After her search for Lady Dedlock, Esther becomes ill but not seriously. Mr. Jarndyce proposes that they stay in London so Esther can see Ada more often. He asks her casually if she likes Mrs. Woodcourt. Esther replies that she does, but she feels inward misgivings. She learns that Mr. Woodcourt will not be going overseas again but will take a post in Yorkshire, in the north of England.

Esther sees Ada daily but thinks Richard is getting worse. Mr. Vholes continues to prey upon him. She meets Miss Flite, who tells her that she has made Richard her executor because he has been at Chancery so much. Miss Flite confesses that she does not like Mr. Vholes. At dinner, Mr. Vholes tells Esther that he thinks Richard’s marriage to Ada is unwise and has caused Richard’s financial prospects to continue to spiral downward. When Richard praises Mr. Vholes to excess, Esther believes he is beginning to have doubts about him. Mr. Woodcourt arrives and goes walking with Richard. Ada tells Esther that she knew when she married Richard that life would not be easy, but now she has real fears. She has become pregnant, but she is afraid that Richard will not live to see their child.

Esther confronts Skimpole with the harm he has caused Richard. She states that afterward she never saw him again. He died five years later, leaving behind a diary that was published as a model of self-justification but condemnation of the “selfishness” of the Jarndyce case. Mr. Woodcourt continues to visit Richard, who is getting progressively worse. Mr. Woodcourt confesses to Esther that she is his beloved, though he knows she is to marry Mr. Jarndyce. He promises that she will be ever dear to him, even though she is married to another. Esther breaks down in tears. The next morning, Esther tells Mr. Jarndyce that she is ready to be married, and Mr. Jarndyce suggests that they wed the next month.

Mr. Bucket arrives with Grandfather Smallweed, who tells Mr. Jarndyce that he inherited Mr. Krook’s property. Among the papers found in desks is a will related to Jarndyce and Jarndyce. Although it decreases Mr. Jarndyce’s interest in the case, it significantly increases that of Richard and Ada. He takes the will to Mr. Kenge, who decides it is important and will bring it before the next Court, the following month.

Mr. George travels to the north country to seek out his brother. He initially introduces himself as “Mr. Steel,” but his brother recognizes him and greets him warmly. He goes home and meets his brother’s family as well as Rosa, who is to be married soon to Mr. Rouncewell’s son. George requests that his brother ask their mother to remove him from her will because he does not want to deprive his nieces. Mr. Rouncewell says she would never do such a thing. Prior to his return to London, George has his brother read a letter he has written to Esther. In it, he states that he had received from a naval captain a list of instructions on sending a letter to a certain young woman in England. It was this letter that Mr. Tulkinghorn forced George to give him. He sends the letter to Esther with his brother’s approval.