As they had planned when meeting at Mrs. Assingham’s home, Charlotte Stant and the prince go shopping for Maggie’s wedding gift. Charlotte mentions the many times in Rome when the two of them had gone shopping; the prince was able to make bargains on many items Charlotte still has. The prince admits that he does not go shopping in London because he finds the experience there boring. They agree to go to shopping districts where the prince has not gone with Maggie, preferring out-of-the-way places where Maggie would not go and no one who would know either the prince or Charlotte would see them together. They have not told Maggie they were going shopping together. Charlotte confesses she has asked the Prince to accompany her on this shopping trip more to be alone with him than to have his advice on the gift. She wants to relive for one last time before the prince’s marriage the times they had together when there was still a possibility of love between them. Charlotte and the prince speak of the innocence and trust Maggie exhibits. She would not suspect anyone she loves of anything. They do not exhibit pity toward her, only decency and helpfulness.

The prince and Charlotte shop for two hours without finding anything appropriate. They wander into a small shop in the Bloomsbury district. Although the collection of items is small, the items are of find quality. They speak Italian to avoid being overheard by the shopkeeper, who fascinates Charlotte by his commanding eyes. The prince afterwards claimed that he did not notice him any more than he ever notices the “lower classes.” Charlotte proposes buying the prince a souvenir of their last time together, but he rejects the notion. He offers to buy her some item of jewelry, but she points out that she could never wear it publicly because their current shopping expedition is designed to be an expedition. The shopkeeper finally addresses them in Italian, and they realize that he has understood what they have been saying. He offers to show them one more item, a golden bowl, which is a large crystal goblet with gilded design. The prince looks at it, dismisses it, and goes outside the shop to wait. Charlotte is fascinated by it but claims there must be a flaw in it because the price (fifteen pounds) is so cheap. The shopkeeper says it does not matter if there is a flaw if it is unnoticed. Charlotte replies that it might be noticed later, after it has been purchased. She asks if crystal can break. The shopkeeper tells her that it splits; it does not shatter like common glass. She decides against buying it, but he offers to keep it for her. The prince tells her he noticed the flaw at once. Charlotte lies and tells him that it costs five pounds, but he says it is still not worth it. He promises he will buy her something whenever she marries. She tells him she is tempted to marry just to receive something from him.