Sarah discovers that the Palace burned down, and two prostitutes died in the fire, one of whom was Lucky. The Duchess moved to Sacramento, and Magowan was blamed for the fire and hanged. The town is dying because the gold is drying up. Sarah negotiates in the nearby saloon for a room to begin selling herself again. The barman agrees to a fifty-fifty split, “providing you give me whatever I want for free” (164). Sarah agrees, her mind raging with regret. She sees clients for a few days until Michael bursts into her room. He furiously drags her out, fighting anyone in his way. His anger reminds her of Duke. Miles out of town, she jumps from the coach and runs through the woods. Michael drags her back to the coach, admitting that he is so angry he could kill Sarah but because he loves her, he will not. They travel home.

Sarah and Michael ride in silence and arrive home as the sun rises. Doubts gnaw at Sarah’s mind. She makes a fire and wonders: “Why did I throw it all away?” (172). When Michael is away for hours, Sarah finds him weeping in the barn.