Milord’s opening gambit is to send Arlecchino, who works at the inn, to the widow’s apartment with the gift of a ring and a generous offer – he will deign to stop by and drink hot chocolate with her.

Arlecchino arrives just as the widow Rosaura, whose flirty maid Marionette has been offering her tips on make-up and the advantages of a French husband, finishes her dressing.

Pointed to the gardens beside a lake, Le Bleau hides in the shrubbery and begins his seduction by playing the flute; having attracted her attention he flatters her beauty and her style before floridly declaring his love for her.

Back at the café, each of the men receive via their lackeys, signs of encouragement from Rosaura, though Arlecchino mistakenly mixes up the letters for Don Alvaro and Le Bleau.

Back at the café on the square Don Alvaro and Le Bleau are reading the letters from Rosaura that Arlecchino had mixed up the previous day.

Arlecchino, still angry that neither man paid for his service walks up to the table and, saying “with your permission, gentlemen” takes the two letters and gives each to its correct recipient before bowing and retreating.

The two noblemen now realise they are rivals for Rosaura and challenge each other to a duel but while Don Alvaro marches off, sword drawn, Le Bleau stays behind, distracted by a gaggle of pretty maids one of whom he follows out of the square.

Then, pointing to the four men she reveals the duplicity of Milord, Le Bleau and Don Alvaro, returning publicly to each, the token they had given her, before declaring she will marry The Count.