Varinka’s mother is still sick, but she prepares to receive a client who’s coming to hear her fortune told. Varinka wants her mother to ask the woman to give her a job on her estate. The client turns out to be Agnessa, Sofya and Luba’s stepmother. As she enters the small home, her manner is cautiously disdainful. Varinka’s mother inquires about a place for Varinka, and Agnessa agrees to hire her. The reading begins with Varinka’s mother telling Agnessa’s fortune through oracular cards. She reveals that a male child has recently joined the family, and Varinka feels sharply envious. She tries to end the reading, but Agnessa insists on continuing. Varinka’s mother says the child will be separated from its mother, and he will cross water four times before he will be safe. Finally, she pulls a card that represents death and refuses to continue. Agnessa storms out, refusing to pay their agreed amount. Varinka’s mother is visibly agitated by the future she saw.

Eliza prepares for an upcoming holiday Henry has planned. She packs with the help of her maid, Peg. Caroline is sullen and tells her mother she wants to join the Girl Scouts instead. Henry arrives with his friend Merrill, who once pursued Eliza when they were at school together. He and Henry are preparing to play tennis, but Eliza discourages it due to Henry’s health. They ignore her request and go out to play in the rain. The next day, Henry is very ill and delirious. Eliza sends Peg for the doctor and tries to take care of Henry while they wait. Their family doctor, Dr. Forbes, arrives after substantial delays and admonishes Eliza for her actions; rather than helping Henry, her use of cold water and warm blankets helped exacerbate his fever. Caroline tries to see Henry, but Eliza sends her away in fear that she will catch Henry’s illness. Dr. Forbes encourages Eliza to pray.

It is Agnessa’s birthday, and the family is celebrating together. Their family chef, whom they call Cook, has made Agnessa a cake. Luba quietly suggests that Cook is in love with Sofya. Despite his seemingly humble profession, he is actually a baron who once attended a dinner party at the Streshnayvas’ and took over their kitchen permanently. Sofya remembers how Agnessa came to live with them after their mother’s death, claiming their mother’s things and space and redecorating the house to be more French. Agnessa tells the family about the fortune teller’s ominous vision, which leads to a discussion of the rising political unrest in Russia. Agnessa and Sofya’s father think they’re safe because they’ve been generous to the local villagers. Sofya’s father leads them outside so he can give Agnessa her gift, and on the way, Sofya and Max sing a sailing song. In the barn, they discover a huge rumbling box; Sofya’s father has given Agnessa her own ice machine, knowing how much she loves ice in her drinks. She is very excited and grateful.

The next morning, Sofya prepares to go riding, leaving Afon a note asking him to follow her outside when he wakes. She invites Luba, but Luba is busy with a secret creative project. As Sofya is riding, she discovers a small cabin in the woods. She goes inside and discovers an assortment of tools branded with the letter T, along with postcards of naked women. Afon arrives and joins her, and they kiss. Sofya sees someone outside the window. When they go outside, they see their gamekeeper, Bogdan, who has been shot and injured.

Varinka prepares to begin work for Agnessa. She reflects on how she wants a family of her own, and how her agreement with Taras means she can never have a child. As she leaves, Taras stops her and reminds her of their arrangement: “she gives him massages and lets him see her body in exchange for his protection and help. As she massages him, he suggests getting a tattoo on her face. Varinka finds the idea repulsive. After, she tries to leave, but he tries to assault her and hurts her wrist. She makes her way out to her new job and helps serve in the dining room. She is charmed by Max and makes faces at him. When she tries to serve Agnessa, Varinka’s damaged wrist causes her to splash soup on Agnessa’s sleeve. Agnessa throws her out. Sofya follows her and apologizes, offering her a job as Max’s nanny instead.

Dr. Forbes wakes Eliza to tell her Henry is dead. The undertaker hurries to take him away so that no one else will get sick, and Eliza sends Caroline away to stay with other family members. She holds a funeral, and Eliza blames Merrill for encouraging Henry to play tennis.

Afon leaves to join the war, and the Streshnayvas become more cautious. Sofya remembers how she first met Afon, when he approached her at her palace debut. A relative, Count von Orloff, arrives to stay at their country home after escaping from a house invasion. He laments the deterioration of peace in the cities. The family discusses court politics. One night, Sofya’s father takes her and Luba aside to give them the finance ministry documents he held, which have account information that can be used in an emergency. He tells them he is taking the family away from Russia and fleeing to Paris in secret. Afterwards, Sofya, Luba, and Max “camp out” in blankets on their floor. Sofya and Luba discuss what to bring to Paris, and Luba hides provisions under her floorboard. They turn the light off and Luba reveals her secret project: “she has recreated the constellations out of foil on her ceiling.

