HESTER. Do you like him going away with Lord Illingworth? Of course there is position, no doubt, and money, but position and money are not everything, are they? MRS. ARBUTHNOT. They are nothing; they bring misery. HESTER. Then why do you let your son go with him? MRS. ARBUTHNOT. He wishes it himself. HESTER. But if you asked him he would stay, would he not? MRS. ARBUTHNOT. He has set his heart on going. HESTER. He couldn’t refuse you anything. He loves you too much. Ask him to stay. Let me send him in to you. He is on the terrace at this moment with Lord Illingworth. I heard them laughing together as I passed through the Music-room. MRS. ARBUTHNOT. Don’t trouble, Miss Worsley, I can wait. It is of no consequence. HESTER. No, I’ll tell him you want him. Do—do ask him to stay. [_Exit_ HESTER.] MRS. ARBUTHNOT. He won’t come—I know he won’t come. [Enter LADY CAROLINE. _She looks round anxiously_. _Enter_ GERALD.] LADY CAROLINE. Mr. Arbuthnot, may I ask you is Sir John anywhere on the terrace? GERALD. No, Lady Caroline, he is not on the terrace. LADY CAROLINE. It is very curious. It is time for him to retire. [_Exit_ LADY CAROLINE.] GERALD. Dear mother, I am afraid I kept you waiting. I forgot all about it. I am so happy to-night, mother; I have never been so happy. MRS. ARBUTHNOT. At the prospect of going away? GERALD. Don’t put it like that, mother. Of course I am sorry to leave you. Why, you are the best mother in the whole world. But after all, as Lord Illingworth says, it is impossible to live in such a place as Wrockley. You don’t mind it. But I’m ambitious; I want something more than that. I want to have a career. I want to do something that will make you proud of me, and Lord Illingworth is going to help me. He is going to do everything for me. MRS. ARBUTHNOT. Gerald, don’t go away with Lord Illingworth. I implore you not to. Gerald, I beg you!