s looks. I shall have to alter all this. [PHIPPS _brings the lamp
from the writing-table_.] No, I don't care for that lamp. It is far too
glaring. Light some candles.

PHIPPS. [_Replaces lamp_.] Certainly, madam.

MRS. CHEVELEY. I hope the candles have very becoming shades.

PHIPPS. We have had no complaints about them, madam, as yet.

[_Passes into the drawing-room and begins to light the candles_.]

MRS. CHEVELEY. [_To herself_.] I wonder what woman he is waiting for
to-night. It will be delightful to catch him. Men always look so silly
when they are caught. And they are always being caught. [_Looks about
room and approaches the writing-table_.] What a very interesting room!
What a very interesting picture! Wonder what his correspondence is like.
[_Takes up letters_.] Oh, what a very uninteresting correspondence!
Bills and cards, debts and dowagers! Who on earth writes to him on pink
paper? How silly to write on pink paper! It looks like the beginning of
a middle-class romance. Romance should never begin with sentiment. It
should begin with science and end with a settlement. [_Puts letter
down_, _then takes it up again_.] I know that handwriting. That is
Gertrude Chiltern's. I remember it perfectly. The ten commandments in
every stroke of the pen, and the moral law all over the page. Wonder
what Gertrude is writing to him about? Something horrid about me, I
suppose. How I detest that woman! [_Reads it_.] 'I trust you. I want
you. I am coming to you. Gertrude.' 'I trust you. I want you. I am
coming to you.'

[_A look of triumph comes over her face_. _She is just about to steal
the letter_, _when_ PHIPPS _comes in_.]

PHIPPS. The candles in the drawing-room are lit, madam, as you directed.

MRS. CHEVELEY. Thank you. [_Rises hastily and slips the letter under a
large silver-cased blotting-book that is lying on the table_.]

PHIPPS. I trust the shades will be to your liking, madam. They are the
most becoming we have. They are the same as his lordship uses himself
when he is dressing for dinner.

MRS. CHEVELEY. [_With a smile_.] Then I am sure they will be perfectly
right.

PHIPPS. [_Gravely_.] Thank you, madam.

[MRS. CHEVELEY _goes into the drawing-room_. PHIPPS _closes the door and
retires_. _The door is then slowly opened_, _and_ MRS. CHEVELEY _comes
out and creeps stealthily towards the writing-table_. _Suddenly voices
are heard from the smoking-room_.