Marguerite returns home and shows Madame D'Artois and Claire the Queen's casket of gold écus, announcing they will found a school for girls. She presents Claire with a dowry to enter the convent at Nontron, but Claire refuses, saying she cannot in good conscience take orders—she will not leave her mother or Marguerite, and prefers to help build the school and teach the girls to pray. Joyfully, Marguerite welcomes Claire into the enterprise, and together with the royal charter they begin planning leases, books, and servants.

They continue teaching Suzanne and Ysabeau while waiting for the Queen's court to depart. When Madame D'Artois announces their imminent move to Nontron, the children rebel, sulking and refusing lessons as the court's splendor disperses.

A messenger arrives—Roberval's man Henri—conveying her guardian's congratulations and a thinly veiled request for money to fund his next travels. Marguerite recognizes the demand as both begging and threat. Though briefly tempted to pay him off, she refuses entirely, sending word that she remembers him and is taking his own advice not to play the fool.

Lady Katherine warmly assists their departure, providing horses, a guide, and a guard, and giving each woman a cross pendant. Stepdaughter Louise promises to spread Marguerite's tale; Anne tries unsuccessfully to buy Marguerite's bear claw, which Marguerite keeps as a remembrance of her three dead on the island. The grieving children refuse to say goodbye.

On a bright September morning, Marguerite, Claire, and Madame D'Artois ride out toward Nontron through autumn vineyards and orchards. Marguerite envisions the school's curriculum—reading, music, needlework, scripture, and her own lesson: teaching girls to be unafraid by telling how she lived. They cross the river single file and rejoin together on the other side.