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. 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_.] 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 wife looking at him with her clear_, _candid eyes_. _He then realises 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 taking such . . . Will you kindly do that, Lady Chiltern?