Clélia forestalls betrothal to a rich courtier until her father threatens to send her to a convent. Although she reasons that Fabrizio’s attentions stem from boredom, she remains in Parma in order to be near him. Clélia’s suitor, the Marchese Crescenzi, sends an orchestra to serenade her, but while Fabrizio enjoys the music Clélia despairs over this public announcement of engagement. She ceases communications with Fabrizio until alerting him to a plot to poison him. Fabrizio takes advantage of Clélia’s anxiety to confess his love and advance their intimacy, which Clélia resists.

Mosca and Gina continue their efforts to outwit the Prince in his crusade to execute Fabrizio. Mosca understands that if Fabrizio dies, it will be rumored that his own jealousy was involved. After five months in prison, Fabrizio finally notices a light flashing in the distance like a code. He discerns a message from Gina, who shares her plan of escape. Fabrizio bemoans the prospect of leaving Clélia, who is alarmed and sends him a letter in which she regrets her part in risking his life. Fabrizio uses the opportunity to propose a meeting but rejects the prospect of a free life away from Clélia: “What would salon conversation be, compared to the words they were exchanging with their alphabets?” (404).