In this short scene, we learn that Petruchio, the prince's father, has left the family and gone to Paris to seek a better position for himself in the world. We learn that the family is planning to reveal the identity of their new daughter-in-law, Silvia, to the world, and that the prince has been secretly working on a plan to help her escape. The father, however, is worried about his daughter's safety, because Silvia is rumored to be in love with the prince. He wants to know what the family's plan is, and whether or not the prince will be able to help Silvia escape. He tells his father that he has come up with a plan that will make it possible for Silvia to escape.