Lord Darlington. [Aside.] She is here after all!
Lord Windermere. Speak, sir! Why is my wife’s fan here? Answer me! By God! I’ll search your rooms, and if my wife’s here, I’ll— [Moves.]
Lord Darlington. You shall not search my rooms. You have no right to do so. I forbid you!
Lord Windermere. You scoundrel! I’ll not leave your room till I have searched every corner of it! What moves behind that curtain? [Rushes towards the curtain C.]
Mrs. Erlynne. [Enters behind R.] Lord Windermere!
Lord Windermere. Mrs. Erlynne!
[Every one starts and turns round. Lady Windermere slips out from behind the curtain and glides from the room L.]
Mrs. Erlynne. I am afraid I took your wife’s fan in mistake for my own, when I was leaving your house to-night. I am so sorry. [Takes fan from him. Lord Windermere looks at her in contempt. Lord Darlington in mingled astonishment and anger. Lord Augustus turns away. The other men smile at each other.]
Act Drop.