GERALD。Dearmother，Iknewyouwouldn’tstandinmyway。YouarethebestwomanGodevermade。And，asforLordIllingworth，I
　　don’tbelieveheiscapableofanythinginfamousorbase。Ican’tbelieveitofhim—Ican’t。
　　HESTER。[Outside。]Letmego!Letmego![EnterHESTERinterror，andrushesovertoGERALDandflingsherselfinhisarms。]
　　HESTER。Oh!saveme—savemefromhim!
　　GERALD。Fromwhom？
　　HESTER。Hehasinsultedme!Horriblyinsultedme!Saveme!
　　GERALD。Who？Whohasdared—？
　　[LORDILLINGWORTHentersatbackofstage。HESTERbreaksfromGERALD’Sarmsandpointstohim。]
　　GERALD[Heisquitebesidehimselfwithrageandindignation。]
　　LordIllingworth，youhaveinsultedthepurestthingonGod’searth，athingaspureasmyownmother。YouhaveinsultedthewomanIlovemostintheworldwithmyownmother。AsthereisaGodinHeaven，Iwillkillyou!
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。[Rushingacrossandcatchingholdofhim]No!no!
　　GERALD。[Thrustingherback。]Don’tholdme，mother。Don’tholdme—I’llkillhim!
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Gerald!
　　GERALD。Letmego，Isay!
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Stop，Gerald，stop!Heisyourownfather!
　　[GERALDclutcheshismother’shandsandlooksintoherface。Shesinksslowlyonthegroundinshame。HESTERstealstowardsthedoor。LORDILLINGWORTHfrownsandbiteshislip。AfteratimeGERALDraiseshismotherup，putshisamroundher，andleadsherfromtheroom。]
　　ACTDROP
　　FOURTHACT
　　SCENE
　　Sitting—roomatMrs。Arbuthnot’s。LargeopenFrenchwindowatback，lookingontogarden。DoorsR。C。andL。C。
　　[GERALDARBUTHNOTwritingattable。]
　　[EnterALICER。C。followedbyLADYHUNSTANTONandMRS。ALLONBY。]
　　ALICE。LadyHunstantonandMrs。Allonby。
　　[ExitL。C。]
　　LADYHUNSTANTON。Goodmorning，Gerald。
　　GERALD。[Rising。]Goodmorning，LadyHunstanton。Goodmorning，Mrs。Allonby。
　　LADYHUNSTANTON。[Sittingdown。]Wecametoinquireforyourdearmother，Gerald。Ihopesheisbetter？
　　GERALD。Mymotherhasnotcomedownyet，LadyHunstanton。
　　LADYHUNSTANTON。Ah，Iamafraidtheheatwastoomuchforherlastnight。Ithinktheremusthavebeenthunderintheair。Orperhapsitwasthemusic。Musicmakesonefeelsoromantic—atleastitalwaysgetsonone’snerves。
　　MRS。ALLONBY。It’sthesamething，nowadays。
　　LADYHUNSTANTON。IamsogladIdon’tknowwhatyoumean，dear。I
　　amafraidyoumeansomethingwrong。Ah，Iseeyou’reexaminingMrs。Arbuthnot’sprettyroom。Isn’titniceandold—fashioned？
　　MRS。ALLONBY。[Surveyingtheroomthroughherlorgnette。]ItlooksquitethehappyEnglishhome。
　　LADYHUNSTANTON。That’sjusttheword，dear；thatjustdescribesit。Onefeelsyourmother’sgoodinfluenceineverythingshehasabouther，Gerald。
　　MRS。ALLONBY。LordIllingworthsaysthatallinfluenceisbad，butthatagoodinfluenceistheworstintheworld。
　　LADYHUNSTANTON。WhenLordIllingworthknowsMrs。Arbuthnotbetterhewillchangehismind。Imustcertainlybringhimhere。
