LADY PLYMDALE. Oh, you mustn’t dream of such a thing. It’s most dangerous nowadays for a husband to pay any attention to his wife in public. It always makes people think that he beats her when they’re alone. The world has grown so suspicious of anything that looks like a happy married life. But I’ll tell you what it is at supper. [_Moves towards door of ball-room_.] LORD WINDERMERE. [_C._] Margaret! I _must_ speak to you. LADY WINDERMERE. Will you hold my fan for me, Lord Darlington? Thanks. [_Comes down to him_.] LORD WINDERMERE. [_Crossing to her_.] Margaret, what you said before dinner was, of course, impossible? LADY WINDERMERE. That woman is not coming here to-night! LORD WINDERMERE. [_R.C._] Mrs. Erlynne is coming here, and if you in any way annoy or wound her, you will bring shame and sorrow on us both. Remember that! Ah, Margaret! only trust me! A wife should trust her husband! LADY WINDERMERE. [_C._] London is full of women who trust their husbands. One can always recognise them. They look so thoroughly unhappy. I am not going to be one of them. [_Moves up_.] Lord Darlington, will you give me back my fan, please? Thanks. . . . A useful thing a fan, isn’t it? . . . I want a friend to-night, Lord Darlington: I didn’t know I would want one so soon. LORD DARLINGTON. Lady Windermere! I knew the time would come some day; but why to-night? LORD WINDERMERE. I _will_ tell her. I must. It would be terrible if there were any scene. Margaret . . . PARKER. Mrs. Erlynne! [LORD WINDERMERE _starts_. MRS. ERLYNNE _enters_, _very beautifully dressed and very dignified_. LADY WINDERMERE _clutches at her fan_, _then lets it drop on the door_. _She bows coldly to_ MRS. ERLYNNE, _who bows to her sweetly in turn_, _and sails into the room_.] LORD DARLINGTON. You have dropped your fan, Lady Windermere. [_Picks it up and hands it to her_.] MRS. ERLYNNE. [_C._] How do you do, again, Lord Windermere? How charming your sweet wife looks! Quite a picture! LORD WINDERMERE. [_In a low voice_.] It was terribly rash of you to come! MRS. ERLYNNE. [_Smiling_.] The wisest thing I ever did in my life. And, by the way, you must pay me a good deal of attention this evening. I am afraid of the women. You must introduce me to some of them. The men I can always manage. How do you do, Lord Augustus? You have quite neglected me lately. I have not seen you since yesterday. I am afraid you’re faithless. Every one told me so. LORD AUGUSTUS. [_R._] Now really, Mrs. Erlynne, allow me to explain. MRS. ERLYNNE. [_R.C._] No, dear Lord Augustus, you can’t explain anything. It is your chief charm. LORD AUGUSTUS. Ah! if you find charms in me, Mrs. Erlynne— [_They converse together_. LORD WINDERMERE _moves uneasily about the room watching_ MRS. ERLYNNE.] LORD DARLINGTON. [_To_ LADY WINDERMERE.] How pale you are! LADY WINDERMERE. Cowards are always pale!