The Rover

Content Warning: This chapter grouping discusses attempted sexual assault.

Alone in a dark room in Don Antonio’s house, Belvile laments his terrible luck. He has lost Florinda and is most likely about to die. He braces himself when Don Antonio enters wearing a nightgown, his arm in a sling, and holding a sword. Instead of fighting, Don Antonio asks what he has done to Belvile to have become his target. He recognizes him from the fight at Angellica’s house. Belvile swears that he only fought to stand by his friend, Willmore. Don Antonio gives Belvile the sword and explains that he has stepped in to save Belvile’s life, as the punishment would have been grave for injuring the viceroy’s son. Belvile realizes with consternation that this is Don Antonio, his adversary for Florinda’s hand.

Don Antonio informs Belvile that he is supposed to fight a duel against a rival for Florinda, not realizing that the masked challenger was Don Pedro, who is a rival for Angellica, but only defending Florinda’s honor. Unhappy about the possibility of yet another rival for Florinda, Belvile agrees to dress in Don Antonio’s clothing and take his place in the duel, hoping to kill the extra competition.