sir robert chiltern. [Sadly.] And your ambition for me? You used to be ambitious for me.

lady chiltern. Oh, my ambition! I have none now, but that we two may love each other. It was your ambition that led you astray. Let us not talk about ambition.

[lord goring returns from the conservatory, looking very pleased with himself, and with an entirely new buttonhole that some one has made for him.]

sir robert chiltern. [Going towards him.] Arthur, I have to thank you for what you have done for me. I don’t know how I can repay you. [Shakes hands with him.]

lord goring. My dear fellow, I’ll tell you at once. At the present moment, under the usual palm tree . . . I mean in the conservatory . . .

[Enter mason.]

mason. Lord Caversham.

lord goring. That admirable father of mine really makes a habit of turning up at the wrong moment. It is very heartless of him, very heartless indeed.

[Enter lord caversham. mason goes out.]

lord caversham. Good morning, Lady Chiltern! Warmest congratulations to you, Chiltern, on your brilliant speech last night. I have just left the Prime Minister, and you are to have the vacant seat in the Cabinet.