Part 2, Act 1, Scenes 1-8 Summary

Scene 1. The company recounts the action that took place in the previous play.

Scene 2. At the theatre in Portsmouth, the Crummles Company has just finished another successful performance. One of the senior actors, Folair, takes Nicholas aside and expresses his curiosity about his and Smike's true origins and names. Before Nicholas can answer, Folair tells him that Mr. Lenville, another senior actor, is concerned that he's not getting the applause he used to since Nicholas arrived. Lenville announces his intention to "pull Nicholas' nose" before the entire company, but before he can do so Nicholas knocks him to the floor and demands that he apologize, which Lenville reluctantly does. As the rest of the company leaves, Nicholas confesses to Smike that he's anxious about Kate, and wishes he were at home.

Scene 3. Sir Mulberry Hawk and Lord...