Merione is nursed by Beliza, with the aid of Leonidas and Agenor. Theander and his supporters confront and insult Euphanes and his friends; Euphanes is restrained in his reaction, but the Queen learns about the matter and reproves her son. She orders Theander to take a casket of jewels to Euphanes as a present; Theander instead sends the casket by an anonymous messenger, and adds to it a ring that he took from Merione on the night of the rape. Euphanes gives the ring to Beliza. When Merione sees it on Beliza's hand and instantly recognizes it, Agenor and Leonidas conclude that Euphanes is the rapist. They take an unorthodox approach to their quest for revenge, however: believing that they cannot gain access to Euphanes directly, they seize Theander as a hostage and take refuge in the city's fortress. They demand Euphanes in exchange for Theander.