Peter and Laust reach Dannevirke, where they meet their new Captain - a familiar face from the estate back home - but not exactly a happy reunion. Laust and Inge continue their secret letter writing but an incorrectly delivered letter causes serious consequences for the relationship between the otherwise inseparable brothers. Dannevirke turns out not to be nearly as impregnable as people have been boasting, and General De Meza decides, against the will of the powers that be in Copenhagen, to withdraw from Dannevirke to Dybbøl.

Following the evacuation of Dannevirke, the Austrian Hussars are ordered to hunt down the Danish troops. This leads to a fatal encounter when they catch up with Peter's division. Laust's division is caught in a fierce snowstorm and an accident nearly causes the death of Laust. Laden with guilt and in a feverish haze, he wishes to admit everything in order to save his relationship with Peter. Expelled by her family, Inge travels with the gypsies towards Sønderborg in order to find Laust.