Jack Yes, I know it is. But supposing it was something else? Do you mean to say you couldn’t love me then?

Gwendolen (glibly) Ah! that is clearly a metaphysical speculation, and like most metaphysical speculations has very little reference at all to the actual facts of real life, as we know them.

Jack Personally, darling, to speak quite candidly, I don’t much care about the name of Ernest. … I don’t think the name suits me at all.

Gwendolen It suits you perfectly. It is a divine name. It has music of its own. It produces vibrations.

Jack Well, really, Gwendolen, I must say that I think there are lots of other much nicer names. I think Jack, for instance, a charming name.

Gwendolen Jack? … No, there is very little music in the name Jack, if any at all, indeed. It does not thrill. It produces absolutely no vibrations. … I have known several Jacks, and they all, without exception, were more than usually plain. Besides, Jack is a notorious domesticity for John! And I pity any woman who is married to a man called John. She would probably never be allowed to know the entrancing pleasure of a single moment’s solitude. The only really safe name is Ernest.

Jack Gwendolen, I must get christened at once—I mean we must get married at once. There is no time to be lost.

Gwendolen Married, Mr Worthing?°

Jack (astounded) Well … surely. You know that I love you, and you led me to believe, Miss Fairfax, that you were not absolutely indifferent to me.

Gwendolen I adore you. But you haven’t proposed to me yet. Nothing has been said at all about marriage. The subject has not even been touched on.

Jack Well … may I propose to you now?

Gwendolen I think it would be an admirable opportunity. And to spare you any possible disappointment, Mr Worthing, I think it only fair to tell you quite frankly beforehand that I am fully determined to accept you.

Jack Gwendolen!

Gwendolen Yes, Mr Worthing, what have you got to say to me?

Jack You know what I have got to say to you.

Gwendolen Yes, but you don’t say it.

Jack Gwendolen, will you marry me? (Goes on his knees)

Gwendolen Of course I will, darling. How long you have been about it! I am afraid you have had very little experience in how to propose.

Jack My own one, I have never loved anyone in the world but you.

Gwendolen Yes, but men often propose for practice. I know my brother Gerald does. All my girl-friends tell me so. What wonderfully blue eyes° you have, Ernest! They are quite, quite, blue. I hope you will always look at me just like that, especially when there are other people present.

Enter Lady Bracknell