They’re a mother’s only safeguard. You dear simple little thing! [Scratches out two names.] No nice girl should ever waltz with such particularly younger sons! It looks so fast! The last two dances you might pass on the terrace with Mr. Hopper.
[EnterMr. DumbyandLady Plymdalefrom the ball-room.]
Lady Agatha. Yes, mamma.
Duchess of Berwick. [Fanning herself.] The air is so pleasant there.
Parker. Mrs. Cowper-Cowper. Lady Stutfield. Sir James Royston. Mr. Guy Berkeley.
[These people enter as announced.]
Dumby. Good evening, Lady Stutfield. I suppose this will be the last ball of the season?
Lady Stutfield. I suppose so, Mr. Dumby. It’s been a delightful season, hasn’t it?
Dumby. Quite delightful! Good evening, Duchess. I suppose this will be the last ball of the season?
Duchess of Berwick. I suppose so, Mr. Dumby. It has been a very dull season, hasn’t it?
Dumby. Dreadfully dull! Dreadfully dull!
Mr. Cowper-Cowper. Good evening, Mr. Dumby. I suppose this will be the last ball of the season?
Dumby. Oh, I think not. There’ll probably be two more. [Wanders back toLady Plymdale.]
Parker. Mr. Rufford. Lady Jedburgh and Miss Graham. Mr. Hopper.
[These people enter as announced.]
Hopper. How do you do, Lady Windermere? How do you do, Duchess? [Bows toLady Agatha.]
Duchess of Berwick. Dear Mr. Hopper, how nice of you to come so early. We all know how you are run after in London.
Hopper. Capital place, London! They are not nearly so exclusive in London as they are in Sydney.
Duchess of Berwick. Ah! we know your value, Mr. Hopper. We wish there were more like you. It would make life so much easier. Do you know, Mr. Hopper, dear Agatha and I are so much interested in Australia. It must be so pretty with all the dear little kangaroos flying about. Agatha has found it on the map. What a curious shape it is! Just like a large packing case. However, it is a very young country, isn’t it?
Hopper. Wasn’t it made at the same time as the others, Duchess?
Duchess of Berwick. How clever you are, Mr. Hopper. You have a cleverness quite of your own. Now I mustn’t keep you.
Hopper. But I should like to dance with Lady Agatha, Duchess.
Duchess of Berwick. Well, I hope she has a dance left. Have you a dance left, Agatha?
Lady Agatha. Yes, mamma.
Duchess of Berwick. The next one?
Lady Agatha. Yes, mamma.
Hopper. May I have the pleasure? [Lady Agathabows.]
Duchess of Berwick. Mind you take great care of my little chatterbox, Mr. Hopper.
[Lady AgathaandMr. Hopperpass into ball-room.]
[EnterLord Windermere.]
Lord Windermere. Margaret, I want to speak to you.
Lady Windermere. In a moment. [The music drops.]
Parker. Lord Augustus Lorton.
[EnterLord Augustus.]
Lord Augustus. Good evening, Lady Windermere.
Duchess of Berwick. Sir James, will you take me into the ball-room? Augustus has been dining with us to-night. I really have had quite enough of dear Augustus for the moment.
[Sir James Roystongives theDuchesshis arm and escorts her into the ball-room.]
Parker. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Bowden. Lord and Lady Paisley. Lord Darlington.
[These people enter as announced.]
Lord Augustus. [Coming up toLord Windermere.] Want to speak to you particularly, dear boy. I’m worn to a shadow. Know I don’t look it. None of us men do look what we really are. Demmed good thing, too. What I want to know is this. Who is she? Where does she come from? Why hasn’t she got any demmed relations? Demmed nuisance, relations! But they make one so demmed respectable.
Lord Windermere. You are talking of Mrs. Erlynne, I suppose? I only met her six months ago. Till then, I never knew of her existence.
Lord Augustus. You have seen a good deal of her since then.
Lord Windermere. [Coldly.] Yes, I have seen a good deal of her since then. I have just seen her.
Lord Augustus. Egad! the women are very down on her. I have been dining with Arabella this evening! By Jove! you should have heard what she said about Mrs. Erlynne. She didn’t leave a rag on her. . . . [Aside.] Berwick and I told her that didn’t matter much, as the lady in question must have an extremely fine figure. You should have seen Arabella’s expression! . . . But, look here, dear boy. I don’t know what to do about Mrs. Erlynne. Egad! I might be married to her; she treats me with such demmed indifference. She’s deuced clever, too! She explains everything. Egad! she explains you. She has got any amount of explanations for you—and all of them different.
