Mr. Hardcastle instructs his servants on how to behave towards their guests. Most of them are not aware of proper behavior, being lower-class workers taken from their usual jobs at the stables or farms. Marlow and Hastings arrive at the house, still believing it to be an inn. Hastings mentions that Marlow is known to have problems talking to women of high social status, while he is very flirtatious and bold with lower-class women. Marlow admits that he becomes very nervous around women whom he actually admires due to his lack of experience interacting with them, which is why he would prefer to marry with no courtship. He tells Hastings that he is lucky that Constance and her late father both approved of him.

The men are welcomed into the house by Mr. Hardcastle, who attempts to tell them old war stories. However, Marlow and Hastings interrupt and ignore Mr. Hardcastle, whom they still presume to be an innkeeper. They demand punch and ask to change the dinner menu, which shocks Mr. Hardcastle. He thinks they are extremely impudent, ascribing their rude behavior to modern manners, while Marlow and Hastings are perplexed by Mr. Hardcastle's strange over-familiarity and talkativeness.