Lord Darlington. You have dropped your fan, Lady Windermere. [Picks it up and hands it to her.]
Mrs. Erlynne. [C.] How do you do, again, Lord Windermere? How charming your sweet wife looks! Quite a picture!
Lord Windermere. [In a low voice.] It was terribly rash of you to come!
Mrs. Erlynne. [Smiling.] The wisest thing I ever did in my life. And, by the way, you must pay me a good deal of attention this evening. I am afraid of the women. You must introduce me to some of them. The men I can always manage. How do you do, Lord Augustus? You have quite neglected me lately. I have not seen you since yesterday. I am afraid you’re faithless. Every one told me so.
Lord Augustus. [R.] Now really, Mrs. Erlynne, allow me to explain.
Mrs. Erlynne. [R.C.] No, dear Lord Augustus, you can’t explain anything. It is your chief charm.
Lord Augustus. Ah! if you find charms in me, Mrs. Erlynne—
[They converse together. Lord Windermere moves uneasily about the room watching Mrs. Erlynne.]
Lord Darlington. [To Lady Windermere.] How pale you are!
Lady Windermere. Cowards are always pale!