Isagani meets with Father Fernández. Whenever Isagani criticizes the friars, Father Fernández is the exception. The two speak about the student revolt. Fernández wants to know what the students want from the professors and friars; the students want better treatment, support in liberalizing education, and increased freedom to acquire an education. While not disagreeing with Isagani, Fernández focuses on the impracticality of his demands because the system victimizes the friars as well. Isagani points out that the friars are in a position to implement change, whereas Filipino students are easily arrested for speaking out. Isagani leaves and is arrested later that day.

There is confusion following the arrests of the students. Ben Zayb feels vindicated for having published an article about the education system in the Philippines being a disaster waiting to happen. Merchant Quiroga arms himself and his people and hides in his shop, waiting for something to happen. People in various towns are shot by accident for fear of an uprising, and rumors abound about who was behind the broadsides. Plácido goes to the fireworks shop, where Simoun is having his bomb built, and finds several men discussing the situation. They’re all afraid of being arrested and haven’t heard anything from Simoun since he was reported ill.