The narrator returns briefly to the present, reflecting on how her current life compares with her old one, before slipping again to the past. The vivid level of detail here and the intimacy of the emotions—“exhausted to the core of my being” (156)—display the purity and immediacy of Nan’s story in contrast with the hearsay cobbled together to create the narratives about other characters. The section also solidifies the friendship between Nan and Bess, which becomes even more important as they come together again in later years. Most notably, this chapter introduces Sister Mary Clare for the first time (in this incarnation). It presents her as kind, lenient, and understanding, a comforting presence in a depraved world. Nan comes to think of her “less as a nun and more like one of the girls” (158). This setup works and gives weight to the trauma Nan experiences later. Her betrayal would not be nearly so powerful had it been at the hands of one of the other nuns. The author uses this apparent friendship and camaraderie to create an even more dramatic fall when we learn who Mary Clare really is.

Agatha, Chilton, and Finbarr interact on the doorstep as Chilton revels in his discovery. Here, Agatha and Finbarr pretend to be married, although Finbarr displays none of the passion expected of a husband. Here, we wonder: is this a true recounting of events? Or has Nan colored her narrative with her expectations of Finbarr’s loyalty? Finbarr is shown as courteous but single-minded, and we are again reminded of whose memories we are reliving. Meanwhile, Archie and Thompson face off, and a clear picture is painted of Archie, as Nan has studied his behavior and psychology intensely. In Harrogate, Chilton overhears the conversation between Lizzie and Nan—this same conversation will be revisited later. Not long after, Chilton sits down with Nan, both of them hiding secrets. She compares the man across from her to both Finbarr and Archie, making a calculated study of each one. This section reveals more about Nan than it does about the men in her life and the way she carefully, meticulously catalogs the mannerisms of everyone she meets.