 But her feelings of relief are not shared by her father, the duke, who dreads above all things being called upon to rule over such an unstable country as Cadonia.Act 2 – The Palace of the King of Cadonia

Alexis, still disguised, infiltrates the murderous conspirators, the chief of whom is posing as head gardener to the duke.He wins the favourable opinion of the conspirators, so that when his true identity is finally revealed, they acknowledge that, at last, Cadonia has been fortunate enough to secure a monarch who may be trusted to rule his people discreetly and bravely.