Page:Wilde - A Woman of no Importance, 1909.djvu/109

RhACT II. LORD ILLINGWORTH I suppose so—But why Gerald?

MRS. ARBUTHNOT After a man whose heart I broke—after my father.

LORD ILLINGWORTH Well, Rachel, what is over is over. All I have got to say now is that I am very, very much pleased with our boy. The world will know him merely as my private secretary, but to me he will be something very near, and very dear. It is a curious thing, Rachel; my life seemed to be quite complete. It was not so. It lacked something, it lacked a son. I have found my son now, I am glad I have found him.

MRS. ARBUTHNOT You have no right to claim him, or the smallest part of him. The boy is entirely mine, and shall remain mine.

LORD ILLINGWORTH My dear Rachel, you have had him to yourself for over twenty years. Why not 91