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.