An Ideal Husband (1969) BBC Play of the Month based on play by Oscar Wilde

Beth Freed

#thescarletpimpernel  #janeeyre  #theborgias  Sir Robert Chiltern is a successful Government minister, well-off and with a loving wife. All this is threatened when Mrs Cheveley appears in London with damning evidence of a past misdeed. Sir Robert turns for help to his friend Lord Goring, an apparently idle philanderer and the despair of his father. Goring knows the lady of old, and, for him, takes the whole thing pretty seriously. Starring: Margaret Leighton, Keith Michell, Jeremy Brett.

Transcript

00:00:02you've got my second buttonhole Phipps yes my lord it's rather a distinguished thing Phipps

00:00:07I'm the only person in London at present of the smallest importance who wears a buttonhole yes my

00:00:12lord I have observed that you see Phipps fashion is what one wears oneself what is unfashionable

00:00:19is what other people wear yes my lord other people are quite dreadful Phipps the only possible

00:00:23society is oneself yes my lord to be in love with oneself Phipps is the beginning of a lifelong

00:00:29romance yes my lord I don't think I quite like this second buttonhole Phipps it makes me look a

00:00:35little too old makes me look almost in the prime of life eh Phipps I don't observe any alteration in

00:00:40your lordship's appearance you don't Phipps no my lord but I will speak to the florist she has had

00:00:45a loss in her family lately oh it's an extraordinary thing about the lower class in England they're

00:00:50always losing their relations yes my lord they are extremely fortunate in that respect I have

00:00:56been summoned to one of Lady Chiltern's political parties where the bad politics are drowned by even

00:01:01worse string quartets my commiserations my lord still Miss Mabel Sir Robert's sister might be there

00:01:09so she might Phipps that is a small consolation

00:01:26mother jibble

00:01:26sister could he could he could he see that aorn of Langeroo

00:01:54she might be aware of it okay

00:01:56Doctor of Mrs. Andrew McFarlane.

00:02:01Good evening, Lady Tilton.

00:02:03Miss Tilton.

00:02:04Has my good-for-nothing young son been here?

00:02:07No, Lord Caversham. I don't think he's arrived yet.

00:02:09Oh, thank you.

00:02:12Why do you call him good-for-nothing?

00:02:14Because he leads such an idle life.

00:02:17How can you say such a thing?

00:02:18Why, Lord Goring rides in the row at ten o'clock in the morning.

00:02:21He goes to the opera three times a week.

00:02:23Changes his clothes at least five times a day.

00:02:26And dines out every night of the season.

00:02:28You don't call that leading an idle life, do you?

00:02:30You're a very charming young lady.

00:02:32Oh, thank you very much.

00:02:34Lord Caversham, do come to us more often.

00:02:36Earl of Kettering and Lady Kettering.

00:02:38My dear, I never go anywhere now.

00:02:41I'm sick of London society.

00:02:43I wouldn't mind being introduced to my own tailor.

00:02:46He votes on the right side.

00:02:47But I object strongly to being sent out to dinner

00:02:50with my wife's milliner.

00:02:52Never could stand her bonnage.

00:02:54Grace, the Duke of Cyprus.

00:02:55I love London society.

00:02:57I think it's immensely improved.

00:02:58It's entirely composed now of beautiful idiots

00:03:01and brilliant lunatics.

00:03:02Just what society should be.

00:03:04And which is my son?

00:03:05A beautiful idiot or the other thing?

00:03:07Well, I have been obliged for the moment

00:03:09to put your son into a class quite by himself.

00:03:11But he's developing charmingly.

00:03:13Into what?

00:03:14Lady Basildon, Mrs. Markby.

00:03:16I hope to let you know very soon, Lord Caversham.

00:03:18Lady Markby, Mrs. Cheveley.

00:03:22The right honourable Jane Stephens and Mrs. Cheveley.

00:03:28Good evening, dear Gertrude.

00:03:31How very kind of you to allow me to bring my friend, Mrs. Cheveley.

00:03:35Two such charming women should know each other.

00:03:39But Mrs. Cheveley and I have met before.

00:03:41I did not know that she had married a second time.

00:03:43But everybody marries as often as they can now.

00:03:46It is most fashionable.

00:03:48Dear Duchess and Howes the Duke.

00:03:50Brain still weak, I suppose.

00:03:52But have we really met before, Lady Chilton?

00:03:55I don't remember where, but I've been out of England for so long.

00:03:58We were at school together, Mrs. Cheveley.

00:04:00Indeed.

00:04:01I'd forgotten all about my school days.

00:04:04I have a vague impression they were detestable.

00:04:06I'm not surprised.

00:04:08Do you know, I'm quite looking forward to meeting your clever husband.

00:04:11Since he's been at the foreign office, he's much talked of in Vienna.

00:04:14I hardly think that you and my husband will have much in common, Mrs. Cheveley.

00:04:18Le vicomte de noncha.

00:04:22Chère madame, quelle surprise.

00:04:24I have not seen you since Berlin.

00:04:26Not since Berlin.

00:04:27Five years ago.

00:04:29And you are looking younger and more beautiful than ever.

00:04:32How do you manage it?

00:04:33By making it a rule only to talk to perfectly charming people like yourself.

00:04:37Oh, madame, you flatter me.

00:04:38Mr. and Mrs. Harden.

00:04:46Good evening, Lady Martin.

00:04:47Oh, Sir Robert.

00:04:49I hope you've brought Sir John with you.

00:04:50No, no, no. I've brought someone much more charming than my husband.

00:04:54Sir John's temper.

00:04:55Since he's taken seriously to politics, it's quite unbearable.

00:04:59Really.

00:05:00And now that the House of Commons is trying to be useful, it's doing a great deal of harm.

00:05:04Oh, I do hope not, Lady Markby.

00:05:06At any rate, we do our best to waste the public time, don't we?

00:05:10But who is this charming person that you've brought with you?

00:05:13Her name is Mrs. Cheveley, one of the dorsest of Cheveleys, I suppose.

00:05:18I really don't know.

00:05:19Families are so mixed nowadays, everybody in the end turns out to be somebody else.

00:05:25Cheveley.

00:05:25I seem to know the name.

00:05:27Yes, she's just arrived from Vienna.

00:05:28Ah, yes.

00:05:29Yes, I think I know whom you mean.

00:05:30She goes everywhere there, and she has such pleasant scans as about all her friends.

00:05:36Do let me introduce you.

00:05:37My dear, Sir Robert Chiltern is dying to know you.

00:05:40Everyone is dying to know the brilliant Mrs. Cheveley.

00:05:44Our attaches at Vienna write to us about nothing else.

00:05:47Why, thank you, Sir Robert.

00:05:48An acquaintance that begins with a compliment is bound to turn into a real friendship.

00:05:53It starts in the right manner.

00:05:55And I find I know Lady Chiltern already.

00:05:57Really?

00:05:58Oh, yes.

00:05:58She's just reminded me.

00:05:59We were at school together.

00:06:01I remember it perfectly now.

00:06:02She always got the good conduct prize.

00:06:05I have a distinct recollection of Lady Chiltern always getting the good conduct prize.

00:06:10And what prizes did you get, Mrs. Cheveley?

00:06:13Oh, my prizes came a little later in life.

00:06:15I don't think any of them were for good conduct.

00:06:18I forget.

00:06:19I'm sure they were for something charming.

00:06:21I don't know that women are always rewarded for being charming.

00:06:24I think they're usually punished for it.

00:06:26I fear I can hardly agree with you there.

00:06:28But do sit down.

00:06:32And now, tell me, what makes you leave your brilliant Vienna for our gloomy London?

00:06:37Or perhaps the question is indiscreet.

00:06:39Well, questions are never indiscreet.

00:06:41The answers sometimes are.

00:06:43At any rate, may I know if it is politics or pleasure?

00:06:47Oh, politics are my only pleasure.

00:06:48You see, nowadays it's not fashionable to flirt until one is 40, or to be romantic until one

00:06:55is 45.

00:06:56So we poor women who are under 40, or say that we are, have nothing left to us but politics

00:07:04or philanthropy.

00:07:05I prefer politics.

00:07:07I think they're more becoming.

00:07:08So political life is a noble career?

00:07:11Sometimes.

00:07:12And sometimes it's a clever game.

00:07:15And sometimes it's a great nuisance.

00:07:17Which do you find it?

00:07:19I am a combination of all three.

00:07:22But you've not yet told me what makes you honour London so suddenly.

00:07:26Our season is almost over.

00:07:27Oh, no, I don't care for your London season.

00:07:29It's too matrimonial.

00:07:31People are either hunting for husbands or hiding from them.

00:07:35And no, I...

00:07:37I wanted to meet you.

00:07:40And to ask you to do something for me.

00:07:42Oh, I do hope it is not a little thing, Mrs. Cheely.

00:07:45I find little things so very difficult to do.

00:07:47No, I don't think it's quite a little thing.

00:07:50I'm so glad.

00:07:51Well, do tell me what it is.

00:07:52Oh, later on.

00:07:55And now, may I walk through your beautiful house?

00:07:58I hear that your pictures are charming.

00:08:00Poor Baron Arnheim.

00:08:02You remember the Baron.

00:08:04He used to tell me that you had some wonderful corolle.

00:08:07His Excellency, the Gillian and Thatcher.

00:08:10Did you, uh...

00:08:12know Baron Arnheim well?

00:08:15Intimately, did you?

00:08:16At one time, yes.

00:08:18Wonderful man, wasn't he?

00:08:19He was very remarkable, in many ways.

00:08:21I always thought it's such a pity that he never wrote his memoirs.

00:08:24They would have been most interesting.

00:08:26Lord Goring.

00:08:29Good evening, my dear Arthur.

00:08:32Mrs. Cheeverly, allow me to introduce to you

00:08:35Lord Goring, the idlest man in London.

00:08:38I have met Lord Goring before.

00:08:40I didn't think you were to remember, Mrs. Cheeverly.

00:08:42My memory is under admirable control.

