A year after Roberval's visit, Marguerite, now sixteen, uses some of her gold to hire a barber to extract Damienne's diseased tooth. Despite Damienne's terrified protests, Marguerite forces the surgery, watches the bloody procedure, and then nurses her old companion through a long, frightening recovery. Damienne eventually heals and praises God, restoring Marguerite's sense of relief, though Damienne vows never to undergo such pain again.

By age seventeen, Marguerite and Claire have new gowns—silver silk for Marguerite, blue linen for Claire—and their finery attracts the notice of the Montforts' young daughters, Suzanne and Ysabeau. Marguerite proudly introduces herself and offers to teach the girls. The lessons soon become a daily routine of music, writing, embroidery, and prayer. Beneath the play, Marguerite is haunted by anxiety about when Roberval might summon her away.

After dressing the girls in pearls one summer day, Marguerite ignores Damienne's warning and accompanies them downstairs to their stepmother's chamber. Madame Montfort thanks her and offers materials for lessons. Emboldened, Marguerite lingers in the great hall, where she is intercepted by Nicholas Montfort, the family's handsome, arrogant elder son. He questions her presence, mocks her, then suddenly asks the name of her companion—revealing he has been watching Claire. Marguerite refuses to answer and flees.

The next day, Suzanne and Ysabeau bring a love poem from Nicholas about a stag shot through the heart. Claire returns it untouched, and later refuses a book of verse he sends. Madame D'Artois resolves to beg Madame Montfort for protection if necessary, but the household understands their helplessness: Nicholas's father is unreachable, his stepmother powerless over him, and his intentions toward Claire dishonorable. Marguerite, never devout before, prays to the Virgin for mercy, recognizing that Nicholas would ruin Claire but never marry her.