章节正文
exit.]
DUMBY. Awful manners young Hopper has!
CECIL GRAHAM. Ah! Hopper is one of Nature's gentlemen, the worst
type of gentleman I know.
DUMBY. Sensible woman, Lady Windermere. Lots of wives would have
objected to Mrs. Erlynne coming. But Lady Windermere has that
uncommon thing called common sense.
CECIL GRAHAM. And Windermere knows that nothing looks so like
innocence as an indiscretion.
DUMBY. Yes; dear Windermere is becoming almost modern. Never
thought he would. [Bows to LADY WINDERMERE and exit.]
LADY JEDBURGH. Good night, Lady Windermere. What a fascinating
woman Mrs. Erlynne is! She is coming to lunch on Thursday, won't
you come too? I expect the Bishop and dear Lady Merton.
LADY WINDERMERE. I am afraid I am engaged, Lady Jedburgh.
LADY JEDBURGH. So sorry. Come, dear. [Exeunt LADY JEDBURGH and
MISS GRAHAM.]
[Enter MRS. ERLYNNE and LORD WINDERMERE.]
MRS. ERLYNNE. Charming ball it has been! Quite reminds me of old
days. [Sits on sofa.] And I see that there are just as many fools
in society as there used to be. So pleased to find that nothing
has altered! Except Margaret. She's grown quite pretty. The last
time I saw her - twenty years ago, she was a fright in flannel.
Positive fright, I assure you. The dear Duchess! and that sweet
Lady Agatha! Just the type of girl I like! Well, really,
Windermere, if I am to be the Duchess's sister-in-law
LORD WINDERMERE. [Sitting L. of her.] But are you - ?
[Exit MR. CECIL GRAHAM with rest of guests. LADY WINDERMERE
watches, with a look of scorn and pain, MRS. ERLYNNE and her
husband. They are unconscious of her presence.]
MRS. ERLYNNE. Oh, yes! He's to call to-morrow at twelve o'clock!
He wanted to propose to-night. In fact he did. He kept on
proposing. Poor Augustus, you know how he repeats himself. Such a
bad habit! But I told him I wouldn't give him an answer till to-
morrow. Of course I am going to take him. And I dare say I'll
make him an admirable wife, as wives go. And there is a great deal
of good in Lord Augustus. Fortunately it is all on the surface.
Just where good qualities should be. Of course you must help me in
this matter.
LORD WINDERMERE. I am not called on to encourage Lord Augustus, I
suppose?
MRS. ERLYNNE. Oh, no! I do the encouraging. But you will make me
a handsome settlement, Windermere, won't you?
LORD WINDERMERE. [Frowning.] Is that what you want to talk to me
about to-night?
MRS ERLYNNE. Yes.
LORD WINDERMERE. [With a gesture of impatience.] I will not talk
of it here.
MRS. ERLYNNE. [Laughing.] Then we will talk of it on the terrace.
Even business should have a picturesquebackground. Should it not,
Windermere? With a proper background women can do anything.
LORD WINDERMERE. Won't to-morrow do as well?
MRS. ERLYNNE. No; you see, to-morrow I am going to accept him.
And I think it would be a good thing if I was able to tell him that
I had - well, what shall I say? - ?000 a year left to me by a
third cousin - or a second husband - or some distant relative of
that kind. It would be an additionalattraction, wouldn't it? You
have a delightful opportunity now of paying me a compliment,
Windermere. But you are not very clever at paying compliments. I
am afraid Margaret doesn't encourage you in that excellent habit.
It's a great mistake on her part. When men give up saying what is
charming, they give up thinking what is charming. But seriously,
what do you say to ?000? ?500, I think. In modern life margin
is everything. Windermere, don't you think the world an intensely
amusing place? I do!
[Exit on terrace with LORD WINDERMERE. Music strikes up in ball-
room.]
LADY WINDERMERE. To stay in this house any longer is impossible.
To-night a man who loves me offered me his whole life. I refused
it. It was foolish of me. I will offer him mine now. I will give
him mine. I will go to him! [Puts on cloak and goes to the door,
then turns back. Sits down at table and writes a letter, puts it
into an envelope, and leaves it on table.] Arthur has never
understood me. When he reads this, he will. He may do as he
chooses now with his life. I have done with mine as I think best,
as I think right. It is he who has broken the bond of marriage -
not I. I only break its bondage.
