for his Lydia and the young maid leaves to make her delivery. While Jack is reading his note, Bag reappears and asks his master of the contents. It appears that Lydia has accused him of inconstancy and has renounced him forever. Lydia is convinced that Jack is pursuing another woman, even though only moments ago she appeared quite blooming. Jack is excited by her accusation and intends to find Lydia and romantically reconcile. O'Trigger reappears, spots Lucy, and hands her his note for Lydia, saying it is from "a man prepared to die for Lydia." He leaves as Mrs. Malaprop enters giving Lucy her note for O'Trigger, which she has signed "Delilah." As a giggling Mrs. Malaprop leaves, Lucy stands there surveying all the notes and decides to perform a bit of mischief. She will give Ensign Beverly's note to Mrs. Malaprop instead of Miss Lydia along with O'Trigger's letter. Lastly, she'll give Mrs. Malaprop's letter to O’Trigger as asked, but she'll tell him it's from Miss Lydia! Bob Acres rushes on looking for everyone. Lucy informs him that they all are gone, but that if he hurries he may overtake them. Before he goes, he asks Lucy if his fiancée, Miss Lydia, is well and still pledged to him. Lucy tells him that she believes Ensign Beverly has taken over Lydia's affections. He gives Lucy a note for Lydia and runs off in the wrong direction. After he leaves, Lucy looks once more at all the notes she has. Unfortunately, in the scheme of things there's no room left for Mr. Acres, so she tears up his note. Some time later on a street in Bath, Bag appears laden with luggage. He trips and spills everything. While picking it up, he sees Sir Anthony who recognises him as his son's servant. Bag quickly picks up his luggage and flees with Sir Anthony chasing him and shoving the strolling O'Trigger aside. An insulted O'Trigger challenges Sir Anthony to a duel as he chases him off. Lucy appears carrying a number of books. She is amused as she reads the titles, but as O'Trigger passes her, he knocks a book out of her hand. This happens three times. Oddly enough, Lucy is quite taken by O'Trigger. In his own room, Jack Absolute dresses with Bag's assistance. He questions his servant about his father's reaction to learning that he was in Bath. Bag assures Jack that he lied to Sir Anthony - even though he can't quite remember what lie he told. Bob Acres enters and greets his good friend, Jack. Bob is upset to learn that Lydia has given him his discharge. Jack quickly tries to change the subject, though Acres say he is determined to find and kill his rival, Ensign Beverly. This excites poor Jack to shout out loud, "Damn." Acres doesn't doesn’t believe in swearing and has invented his own style of sentimental swearing which he introduces to Jack. Jack soon has the hang of it and the two men practise together. Bag enters and tells Jack that his father is there to visit. Acres goes off to hunt Ensign Beverly and Sir Anthony enters. He announces that he is ready to give his son a large sum of money in a few weeks and has also has chosen for him a wife that comes with the fortune. Jack tries to explain to his father that his heart belongs to another girl, but Sir Anthony wants to hear none of it. Jack replies that he cannot and will not obey his father. This causes Sir Anthony to fly into a rage, demanding that his son do as he is told. He gives Jack six hours and a quarter to come around and all will be forgiven. If he doesn't, he will be disowned. Sir Anthony leaves. Alone, Jack ponders the situation. Does he listen to his father and get the money even if this intended wife is hideous, or does he follow his heart? After thinking for some time, it is quite clear that he loves Lydia and must follow his heart. In the garden and drawing room of the Malaprop house, Lydia is disconsolately popping chocolates into her mouth. She wonders why Ensign Beverly has not come to visit her. She is certain that her aunt has intercepted a note from Ensign Beverly. Lucy tells her mistress that Mrs. Malaprop has fallen in love with O'Trigger and because of this she should find that her aunt will be more open to her niece's needs, but she is not. In fact, the woman has become more suspicious and is trying to pull the lovers apart. Lydia planned on teasing Beverly for three days, but now she has lost him forever. The depressed lady asks her servant for a book to read, and as her servant reads her the available titles, voices are heard in the other room. Lydia tells Lucy to throw "A Lady of Quality," "A Gentleman of Leisure," and "A Proper Chaperone," under the sofa and give her "The Tears of Sensibility" to read and leave "Fordyce's Sermons" open on the table. Mrs. Malaprop and Sir Anthony enter and Lucy quickly exits. The woman tries to convince her niece to
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