MRS.  CHEVELEY

You  have  to.  If  you  don't  .  .  .  [Rises  from  the
so/a.]

SIR  ROBERT  CHILTERN

[Bewildered  and  unnerved?^  Wait  a  moment  I
What  did  you  propose  ?  You  said  that  you  would
give  me  back  my  letter,  didn't  you  ?

MRS.  CHEVELEY

Yes.  That  is  agreed.  I  will  be  in  the  Ladies'
Gallery  to-morrow  night  at  half-past  eleven.  If  by
that  time — and  you  will  have  had  heaps  of  oppor-
tunity— you  have  made  an  announcement  to  the
House  in  the  terms  I  wish,  I  shall  hand  you  back
your  letter  with  the  prettiest  thanks,  and  the  best,
or  at  any  rate  the  most  suitable,  compliment  I  can
think  of.     I  intend  to  play  quite  fairly  with  you.
43


One  should  always  play  fairly  .  .  .  when  one  has
the  winning  cards.  The  Baron  taught  me  that
.  .  .  amongst  other  things.
SIR   ROBERT  CHILTERN

You  must  let  me  have  time  to  consider  your
proposal.
MRS.  CHEVELEY

No ;  you  must  settle  now !

SIR   ROBERT  CHILTERN

Give  me  a  week — three  days !

MRS.   CHEVELEY

Impossible !  I  have  got  to  telegraph  to  Vienna
to-night.
SIR  ROBERT  CHILTERN

My  God  !  what  brought  you  into  my  life  ?

MRS.  CHEVELEY

Circumstances.  [Moves  towards  the  door.]

SIR  ROBERT  CHILTERN

Don't  go.  I  consent.  The  report  shall  be  with-
drawn. I  will  arrange  for  a  question  to  be  put  to
me  on  the  subject.