[Exit.]
[PARKER enters L. and crosses towards the ball-room R. Enter MRS.
ERLYNNE.]
MRS. ERLYNNE. Is Lady Windermere in the ball-room?
PARKER. Her ladyship has just gone out.
MRS. ERLYNNE. Gone out? She's not on the terrace?
PARKER. No, madam. Her ladyship has just gone out of the house.
MRS. ERLYNNE. [Starts, and looks at the servant with a puzzled
expression in her face.] Out of the house?
PARKER. Yes, madam - her ladyship told me she had left a letter
for his lordship on the table.
MRS. ERLYNNE. A letter for Lord Windermere?
PARKER. Yes, madam.
MRS. ERLYNNE. Thank you.
[Exit PARKER. The music in the ball-room stops.] Gone out of her
house! A letter addressed to her husband! [Goes over to bureau
and looks at letter. Takes it up and lays it down again with a
shudder of fear.] No, no! It would be impossible! Life doesn't
repeat its tragedies like that! Oh, why does this horrible fancy
come across me? Why do I remember now the one moment of my life I
most wish to forget? Does life repeat its tragedies? [Tears
letter open and reads it, then sinks down into a chair with a
gesture of anguish.] Oh, how terrible! The same words that twenty
years ago I wrote to her father! and how bitterly I have been
punished for it! No; my punishment, my real punishment is to-
night, is now! [Still seated R.]
[Enter LORD WINDERMERE L.U.E.]
LORD WINDERMERE. Have you said good-night to my wife? [Comes C.]
MRS. ERLYNNE. [Crushing letter in her hand.] Yes.
LORD WINDERMERE. Where is she?
MRS. ERLYNNE. She is very tired. She has gone to bed. She said
she had a headache.
LORD WINDERMERE. I must go to her. You'll excuse me?
MRS. ERLYNNE. [Rising hurriedly.] Oh, no! It's nothing serious.
She's only very tired, that is all. Besides, there are people
still in the supper-room. She wants you to make her apologies to
them. She said she didn't wish to be disturbed. [Drops letter.]
She asked me to tell you!
LORD WINDERMERE. [Picks up letter.] You have dropped something.
MRS. ERLYNNE. Oh yes, thank you, that is mine. [Puts out her hand
to take it.]
LORD WINDERMERE. [Still looking at letter.] But it's my wife's
handwriting, isn't it?
MRS. ERLYNNE. [Takes the letter quickly.] Yes, it's - an address.
Will you ask them to call my carriage, please?
LORD WINDERMERE. Certainly.
[Goes L. and Exit.]
MRS. ERLYNNE. Thanks! What can I do? What can I do? I feel a
passion awakening within me that I never felt before. What can it
mean? The daughter must not be like the mother - that would be
terrible. How can I save her? How can I save my child? A moment
may ruin a life. Who knows that better than I? Windermere must be
got out of the house; that is absolutely necessary. [Goes L.] But
how shall I do it? It must be done somehow. Ah!
[Enter LORD AUGUSTUS R.U.E. carrying bouquet.]
LORD AUGUSTUS. Dear lady, I am in such suspense! May I not have
an answer to my request?
MRS. ERLYNNE. Lord Augustus, listen to me. You are to take Lord
Windermere down to your club at once, and keep him there as long as
possible. You understand?
LORD AUGUSTUS. But you said you wished me to keep early hours!
MRS. ERLYNNE. [Nervously.] Do what I tell you. Do what I tell
you.
LORD AUGUSTUS. And my reward?
MRS. ERLYNNE. Your reward? Your reward? Oh! ask me that to-
morrow. But don't let Windermere out of your sight to-night. If
you do I will never forgive you. I will never speak to you again.
I'll have nothing to do with you. Remember you are to keep
Windermere at your club, and don't let him come back to-night.
[Exit L.]
LORD AUGUSTUS. Well, really, I might be her husband already.
Positively I might. [Follows her in a bewildered manner.]
ACT DROP.
THIRD ACT
SCENE
Lord Darlington's Rooms. A large sofa is in front of fireplace R.
At the back of the stage a curtain is drawn across the window.
Doors L. and R. Table R. with writing materials. Table C. with
syphons, glasses, and Tantalus frame. Table L. with cigar and
cigarette box. Lamps lit.