　　MRS。ALLONBY。IshouldliketoseeLordIllingworthinahappyEnglishhome。
　　LADYHUNSTANTON。Itwoulddohimagreatdealofgood，dear。MostwomeninLondon，nowadays，seemtofurnishtheirroomswithnothingbutorchids，foreigners，andFrenchnovels。Butherewehavetheroomofasweetsaint。Freshnaturalflowers，booksthatdon’tshockone，picturesthatonecanlookatwithoutblushing。
　　MRS。ALLONBY。ButIlikeblushing。
　　LADYHUNSTANTON。Well，thereISagooddealtobesaidforblushing，ifonecandoitatthepropermoment。PoordearHunstantonusedtotellmeIdidn’tblushnearlyoftenenough。Butthenhewassoveryparticular。Hewouldn’tletmeknowanyofhismenfriends，exceptthosewhowereoverseventy，likepoorLordAshton：whoafterwards，bytheway，wasbroughtintotheDivorceCourt。Amostunfortunatecase。
　　MRS。ALLONBY。Idelightinmenoverseventy。Theyalwaysofferonethedevotionofalifetime。Ithinkseventyanidealageforaman。
　　LADYHUNSTANTON。Sheisquiteincorrigible，Gerald，isn’tshe？
　　By—the—by，Gerald，Ihopeyourdearmotherwillcomeandseememoreoftennow。YouandLordIllingworthstartalmostimmediately，don’tyou？
　　GERALD。IhavegivenupmyintentionofbeingLordIllingworth’ssecretary。
　　LADYHUNSTANTON。Surelynot，Gerald!Itwouldbemostunwiseofyou。Whatreasoncanyouhave？
　　GERALD。Idon’tthinkIshouldbesuitableforthepost。
　　MRS。ALLONBY。IwishLordIllingworthwouldaskmetobehissecretary。ButhesaysIamnotseriousenough。
　　LADYHUNSTANTON。Mydear，youreallymustn’ttalklikethatinthishouse。Mrs。Arbuthnotdoesn’tknowanythingaboutthewickedsocietyinwhichwealllive。Shewon’tgointoit。Sheisfartoogood。Iconsideritwasagreathonourhercomingtomelastnight。Itgavequiteanatmosphereofrespectabilitytotheparty。
　　MRS。ALLONBY。Ah，thatmusthavebeenwhatyouthoughtwasthunderintheair。
　　LADYHUNSTANTON。Mydear，howcanyousaythat？Thereisnoresemblancebetweenthetwothingsatall。Butreally，Gerald，whatdoyoumeanbynotbeingsuitable？
　　GERALD。LordIllingworth’sviewsoflifeandminearetoodifferent。
　　LADYHUNSTANTON。But，mydearGerald，atyourageyoushouldn’thaveanyviewsoflife。Theyarequiteoutofplace。Youmustbeguidedbyothersinthismatter。LordIllingworthhasmadeyouthemostflatteringoffer，andtravellingwithhimyouwouldseetheworld—asmuchofit，atleast，asoneshouldlookat—underthebestauspicespossible，andstaywithalltherightpeople，whichissoimportantatthissolemnmomentinyourcareer。
　　GERALD。Idon’twanttoseetheworld：I’veseenenoughofit。
　　MRS。ALLONBY。Ihopeyoudon’tthinkyouhaveexhaustedlife，Mr。
　　Arbuthnot。Whenamansaysthat，oneknowsthatlifehasexhaustedhim。
　　GERALD。Idon’twishtoleavemymother。
　　LADYHUNSTANTON。Now，Gerald，thatispurelazinessonyourpart。
　　Notleaveyourmother!IfIwereyourmotherIwouldinsistonyourgoing。
　　[EnterALICEL。C。]
　　ALICE。Mrs。Arbuthnot’scompliments，mylady，butshehasabadheadache，andcannotseeanyonethismorning。[ExitR。C。]
　　LADYHUNSTANTON。[Rising。]Abadheadache!Iamsosorry!