00:08:45And are you still a bachelor?

00:08:46I believe so.

00:08:48I'm very romantic.

00:08:49Oh, no, no, no.

00:08:50I'm not at all romantic.

00:08:51I'm not old enough.

00:08:52I leave romance to my seniors.

00:08:53By the way, Mrs. Cheeverly, are you staying in London long?

00:08:55Well, that depends partly on the weather, partly on the cooking, and partly on Sir Robert.

00:09:02You're not going to plunge us into a European war, I hope.

00:09:05No, there's no danger at present.

00:09:07Brigadier, Sir George Green, and Lady Green.

00:09:14You're very late.

00:09:15Have you missed me?

00:09:16Awfully.

00:09:17Oh, I wish I'd stayed away longer.

00:09:18I love being missed.

00:09:19How very selfish of you.

00:09:20Yes, I am very selfish.

00:09:22You're always telling me of your bad qualities, Lord Goring.

00:09:24I've only told you half of them as yet, Miss Mabel.

00:09:26Are the others very bad?

00:09:28Oh, quite dreadful.

00:09:29When I think of them at night, I go to sleep at once.

00:09:31Well, I delight in your bad qualities.

00:09:33I wouldn't have you part with one of them.

00:09:34Oh, very nice of you.

00:09:35By the way, I want to ask you a question.

00:09:37Yes?

00:09:38Who brought Mrs. Cheeverly here?

00:09:40Oh, I think Lady Markby bought her.

00:09:42Why'd you ask?

00:09:43I haven't seen her for years, that's all.

00:09:45What an absurd reason.

00:09:46All reasons are absurd.

00:09:48What sort of woman is she?

00:09:51She's a genius in the daytime and a beauty at night.

00:09:55I dislike her already.

00:09:57That shows your admirable good taste.

00:09:59Please, the Bishop of Lorient.

00:10:01Mademoiselle, may I have the pleasure of escorting you to the music room?

00:10:05Delighted, Vicon.

00:10:06Quite delighted.

00:10:07Aren't you coming to the music room?

00:10:08Not if there's any music going on.

00:10:10The music is in German.

00:10:11You wouldn't understand it.

00:10:15Well, sir, what are you doing here?

00:10:18Wasting your life as usual?

00:10:20Can't make out how you put up London society.

00:10:23This whole thing's gone to the dogs.

00:10:25A lot of nobodies.

00:10:27Talking about nothing.

00:10:27Oh, I love talking about nothing, Father.

00:10:29It's the only thing I know anything about.

00:10:32Oh, Lady Basildon.

00:10:33And Mrs. Marchmont.

00:10:35Oh, you.

00:10:36I had no idea you were going to.

00:10:39Oh, I adore political parties.

00:10:40They're the only place left to us where nobody talks politics.

00:10:43I see Lord Goring is in the camp of the enemy as usual.

00:10:46I saw him talking to that Mrs. Cheeverly when he came in.

00:10:49Handsome woman, Mrs. Cheeverly.

00:10:51Please, don't praise other women in our presence.

00:10:54You might wait for us to do this.

00:10:56Yes, I did wait.

00:10:56Well, we are not going to praise her.

00:10:58I hear she went to the opera on Monday

00:11:00and she told Tommy Trafford at supper

00:11:01that as far as she could see,

00:11:02London society was entirely made up of dowdies and dandies.

00:11:06She's quite right, of course.

00:11:08The men are all dowdies and the ladies are all dandies, aren't they?

00:11:11No.

00:11:12Do you think that is really what Mrs. Cheeverly knows?

00:11:14Of course.

00:11:15And a very sensible remark of Mrs. Cheeverly to make.

00:11:18Why are you talking about Mrs. Cheeverly?

00:11:20Oh, everybody's talking about Mrs. Cheeverly.

00:11:22Lord Goring says,

00:11:23what was it you said, Lord Goring, about Mrs. Cheeverly?

00:11:25Oh, yes, I remember that she's a genius in the daytime

00:11:27and a beauty at night.

00:11:28Oh, what a horrid combination.

00:11:31So terribly unnatural.

00:11:33I like looking at geniuses

00:11:36and listening to beautiful people.

00:11:37How very morbid of you, Mrs. Marchmont.

00:11:40Is it morbid to have a desire for food?

00:11:42I have a great desire for food, Lord Goring.

00:11:43Will you give me some supper?

00:11:44With pleasure, Miss Mabel.

00:11:46Excuse me.

00:11:47How horrid you've been.

00:11:48You've never talked to me the whole evening.

00:11:50How could I?

00:11:50You ran off with a French child diplomat.

00:11:52Well, you might have followed us.

00:11:53Pursuit would have been only polite.

00:11:55Ah, yes.

00:11:55I don't think I like you at all this evening.

00:11:57I like you immensely.

00:11:58Well, I wish you'd show it in a more marked way.

00:12:01And are you going to any of our country houses

00:12:03before you leave England, Mrs. Cheeverly?

00:12:04Oh, I can't stand your English country house parties.

00:12:10In England, people actually try to be brilliant at breakfast.

00:12:14Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast.

00:12:17No, my stay in England really depends on you, Sir Robert.

00:12:23Seriously?

00:12:24Quite seriously.

00:12:26I want to talk to you about the Argentine Canal Company, in fact.

00:12:32What a tedious, practical subject for you to talk about, Mrs. Cheeverly.

00:12:36Oh, I like tedious, practical subjects.

00:12:38What I don't like are tedious, practical people.

00:12:40There's a wide difference.

00:12:41Besides, I know that you're interested in international canal schemes.

00:12:45You were Lord Radley's secretary, weren't you,

00:12:47when the government bought the Suez Canal shares.

00:12:50Oh, yes, but the Suez Canal was a very great and splendid undertaking.

00:12:54It gave us direct route to India.

00:12:56It had imperial value.

00:12:57This Argentine scheme is a commonplace stock exchange swindle.

00:13:02A speculation, Sir Robert.

00:13:04A brilliant, a daring speculation.

00:13:07Believe me, Mrs. Cheeverly, it is a swindle.

00:13:10Let us call things by their proper names.

00:13:11It makes matters simpler.

00:13:12We have all the information about it at the Foreign Office.

00:13:16In fact, I sent out a special commission to inquire into the matter privately,

00:13:21and they report that the works have hardly begun,

00:13:25and as for the money already invested,

00:13:26nobody seems to know what has become of it.

00:13:28I hope you've not invested in it.

00:13:30I'm sure you're far too clever to have done that.

00:13:33I have invested very largely in it.

00:13:36Who could have advised you to do such a foolish thing?

00:13:39Your old friend and mine.

00:13:42Who?

00:13:43Baron Arnheim.

00:13:46Ah, yes.

00:13:48I seem to remember hearing at the time of his death that he'd be mixed up in the whole affair.

00:13:51It was his last romance.

00:13:53It was his last but one to do him justice.

00:13:57But you've not yet seen my corals.

00:14:00They're upstairs in the music room.

00:14:01Corals seem to go with music, don't they?

00:14:04May I show them to you?

00:14:05No, I'm not in the mood tonight.

00:14:07I want to talk business.

00:14:09Oh, I fear I have no advice to give you, Mrs. Cheeverly,

00:14:12except to interest yourself in something less dangerous.

00:14:15The success of the canal depends, of course, on the attitude of England,

00:14:19and I am going to lay the report of the commissioners before the house tomorrow night.

00:14:24That you must not do.

00:14:27In your own interest, Sir Robert, to say nothing of mine.

00:14:30You must not do that.

00:14:35My own interest?

00:14:37My dear Mrs. Cheeverly, what do you mean?

00:14:41Well, I will be quite frank with you.

00:14:43I want you to withdraw the report that you were going to lay before the house,

00:14:48on the grounds that, in your opinion,

00:14:50the commissioners were prejudiced or misinformed or something.

00:14:53And then I want you to say a few words to the effect

00:14:56that the government is going to reconsider the question,

00:14:59and that, in your opinion, the canal, if completed,

00:15:02would be of great international value.

00:15:05You know the sort of thing ministers say in cases of this kind.

00:15:08And a few ordinary platitudes will do.

00:15:11Mrs. Cheeverly, you were...

00:15:13You cannot be serious in making me such a proposition.

00:15:16I'm quite serious.

00:15:17Pray allow me to believe that you are not...

00:15:19But I am.

00:15:21And if you do what I ask, I will pay you very handsomely.

00:15:26Pay me?

00:15:27Yes.

00:15:30I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean.

00:15:33Oh.

00:15:34How disappointing.

00:15:36And I came all the way from Vienna in order that you should thoroughly understand me.

00:15:40I fear I don't.

00:15:43Sir Robert, you are a man of the world.

00:15:46You have your price, I suppose.

00:15:49If you will allow me, I will call your carriage for you.

00:15:53You've lived so long abroad, Mrs. Cheeverly, that you seem unable to realize that you are talking to a man...

00:15:58To a man who laid the foundation of his fortune by selling to a stock exchange speculator a cabinet secret.

00:16:06What do you mean?

00:16:07I mean that I know the origin of your wealth and your career.

00:16:12And I've got your letter, too.

00:16:16What letter?

00:16:17The letter that you wrote to Baron Arlheim.

00:16:20When you were Lord Radley's secretary, telling the Baron to buy Suey's Canal shares.

00:16:26A letter written three days before the government announced its own purchase.

00:16:31It is not true.

00:16:32You thought the letter had been destroyed.

00:16:34Oh, how foolish of you.

00:16:35It's in my possession.

00:16:40The affair to which you allude was no more than a speculation.

00:16:44The House of Commons had not yet passed the bill.

00:16:45It might have been rejected.

00:16:46It was a swindle, Sir Robert.

00:16:49Let us call things by their proper names.

00:16:51It makes everything simpler.

00:16:53And now, I am going to sell you that letter.

00:16:57And the price that I ask is your public support of the Argentine scheme.

00:17:02You made your fortune out of one canal.

00:17:04You must help me and my friends make ours out of another.

