After nine years of marriage, Nikhil has many fond memories to recall, comparing the anniversaries he and Bimala shared to the Biblical Adam and Eve. Their marriage now contrasts those nostalgic moments. Their house is “silent” and tense. Nikhil considers “freeing” Bimala so that they can, as individuals, achieve true liberty. Possessing his wife in marriage limits them both. However, upon seeing Bimala’s possessions in the bedroom, Nikhil is struck with love for her.

A poor neighbor, Panchu, brings Nikhil some cocoa nuts. When Nikhil tries to pay, Panchu refuses, claiming to be making amends after stealing nuts from Nikhil’s property in the past. The interaction leads Nikhil to realize his marital problems are relatively small.

Nikhil describes Panchu’s struggles to consistently feed his family. When Nikhil suggests giving Panchu charity, Chandarath explains that helping one man does not fix a damaged system on the national level.

Bimala comments on the energy behind Swadeshi, adding that Sandip’s arrival and the timeliness of the movement’s mission must be supernaturally ordained. Sandip and Nikhil argue over whether the Cause is blessed by the divine. Nikhil asserts that the passion of people like Sandip and Bimala is not enough to make Swadeshi successful. Irritated, Nikhil leaves the room.

Bimala analyzes her own susceptibility to the rhetoric of the Cause. She was never one to be carried away by “stormy passion” and wonders to what extent she controls her fate. Simultaneously, she recognizes she has “lost [her] home” as a result of her devotion to Swadeshi, and to Sandip.

Thinking back to Sandip’s arrival, Bimala reflects on how Nikhil’s estate had been the only one where residents continued to use foreign products. As Nikhil shifted to Indian-made goods, though, the home looked less impressive to Bimala. 

Bara Rani tries to win Nikhil’s favor by praising goods like Indian-made soaps, but Bimala believes she does this to mock Bimala’s attachment to foreign luxuries. Bara Rani admits she only says such things to Nikhil because they make him happy; she does not share his values.

Sandip tries to rid the local markets of European goods. Nikhil does not bow to Sandip’s “coercion,” so Bimala agrees to try to use his love for her to gain power over Nikhil. 

 Nikhil reports that Panchu’s wife died of consumption and is outraged to learn of the cost of the purification rites Panchu must undergo. Panchu distracts himself from his and his children’s starvation by devoting himself to an ascetic. 

Chandarath takes Panchu’s children in, caring for them until Panchu returns. The teacher loans Panchu money and tells him to peddle wares at the market and pay him back gradually.

 A group of Swadeshi devotees approach Nikhil and tell him to remove foreign goods from the markets, but he refuses. Chandarath tries to explain to the young men that not everyone has the privilege to abide by the Cause’s new expectations. They question Chandarath’s devotion, but he claims he would give his life for his country. The men grill Nikhil on what he is doing to benefit homegrown industries, believing Nikhil cares more about profits than the Cause.