Looking for Sebastian, Rex Mottram visits Charles in Paris and tells him that The Lady is ill and the family's fortune is dwindling. Rex announces that he plans to marry Julia. Lady Marchmain agrees, provided he converts to Catholicism.

Now a painter, Charles gets a commission to paint the family's London house, which is being sold to pay off debts. Two years later, he meets Julia and the pair discovers they have much in common.