cal 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. There is no time to be lost.

Gwendolen. Married, Mr. Worthing?

Jack. [Astounded.] Well . . . surely. You know that I love you, and
you led me to believe, Miss Fairfax, that you were not absolutely
indifferent to me.

Gwendolen. I adore you. But you haven't proposed to me yet. Nothing
has been said at all about marriage. The subject has not even been
touched on.

Jack. Well . . . may I propose to you now?

Gwendolen. I think it would be an admirable opportunity. And to spare
you any possible disappointment, Mr. Worthing, I think it only fair to
tell you quite frankly before-hand that I am fully determined to accept
you.

Jack. Gwendolen!

Gwendolen. Yes, Mr. Worthing, what have you got to say to me?

Jack. You know what I have got to say to you.

Gwendolen. Yes, but you don't say it.

Jack. Gwendolen, will you marry me? [Goes on his knees.]

Gwendolen. Of course I will, darling. How long you have been about it!
I am afraid you have had very little experience in how to propose.

Jack. My own one, I have never loved any one in the world but you.

Gwendolen. Yes, but men often propose for practice. I know my brother
Gerald does. All my girl-friends tell me so. What wonderfully blue eyes
you have, Ernest! They are quite, quite, blue. I hope you will always
look at me