Four days after becoming lovers, Celeste cycles across Madras to Digby’s quarters. Passing nationalist students, she wrestles with belonging and privilege, the lie of her marriage to Claude, and the truth of her desire. She credits Digby with awakening a dormant, truer self, while questioning whether this is love or necessity.

At Digby’s, their lovemaking is urgent and consuming; Celeste embraces a boldness she barely recognizes. In the quiet after, the weight of consequences returns. She dresses, and despite Digby’s unspoken plea to stay, they avoid Claude’s name. Their meetings grow reckless; on days Celeste cannot come, Digby’s restlessness mounts.

Seeking distraction, Digby plays tennis at the Adyar Club. In his locker he finds an anonymous letter warning that Claude plans to file for divorce and name Digby as co-respondent to taint his testimony. The writer praises Celeste, labels Claude a cad, cautions that evidence could be manufactured, and closes with “Forewarned is forearmed.”

Digby puzzles over the sender and briefly wonders if Claude planted it, then dismisses the notion. His anger is blunted by the letter’s uncomfortable truth: he is Celeste’s lover. Even so, he commits to speak the truth, saying, "I intend to testify." He also entertains the self-serving thought that Claude’s divorce might free Celeste to be with him.