Summary

In the morning-house of Jack's Manor, Gwendolen and Cecily watch the men as they eat muffins, and Cecily assumes that means they are sorry. The men are whistling when they approach the women. Even though both Gwendolen and Cecily promise not to say the first words, Gwendolen speaks immediately and Cecily shortly afterwards. They ask the men if they pretended to be named Ernest to be allowed to propose to them. The women seem pleased when both men admit it is the truth, even though neither Gwendolen nor Cecily truly believe it. However, the fact that neither of the men is named Ernest is still a problem for both of them. Jack and Algernon confess to planning to change their names, and the women are impressed. Merriman enters and coughs to let everyone know he is nearby. He explains that Lady Bracknell has...