MRS. ARBUTHNOT: Let him leave me if he chooses, but not with him – not with him! I couldn’t bear it. (Walks up and down.)

Enter HESTER.

HESTER: What a lovely night it is, Mrs. Arbuthnot.

MRS. ARBUTHNOT: Is it?

HESTER: Mrs. Arbuthnot, I wish you would let us be friends. You are so different from the other women here. When you came into the Drawing-room this evening, somehow you brought with you a sense of what is good and pure in life. I had been foolish. There are things that are right to say, but that may be said at the wrong time and to the wrong people.

MRS. ARBUTHNOT: I heard what you said. I agree with it, Miss Worsley.

HESTER: I didn’t know you had heard it. But I knew you would agree with me. A woman who has sinned should be punished, shouldn’t she?

MRS. ARBUTHNOT: Yes.

HESTER: She shouldn’t be allowed to come into the society of good men and women?

MRS. ARBUTHNOT: She should not.

HESTER: And the man should be punished in the same way?

MRS. ARBUTHNOT: In the same way. And the children, if there are children, in the same way also?

HESTER: Yes, it is right that the sins of the parents should be visited on the children. It is a just law. It is God’s law.

MRS. ARBUTHNOT: It is one of God’s terrible laws. (Moves away to fireplace.)

HESTER: You are distressed about your son leaving you, Mrs. Arbuthnot?

MRS. ARBUTHNOT: Yes.

HESTER: Do you like him going away with Lord Illingworth? Of course there is position, no doubt, and money, but position and money are not everything, are they?

MRS. ARBUTHNOT: They are nothing; they bring misery.

HESTER: Then why do you let your son go with him?

MRS. ARBUTHNOT: He wishes it himself.

HESTER: But if you asked him he would stay, would he not?

MRS. ARBUTHNOT: He has set his heart on going.

HESTER: He couldn’t refuse you anything. He loves you too much. Ask him to stay. Let me send him to you. He is on the terrace at this moment with Lord Illingworth. I heard them laughing together as I passed through the Music-room.

MRS. ARBUTHNOT: Don’t trouble, Miss Worsley, I can wait. It is of no consequence.

HESTER: No, I’ll tell him you want him. Do – do ask him to stay.

Exit HESTER.

MRS. ARBUTHNOT: He won’t come – I know he won’t come.

Enter LADY CAROLINE. She looks round anxiously. Enter GERALD.

LADY CAROLINE: Mr. Arbuthnot, may I ask you is Sir John anywhere on the terrace?

GERALD: No, Lady Caroline, he is not on the terrace.

LADY CAROLINE: It is very curious. It is time for him to retire.

Exit LADY CAROLINE.

GERALD: Dear mother, I am afraid I kept you waiting. I forgot all about it. I am so happy to-night, mother; I have never been so happy.

MRS. ARBUTHNOT: At the prospect of going away?