Jack.
[Laughing.] To dear little Cecily! Of course not!
What could have put
such an idea into your pretty little head?
Gwendolen.
Thank you. You may! [Offers her cheek.]
Cecily.
[Very sweetly.] I knew there must be some misunderstanding, Miss
Fairfax. The gentleman whose arm is at present round your waist is my
guardian, Mr. John Worthing.
Gwendolen.
I beg your pardon?
Cecily._Thank_you._[Presenting_her_cheek_to_be_kissed.]_You_may._[_Algernon_kisses_her.]_Gwendolen.'>Cecily.
This is Uncle Jack.
Gwendolen.
[Receding.] Jack! Oh!
[Enter
Algernon
.]
Cecily.
Here is Ernest.
Algernon.
[Goes straight over to
Cecily
without noticing any one else.] My
own love! [Offers to kiss her.]
Cecily.
[Drawing back.]
A moment, Ernest! May I ask you—are you
engaged to be married to this young lady?
Algernon.
[Looking round.] To what young lady? Good
heavens! Gwendolen!
Cecily.
Yes! to
good heavens, Gwendolen, I mean to Gwendolen.
Algernon.
[Laughing.] Of course not! What could
have put such an idea
into your pretty little head?
Cecily.
Thank you. [Presenting her cheek to be kissed.] You
may. [
Algernon
kisses her.]
Gwendolen.
I felt there
was some slight error, Miss Cardew. The gentleman
who is now embracing you is my cousin, Mr. Algernon Moncrieff.
Cecily.
[Breaking away from
Algernon
.] Algernon Moncrieff! Oh! [The two
girls move towards each other and put their arms round each other’s waists
as if for protection.]
52
