Bellmour is in love with Celinda, and they are secretly
betrothed. However, Celinda's parents intend her to marry Sir Timothy Tawdrey, a
fop. Lord Plotwell, who is Bellmour's uncle and guardian, forces him to marry Diana. Bellmour refuses to consummate his marriage to Diana, and tells her that he cannot love her. An angry Diana tries to seduce Celinda (whilst Celinda is in male disguise). She then turns her attention to Friendlove (Celinda's brother), who agrees to kill Bellmour for her. A despairing Bellmour falls into debauchery, and visits a
bagnio with Tawdrey. They meet Betty Flauntit (Tawdrey's mistress) and other women there. Lord Plotwell receives a letter from Diana begging for her marriage to be
annulled. Diana and Bellmour's marriage is dissolved, and Plotwell reconciles with Bellmour (who has now reformed). Diana agrees to marry Friendlove, and Bellmour is now free to marry Celinda. In a subplot, Tawdrey plots to revenge himself upon Bellmour by using a mock marriage to trick his sister (Phillis) into having sex with him. However, their 'fake' marriage ceremony in fact turns out to be fully legal. == Reception ==