The Governor has not been carrying on a secret dalliance with best friend's wife, regardless of how matters appear. No matter, best friend Renato is convinced, and there's no talking him out of it. The truth will be unmasked at the Ball.
The original story of the little mermaid. She is in love with a human and makes a deal with a witch to be able to be human. The deal is she has to convince him that she is his love but she has to give up Her voice to become human.