Bimala knows Nikhil puts aside six thousand rupees each year for Bara Rani. Currently, the gold is not in the bank yet. She also knows her husband keeps the key to his safe in his pants pocket when he undresses for the night. Bimala unlocks the safe and takes the gold. To assuage her guilt, she reminds herself that she acts in the service of her motherland.

Wracked with guilt, Bimala spends the night on the terrace. In the morning, she walks toward her bedroom and passes Bara Rani, who says the Swadeshi supporters have threatened to rob the treasury.

Sandip demands the money, and Bimala is terrified it is not enough. Sandip approaches her, but she pushes him away, and he hits his head. Amulya bows to Bimala as Sandip returns to the table and announces that Bimala has offered six thousand rupees.

Sandip and Amulya proclaim the generosity and divinity of women, and Sandip reveals that he was trying to approach Bimala with reverence before she pushed him. Bimala feels she misunderstood the impassioned look in his eyes. Just as quickly as he lost it, Sandip wins back Bimala’s and Amulya’s loyalty.

One night at dinner, Bara Rani brings up the threats to the treasury, worried her annual gift will not make it to the bank. Nikhil laughs her worries off, as the money is in his safe. Bara Rani notices Bimala’s silence—readers know she is crushed with guilt and anxiety.

Bimala takes her jewels to Bara Rani and offers them as “security” but is refused. Bimala asks Amulya to “sell or pawn” the jewels to make up for the stolen money. Amulya reports that he quarreled with Sandip over using the stolen money, but Sandip justified the crime for the greater good of the Cause. 

Sandip returns, but Bimala ignores him, telling Amulya not to reveal the sale of the jewels. When she briefly speaks with Sandip, he goads her relationship with Amulya, warning that the boy is loyal to him. Bimala tries to escape Sandip’s company, but he restrains her; only when he hears Nikhil approaching does he let her go.

Nikhil cautions Sandip about threats against him by the Muslims but does not advise Sandip how to act. He does, however, ask Sandip to leave, saying Sandip can stay in his house in Calcutta; Nikhil will meet him there in five days. Sandip sings a bold song to Bimala, referring to her as his “Queen,” in front of Nikhil. Bimala leaves and encounters Amulya, who is on his way to sell the jewels. She worries for his safety.