During the next two years, Emily grows as a writer and learns to deal with the loneliness of having her closest friends gone (Ilse and Teddy to Montreal, and Perry to Charlottetown), life at New Moon changes.

Her budding career as a writer begins to flourish to the point that the Murray clan finally accept her profession.

In her grief, Emily burns the manuscript, and then, crazed by what she has done, she rushes out the door, only to trip over a basket left on the stairs and have her foot pierced through by a pair of scissors.

The injury and subsequent blood poisoning threaten Emily's life, and multiple doctors discuss her death at worst or amputation at best.

One night after the house has been completed, Emily feels drawn to it and has an out-of-body experience where she sees Teddy, (who is studying in England now) and asks him to come to her.

When Teddy abruptly leaves to look into a prospective job offer, Emily receives a letter from him but is heartbroken that it contains only an old clipping of their friend Perry's poetry.

Emily goes through a series of comic courtships, and writes a novel to keep her Aunt Elizabeth amused while she is bedridden from a broken leg.

Thanks to Cousin Jimmy, the novel, the Moral of the Rose, is eventually published by a large firm, but the joy of its publication is ruined when she hears that Teddy is engaged to Ilse.

Mrs. Kent later reveals that this letter was written to her by Teddy's father whom she had always believed died hating her after they had a terrible argument.

Later, on the day of her wedding, Ilse's aunt arrives bearing the news that Perry is dead or near dying after a car crash.

Ilse jilts Teddy at the altar and returns days later, unashamed, to tell Emily that Perry is fine but that the two intend to marry each other.

Dean, hearing of their engagement, gives the Disappointed House to Emily and Teddy and promises his future friendship.