Oh, I don't care about Jack. I don't care for anybody in the whole
world but you. I love you, Cecily. You will marry me, won't you?
CECILY
You silly boy! Of course. Why, we have been engaged for the last
three months.
.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, ACT 1 / 17 11
ALGERNON For the last three months?
CECILY
Yes, it will be exactly three months on Thursday.
ALGERNON But how did we become engaged?
CECILY Well, ever since dear Uncle Jack first confessed to us that he had a
younger brother who was very wicked and bad, you of course have formed
the chief topic of conversation between myself and Miss Prism. And of
course a man who is much talked about is always very attractive. One feels
there must be something in him after all. I daresay it was foolish of me, but
I fell in love with you, Ernest.
ALGERNON
Darling! And when was the engagement actually settled?
CECILY
On the 14th of February last. Worn out by your entire ignorance of
my existence, I determined to end the matter one way or the other, and after
a long struggle with myself I accepted you under this dear old tree here.
The next day I bought this little ring in your name, and this is the little
bangle with the true lovers' knot I promised you always to wear.
ALGERNON
Did I give you this? It's very pretty, isn't it?
CECILY
Yes, you've wonderfully good taste, Ernest. It's the excuse I've always
given for your leading such a bad life. And this is the box in which I keep all your dear letters. [Kneels at table, opens box, and produces letters tied up with blue ribbon.]
ALGERNON
My letters! But my own sweet Cecily, I have never written you
any letters.
CECILY
You need hardly remind me of that, Ernest. I remember only too well
that I was forced to write your letters for you. I always wrote three times a
week, and sometimes oftener.
ALGERNON
Oh, do let me read them, Cecily?
CECILY
Oh, I couldn't possibly. They would make you far too conceited. [Replaces box.] The three you wrote me after I had broken off the engagement are so beautiful, and so badly spelled, that even now I can hardly read
them without crying a little.
ALGERNON
But was our engagement ever broken off?
CECILY
Of course it was. On the 22nd of last March. You can see the entry
if you like. [S/irnvs diary.] 'Today I broke off my engagement with Ernest. I
feel it is better to do so. The weather still continues charming.'
ALGERNON
