Page:Wilde - A Woman of no Importance, 1909.djvu/103

RhACT II. GERALD Lord Illingworth, I want you so much to know my mother.

LORD ILLINGWORTH With the greatest pleasure. [To MRS. ALLONBY.] I'll be back in a moment. People's mothers always bore me to death. All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy.

MRS. ALLONBY No man does. That is his.

LORD ILLINGWORTH What a delightful mood you are in tonight! [Turns round and goes across with GERALD to MRS. ARBUTHNOT. ''When he sees her, he starts back in wonder. Then slowly his eyes turn towards'' GERALD.]

GERALD Mother, this is Lord Illingworth, who has offered to take me as his private secretary. [MRS. ARBUTHNOT bows coldly.] It is a wonderful opening for me, isn't it? I hope he won't be disappointed in me, that is 85