The Fan Page #8

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If he did, you'd take him,

wouldn't you?

Poor Margaret.

In a week, you will be driving

with this woman in the park.

She'll be constantly in your house,

she'll become your closest friend.

You're right, my dear,

you have no courage.

- Please, give me time to think.

- No.

Our moment came, you refused it.

Now it is gone.

Our lives touched.

They'll never touch again.

I'm leaving England tomorrow.

Goodbye, Margaret.

Isn't that Darlington?

Oh, Arabella, allow me

to introduce Mrs. Erlynne.

Good evening, Duchess.

I think next to your brother,

I am your most fervent admirer.

He talks about you so often. Everybody

knows what a brilliant talker he is.

Everyone knows where he gets it from,

of course, it runs in the family.

As a matter of fact, the last time

I was in Monte Carlo

they were all quoting your absolutely

deathless remarks.

Were they really? In Monte Carlo?

You must tell me.

- Agatha?

- Yes, Mama?

Have you kept the last three dances

for Mr. Hopper?

- Yes, Mama.

- Could I possibly have this dance too?

I doubt that she has one left,

but we can ask her.

- Have you this dance left, Agatha?

- Yes, Mama.

You're indeed in luck, Mr. Hopper.

Take care of my little chatterbox.

What charming things you say,

Mrs. Erlynne.

Tell me more about Monte Carlo.

- Isn't this our dance, dear lady?

- I wish it were, Augustus, but

our host insists on dancing with me.

Duchess.

Don't look so dismal, Arthur.

Everything is going beautifully.

From tonight,

the odds are greatly reduced.

I'm sorry, but I don't know

what you mean.

The odds against my being received into

London society were a hundred to one.

Tonight I have been received

by your wife, my position is secure

and Lord Augustus

is ripe for the plucking.

I cannot imagine what made Margaret

ask you here tonight.

- I don't know what will come of it.

- Nothing but good.

I'm planning to have

a little talk with Margaret.

Please don't,

please don't cause us any more trouble.

Would it cause more trouble if she

understood about those checks to me?

What will you tell her?

How pleasant it is to have a son-in-law

who dances so well.

What are you going to tell her?

Leave it to me.

I never rehearse my conversations.

It will be some heart-warming little story

about your friendship for Augustus.

Arthur, I must tell you

everyone is remarking

what a handsome couple

you and Mrs. Erlynne make.

How civilized of poor dear Margaret

not to be jealous!

- Agatha.

- Yes, Mama.

- Come here, Agatha.

- Yes, Mama.

- Has Mr. Hopper...

- Yes, Mama.

- And what answer did you give him?

- Yes, Mama!

Did you hear that, Mrs. Erlynne?

Dear Agatha always says the right thing.

Mr. Hopper, come here!

Agatha has told me everything.

How cunningly you two kept your secret!

You may kiss me, Mr. Hopper.

You don't mind my taking Agatha

off to Australia, Duchess?

Australia, with all those horrid

kangaroos crawling about?

We'll talk about that tomorrow.

You must come at lunch, of course.

- You'll join us, won't you, Mrs. Erlynne?

- With pleasure, Duchess.

- Well, run along, children.

- Yes, Mama.

Till tomorrow then, at luncheon.

Aren't we going to dance at last?

I believe the next one's a polka

and I just learned it.

I can hardly wait,

but first I want to talk to our hostess.

Oh, Mr. Graham?

Have you seen Lady Windermere?

Look for Lord Darlington

if you wish to find Lady Windermere.

And look for Lady Windermere

if you wish to find Lord Darlington.

So much information

based on so little evidence

is always the mark

of a spiteful mind.

You should be more careful, Mr. Graham.

Would you take me

to Lady Windermere, please?

I believe her ladyship is out on

the balcony. I just took her cloak to her.

Is she alone?

I believe so, madam.

Lord Darlington left a while ago.

Yes, madam?

Are you quite sure you don't know

where Lord Darlington is?

He attended

Lady Windermere's ball tonight.

I know that! Would he have gone

to his club, perhaps?

I couldn't say, madam.

Will you go to club and see if he's there?

It's most important.

- Take a cab.

- Very well, madam.

- Oh, there he is now.

- I'm afraid not.

His lordship always uses his latch key.

- I'm sorry, Lord Darlington is not at home.

- Good.

- Please, do what I told you.

- Wait, where are you going?

To get a cab

and see if his lordship is at the club.

That will not be necessary. But get

the cab and wait at the corner, please.

Very good, madam.

- I'm so glad I found you.

- What do you mean by interfering?

Lady Windermere, you must leave here.

You mustn't make this terrible mistake.

- How do you know what I'm going to do?

- Oh, I know these things. Too well.

Did Arthur send you?

Is he afraid of the scandal?

No, he doesn't know you're here.

I told him you'd gone to your room

with a headache.

Go back to your husband.

Don't throw away his love.

The day may come

when you will starve for love.

You go back to my husband, he's yours.

I must say after seeing you tonight

I understand him only too well.

- You're quite irresistible, Mrs. Erlynne.

- Please go back home.

I shall stay here with the man

who has offered me his life.

Yes, he offers you his life

and then he takes yours and destroys it.

I've learned that.

I've learned that too well.

Listen to me.

We do silly things when we are hurt.

Don't spoil your beautiful young life

on my account.

Your husband loves you

and in your heart you know it.

What do you know about hearts?

Women like you have no hearts.

They're bought and sold.

Perhaps...

But can you imagine yourself

trying to live by your wits?

Trying to fight against a world

that wants none of you?

That will allow you no place in it?

Think of yourself if you can,

despised and ignored by every woman.

Think of the men who look at you,

guessing and making bets about you.

Don't worry, Mrs. Erlynne,

that won't happen to me.

I thought that too but it could

happen to you just as it happened to me.

I was just as young as you,

just as beloved,

just as mistaken.

But you... you'd be lost, child,

you couldn't stand it.

There is only one thing

that I can't stand...

Don't say it, it isn't true.

I mean nothing to Arthur.

The money that he gave me

was really a gift from Augustus

who didn't want to write his own checks

because he was afraid of his sister.

You're most accomplished

at clever little stories, Mrs. Erlynne.

I hate to admit this but you're jealous

of a woman who could be your mother.

Don't mention that name.

You're devoted to her memory,

aren't you?

Think of her now.

Think what she would say

if she were alive.

She would tell you to go back

to your husband,

that your place is with him.

I don't understand.

What makes you say all this?

I once ruined a man's life,

just as you're about to ruin Arthur's.

But we don't ruin a life

and go scot-free.

We ruin ourselves

from the moment we do it.

I don't want anyone

to stand in front of you one day

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