Esther, who avoids talking about Lady Dedlock, discusses Richard with Ada and Mr. Jarndyce. They believe that Richard is totally lost to the Jarndyce and Jarndyce case. Esther tells Mr. Jarndyce that Mr. Skimpole has been encouraging Richard. Mr. Jarndyce and the ladies go to visit Mr. Skimpole in his lodgings, where they meet his wife and daughters. He explains that he cannot stop encouraging Richard because he knows nothing about the lawsuit. That evening, Sir Leicester visits Bleak House to apologize that Mr. Skimpole was not allowed to view the artwork. He explains that Mr. Boythorn’s guests are unwelcome because he is having a disagreement with Mr. Boythorn.

Esther can no longer keep her secret to herself. She had received Lady Dedlock’s permission to tell her guardian, so she asks Mr. Jarndyce if he knew why Lady Dedlock and her sister had parted ways. Mr. Jarndyce does not know but surprises Esther with the news that Mr. Boythorn’s former fiancée was Lady Dedlock’s sister, and the sisters’ feud was the reason the couple had parted ways. Esther feels upset that she was the cause of Mr. Boythorn’s unhappiness. She explains that the sisters disagreed because of her—that Lady Dedlock was her mother. Mr. Jarndyce comforts her; he gives no sign of disappointment at Esther’s unfortunate background.

Mr. Jarndyce tells Esther that it is better that she keep her secret. She tells him she is worried about the suspicions of Mr. Tulkinghorn, Mr. Guppy, and Hortense. Mr. Jarndyce says he has something that he wants to say to her, but he will write her a letter rather than tell her in person. In the letter, Mr. Jarndyce asks Esther to marry him. Esther is overwhelmed that he wants to make her the mistress of Bleak House even after her disfiguring illness and the revelation of her illegitimacy. She waits several days for him to mention the letter, and finally she tells him that she accepts his proposal.

Mr. Vholes arrives to tell Mr. Jarndyce that Richard is in desperate financial straits. Esther and Charley go to Deal, where Richard is stationed, to talk to him. Richard says that he has left the army because he had too much trouble with those in authority. Esther gives him a letter from Ada, in which she informs him that she offers him her small inheritance. Richard refuses and intends to return to London with Esther and Charley. As Esther walks by the docks, she sees Mr. Woodcourt, who has returned from India. She hastens away, not yet ready for him to see her disfigured face. She braces herself, however, and sends him a notice. When he comes to see her, she can see the pity in his face. He is visibly anxious about Richard, who urges him to ride back to London with them. Mr. Woodcourt, however, still has business to attend to on the ship; he promises to meet Richard in London.

Mr. Woodcourt walks through Tom-All-Alone in the early hours, and he treats a woman who was beaten by her brickmaker husband. He hears a woman cry out to stop a boy who is running toward him. When Mr. Woodcourt catches the boy, he discovers that it is Jo. Jo claims that a man took him away after he ran away from Esther. Mr. Woodcourt learns that Jo was the cause of Esther’s illness. Despite his repugnance, Mr. Woodcourt takes Jo to find some lodgings.