ery 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.

Cecily. Algy, could you wait for me till I was thirty-five?

Algernon. Of course I could, Cecily. You know I could.

Cecily. Yes, I felt it instinctively, but I couldn't wait all that time.
I hate waiting even five minutes for anybody. It always makes me rather
cross. I am not punctual myself, I know, but I do like punctuality in
others, and waiting, even to be married, is quite out of the question.

Algernon. Then what is to be done, Cecily?

Cecily. I don't know, Mr. Moncrieff.

Lady Bracknell. My dear Mr. Worthing, as Miss Cardew states positively
that she cannot wait till she is thirty-five--a remark which I am bound
to say seems to me to show a somewhat impatient nature--I would beg of
you to reconsider your decision.

Jack. But my dear Lady Bracknell, the matter is entirely in your own
hands. The moment you consent to my marriage with Gwendolen, I will most
gladly allow your nephew to form an alliance with my ward.

Lady Bracknell. [Rising and drawing herself up.] You must be quite
aware that what you propose is out of the question.

Jack. Then a passionate celibacy is all that any of us can look forward
to.

Lady Bracknell. That is not the destiny I propose for Gwendolen.
Algernon, of course, can choose for himself. [Pulls out her watch.]
Come, dear, [Gwendolen rises] we have already missed five, if not six,
trains. To miss any more might expose us to comment on the platform.

[Enter Dr. Chasuble.]

Chasuble. Everything is quite ready for the christenings.

Lady Bracknell. The christenings, sir! Is not that somewhat premature?

Chasuble. [Looking rather puzzled, and pointing to Jack and Algernon.]
Both these gentlemen have expressed a desire for immediate baptism.

Lady Bracknell. At their age? The idea is grotesque and irreligious!
Algernon, I forbid you to be baptized. I will not hear of such excesses.
Lord Bracknell would be highly displeased if he learned that that was the
way in which you waste