The play open with Algernon Moncrieff , an idle young gentleman , receiving his best friend , John Worthing , whom he know as Ernest . Ernest have come from the country to propose to Algernon 's cousin , Gwendolen Fairfax . Algernon , however , refuse his consent until Ernest explain why his cigarette case bear the inscription , " From little Cecily , with her fondest love to her dear Uncle Jack . " ' Ernest ' is forced to admit to living a double life . In the country , he assume a serious attitude for the benefit of his young ward , the heiress Cecily Cardew , and go by the name of John ( or , as a nickname , Jack ) , while pretending that he must worry about a wastrel younger brother named Ernest in London . In the city , meanwhile , he assume the identity of the libertine Ernest . Algernon confess a similar deception : he pretend to have an invalid friend named Bunbury in the country , whom he can " visit " whenever he wish to avoid an unwelcome social obligation . Jack refuse to tell Algernon the location of his country estate .