00:17:07I cannot do what you ask.

00:17:09You mean, you cannot help doing it.

00:17:11It's not for you to make terms, Sir Robert, but for you to accept them, supposing you refuse.

00:17:16What then?

00:17:18What then?

00:17:19Oh, my dear Sir Robert.

00:17:21Well, you will be ruined, of course.

00:17:25Scandals used to lend charm, or at least interest, to a man.

00:17:28But nowadays, they crush him.

00:17:30And this is a very nasty scandal.

00:17:34You could never survive it.

00:17:36You'll be handed out of public office.

00:17:38Well, besides, why should you sacrifice your whole future, rather than deal diplomatically with your enemy?

00:17:45And for the moment, I am your enemy.

00:17:48I admit it.

00:17:51Years ago, you did a clever, unscrupulous thing.

00:17:56It was a great success.

00:17:59You owe to it your fortune and your position.

00:18:03Now you've got to pay for it.

00:18:05But what you ask is impossible.

00:18:08You must make it possible.

00:18:09You know what your English newspapers are like.

00:18:11Well, think of the delight they'd have in dragging you down.

00:18:15You want me to withdraw the report and make a speech stating that I believe there are possibilities in the

00:18:21scheme.

00:18:22Those are my terms.

00:18:27I will give you any sum of money you want.

00:18:30Oh, my dear Sir Robert, even you are not rich enough to buy back your past.

00:18:37No, I will not do what you ask.

00:18:38I will not.

00:18:39No, you must.

00:18:41If you do not, you...

00:18:43Wait, wait, wait a moment.

00:18:45What did you propose?

00:18:46You said that you would give me back my letter, didn't you?

00:18:50Yes, that is agreed.

00:18:52I will be in the ladies' gallery tomorrow at half past eleven.

00:18:55If by that time, and you'll have had plenty of opportunity,

00:18:59you have made a speech in the terms that I wish that I will hand you back your letter

00:19:04with the prettiest thanks and the best, or at least the most suitable compliment I can think of.

00:19:08And I intend to deal quite fairly with you.

00:19:11You must let me have time to consider your proposal.

00:19:14No.

00:19:15You must settle now.

00:19:17I have to telegraph Vienna tonight.

00:19:19What brought you into my life?

00:19:23Circumstances.

00:19:29No, don't...

00:19:30Don't go.

00:19:35I consent.

00:19:38The report shall be withdrawn.

00:19:40I will arrange for questions to be put to me on the subject.

00:19:43I knew we should come to an amicable agreement.

00:19:46I understood your nature from the first.

00:19:49And now you can get me my carriage.

00:19:51Englishmen always get romantic after a meal.

00:19:53Well, that war's been dreadful.

00:20:06Oh, dear Mrs. Cheegley, I hope you've enjoyed yourself.

00:20:09Sir Robert is most entertaining, is he not?

00:20:12Oh, most entertaining.

00:20:13Yes, I've enjoyed my talk with him immensely.

00:20:15He's had a very interesting and brilliant career.

00:20:18Also, he's married a most admirable wife.

00:20:21Oh, dear, I'm too old myself to bother about setting a good example.

00:20:24But I always admire people who do.

00:20:27And now I must go, dear.

00:20:29Shall I call for you tomorrow?

00:20:31Good night, my dear.

00:20:32Good night, dear girl.

00:20:33Good night, my dear.

00:20:34Good night.

00:20:35Good night, my dear.

00:20:36What a charming house you have, Lady Chilton.

00:20:38I spent a delightful evening.

00:20:40It was so interesting getting to know your husband.

00:20:43Why did you wish to meet my husband, Mrs. Cheeverly?

00:20:47Well, I wanted to interest him in the Argentine Canal scheme,

00:20:51of which I dare say you've heard.

00:20:53And I found him most susceptible.

00:20:56Susceptible to reason, I mean.

00:20:58I convinced him in ten minutes.

00:21:00He's going to make a speech in the house tomorrow night

00:21:04in favor of the scheme.

00:21:06We must go to the ladies' gallery and hear him.

00:21:09It'll be a great occasion.

00:21:10But there must be some mistake.

00:21:11That scheme could never have my husband's support.

00:21:13Oh, I assure you, it's settled.

00:21:15And now, I don't regret my tedious journey from Vienna.

00:21:20Oh, but of course, for the next 24 hours,

00:21:23the whole thing must be a dead secret.

00:21:24A secret?

00:21:25But between whom?

00:21:27Between your husband and myself.

00:21:32Your carriage is here, Mrs. Cheeverly.

00:21:36Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

00:21:38Good night, Lord Goring.

00:21:40I'm at Claridge's.

00:21:42Do you think you might leave a card?

00:21:43If you wish, Mrs. Cheeverly.

00:21:45Oh, don't look so solemn about it.

00:21:47I may be obliged to leave a card on you.

00:21:50Sir Robert, will you take me to my carriage?

00:21:53Now that we have both the same interests at heart,

00:21:56we shall be the best of friends.

00:21:58What a horrid woman.

00:22:00Miss Mabel, you should go to bed.

00:22:02Lord Goring.

00:22:03Well, my father told me to go to bed half an hour ago,

00:22:05and I don't see why I shouldn't pass on the same advice.

00:22:07I always pass on advice.

00:22:09It's the only thing to do with it.

00:22:10It's never the slightest use to oneself.

00:22:12Lord Goring.

00:22:13You're all with ordering now to the room.

00:22:15I think it's most courageous of you,

00:22:17especially since I don't intend to go to bed for hours.

00:22:21What's this?

00:22:23I wonder who dropped it.

00:22:25What a beautiful brooch.

00:22:27It is a bracelet.

00:22:28It isn't a bracelet, it's a brooch.

00:22:30It can be used as a bracelet.

00:22:34What are you doing?

00:22:36Miss Mabel, I'm going to make rather a strange request to you.

00:22:39Oh, pray do.

00:22:40I've been waiting for it all evening.

00:22:42I don't want you to tell anyone that I've taken charge of this bracelet,

00:22:45and if anyone should claim it, let me know at once.

00:22:49That is a strange request.

00:22:51Well, you see, I gave it to someone many years ago.

00:22:53You did?

00:22:54Yes.

00:22:56Well, then I shall certainly bid you good night.

00:23:04Good night, dear.

00:23:05Good night, my dear.

00:23:06Good night.

00:23:12Did you see whom Lady Mark be brought here tonight?

00:23:14Yes.

00:23:15What did she come here for?

00:23:16Apparently to try and lure Robert

00:23:17to uphold some fraudulent scheme in which she's interested.

00:23:20Oh, I fancy she came to grief

00:23:22if she tried to lure Robert into her coils.

00:23:23It is extraordinary what astounding mistakes clever women make.

00:23:27I don't call women of that kind clever.

00:23:30I call them stupid.

00:23:31Same thing often.

00:23:33Good night, Lady Chess.

00:23:34Good night.

00:23:36Well, dear Arthur, you're not leaving.

00:23:38Do stop a little.

00:23:38I want to talk to you.

00:23:40I'm afraid I can't, thanks.

00:23:41I promised I'd pop into the heartplugs on the way home.

00:23:43I believe they have got a mauve Hungarian band

00:23:45that plays mauve Hungarian music.

00:23:48I'll see you tomorrow.

00:23:49Goodbye.

00:23:54I'll see you tomorrow.

00:23:55I'll see you tomorrow.

00:23:56Good night.

00:23:59Good night.

00:24:06Good night.

00:24:07Good night.

00:24:08Good night.

00:24:09Good night.

00:24:12Good night.

00:24:27how beautiful you look tonight Gertrude

00:24:35help me undo my dress

00:24:40Robert it isn't true is it you're not going to lend your support to this

00:24:44this Argentine speculation who told you that I intended to do so that woman

00:24:51mrs. Cheeverly as she calls herself she seemed to talk me with it Robert I know

00:24:57this woman we were at school together I despised her she was sent away for being

00:25:02a thief mrs. Cheeverly may have changed since then no one should be judged

00:25:08entirely by their past one's past is what one is it is the only way by which

00:25:13people should be judged that is a hard saying Gertrude it is a true saying

00:25:17Robert and what did she mean by boasting that she got you to lend your support to

00:25:21her to a thing that I have heard you describe as a most dishonest and

00:25:25fraudulent scheme I was mistaken in the view I took that's all we all may make

00:25:30mistakes but Robert you told me yesterday that you had had the report from the

00:25:36Commission and that it entirely condemned the whole thing I have reason now to

00:25:40believe that the Commission was prejudiced or at any rate misinformed

00:25:43Robert are you telling me the whole truth

00:25:47why do you ask such a question why do you not answer it

00:25:52truth is a very complex thing and politics a very complex business there are

00:25:56wheels within wheels one may be under certain obligations to people that one

00:26:00must pay sooner or later in the political life one has to compromise

00:26:04everyone does

00:26:06Robert you it is necessary vitally necessary it can never be necessary to do what is

00:26:18to the world as to myself you have been an ideal always we women worship when we love

00:26:27don't kill my love for you don't kill that is there in your life any secret disgrace or dishonor tell

00:26:36me tell me tell me at once that that what but our lives may drift apart it would be better

00:26:47for us

00:26:47both Gertrude there is nothing in my past life that you might not know oh I was sure of it

00:26:57Robert but

00:26:58why did you say those dreadful things things so unlike your real self let us

00:27:04talk no more of the matter you will write it once to miss Achievalee won't you and

00:27:09tell her that you cannot support the scheme of hers if you have given her

00:27:12any promise then you must take it back now this moment but it's so late that

00:27:17makes no matter right here she must know at once that she has been mistaken in you

00:27:24that you are not a man to do anything base or underhand write that you that you

00:27:31decline to support this scheme of hers as you hold it to be dishonest yes write

00:27:37the word dishonest she knows what that word means

00:27:48yes that will do now the envelope

00:28:20have this letter sent at once to carriages hotel there is no answer

00:28:27oh Robert I feel tonight that I have saved you from something you have brought into the

