ept him, I hope?

MABEL CHILTERN. I make it a rule never to accept Tommy. That is why he
goes on proposing. Of course, as you didn't turn up this morning, I very
nearly said yes. It would have been an excellent lesson both for him and
for you if I had. It would have taught you both better manners.

LORD GORING. Oh! bother Tommy Trafford. Tommy is a silly little ass. I
love you.

MABEL CHILTERN. I know. And I think you might have mentioned it before.
I am sure I have given you heaps of opportunities.

LORD GORING. Mabel, do be serious. Please be serious.

MABEL CHILTERN. Ah! that is the sort of thing a man always says to a
girl before he has been married to her. He never says it afterwards.

LORD GORING. [_Taking hold of her hand_.] Mabel, I have told you that I
love you. Can't you love me a little in return?

MABEL CHILTERN. You silly Arthur! If you knew anything about . . .
anything, which you don't, you would know that I adore you. Every one in
London knows it except you. It is a public scandal the way I adore you.
I have been going about for the last six months telling the whole of
society that I adore you. I wonder you consent to have anything to say
to me. I have no character left at all. At least, I feel so happy that
I am quite sure I have no character left at all.

LORD GORING. [_Catches her in his arms and kisses her_. _Then there is
a pause of bliss_.] Dear! Do you know I was awfully afraid of being
refused!

MABEL CHILTERN. [_Looking up at him_.] But you never have been refused
yet by anybody, have you, Arthur? I can't imagine any one refusing you.

LORD GORING. [_After kissing her again_.] Of course I'm not nearly good
enough for you, Mabel.

MABEL CHILTERN. [_Nestling close to him_.] I am so glad, darling. I
was afraid you were.

LORD GORING. [_After some hesitation_.] And I'm . . . I'm a little over
thirty.

MABEL CHILTERN. Dear, you look weeks younger than that.

LORD GORING. [_Enthusiastically_.] How sweet of you to say so! . . .
And it is only fair to tell you frankly that I am fearfully extravagant.

MABEL CHILTERN. But so am I, Arthur. So we're sure to agree. And now I
must go and see Gertrude.

LORD GORING. Must you really? [_Kisses her_.]

MABEL CHILTERN. Yes.

LORD GORING. Then do tell her I want to talk to her particularly. I
have been waiting here all the morning to see either her or Robert.

MABEL CHILTERN. Do you mean to s