Mrs. Grant has invited Fanny to dinner, but Lady Bertram cannot understand why. Is it merely due to the absence of Maria and Julia? Why would anyone want Fanny to sit at their table, she wonders. Lady Bertram tells Fanny that maybe she should not go.

Edmund overhears his mother's comments and is surprised by her sentiments. Why should Fanny not go, Edmund wants to know. His mother asks what she would do without Fanny. Who will take care of her? Edmund tells her that his father will be home. When Lady Bertram continues to resist the idea of Fanny being away for dinner, Edmund suggests that his mother should consult his father to get his thoughts on the matter.

Lady Bertram approaches her husband as soon as he comes home. Of course, Fanny should go, Sir Thomas says without any hesitation, as if he cannot conceive of any thought otherwise. It will do Fanny good, Sir Thomas adds.

When Mrs. Norris hears of the invitation, she is more confused than Lady Bertram had been. What is wrong with Mrs. Grant, Mrs. Norris wants to know. Why would she do such a foolish thing? Mrs. Norris learns that the decision has already been made, but she insists on offering warnings that Fanny should always remember her place. Fanny is not to think that this dinner invitation raises her social status. She is not and never will be on the same level as her cousins. When asked a question, Fanny should provide only the shortest answer and should never volunteer any opinions. And finally, Fanny should walk to the Grants' home, as none of the Bertram carriages will be put to her service.

Fanny's excitement about going to the Grant's house for dinner is greatly dampened by Mrs. Norris's orders. But her spirits rise when Sir Thomas appears and asks Fanny what time she would like the carriage. Despite Mrs. Norris's objections, Sir Thomas insists that no proper young lady should have to walk such a distance at night. Fanny arrives at the Grants' house in style. Edmund adds to the pleasure as he decides to join her in the carriage ride.

As they pull up to the Grants' home, Fanny and Edmund notice another carriage has arrived and recognize it as belonging to Henry Crawford. His appearance makes Edmund excited. Fanny has no feelings about this development except that she would have felt more comfortable if Henry had not been there.

During dinner, Fanny wonders if Henry's feelings about Maria and Julia remain, but Henry talks about the Bertram sisters with little emotion behind his words. Henry does declare, however, that Maria is too good for Mr. Rushworth.

While Edmund is busy talking to Dr. Grant about the clergy, Mary is disappointed about the seriousness with which Edmund is pursuing this course. She thought that by now she had talked him out of becoming a minister. Henry teases that though a clergyman makes little money, he does have an easy life.