While she was in Washington, one of Eliza’s other sons eloped, and Alex soon tells her he plans to go to Europe as a spy for Madison. Soon after, the War of 1812 begins, and Eliza and Angelica fear for their sons and their country. The charges against Burr are dropped. Eliza knows he is in New York and working under a false name.

Angelica is diagnosed with cancer, and Eliza vows to stay by her through her illness. In her final days, under the influence of laudanum, Angelica says, “Don’t tell Betsy, Alexander. Never confess it. Not even if I am dead” (514). Eliza tries to attribute the remark to the laudanum but is terrified of its implications. After Angelica dies, her husband goes back to England, so Eliza sees to her burial. Eliza wants to see Angelica’s letters, particularly a packet that she keeps separately with a lock of Hamilton’s hair. Eliza comes to understand that her sister and her husband might have had an affair, leaving Eliza doubting that she knew either of them.

Eliza moves back to The Grange with her youngest two children. She obsessively reads Hamilton’s letters and account books, discovering that Hamilton bought things for Angelica.