Love in Excess

Melliora blocks the door to her room so that D’elmont can’t get in. When she hears him struggling with the door, she begins to second-guess her decision. D’elmont eventually leaves without accessing Melliora’s room. The next day, Alovisa rages at her husband, accusing him of rejecting her and loving someone else. Alovisa also finds a letter that D’elmont has written, revealing that the object of his desire is not Melantha—this information makes Alovisa even more angry and suspicious.

Baron D’espernay arrives at the house and comes upon Alovisa, who is clearly angry and upset. He is pleased that Alovisa is growing angrier with her husband because he wants to seduce her himself. However, when Alovisa tries to pressure D’espernay to tell her who her husband is in love with, D’espernay refuses to betray his friend. D’espernay eventually promises to arrange for Alovisa to witness her husband with her rival.

D'espernay goes to D’elmont and reassures him that he will still be able to have sex with Melliora. D’espernay is going to throw a party at his home. After the party, the guests will end up spending the night, and D’espernay will arrange for Melliora to sleep in a room that D’elmont will be able to access.