Hope and Esther talk in private. Hope asks why Esther never told her that she had seen Everell before. Esther tells her the story. She had been nineteen when Everell came to stay with them for two months. Her father, Emanuel Downing, was Governor Winthrop’s brother-in-law. Esther quickly became infatuated with Everell, but did not tell him her feelings. Later, afflicted by a strange illness and reduced to what they all believed would be her deathbed, she asked Everell to visit her. She laid bare her feelings, thinking of her loving words as a deathbed confession. Then she began to recover. Everell left during her convalescence. The following autumn she came to Boston, where she met Hope and listened to her talk endlessly of Everell. Hope assures her that there is nothing to fear, and she does not blame her for keeping her feelings secret.

Jennet enters and tells them that Philip Gardiner will dine with them that night. They go down to dinner, where Everell is also waiting for them. 

Governor Winthrop comes down to dinner, attended by four Indians. Everell Is startled. They are the first Indians he has seen since returning. The guests make small talk.