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.]
CECILY.
Are you called Algernon?
ALGERNON.
I cannot deny it.
CECILY.
Oh!
GWENDOLEN.
Is your name really John?
JACK.
[Standing rather proudly.] I could deny it if I liked. I could deny anything if I liked. But my name certainly is John. It has been John for years.
CECILY.
[To Gwendolen.] A gross deception has been practised on both of us.
GWENDOLEN.
My poor wounded Cecily!
CECILY.
My sweet wronged Gwendolen!