ALGERNON.
But why on earth did you break it off? What had I done? I had done nothing at all. Cecily, I am very much hurt indeed to hear you broke it off. Particularly when the weather was so charming.
CECILY.
It would hardly have been a really serious engagement if it hadn’t been broken off at least once. But I forgave you before the week was out.
ALGERNON.
[Crossing to her, and kneeling.] What a perfect angel you are, Cecily.
CECILY.
You dear romantic boy. [He kisses her, she puts her fingers through his hair.] I hope your hair curls naturally, does it?
ALGERNON.
Yes, darling, with a little help from others.
CECILY.
I am so glad.
ALGERNON.
You’ll never break off our engagement again, Cecily?
CECILY.
I don’t think I could break it off now that I have actually met you. Besides, of course, there is the question of your name.
ALGERNON.
Yes, of course. [Nervously.]
CECILY.
You must not laugh at me, darling, but it had always been a girlish dream of mine to love some one whose name was Ernest. [Algernon rises, Cecily also.] There is something in that name that seems to inspire absolute confidence. I pity any poor married woman whose husband is not called Ernest.