After their conversion, Siorac and Sauveterre yearn for peace, despite the resistance of Isabelle and the other women of the house. Outside the castle, the country is torn apart. Taken hostage by a fanatical Protestant leader, Isabelle is saved in extremis by Siorac. The couple reconcile, Isabelle is pregnant again.

Isabelle's death leaves Jean inconsolable and Pierre carrying a heavy secret. The plague ravages the region. Fontenac, the sworn enemy, begs Siorac to save his daughter Diane who is suffering from the disease. Jean agrees on the condition that she be quarantined, and succeeds in curing her. François falls madly in love with Diane, while Pierre discovers love with Hélix.

The courage of the Sioracs, father and son, saved Sarlat from starvation. During a ceremony in their honor in front of the entire town, a demonstration duel between Pierre and François turns into a merciless brawl. François reveals Pierre's Catholic medal, provoking Siorac's anger. Disobeying his father, François asks Fontenac for Diane's hand, who sets a trap for Siorac.