The Importance of Being Earnest

Lady Bracknell.
Ahem! Mr. Worthing, after careful consideration I have 
decided entirely to overlook my nephew’s conduct to you. 
Jack.
That is very generous of you, Lady Bracknell. My own decision, 
however, is unalterable. I decline to give my consent. 
Lady Bracknell.
[To 
Cecily
.] Come here, sweet child. [
Cecily
goes 
over.] How old are you, dear? 
65

---

Cecily.
Well, I am really only eighteen, but I always admit to twenty when I 
go to evening parties. 
Lady Bracknell.
You are perfectly right in making some slight 
alteration. Indeed, no woman should ever be quite accurate about her 
age. It looks so calculating . . . [In a meditative manner.] Eighteen, but 
admitting to twenty at evening parties. Well, it will not be very long before 
you are of age and free from the restraints of tutelage. So I don’t think your 
guardian’s consent is, after all, a matter of any importance. 
Jack.
Pray excuse me, Lady Bracknell, for interrupting you again, but it is 
only fair to tell you that according to the terms of her grandfather’s will Miss 
Cardew does not come legally of age till she is thirty-five. 
Lady Bracknell.
That does not seem to me to be a grave objection. Thirty-
five is a very attractive age. London society is full of women of the very 
highest birth who have, of their own free choice, remained thirty-five for 
years. Lady Dumbleton is an instance in point. To my own knowledge she 
has been thirty-five ever since she arrived at the age of forty, which was 
many years ago now. I see no reason why our dear Cecily should not be 
even still more attractive at the age you mention than she is at 
present. There will be a large accumulation of property.