Gwendolen.
Yes, I am quite well aware of the fact.
And I often wish that in public, at any rate, you had been more demonstrative.
For me you have always had an irresistible fascination.
Even before I met you I was far from indifferent to you.
[Jack looks at her in amazement.]
We live, as I hope you know, Mr Worthing, in an age of ideals.
The fact is constantly mentioned in the more expensive monthly magazines, and has reached the provincial pulpits, I am told; and my ideal has always been to love some one of the name of Ernest.
There is something in that name that inspires absolute confidence.
The moment Algernon first mentioned to me that he had a friend called Ernest, I knew I was destined to love you.
Jack.
You really love me, Gwendolen?
Gwendolen.
Passionately!
Jack.
Darling!
You don't know how happy you've made me.
Gwendolen.
My own Ernest!
Jack.
But you don't really mean to say that you couldn't love me if my name wasn't Ernest?
Gwendolen.
But your name is Ernest.
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 a 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.