00:28:33political life of our time a nobler atmosphere I know it and for that I love you Robert

00:28:45love me always Gertrude love me always I will always love you because you will always be worthy of my

00:28:54love

00:29:17my dear Robert it's a very awkward business very awkward indeed but you should have told your wife her

00:29:24my dear Robert is a very awkward business very awkward indeed

00:29:24no man should have a secret from his own wife she invariably finds it out Arthur I couldn't tell my

00:29:30wife

00:29:31I would have lost the love of the one woman in the world I worship

00:29:34she would have turned from me in horror and contempt and yet after all whom did I wrong by what

00:29:39I did

00:29:39no one except yourself Robert

00:29:42oh Arthur I was 22 at the time do you think it fair that a man's whole career should be

00:29:47ruined for a folk done in his boyhood

00:29:49almost life is never fair and perhaps for most of us it is just as well that it is not

00:29:54I had the double misfortune of being well born and poor every man of ambition has to fight his century

00:30:01with its own weapons

00:30:02the god of this century is wealth and all costs one must have wealth but you could have succeeded just

00:30:06as well without it

00:30:07when I was old perhaps I wanted my success when I was young I couldn't wait

00:30:11how could you sell yourself for money I bought success at a great price that is all but what first

00:30:19made you think of doing such a thing

00:30:25Baron Arnheim

00:30:26ah damn scoundrel

00:30:27no no

00:30:29a man of culture charm and distinction one of the most intellectual men I have ever met

00:30:34yes I prefer a gentlemanly fool any day

00:30:37there's far more to be said for stupidity than people imagine

00:30:41but how did he do it

00:30:45one night after dinner at Lord Bradley's

00:30:48the Baron

00:30:50began talking about success

00:30:52in modern life

00:30:54with that wonderfully

00:30:57fascinating

00:30:58quiet voice of his

00:31:00he expounded to us the most terrible of all philosophies

00:31:04the philosophy of power

00:31:08luxury he said with only a background

00:31:10and power

00:31:12power over other men power over the world

00:31:15was the supreme pleasure

00:31:16the one joy one never tired of

00:31:18and only the rich

00:31:19possessed it

00:31:21I think he saw the effect that he produced on me

00:31:23for when I was going away

00:31:25he said that if ever I could give him any private information of real value

00:31:29he would make me a very rich man

00:31:33I was dazed at the prospect he held out to me

00:31:39six weeks later certain private documents passed through my hands

00:31:43state documents

00:31:45yes

00:31:46oh my dear Robert I had no idea that you could be so weak

00:31:51weak

00:31:52do you really think it is weakness that yields to temptation

00:31:56I tell you

00:31:56there are terrible temptations that require a terrible strength to yield to

00:32:01I had that strength

00:32:03I sat down that same afternoon and wrote Baron Arnheim the letter that this woman now holds

00:32:07he made three quarters of a million over the transaction

00:32:11and you

00:32:12I received from the Baron one hundred and ten thousand pounds

00:32:16you were worth more Robert

00:32:18in five years I had trebled my fortune

00:32:20everything I touched turned to success

00:32:24I remember reading somewhere that when the gods wished to punish us

00:32:29they answered our prayers

00:32:32did you never suffer any regret for what you had done

00:32:34no

00:32:36but I have paid conscience money since then

00:32:38I had the wild hope that I might disarm destiny

00:32:43the sum the Baron Arnheim paid me

00:32:45I have distributed in public charities twice over since then

00:32:50public charities

00:32:51oh my dear Robert what a lot of harm you have done

00:32:54oh Arthur don't talk like that

00:32:55now forget what I say

00:32:58of course I will do everything I can to help you know that

00:33:01thank you Arthur

00:33:03what is to be done

00:33:05well the English are very fond of a man who admits that he's in the wrong

00:33:09it's one of the best things in them

00:33:12however a confession in your case would not do

00:33:16the money if you will allow me to say so is awkward

00:33:20you must begin by telling your wife the whole thing

00:33:23I couldn't do it

00:33:26and now this Mrs. Cheever

00:33:28how can I defend myself against her

00:33:30you knew her before Arthur

00:33:31yes

00:33:32well

00:33:34so little that I got engaged to her

00:33:36why was it broken off

00:33:37oh I forget

00:33:38at least it doesn't matter

00:33:41she used to be confoundedly fond of money

00:33:43have you tried her with money

00:33:44I offered her any sum of money she wanted

00:33:47she refused

00:33:47so the marvelous gospel of gold breaks down sometime

00:33:50Robert you must fight her

00:33:51you must fight her

00:33:53but how

00:33:54I can't tell you at the moment I haven't the slightest idea

00:33:57but every person has some weak point

00:34:01I shall send a telegram

00:34:03a cipher telegram to the embassy of Vienna

00:34:06to inquire if anything is known against her

00:34:08ah it is always worthwhile asking a question

00:34:11although it is not always worthwhile answering one

00:34:14she must have had some curious hold over Baron Arnheim

00:34:18I wonder what it was

00:34:19yes I wonder

00:34:23is Mr. Trafford in his room

00:34:25yes sir Lord

00:34:26tell him to have this sent off in cipher

00:34:29at once

00:34:30is that a moment to be lost

00:34:32yes

00:34:35yes

00:34:35good afternoon Lord Dorian

00:34:36good afternoon Lady Chiltern

00:34:38have you been in the park

00:34:38no I've just come from the Women's Liberal Association

00:34:41where by the way Robert

00:34:43your name is received with loud applause

00:34:45and now I've come in to have my tea

00:34:46you will wait and have some tea

00:34:48what a little thank you

00:34:49I'll be back in a moment

00:34:50I'm just going to take my hat off

00:34:51oh no please don't

00:34:52it is so pretty

00:34:54it is one of the prettiest hats that I have ever seen

00:34:57I do hope the Women's Liberal Association

00:34:59greeted it with loud applause

00:35:01we have much more important work to do

00:35:03than look at each other's bonnets

00:35:04Lord Gording

00:35:08you've been a good friend to me Arthur

00:35:10you've enabled me to tell you the truth

00:35:12that is something

00:35:13ah the truth is something I always get rid of

00:35:15as quickly as possible

00:35:17this truth

00:35:19has always stifled me

00:35:22I'll see you soon again Charlie Arthur

00:35:24certainly whenever you like

00:35:26you're not going Robert

00:35:27I have some letters to write dear

00:35:29oh you work too hard Robert

00:35:30you're looking so tired

00:35:31it's nothing dear nothing

00:35:35do sit down

00:35:38I'm so glad you've called

00:35:39I want to talk to you about

00:35:42well not about bonnets

00:35:44or the Women's Liberal Association

00:35:46you want to talk to me about

00:35:48Mrs. Cheveley

00:35:49yes you've guessed it

00:35:52after you left last night

00:35:54I found out that what she had said was really true

00:35:56of course I made Robert write her a letter at once

00:35:59withdrawing his promise

00:36:00so he gave me to understand

00:36:01to have kept it would have been the first stain on a career

00:36:04which has been stainless always

00:36:06Robert must be above reproach

00:36:08he's not like other men

00:36:09he cannot afford to do what other men do

00:36:13don't you agree with me?

00:36:15you're Robert's greatest friend

00:36:17no one except myself knows him better than you do

00:36:20he has no secrets from me

00:36:22and I don't think he has any from you

00:36:23he certainly has no secrets from me

00:36:25at least I don't think so

00:36:27uh

00:36:29lady Chilton

00:36:31I have often thought that perhaps

00:36:34that you were just a little too unbending in your views on life

00:36:38I think sometimes you don't make sufficient allowances

00:36:41now supposing

00:36:43for instance that any public man

00:36:45my father

00:36:45or Lord Merton

00:36:46or Robert say

00:36:47had years ago

00:36:49written some foolish letter to someone

00:36:51what sort of foolish letter?

00:36:52oh a letter gravely compromising one's position

00:36:55I'm only taking an imaginary case

00:36:56but Robert is as incapable of doing a foolish thing

00:36:59as he is of doing a wrong thing

00:37:00no one is incapable of doing a foolish thing

00:37:04lady Chilton

00:37:06if ever you are in trouble

00:37:09trust me absolutely

00:37:10and I will do everything that I can to help

00:37:12if you want me

00:37:13ask for my assistance

00:37:14and you shall have it

00:37:16Lord Goring

00:37:17you're talking quite seriously

00:37:19I don't think I've ever heard you talk like that before

00:37:21you must excuse me lady Chilton

00:37:22I promise you that I will never let it occur again

00:37:24but I like you to be serious

00:37:26oh Gertrude

00:37:27don't say such dreadful things to Lord Goring

00:37:30seriousness will be very unbecoming to him

00:37:32good afternoon Lord Goring

00:37:34pray be as trivial as you can

00:37:36well I'm afraid I'm allowed to practice this afternoon Miss Mabel

00:37:39and I was on the point of leaving

00:37:40just when I've come in

00:37:41what dreadful manners you have

00:37:43I'm sure you were very badly brought up

00:37:45I was

00:37:45I wish I'd brought you up

00:37:47I'm so sorry that you didn't

00:37:48it's too late now I suppose

00:37:51I'm not so sure

00:37:52will you ride tomorrow morning

00:37:54yes at day

00:37:55don't forget

00:37:55oh by the way lady Chilton

00:37:58there is no list of your guests in the morning post of today

00:38:01it has apparently been crowded out by the county council

00:38:03or the Lambeth confidence or something equally boring

00:38:05I wonder if I could have a list

00:38:07I have a particular reason for asking

00:38:08I'm sure Mr Trafford will be able to give you one

00:38:10thank you so much

00:38:11Tommy Trafford

00:38:12is the most useful person in London

00:38:14and who is the most ornamental

00:38:16I am

00:38:17how clever of you to guess it

00:38:20goodbye lady Chilton

00:38:21and you will remember what I said to you won't you

00:38:23yes but I don't know why you said it to me

00:38:26I hardly know myself

00:38:27goodbye Miss Mabel

00:38:32Gertrude I wish you would talk to Tommy Trafford

00:38:34what has poor Mr Trafford done this time

00:38:37Robert says he's the best secretary he ever had

00:38:39well Tommy's proposed to me again

00:38:43yes really Tommy does nothing but propose to me

00:38:46he proposed to me this morning in broad daylight in front of that dreadful statue of Achilles