LADY WINDERMERE. [Standing by the fireplace.] Why doesn't he
come? This waiting is horrible. He should be here. Why is he not
here, to wake by passionate words some fire within me? I am cold -
cold as a loveless thing. Arthur must have read my letter by this
time. If he cared for me, he would have come after me, would have
taken me back by force. But he doesn't care. He's entrammelled by
this woman - fascinated by her - dominated by her. If a woman
wants to hold a man, she has merely to appeal to what is worst in
him. We make gods of men and they leave us. Others make brutes of
them and they fawn and are faithful. How hideous life is! . . .
Oh! it was mad of me to come here, horribly mad. And yet, which is
the worst, I wonder, to be at the mercy of a man who loves one, or
the wife of a man who in one's own house dishonours one? What
woman knows? What woman in the whole world? But will he love me
always, this man to whom I am giving my life? What do I bring him?
Lips that have lost the note of joy, eyes that are blinded by
tears, chill hands and icy heart. I bring him nothing. I must go
back - no; I can't go back, my letter has put me in their power -
Arthur would not take me back! That fatal letter! No! Lord
Darlington leaves England to-morrow. I will go with him - I have
no choice. [Sits down for a few moments. Then starts up and puts
on her cloak.] No, no! I will go back, let Arthur do with me what
he pleases. I can't wait here. It has been madness my coming. I
must go at once. As for Lord Darlington - Oh! here he is! What
shall I do? What can I say to him? Will he let me go away at all?
I have heard that men are brutal, horrible . . . Oh! [Hides her
face in her hands.]
[Enter MRS. ERLYNNE L.]
MRS. ERLYNNE. Lady Windermere! [LADY WINDERMERE starts and looks
up. Then recoils in contempt.] Thank Heaven I am in time. You
must go back to your husband's house immediately.
LADY WINDERMERE. Must?
MRS. ERLYNNE. [Authoritatively.] Yes, you must! There is not a
second to be lost. Lord Darlington may return at any moment.
LADY WINDERMERE. Don't come near me!
MRS. ERLYNNE. Oh! You are on the brink of ruin, you are on the
brink of a hideousprecipice. You must leave this place at once,
my carriage is waiting at the corner of the street. You must come
with me and drive straight home.
[LADY WINDERMERE throws off her cloak and flings it on the sofa.]
What are you doing?
LADY WINDERMERE. Mrs. Erlynne - if you had not come here, I would
have gone back. But now that I see you, I feel that nothing in the
whole world would induce me to live under the same roof as Lord
DUMBY. Awful manners young Hopper has!
CECIL GRAHAM. Ah! Hopper is one of Nature's gentlemen, the worst
type of gentleman I know.
DUMBY. Sensible woman, Lady Windermere. Lots of wives would have
objected to Mrs. Erlynne coming. But Lady Windermere has that
uncommon thing called common sense.
CECIL GRAHAM. And Windermere knows that nothing looks so like
innocence as an indiscretion.
DUMBY. Yes; dear Windermere is becoming almost modern. Never
thought he would. [Bows to LADY WINDERMERE and exit.]
LADY JEDBURGH. Good night, Lady Windermere. What a fascinating
woman Mrs. Erlynne is! She is coming to lunch on Thursday, won't
you come too? I expect the Bishop and dear Lady Merton.
LADY WINDERMERE. I am afraid I am engaged, Lady Jedburgh.
LADY JEDBURGH. So sorry. Come, dear. [Exeunt LADY JEDBURGH and
MISS GRAHAM.]
[Enter MRS. ERLYNNE and LORD WINDERMERE.]
MRS. ERLYNNE. Charming ball it has been! Quite reminds me of old
days. [Sits on sofa.] And I see that there are just as many fools
in society as there used to be. So pleased to find that nothing
has altered! Except Margaret. She's grown quite pretty. The last
time I saw her - twenty years ago, she was a fright in flannel.
Positive fright, I assure you. The dear Duchess! and that sweet
Lady Agatha! Just the type of girl I like! Well, really,
Windermere, if I am to be the Duchess's sister-in-law
LORD WINDERMERE. [Sitting L. of her.] But are you - ?
