This scene opens with the Duke of Ailen telling his servant to lock the room and not to tell anyone about what has happened. The Duke tells his servant that he has just killed the Countess and that he wants to see the glowworms. He tells her that he is going south to get some for her. He asks her to take care of the Duke and make sure he is safe. He also tells her to push aside the secret path that leads outside the palace so that he can get away from the Duke