Page "A Little Night Music" Paragraph 6

Charlotte visits Anne, who is talking with Petra.

Charlotte describes Fredrik's meeting with Desiree ; Anne reacts with shock and horror.

The older woman explains to Anne that such is the lot of a wife, and that marriage brings pain (" Every Day A Little Death ").

Meanwhile, Desiree asks Madame Armfeldt to host a party for Fredrik, Anne, and Henrik.

Though reluctant, Madame Armfeldt agrees.

She sends out a personal invitation ; its receipt sends the women into a frenzy, imagining " A Weekend in the Country ".

Anne does not want to accept the invitation, but Charlotte convinces her to do so to heighten the contrast between the older woman and the young teenager.

Meanwhile, the Count has plans of his own — as a birthday present to his wife, the pair will attend the party uninvited.

Carl-Magnus plans to challenge Fredrik to a duel, while Charlotte hopes to seduce the lawyer to make her husband jealous and end his philandering.

The day of the party dawns.