If you are not too long, I will wait here for you all my life.
[Exit Jack in great excitement.]
Chasuble.
What do you think this means, Lady Bracknell?
Lady Bracknell.
I dare not even suspect, Dr. Chasuble.
I need hardly tell you that in families of high position strange coincidences are not supposed to occur.
They are hardly considered the thing.
[Noises heard overhead as if some one was throwing trunks about.
Every one looks up.]
Cecily.
Uncle Jack seems strangely agitated.
Chasuble.
Your guardian has a very emotional nature.
Lady Bracknell.
This noise is extremely unpleasant.
It sounds as if he was having an argument.
I dislike arguments of any kind.
They are always vulgar, and often convincing.
Chasuble. [Looking up.] It has stopped now.
[The noise is redoubled.]
Lady Bracknell.
I wish he would arrive at some conclusion.
Gwendolen.
This suspense is terrible.
I hope it will last.
[Enter Jack with a hand-bag of black leather in his hand.]
Jack. [Rushing over to Miss Prism.] Is this the handbag, Miss Prism?
Examine it carefully before you speak.
The happiness of more than one life depends on your answer.
Miss Prism. [Calmly.] It seems to be mine.
Yes, here is the injury it received through the upsetting of a Gower Street omnibus in younger and happier days.
Here is the stain on the lining caused by the explosion of a temperance beverage, an incident that occurred at Leamington.
And here, on the lock, are my initials.
I had forgotten that in an extravagant mood I had had them placed there.
The bag is undoubtedly mine.
I am delighted to have it so unexpectedly restored to me.
It has been a great inconvenience being without it all these years.
Jack. [In a pathetic voice.] Miss Prism, more is restored to you than this hand-bag.
I was the baby you placed in it.
Miss Prism. [Amazed.] You?
Jack. [Embracing her.] Yes... mother!
Miss Prism. [Recoiling in indignant astonishment.] Mr. Worthing!
I am unmarried
Jack.
Unmarried!
I do not deny that is a serious blow.
But after all, who has the right to cast a stone against one who has suffered?
Cannot repentance wipe out an act of folly?
Why should there be one law for men, and another for women?