LADYHUNSTANTON。Oh，mydear!
MRS。ALLONBY。[Goingovertoher。]Whathashappened？Dotellme。
LADYHUNSTANTON[inalowvoice]IhadcompletelyforgottenthattheAmericanyoungladyhasbeenintheroomallthetime。Iamafraidsomeofthisclevertalkmayhaveshockedheralittle。
MRS。ALLONBY。Ah，thatwilldohersomuchgood!
LADYHUNSTANTON。Letushopeshedidn’tunderstandmuch。IthinkIhadbettergooverandtalktoher。[RisesandgoesacrosstoHESTERWORSLEY。]Well，dearMissWorsley。[Sittingdownbesideher。]Howquietyouhavebeeninyournicelittlecornerallthistime!Isupposeyouhavebeenreadingabook？Therearesomanybookshereinthelibrary。
HESTER。No，Ihavebeenlisteningtotheconversation。
LADYHUNSTANTON。Youmustn’tbelieveeverythingthatwassaid，youknow，dear。
HESTER。Ididn’tbelieveanyofitLADYHUNSTANTON。Thatisquiteright，dear。
HESTER。[Continuing。]Icouldn’tbelievethatanywomencouldreallyholdsuchviewsoflifeasIhaveheardto—nightfromsomeofyourguests。[Anawkwardpause。]
LADYHUNSTANTON。IhearyouhavesuchpleasantsocietyinAmerica。
Quitelikeourowninplaces，mysonwrotetome。
HESTER。TherearecliquesinAmericaaselsewhere，LadyHunstanton。ButtrueAmericansocietyconsistssimplyofallthegoodwomenandgoodmenwehaveinourcountry。
LADYHUNSTANTON。Whatasensiblesystem，andIdaresayquitepleasanttoo。IamafraidinEnglandwehavetoomanyartificialsocialbarriers。Wedon’tseeasmuchasweshouldofthemiddleandlowerclasses。
HESTER。InAmericawehavenolowerclasses。
LADYHUNSTANTON。Really？Whataverystrangearrangement!
MRS。ALLONBY。Whatisthatdreadfulgirltalkingabout？
LADYSTUTFIELD。Sheispainfullynatural，isshenot？
LADYCAROLINE。Thereareagreatmanythingsyouhaven’tgotinAmerica，Iamtold，MissWorsley。Theysayyouhavenoruins，andnocuriosities。
MRS。ALLONBY。[ToLADYSTUTFIELD。]Whatnonsense!Theyhavetheirmothersandtheirmanners。
HESTER。TheEnglisharistocracysupplyuswithourcuriosities，LadyCaroline。Theyaresentovertouseverysummer，regularly，inthesteamers，andproposetousthedayaftertheyland。Asforruins，wearetryingtobuildupsomethingthatwilllastlongerthanbrickorstone。[Getsuptotakeherfanfromtable。]
LADYHUNSTANTON。Whatisthat，dear？Ah，yes，anironExhibition，isitnot，atthatplacethathasthecuriousname？
HESTER。[Standingbytable。]Wearetryingtobuilduplife，LadyHunstanton，onabetter，truer，purerbasisthanliferestsonhere。Thissoundsstrangetoyouall，nodoubt。Howcoulditsoundotherthanstrange？YourichpeopleinEngland，youdon’tknowhowyouareliving。Howcouldyouknow？Youshutoutfromyoursocietythegentleandthegood。Youlaughatthesimpleandthepure。Living，asyoualldo，onothersandbythem，yousneeratself—sacrifice，andifyouthrowbreadtothepoor，itismerelytokeepthemquietforaseason。Withallyourpompandwealthandartyoudon’tknowhowtolive—youdon’tevenknowthat。Youlovethebeautythatyoucanseeandtouchandhandle，thebeautythatyoucandestroy，anddodestroy，butoftheunseenbeautyoflife，oftheunseenbeautyofahigherlife，youknownothing。Youhavelostlife’ssecret。Oh，yourEnglishsocietyseemstomeshallow，selfish，foolish。Ithasblindeditseyes，andstoppeditsears。Itlieslikealeperinpurple。Itsitslikeadeadthingsmearedwithgold。Itisallwrong，allwrong。
LADYSTUTFIELD。Idon’tthinkoneshouldknowofthesethings。Itisnotvery，verynice，isit？
LADYHUNSTANTON。MydearMissWorsley，IthoughtyoulikedEnglishsocietysomuch。Youweresuchasuccessinit。Andyouweresomuchadmiredbythebestpeople。IquiteforgetwhatLordHenryWestonsaidofyou—butitwasmostcomplimentary，andyouknowwhatanauthorityheisonbeauty。
HESTER。LordHenryWeston!Irememberhim，LadyHunstanton。A
manwithahideoussmileandahideouspast。Heisaskedeverywhere。Nodinner—partyiscompletewithouthim。Whatofthosewhoseruinisduetohim？Theyareoutcasts。Theyarenameless。Ifyoumettheminthestreetyouwouldturnyourheadaway。Idon’tcomplainoftheirpunishment。Letallwomenwhohavesinnedbepunished。
[MRS。ARBUTHNOTentersfromterracebehindinacloakwithalaceveiloverherhead。Shehearsthelastwordsandstarts。]
LADYHUNSTANTON。Mydearyounglady!
