An Ideal Husband

Mrs. Laura Cheveley returns to Britain and arrives in London with a cache of incriminating letters. Those letters threaten to ruin Sir Robert Chiltern and could derail his career. She intends to use this leverage to push through a canal financing bill she favors.

A lavish party at the Chilterns' home becomes the scene of Cheveley's blackmail attempt. Sir Robert initially refuses but yields to protect his reputation and position. The atmosphere tenses as the power dynamics between truth and ambition come to the fore.

Before the party ends, Cheveley tells Lady Chiltern that Sir Robert will back the canal scheme. She uses this to insinuate his moral complicity and to undermine his image. Lady Chiltern begins to sense that her husband may have a hidden past worth questioning.

At the close of the party, Arthur and Mabel notice a brooch that does not belong to anyone present. Goring reveals he once gave that brooch to someone and has kept it, hoping it will be retrieved. The brooch becomes a potential instrument in Cheveley's blackmail scheme.

Sir Robert writes a letter to Cheveley stating that he will speak against the canal bill. The decision marks a pledge to oppose the scheme publicly. He hopes to preserve his reputation, though he has not yet revealed the truth to his wife.

The next morning, Sir Robert confesses the blackmail attempt to Arthur and seeks his counsel. Arthur urges telling Lady Chiltern the truth, even if it ruins her faith in him. Sir Robert refuses to reveal the past and decides to try to blackmail Cheveley instead.

Arthur, once Cheveley's fiancé, doubts that a blackmail plan can work against her. He worries the scheme may backfire and harm more people than it helps. Despite his doubts, he remains entangled in the ensuing drama.

Cheveley returns to press about the brooch and to pressure further. Lady Chiltern declares that she has despised Cheveley's dishonesty since their school days. Sir Robert confirms he will speak against the canal bill that night in Parliament.

That night Cheveley watches from the women's gallery as Sir Robert denounces the canal scheme. His public stance reinforces his moral stance, while Cheveley's plan to destroy the marriage falters. The moment tests both the couple and Cheveley's control over events.

The following day Lord Caversham urges Sir Robert to marry, and Arthur proposes to Mabel. The social pressure of London life frames the intersecting personal and political decisions. The romance provides a counterpoint to the political tension.

Lady Chiltern writes an unsigned note to Arthur asking for help. Arthur reveals he has Cheveley's brooch and knows she stole it. Cheveley offers to trade the note for the letter she uses to blackmail Sir Robert, planning to manipulate him further; Arthur also retrieves the incriminating brooch when Cheveley hands over the note.

In the end, Sir Robert forgives his wife's humanity and chooses public life. The unsigned note exposes Cheveley's scheme, and Arthur's interference helps preserve the marriage. Lord Caversham offers a cabinet position, and Cheveley leaves London defeated as the couple finds peace through forgiveness.