Act III
Autor: Clube de Ciberjornalismo CMCG 2016 | Publicado: 2013-03-06T06:34:00-08:00



Act III




[Morning-room at the
manor house, the girls are at the window looking out into the
garden.]




Gwendolen: They
didn't follow us … as anyone would do it …




Cecily:  They've
been eating muffins.




Gwen: They don't
seem to notice us … Couldn't you cough?




Cecily: But I
haven't a cough!




Gwen: Look …
They're looking at us …




Cecily: They're
approaching … 





Gwen: Let
us preserve a dignified silence … 





Cecily: Certainly
… it is the only thing to do now ...




[Jack
enters followed by Algy … they are whisteling something popular
from a British opera.]




Gwen: This
dignified silence seems to produce an unpleasant effect.



 


Cecily: The
most unpleasant effect, for sure ...




Gwen: …
we will not be the first to speak ...




Cecily: Certainly
not!




Gwen: Mr
Worthing! I have something very particular to ask you ...




Cecily:
Gwendolen, your common sense is invaluable … answer me Mr
Moncrieff, why did you pretend to be my guardian's brother?




Algernon: In
order to meet you.




Cecily: [to
Gwendolen]  Isn't this a satisfactory explanation?




Gwendolen: Yes,
dear, if you can believe him.




Cecily:
I don't … but the answer was charming!




Gwendolen:
True … as a matter of fact, style not sincerity is the vital thing!
Mr Worthing?! What explanation can you offer me for pretending you
have a brother? Was it in order of coming up to town to see me as
often as possible?




Jack:
Can you doubt it, Miss Farfaix?




Gwendolen:
Well, I can doubt it … but this is not a time for German
scepticism. Their explanations are quite satisfactory




Cecily:
 Yes, they inspire credulity.




Gwendolen:
Then you think we should forgive them?




Cecily:
Yes ... I mean NO!




Gwendolen:
True. I had forgotten. The principles at stake that one cannot
surrender.




Cecily:
Couldn't we speak at the same time?




Gwendolen:
An excellent idea!




Cecily:
Certainly …




Gwendolen:
Will you take the time? [Gwendolen beats time … 1.2.3]




Gwen and Cecily
[speaking at the same time]: Your Chritian name are still an
insuperable barrier! That is all!




Jack and Algy
[together]: Our Christian name! Is that all? We are going to be
christened this afternoon!




Gwendolen:
For my sake … you are prepared to do this terrible thing?




Jack:
I am!



 


Cecily [to
Algy]: To please me, are you ready to face this?




Algy:
I am!




Gwen [to
Jack]: Darling!




Cecily
[to Algy]: Darling!




[The
Marriman enters, coughing loudly] : Ahem … ahem … Lady Bracknell




Jack:
Good heavens!




Lady Bracknell
[enters] [ the couples separate in alarm] What does this mean?




Gwen:
I am engaged to be married to Mr. Worthing, Mama.




Jack:
I am engaged to be married to Gwendolen, Lady Bracknell! [she looks
at Algy]




Algy:
Yes, aunt Augusta.




Lady Bracknell:
Is this the house, where your invalid Bunbury lives?




Algy:
Ohh … No! Bunbury doesn't live here … Bunbury, in fact is dead!




Lady Bracknell:
Dead! When did he die?




Algernon
[airily]: Oh … I killed Bunbury this afternoon. I mean … poor
Bunbury, He died this afternoon.




Lady Bracknell:
Well … as we got rid of this Bunburry … may I ask Mr Worthing who
is that young person my nephew is holding in a peculiar unnecessary
manner?




Jack:
Miss Cecily Cardew, my ward. [Bracknell looks her coldly]




Algy:
I am engaged to be married to Cecily, Aunt Augusta.




Lady Bracknell:
I beg your pardon?




Cecily:
I am engaged to be married, Lady Bracknell.




Lady Bracknell:
Until yesterday, I had no idea about this … oh, life is crowded
with incident, I see!

We
can't waste more time. I had better ask you if Miss Cardew has any little fortune? [blinking to the
audience]







…