man I love knows
that I began my career with an act of low dishonesty, that I built up my
life upon sands of shame--that I sold, like a common huckster, the secret
that had been intrusted to me as a man of honour. I thank heaven poor
Lord Radley died without knowing that I betrayed him. I would to God I
had died before I had been so horribly tempted, or had fallen so low.
[_Burying his face in his hands_.]

LORD GORING. [_After a pause_.] You have heard nothing from Vienna yet,
in answer to your wire?

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. [_Looking up_.] Yes; I got a telegram from the
first secretary at eight o'clock to-night.

LORD GORING. Well?

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. Nothing is absolutely known against her. On the
contrary, she occupies a rather high position in society. It is a sort
of open secret that Baron Arnheim left her the greater portion of his
immense fortune. Beyond that I can learn nothing.

LORD GORING. She doesn't turn out to be a spy, then?

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. Oh! spies are of no use nowadays. Their profession
is over. The newspapers do their work instead.

LORD GORING. And thunderingly well they do it.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. Arthur, I am parched with thirst. May I ring for
something? Some hock and seltzer?

LORD GORING. Certainly. Let me. [_Rings the bell_.]

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. Thanks! I don't know what to do, Arthur, I don't
know what to do, and you are my only friend. But what a friend you
are--the one friend I can trust. I can trust you absolutely, can't I?

[_Enter_ PHIPPS.]

LORD GORING. My dear Robert, of course. Oh! [_To_ PHIPPS.] Bring some
hock and seltzer.

PHIPPS. Yes, my lord.

LORD GORING. And Phipps!

PHIPPS. Yes, my lord.

LORD GORING. Will you excuse me for a moment, Robert? I want to give
some directions to my servant.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. Certainly.

LORD GORING. When that lady calls, tell her that I am not expected home
this evening. Tell her that I have been suddenly called out of town.
You understand?

PHIPPS. The lady is in that room, my lord. You told me to show her into
that room, my lord.

LORD GORING. You did perfectly right. [_Exit_ PHIPPS.] What a mess I
am in. No; I think I shall get through it. I'll give her a lecture
through the door. Awkward thing to manage, though.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. Arthur, tell me what I should do. My life seems to
have crumbled about me. I am a ship without a rudder in a night without