　　Perhapsyou’llbringheruptoHunstantonthisafternoon，ifsheisbetter，Gerald。
　　GERALD。Iamafraidnotthisafternoon，LadyHunstanton。
　　LADYHUNSTANTON。Well，to—morrow，then。Ah，ifyouhadafather，Gerald，hewouldn’tletyouwasteyourlifehere。HewouldsendyouoffwithLordIllingworthatonce。Butmothersaresoweak。
　　Theygiveuptotheirsonsineverything。Weareallheart，allheart。Come，dear，ImustcallattherectoryandinquireforMrs。
　　Daubeny，who，Iamafraid，isfarfromwell。ItiswonderfulhowtheArchdeaconbearsup，quitewonderful。Heisthemostsympatheticofhusbands。Quiteamodel。Good—bye，Gerald，givemyfondestlovetoyourmother。
　　MRS。ALLONBY。Good—bye，Mr。Arbuthnot。
　　GERALD。Good—bye。
　　[ExitLADYHUNSTANTONandMRS。ALLONBY。GERALDsitsdownandreadsoverhisletter。]
　　GERALD。WhatnamecanIsign？I，whohavenorighttoanyname。
　　[Signsname，putsletterintoenvelope，addressesit，andisabouttosealit，whendoorL。C。opensandMRS。ARBUTHNOTenters。GERALD
　　laysdownsealing—wax。Motherandsonlookateachother。]
　　LADYHUNSTANTON。[ThroughFrenchwindowattheback。]Good—byeagain，Gerald。Wearetakingtheshortcutacrossyourprettygarden。Now，remembermyadvicetoyou—startatoncewithLordIllingworth。
　　MRS。ALLONBY。AUREVOIR，Mr。Arbuthnot。Mindyoubringmebacksomethingnicefromyourtravels—notanIndianshawl—onnoaccountanIndianshawl。
　　[Exeunt。]
　　GERALD。Mother，Ihavejustwrittentohim。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Towhom？
　　GERALD。Tomyfather。Ihavewrittentotellhimtocomehereatfouro’clockthisafternoon。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Heshallnotcomehere。Heshallnotcrossthethresholdofmyhouse。
　　GERALD。Hemustcome。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Gerald，ifyouaregoingawaywithLordIllingworth，goatonce。Gobeforeitkillsme：butdon’taskmetomeethim。
　　GERALD。Mother，youdon’tunderstand。NothingintheworldwouldinducemetogoawaywithLordIllingworth，ortoleaveyou。
　　Surelyyouknowmewellenoughforthat。No：Ihavewrittentohimtosay—
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Whatcanyouhavetosaytohim？
　　GERALD。Can’tyouguess，mother，whatIhavewritteninthisletter？
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。No。
　　GERALD。Mother，surelyyoucan。Think，thinkwhatmustbedone，now，atonce，withinthenextfewdays。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Thereisnothingtobedone。
　　GERALD。IhavewrittentoLordIllingworthtotellhimthathemustmarryyou。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Marryme？
　　GERALD。Mother，Iwillforcehimtodoit。Thewrongthathasbeendoneyoumustberepaired。Atonementmustbemade。Justicemaybeslow，mother，butitcomesintheend。InafewdaysyoushallbeLordIllingworth’slawfulwife。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。But，Gerald—
　　GERALD。Iwillinsistuponhisdoingit。Iwillmakehimdoit：
　　hewillnotdaretorefuse。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。But，Gerald，itisIwhorefuse。IwillnotmarryLordIllingworth。
　　GERALD。Notmarryhim？Mother!
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Iwillnotmarryhim。
　　GERALD。Butyoudon’tunderstand：itisforyoursakeIamtalking，notformine。Thismarriage，thisnecessarymarriage，thismarriagewhichforobviousreasonsmustinevitablytakeplace，willnothelpme，willnotgivemeanamethatwillbereally，rightlyminetobear。Butsurelyitwillbesomethingforyou，thatyou，mymother，should，howeverlate，becomethewifeofthemanwhoismyfather。Willnotthatbesomething？
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Iwillnotmarryhim。
