Mrs. Erlynne. Pray don’t trouble, Lord Windermere.
Lady Windermere. Yes, Arthur, do go, please.
[Lord Windermere hesitated for a moment and looks at Mrs. Erlynne. She remains quite impassive. He leaves the room.]
[To Mrs. Erlynne.] Oh! What am I to say to you? You saved me last night? [Goes towards her.]
Mrs. Erlynne. Hush—don’t speak of it.
Lady Windermere. I must speak of it. I can’t let you think that I am going to accept this sacrifice. I am not. It is too great. I am going to tell my husband everything. It is my duty.
Mrs. Erlynne. It is not your duty—at least you have duties to others besides him. You say you owe me something?
Lady Windermere. I owe you everything.
Mrs. Erlynne. Then pay your debt by silence. That is the only way in which it can be paid. Don’t spoil the one good thing I have done in my life by telling it to any one. Promise me that what passed last night will remain a secret between us. You must not bring misery into your husband’s life. Why spoil his love? You must not spoil it. Love is easily killed. Oh! how easily love is killed. Pledge me your word, Lady Windermere, that you will never tell him. I insist upon it.
Lady Windermere. [With bowed head.] It is your will, not mine.