Lord Windermere. No explanations are necessary about my friendship with Mrs. Erlynne.
Lord Augustus. Hem! Well, look here, dear old fellow. Do you think she will ever get into this demmed thing called Society? Would you introduce her to your wife? No use beating about the confounded bush. Would you do that?
Lord Windermere. Mrs. Erlynne is coming here to-night.
Lord Augustus. Your wife has sent her a card?
Lord Windermere. Mrs. Erlynne has received a card.
Lord Augustus. Then she’s all right, dear boy. But why didn’t you tell me that before? It would have saved me a heap of worry and demmed misunderstandings!
[Lady AgathaandMr. Hoppercross and exit on terrace L.U.E.]
Parker. Mr. Cecil Graham!
[EnterMr. Cecil Graham.]
Cecil Graham. [Bows toLady Windermere,passes over and shakes hands withLord Windermere.] Good evening, Arthur. Why don’t you ask me how I am? I like people to ask me how I am. It shows a wide-spread interest in my health. Now, to-night I am not at all well. Been dining with my people. Wonder why it is one’s people are always so tedious? My father would talk morality after dinner. I told him he was old enough to know better. But my experience is that as soon as people are old enough to know better, they don’t know anything at all. Hallo, Tuppy! Hear you’re going to be married again; thought you were tired of that game.
Lord Augustus. You’re excessively trivial, my dear boy, excessively trivial!
Cecil Graham. By the way, Tuppy, which is it? Have you been twice married and once divorced, or twice divorced and once married? I say you’ve been twice divorced and once married. It seems so much more probable.
Lord Augustus. I have a very bad memory. I really don’t remember which. [Moves away R.]
Lady Plymdale. Lord Windermere, I’ve something most particular to ask you.
Lord Windermere. I am afraid—if you will excuse me—I must join my wife.
Lady Plymdale. Oh, you mustn’t dream of such a thing. It’s most dangerous nowadays for a husband to pay any attention to his wife in public. It always makes people think that he beats her when they’re alone. The world has grown so suspicious of anything that looks like a happy married life. But I’ll tell you what it is at supper. [Moves towards door of ball-room.]
Lord Windermere. [C.] Margaret! Imustspeak to you.
Lady Windermere. Will you hold my fan for me, Lord Darlington? Thanks. [Comes down to him.]
Lord Windermere. [Crossing to her.] Margaret, what you said before dinner was, of course, impossible?
Lady Windermere. That woman is not coming here to-night!
Lord Windermere. [R.C.] Mrs. Erlynne is coming here, and if you in any way annoy or wound her, you will bring shame and sorrow on us both. Remember that! Ah, Margaret! only trust me! A wife should trust her husband!
Lady Windermere. [C.] London is full of women who trust their husbands. One can always recognise them. They look so thoroughly unhappy. I am not going to be one of them. [Moves up.] Lord Darlington, will you give me back my fan, please? Thanks. . . . A useful thing a fan, isn’t it? . . . I want a friend to-night, Lord Darlington: I didn’t know I would want one so soon.
Lord Darlington. Lady Windermere! I knew the time would come some day; but why to-night?
Lord Windermere. Iwilltell her. I must. It would be terrible if there were any scene. Margaret . . .
Parker. Mrs. Erlynne!
[Lord Windermerestarts.Mrs. Erlynneenters,very beautifully dressed and very dignified.Lady Windermereclutches at her fan,then lets it drop on the door.She bows coldly toMrs. Erlynne,who bows to her sweetly in turn,and sails into the room.]
Lord Darlington. You have dropped your fan, Lady Windermere. [Picks it up and hands it to her.]
Mrs. Erlynne. [C.] How do you do, again, Lord Windermere? How charming your sweet wife looks! Quite a picture!
Lord Windermere. [In a low voice.] It was terribly rash of you to come!
Mrs. Erlynne. [Smiling.] The wisest thing I ever did in my life. And, by the way, you must pay me a good deal of attention this evening. I am afraid of the women. You must introduce me to some of them. The men I can always manage. How do you do, Lord Augustus? You have quite neglected me lately. I have not seen you since yesterday. I am afraid you’re faithless. Every one told me so.