HESTER。Itisrightthattheyshouldbepunished，butdon’tletthembetheonlyonestosuffer。Ifamanandwomanhavesinned，letthembothgoforthintothedeserttoloveorloatheeachotherthere。Letthembothbebranded。Setamark，ifyouwish，oneach，butdon’tpunishtheoneandlettheothergofree。Don’thaveonelawformenandanotherforwomen。YouareunjusttowomeninEngland。Andtillyoucountwhatisashameinawomantobeaninfamyinaman，youwillalwaysbeunjust，andRight，thatpillaroffire，andWrong，thatpillarofcloud，willbemadedimtoyoureyes，orbenotseenatall，orifseen，notregardedLADYCAROLINE。MightI，dearMissWorsley，asyouarestandingup，askyouformycottonthatisjustbehindyou？Thankyou。
LADYHUNSTANTON。MydearMrs。Arbuthnot!Iamsopleasedyouhavecomeup。ButIdidn’thearyouannounced。
MRS。ALLONBY。Oh，Icamestraightinfromtheterrace，LadyHunstanton，justasIwas。Youdidn’ttellmeyouhadaparty。
LADYHUNSTANTON。Notaparty。Onlyafewguestswhoarestayinginthehouse，andwhomyoumustknow。Allowme。[Triestohelpher。Ringsbell。]Caroline，thisisMrs。Arbuthnot，oneofmysweetestfriends。LadyCarolinePontefract，LadyStutfield，Mrs。
Allonby，andmyyoungAmericanfriend，MissWorsley，whohasjustbeentellingusallhowwickedweare。
HESTER。IamafraidyouthinkIspoketoostrongly，LadyHunstanton。ButtherearesomethingsinEngland—
LADYHUNSTANTON。Mydearyounglady，therewasagreatdealoftruth，Idaresay，inwhatyousaid，andyoulookedveryprettywhileyousaidit，whichismuchmoreimportant，LordIllingworthwouldtellus。TheonlypointwhereIthoughtyouwerealittlehardwasaboutLadyCaroline’sbrother，aboutpoorLordHenry。Heisreallysuchgoodcompany。
[EnterFootman。]
TakeMrs。Arbuthnot’sthings。
[ExitFootmanwithwraps。]
HESTER。LadyCaroline，Ihadnoideaitwasyourbrother。IamsorryforthepainImusthavecausedyou—I—
LADYCAROLINE。MydearMissWorsley，theonlypartofyourlittlespeech，ifImaysotermit，withwhichIthoroughlyagreed，wasthepartaboutmybrother。Nothingthatyoucouldpossiblysaycouldbetoobadforhim。IregardHenryasinfamous，absolutelyinfamous。ButIamboundtostate，asyouwereremarking，Jane，thatheisexcellentcompany，andhehasoneofthebestcooksinLondon，andafteragooddinneronecanforgiveanybody，evenone’sownrelations。
LADYHUNSTANTON[toMISSWORSLEY]Now，docome，dear，andmakefriendswithMrs。Arbuthnot。Sheisoneofthegood，sweet，simplepeopleyoutoldusweneveradmittedintosociety。IamsorrytosayMrs。Arbuthnotcomesveryrarelytome。Butthatisnotmyfault。
MRS。ALLONBY。Whataboreitisthemenstayingsolongafterdinner!Iexpecttheyaresayingthemostdreadfulthingsaboutus。
LADYSTUTFIELD。Doyoureallythinkso？
MRS。ALLONBY。Iwassureofit。
LADYSTUTFIELD。Howvery，veryhorridofthem!Shallwegoontotheterrace？
MRS。ALLONBY。Oh，anythingtogetawayfromthedowagersandthedowdies。[RisesandgoeswithLADYSTUTFIELDtodoorL。C。]Weareonlygoingtolookatthestars，LadyHunstanton。
LADYHUNSTANTON。Youwillfindagreatmany，dear，agreatmany。
Butdon’tcatchcold。[ToMRS。ARBUTHNOT。]WeshallallmissGeraldsomuch，dearMrs。Arbuthnot。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。ButhasLordIllingworthreallyofferedtomakeGeraldhissecretary？
LADYHUNSTANTON。Oh，yes!Hehasbeenmostcharmingaboutit。Hehasthehighestpossibleopinionofyourboy。Youdon’tknowLordIllingworth，Ibelieve，dear。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Ihavenevermethim。
LADYHUNSTANTON。Youknowhimbyname，nodoubt？
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。IamafraidIdon’t。Ilivesomuchoutoftheworld，andseesofewpeople。IrememberhearingyearsagoofanoldLordIllingworthwholivedinYorkshire，Ithink。
LADYHUNSTANTON。Ah，yes。ThatwouldbethelastEarlbutone。
Hewasaverycuriousman。Hewantedtomarrybeneathhim。Orwouldn’t，Ibelieve。Therewassomescandalaboutit。ThepresentLordIllingworthisquitedifferent。Heisverydistinguished。Hedoes—well，hedoesnothing，whichIamafraidourprettyAmericanvisitorherethinksverywrongofanybody，andIdon’tknowthathecaresmuchforthesubjectsinwhichyouaresointerested，dearMrs。Arbuthnot。Doyouthink，Caroline，thatLordIllingworthisinterestedintheHousingofthePoor？
LADYCAROLINE。Ishouldfancynotatall，Jane。
LADYHUNSTANTON。Weallhaveourdifferenttastes，havewenot？
ButLordIllingworthhasaveryhighposition，andthereisnothinghecouldn’tgetifhechosetoaskforit。Ofcourse，heiscomparativelyayoungmanstill，andhehasonlycometohistitlewithin—howlongexactlyisit，Caroline，sinceLordIllingworthsucceeded？
LADYCAROLINE。Aboutfouryears，Ithink，Jane。Iknowitwasthesameyearinwhichmybrotherhadhislastexposureintheeveningnewspapers。
LADYHUNSTANTON。Ah，Iremember。Thatwouldbeaboutfouryearsago。Ofcourse，therewereagreatmanypeoplebetweenthepresentLordIllingworthandthetitle，Mrs。Arbuthnot。Therewas—whowasthere，Caroline？
LADYCAROLINE。TherewaspoorMargaret’sbaby。Yourememberhowanxiousshewastohaveaboy，anditwasaboy，butitdied，andherhusbanddiedshortlyafterwards，andshemarriedalmostimmediatelyoneofLordAscot’ssons，who，Iamtold，beatsher。
LADYHUNSTANTON。Ah，thatisinthefamily，dear，thatisinthefamily。Andtherewasalso，Iremember，aclergymanwhowantedtobealunatic，oralunaticwhowantedtobeaclergyman，Iforgetwhich，butIknowtheCourtofChanceryinvestigatedthematter，anddecidedthathewasquitesane。AndIsawhimafterwardsatpoorLordPlumstead’swithstrawsinhishair，orsomethingveryoddabouthim。Ican’trecallwhat。Ioftenregret，LadyCaroline，thatdearLadyCecilianeverlivedtoseehersongetthetitle。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。LadyCecilia？
LADYHUNSTANTON。LordIllingworth’smother，dearMrs。Arbuthnot，wasoneoftheDuchessofJerningham’sprettydaughters，andshemarriedSirThomasHarford，whowasn’tconsideredaverygoodmatchforheratthetime，thoughhewassaidtobethehandsomestmaninLondon。Iknewthemallquiteintimately，andboththesons，ArthurandGeorge。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Itwastheeldestsonwhosucceeded，ofcourse，LadyHunstanton？
LADYHUNSTANTON。No，dear，hewaskilledinthehuntingfield。Orwasitfishing，Caroline？Iforget。ButGeorgecameinforeverything。Ialwaystellhimthatnoyoungersonhaseverhadsuchgoodluckashehashad。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。LadyHunstanton，IwanttospeaktoGeraldatonce。MightIseehim？Canhebesentfor？
LADYHUNSTANTON。Certainly，dear。Iwillsendoneoftheservantsintothedining—roomtofetchhim。Idon’tknowwhatkeepsthegentlemensolong。[Ringsbell。]WhenIknewLordIllingworthfirstasplainGeorgeHarford，hewassimplyaverybrilliantyoungmanabouttown，withnotapennyofmoneyexceptwhatpoordearLadyCeciliagavehim。Shewasquitedevotedtohim。Chiefly，I
fancy，becausehewasonbadtermswithhisfather。Oh，hereisthedearArchdeacon。[ToServant。]Itdoesn’tmatter。
[EnterSIRJOHNandDOCTORDAUBENY。SIRJOHNgoesovertoLADY
STUTFIELD，DOCTORDAUBENYtoLADYHUNSTANTON。]
THEARCHDEACON。LordIllingworthhasbeenmostentertaining。I
haveneverenjoyedmyselfmore。[SeesMRS。ARBUTHNOT。]Ah，Mrs。
Arbuthnot。
LADYHUNSTANTON。[ToDOCTORDAUBENY。]YouseeIhavegotMrs。
Arbuthnottocometomeatlast。
THEARCHDEACON。Thatisagreathonour，LadyHunstanton。Mrs。
Daubenywillbequitejealousofyou。
LADYHUNSTANTON。Ah，IamsosorryMrs。Daubenycouldnotcomewithyouto—night。Headacheasusual，Isuppose。
THEARCHDEACON。Yes，LadyHunstanton；aperfectmartyr。Butsheishappiestalone。Sheishappiestalone。
LADYCAROLINE。[Toherhusband。]John![SIRJOHNgoesovertohiswife。DOCTORDAUBENYtalkstoLADYHUNSTANTONandMRS。
ARBUTHNOT。]
[MRS。ARBUTHNOTwatchesLORDILLINGWORTHthewholetime。Hehaspassedacrosstheroomwithoutnoticingher，andapproachesMRS。
ALLONBY，whowithLADYSTUTFIELDisstandingbythedoorlookingontotheterrace。]
LORDILLINGWORTH。Howisthemostcharmingwomanintheworld？
MRS。ALLONBY。[TakingLADYSTUTFIELDbythehand。]Wearebothquitewell，thankyou，LordIllingworth。Butwhatashorttimeyouhavebeeninthedining—room!Itseemsasifwehadonlyjustleft。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Iwasboredtodeath。Neveropenedmylipsthewholetime。Absolutelylongingtocomeintoyou。
MRS。ALLONBY。Youshouldhave。TheAmericangirlhasbeengivingusalecture。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Really？AllAmericanslecture，Ibelieve。I
supposeitissomethingintheirclimate。Whatdidshelectureabout？
MRS。ALLONBY。Oh，Puritanism，ofcourse。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Iamgoingtoconverther，amInot？Howlongdoyougiveme？
MRS。ALLONBY。Aweek。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Aweekismorethanenough。
[EnterGERALDandLORDALFRED。]
GERALD。[GoingtoMRS。ARBUTHNOT。]Dearmother!