00:38:50really the things that go on in front of that work of art are quite appalling

00:38:53the police should interfere

00:38:55you see if you propose at the top of his voice I wouldn't mind so much

00:38:59that might have some effect on the public

00:39:01but he does it in this horrid confidential way like a like a doctor

00:39:06oh I wish Gertrude you would talk to him

00:39:09tell him once a week is quite often enough to propose to anyone

00:39:12and that it should always be done in a manner that attracts some attention

00:39:15dear Mabel don't talk like that

00:39:17besides Robert thinks very highly of Mr Trafford

00:39:20he believes he has a brilliant future before him

00:39:22oh I wouldn't marry a man with a future before him for anything under the sun

00:39:26Mabel

00:39:27oh I know you married a man with a future didn't you

00:39:29but then you see my brother's a genius

00:39:30and you have a noble self-sacrificing character

00:39:34oh I've got to go round now the Lady of Bazalden's

00:39:36you remember we're giving a charity performance don't you

00:39:38I've got to act the triumph of something I don't know what

00:39:41only hope it's the triumph of me

00:39:43only triumph I'm really interested in at the moment

00:39:48Gertrude do you know who's coming to see you

00:39:50that dreadful Mrs Chevely in the most lovely gown did you ask her

00:39:53Mrs Chevely coming to see me? impossible

00:39:56I assure you she's crossing the hall as large as life

00:39:59and not nearly so natural

00:40:05you need not wait Mabel remember that Lady Basalden is expecting you

00:40:09yes I've got to stand on my head for charity haven't I

00:40:15you need to mark me Mrs Chevely

00:40:19dear Gertrude we just called to know if Mrs Chevely's diamond brooch had been found

00:40:23here?

00:40:24I missed it when I got back to Claridge's I thought perhaps I might have dropped it here

00:40:28I've heard nothing about it but I'll ring for the butler

00:40:30oh no no pray don't trouble any children

00:40:32I dare say I lost it at the opera before we came on here

00:40:35the fact is dear we all scrabble and jostle as so much these days

00:40:39I wonder if we have anything left on us at all by the end of the evening

00:40:43what sort of brooch was it that you lost Mrs Chevely?

00:40:46a diamond snake brooch with rubies rather large rubies

00:40:51has a ruby and diamond brooch been found in any of the rooms this morning Mason?

00:40:55no money!

00:40:56oh it's really of no consequence lady children

00:40:58I'm so sorry to put you to an inconvenience

00:41:01it has been of no inconvenience

00:41:03that will do Mason you can bring tea

00:41:06well I must say it's most annoying to lose anything

00:41:09I remember once at Bath oh years ago

00:41:12losing in the pump from a very handsome cameo bracelet my husband had given me

00:41:17I don't think he's given me anything since I'm sorry to say

00:41:20may I give you some tea Mrs Chevely?

00:41:22thank you

00:41:28some tea lady Markby

00:41:29no thank you dear I promised to make another call

00:41:32so if you'll allow me I will leave Mrs Chevely in your charge

00:41:35and call back for her later

00:41:36well certainly dear

00:41:37I'll be glad to have a few minutes conversation with Mrs Chevely

00:41:41why thank you lady children

00:41:43I'm sure nothing would give me greater pleasure

00:41:45no doubt you both have many happy memories of your school days to talk over together

00:41:49goodbye dear

00:41:51shall I see you at Lady Bonner's tonight

00:41:53I'm told she's discovered a wonderful new genius

00:41:56he does nothing at all I believe

00:41:59and that's a great comfort is it not

00:42:07wonderful woman lady Markby

00:42:08she talks more and says less than anyone I've ever met

00:42:12she was made to be a public speaker

00:42:20Mrs Chevely

00:42:21I think it right to tell you quite frankly that

00:42:24had I known who you really were I should not have invited you to my house last night

00:42:30really?

00:42:31I could not have done so

00:42:34I see Gertrude that after all these years you've not changed a bit

00:42:39I never change

00:42:41then life has taught you nothing

00:42:43it has taught me that when a person has once been guilty of a dishonest and dishonorable action

00:42:49they may be guilty of it a second time and should be shunned

00:42:54would you apply that rule to everyone?

00:42:56yes to everyone without exception

00:43:01then I am very sorry for you Gertrude

00:43:03so you see now I'm sure that for many reasons

00:43:06any further acquaintance between us during your stay in London is quite impossible

00:43:13do you know Gertrude

00:43:15I don't mind your talking morality to me a bit

00:43:19morality is merely an attitude we adopt towards people we personally dislike

00:43:24you dislike me

00:43:25I'm quite aware of that

00:43:27and I've always detested you

00:43:31and yet I've come here today to do you a service

00:43:34like the service you wished to render my husband last night I suppose

00:43:37thank heavens I saved him from that

00:43:39so it was you who made him write that insolent letter to me to break his promise

00:43:43yes

00:43:43well then you must make him keep it

00:43:47I will give you until tomorrow morning no more

00:43:51if by then your husband doesn't solemnly bind himself to help me in this great scheme

00:43:56this fraudulent speculation

00:43:57oh call it what you choose

00:43:58I hold your husband in the hollow of my hand

00:44:00if you're wise you'll make him do what I tell him

00:44:02you are impertinent

00:44:04what is my husband to do with a woman like you?

00:44:08in this world like meets like

00:44:11it's because your husband is himself fraudulent and dishonest that we pair so well together

00:44:17between you and him there are chasms

00:44:20that he and I are closer than friends we're enemies linked together

00:44:24the same sin binds us

00:44:27how dare you class yourself with my husband leave my house

00:44:30your house

00:44:32a house everything in which was paid for by fraud

00:44:36ask him what the origin of his fortune is

00:44:39get him to tell you how he sold to a stockbroker a cabinet secret

00:44:44learn from him to what you owe your position

00:44:47it's not true

00:44:49Robert it's not true

00:44:51look at him

00:44:53can he deny it?

00:44:58go

00:45:00go

00:45:01go at once

00:45:04I've not finished with you

00:45:06with either of you

00:45:08I shall give you until tomorrow at noon

00:45:11if by then

00:45:13you don't do what I bid you to do

00:45:15then the whole world shall know the origin of Robert Chilton

00:45:21show Mrs. Cheveley out

00:45:34you sold a cabinet secret for money?

00:45:38you started your life with fraud?

00:45:42what this woman says is

00:45:44quite true

00:45:46but Gertrude listen to me

00:45:48don't touch me

00:45:48don't speak, say nothing

00:45:51oh how I worshipped you

00:45:53you were to me something apart from common life

00:45:56a thing pure

00:45:58noble

00:45:59honest without stain

00:46:01the world seemed to me a finer place because you were in it and now

00:46:06oh

00:46:07when I think I made a man like you my ideal

00:46:11the ideal of my life

00:46:13hmm

00:46:15there was your mistake

00:46:19why

00:46:20can't you women love us

00:46:21false and all

00:46:23it is not the perfect

00:46:25but the imperfect to have need of love

00:46:27it is when we are wounded by our own hands

00:46:29that love should come to cure ourselves

00:46:31what use is love?

00:46:34you made your false idol of me

00:46:38and I had not the courage to come down and show you my wounds

00:46:40tell you my weaknesses

00:46:42I was afraid that I might lose your love

00:46:45as I have lost it now

00:46:47and so

00:46:49last night you ruined my life for me

00:46:53what this woman asked of me was nothing compared to what she offered

00:46:55she offered security, peace, stability

00:46:59the sin of my youth

00:47:01that I thought was buried rose up in front of me hideous, horrible

00:47:04I could have killed it forever but you prevented me

00:47:07no one but you

00:47:08and now what is there before me but public disgrace, ruin, terrible shame

00:47:13the mockery of the world

00:47:16let women make no more ideals of men

00:47:19or they will ruin other lives as completely as you who I have so wildly loved

00:47:25have ruined mine

00:47:38you

00:47:44you

00:47:46you

00:47:47you

00:47:56any letters for me Phipps? three my lord. I want my cab round at once please Phipps. yes

00:48:02my lord. Phipps when did this letter arrive? it was brought by hand just after your lordship

00:48:08went to the club. that will do Phipps. Lady Chilton's writing on Lady Chilton's pink

00:48:15note paper. I want you. I trust you. I am coming to you. Gertrude. oh poor woman. she's

00:48:27found out everything.

00:48:35Lord Caversham. why will parents always appear at the wrong moment? it must be

00:48:40some extraordinary mistake in nature I suppose. ah my dear father delighted to see

00:48:44you. take my coat off. oh but father is it worthwhile? well of course it's worthwhile. take it off.

00:48:50now which is the most comfortable chair? that one father. that is the one that I always use when

00:48:55I have visitors. thank you. there's no draft in this room I hope. of course father there's no draft.

00:49:03now I want to have a serious conversation with you. but father it is after seven and my doctor

00:49:08tells me that I must not have a serious conversation after seven. it makes me talk

00:49:12in my sleep. talk in your sleep? what does that matter? you're not married.

00:49:16no father I'm not married. now that is what I've come to talk to you about. yes I was afraid

00:49:22of that. now it's high time you were married.

00:49:25you're 34 years of age. yes but I only admit to 32. 31 and a half when I have a

00:49:31really good buttonhole.

00:49:32well you're 34 I tell you. and there is a draft in this room which makes your conduct worse. why

00:49:38did you tell me there's no draft?

00:49:40I can feel a draft. I can feel it distinctly. you're quite right father. there's the most dreadful draft. look

00:49:44I will come and see you tomorrow and we can discuss the whole thing.

00:49:47no no I came here with a. came here with a very definite purpose and I intend to see it

00:49:58through. now put down my coat.