　　GERALD。Mother，youmust。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Iwillnot。Youtalkofatonementforawrongdone。Whatatonementcanbemadetome？Thereisnoatonementpossible。Iamdisgraced：heisnot。Thatisall。Itistheusualhistoryofamanandawomanasitusuallyhappens，asitalwayshappens。Andtheendingistheordinaryending。Thewomansuffers。Themangoesfree。
　　GERALD。Idon’tknowifthatistheordinaryending，mother：I
　　hopeitisnot。Butyourlife，atanyrate，shallnotendlikethat。Themanshallmakewhateverreparationispossible。Itisnotenough。Itdoesnotwipeoutthepast，Iknowthat。Butatleastitmakesthefuturebetter，betterforyou，mother。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。IrefusetomarryLordIllingworth。
　　GERALD。Ifhecametoyouhimselfandaskedyoutobehiswifeyouwouldgivehimadifferentanswer。Remember，heismyfather。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Ifhecamehimself，whichhewillnotdo，myanswerwouldbethesame。RememberIamyourmother。
　　GERALD。Mother，youmakeitterriblydifficultformebytalkinglikethat；andIcan’tunderstandwhyyouwon’tlookatthismatterfromtheright，fromtheonlyproperstandpoint。Itistotakeawaythebitternessoutofyourlife，totakeawaytheshadowthatliesonyourname，thatthismarriagemusttakeplace。Thereisnoalternative：andafterthemarriageyouandIcangoawaytogether。
　　Butthemarriagemusttakeplacefirst。Itisadutythatyouowe，notmerelytoyourself，buttoallotherwomen—yes：toalltheotherwomenintheworld，lesthebetraymore。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Iowenothingtootherwomen。Thereisnotoneofthemtohelpme。ThereisnotonewomanintheworldtowhomI
　　couldgoforpity，ifIwouldtakeit，orforsympathy，ifIcouldwinit。Womenarehardoneachother。Thatgirl，lastnight，goodthoughsheis，fledfromtheroomasthoughIwereataintedthing。
　　Shewasright。Iamataintedthing。Butmywrongsaremyown，andIwillbearthemalone。Imustbearthemalone。Whathavewomenwhohavenotsinnedtodowithme，orIwiththem？Wedonotunderstandeachother。
　　[EnterHESTERbehind。]
　　GERALD。IimploreyoutodowhatIaskyou。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Whatsonhaseveraskedofhismothertomakesohideousasacrifice？None。
　　GERALD。Whatmotherhaseverrefusedtomarrythefatherofherownchild？None。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Letmebethefirst，then。Iwillnotdoit。
　　GERALD。Mother，youbelieveinreligion，andyoubroughtmeuptobelieveinitalso。Well，surelyyourreligion，thereligionthatyoutaughtmewhenIwasaboy，mother，musttellyouthatIamright。Youknowit，youfeelit。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Idonotknowit。Idonotfeelit，norwillI
　　everstandbeforeGod’saltarandaskGod’sblessingonsohideousamockeryasamarriagebetweenmeandGeorgeHarford。IwillnotsaythewordstheChurchbidsustosay。Iwillnotsaythem。I
　　darenot。HowcouldIsweartolovethemanIloathe，tohonourhimwhowroughtyoudishonour，toobeyhimwho，inhismastery，mademetosin？No：marriageisasacramentforthosewholoveeachother。Itisnotforsuchashim，orsuchasme。Gerald，tosaveyoufromtheworld’ssneersandtauntsIhaveliedtotheworld。FortwentyyearsIhaveliedtotheworld。Icouldnottelltheworldthetruth。Whocan，ever？ButnotformyownsakewillIlietoGod，andinGod’spresence。No，Gerald，noceremony，Church—hallowedorState—made，shalleverbindmetoGeorgeHarford。ItmaybethatIamtooboundtohimalready，who，robbingme，yetleftmericher，sothatinthemireofmylifeI
　　foundthepearlofprice，orwhatIthoughtwouldbeso。
