Saturday, December 14—Monday, December 23, 1776
- Lady Seymour is feeling much better by the end of the day, much to Madam's dismay. With her aunt restored to health, Madam orders Isabel to get busy with preparations for Christmas, especially the baking frenzy that accompanies the holiday.
- When Isabel arrives at the prison the next morning, the guard tells her that the rules have changed and she can't come inside.
- Furthermore, any provisions she brings will be inspected and she'll be arrested if any of it is considered contraband. Isabel walks around the building and figures out where Curzon's cell is.
- Dibdin comes to the window and Isabel asks him to bring Curzon. When he appears in the window, she barely recognizes him—he's pale, shaking with fever, and covered in vomit stains. She demands that Dibdin tell her what's been going on and figures out that he and the soldiers have been eating Curzon's rations and taking his blankets; he's a slave, after all, and can't be treated the same (as far as they're concerned, anyway).
- Dibdin says that he'll start feeding Curzon again, but only for a price. Isabel must go to Captain Morse, who is on parole, and tell him that the soldiers have the pox so that he can get them medical attention. In spite of her sworn vow not to spy anymore, Isabel promises to do it.
- Isabel goes to the tavern where Captain Morse is staying and delivers the message. She agrees to return every morning to deliver messages between Morse and the prisoners, even though she's terrified of the consequences. If she doesn't do it, though, Curzon will likely die.
- That night, Isabel tries to read Common Sense, but the first sentence repeatedly confuses her. She reads it four times before understanding what Paine is trying to say, then attempts to tackle the next sentence.