SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. [In a low voice.] I will give you any sum of
money you want.

MRS. CHEVELEY. Even you are not rich enough, Sir Robert, to buy back
your past. No man is.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. I will not do what you ask me. I will not.

MRS. CHEVELEY. You have to. If you don't . . . [Rises from the
sofa.]

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. [Bewildered and unnerved.] Wait a moment!
What did you propose? You said that you would give me back my
letter, didn't you?

MRS. CHEVELEY. Yes. That is agreed. I will be in the Ladies'
Gallery to-morrow night at half-past eleven. If by that time - and
you will have had heaps of opportunity - you have made an
announcement to the House in the terms I wish, I shall hand you back
your letter with the prettiest thanks, and the best, or at any rate
the most suitable, compliment I can think of. I intend to play quite
fairly with you. One should always play fairly . . . when one has
the winning cards. The Baron taught me that . . . amongst other
things.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. You must let me have time to consider your
proposal.

MRS. CHEVELEY. No; you must settle now!