It’s Varinka’s birthday, and she leaves for work in a good mood. On her way, she meets Taras and his friend Vladi, who want her to help them break into the house. Taras tells her to leave the door unlocked for them, and to wave a white towel letting them know when they can enter. Varinka refuses.

Sofya and her family await documents that will let them leave the country. She and her father go into the village to the general shop. The shopkeepers, Mr. and Mrs. Astronovich, are reeling from a village riot. Peasants broke in and stole all the food. However, they’re able to sell Sofya’s father some tobacco, which he puts on his account. At home, Sofya helps Cook in the garden, and they talk about the impending revolution. The family plans to leave the next day. Later, Sofya receives a letter from Afon encouraging her to go somewhere safe. Her father finds her and tells her that they’ll be leaving that evening. As they pack, their home is broken into by bandits.

Returning home after the death of her father, Caroline is cold and withdrawn. Eliza’s mother encourages her to manage her grief through charity work. Eliza receives a letter from Sofya, who tells her that her family is preparing to leave her estate. She worries for her friend and tries to make peace with her daughter, Caroline, while Peg decks the house in mourning superstitions such as covering mirrors in fabric. Eliza snaps at Peg and tells her that her beliefs are “ridiculous Irish voodoo” (143).

Varinka arrives at work to care for Max and discovers some of Sofya’s packed things. She realizes they were planning to leave without her. She lights a fire in the grate and imagines life as Max’s mother. Suddenly, the grate begins smoking, and Varinka uses a towel to wave away the smoke. She realizes too late that she’s inadvertently given the signal to Vladi and Taras.

Sofya’s home is infiltrated by Taras and Vladi, whom Sofya recognizes as her attacker on the tram. They take the Streshnayvas’ possessions and bring the family outside. Sofya hears Max crying upstairs. When she looks back, she sees the house dark and Luba’s foil stars glittering through her window.

Upstairs, Varinka calms Max and watches the family from the window. She goes outside and discovers the guards have been killed; she runs home and tells her mother what happened. They prepare to run away, but Taras arrives home and inquires about the baby. Varinka lies and says Max belonged to the dead gamekeeper. Taras orders Varinka to get rid of it.

Eliza grows concerned about the absence of Sofya’s letters. She visits the immigration bureau to see if they can uncover any news. The immigration officer tells her they’re swamped with Russian refugees, and that violence has broken out throughout the country. He explains that many of them will be sent to poor neighborhoods and separated. Eliza steps in, claiming to represent the American Central Committee for Russian Relief, an organization she has invented on the spot. She goes to speak with the immigrant women, promising to secure aid. A few days later, Eliza goes to their new country home along with her mother, Caroline, and Caroline’s friend. Once they arrive, Caroline avoids Eliza and Eliza’s mother encourages Eliza to make amends. However, Eliza finds the setting overwhelming without Henry and decides they won’t be staying after all.

Sofya and her family are locked in their barn. At night, Vladi and Taras come outside to talk and Sofya and Cook eavesdrop. Cook explains that Taras’s tattoos are from prison and indicate his high status. Sofya becomes afraid for herself and for Max and Cook kisses her. They plan to distract the men while Cook escapes and finds help.

Varinka wakes early. Vladi is staying with them and is still asleep; she reflects on his burnt, scarred face. When Vladi wakes, he tells her he’s taking over Sofya’s father’s factory. He explains that he’ll keep the family alive so they can help manage the finances. He moves to assault Varinka but is startled by Max’s crying. Taras returns home and tells Vladi to follow him, leaving Varinka, her mother, and Max alone.

Eliza visits a pair of actor friends, Julia and E. H. They discuss Eliza’s plans to help the Russian refugees. Julia says she’s invited another man, someone she hopes Eliza will find interesting. As Eliza prepares for dinner, she dresses in her black mourning clothes and meets the other guest, Gareth. She finds him dull. Unexpectedly, Merrill is also in attendance. Their talk turns to the war, and Eliza encourages the men to enlist. Gareth reveals that Merrill has become engaged to a socialite named Anna. After dinner, Eliza goes to her room, but a storm blows the doors open and shatters a window. Merrill arrives to help, and they begin arguing over his engagement. Eliza confronts him about the night of Henry’s death. Merrill begins to explain, but they’re interrupted by Julia.

Vladi takes the Streshnayvas outside and explains that he’s taken over their estate. Sofya tries to distract him, and Luba suddenly falls down claiming a fake illness. Sofya asks Vladi to send for a doctor. In the commotion, Cook escapes. Taras shoots into the forest and then takes a horse to ride after him.