sir robert chiltern. Yes: he knew men and cities well, like the old Greek.
mrs. cheveley. Without the dreadful disadvantage of having a Penelope waiting at home for him.
mason. Lord Goring.
[Enter lord goring. Thirty-four, but always says he is younger. A well-bred, expressionless face. He is clever, but would not like to be thought so. A flawless dandy, he would be annoyed if he were considered romantic. He plays with life, and is on perfectly good terms with the world. He is fond of being misunderstood. It gives him a post of vantage.]
sir robert chiltern. Good evening, my dear Arthur! Mrs. Cheveley, allow me to introduce to you Lord Goring, the idlest man in London.
mrs. cheveley. I have met Lord Goring before.
lord goring. [Bowing.] I did not think you would remember me, Mrs. Cheveley.
mrs. cheveley. My memory is under admirable control. And are you still a bachelor?
lord goring. I . . . believe so.
mrs. cheveley. How very romantic!