Aurora still holds sway, however, and provokes his jealousy by singing a pasacalle with some street musicians who have arrived for the Carnival. The scene changes to an esplanade alongside the Canal, next to a tavern. Cardona appears disguised as a pretty woman. Fending off several male admirers, he rues this ploy to get close to the girls without attracting suspicion. Fernando tells Aurora that she no longer has any power over him, much to the actress' chagrin.
Carnival revellers arrive and an impromptu dance is arranged.
Aurora enrages Lorenzo by trying to push Fernando into dancing a mazurka with her. Francisquita artfully provokes him into accepting, but his father jealously intervenes and asks La Beltrana to dance with him instead. This in turn provokes Lorenzo to fight, but the older man easily defeats him, graciously defusing the situation before leading Aurora in the dance. Francisquita is finally free to dance with Fernando and the act ends in general dancing and festivity. Act III, scene i.