00:49:59certainly father but let us go into the smoking room. your sneezes are quite heart-rending.

00:50:04well I suppose I still have the right to sneeze when I choose. quite so I was only expressing sympathy.

00:50:10dear dear do you always really understand what you're seeing?

00:50:15yes if I listen attentively. if you listen attentively you're conceited young puppies.

00:50:21ah there is a lady coming to see me this evening. you are in particular business.

00:50:27now when she arrives show her into the drawing room. you understand?

00:50:30yes my lord. no one else is to be admitted now under any circumstances.

00:50:33I understand my lord. it is a matter of the gravest importance.

00:50:35I understand my lord. ah that will be the lady. I will see her myself.

00:50:39well my sir might wait attendance on you sir?

00:50:43oh no father do excuse me just one note.

00:50:45well you remember my instructions slips into that one.

00:50:47yes my lord. father?

00:50:52is lord goring not here? I was told he was at home.

00:50:56his lordship is engaged at present with lord caversham madam.

00:50:59how very filial.

00:51:00his lordship told me to ask you madam

00:51:02if you would be so kind as to wait in the drawing room for him.

00:51:06his lordship will come to you there.

00:51:08well lord goring expects me?

00:51:10yes madam.

00:51:11are you quite sure?

00:51:12his lordship told me that if a lady called

00:51:14I was to ask her to wait in the drawing room.

00:51:17his lordship's instructions on the subject were very precise.

00:51:20how very thoughtful.

00:51:22to expect the unexpected shows a thoroughly modern intellect.

00:51:27oh how dreary a bachelor's drawing room always looks.

00:51:31let's alter all this.

00:51:32oh no I don't care for that lamp it's far too glaring.

00:51:34light some candles.

00:51:36certainly madam.

00:51:36I hope the candles have very becoming shades.

00:51:39we have had no complaints about them madam.

00:51:41as yet.

00:52:06I want you.

00:52:08I trust you.

00:52:09I am coming to you Gertrude.

00:52:14I want you.

00:52:17I trust you.

00:52:19I'm coming to.

00:52:34the candles in the drawing room are lit madam.

00:52:37as you directed.

00:52:38thank you.

00:52:40my dear brother if I am yet married.

00:52:43surely I may be allowed to choose the time the place and the person.

00:52:46particularly the person.

00:52:47that is for me sir.

00:52:49you will probably make a very poor choice.

00:52:52it is iron must be consulted.

00:52:54not you.

00:52:54there is property at stake.

00:52:56it's not a question of affection.

00:52:59affection is something that comes later on in married life.

00:53:01yes in married life father.

00:53:02affection is something that comes when people thoroughly dislike each other.

00:53:05certainly sir.

00:53:06I mean certainly not sir.

00:53:08you're talking very foolishly tonight.

00:53:11what I say is marriage is a matter for common sense.

00:53:14so my mother tells me.

00:53:16oh my dear Arthur what a piece of good luck.

00:53:17your sermon has told me you were not at home.

00:53:19how extraordinary sir.

00:53:20the fact is I'm horribly busy this evening.

00:53:22and I ask that no one should be admitted.

00:53:24even my father had a comparatively cold reception.

00:53:26he's been complaining of a draught the whole time.

00:53:28and not without reason sir.

00:53:31good evening.

00:53:33oh Arthur you must be at home to me.

00:53:37you're my best friend.

00:53:38perhaps by tomorrow you'll be my only friend.

00:53:41my wife has discovered everything.

00:53:43ah I guessed as much.

00:53:44really how?

00:53:45oh merely by something in the expression on your face as you came in.

00:53:48who told her?

00:53:49mrs.

00:53:50chivalry herself.

00:53:51oh I would.

00:53:52god I've died before I've been so tempted or fallen so low.

00:53:55have you heard nothing from Vienna in answer to your wife?

00:53:57yes I got a telegram at eight o'clock tonight from the first secretary.

00:54:00well.

00:54:00nothing is absolutely known against her.

00:54:02on the contrary she occupies a rather high position in society.

00:54:06it is a sort of open secret that Baron Arnheim left her the greater portion of his immense fortune.

00:54:11apart from that I can learn nothing.

00:54:12so she doesn't turn out to be a spy then?

00:54:14oh spies are of no use nowadays.

00:54:15their profession is over.

00:54:16the newspapers do their work instead.

00:54:19Arthur I'm parched with thirst.

00:54:21may I ring for something some hock and seltzer?

00:54:24certainly allow me.

00:54:26thanks.

00:54:29Arthur I don't know what to do.

00:54:33I can trust you absolutely.

00:54:35my dear.

00:54:36of course.

00:54:38ah Phipps some hock and seltzer please.

00:54:40yes.

00:54:40oh and Phipps.

00:54:42will you forgive me while I give my servants some directions?

00:54:44yes sir.

00:54:46when that woman at all arrives I am not at home to anyone you understand?

00:54:50the lady is in the drawing room my lord.

00:54:52you told me to show her in there.

00:54:56you did quite right Phipps.

00:54:57thank you.

00:55:00Arthur tell me what I should do.

00:55:03my life seems to have crumbled about me.

00:55:06Robert.

00:55:07you love your wife don't you?

00:55:09I love her more than anything else in the world.

00:55:12I used to think ambition the great thing it's not.

00:55:16love is the great thing.

00:55:17there is nothing but love.

00:55:19and I love her.

00:55:22but she's found me out Arthur.

00:55:24she's found me out.

00:55:24but has she never committed some folly?

00:55:27some indiscretion?

00:55:28that she should not forgive your sin?

00:55:29my wife?

00:55:31no.

00:55:31she doesn't know what weakness or temptation is.

00:55:33but your wife will forgive you Robert.

00:55:35maybe at this very moment she is forgiving you.

00:55:37she loves you.

00:55:38why should she not forgive?

00:55:39god grant it.

00:55:40god grant it.

00:55:40ah thank you Phipps.

00:55:44pocket seltzer sir.

00:55:45thank you.

00:55:50Robert did you come in your carriage?

00:55:52no.

00:55:53i walked in the club.

00:55:54sir robert will take my cat Phipps.

00:55:55yes my lord.

00:55:57you will forgive me if i send you away.

00:55:59Arthur you must just let me stay for five minutes.

00:56:02i...

00:56:03i have made up my mind what i'm going to do in the house tonight.

00:56:07the debate on the argentine canal is to begin at eleven.

00:56:15what was that?

00:56:17nothing.

00:56:18i heard something in the next room.

00:56:20someone's been listening.

00:56:21no no no there's no one there.

00:56:23there is someone there.

00:56:24there are lights in the room.

00:56:25the doors are there.

00:56:25Arthur what does this mean?

00:56:26robert you're excited and i know it.

00:56:28i tell you there is nobody in that room.

00:56:29do you give me your word there is no one there?

00:56:32yes.

00:56:32your word of honor?

00:56:33yes.

00:56:35Arthur let me see for myself.

00:56:36no no.

00:56:37if there is no one there why should i not look in that room?

00:56:40robert this must stop.

00:56:41i tell you there is nobody in that room.

00:56:42that is enough.

00:56:43it is not enough.

00:56:44robert for god's sake.

00:56:45there is somebody in that room.

00:56:46someone that you must not see.

00:56:48i thought so.

00:56:49i forbid you to enter.

00:56:50stand back i will know who it is.

00:57:05what explanation have you for the presence of that woman here?

00:57:07robert i swear to you on my word of honor that that woman is guiltless and stainless of all offenses

00:57:11towards you.

00:57:12she is a vile and infamous thing.

00:57:13don't say such a thing.

00:57:14she came here for your sake.

00:57:15she loves you and no one else.

00:57:16what have i to do with her?

00:57:18intrigues with you.

00:57:20let her remain your mistress.

00:57:22you are well suited to each other.

00:57:23robert it is not true.

00:57:24before heaven it is not true.

00:57:25let me pass.

00:57:30you have sworn enough upon your word of honor.

00:57:54good evening lord glory.

00:57:56mrs chiefly.

00:57:59good heavens.

00:58:00what are you doing in my drawing room?

00:58:03merely listening.

00:58:05i have a perfect passion for listening through keyholes.

00:58:09one hears such wonderful things through them.

00:58:11isn't that rather like tempting providence?

00:58:14well surely providence can resist temptation by this time.

00:58:17i'm very glad that you've called.

00:58:18i'm going to give you some good advice.

00:58:20oh no pray don't.

00:58:21one should never give a woman anything she can't wear in the evening.

00:58:25i see that you are still quite as willful as ever.

00:58:28far more.

00:58:29i've greatly improved.

00:58:31i've had more experience.

00:58:32too much experience is a dangerous thing.

00:58:35oh pray have a cigarette.

00:58:37half the pretty women in london are smoking cigarettes.

00:58:40i'd refer the other half.

00:58:41thank you.

00:58:42i never smoke.

00:58:43my dressmaker wouldn't like it.

00:58:44and a woman's first duty in life is to her dressmaker isn't it?

00:58:48what a second duty is.

00:58:50no one has ever yet discovered.

00:58:55you have come to sell me robert chiltern's letter haven't you?

00:58:59to offer it to you on condition.

00:59:02how did you guess that?

00:59:03merely because you haven't mentioned the subject.

00:59:05have you got it with you?

00:59:07oh no.

00:59:08a well-made dress has no pockets.

00:59:11what is your price for it?

00:59:14how absurdly english you are.

00:59:17the english always think a cheque book can answer every problem in life.

00:59:21my dear arthur.

00:59:22i have very much more money than you have.

00:59:24and just as much as robert chiltern has managed to get hold of.

00:59:27money is not what i want.

00:59:29what do you want mrs cheeverly?

00:59:33why don't you call me laura?

00:59:36i don't like the name.

00:59:38you used to adore it.

00:59:39yes.

00:59:40that's why.

00:59:45arthur.

00:59:48you loved me once.

00:59:50yes.

00:59:51and you asked me to be your wife.

00:59:53that was the natural result of my loving you.

