Mrs. Arbuthnot. You come too late. My son has no need of you. You are not necessary.
Lord Illingworth. What do you mean, Rachel?
Mrs. Arbuthnot. That you are not necessary to Gerald’s career. He does not require you.
Lord Illingworth. I do not understand you.
Mrs. Arbuthnot. Look into the garden. [Lord Illingworth rises and goes towards window.] You had better not let them see you: you bring unpleasant memories. [Lord Illingworth looks out and starts.] She loves him. They love each other. We are safe from you, and we are going away.
Lord Illingworth. Where?
Mrs. Arbuthnot. We will not tell you, and if you find us we will not know you. You seem surprised. What welcome would you get from the girl whose lips you tried to soil, from the boy whose life you have shamed, from the mother whose dishonour comes from you?
Lord Illingworth. You have grown hard, Rachel.
Mrs. Arbuthnot. I was too weak once. It is well for me that I have changed.
Lord Illingworth. I was very young at the time. We men know life too early.