John André is among the British soldiers sent to hold the area around St. John's, Canada, after Arnold's attack. He is a young, cultured, attractive man with a gift for music and languages. He started out as a bookkeeper for his father's business in London, then joined the army at age 21. He was sent to the city of Quebec, where he saw little military action but led a lively social life. When the American Revolution broke out, he was assigned to patrol the fort of St. John's, scouting for Americans. He is not happy with the military life, yet he almost itches for a fight with the “Yankees.” 

Back in New Haven, Arnold attends to his wife's burial. He suffers an acute attack of gout, and his sister Hannah cares for him and his children. Meanwhile, George Washington is named commander of the Continental Army. Arnold surmises that Washington intends to invade Canada. Once recovered from his illness, Arnold visits General Washington in Cambridge. He suggests a plan of action: in addition to the main attack on Montreal, a smaller force could make its way through the Maine wilderness to Quebec, thus catching the British forces off guard.