oswald enters, disguised as a travelling seller of housewares. he is actually john manners's servant, carrying a letter for dorothy. he encounters dorothy's handmaiden, dorcas, and the two servants quickly become enamoured of one another. when dorothy appears, oswald gives her the letter. manners has proposed that they elope, and dorothy must finally decide where her loyalties lie. when manners arrives, dorothy tells him that her father will not allow them to be married unless he forswears his support for the king. manners reiterates that he will not compromise his principles, and dorothy assures him that her love is stronger than ever.