forget this common lover of hers, Ensign Beverly, and marry a man of breeding. Lydia refuses to listen to her aunt, and she is ordered to her room. Once she is gone, Mrs. Malaprop confides in Sir Anthony that she doesn't know what to do with the girl. Sir Anthony tells her that she never should have let Lydia learn to read, for, reading means education and an educated woman is the bane of society. He saw the maid bringing books to the Lydia. That right there says it all. Mrs. Malaprop disagrees with him for she herself is one of the most educated women in England. She has taught Lydia everything she knows. In actuality, Mrs. Malaprop makes a mistake with everything she says. Sir Anthony further questions Mrs. Malaprop about Lydia. Just who is this "Bob Acres"? Mrs. Malaprop assures him that though Lydia wants to marry Acres, it will never happen. In fact, Mrs. Malaprop will consider Sir Anthony's son, Jack, as Lydia's most eligible suitor. Hearing this, a happy Sir Anthony leaves. Left alone, Mrs. Malaprop realises that Lydia has discovered her own affections for Sir Lucius O'Trigger. The eavesdropping Lucy enters and Mrs. Malaprop asks her if she saw O'Trigger while she was out. The servant tells her that she has not. Lucy also assures Mrs. Malaprop that she never mentioned her desire for O'Trigger to anyone. With that she gives the girl another letter to deliver to her true love and leaves. Outside the entrance to the Baths, every passer-by gives Lucy a note or takes one as they give her money! O'Trigger asks Lucy if his Delilah has responded to his note, and she hands him another letter. Instead of paying her, he kisses her and Lucy is smitten. Ensign/Jack enters and learns from Lucy that Sir Anthony has proposed that his son (Jack) wed Lydia. It appears that Ensign Beverly doesn't have a chance. Lucy doesn't know the truth, but now Jack does. Jack/Ensign feigns being upset, and tells Lucy that he will try and keep up his spirits. The two hear Sir Anthony approaching, and Lucy hastily leaves. Jack assumes a penitent's pose and begs his father's forgiveness. He has seen the error of his ways and will marry the woman his father has chosen for him regardless of what she looks like. Sir Anthony assures his son that he has picked out only the finest girl for him. Rather than get carried away by his father's description of Lydia, Jack tries to convince him that his only wish is to please his father. After Sir Anthony is gone, Jack is able to celebrate how everything appears to be working out in his favour. He starts off for the Baths, but is stopped as Lydia, O'Trigger, Acres, and Sir Anthony appear in tandem. Jack runs into the Baths, chased by Acres and Sir Anthony. He fears that Lydia may find out his true identity. O'Trigger is knocked over once again by Sir Anthony and chases him once again, set on challenge him to a duel. A confused Lydia can only comment how men do rush about so. The Grenadiers enter and are scandalised by the preceding events, fearing that progress is changing the way people act. At the Baths, Acres climbs into a bath. O'Trigger enters, waving a sword, frightening him. Both men comment how they have not been able to find their man. O'Trigger relates that fighting is the only way for men to survive and that true gentlemen must defend themselves and their honour. This speech successfully eggs Acres on, who is now completely consumed with fury. O'Trigger tries to tell him that these things must be done civilly. He sits Acres down and helps him compose a letter to Beverly where he will challenge him to a duel in King's Mead-Field. Upon completion of the letter, O'Trigger leaves. Jack enters and finds his friend, Acres, very upset. Acres shows him the challenge letter. Jack assures him that he will deliver the letter to Ensign Beverly. Acres admits that, in reality, he is a does not wish to kill the man - just give him a good scare. Sir Anthony then appears and starts to chase his son, but loses him again. The Grenadiers appears once more and Sir Anthony comments to them how he, too, has noticed how times have changed; there is no respect for age, women are now reading, and thinking has become a despicable preferred trend. On a street in Bath, Lucy is discovered in a brand new elegant gown. She parades for the benefit of her peers, the other servants, who stare at her in awe. O'Trigger appears and Lucy gives him a note from his Delilah. He confesses to Lucy that he actually has no money and is looking for a rich wife. He opens the note she has given him, but it is blank. Lucy then knocks him over with a punch. He is rather confused by this and runs off. After he is gone, Lucy realises that O'Trigger is the only man for her, money or no money. The other servants sadly shake their heads disparagingly since he is far above her lowly station. In the Malaprop house, Sir Anthony gives Jack an order to propose to Lydia in less than five minutes, or
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