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?

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.

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?

Cecily I hope so.

A pause. They both sit down together°

Gwendolen Perhaps this might be a favourable opportunity for my mentioning who I am. My father is Lord Bracknell. You have never heard of papa, I suppose?