Lady Windermere's Fan Read Free Page B

WINDERMERE. Margaret, you could save this woman. She wants
to get back into society, and she wants you to help her.
(Crossing
to her.)
    LADY WINDERMERE. Me!
    LORD WINDERMERE. Yes, you.
    LADY WINDERMERE. How impertinent of her!
(A pause.)
    LORD WINDERMERE. Margaret, I came to ask you a great favour, and I
still ask it of you, though you have discovered what I had intended
you should never have known that I have given Mrs. Erlynne a large
sum of money. I want you to send her an invitation for our party
to-night.
(Standing L. of her.)
    LADY WINDERMERE. You are mad!
(Rises.)
    LORD WINDERMERE. I entreat you. People may chatter about her, do
chatter about her, of course, but they don't know anything definite
against her. She has been to several houses—not to houses where
you would go, I admit, but still to houses where women who are in
what is called Society nowadays do go. That does not content her.
She wants you to receive her once.
    LADY WINDERMERE. As a triumph for her, I suppose?
    LORD WINDERMERE. No; but because she knows that you are a good
woman—and that if she comes here once she will have a chance of a
happier, a surer life than she has had. She will make no further
effort to know you. Won't you help a woman who is trying to get
back?
    LADY WINDERMERE. No! If a woman really repents, she never wishes
to return to the society that has made or seen her ruin.
    LORD WINDERMERE. I beg of you.
    LADY WINDERMERE.
(Crossing to door R.)
I am going to dress for
dinner, and don't mention the subject again this evening. Arthur
(going to him C.)
, you fancy because I have no father or mother
that I am alone in the world, and that you can treat me as you
choose. You are wrong, I have friends, many friends.
    LORD WINDERMERE.
(L.C.)
Margaret, you are talking foolishly,
recklessly. I won't argue with you, but I insist upon your asking
Mrs. Erlynne to-night.
    LADY WINDERMERE.
(R.C.)
I shall do nothing of the kind.
(Crossing L. C.)
    LORD WINDERMERE. You refuse?
(C.)
    LADY WINDERMERE. Absolutely!
    LORD WINDERMERE. Ah, Margaret, do this for my sake; it is her last
chance.
    LADY WINDERMERE. What has that to do with me?
    LORD WINDERMERE. How hard good women are!
    LADY WINDERMERE. How weak bad men are!
    LORD WINDERMERE. Margaret, none of us men may be good enough for
the women we marry—that is quite true—but you don't imagine I
would ever—oh, the suggestion is monstrous!
    LADY WINDERMERE. Why should YOU be different from other men? I am
told that there is hardly a husband in London who does not waste
his life over SOME shameful passion.
    LORD WINDERMERE. I am not one of them.
    LADY WINDERMERE. I am not sure of that!
    LORD WINDERMERE. You are sure in your heart. But don't make chasm
after chasm between us. God knows the last few minutes have thrust
us wide enough apart. Sit down and write the card.
    LADY WINDERMERE. Nothing in the whole world would induce me.
    LORD WINDERMERE.
(Crossing to bureau.)
Then I will!
(Rings
electric bell, sits and writes card.)
    LADY WINDERMERE. You are going to invite this woman?
(Crossing to
him.)
    LORD WINDERMERE. Yes.
(Pause. Enter PARKER.)
Parker!
    PARKER. Yes, my lord.
(Comes down L.C.)
    LORD WINDERMERE. Have this note sent to Mrs. Erlynne at No. 84A
Curzon Street.
(Crossing to L.C. and giving note to PARKER.)
There is no answer!
    (Exit PARKER C.)
    LADY WINDERMERE. Arthur, if that woman comes here, I shall insult
her.
    LORD WINDERMERE. Margaret, don't say that.
    LADY WINDERMERE. I mean it.
    LORD WINDERMERE. Child, if you did such a thing, there's not a
woman in London who wouldn't pity you.
    LADY WINDERMERE. There is not a GOOD woman in London who would not
applaud me. We have been too lax. We must make an example. I
propose to begin to-night.
(Picking up fan.)
Yes, you gave me
this fan to-day; it was your birthday present. If that woman
crosses my threshold, I shall strike her across the face with it.
    LORD WINDERMERE. Margaret, you couldn't do such a thing.
    LADY WINDERMERE. You don't know me!
(Moves