An Ideal Husband Oscar Wilde (pride and prejudice read TXT) š
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anything of the kind when I entered. I called with Lady Markby simply to ask whether an ornament, a jewel, that I lost somewhere last night, had been found at the Chilternsā. If you donāt believe me, you can ask Lady Markby. She will tell you it is true. The scene that occurred happened after Lady Markby had left, and was really forced on me by Gertrudeās rudeness and sneers. I called, oh!ā āa little out of malice if you likeā ābut really to ask if a diamond brooch of mine had been found. That was the origin of the whole thing.
Lord Goring
A diamond snake-brooch with a ruby?
Mrs. Cheveley
Yes. How do you know?
Lord Goring
Because it is found. In point of fact, I found it myself, and stupidly forgot to tell the butler anything about it as I was leaving. Goes over to the writing-table and pulls out the drawers. It is in this drawer. No, that one. This is the brooch, isnāt it? Holds up the brooch.
Mrs. Cheveley
Yes. I am so glad to get it back. It wasā āā ā¦ a present.
Lord Goring
Wonāt you wear it?
Mrs. Cheveley
Certainly, if you pin it in. Lord Goring suddenly clasps it on her arm. Why do you put it on as a bracelet? I never knew it could he worn as a bracelet.
Lord Goring
Really?
Mrs. Cheveley
Holding out her handsome arm. No; but it looks very well on me as a bracelet, doesnāt it?
Lord Goring
Yes; much better than when I saw it last.
Mrs. Cheveley
When did you see it last?
Lord Goring
Calmly. Oh, ten years ago, on Lady Berkshire, from whom you stole it.
Mrs. Cheveley
Starting. What do you mean?
Lord Goring
I mean that you stole that ornament from my cousin, Mary Berkshire, to whom I gave it when she was married. Suspicion fell on a wretched servant, who was sent away in disgrace. I recognised it last night. I determined to say nothing about it till I had found the thief. I have found the thief now, and I have heard her own confession.
Mrs. Cheveley
Tossing her head. It is not true.
Lord Goring
You know it is true. Why, thief is written across your face at this moment.
Mrs. Cheveley
I will deny the whole affair from beginning to end. I will say that I have never seen this wretched thing, that it was never in my possession.
Mrs. Cheveley tries to get the bracelet off her arm, but fails. Lord Goring looks on amused. Her thin fingers tear at the jewel to no purpose. A curse breaks from her.
Lord Goring
The drawback of stealing a thing, Mrs. Cheveley, is that one never knows how wonderful the thing that one steals is. You canāt get that bracelet off, unless you know where the spring is. And I see you donāt know where the spring is. It is rather difficult to find.
Mrs. Cheveley
You brute! You coward! She tries again to unclasp the bracelet, but fails.
Lord Goring
Oh! donāt use big words. They mean so little.
Mrs. Cheveley
Again tears at the bracelet in a paroxysm of rage, with inarticulate sounds. Then stops, and looks at Lord Goring. What are you going to do?
Lord Goring
I am going to ring for my servant. He is an admirable servant. Always comes in the moment one rings for him. When he comes I will tell him to fetch the police.
Mrs. Cheveley
Trembling. The police? What for?
Lord Goring
Tomorrow the Berkshires will prosecute you. That is what the police are for.
Mrs. Cheveley
Is now in an agony of physical terror. Her face is distorted. Her mouth awry. A mask has fallen from her. She it, for the moment, dreadful to look at. Donāt do that. I will do anything you want. Anything in the world you want.
Lord Goring
Give me Robert Chilternās letter.
Mrs. Cheveley
Stop! Stop! Let me have time to think.
Lord Goring
Give me Robert Chilternās letter.
Mrs. Cheveley
I have not got it with me. I will give it to you tomorrow.
Lord Goring
You know you are lying. Give it to me at once. Mrs. Cheveley pulls the letter out, and hands it to him. She is horribly pale. This is it?
Mrs. Cheveley
In a hoarse voice. Yes.
Lord Goring
Takes the letter, examines it, sighs, and burns it with the lamp. For so well-dressed a woman, Mrs. Cheveley, you have moments of admirable common sense. I congratulate you.
Mrs. Cheveley
Catches sight of Lady Chilternās letter, the cover of which is just showing from under the blotting-book. Please get me a glass of water.
Lord Goring
Certainly. Goes to the corner of the room and pours out a glass of water. While his back is turned Mrs. Cheveley steals Lady Chilternās letter. When Lord Goring returns the glass she refuses it with a gesture.
Mrs. Cheveley
Thank you. Will you help me on with my cloak?
Lord Goring
With pleasure. Puts her cloak on.
Mrs. Cheveley
Thanks. I am never going to try to harm Robert Chiltern again.
Lord Goring
Fortunately you have not the chance, Mrs. Cheveley.
Mrs. Cheveley
Well, if even I had the chance, I wouldnāt. On the contrary, I am going to render him a great service.
Lord Goring
I am charmed to hear it. It is a reformation.
Mrs. Cheveley
Yes. I canāt bear so upright a gentleman, so honourable an English gentleman, being so shamefully deceived, and soā ā
Lord Goring
Well?
Mrs. Cheveley
I find that somehow Gertrude Chilternās dying speech and confession has strayed into my pocket.
Lord Goring
What do you mean?
Mrs. Cheveley
With a bitter note of triumph in her voice. I mean that I am going to send Robert Chiltern the love-letter his wife wrote to you tonight.
Lord Goring
Love-letter?
Mrs. Cheveley
Laughing. āI want you. I trust you. I am coming to you. Gertrude.ā
Lord Goring rushes to the bureau and takes up the envelope, finds is empty, and turns round.
Lord Goring
You wretched woman, must you always be thieving? Give me back that letter. Iāll take it from you by force. You shall not leave my
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