Algernon Moncrieff is amazed to find his affluent friend -- whom he knows as"Ernest" -- is named called Jack Worthing. Jack fabricated his alter ego in order to escape his country estate where he takes good care of his charge, Cecily Cardew. Cecily so is excited on his raffish way of life and considers that Ernest is the wayward brother of Jack. Algernon assumes Ernest's identity and sneaks away to woo Cecily.