In act 2, Elizabeth learns that her name was mentioned in Salem's court, and she immediately recognizes that Abigail Williams wants her dead. Elizabeth understands Abigail's primary goal and encourages John to speak to her. When John tells Elizabeth that he has nothing to say to Abigail, she mentions that he has a "faulty understanding of young girls" and says that there is a "promise made in bed." The promise Elizabeth refers to is one of love, and she attempts to explain to John that his affair with Abigail was much more than physical for Abigail.

From John's perspective, his affair with Abigail was purely physical, and he never developed a strong emotional attachment to her. However, Elizabeth understands the way young women feel and knows that Abigail fell in love with John. For young women like Abigail, sex is much more than just a physical act, and there are always strings attached. Essentially, the promise made in bed is one of love and affection, which is something Abigail has not forgotten. After sleeping with John, Abigail believed that he sincerely loved her and was heartbroken when he ended their affair. While John experiences guilt and remorse for his actions, Abigail continues to yearn for him and is willing to kill Elizabeth to have John to herself.