Page:Wilde - A Woman of no Importance, 1909.djvu/192

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
A WOMAN OF

ACT IV.

HESTER
I was wrong. God's law is only Love.

MRS. ARBUTHNOT
[Rises, and taking HESTER by the hand, goes slowly over to where GERALD is lying on the sofa with his head buried in his hands. She touches him and he looks up.] Gerald, I cannot give you a father, but I have brought you a wife.

GERALD
Mother, I am not worthy either of her or you.

MRS. ARBUTHNOT
So she comes first, you are worthy. And when you are away, Gerald . . . with . . . her—oh, think of me sometimes. Don't forget me. And when you pray, pray for me. We should pray when we are happiest, and you will be happy, Gerald.

HESTER
Oh, you don't think of leaving us?

GERALD
Mother, you won't leave us?

174