Joyce’s trial looms, and no publisher is willing to take on the task of releasing a complete edition of Ulysses. Julie comes to visit Sylvia and tells her that she can no longer dance because she is pregnant. Sylvia is grateful that she will never have to make such a sacrifice herself. Sylvia’s mother, Eleanor, comes to Paris and spends the day with Sylvia and Adrienne. When Eleanor proves to be enthusiastic about Sylvia’s shop and helps wherever she can, Sylvia realizes that her mother needs a purpose, too.

Soon afterward, Sylvia learns that John Quinn has lost his trial; Ulysses has been ruled obscene and is now banned in America. Incensed at this injustice, Sylvia decides to publish the novel herself. She feels excited and refreshed by this new purpose in life. Over dinner, Adrienne helps Sylvia to plan for her publication. However, Adrienne is cautious about placing too much trust in Joyce and encourages Sylvia to remember her own worth.

On hearing about Sylvia’s plans to publish Ulysses, Gertrude Stein withdraws her membership from Shakespeare and Company. Sylvia begins gathering Joyce’s handwritten pages to type for the printer, which proves to be an intensive and frustrating task.