Gerald. Mother!
Mrs. Arbuthnot. You must remember, as you said yourself, you have had so few advantages.
Mrs. Allonby. Lord Illingworth, I want to speak to you for a moment. Do come over.
Lord Illingworth. Will you excuse me, Mrs. Arbuthnot? Now, don’t let your charming mother make any more difficulties, Gerald. The thing is quite settled, isn’t it?
Gerald. I hope so. [Lord Illingworth goes across to Mrs. Arbuthnot.]
Mrs. Allonby. I thought you were never going to leave the lady in black velvet.
Lord Illingworth. She is excessively handsome. [Looks at Mrs. Arbuthnot.]
Lady Hunstanton. Caroline, shall we all make a move to the music-room? Miss Worsley is going to play. You’ll come too, dear Mrs. Arbuthnot, won’t you? You don’t know what a treat is in store for you. [To Doctor Baubeny.] I must really take Miss Worsley down some afternoon to the rectory. I should so much like dear Mrs. Daubeny to hear her on the violin. Ah, I forgot. Dear Mrs. Daubeny’s hearing is a little defective, is it not?
The Archdeacon. Her deafness is a great privation to her. She can’t even hear my sermons now. She reads them at home. But she has many resources in herself, many resources.
Lady Hunstanton. She reads a good deal, I suppose?