　　GERALD。Idon’tunderstandyounow。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Mendon’tunderstandwhatmothersare。IamnodifferentfromotherwomenexceptinthewrongdonemeandthewrongIdid，andmyveryheavypunishmentsandgreatdisgrace。Andyet，tobearyouIhadtolookondeath。TonurtureyouIhadtowrestlewithit。Deathfoughtwithmeforyou。Allwomenhavetofightwithdeathtokeeptheirchildren。Death，beingchildless，wantsourchildrenfromus。Gerald，whenyouwerenakedIclothedyou，whenyouwerehungryIgaveyoufood。NightanddayallthatlongwinterItendedyou。Noofficeistoomean，nocaretoolowlyforthethingwewomenlove—andoh!howIlovedYOU。NotHannah，Samuelmore。Andyouneededlove，foryouwereweakly，andonlylovecouldhavekeptyoualive。Onlylovecankeepanyonealive。
　　Andboysarecarelessoftenandwithoutthinkinggivepain，andwealwaysfancythatwhentheycometoman’sestateandknowusbettertheywillrepayus。Butitisnotso。Theworlddrawsthemfromourside，andtheymakefriendswithwhomtheyarehappierthantheyarewithus，andhaveamusementsfromwhichwearebarred，andintereststhatarenotours：andtheyareunjusttousoften，forwhentheyfindlifebittertheyblameusforit，andwhentheyfinditsweetwedonottasteitssweetnesswiththem……Youmademanyfriendsandwentintotheirhousesandweregladwiththem，andI，knowingmysecret，didnotdaretofollow，butstayedathomeandclosedthedoor，shutoutthesunandsatindarkness。
　　WhatshouldIhavedoneinhonesthouseholds？Mypastwaseverwithme……AndyouthoughtIdidn’tcareforthepleasantthingsoflife。ItellyouIlongedforthem，butdidnotdaretotouchthem，feelingIhadnoright。YouthoughtIwashappierworkingamongstthepoor。Thatwasmymission，youimagined。Itwasnot，butwhereelsewasItogo？Thesickdonotaskifthehandthatsmoothstheirpillowispure，northedyingcareifthelipsthattouchtheirbrowhaveknownthekissofsin。ItwasyouIthoughtofallthetime；Igavetothemtheloveyoudidnotneed：lavishedonthemalovethatwasnottheirs……AndyouthoughtIspenttoomuchofmytimeingoingtoChurch，andinChurchduties。ButwhereelsecouldIturn？God’shouseistheonlyhousewheresinnersaremadewelcome，andyouwerealwaysinmyheart，Gerald，toomuchinmyheart。For，thoughdayafterday，atmornorevensong，IhavekneltinGod’shouse，Ihaveneverrepentedofmysin。HowcouldIrepentofmysinwhenyou，mylove，wereitsfruit!EvennowthatyouarebittertomeIcannotrepent。Idonot。Youaremoretomethaninnocence。Iwouldratherbeyourmother—oh!muchrather!—thanhavebeenalwayspure……Oh，don’tyousee？don’tyouunderstand？Itismydishonourthathasmadeyousodeartome。Itismydisgracethathasboundyousocloselytome。ItisthepriceIpaidforyou—
　　thepriceofsoulandbody—thatmakesmeloveyouasIdo。Oh，don’taskmetodothishorriblething。Childofmyshame，bestillthechildofmyshame!
　　GERALD。Mother，Ididn’tknowyoulovedmesomuchasthat。AndI
　　willbeabettersontoyouthanIhavebeen。AndyouandImustneverleaveeachother……but，mother……Ican’thelpit……youmustbecomemyfather’swife。Youmustmarryhim。Itisyourduty。
　　HESTER。[RunningforwardsandembracingMRS。ARBUTHNOT。]No，no；
　　youshallnot。Thatwouldberealdishonour，thefirstyouhaveeverknown。Thatwouldberealdisgrace：thefirsttotouchyou。
　　Leavehimandcomewithme。ThereareothercountriesthanEngland……Oh!othercountriesoversea，better，wiser，andlessunjustlands。Theworldisverywideandverybig。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。No，notforme。Formetheworldisshrivelledtoapalm’sbreadth，andwhereIwalktherearethorns。
　　HESTER。Itshallnotbeso。Weshallsomewherefindgreenvalleysandfreshwaters，andifweweep，well，weshallweeptogether。
　　Havewenotbothlovedhim？
　　GERALD。Hester!
　　HESTER。[Wavinghimback。]Don’t，don’t!Youcannotlovemeatall，unlessyouloveheralso。Youcannothonourme，unlessshe’sholiertoyou。Inherallwomanhoodismartyred。Notshealone，butallofusarestrickeninherhouse。
　　GERALD。Hester，Hester，whatshallIdo？
　　HESTER。Doyourespectthemanwhoisyourfather？
　　GERALD。Respecthim？Idespisehim!Heisinfamous。
　　HESTER。Ithankyouforsavingmefromhimlastnight。
　　GERALD。Ah，thatisnothing。Iwoulddietosaveyou。Butyoudon’ttellmewhattodonow!
