Scene i Summary

The second act opens with Sir Peter and Lady Teazle arguing. She hounds him about everything she needs to buy to be considered a woman of fashion. Lady Teazle jokes about his advanced age and says if he wanted to control someone, he should’ve adopted her (like Maria) rather than married her. Sir Peter brings up his lady’s past as “the daughter of a plain country squire” responsible for all sorts of domestic work. He thinks it absurd that she doesn’t appreciate her wealth and always asks for more, given that she came from basically nothing.

Lady Teazle asks if they are done with their “daily jangle,” referring to their frequent ritual of bickering, saying she has to go to dinner at Lady Sneerwell’s home. Sir Peter insults Sneerwell’s set, but his wife admires their “tenaci[ty] of reputation.” When he disapproves of their gossip, the lady asks if he is trying to take away their freedom of speech. This convinces Sir Peter that his wife is just like Lady Sneerwell and her friends. Lady Teazle reminds her husband that he promised to come to the dinner, and he says he’ll come, but only so he can know what people are saying about him.

Scene ii Summary

Mrs. Candour, Crabtree, Backbite, and Surface are gathered at Lady Sneerwell’s house for dinner. The scene opens with the others asking Backbite to share his witty epigram. He reads a basic four-line poem about the two ponies hauling Lady Curricle’s carriage, but Crabtree talks up the impressive task, as he wrote the lines quickly while on horseback. 

Maria and Lady Teazle arrive, and Maria must immediately agree to play cards with Joseph Surface. Meanwhile, Lady Teazle wonders why Joseph would join Maria when she expected him to want to speak to her before Sir Peter gets there.

When Lady Teazle joins in with the general gossip, Mrs. Candour tells her the others won’t agree that Miss Vermillion is attractive. Lady Teazle remarks that her handsome appearance is only due to her make-up. The company debates how women do or don’t “repair the ravages of time” by manipulating their appearances. When Lady Sneerwell points out the severity of Lady Teazle’s comments, the latter replies that it’s a duty to be honest with friends.

Sir Peter arrives, and Mrs. Candour reveals that his wife has been especially harsh in her gossip. He is shocked when both the men and women speak ill of Miss Sallow, “a near relation” of Mrs. Candour. They proceed to ridicule the features of a Miss Ogle, and Sir Peter is again amazed to hear that she is someone they regularly dine with. 

Lady Teazle starts joking about how her husband would make spreading scandal illegal in Parliament. Sir Teazle soon decides to leave, and though Backbite mentions how “strange” he is, Lady Teazle is ready to move on, and they join the others.

Joseph tells Maria he doesn’t want to be part of this company anymore, and she agrees. He brings up his feelings for Maria, and she is distraught that he is “renewing the subject.” She remarks that she wouldn’t part from Charles just because Joseph disapproves of his conduct. 

Lady Teazle walks in on their conversation, hoping to start rumors about Joseph being her lover. She claims she would never actually be unfaithful to Sir Peter. The scene ends with Joseph lamenting that his pretending to have strong moral character has only dragged him “into so many cursed rogueries.” He is sure his true character will eventually “be exposed.”

Scene iii Summary

Rowley welcomes Sir...