Two days after the wedding, troops are marching to fight the English the next day. Miriam feels sorry for Jules and Hortense who will have to separate so soon after marriage. When she arrives home after working at the chateau, Madame Du Quesne’s carriage is waiting.

Felicité’s dress would not fasten and needed immediate alterations. Felicité talks as Miriam works, and it almost seems like the old times. She wants to see a ship’s captain. Madame Du Quesne enters and warns Felicité that some people should not be provoked, but Felicité says that some people have been too independent. When Miriam finally leaves, Madame was not there to pay her and she must walk home in the dark.

Pierre sees her on the street and is appalled she is walking so late with drunken soldiers on the streets. She tells him she was working for Madame Du Quesne and she accidentally reveals that Felicité’s dress needed to be fitted in a hurry. Pierre realizes Felicité lied to him about having a headache. Pierre is furious and Miriam is concerned with his anger. Pierre realizes that Miriam must be the mysterious dressmaker who works for Madame Du Quesne and wants to take her to his mother.