At the altar, Claudio publicly denounces Hero as unchaste before the entire wedding party. Don Pedro backs the accusation; Leonato, devastated, turns against his own daughter. Hero collapses. Friar Francis, who has studied Hero's face throughout and believes her innocent, proposes that she be concealed and reported dead — grief may restore Claudio's love and time may bring the truth to light. Alone with Benedick, Beatrice demands he prove his love by challenging Claudio. After a long hesitation, he agrees.