　　HESTER。HaveInotthankedyouforsavingME？
　　GERALD。ButwhatshouldIdo？
　　HESTER。Askyourownheart，notmine。Ineverhadamothertosave，orshame。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Heishard—heishard。Letmegoaway。
　　GERALD。[Rushesoverandkneelsdownbedsidehismother。]Mother，forgiveme：Ihavebeentoblame。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Don’tkissmyhands：theyarecold。Myheartiscold：somethinghasbrokenit。
　　HESTER，Ah，don’tsaythat。Heartslivebybeingwounded。
　　Pleasuremayturnahearttostone，richesmaymakeitcallous，butsorrow—oh，sorrowcannotbreakit。Besides，whatsorrowshaveyounow？Why，atthismomentyouaremoredeartohimthanever，DEARthoughyouhaveBEEN，andoh!howdearyouHAVEbeenalways。
　　Ah!bekindtohim。
　　GERALD。Youaremymotherandmyfatherallinone。Ineednosecondparent。ItwasforyouIspoke，foryoualone。Oh，saysomething，mother。HaveIbutfoundonelovetoloseanother？
　　Don’ttellmethat。Omother，youarecruel。[Getsupandflingshimselfsobbingonasofa。]
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。[ToHESTER。]Buthashefoundindeedanotherlove？
　　HESTER。YouknowIhavelovedhimalways。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Butweareverypoor。
　　HESTER。Who，beingloved，ispoor？Oh，noone。Ihatemyriches。
　　Theyareaburden。Lethimshareitwithme。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Butwearedisgraced。WerankamongtheoutcastsGeraldisnameless。Thesinsoftheparentsshouldbevisitedonthechildren。ItisGod’slaw。
　　HESTER。Iwaswrong。God’slawisonlyLove。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。[Rises，andtakingHESTERbythehand，goesslowlyovertowhereGERALDislyingonthesofawithhisheadburiedinhishands。Shetoucheshimandhelooksup。]Gerald，Icannotgiveyouafather，butIhavebroughtyouawife。
　　GERALD。Mother，Iamnotworthyeitherofheroryou。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Soshecomesfirst，youareworthy。Andwhenyouareaway，Gerald……with……her—oh，thinkofmesometimes。
　　Don’tforgetme。Andwhenyoupray，prayforme。Weshouldpraywhenwearehappiest，andyouwillbehappy，Gerald。
　　HESTER。Oh，youdon’tthinkofleavingus？
　　GERALD。Mother，youwon’tleaveus？
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Imightbringshameuponyou!
　　GERALD。Mother!
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Foralittlethen：andifyouletme，nearyoualways。
　　HESTER。[ToMRS。ARBUTHNOT。]Comeoutwithustothegarden。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Lateron，lateron。[ExeuntHESTERandGERALD。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOTgoestowardsdoorL。C。Stopsatlooking—glassovermantelpieceandlooksintoit。EnterALICER。C。]
　　ALICE。Agentlemantoseeyou，ma’am。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。SayIamnotathome。Showmethecard。[Takescardfromsalverandlooksatit。]SayIwillnotseehim。
　　[LORDILLINGWORTHenters。MRS。ARBUTHNOTseeshimintheglassandstarts，butdoesnotturnround。ExitALICE。]Whatcanyouhavetosaytometo—day，GeorgeHarford？Youcanhavenothingtosaytome。Youmustleavethishouse。
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。Rachel，Geraldknowseverythingaboutyouandmenow，sosomearrangementmustbecometothatwillsuitusallthree。Iassureyou，hewillfindinmethemostcharmingandgenerousoffathers。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Mysonmaycomeinatanymoment。Isavedyoulastnight。Imaynotbeabletosaveyouagain。Mysonfeelsmydishonourstrongly，terriblystrongly。Ibegyoutogo。
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。[Sittingdown。]Lastnightwasexcessivelyunfortunate。ThatsillyPuritangirlmakingascenemerelybecauseIwantedtokissher。Whatharmisthereinakiss？
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。[Turninground。]Akissmayruinahumanlife，GeorgeHarford。Iknowthat。Iknowthattoowell。
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。Wewon’tdiscussthatatpresent。Whatisofimportanceto—day，asyesterday，isstillourson。Iamextremelyfondofhim，asyouknow，andoddthoughitmayseemtoyou，I
　　admiredhisconductlastnightimmensely。Hetookupthecudgelsforthatprettyprudewithwonderfulpromptitude。HeisjustwhatIshouldhavelikedasonofminetobe。ExceptthatnosonofmineshouldevertakethesideofthePuritans：thatisalwaysanerror。Now，whatIproposeisthis。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。LordIllingworth，nopropositionofyoursinterestsme。
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。AccordingtoourridiculousEnglishlaws，I
　　can’tlegitimiseGerald。ButIcanleavehimmyproperty。
　　Illingworthisentailed，ofcourse，butitisatediousbarrackofaplace。HecanhaveAshby，whichismuchprettier，Harborough，whichhasthebestshootinginthenorthofEngland，andthehouseinSt。JamesSquare。Whatmorecanagentlemanrequireinthisworld？
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Nothingmore，Iamquitesure。
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。Asforatitle，atitleisreallyratheranuisanceinthesedemocraticdays。AsGeorgeHarfordIhadeverythingIwanted。NowIhavemerelyeverythingthatotherpeoplewant，whichisn’tnearlysopleasant。Well，myproposalisthis。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。ItoldyouIwasnotinterested，andIbegyoutogo。
