Lady Windermere monologue (Act 1) — Lady Windermere's Fan

How horrible! I understand now what Lord Darlington meant by the imaginary instance of the couple not two years married. Oh! it can’t be true—she spoke of enormous sums of money paid to this woman. I know where Arthur keeps his bank book—in one of the drawers of that desk. I might find out by that. I _will_ find out. [_Opens drawer_.] No, it is some hideous mistake. [_Rises and goes C._] Some silly scandal! He loves _me_! He loves _me_! But why should I not look? I am his wife, I have a right to look! [_Returns to bureau_, _takes out book and examines it page by page_, _smiles and gives a sigh of relief_.] I knew it! there is not a word of truth in this stupid story. [_Puts book back in dranver_. _As the does so_, _starts and takes out another book_.] A second book—private—locked! [_Tries to open it_, _but fails_. _Sees paper knife on bureau_, _and with it cuts cover from book_. _Begins to start at the first page_.] ‘Mrs. Erlynne—£600—Mrs. Erlynne—£700—Mrs. Erlynne—£400.’ Oh! it is true! It is true! How horrible! [_Throws book on floor_.]