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Gerald，Idon’tfeelatallwell。Seemehome，Gerald。Ishouldn’thavecome。
GERALD。Iamsosorry，mother。Certainly。ButyoumustknowLordIllingworthfirst。[Goesacrossroom。]
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Notto—night，Gerald。
GERALD。LordIllingworth，Iwantyousomuchtoknowmymother。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Withthegreatestpleasure。[ToMRS。ALLONBY。]
I’llbebackinamoment。People’smothersalwaysboremetodeath。Allwomenbecomeliketheirmothers。Thatistheirtragedy。
MRS。ALLONBY。Nomandoes。Thatishis。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Whatadelightfulmoodyouareinto—night!
[TurnsroundandgoesacrosswithGERALDtoMRS。ARBUTHNOT。Whenheseesher，hestartsbackinwonder。ThenslowlyhiseyesturntowardsGERALD。]
GERALD。Mother，thisisLordIllingworth，whohasofferedtotakemeashisprivatesecretary。[MRS。ARBUTHNOTbowscoldly。]Itisawonderfulopeningforme，isn’tit？Ihopehewon’tbedisappointedinme，thatisall。You’llthankLordIllingworth，mother，won’tyou？
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。LordIllingworthinverygood，Iamsure，tointeresthimselfinyouforthemoment。
LORDILLINGWORTH。[PuttinghishandonGERALD’sshoulder。]Oh，GeraldandIaregreatfriendsalready，Mrs……Arbuthnot。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Therecanbenothingincommonbetweenyouandmyson，LordIllingworth。
GERALD。Dearmother，howcanyousayso？OfcourseLordIllingworthisawfullycleverandthatsortofthing。ThereisnothingLordIllingworthdoesn’tknow。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Mydearboy!
GERALD。HeknowsmoreaboutlifethananyoneIhaveevermet。I
feelanawfuldufferwhenIamwithyou，LordIllingworth。Ofcourse，Ihavehadsofewadvantages。IhavenotbeentoEtonorOxfordlikeotherchaps。ButLordIllingworthdoesn’tseemtomindthat。Hehasbeenawfullygoodtome，mother。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。LordIllingworthmaychangehismind。Hemaynotreallywantyouashissecretary。
GERALD。Mother!
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Youmustremember，asyousaidyourself，youhavehadsofewadvantages。
MRS。ALLONBY。LordIllingworth，Iwanttospeaktoyouforamoment。Docomeover。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Willyouexcuseme，Mrs。Arbuthnot？Now，don’tletyourcharmingmothermakeanymoredifficulties，Gerald。Thethingisquitesettled，isn’tit？
GERALD。Ihopeso。[LORDILLINGWORTHgoesacrosstoMRS。
ARBUTHNOT。]
MRS。ALLONBY。Ithoughtyouwerenevergoingtoleavetheladyinblackvelvet。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Sheisexcessivelyhandsome。[LooksatMRS。
ARBUTHNOT。]
LADYHUNSTANTON。Caroline，shallweallmakeamovetothemusic—
room？MissWorsleyisgoingtoplay。You’llcometoo，dearMrs。
Arbuthnot，won’tyou？Youdon’tknowwhatatreatisinstoreforyou。[ToDOCTORDAUBENY。]ImustreallytakeMissWorsleydownsomeafternoontotherectory。IshouldsomuchlikedearMrs。
Daubenytohearherontheviolin。Ah，Iforgot。DearMrs。
Daubeny’shearingisalittledefective，isitnot？
THEARCHDEACON。Herdeafnessisagreatprivationtoher。Shecan’tevenhearmysermonsnow。Shereadsthemathome。Butshehasmanyresourcesinherself，manyresources。
LADYHUNSTANTON。Shereadsagooddeal，Isuppose？
THEARCHDEACON。Justtheverylargestprint。Theeyesightisrapidlygoing。Butshe’snevermorbid，nevermorbid。
GERALD。[ToLORDILLINGWORTH。]Dospeaktomymother，LordIllingworth，beforeyougointothemusic—room。Sheseemstothink，somehow，youdon’tmeanwhatyousaidtome。
MRS。ALLONBY。Aren’tyoucoming？
LORDILLINGWORTH。Inafewmoments。LadyHunstanton，ifMrs。
Arbuthnotwouldallowme，Iwouldliketosayafewwordstoher，andwewilljoinyoulateron。
LADYHUNSTANTON。Ah，ofcourse。Youwillhaveagreatdealtosaytoher，andshewillhaveagreatdealtothankyoufor。Itisnoteverysonwhogetssuchanoffer，Mrs。Arbuthnot。ButIknowyouappreciatethat，dear。
LADYCAROLINE。John!
LADYHUNSTANTON。Now，don’tkeepMrs。Arbuthnottoolong，LordIllingworth。Wecan’tspareher。
[Exitfollowingtheotherguests。Soundofviolinheardfrommusic—room。]
LORDILLINGWORTH。Sothatisourson，Rachel!Well，Iamveryproudofhim。HeinaHarford，everyinchofhim。Bytheway，whyArbuthnot，Rachel？
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Onenameisasgoodasanother，whenonehasnorighttoanyname。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Isupposeso—butwhyGerald？
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。AfteramanwhoseheartIbroke—aftermyfather。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Well，Rachel，whatinoverisover。AllIhavegottosaynowinthatIamvery，verymuchpleasedwithourboy。
Theworldwillknowhimmerelyasmyprivatesecretary，buttomehewillbesomethingverynear，andverydear。Itisacuriousthing，Rachel；mylifeseemedtobequitecomplete。Itwasnotso。
Itlackedsomething，itlackedason。Ihavefoundmysonnow，I
amgladIhavefoundhim。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Youhavenorighttoclaimhim，orthesmallestpartofhim。Theboyisentirelymine，andshallremainmine。
LORDILLINGWORTH。MydearRachel，youhavehadhimtoyourselfforovertwentyyears。Whynotletmehavehimforalittlenow？Heisquiteasmuchmineasyours。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Areyoutalkingofthechildyouabandoned？Ofthechildwho，asfarasyouareconcerned，mighthavediedofhungerandofwant？
LORDILLINGWORTH。Youforget，Rachel，itwasyouwholeftme。ItwasnotIwholeftyou。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Ileftyoubecauseyourefusedtogivethechildaname。Beforemysonwasborn，Iimploredyoutomarryme。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Ihadnoexpectationsthen。Andbesides，Rachel，Iwasn’tmucholderthanyouwere。Iwasonlytwenty—two。
Iwastwenty—one，Ibelieve，whenthewholethingbeganinyourfather’sgarden。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Whenamanisoldenoughtodowrongheshouldbeoldenoughtodorightalso。
LORDILLINGWORTH。MydearRachel，intellectualgeneralitiesarealwaysinteresting，butgeneralitiesinmoralsmeanabsolutelynothing。AsforsayingIleftourchildtostarve，that，ofcourse，isuntrueandsilly。Mymotherofferedyousixhundredayear。Butyouwouldn’ttakeanything。Yousimplydisappeared，andcarriedthechildawaywithyou。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Iwouldn’thaveacceptedapennyfromher。Yourfatherwasdifferent。Hetoldyou，inmypresence，whenwewereinParis，thatitwasyourdutytomarryme。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Oh，dutyiswhatoneexpectsfromothers，itisnotwhatonedoesoneself。Ofcourse，Iwasinfluencedbymymother。Everymaniswhenheisyoung。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Iamgladtohearyousayso。Geraldshallcertainlynotgoawaywithyou。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Whatnonsense，Rachel!
