Read this extract, and then answer the question that follows it: Merriman: The dog-cart is at the door, sir. [Algernon looks appealingly at Cecily. Cecily: Merriman: It can wait, Merriman ... for ... five minutes. Yes, Miss. [Exit Merriman. Algernon: Cecily: I hope, Cecily, I shall not offend you if I state quite frankly and openly that you seem to me to be in every way the visible personification of absolute perfection. I think your frankness does you great credit, Ernest. If you will allow me, I will copy your remarks into my diary. [Goes over to table and begins writing in diary. Algernon: Cecily: Do you really keep a diary? I'd give anything to look at it. May I? Oh, no! [Puts her hand over it.] You see, it is simply a very young girl's record of her own thoughts and impressions and consequently meant for publication. When it appears in volume form I hope you will order a copy. But pray, Ernest, don't stop. I delight in taking down from dictation. I have reached “absolute perfection.” You can go on. I am quite ready for more. Algernon: Cecily: [Somewhat taken aback.] Ahem! Ahem! Oh, don't cough, Ernest. When one is dictating one should speak fluently and not cough. Besides, I don't know how to spell a cough. [Writes as Algernon speaks. Algernon: [Speaking very rapidly.] Cecily, ever since I first looked upon your wonderful and incomparable beauty, I have dared to love you wildly, passionately, devotedly, hopelessly. Cecily: I don't think that you should tell me that you love me wildly, passionately, devotedly, hopelessly. Hopelessly doesn't seem to make much sense, does it? Algernon: Cecily! [Enter Merriman.] Merriman: Algernon: Cecily: The dog-cart is waiting, sir. Tell it to come round next week, at the same hour. [Looks at Cecily, who makes no sign.] Yes, sir. [Merriman retires. Uncle Jack would be very much annoyed if he knew you were staying on till next week, at the same hour. Algernon: Oh, I don't care about Jack. I don't care for anybody in the whole world but you. I love you, Cecily. You will marry me, won't you? Cecily: Algernon: Cecily: You silly boy! Of course! Why, we have been engaged for the last three months. For the last three months? Yes, it will be exactly three months on Thursday. Algernon: Cecily: But how did we become engaged? Well, ever since dear Uncle Jack first confessed to us that he had a younger brother who was very wicked and bad, you of course have formed the chief topic of conversation between myself and Miss Prism. And of course a man who is much talked about is always very attractive. One feels there must be something in him, after all. I dare say it was foolish of me, but I fell in love with you, Ernest. Algernon: Cecily: Darling! And when was the engagement actually settled? On the 14th of February last. Worn out by your entire ignorance of my existence, I determined to end the matter one way or the other, and after a long struggle with myself I accepted you under this dear old tree here. The next day I bought this little ring in your name, and this is the little bangle with the true lover's knot I promised you always to wear. Algernon: Cecily: Did I give you this? It's very pretty, isn't it? Yes, you've wonderfully good taste, Ernest. It's the excuse I've always given for your leading such a bad life. And this is the box in which I keep all your dear letters. [Kneels at table, opens box, and produces letters tied up with blue ribbon. Algernon: Cecily: My letters! But, my own sweet Cecily, I have never written you any letters. You need hardly remind me of that, Ernest. I remember only too well that I was forced to write your letters for you. I wrote always three times a week, and sometimes oftener. Algernon: Cecily: Oh, do let me read them, Cecily! Oh, I couldn't possibly. They would make you far too conceited. [Replaces box.] The three you wrote me after I had broken off the engagement are so beautiful, and so badly spelled, that even now I can hardly read them without crying a little. Algernon: Cecily: But was our engagement ever broken off? Of course it was. On the 22nd of last March. You can see the entry if you like. [Shows diary.] “To-day I broke off my engagement with Ernest. I feel it is better do so. The weather still continues charming." Algernon: Cecily: But why on earth did you break it off? What had I done? I had done nothing at all. Cecily, I am very much hurt indeed to hear you broke it off. Particularly when the weather was so charming. It would hardly have been a really serious engagement if it hadn't been broken off at least once. But I forgave you before the week was out. Algernon: [Crossing to her, and kneeling.] What a perfect angel you are, Cecily! [from Act 2] How does Wilde make this proposal of marriage such a hilarious moment in the play?