mrs. cheveley. Stop! Stop! Let me have time to think.
lord goring. Give me Robert Chiltern’s letter.
mrs. cheveley. I have not got it with me. I will give it to you to-morrow.
lord goring. You know you are lying. Give it to me at once. [mrs. cheveley pulls the letter out, and hands it to him. She is horribly pale.] This is it?
mrs. cheveley. [In a hoarse voice.] Yes.
lord goring. [Takes the letter, examines it, sighs, and burns it with the lamp.] For so well-dressed a woman, Mrs. Cheveley, you have moments of admirable common sense. I congratulate you.
mrs. cheveley. [Catches sight of lady chiltern’s letter, the cover of which is just showing from under the blotting-book.] Please get me a glass of water.
lord goring. Certainly. [Goes to the corner of the room and pours out a glass of water. While his back is turned mrs. cheveley steals lady chiltern’s letter. When lord goring returns the glass she refuses it with a gesture.]
mrs. cheveley. Thank you. Will you help me on with my cloak?
lord goring. With pleasure. [Puts her cloak on.]