It is a distinguishing note of Mr Wilde that he has condescended to learn his business, and has written a workmanlike play as well as a good comedy. Without that it would be worthless." In corroboration of this statement it is only necessary to note how skilfully, when it comes to the necessity of dramatic action, these scenes are handled. Take the one in the second act, where Mrs Erlynne, more or less, forces her way into Lady Windermere's ballroom. It is an episode of extreme importance, and how well led up to! Lord and Lady Windermere are on the stage together. _Lord Windermere._ 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._ 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 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_ (_announcing_). 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 floor. She bows coldly to Mrs Erlynne, who bows to her sweetly in turn, and sails into the room._) If this is not effective stagecraft, I do not know what is. And the dramatist strikes a deeper, and more tragic, note in the scene later on (in the same act) where Mrs Erlynne discovers the letter of farewell that Lady Windermere had written to her husband. (_Parker enters, and crosses towards the ballroom, R. Enter Mrs Erlynne._) _Mrs Erlynne._ Is Lady Windermere in the ballroom? _Parker._ Her ladyship has just gone out. _Mrs Erlynne._ Gone out? She's not on the terrace? _Parker._ No, madam. Her Ladyship has just gone out of the house. _Mrs Erlynne_ (_Starts and looks at the servant with a puzzled expression on her face_). Out of the house? _Parker._ Yes, madam--her Ladyship told me she had left a letter for his Lordship on the table. _Mrs Erlynne._ A letter for Lord Windermere? _Parker._ Yes, madam.