Sibyl Chase, a 23-year-old newlywed on her honeymoon, gleefully admires the seaside view from her upscale hotel terrace in Deauville, France. Behind her, French windows lead to two adjacent suites that share the terrace, a space divided by a wall of potted trees with a balustrade down-stage. Her 30-year-old husband, Elyot, enters from the suite on the right. Sibyl slips her arm through his and points out a yacht’s glistening lights on the evening water, expressing her complete happiness. 

Sibyl tells Elyot not to downplay her enthusiasm just because this is his second honeymoon. Elyot becomes annoyed with the mention of his ex-wife, Amanda, whom he divorced five years ago. Sibyl apologizes but continues to ask him to compare her to Amanda, prompting Elyot to playfully mock that his ex was prettier, a better dancer, and had a better mother. 

Sibyl declares that she would never make Elyot miserable and blames Amanda for being volatile and unfaithful. Elyot responds that he and his ex-wife were both responsible for their marriage’s demise and that he had been the unfaithful one. He adds that Amanda had some good qualities but seemed destined for tragedy. Elyot assures Sibyl that he loves her more wisely and without the dramas of his first marriage.