The chapter opens with a description of the region in which the baron's estate is located. The baron left his family in order to join the northern campaign, but his unit was annihilated and he went missing. The governess tells the master and the lady that they need to welcome him home. She tells the mistress to hurry and the governess tells her not to lose her composure. She then tells the lady to close the curtain and to take the letter to her uncle, who is known as the margrave. The margrave will come to help the family. The young man wonders what is evil about his father's disfigured face. He then asks the governess what punishment could be for the crime he is about to commit.