Final answer:
In 'The Importance of Being Earnest,' it is true that Cecily has imagined a long-standing relationship with 'Ernest' prior to their real engagement, indicative of Oscar Wilde's satirical writing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is True. In Oscar Wilde's play The Importance of Being Earnest, after Cecily is proposed to by Algernon (who she believes is named Ernest), she indeed reveals to him that she has loved 'Ernest' for a long time, and has even been engaged to him in her imagination, detailing their supposed courtship and letters exchanged.
This humorous and ironic situation highlights Wilde's satirical take on Victorian society's attitudes towards love, marriage, and the significance of names and identity.