By now, Catherine has become emotionally attached to Newton. With their romantic destinies unresolved, the two men depart for Cambridge. Newton's ideas are too revolutionary for many at the university, and his lectures are not well attended. Humphrey urges the great man to pursue a wider audience by publishing his findings, but Newton, ever fearful of rejection, demurs. Humphrey surreptitiously arranges for the Royal Society, England most prestigious scientific organization, to invite Newton to speak.
Professional jealousies are rampant.
The likes of Robert Hooke and Christopher Wren dismiss Newton's laws of motion and universal gravitation, while astronomer Edmond Halley is cautiously intrigued. Halley, Wren and Hook are obsessed with learning more about Newton's work. They take Humphrey out for a night on the town, and in a weak moment Humphrey divulges more than he should. Newton is working harder than ever, but for Humphrey, science has lost its lustre. He misses Clara terribly, and his father's illness provides him with the excuse to go home.