Lord Augustus. [R.] Now really, Mrs. Erlynne, allow me to explain.
Mrs. Erlynne. [R.C.] No, dear Lord Augustus, you can’t explain anything. It is your chief charm.
Lord Augustus. Ah! if you find charms in me, Mrs. Erlynne—
[They converse together.Lord Windermeremoves uneasily about the room watchingMrs. Erlynne.]
Lord Darlington. [ToLady Windermere.] How pale you are!
Lady Windermere. Cowards are always pale!
Lord Darlington. You look faint. Come out on the terrace.
Lady Windermere. Yes. [ToParker.] Parker, send my cloak out.
Mrs. Erlynne. [Crossing to her.] Lady Windermere, how beautifully your terrace is illuminated. Reminds me of Prince Doria’s at Rome.
[Lady Windermerebows coldly,and goes off withLord Darlington.]
Oh, how do you do, Mr. Graham? Isn’t that your aunt, Lady Jedburgh? I should so much like to know her.
Cecil Graham. [After a moment’s hesitation and embarrassment.] Oh, certainly, if you wish it. Aunt Caroline, allow me to introduce Mrs. Erlynne.
Mrs. Erlynne. So pleased to meet you, Lady Jedburgh. [Sits beside her on the sofa.] Your nephew and I are great friends. I am so much interested in his political career. I think he’s sure to be a wonderful success. He thinks like a Tory, and talks like a Radical, and that’s so important nowadays. He’s such a brilliant talker, too. But we all know from whom he inherits that. Lord Allandale was saying to me only yesterday, in the Park, that Mr. Graham talks almost as well as his aunt.
Lady Jedburgh. [R.] Most kind of you to say these charming things to me! [Mrs. Erlynnesmiles,and continues conversation.]
Dumby. [ToCecil Graham.] Did you introduce Mrs. Erlynne to Lady Jedburgh?
Cecil Graham. Had to, my dear fellow. Couldn’t help it! That woman can make one do anything she wants. How, I don’t know.
Dumby. Hope to goodness she won’t speak to me! [Saunters towardsLady Plymdale.]
Mrs. Erlynne. [C.ToLady Jedburgh.] On Thursday? With great pleasure. [Rises,and speaks toLord Windermere,laughing.] What a bore it is to have to be civil to these old dowagers! But they always insist on it!
Lady Plymdale. [ToMr. Dumby.] Who is that well-dressed woman talking to Windermere?
Dumby. Haven’t got the slightest idea! Looks like anédition de luxeof a wicked French novel, meant specially for the English market.
Mrs. Erlynne. So that is poor Dumby with Lady Plymdale? I hear she is frightfully jealous of him. He doesn’t seem anxious to speak to me to-night. I suppose he is afraid of her. Those straw-coloured women have dreadful tempers. Do you know, I think I’ll dance with you first, Windermere. [Lord Windermerebites his lip and frowns.] It will make Lord Augustus so jealous! Lord Augustus! [Lord Augustuscomes down.] Lord Windermere insists on my dancing with him first, and, as it’s his own house, I can’t well refuse. You know I would much sooner dance with you.
Lord Augustus. [With a low bow.] I wish I could think so, Mrs. Erlynne.
Mrs. Erlynne. You know it far too well. I can fancy a person dancing through life with you and finding it charming.
Lord Augustus. [Placing his hand on his white waistcoat.] Oh, thank you, thank you. You are the most adorable of all ladies!
Mrs. Erlynne. What a nice speech! So simple and so sincere! Just the sort of speech I like. Well, you shall hold my bouquet. [Goes towards ball-room onLord Windermere’sarm.] Ah, Mr. Dumby, how are you? I am so sorry I have been out the last three times you have called. Come and lunch on Friday.
Dumby. [With perfect nonchalance.] Delighted!
[Lady Plymdaleglares with indignation atMr. Dumby.Lord AugustusfollowsMrs. ErlynneandLord Windermereinto the ball-room holding bouquet.]
Lady Plymdale. [ToMr. Dumby.] What an absolute brute you are! I never can believe a word you say! Why did you tell me you didn’t know her? What do you mean by calling on her three times running? You are not to go to lunch there; of course you understand that?
Dumby. My dear Laura, I wouldn’t dream of going!
