The Importance of Being Earnest Act Three
The women retreat into the house, agonizing over their shared betrayal, and expecting the men to follow after them to make amends. They are displeased that the men chose to gorge themselves with food rather than rushing after them into the house. They both wish to reconcile with them and so ask them to reveal the motive behind their deceit. Algernon informs Cecily that he had only pretended to be Ernest to meet her, which pleases her quite a bit. On the other hand, Jack explains to Gwendolen that his only motive in adopting the false identity of Ernest had been to meet her as frequently as possible. Gwendolen is moved by his reasons but has her doubts about his truthfulness. Although the women’s anger at being deceived has cooled, they are upset at the fact that neither of them is called Ernest. Both men eagerly inform them that they have made arrangements to be christened as Ernest that very evening. The women swoon over the selflessness that the men have displayed in making plans to shed their identities for their sake.
Lady Bracknell suddenly arrives at the estate after having been tipped off about Gwendolen’s excursion by her maid. She is surprised to find Algernon at the estate and inquires whether it is the residence of his friend Bunbury. Algernon hurriedly lies to her and claims that Bunbury has passed away. He also introduces her to Jack’s ward, Cecily, whom he now intends to marry. Lady Bracknell insists on interviewing Cecily before allowing the matter to proceed any further. Her treatment of Cecily is rather off-handed at first, but this attitude quickly changes as she discovers that Cecily stands to inherit a large fortune upon reaching the age of majority. Jack interrupts the interview with his opposition to the union between Cecily and Algernon. He explains that he would concede if Lady Bracknell were to accept his proposal for Gwendolen. She refuses and is just beginning to leave when the vicar arrives for the christening. Jack reschedules the christening to a later date, and Dr. Chausble mentions a waiting Miss Prism as he decides to depart. Lady Bracknell’s attention latches onto the governess’s name and asks certain pointed questions about her identity. She insists that Miss Prism be called immediately, but the governess appears at the house unbidden.
