Lord Goring points out that, if what Robert did becomes public knowledge, condemnation and ruin will result. Sir Robert bitterly remarks that many have done worse to gain their own fortunes, yet would destroy him. When he sold the secret, he was young and inexperienced; should one mistake many years before destroy his career- which has since been spotless- now? Arthur asks how it happened and Sir Robert explains that Baron Arnheim acted like a kind of mentor to him, telling him that the way to gain power and influence was through wealth. He invited Robert to his home, dazzling the poor but ambitious young secretary with his riches. He then offered Robert a way to make his fortune and thereby fund his political career. After Robert received payment from the Baron, he invested the money and became extremely wealthy, and entered the House of Commons.
Act II also opens at the Chiltern's home; it is the morning after the party, and Sir Robert is confessing all to his best friend Lord Goring. Goring tells Sir Robert that he should have told his wife the truth, but Robert says that he couldn't, because she would have left him. Arthur can't believe that Gertrude is so perfect herself that she can't accept any imperfection in others, but Sir Robert assures him that she is indeed without flaw- and without mercy for others' faults. Lord Goring offers to talk to her and Robert agrees, but doesn't think it will make any difference. Lord Goring points out that, if what Robert did becomes public knowledge, condemnation and ruin will result. Sir Robert bitterly remarks that many have done worse to gain their own fortunes, yet would destroy him. When he sold the secret, he was young and inexperienced; should one mistake many years before destroy his career- which has since been spotless- now? Arthur asks how it happened and Sir Robert explains that Baron Arnheim acted like a kind of mentor to him, telling him that the way to gain power and influence was through wealth. He invited Robert to his home, dazzling the poor but ambitious young secretary with his riches. He then offered Robert a way to make his fortune and thereby fund his political career. After Robert received payment from the Baron, he invested the money and became extremely wealthy, and entered the House of Commons. Lord Goring asks Sir Robert if he regrets what he did, and Robert at first says no, because their society demands that people be wealthy to have influence, and he merely fought with the weapons of the age. However, he then confesses that over the years since then, he has given twice the amount of the original bribe to charity to assuage his guilt. Lord Goring promises to do what he can to help his friend, and tells Robert the first thing to do is tell Gertrude. Robert can't face the thought of doing that, and asks Arthur if he can't find something to hold over Mrs. Cheveley's head instead; he knows that Goring was previously acquainted with her. Arthur admits that they were once engaged- for three days- and asks if Robert tried buying her off: she's always loved money. Robert tells him that he offered her whatever amount she wanted, and she refused. Sir Robert decides to write to Vienna where she had been living to try to dig up some dirt on Mrs. Cheveley, but Arthur doesn't think this will work... she's pretty good at brazening out any scandals. Gertrude comes in, returning from a meeting of the Women's Liberal Association. Sir Robert tells her that he has some work to do and goes to his study. Gertrude stays to chat with Lord Goring. She brings up the conflict she had with Sir Robert over the canal scheme and asks him to reaffirm her belief in her husband's honesty and honour. Without mentioning Sir Robert directly, Arthur cautions Gertrude that every man involved in politics at some point compromises himself, and tells her that real life relationships require mercy and understanding. Then, surprising Gertrude with his sudden seriousness, Goring tells her to come to him if she finds herself in need of help. At this point, Mabel Chiltern enters the room and she and Arthur resume their lighthearted flirtation from the night before. The two make an appointment to go riding together the following day, then Goring leaves. Mabel entertains Gertrude with an account of Sir Robert's hapless secretary Tommy Trafford's latest attempt to propose to her. They are interrupted by the arrival of Lady Markby and Mrs. Cheveley. Mabel excuses herself and the two unexpected visitors explain why they're there: Mrs. Cheveley lost a diamond brooch at the dinner the previous night and wants to know if it's been found. It hasn't (as far as Gertrude knows). After some social chitchat, Lady Marksby leaves to visit a friend but Gertrude asks Mrs. Cheveley to stay for a few minutes. Once alone, they drop the socially polite masks. Gertrude has disliked and distrusted Mrs. Cheveley since their school days; Cheveley started her scheming ways early in life, and was eventually kicked out of school for stealing. Mrs. Cheveley despises Lady Chiltern for her moral superiority, and this grows to actual hatred when Gertrude reveals that it was due to her influence that Sir Robert turned down the canal swindle. Mrs. Cheveley demands that she get Sir Robert to change his mind, insinuating that there is something shady in his past that she can hold over him. Losing her temper, Gertrude orders Cheveley from the house, just as Sir Robert walks into the room. Mrs. Cheveley gleefully takes the opportunity to tell Gertrude his shameful secret before being shown from the house. Gertrude takes this news rather badly, accusing Sir Robert of betraying her trust and love, saying she had idolized him as the ideal man and husband and that belief has now been shattered. In turn, the devastated Robert bitterly says that she had turned him into a false idol, and that her judgmental, inflexible nature made it impossible to confess his failings to her. He says that love should include the capacity to forgive, but with her insistence on perfection, Gertrude has ruined his life. He slams out of the room and Lady Chiltern collapses into a sobbing heap.
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