Lady Plymdale. You haven’t told me her name yet! Who is she?
Dumby. [Coughs slightly and smooths his hair.] She’s a Mrs. Erlynne.
Lady Plymdale. That woman!
Dumby. Yes; that is what every one calls her.
Lady Plymdale. How very interesting! How intensely interesting! I really must have a good stare at her. [Goes to door of ball-room and looks in.] I have heard the most shocking things about her. They say she is ruining poor Windermere. And Lady Windermere, who goes in for being so proper, invites her! How extremely amusing! It takes a thoroughly good woman to do a thoroughly stupid thing. You are to lunch there on Friday!
Dumby. Why?
Lady Plymdale. Because I want you to take my husband with you. He has been so attentive lately, that he has become a perfect nuisance. Now, this woman is just the thing for him. He’ll dance attendance upon her as long as she lets him, and won’t bother me. I assure you, women of that kind are most useful. They form the basis of other people’s marriages.
Dumby. What a mystery you are!
Lady Plymdale. [Looking at him.] I wishyouwere!
Dumby. I am—to myself. I am the only person in the world I should like to know thoroughly; but I don’t see any chance of it just at present.
[They pass into the ball-room,andLady WindermereandLord Darlingtonenter from the terrace.]
Lady Windermere. Yes. Her coming here is monstrous, unbearable. I know now what you meant to-day at tea-time. Why didn’t you tell me right out? You should have!
Lord Darlington. I couldn’t! A man can’t tell these things about another man! But if I had known he was going to make you ask her here to-night, I think I would have told you. That insult, at any rate, you would have been spared.
Lady Windermere. I did not ask her. He insisted on her coming—against my entreaties—against my commands. Oh! the house is tainted for me! I feel that every woman here sneers at me as she dances by with my husband. What have I done to deserve this? I gave him all my life. He took it—used it—spoiled it! I am degraded in my own eyes; and I lack courage—I am a coward! [Sits down on sofa.]
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 every one. 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 to-night. 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. To-morrow 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. Good-bye, Margaret. [Exit.]
Lady Windermere. How alone I am in life! How terribly alone!
[The music stops.Enter theDuchess of BerwickandLord Paisleylaughing and talking.Other guests come on from ball-room.]
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 ifyouinvite 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 AgathaandMr. Hopperenter 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.
Duchess of Berwick. [C.] Ah, about dear Australia, I suppose?
Hopper. Yes!
Duchess of Berwick. Agatha, darling! [Beckons her over.]
Lady Agatha. Yes, mamma!
Duchess of Berwick. [Aside.] Did Mr. Hopper definitely—
Lady Agatha. Yes, mamma.
Duchess of Berwick. And what answer did you give him, dear child?
Lady Agatha. Yes, mamma.
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?
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.
Duchess of Berwick. [Severely.] Did you say that, Agatha?
Lady Agatha. Yes, mamma.
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 to-morrow. 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.
Duchess of Berwick. I think you’ll find he will have a great deal to say to you to-morrow. [ExitLady AgathawithMr. 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 theDuchess of BerwickonLord Paisley’sarm.]
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 atMr. Dumbyand 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 toLady Windermereand 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. [ExeuntLady JedburghandMiss Graham.]
[EnterMrs. ErlynneandLord 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—?
[ExitMr. Cecil Grahamwith rest of guests.Lady Windermerewatches,with a look of scorn and pain,Mrs. Erlynneand her husband.They are unconscious of her presence.]
Mrs. Erlynne. Oh, yes! He’s to call to-morrow at twelve o’clock! He wanted to propose to-night. 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 to-morrow. 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 to-night?
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 to-morrow do as well?
Mrs. Erlynne. No; you see, to-morrow 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?—£2000 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 £2000? £2500, I think. In modern life margin is everything. Windermere, don’t you think the world an intensely amusing place? I do!
[Exit on terrace withLord Windermere. Music strikes up in ball-room.]
Lady Windermere. To stay in this house any longer is impossible. To-night 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.]
[Parkerenters L. and crosses towards the ball-room R.EnterMrs. Erlynne.]
Mrs. Erlynne. Is Lady Windermere in the ball-room?
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.
[ExitParker.The music in the ball-room 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 to-night, is now! [Still seated R.]
[EnterLord WindermereL.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!
