In 1935 Madras, Digby attends Jeb Pellingham’s packed funeral, haunted by Claude’s role in the death. Outside, Owen Pellingham assures Digby they know what happened and are pushing for an inquiry, explaining Jeb avoided the Railway Hospital because of a feud sparked by his romance with Rose, the superintendent’s daughter.

A blistering letter signed “Veritas” in The Mail indicts the surgeon responsible and the establishment shielding him. Celeste reads it, reflecting on Claude’s missing capacity for care. Claude comes home evasive and drinking; the next morning a telegram from his brother Everett warns him not to contact family as the letter spreads.

The outcry grows. When the viceroy’s train arrives, uniformed hockey players and a silent crowd demand the autopsy report, humiliating the viceroy and forcing his hand. That night, Toby, Claude’s brother and the viceroy’s chief secretary, scolds Claude and announces a binding public inquiry. A commission—former governor, Anglo-Indian leaders, IMS head, and two surgical professors—is named.

As the hearing nears, Claude, frayed and drinking, tells Celeste he plans to protect himself by naming Digby as co-respondent in divorce proceedings, to tarnish Digby’s testimony. Celeste rebukes him, refusing to be used or slandered, and breaks away when he grabs her wrist.

Later, Celeste unexpectedly visits Digby’s quarters. Amid his kalighat paintings and portraits of her, their mutual longing overwhelms caution; they take each other to bed. Celeste had come to warn Digby of Claude’s false accusation, but by yielding to desire she risks making the lie true, further entangling them before the inquiry.