lord goring. Because you haven’t mentioned the subject. Have you got it with you?

mrs. cheveley. [Sitting down.] Oh, no! A well-made dress has no pockets.

lord goring. What is your price for it?

mrs. cheveley. How absurdly English you are! The English think that a cheque-book can solve every problem in life. Why, my dear Arthur, I have very much more money than you have, and quite as much as Robert Chiltern has got hold of. Money is not what I want.

lord goring. What do you want then, Mrs. Cheveley?

mrs. cheveley. Why don’t you call me Laura?

lord goring. I don’t like the name.

mrs. cheveley. You used to adore it.

lord goring. Yes: that’s why. [mrs. cheveley motions to him to sit down beside her. He smiles, and does so.]

mrs. cheveley. Arthur, you loved me once.