It's been a long time since we've seen the Duke, and now he's back on stage. He's in the middle of a conversation with the Governess, who's trying to get him to pay attention to her. The Governess tells him that she's already noticed that the Duchess is carrying a snake in her pouch, and she wants to know what's going on. The Duchess says that the snake is a witch's gift from the lower class, and that she was raised with snakes, ants, and mice. She wants to find out why the Duchess has brought a snake to her banquet, and then she'll be able to figure out what the Duchess's plan is. The nanny tells the Duchess to open her pouch and see what'll happen. She'll find out that the lady in question has fainted, and the Duchess needs to hurry up and call the doctor.