[Exit Merriman.]

Cecily. [Advancing to meet her.] Pray let me introduce myself to
you. My name is Cecily Cardew.

Gwendolen. Cecily Cardew? [Moving to her and shaking hands.] What
a very sweet name! Something tells me that we are going to be great
friends. I like you already more than I can say. My first
impressions of people are never wrong.

Cecily. How nice of you to like me so much after we have known each
other such a comparatively short time. Pray sit down.

Gwendolen. [Still standing up.] I may call you Cecily, may I not?

Cecily. With pleasure!

Gwendolen. And you will always call me Gwendolen, won't you?

Cecily. If you wish.

Gwendolen. Then that is all quite settled, is it not?

Cecily. I hope so. [A pause. They both sit down together.]

Gwendolen. Perhaps this might be a favourable opportunity for my
mentioning who I am. My father is Lord Bracknell. You have never
heard of papa, I suppose?

Cecily. I don't think so.