Oliver Goldsmith

Act III, Scene 1. Miss Hardcastle disguises herself as a barmaid to test Marlow, who becomes flirtatiously bold when he believes she is of a lower social class.

Act II, Scene 1. Marlow and Hastings, mistakenly believing they are at an inn rather than a private estate, treat their host Hardcastle with appalling rudeness. They dismiss his elaborate supper menu and insist on inspecting the kitchen and bedrooms, leaving the bewildered Hardcastle to marvel at their 'modern modesty'.

Mrs. Hardcastle deceitfully claims Constance's inheritance is lost, while Tony Lumpkin secretly helps Constance by stealing the jewels back.

A case of mistaken identity reaches a breaking point as Hardcastle attempts to evict Marlow, who still believes the house is a country inn.

Miss Neville desperately tries to distract her aunt while Tony struggles to read a secret letter, leading to a disastrous discovery.

Marlow realizes he has mistaken a private manor for an inn, while Miss Hardcastle maintains her disguise to test his true feelings and social honor.

Hardcastle reveals that Tony has legally come of age, prompting Tony to immediately refuse his arranged marriage to Constance Neville.

An actor mourns the supposed death of the Comic Muse, satirizing the rise of sentimental drama while introducing the play's humorous intent.

Act III, Scene 1. Mr. Hardcastle and his daughter Kate compare their vastly different first impressions of Mr. Marlow, unaware that he behaves differently depending on a woman's social standing. While Hardcastle finds him insufferably impudent, Kate finds him painfully shy, leading them to make a wager on his true character.

Hastings and Constance Neville reunite unexpectedly and plot to elope to France once Constance secures her inherited jewels from her aunt.

Marlow confesses to Hastings his crippling social anxiety around high-society women despite his confidence with women of the lower class.

Act I, Scene 1. Mr. Hardcastle informs his daughter Kate that he has chosen a suitor for her, the son of an old friend. While Kate is initially delighted by the description of the young man's looks and character, she becomes dismayed to learn of his extreme bashfulness and reserve.

Lost and weary travelers Marlow and Hastings are tricked by the mischievous Tony Lumpkin into believing his father's estate is a local inn.