LORD ILLINGWORTH. According to our ridiculous English laws, I can’t legitimise Gerald. But I can leave him my property. Illingworth is entailed, of course, but it is a tedious barrack of a place. He can have Ashby, which is much prettier, Harborough, which has the best shooting in the north of England, and the house in St. James Square. What more can a gentleman require in this world? MRS. ARBUTHNOT. Nothing more, I am quite sure. LORD ILLINGWORTH. As for a title, a title is really rather a nuisance in these democratic days. As George Harford I had everything I wanted. Now I have merely everything that other people want, which isn’t nearly so pleasant. Well, my proposal is this. MRS. ARBUTHNOT. I told you I was not interested, and I beg you to go. LORD ILLINGWORTH. The boy is to be with you for six months in the year, and with me for the other six. That is perfectly fair, is it not? You can have whatever allowance you like, and live where you choose. As for your past, no one knows anything about it except myself and Gerald. There is the Puritan, of course, the Puritan in white muslin, but she doesn’t count. She couldn’t tell the story without explaining that she objected to being kissed, could she? And all the women would think her a fool and the men think her a bore. And you need not be afraid that Gerald won’t be my heir. I needn’t tell you I have not the slightest intention of marrying. MRS. ARBUTHNOT. You come too late. My son has no need of you. You are not necessary. LORD ILLINGWORTH. What do you mean, Rachel? MRS. ARBUTHNOT. That you are not necessary to Gerald’s career. He does not require you. LORD ILLINGWORTH. I do not understand you. MRS. ARBUTHNOT. Look into the garden. [LORD ILLINGWORTH _rises and goes towards window_.] You had better not let them see you: you bring unpleasant memories. [LORD ILLINGWORTH _looks out and starts_.] She loves him. They love each other. We are safe from you, and we are going away. LORD ILLINGWORTH. Where? MRS. ARBUTHNOT. We will not tell you, and if you find us we will not know you. You seem surprised. What welcome would you get from the girl whose lips you tried to soil, from the boy whose life you have shamed, from the mother whose dishonour comes from you? LORD ILLINGWORTH. You have grown hard, Rachel. MRS. ARBUTHNOT. I was too weak once. It is well for me that I have changed. LORD ILLINGWORTH. I was very young at the time. We men know life too early. MRS. ARBUTHNOT. And we women know life too late. That is the difference between men and women. [_A pause_.] LORD ILLINGWORTH. Rachel, I want my son. My money may be of no use to him now. I may be of no use to him, but I want my son. Bring us together, Rachel. You can do it if you choose. [_Sees letter on table_.] MRS. ARBUTHNOT. There is no room in my boy’s life for you. He is not interested in _you_. LORD ILLINGWORTH. Then why does he write to me?