lord goring. No, father.
lord caversham. Lady Chiltern, you are a sensible woman, the most sensible woman in London, the most sensible woman I know. Will you kindly prevent your husband from making such a . . . from taking such . . . Will you kindly do that, Lady Chiltern?
lady chiltern. I think my husband in right is his determination, Lord Caversham. I approve of it.
lord caversham. You approve of it? Good heavens!
lady chiltern. [Taking her husband’s hand.] I admire him for it. I admire him immensely for it. I have never admired him so much before. He is finer than even I thought him. [To sir robert chiltern.] You will go and write your letter to the Prime Minister now, won’t you? Don’t hesitate about it, Robert.
sir robert chiltern. [With a touch of bitterness.] I suppose I had better write it at once. Such offers are not repeated. I will ask you to excuse me for a moment, Lord Caversham.
lady chiltern. I may come with you, Robert, may I not?
sir robert chiltern. Yes, Gertrude.
[lady chiltern goes out with him.]
lord caversham. What is the matter with this family? Something wrong here, eh? [Tapping his forehead.] Idiocy? Hereditary, I suppose. Both of them, too. Wife as well as husband. Very sad. Very sad indeed! And they are not an old family. Can’t understand it.