This time "Hardy country" is Little Hintock, an isolated and claustrophobic woodland community. George Melbury's daughter Grace is promised in marriage to Giles Winterbourne, a stolid timber merchant who is faithfully devoted to her; but Giles is adored by Marty South, a young girl who does odd jobs with logs. When Marty learns of Giles's betrothal she lops off her hair to sell to the local barber. Grace returns from finishing school and is now refined. Her father thinks she is too good for Giles and Grace is pushed towards the socially superior Edred Fitzpiers. They marry, but Fitzpiers takes up with the other outsider in the book, Felice Charmond. She is a champagne-swilling temptress who wears a wig made out of Marty's hair. George Melbury assaults Fitzpiers, who flees to the continent with Felice. Grace renews a relationship with Giles. Fitzpiers returns, having quarrelled with his volatile mistress. Grace runs away from him, taking refuge in Giles's hovel. Although it is cold and wet, Giles upholds propriety and spends the night outside in a nest of twigs. He dies of hypothermia/ a broken heart. Grace and Fitzpiers leave for the city, resuming the marriage made in the ante-room of hell. Marty is left to mourn.