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。DoyouthinkIwouldallowmyson—
LORDILLINGWORTH。OURson。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Myson[LORDILLINGWORTHshrugshisshoulders]—
togoawaywiththemanwhospoiledmyyouth，whoruinedmylife，whohastaintedeverymomentofmydays？Youdon’trealisewhatmypasthasbeeninsufferingandinshame。
LORDILLINGWORTH。MydearRachel，ImustcandidlysaythatIthinkGerald’sfutureconsiderablymoreimportantthanyourpast。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Geraldcannotseparatehisfuturefrommypast。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Thatisexactlywhatheshoulddo。Thatisexactlywhatyoushouldhelphimtodo。Whatatypicalwomanyouare!Youtalksentimentally，andyouarethoroughlyselfishthewholetime。Butdon’tletushaveascene。Rachel，Iwantyoutolookatthismatterfromthecommon—sensepointofview，fromthepointofviewofwhatisbestforourson，leavingyouandmeoutofthequestion。Whatisoursonatpresent？AnunderpaidclerkinasmallProvincialBankinathird—rateEnglishtown。Ifyouimagineheisquitehappyinsuchaposition，youaremistaken。Heisthoroughlydiscontented。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Hewasnotdiscontentedtillhemetyou。Youhavemadehimso。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Ofcourse，Imadehimso。Discontentisthefirststepintheprogressofamanoranation。ButIdidnotleavehimwithamerelongingforthingshecouldnotget。No，I
madehimacharmingoffer。Hejumpedatit，Ineedhardlysay。
Anyyoungmanwould。Andnow，simplybecauseitturnsoutthatI
amtheboy’sownfatherandhemyownson，youproposepracticallytoruinhiscareer。Thatistosay，ifIwereaperfectstranger，youwouldallowGeraldtogoawaywithme，butasheismyownfleshandbloodyouwon’t。Howutterlyillogicalyouare!
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Iwillnotallowhimtogo。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Howcanyoupreventit？Whatexcusecanyougivetohimformakinghimdeclinesuchanofferasmine？Iwon’ttellhiminwhatrelationsIstandtohim，Ineedhardlysay。Butyoudaren’ttellhim。Youknowthat。Lookhowyouhavebroughthimup。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Ihavebroughthimuptobeagoodman。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Quiteso。Andwhatistheresult？Youhaveeducatedhimtobeyourjudgeifheeverfindsyouout。Andabitter，anunjustjudgehewillbetoyou。Don’tbedeceived，Rachel。Childrenbeginbylovingtheirparents。Afteratimetheyjudgethem。Rarely，ifever，dotheyforgivethem。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。George，don’ttakemysonawayfromme。Ihavehadtwentyyearsofsorrow，andIhaveonlyhadonethingtoloveme，onlyonethingtolove。Youhavehadalifeofjoy，andpleasure，andsuccess。Youhavebeenquitehappy，youhaveneverthoughtofus。Therewasnoreason，accordingtoyourviewsoflife，whyyoushouldhaverememberedusatall。Yourmeetinguswasamereaccident，ahorribleaccident。Forgetit。Don’tcomenow，androbmeof……ofallIhaveinthewholeworld。Youaresorichinotherthings。Leavemethelittlevineyardofmylife；
leavemethewalled—ingardenandthewellofwater；theewe—lambGodsentme，inpityorinwrath，oh!leavemethat。George，don’ttakeGeraldfromme。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Rachel，atthepresentmomentyouarenotnecessarytoGerald’scareer；Iam。Thereisnothingmoretobesaidonthesubject。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Iwillnotlethimgo。
LORDILLINGWORTH。HereisGerald。Hehasarighttodecideforhimself。
[EnterGERALD。]
GERALD。Well，dearmother，IhopeyouhavesettleditallwithLordIllingworth？
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Ihavenot，Gerald。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Yourmotherseemsnottolikeyourcomingwithme，forsomereason。
GERALD。Why，mother？
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Ithoughtyouwerequitehappyherewithme，Gerald。Ididn’tknowyouweresoanxioustoleaveme。
GERALD。Mother，howcanyoutalklikethat？OfcourseIhavebeenquitehappywithyou。Butamancan’tstayalwayswithhismother。
Nochapdoes。Iwanttomakemyselfaposition，todosomething。
IthoughtyouwouldhavebeenproudtoseemeLordIllingworth’ssecretary。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。IdonotthinkyouwouldbesuitableasaprivatesecretarytoLordIllingworth。Youhavenoqualifications。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Idon’twishtoseemtointerfereforamoment，Mrs。Arbuthnot，butasfarasyourlastobjectionisconcerned，I
surelyamthebestjudge。AndIcanonlytellyouthatyoursonhasallthequalificationsIhadhopedfor。Hehasmore，infact，thanIhadeventhoughtof。Farmore。[MRS。ARBUTHNOTremainssilent。]Haveyouanyotherreason，Mrs。Arbuthnot，whyyoudon’twishyoursontoacceptthispost？
GERALD。Haveyou，mother？Doanswer。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Ifyouhave，Mrs。Arbuthnot，pray，praysayit。
Wearequitebyourselveshere。Whateveritis，IneednotsayI
willnotrepeatit。
GERALD。Mother？
LORDILLINGWORTH。Ifyouwouldliketobealonewithyourson，I
willleaveyou。Youmayhavesomeotherreasonyoudon’twishmetohear。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Ihavenootherreason。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Then，mydearboy，wemaylookonthethingassettled。Come，youandIwillsmokeacigaretteontheterracetogether。AndMrs。Arbuthnot，prayletmetellyou，thatIthinkyouhaveactedvery，verywisely。
[ExitwithGERALD。MRS。ARBUTHNOTisleftalone。Shestandsimmobilewithalookofunutterablesorrowonherface。]
ACTDROP
THIRDACT
SCENE
ThePictureGalleryatHunstanton。Dooratbackleadingontoterrace。
[LORDILLINGWORTHandGERALD，R。C。LORDILLINGWORTHlollingonasofa。GERALDinachair。]
LORDILLINGWORTH。Thoroughlysensiblewoman，yourmother，Gerald。
Iknewshewouldcomeroundintheend。
GERALD。Mymotherisawfullyconscientious，LordIllingworth，andIknowshedoesn’tthinkIameducatedenoughtobeyoursecretary。
Sheisperfectlyright，too。IwasfearfullyidlewhenIwasatschool，andIcouldn’tpassanexaminationnowtosavemylife。
LORDILLINGWORTH。MydearGerald，examinationsareofnovaluewhatsoever。Ifamanisagentleman，heknowsquiteenough，andifheisnotagentleman，whateverheknowsisbadforhim。
GERALD。ButIamsoignorantoftheworld，LordIllingworth。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Don’tbeafraid，Gerald。Rememberthatyou’vegotonyoursidethemostwonderfulthingintheworld—youth!
