strustful of Algernon's intentions toward Cecily, orders Algernon to leave by the next train. Algernon and Cecily say their goodbyes, and Cecily confesses she has been deeply in love with "Ernest" for a year and has made entries in her diary detailing the courtship. Algernon, wishing to stay "Ernest" for Cecily's sake, rushes off to the church to be rechristened "Ernest." Gwendolen, Algernons cousin, who happens to be engaged to Jack whom she believes to be Ernest, arrives from London looking for Jack/Ernest and is escorted into the garden to meet Cecily. They sit down to afternoon tea and accidentally discover they are both in love with "Ernest Worthing." Jack and Algernon return to the garden, are confronted by their lovers, and admit their true identities. Gwendolen and Cecily, each with her heart set on loving someone by the name of Ernest, retreat indoors together. Gwendolen and Cecily decide to forgive Jack and Algernon their indiscretions and promise to marry them. Lady Bracknell, Gwendolens mother, makes a surprise visit in order to retrieve Gwendolen. When she learns of Cecily's great fortune, she gives her consent to Algernon's marriage to Cecily. Jack refuses to give his consent, however, unless he is allowed to wed Gwendolen. Chasuble arrives to rechristen both young men when Miss Prism's, Cecilys teacher, name is mentioned. Lady Bracknell recognizes the name and asks that she be sent for. Miss Prism reveals she had been previously employed as governess to Lady Bracknell's sister (Algernon's mother) but that one day she failed to come home with the baby in her charge. Miss Prism further admits to leaving her unpublished manuscript in the baby carriage while placing the baby in a black leather handbag.Jack runs upstairs and retrieves the black handbag in which he was found. The handbag, indeed, belonged to Miss Prism, and Jack was the lost baby. Jack, it turns out is Algernon's older brother. In a bid to discover his rea...
