Act 2, Scene 3: "Leonato's Orchard"
Benedick enters Leonato's orchard alone ranting about the horrors of marriage. Again, he self proclaims that no woman has all virtues of importance, beauty, intelligence, humor, virtue, and wealth in one package. He sees Don Pedro, Claudio, Balthazar, and Leonato enter the orchard and hides so they won't see him. Don Pedro tells Balthazar to play music. As the music plays, Don Pedro, Claudio, and Leonato begin to discuss Beatrice's love for Benedick. Hiding aside, Benedick is shocked to learn of such news. Leonato certifies the information by saying that his daughter tells him that this news is true. Beatrice supposedly lies awake at nights yearning for Benedick, but will not tell a soul of her feelings.
She would rather die than tell him how she feels and she will die if he knows how she feels. Don Pedro and Claudio feel sorry for her. Benedick would think Don Pedro and Claudio were playing a trick on him, except for the fact that he believes the white-bearded man, Leonato. Once the men have done their damage to Benedick's heart, they leave for dinner. Benedick is left alone pondering his feelings for Beatrice. He realizes that she is everything that he wants and will fall in love with her. "When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I should live till I were married" Act 2, Scene 3, lines 263-264. The men send Beatrice to get Benedick for dinner. He is love-struck and analyzes every word that comes from her mouth. She is still unscathed and dislikes Benedick.
