Julia enjoys the peaceful environment of the abbey and often takes walks in nature. One evening when returning overly late from a walk, she and Madame de Menon realize that they are being observed by a group of men, her father's spies. Madame decides that the Abate, who has not until now been told the story of Julia's escape, must know. The Abate agrees to continue to shelter Julia unless the marquis comes looking for her, but he says that Julia should be grateful for his indulgence, because concealing Julia from a parent is tantamount to encouraging her in disobedience.

Days later, emissaries from the marquis arrive with a letter demanding that the Abate send Julia to her father. However, the demands are so rude and insulting that the Abate is determined to defy his request out of spite. The Abate then lectures Julia for her disobedience to her father and accuses her of insulting the monastery by lying about her true intentions for being there. Julia contends that her heart is pure, and the Abate grudgingly consents to keep her under his protection.