hand my nephew Algernon is now holding in what seems to me a
peculiarly unnecessary manner?

Jack. That lady is Miss Cecily Cardew, my ward. [Lady Bracknell
bows coldly to Cecily.]

Algernon. I am engaged to be married to Cecily, Aunt Augusta.

Lady Bracknell. I beg your pardon?

Cecily. Mr. Moncrieff and I are engaged to be married, Lady
Bracknell.

Lady Bracknell. [With a shiver, crossing to the sofa and sitting
down.] I do not know whether there is anything peculiarly exciting
in the air of this particular part of Hertfordshire, but the number
of engagements that go on seems to me considerably above the proper
average that statistics have laid down for our guidance. I think
some preliminary inquiry on my part would not be out of place. Mr.
Worthing, is Miss Cardew at all connected with any of the larger
railway stations in London? I merely desire information. Until
yesterday I had no idea that there were any families or persons
whose origin was a Terminus. [Jack looks perfectly furious, but
restrains himself.]

Jack. [In a clear, cold voice.] Miss Cardew is the grand-daughter
of the late Mr. Thomas Cardew of 149 Belgrave Square, S.W.; Gervase
Park, Dorking, Surrey; and the Sporran, Fifeshire, N.B.

Lady Bracknell. That sounds not unsatisfactory. Three addresses