laughing at his ridiculous outfit until he is gone, he heads off to the senate. Viola re-enters carrying the key to the closet. George tells her that Candido has just left, dressed like a lunatic. Viola is amazed that Candido was not vexed by her trick. She instructs George to dress in Candido's robe, hat, chain of office, etc.--a "joke" to surprise Candido when he gets home. George worries that Candido will be angered by the "joke," but Viola forces him to go along with her plan. Scene 8: Mistress Fingerlock's brothel Roger tells Mistress Fingerlock that Bellafront has given up prostitution. Mistress Fingerlock is shocked and annoyed to hear this news. Bellafront enters. Mistress Fingerlock tells her that a very fine, gentlemanly customer has come to her brothel—a business opportunity that Bellafront would be foolish to pass up. Bellafront heaps abuse on Roger and Fingerlock, swears she will never return to prostitution, and exits. Fingerlock and Roger fret about the money they will lose with Bellafront out of the picture. Scene 9: Bellafront's room Bellafront writes a song for Hippolito about her determination to quit prostitution. Matteo, Castruccio, Fluello and Pioratto enter and scold her for failing to show up for the dinner date they arranged in Scene Six. Bellafront tells them that she has given up prostitution and asks them to leave. In a speech reminiscent of Hippolito's in Scene Six, she encourages the gallants to forsake prostitutes. Speaking aside, Matteo guesses that Bellafront is only pretending to hate prostitution so she can get rid of the others and devote herself to Matteo exclusively. Offended by Bellafront's admonitions, Fluello draws his sword. Matteo rises to Bellafront's defense. Postponing any violence for the time being, they agree to fight at some point in the near future. Castruccio, Fluello and Pioratto exit. Matteo congratulates Bellafront on successfully fooling the gallants. Bellafront assures him that she is serious about quitting prostitution and asks him to leave. Matteo is shocked. Bellafront continues preaching against prostitution and Matteo eventually exits. Scene 10: Hippolito's room Hippolito shuts himself away in his room in order to keep his vow to stay away from women and remain true to Infelice. He orders his servant to make sure that all women are kept away from the room. The servant exits. Hippolito delivers an elegiac speech as he contemplates a portrait of Infelice. Setting the portrait aside, he