In 1788, Margaret, a pregnant young maid at Longbourn, goes to the house of a farmer where his wife, Mrs. Smith, helps her give birth. Margaret leaves the child, James, with the farmer and hopes he will have a decent life. Mr. Bennet marries Miss Gardiner, daughter of the family attorney, and Margaret marries the butler, Mr. Hill, who offers her a marriage in name only, as he prefers men for lovers. Mrs. Bennet has a daughter, then a stillborn son, followed by more daughters. Mr. Bennet occasionally visits young James. Mrs. Hill adopts Sarah from the poorhouse, where she was sent when her family died of typhus. James joins the army. Mrs. Hill asks Mr. Bennet to buy him out, but Mr. Bennet will not acknowledge the boy because of the scandal it would create.

In 1808, James becomes a gunner in a detachment led by Sergeant Pye and ships off to fight the French. He is appalled at the destruction he sees. Lisbon is filthy. They march for Salamanca, and Pye kills a farmer for his horse. There is a reprieve from the weary march when they find a sow and capture her piglets. They are robbed by bandits, then ordered to Sahagún de Campos.