A woman begs her darling to accompany her for a homecoming because her stepmother and sister will insult her; he must attend court but promises to fetch her afterward, and she worries she may have walked into a plan. At court, the ruler issues a lavish decree rewarding Consort Weston with gold, silver, pearls, ivory scepters, fine silk and six chests of rare dye. An official objects that only six chests were offered and rules forbid giving them all. The ruler snaps, “my rule is the only rule.” Florence will be overjoyed, leaving palace favor and the homecoming unsettled.