Thereisnothinglikeyouth。Themiddle—agedaremortgagedtoLife。Theoldareinlife’slumber—room。ButyouthistheLordofLife。Youthhasakingdomwaitingforit。Everyoneisbornaking，andmostpeopledieinexile，likemostkings。Towinbackmyyouth，Gerald，thereisnothingIwouldn’tdo—excepttakeexercise，getupearly，orbeausefulmemberofthecommunity。
GERALD。Butyoudon’tcallyourselfold，LordIllingworth？
LORDILLINGWORTH。Iamoldenoughtobeyourfather，Gerald。
GERALD。Idon’tremembermyfather；hediedyearsago。
LORDILLINGWORTH。SoLadyHunstantontoldme。
GERALD。Itisverycurious，mymothernevertalkstomeaboutmyfather。Isometimesthinkshemusthavemarriedbeneathher。
LORDILLINGWORTH。[Wincesslightly。]Really？[GoesoverandputshishandonGERALD’Sshoulder。]Youhavemissednothavingafather，Isuppose，Gerald？
GERALD。Oh，no；mymotherhasbeensogoodtome。NooneeverhadsuchamotherasIhavehad。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Iamquitesureofthat。StillIshouldimaginethatmostmothersdon’tquiteunderstandtheirsons。Don’trealise，Imean，thatasonhasambitions，adesiretoseelife，tomakehimselfaname。Afterall，Gerald，youcouldn’tbeexpectedtopassallyourlifeinsuchaholeasWrockley，couldyou？
GERALD。Oh，no!Itwouldbedreadful!
LORDILLINGWORTH。Amother’sloveisverytouching，ofcourse，butitisoftencuriouslyselfish。Imean，thereisagooddealofselfishnessinit。
GERALD。[Slowly。]Isupposethereis。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Yourmotherisathoroughlygoodwoman。Butgoodwomenhavesuchlimitedviewsoflife，theirhorizonissosmall，theirinterestsaresopetty，aren’tthey？
GERALD。Theyareawfullyinterested，certainly，inthingswedon’tcaremuchabout。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Isupposeyourmotherisveryreligious，andthatsortofthing。
GERALD。Oh，yes，she’salwaysgoingtochurch。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Ah!sheisnotmodern，andtobemodernistheonlythingworthbeingnowadays。Youwanttobemodern，don’tyou，Gerald？Youwanttoknowlifeasitreallyis。Nottobeputofwithanyold—fashionedtheoriesaboutlife。Well，whatyouhavetodoatpresentissimplytofityourselfforthebestsociety。A
manwhocandominateaLondondinner—tablecandominatetheworld。
Thefuturebelongstothedandy。Itistheexquisiteswhoaregoingtorule。
GERALD。Ishouldliketowearnicethingsawfully，butIhavealwaysbeentoldthatamanshouldnotthinktoomuchabouthisclothes。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Peoplenowadaysaresoabsolutelysuperficialthattheydon’tunderstandthephilosophyofthesuperficial。Bytheway，Gerald，youshouldlearnhowtotieyourtiebetter。
Sentimentisallverywellforthebutton—hole。Buttheessentialthingforanecktieisstyle。Awell—tiedtieisthefirstseriousstepinlife。
GERALD。[Laughing。]Imightbeabletolearnhowtotieatie，LordIllingworth，butIshouldneverbeabletotalkasyoudo。I
don’tknowhowtotalk。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Oh!talktoeverywomanasifyoulovedher，andtoeverymanasifheboredyou，andattheendofyourfirstseasonyouwillhavethereputationofpossessingthemostperfectsocialtact。
GERALD。Butitisverydifficulttogetintosocietyisn’tit？
LORDILLINGWORTH。Togetintothebestsociety，nowadays，onehaseithertofeedpeople，amusepeople，orshockpeople—thatisall!
GERALD。Isupposesocietyiswonderfullydelightful!
LORDILLINGWORTH。Tobeinitismerelyabore。Buttobeoutofitsimplyatragedy。Societyisanecessarything。Nomanhasanyrealsuccessinthisworldunlesshehasgotwomentobackhim，andwomenrulesociety。Ifyouhavenotgotwomenonyoursideyouarequiteover。Youmightjustaswellbeabarrister，orastockbroker，orajournalistatonce。
GERALD。Itisverydifficulttounderstandwomen，isitnot？
LORDILLINGWORTH。Youshouldnevertrytounderstandthem。Womenarepictures。Menareproblems。Ifyouwanttoknowwhatawomanreallymeans—which，bytheway，isalwaysadangerousthingtodo—lookather，don’tlistentoher。
GERALD。Butwomenareawfullyclever，aren’tthey？
LORDILLINGWORTH。Oneshouldalwaystellthemso。But，tothephilosopher，mydearGerald，womenrepresentthetriumphofmatterovermind—justasmenrepresentthetriumphofmindovermorals。
GERALD。Howthencanwomenhavesomuchpowerasyousaytheyhave？
LORDILLINGWORTH。Thehistoryofwomenisthehistoryoftheworstformoftyrannytheworldhaseverknown。Thetyrannyoftheweakoverthestrong。Itistheonlytyrannythatlasts。
GERALD。Buthaven’twomengotarefininginfluence？
LORDILLINGWORTH。Nothingrefinesbuttheintellect。
GERALD。Still，therearemanydifferentkindsofwomen，aren’tthere？
LORDILLINGWORTH。Onlytwokindsinsociety：theplainandthecoloured。
GERALD。Buttherearegoodwomeninsociety，aren’tthere？
LORDILLINGWORTH。Fartoomany。
GERALD。Butdoyouthinkwomenshouldn’tbegood？
LORDILLINGWORTH。Oneshouldnevertellthemso，they’dallbecomegoodatonce。Womenareafascinatinglywilfulsex。Everywomanisarebel，andusuallyinwildrevoltagainstherself。
GERALD。Youhaveneverbeenmarried，LordIllingworth，haveyou？
LORDILLINGWORTH。Menmarrybecausetheyaretired；womenbecausetheyarecurious。Botharedisappointed。
GERALD。Butdon’tyouthinkonecanbehappywhenoneismarried？
LORDILLINGWORTH。Perfectlyhappy。Butthehappinessofamarriedman，mydearGerald，dependsonthepeoplehehasnotmarried。
GERALD。Butifoneisinlove？
LORDILLINGWORTH。Oneshouldalwaysbeinlove。Thatisthereasononeshouldnevermarry。
GERALD。Loveisaverywonderfulthing，isn’tit？
LORDILLINGWORTH。Whenoneisinloveonebeginsbydeceivingoneself。Andoneendsbydeceivingothers。Thatiswhattheworldcallsaromance。ButareallyGRANDEPASSIONiscomparativelyrarenowadays。Itistheprivilegeofpeoplewhohavenothingtodo。
Thatistheoneuseoftheidleclassesinacountry，andtheonlypossibleexplanationofusHarfords。
GERALD。Harfords，LordIllingworth？
LORDILLINGWORTH。Thatismyfamilyname。YoushouldstudythePeerage，Gerald。Itistheonebookayoungmanabouttownshouldknowthoroughly，anditisthebestthinginfictiontheEnglishhaveeverdone。Andnow，Gerald，youaregoingintoaperfectlynewlifewithme，andIwantyoutoknowhowtolive。[MRS。
ARBUTHNOTappearsonterracebehind。]Fortheworldhasbeenmadebyfoolsthatwisemenshouldliveinit!
