Part 5: Chapter 1 Summary

The plague is not gone, but the weekly totals of cases are down. The townspeople are cautiously optimistic. There is a hope that the food supply will improve.

Then there is a sharp decline in the number of cases and a sudden improvement in the success of Castel's serum. A few are still dying, and M. Othon is among them. The disease seems to be leaving on its own as mysteriously as it came.

Little changes in the town although from time to time a smile can be seen, something that has not occurred for a long time. Although the changes are slight, hope is beginning to come alive. So long accustomed to a state of discouragement, many do not trust that they are, in fact, going to be released from the plague's relentless grip, and many still try to escape...