sir robert chiltern. [With a look of joy and triumph.] A seat in the Cabinet?
lord caversham. Yes; here is the Prime Minister’s letter. [Hands letter.]
sir robert chiltern. [Takes letter and reads it.] A seat in the Cabinet!
lord caversham. Certainly, and you well deserve it too. You have got what we want so much in political life nowadays—high character, high moral tone, high principles. [To lord goring.] Everything that you have not got, sir, and never will have.
lord goring. I don’t like principles, father. I prefer prejudices.
[sir robert chiltern is on the brink of accepting the Prime Minister’s offer, when he sees wife looking at him with her clear, candid eyes. He then realises that it is impossible.]
sir robert chiltern. I cannot accept this offer, Lord Caversham. I have made up my mind to decline it.
lord caversham. Decline it, sir!
sir robert chiltern. My intention is to retire at once from public life.
lord caversham. [Angrily.] Decline a seat in the Cabinet, and retire from public life? Never heard such damned nonsense in the whole course of my existence. I beg your pardon, Lady Chiltern. Chiltern, I beg your pardon. [To lord goring.] Don’t grin like that, sir.