lord goring. [ Rising from his chair.] I was waiting for you to say that, Robert. It is the only thing to do now. And you must begin by telling your wife the whole story.
sir robert chiltern. That I will not do.
lord goring. Robert, believe me, you are wrong.
sir robert chiltern. I couldn’t do it. It would kill her love for me. And now about this woman, this Mrs. Cheveley. How can I defend myself against her? You knew her before, Arthur, apparently.
lord goring. Yes.
sir robert chiltern. Did you know her well?
lord goring. [ Arranging his necktie.] So little that I got engaged to be married to her once, when I was staying at the Tenbys’. The affair lasted for three days . . . nearly.
sir robert chiltern. Why was it broken off?
lord goring. [ Airily.] Oh, I forget
