Act Three- A Woman Of No Importance

Lord Ilingworth and Gerald are talking about Mrs. Arbuthnot. Gerald is very proud and protective of his mother, but wonders why she has never spoken about his father. Lord Illingworth agrees that she is a good woman, but points out that good women have limitations and don't always understand the needs of young men, especially in needing a good career. He speaks cynically about society and about women and he admits to Gerlad that he has never been married. He is telling Gerald about the new life he will have, when Mrs. Abrthnot appears on the terrace and Lady Hunstanton enters with the Archdeacon, saying that she presumes Lord Illingworth has been explaining Gerald's new duties to him. When she sees Mrs. Aburthnot enter from the terrace she assumes that she she feels flattered at the notice Lord Illingworth is taking of her son. Lord Illingworth continues to amuse the company with his absurd views about comdey and tradegy, saints and sinners and Lady Hunstanton says that she and Mrs. Aburthnot are too old fashioned to follow such views. Mrs. Aburthnot says that she would be sorry to hold nay opinions like Lord Illingworth's. Lady Caroline enters wanting to know the wherabouts of Sir John. Lady Hunstanton is sure he was with Lady Stutfield in the yellow drawing room and Lady Caroline goes off, but Sir John enters with Mrs. Allonby form the music room, while Lady Stutfield enters with Mr. Kelvil. The conversation turns to savages and world soicety and then to wmen and women while Mrs. Hunstanton remarks that women should forgive everything and Mrs. Aburthnot disagrees, saying that the ruin of another woman's life is unforgiveable. She moves away as the company return to their frivolous chat where…