In his castle, Otrante attempts to seduce Florimel, blustering and threatening — but Florimel stands on her virtue and resists him. He wants her to be his mistress; she suggests marriage, which he firmly rejects — the social gap between them is an insuperable barrier for him. Otrante does not quite have the will to rape her; and when she pleads for a day to consider her situation, he agrees. To soften her will, he tries some psychological manipulation: he has his servants treat her contemptuously, then intercedes as though he is concerned for her feelings. When the next day comes, Florimel turns the tables on Otrante, pretending to a lustful temperament and broad sexual experience. Otrante, who pictured himself ravishing a virgin, loses his appetite for her.