00:59:55and you threw me over.

00:59:58because you saw.

01:00:00you said you saw.

01:00:02poor old lord mortlake.

01:00:04trying to have a violent flirtation with me in the conservatory.

01:00:07i'm under the impression that that was settled with my lawyer on certain terms dictated by yourself.

01:00:11well at the time i was poor and you were rich.

01:00:13quite so.

01:00:14that is why you pretended to love me.

01:00:16oh you were silly.

01:00:17lord mortlake was never anything more to me than amusement.

01:00:22i loved you arthur.

01:00:23my dear mrs cheeverly.

01:00:25you were far too clever to know anything about love.

01:00:29but i did love you.

01:00:32and you loved me.

01:00:35i suppose when a man has once loved a woman.

01:00:37he'll do anything for her except continue to love her.

01:00:43yes.

01:00:45except that.

01:00:53well?

01:00:57i'm tired of living abroad.

01:01:00i want to come back to london.

01:01:03i want to have a charming house.

01:01:05i want to have a salon.

01:01:07well if one could only teach the english how to talk and the irish how to listen society here would

01:01:11be quite civilized.

01:01:15besides i've arrived at the romantic stage.

01:01:20when i saw you last night at the chilterns i realized that you were the only person that i've ever

01:01:26cared for.

01:01:28if i've ever cared for anyone arthur.

01:01:33and so.

01:01:35on the morning of the day that you marry me.

01:01:40i will give you robert chiltern's letter. that is my offer.

01:01:44i'll give it to you now if you promise to marry me.

01:01:48now?

01:01:49tomorrow.

01:01:51are you quite serious?

01:01:53yes.

01:01:55quite serious.

01:01:56yes.

01:02:00i would make you a very bad husband.

01:02:03but i don't mind bad husbands.

01:02:04i've had two.

01:02:05they amuse me immensely.

01:02:06no what you mean is that you amuse yourself immensely.

01:02:08what do you know about my married life?

01:02:10nothing.

01:02:10but i can read it like a book.

01:02:12what book?

01:02:14the book of numbers.

01:02:18do you think it quite charming to be so rude to a woman in your own house?

01:02:22in the case of really fascinating women sex is a challenge not a defense.

01:02:28i suppose that's meant as a compliment.

01:02:30my dear arthur women are never disarmed by compliments.

01:02:33men always are.

01:02:34that's the difference between the two sexes.

01:02:35women are never disarmed by anything as far as i know them.

01:02:39and so you will allow your dearest friend robert chiltern to be ruined rather than marry someone

01:02:46who still has considerable attractions left.

01:02:52is that how you men stand up for each other?

01:02:55it is infinitely preferable to the war you women wage against each other.

01:03:00i only wage war against one woman gertrude chiltern i hate her.

01:03:04i hate her now more than ever.

01:03:05because you have brought a real tragedy into her life i suppose.

01:03:08oh there is only one real tragedy in a woman's life.

01:03:12the fact that her past is always a lover and her future invariably her husband.

01:03:17but lady chiltern knows nothing of the kind of life to which you are alluding.

01:03:33well arthur.

01:03:36i take it that this romantic interview is at an end.

01:03:41you admit it was romantic don't you?

01:03:44for the privilege of being your wife.

01:03:47i was ready to surrender a great prize.

01:03:52the climax of my

01:03:53my diplomatic career.

01:03:57you decline very well.

01:04:00if robert chiltern will not uphold my argentine scheme

01:04:03then i expose him.

01:04:04voila tu.

01:04:05you must not do that.

01:04:06that would be vile.

01:04:07horrible influence.

01:04:08oh don't use big words they mean so little.

01:04:11it's a commercial transaction.

01:04:12if he won't pay me my price he must pay the world a greater price.

01:04:15there's there's no more to be said.

01:04:18i must go.

01:04:21goodbye.

01:04:25well won't you shake hands?

01:04:27with you?

01:04:28no.

01:04:29you went this afternoon to the house of one of the most noble gentlewomen in the world

01:04:33to degrade her husband in her eyes

01:04:36to try and kill her love for him.

01:04:38that i cannot forgive.

01:04:42arthur.

01:04:44you're unjust to me.

01:04:47i didn't go to taunt gertrude.

01:04:49i called with lady markby to see if an ornament a jewel that i'd lost last night

01:04:53had been found at the chilterns.

01:04:57a diamond snake broach with rubies.

01:04:59yes.

01:05:00well how did you know?

01:05:02because it is found.

01:05:04i found it myself.

01:05:06and i foolishly forgot to tell the butler anything about it as i was leaving.

01:05:16this is the brooch?

01:05:17yes i'm so glad to have it back.

01:05:20it was a present.

01:05:22when did you wear it?

01:05:23why certainly.

01:05:26if you will pin it on.

01:05:32why have you put it on as a bracelet?

01:05:33i never knew it could be worn as a bracelet.

01:05:36didn't you?

01:05:37no but it looks very well on me as a bracelet doesn't it?

01:05:39yes it does.

01:05:40much better than when i saw it last.

01:05:41and when did you see it last?

01:05:43oh about ten years ago.

01:05:45on my cousin lady berkshire from whom you stole it.

01:05:51what do you mean?

01:05:52i mean that you stole that ornament from my cousin mary to whom i gave it when she was married.

01:05:57i recognized it last night and i was determined to say nothing until i had found the thief.

01:06:00it's not true.

01:06:01of course it's true.

01:06:03my thief is written all over your face at this moment.

01:06:05i shall deny the whole affair from beginning to end.

01:06:08i shall say i've never seen this wretched thing that it was never in my possession.

01:06:13the drawback of stealing something mrs cheveley is that one never knows how wonderful the thing that one steals is.

01:06:19you cannot get the bracelet off because you do not know where the spring is.

01:06:22it is rather difficult to find. i gave the jeweler the most particular instructions.

01:06:28oh.

01:06:29you.

01:06:32you coward.

01:06:33oh don't use big words. they mean so little.

01:06:35oh.

01:06:42what are you going to do?

01:06:44i'm going to ring for my servant.

01:06:46he's a marvelous servant.

01:06:48always comes the moment when rings for him.

01:06:50and i'm going to ask him to fetch the police.

01:06:53the police?

01:06:54what for?

01:06:55tomorrow the berkshires will prosecute you.

01:06:58that is what the police are for.

01:07:00don't do it.

01:07:02i'll do anything you want.

01:07:05i'll do anything in the world you want.

01:07:08give me robert chiltern's letter.

01:07:11now i must... i have time to think.

01:07:14give me robert chiltern's letter.

01:07:15i don't have it with me. i'll give it to you tomorrow.

01:07:17you're lying. give it to me at once.

01:07:35this is it.

01:07:53for so well dressed a woman mrs cheeverly you do have moments of the most admirable common sense.

01:07:59and now will you get my cloak?

01:08:01with pleasure.

01:08:28thank you.

01:08:29thank you.

01:08:32i promise that i will never try to harm robert chiltern again.

01:08:36fortunately you don't have the chance mrs cheeverly.

01:08:38but if i had the chance i wouldn't do it.

01:08:40on the contrary i'm going to render him a great service.

01:08:43i am charmed to hear it.

01:08:44why this is a reformation.

01:08:45yes.

01:08:46i can't bear to see so upright a gentleman.

01:08:48so honorable an english gentleman.

01:08:50so shamefully deceived.

01:08:52and so?

01:08:52i find that gertrude chiltern's dying speech and confession

01:08:57has somehow strayed into my pocket.

01:09:00what do you mean?

01:09:02i'm going to send robert chiltern

01:09:04the love letter that his wife wrote to you tonight.

01:09:08love letter?

01:09:09i want you.

01:09:11i trust you.

01:09:14i am coming to you gertrude.

01:09:21give me that letter at once.

01:09:23you'll not be in this room till i've got it.

01:09:26lord goring merely rang that you should show me out.

01:09:32good night lord goring.

01:09:50good night lord goring.

01:10:05well sir.

01:10:06what are you doing here?

01:10:09wasting your time as usual?

01:10:11my dear father.

01:10:12when one pays a visit

01:10:13it is for the purpose of wasting other people's time.

01:10:15not one's own.

01:10:16have you been thinking of what i spoke about last night?

01:10:19my dear father i've been thinking of nothing else.

01:10:21well.

01:10:21have i engaged been married yet?

01:10:23not yet.

01:10:24but i hope to be before lunch time.

01:10:27you can have until dinner time if you'll be of more convenience dear.

01:10:31well thank you so much.

01:10:32but i'd rather get engaged before lunch.

01:10:35i never know when you're being serious or not.

01:10:38neither do i father.

01:10:39well have you read the times today?

01:10:40a leading article on sir robert chilton's career.

01:10:43good heavens no.

01:10:44what does it say?

01:10:45what should it say?

01:10:47everything complimentary.

01:10:49chilton's speech on the argentine canal scheme last night

01:10:52was one of the finest pieces of oratory that's ever been delivered in the house since canning.

01:10:57i've never heard of canning and i never wanted to.

01:10:59but did robert uphold the scheme?

01:11:03uphold it?

01:11:04how little you know him.

01:11:05no sir.

01:11:06he denounced it roundly.

01:11:07and the whole system of modern political finance.

01:11:10now wait a minute.

01:11:11here we are.

01:11:13sir robert chilton.

01:11:15the most rising of our young statesman.

01:11:18a brilliant orator.

01:11:20unblemished career.

01:11:21his well-known integrity of character represents all that is best in english public life.

01:11:29well never say that of you sir.

01:11:31i certainly hope not father but i am glad about robert.

01:11:34it shows he's got pluck.

01:11:36he has more than pluck.

01:11:37he has genius.

01:11:38i prefer pluck.

01:11:39it's not so common nowadays as genius is.

01:11:42i wish you'd go into parliament.

01:11:44dear father.

01:11:47only people who look dull ever get into the house.

01:11:50and only people who are dull ever succeed there.

01:11:55why don't you try to do something useful in life?