[EnterL。C。LADYHUNSTANTONandDR。DAUBENY。]
LADYHUNSTANTON。Ah!hereyouare，dearLordIllingworth。Well，I
supposeyouhavebeentellingouryoungfriend，Gerald，whathisnewdutiesaretobe，andgivinghimagreatdealofgoodadviceoverapleasantcigarette。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Ihavebeengivinghimthebestofadvice，LadyHunstanton，andthebestofcigarettes。
LADYHUNSTANTON。IamsosorryIwasnotheretolistentoyou，butIsupposeIamtoooldnowtolearn。Exceptfromyou，dearArchdeacon，whenyouareinyournicepulpit。ButthenIalwaysknowwhatyouaregoingtosay，soIdon’tfeelalarmed。[SeesMRS。ARBUTHNOT。]Ah!dearMrs。Arbuthnot，docomeandjoinus。
Come，dear。[EnterMRS。ARBUTHNOT。]GeraldhasbeenhavingsuchalongtalkwithLordIllingworth；Iamsureyoumustfeelverymuchflatteredatthepleasantwayinwhicheverythinghasturnedoutforhim。Letussitdown。[Theysitdown。]Andhowisyourbeautifulembroiderygoingon？
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Iamalwaysatwork，LadyHunstanton。
LADYHUNSTANTON。Mrs。Daubenyembroidersalittle，too，doesn’tshe？
THEARCHDEACON。Shewasverydeftwithherneedleonce，quiteaDorcas。Butthegouthascrippledherfingersagooddeal。Shehasnottouchedthetambourframefornineortenyears。Butshehasmanyotheramusements。Sheisverymuchinterestedinherownhealth。
LADYHUNSTANTON。Ah!thatisalwaysanicedistraction，initnot？
Now，whatareyoutalkingabout，LordIllingworth？Dotellus。
LORDILLINGWORTH。IwasonthepointofexplainingtoGeraldthattheworldhasalwayslaughedatitsowntragedies，thatbeingtheonlywayinwhichithasbeenabletobearthem。Andthat，consequently，whatevertheworldhastreatedseriouslybelongstothecomedysideofthings。
LADYHUNSTANTON。NowIamquiteoutofmydepth。IusuallyamwhenLordIllingworthsaysanything。AndtheHumaneSocietyismostcareless。Theyneverrescueme。Iamlefttosink。Ihaveadimidea，dearLordIllingworth，thatyouarealwaysonthesideofthesinners，andIknowIalwaystrytobeonthesideofthesaints，butthatisasfarasIget。Andafterall，itmaybemerelythefancyofadrowningperson。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Theonlydifferencebetweenthesaintandthesinneristhateverysainthasapast，andeverysinnerhasafuture。
LADYHUNSTANTON。Ah!thatquitedoesforme。Ihaven’tawordtosay。YouandI，dearMrs。Arbuthnot，arebehindtheage。Wecan’tfollowLordIllingworth。Toomuchcarewastakenwithoureducation，Iamafraid。Tohavebeenwellbroughtupisagreatdrawbacknowadays。Itshutsoneoutfromsomuch。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。IshouldbesorrytofollowLordIllingworthinanyofhisopinions。
LADYHUNSTANTON。Youarequiteright，dear。
[GERALDshrugshisshouldersandlooksirritablyoverathismother。EnterLADYCAROLINE。]
LADYCAROLINE。Jane，haveyouseenJohnanywhere？
LADYHUNSTANTON。Youneedn’tbeanxiousabouthim，dear。HeiswithLadyStutfield；Isawthemsometimeago，intheYellowDrawing—room。Theyseemquitehappytogether。Youarenotgoing，Caroline？Praysitdown。
LADYCAROLINE。IthinkIhadbetterlookafterJohn。
[ExitLADYCAROLINE。]
LADYHUNSTANTON。Itdoesn’tdotopaymensomuchattention。AndCarolinehasreallynothingtobeanxiousabout。LadyStutfieldisverysympathetic。Sheisjustassympatheticaboutonethingassheisaboutanother。Abeautifulnature。
[EnterSIRJOHNandMRS。ALLONBY。]
Ah!hereisSirJohn!AndwithMrs。Allonbytoo!IsupposeitwasMrs。AllonbyIsawhimwith。SirJohn，Carolinehasbeenlookingeverywhereforyou。
MRS。ALLONBY。WehavebeenwaitingforherintheMusic—room，dearLadyHunstanton。
LADYHUNSTANTON。Ah!theMusic—room，ofcourse。IthoughtitwastheYellowDrawing—room，mymemoryisgettingsodefective。[TotheARCHDEACON。]Mrs。Daubenyhasawonderfulmemory，hasn’tshe？
THEARCHDEACON。Sheusedtobequiteremarkableforhermemory，butsinceherlastattacksherecallschieflytheeventsofherearlychildhood。Butshefindsgreatpleasureinsuchretrospections，greatpleasure。
[EnterLADYSTUTFIELDandMR。KELVIL。]
LADYHUNSTANTON。Ah!dearLadyStutfield!andwhathasMr。Kelvilbeentalkingtoyouabout？
LADYSTUTFIELD。AboutBimetallism，aswellasIremember。
LADYHUNSTANTON。Bimetallism!Isthatquiteanicesubject？
However，Iknowpeoplediscusseverythingveryfreelynowadays。
WhatdidSirJohntalktoyouabout，dearMrs。Allonby？
MRS。ALLONBY。AboutPatagonia。
LADYHUNSTANTON。Really？Whataremotetopic!Butveryimproving，Ihavenodoubt。
MRS。ALLONBY。HehasbeenmostinterestingonthesubjectofPatagonia。Savagesseemtohavequitethesameviewsasculturedpeopleonalmostallsubjects。Theyareexcessivelyadvanced。
LADYHUNSTANTON。Whatdotheydo？
MRS。ALLONBY。Apparentlyeverything。
LADYHUNSTANTON。Well，itisverygratifying，dearArchdeacon，isitnot，tofindthatHumanNatureispermanentlyone。—Onthewhole，theworldisthesameworld，isitnot？
LORDILLINGWORTH。Theworldissimplydividedintotwoclasses—
thosewhobelievetheincredible，likethepublic—andthosewhodotheimprobable—
MRS。ALLONBY。Likeyourself？
LORDILLINGWORTH。Yes；Iamalwaysastonishingmyself。Itistheonlythingthatmakeslifeworthliving。
LADYSTUTFIELD。Andwhathaveyoubeendoinglatelythatastonishesyou？
LORDILLINGWORTH。Ihavebeendiscoveringallkindsofbeautifulqualitiesinmyownnature。
MRS。ALLONBY。Ah!don’tbecomequiteperfectallatonce。Doitgradually!
