Dora leaves her husband and agrees to return to Imber Abbey with Paul for a short period. While there, she witnesses and is introduced to many of the residents of Imber Abbey. She also learns the local legend of a nun and her lover whose affair resulted in a curse being placed on the abbey. Dora decides to go to London independently to show Paul she is not dependent on him, where she visits with Noel Spens and sees the National Gallery before deciding to return to Imber Abbey.