it is dorothy vernon's wedding day. the vernons' maid, dorcas, sings an allegory about "a dainty dormouse" (dorothy) and "a stupid old snail" (rupert), making clear that her sympathies lie with dorothy, who is in love with "a gallant young squirrel" (john manners). sir george, lady vernon, and dorothy enter. sir george urges dorothy to cheer up, so that she will make a good impression on her cousin, rupert. dorothy reminds her father that she loves john manners. sir george replies that manners would be a suitable husband only if he will swear an oath in support of parliament. dorothy knows that manners will never do this, and sir george orders her to marry her cousin. dorothy asks for her mother's support, but lady vernon cannot help her.