While Esther is in London, Richard comes to visit her frequently. She feels uneasy about him, and her feeling is confirmed when Mr. and Mrs. Badger tell her they do not feel Richard is suited to the medical profession. The following day, Richard confesses that he has lost interest in becoming a surgeon; now he is leaning toward the law as a career. Both Esther and Ada are surprised at this. Mr. Jarndyce says Richard should talk to Mr. Kenge, but he is troubled at Richard’s lack of commitment.

One night, Esther has difficulty falling asleep, so she busies herself with sewing and goes downstairs to get her thread. She finds Mr. Jarndyce also restless. He tells her some more of her childhood. He says that Miss Barberry, who had been Esther’s guardian, wrote to him to request that he look after Esther should she die. Mr. Jarndyce then became involved in Esther’s life from a distance. He validates Esther’s memory about what Miss Barberry had told her: that Esther was her mother’s disgrace, and her mother was Esther’s.

Mr. Woodcourt comes to tell Esther and Mr. Jarndyce good-bye. He is leaving for an extended time as a surgeon aboard a ship bound for the Far East. He brings his mother to see them. Mrs. Woodcourt tells them that she is hoping her son will meet ladies of good breeding in India, which makes Esther wonder what the old lady would think of her own illegitimate birth.

Richard goes to London to begin his apprenticeship with Mr. Kenge and spends a great deal of money. Mr. Jarndyce, Ada, and Esther go to the home of Mr. Boythorn, which is next to Chesney Wold. Mr. Boythorn had put up several “No Trespassing” signs aimed at Sir Leicester. When the group attends services at the local church, Esther notices a lady who reminds her strikingly of Miss Barberry. She realizes that this is the celebrated Lady Dedlock. Several days later, as she, Ada, and Mr. Jarndyce are walking around the grounds, they are caught in a thundershower. They take refuge in a groundskeeper’s lodge—where Lady Dedlock has also taken refuge. Lady Dedlock looks at Esther almost in anger and then ignores her. She had sent for her servant and is displeased when Hortense comes along with Rose. She tells Hortense that there is no room for her in the carriage, so she will have to walk back; Hortense does walk back, barefooted.

During the long summer vacation, a constable brings Jo to see Mr. Snagsby. Jo has been told to “move on,” but he insists that he has nowhere to go. Mr. Guppy hears the commotion and enters the building. Jo tells the gentlemen that a lady gave him money to point out Nemo’s burial spot. Mrs. Chadband, the wife of a local minister, reveals that she had been in charge of Esther Summerson when Esther was a small child. After visiting with Mr. Chadband, Jo manages to get away from the constable.