The scene opens in the yard of the palace of the Duke of Guise, where Guise's wife is crying out for him to come and see her. She says that if he does not come, she will kill herself. Guise says that he will come back soon. He tells Guise that his wife is pestering him and that the Duke has told him not to come. He says that Guise behaves hysterically when he is ill, and that he has invited Guise to his house many times. He complains that he cannot sleep or eat because of his wife's body, and he says that since he has been put to death, he has repented of his mistakes. He asks Guise not to behave jealously, as he is making him embarrassed. The next day, Guise asks how he should plan his trip to the Northland. He sends a letter to his wife, telling her to be kind and tender.