Pinkerton is touched by her grief and makes tender love to her, gently persuading her to come into the house with him. Three years pass, during which time Butterfly hears nothing of her husband. However she is still faithful and refuses the advances of a rich suitor, Prince Yamadori. She dreams of Pinkerton's return and is so sure that he will. Sharpless, with a letter from Pinkerton, tries to persuade her to give up on her husband to which she responds angrily, showing him her child by Pinkerton.
Butterfly is ecstatic.
She and her maid Suzuki take all the flowers from the garden and scatter them around the house to welcome back its' master. Night passes, Butterfly waits up. He does not come. When he sees the house full of flowers Pinkerton runs away in shame. Kate asks Suzuki to persuade Butterfly to let her take the child away.