Lady Bracknell That sounds not unsatisfactory. Three addresses always inspire confidence, even in tradesmen. But what proof have I of their authenticity?

Jack I have carefully preserved the Court Guides of the period. They are open to your inspection, Lady Bracknell.

Lady Bracknell (grimly) I have known strange errors in that publication.

Jack Miss Cardew’s family solicitors are Messrs Markby, Markby, and Markby.

Lady Bracknell Markby, Markby, and Markby? A firm of the very highest position in their profession. Indeed I am told that one of the Mr Markbys is occasionally to be seen at dinner parties. So far I am satisfied.

Jack (very irritably) How extremely kind of you, Lady Bracknell! I have also in my possession, you will be pleased to hear, certificates of Miss Cardew’s birth, baptism, whooping cough, registration, vaccination, confirmation, and the measles; both the German and the English variety.

Lady Bracknell Ah! A life crowded with incident, I see; though perhaps somewhat too exciting for a young girl. I am not myself in favour of premature experiences. (Rises, looks at her watch) Gwendolen! the time approaches for our departure. We have not a moment to lose. As a matter of form, Mr Worthing, I had better ask you if Miss Cardew has any little fortune?

Jack Oh! about a hundred and thirty thousand pounds in the Funds.° That is all. Good-bye, Lady Bracknell. So pleased to have seen you.

Lady Bracknell (sitting down again) A moment, Mr Worthing. A hundred and thirty thousand pounds! And in the Funds! Miss Cardew seems to me a most attractive young lady, now that I look at her. Few girls of the present day have any really solid qualities, any of the qualities that last, and improve with time. We live, I regret to say, in an age of surfaces. (To Cecily) Come over here, dear. (Cecily goes across) Pretty child! your dress is sadly simple, and your hair seems almost as Nature might have left it. But we can soon alter all that. A thoroughly experienced French maid produces a really marvellous result in a very brief space of time. I remember recommending one to young Lady Lancing,° and after three months her own husband did not know her.

Jack And after six months nobody knew her.

Lady Bracknell (glares at Jack for a few moments. Then bends, with a practised smile, to Cecily) Kindly turn round, sweet child. (Cecily turns completely round) No, the side view is what I want. (Cecily presents her profile) Yes, quite as I expected. There are distinct social possibilities in your profile. The two weak points in our age are its want of principle and its want of profile. The chin a little higher, dear. Style largely depends on the way the chin is worn. They are worn very high,° just at present, Algernon!

Algernon Yes, Aunt Augusta!

Lady Bracknell There are distinct social possibilities in Miss Cardew’s profile.

Algernon Cecily is the sweetest, dearest, prettiest girl in the whole world. And I don’t care twopence about social possibilities.

Lady Bracknell Never speak disrespectfully of Society, Algernon. Only people who can’t get into it do that. (To Cecily) Dear child, of course you know that Algernon has nothing but his debts to depend upon. But I do not approve of mercenary marriages. When I married Lord Bracknell I had no fortune of any kind. But I never dreamed for a moment of allowing that to stand in my way. Well, I suppose I must give my consent.