Affectation
Pretending to feel or think something. Act IV: "I hate this affectation of youth..."
Appalling
The act of overwhelming with shock or horror. Act I: "What an appalling philosophy that sounds!"
Creed
A set of beliefs that express a particular opinion and influence how one lives. Act II: "...a thoroughly shallow creed."
Dandy
a man who places particular importance upon physical appearance, refined language, and the cultivation of leisurely hobbies.
Deteriorated
To become worse in condition. Act II: "unless he has deteriorated since I knew him first."
Dowdies
A shabbily dressed man or woman with a dull appearance. Act I: "The men are all dowdies..."
Expounded
To give a detailed explanation of something. Act II: "he expounded to us the most terrible..."
Heliotrope
A shade of purple. Act I: "That woman in heliotrope..."
Ignoble
The opposite of noble, worthy of shame. Act III: "I am ignoble in her eyes."
Infamous
Having an extremely bad reputation. Act III: "infamous thing."
Insolent
Boldly rude or disrespectful. Act II: "insolent letter to me."
Mar
To ruin or spoil. Act IV: "Don't mar both for him."
Pluck
Courage, bravery and the wish to succeed. Act IV: "It shows he has got pluck."
Reverberations
A loud, deep sound that continues to be heard for quite some time, and often makes the ground shake. Act III: "with shrill reverberations."
Scruple
A principle, belief, or moral feeling that informs behavior. Act II: "have the smallest scruple in doing so."
Superciliously
An act completed with disdain or arrogance. (Stage direction, Act I)
Swindle
A plan or transaction marked by its falseness and corruption. Act I: "Mrs. Cheveley, it is a swindle."