[EnterLord AugustusR.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 to-morrow. But don’t let Windermere out of your sight to-night. 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 to-night.
[Exit L.]
Lord Augustus. Well, really, I might be her husband already. Positively I might. [Follows her in a bewildered manner.]
Act Drop.
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 to-morrow. 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.]
[EnterMrs. ErlynneL.]
Mrs. Erlynne. Lady Windermere! [Lady Windermerestarts and looks up.Then recoils in contempt.] Thank Heaven I am in time. You must go back to your husband’s house immediately.
Lady Windermere. Must?
Mrs. Erlynne. [Authoritatively.] Yes, you must! There is not a second to be lost. Lord Darlington may return at any moment.
Lady Windermere. Don’t come near me!
Mrs. Erlynne. Oh! You are on the brink of ruin, you are on the brink of a hideous precipice. You must leave this place at once, my carriage is waiting at the corner of the street. You must come with me and drive straight home.
[Lady Windermerethrows off her cloak and flings it on the sofa.]
What are you doing?
Lady Windermere. Mrs. Erlynne—if you had not come here, I would have gone back. But now that I see you, I feel that nothing in the whole world would induce me to live under the same roof as Lord Windermere. You fill me with horror. There is something about you that stirs the wildest—rage within me. And I know why you are here. My husband sent you to lure me back that I might serve as a blind to whatever relations exist between you and him.
Mrs. Erlynne. Oh! You don’t think that—you can’t.
Lady Windermere. Go back to my husband, Mrs. Erlynne. He belongs to you and not to me. I suppose he is afraid of a scandal. Men are such cowards. They outrage every law of the world, and are afraid of the world’s tongue. But he had better prepare himself. He shall have a scandal. He shall have the worst scandal there has been in London for years. He shall see his name in every vile paper, mine on every hideous placard.
Mrs. Erlynne. No—no—
Lady Windermere. Yes! he shall. Had he come himself, I admit I would have gone back to the life of degradation you and he had prepared for me—I was going back—but to stay himself at home, and to send you as his messenger—oh! it was infamous—infamous.
Mrs. Erlynne. [C.] Lady Windermere, you wrong me horribly—you wrong your husband horribly. He doesn’t know you are here—he thinks you are safe in your own house. He thinks you are asleep in your own room. He never read the mad letter you wrote to him!
Lady Windermere. [R.] Never read it!
Mrs. Erlynne. No—he knows nothing about it.
Lady Windermere. How simple you think me! [Going to her.] You are lying to me!
Mrs. Erlynne. [Restraining herself.] I am not. I am telling you the truth.
Lady Windermere. If my husband didn’t read my letter, how is it that you are here? Who told you I had left the house you were shameless enough to enter? Who told you where I had gone to? My husband told you, and sent you to decoy me back. [Crosses L.]
Mrs. Erlynne. [R.C.] Your husband has never seen the letter. I—saw it, I opened it. I—read it.
Lady Windermere. [Turning to her.] You opened a letter of mine to my husband? You wouldn’t dare!
Mrs. Erlynne. Dare! Oh! to save you from the abyss into which you are falling, there is nothing in the world I would not dare, nothing in the whole world. Here is the letter. Your husband has never read it. He never shall read it. [Going to fireplace.] It should never have been written. [Tears it and throws it into the fire.]
Lady Windermere. [With infinite contempt in her voice and look.] How do I know that that was my letter after all? You seem to think the commonest device can take me in!
Mrs. Erlynne. Oh! why do you disbelieve everything I tell you? What object do you think I have in coming here, except to save you from utter ruin, to save you from the consequence of a hideous mistake? That letter that is burnt nowwasyour letter. I swear it to you!
Lady Windermere. [Slowly.] You took good care to burn it before I had examined it. I cannot trust you. You, whose whole life is a lie, could you speak the truth about anything? [Sits down.]
Mrs. Erlynne. [Hurriedly.] Think as you like about me—say what you choose against me, but go back, go back to the husband you love.
Lady Windermere. [Sullenly.] I donotlove him!
Mrs. Erlynne. You do, and you know that he loves you.
Lady Windermere. He does not understand what love is. He understands it as little as you do—but I see what you want. It would be a great advantage for you to get me back. Dear Heaven! what a life I would have then! Living at the mercy of a woman who has neither mercy nor pity in her, a woman whom it is an infamy to meet, a degradation to know, a vile woman, a woman who comes between husband and wife!
