As a storm rages outside the old Collins mansion, Victoria returns from an errand and muses to herself how much she dreads tonight. Due to her future knowledge, she knows why Jeremiah Collins and Josette du Prés have run off together. She is startled by Countess Natalie du Prés, who continues to act suspicious toward the innocent governess. Natalie openly accuses Victoria of having foreknowledge of the events taking place. But Victoria denies this, and she hurries upstairs. Natalie, however, determines to seek the truth.