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。Theboyistobewithyouforsixmonthsintheyear，andwithmefortheothersix。Thatisperfectlyfair，isitnot？Youcanhavewhateverallowanceyoulike，andlivewhereyouchoose。Asforyourpast，nooneknowsanythingaboutitexceptmyselfandGerald。ThereisthePuritan，ofcourse，thePuritaninwhitemuslin，butshedoesn’tcount。Shecouldn’ttellthestorywithoutexplainingthatsheobjectedtobeingkissed，couldshe？
　　Andallthewomenwouldthinkherafoolandthementhinkherabore。AndyouneednotbeafraidthatGeraldwon’tbemyheir。I
　　needn’ttellyouIhavenottheslightestintentionofmarrying。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Youcometoolate。Mysonhasnoneedofyou。
　　Youarenotnecessary。
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。Whatdoyoumean，Rachel？
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。ThatyouarenotnecessarytoGerald’scareer。Hedoesnotrequireyou。
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。Idonotunderstandyou。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Lookintothegarden。[LORDILLINGWORTHrisesandgoestowardswindow。]Youhadbetternotletthemseeyou：youbringunpleasantmemories。[LORDILLINGWORTHlooksoutandstarts。]Sheloveshim。Theyloveeachother。Wearesafefromyou，andwearegoingaway。
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。Where？
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Wewillnottellyou，andifyoufinduswewillnotknowyou。Youseemsurprised。Whatwelcomewouldyougetfromthegirlwhoselipsyoutriedtosoil，fromtheboywhoselifeyouhaveshamed，fromthemotherwhosedishonourcomesfromyou？
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。Youhavegrownhard，Rachel。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Iwastooweakonce。ItiswellformethatI
　　havechanged。
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。Iwasveryyoungatthetime。Wemenknowlifetooearly。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Andwewomenknowlifetoolate。Thatisthedifferencebetweenmenandwomen。[Apause。]
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。Rachel，Iwantmyson。Mymoneymaybeofnousetohimnow。Imaybeofnousetohim，butIwantmyson。
　　Bringustogether，Rachel。Youcandoitifyouchoose。[Seesletterontable。]
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Thereisnoroominmyboy’slifeforyou。HeisnotinterestedinYOU。
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。Thenwhydoeshewritetome？
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Whatdoyoumean？
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。Whatletteristhis？[Takesupletter。]
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。That—isnothing。Giveittome。
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。ItisaddressedtoME。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Youarenottoopenit。Iforbidyoutoopenit。
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。AndinGerald’shandwriting。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Itwasnottohavebeensent。Itisaletterhewrotetoyouthismorning，beforehesawme。Butheissorrynowhewroteit，verysorry。Youarenottoopenit。Giveittome。
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。Itbelongstome。[Opensit，sitsdownandreadsitslowly。MRS。ARBUTHNOTwatcheshimallthetime。]Youhavereadthisletter，Isuppose，Rachel？
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。No。
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。Youknowwhatisinit？
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Yes!
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。Idon’tadmitforamomentthattheboyisrightinwhathesays。Idon’tadmitthatitisanydutyofminetomarryyou。Idenyitentirely。ButtogetmysonbackIamready—yes，Iamreadytomarryyou，Rachel—andtotreatyoualwayswiththedeferenceandrespectduetomywife。Iwillmarryyouassoonasyouchoose。Igiveyoumywordofhonour。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Youmadethatpromisetomeoncebeforeandbrokeit。
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。Iwillkeepitnow。AndthatwillshowyouthatIlovemyson，atleastasmuchasyoulovehim。ForwhenImarryyou，Rachel，therearesomeambitionsIshallhavetosurrender。
　　Highambitions，too，ifanyambitionishigh。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Ideclinetomarryyou，LordIllingworth。
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。Areyouserious？
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Yes。
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。Dotellmeyourreasons。Theywouldinterestmeenormously。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Ihavealreadyexplainedthemtomyson。
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。Isupposetheywereintenselysentimental，weren’tthey？Youwomenlivebyyouremotionsandforthem。Youhavenophilosophyoflife。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Youareright。Wewomenlivebyouremotionsandforthem。Byourpassions，andforthem，ifyouwill。Ihavetwopassions，LordIllingworth：myloveofhim，myhateofyou。Youcannotkillthose。Theyfeedeachother。
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。Whatsortofloveisthatwhichneedstohavehateasitsbrother？
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。ItisthesortofloveIhaveforGerald。Doyouthinkthatterrible？Wellitisterrible。Allloveisterrible。
　　Allloveisatragedy。Ilovedyouonce，LordIllingworth。Oh，whatatragedyforawomantohavelovedyou!
