to her, and kneeling.] What a perfect angel you are, Cecily.
cecily
You dear romantic boy. [He kisses her, she puts her fingers through his hair.] I hope your hair curls naturally, does it?
algernon
Yes, darling, with a little help from others.
cecily
I am so glad.
·91· algernon
You’ll never break off our engagement again, Cecily?
cecily
I don’t think I could break it off now that I have actually met you. Besides, of course, there is the question of your name.
algernon
Yes, of course. [Nervously.]
cecily
You must not laugh at me, darling, but it had always been a girlish dream of mine to love some one whose name was Ernest. [Algernon rises, Cecily also.] There is something in that name that seems to inspire absolute confidence. I pity any poor married woman whose husband is not called Ernest.
algernon
But, my dear child, do you mean to say you could not love me if I had some other name?
cecily
But what name?
algernon
Oh, any name you like—Algernon—for instance …
·92· cecily
But I don’t like the name of Algernon.
algernon
Well, my own dear, sweet, loving little darling, I really can’t see why you should object to the name of Algernon. It is not at all a bad name. In fact, it is rather an aristocratic name. Half of the chaps who get into the Bankruptcy Court are called Algernon. But seriously, Cecily … [Moving to her] … if my name was Algy, couldn’t you love me?
cecily
[Rising.] I might respect you, Ernest, I might admire your character, but I fear that I should not be able to give you my undivided attention.
algernon
Ahem! Cecily! [Picking up hat.] Your Rector here is, I suppose, thoroughly experienced in the practice of all the rites and ceremonials of the Church?
cecily
Oh yes. Dr. Chasuble is a most learned man. He has never written a single book, so you can imagine how much he knows.
algernon
I must see him at once on a most important christening—I mean on most important business.
·93· cecily
Oh!
algernon
I shan’t be away more than half an hour.
cecily
Considering that we have been engaged since February the 14th, and that I only met you to-day for the first time, I think it is rather hard that you should leave me for so long a period as half an hour. Couldn’t you make it twenty minutes?
algernon
I’ll be back in no time.
[Kisses her and rushes down the garden.]
cecily
What an impetuous boy he is! I like his hair so much. I must enter his proposal in my diary.
[Enter Merriman.]
merriman
A Miss Fairfax has just called to see Mr. Worthing. On very important business Miss Fairfax states.
cecily
Isn’t Mr. Worthing in his library?
·94· merriman
Mr. Worthing went over in the direction of the Rectory some time ago.
cecily
Pray ask the lady to come out here; Mr. Worthing is sure to be back soon. And you can bring tea.
merriman
Yes, Miss. [Goes out.]
cecily
Miss Fairfax! I suppose one of the many good elderly women who are associated with Uncle Jack in some of his philanthropic work in London. I don’t quite like women who are interested in philanthropic work. I think it is so forward of them.
[Enter Merriman.]
merriman
Miss Fairfax.
[Enter Gwendolen.]
[Exit Merriman.]
cecily
[Advancing to meet her.] Pray let me introduce myself to you. My name is Cecily Cardew.
·95· gwendolen
Cecily Cardew? [Moving to her and shaking hands.] What a very sweet name! Something tells me that we are going to be great friends. I like you already more than I can say. My first impressions of people are never wrong.
cecily
How nice of you to like me so much after we have known each other such a comparatively short time. Pray sit down.
gwendolen
[Still standing up.] I may call you Cecily, may I not?
cecily
With pleasure!
gwendolen
And you will always call me Gwendolen, won’t you.
cecily
If you wish.
gwendolen
Then that is all quite settled, is it not?
·96· cecily
I hope so. [A pause. They both sit down together.]
gwendolen
Perhaps
