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 WINDERMEREwatches,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 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,Isuppose?
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?-?000a 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.Iam 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 ?000??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 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.]
[PARKER enters L.and crosses towards the ball-room R.Enter MRS.
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.
