She wants to see me, Arthur.

Lord Windermere (takes card and looks at it) Margaret, I beg you not to. Let me see her first, at any rate. She’s a very dangerous woman. She is the most dangerous woman I know. You don’t realize what you’re doing.

Lady windermere . It is right that I should see her.

Lord Windermere My child, you may be on the brink of a great sorrow. Don’t go to meet it. It is absolutely necessary that I should see her before you do.

Lady windermere Why should it be necessary?

Enter Parker

Parker Mrs Erlynne.

Enter Mrs Erlynne.° Exit Parker

Mrs Erlynne How do you do, Lady Windermere? (To Lord Windermere) How do you do? Do you know, Lady Windermere, I am so sorry about your fan. I can’t imagine how I made such a silly mistake. Most stupid of me. And as I was driving in your direction, I thought I would take the opportunity of returning your property in person with many apologies for my carelessness, and of bidding you good-bye.

Lady windermere Good-bye? (Moves towards sofa with Mrs Erlynne and sits down beside her)° Are you going away, then, Mrs Erlynne?

Mrs Erlynne Yes; I am going to live abroad again. The English climate doesn’t suit me. My—heart is affected here, and that I don’t like. I prefer living in the south. London is too full of fogs and—serious people,° Lord Windermere. Whether the fogs produce the serious people or whether the serious people produce the fogs, I don’t know, but the whole thing rather gets on my nerves, and so I’m leaving this afternoon by the Club Train.°

Lady windermere This afternoon? But I wanted so much to come and see you.

Mrs Erlynne How kind of you! But I am afraid I have to go.

Lady windermere Shall I never see you again, Mrs Erlynne?

Mrs Erlynne I am afraid not. Our lives lie too far apart. But there is a little thing I would like you to do for me. I want a photograph of you, Lady Windermere—would you give me one? You don’t know how gratified I should be.

Lady windermere Oh, with pleasure. There is one on that table. I’ll show it to you. (Goes across to the table)

Lord Windermere (coming up to Mrs Erlynne and speaking in a low voice) It is monstrous your intruding yourself here after your conduct last night.

Mrs Erlynne (with an amused smile) My dear Windermere, manners before morals!

Lady windermere (returning) I’m afraid it is very flattering—I am not so pretty as that. (Showing photograph)

Mrs Erlynne You are much prettier. But haven’t you got one of yourself with your little boy?

Lady windermere I have. Would you prefer one of those?