We begin now after Columbine has consulted her conjuror and has sent for Trivelino. Trivelino's banter reveals to us Columbine's instructions to him to come to her this night, a very dark night, by climbing up a trellis to the darkest most secret window in the house.
The darkness of course serves to complicate Trivelino's task as he ascends the trellis. He cannot see and must feel his way, ever bantering and complaining while Columbine scolds him to be quiet and refuses to show a light. When he reaches the window Columbine quickly tells Trivelino that Arliquin must meet her tomorrow by the river, where Columbine will instruct him in everything that must be done to win Isabella. For Columbine's uncle has supplied her with the means to defeat both Il Capitano and Il Dottore.
Trivelino now has to make his descent, but begs a light and if not a light, a kiss for good luck. Columbine says she cannot possibly bring a light and accuses him of exagerating the darkness, as by now surely his eyes have adjusted for the darkness some. Trivelino insists this is not true, for surprisingly his eyes are poor for dealing with the night. Columbine tests this by having him try to guess how many fingers she holds up. Soon finding this amusing, she makes various offers should he guess the right number. She even teases him by pretending to expose her bosom which of course he cannot see. In the end she consents to allowing him one kiss on her fair cheek, but offers her rump out the window instead.
Unseeing, Trivelino suspects nothing, but when Columbine next speaks he is surprised because her voice comes from too far above. Columbine quickly reminds him that her uncle is a conjuror, telling Trivelino that she has the art of projecting her voice so as to make puppets seem to speak. Columbine even brags that she can be heard clearly while drinking or kissing on the lips.
Seeing in this an opportunity, Trivelino dares Columbine to prove her claim by speaking while he kisses her on the lips. Columbine takes the dare but again offers the unseeing Trivelino her rump, and while Trivelino is passionately engaged she maintains a steady chatter, encouraging, directing, complementing and all the while mocking Trivelino, who remains in the dark until Columbine is at last through with her game.
Trivelino again begs a light and Columbine again refuses it but agrees to make his descent easier by providing a rope for him to climb down. Trivelino must make no notice of having finished his descent but instead Columbine will return in a short time to pull back up the rope.
Once Trivelino has descended he is accosted by Il Dottore. Trivelino talks to him cunningly, fabricating a tale of his mission from Isabella to seek out Il Dottori himself. Trivelino explains how Isabella, moved by a stirring romance, had sworn to only marry a man who stole her from her father's house. For this reason only had she been hesitant to marry her good friend Il Dottori. Now Trivelino was sent to seek the lover out and guide him to a rope provided to bring him to his love. Il Dottori has only to act in order to win her hand.
Il Dottori falls for the cunning words of Trivelino and begins the climb, on which Trivelino hurries to betray him. Going around to the front door he plans on warning Columbine of the coming intruder. But as Trivelino knocks, up comes Il Capitano. Just as Columbine opens the door, he accosts Trivelino, accusing him of some conspiracy on Arliquin's behalf.
Trivelino is more than ready with his explanations, for he has seen thieves climbing up a rope to a window in the house. Il Capitano is just in time, for if he hurries he can cut them hoff when they are still vulnerable.
Ordering Columbine to bring a light, Il Capitano springs to action. Just as Il Dottori is reaching the window, loudly exclaiming his love and passion, Il Capitano draws his sword and cuts the rope. As Il Dottori thus dramatically descends, so ends this scene.
scene iv the river