01:12:00why don't you propose to this pretty miss chilton?

01:12:04i don't suppose there's the slightest chance of her accepting you.

01:12:07you don't deserve her.

01:12:08oh my dear father.

01:12:09if we men married the women we deserved.

01:12:11we would have a very good time with it.

01:12:15oh my chilton.

01:12:16how do you do lord cabersham?

01:12:18i hope lady cabersham is quite well.

01:12:20lady cabersham is as usual as usual.

01:12:23good morning miss mavel.

01:12:24lady cabersham's bonnets are they at all better?

01:12:26they've had a serious relapse i'm sorry to say.

01:12:29good morning miss mavel.

01:12:30i do hope an operation will not be necessary.

01:12:32miss mavel.

01:12:33good morning.

01:12:34oh.

01:12:35are you here?

01:12:36of course you understand after breaking your appointment i'm never going to speak to you again.

01:12:41do you think you could possibly make your son behave a little better occasionally?

01:12:45just as a change?

01:12:46i'm sorry to say miss chilton that i have no influence over my son whatever.

01:12:51i wish i had.

01:12:52if i had i know what i'd make him do.

01:12:54now i maybe must say i bid you good morning.

01:12:56i've only dropped in to congratulate sir robert on his feet.

01:12:59but you're not going to leave me all alone with lord goring especially at such an early hour in the

01:13:02day.

01:13:03well i'm afraid i can't take him with me to downing street.

01:13:06you see it's not the prime minister's day for seeing the unemployed.

01:13:18people who don't keep their appointments in the park are horrid.

01:13:21detestable.

01:13:22i'm glad you admit it.

01:13:24i wish you wouldn't look so pleased about it.

01:13:26i can't help it.

01:13:27i always feel pleased when i'm with you.

01:13:28well then i suppose it's my duty to remain with you.

01:13:31of course it is.

01:13:33my duty is a thing i never do on principle.

01:13:34it always depresses me.

01:13:37so i'm afraid i must leave you.

01:13:39oh miss mabel.

01:13:41please don't.

01:13:43i have something rather particular to say to you.

01:13:45is it a proposal?

01:13:48yes.

01:13:50i'm bound to confess that it is.

01:13:52oh i am so glad that makes my second today.

01:13:55your second today?

01:13:57what conceited ass has been important enough to propose to you before i have proposed to you?

01:14:02tommy trafford of course.

01:14:03it's one of tommy's days for proposing.

01:14:05he always proposes on tuesdays and thursdays during the season.

01:14:08you didn't accept him i hope.

01:14:10i make it a rule never to accept tommy.

01:14:11that is why he goes on proposing.

01:14:13bother tommy trafford.

01:14:14tommy's a stupid little ass.

01:14:16i love you.

01:14:17i know.

01:14:19and i wish you might have mentioned it sooner.

01:14:20i'm sure i've given you heaps of opportunities.

01:14:22oh miss mabel please be serious.

01:14:23be serious.

01:14:24now that's the sort of thing a man always says to a girl before he's been married to her.

01:14:28he never says it after.

01:14:29mabel i have just told you that i love you.

01:14:30can't you love me just a little in return?

01:14:34oh you silly author.

01:14:37if you knew anything about anything which you don't you'd know that i adore you.

01:14:42everybody in london knows it except you it's a public scandal the way i adore you.

01:14:46i've been going around for the last six months telling the whole of society that i adore you.

01:14:51i want you concerned to have anything to do with me.

01:14:52i've no character left at all.

01:14:56oh my dear and i was so awfully afraid of being refused.

01:14:59but you've never been refused yet by anybody have you.

01:15:02oh i can't imagine anyone refusing you.

01:15:05my dear you know i'm not nearly good enough for you.

01:15:08oh i am so glad i was afraid you were.

01:15:11and i'm i'm a little over 30.

01:15:15dear you look weeks younger than that.

01:15:18oh how sweet of you to say so.

01:15:20and i feel bound to confess that i am frankly terribly extravagant.

01:15:26so am i Arthur so we're sure to agree.

01:15:29oh now i must go and tell Gertrude.

01:15:31really? yes.

01:15:32but will you tell her that i want to talk to her?

01:15:34i've been waiting to speak to her or Robert all morning.

01:15:38do you mean to say you didn't come here expressly to propose to me?

01:15:43no.

01:15:44that was a flash of genius.

01:15:48you're first.

01:15:49my last.

01:15:51i'm delighted to hear it.

01:15:53i don't stare i'll be back in five minutes and

01:15:56don't fall into any temptations whilst i'm away.

01:15:59oh my dear mabel.

01:16:00while you are away there are none.

01:16:02it makes me horribly dependent on you.

01:16:05good morning my dear.

01:16:06oh.

01:16:06how pretty you're looking.

01:16:08how pale you're looking Gertrude.

01:16:10it's most becoming.

01:16:12good morning lord gordon.

01:16:13good morning lady chiltern.

01:16:14i'll be in the conservatory under the second palm tree.

01:16:17on the left.

01:16:17the second on the left.

01:16:20lady chiltern.

01:16:21i have a certain amount of very good news for you.

01:16:24last night mrs cheevily came to see me in my house.

01:16:27and gave me up robert's letter.

01:16:28and i have burnt it.

01:16:29robert is safe.

01:16:31safe.

01:16:33oh i'm so glad of that.

01:16:35oh what a good friend you are to him.

01:16:38to us.

01:16:39there is only one person now that could be said to be in any danger.

01:16:42and who is that?

01:16:43yourself.

01:16:45ah in danger.

01:16:47what do you mean?

01:16:48lady chiltern yesterday you wrote me a very beautiful womanly letter.

01:16:52asking me for my help.

01:16:54you wrote to me as one of your oldest friends.

01:16:57one of your husband's oldest friends.

01:16:58mrs cheevily stole that letter from my rooms.

01:17:02what use is it to her?

01:17:03why should she not have it?

01:17:05lady chiltern i will be perfectly frank with you.

01:17:08mrs cheevily puts a certain construction on that letter.

01:17:11and proposes to send it to your husband.

01:17:14but what construction could she put on it?

01:17:18well not that.

01:17:20not that.

01:17:21if i in trouble wanting your help trusting you propose to come to you.

01:17:28oh are there women as horrible as that?

01:17:31lady chiltern let us tell robert everything at once.

01:17:33you want me to tell robert that i wrote to you in those tones?

01:17:35it is better that he knows the exact truth.

01:17:37no i couldn't. i couldn't.

01:17:38may i do it?

01:17:39no.

01:17:39lady chiltern you are wrong.

01:17:40no the letter must be intercepted that is all.

01:17:43but how can i do it?

01:17:45i dare not ask the servants to bring me his letters.

01:17:47do his secretaries open his letters?

01:17:49yes.

01:17:49who is with him today?

01:17:50tommy trafford isn't it?

01:17:51yes.

01:17:52now tommy would do anything for you wouldn't he?

01:17:54i think so.

01:17:55he would be able to recognize the letter without reading it couldn't he?

01:17:58on pink paper?

01:17:59i suppose so.

01:18:00is he in the house now?

01:18:01yes.

01:18:02i will go to him and i will ask him to stop a letter reaching sir robert on pink paper.

01:18:07he has it already.

01:18:12i want you i trust you i am coming to you.

01:18:15gertrude.

01:18:17oh my love is this true?

01:18:19if so then it was for me to come to you.

01:18:21this letter of yours gertrude makes me realize that nothing the world may do can hurt me now.

01:18:25you want me?

01:18:33yes.

01:18:34you trust me?

01:18:36yes.

01:18:37oh.

01:18:39why did you not add that you loved me?

01:18:42because i loved you.

01:19:13oh.

01:19:13i'm sure of this gertrude.

01:19:15yes.

01:19:15lord gording has just told me.

01:19:17so that's what was happening last night.

01:19:19then i'm safe.

01:19:23for two days i've lived in terror but now i'm safe.

01:19:28arthur destroyed the letter.

01:19:29he burnt it.

01:19:30yes.

01:19:30i wish i'd seen that.

01:19:32how many men would love to see their past burning to ashes before them?

01:19:37is arthur still here?

01:19:38yes.

01:19:39he's in the conservatory.

01:19:40oh.

01:19:40i'm so glad i made that speech in the house last night.

01:19:43i made it thinking that public disgrace might be the result but it has not been so.

01:19:48public honor has been the result.

01:19:50yes.

01:19:50i think so.

01:19:52i fear so almost.

01:19:53for i suppose

01:19:56although i am safe from detection although all proof against me has been destroyed i suppose gertrude i

01:20:03i should retire from public life.

01:20:05oh yes robert you should do that.

01:20:08it is your duty to do that.

01:20:10well it is much to surrender.

01:20:12no it will be much to gain.

01:20:15and you.

01:20:17would you be happy living somewhere alone with me abroad perhaps or in the country away from london away from

01:20:23public life?

01:20:25you'd have no regrets.

01:20:26oh none robert.

01:20:29and your ambition for me.

01:20:31you used to be ambitious for me.

01:20:33oh my ambition.

01:20:34i have none now but that we two may love each other.

01:20:38let us talk no more about ambition.

01:20:41i don't think your conversation is at all improving.

01:20:45oh my darling.

01:20:47what does this mean?

01:20:48it means that this charming foolish young lady has been clever enough to accept me.

01:20:55congratulations arthur.

01:20:56arthur.

01:20:58my best wishes to you both.

01:21:00i'm sure you'll make an ideal husband.

01:21:04an ideal husband?

01:21:05oh i don't think i'd like that at all.

01:21:07sounds like something out of the next world.

01:21:09what do you want him to be then dear?

01:21:11well he can be what he chooses.

01:21:13all i want to...

01:21:14to be is...

01:21:15is to be a real wife to him.

01:21:18luncheon is on the table milady.

01:21:20thank you.

01:21:22nice and happy.

01:21:33thank you thank you.

01:21:35thank you.

01:21:39thank you very much.

01:21:44thank you.

01:21:45thank you.

01:21:48ok.

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