mason. Yes, Sir Robert.
sir robert chiltern. [Puts what he has written into an envelope, which he then carefully closes.] Tell him to have this sent off in cipher at once. There must not be a moment’s delay.
mason. Yes, Sir Robert.
sir robert chiltern. Oh! just give that back to me again.
[Writes something on the envelope. mason then goes out with the letter.]
sir robert chiltern. She must have had some curious hold over Baron Arnheim. I wonder what it was.
lord goring. [Smiling.] I wonder.
sir robert chiltern. I will fight her to the death, as long as my wife knows nothing.
lord goring. [Strongly.] Oh, fight in any case—in any case.
sir robert chiltern. [With a gesture of despair.] If my wife found out, there would be little left to fight for. Well, as soon as I hear from Vienna, I shall let you know the result. It is a chance, just a chance, but I believe in it. And as I fought the age with its own weapons, I will fight her with her weapons. It is only fair, and she looks like a woman with a past, doesn’t she?