Oscar Wilde: The Complete Works. Knowledge house
Gertrude, you don’t know what I feel. When Montfort [E: Montford] passed 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 document 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.
·195· 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 ·196· 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.
·197· 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 buttonhole 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.]
·198· 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 ·199· 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?
·200· 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!
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.]
·201· lord caversham
What is the matter with this family? Something wrong here, eh? [Tapping his forehead.] Idiocy?