[Exit MR. CECIL GRAHAM with rest of guests. LADY WINDERMERE
watches, with a look of scorn and pain, MRS. ERLYNNE and her
husband. They are unconscious of her presence.]
MRS. ERLYNNE. Oh, yes! He's to call to-morrow at twelve o'clock!
He wanted to propose to-night. In fact he did. He kept on
proposing. Poor Augustus, you know how he repeats himself. Such a
bad habit! But I told him I wouldn't give him an answer till to-
morrow. Of course I am going to take him. And I dare say I'll
make him an admirable wife, as wives go. And there is a great deal
of good in Lord Augustus. Fortunately it is all on the surface.
Just where good qualities should be. Of course you must help me in
this matter.
LORD WINDERMERE. I am not called on to encourage Lord Augustus, I
suppose?
MRS. ERLYNNE. Oh, no! I do the encouraging. But you will make me
a handsome settlement, Windermere, won't you?
LORD WINDERMERE. [Frowning.] Is that what you want to talk to me
about to-night?
MRS ERLYNNE. Yes.
LORD WINDERMERE. [With a gesture of impatience.] I will not talk
of it here.
MRS. ERLYNNE. [Laughing.] Then we will talk of it on the terrace.
Even business should have a picturesquebackground. Should it not,
Windermere? With a proper background women can do anything.
LORD WINDERMERE. Won't to-morrow do as well?
MRS. ERLYNNE. No; you see, to-morrow I am going to accept him.
And I think it would be a good thing if I was able to tell him that
I had - well, what shall I say? - ?000 a year left to me by a
third cousin - or a second husband - or some distant relative of
that kind. It would be an additionalattraction, wouldn't it? You
have a delightful opportunity now of paying me a compliment,
Windermere. But you are not very clever at paying compliments. I
am afraid Margaret doesn't encourage you in that excellent habit.
It's a great mistake on her part. When men give up saying what is
charming, they give up thinking what is charming. But seriously,
what do you say to ?000? ?500, I think. In modern life margin
is everything. Windermere, don't you think the world an intensely
amusing place? I do!
[Exit on terrace with LORD WINDERMERE. Music strikes up in ball-
room.]
LADY WINDERMERE. To stay in this house any longer is impossible.
To-night a man who loves me offered me his whole life. I refused
it. It was foolish of me. I will offer him mine now. I will give
him mine. I will go to him! [Puts on cloak and goes to the door,
then turns back. Sits down at table and writes a letter, puts it
into an envelope, and leaves it on table.] Arthur has never
understood me. When he reads this, he will. He may do as he
chooses now with his life. I have done with mine as I think best,
as I think right. It is he who has broken the bond of marriage -
not I. I only break its bondage.
[Exit.]
[PARKER enters L. and crosses towards the ball-room R. Enter MRS.
ERLYNNE.]
MRS. ERLYNNE. Is Lady Windermere in the ball-room?
PARKER. Her ladyship has just gone out.
MRS. ERLYNNE. Gone out? She's not on the terrace?
PARKER. No, madam. Her ladyship has just gone out of the house.
MRS. ERLYNNE. [Starts, and looks at the servant with a puzzled
expression in her face.] Out of the house?
PARKER. Yes, madam - her ladyship told me she had left a letter
for his lordship on the table.
MRS. ERLYNNE. A letter for Lord Windermere?
PARKER. Yes, madam.
MRS. ERLYNNE. Thank you.
[Exit PARKER. The music in the ball-room stops.] Gone out of her
house! A letter addressed to her husband! [Goes over to bureau
and looks at letter. Takes it up and lays it down again with a
shudder of fear.] No, no! It would be impossible! Life doesn't
repeat its tragedies like that! Oh, why does this horrible fancy
come across me? Why do I remember now the one moment of my life I
most wish to forget? Does life repeat its tragedies? [Tears
letter open and reads it, then sinks down into a chair with a
gesture of anguish.] Oh, how terrible! The same words that twenty
years ago I wrote to her father! and how bitterly I have been
punished for it! No; my punishment, my real punishment is to-
night, is now! [Still seated R.]
[Enter LORD WINDERMERE L.U.E.]
LORD WINDERMERE. Have you said good-night to my wife? [Comes C.]
MRS. ERLYNNE. [Crushing letter in her hand.] Yes.
LORD WINDERMERE. Where is she?
