Jack's warning to Algernon that Bunbury will get him into trouble some day is a projection of his own anxieties-he has already gotten himself into a mess with his own dual identity. The conventional parental blockade to love maintains our interest in the plot, but the secondary conflict is far more original and engaging: Gwendolen will only marry someone named Ernest, which she believes Jack's real name to be. The main conflict of the play, Lady Bracknell's snobbery about Jack's disreputable background, is presented in this act. Jack warns him that Bunbury will only get him in trouble. Jack returns, glowing over Gwendolen, but Algernon expresses some anxiety over Bunbury. Lane comes in, and Algernon tells him he will be going Bunburying tomorrow. She promises to write Jack daily when he returns to the countryside, and Jack escorts her out. She asks for his address in the country, and Algernon slyly writes this down and checks a train timetable. She tells Algernon to turn his back, and expresses her fear to Jack that her mother will not let them marry. Lane introduces Gwendolen, who has re-entered the house. They debate what to do tonight and settle on doing nothing. He has no doubt, however, that she and Gwendolen will become good friends. Algernon expresses interest in meeting Cecily, but Jack does not want this to happen, as she is young and pretty. Jack tells Algernon what happened, and also says he will "kill off" his brother Ernest later in the week. She is aghast at this disclosure and says she will not allow her daughter to marry him. He admits that he was an orphan, found in a handbag on a train.
After she leaves, Lady Bracknell interrogates Jack, asking about his habits, his income, his background, and so on.
Lady Bracknell says that only she or her father can engage Gwendolen, and orders her to wait in the carriage. Lady Bracknell comes in, and Gwendolen informs her of their engagement. Jack is happy, but he asks her if she would still love him if his name were not Ernest, for example, if it were Jack. Jack confesses his feelings to Gwendolen and she admits that she likes him most especially because she has always wanted to marry someone named Ernest. He promises to be present to arrange music at her reception next Saturday. He tells Lady Bracknell that he will be unable to attend her dinner tonight, as Bunbury is ill. Algernon express horror that there are no cucumber sandwiches. Lane introduces Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen.
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