Mary is delighted when Edmund agrees to act in the play. Mrs. Grant assents to playing the Cottager’s Wife, while Fanny feels isolated and miserable. She sees the same emotions in Julia, who flirts with Mr. Yates while resentfully watching rehearsals. Mrs. Grant is concerned by Henry’s lack of interest in Julia and his flirtations with Maria. She suggests that, once the play is over, she and Mary must convince Henry to stay away from Maria. Mary believes that Sir Thomas’s return will likely resolve the situation.

A stage is built in the billiards room, and the theatricals overflow into Sir Thomas’s study. As rehearsals progress, tensions rise among the actors. Edmund worries about the increasing expense of the play as Tom hires a scene painter, and they all criticize one another’s acting abilities. Fanny is often the only observer of Henry and Maria’s intimate scenes, which they rehearse frequently. Mr. Rushworth becomes increasingly jealous and struggles to remember his lines. Fanny prompts and encourages him, but his acting does not improve.

Mary visits Fanny in the east room, claiming she is nervous about her love scene with Edmund. Fanny reluctantly agrees to rehearse with her.