The Importance of Being Earnest Read Online Free Page B

thank her for your charming visit.
(Coming down again.)
And by the way, I must thank you for sending a card to Mr. Hopper—he’s that rich young Australian people are taking such notice of just at present. His father made a great fortune by selling some kind of food in circular tins—most palatable, I believe—I fancy it is the thing the servants always refuse to eat. But the son is quite interesting. I think he’s attracted by dear Agatha’s clever talk. Of course, we should be very sorry to lose her, but I think that a mother who doesn’t part with a daughter every season has no real affection. We’re coming to-night, dear.
(Parker opens C. doors.)
And remember my advice, take the poor fellow out of town at once, it is the only thing to do. Good-bye, once more; come, Agatha.
    (Exeunt Duchess and Lady Agatha C.)
    L ADY W INDERMERE. How horrible! I understand now what Lord Darlington meant by the imaginary instance of the couple not two years married. oh! it can’t be true—she spoke of enormous sums of money paid to this woman. I know where Arthur keeps his bank book—in one of the drawers of that desk. I might find out by that. I
will
find out.
(Opens drawer.)
No, it is some hideous mistake.
(Rises and goes C.)
Some silly scandal! He loves
me
! He loves
me!
But why should I not look? I am his wife, I have a right to look!
(Returns to bureau, takes out book and examines it, page by page, smiles and gives a sigh of relief.)
I knew it! there is not a word oftruth in this stupid story.
(Puts book back in drawer. As she does so, starts and takes out another book.)
A second book—private—locked!
(Tries to open it, but fails. Sees paper knife on bureau, and with it cuts cover from book. Begins to start at the first page.)
“Mrs. Erlynne—£600—Mrs. Erlynne—£700—Mrs. Erlynne—£400.” Oh! it is true! it is true! How horrible!
(Throws book on floor.) (Enter Lord Windermere C.)
    L ORD W INDERMERE . Well, dear, has the fan been sent home yet?
(Going R.C. Sees book.)
Margaret, you have cut open my bank book. You have no right to do such a thing!
    L ADY W INDERMERE . You think it wrong that you are found out, don’t you?
    L ORD W INDERMERE . I think it wrong that a wife should spy on her husband.
    L ADY W INDERMERE . I did not spy on you. I never knew of this woman’s existence till half an hour ago. Some one who pitied me was kind enough to tell me what every one in London knows already—your daily visits to Curzon Street, your mad infatuation, the monstrous sums of money you squander on this infamous woman!
(Crossing L.)
    L ORD W INDERMERE . Margaret! don’t talk like that of Mrs. Erlynne, you don’t know how unjust it is!
    L ADY W INDERMERE .
(Turning to him.)
You are very jealous of Mrs. Erlynne’s honour. I wish you had been as jealous of mine.
    L ORD W INDERMERE . Your honour is untouched, Margaret. You don’t think for a moment that——
(Puts book back into desk.)
    L ADY W INDERMERE . I think that you spend your money strangely. That is all. Oh, don’t imagine I mind about the money. As far as I am concerned, you may squander everything we have. But what I
do
mind is that you who have loved me, you who have taught me to love you, should pass from the love that is given to the love that is bought. Oh, it’s horrible!
(Sits on sofa.)
And it is I who feel degraded!
You
don’t feel anything. I feel stained, utterly stained. You can’t realise how hideous the last six months seem to me now—every kiss you have given me is tainted in my memory.
    L ORD W INDERMERE .
(Crossing to her.)
Don’t say that, Margaret. I never loved any one in the whole world but you.
    L ADY W INDERMERE .
(Rises.)
Who is this woman, then? Why do you take a house for her?
    L ORD W INDERMERE . I did not take a house for her.
    L ADY W INDERMERE . You gave her the money to do it, which is the same thing.
    L ORD W INDERMERE . Margaret, as far as I have known Mrs. Erlynne——
    L ADY W INDERMERE . Is there a Mr. Erlynne—or is