oor is ajar. Some one has been listening to every secret of my
life. Arthur, what does this mean?

LORD GORING. Robert, you are excited, unnerved. I tell you there is no
one in that room. Sit down, Robert.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. Do you give me your word that there is no one
there?

LORD GORING. Yes.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. Your word of honour? [_Sits down_.]

LORD GORING. Yes.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. [_Rises_.] Arthur, let me see for myself.

LORD GORING. No, no.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. If there is no one there why should I not look in
that room? Arthur, you must let me go into that room and satisfy myself.
Let me know that no eavesdropper has heard my life's secret. Arthur, you
don't realise what I am going through.

LORD GORING. Robert, this must stop. I have told you that there is no
one in that room--that is enough.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. [_Rushes to the door of the room_.] It is not
enough. I insist on going into this room. You have told me there is no
one there, so what reason can you have for refusing me?

LORD GORING. For God's sake, don't! There is some one there. Some one
whom you must not see.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. Ah, I thought so!

LORD GORING. I forbid you to enter that room.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. Stand back. My life is at stake. And I don't care
who is there. I will know who it is to whom I have told my secret and my
shame. [_Enters room_.]

LORD GORING. Great heavens! his own wife!

[SIR ROBERT CHILTERN _comes back_, _with a look of scorn and anger on his
face_.]

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. What explanation have you to give me for the
presence of that woman here?

LORD GORING. Robert, I swear to you on my honour that that lady is
stainless and guiltless of all offence towards you.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. She is a vile, an infamous thing!

LORD GORING. Don't say that, Robert! It was for your sake she came
here. It was to try and save you she came here. She loves you and no
one else.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. You are mad. What have I to do with her intrigues
with you? Let her remain your mistress! You are well suited to each
other. She, corrupt and shameful--you, false as a friend, treacherous as
an enemy even--

LORD GORING. It is not true, Robert. Before heaven, it is not true. In
her presence and in yours I will explain all.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. Let me pass, sir. You have lied enough upon your
word of honour.

[SIR ROBERT CHILTERN _goes out_