Esther sees Lady Dedlock only at church for the remainder of her visit; she believes her presence upsets Lady Dedlock in some way. Hortense offers her services as a maid to Esther, since she has left Lady Dedlock, but Esther says she keeps no maid. Richard visits often but is still clearly obsessed with Jarndyce and Jarndyce. He is not interested in pursuing a career in law after all and has decided to join the army.

Back in London, Esther visits Caddy Jellyby and goes with her to break the news of her engagement to Prince. At first Mr. Jellyby feigns dismay, but then he eagerly embraces the news once he learns that the young couple will make him their first priority. When Caddy tells her mother, she is upset at Mrs. Jellyby’s indifference. Back at Bleak House, Charley arrives and announces to Esther that Mr. Jarndyce has hired her to be Esther’s maid, which will provide for her brother, Tom, to go to school and her baby sister, Emma, to be cared for by Mrs. Blinder. Esther weeps at the news, overwhelmed by Mr. Jarndyce’s kindness toward herself and Charley.

Mr. Jarndyce learns that Richard is in debt and that this is his main reason for going into the army. He warns Richard that this is his last chance because he has used up all his money on his other ventures. He tells Richard and Ada to end their engagement and go back to being just cousins for the time being. Esther notes that this almost puts an end to the relationship between Richard and Mr. Jarndyce.

In London, Mr. George comes to visit Mr. Jarndyce; he tells Mr. Jarndyce that Richard was doing well at his shooting at first, but his mind is not on it now. Mr. George keeps looking at Esther because he believes he has seen her before, but she assures him he has not. Richard and Esther go to Chancery one last time before Richard leaves. Esther meets Mrs. Rachael, the housekeeper for Miss Barberry when Esther was a child, though now Mrs. Rachael is Mrs. Chadband. Richard, Esther, and Miss Flite go to George’s shooting gallery and see an old man stating that Mr. Gridley sent for him. In fact, Mr. Gridley is hiding in the shooting gallery. The old man turns out to be Mr. Bucket, the detective, with a warrant for Gridley’s arrest. Mr. Gridley is despairing, according to Mr. Bucket. Miss Flite screams when she realizes that Mr. Gridley has indeed given up and died.

Mr. Snagsby feels guilty about his part in Jo’s poor treatment. Mrs. Snagsby, observing her husband’s behavior, believes that he has some great secret, so she begins watching him surreptitiously. Mr. Chadband invites Jo to his home to be “improved.” With Mr. and Mrs. Snagsby present, Mr. Chadband begins to comment on Jo’s low life and need for improvement. Mrs. Snagsby observes Mr. Snagsby looking at Jo and comes to the conclusion that Jo is Mr. Snagsby’s son. Jo is eventually set free. Mr. Snagsby, seeing him later, gives him some money for having to suffer such an examination.