As the marchesa realizes that her end is near, her opinion on the relationship between Vivaldi and Ellena changes dramatically, especially with a new confessor who encourages her to forgive and make amends by promoting their happiness. She urges her husband to change his mind, albeit not altogether successfully.

It is not until Paulo returns to Naples, convincing him to rescue his son, that the marchese begins to realize Vivaldi’s dire situation at the hands of the Inquisition. Paulo, as the reader learns, received assistance from the young sentinel, who decided to abandon his position.

The marchese writes to the Holy Office as well as his friend the Count di Maro, who enjoys influence in the church. Despite these advantages, however, the marchese is made to wait for over two weeks to see his son.

Vivaldi and his father are summoned to see Schedoni, who is dying. A few loose ends are wrapped up after Schedoni fully vindicates Vivaldi while explaining the events of the night which Vivaldi and Paulo spent at the fortress Paluzzi. The bloodied garments belonged to Nicola after he was shot by Paulo. The listeners also discover that all of the cells at the Inquisition have secret entrances, which is how Nicola entered Vivaldi’s. Finally, as Schedoni poisons himself, he poisons Nicola out of revenge.