Mrs. Erlynne. [With a gesture of despair.] Lady Windermere, Lady Windermere, don’t say such terrible things. You don’t know how terrible they are, how terrible and how unjust. Listen, you must listen! Only go back to your husband, and I promise you never to communicate with him again on any pretext—never to see him—never to have anything to do with his life or yours. The money that he gave me, he gave me not through love, but through hatred, not in worship, but in contempt. The hold I have over him—
Lady Windermere. [Rising.] Ah! you admit you have a hold!
Mrs. Erlynne. Yes, and I will tell you what it is. It is his love for you, Lady Windermere.
Lady Windermere. You expect me to believe that?
Mrs. Erlynne. You must believe it! It is true. It is his love for you that has made him submit to—oh! call it what you like, tyranny, threats, anything you choose. But it is his love for you. His desire to spare you—shame, yes, shame and disgrace.
Lady Windermere. What do you mean? You are insolent! What have I to do with you?
Mrs. Erlynne. [Humbly.] Nothing. I know it—but I tell you that your husband loves you—that you may never meet with such love again in your whole life—that such love you will never meet—and that if you throw it away, the day may come when you will starve for love and it will not be given to you, beg for love and it will be denied you—Oh! Arthur loves you!
Lady Windermere. Arthur? And you tell me there is nothing between you?
Mrs. Erlynne. Lady Windermere, before Heaven your husband is guiltless of all offence towards you! And I—I tell you that had it ever occurred to me that such a monstrous suspicion would have entered your mind, I would have died rather than have crossed your life or his—oh! died, gladly died! [Moves away to sofa R.]
Lady Windermere. You talk as if you had a heart. Women like you have no hearts. Heart is not in you. You are bought and sold. [Sits L.C.]
Mrs. Erlynne. [Starts,with a gesture of pain.Then restrains herself,and comes over to whereLady Windermereis sitting.As she speaks,she stretches out her hands towards her,but does not dare to touch her.] Believe what you choose about me. I am not worth a moment’s sorrow. But don’t spoil your beautiful young life on my account! You don’t know what may be in store for you, unless you leave this house at once. You don’t know what it is to fall into the pit, to be despised, mocked, abandoned, sneered at—to be an outcast! to find the door shut against one, to have to creep in by hideous byways, afraid every moment lest the mask should be stripped from one’s face, and all the while to hear the laughter, the horrible laughter of the world, a thing more tragic than all the tears the world has ever shed. You don’t know what it is. One pays for one’s sin, and then one pays again, and all one’s life one pays. You must never know that.—As for me, if suffering be an expiation, then at this moment I have expiated all my faults, whatever they have been; for to-night you have made a heart in one who had it not, made it and broken it.—But let that pass. I may have wrecked my own life, but I will not let you wreck yours. You—why, you are a mere girl, you would be lost. You haven’t got the kind of brains that enables a woman to get back. You have neither the wit nor the courage. You couldn’t stand dishonour! No! Go back, Lady Windermere, to the husband who loves you, whom you love. You have a child, Lady Windermere. Go back to that child who even now, in pain or in joy, may be calling to you. [Lady Windermererises.] God gave you that child. He will require from you that you make his life fine, that you watch over him. What answer will you make to God if his life is ruined through you? Back to your house, Lady Windermere—your husband loves you! He has never swerved for a moment from the love he bears you. But even if he had a thousand loves, you must stay with your child. If he was harsh to you, you must stay with your child. If he ill-treated you, you must stay with your child. If he abandoned you, your place is with your child.
[Lady Windermerebursts into tears and buries her face in her hands.]
[Rushing to her.] Lady Windermere!
Lady Windermere. [Holding out her hands to her,helplessly,as a child might do.] Take me home. Take me home.
Mrs. Erlynne. [Is about to embrace her.Then restrains herself.There is a look of wonderful joy in her face.] Come! Where is your cloak? [Getting it from sofa.] Here. Put it on. Come at once!
[They go to the door.]
Lady Windermere. Stop! Don’t you hear voices?
Mrs. Erlynne. No, no! There was no one!
Lady Windermere. Yes, there is! Listen! Oh! that is my husband’s voice! He is coming in! Save me! Oh, it’s some plot! You have sent for him.
