lord goring. Mrs. Cheveley was concealed in a room adjoining my library, without my knowledge. I thought that the person who was waiting in that room to see me was yourself. Robert came in unexpectedly. A chair or something fell in the room. He forced his way in, and he discovered her. We had a terrible scene. I still thought it was you. He left me in anger. At the end of everything Mrs. Cheveley got possession of your letter—she stole it, when or how, I don’t know.
lady chiltern. At what hour did this happen?
lord goring. At half-past ten. And now I propose that we tell Robert the whole thing at once.
lady chiltern. [Looking at him with amazement that is almost terror.] You want me to tell Robert that the woman you expected was not Mrs. Cheveley, but myself? That it was I whom you thought was concealed in a room in your house, at half-past ten o’clock at night? You want me to tell him that?
lord goring. I think it is better that he should know the exact truth.
lady chiltern. [Rising.] Oh, I couldn’t, I couldn’t!
lord goring. May I do it?
lady chiltern. No.
lord goring. [Gravely.] You are wrong, Lady Chiltern.
lady chiltern. No. The letter must be intercepted. That is all. But how can I do it? Letters arrive for him every moment of the day. His secretaries open them and hand them to him. I dare not ask the servants to bring me his letters. It would be impossible. Oh! why don’t you tell me what to do?