LORDILLINGWORTH。Idon’tintendtogrowperfectatall。Atleast，IhopeIshan’t。Itwouldbemostinconvenient。Womenloveusforourdefects。Ifwehaveenoughofthem，theywillforgiveuseverything，evenourgiganticintellects。
MRS。ALLONBY。Itisprematuretoaskustoforgiveanalysis。Weforgiveadoration；thatisquiteasmuchasshouldbeexpectedfromus。
[EnterLORDALFRED。HejoinsLADYSTUTFIELD。]
LADYHUNSTANTON。Ah!wewomenshouldforgiveeverything，shouldn’twe，dearMrs。Arbuthnot？Iamsureyouagreewithmeinthat。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Idonot，LadyHunstanton。Ithinktherearemanythingswomenshouldneverforgive。
LADYHUNSTANTON。Whatsortofthings？
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Theruinofanotherwoman’slife。
[Movesslowlyawaytobackofstage。]
LADYHUNSTANTON。Ah!thosethingsareverysad，nodoubt，butI
believethereareadmirablehomeswherepeopleofthatkindarelookedafterandreformed，andIthinkonthewholethatthesecretoflifeistotakethingsvery，veryeasily。
MRS。ALLONBY。Thesecretoflifeisnevertohaveanemotionthatisunbecoming。
LADYSTUTFIELD。Thesecretoflifeistoappreciatethepleasureofbeingterribly，terriblydeceived。
KELVIL。Thesecretoflifeistoresisttemptation，LadyStutfield。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Thereisnosecretoflife。Life’saim，ifithasone，issimplytobealwayslookingfortemptations。Therearenotnearlyenough。Isometimespassawholedaywithoutcomingacrossasingleone。Itisquitedreadful。Itmakesonesonervousaboutthefuture。
LADYHUNSTANTON。[Shakesherfanathim。]Idon’tknowhowitis，dearLordIllingworth，buteverythingyouhavesaidto—dayseemstomeexcessivelyimmoral。Ithasbeenmostinteresting，listeningtoyou。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Allthoughtisimmoral。Itsveryessenceisdestruction。Ifyouthinkofanything，youkillit。Nothingsurvivesbeingthoughtof。
LADYHUNSTANTON。Idon’tunderstandaword，LordIllingworth。ButIhavenodoubtitisallquitetrue。Personally，Ihaveverylittletoreproachmyselfwith，onthescoreofthinking。Idon’tbelieveinwomenthinkingtoomuch。Womenshouldthinkinmoderation，astheyshoulddoallthingsinmoderation。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Moderationisafatalthing，LadyHunstanton。
Nothingsucceedslikeexcess。
LADYHUNSTANTON。IhopeIshallrememberthat。Itsoundsanadmirablemaxim。ButI’mbeginningtoforgeteverything。It’sagreatmisfortune。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Itisoneofyourmostfascinatingqualities，LadyHunstanton。Nowomanshouldhaveamemory。Memoryinawomanisthebeginningofdowdiness。Onecanalwaystellfromawoman’sbonnetwhethershehasgotamemoryornot。
LADYHUNSTANTON。Howcharmingyouare，dearLordIllingworth。Youalwaysfindoutthatone’smostglaringfaultisone’smostimportantvirtue。Youhavethemostcomfortingviewsoflife。
[EnterFARQUHAR。]
FARQUHAR。DoctorDaubeny’scarriage!
LADYHUNSTANTON。MydearArchdeacon!Itisonlyhalf—pastten。
THEARCHDEACON。[Rising。]IamafraidImustgo，LadyHunstanton。
TuesdayisalwaysoneofMrs。Daubeny’sbadnights。
LADYHUNSTANTON。[Rising。]Well，Iwon’tkeepyoufromher。
[Goeswithhimtowardsdoor。]IhavetoldFarquhartoputabraceofpartridgeintothecarriage。Mrs。Daubenymayfancythem。
THEARCHDEACON。Itisverykindofyou，butMrs。Daubenynevertouchessolidsnow。Livesentirelyonjellies。Butsheiswonderfullycheerful，wonderfullycheerful。Shehasnothingtocomplainof。
[ExitwithLADYHUNSTANTON。]
MRS。ALLONBY。[GoesovertoLORDILLINGWORTH。]Thereisabeautifulmoonto—night。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Letusgoandlookatit。Tolookatanythingthatisinconstantischarmingnowadays。
MRS。ALLONBY。Youhaveyourlooking—glass。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Itisunkind。Itmerelyshowsmemywrinkles。
MRS。ALLONBY。Mineisbetterbehaved。Itnevertellsmethetruth。
LORDILLINGWORTH。Thenitisinlovewithyou。
[ExeuntSIRJOHN，LADYSTUTFIELD，MR。KELVILandLORDALFRED。]
GERALD。[ToLORDILLINGWORTH]MayIcometoo？
LORDILLINGWORTH。Do，mydearboy。[MovestowardswithMRS。
ALLONBYandGERALD。]
[LADYCAROLINEenters，looksrapidlyroundandgoesoffinoppositedirectiontothattakenbySIRJOHNandLADYSTUTFIELD。]
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Gerald!
GERALD。What，mother!
[ExitLORDILLINGWORTHwithMRS。ALLONBY。]
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Itisgettinglate。Letusgohome。
GERALD。Mydearmother。Doletuswaitalittlelonger。LordIllingworthissodelightful，and，bytheway，mother，Ihaveagreatsurpriseforyou。WearestartingforIndiaattheendofthismonth。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Letusgohome。
GERALD。Ifyoureallywantto，ofcourse，mother，butImustbidgood—byetoLordIllingworthfirst。I’llbebackinfiveminutes。
[Exit。]
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Lethimleavemeifhechooses，butnotwithhim—
notwithhim!Icouldn’tbearit。[Walksupanddown。]
[EnterHESTER。]
HESTER。Whatalovelynightitis，Mrs。Arbuthnot。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Isit？
HESTER。Mrs。Arbuthnot，Iwishyouwouldletusbefriends。Youaresodifferentfromtheotherwomenhere。WhenyoucameintotheDrawing—roomthisevening，somehowyoubroughtwithyouasenseofwhatisgoodandpureinlife。Ihadbeenfoolish。Therearethingsthatarerighttosay，butthatmaybesaidatthewrongtimeandtothewrongpeople。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Iheardwhatyousaid。Iagreewithit，MissWorsley。
HESTER。Ididn’tknowyouhadheardit。ButIknewyouwouldagreewithme。Awomanwhohassinnedshouldbepunished，shouldn’tshe？
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Yes。
HESTER。Sheshouldn’tbeallowedtocomeintothesocietyofgoodmenandwomen？
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Sheshouldnot。
HESTER。Andthemanshouldbepunishedinthesameway？
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Inthesameway。Andthechildren，iftherearechildren，inthesamewayalso？
HESTER。Yes，itisrightthatthesinsoftheparentsshouldbevisitedonthechildren。Itisajustlaw。ItisGod’slaw。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。ItisoneofGod’sterriblelaws。
[Movesawaytofireplace。]
HESTER。Youaredistressedaboutyoursonleavingyou，Mrs。
Arbuthnot？
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Yes。
HESTER。DoyoulikehimgoingawaywithLordIllingworth？Ofcoursethereisposition，nodoubt，andmoney，butpositionandmoneyarenoteverything，arethey？
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Theyarenothing；theybringmisery。
HESTER。Thenwhydoyouletyoursongowithhim？
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Hewishesithimself。
HESTER。Butifyouaskedhimhewouldstay，wouldhenot？
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Hehassethisheartongoing。
HESTER。Hecouldn’trefuseyouanything。Helovesyoutoomuch。
Askhimtostay。Letmesendhimintoyou。HeisontheterraceatthismomentwithLordIllingworth。IheardthemlaughingtogetherasIpassedthroughtheMusic—room。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Don’ttrouble，MissWorsley，Icanwait。Itisofnoconsequence。
HESTER。No，I’lltellhimyouwanthim。Do—doaskhimtostay。
[ExitHESTER。]
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Hewon’tcome—Iknowhewon’tcome。
[EnterLADYCAROLINE。Shelooksroundanxiously。EnterGERALD。]
LADYCAROLINE。Mr。Arbuthnot，mayIaskyouisSirJohnanywhereontheterrace？
GERALD。No，LadyCaroline，heisnotontheterrace。
LADYCAROLINE。Itisverycurious。Itistimeforhimtoretire。
[ExitLADYCAROLINE。]
GERALD。Dearmother，IamafraidIkeptyouwaiting。Iforgotallaboutit。Iamsohappyto—night，mother；Ihaveneverbeensohappy。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Attheprospectofgoingaway？
GERALD。Don’tputitlikethat，mother。OfcourseIamsorrytoleaveyou。Why，youarethebestmotherinthewholeworld。Butafterall，asLordIllingworthsays，itisimpossibletoliveinsuchaplaceasWrockley。Youdon’tmindit。ButI’mambitions；I
wantsomethingmorethanthat。Iwanttohaveacareer。Iwanttodosomethingthatwillmakeyouproudofme，andLordIllingworthisgoingtohelpme。Heisgoingtodoeverythingforme。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Gerald，don’tgoawaywithLordIllingworth。I
imploreyounotto。Gerald，Ibegyou!
