Blanche tells him that she will stay and die, if necessary, with her order. Scene 4 - The sacristy Father Confessor is leading the nuns in prayer. He bids them goodbye as he must go into hiding. The Prioress warns the sisters of the temptation of martyrdom. An angry crowd is heard outside.
Officials enter and read the order of expulsion from the convent.
One of the officials is sympathetic to the nuns however he feels he cannot help them. During the chaos, Blanche is given a statue of the Infant Jesus but she accidentally drops it on the floor, smashing it to pieces. The chapel is in ruins but the sisters are strong. She suggests a secret vote but Blanche is the one dissenting vote that renders the vow null. Constance tries to take the blame on herself, stating that she was the one dissenting vote and she has changed her mind.