An Account of the Beautiful Dorothea's Discretion, with Other Pleasant Passages.
Cardenio identifies himself as Lucinda's betrothed, and he vows to protect Dorothea and to brave any hazard in order to see her righted by Don Ferdinand. The curate now tells them why he and the barber happen to be in the mountains, and all agree that Don Quixote should be cured of his strange madness. Dorothea offers to play the part of the distressed damsel, saying she is familiar with books of chivalry and understands how to act.
Sancho returns, delighted to find that the maiden in distress is a princess who will, no doubt, marry his master. Don Quixote, who will rule her kingdom, will then reward his squire with an earldom. They soon arrive at the knight's retreat, and Dorothea throws herself at his feet and begs his services. The knight promises immediately to help her and not engage in any other adventures until he has rescued her kingdom. The entire party, including Cardenio, the curate, the barber, and Dorothea, now leads the knight and squire in the direction of Don Quixote's village.
