Father Dámaso appears at the bedside of María-Clara and reveals a sensitive side that surprises onlookers. Lucas appears and informs Father Salví that Ibarra refused to pay a settlement for his brother’s death. When he asks for advice, both priests rebuke him.

To Tiburcio’s surprise, María-Clara recuperates. Doña Victorina and Father Salví engage in a lively debate on science and religion. Salví claims that María-Clara’s condition is attributable to divine intervention, whereas Victorina believes it is due to her husband’s medical expertise (i.e., the use of marshmallow syrup). Aunt Isabella helps María-Clara prepare for confession, which will be conducted by Salví. She reads the ten commandments, with the girl crying at the first five and stopping for the last five. When the confession is over, Salví emerges shaken.

Elías meets with a man named Captain Pablo in a cave some distance away from town. They discuss a planned rebellion that Pablo has been organizing with a group of subversives. Elías tries to talk the man out of it, as he believes he can get Ibarra to sympathize with the plight of the common people.