Summary

The young people's boat arrives at Hampton Court. They amuse themselves with conversation on petty topics, like parties and love affairs. There is much gossip and many reputations are injured. Belinda plays a game of cards with two of the young men, including the Baron. The game, described as though it were a battle, is eventful. First, Belinda is winning, then the Baron gets the better of her, but finally she wins back her initial bet. Coffee is served, which reminds the Baron of Belinda's curling hair. He takes a pair of scissors from Clarissa and begins to approach the lock. Ariel and the sylphs try to protect her, Ariel entering her brain to find that she actually has feelings for the Baron. A sylph is cut in two when he gets in the way of the scissors to protect Belinda, but is soon...