sir robert chiltern. Did you know her well?
lord goring. [Arranging his necktie.] So little that I got engaged to be married to her once, when I was staying at the Tenbys’. The affair lasted for three days . . . nearly.
sir robert chiltern. Why was it broken off?
lord goring. [Airily.] Oh, I forget. At least, it makes no matter. By the way, have you tried her with money? She used to be confoundedly fond of money.
sir robert chiltern. I offered her any sum she wanted. She refused.
lord goring. Then the marvellous gospel of gold breaks down sometimes. The rich can’t do everything, after all.
sir robert chiltern. Not everything. I suppose you are right. Arthur, I feel that public disgrace is in store for me. I feel certain of it. I never knew what terror was before. I know it now. It is as if a hand of ice were laid upon one’s heart. It is as if one’s heart were beating itself to death in some empty hollow.
lord goring. [Striking the table.] Robert, you must fight her. You must fight her.
sir robert chiltern. But how?
lord goring. I can’t tell you how at present. I have not the smallest idea. But every one has some weak point. There is some flaw in each one of us. [Strolls to the fireplace and looks at himself in the glass.] My father tells me that even I have faults. Perhaps I have. I don’t know.