Act II. The scene is the interior of a round tower in the fortified

castle of the Malatestas. The summit of the tower is crowned with engines of war and arms. There are heavy cross-bows, ballistas, a catapult, and other mediæval machinery of battle. The castle is a stronghold of the Guelfs. In the distance, beyond the city of Rimini, are seen the battlements of the highest Ghibelline Tower. A narrow fortified window looks out on the Adriatic.

Soon after the act opens, an attack takes place. The battle rages. Amid all this distracting, and therefore futile tumult, occurs the first meeting between _Francesca_ and _Paolo_, since the marriage into which she was tricked. Their love is obvious enough. _Paolo_ despairingly seeks death, to which _Francesca_ also exposes herself by remaining on the platform of the tower during the combat. The relation between these two principal characters of the opera is clearly enough set forth, and the impression made by it would be forcible, were not attention distracted by the fiercely raging mediæval combat.

The Malatestas are victorious. The attacking foes are driven off. _Gianciotto_ comes upon the platform and brings news to _Paolo_ of his election as Captain of the people and Commune of Florence, for which city _Paolo_ departs.