Aristocracy (Social class) -- Drama; Marriage -- Drama; Mothers and daughters -- Drama
LADY WINDERMERE. Don’t say that, Arthur. There is the same world for
all of us, and good and evil, sin and innocence, go through it hand in
hand. To shut one’s eyes to half of life that one may live securely is
as though one blinded oneself that one might walk with more safety in a
land of pit and precipice.
LORD WINDERMERE. [_Moves down with her_.] Darling, why do you say that?
LADY WINDERMERE. [_Sits on sofa_.] Because I, who had shut my eyes to
life, came to the brink. And one who had separated us—
LORD WINDERMERE. We were never separated.
LADY WINDERMERE. We never must be again. O Arthur, don’t love me less,
and I will trust you more. I will trust you absolutely. Let us go to
Selby. In the Rose Garden at Selby the roses are white and red.
[_Enter_ LORD AUGUSTUS _C._]
LORD AUGUSTUS. Arthur, she has explained everything!
[LADY WINDERMERE _looks horribly frightened at this_. LORD WINDERMERE
_starts_. LORD AUGUSTUS _takes_ WINDERMERE _by the arm and brings him to
front of stage_. _He talks rapidly and in a low voice_. LADY WINDERMERE
_stands watching them in terror_.] My dear fellow, she has explained
every demmed thing. We all wronged her immensely. It was entirely for
my sake she went to Darlington’s rooms. Called first at the Club—fact
is, wanted to put me out of suspense—and being told I had gone
on—followed—naturally frightened when she heard a lot of us coming
in—retired to another room—I assure you, most gratifying to me, the whole
thing. We all behaved brutally to her. She is just the woman for me.
Suits me down to the ground. All the conditions she makes are that we
live entirely out of England. A very good thing too. Demmed clubs,
demmed climate, demmed cooks, demmed everything. Sick of it all!
LADY WINDERMERE. [_Frightened_.] Has Mrs. Erlynne—?
LORD AUGUSTUS. [_Advancing towards her with a low bow_.] Yes, Lady
Windermere— Mrs. Erlynne has done me the honour of accepting my hand.
LORD WINDERMERE. Well, you are certainly marrying a very clever woman!
LADY WINDERMERE. [_Taking her husband’s hand_.] Ah, you’re marrying a
very good woman!
* * * * *
CURTAIN
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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