While making his way to the Vivaldi palace, Schedoni rehearses every argument to urge the marchesa’s consent to the nuptials. As he reaches the palace, he is informed that she is staying at one of her villas on the bay.

When Schedoni enters, the marchesa nervously asks if he has resolved the issues they discussed previously. The marchesa is clearly disappointed when she gleans that the murder of Ellena has not taken place. Schedoni explains the discovery of Ellena’s noble lineage without letting on that Ellena is his daughter (as he believes). He begs her to approve of Vivaldi’s choice while mildly reproving her for prejudice and resentment.

As he converses with the marchesa, it becomes clear that neither she nor her husband has paid great attention to their son’s disappearance. At one point, the marchesa complains that Ellena’s sojourn at the Santa della Pieta is an impractical one with its proximity to the Vivaldi palace. Schedoni is shocked, since he has not mentioned this to the marchesa, telling her that he has sent Ellena far from Naples and making up a fictitious name for the convent.

Upon leaving her villa, Schedoni decides never to renew the conversation with the marchesa and to solemnize Vivaldi’s and Ellena’s vows secretly.

In turn, disappointed and shocked, the marchesa decides to withdraw her confidence from Schedoni, but without letting him know, while pretending to drop her opposition against Ellena.