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。Soyoureallyrefusetomarryme？
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Yes。
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。Becauseyouhateme？
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Yes。
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。Anddoesmysonhatemeasyoudo？
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。No。
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。Iamgladofthat，Rachel。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Hemerelydespisesyou。
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。Whatapity!Whatapityforhim，Imean。
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Don’tbedeceived，George。Childrenbeginbylovingtheirparents。Afteratimetheyjudgethem。Rarelyifeverdotheyforgivethem。
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。[Readsletteroveragain，veryslowly。]MayI
　　askbywhatargumentsyoumadetheboywhowrotethisletter，thisbeautiful，passionateletter，believethatyoushouldnotmarryhisfather，thefatherofyourownchild？
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。ItwasnotIwhomadehimseeit。Itwasanother。
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。WhatFIN—DE—SIECLEperson？
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。ThePuritan，LordIllingworth。[Apause。]
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。[Winces，thenrisesslowlyandgoesovertotablewherehishatandglovesare。MRS。ARBUTHNOTisstandingclosetothetable。Hepicksuponeofthegloves，andbeginspullingiton。]Thereisnotmuchthenformetodohere，Rachel？
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Nothing。
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。Itisgood—bye，isit？
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Forever，Ihope，thistime，LordIllingworth。
　　LORDILLINGWORTH。Howcurious!Atthismomentyoulookexactlyasyoulookedthenightyouleftmetwentyyearsago。Youhavejustthesameexpressioninyourmouth。Uponmyword，Rachel，nowomaneverlovedmeasyoudid。Why，yougaveyourselftomelikeaflower，todoanythingIlikedwith。Youweretheprettiestofplaythings，themostfascinatingofsmallromances……[Pullsoutwatch。]Quartertotwo!MustbestrollingbacktoHunstanton。
　　Don’tsupposeIshallseeyouthereagain。I’msorry，Iam，really。It’sbeenanamusingexperiencetohavemetamongstpeopleofone’sownrank，andtreatedquiteseriouslytoo，one’smistress，andone’s—
　　[MRS。ARBUTHNOTsnatchesupgloveandstrikesLORDILLINGWORTH
　　acrossthefacewithit。LORDILLINGWORTHstarts。Heisdazedbytheinsultofhispunishment。Thenhecontrolshimself，andgoestowindowandlooksoutathisson。Sighsandleavestheroom。]
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。[Fallssobbingonthesofa。]Hewouldhavesaidit。Hewouldhavesaidit。
　　[EnterGERALDandHESTERfromthegarden。]
　　GERALD。Well，dearmother。Younevercameoutafterall。Sowehavecomeintofetchyou。Mother，youhavenotbeencrying？
　　[Kneelsdownbesideher。]
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。Myboy!Myboy!Myboy![Runningherfingersthroughhishair。]
　　HESTER。[Comingover。]Butyouhavetwochildrennow。You’llletmebeyourdaughter？
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。[Lookingup。]Wouldyouchoosemeforamother？
　　HESTER。YouofallwomenIhaveeverknown。
　　[Theymovetowardsthedoorleadingintogardenwiththeirarmsroundeachother’swaists。GERALDgoestotableL。C。forhishat。
　　OnturningroundheseesLORDILLINGWORTH’Sglovelyingonthefloor，andpicksitup。]
　　GERALD。Hallo，mother，whosegloveisthis？Youhavehadavisitor。Whowasit？
　　MRS。ARBUTHNOT。[Turninground。]Oh!noone。Nooneinparticular。Amanofnoimportance。
　　CURTAIN