MRS. ERLYNNE. She is very tired. She has gone to bed. She said
she had a headache.
LORD WINDERMERE. I must go to her. You'll excuse me?
MRS. ERLYNNE. [Rising hurriedly.] Oh, no! It's nothing serious.
She's only very tired, that is all. Besides, there are people
still in the supper-room. She wants you to make her apologies to
them. She said she didn't wish to be disturbed. [Drops letter.]
She asked me to tell you!
LORD WINDERMERE. [Picks up letter.] You have dropped something.
MRS. ERLYNNE. Oh yes, thank you, that is mine. [Puts out her hand
to take it.]
LORD WINDERMERE. [Still looking at letter.] But it's my wife's
handwriting, isn't it?
MRS. ERLYNNE. [Takes the letter quickly.] Yes, it's - an address.
Will you ask them to call my carriage, please?
LORD WINDERMERE. Certainly.
[Goes L. and Exit.]
MRS. ERLYNNE. Thanks! What can I do? What can I do? I feel a
passion awakening within me that I never felt before. What can it
mean? The daughter must not be like the mother - that would be
terrible. How can I save her? How can I save my child? A moment
may ruin a life. Who knows that better than I? Windermere must be
got out of the house; that is absolutely necessary. [Goes L.] But
how shall I do it? It must be done somehow. Ah!
[Enter LORD AUGUSTUS R.U.E. carrying bouquet.]
LORD AUGUSTUS. Dear lady, I am in such suspense! May I not have
an answer to my request?
MRS. ERLYNNE. Lord Augustus, listen to me. You are to take Lord
Windermere down to your club at once, and keep him there as long as
possible. You understand?
LORD AUGUSTUS. But you said you wished me to keep early hours!
MRS. ERLYNNE. [Nervously.] Do what I tell you. Do what I tell
you.
LORD AUGUSTUS. And my reward?
MRS. ERLYNNE. Your reward? Your reward? Oh! ask me that to-
morrow. But don't let Windermere out of your sight to-night. If
you do I will never forgive you. I will never speak to you again.
I'll have nothing to do with you. Remember you are to keep
Windermere at your club, and don't let him come back to-night.
[Exit L.]
LORD AUGUSTUS. Well, really, I might be her husband already.
Positively I might. [Follows her in a bewildered manner.]
ACT DROP.
THIRD ACT
SCENE
Lord Darlington's Rooms. A large sofa is in front of fireplace R.
At the back of the stage a curtain is drawn across the window.
Doors L. and R. Table R. with writing materials. Table C. with
syphons, glasses, and Tantalus frame. Table L. with cigar and
cigarette box. Lamps lit.
LADY WINDERMERE. [Standing by the fireplace.] Why doesn't he
come? This waiting is horrible. He should be here. Why is he not
here, to wake by passionate words some fire within me? I am cold -
cold as a loveless thing. Arthur must have read my letter by this
time. If he cared for me, he would have come after me, would have
taken me back by force. But he doesn't care. He's entrammelled by
this woman - fascinated by her - dominated by her. If a woman
wants to hold a man, she has merely to appeal to what is worst in
him. We make gods of men and they leave us. Others make brutes of
them and they fawn and are faithful. How hideous life is! . . .
Oh! it was mad of me to come here, horribly mad. And yet, which is
the worst, I wonder, to be at the mercy of a man who loves one, or
the wife of a man who in one's own house dishonours one? What
woman knows? What woman in the whole world? But will he love me
always, this man to whom I am giving my life? What do I bring him?
Lips that have lost the note of joy, eyes that are blinded by
tears, chill hands and icy heart. I bring him nothing. I must go
back - no; I can't go back, my letter has put me in their power -
Arthur would not take me back! That fatal letter! No! Lord
Darlington leaves England to-morrow. I will go with him - I have
no choice. [Sits down for a few moments. Then starts up and puts
on her cloak.] No, no! I will go back, let Arthur do with me what
he pleases. I can't wait here. It has been madness my coming. I
must go at once. As for Lord Darlington - Oh! here he is! What
shall I do? What can I say to him? Will he let me go away at all?
I have heard that men are brutal, horrible . . . Oh! [Hides her
face in her hands.]
[Enter MRS. ERLYNNE L.]