[Voices outside.]
Mrs. Erlynne. Silence! I’m here to save you, if I can. But I fear it is too late! There! [Points to the curtain across the window.] The first chance you have, slip out, if you ever get a chance!
Lady Windermere. But you?
Mrs. Erlynne. Oh! never mind me. I’ll face them.
[Lady Windermerehides herself behind the curtain.]
Lord Augustus. [Outside.] Nonsense, dear Windermere, you must not leave me!
Mrs. Erlynne. Lord Augustus! Then it is I who am lost! [Hesitates for a moment, thenlooks round and sees door R.,and exits through it.]
[EnterLord Darlington,Mr. Dumby,Lord Windermere,Lord Augustus Lorton,andMr. Cecil Graham.
Dumby. What a nuisance their turning us out of the club at this hour! It’s only two o’clock. [Sinks into a chair.] The lively part of the evening is only just beginning. [Yawns and closes his eyes.]
Lord Windermere. It is very good of you, Lord Darlington, allowing Augustus to force our company on you, but I’m afraid I can’t stay long.
Lord Darlington. Really! I am so sorry! You’ll take a cigar, won’t you?
Lord Windermere. Thanks! [Sits down.]
Lord Augustus. [ToLord Windermere.] My dear boy, you must not dream of going. I have a great deal to talk to you about, of demmed importance, too. [Sits down with him at L. table.]
Cecil Graham. Oh! We all know what that is! Tuppy can’t talk about anything but Mrs. Erlynne.
Lord Windermere. Well, that is no business of yours, is it, Cecil?
Cecil Graham. None! That is why it interests me. My own business always bores me to death. I prefer other people’s.
Lord Darlington. Have something to drink, you fellows. Cecil, you’ll have a whisky and soda?
Cecil Graham. Thanks. [Goes to table withLord Darlington.] Mrs. Erlynne looked very handsome to-night, didn’t she?
Lord Darlington. I am not one of her admirers.
Cecil Graham. I usen’t to be, but I am now. Why! she actually made me introduce her to poor dear Aunt Caroline. I believe she is going to lunch there.
Lord Darlington. [In Purple.] No?
Cecil Graham. She is, really.
Lord Darlington. Excuse me, you fellows. I’m going away to-morrow. And I have to write a few letters. [Goes to writing table and sits down.]
Dumby. Clever woman, Mrs. Erlynne.
Cecil Graham. Hallo, Dumby! I thought you were asleep.
Dumby. I am, I usually am!
Lord Augustus. A very clever woman. Knows perfectly well what a demmed fool I am—knows it as well as I do myself.
[Cecil Grahamcomes towards him laughing.]
Ah, you may laugh, my boy, but it is a great thing to come across a woman who thoroughly understands one.
Dumby. It is an awfully dangerous thing. They always end by marrying one.
Cecil Graham. But I thought, Tuppy, you were never going to see her again! Yes! you told me so yesterday evening at the club. You said you’d heard—
[Whispering to him.]
Lord Augustus. Oh, she’s explained that.
Cecil Graham. And the Wiesbaden affair?
Lord Augustus. She’s explained that too.
Dumby. And her income, Tuppy? Has she explained that?
Lord Augustus. [In a very serious voice.] She’s going to explain that to-morrow.
[Cecil Grahamgoes back to C. table.]
Dumby. Awfully commercial, women nowadays. Our grandmothers threw their caps over the mills, of course, but, by Jove, their granddaughters only throw their caps over mills that can raise the wind for them.
Lord Augustus. You want to make her out a wicked woman. She is not!
Cecil Graham. Oh! Wicked women bother one. Good women bore one. That is the only difference between them.
Lord Augustus. [Puffing a cigar.] Mrs. Erlynne has a future before her.
Dumby. Mrs. Erlynne has a past before her.
Lord Augustus. I prefer women with a past. They’re always so demmed amusing to talk to.
Cecil Graham. Well, you’ll have lots of topics of conversation withher, Tuppy. [Rising and going to him.]
Lord Augustus. You’re getting annoying, dear-boy; you’re getting demmed annoying.
Cecil Graham. [Puts his hands on his shoulders.] Now, Tuppy, you’ve lost your figure and you’ve lost your character. Don’t lose your temper; you have only got one.
