MRS. ERLYNNE. [_Starts_, _with a gesture of pain_. _Then restrains herself_, _and comes over to where_ LADY WINDERMERE _is sitting_. _As she speaks_, _she stretches out her hands towards her_, _but does not dare to touch her_.] Believe what you choose about me. I am not worth a moment’s sorrow. But don’t spoil your beautiful young life on my account! You don’t know what may be in store for you, unless you leave this house at once. You don’t know what it is to fall into the pit, to be despised, mocked, abandoned, sneered at—to be an outcast! to find the door shut against one, to have to creep in by hideous byways, afraid every moment lest the mask should be stripped from one’s face, and all the while to hear the laughter, the horrible laughter of the world, a thing more tragic than all the tears the world has ever shed. You don’t know what it is. One pays for one’s sin, and then one pays again, and all one’s life one pays. You must never know that.—As for me, if suffering be an expiation, then at this moment I have expiated all my faults, whatever they have been; for to-night you have made a heart in one who had it not, made it and broken it.—But let that pass. I may have wrecked my own life, but I will not let you wreck yours. You—why, you are a mere girl, you would be lost. You haven’t got the kind of brains that enables a woman to get back. You have neither the wit nor the courage. You couldn’t stand dishonour! No! Go back, Lady Windermere, to the husband who loves you, whom you love. You have a child, Lady Windermere. Go back to that child who even now, in pain or in joy, may be calling to you. [LADY WINDERMERE _rises_.] God gave you that child. He will require from you that you make his life fine, that you watch over him. What answer will you make to God if his life is ruined through you? Back to your house, Lady Windermere—your husband loves you! He has never swerved for a moment from the love he bears you. But even if he had a thousand loves, you must stay with your child. If he was harsh to you, you must stay with your child. If he ill-treated you, you must stay with your child. If he abandoned you, your place is with your child. [LADY WINDERMERE _bursts into tears and buries her face in her hands_.] [_Rushing to her_.] Lady Windermere! LADY WINDERMERE. [_Holding out her hands to her_, _helplessly_, _as a child might do_.] Take me home. Take me home. MRS. ERLYNNE. [_Is about to embrace her_. _Then restrains herself_. _There is a look of wonderful joy in her face_.] Come! Where is your cloak? [_Getting it from sofa_.] Here. Put it on. Come at once! [_They go to the door_.] LADY WINDERMERE. Stop! Don’t you hear voices? MRS. ERLYNNE. No, no! There was no one! LADY WINDERMERE. Yes, there is! Listen! Oh! that is my husband’s voice! He is coming in! Save me! Oh, it’s some plot! You have sent for him. [_Voices outside_.]