Summary

In 1885, Medora was struggling to recover physically and mentally from Andrew’s betrayal of her and his attempt to burn her during their fight. She was left disfigured and disabled, with extensive burn scars, improperly healed bones, and the loss of sight in one eye. She had acquired a habit of pipe smoking, which dulled the pain and eased her mind.

After Medora fled into the marsh, she was found by an Indian matriarch named Nittawasew, who saved her life with medical treatment. For a time Nittawasew trained Medora in her healing arts. Then Medora built herself a hut on stilts in an isolated part of the marsh, where people came to her for medicine and advice.

A young woman named Ruby seeking an abortifacient brought Medora the news that Andrew was engaged to marry Grace Cole.

Medora concocted a herbal poison using lily...