Act 1, Scene 2 Summary

Scene 2 takes place in a dressing room in the home of Lydia's aunt, Mrs. Malaprop. Lucy has just returned from making the rounds of lending libraries to get Lydia a fresh supply of romance novels. Lucy was unable to find many of the titles her mistress requested such as "The Fatal Connexion" or "The Mistakes of the Heart." Lucy has returned, however, with several volumes including "The Tears of Sensibility."

Lydia is surprised by the arrival of her cousin Julia who has come to Bath with her guardian, Sir Anthony Absolute. Lydia and Julia have been corresponding about their love interests and now Lydia tells Julia that she has lost her Beverly. Mrs. Malaprop intercepted a note being passed between the two lovers and has forbidden Lydia from seeing Ensign Beverly again.

To make matters worse, right before Mrs. Malaprop discovered...