MRS. ERLYNNE. Lady Windermere! [LADY WINDERMERE starts and looks
up. Then recoils in contempt.] Thank Heaven I am in time. You
must go back to your husband's house immediately.
LADY WINDERMERE. Must?
MRS. ERLYNNE. [Authoritatively.] Yes, you must! There is not a
second to be lost. Lord Darlington may return at any moment.
LADY WINDERMERE. Don't come near me!
MRS. ERLYNNE. Oh! You are on the brink of ruin, you are on the
brink of a hideousprecipice. You must leave this place at once,
my carriage is waiting at the corner of the street. You must come
with me and drive straight home.
[LADY WINDERMERE throws off her cloak and flings it on the sofa.]
What are you doing?
LADY WINDERMERE. Mrs. Erlynne - if you had not come here, I would
have gone back. But now that I see you, I feel that nothing in the
whole world would induce me to live under the same roof as Lord
- sensible [´sensəbəl]
a.感觉得到的 (初中英语单词) - bishop [´biʃəp] n.主教 (初中英语单词)
- charming [´tʃɑ:miŋ] a.可爱的；极好的 (初中英语单词)
- fright [frait] n.惊吓；恐怖；怪人 (初中英语单词)
- encourage [in´kʌridʒ] vt.鼓励；怂勇；促进 (初中英语单词)
- gesture [´dʒestʃə] n.手势 v.打手势 (初中英语单词)
- background [´bækgraund] n.背景；经历；幕后 (初中英语单词)
- relative [´relətiv] a.有关系的 n.亲属 (初中英语单词)
- additional [ə´diʃənəl] a.附加的，额外的 (初中英语单词)
- delightful [di´laitful] a.讨人喜欢的 (初中英语单词)
- envelope [´envələup] n.信封，封皮 (初中英语单词)
- horrible [´hɔrəbəl] a.可怕的；恐怖的 (初中英语单词)
- bitterly [´bitəli] ad.悲痛地；憎恨地 (初中英语单词)
- punishment [´pʌniʃmənt] n.罚，刑罚 (初中英语单词)
- carriage [´kæridʒ] n.马车；客车；货运 (初中英语单词)
- absolutely [´æbsəlu:tli] ad.绝对地；确实 (初中英语单词)
- reward [ri´wɔ:d] n.&v.报答；报酬；奖赏 (初中英语单词)
- forgive [fə´giv] vt.原谅，谅解，宽恕 (初中英语单词)
- writing [´raitiŋ] n.书写；写作；书法 (初中英语单词)
- waiting [´weitiŋ] n.等候；伺候 (初中英语单词)
- faithful [´feiθfəl] a.忠实的；可靠的 (初中英语单词)
- unconscious [ʌn´kɔnʃəs] a.无意识的；不觉察的 (高中英语单词)
- admirable [´ædmərəbəl] a.极佳的，值得赞美的 (高中英语单词)
- fortunately [´fɔ:tʃənətli] ad.幸运地 (高中英语单词)
- picturesque [,piktʃə´resk] a.似画的；别致的 (高中英语单词)
- attraction [ə´trækʃən] n.吸引(力)；引力 (高中英语单词)
- saying [´seiŋ, ´sei-iŋ] n.言语；言论；格言 (高中英语单词)
- terrace [´terəs] n.梯田 vt.使成梯田 (高中英语单词)
- lordship [´lɔ:dʃip] n.贵族权力；阁下 (高中英语单词)
- fireplace [´faiəpleis] n.壁炉，炉灶 (高中英语单词)
- passionate [´pæʃənit] a.易动情的；易怒的 (高中英语单词)
- appeal [ə´pi:l] vi.&n.请求；呼吁；上诉 (高中英语单词)
- hideous [´hidiəs] a.丑陋的，可怕的 (高中英语单词)
- madness [´mædnis] n.疯狂；狂热 (高中英语单词)
- graham [´greiəm] a.&n.用全麦粉做的 (英语四级单词)
- brutal [´bru:tl] a.兽性的；残暴的 (英语四级单词)
- precipice [´presipis] n.悬崖；危急的处境 (英语四级单词)
- awakening [ə´weikəniŋ] n.&a.觉醒(中的) (英语六级单词)
- horribly [´hɔrəbli] ad.恐怖地 (英语六级单词)
文章标签:名著
章节正文
京公网安备 11011202003401号
