Part 1

A WOMAN OF NO IMPORTANCE

A PLAY

BY OSCAR WILDE

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METHUEN & CO., LTD. 36 ESSEX STREET W.C. LONDON

Eighth Edition

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First Printed 1894 First Issued by Methuen and Co. (Limited February 1908 Editions on Handmade Paper and Japanese Vellum) Third Edition September 1909 Fourth Edition May 1910 Fifth Edition December 1911 Sixth Edition March 1913 Seventh Edition (Cheap Form) October 1916 Eighth Edition 1919

The dramatic rights of ‘A Woman of No Importance’ belong to Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and to Robert Ross, executor and administrator of Oscar Wilde’s estate.

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TO GLADYS COUNTESS DE GREY

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THE PERSONS OF THE PLAY

LORD ILLINGWORTH

SIR JOHN PONTEFRACT

LORD ALFRED RUFFORD

MR. KELVIL, M.P.

THE VEN. ARCHDEACON DAUBENY, D.D.

GERALD ARBUTHNOT

FARQUHAR, Butler

FRANCIS, Footman

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LADY HUNSTANTON

LADY CAROLINE PONTEFRACT

LADY STUTFIELD

MRS. ALLONBY

MISS HESTER WORSLEY

ALICE, Maid