Lord Augustus. My dear boy, if I wasn’t the most good-natured man in London—
Cecil Graham. We’d treat you with more respect, wouldn’t we, Tuppy? [Strolls away.]
Dumby. The youth of the present day are quite monstrous. They have absolutely no respect for dyed hair. [Lord Augustuslooks round angrily.]
Cecil Graham. Mrs. Erlynne has a very great respect for dear Tuppy.
Dumby. Then Mrs. Erlynne sets an admirable example to the rest of her sex. It is perfectly brutal the way most women nowadays behave to men who are not their husbands.
Lord Windermere. Dumby, you are ridiculous, and Cecil, you let your tongue run away with you. You must leave Mrs. Erlynne alone. You don’t really know anything about her, and you’re always talking scandal against her.
Cecil Graham. [Coming towards him L.C.] My dear Arthur, I never talk scandal.Ionly talk gossip.
Lord Windermere. What is the difference between scandal and gossip?
Cecil Graham. Oh! gossip is charming! History is merely gossip. But scandal is gossip made tedious by morality. Now, I never moralise. A man who moralises is usually a hypocrite, and a woman who moralises is invariably plain. There is nothing in the whole world so unbecoming to a woman as a Nonconformist conscience. And most women know it, I’m glad to say.
Lord Augustus. Just my sentiments, dear boy, just my sentiments.
Cecil Graham. Sorry to hear it, Tuppy; whenever people agree with me, I always feel I must be wrong.
Lord Augustus. My dear boy, when I was your age—
Cecil Graham. But you never were, Tuppy, and you never will be. [Goes up C.] I say, Darlington, let us have some cards. You’ll play, Arthur, won’t you?
Lord Windermere. No, thanks, Cecil.
Dumby. [With a sigh.] Good heavens! how marriage ruins a man! It’s as demoralising as cigarettes, and far more expensive.
Cecil Graham. You’ll play, of course, Tuppy?
Lord Augustus. [Pouring himself out a brandy and soda at table.] Can’t, dear boy. Promised Mrs. Erlynne never to play or drink again.
Cecil Graham. Now, my dear Tuppy, don’t be led astray into the paths of virtue. Reformed, you would be perfectly tedious. That is the worst of women. They always want one to be good. And if we are good, when they meet us, they don’t love us at all. They like to find us quite irretrievably bad, and to leave us quite unattractively good.
Lord Darlington. [Rising from R. table,where he has been writing letters.] They always do find us bad!
Dumby. I don’t think we are bad. I think we are all good, except Tuppy.
Lord Darlington. No, we are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. [Sits down at C. table.]
Dumby. We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars? Upon my word, you are very romantic to-night, Darlington.
Cecil Graham. Too romantic! You must be in love. Who is the girl?
Lord Darlington. The woman I love is not free, or thinks she isn’t. [Glances instinctively atLord Windermerewhile he speaks.]
Cecil Graham. A married woman, then! Well, there’s nothing in the world like the devotion of a married woman. It’s a thing no married man knows anything about.
Lord Darlington. Oh! she doesn’t love me. She is a good woman. She is the only good woman I have ever met in my life.
Cecil Graham. The only good woman you have ever met in your life?
Lord Darlington. Yes!
Cecil Graham. [Lighting a cigarette.] Well, you are a lucky fellow! Why, I have met hundreds of good women. I never seem to meet any but good women. The world is perfectly packed with good women. To know them is a middle-class education.
Lord Darlington. This woman has purity and innocence. She has everything we men have lost.
Cecil Graham. My dear fellow, what on earth should we men do going about with purity and innocence? A carefully thought-out buttonhole is much more effective.
Dumby. She doesn’t really love you then?
Lord Darlington. No, she does not!
Dumby. I congratulate you, my dear fellow. In this world there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it. The last is much the worst; the last is a real tragedy! But I am interested to hear she does not love you. How long could you love a woman who didn’t love you, Cecil?
Cecil Graham. A woman who didn’t love me? Oh, all my life!
Dumby. So could I. But it’s so difficult to meet one.
Lord Darlington. How can you be so conceited,Dumby?
Dumby. I didn’t say it as a matter of conceit. I said it as a matter of regret. I have been wildly, madly adored. I am sorry I have. It has been an immense nuisance. I should like to be allowed a little time to myself now and then.
Lord Augustus. [Looking round.] Time to educate yourself, I suppose.