Grief haunts the Melekhov family—Natalya dies after attempting to get rid of her child. Soon, unwilling to live with her illness, Daria drowns herself. Grigory is tormented by doubts about himself, his future, and the reasons that compelled him to go to war. Meanwhile, the Whites are defeated, and the Cossacks are forced to retreat. Aksinya travels with Grigory, but on the way she contracts typhus. They are once again destined to be together.