She hastens to Claudio and exhorts him to prepare for
death, since his life can only be purchased by perpetual
shame. At first Claudio commends her decision, but his
fear of death weakens him and he pleads with her to yield
to Angelo and save him. Isabella reproaches him and is
about to leave him when they are interrupted by the Duke
in his friar's garb. He has overheard their entire conver-
sation and he now shows Isabella a way of saving her
brother without sacrificing her honor: she is to pretend to
yield to the entreaties of Angelo, to make an assignation
with him, and then to send in her place Mariana, a young
gentlewoman who had been promised in marriage to
Angelo and whom he had deserted on the loss of her dowry.

Mariana consents to the enterprise. But Angelo does
not keep his part of the agreement, for as soon as he has
had his will with the supposed Isabella, he orders the im-
mediate execution of Claudio. The provost of the prison
on the disguised Duke's persuasion, sends to Angelo the
head of another man who had just died a natural death in
the prison and who resembled Claudio. The Duke then
writes the deputy that he will soon return home.

Angelo and the court officials meet the Duke at the
city gates. Mariana and Isabella are also there, and the
latter calls upon the Duke to redress her wrongs, openly
accusing the deputy of being a virgin-violator and a mur-
derer. In feigned anger the Duke orders her under ar-
rest. Mariana now comes forward with her accusations.
The Duke leaves the inquiry in Angelo's hand and he him-
self retires to don his friar's habit that he may be called
as a witness in the examination of the two women. Dur-
ing the sessions, the Duke reveals himself. He orders

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