Act 1, Scene 2 Summary

The time is evening of the same day, and the setting is the conservatory in various stages of decoration in preparation for the ball. Madame Desmortes sits in her wheelchair calling for Capulet to wheel her to a different location. Joshua enters, followed soon by Capulet, who has retrieved the guest list for the ball so that Madame Desmortes might inspect it once more.

Madame Desmortes reviews the guest list and laments the lack of control over who attends social events due to so many people always showing up uninvited. Madame Desmortes appeals to Joshua for help in managing the guests at tonight's ball, and she, Capulet and Joshua leave the conservatory.

Hugo and Isabelle enter, and Hugo begins to coach Isabelle on her behavior for the ball. The sounds of the orchestra are heard offstage, and Isabelle reveals her fear...