new-fangled names. Same thing as we used to
call idiocy fifty years ago. Shan't stay in this house any longer.

LORD GORING. [_Taking his arm_.] Oh! just go in here for a moment,
father. Third palm tree to the left, the usual palm tree.

LORD CAVERSHAM. What, sir?

LORD GORING. I beg your pardon, father, I forgot. The conservatory,
father, the conservatory--there is some one there I want you to talk to.

LORD CAVERSHAM. What about, sir?

LORD GORING. About me, father,

LORD CAVERSHAM. [_Grimly_.] Not a subject on which much eloquence is
possible.

LORD GORING. No, father; but the lady is like me. She doesn't care much
for eloquence in others. She thinks it a little loud.

[LORD CAVERSHAM _goes out into the conservatory_. LADY CHILTERN
_enters_.]

LORD GORING. Lady Chiltern, why are you playing Mrs. Cheveley's cards?

LADY CHILTERN. [_Startled_.] I don't understand you.

LORD GORING. Mrs. Cheveley made an attempt to ruin your husband. Either
to drive him from public life, or to make him adopt a dishonourable
position. From the latter tragedy you saved him. The former you are now
thrusting on him. Why should you do him the wrong Mrs. Cheveley tried to
do and failed?

LADY CHILTERN. Lord Goring?

LORD GORING. [_Pulling himself together for a great effort_, _and
showing the philosopher that underlies the dandy_.] Lady Chiltern, allow
me. You wrote me a letter last night in which you said you trusted me
and wanted my help. Now is the moment when you really want my help, now
is the time when you have got to trust me, to trust in my counsel and
judgment. You love Robert. Do you want to kill his love for you? What
sort of existence will he have if you rob him of the fruits of his
ambition, if you take him from the splendour of a great political career,
if you close the doors of public life against him, if you condemn him to
sterile failure, he who was made for triumph and success? Women are not
meant to judge us, but to forgive us when we need forgiveness. Pardon,
not punishment, is their mission. Why should you scourge him with rods
for a sin done in his youth, before he knew you, before he knew himself?
A man's life is of more value than a woman's. It has larger issues,
wider scope, greater ambitions. A woman's life revolves in curves of
emotions. It is upon lines of intellect that a man's life progresses.
Don't make any terrible mistake, Lady Chiltern. A woman who can ke