GERALD。Mother，howchangeableyouare!Youdon’tseemtoknowyourownmindforasinglemoment。AnhourandahalfagointheDrawing—roomyouagreedtothewholething；nowyouturnroundandmakeobjections，andtrytoforcemetogiveupmyonechanceinlife。Yes，myonechance。Youdon’tsupposethatmenlikeLordIllingwortharetobefoundeveryday，doyou，mother？ItisverystrangethatwhenIhavehadsuchawonderfulpieceofgoodluck，theonepersontoputdifficultiesinmywayshouldbemyownmother。Besides，youknow，mother，IloveHesterWorsley。Whocouldhelplovingher？IlovehermorethanIhaveevertoldyou，farmore。AndifIhadaposition，ifIhadprospects，Icould—I
couldaskherto—Don’tyouunderstandnow，mother，whatitmeanstometobeLordIllingworth’ssecretary？Tostartlikethatistofindacareerreadyforone—beforeone—waitingforone。IfI
wereLordIllingworth’ssecretaryIcouldaskHestertobemywife。
Asawretchedbankclerkwithahundredayearitwouldbeanimpertinence。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。IfearyouneedhavenohopesofMissWorsley。I
knowherviewsonlife。Shehasjusttoldthemtome。[Apause。]
GERALD。ThenIhavemyambitionleft，atanyrate。Thatissomething—IamgladIhavethat!Youhavealwaystriedtocrushmyambition，mother—haven’tyou？Youhavetoldmethattheworldisawickedplace，thatsuccessisnotworthhaving，thatsocietyisshallow，andallthatsortofthing—well，Idon’tbelieveit，mother。Ithinktheworldmustbedelightful。Ithinksocietymustbeexquisite。Ithinksuccessisathingworthhaving。Youhavebeenwronginallthatyoutaughtme，mother，quitewrong。
LordIllingworthisasuccessfulman。Heisafashionableman。Heisamanwholivesintheworldandforit。Well，IwouldgiveanythingtobejustlikeLordIllingworth。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Iwouldsoonerseeyoudead。
GERALD。Mother，whatisyourobjectiontoLordIllingworth？Tellme—tellmerightout。Whatisit？
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Heisabadman。
GERALD。Inwhatwaybad？Idon’tunderstandwhatyoumean。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Iwilltellyou。
GERALD。Isupposeyouthinkhimbad，becausehedoesn’tbelievethesamethingsasyoudo。Well，menaredifferentfromwomen，mother。Itisnaturalthattheyshouldhavedifferentviews。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。ItisnotwhatLordIllingworthbelieves，orwhathedoesnotbelieve，thatmakeshimbad。Itiswhatheis。
GERALD。Mother，isitsomethingyouknowofhim？Somethingyouactuallyknow？
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。ItissomethingIknow。
GERALD。Somethingyouarequitesureof？
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Quitesureof。
GERALD。Howlonghaveyouknownit？
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Fortwentyyears。
GERALD。Isitfairtogobacktwentyyearsinanyman’scareer？
AndwhathaveyouorItodowithLordIllingworth’searlylife？
Whatbusinessisitofours？
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Whatthismanhasbeen，heisnow，andwillbealways。
GERALD。Mother，tellmewhatLordIllingworthdid？Ifhedidanythingshameful，Iwillnotgoawaywithhim。Surelyyouknowmewellenoughforthat？
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Gerald，comeneartome。Quiteclosetome，asyouusedtodowhenyouwerealittleboy，whenyouweremother’sownboy。[GERALDsitsdownbetidehismother。Sherunsherfingersthroughhishair，andstrokeshishands。]Gerald，therewasagirlonce，shewasveryyoung，shewaslittleovereighteenatthetime。GeorgeHarford—thatwasLordIllingworth’snamethen—GeorgeHarfordmether。Sheknewnothingaboutlife。He—
kneweverything。Hemadethisgirllovehim。Hemadeherlovehimsomuchthatsheleftherfather’shousewithhimonemorning。Shelovedhimsomuch，andhehadpromisedtomarryher!Hehadsolemnlypromisedtomarryher，andshehadbelievedhim。Shewasveryyoung，and—andignorantofwhatlifereallyis。Butheputthemarriageofffromweektoweek，andmonthtomonth。—Shetrustedinhimallthewhile。Shelovedhim。—Beforeherchildwasborn—forshehadachild—sheimploredhimforthechild’ssaketomarryher，thatthechildmighthaveaname，thathersinmightnotbevisitedonthechild，whowasinnocent。Herefused。
Afterthechildwasbornshelefthim，takingthechildaway，andherlifewasruined，andhersoulruined，andallthatwassweet，andgood，andpureinherruinedalso。Shesufferedterribly—shesuffersnow。Shewillalwayssuffer。Forherthereisnojoy，nopeace，noatonement。Sheisawomanwhodragsachainlikeaguiltything。Sheisawomanwhowearsamask，likeathingthatisaleper。Thefirecannotpurifyher。Thewaterscannotquenchheranguish。Nothingcanhealher!noanodynecangivehersleep!
nopoppiesforgetfulness!Sheislost!Sheisalostsoul!—ThatiswhyIcallLordIllingworthabadman。ThatiswhyIdon’twantmyboytobewithhim。
GERALD。Mydearmother，itallsoundsverytragic，ofcourse。ButIdaresaythegirlwasjustasmuchtoblameasLordIllingworthwas。—Afterall，wouldareallynicegirl，agirlwithanynicefeelingsatall，goawayfromherhomewithamantowhomshewasnotmarried，andlivewithhimashiswife？Nonicegirlwould。
MRS。ARBUTHNOT。[Afterapause。]Gerald，Iwithdrawallmyobjections。YouareatlibertytogoawaywithLordIllingworth，whenandwhereyouchoose。