Mabel Chiltern and Lord Caversham.]
mabel chiltern
Lord Goring, I think your father’s conversation much more improving than yours. I am only going to talk to Lord Caversham in the future, and always under the usual palm tree.
lord goring
Darling! [Kisses her.]
lord caversham
[Considerably taken aback.] What does this mean, sir? You don’t mean to say that this charming, clever young lady, has been so foolish as to accept you?
lord goring
Certainly, father! And Chiltern’s been wise enough to accept the seat in the Cabinet.
lord caversham
I am very glad to hear that, Chiltern … I congratulate you, sir. If the country doesn’t go to the dogs or the Radicals, we shall have you Prime Minister, some day.
·212· [Enter Mason.]
mason
Luncheon is on the table, my Lady!
[Mason goes out.]
lady [E: mabel] chiltern
You’ll stop to luncheon, Lord Caversham, won’t you?
lord caversham
With pleasure, and I’ll drive you down to Downing Street afterwards, Chiltern. You have a great future before you, a great future. Wish I could say the same for you, sir. [To Lord Goring.] But your career will have to be entirely domestic.
lord goring
Yes, father, I prefer it domestic.
lord caversham
And if you don’t make this young lady an ideal husband, I’ll cut you off with a shilling.
mabel chiltern
An ideal husband! Oh, I don’t think I should like that. It sounds like something in the next world.
·213· lord caversham
What do you want him to be then, dear?
mabel chiltern
He can be what he chooses. All I want is to be … to be … oh! a real wife to him.
lord caversham
Upon my word, there is a good deal of common sense in that, Lady Chiltern.
[They all go out except Sir Robert Chiltern. He sinks into a chair, wrapt in thought. After a little time Lady Chiltern returns to look for him.]
lady chiltern
[Leaning over the back of the chair.] Aren’t you coming in, Robert?
sir robert chiltern
[Taking her hand.] Gertrude, is it love you feel for me, or is it pity merely?
lady chiltern
[Kisses him.] It is love, Robert. Love, and only love. For both of us a new life is beginning.
Curtain.
The Importance
of
Being Earnest.
A Trivial Comedy for Serious People
by
The Author of Lady Windermere’s Fan
London: Leonard Smithers and Co
5 Old Bond Street W, 1899
[The text follows the
first edition.]
contents.
·[v]· to
robert baldwin ross
in appreciation
in affection
·[vii]· the persons of the play
john worthing, J.P.
algernon moncrieff
rev. canon chasuble, D.D.
merriman, Butler
lane, Manservant
lady bracknell
hon. gwendolen fairfax
cecily cardew
miss prism, Governess
·[ix]· the scenes of the play
Act I. Algernon Moncrieff’s Flat in Half-Moon Street, W.
Act II. The Garden at the Manor House, Woolton.
Act III. Drawing-Room at the Manor House, Woolton.
Time The Present.
·[xi]· LONDON: ST. JAMES’S THEATRE
Lessee and Manager: Mr. George Alexander February 14th, 1895
| John Worthing, J.P. | Mr. George Alexander |
| Algernon Moncrieff | Mr. Allen Aynesworth |
| Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D. | Mr. H. H. Vincent |
| Merriman (Butler) | Mr. Frank Dyall |
| Lane (Manservant) |
|
