Part 2, Chapter 8 Summary

Claire continues to help the sick and wounded people who come to her. She realizes what disease Colum had. She has read it in a textbook, when she worked in the field hospital. It is a disease that slowly disintegrates the bones, causes pale skin and premature wrinkling of the skin. It also causes sterilization, which makes Claire question the existence of Colum's son, Hamish. There is a knock on the door. Two young boys invite Claire to the Hall on Colum's behalf. There will be singing.

Claire enters the Hall. Colum waves her toward him. She sits down. He pours her a glass of wine. It is fruity and tasty, and she tells Colum so. He asks her what part of France her relatives are from, and she answers. She then tells him that she wishes to be on her...