Benedick tells him that it was cruel to woo Hero and then steal her from Claudio, but Don Pedro denies the accusation. Benedick then complains that Beatrice called him the Prince's jester. Claudio returns with Leonato and Beatrice, the sight of whom causes Benedick to rush away. Don Pedro informs Claudio that he successfully wooed Hero for him and that Leonato has agreed to the marriage between them. Claudio is dumbstruck and does not know what to say.
Hero also remains silent.
After Beatrice leaves, the men decide to set the wedding date in seven days. Don Pedro then hatches a plot to make Beatrice and Benedick fall in love with each other. He asks the others if they will play along and they agree to help him. Don John is furious that everything worked out for Claudio. His friend Borachio informs him that there might be a way to still disrupt the wedding.