The second act opens at Castle Adamant, and presents the pupils of the university in discourse with Lady Psyche, Professor of Humanities and Lady Blanche, Professor of Abstract Sciences, who is ambitious to gain control of the institution. Hilarion and his two friends scale the walls and enter the grounds. Finding some academic robes, they disguise themselves as girls. They meet the Princess and explain to her that they wish to enter the university, to which she gives her consent. The deception is successfully kept up by the three men until at luncheon, Cyril becomes tipsy and discloses Hilarion's identity. Ida, horrified, tries to escape from the presence of the men and falls into a stream, from which she is rescued by Hilarion. In spite of the rescue, she orders the arrest of the three men. At that moment, Melissa announces the advent of King Hildebrand with his army. The soldiers pour into the garden, led by Hildebrand, and the curtain falls with the Princess hurling defiance at them.

At the opening of the third act, Ida and her maidens are preparing to defend themselves. The maidens' courage ebbs, however, and finally Ida is left alone. Her father arrives at this juncture with a message from Hildebrand to the effect that he is loathe to war with women. He suggests that the Princess should allow the question of her submission to be decided by a fight between Gama's three sons and Hilarion, Cyril and Florian. In the contest, the three brothers are defeated. Ida yields to Hilarion and the headship of the university passes to Lady Blanche.